19 Must-Visit Stops on the Boise Potato Trail
Any way you dice it (or fry it, mash it or slice it), Idaho is the nation’s top producer of potatoes. Growing roughly one-third of all spuds in the U.S., the Gem State can certainly claim the crop as an agricultural gem.
According to the USDA’s Annual Potato Summary, Idaho growers produced roughly 120 million hundredweight of potatoes in 2022 from a harvest of nearly 300,000 acres. The abundant potato harvest is primarily attributed to the region’s rich volcanic soil, ideally suited for farming the popular root vegetable. The Idaho Potato Museum adds that clean water, clean air and ideal temperatures also contribute to optimal growing conditions for Idaho potatoes.
As the state’s capital, Boise doesn’t shy away from highlighting Idaho potatoes in its culinary scene. And most recently, Visit Boise, the tourism division of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce, cooked up a palate-pleasing path to showcase potato-centric dishes made by local chefs, bakers, brewers and confectioners.
Following in the edible exploration trend of food trails that have been gaining popularity across the country (think wine trails, ale trails and pizza paths), it’s no surprise that Idaho residents and visitors alike are eating up Idaho potatoes on the new Boise, Idaho Potato Trail.
Starch enthusiasts can register free of charge for a trail “passport” delivered via email or text (so there’s no need to download yet another mobile app). Then, participants receive access to a dashboard that outlines the 19 participating tuber trail stops. As you check in at each place, you can tally up points, which you can later redeem for potato-themed prizes.
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19 Places to Visit on the Boise Potato Trail
Hungry for Idaho potatoes? Satisfy your cravings for foodie fun by feasting your way along the Boise Potato Trail at these 19 stops:
1. 10 Barrel Brewing
Brewing craft beer since 2006, 10 Barrel Brewing also successfully taps into pub grub. Pair a pint with Steak “Not Just” Nachos, a sharable plate of seasoned potato chips, marinated steak, jalapeños, blue cheese, a house four-cheese blend, bacon and green onions.
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2. Bear Island Brewing Co.
If you order a beer flight at Bear Island Brewing Co., be sure to include the Idaho Potato Ale. This IPA-style beer is made with Idaho potatoes (specifically russet). The brewery describes this 6.7% ABV beverage as “unique, flavorful and not overly bitter but well balanced and drinkable.”
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3. Bittercreek Alehouse
You don’t need an international passport to munch on Quebec’s famous potato dish. At Bittercreek Alehouse, start your meal with classic poutine. This Boise Potato Trail stop will transport your taste buds with house-made fries topped with braised pork, curds, house gravy and scallions.
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4. Boise Fry Company
Boise Fry Company sources Idaho potatoes from local growers like King’s Crown and M&M Heath Farms to offer five standard potato fry choices: russet, gold, purple, red and yam. Plus, there are two additional fry specialties: Bourgeois (duck fat and truffle) and truffle Parmesan.
5. Diablo & Sons Saloon
Dishing up a unique Western flavor profile, Diablo & Sons Saloon is crushing potato preparation with its patatas diablo. This dish showcases smashed fried russet potatoes with horseradish-lemon barbecue sauce and scallions.
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6. Fork
Whether you eat with your fingers or silverware, you’ll first eat the rosemary Parmesan Idaho french fries at Fork with your eyes. This side of crispy Idaho potatoes is coated with rosemary and Parmesan cheese.
See more: 5 Incredible Idaho Food Festivals
7. Goodwood Barbecue Company
You haven’t really had potato skins until you’ve tried them at Goodwood Barbecue Company. Your order of fresh Idaho potatoes is elevated with cheddar cheese, bacon bits, chives, sour cream and a side of house-made ranch.
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8. Guru Donuts
Sweeten your morning by ordering Guru’s cinnamon sugar donut. This gluten-free circle of doughy perfection is made with Idaho potatoes and gently rolled in cinnamon sugar.
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9. Idaho Candy Company
Full disclosure: The Idaho Spud Bar at Idaho Candy Company doesn’t actually contain potatoes. But potato, potahto, tomato, tomahto. The potato-shaped candy bar is a cocoa-flavored soft marshmallow covered in dark chocolate and coconut.
10. Madre Boutique Taqueria
On Taco Tuesday, or any day of the week except Sunday when closed, nosh on Madre Boutique Taqueria’s Idaho spud & chorizo tacos. These tacos are filled with Idaho potatoes, chorizo, Mojo seasoning and jalapeño pesto.
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11. Owyhee Tavern
The perfect bite of soft chewiness and crispy crunch, relish the flavor of the white cheddar tots at Owyhee Tavern. These homemade tots are finished with white cheddar and chipotle aioli.
12. Pie Hole
For spud lovers, the potato bacon pizza at Pie Hole is a slice of heaven featuring sliced potatoes, bacon bits, tomato and cheese.
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13. Sid’s Garage
The staple side dish of french fries is anything but standard at Sid’s Garage. An order of truffle Parmesan fries delivers Idaho potato fries coated in truffle and Parmesan flakes.
14. Taphouse Pub & Eatery
At this Boise Potato Trail stop, try the nacho fries. Taphouse smothers them with melted cheddar and jack cheeses, Mojo Rojo pulled pork, jalapeños, red onions, black olives, tomatoes and cilantro.
15. The Basque Market
The Basque Market is a hot spot for patatas bravas, made with fried and spiced potatoes tossed in homemade brava sauce and topped with roasted garlic aioli.
16. The BrickYard
Don’t sidestep The BrickYard’s unexpected side dish: peanut butter mashed potatoes. This unique offering features fire-roasted red bell pepper, smoky chipotle and peanut butter mashed with Idaho potatoes.
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17. The Wylder
Clearly acknowledging that potatoes are indeed among Idaho’s agriculture gems, try the Gem State of Mind pizza at The Wylder. It features fingerling potato, caramelized onions, rosemary and sage with a Parmesan cheese sauce.
See more: How to Grow, Harvest and Store Potatoes
18. Trillium Restaurant
Plunge into potato paradise with the smoked trout poutine from Trillium Restaurant. This dish includes steelhead trout, lemon cream, cheese curds and Idaho french fries.
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19. Westside Drive In
Move over carrot cake and sweet potato pie … the Boise Potato Trail features Westside Drive In’s famous Idaho Ice Cream Potato. This treat features vanilla ice cream shaped like a potato. The potato skin is cocoa power, the sour cream is really whipped cream, and there’s even a bed of chocolate sauce “gravy.”