Hit List Boise is a new restaurant located in the same center on Glenwood in Garden City that houses the Revolution Concert House and the Barrelhouse. I had read a little blurb on it and out had jumped on their menu where it said “house cured pastrami”. Being a big fan of that delicious meat, I made haste to get over there and try it. All the way over, I mulled an important question—do I want a Pastrami Sandwich or a Pastrami Burger?
As I parked, I spotted a truck with a big smoker on it. A good sign; and even better when I saw the name BBQ4LIFE on the truck. This has long been one of my favorite BBQ places since I had moved to Boise. It was in fact the very first place I went into when places started to open for dine-in after the pandemic. That really put a positive spin on what I would expect. Sure enough, when I walked in, there were several of the nice long group tables inside; and Bree Taylor, one of BBQ4LIFE’s co-owners, came out to greet me. As I explained my conundrum, Bree suggested I should try the Pastrami Burger.
Brad soon came out of the kitchen to say hello. I’d originally met him and Bree several years ago when The Boise Beat profiled BBQ4LIFE, so I knew Brad has a passion for not only smoked meats but quality ingredients too. Noticing the inside design at Hit List Boise, I asked Brad about the difference in concepts; and he said “We had already been working on this concept which was more of a quick serve, but would still put out high quality food, faster and more efficient in the kitchen. Then COVID nailed the idea down for us. At BBQ4LIFE, we go through phases where we can’t get ribs, can’t get tri-tip; but for this place, we can get any cut of beef, any cut of pork and we can put this on the menu. And we do it like—if you go and get a comparable meal at the fast food places, maybe you’ll save a dollar or two, if you make it large and that sort of thing; so it’s really about providing good quality food at near fast food prices, which is something you can’t really get.”
Shortly thereafter, Brad went to work; bringing me my heart’s desire—a Pastrami Burger and Fries. The burger patty was made from their special (dare I say secret?) house-grind beef, made fresh in their kitchen. Brad gave me this much info on it though, saying “That goes for the meatballs, the bratwurst, the burger, everything! We do all of the meat grinding in-house, the forming and seasoning, stuffing and smoking, the curing, all of it”.
The pastrami I’d had before—it’s one of the highlights on the menu at BBQ4LIFE; and one of the original sandwiches I’d had there when I first started going. At Hit List Boise, it’s the same; made from a tri-tip roast instead of the normal brisket, cured in their special rub and brine and smoked to a perfect taste. One of the reasons Brad uses tri-tip is that it yields a much leaner slice of the pastrami, as well as being really tender. Brad said about that pastrami, “That’s good stuff! That’s my pastrami recipe, we cure it in-house, so every step of the way—aside from we get a cut of meat—we get that right cut of meat, we cure it and smoke it; we do everything. And you can taste it!”
The burger patty itself was perfectly grilled, with just enough pink to keep the patty juicy. After putting the patty and the pastrami on a toasted bun bottom, he added a nice slice of Swiss Cheese, a nice helping of fresh grilled onions and finally some spicy brown mustard on it before finishing off with the toasted top bun. My first bite was wonderful, with the interplay of the different flavors in the sandwich. Lately, I’ve noticed more and more places over-salting their burgers, but the Pastrami Burger at Hit List Boise was seasoned just right. The pastrami and the burger patty complemented each other, with the soft ground-beef patty and the slightly chewier pastrami making a nice texture contrast.This is one delicious sandwich!
French Fries are not just fried potatoes, they are almost an art form. The fries that came with the sandwich were cooked just right, tender-crisp on the outside and soft and warm inside. They went with the sandwich perfectly.
Other items at Hit List Boise include their signature Pulled Pork Sandwich; and also a Pulled Pork Burger which sounds like a mouthful of flavor. There is even a Pork and Mac Sandwich, with the mac layered with the pulled pork and then covered with BBQ sauce.
A Meatball Sandwich has the house ground beef and pork in the meatballs, which are smoked and topped with marinara and parmesan cheese and served on a toasted roll. The beef/pork grind is also used with different spices to make the Pepperjack Bratwurst at Hit List Boise. Having tried a few times to make sausages, I have a deep appreciation for anyone who can make them without bursting the skins as they stuff them. They are made in-house, stuffed and smoked for a delicious flavor and served on a toasted roll with grilled onions and the house spicy mustard.
Single and double patty Cheeseburgers round out the menu, along with a Philly Burger. The Philly Burger has grilled onions, grilled mushrooms and white American cheese on it for a flavor trip to “The Birthplace of America”.
Unlike BBQ4LIFE, Hit List Boise does not have a kitchen that can accommodate vegans, but they do have several vegetarian choices on the menu. However, they still have a very fine Green and Beans Burger (note to vegans: Greens and Beans Burger may come into contact with dairy items when fried). Made with beans, assorted vegetables; and topped with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles, this sandwich will have you not even missing the meat. There is also a Side Salad and Fried Zucchini for those who want a meatless meal .
Family owned, Hit List Boise is going to be a hit with those in Garden City and Boise going to the Revolution, the Barrelhouse or even the Expo Idaho Fairgrounds across the street. They are located at 5163 N. Glenwood Street, Boise, ID 83714. The Hit List Boise website also has a link if you want to order ahead. Brad and Bree Taylor have doubled down on Hit List Boise; and it looks like a winning roll for diners in the Treasure Valley. As Brad said about Hit List Boise, “Come on down and try it out, you’ll like it!”.
