JD Boise, The Pie Hole
Last year was the best “adult” no-kids vacation of my life. While I love experiencing new places with my daughters, there’s something very freeing about not having little humans to worry over, no work responsibilities, no timelines, and no expectations outside of listening to new music and eating stellar pizza.
Boise might not be known for its nightlife or pizza, but those are two things I think of when considering my time spent in the heart of Idaho. Every March, Boise hosts a music festival called Treefort. It’s a citywide event where venues across the downtown host a plethora of bands. Over four days, 420+ artists from 33 US states and 22 countries bring their unique music to the downtown area. It’s four days of visiting big venues, outdoor stages, dingy dive bars, and even a Shiner’s temple. You’ll see art galleries, live art performances in an old bus depot, drag shows, and so many badass murals.
If you’re energized by hustlin’ and bustlin’ you’ll enjoy Treefort, because how you get from one venue to the next is part of the fun. We took our personal vehicles sometimes, but if you’re partaking in the “Beerfort” fun you’ll have to utilize Ubers, public transit, and of course your feet. And with the walking, dancing, and silly shenanigans happening, you’ll need to keep your energy up. Thank goodness, The Pie Hole was there to save the day… actually if I’m honest, it saved a few days.
The Pie Hole is a rad, grungy pizza spot in the heart of downtown, making it perfect for this fun-filled festival. The punk rock vibes start as soon as you walk in. Every available surface inside is covered with stickers. There’s funky graffiti art, and mitch-matched tables, booths, and chairs. The layout is tight and the very large, low-hanging pipes add to the feeling of it being a hole-in-the-wall. Instead of being greeted by “Hellllo! Welcome to The Pie Hole! We’ll be happy to assist you in just a moment!”, you’ll see employees behind the counter dressed like they’re working at a tattoo shop, focused on their work, and not throwing around airy fake smiles (thank god).
Now, what kind of pizza does a punk-rock pizza shop in Boise slang? First, they sell by the slice. Which again, is perfection for when you’re boppin’ from one venue to another and can’t take leftovers home. They have a small simple menu with the classic, but my favorite was the bacon potato pizza. Of course, Boise would have a slice with potato, and holy heck why don’t more places?
Don’t expect to find any fancy toppings, arugula, side salads, or craft beverages. Come for an honest slice of pizza or a Coke in a styrofoam cup.
Don’t mind me counting down the days (15 as I’m writing this) until I have a delicious slice of potato pizza in my mouth.
