Friday, September 02, 2005
By Jeri Butler
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Is there anything attorney Willie Gary isn’t involved in? Courtroom drama, family values TV shows, celebrity golf tournaments, Christmas parties for thousands and hot sauce. Hot sauce? “Make ‘Em Pay” hot sauce, which has a caricature of Gary “The Giant Killer” with his arm around law partner “Mad Dawg” Madison McClellan on the label, is really delicious. It’s not too hot and has a hint of papaya and lime juice.

“It was made for Willie as a gift and we have a whole case of it,” said Gloria, Willie’s wife.

The label on “Make ‘Em Pay” hot sauce says “proven beyond a reasonable doubt… it’s the best around.” But how can “just folks” like us get it?

After an in-depth investigation, it turns out the sauce was made by ex-Stuart resident Brian Spieles, who owns an RV dealership in Crossville, Tenn. Spieles, a nut for hot sauce, is a friend of McClellan, who asked him to bottle his best sauce for Gary.

“I make my own, but I also collect hot sauces,” said Spieles. “I have about 250 to 300 bottles lining my office shelves.”

Spieles, 34, a graduate of Martin County High School, and his wife, Laura Aniello Spieles, also from Stuart, moved to a small town west of Knoxville a few months ago.

“It’s really a flavorful sauce and Willie was excited about it as a promotional item,” Spieles said. “And you know how he likes to have his picture on things.”

If you would like a case of Make ‘Em Pay! hot sauce, call (866) 329-4279. A case of 12 bottles is $28. And my thanks to Chris Cavaretti of Jensen Beach (who puts hot sauce on his bagel and cream cheese) for sharing his sauce with me.