Over 50 Boise restaurants, bars unveil deals (and ‘steals’) at Taste of Downtown
If you haven’t treated yourself to downtown Boise lately, now is the time.
Starting Friday, Oct. 17, more than 50 restaurants and bars will unveil special prices and menus as part of the long-running Taste of Downtown. An annual 10-day showcase organized by the Downtown Boise Association, it lasts through Sunday, Oct. 26.
You’ll find tons of $14-or-less food-and-drink deals. But not everything’s priced at that point. Some participants will host social hours or offer unique food experiences. Others will roll out exclusive prix-fixe menus.
For Boiseans, it’s a chance to savor some of the city’s top cuisine and cocktails — almost exclusively at affordable prices. Or to explore the latest newcomers downtown, such as Oddbox Breakfast Project.
For participating businesses, it’s smart marketing.
“It’s great exposure for us,” explained restaurateur Kasey Allen, pausing inside his popular ice cream shop, The STIL, on a recent weekday. “And then I think it’s fun to just highlight things on our menu that people might not know we have.”
It pays to do a little research during Taste of Downtown. Some specials are, well, more special than others. But there definitely are fun, affordable highlights to be found. To view all the options — dozens and dozens of them — visit downtownboise.org/taste.
Here are a few ideas to get you started.
If you’re looking for an upscale dining experience, there are several directions to go. Two that stand out? Owyhee Tavern, 1109 W. Main St., always delivers during Taste of Downtown. Its three-course fall prix-fixe meal is $35, and includes entrees ranging from crab-stuffed salmon to mushroom peppersteak (American wagyu top sirloin). Want to upgrade? Steak standout Chandlers, 981 W. Grove St., has a three-course prix-fixe meal for $60 that will truly wow. We’re talking scrumptious, special-occasion cuisine such as filet mignon and butterscotch creme brulee.
After opening less than two years ago at 103 N. 10th St., sandwich shop Don & Charly’s quickly made a splash. Its Taste of Downtown deal is a chicken or mushroom bánh mì with your choice of burrata or soup and a huckleberry lemonade for $14. That combination normally would cost more than $20. “Especially with the burrata,” owner Charles Hennessey said, “it’s a steal.”
If you haven’t visited The STIL, 786 W. Broad St., for some gourmet ice cream — even booze-infused flavors! — you are missing out. You can snag two decadent pints for $14 to take home — “for when the craving strikes,” Allen explained. Or sit down in the shop and enjoy one of the ice cream and beer, or ice cream and wine, pairing flights. Those are $14 and normally go for 20 bucks.
Just like last year, Bacon, 121 N. 9th St., will serve a salty $14 combo: You get five bacon-strip “shots” in shot glasses — all different flavors — plus a signature Bacon Bloody Mary. That cocktail includes (among other ingredients) bacon infusion syrup, another slice of bacon and bacon salt on the rim. The deal is available from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.
Another solid value (also like last year): The Brisket Loaded Baked Potato for $12 at Neighbor Tim’s BBQ. It’s located inside The Warehouse Food Hall, 370 S. 8th St. A crowd-pleasing beast of a tater, it is no small fry.