After 38 years, ‘adored’ Idaho chain with 12 restaurants opens first one in Boise area
A “well-known” local restaurant chain “adored throughout Idaho” is finally cooking in the Treasure Valley.
Heck, it took only four decades.
Papa Kelsey’s Subs & Salads officially launched its new Meridian store this week. The restaurant is serving a menu of hot submarine sandwiches, pizza, salads and soups from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 5956 N. Linder Road. It’s a couple of blocks south of Chinden Boulevard.
Founded in 1984 in Twin Falls, Papa Kelsey’s now operates 11 Gem State locations. There’s also one in Colorado and one in Arizona — a sign of things to come. With the Meridian restaurant as its first franchise store, the family-owned brand has put out-of-state growth in its cross hairs. “PK’s is well-known and adored throughout Idaho,” its corporate Facebook page brags, “and we are making our way across the nation to you!”
Dan Young, co-owner of the Meridian operation, told the Statesman in August that he was confident Papa Kelsey’s would be welcomed in the Boise valley.
“The reality is, there’s a lot of folks that live in this area that came from Eastern Idaho, Southern Idaho, that know the brand, and are excited for it.”
‘All about the dough’
Papa Kelsey’s culinary universe is “all about the dough,” its website explains. “Our handmade dough delivers mouth-watering subs, pizza, garlic bread and cinnamon rolls. It’s too good to only be used one way.”
The sub sandwiches are “the best,” Young said, explaining that they’re “gooey, melty, cheesy.” They range from an Italian Combo ($8.99 half/$17.49 full), French Dip ($8.99/$17.49) and Triple Meat Supreme ($7.99/$15.49) to a Steak & Everything ($8.99/$17.49), Southwest Chipotle Chicken ($8.99/$17.49) — or even a Pizza Sub ($7.29/$13.99) or Taco Sub ($7.99/$15.49).
Pizzas come in three sizes: personal, medium and large. Like the sandwiches, they come as build-your-own, or you order specialty creations. One such pizza is Fred’s Delight ($8.49/$17.99/$23.99), which comes with pepperoni, mushrooms, Canadian bacon, green peppers, mozzarella and sauce.
Salads start with the Italian ($6.99/$8.99). Fancier upgrades include a Taco Salad, Chef Salad and Southwest Chipotle Chicken Salad ($11.99 for any of those).
Franchise expansion
Located in a newly constructed, multi-unit building, Papa Kelsey’s will offer outdoor patio seating during warm-weather months.
And unlike the brand’s other Idaho locations, beer and wine will be sold at the Meridian store, Young said.
There are no plans for a Boise location, but he hopes to open another restaurant in south Meridian in the next few years. A Papa Kelsey’s food trailer should be rolling in 2023.
Other Gem State stores are in towns such as Buhl and Burley, Jerome and Rigby, Kimberly and Pocatello.
Before coming to Meridian, Hagerman was the farthest west Papa Kelsey’s went.
Could Oregon be next? Or even California?
With “a history of dough domination spanning five different decades,” Papa Kelsey’s says on its website, “... a new dough dream is rising … to expand the brand and reach new mouths through the power of franchising.”
Online: papakelseys.com.
This story was originally published November 2, 2022 at 3:41 PM.