Iconic Boise restaurant forced to ax this ‘famous’ menu item. You can guess why

A beloved weekend menu item at one of Boise’s most iconic restaurants is on the chopping block.

And if you follow the trajectory of the American economy, you can probably guess why.

Westside Drive-In’s Famous Prime Rib, a Friday- and Saturday-only special, is being discontinued. The iconic, ’50s-style restaurant, which operates at 1929 W. State St. and 1113 E. Parkcenter Blvd., will serve it for the final time Saturday.

For Boise motorists accustomed to seeing exterior signs hyping the juicy prime rib, it’s a nostalgic moment.

“We are fully aware that this news has left many customers feeling disappointed,” Westside posted Wednesday on social media.

So why do it?

“The reason is rising costs,” Westside explained. “Prime rib has almost doubled in price in the last two years. It is a very expensive cut of beef. And since we are a drive-in, we have always wanted to keep our menu items very affordable.”

Westside charges $29.99 for its Complete Prime Rib Dinner, a 10-ounce cut with soup or salad, a baked potato, roll and butter, served with au jus and horseradish.

At that menu price, “the cost for us has made it much more difficult to make any type of profit on it,” Westside wrote.

If the wholesale cost drops, it could return to the menu someday, the restaurant added.

“... But for now, the sun is unfortunately setting on Westside’s Famous Prime Rib.”

Founded in 1957, Westside Drive-In is known for signature dishes, such as its Famous Idaho Ice Cream Potato and Boise’s Best Finger Steaks. (And do not miss out on the decadent Monte Cristo sandwich.) The Famous Prime Rib was highlighted on Food Network’s “Triple D Nation” when Guy Fieri visited in 2023, and Fieri also visited the restaurant way back in 2009 and tried the dish.

For customers still longing for beefy selections after Saturday’s final hurrah? “We will still be offering our Shaved Prime Rib Dip and Ribeye Steak Sandwich,” the restaurant said.

This story was originally published October 1, 2025 at 3:35 PM.

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.