Waukesha Restaurant's Sauces Listed In Oprah's Favorite Things

WAUKESHA,WI — Oprah's 2020 Favorite Things List includes items from the Waukesha restaurant, Pat's Rib Place, located at 151 E. Sunset Drive.

Oprah's annual list this year includes a two-jar variety pack of Pat’s House Sauce and Brown Brown Sauce. Both are made at the family-owned restaurant and have been sold there for six years.

Owner Alisha Hayes is Oprah Winfrey's niece — but the restaurant has earned praise for its Southern-style food and atmosphere. Alisha, who runs the restaurant with her husband, Ty Hayes, said they received a call at the restaurant.

"At first I was in a bit of disbelief. Once I got it confirmed with her [Oprah], I thought it was really cool," Hayes said.

The mention on the list has kept them busy in recent weeks to make sure they can fill customers' orders. It's a welcome change from the pandemic, which has caused many businesses to struggle.

During the summer, the restaurant had outdoor seating that helped, but the number of people who opted to dine in has dropped, according to Ty Hayes.

"We are doing alright — we are keeping our head above water," he told Patch.

Hayes attributes it to the restaurant's curbside and takeout options. Pat's expanded in 2018 to include more dine-in space to go with its carryout business. He told Patch that when the business was smaller, it didn't have the seating and the carryout business was popular.

While the staples are spare ribs and pulled pork, other items are increasing in popularity like the catfish and three-piece chicken dinner.

Sauce goes on everything

Customer participation on social media has also helped the business in the pandemic.

Alisha Hayes said Pat's patrons are very good about posting pictures of food and the sauces.

"People share what goes good with what sauce," she said.

One person posted a picture of pulled pork pizza using Pat's House Sauce. Other have used it with meatloaf and pork chops. Hayes noted that many have said they eat fries with the sauce.

"My sister in Georgia just posted she used Pat's Brown BrownSauce on her fish," Hayes said.

She laughed as she recalled a person sharing a photo of food on a table. His dog's eyes were peeking out on the table. She encourages people to post fun pictures to make others smile.

Patch asked if there are plans to make a recipe book with Pat's sauces.

"You know what, that is a great idea," she said.

About Pat

The Hayes opened Pat's Rib Place in 2009 in Waukesha. The restaurant was named in honor of Alisha Hayes mother, Pat, who died in 2003. The couple's families are both from the South, and Southern cooking is important to them.

"My mom indulged in great food, and Ty would spend a lot of time on the grill with her," Hayes said.

Anyone who visited her mother left feeling great and full, Hayes said. She said her mom's motto was great food and great hospitality, which the restaurant continues in her honor.

"It goes hand in hand," Hayes said.

Both owners felt it was a great way to honor the beloved matriarch.

"She wasn't in the [restaurant] business, but her spirit is here," she said.

The Southern culture has been embraced by the Waukesha community and the restaurant's patrons. Before the expansion, the restaurant — which was half its current size — would fill up quickly.

"Folks love the atmosphere. It is hard to come in here with a bad mood. You aren't going to stay that way," Alisha Hayes said.

The restaurant's customer base is diverse, which pleases the couple.

"Everyone wants to feel good, especially in a time like this," Hayes said.