An A-Z visitors guide to Milwaukee Wisconsin. Sponsored by Key Magazine Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/161205
Key RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH Fans abound for Saz's State House FOR SPORTS FANS and BBQ lovers in Milwaukee, the place to be in any season is Saz's State House. In 1976, Steve Sazama – better known as Saz – started a Milwaukee tradition by opening Saz's State House in an unlikely location next to railroad tracks in the Miller Valley just west of the Miller Brewing complex. Thirty-seven years later trains still pass the enlarged restaurant, but Saz continues to preside at 5539 W. State Street, where fans gather to eat, drink and discuss the Packers, Brewers, Bucks and all professional and amateur sports teams.. Saz's motto for restaurant success is "focusing on what you do best" and he continues to preside daily over his restaurant. But his organization has expanded into serving its specialty products at festivals, catering tailgate parties and other events and selling popular menu items and sauces in leading grocery stores. Today, Saz's State House offers a wide variety of menu choices. A gluten-free menu and a great variety of kid-friendly plates meet customer needs. Recent additions to the menu include the "Juicy Lucy" Stuffed Burger and an Avocado Caprese Salad. But the emphasis remains on ribs. Combinations 58 include Steak 'n Ribs, Chicken 'n Ribs, Jumbo Shrimp 'N Ribs and a Texas BBQ combo with smoked andouille sausage, beef brisket and onethird rack of baby back ribs. Or try new items like the BBQ Brisket Bruschetta or Asian BBQ Salmon. While the restaurant located just north of the Brewers' Miller Park is first base for of the operation, Saz's playing field has expanded: • In 1985 Saz's began serving its specialty products at Summerfest and the Wisconsin State Fair, evolving into Saz's Festivals. Now the number one vendor at both Summerfest and the State Fair, Saz's Festivals also serves more than 18 other major festivals. • In 1990, Saz's began serving BBQ ribs and sandwiches at tailgate parties and other events. Starting with a few employees, a truck and a grill, Saz's Catering became the largest off-premise catering company in Wisconsin, serving more than 1,500 corporate and social events annually, from formal gatherings of 20 to companywide events of 20,000. • In 1993, Saz's began offering its most popular menu items and sauces in leading grocery stores around the state. Today, many stores offer Saz's Signature BBQ Baby Back Ribs; Original, Vidalia Onion and Sassy BBQ Sauces; Saz's Festival Famous Mozzarella Marinara and Saz's Chive Fries. Saz's sauces also are available in selected