What started as a dream for Jeff Salters more than a decade ago grew bigger Thursday morning as Salty’s BBQ celebrated the opening of a new location on Coffee Road.
Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh was on hand for the grand opening and offered her approval of the restaurant’s food, saying, “A succulent, savory, tender, Salty’s BBQ is wonderful”
Salty’s expansion comes as the restaurant continues to draw strong community support. Salters said he was overwhelmed by the turnout at the new location’s opening.
“To have so many people come out today and be here and be a part of this, it’s just absolutely incredible. We are thankful, honored, humbled it’s overwhelming to see the support of our community,” Salters said.
Salty’s on Rosedale, also known as The Shack, first opened in October 2012. The restaurant gained wider attention after a visit from Guy Fieri, when it was among Bakersfield restaurants featured on his Food Network show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in 2015.
Ahead of the opening, Salters gave Eyewitness News an exclusive look at the new Coffee Road site Wednesday morning, showing the kitchen, dining area with booths, grilling area and drive-thru.
As the new Coffee Road restaurant gets underway, Salty’s has temporarily closed the Rosedale location to focus on the new site. The restaurant announced on Facebook earlier this week that the Rosedale location is expected to reopen in the next two to three months as Salty’s Express, serving sandwiches, salads and sides Monday through Friday.
Salty’s also has a restaurant on White Lane.
“It’s kind of surreal. This morning as I was getting up, I was thinking about it. I can’t believe it’s here. This was a dream, it took us about two and a half, three years to get to this point,” Salters said.
When asked about the future of Salty’s, Salters said his goal is simple: to sell more BBQ.