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photo credits: Blisters BBQ
When you think of BBQ, what flavors come to mind? Most of the time BBQ is Texas based, meaning sweeter flavors.
Blisters Barbeque is a small restaurant just on the edge of Rexburg, ID. It is a bit different than most BBQ places. They offer Carolina Style BBQ instead of your typical Texas Style BBQ. Carolina style has more of a vinegar base to their meat flavors offering a different experience than most other mainstream BBQ.
THE BACK STORY:
Last week, I sat down with and interviewed owner Doug Webster. Doug grew up in the community of Southeastern, Idaho and has watched Blisters BBQ develop over the years. The original owners started the BBQ business around 2012, once they decided they wanted to move on, they offered to sell it to their website developers, Doug Webster and his team.
Doug recognized the potential Blisters BBQ has, and him and his team got to work. They realized the foundation of the restaurant was great but needed some tweaking. Doug simplified the menu, adjusted a few recipes, redesigned the logo, and added some new hot items to the menu. How did they do?
They tripled in revenue! These guys know what they are doing!
ORGIN OF THE NAME:
Blisters, what an odd name for a restaurant. Doug explained that the name symbolizes the work behind the business. “When you get super close to the smoker, you may get burned and develop a blister. It just means hot”.
Simple enough and easy to remember.
LET’S TALK FOOD:
1. Buffalo Chicken Sandwich 2. Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich 3. Hamburger
photo credits: Blisters BBQ
Blisters smoke meat fresh every day and serve it until it is gone. The meat is always fresh and cooked for 8 hours in their smoker. Every night, the team preps the meat, loads it up into the smoker, cooks it all night, and in the morning, they are able to pull it apart and begin the day with freshly cooked meat.
WHY BLISTERS IS SO UNIQUE:
What makes their food so unique is the style of flavor. It is that Carolina vinegar-based taste which makes their food a bit different.
Their location is off to the side of town and can be considered a hidden gem. Most people are taken back that a restaurant with such a high reputation is located inside a gas station.
I know, I was worried at first too, but that soon disappeared once I tried their food. Blisters pride themselves in the “Bold Flavor No Frills” tagline. They know it is not a luxurious Olive Garden experience, but they know they serve quality food, so that overpowers the fact that their location resides inside a gas station.
THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE:
Doug explained that they love all their customers and try to be friendly and approachable with a “Come as You Are” experience and attitude.
“We will have construction workers in their beat up shoes looking to load up on calories on their lunch break, and we love it!”.
Blisters love the community and are happy to participate in events. They also offer catering and have joined in on lots of experiences in the community.
Their most important goal is for people to leave thinking, “Now that is some dang good food”.
THE FUTURE OF BLISTERS BARBEQUE:
Blisters has already grown so much in the past ten years and will continue to do so. Recently, Blisters started running the kitchen at Rexburg’s Golf Course and began calling this branch, “Blisters At the Lake”. Doug explained that they want to also consider this new experience as a trial run to see if doing multiple locations is something they want to do in the future.
THE MENU:
Blisters offers a wide variety of heavenly food:
-Ten Different Sandwiches
-Build Your Own Burger
-Rice Bowls (chicken or steak)
-Specialty Sides (fried pickles, fried green beans, baked beans, waffle fries, and scones.
-Sides (coleslaw, loaded fries or fresh cut fries)
Their Most Popular Items:
-Pulled Pork Sandwich
-Loaded Fries
-Cuban Sandwich
1. Pulled Pork Sandwich 2. Loaded Fries 3. Cuban Sandwich
photo credits: Blisters BBQ
Secret Menu?:
Well of course! When you go to Blisters Barbecue, make sure to request the "ZaneSunrise". This is a unique burger that holds sriracha and an egg! I know it's weird right? But hey, these days people are throwing peanut butter on a burger and calling it a masterpiece. Well, this tops that peanut butter burger, by a landslide.
I got their Buffalo Sandwich and Fried Green Beans. Um, AMAZING. I am in love!! Highly recommend it.
RESTAURANT LOCATION, HOURS, AND CONTACT:
LOCATION:
15 N 12th
Rexburg, ID 83440
HOURS:
Monday: 11am - 8pm
Tuesday: 11am - 8pm
Wednesday: 11am - 8pm
Thursday: 11am - 8pm
Friday: 11am - 9pm
Saturday: 11am - 9pm
Sunday: CLOSED
CONTACT:
(208) 356-3965
INSTAGRAM: