Maria D.

I didn't realize there was a "hello dinner!" so close to my school / job. We received coupons for a free meal so off we went to the Vista location (there is also a Fairview location). I love the concept of hello dinner! It's billed as an alternative to fast food. There are pre-made meals (the menu changes every 3-4 months) that cover breakfast, lunch and dinner - plus yummy looking snacks and desserts. Everything on the menu is "nutrient dense" and "gluten-free." Many meals are paleo, and each menu item is clearly marked as containing nuts, eggs or dairy. You can order online or just stop in to pick up what you want out of the cold cases. There's a microwave available for you to heat up your food and patrons are welcome to stay and eat. Hint: look for the meals that have been reduced because new inventory has come in for a discount! In my past experience, having two coupons for free meals has never gone over well. Not here! The young lady cashier was very helpful in recommending meals to try, knowledgable about the concept of the store, and never batted an eye when we told her we had not one but TWO coupons for free meals. I had the pizza meatballs, which come with a great tomato-based sauce and zucchini noodle spirals (they call them Zoodles). My husband had the Kung Powzoodle Chicken, which was chicken glazed with ginger, garlic and tamari on top of more Zoodles along with sweet peppers, snow peas and toasted cashews. Both meals were satisfying and flavorful. Our only complaint is that there could have been more Zoodles in each meal. Just the other day I was lamenting the fact that there aren't that many alternatives to the myriad fast food joints that exist and are constantly popping up in the Treasure Valley. I hope hello dinner! does well and continues to offer a great alternative to the junk that is usually so convenient and easy to access. Stop in and give them a try! Or go to hellodinner.com and order ahead. (They will deliver orders over 75.00 to customers in Boise, Eagle or Meridian.) We'll definitely be back!