Inspired by world travels, Boise native returns to open new sandwich shop that ‘wows’

Charles Hennessey has explored the globe more than most Idahoans.

A Boise native, he’s spent his adult life working in the service industry. In bars and restaurants after he moved to Seattle for college. At hotels and resorts across the country after that. For six or seven months each year, he’ll collect a paycheck, Hennessey says. The rest of the time? He travels.

“It’s allowed me to kind of see the world,” Hennessey, 35, explains. “I just finished my last resort job at Jenny Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park.”

That was early October. Now he’s back. Ready to open a restaurant influenced by his adventures.

‘Something new’

In November, Hennessey plans to unveil Don & Charly’s in downtown Boise. A sandwich shop that also serves salad and charcuterie, it will take over the recently closed Frondescence space at 103 N. 10th St.

Boise has an amazing dining scene, Hennessey says. “I think there are a lot of great restaurants downtown, and I’m excited to add something new to an already delicious and diverse group of restaurants.”

But Hennessey hasn’t encountered anything new, he explains, “as far as sandwiches and salads, that really wows me. I feel like the sandwiches that I’m going to be bringing is something different, that you can’t get around here as much.”

The Don & Charly’s menu will be “inspired by different places that I’ve lived and traveled,” he says.

Don & Charly’s is set to debut with five sandwiches, four salads and charcuterie options for two, four and six, he says. But the menu will evolve, most likely. Initially, plans are for the restaurant to be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

Sandwiches will cost from $10 to $15 and be served with a small side. Those include a salad with choice of housemade dressing, potato salad, macaroni salad or rotating seasonal selections, he says.

Vietnam, Europe

One of the hot sandwiches will be a Caribbean pork with caramelized onions, pickled jalapenos, lettuce, cilantro and garlic aioli on a fresh baguette. (That one is inspired by a creation from a now-defunct Seattle sandwich shop that he loved.) There will be a banh mi anchored by braised ginger-and-soy chicken thigh. (“One of my favorite places that I’ve traveled is Vietnam,” Hennessey says. “I love the food and culture there.”) Diners craving something more traditional will be able to order a New York deli-style sandwich topped with meats like capicola and Genoa salami. (Yes, Hennessey lived in New York City.)

“Over the years, I spent a lot of time in Europe,” he adds. “I’m going to bring in a lot of European cured meats and cheeses and things of that nature.”

Speaking of meats and cheeses? If you’re sipping a stiff cocktail at nearby 10th Street Station bar, you’ll be able to order charcuterie from Don & Charly’s, via QR code, to be delivered.

And speaking of alcohol? Don & Charly’s will sell beer and wine. “One of the big plans for Don & Charly’s is we’d like to have a really great by-the-glass wine selection,” he says.

Taking advantage of its location downtown, the sandwich shop also will cater box lunches.

Don & Charly’s is named after Hennessey’s late father, Don, and the quirky way his dad spelled his nickname, Charly.

Hennessey hopes that the shop, once it’s up and running, will make a name for itself. There’s no dramatic overhaul planned for the restaurant’s interior. The mural on the wall from the recently closed vegan restaurant, Frondescence, will stay.

“We’re making a few changes,” he says, “but it is a quick turnaround.”

Boise? ‘Special’

Hennessey knows that the space has hosted a few tenants in recent years. From 2021 to 2022, it was Coned Pizza. For more than a decade, it was home to Ben & Jerry’s.

“We’re hoping to put a new staple in there,” he says, “for everyone around here.

“I’m thrilled to be back, and what I’ve learned from my travels is that Boise is a special place, and I feel lucky to be from here, and I can’t wait to get involved in the community and build something special here.”

▪ For updates about the imminent opening date, follow @don_and_charlys on Instagram.