The Griddle

The aesthetic and vibes are immaculate here!!! I am a huge fan of cafes/restaurants that feel homey and this is that! I am unfortunately limited to gluten free options and they are heavily lacking in those. I tried the gluten free protein pancakes (the only advertised gluten free dish on the menu) and it was honestly the worst thing I've ever eaten. We've gotten to a point in society where the Great Value GF Pancake mix has the exact same texture and taste as gluten pancakes, so why is this restaurant serving such a terrible option? I will not be coming here again to eat breakfast, I truly haven't had that bad of a pancake in my life and it will haunt me.

The Griddle is a well-known and loved Treasure Valley staple for breakfast. The SE Boise location is slightly smaller than the Meridian location but both have the same menu, atmosphere and popularity. They serve lunch as well, but breakfast is definitely their busiest time (but not because the quality is inferior after noon, I think it’s just that they developed a breakfast reputation a long time ago). In fact, their fries seem fresh-cut and homemade (not frozen). Delicious. They have a wide variety of menu options for several diet types, including a yummy protein pancake that is gluten-free. I don’t know if it’s on a dedicated grill or not so if you are highly sensitive, you will need to ask about cross contamination. Unfortunately, they do not have any other gluten-free bread options. Pros: The food is delicious and the service is fast and friendly. The pricing is mid-range and what you would expect to pay for a typical breakfast. Wait times can be about 20-45 mins for a table during busy times BUUUT you will find that just about anywhere in the city these days. And actually, they get people in and out pretty quickly. If they say the wait is 20 mins, it will be 20 mins. It is worth the wait. Cons: This is a personal preference but the restaurant can be loud. The decor is cafe-style with laminate flooring, vinyl booths and metal-legged chairs so the chatter and clinking dishes can turn intimate conversations into a yelling match so don’t expect to share a quiet meal where your lover can hear you giggle and whisper. This is a “cup your hand around your mouth and show them your tonsils while you repeat yourself” type of vibe. But it’s fun. And it’s energetic and it will definitely wake you up. Also, wait times can seem looooooooooong when you’re starving and they don’t take reservations so go early or use their call-ahead service. Do it. Go. Go. Go. You’ll love it.