The days when drive-thru restaurants ruled seems so long ago. Decades ago, seeing these tiny, shack-like restaurants on the side of the road was a common occurrence. Nowadays, not so much. However, there are still a handful of drive-thrus leftover from the old days and many of them are still going strong. In fact, the first drive-thru restaurant in Idaho still has cars lining up around the corner just to grab a bagful of their iconic burgers. Sure, this place serves up delicious cheeseburgers, mouthwatering milkshakes, and amazing fries, but this drive-thru restaurant is much more than that. It's tradition.
Out of the few old-fashioned drive-thru restaurants that remain in Idaho today, there's one that has been here the longest. Fanci Freez has been serving it up since 1947 and they're still super popular.
Located in Boise, Fanci Freez has been around for over half a century. After all this time, the little drive-thru has remained locally owned and operated and it's extremely well-loved.
The current owners, Bill and Alison Hawes, bought the business in 2006. Since then, the little drive-thru shack has received numerous upgrades including fresh paint, a fire pit, and some modern additions to the menu which include gluten-free options.
On the menu, you'll find typical drive-thru fare. Their cheeseburgers are famous but they boast a variety of dishes including chicken strips, finger steaks, chicken sandwiches, grilled cheese, hot dogs, and more.
However, this place is especially famous for their desserts. During the summer, their ice cream cones are the perfect treat, along with their flavored milkshakes and sundaes.
If you've never visited before, it won't be long before you realize that Fanci Freez is immensely popular. When the weather is nice, the patio is often crowded with families enjoying a good ol' fashioned meal. And their drive-thru almost always has a long line of cars waiting to be served.
Don't let the long lines deter you. There's a reason this delightful little burger shack is so beloved. It's because it's good. Experience an Idaho tradition and check it out for yourself.
You'll find the original Fanci Freez location at 1402 W State St in Boise, Idaho. They also have a second location in Meridian at 1750 W McMillan, Suite 100. Give them a visit soon!
Have you taken part in the tradition of visiting this iconic drive-thru restaurant? Tell us about your memories in the comments below! For more historic dining ventures, check out our list of The 10 Oldest Restaurants In Idaho.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
