12 Idaho Restaurants With The Best Potato Dishes, Ranked

Even if you know nothing else about Idaho, you've likely heard of the state's reputation for growing potatoes. The versatile starchy vegetable is what the state is famous for. Though technically Idaho is known as "The Gem State" because of the rare minerals that can be found there, most think of it as "The Potato State" because it grows more potatoes than any other American state, accounting for one-third of the nation's potato farming. Three hundred thousand acres of the state are devoted entirely to growing over 30 varieties of root tubers that go into making some of the best dishes in a variety of cuisines around the world.

It may come as a surprise, however, that potatoes aren't native to Idaho. The crop was introduced to the land in the mid-19th century, and as luck would have it, the conditions in Idaho were perfect for potato growing. The combination of weather, volcanic soil, and the pure water that melts from the snow-capped mountains make the region ideal for potato farming. So is it any wonder that restaurants in the state take advantage of the locally-grown, perfected potato? Let's take a closer look at some of the best potato dishes the state offers and where to find them.

Smitty's Pancake & Steak House is located in the picturesque Idaho Falls on the Snake River. The diner has been serving homestyle comfort food to the community since 1966. Though the establishment came under new ownership and the restaurant was fully remodeled in 2020, its pancake recipes have been unchanged for over 50 years. The menu comprises a variety of homemade pancakes, all made from secret, decades-old recipes, including classic buttermilk, old-fashioned sourdough, Southern pecan, gluten-free, and German pancakes. But the potato pancakes make this Idaho landmark stand out amongst other pancake houses.

The famous Idaho flapjacks have grated potatoes mixed right into the batter resulting in a slightly crunchy exterior. However, these potato pancakes are different from latkes and have a much fluffier, typical pancake interior. They're made to be eaten with either applesauce or sour cream (though some may drench them in the standard maple syrup instead). The result is a satisfying and savory pancake for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. 

If you're still hankering for more potato treats after the pancakes, Smitty's also offers red-skin mashed potatoes, hand-cut french fries, tater tots, and baked potatoes on the menu. 

Boise Fry Company is a French fry connoisseur's heaven. The Boise chain has six locations throughout the city and in neighboring towns. The burger-heavy menu offers such a wide variety of fries that its tagline is "Where the burgers come on the side." Idaho is surely the only state where you can find a restaurant that offers six different types of fries made from six different varieties of potatoes, all sourced from local farms and fried in non-GMO oils. The russet fries are the most traditional; the gold potatoes are a bit lighter; the fries made from Laura (or red) potatoes are described as nutty and buttery, while the yam fries will be fibrous and sweet but not as sugary as the sweet potato fries. The seasonal purple fries, made from locally sourced organic purple potatoes, are also a unique option.

Once the customer decides on the type of potato, they can choose their preferential cut, which changes daily but can include regular, homestyle, curly, shoestring, or po'ball (similar to a tater tot). The restaurant offers various dipping sauces — from ketchup, garlic aioli, and a special Fry Sauce to sweet mustard, barbecue sauce, and the most original one: blueberry ketchup. For the high umami fry consumer, Boise Fry Company also offers specialty ones fried in duck fat and topped with truffle salt or truffle fries with pungent minced garlic and Parmesan.

Spud's Waterfront Grill is located in Sandpoint, a scenic, historic town on Lake Pend Oreille, where many outdoor adventurers go for activities like skiing, mountain biking, and boating. As the name suggests, Spud's is right on the water, so you can devour one of the many specialty-loaded baked potatoes while enjoying a pleasant view. The local spot — only open for lunch — offers a unique variety of spuds. Take one called Drag it Through the Garden, which features broccoli, cucumbers, spinach, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, and purple cabbage, dressed with a green onion dill sauce. Other adventurous spuds include the Mexican-inspired South of the Border (black beans and salsa verde) or the zingy, summery Papa Fresca, including thinly sliced and Himalayan-pink-salted avocado with lemon juice. 

If classic spuds are more your style, have no fear. The menu also features an American-style spud with bacon, butter, and sour cream, an English style with just butter, and a broccoli cheddar baked potato. Overall, Squd's is the place to find classic Idaho taters with fresh ingredients. Not to mention the lovely waterfront scenery that adds a little extra enticement.

The unofficial national food of Canada may be this quintessential Quebecois dish, but America has some great places for poutine as well. With its base of potatoes, it's not surprising that you can find cheese curd and gravy-topped french fries in Idaho. At Bittercreek Alehouse in downtown Boise, it's a customer-favorite item on the menu.

What makes this poutine unique and unequivocally Idahoan? It's entirely made from local ingredients. It starts with the pub's French fries, made with potatoes from M&M Heath Farms located in Buhl and hand-cut daily by Bittercreek. Then they're topped with house-made gravy and braised pork from McIntyre Farms, an hour outside Boise. Ballard, a local dairy farm, makes the cheese curd. Sprinkled scallions top the dish. A host of reviews rave about how deliciously flavorful the french fries are. It's an elevated finger food that pairs perfectly with one of the bar's many beers, from bitter and hoppy pale ales to toasty porters and rich stouts. At Bittercreek Alehouse, you'll find comfort pub food at its best. 

A sandwich may not be the dish you would expect to find a potato in, but Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese doesn't shy away from unexpected and even wacky ingredients. The gooey comfort food haven started in Coeur d'Alene and has another location in Boise. The sandwiches served at Meltz have been highlighted in national acclaim. 

Like many Idaho restaurants, the chefs take advantage of the surrounding potato farms and don't skimp on providing a host of potato options. The Burger Bomber has shoestring fries loaded right into the sandwich, along with beef, bacon, tomato, and bacon. Stuffed with beer-battered French fries, the CC Poutine sandwich is a nod to the Canadian dish and features beef short rib, cheese curds, and gravy.

If a French fry sandwich sounds too "extreme" for your tastes, Meltz's potato chips are another excellent buy. Made from Idaho russets, the chips are hand cut and fried fresh daily and seasoned with a special "extreme" spice blend. You can choose from various dipping sauces to dunk your chips in; there's a kale jalapeño bacon cheese sauce, tangy Gorgonzola and sweet chili dip, or an herby artichoke ancho pesto and pickled pepper sauce. The Cheezy Scalloped Potato Pie is also not to be missed. A Meltz original, the pie is as rich, creamy, and starchy as the name insinuates, all packed inside a crumbly crouton crust.

Of all the restaurants on this list, The Pioneer Saloon is the oldest. The historical restaurant has been serving booze, steaks, and potatoes since 1953, per USA Today. Located in Ketchum, a historical frontier town often visited for its nearby skiing attractions, the saloon is full of Western decor and doesn't look much different than it did when it opened 70 years ago.

The steakhouse-style spot is known for oversized spuds, with some even weighing in as much as 4 pounds. The Jim Spud is particularly popular. Folks who order the famous dish will be served a perfectly baked Idaho-raised potato that is fluffed up and stuffed with butter, caramelized onions, chives, and sliced steak, which then gets smothered under a blanket of gooey cheese. And for vegetarians, there are meat-free spuds on the menu as well.

While we can't say Pioneer Saloon's spuds are the most unique potato dish on the list, they're seemingly the most famous and the most consistently top-rated. So if you're looking for a tried and true Idaho restaurant that will make you feel like you stepped straight into the Wild West, Pioneer Saloon is for you. You certainly won't find a more classic Idaho baked potato.