Derek W.

"BEER TO THE PEOPLE" screams the giant, bright sign high on the wall above Bittercreek's bar, an apt sentiment to greet patrons at this locavore craft beer haven in the heart of Boise. There's a daunting, dizzying lineup of beers, manageable to the indecisive diner only by virtue of the helpful arrangement on the menu that features vivid descriptions including the number of miles from this spot that the beer was brewed. I am a beer generalist, so the concept of a bevy of 5oz "taster" glasses suited me perfectly. I enjoyed five very different and unique options, a perfect complement to my meal and a great introduction to the diversity of brews offered here. I love the upscale beer hall vibe in this place, as chill as you'd expect in the great northwest, although they are very serious about their beer and their food. Our food ended up a masterful match to our beer selections, albeit entirely accidentally. They killed it with the black bean and sweet potato burger, a unique twist on often generic vegetarian burger options. Ours was moist (another pet peeve of mine in the veg burger arena is dryness), full of flavor, hearty and filling. The fact that we could order a fresh and healthy quinoa and black bean salad as a side made the plate even more satisfying. Our other sandwich was a solid homemade kielbasa with Swiss cheese and mustard and toasted ciabatta. Bittercreek would be a fine place to call a second home, and the server made us feel welcome and unhurried. I'd be eager to try one of the many other menu selections that tempted us during our first visit.
(4)
Tom K.

Take me to beer or lose me forever!
(4)
Patrick M.

Prompt response from the owner addressing the issue previously described. He is professional and concerned. His attentiveness to customer service is what I had come to expect from the ale house on previous visits. I won't let one bad employee sway my decision to frequent the establishment. Much appreciated.
(4)
Joe R.

Definitely another classic "go-to" spot in Boise. GOOD FOOD. GOOD EATS! Impressive beer selection, enormous cocktail menu, and food that doesn't disappoint. It can get a little busy in the evenings, but is a great spot for a private date for two or even bringing larger groups. Side note - despite ordering a mint julep in the winter, the drink and presentation were perfect. Requesting this drink has been sort of a litmus test for me in many establishments and Bittercreek didn't disappoint. They served it traditionally, with the stainless/silver cup instead of a typical, common collins glass (think regular mojito) and a perfectly trimmed sprig of mint. I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure the bourbon wasn't the typical well quality stuff either. On another occasion, some friends and I came in after a YMCA fun run for a quick brunch and drinks. The staff was more than accommodating for our group of ~20 and kindly split the bills. The brunch food was excellent and we ordered some delicious hot toddies. Overall, another great Boise beverage/food location.
(4)
Allexia B.

Love the local fare. Great beer selection!
(5)
Sean B.

One of the better burgers I've tasted. I thought I was the only one who made burgers on a challah bun - I guess the secret is out on how great it is. The bacon was cooked to perfection and the beef tasted excellent. Very high quality ingredients. I also loved how they used romaine instead of cheap ice berg lettuce. My only gripe was the beer was quite spendy for small glasses (7 dollars for maybe 8 oz of beer) and the wait time was high, although it was a packed house so a bit of a wait is to be expected. Beer selection was very unique.
(4)
Crystal Q.

Great beer selection and yummy food. The staff was friendly and attentive. Its a beer and burger kind of place.
(4)
Amy S.

In Boise visiting a friend, we went to this little joint just to drink some local beers. Their samplers were very reasonably priced, so I got myself a flight! The bar tenders were friendly and knowledgable. I met one of the owners from City of Trees brewing (they were having a tasting special that evening), and he was a really cool guy. A fun place with a relaxed atmosphere; I'd like to go back if I find the time before I leave town!
(4)
Jonathan M.

Tastiest trout I've had anywhere. Great beer menu too. Nice spot to chill. Friendly people.
(5)
Brittany C.

The food and drinks are amazing, a must is their potato chowder and the chicken wiseguy sandwich. do come for the food!
(4)
Andrew H.

Love this place! Best beer bar in the city. Lots of large and local brewers, intermittent tap takeover's. Almost uniformly attentive bar staff, particularly Christy. Menu is excellent for bar food. Desserts are lust worthy.
(5)
Amanda J.

It's ok, the beer selection is good but I feel when I go here I feel the bartenders really like to chat it up with the regulars and avoid "new" people. Went here for lunch on another occasion and on the menu nothing called out to us, we left.
(3)
Chris O.

Went here for lunch a few days ago. I ordered the Fish and Chips, my dining partner ordered the All Day Special (Potato Corn Chowder soup). We both were quite satisfied with our choices. The chowder, I'm told, was very tasty and had small (rather than the more typical large) chunks of potato in it. The fries I was served were hand-cut and came from an Idaho farmer (just doing my part to "buy local"). Bittercreek also happens to be connected to Red Feather, and subsequently has an amazing cocktail selection.
(4)
Casey F.

This is one place I have to come every time I'm in Boise. I worked here as a kid when I was 17/18! Loved working here too.. some of the funnest times as a kid! I was a bus boy, my room mate was one of the cooks, and my neighbors were the managers! Man good times. So here I am 18 years later and this place hasn't really changed too much. It's only gotten better. The beer menu is good The food menu is good The service is good and the location is too.. Fun Fun Fun.. for me it's a must go whenever I'm in Boise!
(4)
Cheryl N.

Stopped by on a lovely evening and sat outside to watch Boise's everchanging street scene. The Polenta Fries were superb! Washed down with New Belgium's La Folie Sour Brown. The place was busy, the wait staff considerate. Too bad we'd already eaten, because the menu was enticing, and the beverage lists extensive for both wine and beer. Definitely worth a stop!
(3)
Kasey N.

This has kind of become a regular stop for my boyfriend and I. After a long week of work and class all I truly want is a nice glass of cold beer and some comfort food--and there's no better place to answer my prayers than Bittercreek. On my most recent trip I got their new Kasespatzle which replaced their Mac & Cheese. Although M&C was my fave on their menu, I can't really complain because the Kasespatzle is super good. According to Wikipedia (Yes, I'm one of those students) Kasespatzle is a type of egg noodle popular in Hungary & Germany. The boyfriend's regular dish here has been the lamb burger. The meat is always cooked perfectly--not to tough, not cold & raw. I believe Bittercreek advertises this as a spicy burger? It's not so spicy that you'll need a gallon of beer to wash it down. More like a nice spice that'll make your nostrils flare a bit. (Sorry that's a terrible description. I do not claim to be a spice expert!) Usually I steal a few bits of his burger and fries when we go. He also loves their horseradish sauce for fry dipping. One of my favorite parts about Bittercreek is the atmosphere. It's always bubbling with energy and happiness. During Treefort 2014 they brought in a Bluegrass band that totally vibed perfectly with the atmosphere in their restaurant. They also decorate for the holidays--make sure to stop by in October for creepy decor and awesome Octoberfest-y brews. Bonus, the staff is really-really good looking and fantastic at customer service. It's like they hire out of some model catalog. A few tips: This place is seat yourself. & Try and be on your best behavior--this place is popular, so don't be surprised if you run into your boss or something!
(5)
Willa C.

I dig this local find. We went in for my husband's birthday because he wanted fries. (Yes, he is such a difficult man to please!) Anyway, a friend recommended this place and since we were in Boise latenight, we were pleased that they were still opened. In fact, at 11 they were pretty much packed. Okay, that's not LATE NIGHT... but for us it is ;) We only ordered fries - started with one basket and then ended up with 3, because once my husband got his... another person at the table wanted some and then someone else did. Really, they are just cut potatoes, but this place does them well. The price was stellar too. 3.00 for a late night post drinking snack? Enough for two people! Extra crispy with a side of ranch. He got a rootbeer on tap as well. Unfortunately, it tasted like carbonated raisins. Eh. Not our thing, but the waitress was super nice and gave him something else. The rest of the menu looked delish - can't wait to go back!!!! I have a hankering for a bacon, blue, burger. OMG the food looked so good. Service was really good too. Considering we kept the waitress on her toes just for appetizers, she kept a smile and was friendly and engaging. Service + food was awesome. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Linda T.

Turkey poutine. It's like thanksgiving dinner married my favourite Canadian dish. So delicious. Gravy consistency was a little off, but it was incredibly tasty. Loved the black bean/sweet potato burger. Happy belly! Washed it all down with a local IPA. This place rocks. Great service, too.
(4)
Johnny R.

My girlfriend and I decided to mark our fantastic closure to the winter season with a stoppage here at what we both thought was a fun and lively place for lunch. Since we both had been here previously for drinks in the evening, we thought the fun and liveliness would continue as we were both hungry for their original burgers. We broke this down by sections to provide an accurate representation of our experience: Atmosphere: Neither one of us could comprehend why things just didn't seem to be in place compared to just a few months ago. It's hard to explain, but it's almost as if the boss was out of town and the workers decided to spice things up in his absence. The "BEER TO THE PEOPLE" lighted sign seemed to throw me off at first - I figured that they were trying to woo in state workers and legislators since the place was located just blocks from the "People's House" (aka The Idaho State Capitol). Or maybe it was a reminder to the blue collar workers downtown that Bittercreek has their backs in the face of Idaho being ranked 50th for average annual wages and per-capita income. Who knows? The tables were also not very sturdy, and any slight bump had the risk of sending a good amount of water on the floor. Some ladies two tables down from us (although they seemed much closer since the tables were basically just feet apart) had trouble with their table and shot glares at us as if it were our fault they were in that condition. Food/drinks: The beer selection was awesome, as always. The burger we had was well-cooked and juicy, which is what we loved. The thing had a very interesting bun that was crusty on the outside and fluffy on the inside. It also tasted like it was somewhat dipped in horseradish, which my Better Half is not a fan of. There was no mention of horseradish in the recipe, which does not bode well for those who may be allergic. The fries also seemed like they were greasy and not properly drained. Service: At first the waitress seemed somewhat stressed out and annoyed that she had to talk with us. There was not a lot of other people around so we didn't see very much reason why it would be stressful. She didn't seem very happy to speak with us at first when I tried to bring up a conversation about the weather, however after we consumed our food, she decided to all of a sudden be friendly and pick up my weather conversation as if nothing had happened. We're not sure if it was because either she feared that we would leave a bad tip or maybe just came to her senses midway through our visit. Cost: The food quanity seemed like a reasonable value for the money overall. We have been to more expensive places that offer less food for the amount charged, however it baffles me as to why microbrews made locally cost more than brand-name beers shipped in from out-of-state. Conclusion: Based on our analysis, we were not very impressed with things after the renovation and image overhaul which we believe was made in response to competition from 10 Barrel just over on 9th Street. The overall vibe of the place, in spite of the booming "BEER TO THE PEOPLE" anthem, seemed to cater instead to those of the upper-class, yuppie, and urban hipster clientele. We obviously do not fit in that demographic and stuck out as sore thumbs as a result. Oh well, at least we got to eat with free parking.
(2)
John V.

Bittercreek is the best beer joint in Boise. I like this place a helluva lot and I'm not a beer connoisseur. The focus is on craft beers from all parts of the Rocky Mountain region and the Pacific Northwest. The extensive beer menu is descriptive and there are 30+ draft selections which change constantly. The drafts can be had as tastes ($2) if you don't want to commit to a whole glass, yeah right! In addition to a detailed description of each beer, the menu lists the alcohol percentage, and the distance in miles from Boise. This is very helpful and cool for the novice as well as the expert. Each of the beers that I've tried has been fresh, with distinctive bright flavors that match the menu descriptions perfectly. Tasty. The inside feeling conjures a rustic northern tavern, with plenty of wood everywhere - from the bar, the tables and chairs, to the polished hardwood floors. The scene is always lively since every chair and stool is perpetually occupied. There is a patio which overlooks bustling 8th St. and is my favorite place to hang. In addition to the great beers, Bittercreek offers an appropriate food menu which will complement and in many cases enhance your beer choice. The menu consists of apps, sandwiches, and small plates and proudly lists the farms, dairies, bakeries, and other locally sourced food providers. I've had the grilled Halloumi app and the Bittercreek and Spicy Lamb burgers - excellent in all cases. There are some more trendy options on the menu like Poutine and Spicy Street Tacos which I have yet to try. There is enough variety without being overwhelmed by too many options. The service has been remarkably good considering how busy this place gets. Kudos to the entire service team for being enthusiastic advocates of the local beers and their extensive beer knowledge. Bittercreek is definitely one of the best options in Boise when seeking a good meal and a great beer.
(4)
Vlad B.

I love this place. Great atmosphere and menu. The happy hour is good for late night snacks and brews with a decent variety of menu and prices nowhere downtown can compete with on quality for the money.
(5)
David N.

Bitter creek, long a staple of Boise... but why? The food... the food is, at absolute best, uninspired. Nothing new, nothing surprising... hell, nothing on NOTE comes from their food. It's a Red Robin clone that appeals to hipsters. The beer? Sure, the beer menu is pretty good. Not phenomenal but good. Granted the beer is served far too cold but at least the servers know what it is right? Except no. No, the servers generally know exactly shit about the beer. But the service. It's good right? Yeah. Sure. Run up an $8 tab, give them a $20 and get $2 back in change. Act like you know and they'll come back and say "Oh, I owe you Five bucks don't i?" Because if they pretend they fucked up it's OK that they tried to rip you off. Did I contact management about this? Yup. All of it. Did they reply? No. Not even the smallest hint of "We're sorry you didn't enjoy your stay." Nope, not even that. Not even a small Well fuck you, you're a shitbag but whatever" reply. No. This place is pretty much shit. The food is dull, the service sucks, the beer is too cold and you might as well give up asking them dick about the beers on tap. The food... the food is mediocre priced like it's a premium. The beer? Go somewhere else. ANYWHERE else. Pre-Funk. The Front Door. Old godamn Chicago fer Chris'sakes.... This place is the epitome of a local place that's grown far beyond its britches. If a local restaurant could hit it big, then fall into the traps of popularity any better I'd be impressed.
(1)
Lucy T.

What? I can't hear you. Are you asking me a question? I couldn't tell, because it's SO LOUD IN HERE. I'm sure everything tastes great, but LOUD.
(3)
Travis S.

Phenomenal pub food, excellent beer (sometimes served too cold), and great service. Great outdoor seating. Nestled in between 2 other great restaurants who share bathrooms and a connecting hallway. Nice place to start an evening (or spend one).
(4)
BBQ B.

Awesome food. Duck tacos were off the charts. This place is worth a visit. I'll be back
(5)
Amy M.

I went to Boise for a 24 hour exploration and loved this town! Sure, I'm used to bigger cities, but this reminded me of Grand Rapids, with the food and beer choices to match. I started doing some consulting for Lava Lake Lamb, so I decided to try some of the lamb available. Delicious! I had their lamb burger - covered in feta, jalapeÃ±os, and fried onions. It was delicious! I enjoyed it with a glass of OnimoniPaleAle from a local brewery. The alehouse was lovely - great scene. It was loud but not too loud. It was crowded but not too crowded. The decor was amazing. I heard that the owner is very "green" and I wanted to explore that more, but I was on a time schedule...so I will definitely be back to check out more!
(4)
Nikki R.

Had a great time. Enjoyed the outside area with friends on a beautiful sunny day. Good, healthy portions of food and a kick ass selection of beer. I would definitely go again.
(5)
Carolyn O.

Had the Idaho Trout Board to start. AMAZING. We then had the Hunstman Burger and the Spicy Lamb Burger. Both were excellent. The Hunstman comes with some amazing thick cut bacon on top that is to die for. I highly recommend the bacon potato salad for your side (it is unlike any potato salad I've ever had!) They aren't kidding when they call the Lamb Burger spicy. It is awesome if you can handle the heat! The only problems we encountered were that the bartender didn't seem to know how to make a Whiskey Sour (despite it being prominently featured of their cocktail menu) and our waiter was a little slow. However, the food is completely worth it! Ambiance is great! Perfect for the 8th Street downtown vibe.
(5)
Susan C.

Having been in Idaho a few days now, everyone's skirted the issue of IDAHO POTATOES, and I'm too polite to bring it up. (ie. Hey, you guys are known for potatoes, but I haven't seen a damn potato, except at WinCo! Where are all the potatoes!?) So when we went to Bittercreek after a disappointing dinner at Shige's I had to order the Idaho potato fries... ...which were meh... Very average - a little soggy, a little soft - a little country and a little rock 'n roll(??) This is NOT the potato's fault, however. Also ordered the Snake River Chardonnay, wanting to do a local wine, and my boyfriend a red. The chardonnay wasn't chilled enough and was OK. The red was OK as well. Nothing to write home about. Had to change locations about 3 times since the setting sun was following my boyfriend around like a bad disease. The place was packed inside and out for a Thursday. Service was friendly and attentive - and this is my favorite part about visiting Idaho so far. Every person encountered in a restaurant, on a trail, out shopping, and possibly even stealing my money - absolutely friendly and sincere. After changing our table we were under another server's "jurisdiction", so we decided to close out with our previous server, who provided us with great service. The manner in which our previous server talked with our new one was so friendly, completely devoid of snark. Must be the potatoes - or lack, thereof.
(3)
Taylor S.

I would give no stars if I could...found pubic hair in my food. Hipster waiter had shit(literal shit) in between his fingernails...bartender ok...not attentive and didn't know how to make a jack and coke.
(1)
Kevin W.

Great fish and chips and big beer selection. Fred was our server and provided excellent suggestions on the food along with the background on where it comes from (locally). If you want fast, friendly service and good food, come here.! I would definitely come back again.
(5)
Meghan H.

I visited Bittercreek a few days ago and was really pleased with my experience. I am not a huge beer drinker, but was impressed with the huge variety of drink options that were available. I had a grilled cheese with bacon and the seasonal veggies. Everything was delicious and it was very fast service. I would definitely return to Bittercreek.
(4)
Jason P.

Second time here. Very good food and booze! Service is solid. Busy, active atmosphere. Not bad for kids too. I loved my ipa.
(4)
Rick C.

Everything was great. The trout board is a winner. The beer is varried and lots of local brews.
(4)
Vikkie N.

I really wanted the lamb burger, but am not that into jalapenos on my meat, so asked if they would leave the 'spice' off... they obliged willingly. Service was friendly and fast.
(4)
Betty M.

Everything looks great and tasted amazing.
(4)
Anthony M.

This place is great. I've enjoyed everything I've tried. The BLT is the best.
(5)
Jason B.

Great food, even better story. These folks really care about the quality, source and environmental impact of the food they provide. The atmosphere is what you would expect at a typical pub. The staff are extremely friendly and attentive. The duck,duck poutine was amazing - best poutine I've ever had in a restaurant. Every beer has a distance in miles, or blocks from the pub. Really impressed. If you're looking for gourmet level pub fare, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
emily b.

Bacon and sage popcorn! Great beers selection.
(5)
Twosox S.

This fine establishment use to be marginal at best but they've recently undergone a very positive transformation. The quality of the food has done a 180. They have an emphasis on sourcing locally and making scratch made food. Whole animal butchering, making their own sausage, etc.... Diverse eclectic menu. Love this place. Beer selection is always too notch.
(4)
Jerry T.

Wow. Just stopped for a beer. Stayed 3 hours. They care about food. Had the grilled kale salad and duck poutine. Great.
(5)
Jim B.

Even after all the influx of new places downtown, they remain my favorite. Food is always great (far better than what you find at chains), and kudos for having such a huge and great rotating beer selection. Love the new remodel! The polenta fries are seriously addicting!
(5)
Bruce R.

My favorite place.
(5)
Paulina B.

Last night was my first time trying out this restaurant and my husband tagged along. First and foremost the food was DELICIOUS. My husband ordered the turkey leg buffalo style and it came out so good the meat was falling off the bone. I ordered the huntsman burger, which was cooked a perfect med rare. They had a pretty good beer selection as well, I'm into white IPAs and found a really delicious one on my first try (I'm a bit picky with beer) my husband had a porter and the got the same beer as I got. The ambiance was relaxed, which was really nice because we walked into the wrong restaurant at first (red feather lounge) and they even seated us before we realized we were in the wrong spot. Our waitress laughed and told us where to go, which then we were quickly tended by another waiter. He was very friendly and helpful. The music playing was a really good selection too. It wasn't too loud where I felt like I was yelling across the table. Overall great experience, Great place will definitely go again!!
(5)
Nina K.

The Late night menu was perfect with chimchurri street tacos, wings, and drink specials. The manager/ bartender was super friendly. We will definitely come back, the next time we are in Boise.
(4)
Skott S.

Having enjoyed my last visit so much I decided to take my family back for dinner last night. We were not disappointed! We were seated quickly and with in a few minutes we were sipping some wonderful samplers of tremendous beer. I was presently surprised to find that the beer menu had changed with a ton of new selections. I asked our extremely kind server about that and she explained that it changes every few days. Our meals were superb. I got a spicy Lamb Burger and fries (cooked to perfection) my Sister in Law got fish and chips which looked fantastic and she said tasted even better, and my Brother (who is extremely Gluten intolerant got a lettuce wrapped burger. I'm afraid that that do not have a gluten free bun. Over the course of our meal our server was attentive but not hovering and always kind. Manager was extremely helpful and genuinely loves the company he works for, and it shows. This is a rare gem of a restaurant in a giant sea of mediocre and bland carbon copy restaurants. I WILL return the next time I am in Boise.
(5)
Nina B.

Forever my favorite place to eat and drink in Boise. For-ev-er.
(5)
Lo J.

I came here for dinner. The ambiance was fun and our waitress was kind and helpful in understanding the beer and cocktail menu and offering her recommendations. The chowder was delicious and I highly recommend it. I had the turkey, swiss, and bacon and it was tastey.
(5)
Brianne M.

So crowdy! The beer list was crazy long! The entrees were okay but the trout board was so good I think we each could have had our own! I really don't like that it's seat yourself especially since the place is so large. We came when it was colder and we sat my the door and froze and we're from MI! The server was nice but also rushed.
(3)
Matt O.

Great beer selection! I've had the lamb burger a couple times, and it's hot (jalapeÃ±os). The second time I ordered it without jalapeÃ±os, and it was good. But if you can handle spicy, go for it!
(4)
Ciara M.

Love the atmosphere here! I got the street tacos with duck and it was so delicious and perfect size. But the best part was their summer fruit cake it's a must get!
(4)
Michele E.

Great atmosphere and food, excellent waitress! The only reason I picked 4 stars is b/c the bar is a little slow. We will definitely be back for the duck tacos and extensive beer list! Warm atmosphere... Great place!
(4)
Wendy P.

I'm giving an additional 3 more stars to my previous review because the owner humbly contacted me, invited us back and offered a very generous gift certificate. I will be updating as soon as I can!
(4)
Matt W.

Have been to Bittercreek on a few occasions. I have been drawn in by the insane beer selection which is always changing and always kickass. Was there this week and finally looked through the menu and my waiter "Long-haired Ryan" recommended the veggie burger. I've been vegetarian for 15 years and always shy away from veggie burgers because I think they always sound better than they end up tasting. The veggie burger at BC does not disappoint. I've have house-made veggie burgers from numerous other places in Boise but this sandwich is by far the best I've had. Actually I think this burger is neck to neck with the veggie burger at Nicks in Laguna Beach which is one of the only veggie burgers that I think about when craving a burger. Definitely worth ordering vegetarian or not. Thanks for the recommendation, "long-haired Ryan!"
(5)
Jerusha E.

Huge beer, wine and cocktail menus! Food menu also offers a lot if diversity. We had the pulled pork sandwich, and while the bread was delicious, the sandwich was overall mediocre. We also had the spatzel with chicken which was fantastic! The potato chowder was also quite good. The restaurant is a little loud but has a good bar feeling to it. Overall, we enjoyed our drinks and meal here and would go back, if only to try the duck butter popcorn.
(4)
Diana A.

Great place for lunch! I'm not even a vegetarian but you gotta try the black bean sweet potato burger OMG! I wanted to love the polenta fries but they were just too salty :/ kale salad hit the spot. Ordered the butternut squash soup but they were out. If I am ever in Boise again I would return!
(4)
Paul S.

I feel very sad to have to write a negative review. I considered myself a regular. On a Saturday night, I invited friends from out of town to come to Bittercreek. I was treated very rudely by the bartender. She socialized with her friends at the bar and made us all wait while she socialized. To add insult to injury she allowed one of her friends to put his nose into drink so that he could smell it. That was just disgusting. I paid, then left, never to return again. You guys really need to supervise who is working behind the bar. You have lost a once loyal customer.
(2)
Antonino T.

Stopped here for a quick bite and a beer, the late night happy hour was great: excellent wings (in generous quantities) good (fruity - got The Ram) Boise beer, good croquettes and reasonable tacos. All at very convenient prices. Very fast and impeccable service (was in a hurry to pick up a friend from the airport). Strongly suggested !
(5)
Bond H.

I've always loved Bittercreek but I feel after the remodel they are even better!! Everything from the food, to their pickles, to their ketchup (the latter two both very important to me) are top notch. Service is always great though at times I feel they are understaffed and the servers are overwhelmed. It gets really busy in there. Enjoy!
(4)
J K.

We were traveling through Boise looking for great food and great drink, we scored!!! They have outdoor patio seating as well as plenty of indoor seating. The service was great and very friendly to a bunch of tourists. The portions were great and every thing tasted great!
(5)
Tony G.

First off, let me start by saying I felt like I was misled into going here. I have been trying to look into places to watch Sunday Night Football game and somewhere I read online that this was a good place to go in Boise. Please, if you're looking for a place to watch a football game this is not it. That is not the fault of this business, however, so I'll leave that as an aside. Anyhow, the only reason I gave the stars was because the burger I ordered was truly delicious! I mean really, as someone who really enjoys trying different burgers, their bacon and cheddar burger was awesome. That's where the positive remarks end. This place claims to be an Ale House for crying out loud. I tried ordering my first beer of choice and he politely let me know that he just got a note saying they were out. Okay fine, so I ordered a different beer, after 5 minutes or so he comes back with a sample of yet a different beer thinking maybe I'll like that one because he just found out that they were also out of the second one I ordered. Not knowing what else to do I figured fine I'll take that. So that put me off right away. My other big issue was that it took entirely way too long for my burger to be made. I am by all respects a fairly patient person and not someone to make a stink about something like how long I have to wait. This was ridiculous though. The issue is that we had decided to cut out at half time to try and go to Applebees or something to finish watching the game. My burger took literally 30 minutes to come out after I ordered it. One of the guys I went with ordered a wrap, had it brought out , and completely finished it, and then ANOTHER 10 minutes went by before I finally got my burger. I had a hard time believing it takes that long to cook a burger. So all that to say that if you don't mind waiting a long time for your food and you're not there to watch football, AND you're not particularly picky about what kind of beer you drink this place is fantastic! Otherwise I feel like there's probably plenty of other options in town. Just saying..
(3)
Erica S.

Our server was great in helping us decide between several items on the menu. We were hungry and it all looked so good. We got the street tacos and pulled pork sandwich. All of it was delicious! The street tacos we perfect. and we subed the kale salad for the black beans. The grill gave it a deep earthy flavor, so good. and it was perfectly dressed. The pork had a good smoky flavor and the chibbatta bun was amazing.
(4)
Jeff M.

It took an hour for our food to be ready. When it came my burger was under cooked and my friends fish was over cooked. Fries were dry and hard. Tasted like fries from backseat of a car. Not what we were expecting. They knew it was bad and didn't charge us which was nice. Felt sick rest of the day from the grease bomb I ate.
(2)
Allison H.

Food was great! Good burger made with local meat, but slightly over done. Baja tacos were excellent. Very good beer selection. The seating is a bit close and cramped, so that may be a negative for some. The overall atmosphere was welcoming and the service was prompt and friendly.
(4)
M N.

Atmosphere is nice especially In the summer on the outside patio. The two times I've been here they have served me beer in the wrong glass though. Come on guys, don't make me send the beer back! Otherwise, pretty tasty bar food, awesome beer selection and not too pricy.
(3)
Urban S.

This place is packed on the weekends. A great find for beer taps and inventory, excellent food, and to watch the game. Would definitely recommend.
(4)
Matt C.

Amazing late night happy hour $2 tacos $3 local beers . Street tacos where D-Lish food till 1 am.
(5)
Danielle L.

My favorite place to eat/drink in Boise! After the renovations the good is much better and very good prices especially for downtown. Service can be slow at times, especially if you sit outside. Always an excellent beer selection. I love getting tasters!
(5)
Kara B.

Bittercreek is amazing. Their food is fresh, local and fantastic! It doesn't get much better then the huntsman burger. The bacon is the best I've ever had. Love the atmosphere and service. One of my favs in DT Boise! Yum!
(5)
Louise B.

We liked this place! The food was all very good (the grilled salmon and Caesar, and the fish and chips), and decently priced. Better than expected. I liked the old bar too and the space overall. We'll be back.
(4)
Aly W.

I was a little underwhelmed by the food the last time I ate at Bittercreek Ale House. Technically it was the Red Feather side we sat on today, but it was a Bittercreek burger that I ordered. Medium rare with white cheddar, horseradish mayo and no onions. Very tender and juicy. Best "grown up" burger I've ever had. I also had fries with a side of honey mustard. The honey mustard was sweet and tangy without being cloying, and I used it on my burger as well. I already liked the service and ambiance, as well as the emphasis on local sustainable ingredients, but now I've found a stand-out menu item I'm sure to crave again in the future. My husband enjoyed his burger, too. Bittercreek is reasonably family friendly and they have high chairs but I would stick to less busy times in between the lunch and dinner rush as we did today.
(4)
Kirsten V.

Good food.Always.
(5)
Joe C.

Best food for the price. Good quality and great location in downtown Boise with a patio on the street!!!
(5)
Jenny M.

Beer, wonderful beer, I love beer and if you do too then Bittercreek might be the place to be. They have a huge selection almost to the point that it's over whelming and I feel bad when I'm asked what I would like to order because I have no idea. So I end up ordering the same old thing or some variation of it, oh ho-hum. I have not sampled the menu extensively but the few items that I have tried I have enjoyed, for the most part the food is bar or pub fare and done pretty well. One of the items I can speak to is the grilled halloumi sandwich, they may have changed the menu up since the last time I visited, but generally anything halloumi is okay with me (its a salty Greek cheese, in case you were wondering). The pulled pork sandwich was pretty good and they do nice burger as well. They also offer poutine, with turkey gravy & cheese curds over french fries, oh my. They have a great little patio out front, it's small but if you get there early enough it's a nice place to sit and people watch on 8th street. What's really great about Bittercreek is they are local, locally owned and locally sourced meat & veggies, plus on occasion they get a nice keg of my hometown beer from the Boulevard Brewery, which helps to alleviate a little bit of homesickness for me.
(4)
Shawn B.

I came here for a date on a Friday night. It was a great atmosphere, and very energetic inside with a great crowd. I ordered a jalapeÃ±o lamb burger. It was tender, juicy, and just the right amount of spice. It came with a side caesar salad. The caesar dressing with the salad was alright. Nothing special. The waiter actually forgot to bring out one of our salads which was a tad bit annoying. He also wasn't very attentive in refilling out waters. The food was great however, so I loved it overall and wouldn't mind heading back.
(4)
Patron X.

I really want to give this place 4 or 5 stars, I loved the food and the beer selection was great (if they actually had what their menu advertised) but the service is inattentive and uneducated about their beer menu. I've been twice this week while here on business and both times they were out of my first 3-4 beer choices and were not able to make recommendations or offer descriptions. Bummer. Hope the staff will be better trained and the beer stock better maintained .
(3)
Bex G.

The service was great! The veggie burger was amazing and flavorful. The beer options were stellar. They have cute glasses and growlers. I could eat the polenta fries and kale salad forever.
(5)
David R.

Bittercreek's beer menu is worth a trip, but the food could use a jumpstart. Better gastropub food can be found within blocks of Bittercreek and frankly the food is heavy and portions are too big.
(3)
Maureen K.

We wanted to go out today to catch some of the NFL playoff action and also try one of the bazillion restaurants we still haven't been to yet but are on our list since moving to Idaho last summer from the east coast. We were in the mood for pizza mostly, but the place we tried is closed on Sunday (silly me-- I should have checked their hours online). However, sometimes things work out for the best, and as we were heading back towards home in the foothills we found ourselves on the intersection of 8th and Main and realized there were a few possibilities right in front of us. We wanted a nice sit-down place with a comfy (not cramped) setting, and after about 20 secs. checking out Pie Hole, well we headed back out (maybe we'll duck in there some other time for a slice to go after attending Capital City Market next summer). Anyway... voilÃ -- there's Bittercreek Ale House directly across the street. Ah, that sounds like the ticket. We'd read good things about that establishment, and the adjoining Red Feather Lounge. Nice atmosphere, quite comfortable, just what we were looking for. Not crowded at all being mid-afternoon on a Sunday, and yes... all TVs tuned in to the AFC championship game. Good menu selection. Hubby spotted the Poutine on the appetizer menu, and it sounded amazing. Never heard of it before, but have since researched this Canadian-originated dish. Nothing like this is in the DC Metro area, I can tell you. It was fabulous-- wonderfully cheesy (our first time tasting cheese curds!) with a light smoked turkey gravy. Also a few bits of meat (I think it was pork, but might have been turkey or chicken. It was tender whatever if was). For our main courses we chose the Pulled Pork Sandwich and Alehouse Beef au Jus. Hubby got the potato salad (not your ordinary variety-- there were at least a couple of types of potatoes in there and nicely seasoned, not overly mayo-y) and I stuck with fries as our side dishes. Both sandwiches were very well executed with flavorful condiments. The pickled jalapeno on the pork sandwich was a nice touch. The au jus for the beef sandwich was a bit on the salty side for me. That's the only thing I'd change. Otherwise, everything was great-- the service was top notch, and our particular server was friendly and personable. We are looking forward to trying the burgers next time! No question we will be back. Hubby's not a beer drinker, but I will definitely avail myself of their extensive brew selections next time. Seems a shame not to! UPDATE: 5/6/12-- Gorgeous sunny day, and we were in the mood for Bittercreek again so back we went. Hubs got the pulled pork again. I had the turkey burger which was great with the Brussels sprouts mustard slaw. You'd never know it was made with B.sprouts. Pretty amazing. The burger was the perfect size-- not overly large and not greasy in the least, but not too dry. Also, ordered the Sockeye Dagger Falls IPA on draft. Refreshing, with pineapple on the nose.
(5)
Rob R.

Love this place...Whenever I'm in Boise I make this a stop. Their street tacos are killer and their beer selection is Awesome!
(5)
Jeff B.

This is a great place. Many good beers and great atmosphere. We had an entree salad, the local trout, and the Huntsman burger. The Huntsman was so good that my friends ordered one to split at the end of their first lunch! There are many good things on the menu for my next visit.
(5)
claudia y.

husband comes here once a month when he comes into boise for work. they had happy hour going so we got the poutine from that menu. i also got the soup of the day which was chicken cilantro. husband got the pastrami burger. the poutine was awesome! the cheese curds werent quite melted but the gravy had a bit of a kick/spice and it was delicious! the fries were thick cut with skin on. the soup was also good! i wish there was more than just a small cup! this place also has a ton of selection for drinks. they have a small catalog of cocktails as well as beers and wines! service was also awesome. he was super friendly and fast
(4)
Brite L.

Stopped in for lunch the day before Thanksgiving. Loved the large selection of beers. The turkey dish was great. Friendly, attentive staff made our experience very enjoyable.
(4)
Anonymous r.

I decided to give this place another try and I'm glad I did. The food and beer were excellent and the service was great. The location and atmosphere is also a plus. I would definitely go back and recommend it to anyone looking for an evening out.
(4)
Jason R.

I travel. A lot. And when I travel, I typically try to find good local spots to wet my whistle or fill my belly, or both. This is the sort of beer bar I'm looking for in my travels! Great tap list with a local focus is a must for a good beer bar, and bitter creek delivers. They even go as far as to tell you how far away the brewery is of all the beers they have on tap. And the final touches to put it over the top are subtle but appreciated things like vintage beer (2011 Stone Double Bastard at time of review) and a brewery (Commons) I was pretty sure didn't distribute outside of Portland, both on tap. Knowledgable servers who provide goo service is the next important thing, and the few times I've been to Bittercreek, they've delivered their too. The bartenders tend to be a little more knowledgeable than the wait staff, but the waitstaff will get the answer to questions if you aren't at the bar. Good food is not one of my beer bar requirements. But Bittercreek deliver on that as well for bonus points. Combine that with growler fills, a decent wine list, and a liquor bar to boot, and you have A beacon of good beer that would stand up in any city. Congrats Boise, this is a great find.
(5)
Sara M.

Great selection of beers. I love coming in the winter for soups and sandwiches. Food is always great. The only thing that bugs is the cold air that blows through the place and how tight the tables and chairs are. But...I still come back. Good atmosphere. Laid back. Yum!
(4)
T N.

Great service. Great atmosphere! Awesome beer selection! Wonderful food!
(5)
Tyler E.

Absolutely excellent. I think I counted 34 beers on tap. Very chill and relaxed ambiance including the beer people sign :) Sean was a fun and knowledgable bartender that interacted with each of his patrons and gave great recommendations. And this is all before the food. You can taste the difference in the local meat and they put a special spin on every dish. Highly recommend the huntsman burger. Will be coming here anytime I'm within an hours drive from Boise.
(5)
Sharece B.

Love this place but the music sucks. A place like this deserves some Mumford & Sons or a little Edward Sharpe but rap at a cool brewery like this is just blah. The thing that would bring me back to Bittercreek Ale House is the beer. It's great. I tried the local stuff and wasn't disappointed. We got an appetizer to go with our brewskis and though the chips were awesome, the homemade salsa tasted a little rancid. Overall this place is pretty cool, but it would take a few upgrades for me to give it the fifth star. That said, if you're just stopping through and you like microbrews, this is the place to stop in downtown Boise.
(4)
Susan W.

Loved this place!!! Went there yesterday for some tasty hop soda. ;) The beer menu is extensive! Unfortunately some of the ones listed weren't available. :( Love their tasting tray with a mini chalkboard with the name of the beer listed on it. I had a great IPA & a wonderful Coffee Porter called Buzz Buzz. I had a half BLT with avocado & sundried tomato mayonnaise. Served with Delicious fries. I could eat it everyday of my life! One friend had the salmon cakes with brussel sprout slaw. That stuff is good! Don't be afraid of it try it! The other friend had the sinfully delicious mac & cheese. Great service. This place has some seriously good looking clients. If I was single & lived in Boise I'd be coming here everyday! ;)
(5)
Tim H.

Cool spot! Excellent place to chill downtown Boise. Good food and an awesome selection of local brews. I personally was a fan of their cider selection. They also have a great happy hour with some solid apps half off. Will be back next time I'm passing though Boise.
(3)
Jason M.

Had the Lamb burger and cream of corn soup, burger came with fried onions and was delicious. Soup was loaded with a nice amount of potatoes and corn, first time I've ever tried it and it was excellent. Nice rustic bar, looks like its 100 years old but was clean. Great mix of music too!
(4)
John T.

Amazing food and an incredible selection of beer. I had the Bittercreek burger when I went there and it couldn't have been better! There fries alone are good enough just to go back for. The only downside is they are a little on the pricey side. I will definitely be eating there again!
(4)
Jeanne Z.

I loved this place! They had a killer tap list with beers from Utah, Idaho, Oregon & Germany (and a few places in between). I was a huge fan of the saison with sage from EPIC in Utah and the oatmeal Saison from The Commons-in Portland. And, I had a vertical flight with a sour beer form '10. '11 and '12 and that was fun distinguishing the different years and its idiosyncrasies of the same beer from the same brewery. I enjoyed the overall vibe and was a happening place, next time I go back I want to try their sweet potato & black bean quesadillas-I've heard they are amazing.
(5)
Mike B.

Thanks for the great service douggie. saved the day
(3)
James S.

Alright, so this review is long over due. I went here last year when I was in town for my friends wedding. Came here after a quick Yelp search and a disappointing experience at Solid Bar and Grill down the street (that review is coming next). As soon as you walk in the place looks clean as well as the decor. Nothing cluttered or out of place. Now comes the food and drink. The Idaho trout board was not only Ã¼ber phenomenal, but they also give you plenty of it. I know, I'm in Idaho so it should be expected, however, I previously worked at a five star restaurant that owned their own fish distribution company and there's didn't come close (imported from Idaho as well). The beer selection.....Wow! Excellent choices. They even had a Sierra Nevada that I had never seen before! (born and raised not too far from Chico and it is my all time fav). Of course I get back to L.A. And then I see it. All in all, super friendly bartender (forgot her name as its been 8 months) and some of the best food and beer I've had. 4.5 stars. I don't give out fives unless you really earn it!
(4)
Dolores G.

A happening and popular stop in Downtown Boise. Meeting a few friends for dinner, they suggested we meet up here. It was pretty busy here for a Tuesday before 6pm. The beer selection was good as was the food. I decided on the spicy lamb burger (add bacon) with a side of black bean and quinoa salad (I was obviously on a protein kick for this meal). The lamb pattie was a mix of seasoned lamb and beef. It was substancial and quite tasty. Topped with crispy onions, roasted jalapenos, feta cheese and 2 thick slices of smokey bacon, I ate most of it with a fork, it was BIG. The black bean and quinoa salad was simple and tasty, with a light vinnegarette dressing and some diced bell pepper and would be a great vegan protein option in and of itself. I can't recall what my friends at but they cleaned their plates and had no complaints. Service was professional, efficent and friendly. The prices here are also very reasonable and the portions are generous.
(4)
William W.

We are from Portland and this place has better beer selection than most of our options. Go Boise!
(5)
Richard H.

My Fav place in downtown, food and drink selections are all great!
(5)
Derrick E.

Solid 3.5 Stars The Bittercreek Ale House (BAH) is my kinda place! Lots of seating inside; limited seating out. There are a few flat screens for your sports watchin' enjoyment & full shotgun bar! Their draught selection is plentiful ranging from local & regional beers from Boise, Victor, a few from OR, WY, UT & lo & behold some craft beers from Cali. My favorite during my stay in Boise was the Sockeye Dagger IPA. BAH is directly connected to the Red Feather Lounge (RFL) by way of a thoroughfare opening & share common restroom facilities towards the rear of RFL. (see my review of the RFL). Our experience with the service was swift & friendly with each visit & the server's recommendations welcomed. As for the food, I was a big fan of their Corned Beef Reuben & Pulled Pork Sandwich; both tasty but a pinch over-priced. Would I recommend BAH? YES. Will I visit again? When in Boise...ABSOLUTELY! Eat well, drink responsibly, have fun. This has been another deezÂ® review & I hope you approve. Out!
(3)
Robespierre R.

A roadtrip gone awry led us to Boise. It's a town I never considered visiting but I'm glad I did because I had some of the best food and beer ever here at Bittercreek. Our helpul server brought me some samplers and I settled on their IPA. Delicious and hoppy. I had to try Idaho french fries and they were excellent, among the best I've had. The grilled haloumi with fig reduction and homemade crusty sourdough was the best thing we'd eaten in years but I've sinced checked the menu online and it doesn't look like they do it anymore. I get a sense that the menu changes with the times/seasons. My friends started ordering cocktails. One was a Milk & Honey which, I am assured, was the best damn thing to ever pass her lips. Good buzz on a Tuesday night. If I ever find myself in Boise I will go back.
(5)
Katie D.

Bittercreek has always been close to the top of my list for places to take visitors. Between the outdoor seating, the tasting boards of beers where each 4 oz sample costs between $1 and $4 on average, and the seasonal menu choices with local ingredients, I find that it's a great representation of the 8th Street-Downtown Boise attitude towards food. Sometimes when I'm going for the tasting board I like to ask the server to just put whatever they feel like putting on it and they've always made really great selections because they really know the menu - impressive, since it has at least 35 different options at any one time! The only reason why I can't give this place five stars is because the service can be pretty slow. I would assume this is because the place is always packed, but I've been there during kind of off times for lunch and dinner and it takes forever to get your ticket at the end of the meal. Still, that's really nice when you're out to relax and you never feel like you should eat up and leave because others are waiting. It's just not the best place to go if you're in a hurry.
(4)
Degan K.

Lunch service today was frigid. Everyone in the restaurant was clad in their jackets, buttoned up to their necks for the entire hour. Every time someone opened the door it was like an arctic blast shooting across the restaurant. We could feel it and we were sitting near the back of the dining room, near the kitchen. First it was the lights out happy hour, and now it's "cold lunch." Are times really that tough that you guys have to make your customers sit in the cold and dark to enjoy your food? On the plus side, the sandwich was delicious.
(2)
Erica S.

Had a relaxed atmosphere and a good menu. The staff has always been friendly and I would eat there again!
(4)
Kristi B.

Great beers and the polenta fries with aoli was AAAaaasome!
(4)
Danny A.

Happy they are under renovation. Hope they make alot of changes when the reopen. service is always below average - the food however is usually great, I love the locavore concept - just wish the service was better so I could actually enjoy myself. The art is pretty odd too, its a local brew pub but with alot of random decor. I will give it another chance when they re-open.
(2)
Mihae F.

First time in Boise..didnt want to try Basque food yet. Went for Smoked trout salad. Excellent horseradish dressing with smoked trout, a little bit of crispy onions, and CAPERS! Yum. Got a side of the polenta fries with chili lime aoili..wow! Everything went so well with the Tablerock Hophead IPA local! Exactly what I needed coming off a long plane ride!
(4)
Chris N.

During a recent cross country move, I made a decision to make an over night stop in Boise, Idaho. Several friends and acquaintances recommended Boise as a pleasant and interesting small city. I was initially skeptical, but I was quite pleased with the outcome. The people, city grid, and night life was exceptional. Upon concluding my Yelp search, my cousin and I agreed on testing Bittercreek Ale House for our nightly dinner outing. It was a choice well made. The atmosphere is all mountain town. High ceilings, beautiful wood tables and flooring, and fun nick knacks adorn the walls. We began with the smoked trout appetizer. The trout was fresh and perfectly smoked, and when paired with the horseradish fromage blanc borderline heavenly. We both began the beverage consumption with three samples of dry hopped regional ales. As you will see by the attached picture, presentation was quite creative. For the entree I selected the Huntsman burger. The bacon adorning the sandwich was thick cut and crisp. I substituted the bison for the treasury valley beef. It was cooked to order(medium) and served right from the grill. The hand cut fries (you have to eat potatoes when in Idaho, right?) were well executed. I was sufficiently satiated and pleased. We stayed another hour or so, continuing to drink from the extensive and diverse beer listing. It was a night well spent. The staff was exceptional. Our waitress was very engaging, her knowledge of the beer list was impressive. Despite a packed house, she was great with serving our needs throughout the evening. As eluded to earlier, the beverage list is impressive. They offered 30 or so on tap selections which kept us busy. Although I did not venture in to the wine list, I was stunned by the quality of it. Old and new world selections abound. If I recall correctly, the list even included Bordeaux Premier Crus from the Lafite and Margaux houses. Apparently they employee the services of a sommelier, and judging by his/her selection of vintage and vintners a well educated sommelier. I could have easily depleted my bank accounts at Bittercreek would I of had the time and desire to do so. If you find yourself in Boise, Idaho someday, do yourself a favor and check out Bittercreek Ale House. You will not be disappointed.
(4)
Alan M.

Nice burgers (a little too drippy). Sides are great, too.
(4)
Peter T.

LOVVVEE this place. I was visiting friends for a short bit and they brought me here for lunch. The lamb burger and beer were STELLAR!!!! The atmosphere is relaxed in the afternoon and wonderful for business lunchs or afternoon meetups in general. The interior is really interesting as well. Open kitchen with spaced dining seating make with elegant decor definitely sets a tone for having a good time. Service was good, food was amazing and I look forward to coming back to try their other fare and beers!!!
(4)
Corey T.

Good beer, good wine, great corn chowder! Arriving from California and racing an Ironman event there, a friend and I were thirsty for local beer. Saw the review and decided to try it out. If you're ever visiting Boise, I'd recommend this place for everything: atmosphere, service, wine, beer and more beer :)
(4)
Tom A.

Ate here yesterday. Good burger beer selection is amazing. Staff is acceptable. Not overly friendly to out of towners
(3)
mundovore m.

Bittercreek has vastly improved their decor, food, and service. Go for the beer selection, stay for the local food.
(4)
Alex S.

Locally sourced ingredients and beers from down the street - this is not your typical gastropub. We accidentally sat down at Red Feather, the adjacent restaurant that shares an outdoor patio - do not make that same mistake! We started with the poutine which has, shockingly, turkey gravy. Which was great for our friend that doesn't eat meat. The idaho potato fries were good, tasted quite fresh and the gravy did lack a certain meaty component - it was still delicious and the green onions were a nice gourmet touch. My buddy and I split the Huntsman and the Lamb burgers. We were also recommended their special salad dressing, a basil shallot vinaigrette - which was fine but not life changing. The lamb burger was terrific. Very spicy but very good. Cooked to perfection and had a great crisp with some fried onions on top. The Huntsman was just okay. A little overcooked but what really bugged me was the blue cheese that was just SUPER overpowering. The bacon was great but that cheese just overwhelmed the taste for me. Wish I JUST had the lamb burger :-( Burger + beer + (shared) poutine was only $21!
(4)
Lisa T.

The beer selection was great! And the first time we saw "chubs" - that is mini-growlers. The vibe is very energetic here. My friends and I came on a Friday night and it was pretty packed. The service is a little unattentive (b/c it is so packed) but friendly. Unfortunately, was very unimpressed with the food. The chicken wings had no pizazz to them...very run of the mill. And the roast beef with au jus - super disappointing. The sandwich itself was pretty good, but the actual au jus was ridiculously salty. I had other people try it and they said it tasted like pure salt. But the server didnt' come back around to ask the food was - not until much later after I had finished the sandwich. I kindly let her know about the au jus - and while she was sorry for that - she offered nothing for me. (Perhaps a couple dollars off, a complimentary dessert). I just told you that something I ordered and am paying for was inedible!!! With SOOOO many other bars and restaurants in the area - if I ever go back to Boise - I'll try those out instead.
(2)
Tyson C.

This is hands down one of the best places to eat in Boise. Comfort food, a good selection of beers, and a good staff make this place one of my regular go-to eateries when I am in the mood for tasty eats. It can be crowded and noisy on Friday and Saturday nights and sometimes it's hard to find a seat but the food and the atmosphere make this place well worth the effort to eat at.
(5)
Mark S.

The best place in Boise to grab a beer. They have a large tap list, and let you know just how far your beer has traveled to get there. That makes it great to easily spot out the local beers, and you should definitely give those a try. They have taster sets, and have a great happy hour. The food is great as well, and they have poutine! They need to figure out the gravy a bit better for it, but the fries and cheese curds are out of this world.
(4)
Dee A.

Went last night and had no wait for a table. Kate gave us EXCEPTIONALLY good service, and I liked that you can get a beer sampler (~2 oz?) since they have such a long list of beers on draft. The menu also looked great, with a nice emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. We got the polenta fries appetizer, which I loved bc it was different AND delicious. Then I had the turkey burger which was nice and juicy, not dry as turkey burgers can often be. The Brussels sprout slaw on the burger was the differentiator tho. So good! Hubby had fish & chips, which he liked ok but was neither the best nor worst rendition he's ever had. Overall, we really enjoyed it here and I definitely recommend it!
(5)
Nicole D.

Love Bittercreek for many reasons. They follow a lot of sustainable practices including serving organic and natural products, composting and serving drinks in re-purposed bottles. Their drink menu is extensive, whether you want beer, wine or spirits. My favorite thing to order is the organic burger with white cheddar (minus the bun) and their hand-cut fries to dip in the honey-based ketchup. You have to get here early or later in the evening or you're going to fight for a table (open seating). Servers are pretty friendly and knowledgable of beer and offer plenty of recommendations.
(4)
Chris G.

Good stuff! I let the yelp reviews guide me to this place, and I was not disappointed. It's a bar, so my food expectations were automatically reduced, but in this case, the charbroiled salmon absolutely rocked! This entree was recommended by my server, Taysia, who was very friendly and full of good advice. I will admit, the Caesars side salad was average, but the salmon was ummmmmm, so good. To compliment the dinner I had two Dagger Falls IPA beers, which were exceptional. If you are looking for friendly confines, complimented by good bear and equal food, check this place out, you will have no regrets. I sat down to complete my NCAA brackets and discovered a place I will visit again.
(4)
Jay C.

Stopped by here for dinner while passing through Boise. Great and attentive wait staff, notable and extensive beer selection and good food. We had the Epic Imperial Red Ale (which was awesome) and their veggie burgers were fantastic. Would definitely recommend.
(5)
Jane L.

Nice outside street side seats. Lunch Cobb salad was large, but needed to request apiece of bread to go with it. The bread was fresh sourdough that was delicious! Hamburgers are very juicy and side of potato salad was good too.
(3)
Michael B.

Yessss! They brought the wings and potato chowder back! Good move...your loyal customers greatly appreciate it. Also, there are some great new itemson the menu and some of the classics are still great. My wife finally broke down and ordered the black bean and sweet potato burger which I even liked. Oh and where's Jay?
(5)
Shubber A.

The food? AWESOME. The staff? Great service, very warm, welcome, and helpful (especially with our 4 year old twins keeping them, and us, entertained). The ambience? An upscale microbrewhouse - just what you'd expect.
(5)
Kimber S.

The hubby and I stayed in downtown Boise for 3 days over the holiday weekend while we helped a friend move from Denver. We ended up at Bittercreek 2 of the 3 nights we were in town. We loved the relaxed communal vibe, the cool young crowd, the dark wood bar with all the interesting draft pulls, and how the drinks list was in order of proximity to the restaurant. The first night we arrived in time for happy hour and my guy got to try a couple of the local/regional microbrews and I had two of their outstanding local wines. I had the grass-fed burger with two kinds of cheese on it and the organic Idaho potato fries. Both were outstanding and the perfect way to end a long day of driving. The hubby's thai chicken wrap was light and well seasoned and served with a quinoa salad that complemented very well. The waitress was friendly, patient and efficient. The second time we just dropped in on our last night in Boise and sat at that beautiful bar. Again, we tried some beers and wines that are unavailable (or at least hard to find) in Denver and had a great time talking to each other, watching some basketball on TV and conversing with the very friendly barmaid. The employees here look like they really enjoy their jobs. I wish there was a place just like this in our hometown of Golden, Colorado! We'll be back here every time we're in town.
(5)
Rose B.

We were in the mood for something good to fill our bellies with. Bittercreek has a large selection of brews on tap. This is only the second place where we have found wine on tap. He tried a brew from The Ram and I tried a cranberry brew. We also had an Idaho Quesadilla and the french fries. The fries were amazing, they came with homemade ketchup. the quesadilla were good, but not quite what we had hoped for. they were a little cold and extremely greasy. The place was busy but not too crowded, even on a Saturday night. We will be coming back again for sure.
(3)
Dubya R.

Just gotta respond to the fella who claimed the beer list is filled mainly with bitter beers: he's wrong. Ask any of my friends: I hate bitter beer. My friends also know that I go to Bittercreek all the time, almost weekly. I love beer and try lots of them. Iin my experience, the waitstaff knows plenty about them, and can easily steer me away from the bitter ones when I ask. Bittercreek is a gem.
(5)
Robert A.

Great microbrew selection. Kate is by far the best and most knowledgeable server/beer guru I've come across in my travels.
(5)
Erik C.

On a trip to Boise over thanksgiving weekend I was able to swing by the Bittercreek Alehouse/Red Feather Lounge based on some twitter recommendations. I believe it was the Friday after thanksgiving when we went for lunch, and both sides of the restaurant were pretty packed. Any hostess or waitress we approached for a table of 6 was less than helpful; we were basically told to fend for ourselves and find something if it was open. After angrily walking around both sides for several minutes, a manager saw us standing dumbfounded and pissed near the kitchen and offered to help. Due to a lack of room and possibly the fact that we had two small children with us, we were brought to an upstairs area that no one else was sitting in yet. Eventually some other people were brought up there, including another group of people with a few smaller kids. The Bittercreek side seems more like a family-friendly, open restaurant, while the Red Feather Lounge side sticks more true to its name as it is a bit darker and bar feeling. Both sides seem to share the same menu which features all sorts of great sounding salads, sandwiches, burgers and desserts. I was extremely tempted to get the poutine because I'm a huge fan after visiting Montreal my entire life and wanted to see how a local organic potato version would be, but decided against it and went with the Bittercreek burger: 100% grass-fed & finished local beef, lettuce, onion & horseradish mayo on Gaston's burger bun. My burger was cooked perfectly to the medium-rare ordered, it had good char flavor and great beefy flavor overall. The lettuce was used sparingly and was much appreciated, the tomato was fresh, my cheese nicely melted, and the mayo was strong and delicious. Overall a very good burger. My fries were equally delicious; some cooked just right, some a little undercooked, but all had the skins present. Although the service was a bit iffy coming into the restaurant, in the end our waiter was fairly prompt and attentive. Everyone's meals were really good and I didn't have anything really negative to say about the burger. And at $9.50 the burger is a good deal for both the quality of ingredients and flavors. While I don't have much to compare it to, if you're ever in downtown Boise this is certainly not a bad place to visit.
(4)
Rina K.

I've been to Bittercreek once before, but I didn't eat meat or dairy at that point. So, needless to say, I don't remember what I had. This time, though -- Goodness. I had the Poutine (local organic fries, local turkey gravy, cheese) and the Huntsman burger (grass-fed beef, cheddar and bleu cheese, and bacon) with a side salad. I didn't care for the side salad much (I don't think it's meant to be cared for though, really) because there wasn't much of anything there and the balsamic was crazy-thick. BUT -- the poutine and Huntsman burger, awwyeah. The Poutine: Idaho Potato Appreciation. It's a super generous portion, definitely meant to be shared by two (if you eat like I do), or even for up to six or more, I would imagine. It's warm, the gravy is thick and flavorful and smooth, the cheese is perfectly thick and melty, and the fries are cooked to perfection for a poutine purpose. The Huntsman: mine was medium rare, juicy, thick, and it was, very evidently, a fine quality beef. The bacon was thick cut and not too crispy, and the cheeses were in good portions. Perhaps a slice of tomato would have been nice, but I can understand why they might not offer that in the dead of winter while trying to stay reasonable and local. Also, I think the ketchup is homemade, and that's an absolute plus for care/attention. I didn't make it to trying a dessert, but dinner was already by all means satisfying enough. 5 stars for the extreme local effort (and grass-fed beef burgers!)! Also, service was very attentive with filling orders and waters, and getting the bill taken care of quickly. This place has such good reviews with so many reviews for a reason. I'll be back very, very soon. !!!
(5)
Juliana H.

Judging by the other reviews, I think coming on a slower evening (Sunday night) was a good call. I had a solid five-star experience at Bittercreek and it's certainly on my list of places to re-visit when I get back to Boise. Focus here is on local foods and local libations. I love that they put the "miles traveled" next to the beer and wine choices. I have the choice to drink a beer from across the country or just across town. Great idea. I had the black bean and potato burger. I'm not a vegetarian but the burger was delicious, flavorful, and completely unlike anything I'd had before. I will be getting it again. I thought it was a great value for what we were getting. Locally sourced food + local brews + deliciousness + reasonable prices = giant win.
(5)
Noah T.

Bittercreek gets its food from good, local farms, and most employees I find actually know where the food comes from. I wish they would put the purveryor's list back on their menu as it was before. Their grass fed & finished beef is great, and their spicy lamb burger is awesome, though it has shrunk in size recently (now quite pricey for the size you get). Excellent beer options. Great atmosphere. Low power happy hour. At one point they told me their ketchup is made right there in their kitchen, and they have an organic vegetable garden they use for a lot of their produce.
(5)
Shelley Z.

The Bittercreek just gets better and better. It's been good for years, but their focus on sustainability over the past couple years makes it even better. They source more and more of their ingredients from local sources. Their salad is incredibly fresh because it's grown in Idaho instead of 1,000 miles away. They make their own ketchup in order to reduce the waste of ketchup bottles/packaging. Oh and by the way, they have a great beer selection and wine too!
(5)
Kirun M.

I do not like the open concept seating they have at Bittercreek. It's really annoying to have to stand around waiting for people to finish eating while staring them down until they do so, especially when you want to sit outside. I'd rather put my name down, be given a wait time, and come back and be seated where I want, than to have to settle for a table I'd rather not be at. We came by here on a Thursday evening looking for an available table for 4 and there was none to be found. We begrudgingly decided to eat elsewhere. Set on eating at Bittercreek while in town, I came back on Sunday night, still unable to find seating outside. We settled for a table inside at the back (that kind of sucked). Our waitress, who was not the most attentive, came by several minutes after we had gotten our menus and took our orders. I ordered the spicy lamb burger with cheddar instead of feta and added bacon, mayo on the side. And a glass of rose. The bf ordered the fish and chips with a side of ranch and a drink. We both noted and commented on the fact that she didn't write down our order - she said she had it handled. In fact, she did not have it handled. She forgot my bacon and it pissed me off...I'm still irked by the whole experience. Don't mess up my food please...I'm paying good money for it. She never came back long enough for me to say anything to her about my missing bacon and I was too hungry to wait. Fortunately she didn't charge me for bacon, but I still took it out of her tip because- here's a tip- write down orders !!!! I am still giving the place two stars because the quality of the food is very good.
(2)
Kelly O.

Great food and atmosphere! I love their patio. I can't believe their burgers are $13 though.
(4)
Reid S.

Beer selection is one of the best in town. The food is decent, not the best but one can't miss menu item has to be the Sweet Potato Quesadila.
(4)
Brent W.

Perfect brewery for our road trip. Sit outside if you can. The emphasis is on local brewery's and wine - love it. The Northwest is where it is at for good brews so why don't you immerse yourself in it! I recommend the spicy lamb burger if you can handle it. Wife found the tuna sandwich a bit dry. Waitresses work for me - god bless America.
(5)
Bailey H.

Its a northwest classic! Big fan of their bacon burger, STAFF, the corn chowder Great place to take a client or friend from out of town. Source locally and the beer selection is always changing.
(5)
Nicci P.

Super beer menu and wished I could have tried more styles. Waitress was a little annoyed that we had to flag her down after waiting for 15 minutes to get our drink orders. I would definitely go back and try the food and see what's new on the beer menu.
(4)
Bryan C.

Awesome beer selection and really good service. Spicy burger and octoberfest.
(4)
Brian H.

4 stars for offering good pub food, but 2 stars for the service, which has been pedestrian at best for me. Along with Pengilly's, a place to go in downtown to get the old-school traditional pub feel. They have 40 taps that are primarily focused on Northwest and California beers, with a smattering of some European brews. Roughly a quarter are from local breweries. No macrobrews. My experiences with the food have been mainly positive. They're great at getting food from locally-sourced vendors. Thumbs up for offering poutine. I was decrying the lack of it in one of the Talk threads, so it's good to see a local establishment step up to the plate there. And I like how the fries, salsa, and ketchup are all homemade. It's surprising how a little thing like homemade ketchup can add to the overall quality of my meal. For my entree I go back and forth between the spicy lamb burger and the Huntsman burger with Huntsman cheese. A recent review thought the cheese was too overpowering, but I think it plays off well with the salty bacon and tangy horseradish mayo. Unfortunately there have been consistency issues with how I want my meat cooked. I like my meat cooked medium at most, but I do sometimes get it fully cooked. I tend not to make a stink about things like this. But when I'm being charged $11 or $12 for a burger and I don't get it the way I want on a semi-regular basis, I think it's time to start sending it back. The only other issue I've had with the food was that my Cobb salad didn't have the freshest of lettuce, bordering on wilted. That has been my only venture into the salads. I've been sticking with their fries, which are among the best in the city. Someone must have put a hex on me whenever I enter the property because I habitually get waitstaff that are either unknowledgeable about their menu items or beer selection or who look just plain disinterested in their job and helping the customer out. And I should say that I've never had an issue with the service when I've gone to the Red Feather. It's like they line up a group of hirees, test them out, and send the good ones to Red Feather while the poorer ones get shuttled over to Bittercreek. Nor is it like I'm always visiting at the busiest hours. My most recent visit was at the start of happy hour (for appetizers only, mind you-- not the beer). We sat inside where there was only one other customer. And yet the guy could barely get off his duff to help us before he went back to chatting with the employees and bartender. He didn't show an ounce of enthusiasm or cheer or concern for anything other than getting by with the littlest amount of effort possible. It seemed like he wanted to be anywhere else but there, and it showed. I want to ask management: What am I tipping them for when I can get the same level of service from robots? Let me go get my own beer and food and save some money and I'd happily upgrade to 4 stars. If you're a Co-Op member, bring your card and you'll get 10% off of your order. Considering they're on the pricier end for pub food, that's a good incentive for making me come back in time and time again and choosing them over other downtown eateries, substandard service aside. Probably the best combination of good beer and food in the city. But for decent and cheaper pub food in a distinctly less-glamorous setting, consider the Dutch Goose.
(3)
Michael U.

Ok, I've waited to write this in hopes it was a bad experience. For years, BC was one of my top favorites in Boise. Since the change of ownership, my wife and I have been disappointed with our last 3 meals there. Undercooked, bland, and foul tasting oil emits from the fries. It is with this last dining experience that we will no longer be dining at BC. Drinks only and that's what we would recommend. All good things must come to an end.
(2)
Andrew P.

It doesn't get any better than Bittercreek. Excellent beer and wine selection, locally sourced ingredients, a menu flexible enough for a range of moods or appetites, amazing indoor/outdoor seating options, and a friendly collection of tenders and servers. Every time we return to Boise to visit family, Bittercreek is at the top of our list of places to eat and drink.
(5)
Candy R.

The 3 times I've eaten here I've been repulsed to the smell of the restaurant. Is it stale beer or is it the overwhelming odor of bathroom disinfectant? Not sure but the food isn't good enough to overcome the mediocre service when I can go next door to The Red Feather and get the same/better food with better service & atmosphere.
(2)
Marisa H.

Great place, wish they had this where I live in California!!! Cannot beat the fries, beer, and quality of the food!!
(5)
Brian T.

Had Cobb salad with good wine and beer. I recommend sampler of beers to get a taste of what you want. Caramel beignets for desert were awesome. Great dining experience in downtown Boise.
(4)
Steve B.

Absolutely killer beer list - I mean Koenigshoeven Quad on draft?!?!?! For lovers of IPAs and hopheavy beers, this is heaven. For a town of Boise's side to have such a great beer bar is amazing.
(5)
Brandon S.

Though it's kind of a loud meat market and was filled with University of Idaho fans the night before the Humanitarian Bowl (I was one of the two Bowling Green State fans you may have seen around town), we loved the Bittercreek Ale House. A great selection of beers, a very friendly bartender and one of the best burgers I've eaten in a long time. The Huntsman Burger with Huntsman cheese and applewood bacon was unbelievable and is not to be missed. Thanks Bittercreek for kicking off our drunken bowl game Boise trip right and being exactly what we needed after our long drive from Olympia.
(5)
mike h.

Great beer selection. Food selection is limited but good. A lot of sandwich choices and a few entrees. Friendly and attentive waitress.
(4)
wayne w.

This is a local Boise favorite of my coworkers. Bittercreek has tons of local beers / ales, and the waitresses are always happy to help with recommendations. I asked 2-waitresses what their best (most popular) dishes were, and they both responded with "the reuben and any of the burgers". I've had both here, and I'd have to say that their burgers are slightly better than average and their reuben is just okay. Food & Drinks: Better than average. I'd stick with burgers though for entrees. Their appetizers are fairly good as well, such as the cheese plate and hummus. Their local beers are pretty good, but most of them are darker beers / ales, so if you don't like darker style beers / porters, then this place might not be too appealing to you. Atmosphere / service: it's a small restaurant but the service is good. The waitresses are very attentive and helpful.
(3)
Colin G.

What a fantastic find this was! We initially stopped in on the last Alive After Five day for their "Low Power Happy Hour." A really great concept, I believe, and the customer is the one really receiving the benefits here. Their excellent tap selection goes on a slight discount and those wonderful fries are available for $2. I was floored by the tap selection, and the bottles just make it look all the better. They will do samples of anything on tap for $1-2. I initially got the dark IPA sampler, which included four samples of different dark IPAs they had on tap at the time, and it actually ran about $6, making it cheaper than ordering each one individually, which I probably would have done anyway. And we continued throughout the night with the samplers until we finally both ordered a pint. Then, quite tipsy, stumbled over to the Grove for the concert. The next visit was for beer and dinner, after their happy hour on a Thursday. We sat at a table by the window, as the place was much more full than on the previous visit and the patio was impossible. Great service all around. My companion pointed out that she was handling about half the tables in the room and was still able to keep us happy with the amount of liquid in both our respective glasses of beer and glasses of water. The food was also very, very good. I had a reuben and my companion had a burger. We split the two. The bread on the reuben was fantastic, as was the corned beef. The only thing I would dock them on is the lack of sauce: there wasn't enough of the dressing and there was no mustard to liven up the flavor. A lot of people don't put mustard on reubens though (a damn shame), so I can't dock them much. The burger was a little dry and somewhat overcooked. It is grass-fed, and tasted like it, but it wasn't the most fantastic burger I've ever had. It was served on a challah roll though, which made it a lot better. I also should remark about the music: top notch! They were using someone's iPod/MP3 player on shuffle, so we heard a lot of Built to Spill (it is Boise, after all), Modest Mouse, Local Natives and some other stuff that I like personally, and really aided to the atmosphere. All in all, I don't know that it gets much better than this place in Downtown Boise. Great food, great atmosphere and, most importantly, fantastic beer!
(5)
Pity D.

I think they take the "bitter" in "Bittercreek" a little too seriously. I have never seen so many IPAs and hoppy beers on a menu. I have also never seen such a pretentiously over-sized beer menu. If you're looking for a Newcastle, Sam, Fat Tire or anything that's not bitter, strong or a hef, forget about it. They don't carry many, if any, such beers. And if they do, none of our waiters have ever been able to pick a single one out. What they do carry is a large bin-numbered menu full of Northwest microbrews, more obscure beers and over-priced imports ($10-25 / pint). This would be all be fine, or even great, if the servers had at least an elementary knowledge about the beer they serve. Unfortunately, in about 6 visits, we have yet to meet one who does. If you're going to provide a ridiculously huge, bin-numbered beer list stocked with beers that most people have never heard of, it would help to have a waitstaff that has at least a basic working knowledge of your beers. Food, on the other hand, is consistently great. Bittercreek serves one of the best burgers downtown. Service is usually pretty average--never spectacular and never frustratingly poor. We like going here for the food more than the over-hyped beer selection.
(3)
Rick E.

Food is delicious. We shared the potato soup and 1/2 deboned chicken. Left room for pistachio dessert - also yum. We recommend it and will be back.
(4)
Eric M.

Me and three cohorts stopped in for drinks on a Tuesday night. We had a good time. The drinks were good - I had a really, really nice glass of French sparkling wine, and a good mixed drink that they altered to my request. My only complaint is that they were remarkably slow in bringing out drinks.
(4)
Whitney S.

Great beer and wine selection, great people watching, always busy and fresh local food. Bittercreek is also connected to Red Feather (one of our favorite Boise hot spots) so it's nice to have dinner or drinks at one and then head over to the other for a totally different vibe. The service is hit and miss, but that's the only downside to this place... all the gentlemen and most of the ladies are pretty good but there are a few girls that just don't give a crap. Unfortunate when you get one of these servers, but not bad enough to deter me from coming back again and again. Come here on a Tuesday night or a Saturday night and I guarantee you'll have a good time! I love ordering the cheese plate, but they also have good burgers, salads and appetizers. If you are new to Boise, make this your next stop to watch the game or just hang before you hit up a comedy show at Hijinx.
(4)
Brent W.

This place is fantastic. The food is fresh, local and excellent and the beer selection is regionally focused and amazing. Loved it.
(5)
Patrick L.

Great beer selection and the food is great. Nice happy hour
(4)
Jolene C.

I agree with a previous review that "Bittercreek is absolutely and undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in town." The food and service are fabulous, and the prices are cheap. I don't mean relatively cheap, I mean they're cheap and you get QUALITY food. Everything I have tasted from the menu has been absolutely delicious and very well priced. I can't personally rave about the beers but they've got an amazing selection. I've also ALWAYS had superb service here; the staff knows the menu well and are able to articulate why they like an item, as opposed to saying "it's good." I've never had to wait to be greeted nor have I had a long wait for the food. As an added bonus, the food comes from local farmers! I'm a fan of eating local, especially when it is made in to the delicious food offered at Bittercreek. Some items I LOVE: House salad: no iceberg in sight. Tomato Basil soup: not chunky, well seasoned, fresh tasting Spicy Lamb Burger: (favorite of my fiancÃ©) Bittercreek BLT: it's huge, the bacon is thick cut and flavorful and no extra charge for the avocado! Yum. Chicken pesto sandwich thing - I don't see the specific item on the e-menu, but there's a chicken pesto sandwich made on focaccia and thing that is unique and flavorful. It's hard to stop eating it. Steaks -I think I had one from the specials menu. It was tender, flavorful, and perfectly medium rare. It came with some sort of friend onion or green bean swirls on top, sautÃ©ed veggies... and something else. Only downside was undercooked green beans. :-/
(5)
Chris T.

Great beer selections and a lot of friendly people in the area. If only the management would hire a few more people so that the service was a little quicker, I think more people would be bigger fans. Only stopped in for drinks and appetizers so I can't really say anything about their food.
(4)
James S.

Bittercreek is absolutely and undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in town. Seldom have I permitted guests to pass through without a stop here. I refuse to ramble on for paragraphs, but suffice it to say this restaurant is the best of what Boise has to offer. The food is delicious, the menu is sufficiently varied without being lengthy, the beer list is tremendous and always in flux... It isn't just the preparation or the menu that pleases at this place. Nearly every item on the menu is supplied by local growers. The menu sites about 40 of them. Atmosphere, menu, quality of the food and social stewardship earn this place five stars. I considered knocking one off because the service is often quite slow. The slowness seems to occur between seating and first service. Once they find you the service is pretty ok. Eat at Bittercreek, support local people and small farms, make your body happy. It's win/win.
(5)
Scott N.

Bittercreek goes way out of its way to buy from local producers even while maintaining market prices. Wonderful food & great beer selection in the heart of 8th Street.
(4)
Amy B.

Nice atmosphere. Large beer & wine list. Good food.
(4)
Eric S.

I liked the beer selection and the food was really good. Waitstaff was cool.
(4)
Jenny H.

We were at the end of our road trip and the last night ended in Boise. We looked on yelp to find a good restaurant for dinner and after the Yelp reviews, we decided to check out Bittercreek. And we weren't disappointed! Our server was awesome. Really fun and attentive (I wish I could remember her name...) She helped us pick our food, based on what she liked and what was ordered often. Our food was super fresh and really tasty. Their choices are pretty typical of ale houses. Decent selection of varied items. Good prices. I had 2 Idaho beers that were really refreshing. Again, I cannot remember the names... I had the chicken wiseguy: fresh chopped chicken, basil, tomato and cheese. Very good, great flavor, fresh. My partner had the huntsman burger and was really happy. The combo of the cheese and applewood bacon was just right. Their fries are fresh cut, cooked perfectly and the fry sauce is SO yum! We also shared a chocolate ganache dessert. So rich and moist! Overall really good experience. Would definitely eat their again if we were in Boise.
(4)
Iddy -.

Great beer selection, and in the two times I've been there, both waiters "knew" beer. The waiters were also very friendly, willing to make recommendations, and could talk about about different menu items. They have obviously actually tried what they're trying to sell you. I had the fish and chips, and it was one of the best I've ever had. The breading was thin and crisp (not too doughy), and the homemade tartar was different, but outstanding. Tried the quesadilla the next time...also very tasty! And if you go for dessert, please be warned....they're huge!
(5)
Ryan S.

Great place to hang out with a pitcher of beer and just have a good time with your friends. It's not so packed like some of the other local bars. There are a few things that I miss being in Southern California now...and Bittercreek is at the top of that list. The atmosphere is just perfect. The Basque seasoning on their food is also wonderful. I miss it
(4)
Steve S.

This place rocks! I was in Boise for work, and stumbled across this place at random. They make everything in-house...even homemade ketchup and ice creams. Their beer selection is really broad, with dozens of beers on tap, and no crap on tap. If you want a Bud Light, go elsewhere. I liked it so much, I came back again the next night!
(5)
Shara L.

The BEST place in Boise! By far the best beer list in town- both draft and bottle. If you want a sour beer, this or Front Door are probably the only places to find it. Wait staff is usually very knowledgable and fun to interact with. The food is all local and really great. The spicy lamb burger is a must!
(5)
Ted R.

Super beer selection, and decent service. The quinoa-black bean salad side was delicious, but I was sorely disappointed in my sweet potato quesadilla, which offered only a smidgen of the orange-y goodness that I had hoped for.
(2)
Veronica N.

Best place ever! Great hang out, good beers (wide variety and selection), great staff, clean. There is lots of demand here. Food is also spectacular. Every time I visit Boise I make it a point to go here.
(5)
Anthony P.

The only reason this place gets better than 2 stars is because I appreciate an excellent beer selection, which they have. The menu is a little overwhelming. That would be okay, if the servers were any help at all. They really emphasize local beer and food, and that's potentially great . However, the service was absolutely terrible. The servers were slow and inattentive. Perhaps they're not paid enough, because they all seemed to resent being at work. When I left, one server rolled her eyes at me. Anyway, the could have a really nice restaurant if the service was better.
(3)
Chad H.

I love the fact that they source local and the food is good. It is not over priced but it pushes the limit for what you get. I just wished they would expand the menu. I feel like I always just settle on something because there are not that many choices.
(3)
Paul M.

I love this place. Great environment to have some suds!
(4)
Stacie C.

We were visiting Boise from California and found this place on our walk downtown. The place was packed, but we were able to be seated right away. Great wait staff! I had the mac and cheese and it was delish!! My husband had the great beer!
(4)
Tara R.

Nice to see a focus on local brews. Yum salads and sandwiches. Nice comfort-y food. Plus, on the service front, me and my growing bump are a bit extra picky these days, but the server was extra patient with my Meg Ryan-in-WHMS request for the grilled sourdough sandwich only without the turkey or ham or lettuce ("so, then, a grilled cheese?) and speedily whisked out a new salad when they oopsed on the "no blue cheese please". i swear, i'm not usually this picky, but this place is chill enough to take my current quirks in stride.
(4)
Yugg O.

I like this place. Stopped here on our road trip to the Southwest this summer and paid another visit on the return leg. Great beer selection and helpful advice from our server concerning some local beers I was not familiar with. The lamb burger was as good as everyone says. They even had a happy hour special of half price poutine with turkey gravy! How great is that?
(4)
Diane T.

For some reason, I wasn't expecting a whole lot for the Boise bar scene, but I was mistaken! Bittercreek has a large beer selection organized by the distance from the alehouse. You can sample several drafts for about a buck a taster or opt for the pint or pitcher. The food (mainly sandwiches, burgers, and salads) is also locally sourced, but didn't blow me away. The main attraction here was definitely the beer!
(3)
Kristi R.

I really have mixed feelings about this place, which is why I suspect I continue to return. But really every time I go, I leave unsatisfied. The most recent trip I was presented with a drink menu that was completely overwhelming. The menu is several pages of very small print that is difficult to read in the dimly lit facility (and I have good eye sight). There are so many options it is ridiculous. Of course when I finally decided on a beer, they were out of it.....as well as the second beer I selected. Then the server was confused which sort of glass went with each of the different beers our table ordered up. The food is good but it doesn't wow me. I really miss their portobello mushroom sandwich they used to have- it did wow me. It was fantastic; they made a big mistake removing it from the menu. The service was spotty on this visit. Attentive for a while; non-existent the next. On our second round of drinks, two of us at the table ordered the cranberry cider. The menu showed it served in wine-looking glass and it would be a 12 oz. pour. It did arrive in the wine glass but it could not have been more than a 6 ounce pour at best. They obviously don't know the difference between cider and wine. When we mentioned it, the server just blew us off. We got our check and left. Another disappointing visit.
(2)
Adam O.

It appears that bitter creek has added a pretty extensive beer list which makes it a fun place to do a beer tour. Seating inside and out. Macaroni and cheese is good 90% of the time. Just added a dish called pouting which is fries covered in turkey gravy with cheese curds in the bottom. Sounds gross but it's pretty good comfort food. Outside of that it is the usual bar fare.
(3)
Adam S.

Great location, outdoor seating, and friendly wait staff! I had some spicy tacos (which may have actually been from the kitchen attached to them) but they were great!
(5)
Paul T.

Much better than average bar food. One of the few places in town that serves burgers made with grass fed beef. The burgers are big enough to satisfy, but not so enormous that you can't finish them. Fries are a little too greasy for my taste. I like them crisper.
(4)
Rob S.

Not bad. Not great. Fine.
(3)
Britta E.

I'll add my two cents, though this place has been reviewed a bunch of times. Went there with my parents and boyfriend tonight. Wasn't horribly busy on a Wednesday night with a couple of tables open inside. Service was not the best. Our waitress was not the most attentive and recommended the soup (see below). We ordered the hummus appetizer, which was good, but came out about 20 minutes after we ordered. Does hummus really take that long? If I believed they were back in the kitchen slaving away crushing the chickpeas by hand for each order, I'd be impressed. I'm highly skeptical of that, though. Presentation was nice. Then, our entrees came out about 5 minutes after the hummus was put on the table. We were still eating it and they were trying to take away our app plates. My mom and I had the chicken wiseguy, which was good, but needs red onion. Mine got a little soggy as well. I also got the black bean chorizo soup of the day which the waitress claimed was fabulous. It was not. It was tasteless and watery. It had heat and oil. That was it. Hot blubber with sriracha sauce would be better. Mom's iced tea was bitter and the waitress was not really around to ask for sugar. Not sure how Dad felt about the reuben he got. BF got the lamb sandwich. It was flavourless, with overcooked onions and only one part of the bun was toasted. The fries were burned, though the ones which weren't tasted good. Overall, not impressed. I'd probably go back for the selection of beers, but the food and service were terrible. I think they need to call Gordon Ramsay to straighten them out.
(2)
Vi N.

Went for a late night dinner to this fine establishment upon getting to town. I had their poutine (Idaho spuds, of course!, with melted cheesy curds, covered in roasted turkey gravy) and every bite was amazing!!! I'm actually salivating just writing this review. The beers I had were so so, but the mixed drinks were great tasting and inventive. I'd definitely go back and recommend to any friend.
(4)
Brian M.

Its pub food nicely done, and although most of their dishes seem to be lacking. the Huntsman Burger with bacon is one of the finest sandos on earth.
(3)
Taylor G.

Scrumptious! Delicious beer, had one of the porters. Walnut apple salad, mac and cheese, French fries--all great. Will come back again.
(5)
Holly K.

Great beer selection. Local entrees are all excellent
(4)
Nick M.

Finally on the 3rd visit I try the food! 3 words, spicy lamb burger. Enjoy
(5)
Clancie B.

This is a go-to place for my husband and I. We eat here probably way too much. You will love this place if you are in to; Great beer lists/local IPA's Wonderful wine and cocktails scratch-made food Local and in season ingredients Happy servers/great atmosphere Top notch food at mid-range prices My favorite is the *Duck Carnitas* but because the ingredients are so fresh and locally sorced..... they run out of duck quickly. I can usually always get them on a Monday :) if you don't get the polenta fries you messed up.
(5)
Junior E.

Came here to enjoy dinner and some good college football. Atmosphere in this place is high on energy. We loved the lighting and the industrial look to this place. We loved that they use all local products to make their food. Even the ketchup was homemade! We ordered fish and chips along with thai chicken pita. Our server was good but not very personable, but it was a busy day. Huge selection of beer if your into good beer!! Overall food was amazing give this place a 4.5 stars
(4)
Hannah Mae S.

I really like the food at Bittercreek. If I went there to a get a different thing every time it would be perfect. The only complaint I have is that that the food is really incosistant. I really like the kale salad but it seems to be a little different every time. I really liked it the first time and hopped it would be the same the second time around. Same with the grilled cheese, and sometimes the drinks, and sometimes the servers. So, I guess a lot of things are inconsistent. I would be a more regular visitor if I knew what I was getting each time.
(3)
Elise D.

This place is awesome!! Great atmosphere, always a good selection of brews and one of the best burgers in town! Can get loud in there during lunch hours, but the service is always fantastic, you will never leave hungry and you know you are getting great quality food. A great Boise mainstay!
(4)
Alyse H.

I love both the food and drink selections at Bittercreek. The first time we visited, I was with my hubby and it was recommended by the bartender at Whole Foods. We ordered fish and chips and loved them. They were crispy and the fish was juicy. The beer selection is fantastic, with a great selection of local beers. The second time I was here, I stopped in on my own and sat at the bar. Shawn (sp) was the bartender and he took the time to ask every patron at the bar their name and he addressed them as such throughout the entire meal which was very impressive. I enjoyed a delicious saison from Payette and was happy as a clam. I especially love the potato chowder.
(4)
JoAn E.

Welsh rarebit grilled cheese and kale Caesar salad as a side was the best thing I have ever eaten here. Use your coop membership card for 10% discount. The flash fried squid appy was really good too. Duck tacos sounded amazing. Fries and club sauce are sooo good. I could seriously drink the club sauce also joking called stoner sauce. A huge assortment of beers on tap.
(4)
Debbie L.

I don't give a lot of five stars but this place earned every one! Long drive from Zion today and our lodging is only a half mile away. Walked over after reading the review on Yelp. Love the beer selection and I enjoyed a spring ale made here in Boise. Hubby enjoyed a porter from Corvallis, OR. The service was awesome!! Beer was fast and we arrived about 10pm in time for happy hour. Hubby loved the wings and fries and they made me a couple of thee most delicious veggie tacos ever. I appreciate them doing that and so thx to the chef for that creation. I ate them fast but tasted all of it. We hadn't eaten since a late breakfast just outside Zion so this place was heaven sent. I can't wait to return again and love that we ended our road trip here with this last leg after 2-1/2 wks on the road . Back to Portland tomorrow but we'll be back soon!
(5)
Andrea B.

We had a fabulous dinner. The street tacos with pork, lamb burger, and cheese pizza were all fresh and slightly different than regular recipes. Love the emphasis on local foods and farms. Server Keith went above and beyond to give us a great experience. Fresh Kombucha on tap from Idaho Kombucha Company and a great selection of sour beers. Topped the evening off with butterscotch beignets - perfect way to end the evening
(5)
Kimberly N.

I love Bittercreek! When I want food that is on point, I know to go here! The food always takes FOREVER, but it's great when it finally shows up. The servers are great, but the manager always looks like he HATES his job. I've smiled at him a few times and only gotten glares in response. No "thanks for coming in," nothing. Quite odd. But again, the servers are nice so he knows how to hire. The Rosso they currently have is delicious. It's from Italy, which is a go-to wine in my book. Full of flavor and on point. I usually get the Cobb salad. The blend of flavors is great. Just wish they would step up the customer service on the managerial end.
(4)
Scott M.

Best halibut fish and chips that I have had outside of Vancouver, BC. Very friendly and comfortable pub-like environment. The burger was simply excellent beef on a good bun, no garlic or other stuff mixed into the meat- it was delicious. I plan to become a regular here.
(5)
Alan M.

Great place with a zillion beers! The service is as good as it gets. You can tell that the people that work there actually like their jobs and it shows in their outstanding service. It's a pretty big and busy place but often the staff will remember your name after your first visit. The only reason I don't give them 5 Stars is that it can be busy and somewhat loud. Their food is pretty good, but probably not 5 Star...more just really good pub grub. And the only other thing (and this is just a personal preference) is they serve most of their beers in a "Tek" glass. I may be jjust a little old fashion, but I like my beers in a pint glass...not something with a stem on it. I don't want to feel like I should be putting my pinky up when I'm drinking a beer.
(4)
Gwendalyn P.

I just ate here last night and had a Beer. I was absolutely great food. We came at 10:30pm and it was late happy hour. We ordered 9 wings, 2 tacos, chips and salsa and POUTINE. I could not believe that they had poutine on the menu. We had two beers off the happy hour menu and our bill was literally $22.40 including tax. The food quality was amazing. I highly recommend the tacos. I feel like that place lost money on us last night because the quality and quantity of food outweighed the cost. I highly recommend this place. We will be coming back!!
(5)
John M.

The sister institution to the slightly higher-end Red Feather Lounge next door, this is a great place to meet friends for some beer and laughs. Fun atmosphere, a good beer list, and mouth-watering poutine (gravy fries with cheese curds). The location on 8th street is excellent! Pro-tip: A great spot to drop by for some dessert. I'm not even a dessert guy, at all, but their beignets and butterscotch is not to be missed!
(4)
Roland H.

Very friendly staff and the food is good too. I had the lamb burger which was cooked perfectly with a fresh side salad. They also have a nice selection of beers. Good spot to sit outside and watch people.
(5)
Heather S.

I have been here several, several times and the service and the food are consistently on. I would say they are overpriced though so I don't come here as much as I would like. Great go-to for meeting a friend or grabbing a drink.
(4)
Kathryn J.

Even though they were ridiculously busy, service was still pretty prompt. The burger, ethically raised, was actually cooked to medium when I asked for medium (yay!) and the blood orange IPA was delicious and fresh. (I've had a lot of flat beer in Boise.) I'm definitely making this a regular place.
(5)
Naomi L.

EDIT: I have updated my review! I had a major issue before, which I have kept below, and this new text is the result of what happened. I just had the BEST dinner of my life last night! I was so excited to bring my original friend back to the restaurant that had turned us down a couple weeks back, because even after what happened, I knew that Bittercreek had some pretty bomb food. After what happened last time, Dave Krick, founder of Bittercreek Alehouse looked into the situation, found out what happened, and gave me a large gift card that he gladly offered to switch to any restaurant downtown if we didn't want to go back to Bittercreek. How kind is that! I was absolutely blown away. We decided to give it another try after such an amazing response and had the perfect night. We ordered the duck poutine as an appetizer which was savory, full of flavor, and pretty much a meal in itself. We had to stop ourselves from gorging as we still had two entrees heading our way! We ordered the ribeye and the beef au jus and split them both as we both love to try new things. I also ordered the "zombie" cocktail which came over from Red Feather lounge and got delivered to the wrong table at first so they had to make me another. No problem, it just took an extra few minutes! (and yes my ID was accepted...after the 3rd look and holding it up to the light that it usually gets :) We tried to save a little room for the beignets and although we had run out of space...we still shoved them down our greedy throats. Too good to resist. I may not have the best or most exquisite taste, but I know what I like. And I liked this food! There is no lie when I say I can not WAIT to return to Bittercreek. Thank you Dave for making Bittercreek a more inviting place for me, I appreciate the effort you put into making me feel welcome to return! PRIOR REVIEW BELOW: Before we start: I am 22 years old, born in 1992, about to turn 23 in September. And I got turned down for a beer here. With my ID in hand. That says that I turn TWENTY-THREE in a few months. First of all, I had been here the week before. Food was great. Holy yum. I came back with another of my friends to show him Bittercreek's wonders. And I ordered a beer. As soon as the server saw my vertical, yes vertical ID (still legal, still valid, hold it up to the light and check yourself...I just picked an unfortunate time to renew for another 8 years..) she put on her pissy face and went to go get her manager because she assumed I was a cop about to set them up. I totally understand that, I was a server myself. You don't know how long I would stare at an idea doing math JUST to be absolutely certain! I didn't want to go to jail either. BUT the way this server AND her manager handled it was just very unprofessional and really straight up rude. I understand they need to be careful and do their job, but I was spoken to like I was about 5. I was told that I had totally missed my opportunity to get a horizontal ID, and that my ID must be fake and they would not be serving me any alcohol. I have had "issues" with my ID before, but mostly the "issue" was resolved with a second glance, maybe a third just to be sure of the dates. I have NEVER been turned down ANYWHERE because of my 100% real ID. If I were trying to set Bittercreek up, I would have first of all used a fake that wouldn't actually raise suspicions, like, for example, making sure it was horizontal, OR I would have used a very clearly underage vertical ID that said I was under 21. Instead I used my legit, issued-to-me-by-the-DMV license that has gotten me into bars and events for almost 2 years. I was told that I wouldn't be served by any other restaurant downtown with an "ID like that" so I decided to "try my luck" and went to the restaurant across the street where I had a delicious cucumber beer and huckleberry vodka cocktail. Yum! Needless to say, I won't be back or recommending Bittercreek to any of my friends. Bittercreek: Please teach your servers and managers to do math when they encounter any ID, as opposed to simply denying them if they happen to be vertical. Thank you!
(4)
Juhee M.

I had Salmon Caesar salads and chicken wings last night, salmon was fresh and taste good but then the chicken wings were the worst I ever had. It was taste like eating a cardboard... Love going this place and I love beer and most foods they have. Hope they will improve on chicken wings..
(3)
Karen C.

We have been to Bittercreek several times, but it wasn't until tonight that I was inspired to write a review. Christy has extensive beer knowledge-- (dare I demean my gender??) for a girl! But even for a guy- she knows her stuff! Welcoming and accommodating as my husband and I pour through the menu, carefully selecting from some of the finest craft, she waited patiently and gave great advice. The food has never disappointed us and the service has always been great! Make sure to stop by this local gem on First Thursdays for the epic Worm Tour!
(5)
Sara S.

Basil Instinct martini is great. Good for groups and usually great service. Will definitely be coming back when in the area.
(4)
Matt C.

Has everything you would want in a craft brew house... Dank beers on tap. Good food. Nice big bar. Friendly staff. TV's for sporting watching. I started with a light ale and worked my way up to the Triple IPA (10.5%) toward the end of the night. Had a strong buzz on by this point. I slammed a burger down and it was real good. Bun, not wet / soggy etc... Everything was real flavorful. Its a real nice atmosphere. Excellent quality local brews too.
(4)
Brett M.

Seriously cool spot in downtown Boise. A nice selection of local beers and ciders. Along with a very tasty menu locally sourced. This is a small, yet inviting atmosphere. It is a good spot to grab a meal and catch up on a ball game.
(5)
Drew N.

On a business trip and wanted some good food and beer. Perfect place for both. Had some street tacos with pulled pork. Delicious! I love their chimmichuri. Came with some fresh chowder. The beer list is excellent and in constant flux. Nice social atmosphere. The bartenders were great. I am definitely going to visit again on my next trip.
(4)
MJ P.

Enjoyed everything about this place -- food, atmosphere, and drink selection. We had a light bite to eat and it was perfect. The beer selection is extensive--something for everyone. I liked everything I tried.
(5)
Kyle C.

Tandi has been exceptional once again. Despite a wicked crowd, the staff at Bittercreek are gangsters of customer service. I am personally drinking some of the new kegs which are always incredible. Seriously, come in here and get some high ABV brews and have a good time!
(5)
Dan J.

Found this establishment on Yelp. First time visit. Very busy, due to th UW vs Boise football game tomorrow, but thats ok liked the atmosphere. Food was good. Service was a bit iffy. Had one drink and was never asked if we wanted more. But was told by our waiter that many establishments in the area had specials on the first Thursday. So we left and went else where, The Taphouse, and had a great time.
(3)
Chris W.

This was a phenomenal beer joint. Atmosphere was incredible. Incredible choices, have about 30 taps and the stock constantly rotates, never anything on hand more than a few months. The bartenders were extremely knowledgeable of all the beers. I was highly impressed. Very nice atmosphere and the food looked great also but only had some beers. They have some big screens if you want to watch the big game they usually have the game on. They have a really nice patio too if you want to sit outside. The place was super busy and they have a strong following. Would highly recommend if you like beer to visit.
(5)
Scott H.

My son was all packed up from his first year at BSU, my brother in tow as well we needed a good lunch. Bittercreek here we come! We started off with some amazing beers and the Duck Duck Poutine...OMG it's as amazing as always. It's a femily staple when we come to Boise. My brother said I nailed that choice. For lunch I had the Huntsman Burger and it was juicy and delicious. My son had Mac and Cheese with Bacon and Duck Confit (he said you can't have too much Duck) My brother had a reuben which he enjoyed VERY much. Service was awesome....beer was awesome....food was awesome. We love Bittercreek and recommend it to all our friends visiting Boise. Go Broncos!
(5)
Je R.

The manager refused to turn the heavy misters off even though half the customers were soaked to the bone and complaining. They comp'd my meal, I tipped the nice waitress 60% for trying to handle my complaint. So, maybe don't sit outside under those misters. The beer list was excellent, but we had to leave before I could finish my flight. Since we were only in Boise for one night, this put a big damper (hah) on our Boise stop, so one star. edit update 8/11. the manager made things right later on, and it sounds like the misters should be more fine tuned by now. Raising from 1 to 3 stars because the owner does care. Will try to stop by next summer road trip.
(3)
Margaret H.

Another great spot in downtown on 8th street. The Halloumi tacos are incredible but I found the berry tort dessert a bit dry. Great atmosphere, service, and beer selection!
(4)
Brian H.

Warm, friendly, eclectic and inviting atmosphere full of rosey-cheeked revellers, generous smiling staff, inventive cocktails, tasty craft brews and a VERY tasty late-night menu. The wings were spot on: tasty and not too spicy. The poutine had a generous helping of cheese curds and the donut holes with salted butterscotch dipping sauce were tantalizing.
(5)
Mary S.

First time here and I made a risky move: I ordered steak medium rare. Extremely impressed by how well cooked and perfectly seasoned it was! Ate the whole thing. Disappointed with the soggyness of the veggies but overall good flavor. Could have eaten a whole plate of the fingerling potatoes. Pretty crowded on a Saturday night but it is just a testament to the service and food!
(4)
Kevin J.

This is an update of my review from 8/3/15. I had a very nice email from this establishment explaining that they "messed up" that day. Well we are all allowed that once in awhile. The manager was very apologetic and made it good with me. Kudo's to the management. Kevin Great service and awesome drinks although a bit expensive. The food however was terrible. I ordered a pretty simple Reuben sandwhich. It came on some type of caraway bread instead of the customary marble rye bread. It also had roast beef instead of corned beef which really took away from the flavor.
(4)
Nathan T.

A ton of beer to choose from...in theory. They always seem to be out of what I choose from their list. When you end up finding what they actually have then you have to make sure your waiter doesn't bring you the wrong beer. A lot of the staff just seems to struggle repeatedly.
(3)
Kevin S.

Great location in downtown Boise. Great beer but the Poutine was a bit on the not appealing side. I would come here again just not order Poutine.
(3)
Paul B.

This is one if the best stops in Boise. You have got to try it! We had a group of 10, which made it difficult to get a table, but once we settled in, it was excellent. The service is superb and they had everything split for us at the end. The drinks are great, but the beers are the show stopper. Their list is amazing and has a bit if everything. From locals to imports, they had all their bases covered. The food is bomb. We started with the poutine fries...wow! Fries with turkey confit, turkey gravy and melted cheese curds. The aus jus and Mac and cheese with bacon were the next favs. Simply put: eat here
(5)
Nick W.

Never been in here or called a single time when the bar manager didn't go out of there way to be a extremely rude to me. However, the owner went out of his way to contact me personally & to express his sincere apologies & concerns over the issue, & assured me that the necessary changes & corrections would be made to ensure way better customer service in the future. It's good to know he cares, hopefully this situation will not happen again to me or anyone else.
(2)
Patricia W.

An exceptional beer and wine selection. With Red Feather next door, designer cocktails are also in reach. Great menu with local ingredients, and vegan and vegetarian options. Did I mention their amazing beer menu? Sometimes the staff is off, but lately they've been on point. This is a must go to in Boise. You shouldn't be disappointed.
(4)
Justin H.

As much as I want to give these guys four stars, I reserve those for restaurants with amazing food. These guys do a great job of most aspects of restauranteuring, but I think the food could seriously be kicked up a notch. Now, I don't want to give the impression that the food is bad. I'm updating my review because our most recent experience was very positive. We had sweet potato quesadillas (lacking on the sweet potato, but served with an incredibly garlicy chimichurri sauce that I loved) and french fries to start. The fries were nice, crispy and definitely real taters, precious. The beer selection was pretty good, but still missing some of the more exciting stuff. The hoppy selection was great, but I think there are more interesting hoppy beers out there (with taps that rotate this often, it's hard to please all of the time). I feel I could make some suggestions for hoppy beers, only to find out they're served another time of year. So, for the taps we had on this one random day, I'll say they were more than adequate. For dinner, I had the duck carnitas tacos. Now, I am mad about duck. That said, I wasn't overwhelmed or anything. The tacos were totally solid and enjoyable, but nothing mind-blowing. The beans served on the side were unassuming, but satisfying as well. My plate seemed a little colder than my family's food, so I think mine must've finished first and sat for a few moments (slightly stale tortillas). If I could sum up this experience briefly, I'd say: it's a great restaurant and nothing disappointed, but nothing got us all that excited, either. If you love this place, keep coming; it's definitely a BOI institution. If you try it once and aren't blown away, then I think you've had a typical experience. Staff were great! Food came quickly, for the most part!
(3)
Ashley L.

A definite must visit! Exceptionally tasty, refined food and tons of beer choices. Traditional choices as well as more unique, restaurant only creations. Plus they have their own pastry chef so don't skip dessert. Gets busy often so be prepared to wait, but it's worth it.
(5)
BP A.

Great pub atmosphere and super friendly staff, I was just in town for a day while traveling and went here on a recommendation and yelp reviews. Had a burger and beer and Sparkles as my waitress ... All good things
(4)
Tiff T.

Amazing food and atmosphere! We stayed the night in Boise on our way back to Utah on the 4th of July. Bittercreek was close to our hotel and had excellent reviews so we tried it out. There were four of us but the only thing I managed to get a picture of was the beignets (which were hot and tasty). We all split the turkey poutine because they were out of duck. The fries were crispy and the gravy and cheese gave it a very nice flavor. My mother in law got the wedge salad which was huge and not iceberg, which she thought was a nice change. I got the grilled Caesar kale salad and that was fantastic. So much flavor it was like a full meal instead of "just salad". My husband got pork tacos and his dad got chicken tacos. Good flavor, fresh ingredients. Now for the drinks! I believe these are technically from the Red Feather portion of the building. The guys were very happy with the beer selection and also each got margaritas on the rocks with fresh squeezed orange and lime juice. I had a drink called Fizz Hottie (I think..I had 3 of them so I'm not sure if that's the name ha). Not too sweet, not too sour and a unique taste I can't describe. Fruity maybe. Refreshing for sure! We can't wait to go back and try more food and drinks!
(4)
Ophelia M.

Found myself downtown on a Sunday evening. The plan was to pick up dinner at 10 Barrel and then Cosmos at The Bar (inside The Grove Hotel). We approached 10 Barrel to find it closed (a note on the door said they had taken the night off for an employee party--understandable--and glad they take care of their employees). So, we ventured to Front Door. Also closed. Hmph. We began feeling that particular sort of down in the dumps that comes when one is feeling celebratory, but is faced with a seemingly desolate downtown that is practically daring one to give up one's jubilance, forfeit the merriment, and head indoors for an evening of more mundane pursuits. We persisted. Fingers crossed, we approached Bittercreek, opened their door to a gust of warm air (it was a coldish evening--so this was a good thing) and immediate good vibes. Bittercreek to the rescue! Good feelings and merriment firmly restored, I ordered their grilled cheese. It was good, though I would mention that I found the cheese to be quite mild (which many enjoy, but I prefer mine as sharp as a finely crafted prison shank--which is to say: lethal, with a nice underlying stank). I also ordered a gin fizz. It was the booze equivalent to my effervescent mood (champagne gets WAY too much play as the go-to booze of the celebratory--this gin fizz is where it's at, my people). The service was the usual level of lovely even though they were quite busy (possibly due to the shuttered doors elsewhere). Bittercreek brings it once again! Get to it!
(5)
Dale B.

This place is great. They have outdoor seating, great service, a large selection of beer, and good food.
(4)
Leeann R.

Always a favorite. Good service. Excellent selections of local beers as well a a huge assortment from all over the globe. The food is excellent. BUT the BEST in the menu is the Butterscotch & Beignets. On a scale of 1-10--they're a 12!
(5)
Doug D.

After several years after my original review I still think that Bitter creek is one of the better restaurants downtown. I understand that they are the trendsetters that made 8th street what it is today. Overall, an excellent locally owed and operated restaurant!
(4)
Lauren B.

Amazing place! Great atmosphere, awesome service, food comes from local farms. Everything is delicious. Had the chicken street tacos, spicy, but insanely good! Ryan was our server, he was also awesome, super attentive and friendly. Will definitely be back asap. :)
(5)
Pete B.

This place was exactly what we were looking for. Fred was very friendly and made sure that we had a safe place to put our bags since we were traveling from out of town. He made us feel at home and was extremely knowledgable about the suds that they had on tap. The food he recommended was terrific and it's definitely a place I'd frequent again. If you're ever wondering what to order, just "askem". ;)
(5)
Sedona G.

Try the weekend breakfast skillet - delicious!
(5)
Mike D.

We were in Boise for Jaialdi for the first time and decided to try Bittercreek based on the reviews. We were not prepared for the experience we had. All of the staff was extremely friendly. The place was packed and we still were seated right away. It was a bit warm in the corner we were originally seated in (100 degree day), so we decided to sit at the bar for dinner. They have an extensive selection of whiskeys and my wife is a bit of a whiskey snob. So, after describing her taste, the bartender recommended some excellent choices and my wife was very happy with the woodside reserve she chose. For dinner, we started with the bacon & sage popcorn. Could not have been a better start to our meal. My wife ordered the Idaho trout and I had the huntsman burger. This was one of the best burgers I have ever had and my wife swears that the trout was swimming earlier today. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. The service and food were the best we've had in Boise by far!
(5)
Caroline T.

Burgers are amazing and salad was great with their housemade dressing. Would highly recommend! Beer is kind of pricey (but they have a huge selection!)
(4)
Kristi S.

Great location in downtown Boise. The service is okay, I think its because they are always busy. We could spend hours in there trying different items off of their large beer menu, and the food is always great!
(5)
Clancie B.

This is a go-to place for my husband and I. We eat here probably way too much. You will love this place if you are in to; Great beer lists/local IPA's Wonderful wine and cocktails scratch-made food Local and in season ingredients Happy servers/great atmosphere Top notch food at mid-range prices My favorite is the *Duck Carnitas* but because the ingredients are so fresh and locally sorced..... they run out of duck quickly. I can usually always get them on a Monday :) if you don't get the polenta fries you messed up.
(5)
Junior E.

Came here to enjoy dinner and some good college football. Atmosphere in this place is high on energy. We loved the lighting and the industrial look to this place. We loved that they use all local products to make their food. Even the ketchup was homemade! We ordered fish and chips along with thai chicken pita. Our server was good but not very personable, but it was a busy day. Huge selection of beer if your into good beer!! Overall food was amazing give this place a 4.5 stars
(4)
Hannah Mae S.

I really like the food at Bittercreek. If I went there to a get a different thing every time it would be perfect. The only complaint I have is that that the food is really incosistant. I really like the kale salad but it seems to be a little different every time. I really liked it the first time and hopped it would be the same the second time around. Same with the grilled cheese, and sometimes the drinks, and sometimes the servers. So, I guess a lot of things are inconsistent. I would be a more regular visitor if I knew what I was getting each time.
(3)
Elise D.

This place is awesome!! Great atmosphere, always a good selection of brews and one of the best burgers in town! Can get loud in there during lunch hours, but the service is always fantastic, you will never leave hungry and you know you are getting great quality food. A great Boise mainstay!
(4)
Alyse H.

I love both the food and drink selections at Bittercreek. The first time we visited, I was with my hubby and it was recommended by the bartender at Whole Foods. We ordered fish and chips and loved them. They were crispy and the fish was juicy. The beer selection is fantastic, with a great selection of local beers. The second time I was here, I stopped in on my own and sat at the bar. Shawn (sp) was the bartender and he took the time to ask every patron at the bar their name and he addressed them as such throughout the entire meal which was very impressive. I enjoyed a delicious saison from Payette and was happy as a clam. I especially love the potato chowder.
(4)
JoAn E.

Welsh rarebit grilled cheese and kale Caesar salad as a side was the best thing I have ever eaten here. Use your coop membership card for 10% discount. The flash fried squid appy was really good too. Duck tacos sounded amazing. Fries and club sauce are sooo good. I could seriously drink the club sauce also joking called stoner sauce. A huge assortment of beers on tap.
(4)
Debbie L.

I don't give a lot of five stars but this place earned every one! Long drive from Zion today and our lodging is only a half mile away. Walked over after reading the review on Yelp. Love the beer selection and I enjoyed a spring ale made here in Boise. Hubby enjoyed a porter from Corvallis, OR. The service was awesome!! Beer was fast and we arrived about 10pm in time for happy hour. Hubby loved the wings and fries and they made me a couple of thee most delicious veggie tacos ever. I appreciate them doing that and so thx to the chef for that creation. I ate them fast but tasted all of it. We hadn't eaten since a late breakfast just outside Zion so this place was heaven sent. I can't wait to return again and love that we ended our road trip here with this last leg after 2-1/2 wks on the road . Back to Portland tomorrow but we'll be back soon!
(5)
Andrea B.

We had a fabulous dinner. The street tacos with pork, lamb burger, and cheese pizza were all fresh and slightly different than regular recipes. Love the emphasis on local foods and farms. Server Keith went above and beyond to give us a great experience. Fresh Kombucha on tap from Idaho Kombucha Company and a great selection of sour beers. Topped the evening off with butterscotch beignets - perfect way to end the evening
(5)
Kimberly N.

I love Bittercreek! When I want food that is on point, I know to go here! The food always takes FOREVER, but it's great when it finally shows up. The servers are great, but the manager always looks like he HATES his job. I've smiled at him a few times and only gotten glares in response. No "thanks for coming in," nothing. Quite odd. But again, the servers are nice so he knows how to hire. The Rosso they currently have is delicious. It's from Italy, which is a go-to wine in my book. Full of flavor and on point. I usually get the Cobb salad. The blend of flavors is great. Just wish they would step up the customer service on the managerial end.
(4)
Scott M.

Best halibut fish and chips that I have had outside of Vancouver, BC. Very friendly and comfortable pub-like environment. The burger was simply excellent beef on a good bun, no garlic or other stuff mixed into the meat- it was delicious. I plan to become a regular here.
(5)
Alan M.

Great place with a zillion beers! The service is as good as it gets. You can tell that the people that work there actually like their jobs and it shows in their outstanding service. It's a pretty big and busy place but often the staff will remember your name after your first visit. The only reason I don't give them 5 Stars is that it can be busy and somewhat loud. Their food is pretty good, but probably not 5 Star...more just really good pub grub. And the only other thing (and this is just a personal preference) is they serve most of their beers in a "Tek" glass. I may be jjust a little old fashion, but I like my beers in a pint glass...not something with a stem on it. I don't want to feel like I should be putting my pinky up when I'm drinking a beer.
(4)
Gwendalyn P.

I just ate here last night and had a Beer. I was absolutely great food. We came at 10:30pm and it was late happy hour. We ordered 9 wings, 2 tacos, chips and salsa and POUTINE. I could not believe that they had poutine on the menu. We had two beers off the happy hour menu and our bill was literally $22.40 including tax. The food quality was amazing. I highly recommend the tacos. I feel like that place lost money on us last night because the quality and quantity of food outweighed the cost. I highly recommend this place. We will be coming back!!
(5)
John M.

The sister institution to the slightly higher-end Red Feather Lounge next door, this is a great place to meet friends for some beer and laughs. Fun atmosphere, a good beer list, and mouth-watering poutine (gravy fries with cheese curds). The location on 8th street is excellent! Pro-tip: A great spot to drop by for some dessert. I'm not even a dessert guy, at all, but their beignets and butterscotch is not to be missed!
(4)
Roland H.

Very friendly staff and the food is good too. I had the lamb burger which was cooked perfectly with a fresh side salad. They also have a nice selection of beers. Good spot to sit outside and watch people.
(5)
Heather S.

I have been here several, several times and the service and the food are consistently on. I would say they are overpriced though so I don't come here as much as I would like. Great go-to for meeting a friend or grabbing a drink.
(4)
Kathryn J.

Even though they were ridiculously busy, service was still pretty prompt. The burger, ethically raised, was actually cooked to medium when I asked for medium (yay!) and the blood orange IPA was delicious and fresh. (I've had a lot of flat beer in Boise.) I'm definitely making this a regular place.
(5)
Naomi L.

EDIT: I have updated my review! I had a major issue before, which I have kept below, and this new text is the result of what happened. I just had the BEST dinner of my life last night! I was so excited to bring my original friend back to the restaurant that had turned us down a couple weeks back, because even after what happened, I knew that Bittercreek had some pretty bomb food. After what happened last time, Dave Krick, founder of Bittercreek Alehouse looked into the situation, found out what happened, and gave me a large gift card that he gladly offered to switch to any restaurant downtown if we didn't want to go back to Bittercreek. How kind is that! I was absolutely blown away. We decided to give it another try after such an amazing response and had the perfect night. We ordered the duck poutine as an appetizer which was savory, full of flavor, and pretty much a meal in itself. We had to stop ourselves from gorging as we still had two entrees heading our way! We ordered the ribeye and the beef au jus and split them both as we both love to try new things. I also ordered the "zombie" cocktail which came over from Red Feather lounge and got delivered to the wrong table at first so they had to make me another. No problem, it just took an extra few minutes! (and yes my ID was accepted...after the 3rd look and holding it up to the light that it usually gets :) We tried to save a little room for the beignets and although we had run out of space...we still shoved them down our greedy throats. Too good to resist. I may not have the best or most exquisite taste, but I know what I like. And I liked this food! There is no lie when I say I can not WAIT to return to Bittercreek. Thank you Dave for making Bittercreek a more inviting place for me, I appreciate the effort you put into making me feel welcome to return! PRIOR REVIEW BELOW: Before we start: I am 22 years old, born in 1992, about to turn 23 in September. And I got turned down for a beer here. With my ID in hand. That says that I turn TWENTY-THREE in a few months. First of all, I had been here the week before. Food was great. Holy yum. I came back with another of my friends to show him Bittercreek's wonders. And I ordered a beer. As soon as the server saw my vertical, yes vertical ID (still legal, still valid, hold it up to the light and check yourself...I just picked an unfortunate time to renew for another 8 years..) she put on her pissy face and went to go get her manager because she assumed I was a cop about to set them up. I totally understand that, I was a server myself. You don't know how long I would stare at an idea doing math JUST to be absolutely certain! I didn't want to go to jail either. BUT the way this server AND her manager handled it was just very unprofessional and really straight up rude. I understand they need to be careful and do their job, but I was spoken to like I was about 5. I was told that I had totally missed my opportunity to get a horizontal ID, and that my ID must be fake and they would not be serving me any alcohol. I have had "issues" with my ID before, but mostly the "issue" was resolved with a second glance, maybe a third just to be sure of the dates. I have NEVER been turned down ANYWHERE because of my 100% real ID. If I were trying to set Bittercreek up, I would have first of all used a fake that wouldn't actually raise suspicions, like, for example, making sure it was horizontal, OR I would have used a very clearly underage vertical ID that said I was under 21. Instead I used my legit, issued-to-me-by-the-DMV license that has gotten me into bars and events for almost 2 years. I was told that I wouldn't be served by any other restaurant downtown with an "ID like that" so I decided to "try my luck" and went to the restaurant across the street where I had a delicious cucumber beer and huckleberry vodka cocktail. Yum! Needless to say, I won't be back or recommending Bittercreek to any of my friends. Bittercreek: Please teach your servers and managers to do math when they encounter any ID, as opposed to simply denying them if they happen to be vertical. Thank you!
(4)
Juhee M.

I had Salmon Caesar salads and chicken wings last night, salmon was fresh and taste good but then the chicken wings were the worst I ever had. It was taste like eating a cardboard... Love going this place and I love beer and most foods they have. Hope they will improve on chicken wings..
(3)
Karen C.

We have been to Bittercreek several times, but it wasn't until tonight that I was inspired to write a review. Christy has extensive beer knowledge-- (dare I demean my gender??) for a girl! But even for a guy- she knows her stuff! Welcoming and accommodating as my husband and I pour through the menu, carefully selecting from some of the finest craft, she waited patiently and gave great advice. The food has never disappointed us and the service has always been great! Make sure to stop by this local gem on First Thursdays for the epic Worm Tour!
(5)
Sara S.

Basil Instinct martini is great. Good for groups and usually great service. Will definitely be coming back when in the area.
(4)
Matt C.

Has everything you would want in a craft brew house... Dank beers on tap. Good food. Nice big bar. Friendly staff. TV's for sporting watching. I started with a light ale and worked my way up to the Triple IPA (10.5%) toward the end of the night. Had a strong buzz on by this point. I slammed a burger down and it was real good. Bun, not wet / soggy etc... Everything was real flavorful. Its a real nice atmosphere. Excellent quality local brews too.
(4)
Brett M.

Seriously cool spot in downtown Boise. A nice selection of local beers and ciders. Along with a very tasty menu locally sourced. This is a small, yet inviting atmosphere. It is a good spot to grab a meal and catch up on a ball game.
(5)
Drew N.

On a business trip and wanted some good food and beer. Perfect place for both. Had some street tacos with pulled pork. Delicious! I love their chimmichuri. Came with some fresh chowder. The beer list is excellent and in constant flux. Nice social atmosphere. The bartenders were great. I am definitely going to visit again on my next trip.
(4)
MJ P.

Enjoyed everything about this place -- food, atmosphere, and drink selection. We had a light bite to eat and it was perfect. The beer selection is extensive--something for everyone. I liked everything I tried.
(5)
Kyle C.

Tandi has been exceptional once again. Despite a wicked crowd, the staff at Bittercreek are gangsters of customer service. I am personally drinking some of the new kegs which are always incredible. Seriously, come in here and get some high ABV brews and have a good time!
(5)
Dan J.

Found this establishment on Yelp. First time visit. Very busy, due to th UW vs Boise football game tomorrow, but thats ok liked the atmosphere. Food was good. Service was a bit iffy. Had one drink and was never asked if we wanted more. But was told by our waiter that many establishments in the area had specials on the first Thursday. So we left and went else where, The Taphouse, and had a great time.
(3)
Chris W.

This was a phenomenal beer joint. Atmosphere was incredible. Incredible choices, have about 30 taps and the stock constantly rotates, never anything on hand more than a few months. The bartenders were extremely knowledgeable of all the beers. I was highly impressed. Very nice atmosphere and the food looked great also but only had some beers. They have some big screens if you want to watch the big game they usually have the game on. They have a really nice patio too if you want to sit outside. The place was super busy and they have a strong following. Would highly recommend if you like beer to visit.
(5)
Scott H.

My son was all packed up from his first year at BSU, my brother in tow as well we needed a good lunch. Bittercreek here we come! We started off with some amazing beers and the Duck Duck Poutine...OMG it's as amazing as always. It's a femily staple when we come to Boise. My brother said I nailed that choice. For lunch I had the Huntsman Burger and it was juicy and delicious. My son had Mac and Cheese with Bacon and Duck Confit (he said you can't have too much Duck) My brother had a reuben which he enjoyed VERY much. Service was awesome....beer was awesome....food was awesome. We love Bittercreek and recommend it to all our friends visiting Boise. Go Broncos!
(5)
Je R.

The manager refused to turn the heavy misters off even though half the customers were soaked to the bone and complaining. They comp'd my meal, I tipped the nice waitress 60% for trying to handle my complaint. So, maybe don't sit outside under those misters. The beer list was excellent, but we had to leave before I could finish my flight. Since we were only in Boise for one night, this put a big damper (hah) on our Boise stop, so one star. edit update 8/11. the manager made things right later on, and it sounds like the misters should be more fine tuned by now. Raising from 1 to 3 stars because the owner does care. Will try to stop by next summer road trip.
(3)
Margaret H.

Another great spot in downtown on 8th street. The Halloumi tacos are incredible but I found the berry tort dessert a bit dry. Great atmosphere, service, and beer selection!
(4)
Brian H.

Warm, friendly, eclectic and inviting atmosphere full of rosey-cheeked revellers, generous smiling staff, inventive cocktails, tasty craft brews and a VERY tasty late-night menu. The wings were spot on: tasty and not too spicy. The poutine had a generous helping of cheese curds and the donut holes with salted butterscotch dipping sauce were tantalizing.
(5)
Mary S.

First time here and I made a risky move: I ordered steak medium rare. Extremely impressed by how well cooked and perfectly seasoned it was! Ate the whole thing. Disappointed with the soggyness of the veggies but overall good flavor. Could have eaten a whole plate of the fingerling potatoes. Pretty crowded on a Saturday night but it is just a testament to the service and food!
(4)
Kevin J.

This is an update of my review from 8/3/15. I had a very nice email from this establishment explaining that they "messed up" that day. Well we are all allowed that once in awhile. The manager was very apologetic and made it good with me. Kudo's to the management. Kevin Great service and awesome drinks although a bit expensive. The food however was terrible. I ordered a pretty simple Reuben sandwhich. It came on some type of caraway bread instead of the customary marble rye bread. It also had roast beef instead of corned beef which really took away from the flavor.
(4)
Nathan T.

A ton of beer to choose from...in theory. They always seem to be out of what I choose from their list. When you end up finding what they actually have then you have to make sure your waiter doesn't bring you the wrong beer. A lot of the staff just seems to struggle repeatedly.
(3)
Kevin S.

Great location in downtown Boise. Great beer but the Poutine was a bit on the not appealing side. I would come here again just not order Poutine.
(3)
Paul B.

This is one if the best stops in Boise. You have got to try it! We had a group of 10, which made it difficult to get a table, but once we settled in, it was excellent. The service is superb and they had everything split for us at the end. The drinks are great, but the beers are the show stopper. Their list is amazing and has a bit if everything. From locals to imports, they had all their bases covered. The food is bomb. We started with the poutine fries...wow! Fries with turkey confit, turkey gravy and melted cheese curds. The aus jus and Mac and cheese with bacon were the next favs. Simply put: eat here
(5)
Nick W.

Never been in here or called a single time when the bar manager didn't go out of there way to be a extremely rude to me. However, the owner went out of his way to contact me personally & to express his sincere apologies & concerns over the issue, & assured me that the necessary changes & corrections would be made to ensure way better customer service in the future. It's good to know he cares, hopefully this situation will not happen again to me or anyone else.
(2)
Patricia W.

An exceptional beer and wine selection. With Red Feather next door, designer cocktails are also in reach. Great menu with local ingredients, and vegan and vegetarian options. Did I mention their amazing beer menu? Sometimes the staff is off, but lately they've been on point. This is a must go to in Boise. You shouldn't be disappointed.
(4)
Justin H.

As much as I want to give these guys four stars, I reserve those for restaurants with amazing food. These guys do a great job of most aspects of restauranteuring, but I think the food could seriously be kicked up a notch. Now, I don't want to give the impression that the food is bad. I'm updating my review because our most recent experience was very positive. We had sweet potato quesadillas (lacking on the sweet potato, but served with an incredibly garlicy chimichurri sauce that I loved) and french fries to start. The fries were nice, crispy and definitely real taters, precious. The beer selection was pretty good, but still missing some of the more exciting stuff. The hoppy selection was great, but I think there are more interesting hoppy beers out there (with taps that rotate this often, it's hard to please all of the time). I feel I could make some suggestions for hoppy beers, only to find out they're served another time of year. So, for the taps we had on this one random day, I'll say they were more than adequate. For dinner, I had the duck carnitas tacos. Now, I am mad about duck. That said, I wasn't overwhelmed or anything. The tacos were totally solid and enjoyable, but nothing mind-blowing. The beans served on the side were unassuming, but satisfying as well. My plate seemed a little colder than my family's food, so I think mine must've finished first and sat for a few moments (slightly stale tortillas). If I could sum up this experience briefly, I'd say: it's a great restaurant and nothing disappointed, but nothing got us all that excited, either. If you love this place, keep coming; it's definitely a BOI institution. If you try it once and aren't blown away, then I think you've had a typical experience. Staff were great! Food came quickly, for the most part!
(3)
Ashley L.

A definite must visit! Exceptionally tasty, refined food and tons of beer choices. Traditional choices as well as more unique, restaurant only creations. Plus they have their own pastry chef so don't skip dessert. Gets busy often so be prepared to wait, but it's worth it.
(5)
BP A.

Great pub atmosphere and super friendly staff, I was just in town for a day while traveling and went here on a recommendation and yelp reviews. Had a burger and beer and Sparkles as my waitress ... All good things
(4)
Lauren B.

Amazing place! Great atmosphere, awesome service, food comes from local farms. Everything is delicious. Had the chicken street tacos, spicy, but insanely good! Ryan was our server, he was also awesome, super attentive and friendly. Will definitely be back asap. :)
(5)
Kirsten V.

Good food.Always.
(5)
Joe C.

Best food for the price. Good quality and great location in downtown Boise with a patio on the street!!!
(5)
Tiff T.

Amazing food and atmosphere! We stayed the night in Boise on our way back to Utah on the 4th of July. Bittercreek was close to our hotel and had excellent reviews so we tried it out. There were four of us but the only thing I managed to get a picture of was the beignets (which were hot and tasty). We all split the turkey poutine because they were out of duck. The fries were crispy and the gravy and cheese gave it a very nice flavor. My mother in law got the wedge salad which was huge and not iceberg, which she thought was a nice change. I got the grilled Caesar kale salad and that was fantastic. So much flavor it was like a full meal instead of "just salad". My husband got pork tacos and his dad got chicken tacos. Good flavor, fresh ingredients. Now for the drinks! I believe these are technically from the Red Feather portion of the building. The guys were very happy with the beer selection and also each got margaritas on the rocks with fresh squeezed orange and lime juice. I had a drink called Fizz Hottie (I think..I had 3 of them so I'm not sure if that's the name ha). Not too sweet, not too sour and a unique taste I can't describe. Fruity maybe. Refreshing for sure! We can't wait to go back and try more food and drinks!
(4)
Ophelia M.

Found myself downtown on a Sunday evening. The plan was to pick up dinner at 10 Barrel and then Cosmos at The Bar (inside The Grove Hotel). We approached 10 Barrel to find it closed (a note on the door said they had taken the night off for an employee party--understandable--and glad they take care of their employees). So, we ventured to Front Door. Also closed. Hmph. We began feeling that particular sort of down in the dumps that comes when one is feeling celebratory, but is faced with a seemingly desolate downtown that is practically daring one to give up one's jubilance, forfeit the merriment, and head indoors for an evening of more mundane pursuits. We persisted. Fingers crossed, we approached Bittercreek, opened their door to a gust of warm air (it was a coldish evening--so this was a good thing) and immediate good vibes. Bittercreek to the rescue! Good feelings and merriment firmly restored, I ordered their grilled cheese. It was good, though I would mention that I found the cheese to be quite mild (which many enjoy, but I prefer mine as sharp as a finely crafted prison shank--which is to say: lethal, with a nice underlying stank). I also ordered a gin fizz. It was the booze equivalent to my effervescent mood (champagne gets WAY too much play as the go-to booze of the celebratory--this gin fizz is where it's at, my people). The service was the usual level of lovely even though they were quite busy (possibly due to the shuttered doors elsewhere). Bittercreek brings it once again! Get to it!
(5)
Dale B.

This place is great. They have outdoor seating, great service, a large selection of beer, and good food.
(4)
Leeann R.

Always a favorite. Good service. Excellent selections of local beers as well a a huge assortment from all over the globe. The food is excellent. BUT the BEST in the menu is the Butterscotch & Beignets. On a scale of 1-10--they're a 12!
(5)
Doug D.

After several years after my original review I still think that Bitter creek is one of the better restaurants downtown. I understand that they are the trendsetters that made 8th street what it is today. Overall, an excellent locally owed and operated restaurant!
(4)
Pete B.

This place was exactly what we were looking for. Fred was very friendly and made sure that we had a safe place to put our bags since we were traveling from out of town. He made us feel at home and was extremely knowledgable about the suds that they had on tap. The food he recommended was terrific and it's definitely a place I'd frequent again. If you're ever wondering what to order, just "askem". ;)
(5)
Sedona G.

Try the weekend breakfast skillet - delicious!
(5)
Mike D.

We were in Boise for Jaialdi for the first time and decided to try Bittercreek based on the reviews. We were not prepared for the experience we had. All of the staff was extremely friendly. The place was packed and we still were seated right away. It was a bit warm in the corner we were originally seated in (100 degree day), so we decided to sit at the bar for dinner. They have an extensive selection of whiskeys and my wife is a bit of a whiskey snob. So, after describing her taste, the bartender recommended some excellent choices and my wife was very happy with the woodside reserve she chose. For dinner, we started with the bacon & sage popcorn. Could not have been a better start to our meal. My wife ordered the Idaho trout and I had the huntsman burger. This was one of the best burgers I have ever had and my wife swears that the trout was swimming earlier today. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. The service and food were the best we've had in Boise by far!
(5)
Caroline T.

Burgers are amazing and salad was great with their housemade dressing. Would highly recommend! Beer is kind of pricey (but they have a huge selection!)
(4)
Kristi S.

Great location in downtown Boise. The service is okay, I think its because they are always busy. We could spend hours in there trying different items off of their large beer menu, and the food is always great!
(5)
Sean B.

One of the better burgers I've tasted. I thought I was the only one who made burgers on a challah bun - I guess the secret is out on how great it is. The bacon was cooked to perfection and the beef tasted excellent. Very high quality ingredients. I also loved how they used romaine instead of cheap ice berg lettuce. My only gripe was the beer was quite spendy for small glasses (7 dollars for maybe 8 oz of beer) and the wait time was high, although it was a packed house so a bit of a wait is to be expected. Beer selection was very unique.
(4)
Crystal Q.

Great beer selection and yummy food. The staff was friendly and attentive. Its a beer and burger kind of place.
(4)
Amy S.

In Boise visiting a friend, we went to this little joint just to drink some local beers. Their samplers were very reasonably priced, so I got myself a flight! The bar tenders were friendly and knowledgable. I met one of the owners from City of Trees brewing (they were having a tasting special that evening), and he was a really cool guy. A fun place with a relaxed atmosphere; I'd like to go back if I find the time before I leave town!
(4)
Derek W.

"BEER TO THE PEOPLE" screams the giant, bright sign high on the wall above Bittercreek's bar, an apt sentiment to greet patrons at this locavore craft beer haven in the heart of Boise. There's a daunting, dizzying lineup of beers, manageable to the indecisive diner only by virtue of the helpful arrangement on the menu that features vivid descriptions including the number of miles from this spot that the beer was brewed. I am a beer generalist, so the concept of a bevy of 5oz "taster" glasses suited me perfectly. I enjoyed five very different and unique options, a perfect complement to my meal and a great introduction to the diversity of brews offered here. I love the upscale beer hall vibe in this place, as chill as you'd expect in the great northwest, although they are very serious about their beer and their food. Our food ended up a masterful match to our beer selections, albeit entirely accidentally. They killed it with the black bean and sweet potato burger, a unique twist on often generic vegetarian burger options. Ours was moist (another pet peeve of mine in the veg burger arena is dryness), full of flavor, hearty and filling. The fact that we could order a fresh and healthy quinoa and black bean salad as a side made the plate even more satisfying. Our other sandwich was a solid homemade kielbasa with Swiss cheese and mustard and toasted ciabatta. Bittercreek would be a fine place to call a second home, and the server made us feel welcome and unhurried. I'd be eager to try one of the many other menu selections that tempted us during our first visit.
(4)
Tom K.

Take me to beer or lose me forever!
(4)
Patrick M.

Prompt response from the owner addressing the issue previously described. He is professional and concerned. His attentiveness to customer service is what I had come to expect from the ale house on previous visits. I won't let one bad employee sway my decision to frequent the establishment. Much appreciated.
(4)
Joe R.

Definitely another classic "go-to" spot in Boise. GOOD FOOD. GOOD EATS! Impressive beer selection, enormous cocktail menu, and food that doesn't disappoint. It can get a little busy in the evenings, but is a great spot for a private date for two or even bringing larger groups. Side note - despite ordering a mint julep in the winter, the drink and presentation were perfect. Requesting this drink has been sort of a litmus test for me in many establishments and Bittercreek didn't disappoint. They served it traditionally, with the stainless/silver cup instead of a typical, common collins glass (think regular mojito) and a perfectly trimmed sprig of mint. I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure the bourbon wasn't the typical well quality stuff either. On another occasion, some friends and I came in after a YMCA fun run for a quick brunch and drinks. The staff was more than accommodating for our group of ~20 and kindly split the bills. The brunch food was excellent and we ordered some delicious hot toddies. Overall, another great Boise beverage/food location.
(4)
Allexia B.

Love the local fare. Great beer selection!
(5)
Jonathan M.

Tastiest trout I've had anywhere. Great beer menu too. Nice spot to chill. Friendly people.
(5)
Brittany C.

The food and drinks are amazing, a must is their potato chowder and the chicken wiseguy sandwich. do come for the food!
(4)
Andrew H.

Love this place! Best beer bar in the city. Lots of large and local brewers, intermittent tap takeover's. Almost uniformly attentive bar staff, particularly Christy. Menu is excellent for bar food. Desserts are lust worthy.
(5)
Amanda J.

It's ok, the beer selection is good but I feel when I go here I feel the bartenders really like to chat it up with the regulars and avoid "new" people. Went here for lunch on another occasion and on the menu nothing called out to us, we left.
(3)
Chris O.

Went here for lunch a few days ago. I ordered the Fish and Chips, my dining partner ordered the All Day Special (Potato Corn Chowder soup). We both were quite satisfied with our choices. The chowder, I'm told, was very tasty and had small (rather than the more typical large) chunks of potato in it. The fries I was served were hand-cut and came from an Idaho farmer (just doing my part to "buy local"). Bittercreek also happens to be connected to Red Feather, and subsequently has an amazing cocktail selection.
(4)
Casey F.

This is one place I have to come every time I'm in Boise. I worked here as a kid when I was 17/18! Loved working here too.. some of the funnest times as a kid! I was a bus boy, my room mate was one of the cooks, and my neighbors were the managers! Man good times. So here I am 18 years later and this place hasn't really changed too much. It's only gotten better. The beer menu is good The food menu is good The service is good and the location is too.. Fun Fun Fun.. for me it's a must go whenever I'm in Boise!
(4)
Cheryl N.

Stopped by on a lovely evening and sat outside to watch Boise's everchanging street scene. The Polenta Fries were superb! Washed down with New Belgium's La Folie Sour Brown. The place was busy, the wait staff considerate. Too bad we'd already eaten, because the menu was enticing, and the beverage lists extensive for both wine and beer. Definitely worth a stop!
(3)
Aly W.

I was a little underwhelmed by the food the last time I ate at Bittercreek Ale House. Technically it was the Red Feather side we sat on today, but it was a Bittercreek burger that I ordered. Medium rare with white cheddar, horseradish mayo and no onions. Very tender and juicy. Best "grown up" burger I've ever had. I also had fries with a side of honey mustard. The honey mustard was sweet and tangy without being cloying, and I used it on my burger as well. I already liked the service and ambiance, as well as the emphasis on local sustainable ingredients, but now I've found a stand-out menu item I'm sure to crave again in the future. My husband enjoyed his burger, too. Bittercreek is reasonably family friendly and they have high chairs but I would stick to less busy times in between the lunch and dinner rush as we did today.
(4)
Jenny M.

Beer, wonderful beer, I love beer and if you do too then Bittercreek might be the place to be. They have a huge selection almost to the point that it's over whelming and I feel bad when I'm asked what I would like to order because I have no idea. So I end up ordering the same old thing or some variation of it, oh ho-hum. I have not sampled the menu extensively but the few items that I have tried I have enjoyed, for the most part the food is bar or pub fare and done pretty well. One of the items I can speak to is the grilled halloumi sandwich, they may have changed the menu up since the last time I visited, but generally anything halloumi is okay with me (its a salty Greek cheese, in case you were wondering). The pulled pork sandwich was pretty good and they do nice burger as well. They also offer poutine, with turkey gravy & cheese curds over french fries, oh my. They have a great little patio out front, it's small but if you get there early enough it's a nice place to sit and people watch on 8th street. What's really great about Bittercreek is they are local, locally owned and locally sourced meat & veggies, plus on occasion they get a nice keg of my hometown beer from the Boulevard Brewery, which helps to alleviate a little bit of homesickness for me.
(4)
Shawn B.

I came here for a date on a Friday night. It was a great atmosphere, and very energetic inside with a great crowd. I ordered a jalapeÃ±o lamb burger. It was tender, juicy, and just the right amount of spice. It came with a side caesar salad. The caesar dressing with the salad was alright. Nothing special. The waiter actually forgot to bring out one of our salads which was a tad bit annoying. He also wasn't very attentive in refilling out waters. The food was great however, so I loved it overall and wouldn't mind heading back.
(4)
Patron X.

I really want to give this place 4 or 5 stars, I loved the food and the beer selection was great (if they actually had what their menu advertised) but the service is inattentive and uneducated about their beer menu. I've been twice this week while here on business and both times they were out of my first 3-4 beer choices and were not able to make recommendations or offer descriptions. Bummer. Hope the staff will be better trained and the beer stock better maintained .
(3)
Bex G.

The service was great! The veggie burger was amazing and flavorful. The beer options were stellar. They have cute glasses and growlers. I could eat the polenta fries and kale salad forever.
(5)
David R.

Bittercreek's beer menu is worth a trip, but the food could use a jumpstart. Better gastropub food can be found within blocks of Bittercreek and frankly the food is heavy and portions are too big.
(3)
Betty M.

Everything looks great and tasted amazing.
(4)
Anthony M.

This place is great. I've enjoyed everything I've tried. The BLT is the best.
(5)
Maureen K.

We wanted to go out today to catch some of the NFL playoff action and also try one of the bazillion restaurants we still haven't been to yet but are on our list since moving to Idaho last summer from the east coast. We were in the mood for pizza mostly, but the place we tried is closed on Sunday (silly me-- I should have checked their hours online). However, sometimes things work out for the best, and as we were heading back towards home in the foothills we found ourselves on the intersection of 8th and Main and realized there were a few possibilities right in front of us. We wanted a nice sit-down place with a comfy (not cramped) setting, and after about 20 secs. checking out Pie Hole, well we headed back out (maybe we'll duck in there some other time for a slice to go after attending Capital City Market next summer). Anyway... voilÃ -- there's Bittercreek Ale House directly across the street. Ah, that sounds like the ticket. We'd read good things about that establishment, and the adjoining Red Feather Lounge. Nice atmosphere, quite comfortable, just what we were looking for. Not crowded at all being mid-afternoon on a Sunday, and yes... all TVs tuned in to the AFC championship game. Good menu selection. Hubby spotted the Poutine on the appetizer menu, and it sounded amazing. Never heard of it before, but have since researched this Canadian-originated dish. Nothing like this is in the DC Metro area, I can tell you. It was fabulous-- wonderfully cheesy (our first time tasting cheese curds!) with a light smoked turkey gravy. Also a few bits of meat (I think it was pork, but might have been turkey or chicken. It was tender whatever if was). For our main courses we chose the Pulled Pork Sandwich and Alehouse Beef au Jus. Hubby got the potato salad (not your ordinary variety-- there were at least a couple of types of potatoes in there and nicely seasoned, not overly mayo-y) and I stuck with fries as our side dishes. Both sandwiches were very well executed with flavorful condiments. The pickled jalapeno on the pork sandwich was a nice touch. The au jus for the beef sandwich was a bit on the salty side for me. That's the only thing I'd change. Otherwise, everything was great-- the service was top notch, and our particular server was friendly and personable. We are looking forward to trying the burgers next time! No question we will be back. Hubby's not a beer drinker, but I will definitely avail myself of their extensive brew selections next time. Seems a shame not to! UPDATE: 5/6/12-- Gorgeous sunny day, and we were in the mood for Bittercreek again so back we went. Hubs got the pulled pork again. I had the turkey burger which was great with the Brussels sprouts mustard slaw. You'd never know it was made with B.sprouts. Pretty amazing. The burger was the perfect size-- not overly large and not greasy in the least, but not too dry. Also, ordered the Sockeye Dagger Falls IPA on draft. Refreshing, with pineapple on the nose.
(5)
Rob R.

Love this place...Whenever I'm in Boise I make this a stop. Their street tacos are killer and their beer selection is Awesome!
(5)
Jeff B.

This is a great place. Many good beers and great atmosphere. We had an entree salad, the local trout, and the Huntsman burger. The Huntsman was so good that my friends ordered one to split at the end of their first lunch! There are many good things on the menu for my next visit.
(5)
claudia y.

husband comes here once a month when he comes into boise for work. they had happy hour going so we got the poutine from that menu. i also got the soup of the day which was chicken cilantro. husband got the pastrami burger. the poutine was awesome! the cheese curds werent quite melted but the gravy had a bit of a kick/spice and it was delicious! the fries were thick cut with skin on. the soup was also good! i wish there was more than just a small cup! this place also has a ton of selection for drinks. they have a small catalog of cocktails as well as beers and wines! service was also awesome. he was super friendly and fast
(4)
Brite L.

Stopped in for lunch the day before Thanksgiving. Loved the large selection of beers. The turkey dish was great. Friendly, attentive staff made our experience very enjoyable.
(4)
Anonymous r.

I decided to give this place another try and I'm glad I did. The food and beer were excellent and the service was great. The location and atmosphere is also a plus. I would definitely go back and recommend it to anyone looking for an evening out.
(4)
Jason R.

I travel. A lot. And when I travel, I typically try to find good local spots to wet my whistle or fill my belly, or both. This is the sort of beer bar I'm looking for in my travels! Great tap list with a local focus is a must for a good beer bar, and bitter creek delivers. They even go as far as to tell you how far away the brewery is of all the beers they have on tap. And the final touches to put it over the top are subtle but appreciated things like vintage beer (2011 Stone Double Bastard at time of review) and a brewery (Commons) I was pretty sure didn't distribute outside of Portland, both on tap. Knowledgable servers who provide goo service is the next important thing, and the few times I've been to Bittercreek, they've delivered their too. The bartenders tend to be a little more knowledgeable than the wait staff, but the waitstaff will get the answer to questions if you aren't at the bar. Good food is not one of my beer bar requirements. But Bittercreek deliver on that as well for bonus points. Combine that with growler fills, a decent wine list, and a liquor bar to boot, and you have A beacon of good beer that would stand up in any city. Congrats Boise, this is a great find.
(5)
Sara M.

Great selection of beers. I love coming in the winter for soups and sandwiches. Food is always great. The only thing that bugs is the cold air that blows through the place and how tight the tables and chairs are. But...I still come back. Good atmosphere. Laid back. Yum!
(4)
T N.

Great service. Great atmosphere! Awesome beer selection! Wonderful food!
(5)
Tyler E.

Absolutely excellent. I think I counted 34 beers on tap. Very chill and relaxed ambiance including the beer people sign :) Sean was a fun and knowledgable bartender that interacted with each of his patrons and gave great recommendations. And this is all before the food. You can taste the difference in the local meat and they put a special spin on every dish. Highly recommend the huntsman burger. Will be coming here anytime I'm within an hours drive from Boise.
(5)
Sharece B.

Love this place but the music sucks. A place like this deserves some Mumford & Sons or a little Edward Sharpe but rap at a cool brewery like this is just blah. The thing that would bring me back to Bittercreek Ale House is the beer. It's great. I tried the local stuff and wasn't disappointed. We got an appetizer to go with our brewskis and though the chips were awesome, the homemade salsa tasted a little rancid. Overall this place is pretty cool, but it would take a few upgrades for me to give it the fifth star. That said, if you're just stopping through and you like microbrews, this is the place to stop in downtown Boise.
(4)
Susan W.

Loved this place!!! Went there yesterday for some tasty hop soda. ;) The beer menu is extensive! Unfortunately some of the ones listed weren't available. :( Love their tasting tray with a mini chalkboard with the name of the beer listed on it. I had a great IPA & a wonderful Coffee Porter called Buzz Buzz. I had a half BLT with avocado & sundried tomato mayonnaise. Served with Delicious fries. I could eat it everyday of my life! One friend had the salmon cakes with brussel sprout slaw. That stuff is good! Don't be afraid of it try it! The other friend had the sinfully delicious mac & cheese. Great service. This place has some seriously good looking clients. If I was single & lived in Boise I'd be coming here everyday! ;)
(5)
Tim H.

Cool spot! Excellent place to chill downtown Boise. Good food and an awesome selection of local brews. I personally was a fan of their cider selection. They also have a great happy hour with some solid apps half off. Will be back next time I'm passing though Boise.
(3)
Jason M.

Had the Lamb burger and cream of corn soup, burger came with fried onions and was delicious. Soup was loaded with a nice amount of potatoes and corn, first time I've ever tried it and it was excellent. Nice rustic bar, looks like its 100 years old but was clean. Great mix of music too!
(4)
John T.

Amazing food and an incredible selection of beer. I had the Bittercreek burger when I went there and it couldn't have been better! There fries alone are good enough just to go back for. The only downside is they are a little on the pricey side. I will definitely be eating there again!
(4)
Jeanne Z.

I loved this place! They had a killer tap list with beers from Utah, Idaho, Oregon & Germany (and a few places in between). I was a huge fan of the saison with sage from EPIC in Utah and the oatmeal Saison from The Commons-in Portland. And, I had a vertical flight with a sour beer form '10. '11 and '12 and that was fun distinguishing the different years and its idiosyncrasies of the same beer from the same brewery. I enjoyed the overall vibe and was a happening place, next time I go back I want to try their sweet potato & black bean quesadillas-I've heard they are amazing.
(5)
Mike B.

Thanks for the great service douggie. saved the day
(3)
James S.

Alright, so this review is long over due. I went here last year when I was in town for my friends wedding. Came here after a quick Yelp search and a disappointing experience at Solid Bar and Grill down the street (that review is coming next). As soon as you walk in the place looks clean as well as the decor. Nothing cluttered or out of place. Now comes the food and drink. The Idaho trout board was not only Ã¼ber phenomenal, but they also give you plenty of it. I know, I'm in Idaho so it should be expected, however, I previously worked at a five star restaurant that owned their own fish distribution company and there's didn't come close (imported from Idaho as well). The beer selection.....Wow! Excellent choices. They even had a Sierra Nevada that I had never seen before! (born and raised not too far from Chico and it is my all time fav). Of course I get back to L.A. And then I see it. All in all, super friendly bartender (forgot her name as its been 8 months) and some of the best food and beer I've had. 4.5 stars. I don't give out fives unless you really earn it!
(4)
Dolores G.

A happening and popular stop in Downtown Boise. Meeting a few friends for dinner, they suggested we meet up here. It was pretty busy here for a Tuesday before 6pm. The beer selection was good as was the food. I decided on the spicy lamb burger (add bacon) with a side of black bean and quinoa salad (I was obviously on a protein kick for this meal). The lamb pattie was a mix of seasoned lamb and beef. It was substancial and quite tasty. Topped with crispy onions, roasted jalapenos, feta cheese and 2 thick slices of smokey bacon, I ate most of it with a fork, it was BIG. The black bean and quinoa salad was simple and tasty, with a light vinnegarette dressing and some diced bell pepper and would be a great vegan protein option in and of itself. I can't recall what my friends at but they cleaned their plates and had no complaints. Service was professional, efficent and friendly. The prices here are also very reasonable and the portions are generous.
(4)
William W.

We are from Portland and this place has better beer selection than most of our options. Go Boise!
(5)
Richard H.

My Fav place in downtown, food and drink selections are all great!
(5)
Derrick E.

Solid 3.5 Stars The Bittercreek Ale House (BAH) is my kinda place! Lots of seating inside; limited seating out. There are a few flat screens for your sports watchin' enjoyment & full shotgun bar! Their draught selection is plentiful ranging from local & regional beers from Boise, Victor, a few from OR, WY, UT & lo & behold some craft beers from Cali. My favorite during my stay in Boise was the Sockeye Dagger IPA. BAH is directly connected to the Red Feather Lounge (RFL) by way of a thoroughfare opening & share common restroom facilities towards the rear of RFL. (see my review of the RFL). Our experience with the service was swift & friendly with each visit & the server's recommendations welcomed. As for the food, I was a big fan of their Corned Beef Reuben & Pulled Pork Sandwich; both tasty but a pinch over-priced. Would I recommend BAH? YES. Will I visit again? When in Boise...ABSOLUTELY! Eat well, drink responsibly, have fun. This has been another deezÂ® review & I hope you approve. Out!
(3)
Robespierre R.

A roadtrip gone awry led us to Boise. It's a town I never considered visiting but I'm glad I did because I had some of the best food and beer ever here at Bittercreek. Our helpul server brought me some samplers and I settled on their IPA. Delicious and hoppy. I had to try Idaho french fries and they were excellent, among the best I've had. The grilled haloumi with fig reduction and homemade crusty sourdough was the best thing we'd eaten in years but I've sinced checked the menu online and it doesn't look like they do it anymore. I get a sense that the menu changes with the times/seasons. My friends started ordering cocktails. One was a Milk & Honey which, I am assured, was the best damn thing to ever pass her lips. Good buzz on a Tuesday night. If I ever find myself in Boise I will go back.
(5)
Katie D.

Bittercreek has always been close to the top of my list for places to take visitors. Between the outdoor seating, the tasting boards of beers where each 4 oz sample costs between $1 and $4 on average, and the seasonal menu choices with local ingredients, I find that it's a great representation of the 8th Street-Downtown Boise attitude towards food. Sometimes when I'm going for the tasting board I like to ask the server to just put whatever they feel like putting on it and they've always made really great selections because they really know the menu - impressive, since it has at least 35 different options at any one time! The only reason why I can't give this place five stars is because the service can be pretty slow. I would assume this is because the place is always packed, but I've been there during kind of off times for lunch and dinner and it takes forever to get your ticket at the end of the meal. Still, that's really nice when you're out to relax and you never feel like you should eat up and leave because others are waiting. It's just not the best place to go if you're in a hurry.
(4)
Degan K.

Lunch service today was frigid. Everyone in the restaurant was clad in their jackets, buttoned up to their necks for the entire hour. Every time someone opened the door it was like an arctic blast shooting across the restaurant. We could feel it and we were sitting near the back of the dining room, near the kitchen. First it was the lights out happy hour, and now it's "cold lunch." Are times really that tough that you guys have to make your customers sit in the cold and dark to enjoy your food? On the plus side, the sandwich was delicious.
(2)
Erica S.

Had a relaxed atmosphere and a good menu. The staff has always been friendly and I would eat there again!
(4)
Kristi B.

Great beers and the polenta fries with aoli was AAAaaasome!
(4)
Danny A.

Happy they are under renovation. Hope they make alot of changes when the reopen. service is always below average - the food however is usually great, I love the locavore concept - just wish the service was better so I could actually enjoy myself. The art is pretty odd too, its a local brew pub but with alot of random decor. I will give it another chance when they re-open.
(2)
Mihae F.

First time in Boise..didnt want to try Basque food yet. Went for Smoked trout salad. Excellent horseradish dressing with smoked trout, a little bit of crispy onions, and CAPERS! Yum. Got a side of the polenta fries with chili lime aoili..wow! Everything went so well with the Tablerock Hophead IPA local! Exactly what I needed coming off a long plane ride!
(4)
Chris N.

During a recent cross country move, I made a decision to make an over night stop in Boise, Idaho. Several friends and acquaintances recommended Boise as a pleasant and interesting small city. I was initially skeptical, but I was quite pleased with the outcome. The people, city grid, and night life was exceptional. Upon concluding my Yelp search, my cousin and I agreed on testing Bittercreek Ale House for our nightly dinner outing. It was a choice well made. The atmosphere is all mountain town. High ceilings, beautiful wood tables and flooring, and fun nick knacks adorn the walls. We began with the smoked trout appetizer. The trout was fresh and perfectly smoked, and when paired with the horseradish fromage blanc borderline heavenly. We both began the beverage consumption with three samples of dry hopped regional ales. As you will see by the attached picture, presentation was quite creative. For the entree I selected the Huntsman burger. The bacon adorning the sandwich was thick cut and crisp. I substituted the bison for the treasury valley beef. It was cooked to order(medium) and served right from the grill. The hand cut fries (you have to eat potatoes when in Idaho, right?) were well executed. I was sufficiently satiated and pleased. We stayed another hour or so, continuing to drink from the extensive and diverse beer listing. It was a night well spent. The staff was exceptional. Our waitress was very engaging, her knowledge of the beer list was impressive. Despite a packed house, she was great with serving our needs throughout the evening. As eluded to earlier, the beverage list is impressive. They offered 30 or so on tap selections which kept us busy. Although I did not venture in to the wine list, I was stunned by the quality of it. Old and new world selections abound. If I recall correctly, the list even included Bordeaux Premier Crus from the Lafite and Margaux houses. Apparently they employee the services of a sommelier, and judging by his/her selection of vintage and vintners a well educated sommelier. I could have easily depleted my bank accounts at Bittercreek would I of had the time and desire to do so. If you find yourself in Boise, Idaho someday, do yourself a favor and check out Bittercreek Ale House. You will not be disappointed.
(4)
Alan M.

Nice burgers (a little too drippy). Sides are great, too.
(4)
Peter T.

LOVVVEE this place. I was visiting friends for a short bit and they brought me here for lunch. The lamb burger and beer were STELLAR!!!! The atmosphere is relaxed in the afternoon and wonderful for business lunchs or afternoon meetups in general. The interior is really interesting as well. Open kitchen with spaced dining seating make with elegant decor definitely sets a tone for having a good time. Service was good, food was amazing and I look forward to coming back to try their other fare and beers!!!
(4)
Corey T.

Good beer, good wine, great corn chowder! Arriving from California and racing an Ironman event there, a friend and I were thirsty for local beer. Saw the review and decided to try it out. If you're ever visiting Boise, I'd recommend this place for everything: atmosphere, service, wine, beer and more beer :)
(4)
Tom A.

Ate here yesterday. Good burger beer selection is amazing. Staff is acceptable. Not overly friendly to out of towners
(3)
mundovore m.

Bittercreek has vastly improved their decor, food, and service. Go for the beer selection, stay for the local food.
(4)
Alex S.

Locally sourced ingredients and beers from down the street - this is not your typical gastropub. We accidentally sat down at Red Feather, the adjacent restaurant that shares an outdoor patio - do not make that same mistake! We started with the poutine which has, shockingly, turkey gravy. Which was great for our friend that doesn't eat meat. The idaho potato fries were good, tasted quite fresh and the gravy did lack a certain meaty component - it was still delicious and the green onions were a nice gourmet touch. My buddy and I split the Huntsman and the Lamb burgers. We were also recommended their special salad dressing, a basil shallot vinaigrette - which was fine but not life changing. The lamb burger was terrific. Very spicy but very good. Cooked to perfection and had a great crisp with some fried onions on top. The Huntsman was just okay. A little overcooked but what really bugged me was the blue cheese that was just SUPER overpowering. The bacon was great but that cheese just overwhelmed the taste for me. Wish I JUST had the lamb burger :-( Burger + beer + (shared) poutine was only $21!
(4)
Lisa T.

The beer selection was great! And the first time we saw "chubs" - that is mini-growlers. The vibe is very energetic here. My friends and I came on a Friday night and it was pretty packed. The service is a little unattentive (b/c it is so packed) but friendly. Unfortunately, was very unimpressed with the food. The chicken wings had no pizazz to them...very run of the mill. And the roast beef with au jus - super disappointing. The sandwich itself was pretty good, but the actual au jus was ridiculously salty. I had other people try it and they said it tasted like pure salt. But the server didnt' come back around to ask the food was - not until much later after I had finished the sandwich. I kindly let her know about the au jus - and while she was sorry for that - she offered nothing for me. (Perhaps a couple dollars off, a complimentary dessert). I just told you that something I ordered and am paying for was inedible!!! With SOOOO many other bars and restaurants in the area - if I ever go back to Boise - I'll try those out instead.
(2)
Tyson C.

This is hands down one of the best places to eat in Boise. Comfort food, a good selection of beers, and a good staff make this place one of my regular go-to eateries when I am in the mood for tasty eats. It can be crowded and noisy on Friday and Saturday nights and sometimes it's hard to find a seat but the food and the atmosphere make this place well worth the effort to eat at.
(5)
Mark S.

The best place in Boise to grab a beer. They have a large tap list, and let you know just how far your beer has traveled to get there. That makes it great to easily spot out the local beers, and you should definitely give those a try. They have taster sets, and have a great happy hour. The food is great as well, and they have poutine! They need to figure out the gravy a bit better for it, but the fries and cheese curds are out of this world.
(4)
Dee A.

Went last night and had no wait for a table. Kate gave us EXCEPTIONALLY good service, and I liked that you can get a beer sampler (~2 oz?) since they have such a long list of beers on draft. The menu also looked great, with a nice emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. We got the polenta fries appetizer, which I loved bc it was different AND delicious. Then I had the turkey burger which was nice and juicy, not dry as turkey burgers can often be. The Brussels sprout slaw on the burger was the differentiator tho. So good! Hubby had fish & chips, which he liked ok but was neither the best nor worst rendition he's ever had. Overall, we really enjoyed it here and I definitely recommend it!
(5)
Nicole D.

Love Bittercreek for many reasons. They follow a lot of sustainable practices including serving organic and natural products, composting and serving drinks in re-purposed bottles. Their drink menu is extensive, whether you want beer, wine or spirits. My favorite thing to order is the organic burger with white cheddar (minus the bun) and their hand-cut fries to dip in the honey-based ketchup. You have to get here early or later in the evening or you're going to fight for a table (open seating). Servers are pretty friendly and knowledgable of beer and offer plenty of recommendations.
(4)
Chris G.

Good stuff! I let the yelp reviews guide me to this place, and I was not disappointed. It's a bar, so my food expectations were automatically reduced, but in this case, the charbroiled salmon absolutely rocked! This entree was recommended by my server, Taysia, who was very friendly and full of good advice. I will admit, the Caesars side salad was average, but the salmon was ummmmmm, so good. To compliment the dinner I had two Dagger Falls IPA beers, which were exceptional. If you are looking for friendly confines, complimented by good bear and equal food, check this place out, you will have no regrets. I sat down to complete my NCAA brackets and discovered a place I will visit again.
(4)
Jay C.

Stopped by here for dinner while passing through Boise. Great and attentive wait staff, notable and extensive beer selection and good food. We had the Epic Imperial Red Ale (which was awesome) and their veggie burgers were fantastic. Would definitely recommend.
(5)
Jane L.

Nice outside street side seats. Lunch Cobb salad was large, but needed to request apiece of bread to go with it. The bread was fresh sourdough that was delicious! Hamburgers are very juicy and side of potato salad was good too.
(3)
Michael B.

Yessss! They brought the wings and potato chowder back! Good move...your loyal customers greatly appreciate it. Also, there are some great new itemson the menu and some of the classics are still great. My wife finally broke down and ordered the black bean and sweet potato burger which I even liked. Oh and where's Jay?
(5)
Shubber A.

The food? AWESOME. The staff? Great service, very warm, welcome, and helpful (especially with our 4 year old twins keeping them, and us, entertained). The ambience? An upscale microbrewhouse - just what you'd expect.
(5)
Kimber S.

The hubby and I stayed in downtown Boise for 3 days over the holiday weekend while we helped a friend move from Denver. We ended up at Bittercreek 2 of the 3 nights we were in town. We loved the relaxed communal vibe, the cool young crowd, the dark wood bar with all the interesting draft pulls, and how the drinks list was in order of proximity to the restaurant. The first night we arrived in time for happy hour and my guy got to try a couple of the local/regional microbrews and I had two of their outstanding local wines. I had the grass-fed burger with two kinds of cheese on it and the organic Idaho potato fries. Both were outstanding and the perfect way to end a long day of driving. The hubby's thai chicken wrap was light and well seasoned and served with a quinoa salad that complemented very well. The waitress was friendly, patient and efficient. The second time we just dropped in on our last night in Boise and sat at that beautiful bar. Again, we tried some beers and wines that are unavailable (or at least hard to find) in Denver and had a great time talking to each other, watching some basketball on TV and conversing with the very friendly barmaid. The employees here look like they really enjoy their jobs. I wish there was a place just like this in our hometown of Golden, Colorado! We'll be back here every time we're in town.
(5)
Michael U.

Ok, I've waited to write this in hopes it was a bad experience. For years, BC was one of my top favorites in Boise. Since the change of ownership, my wife and I have been disappointed with our last 3 meals there. Undercooked, bland, and foul tasting oil emits from the fries. It is with this last dining experience that we will no longer be dining at BC. Drinks only and that's what we would recommend. All good things must come to an end.
(2)
Andrew P.

It doesn't get any better than Bittercreek. Excellent beer and wine selection, locally sourced ingredients, a menu flexible enough for a range of moods or appetites, amazing indoor/outdoor seating options, and a friendly collection of tenders and servers. Every time we return to Boise to visit family, Bittercreek is at the top of our list of places to eat and drink.
(5)
Candy R.

The 3 times I've eaten here I've been repulsed to the smell of the restaurant. Is it stale beer or is it the overwhelming odor of bathroom disinfectant? Not sure but the food isn't good enough to overcome the mediocre service when I can go next door to The Red Feather and get the same/better food with better service & atmosphere.
(2)
Erik C.

On a trip to Boise over thanksgiving weekend I was able to swing by the Bittercreek Alehouse/Red Feather Lounge based on some twitter recommendations. I believe it was the Friday after thanksgiving when we went for lunch, and both sides of the restaurant were pretty packed. Any hostess or waitress we approached for a table of 6 was less than helpful; we were basically told to fend for ourselves and find something if it was open. After angrily walking around both sides for several minutes, a manager saw us standing dumbfounded and pissed near the kitchen and offered to help. Due to a lack of room and possibly the fact that we had two small children with us, we were brought to an upstairs area that no one else was sitting in yet. Eventually some other people were brought up there, including another group of people with a few smaller kids. The Bittercreek side seems more like a family-friendly, open restaurant, while the Red Feather Lounge side sticks more true to its name as it is a bit darker and bar feeling. Both sides seem to share the same menu which features all sorts of great sounding salads, sandwiches, burgers and desserts. I was extremely tempted to get the poutine because I'm a huge fan after visiting Montreal my entire life and wanted to see how a local organic potato version would be, but decided against it and went with the Bittercreek burger: 100% grass-fed & finished local beef, lettuce, onion & horseradish mayo on Gaston's burger bun. My burger was cooked perfectly to the medium-rare ordered, it had good char flavor and great beefy flavor overall. The lettuce was used sparingly and was much appreciated, the tomato was fresh, my cheese nicely melted, and the mayo was strong and delicious. Overall a very good burger. My fries were equally delicious; some cooked just right, some a little undercooked, but all had the skins present. Although the service was a bit iffy coming into the restaurant, in the end our waiter was fairly prompt and attentive. Everyone's meals were really good and I didn't have anything really negative to say about the burger. And at $9.50 the burger is a good deal for both the quality of ingredients and flavors. While I don't have much to compare it to, if you're ever in downtown Boise this is certainly not a bad place to visit.
(4)
Rose B.

We were in the mood for something good to fill our bellies with. Bittercreek has a large selection of brews on tap. This is only the second place where we have found wine on tap. He tried a brew from The Ram and I tried a cranberry brew. We also had an Idaho Quesadilla and the french fries. The fries were amazing, they came with homemade ketchup. the quesadilla were good, but not quite what we had hoped for. they were a little cold and extremely greasy. The place was busy but not too crowded, even on a Saturday night. We will be coming back again for sure.
(3)
Dubya R.

Just gotta respond to the fella who claimed the beer list is filled mainly with bitter beers: he's wrong. Ask any of my friends: I hate bitter beer. My friends also know that I go to Bittercreek all the time, almost weekly. I love beer and try lots of them. Iin my experience, the waitstaff knows plenty about them, and can easily steer me away from the bitter ones when I ask. Bittercreek is a gem.
(5)
Robert A.

Great microbrew selection. Kate is by far the best and most knowledgeable server/beer guru I've come across in my travels.
(5)
Rina K.

I've been to Bittercreek once before, but I didn't eat meat or dairy at that point. So, needless to say, I don't remember what I had. This time, though -- Goodness. I had the Poutine (local organic fries, local turkey gravy, cheese) and the Huntsman burger (grass-fed beef, cheddar and bleu cheese, and bacon) with a side salad. I didn't care for the side salad much (I don't think it's meant to be cared for though, really) because there wasn't much of anything there and the balsamic was crazy-thick. BUT -- the poutine and Huntsman burger, awwyeah. The Poutine: Idaho Potato Appreciation. It's a super generous portion, definitely meant to be shared by two (if you eat like I do), or even for up to six or more, I would imagine. It's warm, the gravy is thick and flavorful and smooth, the cheese is perfectly thick and melty, and the fries are cooked to perfection for a poutine purpose. The Huntsman: mine was medium rare, juicy, thick, and it was, very evidently, a fine quality beef. The bacon was thick cut and not too crispy, and the cheeses were in good portions. Perhaps a slice of tomato would have been nice, but I can understand why they might not offer that in the dead of winter while trying to stay reasonable and local. Also, I think the ketchup is homemade, and that's an absolute plus for care/attention. I didn't make it to trying a dessert, but dinner was already by all means satisfying enough. 5 stars for the extreme local effort (and grass-fed beef burgers!)! Also, service was very attentive with filling orders and waters, and getting the bill taken care of quickly. This place has such good reviews with so many reviews for a reason. I'll be back very, very soon. !!!
(5)
Juliana H.

Judging by the other reviews, I think coming on a slower evening (Sunday night) was a good call. I had a solid five-star experience at Bittercreek and it's certainly on my list of places to re-visit when I get back to Boise. Focus here is on local foods and local libations. I love that they put the "miles traveled" next to the beer and wine choices. I have the choice to drink a beer from across the country or just across town. Great idea. I had the black bean and potato burger. I'm not a vegetarian but the burger was delicious, flavorful, and completely unlike anything I'd had before. I will be getting it again. I thought it was a great value for what we were getting. Locally sourced food + local brews + deliciousness + reasonable prices = giant win.
(5)
Noah T.

Bittercreek gets its food from good, local farms, and most employees I find actually know where the food comes from. I wish they would put the purveryor's list back on their menu as it was before. Their grass fed & finished beef is great, and their spicy lamb burger is awesome, though it has shrunk in size recently (now quite pricey for the size you get). Excellent beer options. Great atmosphere. Low power happy hour. At one point they told me their ketchup is made right there in their kitchen, and they have an organic vegetable garden they use for a lot of their produce.
(5)
Shelley Z.

The Bittercreek just gets better and better. It's been good for years, but their focus on sustainability over the past couple years makes it even better. They source more and more of their ingredients from local sources. Their salad is incredibly fresh because it's grown in Idaho instead of 1,000 miles away. They make their own ketchup in order to reduce the waste of ketchup bottles/packaging. Oh and by the way, they have a great beer selection and wine too!
(5)
Kirun M.

I do not like the open concept seating they have at Bittercreek. It's really annoying to have to stand around waiting for people to finish eating while staring them down until they do so, especially when you want to sit outside. I'd rather put my name down, be given a wait time, and come back and be seated where I want, than to have to settle for a table I'd rather not be at. We came by here on a Thursday evening looking for an available table for 4 and there was none to be found. We begrudgingly decided to eat elsewhere. Set on eating at Bittercreek while in town, I came back on Sunday night, still unable to find seating outside. We settled for a table inside at the back (that kind of sucked). Our waitress, who was not the most attentive, came by several minutes after we had gotten our menus and took our orders. I ordered the spicy lamb burger with cheddar instead of feta and added bacon, mayo on the side. And a glass of rose. The bf ordered the fish and chips with a side of ranch and a drink. We both noted and commented on the fact that she didn't write down our order - she said she had it handled. In fact, she did not have it handled. She forgot my bacon and it pissed me off...I'm still irked by the whole experience. Don't mess up my food please...I'm paying good money for it. She never came back long enough for me to say anything to her about my missing bacon and I was too hungry to wait. Fortunately she didn't charge me for bacon, but I still took it out of her tip because- here's a tip- write down orders !!!! I am still giving the place two stars because the quality of the food is very good.
(2)
Kelly O.

Great food and atmosphere! I love their patio. I can't believe their burgers are $13 though.
(4)
Reid S.

Beer selection is one of the best in town. The food is decent, not the best but one can't miss menu item has to be the Sweet Potato Quesadila.
(4)
Brent W.

Perfect brewery for our road trip. Sit outside if you can. The emphasis is on local brewery's and wine - love it. The Northwest is where it is at for good brews so why don't you immerse yourself in it! I recommend the spicy lamb burger if you can handle it. Wife found the tuna sandwich a bit dry. Waitresses work for me - god bless America.
(5)
Bailey H.

Its a northwest classic! Big fan of their bacon burger, STAFF, the corn chowder Great place to take a client or friend from out of town. Source locally and the beer selection is always changing.
(5)
Nicci P.

Super beer menu and wished I could have tried more styles. Waitress was a little annoyed that we had to flag her down after waiting for 15 minutes to get our drink orders. I would definitely go back and try the food and see what's new on the beer menu.
(4)
Bryan C.

Awesome beer selection and really good service. Spicy burger and octoberfest.
(4)
Brian H.

4 stars for offering good pub food, but 2 stars for the service, which has been pedestrian at best for me. Along with Pengilly's, a place to go in downtown to get the old-school traditional pub feel. They have 40 taps that are primarily focused on Northwest and California beers, with a smattering of some European brews. Roughly a quarter are from local breweries. No macrobrews. My experiences with the food have been mainly positive. They're great at getting food from locally-sourced vendors. Thumbs up for offering poutine. I was decrying the lack of it in one of the Talk threads, so it's good to see a local establishment step up to the plate there. And I like how the fries, salsa, and ketchup are all homemade. It's surprising how a little thing like homemade ketchup can add to the overall quality of my meal. For my entree I go back and forth between the spicy lamb burger and the Huntsman burger with Huntsman cheese. A recent review thought the cheese was too overpowering, but I think it plays off well with the salty bacon and tangy horseradish mayo. Unfortunately there have been consistency issues with how I want my meat cooked. I like my meat cooked medium at most, but I do sometimes get it fully cooked. I tend not to make a stink about things like this. But when I'm being charged $11 or $12 for a burger and I don't get it the way I want on a semi-regular basis, I think it's time to start sending it back. The only other issue I've had with the food was that my Cobb salad didn't have the freshest of lettuce, bordering on wilted. That has been my only venture into the salads. I've been sticking with their fries, which are among the best in the city. Someone must have put a hex on me whenever I enter the property because I habitually get waitstaff that are either unknowledgeable about their menu items or beer selection or who look just plain disinterested in their job and helping the customer out. And I should say that I've never had an issue with the service when I've gone to the Red Feather. It's like they line up a group of hirees, test them out, and send the good ones to Red Feather while the poorer ones get shuttled over to Bittercreek. Nor is it like I'm always visiting at the busiest hours. My most recent visit was at the start of happy hour (for appetizers only, mind you-- not the beer). We sat inside where there was only one other customer. And yet the guy could barely get off his duff to help us before he went back to chatting with the employees and bartender. He didn't show an ounce of enthusiasm or cheer or concern for anything other than getting by with the littlest amount of effort possible. It seemed like he wanted to be anywhere else but there, and it showed. I want to ask management: What am I tipping them for when I can get the same level of service from robots? Let me go get my own beer and food and save some money and I'd happily upgrade to 4 stars. If you're a Co-Op member, bring your card and you'll get 10% off of your order. Considering they're on the pricier end for pub food, that's a good incentive for making me come back in time and time again and choosing them over other downtown eateries, substandard service aside. Probably the best combination of good beer and food in the city. But for decent and cheaper pub food in a distinctly less-glamorous setting, consider the Dutch Goose.
(3)
Marisa H.

Great place, wish they had this where I live in California!!! Cannot beat the fries, beer, and quality of the food!!
(5)
Brian T.

Had Cobb salad with good wine and beer. I recommend sampler of beers to get a taste of what you want. Caramel beignets for desert were awesome. Great dining experience in downtown Boise.
(4)
Steve B.

Absolutely killer beer list - I mean Koenigshoeven Quad on draft?!?!?! For lovers of IPAs and hopheavy beers, this is heaven. For a town of Boise's side to have such a great beer bar is amazing.
(5)
Brandon S.

Though it's kind of a loud meat market and was filled with University of Idaho fans the night before the Humanitarian Bowl (I was one of the two Bowling Green State fans you may have seen around town), we loved the Bittercreek Ale House. A great selection of beers, a very friendly bartender and one of the best burgers I've eaten in a long time. The Huntsman Burger with Huntsman cheese and applewood bacon was unbelievable and is not to be missed. Thanks Bittercreek for kicking off our drunken bowl game Boise trip right and being exactly what we needed after our long drive from Olympia.
(5)
mike h.

Great beer selection. Food selection is limited but good. A lot of sandwich choices and a few entrees. Friendly and attentive waitress.
(4)
wayne w.

This is a local Boise favorite of my coworkers. Bittercreek has tons of local beers / ales, and the waitresses are always happy to help with recommendations. I asked 2-waitresses what their best (most popular) dishes were, and they both responded with "the reuben and any of the burgers". I've had both here, and I'd have to say that their burgers are slightly better than average and their reuben is just okay. Food & Drinks: Better than average. I'd stick with burgers though for entrees. Their appetizers are fairly good as well, such as the cheese plate and hummus. Their local beers are pretty good, but most of them are darker beers / ales, so if you don't like darker style beers / porters, then this place might not be too appealing to you. Atmosphere / service: it's a small restaurant but the service is good. The waitresses are very attentive and helpful.
(3)
Rick E.

Food is delicious. We shared the potato soup and 1/2 deboned chicken. Left room for pistachio dessert - also yum. We recommend it and will be back.
(4)
Eric M.

Me and three cohorts stopped in for drinks on a Tuesday night. We had a good time. The drinks were good - I had a really, really nice glass of French sparkling wine, and a good mixed drink that they altered to my request. My only complaint is that they were remarkably slow in bringing out drinks.
(4)
Colin G.

What a fantastic find this was! We initially stopped in on the last Alive After Five day for their "Low Power Happy Hour." A really great concept, I believe, and the customer is the one really receiving the benefits here. Their excellent tap selection goes on a slight discount and those wonderful fries are available for $2. I was floored by the tap selection, and the bottles just make it look all the better. They will do samples of anything on tap for $1-2. I initially got the dark IPA sampler, which included four samples of different dark IPAs they had on tap at the time, and it actually ran about $6, making it cheaper than ordering each one individually, which I probably would have done anyway. And we continued throughout the night with the samplers until we finally both ordered a pint. Then, quite tipsy, stumbled over to the Grove for the concert. The next visit was for beer and dinner, after their happy hour on a Thursday. We sat at a table by the window, as the place was much more full than on the previous visit and the patio was impossible. Great service all around. My companion pointed out that she was handling about half the tables in the room and was still able to keep us happy with the amount of liquid in both our respective glasses of beer and glasses of water. The food was also very, very good. I had a reuben and my companion had a burger. We split the two. The bread on the reuben was fantastic, as was the corned beef. The only thing I would dock them on is the lack of sauce: there wasn't enough of the dressing and there was no mustard to liven up the flavor. A lot of people don't put mustard on reubens though (a damn shame), so I can't dock them much. The burger was a little dry and somewhat overcooked. It is grass-fed, and tasted like it, but it wasn't the most fantastic burger I've ever had. It was served on a challah roll though, which made it a lot better. I also should remark about the music: top notch! They were using someone's iPod/MP3 player on shuffle, so we heard a lot of Built to Spill (it is Boise, after all), Modest Mouse, Local Natives and some other stuff that I like personally, and really aided to the atmosphere. All in all, I don't know that it gets much better than this place in Downtown Boise. Great food, great atmosphere and, most importantly, fantastic beer!
(5)
Pity D.

I think they take the "bitter" in "Bittercreek" a little too seriously. I have never seen so many IPAs and hoppy beers on a menu. I have also never seen such a pretentiously over-sized beer menu. If you're looking for a Newcastle, Sam, Fat Tire or anything that's not bitter, strong or a hef, forget about it. They don't carry many, if any, such beers. And if they do, none of our waiters have ever been able to pick a single one out. What they do carry is a large bin-numbered menu full of Northwest microbrews, more obscure beers and over-priced imports ($10-25 / pint). This would be all be fine, or even great, if the servers had at least an elementary knowledge about the beer they serve. Unfortunately, in about 6 visits, we have yet to meet one who does. If you're going to provide a ridiculously huge, bin-numbered beer list stocked with beers that most people have never heard of, it would help to have a waitstaff that has at least a basic working knowledge of your beers. Food, on the other hand, is consistently great. Bittercreek serves one of the best burgers downtown. Service is usually pretty average--never spectacular and never frustratingly poor. We like going here for the food more than the over-hyped beer selection.
(3)
Whitney S.

Great beer and wine selection, great people watching, always busy and fresh local food. Bittercreek is also connected to Red Feather (one of our favorite Boise hot spots) so it's nice to have dinner or drinks at one and then head over to the other for a totally different vibe. The service is hit and miss, but that's the only downside to this place... all the gentlemen and most of the ladies are pretty good but there are a few girls that just don't give a crap. Unfortunate when you get one of these servers, but not bad enough to deter me from coming back again and again. Come here on a Tuesday night or a Saturday night and I guarantee you'll have a good time! I love ordering the cheese plate, but they also have good burgers, salads and appetizers. If you are new to Boise, make this your next stop to watch the game or just hang before you hit up a comedy show at Hijinx.
(4)
Jolene C.

I agree with a previous review that "Bittercreek is absolutely and undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in town." The food and service are fabulous, and the prices are cheap. I don't mean relatively cheap, I mean they're cheap and you get QUALITY food. Everything I have tasted from the menu has been absolutely delicious and very well priced. I can't personally rave about the beers but they've got an amazing selection. I've also ALWAYS had superb service here; the staff knows the menu well and are able to articulate why they like an item, as opposed to saying "it's good." I've never had to wait to be greeted nor have I had a long wait for the food. As an added bonus, the food comes from local farmers! I'm a fan of eating local, especially when it is made in to the delicious food offered at Bittercreek. Some items I LOVE: House salad: no iceberg in sight. Tomato Basil soup: not chunky, well seasoned, fresh tasting Spicy Lamb Burger: (favorite of my fiancÃ©) Bittercreek BLT: it's huge, the bacon is thick cut and flavorful and no extra charge for the avocado! Yum. Chicken pesto sandwich thing - I don't see the specific item on the e-menu, but there's a chicken pesto sandwich made on focaccia and thing that is unique and flavorful. It's hard to stop eating it. Steaks -I think I had one from the specials menu. It was tender, flavorful, and perfectly medium rare. It came with some sort of friend onion or green bean swirls on top, sautÃ©ed veggies... and something else. Only downside was undercooked green beans. :-/
(5)
Chris T.

Great beer selections and a lot of friendly people in the area. If only the management would hire a few more people so that the service was a little quicker, I think more people would be bigger fans. Only stopped in for drinks and appetizers so I can't really say anything about their food.
(4)
Ryan S.

Great place to hang out with a pitcher of beer and just have a good time with your friends. It's not so packed like some of the other local bars. There are a few things that I miss being in Southern California now...and Bittercreek is at the top of that list. The atmosphere is just perfect. The Basque seasoning on their food is also wonderful. I miss it
(4)
James S.

Bittercreek is absolutely and undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in town. Seldom have I permitted guests to pass through without a stop here. I refuse to ramble on for paragraphs, but suffice it to say this restaurant is the best of what Boise has to offer. The food is delicious, the menu is sufficiently varied without being lengthy, the beer list is tremendous and always in flux... It isn't just the preparation or the menu that pleases at this place. Nearly every item on the menu is supplied by local growers. The menu sites about 40 of them. Atmosphere, menu, quality of the food and social stewardship earn this place five stars. I considered knocking one off because the service is often quite slow. The slowness seems to occur between seating and first service. Once they find you the service is pretty ok. Eat at Bittercreek, support local people and small farms, make your body happy. It's win/win.
(5)
Scott N.

Bittercreek goes way out of its way to buy from local producers even while maintaining market prices. Wonderful food & great beer selection in the heart of 8th Street.
(4)
Amy B.

Nice atmosphere. Large beer & wine list. Good food.
(4)
Eric S.

I liked the beer selection and the food was really good. Waitstaff was cool.
(4)
Jenny H.

We were at the end of our road trip and the last night ended in Boise. We looked on yelp to find a good restaurant for dinner and after the Yelp reviews, we decided to check out Bittercreek. And we weren't disappointed! Our server was awesome. Really fun and attentive (I wish I could remember her name...) She helped us pick our food, based on what she liked and what was ordered often. Our food was super fresh and really tasty. Their choices are pretty typical of ale houses. Decent selection of varied items. Good prices. I had 2 Idaho beers that were really refreshing. Again, I cannot remember the names... I had the chicken wiseguy: fresh chopped chicken, basil, tomato and cheese. Very good, great flavor, fresh. My partner had the huntsman burger and was really happy. The combo of the cheese and applewood bacon was just right. Their fries are fresh cut, cooked perfectly and the fry sauce is SO yum! We also shared a chocolate ganache dessert. So rich and moist! Overall really good experience. Would definitely eat their again if we were in Boise.
(4)
Iddy -.

Great beer selection, and in the two times I've been there, both waiters "knew" beer. The waiters were also very friendly, willing to make recommendations, and could talk about about different menu items. They have obviously actually tried what they're trying to sell you. I had the fish and chips, and it was one of the best I've ever had. The breading was thin and crisp (not too doughy), and the homemade tartar was different, but outstanding. Tried the quesadilla the next time...also very tasty! And if you go for dessert, please be warned....they're huge!
(5)
Steve S.

This place rocks! I was in Boise for work, and stumbled across this place at random. They make everything in-house...even homemade ketchup and ice creams. Their beer selection is really broad, with dozens of beers on tap, and no crap on tap. If you want a Bud Light, go elsewhere. I liked it so much, I came back again the next night!
(5)
Shara L.

The BEST place in Boise! By far the best beer list in town- both draft and bottle. If you want a sour beer, this or Front Door are probably the only places to find it. Wait staff is usually very knowledgable and fun to interact with. The food is all local and really great. The spicy lamb burger is a must!
(5)
Ted R.

Super beer selection, and decent service. The quinoa-black bean salad side was delicious, but I was sorely disappointed in my sweet potato quesadilla, which offered only a smidgen of the orange-y goodness that I had hoped for.
(2)
Veronica N.

Best place ever! Great hang out, good beers (wide variety and selection), great staff, clean. There is lots of demand here. Food is also spectacular. Every time I visit Boise I make it a point to go here.
(5)
Brent W.

This place is fantastic. The food is fresh, local and excellent and the beer selection is regionally focused and amazing. Loved it.
(5)
Patrick L.

Great beer selection and the food is great. Nice happy hour
(4)
Anthony P.

The only reason this place gets better than 2 stars is because I appreciate an excellent beer selection, which they have. The menu is a little overwhelming. That would be okay, if the servers were any help at all. They really emphasize local beer and food, and that's potentially great . However, the service was absolutely terrible. The servers were slow and inattentive. Perhaps they're not paid enough, because they all seemed to resent being at work. When I left, one server rolled her eyes at me. Anyway, the could have a really nice restaurant if the service was better.
(3)
Chad H.

I love the fact that they source local and the food is good. It is not over priced but it pushes the limit for what you get. I just wished they would expand the menu. I feel like I always just settle on something because there are not that many choices.
(3)
Paul M.

I love this place. Great environment to have some suds!
(4)
Stacie C.

We were visiting Boise from California and found this place on our walk downtown. The place was packed, but we were able to be seated right away. Great wait staff! I had the mac and cheese and it was delish!! My husband had the great beer!
(4)
Tara R.

Nice to see a focus on local brews. Yum salads and sandwiches. Nice comfort-y food. Plus, on the service front, me and my growing bump are a bit extra picky these days, but the server was extra patient with my Meg Ryan-in-WHMS request for the grilled sourdough sandwich only without the turkey or ham or lettuce ("so, then, a grilled cheese?) and speedily whisked out a new salad when they oopsed on the "no blue cheese please". i swear, i'm not usually this picky, but this place is chill enough to take my current quirks in stride.
(4)
Yugg O.

I like this place. Stopped here on our road trip to the Southwest this summer and paid another visit on the return leg. Great beer selection and helpful advice from our server concerning some local beers I was not familiar with. The lamb burger was as good as everyone says. They even had a happy hour special of half price poutine with turkey gravy! How great is that?
(4)
Diane T.

For some reason, I wasn't expecting a whole lot for the Boise bar scene, but I was mistaken! Bittercreek has a large beer selection organized by the distance from the alehouse. You can sample several drafts for about a buck a taster or opt for the pint or pitcher. The food (mainly sandwiches, burgers, and salads) is also locally sourced, but didn't blow me away. The main attraction here was definitely the beer!
(3)
Kristi R.

I really have mixed feelings about this place, which is why I suspect I continue to return. But really every time I go, I leave unsatisfied. The most recent trip I was presented with a drink menu that was completely overwhelming. The menu is several pages of very small print that is difficult to read in the dimly lit facility (and I have good eye sight). There are so many options it is ridiculous. Of course when I finally decided on a beer, they were out of it.....as well as the second beer I selected. Then the server was confused which sort of glass went with each of the different beers our table ordered up. The food is good but it doesn't wow me. I really miss their portobello mushroom sandwich they used to have- it did wow me. It was fantastic; they made a big mistake removing it from the menu. The service was spotty on this visit. Attentive for a while; non-existent the next. On our second round of drinks, two of us at the table ordered the cranberry cider. The menu showed it served in wine-looking glass and it would be a 12 oz. pour. It did arrive in the wine glass but it could not have been more than a 6 ounce pour at best. They obviously don't know the difference between cider and wine. When we mentioned it, the server just blew us off. We got our check and left. Another disappointing visit.
(2)
Adam O.

It appears that bitter creek has added a pretty extensive beer list which makes it a fun place to do a beer tour. Seating inside and out. Macaroni and cheese is good 90% of the time. Just added a dish called pouting which is fries covered in turkey gravy with cheese curds in the bottom. Sounds gross but it's pretty good comfort food. Outside of that it is the usual bar fare.
(3)
Adam S.

Great location, outdoor seating, and friendly wait staff! I had some spicy tacos (which may have actually been from the kitchen attached to them) but they were great!
(5)
Paul T.

Much better than average bar food. One of the few places in town that serves burgers made with grass fed beef. The burgers are big enough to satisfy, but not so enormous that you can't finish them. Fries are a little too greasy for my taste. I like them crisper.
(4)
Rob S.

Not bad. Not great. Fine.
(3)
Britta E.

I'll add my two cents, though this place has been reviewed a bunch of times. Went there with my parents and boyfriend tonight. Wasn't horribly busy on a Wednesday night with a couple of tables open inside. Service was not the best. Our waitress was not the most attentive and recommended the soup (see below). We ordered the hummus appetizer, which was good, but came out about 20 minutes after we ordered. Does hummus really take that long? If I believed they were back in the kitchen slaving away crushing the chickpeas by hand for each order, I'd be impressed. I'm highly skeptical of that, though. Presentation was nice. Then, our entrees came out about 5 minutes after the hummus was put on the table. We were still eating it and they were trying to take away our app plates. My mom and I had the chicken wiseguy, which was good, but needs red onion. Mine got a little soggy as well. I also got the black bean chorizo soup of the day which the waitress claimed was fabulous. It was not. It was tasteless and watery. It had heat and oil. That was it. Hot blubber with sriracha sauce would be better. Mom's iced tea was bitter and the waitress was not really around to ask for sugar. Not sure how Dad felt about the reuben he got. BF got the lamb sandwich. It was flavourless, with overcooked onions and only one part of the bun was toasted. The fries were burned, though the ones which weren't tasted good. Overall, not impressed. I'd probably go back for the selection of beers, but the food and service were terrible. I think they need to call Gordon Ramsay to straighten them out.
(2)
Vi N.

Went for a late night dinner to this fine establishment upon getting to town. I had their poutine (Idaho spuds, of course!, with melted cheesy curds, covered in roasted turkey gravy) and every bite was amazing!!! I'm actually salivating just writing this review. The beers I had were so so, but the mixed drinks were great tasting and inventive. I'd definitely go back and recommend to any friend.
(4)
Brian M.

Its pub food nicely done, and although most of their dishes seem to be lacking. the Huntsman Burger with bacon is one of the finest sandos on earth.
(3)
Taylor G.

Scrumptious! Delicious beer, had one of the porters. Walnut apple salad, mac and cheese, French fries--all great. Will come back again.
(5)
Holly K.

Great beer selection. Local entrees are all excellent
(4)
Nick M.

Finally on the 3rd visit I try the food! 3 words, spicy lamb burger. Enjoy
(5)
Nina B.

Forever my favorite place to eat and drink in Boise. For-ev-er.
(5)
Kasey N.

This has kind of become a regular stop for my boyfriend and I. After a long week of work and class all I truly want is a nice glass of cold beer and some comfort food--and there's no better place to answer my prayers than Bittercreek. On my most recent trip I got their new Kasespatzle which replaced their Mac & Cheese. Although M&C was my fave on their menu, I can't really complain because the Kasespatzle is super good. According to Wikipedia (Yes, I'm one of those students) Kasespatzle is a type of egg noodle popular in Hungary & Germany. The boyfriend's regular dish here has been the lamb burger. The meat is always cooked perfectly--not to tough, not cold & raw. I believe Bittercreek advertises this as a spicy burger? It's not so spicy that you'll need a gallon of beer to wash it down. More like a nice spice that'll make your nostrils flare a bit. (Sorry that's a terrible description. I do not claim to be a spice expert!) Usually I steal a few bits of his burger and fries when we go. He also loves their horseradish sauce for fry dipping. One of my favorite parts about Bittercreek is the atmosphere. It's always bubbling with energy and happiness. During Treefort 2014 they brought in a Bluegrass band that totally vibed perfectly with the atmosphere in their restaurant. They also decorate for the holidays--make sure to stop by in October for creepy decor and awesome Octoberfest-y brews. Bonus, the staff is really-really good looking and fantastic at customer service. It's like they hire out of some model catalog. A few tips: This place is seat yourself. & Try and be on your best behavior--this place is popular, so don't be surprised if you run into your boss or something!
(5)
Willa C.

I dig this local find. We went in for my husband's birthday because he wanted fries. (Yes, he is such a difficult man to please!) Anyway, a friend recommended this place and since we were in Boise latenight, we were pleased that they were still opened. In fact, at 11 they were pretty much packed. Okay, that's not LATE NIGHT... but for us it is ;) We only ordered fries - started with one basket and then ended up with 3, because once my husband got his... another person at the table wanted some and then someone else did. Really, they are just cut potatoes, but this place does them well. The price was stellar too. 3.00 for a late night post drinking snack? Enough for two people! Extra crispy with a side of ranch. He got a rootbeer on tap as well. Unfortunately, it tasted like carbonated raisins. Eh. Not our thing, but the waitress was super nice and gave him something else. The rest of the menu looked delish - can't wait to go back!!!! I have a hankering for a bacon, blue, burger. OMG the food looked so good. Service was really good too. Considering we kept the waitress on her toes just for appetizers, she kept a smile and was friendly and engaging. Service + food was awesome. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Linda T.

Turkey poutine. It's like thanksgiving dinner married my favourite Canadian dish. So delicious. Gravy consistency was a little off, but it was incredibly tasty. Loved the black bean/sweet potato burger. Happy belly! Washed it all down with a local IPA. This place rocks. Great service, too.
(4)
Johnny R.

My girlfriend and I decided to mark our fantastic closure to the winter season with a stoppage here at what we both thought was a fun and lively place for lunch. Since we both had been here previously for drinks in the evening, we thought the fun and liveliness would continue as we were both hungry for their original burgers. We broke this down by sections to provide an accurate representation of our experience: Atmosphere: Neither one of us could comprehend why things just didn't seem to be in place compared to just a few months ago. It's hard to explain, but it's almost as if the boss was out of town and the workers decided to spice things up in his absence. The "BEER TO THE PEOPLE" lighted sign seemed to throw me off at first - I figured that they were trying to woo in state workers and legislators since the place was located just blocks from the "People's House" (aka The Idaho State Capitol). Or maybe it was a reminder to the blue collar workers downtown that Bittercreek has their backs in the face of Idaho being ranked 50th for average annual wages and per-capita income. Who knows? The tables were also not very sturdy, and any slight bump had the risk of sending a good amount of water on the floor. Some ladies two tables down from us (although they seemed much closer since the tables were basically just feet apart) had trouble with their table and shot glares at us as if it were our fault they were in that condition. Food/drinks: The beer selection was awesome, as always. The burger we had was well-cooked and juicy, which is what we loved. The thing had a very interesting bun that was crusty on the outside and fluffy on the inside. It also tasted like it was somewhat dipped in horseradish, which my Better Half is not a fan of. There was no mention of horseradish in the recipe, which does not bode well for those who may be allergic. The fries also seemed like they were greasy and not properly drained. Service: At first the waitress seemed somewhat stressed out and annoyed that she had to talk with us. There was not a lot of other people around so we didn't see very much reason why it would be stressful. She didn't seem very happy to speak with us at first when I tried to bring up a conversation about the weather, however after we consumed our food, she decided to all of a sudden be friendly and pick up my weather conversation as if nothing had happened. We're not sure if it was because either she feared that we would leave a bad tip or maybe just came to her senses midway through our visit. Cost: The food quanity seemed like a reasonable value for the money overall. We have been to more expensive places that offer less food for the amount charged, however it baffles me as to why microbrews made locally cost more than brand-name beers shipped in from out-of-state. Conclusion: Based on our analysis, we were not very impressed with things after the renovation and image overhaul which we believe was made in response to competition from 10 Barrel just over on 9th Street. The overall vibe of the place, in spite of the booming "BEER TO THE PEOPLE" anthem, seemed to cater instead to those of the upper-class, yuppie, and urban hipster clientele. We obviously do not fit in that demographic and stuck out as sore thumbs as a result. Oh well, at least we got to eat with free parking.
(2)
John V.

Bittercreek is the best beer joint in Boise. I like this place a helluva lot and I'm not a beer connoisseur. The focus is on craft beers from all parts of the Rocky Mountain region and the Pacific Northwest. The extensive beer menu is descriptive and there are 30+ draft selections which change constantly. The drafts can be had as tastes ($2) if you don't want to commit to a whole glass, yeah right! In addition to a detailed description of each beer, the menu lists the alcohol percentage, and the distance in miles from Boise. This is very helpful and cool for the novice as well as the expert. Each of the beers that I've tried has been fresh, with distinctive bright flavors that match the menu descriptions perfectly. Tasty. The inside feeling conjures a rustic northern tavern, with plenty of wood everywhere - from the bar, the tables and chairs, to the polished hardwood floors. The scene is always lively since every chair and stool is perpetually occupied. There is a patio which overlooks bustling 8th St. and is my favorite place to hang. In addition to the great beers, Bittercreek offers an appropriate food menu which will complement and in many cases enhance your beer choice. The menu consists of apps, sandwiches, and small plates and proudly lists the farms, dairies, bakeries, and other locally sourced food providers. I've had the grilled Halloumi app and the Bittercreek and Spicy Lamb burgers - excellent in all cases. There are some more trendy options on the menu like Poutine and Spicy Street Tacos which I have yet to try. There is enough variety without being overwhelmed by too many options. The service has been remarkably good considering how busy this place gets. Kudos to the entire service team for being enthusiastic advocates of the local beers and their extensive beer knowledge. Bittercreek is definitely one of the best options in Boise when seeking a good meal and a great beer.
(4)
Vlad B.

I love this place. Great atmosphere and menu. The happy hour is good for late night snacks and brews with a decent variety of menu and prices nowhere downtown can compete with on quality for the money.
(5)
David N.

Bitter creek, long a staple of Boise... but why? The food... the food is, at absolute best, uninspired. Nothing new, nothing surprising... hell, nothing on NOTE comes from their food. It's a Red Robin clone that appeals to hipsters. The beer? Sure, the beer menu is pretty good. Not phenomenal but good. Granted the beer is served far too cold but at least the servers know what it is right? Except no. No, the servers generally know exactly shit about the beer. But the service. It's good right? Yeah. Sure. Run up an $8 tab, give them a $20 and get $2 back in change. Act like you know and they'll come back and say "Oh, I owe you Five bucks don't i?" Because if they pretend they fucked up it's OK that they tried to rip you off. Did I contact management about this? Yup. All of it. Did they reply? No. Not even the smallest hint of "We're sorry you didn't enjoy your stay." Nope, not even that. Not even a small Well fuck you, you're a shitbag but whatever" reply. No. This place is pretty much shit. The food is dull, the service sucks, the beer is too cold and you might as well give up asking them dick about the beers on tap. The food... the food is mediocre priced like it's a premium. The beer? Go somewhere else. ANYWHERE else. Pre-Funk. The Front Door. Old godamn Chicago fer Chris'sakes.... This place is the epitome of a local place that's grown far beyond its britches. If a local restaurant could hit it big, then fall into the traps of popularity any better I'd be impressed.
(1)
Lucy T.

What? I can't hear you. Are you asking me a question? I couldn't tell, because it's SO LOUD IN HERE. I'm sure everything tastes great, but LOUD.
(3)
Travis S.

Phenomenal pub food, excellent beer (sometimes served too cold), and great service. Great outdoor seating. Nestled in between 2 other great restaurants who share bathrooms and a connecting hallway. Nice place to start an evening (or spend one).
(4)
BBQ B.

Awesome food. Duck tacos were off the charts. This place is worth a visit. I'll be back
(5)
Amy M.

I went to Boise for a 24 hour exploration and loved this town! Sure, I'm used to bigger cities, but this reminded me of Grand Rapids, with the food and beer choices to match. I started doing some consulting for Lava Lake Lamb, so I decided to try some of the lamb available. Delicious! I had their lamb burger - covered in feta, jalapeÃ±os, and fried onions. It was delicious! I enjoyed it with a glass of OnimoniPaleAle from a local brewery. The alehouse was lovely - great scene. It was loud but not too loud. It was crowded but not too crowded. The decor was amazing. I heard that the owner is very "green" and I wanted to explore that more, but I was on a time schedule...so I will definitely be back to check out more!
(4)
Nikki R.

Had a great time. Enjoyed the outside area with friends on a beautiful sunny day. Good, healthy portions of food and a kick ass selection of beer. I would definitely go again.
(5)
Carolyn O.

Had the Idaho Trout Board to start. AMAZING. We then had the Hunstman Burger and the Spicy Lamb Burger. Both were excellent. The Hunstman comes with some amazing thick cut bacon on top that is to die for. I highly recommend the bacon potato salad for your side (it is unlike any potato salad I've ever had!) They aren't kidding when they call the Lamb Burger spicy. It is awesome if you can handle the heat! The only problems we encountered were that the bartender didn't seem to know how to make a Whiskey Sour (despite it being prominently featured of their cocktail menu) and our waiter was a little slow. However, the food is completely worth it! Ambiance is great! Perfect for the 8th Street downtown vibe.
(5)
Jason B.

Great food, even better story. These folks really care about the quality, source and environmental impact of the food they provide. The atmosphere is what you would expect at a typical pub. The staff are extremely friendly and attentive. The duck,duck poutine was amazing - best poutine I've ever had in a restaurant. Every beer has a distance in miles, or blocks from the pub. Really impressed. If you're looking for gourmet level pub fare, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
emily b.

Bacon and sage popcorn! Great beers selection.
(5)
Susan C.

Having been in Idaho a few days now, everyone's skirted the issue of IDAHO POTATOES, and I'm too polite to bring it up. (ie. Hey, you guys are known for potatoes, but I haven't seen a damn potato, except at WinCo! Where are all the potatoes!?) So when we went to Bittercreek after a disappointing dinner at Shige's I had to order the Idaho potato fries... ...which were meh... Very average - a little soggy, a little soft - a little country and a little rock 'n roll(??) This is NOT the potato's fault, however. Also ordered the Snake River Chardonnay, wanting to do a local wine, and my boyfriend a red. The chardonnay wasn't chilled enough and was OK. The red was OK as well. Nothing to write home about. Had to change locations about 3 times since the setting sun was following my boyfriend around like a bad disease. The place was packed inside and out for a Thursday. Service was friendly and attentive - and this is my favorite part about visiting Idaho so far. Every person encountered in a restaurant, on a trail, out shopping, and possibly even stealing my money - absolutely friendly and sincere. After changing our table we were under another server's "jurisdiction", so we decided to close out with our previous server, who provided us with great service. The manner in which our previous server talked with our new one was so friendly, completely devoid of snark. Must be the potatoes - or lack, thereof.
(3)
Taylor S.

I would give no stars if I could...found pubic hair in my food. Hipster waiter had shit(literal shit) in between his fingernails...bartender ok...not attentive and didn't know how to make a jack and coke.
(1)
Kevin W.

Great fish and chips and big beer selection. Fred was our server and provided excellent suggestions on the food along with the background on where it comes from (locally). If you want fast, friendly service and good food, come here.! I would definitely come back again.
(5)
Meghan H.

I visited Bittercreek a few days ago and was really pleased with my experience. I am not a huge beer drinker, but was impressed with the huge variety of drink options that were available. I had a grilled cheese with bacon and the seasonal veggies. Everything was delicious and it was very fast service. I would definitely return to Bittercreek.
(4)
Jason P.

Second time here. Very good food and booze! Service is solid. Busy, active atmosphere. Not bad for kids too. I loved my ipa.
(4)
Rick C.

Everything was great. The trout board is a winner. The beer is varried and lots of local brews.
(4)
Vikkie N.

I really wanted the lamb burger, but am not that into jalapenos on my meat, so asked if they would leave the 'spice' off... they obliged willingly. Service was friendly and fast.
(4)
Twosox S.

This fine establishment use to be marginal at best but they've recently undergone a very positive transformation. The quality of the food has done a 180. They have an emphasis on sourcing locally and making scratch made food. Whole animal butchering, making their own sausage, etc.... Diverse eclectic menu. Love this place. Beer selection is always too notch.
(4)
Jerry T.

Wow. Just stopped for a beer. Stayed 3 hours. They care about food. Had the grilled kale salad and duck poutine. Great.
(5)
Jim B.

Even after all the influx of new places downtown, they remain my favorite. Food is always great (far better than what you find at chains), and kudos for having such a huge and great rotating beer selection. Love the new remodel! The polenta fries are seriously addicting!
(5)
Bruce R.

My favorite place.
(5)
Paulina B.

Last night was my first time trying out this restaurant and my husband tagged along. First and foremost the food was DELICIOUS. My husband ordered the turkey leg buffalo style and it came out so good the meat was falling off the bone. I ordered the huntsman burger, which was cooked a perfect med rare. They had a pretty good beer selection as well, I'm into white IPAs and found a really delicious one on my first try (I'm a bit picky with beer) my husband had a porter and the got the same beer as I got. The ambiance was relaxed, which was really nice because we walked into the wrong restaurant at first (red feather lounge) and they even seated us before we realized we were in the wrong spot. Our waitress laughed and told us where to go, which then we were quickly tended by another waiter. He was very friendly and helpful. The music playing was a really good selection too. It wasn't too loud where I felt like I was yelling across the table. Overall great experience, Great place will definitely go again!!
(5)
Nina K.

The Late night menu was perfect with chimchurri street tacos, wings, and drink specials. The manager/ bartender was super friendly. We will definitely come back, the next time we are in Boise.
(4)
Skott S.

Having enjoyed my last visit so much I decided to take my family back for dinner last night. We were not disappointed! We were seated quickly and with in a few minutes we were sipping some wonderful samplers of tremendous beer. I was presently surprised to find that the beer menu had changed with a ton of new selections. I asked our extremely kind server about that and she explained that it changes every few days. Our meals were superb. I got a spicy Lamb Burger and fries (cooked to perfection) my Sister in Law got fish and chips which looked fantastic and she said tasted even better, and my Brother (who is extremely Gluten intolerant got a lettuce wrapped burger. I'm afraid that that do not have a gluten free bun. Over the course of our meal our server was attentive but not hovering and always kind. Manager was extremely helpful and genuinely loves the company he works for, and it shows. This is a rare gem of a restaurant in a giant sea of mediocre and bland carbon copy restaurants. I WILL return the next time I am in Boise.
(5)
Lo J.

I came here for dinner. The ambiance was fun and our waitress was kind and helpful in understanding the beer and cocktail menu and offering her recommendations. The chowder was delicious and I highly recommend it. I had the turkey, swiss, and bacon and it was tastey.
(5)
Brianne M.

So crowdy! The beer list was crazy long! The entrees were okay but the trout board was so good I think we each could have had our own! I really don't like that it's seat yourself especially since the place is so large. We came when it was colder and we sat my the door and froze and we're from MI! The server was nice but also rushed.
(3)
Matt O.

Great beer selection! I've had the lamb burger a couple times, and it's hot (jalapeÃ±os). The second time I ordered it without jalapeÃ±os, and it was good. But if you can handle spicy, go for it!
(4)
Ciara M.

Love the atmosphere here! I got the street tacos with duck and it was so delicious and perfect size. But the best part was their summer fruit cake it's a must get!
(4)
Michele E.

Great atmosphere and food, excellent waitress! The only reason I picked 4 stars is b/c the bar is a little slow. We will definitely be back for the duck tacos and extensive beer list! Warm atmosphere... Great place!
(4)
Wendy P.

I'm giving an additional 3 more stars to my previous review because the owner humbly contacted me, invited us back and offered a very generous gift certificate. I will be updating as soon as I can!
(4)
Matt W.

Have been to Bittercreek on a few occasions. I have been drawn in by the insane beer selection which is always changing and always kickass. Was there this week and finally looked through the menu and my waiter "Long-haired Ryan" recommended the veggie burger. I've been vegetarian for 15 years and always shy away from veggie burgers because I think they always sound better than they end up tasting. The veggie burger at BC does not disappoint. I've have house-made veggie burgers from numerous other places in Boise but this sandwich is by far the best I've had. Actually I think this burger is neck to neck with the veggie burger at Nicks in Laguna Beach which is one of the only veggie burgers that I think about when craving a burger. Definitely worth ordering vegetarian or not. Thanks for the recommendation, "long-haired Ryan!"
(5)
Jerusha E.

Huge beer, wine and cocktail menus! Food menu also offers a lot if diversity. We had the pulled pork sandwich, and while the bread was delicious, the sandwich was overall mediocre. We also had the spatzel with chicken which was fantastic! The potato chowder was also quite good. The restaurant is a little loud but has a good bar feeling to it. Overall, we enjoyed our drinks and meal here and would go back, if only to try the duck butter popcorn.
(4)
Diana A.

Great place for lunch! I'm not even a vegetarian but you gotta try the black bean sweet potato burger OMG! I wanted to love the polenta fries but they were just too salty :/ kale salad hit the spot. Ordered the butternut squash soup but they were out. If I am ever in Boise again I would return!
(4)
Paul S.

I feel very sad to have to write a negative review. I considered myself a regular. On a Saturday night, I invited friends from out of town to come to Bittercreek. I was treated very rudely by the bartender. She socialized with her friends at the bar and made us all wait while she socialized. To add insult to injury she allowed one of her friends to put his nose into drink so that he could smell it. That was just disgusting. I paid, then left, never to return again. You guys really need to supervise who is working behind the bar. You have lost a once loyal customer.
(2)
Tony G.

First off, let me start by saying I felt like I was misled into going here. I have been trying to look into places to watch Sunday Night Football game and somewhere I read online that this was a good place to go in Boise. Please, if you're looking for a place to watch a football game this is not it. That is not the fault of this business, however, so I'll leave that as an aside. Anyhow, the only reason I gave the stars was because the burger I ordered was truly delicious! I mean really, as someone who really enjoys trying different burgers, their bacon and cheddar burger was awesome. That's where the positive remarks end. This place claims to be an Ale House for crying out loud. I tried ordering my first beer of choice and he politely let me know that he just got a note saying they were out. Okay fine, so I ordered a different beer, after 5 minutes or so he comes back with a sample of yet a different beer thinking maybe I'll like that one because he just found out that they were also out of the second one I ordered. Not knowing what else to do I figured fine I'll take that. So that put me off right away. My other big issue was that it took entirely way too long for my burger to be made. I am by all respects a fairly patient person and not someone to make a stink about something like how long I have to wait. This was ridiculous though. The issue is that we had decided to cut out at half time to try and go to Applebees or something to finish watching the game. My burger took literally 30 minutes to come out after I ordered it. One of the guys I went with ordered a wrap, had it brought out , and completely finished it, and then ANOTHER 10 minutes went by before I finally got my burger. I had a hard time believing it takes that long to cook a burger. So all that to say that if you don't mind waiting a long time for your food and you're not there to watch football, AND you're not particularly picky about what kind of beer you drink this place is fantastic! Otherwise I feel like there's probably plenty of other options in town. Just saying..
(3)
Erica S.

Our server was great in helping us decide between several items on the menu. We were hungry and it all looked so good. We got the street tacos and pulled pork sandwich. All of it was delicious! The street tacos we perfect. and we subed the kale salad for the black beans. The grill gave it a deep earthy flavor, so good. and it was perfectly dressed. The pork had a good smoky flavor and the chibbatta bun was amazing.
(4)
Jeff M.

It took an hour for our food to be ready. When it came my burger was under cooked and my friends fish was over cooked. Fries were dry and hard. Tasted like fries from backseat of a car. Not what we were expecting. They knew it was bad and didn't charge us which was nice. Felt sick rest of the day from the grease bomb I ate.
(2)
Allison H.

Food was great! Good burger made with local meat, but slightly over done. Baja tacos were excellent. Very good beer selection. The seating is a bit close and cramped, so that may be a negative for some. The overall atmosphere was welcoming and the service was prompt and friendly.
(4)
Antonino T.

Stopped here for a quick bite and a beer, the late night happy hour was great: excellent wings (in generous quantities) good (fruity - got The Ram) Boise beer, good croquettes and reasonable tacos. All at very convenient prices. Very fast and impeccable service (was in a hurry to pick up a friend from the airport). Strongly suggested !
(5)
Bond H.

I've always loved Bittercreek but I feel after the remodel they are even better!! Everything from the food, to their pickles, to their ketchup (the latter two both very important to me) are top notch. Service is always great though at times I feel they are understaffed and the servers are overwhelmed. It gets really busy in there. Enjoy!
(4)
J K.

We were traveling through Boise looking for great food and great drink, we scored!!! They have outdoor patio seating as well as plenty of indoor seating. The service was great and very friendly to a bunch of tourists. The portions were great and every thing tasted great!
(5)
M N.

Atmosphere is nice especially In the summer on the outside patio. The two times I've been here they have served me beer in the wrong glass though. Come on guys, don't make me send the beer back! Otherwise, pretty tasty bar food, awesome beer selection and not too pricy.
(3)
Urban S.

This place is packed on the weekends. A great find for beer taps and inventory, excellent food, and to watch the game. Would definitely recommend.
(4)
Matt C.

Amazing late night happy hour $2 tacos $3 local beers . Street tacos where D-Lish food till 1 am.
(5)
Danielle L.

My favorite place to eat/drink in Boise! After the renovations the good is much better and very good prices especially for downtown. Service can be slow at times, especially if you sit outside. Always an excellent beer selection. I love getting tasters!
(5)
Kara B.

Bittercreek is amazing. Their food is fresh, local and fantastic! It doesn't get much better then the huntsman burger. The bacon is the best I've ever had. Love the atmosphere and service. One of my favs in DT Boise! Yum!
(5)
Louise B.

We liked this place! The food was all very good (the grilled salmon and Caesar, and the fish and chips), and decently priced. Better than expected. I liked the old bar too and the space overall. We'll be back.
(4)

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Address : 246 N 8th St
Boise, ID, 83702
Phone (208) 343-3119
Website https://www.bittercreekalehouse.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 12

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Garage, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Bittercreek Alehouse

246 N 8th St, Boise, ID, 83702

Bittercreek Alehouse Menu

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