New ‘kickass’ restaurant coming to Meridian isn’t a chain. But ‘4-5 more’ might open

Grant Rosendahl is so bullish on the planned mid-September debut of his new restaurant concept that he’s already expanding.

At least in his mind.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we open four to five more of them,” he says.

Two years after successfully navigating chain-filled Meridian with il Sugo Italian Kitchen, Rosendahl is headed to the intersection of Eagle and Overland roads with a second venture: Tommy’s Italian, 2976 E. Overland Road.

It could be the start of his own local chain.

“It’s going to be il Sugo’s kickass younger brother,” Rosendahl promises.

Instead of a traditional restaurant like il Sugo — with wine glasses and linen-covered tables — Tommy’s Italian will be a “scoop and serve” operation, he explains.

Located next to another local outfit, Coned Pizza, Tommy’s will offer a premise similar to il Sugo’s — choose your pasta, choose your sauce. But it will be a counter-order operation. The restaurant will include maybe 20 seats, Rosendahl says. Everything will be packaged in takeout-friendly containers.

Food won’t be cooked on site. Instead, il Sugo, 1407 W. McMillan Road, will serve as a commissary. That means customers will feast on the same delicious, housemade sauces offered at il Sugo.

Tommy’s is a fast-casual concept, so the pasta won’t be the same locally made noodles as il Sugo’s. But “we’re gonna have a good product,” Rosendahl promises — an Italian import. The choices will be linguine, fettucine, penne and a gluten-free penne (for an extra buck).

Working your way down the counter at Tommy’s will be like ordering at Chipotle or, speaking locally, Paddles Up Poke. Possibly even simpler. The total number of items at Tommy’s, including add-ons, will be roughly a dozen, Rosendahl says.

At this “stretch Italian” concept, he explains, customers will be able to customize and upgrade with extra goodies — whether its fried or roasted chicken tenders on top, or a side Caesar salad.

In the mood for an unusual combo? Penne noodles with, say, pesto sauce and fried chicken? You’ll be able to concoct that.

But the plan, Rosendahl says, is to sell four $12.95 signature dishes the most.

The Tommy’s Original, for example, will be linguine, bolognese, meatballs and parmesan — and a slice of garlic toast, which comes with all entrees. Or grab Chicken Fettucine Alfredo ($12.95): fettucine, roasted chicken, creamy alfredo sauce and parmesan.

The Half & Half will be divided between fettucine alfredo and bolognese, with two fried chicken tenders and parmesan. And the Chicky Parm will be pesto linguine, two fried chicken tenders, marinara and parmesan.

Customers will be able to upgrade any entree to a combo — with a salad and drink (iced tea or Coke products) — for $3.95.

Tommy’s Italian is “a business model that we want to track,” Rosendahl says. “And if it works, then we can cut and paste it to the next place.

“This Tommy’s Italian is kind of the future of where we’re going to go with our business,” explains Rosendahl, who opened the first il Sugo in downtown Boise before closing it to focus on the Meridian expansion.

If all goes well, Tommy’s — named after Rosendahl’s 2-year-old son — will grow into a familiar brand across the Boise metro area.

“There’s a big possibility of us being back in Boise,” Rosendahl says. “There’s a possibility of us being in the Star and Eagle area.”

▪ Instagram: @tommysitalian.