Savannah’s BBQ returns in new location
The Rigby family has brought barbecue to their Cache Valley roots through their recently reopened restaurant, Savannah’s BBQ.
The restaurant reopened on Dec. 4 at it’s new location, 880 South Main, which formerly housed Firehouse Pizzeria.
Travis Rigby, who has been involved in the food industry for almost seven years, is the “pit-master.” His brother, Quaid Rigby, is in charge of the kitchen.
Travis grew up in Cache Valley, graduating from Sky View High School. He said he and his family feel a strong connection to Cache Valley and are active at community events.
Savannah’s has had booths at many gatherings in the valley since they first opened in Providence at the end of 2010. They have most recently been a part of the Cache Valley Cruise-In and Summerfest. Travis said he hopes to have a place at the Cache Valley Fair this summer.
Serving a rural community that is home to a historically agricultural university, Savannah’s brings a new flavor to the area through barbeque, a type of food underrepresented in the valley, according to Amanda Summers, front-end manager of the restaurant.
“It’s nice to have something different than everybody else,” Summers said.
The food is at the center of the restaurant – literally. The “pit,” where various meats roast over a fire, sits in the middle of the restaurant just behind the bar.
Guests have several seating options. There are long tables, booths and the bar.
The booths, located throughout the restaurant, feature bench seats with tall backs.
The tables, or half-booths, allow for larger parties of diners.
The bar is just inside the main doors. Guests need to specifically request these seats, Brown said. He said the tall stools let diners be in the action.
“That’s usually where people sit if they know the owners or the cooks,” said Jordan Brown, a server at Savannah’s.
The yellow painted walls are covered in license plates and coloring pages of pigs, drawn by younger guests equipped with crayons.
“Savannah’s has a fun atmosphere,” Brown said. “Real friendly. It’s what you get from a small business.”
Several employees at Savannah’s BBQ attend USU.
One of them is Sabra Gerds, a senior majoring in horticulture. A server at Savannah’s, Gerds said the food is delicious.
“If it weren’t for the great discount, my entire paycheck would go to eating here all the time,” she said.
Gerds said she loves working for the Rigby family. She said her bosses are very nice and willing to work around her class schedule.
Brown said he also loves his job.
“I originally fell in love the food at the old location, behind the Maverick in Providence,” he said. “When I found out the restaurant was moving, I really wanted to be a part of it.”
Brown isn’t the only who loves the food. Locals and students enjoy the variety on the menu, which features everything from pulled-pork sandwiches to salads.
Summers said the restaurant serves something for everyone.
“We have world famous ribs,” she said. “Like real ribs. The full rack with just a little cut off the ends. We have had people who have eaten ribs everywhere, but they say ours is the best.”
– j.bedingfield@aggiemail.usu.edu