‘You can’t run a restaurant with one person,’ so this Boise newcomer closed
A sports-themed restaurant from Arizona that made its Idaho debut in December has closed for now.
But the situation could turn out to be permanent.
Matty G’s Steakburgers & Lobsta’ Rolls has gone dark at 6565 W. Fairview Ave. in Boise, where a sign in the window indicates that it’s temporary. A second location in Eagle — launched shortly thereafter at 2826 S. Eagle Road — remains open. So does Matty G’s other restaurant in Mesa, Arizona.
A Texas location is slated to debut in Houston in two weeks, founder Matthew Gorman said.
“Basically, the Boise store, the franchisee had health issues that kind of contributed to us having staff issues,” he said in a phone interview, “and not being able to staff the restaurant and keep it open seven days a week in a proper operating manner.
“... We did have to close it this week, because we just didn’t have enough people to open the restaurant. We were going to have one person on Wednesday and Thursday this week, and you can’t run a restaurant with one person.
“As of right now, it is temporarily closed because we do have the opportunity to reopen if we can overcome these obstacles. But I would bet against reopening at this point.”
As far as the Eagle restaurant? “We should be fine there,” Gorman said.
Offering “mouth-watering steakburgers, buttery lobsta’ rolls, foot-long hot dogs, crispy chicken, fresh salads, bold wraps and irresistible street food, Matty G’s offers an elevated twist on classic American comfort food,” a press release proclaimed when the chain opened in Boise. “Not only will Matty G’s serve up fantastic food, but Boise’s location will also be a paradise for sports enthusiasts.”
Despite the status of the Fairview Avenue restaurant, Gorman said he still has Matty G’s expansion aspirations for the Gem State.
“Eventually, I’d like to open more stores there,” he said. “But we’ve got to take a step back before we take two steps forward.
“That’s reality,” he said candidly. “It is what it is.”
