When the Western Idaho Fair swings open each August, many Boise families look forward to rides, games, and classic fair foods. For longtime resident and radio personality Dave Miller, the highlight is a single, unmistakable treat – the Idaho Ice Cream Potato.
From a Newcomer’s Curiosity to a Family Favorite
In August 2002, Miller and his family had just moved to the Treasure Valley. While staying at the Shilo Inn Riverside, he took a booth at the fair for his new radio job. A sign advertising an “Ice Cream Potato” caught his eye, and he wondered if it was a baked potato topped with ice cream or something else entirely.
He ordered one and discovered that the dessert contains no potato at all. Vanilla ice cream is molded into a potato shape, coated in cocoa to mimic skin, then finished with whipped cream, chocolate drizzle and chopped nuts. The result looks like a baked potato but tastes like a rich ice‑cream sundae.
Historical Roots in Boise
Chef Lou Aaron, a Boise native, traced the concept back to the 1940s Gamekeeper Restaurant in Owyhee Plaza, where a “Gamekeeper Surprise” featured maple‑nut ice cream, chocolate fudge, whipped cream and almonds. In 1991, Chef Lou trademarked the name “Idaho Ice Cream Potato” and later purchased Westside Drive‑In in 1994, bringing the dessert to the iconic drive‑in.
Westside Drive‑In, originally opened in 1957, now operates two Boise locations – the original on State Street and a Parkcenter site opened in 2012. The ice‑cream potato is available year‑round, but many locals, like Miller, reserve it for the fair.
A Fair Tradition That Endures
After his first bite, Miller returned to the fair booth after his shift, buying six more to share with his family. The sight of six “potatoes” in a hotel room sparked laughter, and the dessert quickly became a staple of his Idaho experience.
Over the past 24 years, Miller has visited Westside Drive‑In countless times, often stopping specifically for the ice‑cream potato. Chef Lou still runs the fair booths, and the treat remains a highlight of the Western Idaho Fair and the Art in the Park event.
Why It Matters to Boise Residents
The ice‑cream potato represents more than a sweet snack; it embodies a local tradition that ties newcomers to Boise’s cultural fabric. For families seeking a taste of Idaho heritage, the dessert offers a nostalgic link to the state’s mid‑century culinary history and the community spirit of the fair.
As the Western Idaho Fair opens each year, Booths serving the Idaho Ice Cream Potato continue to draw crowds, reinforcing the fair’s role as a gathering place where long‑time residents and newcomers alike share a common, delicious experience.
Original reporting: 580 KIDO Talk Radio (Boise) — read the source article.
