AMERICANA ON A BUN

Come for the fried pickles, stay for the classic American burgers

PHOTOS BY JAMEY BAUMGARDT

By Jamey Baumgardt

A cheeseburger is arguably more American than either hot dogs or apple pie, no matter that catchy jingle from the old Chevy commercial. Summers are meant to be spent grilling in backyards, picnicking in parks, and camping in the mountains, and for my money, I’ll take a juicy, charbroiled burger every time. Luckily, for those of us living in the Treasure Valley, we can swing into Holy Cow! anytime for a delicious take on this American classic, no grill required.

Located in the heart of downtown Nampa, Cyndi Ross and her son, Dylan Hunter, have run the restaurant known for its craft-style burgers since summer 2019. In their words, Holy Cow! is an ode to their love of the classic American burger, and I have to say, they do a darn fine job of serving up the people’s sandwich in a tasty variety of unique offerings.

The first thing you’ll notice visiting Holy Cow! is the warm, welcoming vibe and the kitschy alien-themed decor. One framed poster in the bar reads, “Eat Locals,” a nod to popular television show the Walking Dead. Dozens of framed photos of dogs and chalkboard art depicting an alien spacecraft abducting a cow make it clear that this is a burger joint that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

They are, however, serious about the food. Holy Cow! takes pride in sourcing the freshest ingredients from local ranchers dedicated to traditional methods of agriculture. Hunter and Ross’s passion for improving the health of our planet and community shows in their commitment to partner with local producers who farm with integrity.

The stars of Holy Cow! are the burgers, from The Classic, with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle, to the popular Sam Elliott, a cheeseburger layered with bacon and hickory-smoked pulled pork. No matter your pleasure, all feature a 1/3-pound, grass-fed local Wagyu beef patty and are served on a sweet toasted brioche bun. Our favorites included the Rude Boi—the roasted jalapeños provide the perfect amount of heat—and the pastrami-forward Holy Reuben on mild sourdough rye with plenty of sauerkraut and grilled onions. The beer-battered fries and tater tots were excellent too, served piping hot and crispy, perfect for dipping in fry sauce. If you’re thirsty for an adult beverage to accompany your burger, choose from a selection of local and regional beers, plus two featured boozy slushies—huckleberry margarita and raspberry lemon drop—to help keep cool on a hot summer day.

The menu also features a variety of appetizers for sharing, like mac n’ cheese egg rolls, Kung Pao Brussels sprouts (watch out, red chili alert!), and the ever-popular fried pickles, which disappeared from the table faster than you could say “Holy Cow!” For dessert, our friendly server recommended the house specialty, the peanut butter chocolate pie. Described as “basically a giant Reese’s peanut butter cup,” it did not disappoint. Ask for extra forks, because everyone at your table is going to want a bite of this one.

If you’re hungry for a taste of summer, head to Holy Cow! for their take on an American classic, or to just relax over a beer and some fried pickles. Just be sure to keep an eye out for alien spacecraft.