Boise’s cheap eats food guide: Check out these 20 restaurants with grub for $10 or less
As grocery prices keep rising, many Americans are turning toward eating out more and more often.
While the Treasure Valley has a wide selection of high-class restaurants and eateries, it doesn’t have to be expensive to eat out.
The Idaho Statesman has compiled a list of delicious food around Boise for less than $10, including pizza, Basque, Mexican, American and breakfast food:
American
BOISE FRY COMPANY | 204 N. Capitol Blvd., 3083 S. Brown Way, 6944 W. State St.
Are you truly in Idaho if you don’t go to a restaurant that advertises fries as the main meal and burger as the side? Boise Fry Company is exactly that, letting you choose from six types of potatoes, five styles of fries and three types of salt garnishes.
- Small fries - $3.45.
- Large fries - $5.25.
- Bourgeois fries - ($6) small, ($9) large - Russet fries, fried in duck fat, garnished with Italian truffle salt
- Burgers: Beef ($6.35), bison ($8.70).
- Quinoa salad - $3.25.
ART HAUS BAR | 999 W. Main St. Suite P101
KIN is known for its craft cocktails and tasting menu, as well as a monthly rotation of food and beverage pairings, but the downtown restaurant also has many cheaper options in its adjacent Art Haus side that’ll please your taste buds and your wallet.
- Grilled zuke salad ($7) Grilled zucchini, quinoa, picked smoked blueberry and basil-pepita pesto.
- Buttermilk panna cotta ($8) Nasturtium, strawberry, pepita and Tajín.
- House potato chips ($4).
DOUBLE TAP PUB | 409 S. 8th St.
Double Tap is a cozy American pub tucked away in the center of the Foster Building at 8th and Broad Streets. Doubling up as a soccer bar, Double Tap gives you the option to create your own burgers, wraps and breakfast burritos and has 28 beers on tap.
- Buffalo chicken wrap ($9).
- Pulled pork sandwich ($8).
- Fire bombs ($7) Jalapeno peppers stuffed with cream cheese filling and covered with a crispy batter.
- Salad and fries ($8).
BIG JUD’S | 1289 S. Protest Road
Big Jud’s is located close to Boise State’s campus, specializing in cheap yet tasty hamburgers and chicken sandwiches for nearby college students.
- Bacon cheeseburger ($7.99) single, ($9.99) double.
- Jalapeno burger ($7.99) single, ($9.99) double - Jalapenos, sour cream, onion, tomato, lettuce and pepper-jack cheese.
- Hot Buff chicken sandwich ($7.99) single, ($9.99) double - Frank’s RedHot sauce, bacon, tomato, lettuce and pepper jack cheese.
- Mushroom chicken sandwich ($7.99) single, ($9.99) double - mayo, tomato, lettuce, sauteed mushrooms and onion, and Swiss cheese.
FRESH OFF THE HOOK | 507 N. Milwaukee St.
A Boise staple since 1994 — previously known as Reel Foods — Fresh Off the Hook brings a Pacific Northwest seafood feel to the Treasure Valley with entreés like smoky Yukon-style Salmon, seafood fettuccine and halibut bruschetta along with its cheaper options.
- Coconut shrimp ($8.99).
- Calamari Strips ($5.99) small, ($9.99) large.
- New England clam chowder ($4.99) with oyster crackers, ($7.99) in a bowl, ($9.99) in a bread bowl.
THE FRONT DOOR | 105 S. 6th St.
- Hidden underneath tropical island bar restaurant Reef, The Front Door is a hidden gem that offers pizza, wraps and a rotating selection of microbrews.
- B.L.T ($8.95)
- Chicken Caesar wrap ($9.45)
- Personal 10-inch pizzas ($7.95 - $8.95) A dozen different types of pizzas, featuring names such as The Boss, Enforcer and Bootlegger.
Basque
ANSOTS | 560 W. Main St.
Ansots is one of many Basque restaurants in downtown Boise and specializes in chorizo, and selling specialty meats for $8.50 per pound, but it also offers several in-house dishes.
- Pan con tomate with Manchego cheese ($7) Toasted baguette rubbed with garlic and tomato slices. Add jamon serrano for $2 more.
- Mila’s chorizo and Manchego bread ($5) Traditional chorizo and Manchego cheese stuffed inside Wiseguy’s pizza dough.
- Piquillo peppers with anchovy filets ($7.50) Piquillo peppers with Basque anchovies, olive oil and chives.
- Basque meatballs - ($10) Five lamb and chorizo meatballs in Española sauce.
BAR GERNIKA | 202 S. Capitol Blvd.
Located right in the middle of the Basque Block, Bar Gernika has a patio that looks out onto the picturesque and often bustling block.
- Solomo ($10) Marinated pork loin with pimientos served on a French baguette.
- Chorizo ($7.75) Basque sausage served on a French roll. Add grilled onions and pimientos for an extra dollar.
- Lamb kabob ($10).
- House burger ($9.50) Beef burger served with lettuce, tomato, pickled onions and a pickle spear
THE BASQUE MARKET | 608 W. Grove St.
Another option right in the middle of the Basque Block, The Basque Market is owned and run by Basque natives and is famous for serving paella out in front of the restaurant at noon on Wednesdays and Fridays.
- Tortilla espeziala ($7.99) Potato and egg omelet topped with cheese and a second seasonal omelet.
- Patatas bravas ($7.99) Spiced fried potatoes tossed in housemade salsa brava, topped with roasted garlic aioli.
- Jamon serrano and Manchego cheese ($7.99) Dry-cured Spanish ham sliced with creamy Manchego cheese and Spanish olive oil.
- Chorizo with piquillo pepper cheese ($8.99) Semi-cursed Basque chorizo with creamy piquillo pepper cheese spread.
Mexican
MADRE | 1034 S. La Pointe St.
Located near Boise State’s campus, Madre Boutique Taqueria is the perfect spot for college students to grab cheap tacos going to and from class.
- Idaho spud and chorizo taco ($7) Served with mojo sauce and jalapeno pesto.
- Wild mushroom taco ($6.50) Served with mojo sauce, smoked bacon, jalapeno and radish.
- Blackened salmon taco ($7) Served with shave cabbage, hot sauce and cream sauce.
- Korean short rib taco ($8) Served with kimchi, picked relish and peanut sauce.
ANDRADE’S RESTAURANTE MEXICANO | 4620 W. Overland Road
Voted as runner-up in the Statesman’s taco bracket, Andrade’s is not only incredibly popular but also has some incredibly cheap tacos. Many of Andrade’s most popular dishes drop below $10 during lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Tacos ($2.95 each) There are 20 different varieties of tacos, including carne asada, barbacoa and lengua.
- Combo meal ($7.50) Pick one of enchilada, taco, quesadilla, tostada, taquito, flauta or burrito and two of Mexican rice, whole or refried beans, Mexican potatoes or salad.
- Sopa de pollo ($5 cup, $8 bowl) Chicken soup topped with tortilla strips, cotija cheese and avocado.
Asian
PAD THAI HOUSE | 10038 W. Overland Rd.
Pad Thai House is a Thai restaurant that serves spiced-to-order noodles, curries and stir-fries. The restaurant’s lunch specials from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. feature many favorites that usually cost more than $10 for $7.99, such as Pad Thai noodles, garlic shrimp and mandarin spicy chicken.
- Deep-fried tofu ($8.95).
- Thai egg rolls ($8.95).
- Som tum salad ($8.95).
- Pad Thai noodles ($7.99).
DHARMA SUSHI & THAI | 122 N. 5th St.
Dharma Sushi & Thai is open late and offers sushi, Asian bowls, sandwiches, salads and vegan and gluten-free options.
- Thai peanut rolls ($9.50) Spicy salmon, tempura shrimp, cream cheese and avocado.
- Bangkok rolls ($9.75) Tempura Shrimp, premium crab mixture, avocado, cucumber, mint and cilantro.
- Vegan swagger roll ($8) Deep-fried tofu, avocado, carrots, cucumber and cilantro.
- Vegan mushroom miso soup ($5) Shiitake mushroom broth with soft tofu, wakame seaweed, shiitake mushrooms, daikon radish, red miso paste and green onion.
Pizza
MOD PIZZA | 390 S. Capitol Blvd, 600 N. Milwaukee St.
Mod Pizza is the Subway of pizza — create your own pizza from a wide selection of sauces, meats and vegetables, or pick from one of over a dozen pre-designed pizzas.
- Mini-sized pizza ($7.23 for 6 inch).
- Mod-sized pizza ($9.23 for 11 inch).
- Mini salad ($7.23).
- Mod salad ($9.23).
- Cheesy garlic bread ($6.53).
GUIDO’S ORIGINAL NY STYLE PIZZERIA | 235 N. 5th St.
If you’re looking for authentic New York-style pizza despite being on the wrong side of the country, look no further than Guido’s. Fashioned like an old-school NY diner with pizza-eating instructions plastered on the wall, it’s like stepping straight from Boise to the Bronx.
- Pizza by the slice ($3) Slices include basil, vegetarian, pepperoni or the special of the day.
- Stromboli ($10).
- Sausage roll ($90).
- Garlic bread ($3.50) half loaf, ($5) full loaf.
WISEGUY PIZZA PIE | 570 Main St.
Whether you’re looking to sit down to enjoy a whole pie or walk out the door with a slice or two, Wiseguy’s has you covered. The pizzeria has pricier specialty pizza options, but you can order those specialty pizzas in bite-size portions by grabbing just a slice, and these aren’t small slices.
- Slice of cheese pizza ($3.25).
- Specialty pizza slice ($4.65).
- Additional toppings (.60 cents each).
- House salad ($7.50).
- Ceasar salad ($7.50).
- Spinach salad ($7.75).
Breakfast
BACON BOISE| 121 N. 9th St.
Not every food option at Bacon Boise includes bacon, but it comes close. Primarily a brunch location, BACON is only open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, so be sure to get there early for your daily intake of protein.
- Turkey and bacon ($10) Turkey, bacon, provolone, wild lettuce and tomato on focaccia bread with basil pesto mayo, fries and hush puppies.
- Bacon LT ($10) Bacon, lettuce tomato on toasted sourdough with basil pesto mayo, red pepper aioli, fries and hush puppies.
- Bacon and brie panini ($10) Bacon, Brie cheese, red onion and tomato on sourdough with basil pesto mayo, fries and hush puppies.
- Grill’d cheese ($10) Feta cheese, white cheddar and chipotle fried onions on sourdough with bacon jam, fries and hush puppies.
GOLDY’S BREAKFAST BISTRO | 108 S. Capitol Blvd.
Open until 2 p.m. daily, Goldy’s Breakfast Bistro has sat in the heart of downtown Boise since 1999. The small diner only seats 56 people and is immensely popular, so be sure to get there early or bring along your phone to reserve a table and take a walk around downtown while you wait.
- Pancakes ($7.50)
- Sourdough french toast ($7.50).
- Biscuits and gravy ($5.50 single), ($9.50 double).
- Malted waffle ($9.50).
African
KIBROM’S ETHIOPIAN AND ERITREAN RESTAURANT | 3506 W. State St.
The owners of Kibrom’s moved to Boise from an Ethiopian refugee camp in 2013 and opened their restaurant in 2016. Their restaurant gives Boiseans the opportunity to eat authentic East African cuisine.
- Salad beh denich ($8.99) Lettuce, tomatoes and onion tossed with avocado and potatoes in a house-made vinegar dressing.
- Enqulal silsi ($9.99) Scrambled eggs with berbere sauce.
- Veggie firfir ($9.99) Strips of injera mixed with berbere sauce.
- Veggie soup ($8.50) Vegan soup with potatoes, carrots, spinach and lentils.
This story was originally published May 10, 2023 at 12:00 PM.
