‘Friggin loud’ and ‘pricey’ or ‘hip’ and ‘fun,’ this restaurant is coming, Meridian
An upscale gastropub chain with a bit of rock ‘n’ roll swagger is on its way to The Village at Meridian.
And even if some of the food borders on high-brow, you definitely don’t need an education to eat there.
Culinary Dropout plans to open at 3211 E. Longwing Lane, according to documents filed with the city. The casual-dining chain, which is based in Arizona, is part of Fox Restaurant Concepts. Known for an active atmosphere that features live music in the bar area, Culinary Dropout is “an American bistro that celebrates refined rebellion,” its website says. The name is a nod to influential Fox Restaurants founder Sam Fox, who left college to open his first restaurant.
Culinary Dropout is “a place where food and music are life,” the chain explains on Yelp. “Join us at happy hour for ice cold beer and our famous soft pretzels with provolone fondue. At dinner, a signature cocktail and slow-braised 36-hour pork ribs are a perfect pair. While you and your crew enjoy damn good food and drinks, a local band plays live for great vibes.”
The proposed Meridian restaurant would be 7,000 square feet and include two covered patios, documents show — one at 925 square feet and another at 1,285 square feet.
Elisa Cordova, director of marketing for Culinary Dropout, declined to provide details or a timeline for opening. “We’re very excited about opening a Culinary Dropout in Idaho!” Cordova said. “We do not have any additional information to share at this time.”
Culinary dropout operates 16 locations in eight states, according to its website, with another two locations coming soon in Omaha, Nebraska, and Charlotte, North Carolina. (Meridian is not listed yet.)
Perusing online commentary, it’s clear that Culinary Dropout is probably not a place for an intimate, romantic meal. A Reddit thread from 2023 about the Tucson location asks, “Can someone explain to (me) why Culinary Dropout is so friggin loud?” (”They are going for a restaurant with a nightclub vibe,” someone suggests.)
Either way, like so many restaurants nowadays (even “refined rebellion” ones), this will not be an especially cheap date. A Google review of the Tucson location notes “all items were very well-made, but everything was a bit pricey.”
Overall, Culinary Dropout’s reviews definitely lean positive. A recent 5-star Google rating of Tucson says, “The food is incredible (they do great with gluten-free and allergies), and the atmosphere is hip, vibrant, and fun.”
A recent Yelp review of the decade-old Austin, Texas, location praises its “industrial-chic” lighting, “generous and high-value” food, and “high-octane, high-energy environment.” Bottom line? “It’s a bit of a ‘controlled chaos’ situation,” the Yelper says, meaning “it can be slightly overwhelming with the sheer volume of staff moving through the floor, but that leads to the highlight: the service.”
Bottom line, the review says? “It’s on the pricier side for Austin, but between the drink quality and the service speed, the ROI is definitely there.”
Sounds tailor-made for The Village at Meridian, right?
Fox Restaurant Concepts, which is owned by The Cheesecake Factory Inc., also operates North Italia, which opened last year at The Village, and soon-to-open Flower Child.
Culinary Dropout’s building is part of expansion construction at The Village.
This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM.