This Boise restaurant kept closing. It’s open with new name, new owner ‘working hard’

Driving down State Street, don’t feel bad if you haven’t yet noticed that Eddie’s Diner is pouring hot coffee and serving home-style meals again.

The familiar building at 3095 W. Lake Harbor Lane feels like it’s been closed more than it’s been open in recent years.

But new operator Candido “Candy” Garcia would love for you stop by.

A former cook at Eddie’s Restaurant, 7067 W. Overland Road, Garcia jumped ship to reopen the State Street sister restaurant in April.

Except now it’s named after him: Candy’s Caffe.

Garcia didn’t mess with the menu. After all, Eddie’s Diner has been serving nostalgic breakfasts, burgers and milkshakes since 1999.

Emerging from the kitchen for a quick chat, he explained that it’s all about giving people what they want.

“We have a lot of regular customers,” Garcia said.

Eddie’s Diner opened in 1999. The Overland restaurant has been around even longer. But crippled by a staff shortage, Eddie’s Diner closed in late 2021. It finally reopened in August 2022. But then it shuttered again in January.

When Eddie’s co-owners gave Garcia a shot at leasing the building and running his own restaurant, he jumped at the opportunity.

OK, he leaned into the opportunity. Like, in slow motion.

“I (thought) about it for one month,” Garcia admitted with a laugh.

After all, Garcia said hiring challenges are a major reason that Eddie’s co-owner Phil Bird suggested that he take it over.

But Garcia is the cook at Candy’s, so there’s one significant hurdle cleared.

The restaurant stays open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, serving breakfast and lunch. Garcia hopes to extend those hours to around 9 p.m. starting this fall.

In the meantime? It’s all about rebuilding consistency. And trust.

Cranking out quality skillets, breakfasts, burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts — and lots more. (The menu is sizable.)

For all ages. Candy’s offers both children and senior meals.

“Every day (goes) up and up,” Garcia said. “I’m working hard to keep the people happy. I want to keep the same customers and make new customers, too.”