10 new restaurants open offering Boise delivery, 9 others close — most leaving Idaho

When Crave Delivery launched two years ago, it brought a new level of dining convenience to the Treasure Valley.

Using an app, customers in the Boise area can order from a large variety of restaurants that prepare food at the Crave ghost-kitchen headquarters in Meridian. (Note: Crave Delivery should not be confused with Crave Kitchen and Bar in Eagle. They’re unrelated.)

The vast majority of people opt to have orders delivered, which costs $4.99 plus a 10% service fee, no matter how many menus you sample. Others drive to the source at 2900 W. Excursion Blvd. and grab takeout. (In-house dining is not offered.)

Like the delivery service itself, things move quickly at Crave. Many of the brands that opened during the first year or so have gone. Several have left Idaho entirely. In some cases, out-of-state operations have been replaced by local restaurants or burgeoning virtual brands.

“When we opened,” co-founder Scott Howard explained in an email, “we brought in chefs/concepts from around the U.S. for 12-month and 18-month agreements, and have since taken the approach of working more closely with local chefs/concepts.”

Here’s an update: Places that have appeared recently at Crave, closed at Crave, and one national barbecue chain that is coming soon.

Meraki Greek Street Food is now part of the Crave Delivery lineup.
Meraki Greek Street Food is now part of the Crave Delivery lineup.

Opened at Crave

Sancho’s Mexican Kitchen: Customers hungry for street tacos, burritos and enchiladas can find it all at Crave, thanks to this virtual brand from Seattle restaurant group E3.

Nomad Pizzeria: This, too, is a virtual brand from E3. “Along with your traditional-style iconic pizzas,” Nomad says, “our team gets inspired by pushing the boundaries on innovative combinations from around the globe.” Who knows what part of the planet The Bad Girl ($17) comes from, but you’ve gotta like the sound of the ingredients: pesto, Kalamata olives, garlic and capers topped with cherry tomatoes, basil and shaved parmesan.

StoneFire Flatbreads: Craving something similar to pizza but made with a different dough? StoneFire has you covered. It’s a virtual dining concept developed by ownership at Crave Delivery. So, technically, it’s Idaho-based.

Giovanni Italian Kitchen: This is another E3 brand. Giovanni offers traditional dishes ranging from gnocchi ($13) to spaghetti and meatballs ($15) and steak florentine ($45).

Meraki Greek Street Food: After shuttering in downtown Boise in late spring, this local favorite bounced back by opening at Crave, and on the Boise State campus.

MrBeast Burger: This virtual fast-food restaurant is from internet stunt personality Jimmy Donaldson. There are hundreds of locations across the United States serving “big flavor — smashed burgers, crispy chicken sandwiches, outrageous grilled cheese, seasoned crinkle fries and more,” according to its Facebook page. The first brick-and-mortar MrBeast Burger opened earlier this month in New Jersey, drawing a crowd of thousands.

A virtual brand, MrBeast Burger has locations across the nation, and across the ocean.
A virtual brand, MrBeast Burger has locations across the nation, and across the ocean.

Boise Pie Co.: This local outfit has been a familiar sight on Orchard Street for years. Now it’s brought desserts to Crave, including tempting creations such as Kahlua Chocolate Cake ($8) and Boston Cream Pie ($8.50).

Coming soon

Wei’s Cantonese: Opening Wednesday, Sept. 21, this is a brand run by a couple who just moved to Idaho from Portland, Howard said. It will serve traditional Cantonese food that is “inspired by dishes that have been passed down from generation after generation,” according to its Crave Delivery description.

Umi Poke: From the folks behind Omakase sushi at Crave Delivery, Umi Poke serves up Hawaiian-style cuisine, saying, “We marinate our sustainable, sushi-grade fish, roasted chicken and organic tofu with house-made sauces, which makes for seriously flavor-packed poke.” The brand is slated to open at Crave Delivery in about two weeks, Howard said.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: Based in Dallas, this family-owned chain has more than 550 locations, including ones in Eagle and Nampa. The best thing on the menu? The sausages, according to Thrillist. Dickey’s should be open at Crave Delivery sometime this fall, Howard said.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit plans to open at Crave Delivery soon.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit plans to open at Crave Delivery soon.

No longer at Crave

Mac ‘n Cue: Barbecue and macaroni and cheese were the focus of this concept from James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur Michael Mina and TV cooking host Ayesha Curry.

Lemon Tree Co.: Although it’s closed its Crave Delivery location, this sandwich shop is a fast-growing Idaho brand. Its newest restaurant opened in July at 404 E. Parkcenter Blvd. in Boise.

Mai Thai: This local staple continues to operate its longtime downtown restaurant and bar at 750 W. Idaho St.

Tony G’s Pizza: Thanks to Nomad Pizzeria, you can still order pizza at Crave. Just not the kind created by 13-time world pizza champion Tony Gemignani.

Mi Alimita: Another Michael Mina brand, this taqueria offered Mexican cuisine from chef Hugo Ortega.

Buddha Bowl: Yet another Mina brand, Buddha Bowl told diners to “forget everything you know about stir fry,” but wasn’t here long enough to create many memories.

Mérité Bake Shop: Celebrated L.A. chef Lincoln Carson’s bakery opened in November 2020 before shuttering a year later.

The Meatball Shop: The Crave Delivery location was this small, East Coast chain’s only branch outside New York City.

The Metropolitan Grill: This award-winning Seattle steakhouse had tried its hand at delivering high-end meats such as a $70 16-ounce New York strip loin.

Advertisement