I used to drag my husband to Costa Vida any time we were in Utah, and was so excited when one opened here. We eat there probably once or twice a month. Everything is very fresh and yummy. There are some things on the menu I'd like to try, but I can't stop myself from ordering the sweet pork salad every time I come in... I like that you go through the line and order your food, which is made in front of you. No sitting down and waiting around for a server. Great place to eat if you need to get in and out quickly.
(4)
Carl B.
A surf-themed Mexican place that doesn't serve fish tacos or beer? What's the point??
(2)
Yosuke M.
Don't come here if you're vegetarian. Come here to eat the sweet pork. Put it in a burrito, put it in a taco, put it in an enchilada or two. It's so good. This is a weekly lunch spot for me and my coworkers and we just get the same thing. Haven't had the chance to try anything else.
(4)
deanna h.
I just got back from my first trip to Costa Vida on 8th and Main in Boise. My vegetarian salad was OKgood, but the service I received was shockingly bad. New employees at a new restaurant provided a disappointing first impression. As I went through the line to build my salad seemed not to know how much of the items to put on it. I wound up with an extraordinary amount of lettuce, and had I not requested appropriate amounts of toppings, little less. The employee asked if I would like tortilla strips and when I said yes, he put ONE on my salad. He should have said tortilla STRIP. I was no offered cilantro or onions, and I requested extra hot sauce and did not receive it. When will Boise have a decent burrito shop downtown?
(2)
Rob B.
Theyre fast and it tasted good my main gripe is it was cold. My rice and beans were the warmest item that I ordered. Good size portions too. No beer served here like at baja fresh. :(
(3)
Jeremiah P.
I'm a 40 year old guy who grew up in Southern California so I know Mexican food. I'm also white as white can be (blanco de blanco) so I can't do spicy. I tried the raspberry chipotle burrito and loved it. For a whitey like me it was on the border of too spicy but I ate it anyways. I would have eaten had it been spicier. The tortillas look and taste home made. Yes it has a chain feel to it. But unless you're heading to a hole in the wall in a business district you ain't gonna get more authentic.
(5)
Andrew J.
This place is great! My girlfriend and I go here all the time to get the sweet pork nachos. Staff is always friendly and quick to get people through the line. Food is good, great quick stop for lunch and a cheaper option if you're not in for spending a fortune on lunch in downtown Boise.
(5)
Johnathan B.
I'm a sucker for this place and make a point of getting here every time I'm in Boise. If you're downtown or on Eagle and want something a little different, go here. The sweet pork is good on anything, but can be a bit too sweet for some. If you're looking for something more savory, try the shredded beef burrito with mild sauce. It's a filling meal and actually comes in at around 750 calories if you don't get it smothered (covered in cheese and sauce; you'll want to try a smothered burrito at least once). The chicken salad is also a favorite of mine, meaning I often come here twice in a week. Service is good and the workers are friendly. If you come closer to noon, expect a few minutes to get through the line, but nothing too serious. There's usually plenty of room to sit and enjoy your meal. Final note: they have horchata, Jarritos, and flan if you're looking to satisfy a sweet tooth. All in all, one of my favorite places for lunch, as you get a filling meal for a decent price with great service.
(5)
Tom D.
Fresh ingredients, big portions, and delicious food. What more can you ask for? Sure, it's a chain. Even so, the chicken is actual chicken breast, not that fake spongy stuff you find at places like Subway, etc etc. Always had an enjoyable meal here, always leave full, and happy.
(5)
Lisa A.
SWEET PORK TACOS. Ok, so I have tried much of their other food, and love it all...but the sweet pork tacos are a personal addiction of mine. Very visible location in downtown Boise (no free parking nearby) - just wish they were open Sundays. All food options can be made Gluten-free, and if you're Celiac you will be happy to know the servers even change their gloves to insure no wheat contamination in your food. Great, fast service always. Also, they have horchata.
(5)
Julie E.
I ate at Costa Vida with friends on our lunch break. We were able to order and eat with plenty of time to get back to the office. As a rule I am not fond of cafeteria style ordering, but I found it amazing to see all of the ingredients and to watch my chile verde nachos being constructed. When you visit Costa Vida, be sure to take advantage of the underground parking. As I said my coworkers and I were able to get parked, get upstairs to the restaurant, order and eat within that free hour of parking. I sampled the sweet pork, and it is quite tasty, but for me, sweet meats do not belong in any kind of Mexican foods.
(4)
Twosox S.
Eh..... Chain... Food no good.
(2)
Aaron T.
Dang good! Piled on the toppings till I said enough. Even the meat. One entre Feeds two easy. Yum
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Garage Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Beth F.
I used to drag my husband to Costa Vida any time we were in Utah, and was so excited when one opened here. We eat there probably once or twice a month. Everything is very fresh and yummy. There are some things on the menu I'd like to try, but I can't stop myself from ordering the sweet pork salad every time I come in... I like that you go through the line and order your food, which is made in front of you. No sitting down and waiting around for a server. Great place to eat if you need to get in and out quickly.
(4)Carl B.
A surf-themed Mexican place that doesn't serve fish tacos or beer? What's the point??
(2)Yosuke M.
Don't come here if you're vegetarian. Come here to eat the sweet pork. Put it in a burrito, put it in a taco, put it in an enchilada or two. It's so good. This is a weekly lunch spot for me and my coworkers and we just get the same thing. Haven't had the chance to try anything else.
(4)deanna h.
I just got back from my first trip to Costa Vida on 8th and Main in Boise. My vegetarian salad was OKgood, but the service I received was shockingly bad. New employees at a new restaurant provided a disappointing first impression. As I went through the line to build my salad seemed not to know how much of the items to put on it. I wound up with an extraordinary amount of lettuce, and had I not requested appropriate amounts of toppings, little less. The employee asked if I would like tortilla strips and when I said yes, he put ONE on my salad. He should have said tortilla STRIP. I was no offered cilantro or onions, and I requested extra hot sauce and did not receive it. When will Boise have a decent burrito shop downtown?
(2)Rob B.
Theyre fast and it tasted good my main gripe is it was cold. My rice and beans were the warmest item that I ordered. Good size portions too. No beer served here like at baja fresh. :(
(3)Jeremiah P.
I'm a 40 year old guy who grew up in Southern California so I know Mexican food. I'm also white as white can be (blanco de blanco) so I can't do spicy. I tried the raspberry chipotle burrito and loved it. For a whitey like me it was on the border of too spicy but I ate it anyways. I would have eaten had it been spicier. The tortillas look and taste home made. Yes it has a chain feel to it. But unless you're heading to a hole in the wall in a business district you ain't gonna get more authentic.
(5)Andrew J.
This place is great! My girlfriend and I go here all the time to get the sweet pork nachos. Staff is always friendly and quick to get people through the line. Food is good, great quick stop for lunch and a cheaper option if you're not in for spending a fortune on lunch in downtown Boise.
(5)Johnathan B.
I'm a sucker for this place and make a point of getting here every time I'm in Boise. If you're downtown or on Eagle and want something a little different, go here. The sweet pork is good on anything, but can be a bit too sweet for some. If you're looking for something more savory, try the shredded beef burrito with mild sauce. It's a filling meal and actually comes in at around 750 calories if you don't get it smothered (covered in cheese and sauce; you'll want to try a smothered burrito at least once). The chicken salad is also a favorite of mine, meaning I often come here twice in a week. Service is good and the workers are friendly. If you come closer to noon, expect a few minutes to get through the line, but nothing too serious. There's usually plenty of room to sit and enjoy your meal. Final note: they have horchata, Jarritos, and flan if you're looking to satisfy a sweet tooth. All in all, one of my favorite places for lunch, as you get a filling meal for a decent price with great service.
(5)Tom D.
Fresh ingredients, big portions, and delicious food. What more can you ask for? Sure, it's a chain. Even so, the chicken is actual chicken breast, not that fake spongy stuff you find at places like Subway, etc etc. Always had an enjoyable meal here, always leave full, and happy.
(5)Lisa A.
SWEET PORK TACOS. Ok, so I have tried much of their other food, and love it all...but the sweet pork tacos are a personal addiction of mine. Very visible location in downtown Boise (no free parking nearby) - just wish they were open Sundays. All food options can be made Gluten-free, and if you're Celiac you will be happy to know the servers even change their gloves to insure no wheat contamination in your food. Great, fast service always. Also, they have horchata.
(5)Julie E.
I ate at Costa Vida with friends on our lunch break. We were able to order and eat with plenty of time to get back to the office. As a rule I am not fond of cafeteria style ordering, but I found it amazing to see all of the ingredients and to watch my chile verde nachos being constructed. When you visit Costa Vida, be sure to take advantage of the underground parking. As I said my coworkers and I were able to get parked, get upstairs to the restaurant, order and eat within that free hour of parking. I sampled the sweet pork, and it is quite tasty, but for me, sweet meats do not belong in any kind of Mexican foods.
(4)Twosox S.
Eh..... Chain... Food no good.
(2)Aaron T.
Dang good! Piled on the toppings till I said enough. Even the meat. One entre Feeds two easy. Yum
(4)