Chicken in a Barrel moving into new, bigger home in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif - It's been a long time coming, but the Havard family is ready to open their new Chicken in a Barrel location. Their home for the past 5.5 years has been in an old building, once home to an A&W restaurant at the Y in South Lake Tahoe.

Now they will be located in the new restaurant space in the Whole Foods complex at the corner of Lake Tahoe Blvd. and Herbert Avenue. They signed the lease one year ago and since then it's been a lot of work in the 2,600 sq foot space.

"There have been a lot of issues but it has all led us to where we are now," said Rebekah Havard who owns the restaurant with husband Don. "I'm so excited."

The only thing coming with them in the move is the great food and employees, all else will have no resemblance to its former self. The menu stays the same (with some breakfast burritos coming up for breakfast) with BBQ, grilled cheese pulled pork, burgers, and "Mexi-cue."

Their smoking barrels were outside at the Y location, now they'll be moving indoors and the public can watch the barrel room through big glass windows.

There will be 16 beers on tap, always with a seltzer and cider choice, wine, bottled beer, and sodas. Rebekah said they'll be bringing in mimosas during some meals in the future. The new restaurant will have seating for 102 indoors, with room for another 60 on the patio. A state-of-the-art audio system has been added with speakers both inside and outside, and "Atmosphere TV" so they can broadcast many sporting events.

The space allows people to use a section for meetings with a 75" screen to broadcast their presentation or it can even hold a reception. There will also be the opportunity for groups to fundraise inside with breakfast before Chicken in a Barrel opens for the day. The group would sell tickets and serve, and the restaurant staff would cook it up - details are being worked out, but what a fun opportunity!

Rebekah is planning on having some family nights, perhaps trivia, and the tables and chairs can move away for dancing.

But first, she needs to get the doors open. This weekend is their grand opening. On March 16 and 17, live music will be featured in the new location for the grand opening weekend with Class Act from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Trey Stone from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. each day.

Local contractors have been busy finishing up the details this week as the restaurant prepares to open. They started with a blank slate, so it's been a big undertaking. The garage doors are installed, blending the outside and inside dining spaces.

Rebekah is waiting on the final permit to occupy. If that doesn't happen by Friday she has a special event permit and will be serving up food outside and giving tours inside, while also keeping the Y location open. If the permit comes, the Y closes up and it's all business in mid-town.

They will be opening at 11 a.m. to start, then adding breakfast at a later date. Live music will be on Saturdays and Sundays after the opening, with Fridays planned for summer.