THE GARAGE CAFÉ Muscle-car menu makes for pleasing pit stops in Notus
If you find yourself cutting through the heart of Canyon County on Highway 20/26, wheel into The Garage Café in Notus, aptly named for the gas and service station that was a fixture in this small town going back to the ’40s. Heather and Scott Zimmerman had been eyeing the empty building for some time, wishing someone would restore the landmark. Despite not having any experience owning or running a restaurant, when the opportunity arose, that someone became them.
“It has such personality and character,” said Heather. “I love the history of it and the stories customers share of growing up working on their cars in the building.” They opened the doors to the 50-seat joint in May 2010.
The menu is exactly what you’d expect to find in the middle of hardworking agricultural country. Breakfast is served all day and I’d wager that no one ever leaves hungry. The chicken fried steak—served with gravy, eggs, hash browns and toast—is one of their signature dishes. In keeping with the automotive theme, there’s the El Camino, Power Wagon and tool box omelets, all made with six eggs, although half orders are available. There’s also the lugnuts: housemade biscuits covered with thick sausage gravy.
“We are a muscle car enthusiast family,” Heather explained, “So the building and theme of it fit us perfectly.”
The lunch and dinner menus also offer a hearty array of choices. The burgers are made from beef from Owyhee Meats in Homedale and the finger steaks are a crowd favorite. A range of sandwiches and a couple of salads round out the menu. Every friday night, the Zimmermans cook up a prime rib dinner.
For those who really have a big appetite, and want to secure a place on the Wall of Fame to commemorate it, there’s the Hemi Challenge: two pounds of fresh ground beef on an eight-inch bun with all the fixings, accompanied by two pounds of fries and a handscooped
milkshake—all to be polished off within one hour. Many try but fewer than 20 have succeeded.
If you still manage to have room for dessert, try the cinnamon rolls that are made in-house or the pies and other baked goods supplied by Caldwell’s The Sweet Spot Bakery.
“We have customers that drive from boise and Mountain Home,” Heather said. “Being out in Notus, I have to wow people with our food and our service.”
The Garage Café
228 Elgin, Notus
Su–Th 7am–8pm • F–Sa 7am–9pm
208.459.2207 • thegaragecafe.com
