Fat Sally's Pub and Restaurant

About Fat Sally's Pub and Restaurant

Fat Sally's Pub and Restaurant is a beloved establishment in the heart of coastal Oamaru, located at 84 Thames Street. Owned and operated by Tyler and Kristin Burgess since December 2022, the pub has evolved from its earlier incarnation as the Irish pub Annie Flanagan's into a vibrant gathering place. The charming space features exposed brick walls, cosy fireplaces, and an inviting atmosphere that welcomes both locals and visitors alike.

The venue combines traditional warming pub fare with modern cuisine, using only the freshest locally-sourced ingredients. The menu ranges from contemporary starters like Korean-style donburi bowls and house-made arancini to classic mains including succulent pork belly, premium ribeye steaks, and flavourful green curry. A carefully curated beer and wine selection complements the food offering. Beyond dining, Fat Sally's hosts quiz nights every Wednesday, live music performances, and big screen entertainment for major sporting events.

The pub is deeply committed to the local Oamaru community, serving as an official sponsor of numerous North Otago events. With a team that brings over a decade of hospitality experience, Fat Sally's has created a space where people gather to connect, unwind, and create lasting memories. Happy hour specials run Thursday and Friday from 5pm to 6:30pm.

Fat Sally's Pub Oamaru: From Irish Roots to Modern Community Hub

Fat Sally's Pub and Restaurant sits on a corner of Oamaru with a rich history woven into its walls. Once known as Annie Flanagan's Irish pub, the space has evolved into a vibrant modern establishment while retaining the warmth and character that makes a pub a true community gathering place. Today, under the passionate stewardship of owners Tyler and Kristin Burgess, Fat Sally's has become a beloved destination for locals and visitors seeking good food, excellent drinks, and authentic hospitality.

From Dream to Reality

Tyler and Kristin's journey to pub ownership is one of determination and adventure. In March 2022, after years in the hospitality industry—Tyler bringing 10 years of experience managing large teams, and Kristin contributing a background in tourism and administration—they made the bold decision to leave their home in Twizel and pursue their dream. After exploring numerous properties, they found the perfect fit in the charming Oamaru space with its exposed brick walls and cosy fireplaces. With support from previous owner Sally Ann Donnelly and the Oamaru community, their dream became reality on December 19, 2022. They moved to Oamaru just days before Christmas, with Tyler recovering from a broken leg, and officially became pub owners.

The Menu Philosophy

At Fat Sally's, the philosophy is simple: quality ingredients, creative execution, and something for everyone. The menu combines traditional warming pub fare with modern culinary twists. House-made arancini balls, crispy calamari, and a hearty mystery chowder satisfy the appetite for starters. Mains showcase both classics and creativity—succulent pork belly with crackling, premium ribeye steaks, and seafood-focused dishes like Kev's Catch of the Day sit alongside Korean donburi bowls and green curry, all using the freshest locally-sourced ingredients the North Otago region offers.

Signature dishes like the Sal Royale—crispy chicken atop salad with brie and a honey mustard dressing topped with cashews—exemplify the house style: uncomplicated, flavourful, and satisfying. The Rockin Ribs, glazed in a sticky orange BBQ bourbon sauce, draw crowds, as does the Pork Belly, served on creamy mash with house-made jus and crackling.

More Than Just Food

Fat Sally's has grown into more than a restaurant. Every Wednesday, the pub hosts "Believe It or Not" quiz night, a lively community event where teams compete for prizes. The venue regularly features live music performances, giving local and touring bands a stage to entertain. During major sporting events—whether Super Rugby Pacific finals, All Blacks tests, or the Olympics—the big screens come alive with fans gathering to cheer their teams in an electric atmosphere.

Community First

The pub is deeply embedded in the Oamaru fabric, sponsoring numerous local events and initiatives within the North Otago community. This commitment to local support reflects the values Tyler and Kristin brought with them—a belief that a great pub isn't just a place to eat and drink, but a space where community thrives.

With a carefully curated beer and wine selection, a warm welcome, and a menu crafted with care, Fat Sally's has quickly established itself as a beloved destination. It's the kind of place where locals gather after work, where visitors linger longer than expected, and where memories are made over good food, great drinks, and genuine hospitality.

Signature items

• Sal Royale
• Pork Belly
• Rockin Ribs
• Ribeye Alibi
• Mystery of the Deep
• Sal's Smash Burger

Menu

Mains

• Sal Royale — Crispy chicken on salad with brie and honey mustard dressing, topped with cashews
• Green Curry — Spicy green curry in coconut milk with red onion, spice and lemongrass on rice
• Kev's Catch of the Day — Fish of the day battered or crumbed, served with fries, salad and tartare
• Rockin Ribs — Pork ribs in house-made rub with sticky orange BBQ bourbon sauce, fries and salad
• Sweet Chilli Chicken Pasta — Tender chicken with pasta in creamy sweet chilli sauce, mushrooms, bacon and spinach
• Pork Belly — Succulent pork belly on mash with jus, seasonal veg, kumara crisps and crackling
• The Unhealthy Sal Royale — Crispy chicken on fries with brie and famous dressing
• Sal's Smash Burger — House-made beef patty with cheddar, caramelised onions, lettuce, tomato and special sauce
• Karaage Chicken Burger — House-made karaage chicken with asian slaw, lettuce, red onion, gherkins and Korean sauce
• Ribeye Alibi — Premium ribeye with choice of two sides and peppercorn, mushroom-bacon or garlic butter sauce

Sides

• Side Salad — Mixed greens salad
• Seasonal Vege — Seasonal vegetables
• Mashed Potatoes — Creamy mashed potatoes
• Mushroom & Bacon Sauce — House-made mushroom and bacon sauce
• Peppercorn Sauce — Creamy peppercorn sauce
• Egg — Fried egg
• Battered Onion Rings — Basket of battered onion rings
• Fries — Golden crispy fries

Desserts

• Tiramisu — Non-bake Italian dessert with coffee-soaked lady fingers and mascarpone filling
• Very Berry Parfait — Parfait with vanilla ice cream, berries and fresh whipped cream
• Cheesecake — House-made cheesecake served with vanilla ice cream
• Sundae — Ice cream with whipped cream and choice of chocolate, berry or caramel sauce
• Chocolate Brownie — Warm chocolate brownie with chocolate sauce, ice cream and cream
• Little Ones Sundae — Ice cream with sprinkles and marshmallows, choice of sauce

To Begin

• Sharing is Caring — Oven toasted bread loaf with garlic butter
• Soup of the Day — Soup served with sliced ciabatta bread
• Donburi Bowl — Korean style coated chicken on rice with slaw, greens, kewpie mayo, teriyaki and sesame
• Arancini — House-made balls filled with onion, mushroom and cheese
• Mystery of the Deep — House-made seafood chowder served with ciabatta bread
• Crispy Calamari — Salt and pepper coated calamari with aioli and sweet chilli
• Paddock Cadillac — House-crumbed mushrooms with bacon and mushroom-bacon sauce
• Fat Sally's Favourites Platter — Crispy chicken, pork bites, chips, arancini, garlic bread and calamari

Kids Menu

• Cheeseburger — House-made smashed beef patty with cheese and tomato sauce, served with fries
• Mini Crispy Chicken Salad — Crunchy coated chicken on lettuce with cheese, greens and carrot, honey mustard dressing
• Chicken Nuggets — Chicken nuggets served with fries and tomato sauce

Frequently asked questions

What are your opening hours?

Tuesday to Sunday, 11:30am until late. Closed Mondays. Happy Hour runs Thursday and Friday 5pm-6:30pm.

Do you have a quiz night?

Yes! Every Wednesday is our "Believe It or Not" Quiz night. Teams can arrive before 7:30pm. There are prizes and it fills up quickly, so come early.

What events do you host?

We host live music performances, quiz nights every Wednesday, and show big screen sports including Super Rugby, All Blacks tests, and Olympics.

Can I make a reservation?

Yes, we accept reservations. You can book online or call 03 434 8368. Email bookings@fatsallys.co.nz.

Is there a kids menu?

Yes, we have a dedicated kids menu with options like cheeseburgers, mini chicken salads, and chicken nuggets for children 12 and under.

What's special about the menu?

Our menu combines traditional pub fare with modern cuisine, using only the freshest locally-sourced ingredients. We have options for various dietary preferences.

Do you have happy hour specials?

Yes, Happy Hour runs Thursday and Friday from 5pm to 6:30pm with special pricing on drinks.

Tips

• {"body":"Join us Wednesday evenings for \"Believe It or Not\" Quiz night—it's open to all teams and builds quickly. Great fun and prizes on offer.","title":"Try the quiz night"}
• {"body":"Thursday and Friday 5pm-6:30pm offers special drink pricing. Perfect time to enjoy the atmosphere at a discount.","title":"Visit during Happy Hour"}
• {"body":"The Sal Royale, Pork Belly, and Rockin Ribs showcase our kitchen's skill. These house specialities are crowd favorites for good reason.","title":"Order the signature dishes"}
• {"body":"We regularly feature live bands—check our events calendar for upcoming performances and dance the night away.","title":"Check for live music"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Kids menu available; family-friendly atmosphere","dietary":"Small shared kitchen; discuss allergies with server; cannot guarantee allergen-free food"}