KB’S: BOISE’S BURRITO BROTHERS

Pork Tacos. PHOTO BY KAREN DAY.

By April Neale

Santos Serva is spreading his family’s wings in Eagle, Idaho, where the latest KB’s restaurant has opened its doors. The secret sauce addicts and globe-trotting t-shirt patrons are now getting their Cabo sauce fixes in the Wood River Valley and the Treasure Valley.

KB’s owner, Santos Serva.

PHOTO BY KAREN DAY.

As Santos said, the brothers Serva are serving it up. “Our new spot is in Eagle, Idaho. But it is just me here; Rodolfo is in Hailey.” Santos shared the good news when asked about expansion into the Boise market. “The original idea [for KB’s] was from Rodolfo, my little brother, who opened it here, and then after a year, I took it over. But I came here for expansion and to try a different market.”

Fresh Shrimp Burrito.

PHOTO BY KAREN DAY.

As an owner of KB’s, Santos relies on his immediate family. “My brothers and I run the restaurants together,” he said. One brother mans the Wood River Valley, and the rest cover Twin Falls and McCall. Santos is excited that Eagle is where the restaurant landed in the greater Boise area and hopes that people try their bestseller, Jordan’s Burrito.

Mahi Mahi Tacos.

PHOTO BY KAREN DAY.

“It’s a delicious blend of pork, grilled yams, cheese, beans, guacamole, jalapeño, Cabo sauce, and salsa.” As for his best and most favorite dish? “The best one? Our fish tacos. But my other favorite is Jordan’s Burrito,” he said.

When Santos arrived in Idaho from Peru in 2008, he went to work with brother Rodolfo in the Hailey spot, and as the legend of the famous KB secret sauce got hold of the skiers and Wood River Valley folks, neither imagined that they would find success in a restaurant. But the food was too good, and the recipes they hit upon were addictive and always made with the freshest of locally sourced ingredients.

Salmon Quinoa Salad

PHOTO BY KAREN DAY.

People took notice, and now their fan base and patronage are so devout, there’s a growing trend involving the KB’s t-shirt. Santos was bemused that his patrons started this on their own, continuing as people posted photos of themselves wearing a KB’s t-shirt around the globe. “These people always have pictures of wearing our t-shirts worldwide,” Santos said. “It’s not a Facebook group, but our customers buy the t-shirts and send us their pictures. We print those pictures and sometimes put the table number on them so their friends can recognize them. And then they return and find out—and they’re so happy! They post on Facebook and social media. It’s a great thing!”