Try Donnie Mac's for Boise's Best Burger

I read the book "Fast Food Nation" a few years ago and was completely turned off by both fast food and ground beef for a long time. Because of that, when I finally did start eating ground beef again, I became extremely picky about where it came from and how it was prepared. No McDonald's or Carl's Junior for me, oh no! But as a native Idahoan, I found I couldn't stay away from it all together.

My husband and I have been trolling Boise for not just a good burger, but a great burger since moving to the capitol city two years ago. We found that at Donnie Mac's Trailer Park Cuisine, located in Boise's Linen District, at 1515 W. Grove Street.

They offer a "Build Your Own Burger" option, and provide an array of usual and unusual options: real cheeses (not that sliced processed stuff) like Swiss, cheddar and pepperjack, as well as wonderfully delicious bacon, avocado, grilled onions, roasted red peppers and mushrooms. There are enough nutritious additions that you can not only feel guilt-free about eating a burger, but a touch sanctimonious about getting such nutrition atop it. To add to that smug feeling of good-for-you grill food, you can choose the option of Donnie Mac's delicious sweet potato fries. Generally, I am not a fan of the sweet potato, but I found that if you fry it up crispy and add a touch of salt to balance out the sweetness, the sweet potato fry can taste even better than the old standard.

We've visited about a dozen times, and our only disappointment has been with the macaroni and cheese. You could probably cook the Kraft version on your stovetop for $.44, add some grated cheese to the top and bake it for a few minutes, and have a hard time telling the difference between it and Donnie Mac's version.

Be sure to top off your meal with a "Mudd," which is Donnie Mac's appellation for frozen custard. Many Boiseans are not familiar with the frozen custard, a phenomenon that seems to be somewhat localized to the Midwest. You know how ice cream tastes richer than frozen yogurt? Well, frozen custard makes regular old ice cream taste like ice milk. It really can't be beaten, and Donnie Mac's provides tasty mix-ins to add to the vanilla-flavored base. You can get marshmallow cream, bananas, chocolate syrup or hot fudge, candy pieces, cookie pieces, you name it. You'll be full from your burger and fries, but you've got to save room for a Mudd.

All talk of food aside, Donnie Mac's also has what has to be the kitschiest decor in southern Idaho. You literally can sit at a table installed inside a vintage car with a kayak strapped to the top. Booths are made from the front seats of old cars, and the kitchen is encapsulated by what looks like an over-sized classic Airstream trailer body. Glass garage bay doors open onto a large patio along Grove Street. This area is shaded from the summer sun and misters provide a great deal of cooling to the area.

Our quest for Boise's best burger has come to a very successful conclusion.