Leaving Idaho for any amount of time is hard. There are just some things you can’t get in any other state, including these eight iconic foods. Nothing says home like the food you grew up loving, so it’s likely you’ve had a craving for at least a few of the items on this list. You can take the person out of Idaho, but you can’t take Idaho out of the person! How many of these resonate with you?
- Huckleberry Milkshakes
MsWrightWright/TripAdvisor Few states take huckleberries as seriously as Idaho. In fact, we don’t just use them for milkshakes but for pies, ice cream, jams, candy, and more. The huckleberry is every Idahoan’s favorite berry. Simply put, no other berry will do.
- Ice Cream Potato
Devon D’Ewart/Flickr Out-of-staters often give us a look of “Are you guys insane?” when the ice cream potato comes up. It’s fun to let people think we actually consume potato-flavored ice cream, but that’s not really what it is. This baked potato shaped ice cream treat is a classic dish at Idaho state fairs.
- Any kind of french fry imaginable
Boise Fry Company/Facebook Are you telling me that other states don’t have entire restaurants dedicated to french fries? Preposterous. How are we supposed to get our purple french fry fix outside of Idaho? Seriously, though. If you haven’t made it to Boise Fry Company yet, you need to pronto.
- FRY SAUCE!
Victor Solanoy/Flickr Ah, yes, The only condiment in any Idahoan’s opinion. Why settle for ketchup when you can upgrade to fry sauce? It’s great on burgers, too. It’s a real shame the rest of the country (besides Utah) hasn’t caught on to this magnificent sauce yet.
- Bison Burgers
jpellgen/Flickr We’re pretty lucky to live in a state where big game is almost always on the menu, including absolutely delectable bison burgers. Beef is great, but it’s no bison.
- Basque Food
Phillipe Gama/Flickr Considering that Idaho is home to one of the largest Basque populations outside of Spain, it makes sense we have access to some pretty dang good Basque food. Basque cuisine is a delightful treat that you just can’t get in most places outside of Idaho.
- Craft Brews
Amy Ross/Flickr Idaho’s beer scene has been blowing up over the past few years. We are one of the largest producers of fresh hops (used for beer) in the country. Our local beers have won numerous awards across the country. No other state can compare.
- Fresh Trout
Ard van der Leeuw/Flickr Here in Idaho, we like to eat what we catch. It’s no secret that our state is a fishing paradise. We’re one of the largest producers of fresh water trout in the world. Eating frozen fish is something that is simply not done here.
What would you add to this iconic foods list for Idaho? Individual food isn’t the only things Idahoans tend to miss about our state when they leave. They also can’t help but miss meals from their favorite local neighborhood restaurants, as well.
MsWrightWright/TripAdvisor
Few states take huckleberries as seriously as Idaho. In fact, we don’t just use them for milkshakes but for pies, ice cream, jams, candy, and more. The huckleberry is every Idahoan’s favorite berry. Simply put, no other berry will do.
Devon D’Ewart/Flickr
Out-of-staters often give us a look of “Are you guys insane?” when the ice cream potato comes up. It’s fun to let people think we actually consume potato-flavored ice cream, but that’s not really what it is. This baked potato shaped ice cream treat is a classic dish at Idaho state fairs.
Boise Fry Company/Facebook
Are you telling me that other states don’t have entire restaurants dedicated to french fries? Preposterous. How are we supposed to get our purple french fry fix outside of Idaho? Seriously, though. If you haven’t made it to Boise Fry Company yet, you need to pronto.
Victor Solanoy/Flickr
Ah, yes, The only condiment in any Idahoan’s opinion. Why settle for ketchup when you can upgrade to fry sauce? It’s great on burgers, too. It’s a real shame the rest of the country (besides Utah) hasn’t caught on to this magnificent sauce yet.
jpellgen/Flickr
We’re pretty lucky to live in a state where big game is almost always on the menu, including absolutely delectable bison burgers. Beef is great, but it’s no bison.
Phillipe Gama/Flickr
Considering that Idaho is home to one of the largest Basque populations outside of Spain, it makes sense we have access to some pretty dang good Basque food. Basque cuisine is a delightful treat that you just can’t get in most places outside of Idaho.
Amy Ross/Flickr
Idaho’s beer scene has been blowing up over the past few years. We are one of the largest producers of fresh hops (used for beer) in the country. Our local beers have won numerous awards across the country. No other state can compare.
Ard van der Leeuw/Flickr
Here in Idaho, we like to eat what we catch. It’s no secret that our state is a fishing paradise. We’re one of the largest producers of fresh water trout in the world. Eating frozen fish is something that is simply not done here.
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