A ‘different’ sort of chain has arrived, Meridian. This pizza is ‘another level’
Another day, another California restaurant chain opening in Meridian.
But Slice House by Tony Gemignani isn’t just another pizza chain.
“Slice House,” as a fan on Reddit wrote, “is another level.”
Opening Saturday at 1582 Orchard Park Drive — near Chinden Boulevard and Linder Road — the fast-growing franchise chain brings ambition and creativity to a crowded, not exactly inspired culinary universe. Like, is there any segment of the restaurant industry more dependable for satisfying mediocrity than pizza?
Slice House aims higher.
Despite being a fast-casual concept, this is “elevated, chef-driven pizza,” Gemignani, a 13-time pizza world champion, told me late last year. It’s “much different” than most pizza chains, he said.
Expect to pay in the neighborhood of $5, $6, even $7 for individual slices pulled from a mouthwatering display counter. And upwards of $35 for most full-size 20-inch pies. (Specific Meridian costs haven’t been shared yet, but online sleuthing shows that’s the pricing wheelhouse at a Salt Lake City location.)
Meridian’s Slice House will even sell an exclusive, Idaho-inspired pizza, according to a press release: Huckleberry Pie. It’s made with purple potatoes, baby red potatoes, mozzarella, applewood-smoked bacon, maple bacon, Larchwood Farms Huckleberry Jam, sliced green onions, chili flake peppers, romano cheese, oregano and garlic oil. Huckleberry Pie will be sold by the slice only. And served with a side of sour cream. Domino’s this ain’t!
Meridian’s newest fast-casual restaurant will give away Slice House hats to the first 50 customers Saturday. (It opens at 11 a.m.) Gemignani will do a meet-and-greet, too. And a raffle will be held to win free pizza for a year.
Meridian’s Slice House will offer “an expansive menu of Gemignani’s famous New York, Sicilian, Grandma and Detroit style pizzas,” according to the release, “available by the slice or as whole pies, with gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options available. The menu also includes fresh pastas, wings, and salads, while the beverage selection features local craft beers, premium wines and non-alcoholic options.”
(Slice House also carries housemade spicy hot honey to drizzle on pizza. Oh, yes.)
“The new fast-casual restaurant has indoor seating for 34 guests and outdoor seating for 62 on a private patio,” the release continues, “as well as takeout and delivery options, with online ordering launching soon.”
The Slice House hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, according to the release.
This isn’t the only Slice House planned in the Boise area. A three-unit Idaho franchise deal has been signed.
Gemignani has devoted his life to pizza. A California native, he opened his first restaurant, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, in San Francisco’s North Beach in 2009. The press release describes Gemignani as a “world renowned pizzaiolo.” The New York Times highlighted him earlier this year in an article about where to find great New York-style slices.
This isn’t Gemignani’s first taste of Boise, either. During the pandemic in 2020, he opened Tony G’s Pizza, a short-lived, smaller operation, in the now-defunct Crave Delivery ghost-kitchen collective in Meridian.
Slice House was announced as a national franchise in 2022 and has quickly grown. The Meridian store will be the 26th location.
Describing the appeal of Slice House, Gemignani brought up another famous name in the restaurant chain universe. “It’s kind of like Shake Shack in a way,” he said. “... It’s busy. It’s unique. And it’s not too chainy. We make our dough. We make our pesto in-house. We do a lot of scratch items in this restaurant.
“Slice House is just different,” he reiterated, “and it still continues to be. It’s definitely a unique concept. I don’t think we’re like any franchise or chain that’s out there.”
This story was originally published October 29, 2025 at 4:00 AM.