Trudy's Kitchen

Someone from this business manages this listing.

#1 of 8 Restaurants in Idaho CityAmerican, Cafe, $$ - $$$

What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Trudy's Kitchen

Review

At a glance

Closed now

See all hours

Website

+1 208-392-4151Improve this listing

About

Trudy’s Kitchen is the #1 destination restaurant in Idaho City. We our known for our homemade food, Fresh Baked Bread and World-Famous Huckleberry Cheesecake. It is the ideal place to bring your family for exceptional food and service. Don’t forget to take a walk around historic Idaho City to make the day complete.

Features

CUISINES

American, Cafe

Meal types

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch

Special Diets

Vegan options

FEATURES

Gift Cards Available

Highchairs Available

Outdoor Seating

Parking Available

Seating

Serves Alcohol

Table Service

Takeout

Wheelchair Accessible

Location

3876 Hwy 21, Idaho City, ID 83631-7701

Parking Available

Can a vegetarian person get a good meal at this restaurant?

Yes

Unsure

Save this restaurant

Hours

Suggest an edit

Closed now

• Opens at 8:00 AM

Sunday

8:00 am - 7:00 pm

Monday

8:00 am - 7:00 pm

Tuesday

9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Wednesday

9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Thursday

8:00 am - 7:00 pm

Friday

8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Saturday

8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Contribute

Write a review

Upload a photo

Ask a question

We perform checks on reviews.

Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews

Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.

When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.

Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.

Learn more about our review moderation.

4.1

207 reviews

Excellent

110

Very good

Average

Poor

Terrible

Mike

Las Cruces3 contributions

Got what we paid for.

Oct 2023 • couples

Everything you expect out of a small town diner and more. The more is great pie to finish off a tasty lunch. My burger was cooked but not dry, bacon was plentiful and perfectly cooked fresh for the burger. Coffee was fresh. Service is small town friendly

Written 23 October 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Barry L

4 contributions

Breakfast at Trudy's Kitchen, Idaho City, ID

Aug 2022 • none

What a wonderful find! Our group was on the road early on the way from Stanley to Boise, leaving before any breakfast options were open in Stanley. When we finally emerged from what is pretty much wilderness (a lovely drive, by the way) a couple of hours later, we happened upon Trudy's. As hungry as we were, the portions were so large, we couldn't finish. Everything was superb, with most everything made from scratch on the premises even down to the huckleberry jam. Our waitress had an obvious pride in the place, commenting that recipes for corn beef hash and other entrees hadn't changed in twenty years. (Don't mess with perfection!) Hope you all get a chance to stop by and try Trudy's some time.

Written 17 August 2022

Melissa Head

Thank you for the wonderful review. I am glad you enjoyed our restaurant. We always strive for the best food and experience with our customers. See you back again soon.

Written 18 August 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

633Kenny

Buena Park17 contributions

First Time Drive up to Idaho City and Lunch at Trudy's

Feb 2021 • none

Our surprisingly beautiful drive to Idaho City including snow scene creeks, lovely trees and mountain scenery led us to Trudy's for lunch. It was on a Monday so not a busy time and service was excellent! I had their very tasty Fish & Chips while my wife enjoyed the Chicken Fingers that she said were delicious! We had to get to go boxes for our great crispy fries because we just couldn't eat the large portions. Unfortunately, we were too full to get their awesome looking pies but we will definitely be going back many times in the future! Enjoyable two hour trip on all levels!!

Written 10 February 2021

F A

1 contribution

The managers horrible service will ruin this business.

Jan 2023 • friends

We have been to Trudy's many times since it transferred ownership. We've started limiting our visits due to the managers horrible service. She has zero people skills and treats customers like they should gravel at her feet for taking their order. Hands down the worst service around, which is unfortunate because the owner is pleasant and so is her daughter (who occasionally helps out, usually in the summer). The food can be hit and miss, but all items are made from in-house recipes and there are a lot of great food choices. If an older lady (60's) with too much makeup and looks like she smokes a few packs a day is stomping around, save your $$ and walk out but try and return when this hag isn't there.

Written 16 January 2023

Jared J

1 contribution

Horrible Service, pretty good food

Jan 2023 • friends

My wife and I stopped here a couple weeks ago with another couple and had a pretty crapoy experience. We werent sure who the lady was that seated us and took her order so we asked if she was the owner, because she clearly thought she was in charge and could treat people like sh**. She said she was the manager and that the owners were out of town. After we called her out about how she was treating us, she shifted her approach a bit but not enough for us to spend $90 there again. The food was good. The carrot cake was best. Coffee sucked but not as much as the service.

Written 25 January 2023

D A

1 contribution

Not one to write a review but...

Jan 2023 • none

I had a very uncomfortable experience at this place. The lady (later heard she was the manager) that served me was so unpleasant, that I almost left a few seconds after taking a seat. There were only two waitresses working but they weren't super busy with only five tables. Plus, I wasn't in a hurry. I'm not sure why she was so rude, but it was to everyone in the restaurant, I heard another table ask her directly about how she was treating them and the table behind me made comments about how inconvenienced she acted. The food wasn't horrible, but I didn't even it because I was so bothered by how she treated me. I would be willing to try this place again, if it had better service. Thankfully, I was able to go on a beautiful snow filled hike and put positive energy towards this lady and how miserable she must be in her own life. Hopefully she can find peace with herself.

Written 16 January 2023

Lucy R

Boise4 contributions

Mouthwatering, good home cookin'

Aug 2020 • none

This was our first visit to Trudy's, and I am already looking forward to my next visit. Husband ordered Dave's Mountain Man Burger and potato salad. He graciously let me try both. The potato salad was one of the best I've ever had - sort of a mashed Yukon/chunky red potato mix with great seasoning. He commented that it was really good, and he's not a big potato salad eater. I ordered the Grilled Chicken & Jack hot sandwich with ranch sauce and cole slaw. I REALLY enjoyed mine; chicken was moist, sauce was flavorful, and I loved the onion bun. Tomato slice, dill pickles, Romaine leaf, and sliced sweet onion are served on the side. Cole slaw was a good pile of shredded green and purple cabbage and tossed in a mayo-pineapple juice dressing. (A little heavy on the mayo, but still good.) Typing it up makes me want to eat it again, it was so good. We made sure to order the famous huckleberry cheesecake and it was worth all the hype. Looking forward to trying the other pie and cheesecake varieties in the future, especially blueberry-apple. Good service, clean restrooms, friendly staff, and everything our neighboring tables ordered looked delicious. Fun mountain/country decor to look at while you wait. Planning to go back again soon!

Written 10 August 2020

Patsi W

Boise41 contributions

Lack of Service

Jan 2023 • couples

Decided to get out if Boise after the holidays. Went up to have breakfast but at 11:02 they were no longer serving it. Bummer! I ordered chicken strips and my hubby ordered a chili burger. I should have tried a burger instead. 3 little chicken strips with fries. I expected better than Dairy Queen but they were worse. My husband’s burger was good and a good portion. The service was very lacking. My husband ordered coffee and I had water. We got ignored by the waitresses and finally had to catch them to get refills after they walked by to fill other tables but didn’t fill ours. They spent more time behind the counter talking to each than keeping track of their tables. Not in a hurry to return.

Written 2 January 2023

back2Idaho

Caldwell328 contributions

Repeat visit, food is not as good. Do not order the finger steaks!

Jan 2020 • none

On a previous visit to this restaurant, about a year ago, we enjoyed everything that we ordered. On this visit, with two couples, we were at least somewhat disappointed with the food quality. Examples include their very creamy clam chowder that wasn't hot, there french fries that tasted of old used oil, and their finger steaks that were extremely tough and chewy. Hard to even cut with a knife. A year ago I reviewed these same finger steaks as extremely tender and enjoyable. What happened? Apparently new owners and "new standards" that include lesser cuts of meat. My chicken strips were pretty good, but the serving had only 3 skinny full pieces and seemed a bit stingy for the price. Food we saw on other peoples tables looked very appealing, so eating here might be a matter of ordering the right thing. Will try again next time in Idaho City. Their pies and other desserts looked appealing, but the prices are way to high to justify trying one. Service is friendly.

Written 3 January 2020

Nichole W

Boise38 contributions

Homemade taste!

Dec 2019 • none

We chose Trudy's for dinner. My husband had the rib eye steak and baker and I had the bacon & bleu cheese burger with fries. The steak was smothered with carmelized onions and sliced garlic while my burger had an actual slice of bleu cheese and thick bacon, not that precooked thin kind that you often find on burgers. The fries seemed like they were hand cut and didn't taste greasy. The beer/wine selection is a bit limited, but this is a family restaurant not a bar so this is expected. Our server had such a cheery disposition and lovely smile, she made us feel so welcome! We got dessert to go-peppermint cheesecake and strawberry cream pie-both delicious and homemade. We will definitely visit Trudy's again next time we are in Idaho City.

Written 1 January 2020

Nichole R

1 contribution

Poor meat quality

Jan 2020 • family

Ordered the Club Dip with no bread. The meat was of poor quality very fatty and grisly. When I returned the food no staff member approached to see what the problem was. When I asked to not pay for the item I was introduced to the hostility of the owner.

Written 26 January 2020

Natalie S

1 contribution

Dinner

Feb 2023 • couples

First off I would like to say that the finger steaks and desserts were fantastic! Unfortunately the rest of the meal failed. I had the ribeye and it lacked any type of seasoning. Ate about half of it. The manager came over and asked if I wanted a toga box, I said no and explained to her the issue. She said she would talk to the cook. That was it. The Bloody Mary that my boyfriend had arrived at the table with no ice and was not mixed properly. He couldn’t drink it. When the manager dropped off the bill there was a credit card surcharge on it.

Written 26 February 2023

Terri L

1 contribution

The Manager is Majorly Wonderful!!!!!

Jan 2023 • none

Have always loved this Restaurant! Even when they changed hands. The manager is always smiling and cracking jokes. She takes really good care of us, even when we come in looking groady from cutting wood. I did notice that she's had to deal with some terrible customers of late. I hate when Grifters come in and try to take advantage of that little town. So sad to see when someone tries to take take take. I hope they went on a hike and breathed in the fresh crisp air and thought about how they treated her. The food is wonderful. The help staff is amazing and it's not a stop to miss. Always get PIE!!!!

Written 23 January 2023

MrBill W

Nampa598 contributions

The food is very good but don't miss the deserts.

Oct 2020 • none

We decided to take a road trip and head to Idaho City. Our favorite place is Trudy's Kitchen. We usually split a lunch plate so we can enjoy there large wonderful desert. We decided on a Patti Melt and it was very tasty but it was a little over cooked. We then ordered the Coconut Cream Pie and it was delicious. We had to bring home some of the pie and had it later. We will be back.

Written 19 October 2020

Tomas Greene

Chicureo117 contributions

Veggie and Gluten Free friendly

Dec 2021 • family

It's a great place for being in the middle of the mountains. You really get the local flavor and ambience, which is undoubtedly part of the trip, served by extremely friend staff. I was more than pleased they have vegetarian and gluten free options! Kudos for the team!