By MOLLIE BROWN / Business Columnist

YaYa’s owners Tracy and Dale Hale officially opened for business March 3, 2010, at the intersection of U.S. 119 and Shelby County 22 (Moore’s Crossroads) next to the Pit Stop in Montevallo.

YaYa’s is “home of the almost world famous Q-Dog,” a hot dog topped with pulled pork and their special barbeque sauce.

Dale explained how the name originated.

“Our oldest grandson Max would stomp down the hall pretending to be a giant and say, ‘Oo ya ya ya.’ That was all he could say because he was so little. YaYa was the perfect name for the business,” she said.

Tracy worked in sales, and Dale worked for a drug distributer prior to starting their business. When they lost their jobs in the economic slump, they began taking their mobile restaurant to festivals a year before permanently settling at the crossroads.

“Our customers got so upset when we’d go to the festivals,” Tracy said. “They thought we had deserted them.”

The Hales found their customers more loyal than the weather. Wetumpka’s Christmas On The River was the deciding factor to permanently settle.

“It was sleeting and snowing — I think we made $35,” Tracy said. “They cancelled the parade, there went the crowd, so we packed up and came home. We haven’t moved since.”

Dale said they have faithful employees in addition to loyal customers.

“My sister Sara Winterbottom, good friend Betty Whatley and our daughter Christi Lowery, Max’s mom, works here. She and her husband, John, also have a son named Nic. And you should mention our son Jason. He helped us get started. He’s a traveling nurse.”

YaYa’s offers Q samiches, baby back ribs, hot dogs, burgers, nachos, fries and coleslaw. They will even top your hot dog and nachos with their delicious barbecue meat. For dessert, try one of Calera-based Southern Fried Pies’ delicious handmade pies — apple, peach, chocolate, lemon, coconut, key lime, blueberry, cherry and newly added banana pudding.

You can purchase barbecue meat by the pound; and YaYa’s caters small events. Operating hours are Tuesday through Thursday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday and Saturday open to 6 p.m. Contact them at 612-8026.