This is one of our favorite stories from 2023! Thanks for reading OnMilwaukee.
When Chef Aaron Patin made the announcement that he would be closing Iron Grate BBQ Co. after six successful years in business, the news came as a shock to barbeque lovers across the city of Milwaukee and beyond. The questions came fast and furious: Why would he choose to close? And what would he do next?
This week on FoodCrush, we sat down with Chef Aaron Patin, originator of the “Milwaukee Rib” to talk about his experience opening Iron Grate BBQ and the impact he had on the nascent Milwaukee BBQ scene.
Along the way, Patin shares the reasoning behind his decision to close, the lessons he’s learned and the memories he’ll treasure for years to come. Listeners will also find out what Patin is currently doing with his time. (Hint: it's definitely bbq related).
Find us and love us
The FoodCrush podcast is available via a variety of platforms from iTunes and Google Play to Spotify, Stitcher and more. Search for us on your favorite podcast platform, subscribe for notifications about each new episode. Better yet, help us out by sharing the love by writing a review on iTunes. You can also give @FoodCrushPod a follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for additional tidbits, live tastings and more.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.