Idaho Burgers (Boise, Ammon, Salmon: stores, food, cars)

[Mtn. States Resident]

cleosmom wrote:

" Honestly? I'm surprised the ones in IF and Ammon remain open!"

Originally Posted by pw72

Gonna have to agree. The food is not the best at Sonic, IMO. Although their desserts and drinks seem to get high marks. Sonic is a "theme" fast food chain, complete with carhops, etc.

The Blackfoot location always seemed kind of quiet, not much activity. As to why some Sonics do well and some do not, not sure. There is a lot of nearby competition in B.F., (Wendy's, Arby's, McDonalds, Taco Bell), but that usually is an advantage if anything. A "Sonic Mystery" for sure.

BTW, moving vans are not 100% confirmation they have closed, but if I were a betting man...

I'm with both of you. Trying to be diplomatic though, as I know some who post here like Sonic or have family members who do. Also, it was started in OKC, OK and that has special meaning for me.

I like some of the Sonic's drinks. A Coke is a Coke, right? But, the food .....well, I really do agree, but was trying to be polite. That is why I was sooooooooooo blown away at the listed selling price of the Ammon Sonic.

MSR

[shades_of_idaho]

Should have mentioned there is a fantastic burger in Council at "The Branding Iron". Bring an empty tummy with you. It is a big one. So good.

[cleosmom]

Originally Posted by pw72

Thought this would be a good place to report there were moving vans outside the Blackfoot Sonic Drive-In this afternoon. Evidently, they're shuttin' that one down.

We were by there last night and indeed they are closed. Menu boards removed from the carhop signs and totally dark at 9:00pm on a Saturday night!

[skinem]

Gotta put a vote in for Effie's in downtown Lewiston. Reasonably priced, taste great, and the size of plates. Two can, and do get full from one.

[MapleQuill]

I've got to put in another vote for Lazy D's. It's got the best burgers (and everything else) around. Right in Shelley on the main street... SO good.

[DESERTRYDER]

I can't wai to take some dirt roads from Emmett to Council on my motorcycle and hit the Branding Iron for burgers.
I am going to get 2.
1 for each side of my huge A$$

Riding home on those trails it will look like two pigs fighting in a sack

[cleosmom]

Originally Posted by DESERTRYDER

I can't wai to take some dirt roads from Emmett to Council on my motorcycle and hit the Branding Iron for burgers.
I am going to get 2.
1 for each side of my huge A$$

Riding home on those trails it will look like two pigs fighting in a sack

Okay DR you crack me up

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Originally Posted by Clark Fork Fantast

You know, the best burger I've ever had, anywhere, was at the Edgewater in Sandpoint last summer! And the 2nd best was at Eichardt's on Cedar St.! So that's where you'll find me, from time to time, if only in my dreams... We have In 'n Out down here, and I don't think they're worth the hype. Haven't tried Sonic yet. We're still looking for the perfect SoCal burger place...we used to have a Sluggo's a block away, and they were gooood...

Okay, I have to take back that high rating . The Edgewater Restaurant is now the Trinity, new owners, new menu, and a regular burger doesn't even appear on their lunch or dinner menu anymore. What a loss! But here's the good news: The new owner of Connie's in Sandpoint is the old chef from the Edgewater! So we went over and had a burger there, and it was terrific! And I did also have a burger at Eichardt's, and it was superb as usual.

[Mtn. States Resident]

WE've gone down this road before, but I have some links. Yes, IN-N-OUT Burger is opening in Metro Salt Lake City.

West Jordan and Draper are hiring right now (plus American Fork in UT County).

IN-N-OUT Burger

This is the Jordan Landing (West Jordan one). Check out Draper and American Fork.

Can we consider this solid enough proof?

MSR

[Niners fan]

Originally Posted by Mtn. States Resident

pw72,

In searching briefly, I found the pending lawsuits about possible "copycats" of In-N-Out Burgers in some UT locations. Not sure what that is about.

Originally Posted by Mtn. States Resident

WE've gone down this road before, but I have some links. Yes, IN-N-OUT Burger is opening in Metro Salt Lake City.

West Jordan and Draper are hiring right now (plus American Fork in UT County).

IN-N-OUT Burger

This is the Jordan Landing (West Jordan one). Check out Draper and American Fork.

Can we consider this solid enough proof?

MSR

The copycat lawsuit involved a chain out of American Fork, Utah named Chadders ( Chadders Restaurant | The Official Chadder's Website ). Apparently, Chadders copied the concept and even uses the same suppliers. As an entrepreneur and marketing buff I found the Chadders emergence to be interesting because In-N-Out had an attitude about franchising and expansion that bordered on snobbish. In a sense, In-N-Out's decision not to expand really left the door open for a competitor. There was a lawsuit and a settlement and now Chadders is expanding into Idaho. Their first location is set to open near Boise Town Square in December.

Northern Utah has long been ripe for In-N-Out because so many people there have ties to California and are fans of the burgers. With Chadders starting to aggressively expand it would make sense the In-N-Out would do the same.

I have never had a Chadders burger but I can vouch for In-N-Out. Everyone talks about their burgers, but their fries are excellent too if eaten immediately.