SODA SPRINGS — Soda Springs is preparing for a new and fresh dining experience with Crossroads Restaurant officially opening its doors on Dec. 30 with a full steakhouse-style menu, weekend dinner service options and strong goals in community involvement.

Crossroads Restaurant, 50 E 2nd S, has been the talk of the town with locals buzzing with wonder with the eatery’s out-of-state owners and center-of-town location.

Joe and Shannon Litzinger have a successful restaurant near Bend, Oregon but were looking for a new area to open a second establishment. After a drive through a number of places across Idaho and Utah, the decision was easy to take root in Soda Springs.

They were drawn to the area’s convenient drive to a number of surrounding bigger cities as well as its beautiful location tucked away in a quiet scenic corner of the mountains.

“We liked the town, the name, the community from the start,” Joe Litzinger said. “It just felt right.”

Inside the building formerly known as Caribou Jacks Hardware, the owners have put in extensive work to bring the building to life as an eating establishment, making the structure feel like it still belongs to Soda Springs a priority.

The building currently features large open walls, with Litzinger’s hope being to bring in local photography and artwork contributed by community members that beautifully showcase the area’s culture, landscapes and heritage.

“We want this to be a place people feel connected to,” Shannon said. “If the community is involved in the space, they’re more excited to come and share it with others.”

The couple aims to fill a gap in the food service options for locals and surrounding areas by providing a full steak and seafood menu to enjoy without the hassle of driving to bigger cities.

The menu will feature fresh hearty home-made dishes including one-pound hand cut ribeye steaks, smoked ribeye and prime rib, seafood and pastas. With Crossroads holding a liquor license, the couple wants to offer their dining guests options for a gourmet sit-down dinner and cocktails in one spot whether it’s for a date night, celebrations or simple weekend gatherings.

With such a large space, plans are set to expand the front of the building into a small general store offering sodas, treats and some grab-and-go essentials.

Between its central location in the center of Soda Springs and its carefully home-made menu, the goal of Crossroads Restaurant is to build on community commitment and provide a new gathering place for residents and guests near and far.

“We are here to stay,” Litzinger said. “And excited to welcome everyone in.”

Currently, the establishment aims to be open Thursday through Sunday serving dinner from 4-9 p.m. during the winter months and 4-10 p.m. during the summer.