The original Sandbar Restaurant began in Owyhee County in 1967, three miles up river
from the Walters Ferry bridge. The restaurant building was an old Idaho Power Company
pump house that was built in 1910 for a desert irrigation project that later failed. The
location was “in the middle of nowhere,” approximately seven miles west of Murphy, the
county seat. The restaurant started serving sandwiches, steaks, fried chicken, and jumbo
shrimp to area farmers and ranchers. From the very beginning, the Sandbar has prepared
and served high quality, made from scratch dishes. The Sandbar’s Prime Rib, Jumbo
Fried Shrimp, and Au Gratin potatoes have remained popular through the years. Great
food and Owyhee County hospitality developed an excellent dinner trade for the Sandbar.
Sadly, the original Sandbar Restaurant building was destroyed by fire in 1981.
from the Walters Ferry bridge. The restaurant building was an old Idaho Power Company
pump house that was built in 1910 for a desert irrigation project that later failed. The
location was “in the middle of nowhere,” approximately seven miles west of Murphy, the
county seat. The restaurant started serving sandwiches, steaks, fried chicken, and jumbo
shrimp to area farmers and ranchers. From the very beginning, the Sandbar has prepared
and served high quality, made from scratch dishes. The Sandbar’s Prime Rib, Jumbo
Fried Shrimp, and Au Gratin potatoes have remained popular through the years. Great
food and Owyhee County hospitality developed an excellent dinner trade for the Sandbar.
Sadly, the original Sandbar Restaurant building was destroyed by fire in 1981.
| T H E S A N B A R S T O R Y |
In 1986, the Sandbar was reborn
through the efforts of original owners
Betty Stevens Bish and Rena Roper,
along with a new partner, Anne
Muller. The “new” Sandbar
Riverhouse building was part of the
original town site of Caldwell, a small
home constructed in 1904 and
completed in 1905 at 901 Belmont
Street. Prior to being moved to
Marsing in 1978, the home was owned
by at least six people and lived in by at
least thirteen different families. In
Marsing, the home was used as a
residence and barbershop before
becoming the Sandbar Riverhouse
restaurant.
through the efforts of original owners
Betty Stevens Bish and Rena Roper,
along with a new partner, Anne
Muller. The “new” Sandbar
Riverhouse building was part of the
original town site of Caldwell, a small
home constructed in 1904 and
completed in 1905 at 901 Belmont
Street. Prior to being moved to
Marsing in 1978, the home was owned
by at least six people and lived in by at
least thirteen different families. In
Marsing, the home was used as a
residence and barbershop before
becoming the Sandbar Riverhouse
restaurant.
In 2000, Marsing residents John and Dot
Salove purchased the Sandbar Riverhouse.
Through their dedication and personal
involvement in every part of the business, the
Sandbar has continued to grow in popularity.
As a result, the Saloves added on a beautiful
new dining room featuring a wall of windows
overlooking the Snake River and Lizard
Butte, the famed southern Idaho landmark.
John and Dot also greatly enlarged the deck
area and tripled the kitchen and dry storage
space to accommodate the need. Most
recently, they constructed a new outdoor
facility, the Sandbar River Park. Built for
catering and hosting outdoor events, the
River Park has been the location of weddings,
barbecues, family and class reunions, and the
like.
Salove purchased the Sandbar Riverhouse.
Through their dedication and personal
involvement in every part of the business, the
Sandbar has continued to grow in popularity.
As a result, the Saloves added on a beautiful
new dining room featuring a wall of windows
overlooking the Snake River and Lizard
Butte, the famed southern Idaho landmark.
John and Dot also greatly enlarged the deck
area and tripled the kitchen and dry storage
space to accommodate the need. Most
recently, they constructed a new outdoor
facility, the Sandbar River Park. Built for
catering and hosting outdoor events, the
River Park has been the location of weddings,
barbecues, family and class reunions, and the
like.
The Sandbar Riverhouse Restaurant is the real
Idaho. It is a beautiful old house with graceful
rooms, mellowed with lace curtains over the
windows and spectacular views that look out
over the Snake River and Lizard Butte. John and
Dot urge you to take your time and enjoy your
visit to Sandbar. You are an honored and valued
guest and part of a proud tradition. Don’t be
surprised if they stop your table to say “hello!”
Idaho. It is a beautiful old house with graceful
rooms, mellowed with lace curtains over the
windows and spectacular views that look out
over the Snake River and Lizard Butte. John and
Dot urge you to take your time and enjoy your
visit to Sandbar. You are an honored and valued
guest and part of a proud tradition. Don’t be
surprised if they stop your table to say “hello!”
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| Dot and John Salove, owners New York City, 2000 |