‘With God as our foundation,’ Hawaiian chain to open new restaurant along Boise River

If you plan to cruise the Greenbelt during warmer weather, bring an appetite. Tempting smells will be wafting through the air soon.

Several eating and drinking establishments are coming to The Boardwalk Apartment Homes, 521 E. 41st. St., near the bank of the Boise River. Two restaurants are expected to open by midsummer, according to Abby Rees, assistant manager at the mixed-use complex.

At least one will be from out of state: Chicken in a Barrel.

A family-owned barbecue chain, Chicken in a Barrel has five locations in Hawaii, plus two more in California. Some are franchises.

Chicken and ribs power the menu. For this beach-loving brand, “barrel” has two meanings. “Surfing an ocean wave isn’t the only way to enjoy a barrel,” Chicken in a Barrel explains on its website. “This one-of-a-kind BBQ style comes straight out of our custom-made, steel drum barrels that provide our delicious, mouthwatering featured meats!”

Some of the menu choices listed online at the Huntington Beach, California, location include the Chicken Plate ($15.49), “a juicy quarter piece of barrel-smoked chicken with a side of rice and chili beans”; the Baby Back Rib Plate ($21.59), “five tender barrel-smoked ribs with a side of rice and chili beans”; and the Sampler Plate ($23.29), “a taste of all our smoked meats: chicken, beef, pork, and a baby back rib with a side of rice and chili beans.” There also are sides, salads — even signature Chicken in a Barrel bottled sauces to take home.

Like In-N-Out Burger, which prints Bible verses on its packaging, Chicken in a Barrel has a religious aspect to its story. Founder Mike Pierce launched the brand in 2010 “with a clear purpose,” according to its website, “to share his passion for great food and spread the love of God. At the heart of this business is a strong commitment to family values and dedication to excellence in every aspect.

“As a family-owned and operated business, we prioritize quality in everything we do,” Chicken in a Barrel says. “With God as our foundation, we are dedicated to delivering an extraordinary culinary experience that brings people together in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.”

But is the food heavenly at Chicken in a Barrel?

Online reviews are almost exclusively positive. The Huntington Beach location, for example, rates a 4.4 out of 5.0 stars on Yelp. A March review declared, “This place is GREAT!” and added, “we have seen this place in Hawaii and the line for it is around the corner!”