This Meridian food trailer is a ‘gem.’ Now a Boise brick-and-mortar is coming

Nothing personal, Orange Julius and Wetzel’s Pretzels, but the food lineup at Boise Towne Square is about to become less mainstream.

Candela Viva, a Colombian food trailer that operates at 412 E. Fairview Ave. in Meridian, plans to open in the mall’s food court. On pace to debut at the end of May, the restaurant will take over the former Good Burger spot, according to Ali Phillips, a spokesperson for Boise Towne Square owner Brookfield Properties.

Candela Viva’s food-trailer menu offers a variety of Colombian cuisine, ranging from empanadas ($5) and arepas rellenas (stuffed corn cakes, $12) to main meals such as arroz paisa (rice, pork belly, plantain, chicken, pork loin, chorizo and sausage, $18) and churrasco (beef steak, french fries, plantain, salad rice and chimichurri, $20).

Candela Viva is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars on Google and 4.5 out of 5 on Yelp. Considering that Colombian food isn’t common in Idaho, plenty of customers are first-timers.

“Never tried Colombian food before, and now I am a huge fan,” one Google reviewer wrote, saying that he “absolutely loved” the beef papa rellena and a chicken empanada.

“I only wish I had found this place sooner,” wrote another, “but I’m glad I eventually did because I have discovered a gem.”

Michael Deeds

Idaho Statesman

208-377-6407

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.