This Boise restaurant was supposed to be a new chain. ‘Farewell, friends,’ it just closed
When Zen Baja opened in a remodeled version of the old Naked Fins building, it was supposed to be more than a renamed take on the same fast-casual concept.
The hope was that the newcomer at 1120 S. Broadway Ave. would be the laboratory for a new, multirestaurant brand in the greater Boise area and beyond, a representative of the ownership group told the Idaho Statesman.
But it doesn’t look like that dream will come true.
Zen Baja has permanently closed. The Asian fusion restaurant, which served bowls, sushi rolls and tacos, shared the news Wednesday on social media. Zen Baja opened in June of last year.
“Thank you for all the memories,” it wrote. “Farewell, friends.”
Offering Asian and Latin dishes, Zen Baja’s menu remained purposely all over the map. “We’ve got something for everyone,” its website bragged when it opened.
One item that Boiseans might remember fondly for eternity? The Vampire Chicken Taco. Encrusted with melted, crisped cheese, those “vampire” tacos had a lot going on in every, well, bite. Eating one was like a cheesy flavor explosion of verde chicken, cabbage, chipotle crema, avocado, pickled onion and cilantro.
Zen Baja’s closure isn’t exactly a stake through the heart for Boise’s restaurant scene. But, undoubtedly, it will be missed by some.
