4 minute read
BREAKFAST IN BOISE
PHOTO BY KAREN DAY
By Pamela Kleibrink Thompson
Breakfast—the one meal where the news and politics are “hashed” out over coffee and bacon, with breakfast delicacies meant to unite even the most combative. It’s a meal people will stand in line for in Boise, and for good reason. Restaurants across the Treasure Valley have mastered the pig, the biscuit, the breakfast cocktail, and the egg dish, and local chefs are serving up some of the best breakfasts in the state.
If you’re mad for mimosas or passionate about pork belly, discover the breakfast buzz at these local favorites.
BACON Boise, owned by John and Gibson Berryhill was established in 2011. It specializes in its namesake, serving more than 15 tons of bacon each year. Try a flight of candied bacon, maple rosemary, spicy hot, and signature Berryhill bacon with sweet chile. Other delectable treats include The MAC, which was named Best in US by Food & Wine Magazine, featuring jack, parmesan, cheddar, provolone, bacon, mushrooms, and tomatoes baked with penne. They also offer oinkless options such as the Oink-less Omelet featuring spinach, basil, red pepper, pepperoncini, capers, feta cheese, and salsa.
Big City Coffee started in a small shop in West Boise in 2001 before moving to the Linen District in 2006. For those who like to sleep in, you can still nab a farm-inspired breakfast or lunch any day of the week until 4 pm. Not just for cowboys, The Rodeo Wrap features bacon, steamed eggs, potatoes, cheese, ham, turkey and sausage, covered in country gravy and served with fresh salsa.
Biscuit and Hogs was established in 2020 in Meridian by employees of The Original Sunrise Cafe. They offer comfort food classics with descriptive titles like The Hog—two fresh eggs served with their signature pork belly bacon strips, hog style Idaho home fries, and a half biscuit smothered in country gravy.
With a rooster perched on its sign, Capri Restaurant is a mid-century Boise icon serving up best sellers like their biscuits and gravy since the 1950s. Order it loaded with bacon, green onions, cheddar cheese and gravy. If you don’t dig the pig, opt for the veggie hash browns with broccoli, spinach, onion, peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, and cheese. A second location opened in Meridian in December 2020.
Landmark Boise eatery Goldy’s Breakfast Bistro has cranked out their made-to-order breakfasts with fresh local ingredients to standing room only crowds since 1999. Goldy’s was featured as one of America’s Top 10 Breakfasts in a 2002 issue of Bon Appetit with a shout out to their Andalusian Eggs, created to recognize Boise’s Basque population—two poached eggs over Goldy’s marinara, baked with chorizo, ham, asparagus and peppers. Arrive early or expect a wait.
The Griddle has four locations in the Treasure Valley—Boise, Eagle, Meridian, and Nampa, as well as one in Winnemucca, Nevada, where it started in August, 1948. Known for superlative homemade breakfasts as well as lunches, The Griddle became synonymous with “Good Cookin.” The Griddle offers diner-style fare with a gourmet twist like Auntie Mo’s Spuds, which are freshly shredded hash brown potatoes mixed with bacon, onions, mushrooms, and bell peppers, topped with melted cheddar cheese accompanied by toast and two eggs or Dad’s hotcake—“a family recipe from scratch” served with a pure maple syrup blend made with real sugar.
Try the Monte Cristo at Joe Momma’s Breakfast Eatery, a sandwich made with oven roasted turkey, house baked ham, and Swiss cheese battered and fried to perfection, then dusted with powdered sugar and served with choices of jams. Seuss-savvy diners can appreciate the Green Eggs and Ham–house baked pit ham, fire roasted green chiles, and muenster cheese served with sour cream and salsa. Opened in 2010, Joe Momma’s was named as one of Boise’s Best Breakfasts for their Chicken Fried Steak by KTVB.
When Merritt’s opened in 1975, it quickly became a Boise favorite, welcoming diners 24/7. Though no longer open around the clock, Merritt’s still serves generous portions. Known for their massive homemade scones, Merritt’s also has old fashioned hand dipped milkshakes including breakfast flavors like coffee, banana, and tangy orange.
