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Idaho Statesman
Crushed in Meridian, California chain quickly opens second restaurant in Boise area
Is it because of all the SoCal transplants? Or west Ada County’s proclivity for chain restaurants? Or does Boise just really, really, really love fast-casual Mexican food? Whatever the reason, the Idaho debut of El Pollo Loco in Meridian this summer essentially was a stampede. And not just on the first day. “The drive thru-line has roughly 25 cars in it,” a Facebook poster warned , roughly a week after the restaurant started welcoming customers. Now Nampa can join the mouthwatering frenzy. The growing chain just opened its second Treasure Valley location at 209 1st Ave. South. Open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, El Pollo Loco is giving Canyon County a taste of what Californians have known for decades. Grilled, citrus-marinated chicken is tasty .
Idaho Statesman
A Boise ‘gem' for decades, this doughnut shop just opened a new store. Hello, Kuna!
DK Donuts has been on State Street for so long that nobody in Boise seems to remember how long. Even its current owner couldn’t say last year. (‘80s? ‘90s? Statesman archives track it back as far as 1994.) But in southwest Ada County, DK Donuts feels as new as freshly squeezed orange juice. After expanding to Nampa in 2025, the local institution just opened its third store — at 1200 N. Meridian Road, suite 140, in Kuna. In Idaho’s capital city, the iconic doughnut shop feels like a well-worn institution in an old building. “A Boise gem,” one Yelp reviewer called it. The Kuna store? It’s in a newly constructed strip mall. It might seem slightly, well, 21st century.
Idaho Statesman
Potato-shaped candy has been Boise favorite since 1918. What are Idaho Spud Bars?
Halloween is around the corner. It’s time to load up on sweets for your neighborhood trick-or-treaters. One option to consider for your Halloween candy stockpile is an iconic, locally made treat . Advertised as “the candy bar that makes Idaho famous,” the Idaho Spud Bar has been crafted by Boise’s Idaho Candy Co . for more than a century. To kick off Boise’s Hidden Gems , a new series aimed at showcasing Boise’s quirky history and unique experiences, Idaho Statesman reporter Hali Smith dug into the history of this potato-candy and the company behind it. Here’s what they found out: What is the Idaho Candy Co.? The Idaho Candy Co., 412 South 8th St. in downtown Boise, is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2026, owner Megan Sturdivant told the Statesman in an email. “The company itself has quite a story,” Sturdivant said. According to Sturdivant, only four families have owned Idaho Candy Co. since it was founded in 1901. Founded by Chicago candy maker Thomas “T.O.” Smith and his partners the Adams family, Idaho Candy Co. built its first brick and mortar in 1909. It’s been there ever since. Don Wakeman took over ownership in 1969 then passed the candy
allthingsnampa.com
Nampa’s Viral Smoked Salmon Brand Now Has a Cafe
Nampa, we have a smoked salmon situation. Solovey Cafe has opened at 207 13th Ave. South, and it’s the kind of place that makes you rethink your usual coffee run. Yes, there’s espresso. There are pastries. There’s also caviar. On 13th Avenue. We had to see it.
decorhint.com
Rare Japanese Snacks And Korean Kimchi Fill Shelves At This Large Asian Supermarket In Idaho
Somewhere in Idaho, a neighborhood grocery sells giant steamed buns that fans call the best in town. Their kimchi earns praise too, both for flavor and for price. The fish counter adds even more intrigue. Fresh produce and seafood arrive on a weekly rhythm, so timing your trip actually matters here.
Idaho Statesman
Record-setting global music star to rock Boise's Albertsons Stadium in 2027 concert
A hugely popular singer-songwriter who already owns an arena attendance record in the Treasure Valley is headed back to Boise. But this time, his concert is destined to draw an even larger crowd. In what is sure to be an event of epic proportions, Zach Bryan will headline at Albertsons Stadium at Boise State University on Friday, Aug. 6, 2027. Tickets become available to the general public at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at ZachBryan.com . Fans also can register at ZachBryanPresale.com for an artist presale that begins Wednesday, Oct. 21. A local presale kicks off at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22. The Boise show will be part of Bryan’s Young Manhood and Other Donatable Organs Tour, which will visit North America and Australia. Describing Bryan as a “global music star,” a press release says the 19-date trek will deliver 23 shows in 19 stadiums. Ryan Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen and Gabriella Rose are the planned openers for Bryan at Albertsons Stadium. Bryan exploded onto the country music scene in 2022 with his major-label debut album, “American Heartbreak,” which included his breakout single “Something in the Orange.” His career arc has screamed skyward ever since: millions of albums sold,