Look, finding legit places to eat in Rexburg Idaho isn't just about stuffing your face. It's survival. Between college kids and locals, everyone needs fuel. I've eaten my way through every burger joint, taco stand, and curry spot in this town. Twice. Got the receipts to prove it.
You won't find any paid promotions here. Just straight talk on where to get amazing food in Rexburg without wasting your time or cash. Because let's be real – when you're hangry after class or work, you need answers fast.
Local Tip: Skip the chains near campus. The magic happens at family-owned spots where they remember your order by week two. Trust me on this.
Rexburg's Can't-Miss Restaurants by Category
Broken down by what you're craving right now. Prices? Hours? Our signature dishes? Got you covered.
American Comfort Food Heaven
Sometimes you just need a juicy burger. These spots deliver.
| Name/Location | Hours | Price | Must-Try Item | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Millhollow Pub & Grill (144 W Main St) |
Mon-Thu: 11am-10pm Fri-Sat: 11am-11pm Sun: Closed |
$$ ($12-$20) | "Idaho Nachos" (crispy fries + fry sauce) | Local favorite. Crazy busy during game nights |
| Crazy Cow Cafe (335 N 2nd E) |
Daily 7am-3pm | $ ($8-$15) | Banana Bread French Toast | Breakfast only. Worth waking up early |
Millhollow's patio in summer? Perfection. Crazy Cow's pancakes soak up syrup like sponges – in the best way. Avoid Millhollow on Friday nights unless you love waiting with hangry undergrads.
Confession: I once ordered burgers from three different places in one night for "research." Millhollow won. Their secret sauce ruined ketchup for me forever.
Global Flavors Worth Leaving Campus For
Rexburg's international scene punches above its weight.
| Name/Location | Hours | Price | Must-Try Item | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tandoori Oven HIDDEN GEM (51 E Main St) |
Tue-Sun: 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-9pm Mon: Closed |
$$ ($14-$22) | Lamb Korma + garlic naan | Owner Sanjay remembers regulars. Lunch buffet Wed/Fri |
| Taqueria El Rancho LOCAL PICK (Behind Walmart gas station) |
Daily 10am-9pm | $ ($6-$10) | Al Pastor tacos (ask for extra lime) | Cash only. Tiny place, massive flavor |
Found Taqueria El Rancho after my car broke down near Walmart. Best roadside taco experience ever. Their salsa verde? I'd bathe in it. Tandoori Oven's buffet saved me during finals week – unlimited naan is academic fuel.
Honorable mention: Sakura Japanese (145 S 2nd W). Solid sushi rolls but skip their ramen – broth tastes like salty dishwater. There, I said it.
Breakfast Joints That Actually Wake You Up
Because cereal gets old. Fast.
| Name/Location | Hours | Price | Must-Try Item | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rise Coffee House (91 S Center St) |
Mon-Fri: 6:30am-6pm Sat: 8am-4pm Sun: 8am-2pm |
$ ($5-$12) | Avocado Toast w/ ghost pepper flakes | Free Wi-Fi. Outlets everywhere. Student central |
| Farr's Fresh BEST FAMILY SPOT (360 S 2nd E) |
Mon-Sat: 7am-9pm Sun: 8am-2pm |
$$ ($10-$18) | Cinnamon roll pancakes (share them!) | Farm-to-table vibe. Huge portions |
Rise's cold brew kicks like a mule. Farr's? Went there with my niece last month. She spilled syrup everywhere, waitress just laughed and brought more napkins. Places to eat in Rexburg Idaho need more of that energy.
When Budget's Tight: Rexburg Cheap Eats That Don't Suck
We've all been there. Ramen gets old. Try these instead:
- BYU-Idaho Taco Tuesdays ($1 tacos at Crossroads food court) – Only for students but unbeatable pricing
- Gator Jacks (45 W 2nd S) – $5 burgers after 8pm. Greasy goodness
- Pizza Pie Cafe Lunch Buffet (490 S 2nd E) – $9 all-you-can-eat 11am-3pm weekdays
Gator Jacks saved my wallet freshman year. Their "Jack Attack" burger has questionable meat sources but tastes like poor decisions in the best way.
Seasonal Must-Knows For Rexburg Eateries
This town changes when students leave. Plan accordingly:
- Summer (May-Aug): Campus-area spots get quieter. Local haunts like Taqueria El Rancho stay packed
- Christmas Break: Half the restaurants close. Call ahead!
- Graduation Weekends: Book reservations 2+ weeks early. Everywhere gets slammed
I learned this the hard way trying to get brunch during graduation. Waited 90 minutes at Farr's while my stomach ate itself.
Places I Wanted to Love... But Didn't
Keeping it real:
- Crazy Cow Cafe: Pancakes? Legendary. Service? Slower than dial-up internet. Bring a book.
- Porter's Diner: Looks cute retro. Food tastes like cardboard with nostalgia sprinkles.
- Wingers: Chain alert. Overpriced for what you get. Their "famous" sauce tastes like ketchup with commitment issues.
Your Places to Eat in Rexburg Idaho FAQ
Where can I get late-night food in Rexburg?
Options vanish after 10pm. Your best bets: Gator Jacks (open till midnight), Big J's (pizza till 1am), and Maverik gas station surprisingly decent breakfast burritos. BYU-Idaho's strict vibe means no 24-hour diners here.
What restaurants deliver to BYU-Idaho campus?
Domino's, Pizza Pie Cafe, and Jimmy John's are reliable. Avoid Campus Eats delivery – their drivers get lost constantly. Like "call you from Wyoming" lost.
Where do locals go for special occasions?
Farr's Fresh for brunch celebrations, Millhollow for birthdays (ask for their free brownie sundae), and Tandoori Oven for date nights. Avoid chain steakhouses – support hometown spots.
Any vegan-friendly places in Rexburg?
Better than you'd expect! Rise Coffee House has killer oat milk lattes and vegan pastries. Tandoori Oven adjusts curries vegan-style. Even Farr's Fresh has a "secret" vegan pancake recipe if you ask nicely.
What's the most overrated spot in Rexburg?
Fight me, but Porter's Diner. All style, zero substance. You want real diner food? Drive to Idaho Falls.
Final Bites of Advice
Finding great places to eat in Rexburg Idaho comes down to three things:
- Location matters: Campus-adjacent = faster, cheaper, louder. Downtown Rexburg = quieter, more local flavor.
- Timing is everything: Avoid campus spots between 11:30am-1pm unless you enjoy mob scenes.
- Talk to servers: They know what's fresh and what to avoid. Saved me from Millhollow's "experimental meatloaf" last winter.
My last meal in Rexburg? Taqueria El Rancho's carnitas plate. No regrets except maybe the salsa-induced hiccups. Go explore – and bring Tums.
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