From gas station spot to Main Street staple: Rexburg’s Blister’s Barbecue marks 15 years

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — Blister’s Barbecue is celebrating 15 years in business along Main Street, marking a major milestone for a restaurant that started as a modest roadside spot.

Before becoming a staple in downtown Rexburg, Blister's had humble beginnings out of a gas station off Highway 33, where space was tight, and seating was hard to come by.

"We now have seating for over 100 people," Brady Gardner, the co-owner of Blister's Barbecue, said. "When it used to be in the gas station, it was like 20 people. People are peering over your shoulder like, ' Hey, are you done yet? Because I need a seat. And that kind of got awkward sometimes."

While the expanded Main Street location solved the seating crunch and brought new menu items, Gardner credits the restaurant’s lasting success to their customer's unwavering loyalty.

"We continue to be grateful for the awesome customers in East Idaho," Brady said. "I mean, my wife and I grew up here our whole lives. I went to Ricks College back in the day. A lot of people that are locals will come in here. We employ about 20 locals. We do employ a couple of students, but we employ locals because that's really important to us."

When the community gave them love and support, the owners of Blister's gave the love back. After spending his entire life in Rexburg, it means a lot to him to keep the heart of Rexburg in his business. Even the potatoes they use for their fresh-cut fries served daily come straight from Summerco Farms.

"We work with a local potato farmer who has just really taken care of us," Gardner said. "We have his son as a player of mine on the local football team. And he brings in potatoes for us every 2 or 3 days.

To thank the community for 15 years of loyalty, Blister’s Barbecue is offering an anniversary special today featuring $1 fries and $6 pulled pork sandwiches.