Suvechha Sarkar
Season 1 of Fox’s ‘Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service’ features the renowned chef as he continues helping restaurants in need by first watching them secretly. In episode 6, titled ‘Wilson’s Secret Sauce,’ he visits the titular restaurant, a barbecue joint in Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania. However, the restaurant is currently in debt and at risk due to mismanagement by two inexperienced owners. Gordon quickly finds the underlying issues hindering the eatery’s growth. He realizes that if the family dynamics and the overflowing menu are not changed right away, the owners may lose not only their business but also their dream.
The Co-Owners’ Inexperience is Putting Wilson’s Secret Sauce at Risk
Wilson’s Secret Sauce restaurant is nestled in Upper Darby Township, Philadelphia, and is a local gem known for its delicious barbecue dishes. Their journey began in 2018 when Steve Wilson and his wife, Kelly, opened the eatery. Steve, who was previously a mechanic, always possessed a passion for barbeque on the weekends. His preparations quickly grabbed the attention of his friends and people who tried the dishes. It also helped Steve win different competitions. By 2010, the demand had increased significantly, which made it impossible to ignore. Steve finally launched a small catering company. Eight years later, as the demand kept growing, Steve came up with the idea to transform the service into a restaurant. He became the co-owner, alongside Kelly, and also serves as the chef.
Aside from being the co-owner, Kelly also runs the front of the house diligently. She was working as a bookkeeper prior to that. She met Steve back in high school, but they later parted ways. However, years later, they reconnected and started their family, raising two handsome boys. One of them is Riley, Kelly’s son and Steve’s stepson, who works as the Sous Chef at the restaurant. Then there is Joe, the grill cook and the head chef, who has worked with them for four years. He is a dedicated chef whose only goal is to serve great food. Despite everything, Kelly is quite nervous about the debt that the restaurant is in. This is because, originally, Steve had taken out a loan while opening the restaurant. To this day, she still has no idea how much it actually amounts to.
Hence, the looming financial uncertainty now casts a shadow over the couple’s relationship. Riley has always seen Steve as his role model. However, he is quite worried about watching his mother, Kelly, drown in stress from handling everything in front of the house. Similarly, Joe also notices that oversized portions are being served to the customers. The Head Chef believes that it is making the restaurant lose a lot of money. More than anything, he is heartbroken to watch the Wilson family slowly tear apart due to the pressure. As the emotional strain and hidden debts begin taking a toll on everyone, the restaurant must quickly change its management approach. Otherwise, it can end up diminishing any chance to salvage the situation.
Gordon Ramsay Discovers Serious Issues Leading to the Downfall of Wilson’s Secret Sauce
The episode commences under the darkness of the night as Gordon Ramsay sneaks into Wilson’s Secret Sauce, beginning his inspection. As he enters the walk-in refrigerator, he is instantly baffled to find briskets stored in bulk. He notes that storing the brisket like this will only make it dry when served. As the chef checks the restaurant’s menu, he is shocked to find 70 items on it because it is unlike a barbecue joint. Moving into the kitchen, Gordon inspects and discovers that the fridge handle is dirty and unhygienic. He also finds that although the countertops seem clean to the naked eye, it is actually not the case. He then proceeds to conduct an Adenosine Triphosphate test (ATP) to detect live bacteria. The standard measure never goes beyond 90. However, Gordon grows concerned when he gets a reading of 4262.
Gordon realizes that this puts the restaurant at risk of cross-contamination. By the next morning, he arrives once again, but this time, in a surveillance van to watch the restaurant’s operation through the cameras installed inside. The staff believes the cameras were installed because they were being filmed for a show called ‘Restaurant Refresh.’ As customers begin to arrive, Gordon observes dangerously laid-back staff members in the kitchen with no urgency or alertness. To better understand the food taste, he sends in two undercover diners: ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ season 3 winner and restaurant entrepreneur Rock Harper, and ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ season 21 winner and barbecue expert Alex Belew. Gordon is shocked to see the long waiting time at the eatery. It is further highlighted when Rock and Alex have to wait 26 minutes just to be seated.
Gordon grows even more concerned when he notices a pregnant woman left standing while Kelly rushes between tables, overwhelmed. Just outside the kitchen, he watches cooked dishes sit on the counter, waiting to be served. This prompts him to note that it will make the meat drier. When Rock and Alex finally test the food, they inform Gordon that it has no seasoning or flavor, and the brisket is underwhelming. The chef realizes the main issues are the overflowing inventory, struggling front house, and an unacceptable long waiting time. He finally storms into the kitchen, commanding everyone to stop cooking immediately. He then moves on to the dining room and asks the customers to leave the eatery. Gordon then gathers the staff for a conversation that has been overdue for a long time.
Gordon Ramsay Transforms the Restaurant by Improving the Family Dynamics
With the staff gathered, Gordon reveals that he has been watching them and has an insider who informed him about the situation. He quickly points out the shocking hygiene levels and the severe risk of cross-contamination, which he discovered from the ATP test. He further calls out the long 70-item menu as unsuitable for a barbecue restaurant. When Steve explains to Gordon that they are short-staffed, the latter dismisses the claim by bringing up the pregnant woman. He then gently confronts Kelly, expressing that it hurts him to see her struggle. He then turns to Steve, bluntly stating that the restaurant is just his dream. Moreover, Gordon adds that it affects the whole family because he’s not equipped to lead a restaurant without experience. Upon questioning the massive brisket inventory, Steve explains that he likes being overprepared out of fear of running out.
When Gordon mentions serving reheated brisket to the customer, Steve adamantly denies it. During their private conversation, Kelly reveals that she handles everything from shopping to cleaning and feels immense pressure. After acknowledging the same, Gordon discloses that the restaurant is almost $700,000 in debt. Shortly after, Steve breaks down, explaining that he has kept the responsibilities to himself because he did not want Kelly to take the financial stress. Gordon observes that Steve’s ambition is driving his family away. He then asks Steve to burn the menu to symbolize a new beginning. The following day, Gordon takes Steven for a ride and a heart-to-heart conversation. He urges the co-owner to open up to Kelly, stressing that hiding the truth is harmful. The chef then brings Kelly in so the couple can discuss everything. When Steve finally admits his mistakes, his wife becomes quite hopeful that this is a fresh start. Meanwhile, Gordon’s team has completely transformed the restaurant.
Besides the transformed dining area and kitchen, the eatery’s oversized menu is trimmed to 13 dishes. Gordon advises Steve to close early if the meat is finished because it can create customer demand. He helps the chefs control portions with a scale to reduce the loss. Then comes a major surprise: he tells the owners that Rock and Alex are going to stay as consultants for the next 6 to 12 months to help guide the business towards success. Gordon finally reveals that the insider is none other than Joe, who reached out for help because he could see the business and the Wilson family falling apart. At the relaunch, he watches proudly as the long waiting time is gone and notices that customers are delighted with the food quality. In one final surprise, Gordon brings in 2025 Eagles Champion Jordan Mailata, who walks in with his wife to dine. Ultimately, before bidding goodbye, Gordon reminds Steve and Kelly to stay united.
Wilson’s Secret Sauce is Thriving Better Than Ever, With Steve Welcoming Change
Located at 265 E Township Line Rd, Upper Darby Township, Philadelphia, Wilson’s Secret Sauce restaurant proudly carries a legacy built on its hard work. After the transformation, they proudly boast about their services on their website. Over the years, the barbecue joint has won competitions like The Gary Maddox BBQ Challenge, Wheels of Wayne, and Diamond State BBQ Championship. Furthermore, they have been featured in Best of Delco 2020, Next Door Neighborhood 2018-2020, and People Love Us on Yelp 2018-2020. Beyond dining, the restaurant offers takeout, catering, and online ordering through its website. The restaurant also has a rewards program for loyal customers, which allows them to earn points and get free items. Additionally, the eatery provides the patrons with gift cards starting at $10, with customizable options available.
Wilson’s Secret Sauce’s social media pages showcase vibrant snapshots of their dishes and behind-the-scenes moments. In January 2025, they went on PHL 17 news to talk about tailgating tips. Above everything, they consistently participate in outreach initiatives by helping raise money and preparing meals for non-profit organizations. In March 2025, the eatery collaborated with Hunts Annex Restaurant, serving their signature smoky brisket, barbecue onion, and cheddar on a toasted kaiser. The same month, they announced their sponsorship for the 1825 Bicentennial Bull Riding at the St. Denis Fun Fair, continuing to support local causes. By April, they proudly displayed their inspection report online to address any concerns regarding their hygiene. That same month, they also raised funds to donate 250 meals through the Jackstrong Foundation.
The much-anticipated bull event finally came to life in May 2025, with the restaurant in the front serving their delicious dishes. In June 2025, they also collaborated with Larry’s Backyard BBQ Catering, which gave them a shout-out for their appearance on the show. Despite the past struggles, the restaurant has remained a local favorite. They currently hold an impressive 4.4-star rating on Google from 666 written reviews. Furthermore, they also boast a 4.7 rating on TripAdvisor with 17 written reviews. Some of the reviews that praise the taste of their food and service include, “Brisket is the best around. Pair it with grilled veggies and pork. Love the ribs and I usually smother them with the Wilson Sauce. Yummie!” and “It is so awesome to have a local establishment that does melt in your mouth ribs, brisket and all the fixin’s. Give Wilson’s Secret Sauce a try! I promise your belly will thank you! Delicious!!!”
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