ABOUT - Saz's Hospitality Group

In 1976 Milwaukee native Steve Sazama, a.k.a. Saz, opened Saz’s State House Restaurant in a historic building nestled beside the railroad tracks on the West Side of town. Saz knew how to make his customers happy with great food and stellar service. What he didn’t know was that almost 40 years later Saz’s State House would be the cornerstone for a thriving operation that includes successful Catering, Festivals and retail Barbecue Products divisions. Get the insider scoop on Saz’s – click here to read the whole story!

Thank you to everyone who has made the past four decades such a success. We’ve come a long way from where we started!

It’s been an unbelievable ride, but it’s more than just that. It’s all the fun behind each plate and each bottle of sauce, and it’s nice to be a part of that. You’ve got to enjoy your work and I do. I still have fun and it’s still exciting, but you can’t grow by yourself – you’ve got to have the people behind you. I’m fortunate that with my team of key employees and such a great group of customers we get to serve, I do have that support. You’re all like family, and that makes it really special.

So thanks for everything and cheers to the next 40!

Saz's News

Vote Saz’s for Best of Milwaukee!

Saz’s Hospitality Group is thrilled to be a Shepherd Express Best of Milwaukee 2018 nominee in four categories this year! Saz's State House has been nominated for Best Ribs and…

Saz's Partners With UWM For Jan Serr Studio

Jan Serr Studio – A New Events Space on Milwaukee’s East Side

Saz’s is excited to announce its partnership with The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as exclusive caterer and operator for Jan Serr Studio, an incredible new private events and performance space on Milwaukee’s trendy and historic East Side, opening Fall 2018!

Spend Less Time in the Kitchen with Saz’s Thanksgiving Pick Up Menu!

This year, instead of spending hours preparing, cooking and cleaning up the kitchen for your Thanksgiving Feast, let Saz's do the work and use that time to relax and enjoy your guests’ company! See our Thanksgiving Pick Up Menu to get started!

Awards & Recognition

Over the years, Saz’s Hospitality Group has been honored with a number of awards recognizing its accomplishments and contributions to the industry and Milwaukee community. Saz’s takes each of these designations very seriously, as they are typically bestowed upon the winner at least in part by the votes of our customers, clients, and guests. And their satisfaction is what keeps the teams of Saz’s coming back every day.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Top Choice Awards Winner 2017 Saz's

2018 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence – Saz’s State House Restaurant

2018 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award® Winner- Catering – Saz’s Catering

2018 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award® Winner- Ceremony & Reception Venue – South Second: A Saz’s Hospitality Group Property

2018 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award Winner- Ceremony & Reception Venue- Marcus Center for the Performing Arts (Sazama’s Fine Catering)

2018 The Knot Best of Weddings – Caterer – Saz’s Catering

2018 The Knot Best of Weddings – Venue – The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts

2018 The Knot Best of Weddings – Venue – Western Lakes Golf Club

2017 Shepherd Express Best of Milwaukee – Best Ribs – Saz’s State House

2017 Shepherd Express Best of Milwaukee – Best Caterer – Saz’s Catering

2017 Wisconsin Restaurant Association Neighbor Award – National Finalist

2017 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Top Choice Award Winner, Best Caterer

2017 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Top Choice Award Winner, Best Fries

2017 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Top Choice Award Finalist, Best BBQ

2017 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Top Choice Award Finalist, Best Brunch

2017 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award® Winner – Catering – Saz’s Catering

2017 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award® Winner – Ceremony & Reception Venue – South Second: A Saz’s Hospitality Group Property

2017 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award® Winner – Ceremony & Reception Venue – Marcus Center for the Performing Arts (Sazama’s Fine Catering)

2016 City Voter A-List Milwaukee’s Best Barbecue – Finalist – Saz’s State House

2016 City Voter A-List Milwaukee’s Best Wedding Caterer- Finalist – Saz’s Catering

2016 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Top Choice Award Winner, Best BBQ

2016 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Top Choice Award Winner, Best Fair Food

2016 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence- Saz’s State House Restaurant

2016 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Top Work Places – Saz’s Hospitality Group

2016 WeddingWire Couples Choice Awards- Saz’s Catering

2016 The Knot Best of Weddings – Caterer- Saz’s Catering

2015 Shepherd Express Best of Milwaukee- Best Ribs

2015 Milwaukee Magazine Readers’ Choice BBQ Barbecue (Runner Up)

2015 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Readers’ Poll Top Choice Award, Best BBQ

2015 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Readers’ Poll Top Choice Finalist, Best Fries

2015 City WISN A-List Milwaukee’s Best Wedding Caterer- Finalist- Saz’s Catering

2015 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence- Saz’s State House Restaurant

2015 City WISN A-List Milwaukee’s Best BBQ- Saz’s State House Restaurant

2015 Wedding Wire Couples Choice Awards- Saz’s Catering

2015 The Knot Best of Weddings- Venue- Sazama’s at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts

2015 The Knot- Best of Weddings – Caterer – Saz’s Catering

2014 Wisconsin Restaurant Association Award of Merit- Steve Sazama

2014 Wisconsin State Fair Golden Sporkies Award- Fairgoers Favorite

2014 City WISN A-List Milwaukee’s Best BBQ- Saz’s State House Restaurant

2014 East Town Association Heat It Up Chili Challenge- Finalist

2013 City WISN A-List Milwaukee’s Best BBQ- Saz’s State House Restaurant

2013 TheKnot Best of Weddings- Venue- Saz’s Catering Lake Country at Western Lakes Golf Club

2013 TheKnot Best of Weddings- Venue- Sazama’s at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts

2013 Shepherd Express Reader’s Choice Awards- Finalist- Best Ribs

2012 Shepherd Express Reader’s Choice Awards- Best Ribs

2012 TheKnot- Best of Weddings- Caterers- Saz’s Catering

2011 TheKnot Best of Weddings- Venue- Sazama’s at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts

2010 Wauwatosa Chamber of Commerce- Small Business Community Award

2010 Wisconsin Restaurant Association, Restauranteur of the Year- Milwaukee Chapter, Steve Sazama

2002 Wisconsin State Finalist- National Restaurant Association Restaurant Neighbor Award- Steve Sazama

Wisconsin Roots

Born and raised on State Street, Saz’s first love will always be Milwaukee. Whenever possible, Saz’s Hospitality Group partners with local establishments and organizations in its business and community endeavors. While this is by no means a comprehensive list, what follows is a sampling of the local partnerships Saz’s has nurtured over the past forty years.

Charitable Partners

In 2015 alone, Saz’s Hospitality Group provided charitable contributions to over 400 local charitable groups, along with contributions to the causes of countless other organizations. Donation requests are reviewed periodically by committee; inquires can be sent to Kristal Kaiser, Donations Specialist, at kristal@sazs.com.