4 minute read
CHOW DOWN IN CALDWELL
Chop Shop Crispy Skin Pork Belly Burntends with Bourbon Maple Glaze. PHOTO COURTESY OF CHOP SHOP.
City by the Creek Enjoys a Food Renaissance
By Heather Hamilton-Post
Nestled amongst the sprawling fields of Idaho’s agricultural heartland, Caldwell’s culinary scene is indeed an oasis, defined by farm-fresh flavors, innovative gastronomy, and a rustic charm that seeks to celebrate the rich bounty of the Gem State.
Thanks to award-winners and savory standouts, Caldwell’s food scene has been quietly simmering, building to a boil as dazzling as the infamous Winter Wonderland lights show.
In the heart of Indian Creek Plaza, you’ll find the Twisted Fig, a local sandwich shop with indoor and outdoor seating, should the weather allow. Owner Robert Mora said the restaurant’s motto is ‘savor the seasons’. During the cooler months, Chef Diane Dalton embraces the cold with Menudo. “But she’s twisting things up with her version of the traditional Mexican dish I grew up with,” Mora said. It’s plant-based and gluten free, and like all their soups, is available in a sourdough bread bowl. From prize winning Cajun chicken chili to stellar, innovative sandwiches with punny names, The Twisted Fig is focused on unique flavor combinations and a fresh experience, with a focus on meeting a variety of dietary needs. “We love our customers and community, and food connects us all in so many ways. We are just glad to make that happen,” said Mora.
Grit 2C, between Indian Creek and Flying M Coffee, serves up regional American cuisine and delicious cocktails. From the fried chicken to the fall salad, Grit’s focus on fresh, local ingredients brings Chef Uriel ‘Hootie’ Montelongo’s creations to the next level. “We make everything from scratch,” said Co-Owner Sonia Montelongo. “Even our ranch dressing.” If you’re looking for soups that have simmered for hours, smoked pork shoulder, or cheesy bacon grits served alongside marinated, seared shrimp, Grit is the place to be. “We’re old school, and we know how to cook. It’s a traditional kitchen,” said Montelongo.
Since November of 2021, Caldwell’s Casa Anejo, which means ‘old house,’ has been offering up authentic flavors in a space that promotes Chicano culture. Co-Owners Danny Palomera and Jorge Lopez rely on family recipes and stock a bevy of tequilas so there’s something for everyone. Enjoy a cold bottled drink, inventive cocktail, or margarita flight as you pose in front of some truly Instagram-worthy neon signs and await your dinner. Better yet, make it brunch!
If you’re looking for something adventurous, check out Chop Shop, a spot Chef Kristopher Ott describes as “a smoke-themed restaurant with BBQ fundamentals.” Ott, also a butcher, takes his cues from what farmers offer him, rolling out specials on social media with all manner of meats, including octopus and beef cheek, drawing crowds from throughout the Treasure Valley. With a lush patio garden that is also utilized in the kitchen, the experience aims to be interactive. “My kitchen is extremely exposed. The cooks, the bartenders, we all overlap. You’re part of the kitchen when you dine here,” Ott said.
By now, you’ve probably also heard about Amano, the only Idaho restaurant to make the New York Times list of the nation’s top 50 restaurants. Named as a finalist for the annual James Beard Foundation award, Co-Owner and Chef Salvador Alamilla serves up a variety of authentic Mexican flavors from the heart. “Good food can be simple,” he said. “The right amount of just a few ingredients can be very, very tasty.”
