MOORHEAD - Moorhead Center Mall’s loss is the American Legion’s savory gain.
Jay’s Smokin’ BBQ is moving its smokey goodness from the mall to Legion Post 21.
Jay’s last day in the mall was Dec. 23, with reopening Tuesday, Jan. 4 at 303 30th St. N.
Brianna Henrichs-Arnold, manager of the Moorhead location and the catering and events coordinator for Jay’s Smokin’ BBQ, said the feedback the Legion got for the food Jay’s served at Saturday bingo nights led to an offer to make the arrangement an in-house, full-time deal.
“We contemplated it for a while and then we thought, why not?” Henrichs-Arnold said Thursday, Dec. 30.
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The Legion should be a much better spot for the restaurant and its customers, she said.
The mall shop was tiny, limiting the size of the menu, and customers didn’t have much privacy when eating in the food court, with the flow of shoppers and mall walkers. There was also no place in the mall to support events, Henrichs-Arnold said.
The new location has a much larger kitchen with a walk-in cooler, that will allow the restaurant to expand its menu over time to more closely mirror that offered at the Fargo location of Jay’s Smokin’ BBQ. The restaurant can also add more sandwiches, chicken tenders and other appetizers.
And customers will also be able to sit comfortably with some privacy.
“That aspect for our customers will be great,” Henrichs-Arnold said.
The Legion also has space for serving private parties, she said.
Lunch hours will stay the same, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
Dinner hours will be 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
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“It’s exciting,” Henrichs-Arnold said. “At the end of the day it’s to better serve our customers. They’re friends and family. Just to be able to provide a better atmosphere. A more private atmosphere.”
The Jay’s Smokin’ BBQ in Fargo is at 1322 Main Ave.
Jay’s is owned by Jacey and Rochelle Henrichs.
Jay’s Smokin’ BBQ was honored for “Best Ribs” in The Forum’s “Best Of the Red River Valley 2021” competition.
