DONNIE'S STORY

In 1992 Don MacKenzie partnered up with two former U.S. Ski Teamer's Mark Tache & Christin Cooper to form "MacKenzie River Pizza Company" (MRP) in Bozeman, Montana. We opened our flood gates on April 15, 1993. One year later the team realized they need "the best in the West" for a GM, so they lassoed a young man off of the range named Pete Hendrickson.  Pete later became a partner too! In 1995 Steve Shule came on board to steer the drift boat. In 1998 MRP won a National Award, called "HOT CONCEPT OF THE YEAR AWARD", by Nations Restaurant News & sponsored by, Lipton Food Company. Also in 1998 Don MacKenzie left the Bozeman fish camp to venture out on his own with MRP and came to Boise, Idaho. Newly widowed with a six year old and a 10 year old, it soon became apparent Don bit off more than he could chew, got lost in the rapids, lost the oars and sank his Idaho boats. Today the Montana Crew have 14 and counting, ragging MacKenzie River's.

In 2002 Donnie (known to family & friends) pulled himself up by his boot straps, hugged his darling children Taylor & Tucker and took off for the South Pacific, The Fiji Islands & New Zealand to travel, surf, pray & soul search! We recharged and came back responsibly swinging! In 2003 Donnie met and married Stephanie Olson within six weeks...talk about responsible! It actually did turn out to be responsible...down right brilliant! After a few restaurant design commissions ran out, Donnie turned to 18 wheeling to put rubber on the road. After thousands of road miles to reflect and learn from the past and envision the future, Donnie decided he better get back into something that was harder than truck driving...The Restaurant Business!

Sooo... in 2005 Donnie partnered up with Mike (former U.S. Ski Teamer...Donnie likes to keep fast company) & Sheila Farny and Jim Finch (former college classmate, Special Olympian Skier & National Paraplegic U.S. Hockey Team...I told you, he likes to keep fast company) to begin the first and soon to be legendary, "donnie mac's...Trailer Park Cuisine"...right here at "The Linen District" in Boise, Idaho!

I, Donnie would like to share my gratitude for my present partners, for believing in me one more time! I would also like to thank Mark & Christin Tache-Cooper for believing in me the first time and giving me a great opportunity to be creative! If it weren't for Mark & Christin, none of this would have been possible...thank you! I want to thank Pete Hendrickson for being an inspiration operationally! I would like to thank all of my friends & family along the way for supporting my family and me. My Mom for all of her endless hours of being on scaffolding, painting all of those beautiful MacKenzie River murals. And my dear Dad, who taught me how to go for my dreams, without conditions & limitations! Coach Jim Crafton, Sherry Merica, Molly Merica, Buck Brannaman, The Pope Family, Ace & Jennifer Lane, Steve Hamilton, Eubanks, Kevin Wallace, Mrs. Williamson, Combs Family, Bonamarte, Larson Family, Tim & Mary Wilcomb & the boys, Don Riddle, Matt Neal, Paul & Aylee Schaefer, Scott & Cindy Curtis, Bob & Mary Barros-Bailey, to all of my former staffers throughout the years, to everyone else I just couldn't list! Most of all I’d like to thank my dear fun spirited children, Taylor (Bearcat) & Mr. Tucker (shoe fly) MacKenzie!

Thank you all for the experiences, spiritual lessons, support, love, humor and passion, because that is what we live for!!! I love you all!

Now let's go...

EAT PROUD, WORKOUT & RADIATE!

PARK IT AT THE TRAILER PARK, BABY!