Saz’s: The Finest Food Since 1976

Saz’s State House Restaurant opened on 55th and State as a neighborhood tavern in 1976. Founder Steve “Saz” Sazama made customers happy with great food and stellar service.

The State House earned rave reviews with Saz’s own BBQ sauce recipe slathered on premium, fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs on Wednesday and Sunday nights.

By 1979, Saz expanded the building with amore dining room seating and a secondary bar affectionately nicknamed, “The New Bar.”

By 1985, Saz’s established its presence at Summerfest and Wisconsin State Fair. Saz brought his famous ribs to the festival scene and introduced the festival-famous “rib sandwich” to the menu. Saz’s Signature Pulled BBQ Pork Sandwich was born on Wisconsin Avenue in the middle of the very first Winterfest. Saz’s signature Mozzarella Marinara — a hand-rolled mozzarella egg roll — was added to the menu a couple of years later.

Responding to requests for tailgate delivery to County Stadium, Saz and his team packed a truck with some signature ingredients and a grill and in 1990, Saz’s Catering was officially born.

People began asking for that secret-recipe sauce “to go” and responding to the public demand, Saz’s Original BBQ Sauce made its way onto grocer shelves in 1992. In 1998, several more products were introduced including Vidalia Onion BBQ Sauce, Ready-to-Reheat Racks of Ribs, and frozen Mini Mozzarella Sticks and Natural Cheddar Curds.

In 2009, Saz’s Catering became the “Official Barbecue Partner of the Green Bay Packers”.

In 2010, Saz’s took over catering operations at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, operating as Sazama’s Fine Catering.

In April 2015, Saz’s Catering moved its operations to the Walker’s Point neighborhood and at the same time, Saz’s Catering Lake Country expanded its service area as far west as Madison.

The State House saw substantial renovation in spring of 2017, with a revamp of the interior dining area and the addition of a beautiful outdoor patio space.

Today, Saz’s Hospitality Group consists of six separate entities:

Its flagship restaurant, Saz’s State House, offering neighborly service with a classic menu, timely specials, and fun events nudging locals and Milwaukee’s tourists alike to gather ’round The Round Bar

Saz’s Catering, servicing casual and formal events for a variety of clients from Green Bay to the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago

Saz’s Catering Lake Country, based inside of Western Lakes Golf Club and also providing off-site catering to clients as far west as Madison

Sazama’s Fine Catering, operating exclusively for the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, providing exceptional service for all event styles

Saz’s Barbecue Products, currently offering a line of seven retail products available in over 200 local retail establishments and online

Saz’s Festivals, operating at over 20 area festivals annually

Saz’s State House continues to serve as the nucleus of the Saz’s Hospitality Group, retaining its classic charm and nostalgia while bringing new flavors and fun to the community that has embraced this Milwaukee tradition for over forty years. Visit their website today for your next event or outing.