Smokehouse restaurant to open in Coachella Valley

A new smokehouse restaurant has agreed to open in Indio.

Babe’s Smokehouse and Tavern will occupy 2,300 square feet at Canopy at Citrus, a 25,000-square-foot neighborhood shopping center at 49730 Jefferson St., according to a statement.

Terms of the lease were not disclosed. The restaurant, near Highway 111, is expected to open during the fourth quarter of this year.

Canopy at Citrus was developed by Lichter Equities in San Diego.

Babe’s Smokehouse and Tavern was founded by the late Donald Warren Callender, founder of Marie Callender’s restaurants. Callender also owns and operates Babe’s BBQ and Brewery, which opened in 2002 in Rancho Mirage.

The signing of Babe’s Smokehouse brings Canopy at Citrus to full capacity. Its tenants include Coral Sushi, Ryan Ryan Fine Jewelry & Gift Bar, Modern Hippie Interiors, Jersey Mike’s, Cork & Fork, Keedy’s Restaurant, and Sumo Dog.

“Our plan has been to create a unique experience with Canopy at Citrus where the community is excited about visiting and feels welcomed,” said Bob Lichter, president of Lichter Equities, in the statement. “Babe’s Smokehouse and Tavern is the perfect fit and final piece to creating a premier center.”