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!
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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.
2019 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award® Winner- Catering – Saz’s Catering
2019 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award® Winner- Ceremony & Reception Venue – South Second: A Saz’s Hospitality Group Property
2019 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award Winner- Ceremony & Reception Venue – Marcus Center for the Performing Arts (Sazama’s Fine Catering)
2019 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award Winner- Ceremony & Reception Venue – Western Lakes Golf Club (Saz’s Catering Lake Country)
2019 Pick The Knot Best of Weddings – Caterer – Saz’s Catering
2019 Pick The Knot Best of Weddings – Venue – The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts
2019 Pick The Knot Best of Weddings – Venue – Western Lakes Golf Club
2019 Pick The Knot Best of Weddings – Venue – South Second
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 Pick The Knot Best of Weddings – Caterer – Saz’s Catering
2018 Pick The Knot Best of Weddings – Venue – The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts
2018 Pick 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.
Groups & Affiliations
Saz’s Hospitality Group is a proud member of the following organizations.
Local Partners
In various ways, Saz’s Hospitality Group partners with the following local entities.
