Quite a few years ago, I did a review of the Westside drive-in on State Street in Boise and I was delighted with the fish sandwich that I had there. I wasn't crazy about the french fries with all the spice on them as I prefer my potatoes simple and just lightly salted. So this review is for the Park Center Boulevard location. I had to go to a doctor's appointment straight from work and after my appointment I found myself short on time as far as dinner was concerned. I usually eat pretty healthy and try not to eat too much fried food, but once in awhile you just have to go for it and last night was the night. My order was taken quickly and the service was great and I can't say much about ambiance as I did not go inside to eat. They also honored my veteran discount which was very kind and generous of them. It goes a long way when a business supports its military by giving them a discount to dine there. So I truly appreciate that! My food came out very fast and maybe just a little too fast. I did drive home which took me about 8 minutes so with the food wrapped up and prepared fresh it would have lasted that ride just fine. I did dip into the bag briefly in the car to taste the french fries and they were crunchy and hot and definitely well seasoned but not just with salt as mentioned previously. I guess they use the same recipe as they do on the State Street location and I'm not fond of that spice on the french fries at all. I think it would be a great addition to say fried chicken but not on French fries. It's over the top and cloyingly seasoned and just took away from the taste of the potato in general. Now onto the fish. I saw a sign that mentioned their special for the evening was fish and chips so I was excited to order a fish sandwich because I assumed that it would be pretty fresh (or as fresh as it can be considering it's Idaho and our distance from the sea). Of course I'm fairly certain that it comes in frozen, so I couldn't expect too much, but I have had very similar sandwiches at other locations that didn't overcook the frozen fish and it was moist and delicious so they could have done the same. If for some reason they fly the fish in Fresh then there was definitely no excuse for it to be as dry as it was. I figured since they were having the fish and chips special I would get a nice, hot, freshly fried sandwich at minimum, but I'm sorry to say, that was the case. I'm so sorry to say that this sandwich was, indeed, a bust. The bun was all right but the fish was dry as a bone and the breading on the outside of it was tasteless and bland. There was absolutely no salt on the breading, it was overcooked, and let's talk about the cheese. This is where it went severely wrong. I'm not sure what brand they're using, but it was like rubber and there was only one slice on the sandwich. The lettuce was soggy and they put it right on top of whatever dressing they put on the sandwich which I'm assuming was mayonnaise or tartar sauce. I couldn't tell because there was absolutely no acidity as if the pickles were flabby and old and they're definitely were not enough of them in the mayonnaise nor on the sandwich itself. They weren't crunchy either. The whole sandwich was a mess. Well that was my second try. Maybe number three might be a little better? I'm not so sure though. The price was right for the whole meal especially with the veteran discount but sadly I don't think I'm going to go back there for a fish sandwich in the future. Maybe I can try something else on their menu next time! With all do fairness, the pictures that you see of this food is after I was halfway through the meal. So they're not very becoming. I wasn't expecting to write a review and give a three-star rating so my apologies for the half eaten sandwich and fries. read more

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We have been wanting to try this place for a while. The service was great. The food is amazing very 50 diners style food. Simple not a lot of extras. My husband had the cheeseburger and ff. I had the grilled cheese and fried mushrooms. The best was the idaho ice cream potato. read more

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The Finger Steaks were alright. This was my first time trying them. The service was quick and we were helped by the Employee of the Month. Pretty laidback ambiance. read more

Westside Drive-In - Finger Steak - Diners Near Me - Boise, Idaho

Cute vibe walking into 1950's old school diner! Came here with family, we had the steak fries decently get! The breading is thicker than normal and made it taste better! The beef stroganoff was good reminded me of my grandma's cooking! The meatloaf was good! The service was fast and super nice! We also had the famous ice cream potato it was perfect to share!! If you visit Idaho def come here! read more

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Such a good, classic spot. The burgers are hefty and the potato ice cream is so dang fun. Highly recommend.

This place is phenomenal. It's got a real 50s diner feel. The staff are super friendly and the food is delicious. Definitely coming back

Was in town for work and asked the people I was visiting what's the best local thing to eat and they said finger steak so we were off to the west side to try them! It's pretty cool inside, like a 50s diner. Order at the counter then they call you when the food is ready. Menu is eclectic with finger steak , pasta and beef stroganoff. Was also freezing inside, like a meat locker Got the finger steak meal and a strawberry shake. Shake was super thick and really good. Finger Steaks were interesting. Had a batter like fish and you dip them in cocktail sauce? Was wild for sure. Pretty tasty too. My job allows me to travel all over and try different local foods and this was a unique experience for sure! read more

Westside Drive-In - Finger Steaks basket. Wild - Diners Near Me - Boise, Idaho

I have been here a lot over the years having grown up in Boise, but on my trip last week I had to come back for nostalgia's sake. I am sure glad I did, because it's still pretty darned good. I got the finger steaks and fries as one should when coming here and they were awesome! I love their fry sauce, and I love that they give you cocktail sauce as well. The kids ordered chicken strips and cheese burgers which are always good, and didn't disappoint this time either. Of course after lunch we had to have ice cream cones. We all got kids cones and let me tell you, they were huge! Lots of ice cream in each one, it was as if we had ordered a regular cone elsewhere. It would be worth your time to stop in to this old Boise staple and grab some lunch and enjoy the old school diner vibe! read more

The food here is your classic drive-in burger joint. They do have some speciality menu items not typically seen at a burger joint: Baked potatoes, spaghetti and meatballs, whole lasagna's, finger steaks and the famous Ice Cream Potato. The food, while good, does seem a little overhyped. The service is always great, no matter what location I go to. They do have some of the best Ice cream shakes and malts in the valley. With classic flavors like Vanilla and strawberry, and more unique combos like mixing any of their 43 flavors! They also do flavored sodas. This location has indoor and outdoor seating which is a total plus. Overall fun local place that beats the fast food chain burger joints! read more

One of Boise's oldest institutions, Westside Drive In is whipping up incredible food with a quintessential retro vibe. The menu is packed with all kinds of meals, it can be hard choosing what to get! I had to try the Finger Steaks ($13.69), dubbed "Boise's Best." One bite and I can attest to that statement. The basket came generously piled with these golden beauties on top of crispy, crunch tater tots and served with a slice of garlic bread, fry sauce and cocktail sauce (I think? Wasn't a fan of this one). Yes, these are definitely some of the best finger steaks you will ever have! High quality cut meat coated with wonderfully seasoned batter cooked to crispy perfection - I was in heaven! My husband ordered the Famous Daddy-O burger (two patties, two ham slices, four bacon slices, Swiss, and cheddar, $17.49 for a small) with a side of fries and a strawberry milkshake ($3.89 for 12 oz). The price tag is steep on this guy but it's absolutely justified. The burg was massive - so tall I struggled to get a bite. There was a lot going on and the blend from all the ingredients is phenomenal. Add a lil' fry sauce before each bite and it's a symphony of flavor! The milkshake was great as well. Incredibly thick and absolutely no chunks of fruit. 10/10 all the way! I couldn't leave without trying the item that lands Westside on numerous lists on the internet - the famous Ice Cream Potato ($5.59). This thing is so freakin' adorable and beautifully crafted you'll almost enjoy staring at it just as much as eating it. It's a ball of rich vanilla ice cream shaped into a potato, dusted with cocoa powder with whip cream, peanuts and cookie crumbles. At first glance, it truly does look like a baked potato with whipped cream! There's small dips, scratches and textures added to resemble a real potato. I couldn't believe how hard they really went on this. What a fantastic tribute to our state's famous product. I am totally going to be returning to try more. And there's no way I will not being another potato! I 100% recommend Westside, especially for visitors! With their huge menu, there really will be something for everyone! read more

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Complete transparency - I only came for the dessert. I was searching for a place to eat in the area and Westside popped up mostly for the potato ice cream. Intrigued I had to try it. When I arrived the place was pretty busy. A couple of minute wait to order but nothing bad. Its a walk up to order then find a seat style diner. So a quick order of the dessert and I was off to find a table. Once the order came (about five minutes after ordering) I had to immediately take a picture. This is one of the coolest things I've every seen and it looked like a real potato! I expected very little from the flavor but was already thrilled of the experience however, the ice cream was actually really good too. read more

Westside Drive-In - Potato ice cream - Diners Near Me - Boise, Idaho

about 2 to 3 years ago Westside was my go to for finger steaks. they were the right size , heavily breaded and fried and you would get quite a few with cocktail sauce with a little horseradish in it. Since then they have been horrible. I haven't been able to eat them. they were big chunks with very little breading. one time I was given mayonnaise for sauce dip! After ging them 3 more tries I have to be done. but the chefs salad is good! read more

Oh my goodness. The drive-thru at the west side inspires with precision and care. They not only checked the order twice but delivered exceptional service; just ask my dogs about their treats. The food was a delightful explosion of flavor, cooked to perfection, leaving me completely satisfied. Watching the dedicated staff prepare each meal with purpose created an inspiring ambiance. read more

As a tourist in Idaho, I've been searching for a good baked potato. Strangely, they're hard to find here! There isn't even a single restaurant at the Boise airport that serves one. Finally, though, I found a really good one at Westside Drive-In. I ate at the restaurant, which has tables outside, between the two drive thrus. Despite the triple-digit temperature, I didn't feel overheated, because they provide shade with big umbrellas and a cool breeze flows out from the ordering and pickup windows. The folks who work at the restaurant are friendly, knowledgeable about the restaurant and the food, and just plain nice. Quite frankly, I originally checked out Westside Drive-In for The Idaho Ice Cream Potato. A local friend told me about the one she had at the State Fair and, when I found out that it came from Westside Drive-In, I knew that I had to go. In addition to the one pound, loaded baked potato, I tried Boise's famous finger steaks. I even dipped them in cocktail sauce. I gotta admit, they're pretty good! I travel a lot and enjoy sampling the local cuisine of the places I visit. For me, Westside Drive-In is a "must go" spot when visiting Boise. read more

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a solid diner style place. a tourist trap and i came exactly for the ice cream baked potato. its a cute gimmicky treat and it met my expectations. a unique treat to try if you have time in boise. The service here is very old school and i love it. they offer the usual diner classics. read more

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I'm not sure what all the hype is about this place. We ate there last night and I had the finger steaks and my wife had a cheeseburger. The finger steaks were soggy and the cocktail sauce was just like tomato sauce. Her cheeseburger was overcooked and the patty was very small. Neither dinner was good, in fact we both agreed it may have been the worst dinner we've had in a long time. To top it off it was almost $30 which was way too expensive for this food. When we ordered the young gal had no knowledge of the VIP program and was unaware of how it worked- very odd.... The restaurant itself felt like it could use a good deep cleaning. I'm going to give them one more chance with an ice cream potato in the future, hopefully that's better but confidence is low. read more

Amazing food! Will be back again and again! Best French dip in the treasure valley! Husband loves the prime rib.

This throw back retro 1950's style so called drive in has a very eccentric ambiance that is 5 stars. Unfortunately, the food quality is at a 3. That's too bad. At least they offer a military/first responder discount and have a happy hour. read more

I have a love of 50's style diners. This place has a great looking, if small, seating area inside. Great music with a heavy dose of the Beatles. There is a big counter where you place your order and then grab a seat and wait for your name to be called. So how was the food? Chilli cheese dog was ok. I hold everyone to the standards of Lafayette in Detroit and this is not at that level. Good but nothing special Steak fingers are a local tradition. This was our first taste of them. The meat was tender and not chewy. The batter is thick and everything is cooked well. Even with sauces this dish seems a bit on the bland side to me, but maybe that is how they are supposed to be? I think it would have benefitted from a spicy infusion of some sort but that would make it less tempting for some (and youngsters) The Monte Cristo is a diner tradition and this one was excellent. Very tasty and recommended We also enjoyed the onion rings. Not ground breaking but perfectly cooked and tasty. I like them with a side of ranch. Overall a good experience, assuming you are in the mood for some deep fried tastiness. read more

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Westside Drive-In is a Boise classic that I make sure to visit every time I'm in town. Their fries and huckleberry milkshake are favorites of mine, and whenever I'm showing anyone new around Boise I always get them the famous ice cream potato. I'm glad to see that this spot hasn't changed a bit since I first went as a kid! read more

Westside Drive-In - a basket of fries and dips - Diners Near Me - Boise, Idaho

So good, burgers are fresh and one of the best in the valley. Service is quick even through the drive through. Don't go here without getting a shake! Inside is fairly quiet too, great spot to take the kids read more

We wanted it to be good but it was just kinda yucky. Who doesn't love an old school drive-in type diner? Unfortunately, this place isn't great. The food was very greasy and lackluster! First off the Philly comes with "spicy sauce" which just turns out to taste like horseradish sauce! It was so strong and just not good. You should say "Horseradish" if that is what you put on it! That is a very strong flavor that people either love or hate. It ruined the sandwich for me. The onion rings were good but greasy and a "large" order was embarrassingly small! $6.00 ... and we got about 6 small onion rings! I would hate to see what a "small" order looks like! The Monte Cristo was just a hot mess. Yuck. Not good. The place was dirty- the bathroom was dirty! The soda station was dirty and sticky. The floor was dirty the outside was dirty. Pass on this place. read more

Westside Drive In is a Boise favorite that has been featured on the TV show, "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives." There are two locations. The original is a drive-in on State St. The second location is in Park Center. In addition to having a drive-through window, it has a dining room and a patio. Westside Drive In is best known for One of the things their famous Idaho Ice Cream Potato, which I highly recommend, and finger steaks. Boise's Best Finger Steaks ($12.99) - includes garlic bread and fries or gems. Add a small dinner salad for $1.99. The finger steaks were tender and the batter had a good flavor. Personally, I prefer a finger steak that has a higher ratio of meat to batter. Even so, if you haven't tried finger steaks yet, this would be a great place to start. The fries were good, as was the homemade fry sauce. The cocktail sauce seemed like it was made from scratch. I thought the dinner salad was well proportioned and fresh, but I didn't care for the salad dressings which are not made in the house. The garlic bread was good. One of the things I like about Westside Drive In is they have such a large menu. No matter how large your party, everyone certain to find some thing that makes them happy. This is one of the few places in town that has a Monte Cristo on the menu. I've heard it's excellent. I've also heard lots of good things about many of their sandwiches. Recommended!!! read more

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Used to absolutely love Westside, but it seems the last few years their quality has went down as their prices have skyrocketed. I'd be ok with paying the higher prices if it was still as good. Got a bacon cheeseburger and Monte Cristo. There was very little meat in the Monte Cristo. All we could taste was the three layers of battered and fried bread read more

Westside Drive-In - Monte Cristo - Diners Near Me - Boise, Idaho

I had the Works spud, and it was huge, cooked perfectly, fluffy and seasoned. Delicious! My husband had the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich, and it was gone before I got to have a bite - ha! It was that good! read more

One of the truly local restaurants in Boise. They are popular, at least the one on state street is. I think they also have another Boise location. The kids' meals are great, so say my grandchildren. I find the food very tasty, though I also think it's a little on the greasy side. The ice cream items are superb. read more

I would recommend this place for there great burgers and shakes. We tried it about a week ago and it was good. Friendly staff, classic feel and good food! read more

It is certainly busy. There was a line at the drive through and inside. I was getting to go but all tables were full. The food there is comfort food and I was looking for something lighter. It was good. read more

My husband and I had read a lot of reviews regarding Westside Drive-in and there infamous Prime Rib. So today we elected to drop in there and have some. We decided to split the dinner because it was quite a bit of food for us. Plus, we wanted to also try the Potato Ice Cream as well. The Prime Rib didn't disappoint and the sides are also quite a lot of food. I like when they also give you horseradish and you don't have to ask for it. As you can see in the photo it all looks delicious . We will be returning here again in the future. read more

Westside Drive-In - $35.99 Prime Rib with all the fixings. Yummy - Diners Near Me - Boise, Idaho

My wife and I had watched a few weeks ago on the food show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri that the Boise Westside Drive-In was a great place. So, we decided to try it out for lunch today. Like always, the show was great but I have to say, the food wasn't! I had the half order of the Monti Christo sandwich, which is one of my favorites, but I wasn't impressed with the flavor. In fact, it was pretty bland and tasteless. The shoestring fries, on the other hand, were great! Debra ordered the Rib Dip sandwich. She said it was too dry and tough because the meat was too well done. The potatoe salad that she ordered on the side was also very dry. The best thing we can say about our food was that it was hot. We both had leftovers but didn't think they were worth taking home. read more

This fully loaded ice cream tater is not only a-peeling, but tasty! -- No, this is not a real russet potato but ICE CREAM! I had to see and eat to believe. Westside Drive In's 'Idaho Ice Cream Potato' is to die for. This famous dessert consisted of vanilla ice cream shaped like a potato coated with bitter Hersey's cocoa, topped with whipped cream, garnished with Oreo cookies, and drizzled in chocolate syrup. I felt like I was going back in time as I walked up to Westside. Music playing, old school cars on display outside, and neon signs - this diner was straight out of the 50's. The service was excellent and very personable. My order came up within a minute of ordering it. I loved seeing the customers, who all seemed to be regulars that had been coming for years. Adorable place that I hope everyone gets a chance to check out if they are ever in the Boise area. read more

Westside Drive-In - IG: @treatswithtrace - Diners Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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Such a cute place! The prices are reasonable, the food is fresh and tasty! Along with a welcoming atmosphere and great service! We will be back and bringing our family! read more

Great old-school drive-in! The ice cream "baked potato" is the highlight here and we always take our out-of-town friends here to experience it. read more

This is a nice casual lunch stop! I've seen this diner on TV plenty of times so when I came across it, you know I had to stop and see what the hype was about! Everything tasted pretty good, it was all original flavors for sure. read more

Westside Drive-In - the sign and flowers - Diners Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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Westside Drive-In has always had a huge following, especially since they were featured on DDD. My personal experiences have always been mediocre. For a business to brag about the quality of chef they have, and then to entirely staff with teenagers is a bit of an oversell. While I've never had a bad meal at Westside, I haven't ever had a meal that makes me want to brag about it. The chili fry's were extremely boring. Hamburgers are middle of the road average and the icing on the cake was the prime rib. I decided to step it up and get prime rib one night and was absolutely disappointed. This was the most basic medium well piece of meat I've had in a long time. The horseradish sauce tasted like mayo and the whole thing was not anywhere near what I would have expected for $45.00!!! There's something about paying Chandlers prices for a McDonalds experience that just bothers me. Now I'll mention the environment of the restaurant. Lots and lots of dirty tables that customers were cleaning because there was no where else to sit. Overflowing trash cans and at least one employee with a uniform that fit so poorly that the entire dining room got to see their exposed ass crack. The teenaged girl taking orders at the counter spoke so quietly that we had to ask her to repeat herself several times. For the money they charge you'd really think they could hire enough people to clear tables. I'll take my business elsewhere. Places like Quinns have the same sized prime rib for $25 not $40! The quality is better and the environment isn't carnival like. read more

Coming from a family of Idahoans, it would be impossible to conduct a review of food in Boise without mentioning Westside Drive-in, the quintessential old-school burger joint. While I admit that I do hold some biases, this place is still the go-to location for a burger and fries. The exterior and interior of the Parkcenter location holds true to the 70s diner style, complete with neon fluorescent lighting and booth seating. Vintage signs cover the walls and everything is reasonably well cleaned and maintained. During this particular visit, I decided to go with the Bacon Cheese Burger and an order of the Finger Steaks, which came out to a very reasonable $20. The staff are always friendly and the food tends to arrive in good time. The burger and "gems" (tater tots) were both delicious, but the finger steaks stood out as the clear highlight of the meal. I don't know who decided to try and fry steak, but the result is exceptional. The portions are also quite large, which resulted in me asking for a take-out box for the first time in my Yelp adventures. Overall, I think that Westside Drive-in is a MUST visit for anyone who visits Boise. As such, this is possibly one of the only 5-star reviews that I will give. read more

Westside Drive-In - Entrance - Diners Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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Our experience deserves more than five stars! Went today for their prime rib special and some finger steaks. With my prime rib, I got a salad with ranch and my baked potato with chives and sour cream. With the finger steaks, we got the tots. BEST prime rib I've had in FOREVER and the finger steaks were delicious. Everyone we interacted with was very nice and helpful too. Great place and great food! Love the decor too read more

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Cajun burger was rancid. Both buns soggy and fell apart in my hands. Bag was leaking on my carpet when I brought it inside.

We were early for our flight back to San Francisco and my friend recommended this place for their infamous potato ice cream. It wasn't really a potato. It's still ice cream but shaped into potato. I ordered that and a jr cheeseburger with a huckleberry flavored beer. Nothing remarkable with the burger and although the ice cream looks like a potato, nothing else is astounding to it's taste. I, however, love the "hella tasty huckleberry flavored" beer they have. The flavor blended well with the beer and it was so smooth I wanted to have more. It is indeed Hella Tasty. My quest to finding that beer has begun! 3/5 - not a place I would come back again for the food. 4/5 - hospitality is very good! Professional staff! 5/5 - hella tasty beer... I'm coming for ya read more

Westside Drive-In - Diners Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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A great place to take in a movie. They also have a flea market on the weekends loads of fun. Good food for the movie theater screens recently redone very clear picture you control the sound great time for the family good value. read more