Rusty Saw Smokehouse BBQ

Call Us Today! 989.332.2948

Slow Cooked... Fresh... Southern-Style... Mouth Watering... Big-Portioned... BARBEQUE!
Download Menu Today's Specials Hours & Location
- Cherry Ribs
  
  Michigan cherry BBQ sauce
- Dry Rub Ribs
  
  Memphis style dry rub
- Smoked Brisket
  
  Mmm good!
- Burger
  
  With slow cooked brisket
- Pulled Pork
  
  Carolina style
Menu Menu (Print Version) Download Menu

Fast food isn't good, good food isn't fast. That's Our Motto
Available Daily
Carolina Pulled Pork
Our pulled pork is cooked a minimum of 12 hours in our Southern Pride smoker. We use local white oak and maple to achieve a good blend of taste and smoke, while not allowing the smoke to become the dominating taste.

Want to know the history of Carolina BBQ?

There are generally considered to be four types of barbeque in the country and they, by and large, are broken down by the type of sauce use in basting and also as a finish sauce, used when the barbeque is being served. Those four, in order of historical emergence, are Vinegar and Pepper, Mustard, Light Tomato and Heavy Tomato. And while there is always disagreement on the varieties of preparation, such as whether one should use a dry rub or a wet rub and various other culinary arguments, all of the many sauces used in America generally will fall into one of those four basic groups.

North and South Carolina share three of the four types of barbeque sauce that Americans normally use. But only South Carolina is the home of all four.

Vinegar and Pepper - The "original" barbeque sauce, dating back hundreds (yes, hundreds) of years is Vinegar and Pepper, the first and simplest of the four. It is found on the coastal plains of both North and South Carolina and to a slight degree in Virginia and Georgia.

Mustard - The second (in order of historic evolution) of the four sauces is the one that is distinct to South Carolina and the one that people most often think of as South Carolina style - Mustard Sauce. That sauce is the product of the large German heritage found in South Carolina.

Light Tomato - The third type of sauce found in South Carolina, in terms of the evolution of sauces, is Light Tomato sauce. This sauce is (or was) little more than Vinegar and Pepper with tomato ketchup added. This occurred after tomato ketchup became a readily available condiment around the turn of the last century; that is, around 1900.

Heavy Tomato - The fourth sauce in South Carolina and, for that matter, the rest of the nation, is Heavy Tomato sauce. This sauce has evolved only recently, that is, in the last sixty or so years.

$6.50
Pulled Pork Sandwich

Served with one side.

$8
Jumbo Pulled Pork Sandwich

Bring a fork to the table for this one! Served with one side.

$11
Pulled Pork Platter

A half pound of pulled pork. Served with two sides and a roll.

$13
Large Pulled Pork Platter *

One full pound of pulled pork. Served with two sides and rolls.

$14
Pulled Pork with Brisket Combo *

A half pound of pulled pork and a half pound of brisket. Served with two sides and rolls.

$22
Pulled Pork with Ribs Combo *

A half pound of pulled pork with a half rack of ribs. Served with two sides and rolls.

* Sorry, we don't allow meal splitting on these items. Add a half pound of brisket for just $8 or a half rack of ribs for $11.
Texas Beef Brisket
Brisket has long been a very unpopular cut of meat. That is until our good friends from Texas learned to cook it low and slow. We cook our brisket for a minimum of 16 hours over low heat.

$7.50
Brisket Sandwich

Served with one side.

$9
Jumbo Brisket Sandwich

Bring a fork to the table for this one! Served with one side.

$9
Texas Trail Hand

Two brisket tacos in tortillas with sautéed onions. Served with one side.

$12
Brisket Platter

A half pound of brisket. Served with two sides and a roll or tortillas.

$15
Large Brisket Platter *

One full pound of brisket. Served with two sides and a roll or tortillas.

$14
Brisket with Pulled Pork Combo *

A half pound of pulled pork and half pound of brisket. Served with two sides and rolls.

$23
Brisket with Ribs Combo *

A half pound of brisket with a half rack of ribs. Served with two sides and rolls.

* Sorry, we don't allow meal splitting on these items. Add a half pound of pulled pork for just $7 or a half rack of ribs for $11.
Burgers
We use our own blend of spices to create a unique BBQ taste in all of our burgers. All burgers are served with a choice of one side.

$8
Lumber Jack

Taste as big as its name.

$9.50
Shanty Boy

Loaded with cheese, sautéed onions, and a slice of brisket.

$9.50
River Hog

Our traditional burger topped with pulled pork and slaw. YUM!

$9.50
Bleu Ox

Our traditional burger topped with bleu cheese and bacon.

$10
Big Bad Wolf

The story didn't end well for these 3 little piggies. A 1/2 lb of pork burger, pulled pork, and bacon topped with sautéed onions and cheese.

*1/4 lb burgers are available during lunch for 3 bucks less!
Side Dishes
We try to make at least 6 side dishes fresh daily from scratch. Please ask your server for availability. If we run out, well... we're out!

$2
Green Beans

Cooked in our smoker. You won't find a taste like it anywhere else!

$2
Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Hand mashed potatoes made just like Grandma used to make on Sundays.

$2
Baked Beans

We have won over 30 awards for our beans, and just like Duke says, we will talk for a price!

$2
Carolina Slaw

Made with our very own Michigan Cherry BBQ sauce. Try it on your pulled pork sandwich like they do down in the Carolina's.

$2
French Fries

C'mon, do I really have to explain these?

$2
Red Beans and Rice

A Southern favorite that Steve learned from - Whoops, can't tell!

$2
Jambalaya (limited availability)

Pork, Beef, Sausage... well let's just say the kitchen sink.

$2
Chili and Soups (limited availability)

We sneak these in from time-to-time.

$2
Corn Bread

Made fresh daily!

Our rolls and buns are made locally at Hamilton Bakery.
Kids Menu
One child eats free with the purchase of 3 or more adult meals!

$5
Chicken Nuggets

Served with fries and a drink.

$5
Mini Pulled Pork

Served with fries and a drink.

$5
Cheese Quesadillas

Served with fries and a drink.
Student Discounts
Are you a student? We offer a special $5 pulled pork sandwich. Can't beat that!

$5
Pulled Pork Sandwich

Served with one side and a drink.
Available Weekends
Friday Michigan Cherry Ribs
FRIDAY NIGHTS ONLY!

4:30 PM - Till they're gone

Our very own Michigan Cherry rubbed ribs slow cooked and combined with our Michigan Cherry BBQ sauce. Rib dinners come with two sides.

$15
Half Rack

6 Ribs - Dinner For 1

$24
Full Rack

12 RIbs - Dinner For 1

$27
Full Rack

12 RIbs - Dinner For 2

$36
Full Rack & 1/2

12 RIbs - Dinner For 2
Saturday Memphis Ribs
SATURDAY NIGHTS ONLY!

4:30 PM - Till they're gone

Our very own version of Memphis style dry rubbed ribs slow cooked with a special dry rub that lets you leave the sauce behind! Rib dinners come with two sides.

$15
Half Rack

6 Ribs - Dinner For 1

$24
Full Rack

12 RIbs - Dinner For 1

$27
Full Rack

12 RIbs - Dinner For 2

$36
Full Rack & 1/2

12 RIbs - Dinner For 2
Why do we only serve ribs on Fridays and Saturdays?

Unlike the "OTHER" places, we serve our competition style ribs right out of the smoker. Our hand trimmed spare ribs are larger and meatier than the rest... come and taste the difference.

Bay and Saginaw Counties seem to be the capital of the "Chain Restaurant"; we're the opposite. In order to have ribs available at any time of the day or night, compromises must be made. Pre-cooked, factory made, boil-in-bag or steaming just doesn't cut it. Ribs come in many styles like spare rib and Baby Back. They refer to the cut or where it comes off the hog. St. Louis cut refers to how a spare rib is trimmed. We hand trim full spare ribs to a custom St. Louis style cut that gives you a maximum size rib with the most meat you will ever find.
Catering

Please call us at 989.332.2948 and we'll gladly customize our catering to meet your needs.
Meats - Ala Carte
$22
St. Louis Style Ribs

Full Rack

$13
St. Louis Style Ribs

Half Rack

$14
Smoked Beef Brisket

Per 1lb

$12
Carolina Pulled Pork

Per 1lb

$11
Smoked Pulled Chicken

Per 1lb

$7
Homemade Smoked Sausage

Per 1lb

$10
Chicken Half

$8
Chicken Quarter
Sides - Ala Carte
$5
Smokehouse Beans

Per 1lb

$5
Carolina Cole Slaw

Per 1lb

$5
Mac & Cheese

Per 1lb

$5
Black Eyed Peas

Per 1lb

$5
Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Per 1lb

$5
Red Skin Mashed Potatoes

Per 1lb
6 Person Pick-Up
$54
Combo #1-1

1 1/2 lbs each of pulled pork and beef brisket
1 1/2 lbs each of two sides
1/2 dozen buns

$70
Combo #1-2

1 full rack of ribs
1 1/2 lbs each of pulled pork and beef brisket
1 1/2 lbs each of two sides
1/2 dozen buns

$83
Combo #1-3

2 full racks of ribs
2 lbs of one meat
1 1/2 lbs each of two sides
1/2 dozen buns
12 Person Pick-Up
$106
Combo #2-1

3 lbs each of pulled pork and beef brisket
3 lbs each of two sides
1 dozen buns

$94
Combo #2-2

2 lbs each of pulled pork and beef brisket
12 chicken leg quarters
3 lbs each of two sides
1 dozen buns

$157
Combo #2-3

2 full racks of ribs
2 lbs each of pulled pork and beef brisket
3 lbs each of two sides
1 dozen buns
30 Person Pick-Up
$260
Combo #3-1

6 lbs each of pulled pork and beef brisket
15 chicken leg quarters
8 lbs each of two sides
3 dozen buns

$275
Combo #3-2

5 lbs each of pulled pork and beef brisket
30 chicken leg quarters
8 lbs each of two sides
4 dozen buns

$330
Combo #3-3

5 full racks of ribs
5 lbs each of pulled pork and beef brisket
8 lbs each of two sides
3 dozen buns
Choose us for your next party!
Customer Feedback

We love our customers! We do our best to exceed our customer's expectations
- This is the BEST hometown BBQ. The food is excellent, and plenty of it. The owners Tammy and Steve, are down to earth and provide great customer service. I used their catering group for a small gathering and it was awesome! It's a MUST TRY!
  
  Great! Blondela, Unknown
- They make all their own soups & they are fantastic. We took some of their pulled pork to a family reunion & everyone wanted the source. The owners are such nice people, friendly & give good value & service
  
  The Best! Diana & Gary, Saginaw, MI
- If you are a real smoked BBQ rib lover Sawmill is the absolute BEST!! This is not the typical run of the mill ribs. I have ate smoked ribs all around the South and served by National Champions, these ribs are the Best I have had in Michigan. The Memphis style is outstanding, and although I do not put sauce on my ribs, the Special Cherry sauce is Great.
  
  Real Deal! Ken G, Clio, MI
- A friend of mine told me about this BBQ place and said it was amazing. So I went in to try it and she wasn't lying, the food was spectacular and the service was awesome. The owner, Tammy, treated us like family we couldn't have picked a better place to eat. Get there early because everything is made from scratch so sometimes a side will run out and they are not worth missing!
  
  Amazing! FoodFanatic01, Unknown
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- My wife and I have been here two times in the past year, each time was excellent. Being somewhat of a b.b.q buff myself, I am usually disappointed when I order smoked or grilled meats from a restaurant. However, the folks at the Sawmill Smokehouse have their act together! Their menu is somewhat limited at times, but you know what: that's good! If they kept everything on the menu available at all times, the quality would undoubtedly suffer. Their brisket and pulled pork show evidence of a quality pit boss, from the pink smoke ring to the delicious bark... All around good food and plenty of it. The prices are very reasonable considering the time and effort it takes to produce this kind of food. I will definitly return for many visits.
  
  Superb! Dan F, Essexville, MI
- Steve and Tammy have the best BBQ in the area; the menu is limited but the quality more than makes up for that. We have had several family dinners there and no one has been disappointed. The Ribs are without a question are the best in the area, we usually get the combination with Ribs, Chicken, Pulled Pork, and Brisket along with sides including Red Beans & Rice. The dining experience here is like going to a friend's house for the best BBQ you have ever experienced. My advice is come early and often you won't be sorry.
  
  5/28/2011 Ed D., Saginaw, MI
- I've had brisket before and didn't like it because it was really chewy. I saw the texas trail hand on the menu(brisket tacos with sauteed onions) and i decided to give it a try. O M G! The brisket literally melted in my mouth. The juiciest brisket I have ever had and I was instantly in love. I was smiling through the whole meal. The baked beans were also amazing. I go to SVSU and this will definitely be my spot for lunch every Tuesday and Thursday. Can't wait to try the rest of the menu. Just wished they had bbq chicken.
  
  9/15/2012 Peter P. , Auburn, MI
- We saw this BBQ segment on NBC25, we decided to try it out. It was well worth the 2 hour drive there and back. My husband and I have been there 2 times since and are planning a trip this weekend. The Saturday ribs are the best we ever tried. I would like to try the Fri ribs, but it is more difficult to get there on that day. We recommend this wonderful establishment to any BBQ lovers, Tammy is wonderful and will make you feel at home. We have never written a review before, but this place is a rare gem.
  
  3/19/2012 Pamela and Rick, Millington MI
- We absolutely enjoy eating at Rusty Saw Smokehouse. Went in yesterday (not even the bad weather stopped us from going) and we ordered the most delicious, LOADED, nachos we had ever eaten. Yummy!! One order was more than enough for 2 people. The owners are absolutely the most down to earth people you will ever meet!! We took our children the beginning of the year, and they ALL loved it. The food, the prices, the service was exceptional. Rusty Saw Smokehouse is definitely at the top of our list.
  
  1/18/2012 Hilda S. , Bay City, MI
- Fantastic food, great service! The brisket is the best I have ever had. We couldn't have enjoyed it more, we'll be back!
  
  Fantastic! Anonomous, Somewhere
Check out our reviews on these websites:

Contact Us

Stop in and try our tasty food.

1205 Washington Ave
Bay City, MI 48708
989.332.2948

contactus@rustysawsmokehouse.com

Restaurant Hours

Entrance on 1st Street.
See Today's Specials

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	11:30 - 8:00
Thursday	11:30 - 8:00
Friday	11:30 - 10:00
Saturday	4:00 - 10:00
Sunday	1:00 - 10:00

On The Map

Rusty Saw Smokehouse
1205 Washington Ave
Bay City, Michigan 48708

989.332.2948
contactus@rustysawsmokehouse.com

We'd Love To Hear From You!

About Us

The Rusty Saw Smokehouse has been serving award winning, authentic BBQ since 1990.

Our "barbeque belt" is notched with more than 20 local, national, and international titles. What sets us apart from our competitors... besides 22 years of award-winning experience: Our commitment to fresh, quality food and attention to detail. We will only use the highest quality meats and ingredients in our recipes. We slow-smoke all meats over hard wood in a state-of-the-art Southern Pride BBQ Pit... the finest in the world! This self-basting, wood-burning, rotisserie provides a controlled barbeque environment that simply can't be equaled. We always prepare our side dishes fresh-from-scratch, daily. Serving you and your guest's quality barbeque is the highest priority at The Rusty Saw Smokehouse. You will taste the difference.

Want more history? Click here

In 1989, Steve just out of the U.S. Army, started selling fresh ribs for the local Michigan Brand (then Bay City Meats) to National Rib competitions across the country. It was during one of these events in 1990 that Steve met Larry Murphy of Camp 31 BBQ out of Alabama. Larry had burned his hands very badly the week before at a cook-off in Richmond, VA. Larry needed some extra help so he brought Steve on board. For the next two years Steve learned the ropes from Larry. Along the way Steve won his first two, 1st place finishes for ribs and sauce running the Camp 31 team for Larry in Windsor, OT.

In 1992 Steve joined an up-and-coming BBQ team from a local Saginaw restaurant, Casa del Rey. The team was known as Texas Style Pit BBQ and led by Paul Overa, his son David and Steve. The little-known team went on to win a truck load of awards during the 1992 season, including 5 wins in Florida, the first American team to sweep the awards in London, OT, and overall champion at the National Rib cook-off in Cleveland, OH.

Tammy, during 1992, was one of the lead servers at Casa del Rey, and even though both Steve and Tammy went to the same schools, they had never met. At the London cook-off, Tammy and another server from the restaurant came to join the team for the weekend. Neither will admit it, but all will tell you it was love at first sight.

At the end of the 1992 season, Steve and Dave joined Butch Lupinetti and Butch's Smack Your Lips BBQ, who was new to the BBQ circuit. This was a collaboration among friends telling stories around the sauce pot. It just so happened that Butch won his first award for his sauce that summer.

Steve and Tammy have had many adventures on the road touring the U.S. and Canada, working with some of the best people in the BBQ world. The couple's first competition team was Damn Yankee BBQ, decked out in green, gray and pink camo shirts. The Damn Yankee team won "BEST RIBS" at the Great Northern Michigan BBQ cook-off in Escanaba in 2007. At the Bay City Pig Gig in 2007, while cooking for the BBQ King of Michigan, Billy Bones, they won "BEST SAUCE". The very next year under their new banner, Sawmill Smokehouse BBQ, they won "Best Ribs - People's Choice" and "Best Beans".

After touring the U.S. and Canada for many years, Steve and Tammy decided to serve their award winning food locally. In the spring of 2008 they opened Sawmill Smokehouse BBQ in the clubhouse at the Sawmill Golf Club. The BBQ restaurant bug had bitten them both. Having people enjoying their food and hospitality was a greater reward than any trophy.

In 2010 they opened RUSTY SAW SMOKEHOUSE BBQ with a vision of creating a true Mom 'n Pop's BBQ that serves home cooked comfort food with a southern flair.

More on these great BBQs...

Camp31

Camp 31 was founded in 1908 as a "Saw Mill" general store outside Brewton, Alabama. Camp 31 BBQ was established by Larry Murphy in 1985, and we're serving up mouthwatering authentic southern BBQ ever since. In 1986, the Brewton Police Dept. helped us enter our first BBQ cook off in Pensacola, Florida. In the 1986 cook-off we won 3 first place trophies, and since, touring of the US and Canada has not stopped.

Butch Lupinetti & Butch's Smack Your Lips BBQ

For the past 25 years, Butch Lupinetti & Butch's Smack Your Lips BBQ has traveled all over the US and Canada winning over 500 awards, including KCBS Grand Champion for the State of New Jersey; Best Ribs at the Great American Rib Cook Off in Cleveland, Ohio; Best Ribs at Best In The West Rib Cook Off in Reno, Nevada, the Super Bowl of Rib Competitions. Butch also has a victory over Bobby Flay in the BBQ Throwdown on Food Network.

Billy Bones

Smokin' for over 30 years! Billy is a one of the true Grand Fathers of BBQ and he says"it's a great thing to feed folks," as one of the legendary competition cookers he has traveled to every state in USA to cook, compete and win. He has even done it in Ireland, Jamaica and Canada.. Billy Bones is one of the grandfathers of barbecue from Sandford Michigan, where is that? you may ask, Billy says its half way between Climax and Paradise! If you look on the map you'll soon see he's not lying and you'll realize that he is one of the greatest characters in the industry today. He writes for multiple trade magazines and is often quoted and consulted by industry professionals

It's Free! We'll send you special offers on your birthday to receive half off. Or, if you bring 3 or more friends that purchase a meal you'll get yours free AND Steve and Tammy will sing to you! We may also send you updates regarding new menu items and important news.

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In The News

We're famous!

Take a look at what the press has said about us.

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Call Us Today! 989.332.2948

Cherry Ribs

Dry Rub Ribs

Smoked Brisket

Burger

Pulled Pork

Menu Menu (Print Version) Download Menu

Available Daily

Want to know the history of Carolina BBQ?

Pulled Pork Sandwich

Jumbo Pulled Pork Sandwich

Pulled Pork Platter

Large Pulled Pork Platter *

Pulled Pork with Brisket Combo *

Pulled Pork with Ribs Combo *

Brisket Sandwich

Jumbo Brisket Sandwich

Texas Trail Hand

Brisket Platter

Large Brisket Platter *

Brisket with Pulled Pork Combo *

Brisket with Ribs Combo *

Lumber Jack

Shanty Boy

River Hog

Bleu Ox

Big Bad Wolf

Green Beans

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Baked Beans

Carolina Slaw

French Fries

Red Beans and Rice

Jambalaya (limited availability)

Chili and Soups (limited availability)

Corn Bread

Chicken Nuggets

Mini Pulled Pork

Cheese Quesadillas

Pulled Pork Sandwich

Available Weekends

FRIDAY NIGHTS ONLY!

4:30 PM - Till they're gone

Half Rack

Full Rack

Full Rack

Full Rack & 1/2

SATURDAY NIGHTS ONLY!

4:30 PM - Till they're gone

Half Rack

Full Rack

Full Rack

Full Rack & 1/2

Why do we only serve ribs on Fridays and Saturdays?

Catering

St. Louis Style Ribs

St. Louis Style Ribs

Smoked Beef Brisket

Carolina Pulled Pork

Smoked Pulled Chicken

Homemade Smoked Sausage

Chicken Half

Chicken Quarter

Smokehouse Beans

Carolina Cole Slaw

Mac & Cheese

Black Eyed Peas

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Red Skin Mashed Potatoes

Combo #1-1

Combo #1-2

Combo #1-3

Combo #2-1

Combo #2-2

Combo #2-3

Combo #3-1

Combo #3-2

Combo #3-3

Customer Feedback

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