By Nicole Sandler
Northside News
Even before Beef Butter BBQ, the new restaurant in the Northside TownCenter, officially opened its doors, it was demonstrating the spirit of generosity.
On Thanksgiving Day, Beef Butter BBQ donated 40 smoked turkeys to The Beacon, a homeless day shelter located on East Washington Avenue. According to restaurant owner Patrick Riha, this tradition of giving on the Thanksgiving holiday began three years ago. At that time, Beef Butter BBQ existed as a kitchen on wheels — the actual brick and mortar restaurant was not yet part of Riha’s plan. When his brother-in-law, a restaurant owner in Fitchburg, asked Riha to donate Thanksgiving turkeys for a local charity, the Badger Childhood Cancer Network, Riha was happy to oblige. He not only smoked turkeys, but prepared and contributed all the side dishes as well.
Last year he decided to do something similar and smoked turkeys in the Beef Butter BBQ trailer to serve at The Beacon. “I had just learned about The Beacon,” explained Riha. “It is such an amazing place, such a great resource for those in need.” When staff members of The Beacon called again this year to ask for help, it was an easy decision.
In all, the Beef Butter BBQ turkeys fed 300 people on Thanksgiving Day. Riha admits it was a bit crazy this year with 40 turkeys on his portable smoker. With a growing demand for turkeys from enthusiastic customers, not to mention his own family’s Thanksgiving meal, he was smoking turkeys for days. “It wasn’t until the following Tuesday that I was able to catch up and regain my sanity,” he joked.
Yet Riha could not be happier about these opportunities, and he is certain he’ll continue to give back to the community. “I really believe in helping homeless people in Madison. It’s a pleasure to do that.”
His generosity is fueled in some measure by the appreciation and encouragement he has received since opening his Beef Butter BBQ restaurant. “I can’t believe all the people who come in and thank me for opening a restaurant on the Northside,” he said. “There’s been so much community support, especially from FEED Kitchens.” FEED Kitchens provided the resources Riha needed to grow his business while scouting out opportunities for opening an actual restaurant.
As word of his delicious, Texas-inspired BBQ travels throughout Madison and beyond, Riha is delighted. His example of giving back to the community may inspire other local businesses to follow suit and make the Northside an even greater source of pride.