Meat lovers unite with BBQ
Cache Valley residents have many options for dining out, but there are very few places to get barbecue in the valley. Three months ago, a new choice was introduced for meat lovers in Northern Utah. Savannah’s BBQ is “true, authentic, southern barbecue,” said Travis Rigby, owner and head cook of Savannah’s BBQ.
“It’s always been my dream to a have a restaurant,” Rigby said.
He has been in the food business for more than eight years, which he said has prepared him to open his own restaurant. Rigby began to live his dream when he started the catering company Black Iron Grill. Rigby now finds himself going to work everyday to do something that he feels passionate about.
“I’m happier doing this than when I’m doing other things,” he said.
Rigby chose to start a barbecue restaurant because he felt that it would stand out in Cache Valley.
“I always wanted to try barbecue and there weren’t really any around here so I just started playing around with it,” he said.
Ashlynn Anderson, a waitress at Savannah’s BBQ, said the most unique thing about Savannah’s BBQ is the environment. She said she feels the decorations and the music in the restaurant adds to the uniqueness of the Southern food.
“Your getting something different than normal Cache Valley,” Anderson said.
She said the most popular foods are the “fall off the bone” ribs and the pulled pork. Some other favorites are southern corn bread and biscuits.
“The beans have (also) been a favorite. (The customers) like the fact that there’s meat in them,” she said.
“Compared to the old business that was here, the menu is bigger and there are more options,” she said. She also said there is a larger variety of food and sauces. Most of the recipes were created by Rigby himself.
Several waitresses at Savannah’s BBQ said it is a great place to work.
“No one is better than anyone else,” Anderson said. “I feel like what I’m asked to do I know other people would do.”
She said she feels like she and her co-workers are like a family.
Anderson said, “I don’t feel like I’m just coming to work here, I come to have fun.”
Jenny Keller, another waitress at Savannah’s BBQ, said she believes the best part of working there is the people. She said because the employees enjoy their job, they are able to be more laid-back and do a better job tending to their tables. Keller said people “know when to work but they know how to have fun too.”
Savannah’s BBQ also has live entertainment on the weekends. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday they provide live music, usually by local artists with a country and bluegrass style of performing. Some of those who have performed in the past at Savannah’s BBQ are “Pretty Little Darns,” an all-girl band, and Julia Mecham.
Keller said those that have been to Savannah’s BBQ love it. She said she has had people tell her that when they want ribs, they go to Savannah’s BBQ.
Anderson said one man who came into Savannah’s BBQ asked for “fall off the bone” ribs. She told him that was what they had at Savannah’s BBQ. When she brought him his ribs, he was still a little skeptical, but when he went to take a bite and the meat came right off the bone, he looked at her and said that they were definitely “fall off the bone” ribs.
Rigby said he hopes that by creating Savannah’s BBQ in Cache Valley he could provide a different option when it comes to barbecue. He said the Savannah’s BBQ is strictly a meat-eater’s place.
“If you’re not a meat eater then don’t come in,” he said.
But for those who are meat eaters, Savannah’s BBQ is located at 71 E. 1200 South in Logan.
– babyrae92@hotmail.com