Raised Southern Barbecue being raised up by locals after vandalism and theft

SHELLEY — A couple of local “foodies” are rallying behind a Shelley restaurant after it was vandalized and robbed and had to temporarily shut down.

During the early hours of Thursday, someone vandalized Raised Southern Barbecue’s smoker, food truck, firebox and stole a couple of briskets. According to a post on Raised Southern Barbecue’s Facebook page, the restaurant was not able to open Thursday. In an effort to help, the creators of the East Idaho Foodies Facebook page, Angela and Heber Sadovich, organized a giveaway of a $100 gift card to Raised Southern Barbecue and are encouraging people to purchase digital gift cards.

“They’re incredible people,” Heber Sadovich told Community Pioneer. “We’re just trying to help out.”

Heber said he and Angela have gotten to know the Raised Southern Barbecue owners through visiting the restaurant often since it opened.

“They moved here from Texas two or three years ago. So they’re fairly new to the area,” Angela said. “They definitely embody that southern hospitality … I swear, I think people really feel welcome as soon as they walk into that restaurant.”

To enter to win the giveaway, people need to Like the Raised Southern Barbecue Co. Facebook page. Like the East Idaho Foodies page. Share the post. Purchase a gift card from Raised Southern in any amount. Post a pic of the gift card or screenshot of the e-gift card in the comment section of East Idaho Foodies’ Facebook page.

It is also possible to enter the giveaway through Instagram.

Heber and Angela will pick a winner on Thursday, Dec. 10.

E-gift cards are available for purchase by clicking here.

Shelley Police Chief Rod Mohler said the vandalism and theft are being investigated.

“We’re going to get extra patrols in the area at night. We’re looking through the evidence we were able to get. It doesn’t look great, but we’re going to do everything we can to see if we can help them out and find who did it,” Mohler said.