In culmination of Saz’s month-long 40th anniversary celebration, the rib-slinging Milwaukee restaurant will host a "Grand Hurrah" party Thursday, March 31 at its flagship location, Saz’s State House, 5539 W. State St.
Beginning at 3 p.m., the festivities will include speakers, entertainment and a Grand Buffet, which will benefit charities including Variety-the Children’s Charity of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin State Fair Park Foundation.
At 4 p.m., special guest speakers will include Mayor Tom Barrett, Alderman Michael Murphy, Ed Lump of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association, Gerise LaSpisa of Variety-the Children’s Charity of Wisconsin, Governor Scott Walker and others, sharing a few words about the past four decades and about local native and Saz’s owner, Steve Sazama.
A variety of surprise guests will also be present during the event along with customers who were present the day the doors opened in 1976.
Entertainment from Jeff Keller & the Singing Machine Karaoke will begin at 6 p.m., along with the Grand Buffet. Meanwhile, the bar will feature guest bartenders who have a history with the bar and restaurant. Raffle prizes and throwback-priced 40 cent MillerCoors tappers will be available.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
