SAW’S Juke Joint — Crestline

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Few things are paired well with great barbeque – a big family gathering, a street party, a milestone event. And among these has to be the coupling with great music! The opening of SAW’s third location pairs the down home tradition of authentic barbeque with live bluesy jazz, a feast for the soul, the ears and the palate! And if such an oxymoron exists as “upscale dive”, SAW’S Juke Joint fits the bill.

Since its debut in October of 2012, SAW’S Juke Joint has been packed practically every night! Yes, even middle of the week. Just driving past its location on Dunston Avenue, you’ll see the whole Crestline Park shopping center parked with cars, and spilling out down the street.

The atmosphere at SAW’S Juke Joint is all about casual and friendly. Reclaimed wood paneling, bare bulbs and metal tables and chairs suitably make for a slightly industrial feel. But after all, this place means business – food and music.

Since re-opening this establishment, in the space formerly occupied by Ore and Open Door Café, the new restaurant built on the patronage of the former restaurant, but brings in live music from regional bands on the weekend nights. Best of all, it features the well-known barbeque menu from both the SAW’s BBQ Restaurant and its sister, SAW’S Soul Kitchen.

SAW’S ownership has a pedigree that has made a barbeque/jazz setting a surefire hit. The founder of the “SAW” brand is “Sorry ASS Mike Wilson”. His partner in their SAW’S Soul Kitchen Brandon Cain is on board. And thirdly, in Saw’s Juke Joint, it’s Wilson, Doug Smith, and American Idol winner and local celebrity Taylor Hicks.

In Hicks words, “ I think the concept fits the area perfectly. We all know Saw’s has the best barbeque in town, and the juke joint concept is a home run!”

TThey have combined their love and knowledge of Southern cuisine, live jazz music and laid-back hangouts … and have a winner!

If reputation and return customers measure the success of the SAW’S brand, than all three will have long histories in Birmingham. The reviews keep coming in and the food scores high on all accounts.

They serve barbecue with Alabama’s signature white sauce—made with mayo—and a baked potato stuffed with pork, which the Alabama Tourism Department proclaimed as one of the top 100 dishes in the state to try before you die.

Mental Floss