The Best Burgers in Idaho: Boise Drive-Ins and Smash Burgers (2026)

The best burgers in Idaho are easiest to find in Boise, where drive-ins that have lasted for decades share the map with a newer wave of smash burger counters. Go to Big Bun Drive-In or Westside Drive In for the classic experience, and to Wyld Child or Totally Smashed for a crispy smash burger. Whatever you order, get the fries or tots. This is Idaho.

This roundup is built from the spots in our Boise burger guide, grouped by style. Check hours before you go, especially at small stands and on Boise State game days.

How Boise does burgers

Boise's burger culture is a drive-in culture. The Boise Bench, the raised neighborhood southwest of downtown, and State Street have long-running stands where a burger, a side of potatoes and a milkshake is the standard order. Downtown and the BoDo district add food halls and newer counters, and the North End has neighborhood favorites near the foothills.

Potatoes are part of the deal. Tater tots, fresh-cut fries and loaded fries get as much attention here as the patty, and one local shop puts fries right in its name.

Drive-ins and classic stands

• Big Bun Drive-In: a Bench institution for more than 70 years. Food is made to order with ingredients from local businesses, and the tots are a must. After a few years under Fanci Freez, employees bought it back, and a second location opened in Garden City in 2025.
• Westside Drive In: an old-school State Street drive-in where locals point to the fries and shakes as much as the burgers. A cheeseburger, fries and a thick shake is the order.
• Hawkins Pac-Out: a North End stand on Bogus Basin Road known for burgers, breakfast burritos and tots. Expect a line at busy times, and know that the food travels well if you're heading up the mountain.
• Big Jud's: a longtime Boise name on South Protest Road near the Bench, with a second location in Meridian. Come hungry.
• Bad Boy Burgers: a no-frills Vista Avenue stand near the airport side of town. Keep it simple with a cheeseburger and fries.

More classics from around the country are on our best classic burgers page.

Smash burgers

• Wyld Child: a roadside-style stand on the Bench from Wylder Hospitality that opened in 2022. The griddle burgers and Wylde Style burgers are smash burgers with a few extra touches, and a falafel burger covers vegetarians. A second Wyld Child near Camel's Back Park in the North End is planned for 2026.
• Totally Smashed: a counter inside the Warehouse Food Hall downtown, with lots of add-ons and a build-your-own option. Try the Spicy Smash with extra jalapeños and a strawberry shake.

New to the style? Read smash burger vs. regular burger, or browse our best smash burgers picks.

Casual shops and sit-down burgers

• Burger Belly: a casual Broadway Avenue shop near Boise State that ranks among the area's highest-rated burger spots. Handy before a game.
• Boise Fry Company: a local chain where the fries share top billing. The downtown shop on Capitol Boulevard is the easiest for visitors. Order a few kinds of fries for the table.
• Fork: a downtown 8th Street restaurant whose burger ranks among the area's highest rated. It's the pick for a relaxed sit-down meal with a broader menu.

How to plan a Boise burger day

1. Start on the Bench. Big Bun and Wyld Child are both in the neighborhood, and Wyld Child sits next to dessert spots.
2. Head downtown for lunch. Totally Smashed in the Warehouse Food Hall works for groups, and Fork and Boise Fry Company are nearby.
3. Drive State Street. Westside Drive In is an easy stop on the way into or out of downtown.
4. Go north for the foothills. Hawkins Pac-Out is on Bogus Basin Road, so grab tots before a hike.
5. Watch the football schedule. The area around Boise State gets busy on game days, so plan Burger Belly accordingly.

What to order

• Big Bun Drive-In: a burger and tater tots.
• Westside Drive In: a cheeseburger, fries and a milkshake.
• Wyld Child: a Wylde Style burger.
• Totally Smashed: the Spicy Smash.
• Hawkins Pac-Out: a burger with tots, or a breakfast burrito in the morning.
• Boise Fry Company: a burger with a couple of fry styles to share.

Make an Idaho-style burger night at home

The Boise drive-in formula is easy to copy: a griddled cheeseburger, a pile of crispy potatoes and a shake. Start with our ultimate smash burger and pair it with crispy oven fries made from russets. Cook ground beef to 160°F for USDA-recommended doneness.

Know a great burger in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls or Twin Falls? Suggest a spot.

FAQ

What is the best burger in Idaho?

In Boise, Big Bun Drive-In and Westside Drive In are the classic picks, and Wyld Child and Totally Smashed lead for smash burgers.

What is the oldest burger spot in Boise?

Big Bun Drive-In has served the Boise Bench for more than 70 years, making it one of the city's longest-running burger stands.

Where can I get a smash burger in Boise?

Wyld Child on the Bench and Totally Smashed in the downtown Warehouse Food Hall are the two local favorites.

Where can I get a burger near Boise State?

Burger Belly is on Broadway Avenue near campus, and Big Jud's is a short drive away on South Protest Road.

Should I get fries or tots in Boise?

Both are local strengths. Big Bun and Hawkins Pac-Out are known for tots, and Boise Fry Company is built around fries.