Restaurant News

This chain was ‘stoked’ to enter Idaho. Now it’s closed in Eagle; new restaurant to open

The Zeeks Pizza experiment in Idaho is over — at least for now.

Roughly a year and a half after the Washington chain unveiled its first out-of-state location in Eagle — its 25th overall — the full-service restaurant has closed.

The space at 2826 S. Eagle Road, suite 100, won’t stay dark long. Arizona-based Matty G’s Steakburgers & Lobsta’ Rolls has signed a lease there, founder Matthew Gorman said.

A sports-themed franchise restaurant with TVs on the wall and beer on tap, Matty G’s should open this year, if all goes according to plan.

Before that occurs, Matty G’s plans to make its Idaho debut in Boise in the former Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese building at 6565 W. Fairview Ave. That’s on track to happen about Dec. 1, Gorman said.

The Zeeks Pizza sign is still up, but Matty G’s Steakburgers & Lobsta’ Rolls plans to take over the space soon.
The Zeeks Pizza sign is still up, but Matty G’s Steakburgers & Lobsta’ Rolls plans to take over the space soon. Michael Deeds mdeeds@idahostatesman.com

When Zeeks dipped a toe into the Gem State, the company was “totally stoked,” Dan Black, president, told the Idaho Statesman last year. The brand’s combination of pizza and craft beer has made it a well-known name in the Seattle area and beyond.

“We had toured Boise, and we knew about Eagle. … We are really, really excited to be there,” Black said at the time.

Now Zeeks Pizza is a Washington-only chain again. There are 24 locations, with another slated to open in Duvall in the next month or so, Black said in a message Wednesday. Most are franchises, although a few are company-owned, Black previously told the Statesman.

Zeeks hasn’t given up on Idaho, Black said Wednesday in a prepared statement.

“We continue to think Zeeks will do well in Eagle and Idaho, but there are currently no new locations under consideration in the state,” he said.

Customers who peek through the window will find an empty, dark restaurant at Zeeks.
Customers who peek through the window will find an empty, dark restaurant at Zeeks. Michael Deeds mdeeds@idahostatesman.com

This story was originally published November 13, 2024 at 12:21 PM.

Michael Deeds
Idaho Statesman
Michael Deeds is a long-serving entertainment reporter and opinion columnist at the Idaho Statesman, where he chronicles the Boise good life: restaurants, concerts, culture, cool stuff. He started as a summer intern after graduating from the University of Nebraska with a news-editorial journalism degree. Deeds’ prior Statesman roles have included sportswriter, music critic and features editor. His other writing has ranged from freelancing album reviews for The Washington Post to bragging about Boise in that inflight magazine you left on the plane. 
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