Recently, WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman spoke with Steve “Saz” Sazama, the founder of Saz’s, a beloved Milwaukee eatery celebrating its 50th anniversary. They held a special event, “Festa Sazama,” during the Brewers Opening Weekend at Saz’s State House.
Steve reminisced about opening day in 1976 and how taking that leap of faith truly paid off. He emphasized that the key to Saz’s longevity has been building strong relationships—with customers, suppliers, festival partners, and dedicated staff. These connections transformed a small bar into a Milwaukee landmark.
Saz shared the inspirations behind their famous dishes, like the Mozzarella Marinara and the iconic combo plate. He took pride in mentioning former team members who have opened their own successful spots, such as Bilda’s Friess Lake Pub and Leff’s Lucky Town. Watching his team grow has filled him with joy and reinforced the sense of community Saz’s has nurtured over the decades.
Listeners can enjoy stories from Saz’s State House, big events like the Wisconsin State Fair and Summerfest, and Steve’s favorite restaurants from the past and present. He believes deeply in the idea that “the harder you work, the luckier you get.”
Jeff wrapped up the show with thoughts on community building from Olive Garden and discussed the latest trends in AI, revealing its evolving role in our workplaces and lives. As we look to the future, understanding these changes becomes crucial.
For more insights, you can check out [Horicon Bank](https://www.horiconbank.com/), which supports community businesses just like Saz’s.
