‘Insanely good’ Idaho restaurant has one of NY Times ‘best dishes.’ It’s not in Boise
A restaurant at the base of Idaho’s scenic Sawtooth Mountains keeps elevating its reputation.
First, the Stanley Supper Club’s owners-chefs were nominated for a James Beard Award. And now, as the year draws to a close, their culinary skills have been singled out by The New York Times.
The Stanley Supper Club’s fried chicken is one of the Times’ “26 Best Dishes We Ate Across the U.S. in 2024.” The mouthwatering list runs the gamut from “a perfectly beefy suadero taco” to “a studded arroz caldo” in places all over America.
The Stanley Supper Club’s “fried bird is an expertly crunchy version: brined, buttermilked and spiced in a largely canonical way,” the Times writes. “But it’s also the perfect vehicle for the trio of dipping sauces. The usual housemade lineup is a trifecta of classic ranch, pineapple-habanero hot sauce and a spicy honey. But keep an eye out for guest stars like a fermented tomatillo number that hummed with vegetal heat on the back of the tongue, or a plum-fenugreek condiment that is a play on a traditional Georgian sauce. The whole setup is a hearty, fortifying delight in a place where a snowstorm in late June isn’t out of the question.”
Ben Barlow and Heather Logan were among a handful of Idaho chefs announced as Best Chef: Mountain region James Beard semifinalists in January. Unlike the other two Gem State chefs — Dan Ansotegui of Ansots in Boise, and Salvador Alamilla of Amano in Caldwell — they were first-time nominees. None of the four chefs went on to become finalists, but being nominated carries significant prestige.
Barlow and Logan got their start over a decade ago in the kitchen of a Stanley guest ranch, according to the Supper Club website — with Barlow on the egg station and Logan baking. Then “time and opportunity took us away from Stanley; we traveled the world and spent years working in Seattle’s fine dining scene.” After returning to Idaho, they opened the Stanley Supper Club, which is located at 250 Niece Ave.: “Our dream was to create something that had the best of both worlds; a homey place where you can relax and where simple food is prepared with skill and great care.”
Located in Stanley Town Square, the Supper Club has racked up a rating of 4.8 out of 5.0 stars from 169 Google reviews.
“Insanely good,” raves the most recent review. “Basically had zero complaints about the entire meal, and everything was crazy good. And, the prices were super reasonable. Definitely one of my new favorite places in Idaho.”
Acknowledging The New York Times’ distinction online, Barlow and Logan modestly refused to take full credit for the fried chicken.
“It’s a huge honor to be included on this list!” the Stanley Supper Club posted on Facebook. “And shout out to all of the talented cooks who have contributed their hot sauces to this dish over the years. We really appreciate y’all.”
But before you jump in your four-wheel drive and head north for some tasty fried bird, be aware that the Stanley Supper Club temporarily closed in late October — for fall break.
Winter season kicks off Friday, Jan. 3, according to the restaurant’s website.
This story was originally published December 18, 2024 at 11:22 AM.