St. Louis Metro East’s Sawmill BBQ has opened a location in Des Peres

Sawmill BBQ Pub & Grill, a family-owned favorite based in Cahokia, Illinois, is the latest restaurant to join the St. Louis barbecue scene, as reported by St. Louis Magazine. It opened in early March at 1090 Old Des Peres Road in Des Peres.

The restaurant is owned by Steve and Vicki Will, and the Des Peres location is operated by one of their four children, Rosie Will. The family is originally from the area. “We wanted one closer to us that more of our friends could come to … having a full-service restaurant has always been in the back of our minds,” Rosie Will explained. The original location in Cahokia is on the property of an RV park and only offers counter service. The Des Peres location is a sit-down restaurant in the former Circa Pub & Grill space. They inherited much of the St. Louis memorabilia that Circa was known for. The backdrop to their bar is from the Lemp family mansion, and they have a sign from a Hyde Park pre-Prohibition bar. “We’re taking our Sawmill energy and bringing it into this homage to St. Louis,” said Will.

Sawmill specializes in slow-smoked, dry-rubbed barbecue served with housemade sauces on the side. The Des Peres location serves the same barbecued pulled pork, beef brisket, turkey breast and baby back ribs but also offers steak, seafood options like shrimp and salmon, a soup of the day, pizza and more expansive sandwich selections. The drink menu is still being finalized but Will, who has a background in bartending, is excited to release a cocktail list and begin a happy hour. 

At 5,000 square feet, the restaurant can seat 140 people between the bar, tables, booths and on the patio. The space has a classic pub and grill feel with a St. Louis twist thanks to the memorabilia. On Wednesday and Saturday evenings, guests can enjoy live music from local artists.

The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 9 p.m. Saturday with the bar open later every night as needed.