Unique restaurant seeks to revitalize underused part of Downtown Boise

by Alyson Outen
KTVB Ch. 7
12/06/2005

BOISE -- The menu items include a "single-wide burger" and a "junkyard trailer dog."  Today an innovative new restaurant opened in Boise -- Donnie Mac’s Trailer Park Cuisine.

This is one of the first major tenants in a part of Boise called the “Linen District," a former industrial area now striving for hipper and trendier times.

This is one of the more flamboyant businesses going into the linen district.  The space used to be old Goodyear Tire store, now that automotive theme carries through in kitschy cuisine.

"What I wanted to do was develop something that reminded you of that desert roadside cafe with a bit of edgy-ness to it," said Donnie Mackenzie, Donnie Mac’s owner.

With garage doors on the outside and junkyard treasures on the inside, this new restaurant hopes to become a destination location.

Owner Donnie Mackenzie gives new meaning to tailgating with an innovative kitchen counter and motorcycle seats.

If you don't want to belly up to the bar, how about cruising in a '41 Chevy?  Hoisted on the hydraulic lift leftover from this building's days as a Goodyear Tire store.

"It reminds me of Disneyworld, they have cars like this, that's why I was so excited to come in here," said Elizabeth Wamhoff, restaurant patron.

Elizabeth and her co-workers are some of the first visitors on this opening day.

"We’ve actually been keeping an eye on it for the last 3-4 weeks, we'd stop by last week even when they were still working, we opened the door and came in because we were so excited," said Elizabeth.

Donnie Mac’s is the latest addition to the Linen District.

"The Linen District is a six block area of downtown that has been overlooked, under utilized and underdeveloped," said David Hale, Linen District developer.

Developer David Hale is trying to rejuvenate this neglected neighborhood where the old American linen supply company used to reside.  He wants to transform the industrial area into an artistic and eclectic mix of retail, restaurant and residential spaces.

"I think it's going to be an evolving changing part of town that's going to take 5-10 years.  The idea is to redevelop these properties and bring people down to the area otherwise they've overlooked," said Hale.

While other businesses have already set up shop in the Linen District, the addition of Donnie Mac’s adds some high-profile flare, and perhaps a reason to revisit.

"We’re already talking about breakfast.  I hope we can get the car again," said Elizabeth.

Donnie Mac’s should have some culinary competition over the next several months.  Another restaurant and a coffee shop are slated to be opening in the Linen District’s near future.