Great menu! The pizza selection is great! Loved the clams casino pizz ... It rocks!
(4)
Christopher B.
Creative pizza, cold beer, excellent sandwiches and if you go in to order a drink you'll see Shaun White the skier, who'll do backflips for shots! He was efficient and friendly, he really created a comforting environment for our first date! I believe his real name was Josh
(5)
TIM W.
very nice to still have a Neapolitan style pizza place to go too. Great staff, very friendly as an at home feeling. Good wine and pizza . all great, love the Friday night clam pizza (i know clams on a pizza ) but wow waitress recommended with bacon and spinach and yep it`s a good one. capri salad was good as well . kinda of a cool place to be not to crowded and great service.
(5)
Adam W.
We showed up in Boise right at Alive After Five in the summer and so after escaping the craziness of The Grove Plaza with our 1.5 yr old, we ended up walking into this pizza joint. I thought the pizza was fine, nothing incredibly special, but the service was good and it was a nice, casual atmosphere.
(3)
Callum S.
The food was pretty good. Not in any real rush to go back though. I'm not sure why I didn't love this place. Perhaps I'll give it another go.
(3)
Jeremy L.
Nice place. Small cafe, with patio. Garage door-style window from bar to patio. Went for late lunch and the gentlemen working were super friendly. Offered a taste of some local vodka, which was a great thing. Me and my cousin got some local unflavored vodka. Our drings were refilled promptly. They have delicious flat bread pizza. Small is four slice individual pizza. Got the Proto pie, a couple sluices of sausage on each slice. Perfect amount for a warm sunny day. Friends went earlier and enjoyed their personal pizzas too. This place is great and recommend it again. I was visiting Boise and there looks like a lot of pizza places in the walkable downtown area. I would recommend this place again because of the light style of pizza, not heavy sauce or crust.
(4)
Davin L.
Initially I was trying to find Chipotle with zero success. I stumbled on this place and was pleasantly surprised. The service was absolutely awesome, had a good bar and the pizza was awesome!!!!! Good place to shoot the shit with friends and day drink and eat some good food. Strongly recommend this place
(5)
James B.
We had salad, pizza and dessert. It was overpriced for what I got. The pizza was great, the dessert was NOT great. Good atmosphere but overpriced.
(2)
Meghan H.
I visited Proto's last week after a concert and the patio was a great spot to enjoy my meal. The waitstaff seemed a little overwhelmed but they were so nice and made sure our food came out correctly. My friend enjoyed some pizza and I had a salad and it was delicious.
(4)
Jarrerr M.
Ordered a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and it was old.
(1)
Moon L.
Yummy pizza! Delicious mixed drinks. Great energy. Wonderful atmosphere.
(4)
Mike L.
Phenomenal service all from homemade scratch flatbread bruschetta my gf and I had. Also drinks were delicious. Great scenery of a place.
(5)
Katy H.
Great pizza and appetizers here. Popped by on a hot day to be super relieved that they were blasting the AC. Yay! Feeling starved, my friend and I ordered 2 small pizzas to share and 1 appetizer of bruschetta. We were appreciative of the staff because we initially wanted to split one pizza and just have it made 1/2 one type and 1/2 another. But thanks to the kitchen expertise, our server came back out and informed us that the two types of pizza we'd asked for had different cooking times and wouldn't come out as perfect as they'd want to serve it. So the best option was to just get smaller pizzas and order one of each. It worked out great and we ended up with a few slices to take home. We also had some super refreshing Arnold Palmers and all told the appetizers, 2 small pizzas and the drinks came out to less than $30 including tip. Great way to have tasty food on a small budget.
(4)
Lydier H.
Hot, thin, crisp pizza that came straight from oven! Just a little expensive compare to other pizza Ive had. Even though my friend and I split the bill half&half. I ended up paying $20 for a pizza :/
(4)
Ahna B.
Delicious appetizers and cocktails. Grade A customer service. Bartender was absolutely pleasant. I am from California and it is so great to have individuals that make their customers feel comfortable. Warms my heart.
(5)
Wes B.
Great food, very nice atmosphere, staff were some of the friendliest people I've met. Had lunch special. Good price for what all it includes. Definitely recommend and would come back.
(4)
Lori R.
Four of us had lunch here recently (well, three of us did, the other one was too teeny to do more than throw puffs around). They had a good lunch special, choice of a few particular pizzas, with salad and a drink for around $10. Two had that, but I wanted to try the Atomica:" Mozzarella, tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, then sprinkled with crushed red pepper, black olives, and topped with Italian sausage." My small one was $9. It was good. I would have much preferred kalamata olives, but since that's not what the menu said, that's not what I got. :) Nice thin crust. Tasty. Others enjoyed their pizzas...one got a veggie one, and Husband liked his Sausage one. Salads good as well. Service, friendly and efficient. Nice place to have a bite in downtown Boise!
(4)
Jd F.
Down to earth, chill, laid back and exponentially awesome. It's like a good Jack Johnson song - you could just hit shuffle and every song is good. Just so, each dish at Proto's is smooth and goes down easy. As said before the staff are great. Un-assuming, attentive and not in your face. They are Boiseans. They are the local flavor just as much as the pizza itself. They make it a feel good establishment that keeps the customers returning. And you will get every flavor of person at Proto's. No joke. It fits every single person. It's like home. But don't take my word for it. (Du-dun-dun!)
(5)
Delaney A.
Proto's is right downtown and within walking distance of the capital and the shopping district. The drink selection was directed toward Idaho Micro Breweries and the pizza had a new age gastro pub feel. Lots of vegetables , spices, and impressive ingredients that added flavor, not calories.
(4)
Ophelia M.
Proto's is a great little pizza joint in Bodo serving up consistently good Neapolitan style pizza. They have a fun menu of specialty pizzas, in addition to their build your own options. Friday nights they have clam night. They make clam and garlic pizza with either red or white sauce (your choice). The have a great lunch special on weekdays--$10 for pizza, salad, & soft drink. I LOVE that they have feta as a cheese option (feta is second only in my affection to Gorgonzola)! My favorite specialty pizzas are their Ruby Pie (pesto, mozz, feta, kalamata olives, & artichoke hearts--only I typically have them hold the olives) and their Pontiff Pie (olive oil, garlic, fresh spinach, sun dried tomatoes, mozz, & feta). They also do takeout where they bake your pizza half-way, you bring it home, pop it in the oven for less then 5 minutes and...VOILA...Neapolitan deliciousness in the comfort of your own home. The surprising thing? Really fabulous cocktails! They have a bourbon drink I love called the Bourbon Rose. And, they have one of the best lemon drop martinis to be had in Boise--hands down. Also, if your just looking for a post-Bodo-movie cup of coffee & conversation--they serve Dawson Taylor coffee (yes!), espresso, and even make cappuccinos! They are located right next to the parking garage where you could easily park, eat, and make it back without having to pay (as the first hour is free). Get to it!
(4)
Fallon F.
I've been here twice and have been very pleased both times. Proto's is a cute little pizza joint down near many other bars and restaurants on 8th street. It's clean inside with high ceilings and small tables and a big bar. In the summer their bar is open to both in and outside, which is pretty cool, and they have nice outdoor seating. They have a wide range of pizza choices, as well as soups and a couple of salads. I've only had pizza there but really liked it both times. The crust is thin and crispy and they do the toppings just right; not so many that they make the pizza soggy, but enough that you really get to enjoy them. I had the Pontiff pie today, a pizza with olive oil, fresh spinach, mozzarella, sundried tomatoes, and feta. Very tasty. They also have a decent selection of beers and what I believe is a full bar. Def worth a visit!
(5)
Amanda J.
I went here today for lunch, I ordered the small white sauce pizza, yummy. I also splurged and had a cannoli, it was delicious. Great service and very friendly staff. I would like to come here for happy hour, the patio was very cute.
(4)
Danielle B.
Was pleasantly surprised. The pizza was very good, I got the morning sunrise cocktail and apparently it was the waiter's first time making it and it was very very good. The waiter was very friendly. The place was clean and we got to watch our pizza be made and they use a brick oven. We then tried the gelato in hopes that it was authentic. It was pretty close if not! Was really really good. Great place and great staff. Will come back for sure!
(4)
Maureen K.
Ended up choosing this place due to unforeseen circumstances being close to downtown, It was on our list of "must trys" so this seemed the perfect time. We were dining between typical lunch and dinner hours so we were the only patrons in the place, but that didn't affect our service. Very attentive. We were surprised and impressed at the full bar here, and overall feel of the place. We ordered the Traffic Jam medium pizza (with added garlic since it wasn't specified on the menu as the Atomica, for example). The crust was thin and charred just as we liked. The tomato sauce could have just a touch of sweetness for my taste, but can't complain. The medium pizza we ordered was $18. It's a 12 inch, and came to 3 slices each. Definitely filled us up, but we are used to taking some home at that price, hence the 4 stars. Still, not a negative review. We will be back.
(4)
D T.
Absolutely love this place. Everything was perfect. Not noisy at all, which was very good. Not very busy, no lines, enough seats to fit everyone in. TV's for entertainment, and very, very good pizza for dinner.
(5)
LeeAnn C.
I came back to celebrate my birthday dinner at Proto's and they did not disappoint! I called early in the week to reserve a spot outside for about 10 people, and they said no problem. They had it all set up when we got there on Saturday night. 10 crazy people ordering massive drinks and food. The service was AMAZING. Such a great vibe and fun atmosphere! It was the perfect kick off for my birthday night! THANK YOU! PS. as usual the white Sangria is ahhhhmazing.
(5)
Jimmy M.
Good, but not true Naples style pizza. Great service and prices. True Naples style pizza only uses wet buffalo mozzarella and they use dry mozz.
(3)
Allison H.
I really like the very thin-crusted pizza here. The red sauce it very tasty. Salads are also good. I thought the house dressing on my salad was garlicky tangy in just the right mix. However, I have to know this from a 4 to 3 star because of the service. There was no one in the place, yet the server seemed very distracted. She talked me into a restaurant week special, but then charged me full price. And one of the toppings I ordered wasn't on my pizza tho I was charged for it. I would come back because I feel it's good pizza at a good price. And I like supporting independent pizzerias. But they really need to pay a little more attention to service.
(3)
Exel S.
Walked around downtown trying to find a cheap but unique restaurant and we landed here and let's just say it was a come to Jesus moment. The pizza was DELICIOUS and the prices were fair for what you got. The staff was very friendly and accommodating! We'd come back in a heartbeat.
(5)
Mark B.
Stopped by Proto's on July 4th for a pizza. This was our first visit to Boise, and this place had great reviews. I would have to agree that the pizza here is very good, great thin crust and fast service. We had The Pontiff, and added prosciutto to it. Great bargain @$3.50 extra on a large pizza, no skimping on amount! We will definitely come back on our next trip to Boise. Only disappointment was when we found out that our very witty waiter didn't wear a bicycle helmet. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR HELMET!! :-)
(5)
Brian M.
Let me say, I am a foodie. I LOVE to give my money to a restaurant who gives me more than I expected, Proto's is that place. My family and I went in there hungry after a long walk along the river. There were 7 of us, we bought 6 different pizzas! Starting out with four, we couldn't stop! First off, they are super reasonably priced, they are AMAZING, what more could you ask? The Margherita is a by the book Italian pizza, from what I understand literally following an Italian law as to how it's made. My very picky teenage son even loved it. The "White" pizza was one of the favorites with everyone including my 12 year old daughter who also likes plain old pepperoni. The "low rider" was my oldest son and his wife's favorite. The service was perfect beyond perfect. We ate out on the patio and the rain held off for us to finish, it was absolutely perfect. I have a new rating for pizza, there is nothing I can ever call a pizza again, they are THAT different. The only thing that comes close was one we got in Grinech Village in NY, Proto's was absolutely the best pizza I have ever had and the rest of the family agreed. Tonight we went to a chain down in a super fancy mall like place where we ate at XXXX Grille and I felt as I paid the check that I was ROBBED. It was $100 for the family, the same I spent at Proto's but I was thrilled to give Proto's my money, this place I went today, they STOLE the money from my wallet!
(5)
Jenny M.
We were looking for a quick bite to eat and in a hurry when meeting a friend who was in town to play a show in the area. Proto's looked inviting, not all that busy and had a great outdoor patio. Who doesn't enjoy a sitting on a sunny patio with a great glass of wine enjoying a good salad and sharing some Neapolitan Pizza with a friend, right? So, after painting that lovely picture it pains me just a little, to have to say that the food at Proto's Pizza was really just mediocre. We ordered the Capri Salad, the ingredients all seemed to have that fresh from a can quality. The Margherita Pizza was okay, I enjoy a thin crust but honestly I have heated up knock off brand frozen pizza from Fred Meyers that had more depth. Our friend ordered the Tomato and Mozzarella Salad (which is what I have always believed was a Capri or Caprese Salad?) and the tomato's were soft and had the texture of being left in a refrigerator. Just not what you are looking for when wanting to enjoy a tomato salad. I did not try any of the drinks as mentioned in all the other reviews, but I am beginning to wonder if the idea is to come here partake in some drinks and then order the food, almost everything tastes great when you are in need of food to soak up alcohol. The wine by the bottle also seemed to be priced on the high side, normally the incentive to buy a bottle is a small amount of savings versus the glass. The bottles are priced exactly to match the glass. Proto's could have some potential, it seems to be in a lively area of downtown, containing other bars and chain restaurants, and as I mentioned they have an outdoor patio with a giant garage door opening the bar area to the outside, but the menu and the food really need some help. With all that said, I do want to commend the staff, they were exceptionally friendly, quick, attentive and provided us with good service. I give them 2 stars for trying and for having great staff and a concept that is good, but minus 3 for execution of the menu and food.
(2)
Tad S.
Great place to grab a pizza and very kid friendly. The kids get to watch the pizzas being made which provides for excellent entertainment. Loved it!
(5)
Rachel B.
Great pizza joint, I actually really like this place, especially considering I am not a "big" pizza fan. I feel like I always write "4 star reviews", but I guess it is because I just know what I like in a restaurant and only visit places that fit my mold. That being said, this place delivers (both literary and figuratively speaking!). With a town filled with restaurants/bars/deli's/breakfast establishments, this place is consistently good. I love their thin crust pizza and pizza sauce. They do not serve pasta here (which I consider some what of a disappointment, I bet if they did serve pasta it would be wonderful), but every pizza on their menu is good, fresh, and you don't walk away feeling like you at a chain pizza restaurant! Also, if you eat in the restaurant, the employees are fun, the atmosphere is amazing, and you start to smell their pizza about a block away!
(4)
Ray I.
Very fun menu, absolutely delicious thin-crust pizza. But what really makes this place for me is the vibe. I've only done take out from them, but I've done it several times, and the tone and personality of everyone that works there is just so friendly and fun that you want to give them your business again. Well played, Proto's Pizza, well played.
(4)
Stasia T.
We are from California, visiting my mom for the first time in Boise sinced she moved. We didn't have a plan for dinner and stumbled into Proto's with my two young kids. There were 5 of us plus a high chair. We sat outside and they stuffed all of us around a 4 seater square table. We ordered and then waited almost an hour for our food. We asked what was going on and our server then said the cook was new and burned our two pizzas. When we finally got the pizzas, about ten minutes later, I was horrified. My margarita pizza had CANNED DICED tomatoes on it! Instead of offering us any kind of compensation, we had to ask ourselves, and they comped the margarita pizza. At least the server, Echo, was super sweet and helpful and truly sorry. Next time, I would at least offer something for the hungry irritable kids if the order is burned. Good: the crust is good and you can't beat the prices.
(1)
Matt D.
When we lived in Boise this was our favorite pizza place. I love thin crust pizza, especially with different ingredients than the standard tomato sauce and mozzarella that most chains serve. Try the Low Rider. It comes with spicy barbecue sauce, cilantro and bacon. It's such a great combination of flavors. The location is also cool -- right downtown with a small patio for when the weather is nice.
(4)
Jim B.
It's quite obvious that one person's absolute best pizza is another's poison. That said, I like Proto's Pizza. For me, their thin-crust minimally topped pizza baked quickly in a hot oven with, dare I say it, bits of blackening on the crust, is an ideal pizza. Make it garlic and anchovy, serve it with a few glasses of draft beer and I will return again and again. Yes, I said anchovy. I don't recommend this pie to those looking for lots of cheese and lots of topping. For those people there are other pizzerias.
(3)
Shannon S.
We love Protos for the good pizza and customer service. We always feel at home and leave happy. Great with or without kids.
(5)
Becca M.
Ate here for a "quick bite" on a Friday night. We shared the caesar salad and small traditional pizza... And it was perfect. The Proto's Marg wasn't very tasty but the waitress brought out something AMAZING instead. Will be back soon!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
Genie E.
Great menu! The pizza selection is great! Loved the clams casino pizz ... It rocks!
(4)Christopher B.
Creative pizza, cold beer, excellent sandwiches and if you go in to order a drink you'll see Shaun White the skier, who'll do backflips for shots! He was efficient and friendly, he really created a comforting environment for our first date! I believe his real name was Josh
(5)TIM W.
very nice to still have a Neapolitan style pizza place to go too. Great staff, very friendly as an at home feeling. Good wine and pizza . all great, love the Friday night clam pizza (i know clams on a pizza ) but wow waitress recommended with bacon and spinach and yep it`s a good one. capri salad was good as well . kinda of a cool place to be not to crowded and great service.
(5)Adam W.
We showed up in Boise right at Alive After Five in the summer and so after escaping the craziness of The Grove Plaza with our 1.5 yr old, we ended up walking into this pizza joint. I thought the pizza was fine, nothing incredibly special, but the service was good and it was a nice, casual atmosphere.
(3)Callum S.
The food was pretty good. Not in any real rush to go back though. I'm not sure why I didn't love this place. Perhaps I'll give it another go.
(3)Jeremy L.
Nice place. Small cafe, with patio. Garage door-style window from bar to patio. Went for late lunch and the gentlemen working were super friendly. Offered a taste of some local vodka, which was a great thing. Me and my cousin got some local unflavored vodka. Our drings were refilled promptly. They have delicious flat bread pizza. Small is four slice individual pizza. Got the Proto pie, a couple sluices of sausage on each slice. Perfect amount for a warm sunny day. Friends went earlier and enjoyed their personal pizzas too. This place is great and recommend it again. I was visiting Boise and there looks like a lot of pizza places in the walkable downtown area. I would recommend this place again because of the light style of pizza, not heavy sauce or crust.
(4)Davin L.
Initially I was trying to find Chipotle with zero success. I stumbled on this place and was pleasantly surprised. The service was absolutely awesome, had a good bar and the pizza was awesome!!!!! Good place to shoot the shit with friends and day drink and eat some good food. Strongly recommend this place
(5)James B.
We had salad, pizza and dessert. It was overpriced for what I got. The pizza was great, the dessert was NOT great. Good atmosphere but overpriced.
(2)Meghan H.
I visited Proto's last week after a concert and the patio was a great spot to enjoy my meal. The waitstaff seemed a little overwhelmed but they were so nice and made sure our food came out correctly. My friend enjoyed some pizza and I had a salad and it was delicious.
(4)Jarrerr M.
Ordered a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and it was old.
(1)Moon L.
Yummy pizza! Delicious mixed drinks. Great energy. Wonderful atmosphere.
(4)Mike L.
Phenomenal service all from homemade scratch flatbread bruschetta my gf and I had. Also drinks were delicious. Great scenery of a place.
(5)Katy H.
Great pizza and appetizers here. Popped by on a hot day to be super relieved that they were blasting the AC. Yay! Feeling starved, my friend and I ordered 2 small pizzas to share and 1 appetizer of bruschetta. We were appreciative of the staff because we initially wanted to split one pizza and just have it made 1/2 one type and 1/2 another. But thanks to the kitchen expertise, our server came back out and informed us that the two types of pizza we'd asked for had different cooking times and wouldn't come out as perfect as they'd want to serve it. So the best option was to just get smaller pizzas and order one of each. It worked out great and we ended up with a few slices to take home. We also had some super refreshing Arnold Palmers and all told the appetizers, 2 small pizzas and the drinks came out to less than $30 including tip. Great way to have tasty food on a small budget.
(4)Lydier H.
Hot, thin, crisp pizza that came straight from oven! Just a little expensive compare to other pizza Ive had. Even though my friend and I split the bill half&half. I ended up paying $20 for a pizza :/
(4)Ahna B.
Delicious appetizers and cocktails. Grade A customer service. Bartender was absolutely pleasant. I am from California and it is so great to have individuals that make their customers feel comfortable. Warms my heart.
(5)Wes B.
Great food, very nice atmosphere, staff were some of the friendliest people I've met. Had lunch special. Good price for what all it includes. Definitely recommend and would come back.
(4)Lori R.
Four of us had lunch here recently (well, three of us did, the other one was too teeny to do more than throw puffs around). They had a good lunch special, choice of a few particular pizzas, with salad and a drink for around $10. Two had that, but I wanted to try the Atomica:" Mozzarella, tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, then sprinkled with crushed red pepper, black olives, and topped with Italian sausage." My small one was $9. It was good. I would have much preferred kalamata olives, but since that's not what the menu said, that's not what I got. :) Nice thin crust. Tasty. Others enjoyed their pizzas...one got a veggie one, and Husband liked his Sausage one. Salads good as well. Service, friendly and efficient. Nice place to have a bite in downtown Boise!
(4)Jd F.
Down to earth, chill, laid back and exponentially awesome. It's like a good Jack Johnson song - you could just hit shuffle and every song is good. Just so, each dish at Proto's is smooth and goes down easy. As said before the staff are great. Un-assuming, attentive and not in your face. They are Boiseans. They are the local flavor just as much as the pizza itself. They make it a feel good establishment that keeps the customers returning. And you will get every flavor of person at Proto's. No joke. It fits every single person. It's like home. But don't take my word for it. (Du-dun-dun!)
(5)Delaney A.
Proto's is right downtown and within walking distance of the capital and the shopping district. The drink selection was directed toward Idaho Micro Breweries and the pizza had a new age gastro pub feel. Lots of vegetables , spices, and impressive ingredients that added flavor, not calories.
(4)Ophelia M.
Proto's is a great little pizza joint in Bodo serving up consistently good Neapolitan style pizza. They have a fun menu of specialty pizzas, in addition to their build your own options. Friday nights they have clam night. They make clam and garlic pizza with either red or white sauce (your choice). The have a great lunch special on weekdays--$10 for pizza, salad, & soft drink. I LOVE that they have feta as a cheese option (feta is second only in my affection to Gorgonzola)! My favorite specialty pizzas are their Ruby Pie (pesto, mozz, feta, kalamata olives, & artichoke hearts--only I typically have them hold the olives) and their Pontiff Pie (olive oil, garlic, fresh spinach, sun dried tomatoes, mozz, & feta). They also do takeout where they bake your pizza half-way, you bring it home, pop it in the oven for less then 5 minutes and...VOILA...Neapolitan deliciousness in the comfort of your own home. The surprising thing? Really fabulous cocktails! They have a bourbon drink I love called the Bourbon Rose. And, they have one of the best lemon drop martinis to be had in Boise--hands down. Also, if your just looking for a post-Bodo-movie cup of coffee & conversation--they serve Dawson Taylor coffee (yes!), espresso, and even make cappuccinos! They are located right next to the parking garage where you could easily park, eat, and make it back without having to pay (as the first hour is free). Get to it!
(4)Fallon F.
I've been here twice and have been very pleased both times. Proto's is a cute little pizza joint down near many other bars and restaurants on 8th street. It's clean inside with high ceilings and small tables and a big bar. In the summer their bar is open to both in and outside, which is pretty cool, and they have nice outdoor seating. They have a wide range of pizza choices, as well as soups and a couple of salads. I've only had pizza there but really liked it both times. The crust is thin and crispy and they do the toppings just right; not so many that they make the pizza soggy, but enough that you really get to enjoy them. I had the Pontiff pie today, a pizza with olive oil, fresh spinach, mozzarella, sundried tomatoes, and feta. Very tasty. They also have a decent selection of beers and what I believe is a full bar. Def worth a visit!
(5)Amanda J.
I went here today for lunch, I ordered the small white sauce pizza, yummy. I also splurged and had a cannoli, it was delicious. Great service and very friendly staff. I would like to come here for happy hour, the patio was very cute.
(4)Danielle B.
Was pleasantly surprised. The pizza was very good, I got the morning sunrise cocktail and apparently it was the waiter's first time making it and it was very very good. The waiter was very friendly. The place was clean and we got to watch our pizza be made and they use a brick oven. We then tried the gelato in hopes that it was authentic. It was pretty close if not! Was really really good. Great place and great staff. Will come back for sure!
(4)Maureen K.
Ended up choosing this place due to unforeseen circumstances being close to downtown, It was on our list of "must trys" so this seemed the perfect time. We were dining between typical lunch and dinner hours so we were the only patrons in the place, but that didn't affect our service. Very attentive. We were surprised and impressed at the full bar here, and overall feel of the place. We ordered the Traffic Jam medium pizza (with added garlic since it wasn't specified on the menu as the Atomica, for example). The crust was thin and charred just as we liked. The tomato sauce could have just a touch of sweetness for my taste, but can't complain. The medium pizza we ordered was $18. It's a 12 inch, and came to 3 slices each. Definitely filled us up, but we are used to taking some home at that price, hence the 4 stars. Still, not a negative review. We will be back.
(4)D T.
Absolutely love this place. Everything was perfect. Not noisy at all, which was very good. Not very busy, no lines, enough seats to fit everyone in. TV's for entertainment, and very, very good pizza for dinner.
(5)LeeAnn C.
I came back to celebrate my birthday dinner at Proto's and they did not disappoint! I called early in the week to reserve a spot outside for about 10 people, and they said no problem. They had it all set up when we got there on Saturday night. 10 crazy people ordering massive drinks and food. The service was AMAZING. Such a great vibe and fun atmosphere! It was the perfect kick off for my birthday night! THANK YOU! PS. as usual the white Sangria is ahhhhmazing.
(5)Jimmy M.
Good, but not true Naples style pizza. Great service and prices. True Naples style pizza only uses wet buffalo mozzarella and they use dry mozz.
(3)Allison H.
I really like the very thin-crusted pizza here. The red sauce it very tasty. Salads are also good. I thought the house dressing on my salad was garlicky tangy in just the right mix. However, I have to know this from a 4 to 3 star because of the service. There was no one in the place, yet the server seemed very distracted. She talked me into a restaurant week special, but then charged me full price. And one of the toppings I ordered wasn't on my pizza tho I was charged for it. I would come back because I feel it's good pizza at a good price. And I like supporting independent pizzerias. But they really need to pay a little more attention to service.
(3)Exel S.
Walked around downtown trying to find a cheap but unique restaurant and we landed here and let's just say it was a come to Jesus moment. The pizza was DELICIOUS and the prices were fair for what you got. The staff was very friendly and accommodating! We'd come back in a heartbeat.
(5)Mark B.
Stopped by Proto's on July 4th for a pizza. This was our first visit to Boise, and this place had great reviews. I would have to agree that the pizza here is very good, great thin crust and fast service. We had The Pontiff, and added prosciutto to it. Great bargain @$3.50 extra on a large pizza, no skimping on amount! We will definitely come back on our next trip to Boise. Only disappointment was when we found out that our very witty waiter didn't wear a bicycle helmet. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR HELMET!! :-)
(5)Brian M.
Let me say, I am a foodie. I LOVE to give my money to a restaurant who gives me more than I expected, Proto's is that place. My family and I went in there hungry after a long walk along the river. There were 7 of us, we bought 6 different pizzas! Starting out with four, we couldn't stop! First off, they are super reasonably priced, they are AMAZING, what more could you ask? The Margherita is a by the book Italian pizza, from what I understand literally following an Italian law as to how it's made. My very picky teenage son even loved it. The "White" pizza was one of the favorites with everyone including my 12 year old daughter who also likes plain old pepperoni. The "low rider" was my oldest son and his wife's favorite. The service was perfect beyond perfect. We ate out on the patio and the rain held off for us to finish, it was absolutely perfect. I have a new rating for pizza, there is nothing I can ever call a pizza again, they are THAT different. The only thing that comes close was one we got in Grinech Village in NY, Proto's was absolutely the best pizza I have ever had and the rest of the family agreed. Tonight we went to a chain down in a super fancy mall like place where we ate at XXXX Grille and I felt as I paid the check that I was ROBBED. It was $100 for the family, the same I spent at Proto's but I was thrilled to give Proto's my money, this place I went today, they STOLE the money from my wallet!
(5)Jenny M.
We were looking for a quick bite to eat and in a hurry when meeting a friend who was in town to play a show in the area. Proto's looked inviting, not all that busy and had a great outdoor patio. Who doesn't enjoy a sitting on a sunny patio with a great glass of wine enjoying a good salad and sharing some Neapolitan Pizza with a friend, right? So, after painting that lovely picture it pains me just a little, to have to say that the food at Proto's Pizza was really just mediocre. We ordered the Capri Salad, the ingredients all seemed to have that fresh from a can quality. The Margherita Pizza was okay, I enjoy a thin crust but honestly I have heated up knock off brand frozen pizza from Fred Meyers that had more depth. Our friend ordered the Tomato and Mozzarella Salad (which is what I have always believed was a Capri or Caprese Salad?) and the tomato's were soft and had the texture of being left in a refrigerator. Just not what you are looking for when wanting to enjoy a tomato salad. I did not try any of the drinks as mentioned in all the other reviews, but I am beginning to wonder if the idea is to come here partake in some drinks and then order the food, almost everything tastes great when you are in need of food to soak up alcohol. The wine by the bottle also seemed to be priced on the high side, normally the incentive to buy a bottle is a small amount of savings versus the glass. The bottles are priced exactly to match the glass. Proto's could have some potential, it seems to be in a lively area of downtown, containing other bars and chain restaurants, and as I mentioned they have an outdoor patio with a giant garage door opening the bar area to the outside, but the menu and the food really need some help. With all that said, I do want to commend the staff, they were exceptionally friendly, quick, attentive and provided us with good service. I give them 2 stars for trying and for having great staff and a concept that is good, but minus 3 for execution of the menu and food.
(2)Tad S.
Great place to grab a pizza and very kid friendly. The kids get to watch the pizzas being made which provides for excellent entertainment. Loved it!
(5)Rachel B.
Great pizza joint, I actually really like this place, especially considering I am not a "big" pizza fan. I feel like I always write "4 star reviews", but I guess it is because I just know what I like in a restaurant and only visit places that fit my mold. That being said, this place delivers (both literary and figuratively speaking!). With a town filled with restaurants/bars/deli's/breakfast establishments, this place is consistently good. I love their thin crust pizza and pizza sauce. They do not serve pasta here (which I consider some what of a disappointment, I bet if they did serve pasta it would be wonderful), but every pizza on their menu is good, fresh, and you don't walk away feeling like you at a chain pizza restaurant! Also, if you eat in the restaurant, the employees are fun, the atmosphere is amazing, and you start to smell their pizza about a block away!
(4)Ray I.
Very fun menu, absolutely delicious thin-crust pizza. But what really makes this place for me is the vibe. I've only done take out from them, but I've done it several times, and the tone and personality of everyone that works there is just so friendly and fun that you want to give them your business again. Well played, Proto's Pizza, well played.
(4)Stasia T.
We are from California, visiting my mom for the first time in Boise sinced she moved. We didn't have a plan for dinner and stumbled into Proto's with my two young kids. There were 5 of us plus a high chair. We sat outside and they stuffed all of us around a 4 seater square table. We ordered and then waited almost an hour for our food. We asked what was going on and our server then said the cook was new and burned our two pizzas. When we finally got the pizzas, about ten minutes later, I was horrified. My margarita pizza had CANNED DICED tomatoes on it! Instead of offering us any kind of compensation, we had to ask ourselves, and they comped the margarita pizza. At least the server, Echo, was super sweet and helpful and truly sorry. Next time, I would at least offer something for the hungry irritable kids if the order is burned. Good: the crust is good and you can't beat the prices.
(1)Matt D.
When we lived in Boise this was our favorite pizza place. I love thin crust pizza, especially with different ingredients than the standard tomato sauce and mozzarella that most chains serve. Try the Low Rider. It comes with spicy barbecue sauce, cilantro and bacon. It's such a great combination of flavors. The location is also cool -- right downtown with a small patio for when the weather is nice.
(4)Jim B.
It's quite obvious that one person's absolute best pizza is another's poison. That said, I like Proto's Pizza. For me, their thin-crust minimally topped pizza baked quickly in a hot oven with, dare I say it, bits of blackening on the crust, is an ideal pizza. Make it garlic and anchovy, serve it with a few glasses of draft beer and I will return again and again. Yes, I said anchovy. I don't recommend this pie to those looking for lots of cheese and lots of topping. For those people there are other pizzerias.
(3)Shannon S.
We love Protos for the good pizza and customer service. We always feel at home and leave happy. Great with or without kids.
(5)Becca M.
Ate here for a "quick bite" on a Friday night. We shared the caesar salad and small traditional pizza... And it was perfect. The Proto's Marg wasn't very tasty but the waitress brought out something AMAZING instead. Will be back soon!
(5)