We Ranked 10 Idaho Potato-Based Eats From Surprisingly Good To Absolutely Incredible
Potatoes have range. Idaho has receipts.
Give one humble spud a fryer, a griddle, some cheese, maybe a little creative freedom, and suddenly it is doing more costume changes than a pop star on tour. Fries are only the opening act.
That is why ranking Idaho’s potato creations got interesting fast. One plate leaned classic, another went completely off-script, and a few made us wonder why the potato ever agreed to stay in the side-dish section in the first place.
There were crispy ones, loaded ones, wildly overachieving ones, and at least a couple that deserved their own little applause break.
So we ranked potato eats from “okay, that’s clever” to “who gave a potato this much power?”
Turns out, Idaho has been letting the spuds cook.
1. Westside Drive In
Okay, a potato that turns out to be ice cream deserves a spot on this list. Westside Drive In makes its Idaho Ice Cream Potato look remarkably like the baked kind.
Find this Boise stop at 1929 W State St, Boise, ID 83702. Beneath the cocoa powder sits vanilla ice cream, ready for a cool, creamy spoonful.
Whipped cream and nuts finish the trick, adding sweetness and crunch. It is a playful way to celebrate Idaho’s best-known crop without eating an actual potato.
Take a quick look before your first bite, since the illusion is half the fun.
The drive-in also offers potatoes in their usual form. Classic fries, curly fries, and potato gems give you several ways to enjoy a salty crunch.
Sweet potato fries offer a softer, sweeter direction, while cheese fries make a richer snack. Homemade mashed potatoes with gravy fit the mood when comfort food sounds especially good.
That range makes Westside an easy opening pick for our ranking. Start with whichever savory potato suits your appetite, then let dessert deliver the punchline.
Idaho’s famous potato gets a costume change, and I am completely on board.
2. Smitty’s Pancake & Steak House
Breakfast has a potato trick up its sleeve, and Smitty’s knows how to play it. Its potato pancakes bring a warm, golden twist to a familiar morning meal.
The restaurant sits at 645 W Broadway St, Idaho Falls, ID 83402. Here, the fun comes from choosing what belongs beside each pancake.
Applesauce brings gentle sweetness, while sour cream adds a cool, tangy contrast. Savory bacon takes the plate in another direction.
If you enjoy sweet and salty flavors together, try a little applesauce alongside bacon. For a simpler bite, begin with sour cream and let the potato flavor lead.
Potato pancakes feel especially appealing when regular breakfast choices sound too familiar. Their crisp edges and tender centers give each forkful something interesting to offer.
They also show how a potato can move from the dinner table to breakfast. That versatility earns Smitty’s a place in the lineup.
There is more potato exploring to do later in the day. The menu includes fries, potato salad, tater tots, and potato skins.
A baked potato is available after 5 PM, making timing useful when planning your visit. Still, I would start with the pancakes.
They give breakfast a cheerful little plot twist, with a topping for nearly every mood.
3. Idaho Potato Museum & Potato Station Cafe
A museum visit that ends with a loaded potato feels wonderfully on theme. The Potato Station Cafe turns the Idaho Potato Museum’s main subject into lunch.
You’ll find both at 130 NW Main St, Blackfoot, ID 83221. Its baked potato bar lets you build a meal around the toppings you enjoy most.
Start by thinking about texture before adding everything that catches your eye. A fluffy potato pairs nicely with toppings that bring freshness, richness, or crunch.
Add a little at a time so each bite still tastes like potato. That simple approach makes the bar fun rather than overwhelming.
The cafe offers other ways to keep the potato theme going. Homestyle fries and crispy tater tots suit anyone craving a familiar side.
Silver dollar potatoes bring another shape to the table, while potato soup offers a cozy option. Together, those choices make the cafe feel like a tasting tour for one ingredient.
The museum setting gives this stop an extra spark. You can learn about Idaho’s signature crop, then enjoy it prepared several ways.
Visitors from outside Idaho may receive a free package of dehydrated hashbrowns, a fitting travel treat.
4. Goodwood Barbecue Company
Potato skins have a gift for making the first bite feel like a celebration. Goodwood Barbecue Company piles its Idaho Potato Skins with familiar, comforting flavors.
The Boise restaurant is at 7849 W Spectrum St, Boise, ID 83709. Jack and cheddar melt over the potatoes, giving the filling a creamy pull.
Crispy bacon bits add a savory crunch, and fresh chives bring a bright finish. Sour cream completes the skins, with house-made ranch dressing alongside.
Try a bite before dipping so you can taste how the potato and toppings work together. Then add ranch when you want an extra creamy layer.
The shape matters more than it might seem. Each skin acts like a little edible plate, holding cheese and toppings in one handy bite.
They work well as an appetizer when you want to enjoy potatoes before the main meal.
Classic fries offer a crisp side, while potato salad brings a cooler texture. Creamy smashed potatoes fit the mood for something soft and hearty.
Those options show how many roles a spud can play at one table. The skins rank highest here because every bite brings the whole tasty lineup together.
5. Boise Fry Company
Wait until you see how many personalities a basket of fries can have. Boise Fry Company lets different potato varieties show off their own flavors and textures.
Its downtown location is at 204 N Capitol Blvd, Boise, ID 83702. Russet, Gold, Purple, Red, and Sweet Potatoes give you plenty to compare.
Begin with a familiar Russet fry, then move to a variety you rarely order. Pay attention to the centers as well as the edges.
Some bites feel fluffy, while others bring a different kind of sweetness or firmness. Turning lunch into a small taste test makes the potato the main event.
Homestyle cuts are a friendly place to begin. For a richer option, Truffle Parmesan Fries add an earthy, cheesy finish.
Bourgeois Fries take another route, cooked in duck fat and finished with truffle salt. Those choices make it easy to match the order to your appetite.
I would pick one straightforward fry and one specialty style for the clearest comparison. That way, seasonings share the spotlight with the potatoes rather than taking over.
A mixed order also makes a great conversation starter without needing a fancy plan. Boise Fry Company moves up this ranking by proving a fry can be much more than a side dish.
6. Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese
Cheese and potatoes were already friends, but Meltz gives them a lively new outfit. Its Cheezy Scalloped Potato Pie combines creamy comfort with a crouton crust.
Head to 1735 W Kathleen Ave, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815, to find it. The crisp topping is what makes this side especially fun to eat.
Break through the crust and scoop up a little of each layer. That way, you get soft potato, warm cheese, and crunch in the same bite.
It is a smart choice when you want something more playful than ordinary fries.
Meltz has more potato ideas if your appetite calls for a second act. Fried Jalapeño & Cheddar Tots bring a zippy, cheesy bite.
House-fried Xtreme Chipz offer a spiced, tangy crunch with a different feel. Each choice changes the potato’s texture, making a return visit sound appealing.
There is even a secret-menu creation called Chachos. It layers potato chips with mac n’ cheese soup, pork carnitas, bacon, and pickled jalapeños.
That sounds like a whole potato adventure in one dish. The scalloped pie gets my vote for its tidy balance: creamy beneath, crisp above, and thoroughly cheerful.
7. Pie Hole Idaho Falls
Potatoes on pizza sound bold, and this pie makes the idea easy to love. Pie Hole’s Potato & Bacon Pizza puts seasoned Idaho potatoes on a creamy alfredo base.
Find the Idaho Falls shop at 321 Park Ave, Idaho Falls, ID 83402. Mozzarella and crispy bacon fill out the combination without hiding its spud star.
The potato brings a soft, hearty bite to each slice. Bacon adds crunch, while the sauce connects everything with a smooth finish.
If you are curious about potato pizza, ordering a slice makes a handy first taste. A whole 19-inch pizza suits a bigger appetite or a planned meal.
The potato changes what pizza can feel like. Instead of acting only as a topping, it gives the slice satisfying substance.
The familiar cheese and bacon help the unusual addition feel right at home. It is a creative combination that remains easy to understand after one bite.
Enjoy the slice while it is warm so the mozzarella stays soft. Look for bites with a bit of potato, bacon, and sauce together.
That mix explains why this pizza climbs so high in our ranking. A beloved Idaho ingredient has found a fresh stage, and the crust is happy to share it.
8. Madre Boutique Taqueria
One taco, one potato, and suddenly the spud has serious swagger. Madre Boutique Taqueria pairs tender potato with savory chorizo in its Idaho Spud & Chorizo taco.
Visit at 1034 S La Pointe St, Boise, ID 83706. Mojo sauce and jalapeño pesto bring bright, lively flavor to the filling.
Take the first bite with all the ingredients together. The potato gives the taco a soft base, while the sauces add energy.
Each part has a clear job, which makes the combination feel thoughtful.
Madre also offers Potato Taquitos, another way to explore the same ingredient. They come with guacamole, pico de gallo, and crema.
Those toppings bring cool, creamy, and juicy notes to the crisp taquitos. Ordering both dishes would make a fun comparison of potato textures.
The taco earns its high spot by putting Idaho’s familiar crop in a lively new setting. It is easy to focus on the sauces, but the tender potato holds everything together.
That balance makes the dish memorable without making it complicated. Choose the taco for a quick bite, or add taquitos when the potato theme deserves an encore.
Either way, the spud gets to show off its adventurous side.
9. Spuds Waterfront Grill
A baked potato with a waterfront view sounds like a splendid Idaho afternoon. Spuds Waterfront Grill builds its Canadian potato around butter, bacon, and two cheeses.
The restaurant is at 102 N 1st Ave, Sandpoint, ID 83864. Jack and cheddar melt into the oven-roasted spud, with sour cream on top.
That combination works because every topping supports the warm potato beneath it. Butter adds richness, bacon brings crunch, and sour cream gives each forkful a cool finish.
Mix a little of everything together before deciding whether to add more toppings. A good loaded potato should taste like a complete meal.
There is also a colorful path through the menu. The Drag it Through the Garden spud features vegetables, including spinach and broccoli.
Pick it when you want freshness alongside the oven-roasted potato. Spuds can also turn a sandwich into a potato dish for a small fee.
That flexibility is why this stop sits close to the top. One visit can mean a rich Canadian potato; another can lean toward vegetables.
Sandpoint’s waterfront setting gives the meal a pleasant backdrop, though the food holds its own.
10. Spud Daddy
Now this is how a potato claims the whole table. Spud Daddy makes giant baked potatoes that you can build around your favorite flavors.
Its Boise address is 404 S 8th St, Boise, ID 83702. The SPUDZILLA weighs over two pounds, making it a fitting finale for our ranking.
Start with one protein that sounds especially good. Chopped roast, pit ham, and crispy bacon are among the available choices.
Brisket chili and baked beans can make the potato even heartier. Then bring in something fresh, such as corn salsa or diced tomatoes.
Jalapeños add a lively touch, while Daddy Sauce offers another way to shape the flavor. I would balance a rich topping with a fresh one, then add sauce to taste.
Building in that order helps the fluffy potato remain part of every forkful. The menu is gluten-free, another useful detail when choosing a meal.
Spud Daddy also carries the Idaho Ice Cream Potato for a playful dessert. Still, its oversized savory spuds take first place here because the potato remains the clear star.
From breakfast pancakes to pizza and tacos, Idaho spuds have carried this whole delicious trip. Which potato stop would you put first on your own list?