Things to Eat in Boise This Summer That You Can't Find Anywhere Else

Boise has become one of the most visited cities in the Mountain West, and for good reason. The food scene has grown fast, the outdoor access is unmatched, and the city has managed to hold onto its identity while growing quickly. Boise tourism has increased significantly in recent years, with visitors drawn by the combination of outdoor recreation and a thriving downtown food and culture scene. [External: visitboise.org]

But some of the best things to eat in Boise aren't new. They've been here since before most of the city's current residents were born.

Idaho Candy Company: A Boise Original Since 1901

Idaho Candy Company was founded in Boise in 1901 by T.O. Smith, a candy maker who built one of the city's first modern factory buildings at 412 South 8th Street in 1909. That building is still there, still running, and still making the same bars it has always made.

It's one of the oldest continuously operating candy manufacturers in the United States, and it's been a Boise institution for 125 years.

What to Try

The Idaho Spud Bar is the starting point. A cocoa marshmallow center coated in dark chocolate and sprinkled with coconut, shaped like a potato - introduced in 1918 and unchanged in character ever since. It's the bar that defines Idaho Candy Company's identity and the one most worth trying if you've never had it. 

The Cherry Cocktail Bar is the one that surprises people. A whole cherry at the center, surrounded by cream, then encased in freshly roasted peanuts and premium milk chocolate. Made since 1926. 

The Huckleberry Gem Bar brings one of Idaho's most beloved wild flavors into candy form - a natural fit for summer, when huckleberries are being picked in the mountains surrounding Boise. 

Take Some Home

Idaho Candy ships nationwide from their Boise factory. If you're visiting and want to bring some home - or send some to friends who couldn't make the trip - you can order directly at idahospud.com. The Variety Pack is the most complete way to take the full Idaho Candy experience with you.