Rigby BBQ restaurant opening second location in Idaho Falls, and here’s where it will be
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IDAHO FALLS – Days after Pitmaster BarBQue announced it was closing its restaurant at 3090 South 25th East in Idaho Falls, a new tenant is getting ready to move in.
Lil’ Mike’s Bar-B-Que, which opened in Rigby seven years ago, officially signed a lease on the Idaho Falls space Wednesday. Owner Jennifer Scarbrough tells EastIdahoNews.com they’re planning to open their second location on May 1.
“We still have to get in there and do some (work) on the place. We have two months to get everything (in order) before we start paying rent,” Scarbrough says.
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The Rigby location will remain in operation. Scarbrough is excited to have two locations in operation.
Expansion is something she and her team have been looking into for several years now. A large amount of traffic on South 25th East is one reason this spot was so appealing to her.
“There are a lot of other restaurants there, so there’s a lot more (competition). But I think it (balances everything out) with us moving there,” says Scarbrough.
Scarbrough says customers can expect the same menu, but there will be a few small functionality changes at the Idaho Falls location.
Since 2016, Lil’ Mike’s has been serving customers a homemade, picnic-style menu consisting of brisket, ribs, pork, turkey, sausage, salad, baked potatoes, sandwiches, corn salad and nachos. Side items include mac ‘n’ cheese, baked beans and coleslaw. Each item is made from family recipes.
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The venue got its start as a food trailer before opening a permanent location at 116 South Clark Street in Rigby. Scarbrough’s brother also owns Firehole Bar-B-Que Co. in West Yellowstone, which was featured on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in 2019.
Lil’ Mike’s earned the “Best BBQ” award in Idaho Falls Magazine’s 2022 Dining Contest.
Scarbrough is grateful for the community’s support over the years and she’s looking forward to reaching new customers and expanding its footprint in eastern Idaho.
“We’re excited, and a little nervous because it is a new market. There’s going to be a lot more people, and a lot more traffic. But we’re thrilled,” she says.
Scarbrough worked with Randy Waters at SVN High Desert Commercial and Century 21 High Desert in Idaho Falls to lease the space.
The Idaho Falls location will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The Rigby store is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, with an 8 p.m. closing time Friday and Saturday.