When I was little my family didn’t go out to eat very often. It wasn’t a money thing as much as it was my parents not wanting to manage five crazy kids while trying to enjoy their own meal.  Only recently have we begun taking Will out to dinner without incident. And he is just one child!

When I was young I never believed I could get tired of going out to restaurants! Lately we’ve been extremely busy and have gone out to eat entirely too much!
Usually when we get into these restaurant routines we get a little depressed about our choices.  Idaho Falls is a small city that actually offers an inordinately large pool of restaurants compared to its population.

The problem is, I’m still not completely comfortable with taking Will to “fine dining” type restaurants, and I’m sick to death of the chain joints.  I’ve been ready for a new family friendly restaurant for a long time.

I know that MacKenzie River is a chain restaurant but I had never been to one. They have under 25 locations in only a handful of states. MacKenzie River is primarily a pizza joint but it doesn’t feel like a pizza joint.  I guess you could call it an alternative pizza joint.  The decor has a sort of rustic Montana feel.  Not the cowboy, ranch type Montana but the camping, fishing, and hunting type Montana.  MacKenzie River has a “good times” vibe with a comfortable amount of energy in the air. Usually pizza places will offer a few alternative options for people who don’t want pizza but happen to be with a group that does.  Most of the time these options are unappetizing afterthoughts.  At MacKenzie River the menu goes far beyond pizza.  It seems like equal amounts of attention were given to every item on their menu.

Ben and I have been to MacKenzie River three times.  Every single time we have gone our food was impressive and our service was outstanding!  We had a different server each time and they were all super friendly and attentive.

Although their pizza is fabulous (try their original crust), my list of menu “must haves” includes:

Appetizers: HOG WINGS (pork shanks), the FISH TACO SKEWERS, and the GOAT CHEESE QUESO

Dinner: the PULLED PORK SAMMY and the RUSTLER’s RUBEN

Dessert: the FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE

I know we will keep going back to MacKenzie River because there are literally about 20 more items on their menu that I want to try and I know we will get awesome service and have a wonderful time!

Thank You MacKenzie River for renewing my desire to go out and my confidence that there are still great places to go!