Palm Springs Restaurant Search

Keeping Don Callender's Legacy Alive

When Don Callender (DC), founder of the Marie Callender’s restaurant empire sold his chain of restaurants, creating new restaurant projects was still in his blood. Inspired by the movie “Babe” and the Craft Micro Brew industry of the late 20th century, DC was inspired and offered an opportunity in late 2000 to start a new project at the brand new “RIVER at Rancho Mirage.” His concept, Babe’s Bar-B-Que Grill and Brewhouse.

“Don’s instincts proved right on the money, says Executive Chef and General Manager Arthur L. Vasquez (in his 19th year with Don). Don’s influence went way beyond décor. He was here every day in the kitchen, personally inspecting the food quality and ingredients, it was his passion!”

“Babe’s atmosphere is desert casual with southern charm mixed with great comfort food and great music from the south,” Vasquez says. The restaurant offers up All-American hickory-smoked pork, chicken, and beef, from Baby Back Ribs to mouthwatering Pulled Pork Sandwiches.

Accompanying the bar-b-que is a unique list of libations including over a dozen hard-to-find beers from the American south, California wines with friendly prices, Babe’s own 21-oz. Colossal Coolers in refreshing flavors such as Southern Peach Lemonade and Hogwild Hurricane, and, of course, their award-winning beers. In June 2010 Babe’s won four medals for seven entries at the LA International Commercial Beer Competition, taking the Gold over Samuel Adams in the classic English-style pale ale category. This brings the medal count to eight in this competition in the last two years.

As if bar-b-que and micro-brew were not enough, diners should save room for dessert. After all, this pastry comes from the man who gave us Marie Callender pies! Babe’s makes rustic home-style pies in classic flavors such as Peach and Rhubarb. Babe’s pies are cooked individually all day to ensure freshness the Don Callender way.

Babe’s is on a roll with awards from Palm Springs Life’s Best of the Best for BBQ 2007-2009, and Desert Magazine’s Best of the Valley for Best Barbecue Place 2008-2010, says Vasquez, “Although Don is no longer with us, his legacy truly lives on here at Babe’s, I miss him all the time.”

Open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Bar is open until 11 p.m. happy hour 3 to 6:30 p.m.

“A delicious extensive bar-b-que menu, brews and blues, are an ongoing tribute to Babe’s founder. Join the fun!”

By Gayl Biondi