Rigby’s Bar & Grill:
Where Everybody Knows Your Name
And they’re always glad you came.
By the time we left Rigby’s Bar & Grill after dinner on a recent Wednesday night, I couldn’t stop smiling. It’s the kind of place that fills not only your belly, but also some deeper need—a need restaurants often promise to fill, but rarely do. Only a great neighborhood restaurant can do it. Everyone loves a good local place that embodies the town, the people, and the vibe. It’s something you feel when you walk into those places. And I felt it when I walked into Rigby’s.
We were warmly greeted and immediately saw people we knew at the bar and in the dining room. We met our server, Ricky, who is also sometimes the bartender (and karaoke singer). He has been with Rigby’s for four years.
I get the feeling that everyone who works at Rigby’s wears lots of hats. I know it’s not just Ricky who is multi-talented because one of the owners, John Black (who is also a realtor), told me that another server, Keith, also handles all the decorations and interior design for Rigby’s. Keith is the one you want to thank for those adorable scarecrows during the Halloween season.
Right away we noticed something very different about the place since the last time we were there: they removed the wall between the restaurant and the bar! It used to feel like two separate places—half was the dining room, and the other half was the bar, where they would often have entertainment. But now you can sit (physically distanced) at a table in the restaurant and still enjoy the entertainment in the bar because you can see into it. It adds cohesiveness and balance to the space, not to mention lots of fun to the atmosphere.
We were there on a Wednesday night, which happens to be burger night. For only $8.75, you could choose from several different half-pound burgers (hand-made and never frozen), served on a brioche bun. You could choose the house favorite Rigby BurgR or one of the five specialty burgers. There was even a chicken filet sandwich on the BurgR menu. Each sandwich was served with a choice of hand-cut fries or house-made coleslaw.
Before we perused the menu, we ordered a couple glasses of red wine. Ricky helpfully pointed out that for a $7.00 more, we could get the bottle. The wine list is not extensive, but most people can find something they will like, and all bottles are $26.00 or less.
The regular menu, similarly, has a wide variety of options and good price points. We’re talking flat iron steak, pork chops, meatloaf, salmon, scallops, and seared tuna. The average entrée runs $18. My favorite items on Rigby’s regular menu are the Italian items, especially the Bolognese with fresh pappardelle pasta.
On this particular evening, I ordered a Caesar salad (I can’t seem to go to Rigby’s and NOT order the Caesar salad) and the Chicken Parmesan because I’d never had it and Ricky recommended it. The Caesar is always good; I love the crispy green Romaine and their dressing has just the right amount of creaminess and tanginess. If you want anchovies, be sure to ask for them.
I can’t say enough good things about the Chicken Parmesan. First of all, it was hot when it arrived to the table. I mean steaming, fresh-out-of-the-oven, scorching hot. It was crunchy on the outside, but not too crunchy, and tender and juicy inside. It was so yummy. I could taste the love in every bite.
On Thursday nights in the off-season, they run a different Italian Chef Special each week. If you love Italian food, then you want to try them! Friday nights feature a Prime Rib special (choice prime rib, au jus, mashed potatoes, and one additional side for $19.75).
Sunday Brunch looks like a lot of fun with Katie (formerly of OCN BLU) serving. In addition to typical brunch items (such as Eggs Benedict), the brunch menu includes some unexpected items such as a Breakfast Pizza. Each specialty item comes with a complimentary mimosa or bloody Mary.
As far as entertainment goes, Rigby’s has long been famous for good karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights (starts at 9:00 p.m.). On Sunday evenings, Ed Mills plays guitar from 5:00-9:00 p.m.
BurgR night and Prime Rib night typically run year-round; there are also seasonal specials. Watch the website for details: rigbysrehoboth.com.
Your neighborhood restaurant, Rigby’s, is open every day of the week: 4:00-9:00 p.m. weeknights (open till 1:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays with a Late-Night Menu). Also open 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. for Sunday Brunch. ▼