Locally Owned Eateries
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I thought it would be fun to start a thread about only locally owned eateries in the Idaho Falls area. We might also expand it to any locally owned business. But let’s keep it locally owned. Not locally run, but locally owned.
LOCALLY OWNED RESTAURANTS/CAFES
- A Little Bit of Mexico - on Anderson
- Apple Barrell - off Grandview/US 20
- Aussie Eats - (several locations, including one on Hitt/Sunnyside)
- Blue Wave - Rollandet
- DB’s - 1st Street
- Franko’s - First Street
- GrandPa’s BarBQ - W. Broadway
- Happy’s Chinese - Park Ave
- Hardy’s Pub - Ririe highway
- HatTricks - Northgate Mile
- Hawg Smoke - North Yellowstone
- Cedric’s? -
- Jakers - Lindsay Blvd
- Leo’s - 1st/Holmes
- Little Deli - Walnut Street in the O.E. Bell Building
- Mi Casa/Plum Loco - Cliff Street
- Ming’s - Shoup
- Mitchell’s - Iona Road just off 20 where the truck stop is.
- North Hiway Café - the Northgate Mile
- O’Brady’s - Broadway
- Pachangas - N.Capital for authentic mole Mexican
- Renee’s - Yellowstone & D
- Sandpiper - Lindsay
- Scotty’s Drive In - the Northgate Mile
- Snakebite - Park and A for great contemporary dishes
- Stockmans (old Teton Grill) - Rigby highway
- Thai House - Shoup
- The Cellar - 17th St in Ammon
- The Crossing - Skyline
- The Frosty Gator - one my personal favorites
- The GangPlank - Holmes/Elva.
- The Mill House - in Rigby (used to be the Sugar Factory)
- The Pinecrest Diner - the Northgate mile
- The Wrangler - N Holmes
- Tom’s Gyro - Holmes/Elva
- Tom’s Pizza - Woodruff & 17th
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Comments
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0 
0 The Mill House in Rigby (used to be the Sugar Factory).
Aussie Eats (several locations, including one on Hitt/Sunnyside).
Leo’s on 1st/Holmes.
The Crossing on Skyline.
GrandPa’s BarBQ on W. Broadway.
The GangPlank on Holmes/Elva.
Tom’s Gyro on Holmes/Elva.
[From Joe: Added! Thanks for your contribution, Nemesis!)
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0 0 Wow, I didn’t realize there were so many locally owned, and I think we are just scratching the surface. I think Aussie Eats has moved their location to the old J-B’s on Lindsay. They are in with some motel — maybe the Guest House???
Another locally owned that I should have remembered because I go there all the time is:
O’Brady’s on Broadway
How about Cedric’s? I don’t really know.
Mitchell’s on Iona Road just off 20 where the truck stop is.
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0 0 A lot of these I didn’t realize - how about expanding this thread into what DISHES at these places are highly recommended - kind of a like a food review site for local places? That way those of us getting stuck in the same restaurants (like me) can venture out if I hear what is good at these places. Thanks!
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0 0 And the list goes on:
Stockmans (old Teton Grill) on Rigby highway
A Little Bit of Mexico on Anderson
Hardy’s Pub on Ririe highway
North Hiway Cafe on the Northgate Mile
Scotty’s Drive In on the Northgate Mile
The Wrangler on N Holmes
HatTricks on the Northgate Mile
The Pinecrest Diner on the Northgate mile
The Frosty Gator - one my personal favorites
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0 0 How about:
DB’s - 1st Street
Blue Wave - Rollandet
Mi Casa/Plum Loco - Cliff Street
Tom’s Pizza - Woodruff & 17th
Happy’s Chinese - Park Ave.
Thai House - Shoup
Ming’s - Shoup
Renee’s - Yellowstone & D
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0 0 How about Smitty’s on Broadway for the best breakfast in town. This may be considered blasphemy to some, but I do think Perkins has better pancakes than Smittys. (sorry, just my opinion)
Jakers on Lindsay Blvd
Sandpiper on Lindsay
The Cellar on 17th St in Ammon
These are some of my favorites. All have great food at excellent prices. Some think the Cellar is expensive, but I have to disagree. Sure their more expensive than most restaraunts in town, but the quality of food and service is second to none. I consider The Cellar to be the best restaraunt in town.
I also like Tom’s Gyros on Holmes/Elva. They’ve got excellent burgers and gyros, definately worth a try.
Bluewave also has great burgers.
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0 0 Pachangas on N.Capital for authentic mole Mexican
Snakebite on Park and A for great contemporary dishes
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0 0 Has anyone tried the new English restaurant on Broadway yet? Any reviews?
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0 0 It got great reviews on the news and evidently the chef there has prepared meals for a number of high profile folks over in England. I look forward to giving them a try.
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0 0 The list is growing nicely! I think I’ve added all that have been suggested so far.
Keep them coming if you know of more.
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0 0 Sol Rio by Edwards
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0 0 The Idaho State Journal in Pocatello reported this morning the Continental Bistro in Pocatello is closing tomorrow. One example of how new chain restaurants and other issues in a small town can push out the local owned place. Let’s support our local-owned eateries everyone!
Excerpt from article:
POCATELLO — Saturday night will really be the last call for the Continental Bistro.
In Old Town Pocatello, a restaurant that has become known as an institution among locals, can no longer meet the budget that would require it to stay open.
In December, one of the Bistro’s two partners had to retire for medical reasons. Since then, the restaurant’s executive chef and now sole owner, Rob Wiscombe, has sought a new business partner amid a climate of newly opened chain restaurants here and the rising prices of food and fuel……
… As things now stand, Wiscombe will be continuing the Bistro’s catering business as a part-time job, and he will soon start looking for full-time work.
The rest of the 30-member staff will also soon start job hunting, including the Bistro’s general manager, John Perryman….
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0 0 Oh no!! I don’t live in Poky anymore but the Bistro was really the only “real” restaurant in town (although Remo’s and the Sandpiper are okay but they are still chain restaurants…)..all the nights I spent on the back patio, having dinner and listening to live music…the birthdays and anniversaries….I can’t believe it is going out of business! What happened???
Pocatello really, really needs to take a page from I.F.’s playbook……the town desperately needs to support Old Town and existing businesses instead of adding yet another “Arctic Circle” and incurring mountains of debt supporting the bloated monstrosity of PMC…..PMC has the best medical staff anywhere but horrible management.
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0 0 Totally right about the restaurants. I think with Senang opening, plus Texas Roadhouse and Chili’s - they really took a hit. Too bad. We’ll try to get down there before tomorrow night. Not much notice!
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0 0 SE Idaho just lost a gem. Top shelf liquor, great micro-brews, and fantastic food….
I think the Bistro going under speaks volumes about the taste and sophistication of the average dinner in our area.
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0 0 I saw on the Sandpiper’s marquee that they were best restauraunt in 2008 and Thanked IF. Does anyone know what this means?
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0 0 Just to clear up, Jaker’s is not a locally owned restaurant, the chain is owned by a guy in Boise I believe.
I have not been to The Cellar lately but my last visit the food was overpriced for the quality, how ever service is always the best!
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0 0 I recently received rave reviews of Ming’s, downtown. Phhhhuuuulllleeeesssseeee! it was the most awful chineese I have ever tasted! The fried rice was OK, but the sweet and sour pork was awful dry and old tasting, and the egg foo young was icky. The shrimp was tasty, but I noticed it came from the proccesed sort, out of a bag in the freezer. It wouldn’t have been so bad if the price was lower, it was way too expensive for the quality, and I remember not long ago, when a person went for chineese, they always had leftovers to take home, not a Ming’s, the portions were small, of course we are supposedly in a recesion, maybe thats why. Sorry Ming, but you really have to improve. Just my opinion.
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0 0 Anyone know if “Ming’s” is named for Ming Lee, who was the wife of Koon Lap Chu? She was the former owner of Happy’s. As far as I know she had sold out to her brother and his wife who ran Happy’s for awhile.
Ming and her husband opened up Pisa Pizza in the spot next to what is now the Thai House. It didn’t last long, because they weren’t suited for that style of food, I guess. Is that where “Ming’s” is now?
I always wondered what happened to her. Her husband died in his sleep in their house on 10th street a few years back, and no one knew for weeks, until the postman made a smell complaint. I don’t know where she was at the time.
Thanks for the tip, I probably won’t go to Ming’s for my Chinese food. I always liked the Canton on 17th or the Great Wall on 1st street, anyway.
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0 0 Jaker’s is owned by a company out of Missoula, Montana. They do however have a new store in Boise as well as locations in Twin Falls and Idaho Falls as well.
The Sandpiper is locally owned, but there is also another independent in Pocatello that was part of The Sandpiper chain when they were expanding.
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0 0 Okie’s Burgers on 17th street. (Anyone been there?)
And did the Apple Barrel shut down? I haven’t seen any cars there recently and there’s a space for rent kind of sign.
What’s that new Vietnamese place where Checker used to be on 17th street? I heard good things from coworkers, and one who knows his Vietnamese cuisine said it was passable for this area (and he’s picky).
Is the Brownstone a local place? They have reasonable lunch foods (along with their great homebrews).
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0 0 Craigo’s Pizza. off 17th in Ammon
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0 0 Geraldine’s Bake Shop & Deli - 3160 E 17th, Ammon
I haven’t personally verified this, but have heard people say it’s locally owned and run.
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0 0 I think if you want to talk great homebrews, the Brownstone is not it. Their current master brewer doesn’t hold a candle to their former one. The quality is variable from week to week. Their new brew, eagle river, was great when it first came out, but is starting to fizzle.
The best brewpub in the west (2nd best in the USA behind dogfish head in Delaware) that I’ve been to has to be Portneuff in Pocatello. They just don’t make a bad beer. Too bad they’re closed Sundays.
The owner of Ming’s is, in fact, a MAN named Ming Lee, along with his wife Jenny Lee. He did work for a number of years at Happy’s. They are from Burma, I believe. And I certainly stand by their food. Get the cashew chicken or the ginger beef; it’s always uber-fresh. Usually eating 3/4 of their meals fills me up, and I’m a big guy.
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0 0 I am pretty sure Collage is locally owned. Pretty good food…out of the ordinary anyway.
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0 0 is okies the same as rays burger on 17th street ?if so it is closed, [the old a-w]?
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0 0 okies is not rays. okies is in the strip mall at 17th and Channing (near the Verizon Store).
The food is not great….lots of fat on the meats and skimpy brisket. The potatoe salad was warm and bland.
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0 0 Hey what happened to the Sports castle on Broadway? is it for rent or for sale who is the owner does any one know
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0 0 You forgot the locally owned restaraunt that I consider to be the best in town:
Rutabagas
In my opinion, the big three in Idaho Falls for quality of food and service are Rutabagas, Cellar, and Collage.
Franco’s is also excellent!
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0 0 How about the Whitewater Grill? And the Blue Hashi? Both are very good.
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0 0 I agree with Ernest. The Hashi is good. However, I think the Wasabi/Whitewater Grill is better for general Japanese food, unless you like Sushi. I know Whitewater has sushi in the back but I haven’t tried it yet.
Rutabega’s is excellent. The shrimp panini dish is great. They have been around for a very long time.
As for Franco’s on First Street, Frank Franco and his wife have started an excellent Italian restaurant. It is very authentic.
I need to get over and try Collage. I saw an article in Idaho Falls Magazine that was excellent. Has anyone tried the Kobe beef? Is it worth the price?
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0 0 I haven’t tried the Kobe beef at Collage, but I’ve had it in a couple other restaraunts and it’s absolutely incredible. So tender you can cut it with a fork and it just melts in your mouth. It’s very expensive, but for the occasional treat it’s definately worth it. Didn’t know of any restaraunts around here that serve it, so I’ll have to give Collage a try. (where are they located?)
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0 0 I am going to go against one of the rules and write up a post while angry. I’ll try to keep things in check here.
On Friday night, a friend and I were having a couple of post-dinner pitchers of beer at the Frosty Gator. We had already planned to cab it home, so at 1am we ordered another pitcher without knowing the time. The pitcher was delivered at 1:10 and no sooner did we finish pouring than the owner yells at me at the top of his lungs “what are you doing? are you pouring a beer? no, get out!” That’s when I looked at the clock. Sure enough, it was 1:15, so I didn’t really have much of an argument against him - only his upsetting demeanor.
However, when we next asked the bartender to call us a cab, she appeared frightened, and asked her coworker to ask the owner if she should. We politely explained that we could pay for the cab, yet had no phone numbers for any. It was then that the owner piped up to say that he wasn’t calling us a cab and that we had to leave his bar.
I asked for his name, which I won’t reveal here but is easy to find out, and told him that I would not be bringing any more business to his establishment. He said “well darn, we don’t need you anyway.” Not having any cab numbers, I walked home in the drizzle, somewhat inebriated and very upset.
Is this any way to treat a customer? Was the owner on roid rage? He was constantly yelling and flexing, while we were trying to be polite. If he was aware of his business, he’d know that I came in there twice a week, and frequently brought 5-10 other people with me.
Since then I have heard several other upsetting allegations against this person, some of which explain the reason there’s such high employee turnover at his restaurant. It’s truly a shame, since he could easily have the best bar in town if he just cared a little. Oh well, he won’t be hurting my paycheck, but by posting this and vowing never to give him another dime, I can hurt his.
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0 0 Hey BobbyD….nice to see you posting again!
I can’t believe the way these people treated you! What a jerk! (sorry for the name calling, but you have to agree this guy went way to far in regards to the treatment of customers. We’re the ones who keep this guy in business!) Bartenders/owners usually have no problem calling a cab for a customer when they’ve had too much to drink. I’ve never in my life come across a bartender or owner that has denied this simple request. If anything, its just common courtesy. You would think they wouldn’t have a problem doing this because the owner of the bar can be held responsible if you were to get into an accident after leaving their bar intoxicated.
As for the pitcher of beer: you are usually allowed to finish your beverage as long as you purchased it before 1am. But it was obviously the bartenders fault for serving it after 1am, so the owner should have reprimanded the bartender, not you.
I’m really sorry to hear about the poor service you received and with the way you were treated here. It’s completely uncalled for!
Thank you for sharing your story with us. I agree that the best way to counteract this type of behavior is to no longer frequent their establishment. They won’t be getting my business anymore either. (unless he comes on the site and apologizes for his rude behavior) Afterall, we’re the ones who keep this guy in business.
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0 0 Hey, thanks CR! Yeah work’s been super busy, and since I usually read/post at work… you get the idea. I’m actually here at work on Memorial Day - bummer.
To top off the rude service, he got into his Porsche and sped off loudly without helping his bartenders clean up! My family also owns a restaurant and this behavior is just unheard of.
Anyway, Gator just lost one of their last senior managers (Stacy), and it’s sad to see her go, but hopefully soon the business will collapse under all the poor ownership and lack of experience. Sadly, no one will buy the place and remodel it because nothing in there is built to code. It’d have to be demolished!
Thanks again, CR, for your support. On a lighter note, Brownstone finally brewed a beer I will drink (Eagle River) and their service is improving. They really need a deck, though, as they are in a prime location.
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0 0 I love the Frosy Gator, I have never had an experience that has been described here. I’m not as regular as some here, but go a few times a month for lunch, and somes for after hours events. Until I ave a bad experience I will coninue to go back, I really enjoy it there.
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0 0 Serving you after 1am AND refusing to call a cab sounds just weird. Sorry you had a bad experience there.
I haven’t had the bad experience at the Gator but I do prefer the Brownstone (and would really like a deck, too…but I think they’d have to do something radical to get one).
I like the Brownstone’s Nut Brown Ale (not as good as the version that I make myself, but it’s reasonable).
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0 0 I frequent Frosty Gator on a regular basis and I was wondering why they had such high turn over. Now I know! My favorite locally owned relaxed atmosphere, comfort food is Grandpa’s Barbecue on Broadway. I agree that Smitty’s has the best breakfast. I can’t wait to try the new English place. Do they have a wine/beer license?
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0 0 The Frosty Gator ran me a tab in the recent past…they wanted my credit card to keep it open…that was my first mistake.
At the end of the evening they ran my bill and brought it over to me. Needless to say, the bill they gave me was huge. I only had 2 beers and a meal….they hit me up for 7 pitchers of beer and numerous appetizers! Guess what they did, they gave my credit card to the drunkard who downed 7 pitchers with his buddies. I ended up with his credit card and he had mine.
The bartender who ran the card didn’t know who the other guy was. Luckily a regular at the bar knew the guy and knew his name. I had to find the guys number and address and retrieve the card myself. They offered absolutely no help whatsoever. The owner was supposed to call me and help me out searching for the card….I never got a call. So, I learned two lessons: 1) Never give your card to run a tab–put down some cash as a deposit but don’t give up your card and 2) Don’t frequent the Frosty Gator they are incompetent and don’t keep their word to follow-up and help locate the card THEY lost!
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0 0 We always like to take a look at the menus online of local places before we go out. They change/vary depending on the month or season. Here are a few of my favorites. It also comes in handy to have them bookmarked if you have picky company with richer palates than the regular restaurant. If anyone knows of other local eateries with their OWN website (not trip advisor or review sites) - please post them.
Collage - http://www.collagefinedining.com/
The Cellar - http://www.thecellar.biz/
Rutabagas - http://www.rutabagasidahofalls.com/
Whitewater Grill/Wasabi Japanese - http://wasabiidaho.com/
I’m more of a wine drinker, but we’ll take the Brownstone over Portneuf Brewery in Pocatello any day. The Brownstone is larger, more pleasing to the eye, meeting facilities upstairs, and a great menu. A deck would be awesome! The Brewery. albeit good beer, reminds me of some of the hole in the walls we drank at in college. No ambiance whatsoever, very plain Jane! If you’re headed to SLC, try Squatters downtown.
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0 0 I had lunch at the new London Cafe last week and really enjoyed the food. They have done a fair job fixing the place up but it still needs some work mainly in the way of new carpet but interior decorating aside the food was excellent. I would suggest that unless you are really a hungry person order their half plates of food because even a half plate is alot of food! I didn’t order the fish and chips but saw a full order(it is HUGE!!!) and a half order plate brought out and it looked wonderful and plan on having that the next time I go. The prices were very reasonable and the people a delight to talk to. I will be going back!
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0 0 I ate at London Cafe with some friends Saturday night and I agree, excellent food. Comfort food is what came to mind. I want to go back so I can try different meals.
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0 0 We tried the London Cafe recently. Interesting menu, a lot of English-style combinations you don’t see here. Not much of a kids menu. They did have high chairs. The servings were good, if not huge. The fish and chips going to another table looked like it needed 2 plates to fit it all! All in all a decent meal. Service was good up until halfway through the meal, then our server seemed to forget us - we had to call over the other server to refill drinks and bring us our bill. Prices were very reasonable. Atmosphere and furnishings are simple, more on the plain side. However, I liked the brick-look wall and the large mural on the opposite wall. I loved the English accents, especially in a town where you don’t hear many accents. Turn on Broadway from Yellowstone Hwy, it’s up on the right - 354 W. Broadway.
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0 0 Thanks for the recent reviews on the London Cafe guys….. I look foward to eating there!
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0 0 I went back to the London a couple of days ago and had the fish and chips. Split a full order with a co-worker and we still couldn’t finish it all! Yes the service was a bit spotty this time compared to last time but it was also busier than the last time I went. I look forward to going back again and trying something else.
Has anyone had breakfast there yet?? I would like to read a review or two on that!
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0 0 Passingthrough: what kind of fish is it they serve as their “fish & chips” dish? I assume it’s a white fish of some type. Perhaps cod, haddock or whiting maybe?
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0 0 It is cod. It was a beautiful and very flavorful piece of fish. You have to love real honest to goodness fish instead of processed bits and pieces mashed together to “look” like fish! The fries aren’t authentic english chips but hey it was still really good!
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0 0 Went to the London Cafe today, was not very impressed. Poor service, dumpy surroundings, I ordered the fish and chips. It was horrible, most of it was batter, and absolutley no taste. Take my advice if you want fish and chips go to Artic Circle, you get Halibut, faster service and much better tasting, not to mention much cheaper.
They might have some other dishes that are good but I was not impressed.
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0 0 Fish from Artic Circle?? That sounds scary! 
Oh well….that’s a few good reviews and one bad. Now I’ll really have to give them a try this wknd.
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0 0 that arctic circle is the best fish chips
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0 0 Fish at the Wrangler on Holmes is excellent too.
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0 0 Thanks for that tip, Bundy. Wrangler has been there for as long as I can remember (ate there after I got married in 1976) and I’ve always wondered, how do they stay in business?
It must be customer loyalty for the good eats.
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0 0 The London Cafe…uhmmm…not bad, although I though I was suppose to get a side of Homemade bread and Real butter…I found it was Wonder bread, with oleo. The staff soon replaced it with Real Homeade bread and Real Butter, at my kindly asking. Kudo’s to London’s! Although the place could use a little pep to go along with the atmosphere, Their famous Fish & Chips, were big in portions,(the Fried Fish Felatte, was one pound by itself!, All of it, was simply wonderful! Don’t mind the wait folks, as it is worth it. (Opinion).-S.A.
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0 0 Wrangler’s fish is sooooo yummy! Thanks so much for mentioning them Bundy!! I haven’t been in there for years I will have to try and get by soon! They used to make a pretty good coleslaw too I wonder if they still do.
Has anyone tried out the hot dog place on Elm across from the museum? I am not a big fan of hot dogs but once in awhile a good chili dog really hits the spot.
And does anyone remember the Corndog Factory that was in the old Country Club mall? Oh man they had the best corndogs! I really miss that place!!
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0 0 I haven’t tried that one Passingthrough but know people who have and really like it.
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0 0 I miss the orange ice cream that Orange Julius had in the Country Club Mall. I noted that there is an A & W across the street from Dad’s Truck Stop. Maybe they have Root Beer Ice Cream? Anyone know?
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0 0 Ah, corn dog factory…my sister in law worked there for Joni. They had the best shish-ka-dogs (cheese and weiner) and smoked sausage sandwich (nasty, give you a heart attack levels of cholesterol…but tasty!)
Sigh.
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0 0 I used to beg my mom for money every Saturday and would then walk with my friends to the Country Club Mall just to get the corn dogs and shish-ka-dogs they served. I miss them so much! I wish we still had them around! And I agree about the orange ice cream too! Loved that stuff! Oh the memories!!
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Thank you, Idaho Native, for starting this discussion.
I will be updating the locations added below to the main list above from time to time. Please include addresses whenever you can - and if you want to add price examples or food suggestions, I think that would help people as well!