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.