Admit it, Boise, you love chain restaurants. Which one should open here next?
After In-N-Out Burger’s earth-shattering expansion into Idaho, one might think that Boise’s hunger for out-of-state chains would subside.
If anything, our lust for fast food now seems supersized.
If In-N-Out can open across the Treasure Valley, anything feels possible. Plenty of artery-clogging chains are still missing. It’s outrageously uncool to admit that we crave them, but let’s just own it, Idaho.
Cue Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” Sing with me! “We’ve got ketchup on our face! A big disgrace! We’re gonna eat everything in this place!”
Sneer away, locavores. Few mortals can resist the siren call of a beloved chain restaurant.
It begs the guilty-pleasure question: Which chain does Boise still need the most?
Raising Cane’s, El Pollo Loco
The Treasure Valley — particularly Meridian — has come a long way on its journey toward chain-restaurant heaven and hell. Thanks to our exploded population, we now have In-N-Out. We have Culver’s. We have Dave’s Hot Chicken. We have Panera Bread. We have Jersey Mike’s and Firehouse Subs. There’s even a Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop in Star now. Star!
Much-hyped chicken brand Raising Cane’s bought land on Eagle Road between Fairview Avenue and Ustick Road, according to Summit Commercial Real Estate Group. The chain is on track to open a restaurant there in early 2026 — in winter or spring — a Raising Cane’s representative told the Statesman in a message. Cane’s also has bought the former Golden Corral in Twin Falls.
Another popular poultry purveyor, El Pollo Loco, appears to be headed to Meridian, too. Sending California transplants into elated convulsions, El Pollo Loco submitted paperwork with the city to open a 2,000-square-foot restaurant at 3471 W. Chinden Blvd., near the intersection with Ten Mile Road. (El Pollo Loco would compete with a couple of other nearby chicken and Mexican-themed chains: Slim Chickens and Cafe Rio.)
I understand the stoke about Cane’s and El Pollo Loco. But how many more chicken chains does the Boise market really need?
If I could choose any chain to open here, it would be — wait for it — Taco John’s.
Lame, I know. It’s a Mexican-food brand founded in, um, Wyoming. I grew up eating Taco John’s. So I inherently love it. Right now, if I hope to chomp into a Taco Bravo (an ingenious blend of hard and soft shell taco) or Potato Oles (tater tots sprinkled with spice-crack), I have to travel to Twin Falls. Taco John’s exited the Treasure Valley years ago.
Fast food desires don’t always make sense. My mother-in-law got seriously pumped when Wienerschnitzel appeared here last year. (In Meridian, naturally.) Who gets fired up about a freakin’ hot dog chain? Tons of people, I discovered, based on the stampede of lip-licking humanity when it opened.
I’ve never tasted a Wienerschnitzel dog. But I relish the opportunity.
Which chain does Boise need?
What’s your top choice for the next chain to come to the Boise area?
No shame. Here are some theoretical contenders.
▪ Shake Shack: I just had my first encounter with Shake Shack a few weeks ago — in Portland. A Black Truffle Burger? And those Shake Shack-branded plastic wine glasses? Nice touches. Revered as an elevated, “non-chainy” burger chain, Shake Shack also has a handful of locations in Utah now. So don’t be shocked if it materializes in Idaho.
▪ White Castle: A Midwest hamburger legend, White Castle is known for its square-shaped burger sliders. This chain even inspired a funny 2004 stoner comedy, “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle.” But its lack of presence in the West makes it feel like a long shot for Idaho.
▪ Whataburger: Founded in Texas nearly 75 years ago, Whataburger has a philosophy not unlike In-N-Out’s: fresh, never frozen beef. There are hundreds of locations in Texas, but Whataburger has invaded 16 other states, too. The farthest west so far? Las Vegas.
▪ Dunkin’ Donuts: How is there not a single Dunkin’ in Idaho? Affordable and borderline iconic, the brand has locations as close as — yep — Utah. Come on, Dunkin’! Dutch Bros Coffee needs competition in Idaho.
▪ Runza: Unappetizing name notwithstanding, you’ll be hooked once you bite into this dough pocket filled with hamburger, cabbage and other deliciousness. I love runzas. The brand’s traditional burgers are solid, too. Founded in Nebraska, Runza operates in a few Midwest states. Not to rub french fry salt in your wounds, but it’s probably never coming to Idaho.
▪ Waffle House: Boise definitely could use more late-night dining options, so it’s hard to argue with Waffle House’s around-the-clock hours — especially if you like Southern-style breakfast food. There are bazillions of Waffle Houses in the Midwest and South.
▪ Steak ’n Shake: This “steakburger” chain made headlines earlier this year by declaring it would switch to cooking all its french fries with beef tallow. “We RFK’ed our fries,” a Steak ’n Shake executive told Fox News. Naturally, MAGA approval soon followed. In deep-red Idaho, Steak ’n Shake would have built-in customers eager to mix politics with fast food.
▪ Bojangles: Just what Boise could use — another chicken joint. “Bojangles is a Carolina-born restaurant chain specializing in craveable Southern chicken, biscuits and tea made fresh daily from real recipes, and with a friendly smile,” the chain explains. There are roughly 800 restaurants in 17 states, according to its website.
▪ Torchy’s Tacos: As the cynical internet will tell you, Torchy’s went downhill after it expanded outside Texas. Whatever. Every time I visit Austin (roughly yearly), I feast at Torchy’s. I love me a Trailer Park taco packed with fried chicken and ordered “trashy” — with gooey queso slathered everywhere. Torchy’s green chile queso is legit.
I just changed my mind. I’d choose Torchy’s Tacos over Taco John’s.
This story was originally published April 24, 2025 at 4:00 AM.