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Name: Union Woodshop
Address: 18 S Main St, Clarkston, MI, 48346
Telephone: (248) 625-5660
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.38

Union Woodshop

18 S Main St, Clarkston, MI, 48346

(248) 625-5660
Store is closed

Union Woodshop Menu

Starters

Woodsticks

Burnt Ends

House Smoked Chicken Wings

House Smoked Shrimp Cocktail

Smoked Salmon Pate

Deep Fried Pickles
Soups

Tomato Soup

Woodshop Chili
Salads

Woodshop Wedge

Smoked Chicken Salsa

Smoked Caesar

Cherry Pork Salad

Smoked Shrimp Salad

Coco House Salad
Samiches

Grilled Chicken Club

Hot Link Roll

Pulled Pork

Smoky Dogs
Shop Burgers

Woodshop Burger

The Porker

Juicy Lucy
Wood Fired Pies - You-choose Pizza

Sauces

Vegetables Etc.

Meats

Cheeses
Pizza Coco

Margherita

Rocket

Woodshop

Garlic

Shroom

Pineapple & Tasso

Chipotle Shrimp

Loaded Potato
Mains

Spare Ribs

Back Ribs

Smoked Ribeye

Blackened Catfish

Woodshop 101

Cedar Planked Salmon

Scotts Sweet Potato Burrito

Shop Burrito

Union Mac & Cheese
Mains - First Place Pulled Pork

Half Chicken

Pulled Pork

Beef Brisket
Woodshop Regional Bbq Sauces

Memphis Tennessee

Lockhart Texas

Holly Hill South Carolina

Decatur Alabama

China Town Nyc

Raleigh North Carolina

Hell Michigan
Sides

Collard Greens

Sweet Potato Mash

Green Bean Casserole

Dianes Cheesy Potatoes

Handcut Home Fries

Union Mac & Cheese

Bbq Baked Beans

Hand-dipped Onion Rings

Old School Slaw

Vegetarian Black Beans & Rice

Potato Salad
Dessert

Hot Mini Mill Donuts

Maple Bourbon Sundae

Cupcake Trio

Brownie Skillet

Deep Fried Twinkie

Seasonal Cobbler

Ice Cream Sandwich Trio

Butterscotch Pudding

Healthy Meal suggestions for Union Woodshop

Starters

Woodsticks [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Burnt Ends [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Smoked Chicken Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Smoked Shrimp Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Salmon Pate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Deep Fried Pickles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soups

Tomato Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Woodshop Chili [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads

Woodshop Wedge [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Chicken Salsa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Caesar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cherry Pork Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Shrimp Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coco House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Samiches

Grilled Chicken Club [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot Link Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pulled Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoky Dogs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Shop Burgers

Woodshop Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Porker [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Juicy Lucy [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Wood Fired Pies - You-choose Pizza

Sauces [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetables Etc. [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meats [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheeses [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pizza Coco

Margherita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rocket [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Woodshop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garlic [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shroom [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pineapple & Tasso [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chipotle Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Loaded Potato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Mains

Spare Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Back Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Ribeye [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Blackened Catfish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Woodshop 101 [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cedar Planked Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Scotts Sweet Potato Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shop Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Union Mac & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Mains - First Place Pulled Pork

Half Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pulled Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Brisket [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Woodshop Regional Bbq Sauces

Memphis Tennessee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lockhart Texas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Holly Hill South Carolina [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Decatur Alabama [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

China Town Nyc [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Raleigh North Carolina [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hell Michigan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sides

Collard Greens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Potato Mash [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Green Bean Casserole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dianes Cheesy Potatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Handcut Home Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Union Mac & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Baked Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hand-dipped Onion Rings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Old School Slaw [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetarian Black Beans & Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Potato Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dessert

Hot Mini Mill Donuts [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maple Bourbon Sundae [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cupcake Trio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Brownie Skillet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Deep Fried Twinkie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seasonal Cobbler [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ice Cream Sandwich Trio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Butterscotch Pudding [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Clarkston for healthy meals suggestion.

Clarkston Union Bar & Kitchen ( 54 S Main St )

Clarkston Dairy Queen ( PO Box 189 )

Burger King ( 6674 Dixie Hwy )

Visit below restaurant in Clarkston for healthy meals suggestion.

Burger King ( 6674 Dixie Hwy )

Write An Anonymous Review

Z K.

Needs better service...food was ok.
(2)
Jon A.

My favorite restaurant in the world... yes, I said it! Food is awesome, the staff are great and Detroit sports on tap all the time! Yes, it does get very busy.. but worth the wait for a table!
(5)
Eric M.

Having worked I this industry, I heartily understand the demand that can arise when there is a long wait to be seated, and the attitudes that customers can get. I feel like there is never that feeling at this establishment. I come to visit once a month when I am in town and I always see my favorites, Harmony and Erin. They always take wonderful care if me, are extremely attentive and make me feel like I am home. In fact, I call ahead to make sure they are working or I will wait to come in until they are. The food is always wonderful, and when I am seated at the bar with one of these 2 lovely ladies, the service is absolutely impeccable.
(5)
Bobby Z.

I wouldn't say this is my official review...that one will take too long...I will simply say that today's experience is a prime example of why I keep coming here! The food is always awesome and the portions are generous, but the servers are really top notch. Even if they seem a bit eclectic/hipster they stay on top of shit and I never have the issues I have at other places. The management sets their level of service very high and the staff maintains that high level generally. Our server, Erin, who I have had several times before keeps the glasses full, the attention high without being naggy and goes out of her way to make sure the experience is excellent. Today was no exception! Half way through our meal I placed a carry out order...when the bill came I asked about the to go items and she went to check. Rather than come back and bullshit me she told me the kitchen forgot to put it in and it would be 10 more minutes. I said it was fine and left it at that, but she took the bill back and removed the charges for the carry out and apologized! It's new years day and I can think of several places where the wait staff would have been rude just to punish me for them having to work. Erin, and the rest of the woodshop crew are a prime example of what it takes to make a restaurant super successful...awesome food and awesome staff!
(5)
Elyse R.

My favorite restaurant in the Clarkston area by far and totally worth the wait. Never a bad experience, amazing food, and great staff!!
(5)
Sara T.

We moved to Puyallup WA in January and one of the five restarurants we miss most about living in East Michigan is Union Woodshop. If you don't watch your bill and you drink, it can definitely be expensive, but there is SO much good food to choose from! When we come back to the area to visit, we'll DEFINITELY be stopping by!
(5)
Lu H.

So delicious! Great service. We will definitely return. Definitely recommend this place.
(5)
Chris N.

The wait was long but the servers were friendly, the atmosphere was awesome and the BBQ delicious! Possibly the best BBQ in metro Detroit! Almost as good as St. Louis BBQ that I base all my BBQ experiences to. Highly recommended!
(5)
Sharina J.

Amazing! I loved the food and the amazing ice cold beverages. Now it doesn't go well with my weight watchers but it is amazing comfort food. I love love love the macaroni! This isn't close to our house but it is worth the drive! We came here after seeing it on Diners, Driveins and Dives (I think that's the name of the show) and recommend it to all of our friends. We will definitely being going back, oh did I mention that I love the macaroni! :-)
(5)
Tim K.

I don't normally like Mac N Cheese, But DAMN it was so good here!!!!!! We usually order a sandwich and the Mac then we share. Kind of pricey. You may see Kid Rock!
(4)
Rebecca B.

I don't think this place will ever disappoint... The only complaint I have is that it's always soooo busy, but this is a good thing for them, right? Once again, a tasty meal devoured.. Great service!
(5)
Pete K.

They were sold out if my first choice of beer. They were out of my second choice of beer. Their Pulled Pork was so good, however, that this Ol' German is still giving them 5 stars! Although, because they were so busy, food took a while to arrive, it was well worth the wait!
(5)
Adam R.

Really good experience. Had the brisket and pulled pork with smashed sweet potatoes, corn bread and Mac and chz. The Mac and chz was amazing. My girl friend got the cheesy potatoes, those were the only disappointment I tasted. The food I ordered isn't usually enough for my big belly but this evening It was I had to take a box home. Good beer selection for the most part. Wish they would have Atwater in the house. Overall had a great experience, making plans to come back this fall. Oh .. The fried pickles we had for appetizer were the best I have ever had. Making my mouth water right now at work. lol Kirk Gibson.. Yes the Kirk Gibson was there eating with his wife before the Van Halen concert at DTE.. He looked like he was enjoying his pizza.
(5)
Littlemac F.

We went here at 5:00 on a Friday, and were quoted a one hour wait, which did not surprise me, considering the myriad positive reviews. The gal told me the buzzer worked "stoplight to stoplight," so we went down the street for a drink. Our buzzer did not have such a range, and we returned 50 minutes later to find our table had been missed, but they managed to seat us right away, which was nice. I liked the atmosphere right away, and our server was genuinely friendly, and prompt. The chicken wings were dry and burnt, the breadsticks were not good, and the strange sauce they came with was gross. Our back ribs were terrible. All the sauces were odd variations of Open Pit sauce. The macaroni and cheese was not macaroni at all, but instead overcooked penne. I am willing to give this place another try, if I am ever near Clarkston again, since the service was excellent, and the atmosphere was great. I suspect I would have liked it better if we had not waited for so long, and I did not have such high expectations.
(2)
Rebecca M.

I've been here several times before and have had a fantastic experience every time! While I agree with others on the crazy long wait times on the weekends, I was pleasantly surprised on Tuesday night when we were seated right away! Me and my friends showed up around 6 and got a great table, and when we left around 7 there still seemed like there wasn't much of a wait. The food is always on point here, though I get the same thing every time: woodsticks (YUM!), a deliciously-moist grilled chicken club, and the amazing fries. My friends also highly recommend the juicy lucy burger and the pizza. Definitely make sure you stop by this Clarkston staple for the delicious food, great service, and cool aesthetic :)
(5)
William D.

We went to the Woodshop before a Kid Rock concert on a Tuesday evening (got there at 5pm) and the place was packed with an hour wait. We went upstairs for a beer and they had Blatz...what a treat! (I drank it in the 70's.) We then went downstairs and had a fabulous meal. "Sam" was a great waitress and the food came very quick. The pulled pork was great, the mac n cheese even better and the onion rings were huge and crispy. So, great food, great service and reasonable prices...a perfect combination. I have to admit, this place is better than "Slows" in Detroit.
(5)
Jody K.

After a particularly disappointing day at the Outlets at Birch Run, I decided to treat myself to a late lunch at the Union Woodshop on the way home. I got there at about 4:00 on a Saturday, and it was fairly crowded, even at that odd hour. Since I was alone, I was wedged in at this little table in front of a large party and across from 2 other tables of people, right inside the front door. I wasn't too happy about that, but I figured that them's the breaks when dining alone. Even though I'd read really good reviews of the ribs, I wasn't in the mood for that much. But, I definitely wanted to try barbecue, since that's what they're known for. I decided on the small Cherry Pork Salad because, as long as you include lettuce, it's a salad, right? And I also got a side of the mac & cheese. Oh. My. Goodness. It was really good. The salad is basically lettuce, some large dried cherries, topped with a good helping of pulled pork and some crispy deep fried onions on top. Oddly, the honey mustard dressing was on the bottom, so you have to really toss it to get it incorporated. It was slightly spicy, but not overpowering. And at $5.95, it seemed quite the deal. The little casserole of mac & cheese arrived on a small baking dish. The top was nice and brown & crispy, and it was really hot; I actually had to poke holes in it & let it cool a bit before I could eat it. But when I was finally able to take a bite, it made my mouth so happy. For $3.00, it cannot be beat. I tried to look at all the food that passed by me, and without exception, everything looked delicious. Do yourself a favor and come here the next time you want barbecue.
(4)
Tony C.

Nothing I'm going to say is different than anyone else. Go here. Period. It's delicious and well priced. If you don't like it you're a communist. If you think Slow's is good...el o el. That's crap. This is actually good. Woodshop = 'Merica.
(5)
Karen W.

So so so good. Every single time the Woodshop is consistently delicious. First let me start by saying that our server today was Gabriel who was not only knowledgeable but also hilarious. At his suggestion I had the cocktail of the day which was St. germain, strawberry vodka and ice over Oberon....it was damn good! Food wise we have tried basically everything on the menu at some point. I never eat ribs except when I come to the Woodshop, they are that good! My mom is a huge fan of their cedar planked salmon, they have amazing pulled pork and brisket and their burrito is also very tasty (I get it with shrimp). I recommend coming on a weeknight when they first open, otherwise your guaranteed to wait. They have an awesome upstairs bar with plenty of room to wait where you can also do a little bowling, foosball or pool to up your appetite for dinner!
(5)
Otto V.

Went here while visiting from Texas. We met our son and his fiancee for dinner, and brought my 82 year old mother (born and raised in Texas). The service was fantastic, the food was delicious (and that's saying something since we are Texans and know good BBQ), and the atmosphere casual. Great place to spend our limited time with our son, and even mom loved the food!
(5)
M P.

First thing first...this place is definitely OVERRATED! The food is good, but the portion size is very small for $16.00. I prefer to go to the hood and get some good ol BBQ with a good price. Bottom line: I will not go back, due to overpriced food.
(3)
Genevieve R.

The repeated words of everyone in my group while we were here "This place NEEDS to open by us". Walking in we got seated right away and the decor is just awesome. Multiple bars for your drinking pleasure and chairs that you can rock in while you enjoy your meal. Menu has something to satisfy everyone from "sammiches" to salads to burgers, ribs and pulled pork entrees. All prices were very reasonable, my grilled chicken sandwich was HUGE and came with a hefty side of delicious potato salad for around $11. I couldn't finish the sandwich or the side because of their size. Everyone liked their meals from the baked mac and cheese to the quesadilla special. Service was friendly and we came in close to closing too. After we were done eating we headed upstairs to watch the game where they had another bar with a pool table, foosball and a bunch of comfy couches and chairs. Dimly lit in the TV areas. It kind of felt like hanging out at someone's house (if it was a really cool house) the place was very comfortable. I ordered the fat tire Amber ale after it was suggested by the bartender and I'm glad I did. If you like magic hat #9 you'll probably like it too. If I come back to this area in the future I will absolutely come back to eat and hang out.
(5)
Albert K.

Finally got around to going to this place. We stopped in at 4pm on a Saturday and still had to wait an hour and fifteen minutes to get in. Fortunately, they had a huge lounge upstairs and we waited it out in comfort. The lounge was furnished with a mish mash of furniture and tables. They also had a pool table and a skeeball bowling game. I only wish they served something to nibble on up there. When we were seated our waiter came by immediately and took our order and made some great suggestions when we ordered items they had run out of that night. In the end, it started with the smoke chicken wings and the shredded pork and cherry salad. The wings were surprisingly juicy and were a great delivery system for their sauces. I was partial to the hell and a Tennessee BBQ sauce. The salad was also a solid recommendation. Be sure and order the small unless you are going to share with at least 3 people. For our entree we ordered the Woodshop Pizza. I found it to be delicious and the leftovers were still just as good when I reheated them the following day. We ended the meal with the special dessert, a chocolate raspberry mousse cake with a crispy bottom. My wife is not a dessert person but she helped me demolish the thing. The best part of the meal was getting the bill. We had and app, salad, pizza, dessert and coffee and it cost less than $50. Hell of a deal and worth a trip of you are in the area.
(4)
Mike M.

Excellent BBQ. Ribs are the best around. Be prepared to wait, but well worth the wait. Sides including the cheesy potatoes, green bean casserole, and Mac and cheese are all uniquely made and delicious. Desserts are all amazing, especially the ice cream cookie sandwiches. Great restaurant!
(5)
Ornella B.

The hubby and I finally ventured to the Union Woodshop for our anniversary over the weekend, and it was DELISH!! We sampled the loaded potato pizza - MUST TRY. The crust was perfectly crispy and chewy. The Woodshop 101 with brisket, 1/4 chicken white, and the baby backs with a side car of pulled pork. The ribs were the standout for both of us, we will definitely just get a rack of the baby backs for dinner next time..YUM-O!! The rest of meats were very good also, we just preferred the ribs. I deducted the one star for the ambience and the mac n cheese. It is extremely loud in there, like cannot hear my husband across our table loud. This I can get over since the food is soo good. However, the mac n cheese was a disappointment for both of us. I think the hype supersedes the actual product. While it was pretty good, I think it was too oily and too much cream in there, and not enough of a sharp cheese. It could have really benefited from the bite a sharp cheddar would lend. Plus, my hubby said shells would have been a better pasta choice. But, that is just our preference...
(4)
Tracy P.

I wish there was a way to give half stars. The Woodshop has 3.5 stars in my book. The food was excellent. I had the Shop Burrito with shrimp and it was delicious! My husband and mother in law got the Woodshop 101 and Hawaiian pizza, which was also great. The reason why I'm docking stars is that the wait is always insane and you can't make reservations. They have an upstairs lounge and bar for people waiting which is a nice bandaid to their wait time issue but I think a lot of people are deterred from going here because it's usually an hr+ wait every night. The service was also iffy. Our waitress was slow, even though she knew we had a fussy baby and needed to get the check and leave as soon as possible. I'm dissapointed that I have to take away stars for anything other than food quality but the hour+ wait along with the slow service made our night out more of a hassle than a getaway. My tip to future patrons: leave the kids at home. They said the lounge upstairs was kid friendly but there were no changing tables and the atmosphere was too loud and dark for me to consider the restaurant to be kid/baby friendly.
(4)
GR G.

This is my favorite bbq place in Michigan. Have tried a bunch of different dishes, but my go to is the Porker Burger. Features three house made meats: pork patty, bacon and a hot link. With all their different sauces available, will satisfy everyone. For an app, the burnt ends are available until sold out. I prefer their smoked wings. For sides, their fries are excellent and the sweet potato mash complete my meal. If you have the chance, this is a must try!
(5)
Steve G.

You drive 340 miles from Chicago, fire up Yelp, type in "Craft Beer", hit enter and BAM! you're eating a delicious pulled pork samich in a cozy small town tavern with a rockin' wood-fired oven and very nice beer selection. Add in a welcoming, knowledgeable staff (thanks for the beer tip, Frank!) and you've got a winner! I'd make the drive again, just to come back to THIS place.
(5)
Jo N.

I don't know what I could say that has not been said. Excellent service, great atmosphere, delicious food. I know: the place smells of smokey meat, so good. I was so hungry I wanted to like the wall LOL! The food was so good it made me want smack my mama. Please bring this whole menu to the Vinsetta Garage!
(5)
Marcie K.

Best BBQ in Michigan, hands down. Everything is top notch from start to finish. The ribs are amazing, the sauces perfect, and the side dishes....well, damn! The mac and cheese is always on point, and the beans are delicious. The slaw is mediocre, but I can't even be mad when the rest of the food is this good. Save room for the best butterscotch pudding you've ever put in your mouth. The only thing that sucks is the wait to eat here. Sometimes it's 2 hours or more, and there is NOTHING to do in town while you wait. We've just resorted to coming as soon as they open so we don't wait, although that makes dinner time more like a late lunch. If they took reservations, life would be so much easier!
(5)
Josh B.

The pulled pork was life changing. Every morsel upon the menu was a delightful treat, with the exception of the beef brisket. It was flavorless and fatty. With that being said, the pulled pork and green bean casserole were so amazeballz I still awarded 5 stars. The cornbread was so moist. My fiancÃ©e and I had the most intense meat sweats we had ever experienced. Best pulled pork in the state!!!
(5)
Henry T.

I thought about deducting a star for the long waits, but oh my, this place is worth it. I wouldn't wait 2+ hours for it...but that's not saying anything about the quality of the food. Just come at off hours and you'll see how good this place is. It's better than Slows. At least the baby back ribs. They peel right off the bone and you could see the steam coming out. First bite was amazing. No sauce needed. I did eventually try having them with the sauces, and they were also great. Advantage to Woodshop (over Slows) because of the quality and the peel-off-the-bone factor. I also tried some of the pulled pork, too, which was fine. Rubbing some Tennessee sauce on it made it great. Tennessee mixed with the Hell, Michigan sauce was amazing. Now the slides were lacking a little. The bbq beans were in a small dish, but that wasn't even the worst part. It was too tomato-y. It tasted like beans in salsa. Advantage Slows. However, the mac and cheese here was delicious! The employees here were super attentive and accommodating. As a side note, I came on a Sunday, and it seemed like some of their staff were high school kids. Now usually that'd likely be a bad thing, but everyone here were professional and provided excellent service. What a great BBQ place!
(5)
Esther G.

If you are planning to stop here before a show at DTE/Pine Knob, then go a couple hours early! Everywhere in town is a complete zoo before a show. No reservations is a bummer. That being said, once we got in, the service was friendly, solid beer selection, good food, pretty fast service. Overall stressful wait (was told it would be a 1hr40min wait but we found a spot at the bar after an hour...). I'd like to try again sometime on a night when nothing's going on at DTE.
(3)
Papa W.

Went to eat at this place after hearing and reading the rave reviews...as a constant YELPER when looking for the best food around I give credence to reviews that discuss the food and drink, not the motif and decor so read on for the skinny on Union Woodshop. Started out with the Burnt Ends as an appetizer since I was told they run out of these very early in the evening. For the price not much meat and WAY too much BBQ sauce. Was not worth $8. The breadsticks on the other hand were great and had a smoky flavor from the pizza oven. Spread was great too. Skip the Burnt Ends and get breadsticks. We had 3 couples and all split the Woodshop 101 between couples. There is a lot of meat on that plate. I mistakenly ordered another side of brisket because I like it so much. There was too much to eat. The chicken was tender but lacked much flavor other than being roasted or smoked, the ribs were just so-so. I have had better ribs at my son's house. The pulled pork was tender but too much fat left in the meat for my liking. I always remove fat chunks when I pull pork. The brisket was very flavorful and I enjoyed it but was stuffed by the end of the meal. Side dishes: onion rings are a must have, mac & cheese was very cheesy and was not the creamy type you get at most places. This was full of flavor on multiple levels. The muffins are good as well. Was not impressed with the cheesy potatoes as they had a few strange flavors with some spice they added. Cole slaw was good with hint of vinegar taste. I tried all the sauces offered except the N. Carolina hot sauce. WARNING: IF YOU TRY THE HELLS, MI SAUCE BE PREPARED FOR AN AFTERBURN. I enjoyed the flavor of the sauce but it was HOT. The Alabama white sauce is a must try as well. I will be back. Wait staff is very helpful and attentive. We sat outside and it was wonderful.
(4)
Caleb Y.

If you like BBQ this is a good spot. Do not go for a culinary enlightenment, but do go for good BBQ. The wedges salad was a joke, but the pulled pork was delicious! I do like the food, but was not overwhelmed with excitement!
(3)
Alex V.

This place is incredible. We had burgers. Not much more to say, if you don't go here for Dinner and you're in the area you're missing out. Some of the best BBQ in the state! Not a place to take vegatarian, but they have a great selection of beer & wine. The atmosphere is cozy, and they have free pool / a bar upstairs that can occupy your time while you're waiting for food or a table.
(5)
Gabe B.

BEST MAC AND CHEESE EVER!! These guys have amazing food, amazing service and amazing people serving us. I am definitely coming back to this place. It is conveniently located for our family to come back and enjoy more! I would recommend to everyone to come here!
(5)
Sunil A.

I remember coming here when it first opened, and enjoying it, but this time around I fell in love with the food. Ordered a pizza and onion rings and who knew such simple, basic foods could be made to taste so delicious? The pizza was crisp through the crust, soft and biteable on the top. The onion rings (another kick I've been on recently) were without a doubt the best I've ever eaten. They were fried to the perfect crunch and the onions were thoroughly cooked. The atmosphere is fun and family friendly, but a little tight. I will come back here a thousand more times.
(5)
Christopher D.

I go here all the time and never thought to write a review since they always are packed. Tonight, I have to write a review. Well done Woodshop. Went there on Valentines Day with my wife and expected a wait and we had one. Right after we checked in a US Army soldier checked in, in uniform with his date. They didn't tell him there was a wait. Moved him right to the front of the list and got him a table. Class move Woodshop. Much respect for taking care of our military. Thank you. My wife and I went upstairs and had a blast waiting for our table. Rhonda was one of our bartenders. Very knowledgeable about the huge beer list and made me a fantastic Manhattan. Megan was the other bartender that checked on us for our next drink and again knew the beers well to recommend us great selections. We got our table and went downstairs. Sat in Erica's section and she was fantastic. Let us know about the specials, was prompt with our drinks and always there for water refills or a new beer. As for the food, there seems to be a huge contest about the BEST BBQ. Woodshop wins. My catfish was amazing, the sidecar of the hotlink was as good as the entry and my wife's pulled pork was perfect. I love this place. I can't say enough about the food or the staff. I can't wait to go back again. After dinner we went back upstairs for one (we had a sitter, so why not). Chris was our bartender and again, an amazing bourbon cocktail. This was a grapefruit Manhattan this time and again, a new beer for my wife. This place is great. Love it.
(5)
Orson B.

I have to agree with some of the other recent reviewers that the waitstaff has a lot of spunk and moxie and that it is hard to find a better barbecue joint in Michigan. I had the pulled pork, which was amazingly moist and tender as well as the excellent Mac and cheese. I got there for a birthday celebration at 1pm on a Sunday and it was already mobbed, but that's because it's world class barbecue. It was loud inside due to the construction of the old building not having any sound dampening, so you might want to brush up on your sign language and lip reading beforehand, but I found that it was so good that it's still worthy of five stars. The only thing I would caution against is the fried Twinkie. They gave me a fried Twinkie because it was my birthday celebration, but let me tell you, that was like eating a gallon of grease. I am known for eating stunning amounts of food in seconds, such as two Dominoes extra large pizzas with everything on them in eight minutes with no water, but this fried Twinkie messed me up for hours because it was a grease bomb. Just say no to the fried Twinkie and you'll be happy.
(5)
Justin R.

A bit of a drive from the metro Detroit area, but well worth it. The barbecue is definitely the highlight but the other dishes can certainly hold their own! The Mac and cheese is the first that comes to mind. Sides are phenomenal as well, I recommend the onion rings, sweet potato mash and of course the Mac and cheese (provided you don't get a full order). The wait times can get lengthy! Fridays, Saturdays, and any day the "diners, drives ins, and dives" episode they're featured in is rerun you can expect to wait an hour or longer. The wait is almost non existent weekday nights though. If you are forced to wait for a table, there is a bar upstairs with ample seating and a free pool table to kill some time. Definitely earns its spot as some of the best bbq in Michigan.
(5)
Lisa W.

I recently stopped in for dinner. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich it was pretty good I didn't care for the giant sized bun but that's my preference. My mate ordered the combination plate with ribs pulled pork and brisket our sides were mac n cheese, potato salad and coleslaw. The mac n cheese flavors were just perfect. I didn't care much for the mostaccioli noodles they use I think mac n cheese should be small and saucy. The potatos in the poatoe salad were to large and it had to much mayo going on so I didn't eat much of it. The smoke flavor in the meats was delisious and the meats were very tender and juicy. they have some nice sauces. The service was good and I would defintley come back.
(4)
Rachel P.

There is always a wait, but it is SO worth it!!!! Been here many times and have never been disappointed. Probably one of if not my favorite place to eat!
(5)
Kateryna S.

Great bbq, all around, you won't be disappointed with anything that you order! The union Mac and cheese as a side is a definite must!
(5)
Minh S.

American Food/BBQ is not my forte, so I wouldn't have tried this had it not been for a few friends inviting me. From the reviews, I expected the best. This is what I got. Pros: + Friendly staff. Hostess knew my party was in the back, because I'm Asian, and they are too. One of the perks of being a minority! + Waiter knew the menu inside and out, and offered recommendations. Very friendly, but the menu was so extensive I stopped listening after a few seconds. + Whenever I go to a BBQ place, I have to get ribs. It's like Pad Thai at Thai places, California Rolls at Sushi places, and Fried Rice at Chinese places. It's the heart and soul of BBQ. Full rack of back ribs. Does not disappoint! Fall-off-the-bone meat. Very tender and juicy, although I needed sauce to make it better. + Inside was very nice and festive! Kind of moody lighting, which made it harder to see the vibrant colors on the food. + Lots of beers and drinks to choose from (But I only drink water and mojitos). + House-made slaw. Nice. Cons: - I wish they had some kind of dry rub to choose from for the ribs, but maybe I missed it? - Mac and cheese, for me at least, was just Ok. They also used straight shells instead of the classic curved ones. Maybe I'm a stickler for the Kraft Brand. - Cell service/4g is low to non-existent in the place, But you shouldn't be on your phone while hanging out with your friends anyways. Notes: Honestly I'm just nitpicking. The place is great for chilling with a few friends, plus I heard they have a lounge/hangout area on the second floor that I didn't check out. Parking is also located behind the restaurant if you're a first-timer. The meat is also kind of greasy if you order a lot, so order a flavored, girly drink from the bar to cut your taste buds with.
(4)
Jennifer H.

I've been to the Woodshop on many occasions for lunch/dinner however mostly for cocktails with friends. While the food is well priced and tasty, the drinks are more often than not my favorite part of my Woodshop dining experience! Though a bit pricey, the cocktails are always poured well, never do I feel that the bartenders skimp on the important stuff...like alcohol or personality!! I have been here on many occasions, most recently for my birthday. The service and attention I received was excellent. This day in particular, our bartender was Harmony. She offered to take a picture for me and my boyfriend and then wished me a Happy Birthday, adding that now I have a little souvenir of the fun I was having at the Woodshop :) I loved the picture as well as the thoughtfulness and attention she paid to us. Overall I think the service, staff, and quality of the restaurant is exceptional and would be happy to celebrate a special occasion here, or just drop by for their awesome drinks. Many reviews are written to give input on the food or restaurant ambience however I felt it was important to give praise to those who really make my Woodshop experience a good one...the bartenders/servers!! Happy eats...and drinks!
(5)
Megan K.

I love BBQ and am a big fan of Slows. For a change my boyfriend and I decided to try out Union Woodshop. We entered and the hostess told the couple in front of us that the wait was three hours. Yes, you read that right, three hours. So while I'm panicking, my boyfriend snaps up seats at the bar. We definitely lucked out on that one. I've never heard of a place having a wait that long. If they have such an issue they should really take reservations but I think it's more they want to be pretentious. Like "we're so good, you have wait 3 hours for your food". The bartender was friendly but not overly concerned with service, she was definitely working at her own pace. I had planned on getting craft beer but I was very surprised. Their website boasts 40 beers on tap and that has to be an outright lie unless the upstairs bar has all the taps. There were only 8-10 beers on tap and they were almost all shitty domestics like Miller Lite. I decided to get a margarita instead and it was really good. As for food, I got the pulled pork with baked beans and potato salad. My boyfriend got a full rack of ribs with coleslaw and mac and cheese. We also got a sidecar of brisket. The food came out relatively quickly. I hated the presentation. They give you the meat in these flimsy ass paper containers. If you want sauce then there is no way to isolate the meat you want to put it on. So all the sauces would get mixed together and that's not really tasty. Now let's talk about their sauces. They have about seven of them. The bartender warned us about "Hell" their spiciest sauce. Yeah, it was weak. Their Tennessee which is apparently the most popular just takes like KC Masterpiece from the grocery store. The Bama was basically just watered down mayo, gross. The meat was good but really, really greasy. Like swimming in it. The sides were about half the size of the sides you get at Slows. I didn't find any of the sides to be particularly tasty. The baked beans were flavorless, the slaw was dry, the mac and cheese was okay, the potato salad was my favorite but not spectacular in any way. I'm shocked at how people say it's so much food, we barely took anything home, just a bit of pork and two ribs. Overall, the food was mediocre and definitely not worth a 3 hour wait. Slows is far superior in just about every way, from size of the sides to the actual price. It's $4.00 more for the same meal at UW.
(3)
Ann W.

Charming as advertised, Union Woodshop is located in cozy downtown Clarkston. Although it was at the odd time of 3:30pm - too late for lunch, too early for dinner - the restaurant was already packed and there was a small wait. I was in the mood for barbecue - when am I not? - and went with the Woodshop 101. Great idea since this was my first visit and it allowed me to sample and enjoy favorites like: well-smoked chicken, lean brisket, and baby back ribs. This massive entrÃ©e came with a tasty cornbread muffin and choice of two sides: onion rings and mac and cheese, in my case. These sides were first rate and would merit a return visits on their own. I also got to sample (a bite, really) The Porker sandwich, an incredible concoction involving ground pork patty, bacon, and sausage. And cheese. How have I not heard about this until now? And similar to the sides that came with the 101, the mountain of fries was incredible. As if I were not full enough from the 101, I also got the Brownie skillet. Both the waitress and neighboring diners suggested it. This rich dessert oozed chocolate gooeyness and had a lovely crust. The ice cream was just okay; I did not enjoy it. I understand that liquid nitrogen produces a creamier and fresher ice cream but I found it to be icy. While the food was very good, service was painfully slow. Not sure why that would be case when the barbecue meats are prepared hours earlier. Sides should not take long to prepare. This was not an isolated incident - it seemed as if everyone else experienced longer wait times for their food, as well. I will definitely return - next time, I plan to get The Porker sandwich. So enjoyable.
(4)
Cheryl L.

Had dinner here after finding it on yelp. We were in Michigan for a shopping trip so came by pretty late, 9:30 on a Friday night (after stores were closed of course). There was still a wait to get a table. We hung out at the bustling bar upstairs until a table was available. Food was good. Not the best BBQ I've ever had - the chicken was a little dry but still ok. We also ordered a prosciutto and arugula pizza that was pretty good. Will definitely be back on our next shopping trip!
(4)
Shanita M.

We came for dinner on Saturday night with another couple and had a great time. There was about a 20 minute wait and we found chairs in the bar in the meantime. We got a great corner booth when it was ready. Josh was our server and he was perfect. Attentive, super personable and very fast. The beans were undercooked and he raced back to get me the sweet potato mash instead. The food was really good, we all got something different and were all pleased. A very nice night out.
(4)
Julie P.

Overall this place is great. Service is very friendly most of the time. Food comes quickly and is served hot. There's a big bar and shop upstairs and 2 smaller bars on the restaurant level, so there are different atmospheres for anything from one person to large groups. The waits can be long. There are some cute shops right by the restaurant you can browse through while you wait. Try to get there early if you're hungry and don't want to wait. What I love: the Rocket Pizza, fried pickles, sweet potato burrito with pulled pork, and the Mac and cheese of course!!!! Good cocktails, nice beer selection. All around 2 thumbs up!!!
(5)
Zachary F.

It is even better than advertised. Ambience 5: I love the way this place is set up. They have three different bar areas and they are each extremely unique. We sat at the bourbon bar for most of the evening but we also checked out the upstairs, which I LOVED. It's really wide open and decorated with a feel of comfort. Food/drinks 5: the food is amazing. I had the cheese and more cheese sides. The gloriously cheesey macaroni and the dangerously delicious cheesey potatoes. The first bite of macaroni smashes your palate with a back hand of cheesy goodness, and the cheesy potatoes follow up with a bruce lee karate chop to your tantalizing taste buds. Once I rinsed it down with the nectar from the God's, hopslam, I decided to dig in for the main course. I had the woodshop 101. It's a barbarians barbeque dream. The pulled pork was tender and juicy, the ribs were crispy and amazing, and the chicken, not to be out done, was succulently sensational. I would highly suggest you try this the first time you go. Service 10: it's the best service I have ever recieved! The bartender, Chris, who's a girl, was absolutely dynamite! She was super friendly and accommodating. I asked her to make me a bourbon drink and she did not disappoint. It tasted like it was crafted by the hand of God himself. I don't remember what she called it but it felt like a butterfly was lightly brushing it's magnificent wings against my tongue. If you go, be sure to ask for her, she is AMAZING. Overall 5.73: the entire experience was memorable and amazing. It turned into a full Sunday funday. I will definitely be returning!
(5)
Will W.

This place was simply amazing. The wait was quite long (40 minutes), but that is due to the popularity and quality this place delivers. The wait went by quick, however, because they have an upstairs area with a bar, pool table, etc to keep you busy. Our waiter seemed very informed on everything, which is always nice. He was able to provide recommendations based off experience. I got the brisket, Mac and cheese, and green bean casserole. It was all perfect. Some of the best BBQ I have ever had! Definitely going back when I can.
(5)
Lavorice L.

Great atmosphere. Server Jeff was awesome. Had the pulled pork samich. It was good. Wife had the brisket and said it was great. The mac & cheese is phenomenal!
(4)
Andy R.

Very good food and knowledgeable staff. I consider myself a beer snob but my server taught me a thing or two. I wish I could remember his name. Ordered a potato pizza for home for the kids and I snagged some leftovers and they it was equally as good.
(5)
Ricky G.

Completely not what everyone makes of it. If it wasn't for the great pizzas I'd give it 1 star. The barbecue is awful. Food all came out at room temperature, and had no taste to it. We had Burnt Ends, Pulled Pork, Whole Chicken and it was all just plain Jane. The mashed sweet potatoes with jalapeÃ±o and syrup were great. The Pizzas are amazing and the only thing I'll come back for besides some of the sides. Our favorite is the Chipotle Shrimp pizza. The loaded potato pizza is second along with the pepperoni which has a decent spice.
(3)
Scott W.

This place is a cruise for us to go to but we heard good things about this and wanted to try it. I really wanted this to be great but I can't say it was. There were some good things and some not so good. The good - Chicken wings, very good flavors and nicely done. The Mac and Cheese, great flavor and some of the best I have had. The onion rings, The rings were very good and the dipping sauce was a good match for them. The mashed potatoes, great flavor with honey. The not so good - The serving size of the mash potatoes was in a pretty small serving cup as were the greens. This is not a cheap place, please give us more than a taste. The meats, we had the brisket and pulled pork. They were not bad but I have had a lot better. It was also very greasy and a lot of salt. Both Slow's and and Bad Brad's are way better. Selection on the menu. I thought they would have more bar-b-que meat selections on the sandwich menu. Not much there for sandwiches other than burgers and hot dogs/sausages. This place also tried to be more trendy than what I like. Service was good but they tend to put on the sale a little too thick for me.
(3)
Connie L.

I heard so many good things about this place and finally got to check it out after a good 2 hour wait. Of course as a first timer, I had to get Woodshop 101 which gave me a little bit of everything. My choices included baby back ribs, chicken dark meat (leg quarter), pulled pork, corn muffin, and mac and cheese. I was told that if I come here, that I had to try their mac and cheese and it did not disappoint. I also had the woodsticks with their butter as an appetizer which was also an excellent selection. The best part was being able to try all the different sauces that they offer on the table, and more options when you request for it. Everything was tender, not overcooked, packed with flavor and overall just excellent. The entree I chose was a huge dinner, but I came hungry and was able to eat it all. It was just too good to not finish on the spot.
(5)
Steve K.

Best. BBQ. In. Metro. Detroit. PERIOD!! Fabulous ribs, chicken, pulled pork, brisket, burnt ends. ALL smoked to perfection and all finger licking delish! AMAZING sides, too, including hand-dipped onion rings, fantastic black beans & rice, incredible collard greens & on and on. Pizza looks great, but never tried it. Why eat pizza at the best wood smoked BBQ place in town? Always a wait, but there's a cool bar upstairs that serves local Michigan microbrews so you can hang until they call you.
(5)
L R.

Love it here. My boyfriend and I come here quite often when we're in a rib mood. Everything we've had on their menu - salads, breadsticks, BURNT ENDS, ribs, pulled pork - are perfect. Good quality stuff. Their sauces are really good too, especially the Texas. Although it's usually very busy, their staff is very friendly. The upstairs bar is cool to wait at, too, with a good beer selection and interesting cocktails. The Long Island is a must if you have a long wait (or not, doesn't matter. You'll feel good in no time). I don't think there are ribs anywhere else in the metro D that are this good, and I've had plenty of them.
(5)
Alyssa R.

Alllllright. Union Woodshop has a million reviews and has had a lot of media hype, but I'm going to review it anyway. It's definitely worth a stop in, (I'm probably going to get stoned for this), but in comparison to Slows BBQ I would say it's still second best. There! I said it! Phew. It's really just a preference of how one likes BBQ. Their meats are smoky and they linger with you. If you are really looking for that deep smoky flavor and quality meat then you'll love Union Wood Shop. So your thinking, "uhhhhh, yeah...why wouldn't I love smoky delicious quality BBQ?" Well... You make a good point. Since I'm only evaluating the pork I can only talk about the pork. First, I'm a texture and consistency person. I just don't like the finely shredded pork. I like taking a huge bite of chunky bits of delicious goodness. True, the smokiness at Union Woodshop sticks with you a tad longer, but I'm an in the moment person. I want the flavor now and in the moment. Swish those thick chunks of deliciousness in that Apple BBQ and I'm in foodie BBQ heaven! Ok back to Union... Their meats come out in large platters. It's more than enough for you and a friend. What's truly awesome about Union is that they give you the option of their sidecars, which are smaller portions of their meats (pork, brisket, chicken). Variety is the spice of life and Union gives you a chance to mix it up! You can have a burger and a sidecar with no judgements. Their sides remind you of mom's kitchen. Specifically the cheesy potatoes taste just like Easter Sunday and their green bean casserole reminds me of Thanksgiving at the Rei's household. I didn't bother getting their Mac and cheese since Vinsetta serves up the same kind and though I like it, I don't love it. The sweet potato mash is another winner mixed with jalapeÃ±o that gives it a slight kick. Their sides are small so you need to order a good amount. I personally think for three bucks a pop they should be slightly larger, but that's ok. It's not a deal breaker. The sidecar brisket was good. Tender and not tough. You can cut it with a fork and it's a nice flavor. I sampled all of the barbecues and landed on my favorites being the Tennessee and Hell sauce. One sweet and one spicy just how I like em'! The pork was a little mountain of goodness. Not my favorite but would I get it again? Absolutely. However I would like to try something else like the Porker burger. I notice at BBQ places I like I will be more adventurous and order a variety of options and try new things. At BBQ places I love, I tend to stick with favorites because if I don't order it I'll have deep deep food regrets and a sadness in my heart all day. Even if the food I ordered was delicious. It's like I'm abandoning my GOTOs and I just can't do that to them... At the end of the meal, there was sooooo much food left. There were 5 sides, one mountain of pork, and a sidecar of brisket that was ingested. You can easily bring home the pork and have a monstrous pork sandwich for the next day. All of this for a little less than 30 bucks. Now go drop 30 doll-ahs like it's hot and try them out!
(4)
Rivo H.

This is by far one of the best meals I've had!!!! I got a pulled pork entree that came with mac and cheese. It was SO GOOD. I'm a sucker for cornbread, and their's was delicious I can't wait to go again!
(5)
Helena D.

Now, I don't want to be one of those people who's all like "I lived in the south, I know what BBQ should be like." I'm not even 100% sure if the Woodshop claims to be Southern style BBQ (though all their sauces were). I just think it's strange how there's this new phenomenon of northern states opening "home cooked" or "southern style" restaurants that serve the same food you could make cheaply (and better) at home or elsewhere but slapping a higher price on because they're hipster and trendy. What I mean is, you're paying for the ambiance and the name. Just like an education from Western is no worse than an education from UM--it's really just the name you're paying for. Their food was bland and not always hot (kind of annoying after spending 3 hours waiting for a table in the middle of a Michigan winter). Their bacon tastes like cardboard and the drinks are expensive. At night, the upstairs bar fills up with beards and flannel shirts. So if you're into that, this is your place. Bottom line: The place is lovely but if you're more interested in the food (like myself), I wouldn't recommend spending that much time and money. But if you're not that hung up on the ideals of BBQ, and you can afford a pricey meal, and you're in the area before or after their dinner rush--then check it out.
(2)
Jennifer G.

We are huge fans of Vinsetta Garage, and have been curious to try the food here. We know the wait is long at Vinsetta, so after the second attempt at eating here, we decided a Saturday lunch would be best. We showed up at 1:30 for a late lunch at it was still a 45 minute wait. That's okay, though, because there is a huge bar/seating lounge upstairs. The music is great, we were able to have a few drinks while watching the MSU basketball game. There is a pool table, foosball table, and a tabletop bowling game for kids and adults. The Bloody Mary is top notch. I think they use McClure's mix, which is one of my faves. There isn't much of a menu upstairs: we could order a cheese and sausage basket or a salmon pÃ¢tÃ©. I'm not sure why the appetizers on the menu aren't offered upstairs. That would definitely make the wait better. But the sausage and cheese was a price performer: $3 for some fantastic smoked sausage that was abundant! They skimped a bit on the cheese and the Carr water crackers were a bit of a disappointment, but the sausage more than made up for it. We were seated downstairs after about an hour. The wood sticks were delicious. The garlic butter was so good; I would serve it with everything. We both ordered BBQ: I had a pulled pork sandwich and my partner had the Woodshop 101. They do not skimp on the food. The 101 is loaded with chicken, ribs, pork or brisket and 2 sides. All the food was delicious. The least appetizing, however, were the BBQ sauces. While there were 6 to choose from (TN, SC, Bama, NYC, TX and ??) they all tasted too different. Who ever heard of NYC sauce? No NC sauce or just regular old BBQ? Very weird. Sauce is often the lynchpin of a good BBQ, and this disappointed me most. The greatest part of the meal? The DESSERT! The brownie pot pie was a perfect combination of warm, gooey chocolate brownie and caramel. But the ice cream sandwiches? AMAZING. Peanut butter cookies with banana ice cream. Chocolate cookie with coffee ice cream. Chocolate chip cookie with vanilla. Heavenly. Overall it was a decent meal, but not worth the drive. I'll stick with Lockhart's for BBQ.
(3)
Melissa M.

I ate about 7 hours ago and I'm still stuffed. My daughter and I ordered a ton of food so we could try a little of everything. We started with fried pickles. I tend to like the chipped version better, but they do spears. The batter made up for my preference. Yum! We got the 1/2 back (fall off the bone ribs) with rice & beans and mac & cheese. Both great but the Mac was just sinful. Creamy, nutmeg, cheesy, crunchy - piping hot but the noodles were still al dente. I would change nothing about it. Amazing. To make sure we got to try everything I ordered sidecars of: 1/4 chicken and house made hot links. We barely even ate them. They were wonderful but we had to save room for dessert! We ordered the IceCream sandwich trio. Flavor were cho chip/vanilla, cherry oatmeal/butterscotch, chocolate/orange cardamom. WAY too much good for about $5. I expected them to be bite sized. So is not the case. It's really plenty for two, after all that food up to 4. Washed it down with a Woodford reserve bourbon and I am a happy gal!
(5)
Little E.

Nice place for some BBQ set at the bar for great service.. Sampler served on a cookie sheet plenty to share if on a budget? I've had better and I've had way worse will go again. Love the decor of log slices on the walls.
(4)
Maxon M.

Great food but if you show up an hour until close they will tell you to leave. They are very rude about it as well. I honestly was expecting more from the high class clarkston holds itself too. No respect is all. I work in retail and know what a last minute shopper is and they treat their later customers very very rude like
(1)
Candice M.

This restaurant can't even be flattered enough with a 5 star review. I love the woodshop atmosphere, food and signature cocktails. The ONLY downfall is that they don't take reservations and on a Friday or Saturday you should plan to wait awhile for a table. We usually go upstairs and play games or sit in one of the "living room" style lounge areas, and you still get a server! My favorite things on the menu are the Mac & Cheese which is very rich and a must try if you are not already familiar...it's a staple. The large portion can easily be spit as a meal between 2 people or used as a side to share with a small group. When it comes to appetizers you really can't go wrong with any of them, the woodsticks come with a deliciously tasty garlic cream cheese sauce and are a nice starter if you plan to go the bbq route... if you go with the pizza they are made from the same dough so it may be overkill. The BURNT ENDS are a favorite and beware they often do run out so if that's what you have your heart set on call ahead and make sure they have them or go early.
(5)
Emily B.

The bar upstairs makes any wait for a table worthwhile. Seriously awesome decor and appeal. Super cute fixtures, creative nooks to drink awesome draft beers, helpful & kind service. Dinner was amazing. Woodsticks appetizer is amazing thanks to a delicious homemade butter. Split pulled pork and Mac & cheese and left with tons of leftovers. Will drive the 50 minutes to go here again!
(5)
Joel W.

I wish I could give the place a 4.5 out of 5, while not blow me away yet I'm only having drinks and if I had food I bet it would be a 5. Till that happens just come and love it as much as me!
(4)
Scott M.

AWESOME!!! I sat out on the patio and it had a nice country western feel to set us up for a fun BBQ filled Summer Night. Staff was amazing and very attentive and also kind. Now onto the food, oh the yummy yummy food. I had the pulled pork. Definitely the best and most juiciest in Michigan, It came out with a plethora of sauces. The top two in my book were the Alabama White and the Texas Spicy, and tied for 3rd was the Carolina Mustard and the NY Korean BBQ, however, that Alabama White was so awesome for any sauce to compare. Next time I watch TV and hear the word cocaine, I will refer to that drug as "Alabama White." The corn muffin was okay. It came with a sweet butter that was aight. The sides I chose were okay. I got the cheesy potato casserole and green bean casserole. I think I'll stick to Holidays at home for these items, because they didn't pair up so well with the BBQ. Next time I go.....and YES.....there will be a next time, I'll be choosing classic sides like tater salad and greens. I am going to start buying my friends concert tickets as gifts, just to get an excuse to stop here, that pork was phenomenal.
(4)
Roger D.

I wondered what all the hype was about. went in around 4:30 on a Saturday (as they open at 4) as I read the reviews as it said they get packed later. so we got right in which was good. Had a great waiter. Cant remember name, male, has beard, he looks a little laid back and he looks like he probably supports legalizing marijuana, but he was very cool. I ordered the brisket and my daughter ordered the world famous mac n cheese that I have heard about. Brisket came in a small portion, of the 5 pieces that I got 4 were cold. I think because we got their early they had given me stuff that had been sitting for a while and it was already cooled off. I tried all the sauces they had. they weren't bad. but brisket was nothing to write home about and the portion was way too small. I had some of my daughters mac and cheese and it was just okay. Nothing spectacular. I wouldn't go back just to eat there again unless I was already in town and hungry. it looks like a cool place to hang out and drink some beer. so I would probably do that. But as far as going there just for the food and no drinks I would pass. Overall, It wasn't bad, but it sure wasn't great or what i was expecting after reading all the reviews about it. I heard later in night it gets up to 2 hours wait. I can say that if there was a line, I would keep walking as it is not worth the wait. Unless I could walk in and sit right down, I would keep walking.
(2)
Ricky P.

This place is who I want to cater my events when I die and I'm in heaven. They will show up with their Mac and Cheese and pulled pork and it will just float into my mouth. That's how good it was. It was so good, my mother slapped me and my father divorced her and remarried porpoise in the mid-Atlantic. It was so good that I laid an egg and in 4 months a baby version of myself came out and gave me $5000 cash. I love this place.
(5)
Amanda Y.

I recently moved back to MI from SC and never thought I would taste BBQ on par with what I'd experienced down south. The Woodshop blew this assumption out of the water. Everything my party of 4 ordered was amazing. The woodsticks were delicious, wings were perfect and piping hot, pulled pork on point (and the slaw atop the sandwich is one of a kind), potato salad clearly homemade, mac and cheese lived up to the hype, and above all the service we received from Freddie guaranteed I will be a customer for life. I was in the military for the last 6 years and have had BBQ from all over the country. In my opinion, The Woodshop puts Michigan on the map for must try BBQ. Also of note, my brother-in-law, who's active duty Air Force, was also in attendance during this luncheon. Freddie made it apparent he and the restaurant appreciated my brothers service to our country. The level of service we received from Freddie and the rest of the staff can't be overstated. THANKS AGAIN FREDDIE, see you soon!
(5)
J. Ashton M.

Well let me tell you about this place; in one word. Fantastic! The only issue I have is that they spelled "sandwiches" wrong on the menu. Samwich? The Earl of Sandwich must be spinning in his grave! Grammar aside, you will not be disappointed. Well you may be a little disappointed if you are a vegetarian. I know my vegetarian friend was a bit perplexed when I took him there for a surprise celebratory lunch as I was driving him home after his gum surgery. In hindsight his confusion may have been in part due to the lingering effects of the anesthesia. But I look at it this way...if the good Lord didn't want us to eat animals than why did he make them out of meat? Ponder that one for a while. I always order the Woodshop 101 and it never disappoints. Delectable portions of an array of Gods creatures just begging to be consumed. It is so good they should rename it Woodshop MBA! Nothing 101 about it! When they rename it, should they wisely accept my recommendation, they can fix the typo on the misspelling of sandwich before they reprint the menu. It has been said that the singer Kid Rock frequents this fine establishment. I appreciate Kid Rock more for him having been married to Pamela Anderson than for his music. Well, I've never seen Mr. Rock there, nor the Ex Mrs. Rock for that matter. However, the last time I was there the guy at the next table had a startling resemblance to Harry Belafonte. Not wanting to be caught gawking, I cleverly hummed a few bars of the Banana Boat Song (Day O) from 1956 hoping to get at least a confirming nod. Truth be told I kind of hoped he would join in and treat the dining room to an impromptu concert of sorts. Although I only had my jaw harp with me I was confident I would have done justice to that beloved tune having recently mastered Turkey In The Straw. Sadly, there was no reaction from Mr. Belafonte. But at 87 years young he may not have heard me. Or maybe it wasn't him. I digress. Check this place out. You will be glad you did. You might even spot a celebrity!
(5)
Mark S.

We have been to this restaurant several times. Each time the waiter was very informative and knowledgeable about the menu. The food has been always prepared great and as described. The wait can be long but the waiting area above the restaurant was a fun place to wait.
(5)
Jeremy F.

This place is unreal! Everything we had was the best I've ever tasted and the service was top notch (not to mention easy on the eyes). I showed up 20 minutes before they opened on a Sunday (by accident), and given the usual waits I hear about, this is the way to do it! The service could not have been better. Our waiter was extremely helpful, and there were at least 3 other staff members that pleasantly and proactively helped us throughout our time there as well. And the food... The woodsticks starter was just the beginning. I was nervous it would be all downhill after that app, which was heavenly! But literally everything we had was the best we had ever eaten. I had the pizza (sounds like a lame choice, I know... But our waiter recommended it, and I certainly have no regrets). My friend had the chicken, brisket, mac&cheese...look, I think he ordered one of everything on the menu... Portions are huge, so be ready to grab boxes or share. I was literally sad when we left. The only question is, how soon can I get back there? And how many people can I get to try this place! ENJOY!
(5)
Alice C.

Great environment AMAZING FOOD!! If I lived closer I'd be here every night. There's almost always a line out the door!!!
(5)
Sean K.

I came here around 1pm thinking I would miss the lunch rush, since I heard beforehand that this location, like Clarkston Union, could get crowded. Nope. I got a buzzer and waited about fifteen minutes, which wasn't bad. I went upstairs to the bar and it looks pretty nice. Lots of seating, games, even a corny shop area. But on to the dining. We got seated and then served by a waiter who always seemed unsure of what was going on. I ordered a pizza, friend ordered mac and cheese. Drinks came in mason jars, which I hate, but ok it goes with the theme. The portions were huge, I'll give it that. I enjoyed everything about the pizza except the sauce, which stood out as having way too much onion for me. This place is loud; don't go for conversations unless you don't mind raising your voice and saying "what?" the whole time. After we got the check we continued our attempted conversation and the waiter kept hovering, actually interrupting us and making it clear they wanted us gone so they could get a new table, and that was the turn off for me. I don't know if I'll return.
(3)
Sophie M.

Took forty-five minutes to get in at 5:00pm on a Saturday. Ordered the Woodhouse 101 with sausage, dark meat chicken, and spare ribs. My boyfriend ordered beef brisket. While the ribs and brisket and sausage were very tasty and enjoyable, the chicken is really what set the meal apart from others. The Mac n cheese is tasty, but a little dry. The beans and slaw were average. It was worth the wait. The service was great and the atmosphere was fun. I would not wait over an hour, however, and some people were waiting over an hour and a half.
(4)
Tyler G.

Shut up, stop looking and go eat here! went here after 4 hours of golfing in the rain and it changed my life! Try the burnt tips
(5)
Loren C.

Like all of the Union Joints businesses, Curt always outdoes himself. The staff is incredible, friendly, and helpful. The food itself is amazing. I would eat here every single day if I could! It might sound strange if you haven't had it before, but I would absolutely recommend the Sweet Potato Burrito. It is phenomenal!!!!
(5)
Thomas L.

Decided to come here since in the area on a Thursday night. Quoted a 45 to 1 hour wait and was advised have bar and waiting area upstairs. We then proceeded upstairs and it has a very good layout of tables couches lounge chairs and seats at the bar. Took to looking at a drink menu and only downside of upstairs is they do not seem to have a sever come see if you want a drink you have to go up to the bar to order. After an hour wait our table was ready. Server was friendly and knowledgable and gave us pointers of restaurant favorites. Decided to get the 101 an the porker sandwich. Date got white chicken, ribs and pulled pork for the 101. She gave me a try and vice versa. Little disappointed for the food could have been smokier and more meat on the ribs. The porker was good though, as advertised. Have had better BBQ before. Another downside is the noise level in the place is set on high and the music they played tonight was very repetitive in the beat the keep going on and on. On to the sauces where they have many sauces to choice from. I though the Tennessee, Texas and S.C were best. They do add flavor to the meats. Overall the experience was a little below expectations but still average since had high hopes and heard such good things. If you like bbq this is good just be ready for a long wait an some noise.
(3)
G H.

Workshop 101 was a good choice. Great sides and our server Freddie was fantastic. Definitely will go back to try the burgers.
(5)
Rick D.

This place is awesome. Awesome food, drinks and wait staff. Try the KidRock-n-Rye. Awesome.
(5)
Melissa M.

Why is this place SO good? Literally everything here is amazing. Stay away if you are on a diet, but my gosh, the chefs here know how to make down-home comfort food correctly. I love the ambiance, the people, and drinking my beer from a Mason Jar. End of story.
(5)
Rachel E.

I don't know HOW this place gets all of the accolades it does, because our experience here was horrible. Not only did we have to wait 2 hours and 15 minutes for a table after we were quoted a 1 hour wait, but the food was not good. That was agreed upon by 7 of the 8 people at our table. The pulled pork was so fatty, it was sitting in what I can only describe as "pork fat soup". I actually thought they had already put barbecue sauce on my pork, but to my dismay it was just sitting in a pool of grease. My mom pulled a glob of fat out of her pulled pork that was larger than a golf ball! The sides weren't that great either, and most of them were cold. I must admit, the corn muffin was amazing though! The worst part, 5 people from our table got sick after eating there. Imagine being up all night with the worst stomach pains and multiple trips to the bathroom kind of sick. I actually got sick while we were still at the restaurant! This place was on my Metro-Detroit restaurant bucket list, and unfortunately it did NOT live up to the hype at all.
(1)
Nicole W.

Went here on a Thursday night to celebrate my son's graduation with a party of 8. We were promptly seated and well taken care of by the host and server. The atmosphere is fun and the food smells are out of this world! The food was delicious. Our party enjoyed hamburgers, pulled pork sandwiches, blackened catfish, fried green tomato BLT, mac and cheese, and veggie burger. The serving are huge-so bring your appetite. After getting our food, we realized we could have ordered half the plates and shared, instead we all wound up bring home leftovers. Everyone enjoyed their meals. Well seasoned and just plain good. We had a wonderful evening and will be back. Highly recommend if you are in the area. And yes- the mac and cheese really is awesome.
(4)
Chelsea G.

It's no secret that Clarkston is home to one of the BEST BBQ joints in the state. Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, the Washington Post, Crain's Detroit and Hour Magazine all agree - The Woodshop rocks our taste buds. Their menu is packed with housemade comfort foods that are bursting with flavor. I have visited this establishment more times then I would like to admit and I've tried everything from the smoked meats, to the cherry pork salad and even their butterscotch pudding. One of my personal favorites is the sweet potato burrito. It took me a while to try because it's a very unique item - but I promise it's worth the risk. This little taste of heaven consists of THE BEST sweet potatoes, black beans & spinach in a flour tortilla topped with a cheese blend, sour cream & salsa. Another one of my favs is the smoked chicken - which is rubbed with a delicious blend of spices and is sooo juicy! Pair it with their potato salad and zucchini and you've got one heck of a meal. The average cost of an entre is about $15 and I would say the menu is fairly priced based on the quality of their meats and the large portion size. After the sweet potato burrito - the vibe is my favorite part of this place. You can tell the staff genuinely enjoys working at the Woodshop - everyone I have encountered has been friendly and down to earth. The decor is eccentric, unique and welcoming all at once. I have spent hours in their oversized booth with friends and family feeling welcome, comfortable and truly enjoying my experience and this unique BBQ joint.
(5)
Kristin C.

Favorite BBQ joint in the metro Detroit area - hands down. The "other guys" are pretty good but my meals here are memorable and delicious and totally live up to all the hype. Unfortunately, most of the time I can't spare the drive time AND the wait time combined, so I don't come nearly as often as I would like to. Saturday afternoon around 12:30 - we were seated right away - what luck. It filled up pretty quickly after that. Split the burnt ends app (it was super yummy, although not very charred, which I kind of thought was the whole point) and pulled pork samich (crunchy slaw and pickled chilies add just the right crunch and flavor). Both were delicious. The potato salad that comes with the sandwich is the ultimate. It has bacon, dill, red onion and whole grain mustard (not your gross grocery store variety yellow potato salad!). Seriously - get the potato salad. As everyone knows, the mac & cheese is the bomb. If you haven't tried it - please do. Super reasonably priced kids menu ($3.95!) is another plus. I wish I had room for dessert ... maybe next time!
(5)
Tara L.

Do NOT bother ordering take out. Your portion sizes will be greatly reduced and it tastes so much better when it's hot and fresh! :) We've ordered take out on two occasions, and both times didn't compare to the dining in experience. You will have to wait, but as soon as you accept it, you will be just fine. :) Go upstairs to the bar, grab a drink, play some pool, or skeeball-type bowling, chit chat with all the other hungry patrons, and before you know it, your buzzer will vibrate and light up! Recently we took a friend here who ordered takeout previously, and was thoroughly blown away by the quantity and taste. Husband and I were flabbergasted at how much Burnt Ends and beef brisket we got. Loved the onion rings (the batter is something! Make sure you get it.), and the fries were typical. Side of mac and cheese was perfectly manageable for two, and yummy as well. I haven't tried getting here when they first open, but will try next time to see how long the wait is.
(5)
Louai S.

On my 4th visit, it is the same, just decent, nothing I would brag about or run to because I am in the mood for BBQ. Like any normal dining out night with family, I order lots of food, so here it is: chicken wings, no smoke, no flavor, no seasoning. fried pickles and wood sticks very good, shrimp salsa, needs shrimp, but good, burnt ends, is really pot roast with lots of BBQ sauce. Then comes dinner, Ribs were melt in mouth over cooked days old tasting, no porkey goodness, really disappointed in the ribs which is why I went there all the way from Troy. Burger "juicy lucy" which is what my wife orders, tasted oxidized, 1-10 it scored a 5 or less. Mac was ok, noodles overcooked, my sons dinner was 3 ice cream sandwiches, he liked it, he ate two of them, I ate third, good banana ice cream.
(3)
Laura S.

Awesome food and great service. We went on a weekday and got right in. The mac and cheese was fantastic and so were the ribs. Great place!
(5)
Noah D.

Great pulled pork! The Mac and Cheese was not as good as Slows BBQ, but the appetizers and main dish were on par or better!
(5)
Brian M.

Bravo! That place hit it on all fronts: taste, atmosphere, staff, and location. Ok, well the location could have been better if it were put across the street from my house. The staff is easy on the eyes, the service was top-notch, the food was incredible (make sure to get the butterscotch pudding), the smell had that faint campfire scent, and the ambiance/decor was very comfortable. Go there, you won't regret it!
(5)
Michele A.

Service was slow maybe it was a bad night but she forgot our drinks and we did not get them until the middle of the meal. Neat seating areas very open and comforting. The food was great my chicken was not dry at all the sweet potato mash was amazing. Sorry folks but the mac and cheese was just ok, it tasted like my homemade mac and cheese nothing special except they make it fresh its not from a box. However if they add their pulled pork to that mac and cheese with possibly some red onion it would be killer. BBQ sauces need some work as well we only liked one of the set that they had on the table. French frys were great as well.
(3)
Nancy R.

My husband and I both agreed: if this place was closer, we'd be bankrupt. We took the 45 minute drive up there just to check it out. It had been on the TV too many times and we just HAD to see what it was all about. I knew it'd be packed, so we went on a Sunday, at 4pm, before the dinner crowd. Initially we could've waited 10-15 minutes, but a table opened up right away. The Woodshop is pretty loud, but we got used to it. It's not the kind of place that you have to shout, but you will have to be a little louder than normal. The only downside, I think. We ordered the smoked chicken wings as an app. DELICIOUS. They're very lightly smoked, then deep fried. So they're a touch smokey and charcoal-y, but crispy and very flavorful. Also, not dry at all. They have 6 BBQ sauces on the table that you can put on them. Try it, experiment, but I went light on the sauce and just reveled in the smokey, juicy succulence of perfect wings. My hubby got the porker for dinner. I got the ribs. The bites of Porker I could steal from his plate were awesome. I was worried the pork, bacon and sausage would be just too rich and savory. The pickled jalepenos really cut through it all and made it so very good. I secretly wanted to steal half of his burger, but my stomach could barely fit all we ordered. My ribs were perfect. Simple as that. I've had BBQ before. I've had Slow's and even BBQ in the south. The ribs at the Woodshop rivaled anything Slow's could put out. Not too smokey, the rub was flavorful and the meat was perfectly tender. Perfectly tender where you took a bite and the meat pulled away from the bone, but the rest of the meat stayed put -- it didn't fall apart. Awesome. A little of the Tennessee sauce (my preferred) from the table and I was a happy girl. I got the sides of the mac and cheese and collards. Great collards, no complaints there. The mac and cheese comes with a lot of hype. But I saw it made on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. I was concerned with the amount of cheese. I love cheese as much as anyone, but I love me my pasta, too. There really is a lot of cheese in the mac and cheese. Even though I got a side order, it was super cheesy. The top was crusty and crunchy with cheese, it was stringy and goopy. It was a really righteous mac and cheese. I'd really rank it up there. Not perfect, but damn worth getting. As a side, of course. As a whole meal, I think it's too much unless you're a die-hard junkie. We skipped dessert. Their website menu hasn't been updated, so I was drooling over the thought of little donut bites. We were informed by the server that they hadn't carried them in over 2 years! I guess their menu online is REALLY out of date. The rest of the dessert menu looked good, but we were full and I was pretty bummed that my dreamed of warm, pillows of deep-fried sweetness were not to be. So we went upstairs to the bar. The bar should almost be it's own entity. The drinks are amazing. The atmosphere is amazing, it's just a great place. I loved the decor. I loved that the 5pm crowd up there (small) was quiet and my hubby and I could be cozy and chat, watch TV and mingle with other patrons. Only downside is: no food upstairs. I understand the restaurant doesn't want the bar to pirate any of the downstairs' profits, but some bar nuts, homemade potato chips or something else small and special would've been sublime with the adventurous drinks they had upstairs. Overall: 5 stars. I'd maybe give it a 4.8 because it was a touch too loud and I was seriously bummed about my denial of donuts. (I love me some donuts!) But I can't deny this place deserves 5 stars -- even if I really want my donuts.
(5)
Amy B.

I've been waiting to come here for some time, and finally made it in last night with one of my good friends who was in town. I first heard about this place when I saw it on Diners, drive ins and dives with Guy Fieri featuring Kid Rock and his beer, and immediately knew I wanted to come here and check the place out. Also, this is my review #700!!! That's right people, review #700! I came here and really had a good time. I went in with an open mind, and both my friend and I were extremely pleased with our entire evening. When we got in, the hostess told us there was an hour and a half wait, so instead of waiting we chose to sit at the bar and eat since we both were starving. After reviewing the menu, we both went with burgers. I chose the woodshop burger minus the bacon, and my friend went with the Juicy Lucy. Needless to say, we both were impressed and loved our food. My burger was HUGE, and absolutely delicious. My friends was stuffed with cheese, and came out delicious! We also really loved the fries. I don't know what they season them with, but we both really loved them. We also tried the American Badass beer, which was a okay. I'm not a beer connoisseur, but my friend liked it more then I did. It had a bit of a bite to it, and was okay. Our drinks, including the beer, were served in mason glasses! Nice southern touch without coming off as trying to hard. I like the way the place is decorated. Plywood looking floors, with wood log wallpaper, and plenty of other things that give it a nice feel without trying to hard. This is kind of place that you can come in a t shirt or a button down and not get looks for being over or under dressed. The bartender that waited on us handled the crowd at the bar with an ease that I haven't seen in a while. Usually if I sit at the bar, it usually takes a while to get noticed, or their busy doing other things. She treated us like we were the only ones there, taking time to answer our questions about the menu, side items and telling us about the sauces that they have available. Personable, friendly and she wasn't "trying to hard" to be a certain way...she was really good at what she does. I could tell she had regulars here, so it was obvious that she was a seasoned pro at handling multiple people and orders at once. Overall, I really loved this place. Food was Delicious, atmosphere was awesome, service and everything else was right on par. I'm really glad I finally made it up here, and yes, it's worth checking out no matter what side of town your on! Regardless of the TV show, it really is a good nice place to go check out.
(5)
Lita F.

The collard greens! Omg I can't stop thinking about them. I had planning to make the 45 minute trip and it was well worth it I have to go back now
(5)
Joey M.

AWESOME food!!! Great atmosphere for everyone. Only one problem: after being featured on the Food Network, it is very hard to get into without a big wait. p.s. I'm a local so I come here a lot!
(5)
Shawn S.

Great bratwurst and sauerkraut and delicious Cuban sandwich! Love all the beer choices.
(4)
Matt G.

I had the pulled pork with collard greens and potato salad. The pork was decent - good flavor but a little greasy. The BBQ Sauces were good. Overall, I would say it is fairly good BBQ in the Detroit area. Not better than Slows, in my opinion, but better than Lockhart's in Royal Oak.
(4)
Steven L.

I was here briefly last week and tried a piece of the Burnt Ends, although drenched in sauce, I found to be tasty. So yesterday I decided to bring my wife here because we had heard the Union Woodshop was second only to Slows, hard to believe but hey, I will try a full meal and judge for myself. Unfortunately, this placed turned out to be the typical BBQ place with dry brisket, over cooked ribs (due to the falling off the bone) with the silver skin still on (who does that) and overrated Mac & Cheese. However, the piece de resistance was the half chicken, which was moist and flavorful, good job on that one. The other items that were decent were the BBQ baked beans, Sweet potato mash and the pulled pork. However, the pulled pork was warm at best. Now the true reason for the limited stars is the dry brisket, which is how I judge all BBQ places. If you cannot devote the money and time to get a quality piece of meat and take the time to slow cook it, do not put it on you menu just because you call yourself a BBQ joint. In addition, the Union Woodshop opens at 4 PM, we arrived at 5 PM and they were out of the Burnt Ends. What the hell, how can you run out of something an hour into service. Oh well, if I have to choose to drive 30 minutes for BBQ, it will be south to Slows instead of North.
(3)
Amanda R.

First time visiting was this afternoon and we will definitely be back. For some reason my boyfriend wanted IHOP, but all I wanted was a giant plate of meat so we compromised and went here, and neither of is regret the decision. We first arrived and from the reviews I was expecting a short wait, but we were seated right away in a very cute booth. I don't know, the color of their booth seats were so cute, but I did almost slip on their floors as it was rainy outside and I was wearing "riding" boots, whatever. We started with the burnt ends and the salmon pate. Both were good, but we will try other options next time. For entrees my bf had the smoked ribeye with fries and a side of their Mac n cheese. I was lucky enough to have a bite of the Mac n cheese because apparently their smoked ribeye was very good, as well as their Mac n cheese. Ugh. I had their pulled pork with the extra white chicken breast and as sides I had their collard greens (perfect) and their sweet potato mash that has jalapeÃ±o and maple syrup from MI. This was absolutely amazing and I can not wait to try more, but seriously... Their collard greens. Try them NOW. For desert we got their brownie pot pie and their apple cobbler. We both agreed the brownie pot pie was superior to the cobbler, but both were fantastic. So was the vanilla ice cream. And beer. This was the best cheat meal as I am very paleo. I was honestly left in a food coma and I told my boyfriend that I was chocolate wasted, which was the best. We also ordered two black coffees and you could tell it was nice and fresh grounded coffee.
(5)
Jennifer T.

This is my favorite place for BBQ and much much more. The baby back ribs are fall off the bone tender. The chicken, pulled pork, pizza. I haven't had anything bad here. Everything here is made from scratch. They have wonderful and creative desserts. We love the homemade liquid nitrogen ice cream sandwiches. They have great beers on tap and of course Kid Rocks Badass beer to. The only downfall to this restaurant is the long wait. Come during peak hours and expect to wait a few hours. Thankfully they added the addition upstairs so you'll have somewhere to wait and have drinks. They should serve appetizers though.
(4)
Betsy A.

My husband has been wanting to try this place for a long time (ever since we saw it on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives). So we had his birthday dinner here this year. It was a Thursday evening and we were worried about having to wait in line with a party of 6 (and a hungry 3 year old). Luckily it wasn't too bad and once our whole party was there, we were seated pretty quickly (I believe they'll seat you when all but one person is there). The strangest thing about the restaurant was how slippery the floor was in the room we were seated in. The floor looked like particle board, or some sort of unfinished wood, and the whole thing was slippery, it seems like people/servers would fall a lot? Our waitress was great and suggested some of her favorite and popular items on the menu. They have great BBQ, mac & cheese (this takes a little longer to prepare, so we ordered it right away), and special cocktails and good beers. The atmosphere of the restaurant is fun, though it was pretty noisy, which probably would have been ok if there were just two of us, but with a party of six, trying to talk across the table was hard. I really enjoyed this place and would frequent it more if I lived closer, so it may just be a special occassion type of place.
(4)
Mathias D.

Such high hopes for this place and it did not deliver. Not one bit. I know this wont make it on the recommended list because thats just what businesses do. I did like the location, the area was nice. (Although it was a 30 minute drive). The food was less than average. Maybe it was a bad night, after seeing all the good reviews honestly, I do not see what ya'll see in this place. The service was horrible. Me and my Wife waited for an hour+ just to have a guy just walk in and take a table that should have been ours and when I asked the lady what the hell was that?! She simply said she didnt buzz us in. Glad to see that when they say at least 30 minutes to an hour, they really mean just stand here while we sit other people in front of you and really piss you off. So we just got it to-go we at least got some service there.
(1)
Chris M.

Wow. What a great place to eat. I ordered the Mac and Cheese, BBQ brisket with a side of sweat potato mash and collard greens. EVERYTHING was great! I hade 4 people total in my group and all of us enjoyed it. I normally stay near the airport when I'm in town but the trip up to Clarkston (about 50 min) was worth the trip.
(5)
Julie B.

I went for the 2nd time last night and was not disappointed at all. Just a warning....get there early! We got there at 4:00 on a Saturday and it was almost a 1 1/2 hour wait. By 6:30 it was a 2 1/2 to 3 hour wait. (that tells you how good this place is!) Pulled pork is out of this world and fun to try the different sauces. The Porker is huge. I tried their potato salad and it's delicious and you have to get the mac and cheese. The butterscotch pudding is awesome too. I don't think there's a bad meal in there!
(5)
Mark C.

Stopped in for dinner tonight. While some may say that one of the perks of business travel is that you get to visit places like this, the downside is that you often do it alone. This is one of those rare places that feels as comfortable as an old sweatshirt. I chose to sit at one of the two bars that they have here. Was promptly greeted by an very personable young lass named Erin. Despite tending bar, she took the time to go thru the specials, point out some of her favorites, and answer any questions that I might have. I ordered the brisket and pulled pork combo, with sides of Mac and cheese and collared greens, and cornbread muffin. I found the portion sizes to be good, and the food was delicious. There has been much already written about the food here, so I want to spend more time discussing the service. I am more forgiving of bad food than I am of bad service. Here there was neither. Even when Erin may have been occupied gathering an order out of the kitchen or helping someone else, her colleagues like Kenny were there to ask if everything was good or whether I needed anything. You do not tend to see that type of behavior in many places. Often times servers only worry about their tables, and tend to look the other way when passing someone's section. Here you truly get the sense that it is a team effort. The only thing I will add is that when Erin and Kenny strongly recommend the butterscotch pudding, I would heed their advice. The butterscotch, sea salt, and whipped cream combo is really good. This is a place where even if the food was not as good as it is, I would likely come back because of the quality of servers like Erin and Kenny.
(5)
Marco C.

I have been to many BBQ places in NC and this place will give any of them a run for their money. Great food with friendly staff. The noise level is a little loud for a business dinner so better to go with your mate! Ribs, pulled pork and chicken are great.
(5)
Molly G.

I get tired of reading reviews from people who try a place once and give it horrible reviews. I have eaten in some of the best restaurants in the world and have occasionally had a bad meal. Some reviews of this restaurant are horrible by people who only tried it once. I thinks reviews should be done after 2 visits. The wait was supposed to be 1 1/2 hours but we got right in at the bar. My pulled pork was the best I have ever had. The sides were great and the bartender was really attentive. You need to try it.
(4)
Ryan B.

Always worth the wait. Great food, wide selection of adult beverages, and a wonderful atmosphere. If you have Freddy as your waiter consider yourself blessed. Hilarious and prompt. My favs are the woodshop burger and a side of Mac of course. Can't go wrong with the pizzas either.
(5)
Jennay B.

Amazing food. Flavorful BBQ sauces. Service is always good. Very busy tho. Always have to wait for hours to get in if your not there right when they open. Only problem is that because of the wait we have resorted to take out. The quality of the food goes down by half when you order take out. It's like the cook does not care about the food that is not eaten in the restaurant.
(4)
Michael W.

The food was phenomenal. Ribs were beyond tender and tasted awesome with or without sauce. Greens and mac and cheese were so good that I coukd have eaten enough of them to make a meal.
(5)
Renee W.

Well I guess I'll chime in with the other 8 billion reviews. There were 4 us here at 5PM on a Tuesday night. One - there was a concert at Pine Knob and two - they had a beer thing going on upstairs - so even on a Tuesday there was quite a crowd. They told us about a 20 minute wait - and that was probably right on. Good beers on draft. Our serve Sondra was great! Asked right away if it was anyone's first time here (just mine). She was very accommodating explaining the tap beers and the menu. Ordered some beers and got into the menu. I jokingly told Sondra that I measure all bbq against Slows - and she joked right back "we're better". Man it helps a restaurant out so much when you have a great server - it's all part of the experience! OK to the food - I ordered the Pulled Pork Sammie (of course) and a side of the (famous) mac & cheese. Sondra told me that they don't really put sauce on their meat (good sign) and she would explain all the sauces on the table. My dining companions got the pulled pork sammie and potato pizza (which looked amazing). My sandwich was amazing. The pork was moist and smoky. It was a little more "chopped" than I prefer (I like bigger chunks ala slows) - but it was pretty darn good. Usually when I go for bbq there really isn't one sauce that I like (exception Slows Apple - I'm addicted) so I usually mix some up and find a happy medium. I actually did find one that I thought had the right amount of heat and sweet (sorry don't remember what it was called). Didn't think I would like the 'bama sauce, but I actually did. The mac and cheese was awesome - definitely like it when something is as good as the reviews! Crispy crust and cheesy interior goodness! So although I feel guilty about - I would say that this bbq was on par with my favorite! I definitely would return - even to try that pizza! Yum.
(4)
spence b.

Hands down the best BBQ in metro detroit. Period. Delicious whatever you get. Be prepared to wait most of the time . A little known fact is the best vegetarian fish I've ever eaten is from here as well. The vegan burger is phenomenal ! I would be shocked if this didn't become one of your favorite BBQ spots. Sauces are great , great atmosphere , you may even spot a local legend or traveling band ,enjoying some great food . Stars ... They're just like us they love great food too! Also great to pick up . Ohhhh the slaw is pretty impressive as well. On the whole it is upscale,wholesome,down home , from scratch yummy ness . Period .
(5)
Gerald L.

Again - another of our Food Network adventures. Damn you Guy Fieri. Only negative was the 2+ hour wait - but the food was well worth it. Fried pickles were perfect. I got the pizza, my wife got pulled pork - which she said was the best she ever had and we shared the salted butterscotch pudding - Redonk and Amallzing all rolled into one.
(5)
Christopher M.

Amazing place. Every time I'm in the area I come here. Food is awesome. Service is great. Atmosphere is light and fun. Can't wait to come back as soon as I've left.
(5)
Grace O.

This place is awesome! Great food and amazing severs! The only thing I don't like are the bartenders/cocktail waitresses upstairs if you're waiting for a table they always come over a million times while I'm just starting my drink but when I'm almost done or looking to get the check they are nowhere to be found. But I understand there are a lot of people there and they get busy. I just wanted to be thorough. I also want to add that if they served appetizers upstairs in the bar area I would be more willing to wait to eat. I haven't ordered anything that I don't like. I'll list all the things we have ordered before in no particular order wood sticks, burnt ends, friend pickles, pizza, pulled pork sandwich, ribs, Mac and cheese, fried, onion rings, and the brownie skillet is amazing!! Everything I listed I have personally tried and they are amazing and the food comes out so quickly and is reasonably priced. Freddie is our favorite server ever! I know putting this on here means more people will ask for him but he deserves his props for being the absolute best! We went there with friends for a bday and we waited 2.5 hours for a table and he was amazing by being very quick about taking our orders because he knew we were hungry and even brought her cheesecake at the end with a candle in it. A week later I went there with my husband and in laws and I asked specifically for Freddie and we were unfortunately sitting in a spot where the sun was blinding us and Freddie got a poster board advertisement from the door and stuck it on the window to shield our eyes. He goes above and beyond what any server has ever done before. He makes the experience so much more than just a meal, he's entertaining and jokes with you. And never judges me when I order a whole rack of ribs and then the brownie skillet. :) All in all, I give this place a 5 star (I would give it more if that were possible). This is our favorite bbq place and we drive 30 mins there and 30 mins back just to eat there.
(5)
Tricia R.

Best BBQ in the area and worth the wait. Get the pickles, Mac and cheese and definitely dessert. The desserts are ideally sized. Draft beer list is usually good- the Woodshop has a great relationship with the Michigan brewers and tend to get priority for seasonal brews. A little loud at times- but a fun atmosphere and awesome staff.
(4)
Colleen H.

Pulled pork--tons of food!
(5)
Sharon K.

That margarita pizza though!! It's to die for; so fresh. World's famous Mac and cheese is right at the Woodshop. The pulled pork and ribs are just how you get them down south. Also, try the onion rings. Just go get you some woodshop!! Quit thinking about it, just do it. Get off the couch and do something with your life (ITT tech commercial) LOL.
(5)
Kristen P.

I personally think this place is hugely overrated. I don't understand the 2 hour wait or the lines out the door to eat at this place at all!! Yes, the food is decent but overpriced for what you get. I also do not like getting served wine in a mason jar, seriously, who does this? Parking in back is very limited so try getting a spot on the street somewhere or nearby public parking lot. Parking can be tricky on weekends though. The bar upstairs is the best thing about this place. It has fun, quirky decor in a lounge type setting. Definitely, check it out if you have a wait for a table downstairs or just come for a night out with friends.
(3)
Rachel M.

Took my boys here (17 and 3) after dragging them on a shopping trip. I am already trying to find a reason to head out this way again. When we walked in, there was a small wait. The hostess suggested the bar area (family friendly) upstairs. Well, not only was that great for me to grab a drink, but there was a old-school "bowling" machine up there. AND to top it off - it was FREE!!! My three year old had just been asking to go bowling that week.. Can it be any more perfect? The answer - yes! We sat outside on the patio because it was nice. I had the Woodshop 101, my oldest had the spare ribs, the youngest had a pizza off the kid's menu. OMG. Holy Fat Kid Moment. We were seriously in a lazy food coma but could not stop eating. I even tried to drink another cocktail (something that had hot sauce in it) to try to see if I could fit more of the deliciousness in my belly but I gave up and had it packed up to-go. Needless to say, nothing made it until the morning. And it tasted just as good. This place has a lot of hype surrounding it... and I do not like to give no-reservation places 5 stars, but this may be my exception. Servers were great, hostess was friendly, it was a wait but there were things to "do" while I wait (free things - at that) and the food was epic. It really is that damn good.
(5)
Eric F.

The negative waited 90 minutes to get a table on a Saturday night (they don't take reservations) Fortunately they give you a pager, and they have an upstairs bar and lounge. Only issue with the upstairs bar is that you have to go up stairs (no elevator) which can be difficult for an elderly person. The positive. Excellent barbecue. Having recently traveled and had barbecue in Deep Ellum Texas very glad to see that you can get as good if not better barbecue in metropolitan Detroit. Our party had the brisket, barbecue chicken, pulled pork, and a porker sandwich. The pulled pork was outstanding, best I have had since the pulled pork experienced at Smith's Garden Luau on the Hawaiian island of Kauai in 2007. Brisket, chicken were excellent. Porker sandwich interesting and tasty. The only disappointing item was the side of baked beans. Side of mac and cheese was very good. Excellent attentive service by our waiter. Grew up in Michigan, did not have quality restaurants like this 25 years ago. Will be back to try the other barbecue items, but will definitely order the pulled pork again.
(4)
Gerold S.

So, here is my update after more than 20 visits at the Union Woodshop. I would like to give 5 stars, because the food is still outstanding and the service got really perfect. But 5 out of 20 times we had to return our food, because it was cold. Sorry, but my rating of 4 stars stays the same. The woodshop is still one of my favorite palces and I like the atmosphere and to dine here. And if you have to wait, just go upstairs to the bar and have a drink that you can take later downstairs.
(4)
Liz R.

Finally! Stars aligned, we were in the area AND there wasn't a wait! Yes, it was 3pm on a Saturday (and we felt 80yo eating at 3pm despite me repeating 'this is a late lunch' over and over again, hoping we'd believe it)... but NO WAIT! Our waitress Sarah was a-maz-ing. She knew the booze list. She knew the menu. She made recommendations. She was funny. Loved the eclectic interior, and how surprising it is to the first timer stepping off the small town street. We started with drinks and apps. An Odd Side Jackalope Amber for Ken and a Dark Horse Sapient Trip Ale for me (slightly sweet, pretty high ABV). We split the Fried Pickles and Wings. Fried pickles never are a bad thing IF you do them right (and they did) and serve them with an interesting Ranch-y dipping sauce (and they did). OK, I hate wings. Hate the whole skin, and vein-y things... but JOP, these wings were perfect. Smoked, so they were a bit dry but super flavorful.. then juicy meat inside. How do you do dry and juicy at the same time?! I'd get these wings again in a heartbeat! Ken got the Brisket with a side of Hot Links ('the side' is a great way to try more than one meat, and cheap at only $3.95). I did their half rack of Baby Back ribs, dry. Ken's sides were mac and cheese and green bean casserole, both of which were delicious. My sides were onion rings and potato salad, also delish. Lots of starch!! We ordered more drinks with dinner - another Jackalope for Ken but I switched to a Bloody Mary. While not the fancy BM on their menu with bourbon in it, this one was a standout, especially with house-smoked blue cheese stuffed olives in it (ask for these!!! They were out of the house-smoked pickle, or I would have tried that too). The sauces at the table were good when tasted off your finger, but transformed to YUM on meat. Ask for the two hotter sauces that they don't leave at the table - neither is flamey mouth hot. On my friend H's recommendation, we took a Butterscotch Pudding dessert back to the hotel fridge for a late night, after the show snack. I've been really digging sweet and salt lately, and the addition of sea salt to this childhood fav really elevates it. We loved everything EXCEPT the brisket. We missed that flavorful, smoke ring outside (that they remove for their Burnt Ends app). Yes, it was tender... but there was no smoke or flavor. Depressing when you're a snobby brisket piglet. The corn muffin wasn't all that great either (and this is coming from someone who could eat... er, and has... only corn muffins for dinner). Our first two attempts to try this place were utter failures. Driving home from Ken's folks up north, we called to see how long the wait was... 2 hours the first time and 2.5hrs the second time. Nope. We would... and will... return!
(4)
Michael A.

Another Amazing Dinner, brought my nephew to celebrate his birthday, arrived at 630 just in time to grab the last available table, started with deep fried pickles then a loaded potato pizza, OMG that pizza is amazing, my nephew loved the shitake bacon topper that covered the pizza, then we split a 14oz Ribeye, by far the best steak I've had in years, cooked to a perfect medium, we opted for a side of Union Mac n Cheese instead of fries, then of course the dessert, a trio of ice cream sandwiches for the birthday boy; a chocolate chip stuffed with bourbon vanilla ice cream, a dark chocolate cookie stuffed with orange infused ice cream and finally a oatmeal cookie with dried Michigan cherries stuffed with butterscotch ice cream, I enjoyed the amazing Brownie Pot Pie, our server was amazing, the place was packed and the door staff was extremely welcoming.
(5)
Catherine B.

This place freaking rules! My fella and I came here today (Friday 3/27) around 4pm. They had just opened and were already rather busy (good for them!). we were sat right away and our server Steve was there less than a minute later with water asking if we would like anything additional to drink. He was super friendly and helpful (I hadn't been there before and he explained the menu to me). He was expedient with our beverages. My boyfriend had an old fashioned which he fancied and I had the Shandy cocktail which was amazeballs. For food we started with the fried pickles (the Memphis mayo is like crack). My boyfriend said if you poured it on garbage he would probably eat it. For entrees, he got the smoky dogs and apparently the sweet and spicy relish over just the dill is the way to go. If you feel like getting crazy, put some Tennessee bbq on there. Speaking of BBQ sauces, they have 5 housemade kinds on the table (2 tomato based, mustard, horseradish and a hoison based. The woman who dropped our food off kindly explained them to us.) The horseradish and Texas were my favoritea. Oh yeah and on to my dinner. .. beef brisket with corn bread, mac n' cheese and a bomb freaking potato salad. I played around with the sauces but the brisket didn't need it. It was moist and tender. Good golly, it was amazing! We didn't do dessert and instead went upstairs for a drink. Dude had the grandma bettys and I had the Hemingway daiquiri. Thank goodness they did not have the Hemingway downstairs because it was so good, I would have had about 10 (overstatement but tasty). I wish I could go here more but I live in Cleveland (*tiny violin*).
(5)
Aaron B.

Probably some of the best pulled pork around (I've lived in Tennessee, and Kansas City, so I know good pulled pork). I felt like they brought the best from both worlds and brought them under the same roof. Great beer too, the Raspberry Ale from Dark Horse Brewery is A+!!! However, the only reason they didn't get 5 stars is because of their catfish, which was a recommendation by the server...it had small bones still in it, and was over cooked on one end. I've had much better catfish. Otherwise, don't miss this place!
(4)
Tamara Y.

I've been to this place a couple of times. I like it a lot, and would rather go here rather than wait in an endless line at Slow's. (I don't think I've ever waited more than 20-30 minutes for a seat here.) The BBQ is good, and they give you a MOUNTAIN of it with no fat and no gristle. Tender, smoky, awesome. I like to experiment with the sauces. I like some more than others, but none are awful. The brisket is also spectacular. I've tried several of the sides and they were all good -- mac and cheese, baked beans, onion rings, cole slaw, potato salad, collard greens. The service I've received has been more good than bad.
(4)
Monica B.

One of the best places I have eaten in a really long time! Everything from the drinks to the food to the service was amazing! I cannot believe it took me this long to go there. Amazing! I am from NC and I was impressed with their delicious 101 special. You get a little bit of everything! It was all cooked to perfection! Their food prices are very reasonable! However their drink prices are high. Great selection of drinks but pricy.
(5)
Steve J.

My wife and I travelled to Union Woodshop based on multiple recommendations. Started with the burnt ends which were doused in BBQ sauce and served on a pice of Texas toast. We were really happy with this and it made a nice appetizer. For the main course we split the 14oz smoked ribeye (med rare) with fries. The steak was cooked perfect and the fries were served with a type of mayonnaise which was a great addition. We also ordered a side of the Mac and cheese and hot link. All were great with just the right amount of smoky flavor. The Mac and cheese was pretty good too, but not the best we have had. As for drinks, my had the Union Margarita. This was one of the best margarita we have ever had. I had a three ounce flight (3x 1oz glasses) of bourbon and had the bartender pick. All three were great and provided a great range of flavors. All in all...really satisfied and we would definitely go back.
(5)
Andy B.

Bitter tears of disappointment, just not that good! Food was mediocre at best, restaurant was freezing, and unpleasantly noisy - too many hard surfaces I suppose. However, wait staff was great and raised this to 2 stars from 1. I had the sampler entrÃ©e, pulled pork (just bad), chicken (dry and flavorless), spare ribs (risible), greens (laughably small portion and blah), and probably the poorest excuse for mac&cheese I've had (and there have been many worthy of that dubious title). What gives? With so many rave reviews I was expecting better... however my wife tells me the soap and candle in the restroom was nice - so its got that going for it, right?
(2)
Heather E.

Everything is delicious. Call ahead if you don't want to wait over an hour. If you don't call ahead, go upstairs and have a drink at the bar while you wait.
(5)
Brie B.

SO good. We got the woodsticks and fried pickles to start. Didn't think I would like the woodsticks very much, but they were incredible. Fried pickles were great too and a steal at only $2.50 Ordered the pulled pork with onion rings and potato salad as my entree. Probably the best pulled pork I've ever had. Onion rings and potato salad are exactly the same as what they serve at Vinsetta Garage. Although it's a bit far, i look forward to my next trip there!
(5)
Lindsey B.

You are doing yourself a disservice if you come here and get anything other than the ribeye. It has a delicious hint of smoke and the temperature is perfect. Their barbecue brisket appetizer is also amazing. Great service, atmosphere, and food.
(5)
Pete D.

My wife loves the Union. It's worth the drive to Clarkston. Good food but not easy to get into and if you don't like waiting in line this may not be the place for you. If you stick it out and you are willing to wait you will be rewarded with a nice meal. I liked the ribs and brisket but the whole menu is good. The service is good at the bar, maybe at the table to but I have only eaten at the bar. OK thats it.
(4)
Nick M.

Went to the 'Shop today, for the very first time, and it was for my birthday. And I don't live close; I drove 45 minutes just to see what all the fuss was about. But this was my birthday choice of a meal after hearing about it through the grapevine, not to mention seeing it on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. I walked in with three others and the wait was 30-45 minutes, which wasn't that bad for a Friday evening -- especially considering some of the waiting times I have heard about on this site and from others who have eaten there. So, to kill time I drank a Final Absolution (damn good craft beer!!) and was really happy to see that because I live close to Dragonmead and get it all the time. After about 40 minutes our buzzer went off and we went to eat. The server was nice. She was a newbie but handled herself well and was nice (and attractive, hey oh!) ... anyway, I ordered the baby back ribs (half slab) and my two sides were Mac n Cheese and onion rings. And holy sh*t was this a lot of food! I was drinking heavy beer and eating all this good stuff -- I felt like a king. The onion rings were HUGE and the sauce they give with it is amazing. The Mac n Cheese may very well be the greatest Mac n Cheese I have ever had, just awesome. And the ribs were cooked nicely and tasted great with the multitude of sauces the place offers, from really spicy (Hell, MI) to mildly spicy to even mustard sauce. It was really filling. Like, REALLY FILLING. So filled up from the food and beer, I actually passed out in the car on the way home!! (And I'm not even an overweight guy; I'm just not used to eating that much in one sitting. I couldn't resist.) Go here, Bring an appetite. Drink a good macro brew. Bring good company. Enjoy.
(5)
Samantha T.

Came from out of town with friends for a bite before the concert at DTE. BEST BBQ EVER. If you don't come here, you're missing out. I'll be back for sure! Mac and cheese, onion rings and French fries with pulled pork were to die for!
(5)
Danielle C.

Best pulled pork ever! No sauce needed to enhance the juicy goodness. Got the union Mac & cheese as a side along with the sweet potato mash. The chicken was also good, but my nearly as delicious as the pulled pork. We enjoyed the fried pickles also. Wish we had gotten here soon enough for the burnt ends though.
(5)
Bob N.

RIB CIRCUMCISION MUST STOP!!! Please please please quit cutting the tips off of the ribs. It's the best part. These ribs would have pushed it to 5 star but alas no tips. The greens were smoky and yummy as was the mac and cheese as others have noted. We waited about a hour for our seats in the bar area having some fried pickles and salmon pate mmmmmm so good, these were recommended by our waitress Olivia. When we went to dinner our waiter John was just as good explaining and recommending certain dishes, Both added to a enjoyable evening and even had a deepfried Twinkie for the birthday boy.
(3)
Lisa K.

Very disappointed that after waiting 2 1/2 hours to be seated our party of 12 was seated separately. One table of 4 and another of 8. We couldn't talk with our other friends the entire dinner. The manger bought 2 desserts for our table of 4 however would not give the other table anything.
(1)
Eddie D.

Walked in along with friends during the Taste of Clarkston on a Sunday dinner. Sizable crowd with a 15 minute wait. I ordered the Woodstock 101 which consists of a quarter chicken, 2 piece baby back ribs, and spare ribs. I got 2 sides of sweet potato mash and mac and cheese. There's a piece of corn bread as well. All served on individual aluminum tray. Kinda cool! Different sauces are available on the table for your individual taste. The chicken is smoked to perfection. Very tender and NOT dry at all. The baby back ribs are also tasty and almost fall off the bone though my friend says that I cook better ribs. (Thanks bestie!) The spare ribs are sublime though. OMG! You've got to have it! After being a carnivore, be ready to dig into some heavenly sweet potato mash. It is sooooo gooood! It has a little spice to it but it's perfect. Be careful when you eat the mac and cheese. It's hot! Hahahaha! Went back after a month with family. Ordered the deep fried pickles since I have not had one ever. To my surprise, I liked it! I prepared for this dinner trip too, not having eaten almost anything all day. In the end, I still did not finish what I ordered. Definitely coming back again. This time, I think I want to try their pizza.
(5)
David S.

Came with a party of 12 and after waiting 2.5 hours they sat us at 2 different tables. Food was just okay and manager bought 2 desserts for the twelve of us. Guess he felt that made up for the blunder.
(1)
Frank B.

Went today. First time Eating here. Excellent apps of buffalo wings and deep fried pickles. No after taste from old oil. Excellent. Ordered Brisket,potatoe salad,collard greens, the porker, the pulled pork with veggies, and pulled pork sandwich. All I can say is perfect. Server Chrystal was attentitive and tried hard while working 4 tables. Great overall experience. Get the Brisket!!!!!
(4)
L D.

Great atmosphere, good chow and fantastic service! We had the Woodstock pizza, pulled pork sandwich and brownie pot pie....yum! Great bar and lounge upstairs with pool tables. This is by far one of the best restaurants Guy Fieri has recommended so far
(5)
Geoff M.

Love this place, has a fun lively atmosphere everyone, including our server Sam where fantastic!! The food was extremely tasty had the pulled pork, mac & Cheese,(this was hands down best I have had at a restaurant) green bean casserole and added 2 baby back ribs. Co-worker had the beef brisket and also was completely happy with his meal. I well be coming back again!!
(5)
Leigh W.

BRAVO on the new upstairs room!! Love the look and feel and makes the wait for good eats less frustrating.
(4)
Molly C.

In town for a concert at Pine Knob, and this place has an amazing reputation. Very few knit-picky complaints. Their sauces are amazing, big flavors that beat the socks off of Slow's. The fried pickle appetizer was acceptable--nice batter, a little greasy, but it is, in fact, fried--but sad that we missed out on the burnt ends. My barbecue-loving husband had the spareribs, mac-and-cheese and collard greens. He loved it all. Great rub on the ribs, perfectly tender without being soft, nicely smoky. I had brisket with the M&C and slaw, and couldn't resist the smoked hot link "sidecar." The macaroni was perfect--the rich, crunchy topping made the dish. The slaw was excellent, nice and light and not doused in dressing. My only complaint was that most of my brisket seemed to be missing the rub, like maybe it had sat in liquid and braised. The little bit of rub I got on the couple pieces that had it was epic and the flavor of the brisket was delicious, beautiful rosy smoke ring and lean enough for me (I generally cut off whatever is left of the fat cap, because yuck--not much loss here). Did not care for the server. She was brand new, training, and very eager to show off all of her newly-acquired barbecue knowledge. Delivered our food then attempted to give a ten minute lecture on all of the sauces. Go away, I want to eat! Highly recommended, along with a suggestion to the Woodshop that they encourage less chit-chat when your patrons clearly aren't interested in it.
(4)
kristen S.

Ahhhhhmazing! Pulled pork is to die for. Wings are amazing. Basically everything you order is great. You will not be disappointed. The atmosphere is amazing and so perfect in downtown Clarkston. Can't wait for more restaurants from this owner!!
(5)
Kristin D.

Food is outstanding! The place is totally packed, we sat at the bar for an hour and a half on a Saturday night waiting for a table. We tried a variety of the BBQ meats and the mac and cheese, all very good.
(4)
Karly K.

Went last night and besides waiting for 2 hours (we got free appetizers in return) the food here never disappoints. You could probably order anything on this menu on not think you chose wrong. Fried pickles are a must!
(5)
dawn v.

I wish I could give 6 stars. There's not one thing I could suggest improvement on. Including young waitress, Emily, who knows her menu and knows how to keep people happy. They're smoking your meat outside the door and baking the pizzas in the open oven area... Nothing to hide here. It's as much of an experience as a meal. They even make their own ice cream, delicious!, but don't miss the butterscotch pudding! ( to die for! Melts in your mouth like rich bury caramel) Six sauces on the table, all unique. Pork perfect and spare ribs were tender, meaty, perfectly rubbed. Try their renowned Mac and cheese as a free side with your meat. It's so rich, you only need a small try. 2011 restaurant of the year and well deserved.
(5)
Melissa S.

I was never a big BBQ fan until I had the Union Woodshop's BBQ. Love the Hell sauce, mac & cheese, potato salad, pulled pork, spare ribs... Pretty much everything I've ever tried on the menu I've liked ;) I hate the wait but there is a bar upstairs...that will get you into trouble while waiting for an hour or more on an empty stomach!! But it makes for a good time!!
(5)
Annette J.

I wish I lived closer to the Union Woodshop because--YUM! Stopped in here before heading to the Palace and it was a fantastic experience. It's actually a pretty large space compared to a lot of other local eateries and it was mobbed! We had a party of 5 and met at 5pm and grabbed one of the last large tables. There was already a wait for two tops. CRAZY. It was so busy so service was a little slower than I expected so definitely give yourself some extra time if you have somewhere to be, especially since you will likely have to wait for a table, at least on a weekend. Our waitress was great, though. I told her we were in a bit of a hurry and she did a fab job quickening things as much as possible (like bringing out check with our food, that sort of thing). The space is really cozy--lots of wood decor, great artwork, posters of local bands and shows. Love it. I ordered the Woodshop 101 which was way too much food but I wanted to try a little bit of everything so in that regard it was perfect. It came with a 1/4 chicken, your choice of pulled pork, brisket, or a hot link, and 2 ribs (baby back or spare). I went with a 1/4 dark chicken, pulled pork and the baby back ribs. Plus it comes with two sides (I got the mashed sweet potatoes and mac and cheese) and a cornbread muffin with sweet butter. SO.MUCH.FOOD. The pulled pork was excellent. Seasoned well and really lovely/smokey. The chicken was moist and again, seasoned fantastic. The ribs were tender but probably my least favorite (although still delicious). The table has about 6 different sauce bottles so you can put your own choice of sauce on there. Everything from their most popular Tennessee to a sweet/vinegary NYC, a honey mustard that was great with the chicken, and even a spicy sauce made with ghost peppers (that you need to ask your server for those!). My personal favorite was the NYC because I love my sauce a little sweet but tangy. The sweet potatoes were delicious and the mac and cheese was great! I tend to like my mac and cheese REALLY creamy and this wasn't exactly but the flavor was fantastic. Plus I had so much leftover that I had a whole meal for the next day! Afterwards we wrapped things up by splitting the butterscotch pudding at the table. It was GREAT. Perfectly creamy and sweet with a little sea salt in there to temper it. So good! They have a great beer selection (LOCAL beer as well--great Michigan brews on tap). The food is amazing, great service. I was really impressed. The only drawback is, as I mentioned, the wait. But it's not their fault they're so good they're busy! Don't let that deter you, though. It's worth the wait!
(4)
Jackie K.

I order pizzas for carry out here and they're always SO GOOD. I've never had a bad pizza - margarita is my favorite. HOWEVER - my family came here for a meal and EVERYONES food was TERRIBLE. The steaks were rubber or completely dry, and the sides were flavorless and frigid. I don't know what happened for that meal but it was not edible. No one ate their food. I was sad my family had a bad experience after I had so much good pizza here.
(4)
Sara W.

Got there around 5 on a Saturday night, and waited less than they quoted us. They still had burnt ends! They weren't as good as I've had in KC but still pretty tasty. I had the brisket and with the white bbq sauce they make....wow--amazing! The sides were great too. I had onion rings and mac n cheese. The husband had pulled pork which was also excellent. Totally worth the bit of a drive from the city and the wait. Reasonably priced too.
(5)
Stuart D.

I drive into the sleepy town in search of answers to looming questions. I've been told a story akin to the Lochness Monster wherein apparently there is a very good barbecue restaurant in Michigan out beyond the outskirts of Detroit to the point that I wouldn't call them outskirts any more. Could the stories be true? Was I to be led astray such that I was with that good-for-nothin' place in Corktown? I had the pleasure of dining at the Woodshop at least once before the fabled clash of pop culture and cable television. Sauntering up to the bar I noted the chipboard flooring that was either a brilliant design element or an attempt at pretentiousness. The "Bad Ass" beer logo Fathead affixed to the wall behind the bar started to turn my appreciation upward and the mention of Jim Beam on tap only added to that. A gaze at the menu had me hooked for a ride. Before I get to the details, let me summarize... THIS IS GREAT BBQ! Over my visits, I've partaken of burnt ends, house smoked chicken wings, pulled pork 'samich', beef brisket, spare ribs, hot links, and mac & cheese. Not once have I been disappointed with the quality of the meats. All have been smoked to perfection and are delivered on a quasi-rustic sheet pan for ambience. Every bite was succulent and I could easily go for some right now... and by right now, I mean right now. Whichever right now is going through your mind right now, that's the right now that I am talking about. While I don't really worry about sides when I'm in my carnivorous bbq zone, I felt an obligation to try the mac & cheese. It's good, but I wouldn't make a trip just for it. The sauces provided are all good, but I've still never come across what I consider to be a good Texas sauce. Of course, right after Bob and Guy aired on television, getting in has taken on a game of its own wherein you must strategize your ideal time for a good meal and balance it with the willingness to wait upwards of multiple hours while trouncing around town. But... it's worth it. I'm soooo hungry 'right now'!
(5)
Yolanda G.

The food is always great. The service is a little less. Me and my boyfriend go there a lot because we love the food. But if you happen to get a waiter named Gabe , ask for another one. He never came back to our table and when he did he had this "I'm too cool for this place" attitude. It honestly just turned us off to the place. So whenever we do go we always ask for any sever but him
(4)
Michael P.

So cool they forgot the food, which goes more downhill each time I visit. It is possible to love oneself too much.
(1)
Tim C.

Ahhhh, the Woodshop! Truly one of the best restaurants in the state. Service and atmosphere are fantastic, and the waitstaff seem to be passionate about their food. I always order the brisket and it never disappoints. The mac and cheese is far and away the best I've eaten at any restaurant. They also have lots of different regional sauces, which are all great, especially the locally made "Hell" sauce. The only negative I can think of is that there is always a long wait, but the bar upstairs is a great spot to have a drink and wait for your table.
(5)
Queen A.

Wow. Really, really, REALLY good, and I say this as the wife of someone who is VERY into BBQ joints. We left Cook's Farm Dairy on a Saturday afternoon in August 2013 with our 2-year-old, and stopped to get gas before heading home to St. Clair Shores. I noticed it was lunchtime, so at the gas station I pulled out my phone to see if there was any place nearby worth stopping at. I grew up in upper and lower Michigan, but had never been to Clarkston. We were pleasantly surprised and happy we didn't skip it and go straight home. The service was excellent. If you've ever dined out with a toddler, you know things can get messy. We sat outside -- there was no wait for a table -- and our server (I'm so sorry I didn't even get his name) accommodated my son to the max. He created a mini-easel out of two little clipboards and brought it with some brown paper and a box of crayons out. Life saver. Also brought him some fresh green apple slices straight from the smokehouse in a little dish, made some recommendations on food for the little guy (who ended up being happy with mac & cheese, one of my sides), and also went out of his way to find a plastic cup with a lid and straw. I seriously had no idea Kid Rock or Guy Fieri were into this place, and it wouldn't have really made a difference to me. The food was spectacular. I'd normally name Slows as my go-to joint when company's in town, but if I had the time, this is where I would be going every time, no doubt about it. My in-laws are coming this fall from CA and I can't wait to bring them here. I couldn't believe it when my husband just ordered a basic burger, so I did the pulled pork and can I just say that I will be happy not ordering another dish anywhere else. It was fantastic. Perfect texture. The side (besides mac & cheese) was roasted seasonal veggies, absolutely wonderful. Great selection of sauces available, and I love that the squeeze bottles are nice and cold and even seem clean (unlike your typical sticky diner ketchup bottles ... yuck). Fries were a little salty for my taste, but great texture and size. I'll definitely look for a reason to return to Clarkston!
(5)
Amy F.

I heard that this place was featured on the food network and had to check it out. I decided to call for reservation, but was told to come right in or we would have to wait. We went in at 4pm and the place became so busy. The service was great and the food was even better. I had the best macaroni and cheese in my life and the burnt end was great. If you are ever in the Clarkston area, you have to try this place, but I would get there at 4pm to avoid the lines
(5)
A W.

Yeah, our family loves this place and we go every chance we get!!! Mac n cheese is the best I've had from a restaurant thus far. The full ribs are a divine swine, and so is the pulled port sandwich. Staff is always helpful and friendly! The only thing is there is only 1 bathroom at a time, so if you have children that gotta go-its a wait....and the sweet tea is also great :) oh, and the bathroom is oh soo pretty and smells good...
(5)
Matthew B.

Mindblowing. Fantastic beyond belief. Delicious beyond words. I can't remember the last time I've raved about a meal I've just had all the way home. The Union Woodshop has by far and away the best combination of atmosphere, food, and service. For dinner we had the pulled pork, brisket, mac and cheese, cole slaw, and potato salad. Dessert was the pinnacle for me, the butterscotch pudding literally brought tears of joy to my eyes. Tears. Of. Joy. It was only through the superb recommendations of our waitress Kris that we easily had one of the best meals in a long time. Thanks to Kris and the Union Woodshop we are smiling those big, goofy smiles and feeling so very, very over-the-moon. Thank you Union Woodshop, and thank you Kris. We can't wait to see you again.
(5)
Joey J.

My fiancÃ© and I have visited Clarkston and the Union Wood Shop the past two years during out annual trip to Livonia to see friends. The town itself is beautiful and eclectic. The Wood Shop has a rustic/industrial theme, and the good the serve is wonderful. Give the chili with smoked ground beef a try, it brings a new twist to this classic. Also, if you would like to try a bit of everything they offer, try the Wood Fired "Wood Shop" pizza. A fantastic experience from start to finish.
(5)
Paula K.

The wait for a table and also for the entrees was long but the food was VERY good. (The appetizers did come out pretty quickly). I am a definite fan of the fried pickles, burnt ends, pulled pork sandwich, the super cheesy mac and cheese with the crisp crust...Oh, and the Butterscotch pudding with the hint of sea salt. Wow, just writing this and I am ready to go back. OH! And on tap..the BADASS BEER, which I hope they start bottling again soon. The service was friendly and knowledgeable. I will surely return here!!
(4)
Jimmy M.

I don't normally give 5 star reviews but this place is pretty much what you'd want in terms of BBQ. I came by myself and sat at the bar. The bartender was very cordial and pleasant to speak with. The beer selection was ok. They only had a few good beers but it's pleasant to see craft beer become more available in restaurants. I ordered a 1/2 slab of the baby back ribs with mac and cheese and onion rings. The food was very good and I finished everything but a couple onion rings. The portions were plentiful. I did not try any sauces because I believe that sauce is a means to sell a trojan horse of BBQ. I would recommend this place.
(5)
Kevin M.

The Woodshop hands down has the best barbecue I've ever had in my life. Everything on the menu from the appetizers, entrees (the Ultimate Porker lives up to the name!) and the desserts are fantastic. With food this good there is naturally going to be a wait, but the bar upstairs is a great place to relax while you wait for your table.
(5)
Darren E.

I don't get to Clarkston very often, mainly holidays but when I am in town I like to come here for BBQ. Great food and great selection. Pricing is not bad at all for what you get. The wait staff was friendly and helpful.
(5)
Ashley H.

I feel like writing a haiku for this place: Way better than Slow's The best barbecue in town Save room for dessert I love that they added an upstairs that's perfect for hanging out during a long wait. Cool bar, lounging areas, and a pool table. But really, their barbecue is amazing. I love Slow's, and everything about this place is better. You will not be disappointed. Their house-made sausage is awesome, as is their pulled pork, brisket, smoked chicken, etc. Of course the mac and cheese is legendary and does not disappoint. I ordered the coleslaw with my pulled pork and it was perfect. Slightly tangy, but cool and creamy. Perfect with the spicy Texas bbq sauce. The servings are LARGE. In an effort to save room for dessert, we split a pulled pork plate, added a third side and side car of chicken. Really, we could have skipped the extra side and chicken. I just wanted to sample a few more things. We still managed to take a large portion of pulled pork and some chicken home. The important thing is that we had room for dessert and we opted for the butterscotch pudding. It's way better than any you've ever had. Not overly sweet with a hint of salt. It was a perfect amount to share without overstuffing yourself.
(5)
Nelson R.

An amazing restaurant. Great atmosphere, beer selection, and an intriguing take on classic foods such as burgers and wraps.
(5)
Libby T.

Food was remarkable. Wait was tolerable. Service was miserable.
(3)
Sally S.

We've tried this place twice now because of the rave reviews and have been disappointed each time. The wood shop sticks and dip were nothing special. My kids didn't care for the Mac and cheese which was shocking and our burgers were huge but salty and overdone. If you want a good burger, Red Coat Tavern in Royal Oak is the place to go. I used to live in Grand Blanc and good restaurants are hard to come by so maybe that's why wood shop gets good reviews because it's a decent place for this area. However, when you eat at other metro Detroit BBQ places , this doesn't pass the test. Personally, we think Slows BBQ is the place to eat.
(2)
Brian K.

Excellent food and service. Ribs and pulled pork..may be hard to beat. Consistent for the 5 times I've been here. The only reason for 4 stars is I went here with 10 people in our party, and they REALLY cut down on the portion sizes for our table. Not cool.
(4)
Geno B.

Yes, it's my hometown. Yes, I'm probably biased. Yes, this my favorite BBQ joint in the USA. The Woodshop not only gets the ribs right, it serves the best side dishes as well; the mac-n-cheese is worth the trip all by itself. Heck, the Detroit Free Press named it their restaurant of the year -- and Clarkston is 50-miles north of the city.
(5)
Dan M.

Don't hesitate! Great atmosphere- good service. Burnt ends were more like chunky pieces of melt in you mouth brisket than dry barky bits. The chicken was incredibly moist, back ribs were fantastic- no sauce required! Good beers on tap
(4)
Maureen M.

Finally! The Woodshop has been on my list of places to try for awhile. It's not because of Guy Fieri or Kid Rock. I've simply heard amazing things about it. I realize there are a ton of reviews and I don't want to sound like a broken record. So, I'll stick to what stood out for me. I really appreciated the convenience & availability of parking in the back. I'm sure it gets packed quickly, but at 5pm, there were plenty of spots. We had 8 people in our party that arrived at various times. Most of the them were also able to park in the back. I got there early and tried to get a table. They wouldn't seat me until my friends arrived, so I sat at the bar. I didn't get a chance to look at the drink menu but the draft selection was pretty small & not very impressive. I was sort of disappointed since I've been to Vinsetta Garage, which has a great draft selection. My friend ordered the Woodshop Shandy & let me try it. WHOA! It was dangerously good. I had a long drive ahead of me, so I stuck with beer. I can see myself getting in trouble with that drink! Fortunately, they sat us when we had 4 people. Service was great! Our waiter was Kelen & he was so much fun. The chairs freaked me out a little. I thought I was going to fall backwards. We ordered the fried pickles to start. They were pretty good, but I am not a big fried pickle person. I ordered the pulled pork with mashed sweet potatoes w/ jalapeno & the union mac. I wasn't going to get the union mac because I'm rarely impressed with any mac & cheese. Kelen convinced me to try it though. I admit, it was pretty good. The crunchy topping is what makes it though. Without the crunchy topping, it wouldn't be very impressive. The pulled pork & sweet potatoes were awesome! I loved the sauces that I tried. I pretty much stuck with the Tennessee sauce, but tried the Asian one (I think it's NYC) and another one that I can't recall. The sweet potatoes had just a little jalapeno that added a nice spice to it. My husband got my leftovers, which was quite a bit! He normally isn't a huge fan of pulled pork because it tends to be fatty. This was by far the best he's ever had. There really wasn't any (or very little) fat and he loved the Tennessee sauce that I added. He is super picky too, so I am surprs I really can't wait to go back & take my husband. Everything on the menu looked wonderful. It was definitely worth the drive.
(4)
Roman G.

This place is a beast. I had shark succotash tonight. Absolutely brilliant. The wings are smoked. The sauces are perfection. The pizzas rule. If you're in the area you're a fool to miss this place. This place, as well as Vinsetta Garage and the Clarkston Union all have menus created by the same exec chef. All these places are not to be missed. Very special food for a small town.
(5)
Lauren D.

Yum! This is one of my favorite places. If you're going to the Woodshop on a Friday or Saturday night, be prepared for a crazy long wait for a table, but it's totally worth it if you're willing to make a night out of it. They have a decent sized bar upstairs with a good beer selection and a great atmosphere. The burnt ends appetizer is delicious, IF you're lucky enough to order before they run out. I love the pulled pork with their North Carolina vinegar sauce, and the mac n cheese is always great. The pulled pork entree comes with two sides, and is way more than enough to share. If you have room, try the butterscotch pudding. Amazing.
(5)
Meg K.

Between the four of us we ordered burgers, housemade hot dogs, pulled pork, mac&cheese, green bean casserole, slaw, potato salad, fries etc. We shared it all and I'm here to tell you that everything (okay, the hot dogs were a smidge dry) was well seasoned and appropriately moist, juicy, creamy, crunchy, smoky and the like. The desserts were a standout - the brownie skillet was ooey gooey chocolate bliss and I will remember the depth of flavor achieved in the peach cobbler sauce for a very long time. Our server was super friendly and very attentive. The serving vessels - cast iron skillets, aluminum trays, etc. are very fun. Comfortable atmosphere. You leave feeling happy. We'll be back.
(4)
Robert C.

The BBQ is pretty good. I have had the Kansas-style ribs which were good but I'd say "the Porker" is better. The atmosphere is nice and friendly but the music was a little loud. The downfall for me was the BBQ sauce. They do have a variety of them but I didn't care for any of the ones that I tried. The pricing is good for the amount of food you get. That are a busy place which means they are doing something right. There is room upstairs where you can wait and I think they have games to pass the time. Parking can be a little tricky also but if you get there early that is not an issue. Good eats!
(4)
Adam O.

The only way to review this place is by comparing it to the only other BBQ joint in Michigan that truly merits any conversation, Slow's. (Yes, RUB, Redsmoke, and Lockhart's, you are not worthy.) I'm a huge pulled pork fan and Union's was better. Mac and Cheese was a toss up. Brisket was better at Slow's, a little dry here. Sides, I'd give a slight edge overall to Union as the inclusion of collards w/ bacon puts it over top. Slow's has the better beer list, but Union's has the great upstairs lounge to wait in whileyour hour plus wait evaporates. Unfortunately, I didnt get to try any of the wonderful looking desserts as we were in a rush. Overall, they are neck and neck. Really depends on location and where you're coming from. I feel fortunate to have them both decently close.
(4)
Alexa C.

After living in Michigan for less than a year I moved back to the Carolina's and this is still the only BBQ I crave..... No comparison to the deliciousness of this place!!
(5)
Wendy C.

Phenomenally good BBQ, especially for this north of a location. It gives me hope that my hometown Toronto may one day be graced with a real and excellent BBQ joint. With multiple visits we've pretty much tried every meat and cut on the menu. Some are fabulous, others are good, none disappoints. Beef brisket is our absolute favourite, a perfect blend of spices in the dry rub and smokiness, and folk-tender. Side dishes are well executed as well, especially the awe-inspiring mac and cheese, and onion rings. Just a note, I've been to other highly rated BBQ places in northeast like Dinosaur's in Syracuse, Slow's in Detroit, etc., I'd rank Union ahead of the others. Go and enjoy!
(5)
Zac C.

Does anything else really need to be said about this place. There is nothing on this menu that isn't amazing. If you go, ask for Freddie, Gave amazing service, not overwhelming, cracked jokes, gave recommendations. Just do it, oh and get the Bourbon Sunday, trust me.
(5)
Ron C.

Well we wanted to go back for our 2nd visit, but have stayed away since it has aired on Diners Drive Ins & Dives 3-4-5 times + repeats , but we have a dear friend who loves brisket & road trips, so we surprised her with a UNION WOODSHOP VISIT. Today at 5pm. We only waited 22 minutes for a table. Also noteworthy is, Curt , Ann & Erich have the magic touch at hiring , great staff, who have the gift of gob & genuinely care about you & your experience, Both Hostesses tonight, amongst a see of hungry diners, took names & handed out pagers, all with a smile & grace. Once seated,our sensational Server OLIVIA bounced on the scene, this gal was too cool for school, yea an UBER COOL Server who knew the menu, very well. She started us off with hydration & woodsticks [Woodsticks are a signature appetizer here, glorious cheesy bread &garlic butter/ cream cheese dip] Our friend ordered a Brisket Platter with, collared greens/bacon & the LEGENDARY MAC Cheese WOW! A++ My Bride ordered 1/2 ribs with Hand Battered O-Rings & Red Skin Potato Salad A++ I ordered some side cars Red Hot Link, homemade A++ I also ordered Burnt Ends Charred brisket ends tossed in Memphis sauce & served on a slice of Texas toast A++ Green Been Casserole A++ Collared greens w/bacon A+ --------------- Another Note about the excellent staff Nacho [ yes that's his Roller Derby Street name ] , saw my wandering eye & asked if he could get me anything, I thanked him for his keen skills, & told him Olivia already got us. 'Nice' Well the gals saved room for the MAPLE BOURBON SUNDAE - MI maple syrup and Jim Beam sauce over house made liquid nitrogen ice cream with house smoked Spanish peanuts $5.25 This Dessert & MAC & Cheese alone is worth the 68 mile round trip drive! + the Village of Clarkston..must enjoy this welcome addition to downtown, as people were going in out of the small shops & boutiques with pagers in hand.. No wonder this place was 2011 restaurant of the year! freep.com/article/201102â€¦ cant wait to try the Vinsetta Garage & continue to lobby Curt /Ann & Erich for something on the eastside..
(5)
Mike B.

Another great experience from a local walk in. Been there done that is a reality but the waiter Dave was so courteous, kind and knowledgeable it felt like a virgin experience. If your restaurant is struggling -- steal this guy. WoodShop --another home run event
(5)
Roldan S.

Overall, a pretty great experience. The pulled pork was my favorite, moist and tender (5/5). The brisket was pretty good too (4/5)... Though my brother didn't share any of the fatty pieces with me. The Mac (Pasta) & Cheese was baked to perfection (5/5). Make sure to come with an appetite 'cause the portions are sizable. If they're telling you the wait is under an hour, it's definitely worth it. NOTE: They told my party the wait would be 45 minutes to an hour; we were seated after 30 minutes. This was my first time here, so I don't know if they make it a habit of overestimating wait times.
(4)
LaLenia G.

I bought into the hype- have eaten here at least four times. Never had anything I loved...it's ok. Just ok. The Mac and cheese everyone raves about...it was dry and just noodles with melted cheese. Meh. Not ever worth a two hour wait. The upstairs bar is cool, we like to drink there in the winter :)
(1)
Michael N.

One of Clarkstons best places to eat by far. The weekend nights there is a wait time, but it's worth it. All the food is good and it's priced well. The staff really moves quickly even when it's a packed house. A must if your in the Clarkston area.
(5)
Kristopher S.

Tried a pulled pork sandwich the other night and it was OK. I am not crazy about any of the sauces (they were alright...nothing special), the meat was good, but the bun was stale. Again just not impressed by this restaurant. To drive and/or wait hours for this place is crazy. I recently found the exceptional Smoke Street BBQ in Milford which is everything I had hoped Union Woodshop would have been and more.
(3)
Mike S.

The Union Woodshop is (by far) the best BBQ in the metro Detroit area. I've tried them all (yes Slows too) and the Woodshop is the BBQ champ. I usually get the Woodshop 101 which allows me to sample all the meats. The Mac and cheese is amazing...and make sure to try the burnt ends b/c they frequently run out.
(5)
Francine M.

Went in on a Sunday afternoon, got quick service. Wait staff was very helpful. I ordered the spare ribs, Mac and cheese and baked beans. The food was delicious, our server took the time to explain all of their sauces. Everything was hot and delicious. I will highly recommend getting the Mac and cheese even just as a side, it's well worth it.
(5)
Chelsey D.

As a huge food critic, I have to tell you this is my favorite restaurant of ALL TIME! The best value would be to get the Pulled Pork or Half Chicken combo! Make sure to try the award winning Mac & Cheese as one of your side items! If there is a wait, have some signature cocktails upstairs. My favorite is the Bloody Mary with cold smoked blue cheese olives and a smoked pickle. If that isn't your thing they have a great beer selection and pride themselves on supporting Michigan products.
(5)
Mandy S.

Love the union. I've only been there one time, but I was thrilled with the laid-back and overall courteous bartender. They also have a great Gluten Free menu. If you want a burger, you can get a Gluten Free bun! This is awesome. :) Oh and they offer a good selection of Gluten Free beer as well. One of my fav places. Small, might have a wait but it is wellllllll worth it! A gem in downtown Clarkston!
(5)
Greg N.

This has awesome barbecue. The wait can be long on weekends, but there is a nice sitting area upstairs for drinks while you wait. Lots of tasty and unique side dishes as well.
(4)
Victoria M.

This is by far my favorite restaurant! Very cool atmosphere. There is usually a wait, but you can go upstairs because there is a full bar, and have a drink or 2. (BEST bloody mary!) Food is always very good. Love the juicy lucy burger, pizza, and mac & cheese!
(5)
Barney C.

Great overall dining experience. This place was featured in Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and recommended to me by a coworker. The food was awesome and the drinks were great. Sat at the bar and got friendly service from the bartender. It seems to get packed so you might not want to come there famished or be ready to be on the hunt for seats. I definitely recommended checking out this spot that Kid Rock frequents. It's was worth the 40 minute drive.
(5)
Sheena B.

The food was all really good. Great wood fired pizzas, fried pickles, onion rings, green bean casserole and more. We really enjoyed our time there.
(5)
Anaa N.

Been here twice so far. Will definitely be going back. Expect to wait, even on a week night, and even if you go early. But just go on upstairs and have a drink and play some pool -- it's worth the wait. Food is excellent, and I am pretty fussy. I'm a good cook and am often disappointed when I go out to a restaurant, thinking I could have done this better and saved my money -- but NOT HERE! Everything... seriously EVERYTHING has been excellent. Melt-in-your mouth brisket, excellent ribs, amazing Mac & Cheese, etc., etc. Cool, casual, rustic decor. Staff were great both times, both the bartenders and wait staff. And the prices are actually reasonable. Honestly, it's that good.
(5)
Erin K.

I like that this BBQ joint is more 'upscale' than all of the traditional BBQ places. And they have a smoky bacon beer that was incredible (but steep at $10 a bottle), which is surprising since I had an amazing drink (Faygo Rock N Rye and Red Stag) for only $4.25 regular price. And the building is big and can hold a lot of people, but I didn't find the BBQ to be anything spectacular. It is a good pick if you are in the area, but not my favorite BBQ place.
(3)
Enid H.

The whole family had the best meal! Our 7 year old said the burger was the best she ever had (bc of the bread) and we all kept swiping her fries, the 9 year old kept repeating "this is chili" and macncheese was crusted on top just like she loves. My wedge had just enough zip in the dressing and the tomato soup was awesome. Husband loved the pork! Try sides of Rice and beans, creamy potatoes and collard greens. Yum!
(5)
Jim E.

Overall this was a solid place to try out. We were there around 4:30 on a Saturday, shortly after that time there was over an hour wait! The service was very attentive, but slow overall due to the large volume of people. The atmosphere in this place was better then I expected, very lively and the decor is modern as well. The when you go downtown Clarkston it is quite a charming feel to this town, you can feel the vibrancy! The Woodsticks (starter bread sticks) are above average, I thought the dip would have been more cream cheesy then like garlic The wings are very meaty and flavorful, an excellent choice. The Beef Brisket is really good, as is the Macaroni and Cheese which has a unique flavor. I thought it was a Beef Brisket sandwich but you just get the meat, the Brownie dessert was average I thought it could have been a little more of a wow factor. Overall this is great home come cooking, the food and presentation actually makes it feel like your in the South...definitely worth a try! There was a buzz with the locals in this place, they mentioned it will be featured on Diners Drive In's and Dives December 12th at 10pm.
(4)
Shannon B.

What a cool atmosphere! So happy they had Michigan beer on tap especially Witch's Hat. Excellent food and fantastic service! Highly recommend the mac n cheese. Full Gluten Free menu as well. Didn't have to wait long for a table!
(5)
Adam M.

Went on a Sunday afternoon, pretty busy but got seated right away. Had the brisket dinner with pulled pork and sweet mash and Mac n cheese. Mac n cheese was excellent and pulled pork.was so moist and tender, loved the mason jar glasses and the whole atmosphere, only complaint is the brisket was a lil fatty, well worth the drive from saginaw
(5)
Melody M.

Wonderful atmosphere. Food is wonderful. Love this place! Great meeting spot with friend!
(5)
Kim V.

Second time here. Great barbeque! Great sides! Love the fried pickles. Everything here is yummilicious! Run there before your concerts at D.T.E.
(4)
Megan T.

Better than Slow's, better than your mom's barbecue. Best BBQ in Michigan. The food: EXCELLENT! You'd be crazy not to order off their bbq menu (and choose 2 sides). I have tried the brisket, pulled pork and cajun catfish and all are really great! You can order the catfish and choose 2 sides just like the other combos. My favorite sauce is the Tennessee sauce, but they are all good in their own way. The pizza is really good too. All the food is excellent - you can't go wrong. The atmosphere: Casual, fun, intimate. It's always busy, but you feel like a special table. Drinks are served in Mason jars, food is served on trays lined with paper- it's casual. The service is always good, but considering that they are so busy you might have to wait a while, but it's well worth the wait. Full bar- if you go any day between 6-7 you should expect to wait an hour. They renovated the upstairs to be a full bar, so relax and have a House Margarita (made with fresh juices). You wouldn't expect such fresh food and drinks from a place like this but it is fantastic. Worth the money, worth the wait, and I visit this place all the time when I'm in MI.
(5)
Mark B.

Food is decent. I prefer upstairs but they don't serve food on the second level.
(3)
John N.

An awesome place to worship at the temple of meat. The wings were some of the best I have ever had. The pulled pork and burnt ends were downright tasty as well. The ribs drew rave reviews from some other guests in our party. Plus the have an an excellent selection of beers including many local choices. They could use a few more veg items though.
(4)
Margo K.

Great barbeque, awesome beer/cidar from local breweries. You have to try the wings- they're not greasy, great flavor, try with Hell sauce. My favorite is the pulled pork sandwich. No reservations, can get really noisy on Friday and Saturday.
(4)
Christine N.

I went to Woodshop without ever hearing about it. I am new to MI. I should have checked my phone for reviews/suggestions before ordering. Based on reviews I definitely would have tried the pulled pork. However, as a huge pulled pork (and BBQ) fan from Kansas City, I was tired of being disappointed by MI BBQ places so I went with the Woodshop burger. It was really good but dear lord it was heavy/greasy. I tried a bite of the onion ring. Very good/crisp but I decided to take it off the burger and didn't eat it. Although everything tasted wonderful, it was just too much for me. So heavy and greasy I couldn't finish it although I wished I could. I know people who would have called it perfect (big greasy burger is what they like) just not for me. The sauce that came with the meal was wonderful both on the burger and the fries. I will definitely be back. I can tell they know what they are doing. I simply ordered the wrong thing for myself. Hopefully I can return soon and re-review. One last thing is the patio. I enjoyed being able to sit outside but it has to be the most inconvenient set-up. You walk out the back door, into the parking lot, and around the side of the building to get there. The building was definitely not built for a patio and travel to/from the patio is awkward.
(3)
Jerri B.

Just like the majority of all the other reviewers have indicated: Food is AWESOME!!!!! We had the 101 (all meat!) and the Brisket. Loved both! Disappointed no burnt ends when getting there at 6 pm on a Sunday night (we still waited for an hour), but it is what it is and we will try to get them next time. Brownie Pot Pie was awesome. My suggestion; however, would be to offer some of their awesome HOT appetizers at the bar --- as at least one other reviewer stated, one can get in big trouble at the bar for 1-2 hours on an empty stomach. Allow us to order the wings, pickles, bread, and burnt ends at the bar for a perfect 5 rating!
(4)
Susan R.

This is one of out favorite places! It is so good we are willing to drive 45 minutes to get there. The BBQ is the best I have ever had and everything is so fresh and unique. The decor is super hip and it's always a fun atmosphere. Try this place, you won't be disappointed!
(5)
Justin A.

Who knew in the heart of a little village called Clarkston that a joint could crank out such incredible barbecue that makes you honestly decide whether to drive to Detroit or drive to the outskirts of Oakland County for some righteous barbecue? Anywho, my brother and I went on a Sunday afternoon and the wait was about 15 minutes so we mozied around the place checking out the decor and what not. Meanwhile, the bartender gave us drinks while we waited. So for appetizers we had the deep-fried pickles with the memphis mayo (as they call it). 4 WHOLE pickles at $2.50 was a bargain considering how incredibly delicious they were. The batter was crisp and the pickle was warm, crunchy and tangy. And the batter stuck so when you bit it, the rest of the pickle didn't follow. Mayo was delicous. The other appetizer was the burnt ends served on texas toast. I feel bad because I was so into the pickles, I couldn't appreciate these as much. But nonetheless, they were meltingly tender and delicious. For the main entree I got the beef brisket with a "sidecar" of dark meat chicken along with 2 sides: the mac & cheese and onion rings w/ memphis mayo. It also comes with a jalapeno corn muffin with sweet buddah. Brisket was delicious. Smoky, tender, overall great. Chicken was juicy with a nice crisp skin that was slightly smoky. It went especially well with the "Bama" sauce. Mac & cheese was great and had a great top crust. I love the crusties. Onion Rings were awesome and had the same batter as the aforementioned pickles. Corn muffin= delicious. There are 6 sauces total i believe?? All delicious especially the Bama and Tex sauce. Tried the "hell" sauce and it was mad spicy. Also drinks are served in nice mason jars. The food was delicous, the waitress knew what the sauces were and suggested which sauce goes with which meat best and overall, I had a great dining experience at Union Woodshop. I most definitely will be making the 45 minute drive back just for those deep fried pickles.
(5)
Jonathon J.

Definitely one of my favorites. Next great place with a cool atmosphere. There is usually a wait. The longest was about 2-1/2 hours, but u can wait upstairs by the bar and sit by the lounge area. They have a pool table and a few other games as well.. They have good beer and a great bourbon menu. For appetizers the burnt ends and fried pickles are a must try. Don't hesitate with the pizza; it's pretty tasty. Burgers are great, but the porker should be your first. The main dish is usually gonna be pulled pork and a side of sausage with Mac and fries.. I've tried pulled pork at a lot of places and by far this place delivers. I have a hard time ordering anything else off their menu because the pulled pork is that good. Juicy and flavorful every damn time. Other then that try their brisket or baby's.. I also like my BBQ sauces hot; they have a special one that they keep in the back called hell. It's made with Ghost chili, beam red Stag and maple syrup which is amazing "love it". You won't have room for dessert, but you will probably still order a deep fried twinky lol
(4)
Nathasja T.

After endless hint-dropping, I was finally able to penetrate my husbands ears and mind and we made the trek out to the remote citt of Clarkston, Michigan. On a beautiful Wednesday night, the 40 minute wait wasnt as terrible as it could have been had it been February- for example. I actually enjoyed the time I was able to spend with my husband, wandering through the quaint little downtown area and browsing some boutiques. When it was our turn to be seated, we order a couple of waters and an order of fire sticks. These bread sticks were doughy, crispy and plain yummy, especially when slathered with the fresh chive creamcheese that accompanies them. I knew I would have the pulled pork with sides of mac n cheese and sweet potato mash, and Erin chose the half chicken with mac n cheese and onion rings. The pulled pork was amazing, super tender, smokey and juicy. And super sized! Be warned, a mountain o' pork lies in your future when you order this. Now I'm going to tell you a secret, as long as you promise to keep the booeing at bay. I dont like mac n cheese, and especially dislike the staple Kraft version. Some things you just need to grow up with such as root beer and Miracle Whip for example, and I did not grow up on mac and cheese. Only since lately I have been interested in venturing out into this foreign foodstuff, and now that I have I am on a mission to find one that I like. Union Woodshop makes some crazy good mac and cheese, and by my unbiased noob standards- that says a lot. Now I need to find a way to copy it at home, maybe make it a teeny bit creamier - and I am one step closer to becoming the perfect American wife! I was a little less enthusiastic about the sweet potato mash. Though I love jalapenos, they made my portion of mash slightly bitter in my opinion. Erin's chicken was moist and smokey, with a wonderfully crispy outside. I liked putting a little bit of the mustard sauce on the bites that I hijacked off his plate. The onion rings were crunchy yet light (not soggy or heavy with grease). The 'mayonaise' these are served with was great! My favorite sauces are the mustard sauce and the hell sauce. Hell sauce sounds a lot worse than it is, in my opinion it was barely 'warm' on the heatscale ranging from 'no big deal' to 'holy crap I need a gallon of milk'. I am actually fairly certain this has an apple sauce base, and perhaps this is why it isnt as potent as a vinegar based sauce would be. Speaking of which, the 'hot' vinegar based sauce which also comes on request was a real good compliment to the pulled pork. When we heard about the XXX sauce, we had to try it out! More of a paste versus a sauce, this concoction is actually quite gross. Think ground chillies without any attempt of improving/adding to the flavor, putting all focus on pure heat. This stuff was very doable heat-wise, flavor wise not so much. I get the impression it is more of a gimmicky item versus a serious condiment. Already bursting at the seams, yet stubborn and chanting YOLO (ok- not really..!) we ordered not one, but two desserts. We were having ourselves a regular old feast, and one dessert simply wouldnt do. Butterscotch with smoked salt pudding, and a brownie skillet with liquid nitrogen vanilla icecream were our poisons of choice. The butterscotch pudding was simply amazing. So creamy and dreamy, and the saltiness and sweetness were such a great marriage in this dessert, it became difficult to put our spoons down. And I dont even like butterscotch. The brownie skillet was..disappointing. I think that in all fairness anything eaten directly after that heavenly pudding needs to be pretty stellar for it not to feel a little blah. I did not particularly care for the icecream. Though cool and totally geek-chic, I found the consistency strange and hard to get used to. The brownie itself was chocolatey, but also a little eggy. Like it needed more flour in order for it to achieve a more conventional consitency. I also want to thank the drink menu, as though I did not want to consume alcohol that evening the Kid Rock 'n Rye provided some great inspiration to make at home sometime. Jim Beam and Rock 'n Rye? Hells yeah. Everything considered the Union Woodshop had me fall in love with their food and atmosphere, as well as the adorable city of Clarkston. We will definitely be back!
(4)
Diane M.

Great place to find unique things! Love to shop
(5)
Regina S.

Wanted to update since we went back for pizza and ribs. We came in the back way this time, and probably will from now on just to smell the smoker sitting outside!! We got to go upstairs this time and check out the bar. Pool table and old school bowling game were quite cool, and lots of chairs, stools and couches to chill on, aside from the bar itself. It doesn't appear that any eating goes on upstairs. I didn't ask, but saw no food or menus up there.. We were seated about 10 mins after being told 30-45 mins so that was AWESOME! We ordered the burnt ends, and were sad to discover that they had just run out...on a Monday night. Got Woodsticks instead, and they were pretty good. Liked the cream cheese dip, but I wasn't blown away. We ordered the half slab of baby back ribs and a woodshop pizza. Neither disappointed!!! Sooo smokey and delish... My mouth is watering just writing about it!! Tried the sauces this time..(that white one really skeeves me out...mayo based and left out on the tables all day... fucking GROSS) and found that the NC mustardy one was just so great on everything I poured it on. I could have drank that shit right out the bottle!!! Unfortunately, they don't bottle it. Damn!! We were so stuffed and happy when it was all over, I really wish I lived closer!!! /Smoky!!
(4)
Randy C.

I was visiting Detroit a few weeks back and wanted to see what Kid Rock raves about. I am a believer now!!!!! I sat at the bar in the back left in front of the American Bad Ass mirror. I had the ribs and I absolutely loved them. Dry rubbed to perfection and really enjoyed the array of sauces. My sides were the beans and cole slaw and both were enjoyable. They also had Tito's vodka!!!! Get here early!!!
(5)
Dr. J.

Bar food taken to a gourmet level! A real gem for Clarkston. This place makes no qualms about being a neighborhood joint with a back woods feel. Drinks are served in mason jars. The floor is made of cheap particle board and the bathroom tiles have interestingly been replaced by pennies. It's all brought together tastefully by the reclaimed-antique style decor. I am consistently pleased with the gourmet bar food this place serves, especially its great pizza cooked in a CoCo gas fired brick oven. The selection of local Michigan beer is fantastic, including Kid Rock's Bad Ass Beer. To really enjoy a mason jar of Bad Ass Beer, order the Summer shanty. Fantastic! It was hard to get a seat here for about a year after Guy Fieri featured it on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Locals grumbled phrases like "over-rated" and "pretentious" for a while, but everything seems to be back in order.
(4)
Evie B.

If you know my husband, you know that he does not like to wait. His mantra "I've earned my stripes to not wait" whatever that means, I have no idea...but tonight (actually earlier today) he had to wait and I heard about it all the way up until he took his first bite of food. : ) LOL I've been hearing about this place for quite some time and it was #83 on the list of places to go...but this past Friday, my interest was piqued when a friend mentioned that infamous mac/cheese. So, I bumped this right up to #1. I called ahead, just to check about reservations, but non sai frais, they do not accept reservations. So we headed out around 3 and arrived at 3:50. At that time, the place was packed and there was a wait of an hour and twenty minutes. I would have bellied up to the bar, except that I couldn't see the bar... The hostess was most gracious and so very nice. God bless her, because we patrons can be royal pains in the arses. I was going to start giving her a $ for every time someone asked, "what time do we have to get here and not have to wait?" I hope that as I age, I do not become grumpy and impatient. Like it's her fault the place was busy...my next favorite statement, "did you forget us?" "Weren't we before them?" I wanted to leave a tip for the hostess! By the time we sat down at 5:15, there was a 2 hour wait for dinner. The place is much bigger than I expected. There are two bars, but with it being so busy, I couldn't find my way to either one and if I had, I would have had a liquid dinner and not been able to enjoy dinner. : ) Take Slows BBQ and triple the size. Very nice ambiance. Loud. Fast service with a smile ; ) I didn't feel like we were elbow to elbow with our neighbors; close enough to ask what was good and what to avoid and where did they get their cool hats from...lol We start with the fried pickles. MEH...but this is a personal thing, not that theirs were bad. I like dill chips and a light breading. These were frieds spears and the doughy breading. They were good, but not my favorite. Great price; $2.50 for four spears. My husband had the pulled pork; very nice portion, no fat, no gristle just nice smoky tender shredded pork. My husband slathered it with some Tenn. Sauce and it was good to go : ) He had the collard greens as one of his sides and said they were very flavorful, but a bit on the spicy side. $13.95 My son had the 1/2 chicken; very juicy and very very flavorful, nice and smoky, well done. No pinkness...very nice size. He had two sides of the fries. He said they were the best fries, ever. I think he said that about Dino's fries, too...LOL $13.95 I had the 1/2 slab kansas city ribs, but they looked like babybacks. Kansas city tend to be longer bones and meatier. These were GREAT regardless of what they were. The meat literally just fell off the bone. PERFECT burnt ends, nice outer crust, and juicy melt in your mouth meat. Not fatty and no gristle. PERFECT!!!! $14.95 I had the FAMOUS mac/cheese as one of my sides OMG, OMG, OMG!!!! HEAVEN. I word of caution HOT. This is where a restaurant has to be careful, you don't want the mac so hot that the cheese sauce curdles (SLOWS). The crunchy, buttery topping and the nice blend of cheeses; perfect! DON"T CHANGE THE RECIPE!!! I also had the onion rings..MEH. They were an after thought to the ribs and mac. They were thick and had a thick breading. Not my thing. I tried all of the BBQ sauces YUK to NYC and the white sauce. YUM to Tenn. Texas and S. Carolina. I also LOVE the mason jar drink glasses. I think I'm throwing out all of my glasses and replacing them with mason jars. : ) I would recommend refrigerating them, just to give the beverage a lil oomph. All our entrees were piping hot. We have so much food leftover for another meal...lunch tomorrow!!! And if you do have to wait, the lil' buzzer thing can reach a signal for up to three blocks. Get your buzzer and then go out and look at all the cute lil' shops.Or if you live close, go home and relax...and return : ) Happy Eating!!! UPDATE: today we ate the leftovers. A sign of good BBQ is when the BBQ tastes as good the second day as it did the first day. : ) This was perfect.
(5)
Loren K.

Delicious food. I'm not particularly fond of the high noise level, long wait and inability to reserve tables, or young and immature waitstaff... but the food USUALLY makes up for all that.
(3)
Krisitn M.

Friend's took me when I was in town. I wasn't particularly impressed. I'm not a big meat eater (primarily vegetarian) so maybe that was the problem.
(3)
Mark S.

BBQ was very good, Large variety of quality sides. Server was knowledgible and prompt. Portions were large.
(4)
Brian W.

Well well well. We finally made it. Date night with the wife. No kids. We showed up around 830p, well aware of the impending wait. Tap of the fork to other reviews for the heads up. 2 1/2-3 hour wait? Sure, why, not. So with our vibrating drink coaster in hand, we headed up stairs. Started a tab, sat back, made some friends at our table and joined the crowd of "waiters. " When someone's coaster lit up- it was like they had won the lotto! high fives for everyone! After about 90 minutes, it was our turn. We went with pulled pork, beef brisket, Mac and cheese, collared greens, Cheesy potatoes and spicy sweet potatoes. We easily could have split one meal. But of course we left with a smile having left overs to take home. well.worth.the wait. Top notch food. Great service. Huge selection of food, craft beers and drinks. We will be back!
(5)
Ranger R.

You know, the wait was pretty long... A consistent long wait is either the sign of poor management or simply great food that everyone wants. Well this place had proven the latter. Their food is great, and by the way, the wait was totally stomachable with the large waiting area/bar area upstairs, really a pretty cool experience. I had the porker, way more food than I typically can eat, but it had such depth and breadth of flavor, I couldn't help myself. Overall it was a great experience and the food was delicious, I will be back time and time again. Can't wait until the owners get their new place open in Fenton... Talk about wait! Construction is taking a lifetime! :-)
(5)
Brian M.

The porker burger is fantastic, although a complimentary angioplasty should be offered! Excellent!
(5)
Ashley D.

LOVE this place! My favorite is pulled pork with mac and cheese and sweet potato mash. Close runner up is the loaded potato pizza- it has a pleasantly surprising shittake bacon. Least favorite is woodshop 101 pizza- seemed to have no pulled pork and the meats just didn't blend well with the flavor of the pizza. There is usually a wait but theres a very cool bar area upstairs to pass the time in. I plan on going here many more times!
(5)
Crystal W.

Con No. 1. We went to there on a early Saturday night, but the waiting time is 2 hours and 45 minutes!!! This is the longest waiting time I have heard. Suggestions: We decide to buy take-out and bring food back home. The total wait is only 20 minutes! This could be a solution for people who hate the long waiting line but don't mind eating at home. Con No. 2: Chicken looks like not be cooked through. Even the meat close to the skin part still looks red! But I guess this should be okay to eat, but it seems that they use frozen chicken and haven't defrozen them enough. Pro No. 1: The pork is super good! I have tried a lot of BBQ places in the south, but this place is one of the top ones! Five stars + an extra flower! Pro No. 2: Ribs have good flavor, but a little bit dry. Four stars! Union woodshop is a very good restaurant in general. I just think the wait is too ridiculous.
(4)
Becki B.

Yum! Union Woodshop would be a great place to visit for any occasion! Tonight we headed out for a casual dinner for me, hubby, our four-year-old daughter and our newborn son. The wait for a table was about 45 minutes, but there were still a couple businesses open on the block that we visited, and then it was a nice enough night out for our daughter to play hide-and-seek behind the lightpost outside :) Once we were seated, our waiter (Ben) enthusiastically explained the specials, and almost changed my mind about my order. He was raving about the lasagna that night, and when I saw it delivered to the table next to us I was again afraid I may regret my BBQ order. But I certainly did not! I got the beef brisket, and it was fabulous. I usually stay away from brisket, as most of them have a little more fat than I enjoy, but Union Woodshop's brisket was perfectly delicious! I also loved the homestyle fries. I'm usually really good about finishing up my meat, but frequently leave sides like fries after a few bites. These fries and the dip that came with them were disappearing fast right along with the brisket and slaw. I was mildly devastated to find they were out of Southern Comfort, but I may have found a new favorite drink as well. The Kid Rock n Rye was super sweet and satisfying for me. Overall, this was a dining experience that was worth the wait, and I can't wait to go back again!
(5)
The Critic C.

The people watching is off the charts and the grub is real good. -1 star for little fancy portions and the high probability that you will be accosted by a weirdo asking to play pool with you by putting his hand on your leg. Service is super slow but it's made up for with the good grub and accommodating atmosphere. If they tell you "hour" wait... it could be an hour, it could be 10 minutes, it could be 3 hours... I don't think there is any rhyme to the reason here. All in all, I likes it more than I hates it.
(4)
MJ W.

I was up here again for NAIAS. I normally go to Slow's BBQ, but I was told this is THE place to get you meat in the D. We drove far from downtown Detroit to Clarkston to Union Woodshop. We were told there would be a 2.5 hour wait. We knew the wait would be long going in, so expect it. I ordered the Woodshop 101 with fried pickles. The pickles were great. They didn't sound that good, but they are quartered, so it is a nice balance of pickle and breading. The Woodshop 101 is a nice sampler of their best smoked meats. I got chicken, baby back ribs, and the pulled pork. All were fantastic, but the pulled pork took the prize. I got the greens and macaroni and cheese. They were just awesome. I wanted to try everything on their menu. It was all so good. I could not eat anymore and I ordered the butterscotch pudding before hand, so I got it to go and enjoyed it a few hours later. It was creamy topped with smoked sea salt and whipped cream. It was so simple and so good. The only thing that was not 5 stars was the American Bad Ass Beer. It was not good. They have MANY beers that are, but I wanted to try something new. I don't think I would order it again. Overall great food with great service! Well done Union Woodshop!
(5)
Trey B.

It is hard to find a true bbq place so far north but the Union Woodshop certainly delivers. They have a wide array of bqq'ed goodness. They have rotating microbrew selection so there is always something new to try. The only problem I could see is coming here as a vegetarian, but what else would you expect from a bbq joint haha.
(5)
Austin S.

Went to this place on a whim since I was in the area. Best decision I've made in quite some time. I got here on a Sunday morning as soon as they opened, which I'm glad I did. The place filled up her almost immediately. wait staff was fun and friendly, and while I understand that the Union Station down the road has a better craft beer selection, the beer selection here was still impressive! Dragon's Milk goes perfectly with comfort food. The woodsticks and fried pickles were amazing and extremely affordable. The Mac and cheese was fantastic, and the atmosphere was rustic and inviting. The bar upstairs was very comfy and a great place to sit down and have a drink with some friends. I can't wait to come back here!
(5)
Kara D.

My husband and I are lucky enough to live just a few miles from The Woodshop. It's so good and is definitely our go-to place when dining out. His favorite meal is the pulled pork, and I love their pizza. We've also had the Woodshop 101, which I would recommend if it's your first time there! It allows you to try three of their different meats and a few different sides. There is usually a wait, but the food always makes it worth it! :)
(5)
Justin C.

LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!! We live up the road a few miles and try to frequent here at least 2 times a month and sometimes more. When it's just the wife and I we generally will always get one pulled pork dinner and then try whatever the current special is. This time it was queso sliders. These things were amazing! I would get these every time if they were put on the menu. If you don't like smoke bbq then your not human...... or maybe just a vegetarian..... which then I still stick with the first statement. The wait can be long but absolutely worth it. Grab a beer at the bar and take in the many smells this place has to offer.
(5)
Monte B.

The place is cool and Clarkston is a great little town to get out to but has anyone in this area ever eaten good BBQ!?! Don't get me wrong but the pulled pork is not even close to good. The consistency was that of tuna fish that had been shredded in a food processor. Flavor was OK but the texture ruined it. I really hope this was a case of a lazy cook and not what they put on a plate regularly. The side were very good though but I did not come to Clarkston to fill up on side dishes. Service was just fine. especially for a weekend night. Drunks guys at the bar were entertaining and generously bought us drinks b-cuz they were a little loud (and they knew it, just couldn't control it). I'm giving 3 stars for the disappointing pork. I don't live in the area so a return trip soon is not likely. If the pork was even in the descent category this place would have a 4 stars and a quicker return visit from me. Someone please show me you can provide SE Michigan with a true Kansas style smoked BBQ.
(3)
Henry C.

I was on a business trip and Union Woodshop was recommended by a local person. The place was very busy even on a Monday night. I was by myself so I sat at the bar. The bartender was very helpful in explaining what the restaurant is known for and went over their specialties. I ended up getting the woodshop101 (sampler) where I selected the pulled pork, baby back ribs, 1/4 dark chicken, mac & cheese and maple syrup sweet potato mash. I also added a hot-link sausage. He also went on to explain the different BBQ sauces available. The pulled pork was juicy and tender. The baby back ribs fell off the bone. The hot-link sausage was flavorful. The mac & cheese was baked so the top layer was crispy and cheesy. Everything was delicious as described. I'd recommend this place if you're in town or around the area. They don't take reservations if you're thinking about going with a bigger group.
(5)
David M.

OMG awesome BBQ!!! I ordered the brisket and it was delicious with nice burnt on it!! We only had to wait about 20 min for our table for 4 on a saturday, we got there around 5pm. The Union Workshop has a very cool vibe to it. The waitress we had was friendly, didn't rush us and very efficient. The meal came with 2 sides, I got the mac n cheese(very good) and the green bean casserole (excellent!) the corn bread (delicious) If there was a negative it was the choice of BBQ sauces to use. I liked the Memphis Tennessee sauce best, though I've had better bbq sauce Now for dessert, we ordered the deep fried twinkie with chocolate sauce over it! Unbelievably Awesome!!! Over-all a Great experience, will definitely will go back! The pizza looked really good so might need to try that next time!! Cheers!
(4)
Brendan C.

I have been coming to the Woodshop ever since I could remember, as a Clarkston native, I went when it was Pizza coco/The Clarkston Cafe. Hands down, pizza coco was the best thing out there. When the restaurant changed to the union woodshop it was great, but, ever since it was on diners drive-ins and dives, the wait has been unbearable, it is tolerable but extraordinary. All in all, it is a great restaurant and I highly recommend it!
(5)
Mark M.

Great American food. Pulled pork, Mac and cheese and mashed sweet potatoes. Top that off with a Bell's two hearted on draft and you have a great meal. Staff was very knowledgable friendly and attentive. All around good experience.
(5)
Rob E.

This place is simply awesome. Only 2 visits thus far but the food I have had is amazing. Have sampled all BBQ options, catfish, and mac n cheese, beans, and greens. If you dig hot links, theirs is killer, try it on a side car. Craft brews available are sure to please the beer lover, I appreciate seeing Shorts and Bells available. Upstairs is for pre-dinner drinks when the wait is really long. The cocktails available are good and beer list is again sure to please anyone passionate about decent beer. Badass (Bobby Rock's vested presence) is available but I would suggest trying a really good beer. Have never had room for any dessert. Burgers and pizza here are next on my agenda for this place. Just go to the Woodshop...If there is a wait, go upstairs and hangout. Good for people watching and enjoying a drink.
(4)
Faith K.

Heard so much about this place had to try it. Me and boy wonder opted for trying it out on a random Tuesday night. Got there about 6 and were seated right away! My brother raves that this place "has a great vibe". I thought it was fun and eclectic. We sat right under where Guy signed the wall. Service was great - prompt and personable. I love drinking anything out of a mason jar, so beer from a mason jar is the bees knees. Got the burnt ends app, came out super fast and was super yummy. Boy wonder loved how big it was (ha). When the food arrived, I loved the cafeteria-esque metal trays with brown paper it was served on. Also enjoyed the sides in the small plastic condiment dishes. Ah, nostalgia. I got the pulled pork, mac n cheese, and sweet potatoe hash. LOVED it all. Sweet potatoe hash was a bit smooth for me (I like a little texture) but flavor was good. Pork was awesome, tried all the bbq sauces, like Tennessee the best. I was hoping they would have a cherry or apple type sauce but no luck. The mac n cheese delivered as I expected! Creamy with a crunchy top. Boy wonder got briscuit, baked beans, and potatoe salad. All was tasty, he felt the baked beans were so so-so, but meat and potatoe salad were fantastic. So I'm a girl who LOVES cornbread, and this corn muffin did not disappoint. I could have eaten a dozen of them. Was tempted by dessert but passed from the meat food coma we were in. All in all, great experience.
(4)
James M.

Always happy with the Woodshop!! Great food, drinks and atmosphere. Really neat upstairs to hang out while you wait (sometimes a long wait, but thats a good thing).
(5)
Kathryn R.

Happy to share that my second visit to Union Woodshop was just as tasty as I remember it a few months earlier! Impressed with the quality and freshness of the food my Mom and I ordered. Cooked to perfection and mouthwateringly succulent, our large portion meals really satisfied! Even the leftovers blew my mind. Especially recommend: butterscotch pudding with sea salt. Less impressed with the one hour wait at 8pm on a Wednesday night, although enjoyed passing the time hanging out at the well appointed bar. Planning to eat here any time I crave BBQ, worth the drive from Ann Arbor!
(4)
Shelby H.

Sadly, I came back to my review to downgrade it. The food is excellent, but the service and wait times continue to suck. The wait times continue to be ridiculous, even on weekdays. They won't take reservations. This past time we went on a Tuesday and it was an hour wait. Another couple who was waiting said they were going to leave because they'd already been waiting an hour and had seen other people walk in and get a table sooner than them. Further, friends of mine went recently on a Friday night and waiting 2 1/2 hours before they just decided to leave. I was happy to learn that they opened up the upstairs, but then let down when I found out it's basically just a waiting area with a bar. It doesn't provide more available tables. While I realize such popularity is a good thing and is only within so much of their control, this past time we went the pulled pork wasn't good at all. The texture was different it was very greasy. Big let down. It's good but not good enough to wait for an hour plus anymore.
(3)
Kyle W.

Amazing food. Awesome service. Good times!
(5)
Tony M.

Union Woodshop is well worth the drive from anywhere in Metro Detroit. I took my folks there for birthdays, and everyone was very impressed. The meat is off-the-hook, and the side dishes are amazing. Everyone tried everyone else's, and nothing was anything other than delicious. The sidecar of meat is a bargain, but I'm going to warn all of the Yelpers that they probably will bring all of that and part of the main meal home as leftovers. The portions are super-sized, and that's not a bad thing when food is this good. The service is very attentive and the food comes out in a good amount of time, particularly considering how busy they are. The sauces are very good, even the mayo-based one and the hoisin style. Did I mention the fantastic side dishes? The only two negatives I can mention are the extremely high noise level (particularly in the first room), and the fact that parking can be tricky. But those are far outweighed by the food. Just don't expect to have a conversation. Not that it matters, you'll be too busy stuffing food in your mouth! If you like BBQ, then make sure to add Union Woodshop to your list!
(5)
Bill B.

As a vegetarian, one of the things I miss about my meat-eating days is good barbecue. When I was a traveling musician, I always looked forward to the band's trips down south so that I could renew my vows with the magical sauces and sides. Union Woodshop doesn't have veggie barbecue. However, they have a lot of other stuff that is the bomb. The macaroni and cheese is oven baked, gooey, crispy heaven. Vegetarian black beans and rice are warming bordering on downright soulful. There is a serious coleslaw that challenges the southern stuff of my memory. The barbecue sauces, which I used on my pretty good but not the best fries (memo to chef: easy on the salt), are far from ordinary, the highlight being the Tennessee sauce. Best of all, one can combine all these and more as side dishes into a personal pastiche. Finish it off with some of their liquid nitrogen vanilla ice cream (deliciously cold) and you'll be floating on a bed of satiety. In addition to the food, the relaxed atmosphere makes this place special. There are wood floors and chairs; mason jar glasses and baking sheet plates; and good tunes, old and new. As I said to my lunch companions today, it's a good hang. Union Woodshop is a fine example of quality without being pretentious. Now, if I could only talk them into adding barbecued seitan or tofu...
(5)
Brandon U.

Ohh man the Woodshop! I think this place was amazing! The decor in the place is really cool alot of different signs and things on the walls. It has a nice wood theme throughout. I have been here 3 times and I've tried the pulled pork, brisket and the ribs. I thought that the pulled pork and brisket were both outstanding but the ribs were alittle dry to me although I did bring them home and then try them so I guess kinda hard to judge them. All their meals come with sides the mac and chz is awesome so is the sweet pot side I get those 2 every time because they are so good to me but I'm sure they are all good. The corn bread is phenomenal. So if your in the mood for some real good BBQ stop here!!!!!!
(5)
Johnny R.

And now... my most favorite bbq place is... 5 hours from me. Yep. Move over Smoque, hello Union Woodshop. Hello, hello, hellooooo. I went here with a co-worker, and even though I had heard they had been on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives I had hmmm pretty low expectations. That show is fun to watch but they've also covered places that I think are average. But allow me to gush a bit, back to Union Wood Shop. Wow. Get the sampler. I got ribs, brisket, chicken (I picked dark meat), onion rings and the mac and cheese. Get the mac and cheese. Get it. The ribs - Nice. The brisket? Best I've had in a few years, since my last trip to Kansas City. 6 different 'que sauces. Meat is served without sauce. I like many of them. I preferred the white sauce for the brisket. I woke up at 3:30AM here in my hotel room. I had no idea why. Then I realized, to finish the left overs. The mac and cheese is even better at 4am. This place was hella crowded for 6PM, and we had a 35 minute wait which flew by up stairs while we had a drink. I'd like to come back here again in a week, but alas, that can't happen. Maybe that's a good thing, because now I can't eat here weekly. I might start getting a little... well you know... Picky. Then again, there were a ton of other things to try. I'll be back....Ahhnold.
(5)
Haroun K.

The whole "restaurant of the year" acclaim made Union Woodshop a must-try. Even early on a Saturday night, there was a 1.5 hour wait for a table, but thankfully there were some openings at the bar. The garlic pizza was quite good, and quite garlicky. Although it was tasty, the crust was not evenly cooked, so that about half of the pizza was actually kind of crispy and the other half was kind of doughy. The mac and cheese lives up to the hype, and gives Slows' a run for its money. The onion rings are very well prepared, also. There is a respectable collection of beers on draft, and there was a nice stout on special. There seems to be a relationship with Kid Rock, because both Union restaurants feature his beer. That makes me cringe a little bit, but only a little. The service at the bar was fine, but not overly friendly. As for the restaurant - even though it was full, there wasn't at all a feeling of anything being harried or rushed. I don't think I'd actually drive all the way to Clarkston - MAJOR SCHLEP - for this place, but if I were within 10-15 mins, I'd be here a lot.
(4)
Patrick C.

Very cool environment. A gem in Clarkston.
(4)
Melissa C.

Awesome atmosphere and delicious food. Seriously best Mac and cheese in Michigan with an impressive pulled pork sandwich to match. They have tons of sauces to choose from and a sick bar upstairs but new comers beware! There is a crazy long wait on the weekends if you don't time it right!
(5)
Daniel G.

Its 4/5 star BBQ. Service was good, bbq solid, beer selection expansive, atmosphere fine except for the BAD ASS BEER mural behind the bar. tacky...which isn't ever an adjective I'd use for the Clarkston Union family so I was and am surprised at that. We have some good BBQ in the Detroit area so I wouldn't drive 40 minutes just to go here but I certainly wouldn't fault anyone who would. Its good stuff. Go.
(4)
Gina D.

We came early for dinner on a Saturday night about 4:30 pm hoping to beat the rush. Unfortunately, when we walked in we were told it would be about an hour and 20 minute wait. We lucked out when two seats opened up at the bar right then. I ordered the caesar salad, pulled pork, and sides of mashed sweet potato and green bean casserole, my husband ordered the chicken club sandwich. My caesar was decent, some of the lettuce was strong tasting, good dressing, lots of cheese, pork was fork tender and tasty, there were many different barbecue sauces to choose from. Most tasted similar except the mustard and one was very spicy. My sides were ok. My husband thought his sandwich was ok. We passed on dessert. I would go back, but not sure if they have some kind of call ahead system, as I don't want to have to wait an hour or more for dinner.
(4)
C.J R.

AMAZING! I cannot believe it took me so long to finally get out to this place but I am so glad I did. This place is a types of fun lively joint. It's great for all types of groups.
(5)
Henry B.

Kid Rock walked in when we were eating here. And they had $1 Bad Ass beers that night too. All that plus juicy pulled pork with their off-menu ghost pepper chili sauce. Hands. Down. Five. Stars.
(5)
Josh S.

Been waiting to try out the BBQ at Union Woodshop for a long time. Finally made the drive out to Clarkston and it was well worth the drive and wait. Saturday night, we got there at 5:30pm and there was a 2+ hour wait. We were expecting this so we found a spot at the bar and had some drinks. They have 6 rotating taps with MI craft beers (Bells, Founders and Shorts) all of which were some of MIs most popular crafts. We decided to get an app at the bar, got the Burnt Ends and they were delightful. The Brisket comes on top of a slice of Texas toast and it was a nice mix of texture. For dinner I had the Porker and it was everything I expected, pork patty + hot link + maple bacon on a burger with a delicious southwest mayo. Wait staff was wonderful, once we sat at our table service was prompt. Highly recommend and will be returning
(5)
Ryan S.

My wife and I loved this place. There was a bit of a wait (8pm on a weeknight), so we sat at the bar while waiting. One of the bartenders was kind of snotty, but the other was very nice. We were seated pretty quickly after we sat at the bar. Once we were seated, our server was awesome. She was one of the best servers we've had in a long time. The food was great. We had the fried pickles and woodsticks (wood oven breadsticks) for an appetizer. I had the pulled pork sandwich and my wife had the burger. Both were sooo tasty. I am imagining the taste of the food right this second and want to go back for more. Now. Their selection of draft beer was not gigantic, but they only had quality stuff. They had two Founders, and three Bells. My one complaint about the place is that they serve beer in Mason jars. I hate to sound like a beer snob, but I found this incredibly annoying. I say that if you are going to serve decent beer, at least serve it in pint glasses. Pint glasses are easier to hold and drink from (ok, go ahead and make fun of me, just saying). It's like, why not serve beer in something specifically designed for beer? My grandma didn't can vegetables in pint glasses, so let's not serve beer in Mason jars.
(4)
Heather M.

I first learned about this place on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives... watching the KID ROCK episode because he is from MI... and I was really excited to eat here. Clarkston is a bit of a drive for me (about 45 minutes one way) so I figured my birthday dinner would be a great opportunity to experience something I wouldn't normally go to. **I work in the industry, therefore, I consider myself a bit more forgiving than most people. ** I called a week ahead of time, to make reservations. I was informed that they did not take call aheads. I had 15 people, so I knew that would be a bit rough to get in and out, but figured I would go in early and sit and wait with my boyfriend to kill some time before the rest of the people got there. It was a Saturday (so I assumed we would wait a bit), and when I checked in at 3:45. I was told a large party would be at least an hour wait. I went upstairs and had a cocktail. About 5:00 people were starting to show up, and grabbing a drink. By 5:15 everyone was here,except for 1 person (who I knew was coming late), and I was wondering why no one had contacted us about our table. I went downstairs to check on our table. The girl didn't even remember my party, and searched for our name/pager number (I showed her it on the top of the list). and she informed me that the table was boxed and cashed out...we just were waiting for them to get up. I said thank you and went upstairs. Within 20 minutes we were sat. Everyone was excited about finally getting to eat. I made sure everyone looked at a menu before we sat so they could know what they wanted and move the process along a bit faster, once we were sat and informed the server which people were going to be on each bill together. The server was nice and friendly. She did her best to keep up, but everyone had empty cups constantly and she was hard to locate. (I'm not saying this because I think she was a bad server, just too busy to keep up and give us the service we deserve). The food hit the table at about 6:15. Everything was tasty. Not extremely hot, but tasty. A piece of the cornbread was missing, and she brought me 2 (because my boyfriend and I were sharing our meals together). At 7, we asked for our checks and started getting our coats and stuff on. It took 15 minutes for her to grab the checks and another 15 to return them to us. Grand total I arrived at 3:45 and didn't leave until 7:30 at night. The food was delicious, but I was disappointed with the customer service. The pace was EXTREMELY slow and there was no sign of management to apologize for it. I was misquoted on how long my wait would be, and never had a manager come to the table while we were there. There was a birthday dessert on the house, which I didn't touch because that's not why I go somewhere to eat. It's for an experience... and though the food you may not be able to get anywhere... I would rather feel special then just another customer that can be replaced. I came with excitement this magical feeling, and left full... but feeling like this place didn't need/ really want my business.
(3)
Mark B.

Just there a couple of weeks back -- simply the best smoked barbecue I've had east of Kansas City. My wife and I split a rack of ribs that were tender, well rendered and perfectly smoked; broccoli on the side was nicely steamed and not mushy. We had a chance to meet one of the owners -- folks, this isn't a chain and the people who own this restaurant are waay hands on and keenly interested in their patrons' satisfaction. We'll be back again often.
(5)
Robert J.

Okay, my review for this place is overdue. I first ate at Union Woodshop over two weeks ago. I went back precisely one week later, because it was so damn good. As far as appetizers go, I have had their Smoky Dogs (I think that's what they're called.) It's pretty darn straightforward. Take a couple of hot dogs, and smoke them. Serve them on a nice bun (Really, it's a damn good bun!). Voila! That's a tasty hot dog! The Burnt Ends were the first thing I tasted at Union Woodshop. They served as a great prologue to my first meal there. I've had burnt ends once before. The name isn't too enticing when one considers that they're quite possibly the dried out bits. That's pretty much what happened the first time I had them. I assure you. That's not the case here. Moist and flavorful, served on a thick slice of white bread, they were a great reminder of how amazing classic Americana can be. After Union Woodshop's Burnt Ends, I knew the meal to come was going to be phenomenal. When my Woodshop 101 showed up with brisket, a chicken thigh, and some lovely baby back ribs, it was love at first sniff. The flavor, the moistness, and the tenderness of all the meat was really all that I had been looking for--but never received--from Slow's or from Lazybones. It was just the right combination of all of those things. It was like going from watching the haphazard nature of college sports to the polish of professionals. It was like watching Montana to Rice--or Young to Rice--for that matter. Okay, a modern day example? How about Brady to Moss? It was a moment in which I realized that this was what I had been looking for in this area. Finally, someone got it right, I thought. I mean, REALLY got it right. Just to make sure it wasn't a fluke, I had to go back the following weekend. Sure enough, it was just as fabulous. The second time I was there, I had the ribeye. Never have I had a steak done this way--in a smoker. It's probably the most powerfully flavorful steak I have ever had. It was stunning! The sides deserve mention. The mac and cheese is fantastic. The greens have bacon lardons and are lovely, because of it. Sweet potato thing with jalapenos and maple syrup? Divine. I only ate dessert the first time I was there. The second? Eh...I knew I'd hurt myself. Why? It's just too much damn food! When I did have dessert, I had a sundae. Lovely, rich ice cream topped with a very nice hot fudge and roasted peanuts comprised the sundae. This is not your ordinary, phoning-it-in/one-step-up-from-McDonald's kind of sundae. This is artisanal quality stuff. I assure you. As far as I'm concerned, this is the go-to spot for BBQ in the Detroit area. Honestly, I just have to say that I highly recommend this place. I feel it so fervently that this place is worthwhile that I have to dispense with my usual descriptive narratives about how exactly everything tasted and how the experience was. I just can't wait to get to the point and state that this place is fantastic.
(4)
Jody W.

Have to say on another trip there recently my husband got the Smoked Ribeye and it put my pulled pork to shame...just wanted to let you know. :)
(5)
Jeff V.

BBQ? In Clarkston? Way up north? Hell yes, we have pickup trucks. We know how to roll. Replacing the famous Clarkston Cafe, the Union Woodshop is a re-imagining of the classic BBQ joint. Cutting to the chase: the food is top notch, rivaling Slows in downtown Detroit. The service is good, nothing exceptional, but just fine. You probably won't notice because you'll be drowning your food in one of the many available BBQ sauces, trying to convince your mouthbreathing friends that just because the Alabama BBQ sauce is white with a black pepper overtone, it's still a BBQ sauce. And the best one at that. Stupid friends. The Woodshop just opened a second level, which was desperately needed. Before, when you were told your astronomical wait time (45-90 mins), it was hardly worth it because you had to stand in the crowded downstairs bar and listen to people ask the hostess how long the wait is 10 times a minute. Now, you go upstairs to wait. The drink list is great, and the finish is modern/industrial. It's like a college dorm room on steroids and with about 30 more HDTVs, minus 100% of the incense and vomit. Big win. One suggestion for the Woodshop folk: the upstairs drink menu blows away the one downstairs, and of this writing they were separate things. Bad idea. Make the upstairs drinks available downstairs. I suspect this will happen very quickly. If you're a first-timer, get the pulled pork. Just trust me, OK? You've read this far, so don't quit on me now. The pulled pork. It's the perfect intro dish and my consistent go-to.
(5)
Colette N.

The area is not known for having too many food options, so I'm sure The Woodshop HAS to be a welcome addition. In the area, def 5 stars. I found it to be very loud, but the truth is - I was there to eat and WOW, the food is is delicious. I've only been twice, but both times I couldnt have been happier with my selections! I loved their mac and cheese (nice and toasted on top), and the ribs are great with about 6+ sauces to try on them. I also have tried the Juicy Lucy hamburger and fries (skinny and good) and they was delish too. The restaurant itself is kind of choppy and in 3 sections. the first section is very unappealing, as the hustle and bustle of the waitstaff exiting the ktchen and people coming in and being seated is very apparent. The middle section has been a good choice and the last section I havent even checked out. Def worth the try.
(4)
Jimmy P.

The best BBQ in Michigan. Meats are smoked for over 12hrs. Time stops at the Mac n cheese. You really can't go wrong with whatever you order. They also make some bomb cocktails, most notably their watermelon drinks. They should dub the watermelon martini, or the watermelon shot the ShopTail.
(5)
Bill S.

I was sadly disappointed. All the positive reviews, featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Worst potato salad I have eaten in my 50 years. Bland and tasteless is too kind. Pulled pork tasted like absolutely nothing - no smoky taste, no seasoning, nothing. Plus, overpriced "attraction". Stay away. I know I will.
(1)
Miss P.

Food was very good. Pulled pork dinner was plenty for two. The Porker burger got praised. The Bloody Mary was tasty but rather weak. We sat outside to avoid the 30 min wait (wed 5pm). Service is excellent.
(4)
Lori K.

For people who live up there, this is the best BBQ place. If you live closer to Slows, it is better. Slows has better mac and cheese, better Ribs, better baked beans. The one thing that Woodshop thrives in is the corn bread, breadsticks, onion rings, all the bread is delicious. Would I drive 45 min again to get here, probably not, probably just go to Slows. But I loved it, second best BBQ in Detroit. Just not as good as Slows. We were actually disappointed with the ribs at Woodshop. Big portions. We got the pulled pork and we have leftovers for days. The combos are the way to go that come with two sides. We drove all the way for this? And granted we were there on a Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. when they opened so no wait.
(4)
Niraj S.

Been to Slows, been to Lockharts, this beats them both. I ate so much, I almost fell asleep in the car I the way home. Portions are generous, drinks are good. Everything we ordered (burgers, pizza, ribs, burrito) were all solid.
(4)
Jake E.

The food here was pretty good, especially my macaroni and cheese. My order was confused for a more expensive one, but that wasn't a big deal. It was a better meal. And my server was willing to fix it if I was going to be "that guy." Speaking of the server, he was awesome. Insanely funny and friendly guy. Idk his name, but he has a big beard. He's the main reason I'm giving 5 stars. He also recommended a good beer.
(5)
Benjie S.

This place fucking rocks. I saw this place on the tv when some fat blonde chick was with Kid Rock and they were talking about this place and their wonderful food. My lady and I took a half hour drive to get here and we were NOT disappointed. The baby back ribs are fucking amazing. Some of the best ribs I have ever eaten. We're talking hot, fresh, juicy, fall off the bone ribs. The bbq sauces on the table are all good in their own respects but my favorite was the 'Hell MI'. It's a hot sauce made with habanero peppers. I'm pretty bad ass so I didn't think it was hot, just fucking delicious but for you weak tongued individuals you may want to ease into it. Speaking of bad ass they have bad ass beer on tap. Fuck YES! Fresh food and fresh beer. What more do you want? Fried pickles? FUCK YES! The fried pickles I had here were hands down the best fried pickles I have ever had. So good I was craving more as I was eating them. They have a bunch of sides and the ones I had were good. Cheesy potatoes, mac n cheese and the collard greens. All good but the ribs and pickles were where it's at. The corn muffin was also good. This was only my first visit but I'm already planning for my return. It's lovely place with awesome food and an open fun atmosphere. Thank you Union Woodshop. Thank you very fucking much.
(5)
Tom N.

Definitely recommended. We got here just after noon on a Saturday and were able to get right in. Great atmosphere great service at this time and really good food too.
(5)
Tom S.

Well all of the hype and reviews are correct. The Food was some of the best BBQ I have ever eaten and I have eaten a lot of it throughout the south and Southwest USA. And yes the wait is incredibly LONG! So long that a 4 or 5 star rating went down to a 3 for me. It was a Wednesday evening. The restaurant opens at 4:00PM and when we arrived at 5:00PM, it was a 2.5 hour wait to be seated. After the 2.5 hour mark we decided to chat with the hostess. Apparently there was a table of guys who after eating decided this was there all night drinking club and had been seated for three hours. The hostess then explained that there was a group of 13 waiting to be seated in front of us and even though there was a table free for us they could not seat us until the drinking party left and they could seat the group of 13. Really, that is nuts! Someone else intervened and we were seated. Now on an odd night or right before they close up for the evening if I happen to wonder by the Union Woodshop and the wait time is not very long I would go in and eat. But after finally experiencing it and with the crazy wait times to be seated, once is probably enough.
(3)
Dan C.

This place rocks! I tried the smoked link and it was awesome! Plus what had to be the best Mac and cheese that I have ever had. And I know Mac and cheese. Save room for the butterscotch pudding! I will definitely be back. Great experience!
(5)
John C.

I used to love Diners Drive Ins and Dives but now i hate it. I live 7 minutes from this amazing restaurant but the crazy waits keep me away. The food is amazing. The pizza is fantastic along with the mac and cheese. The staff is professional, friendly and knowledgeable. Iv had a couple issues with super fatty burnt ends and tough brisket but whatever. As much food as they pump out its understandable. So i guess what im trying to say is..stop coming here...i will for you.
(4)
Dan A.

In a word, Phenomenal! Now it's just my humble opinion but this some of the best BBQ I've had and considering I had spent the 2 months previous to my first visit living in Nashville and traveling to Memphis I think that says a lot! The only thing I could think to complain about would be the 2 hour wait for a table but with a nice lounge upstairs and some great company I hardly noticed. I still think Bad Brads will give them a run for their money but I can assure you I will return to The Union!
(5)
Dana W.

Food was good. Service was good. The only thing that really bothered me were the chairs, rocking chairs to be exact. We went with our 4 year old son, and I swear I thought he was going to fall over backward from the nonstop rocking in the chair. I, as well, startled myself several times from accidentally leaning back and feeling like I was falling over backwards. How come nobody has mentioned this? Between me and my son, It was really distracting from actually enjoying the meal. I've never been in a restaurant with chairs like this. What is the point? Anyway, besides that, it seemed like a nice restaurant. Just nix the chairs please!
(3)
Samir N.

Of course I came here because I saw Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. We got there on Saturday at around 2 and sat at the bar because we were too impatient to wait for a table. By the time we were done, there was at least 15-20 people waiting for tables. I guess I am not the only one that loves me a late lunch. Hooray for just beating the crowd. The pulled pork was amazing - it was a huge pile of fluffy, tender goodness and did not really need a sauce. They had the basket of regional sauces, so I went ahead and indulged. My favorite was when I mixed the Tennessee with the Hell Sauce; on their own, both are good. The mac and cheese is also amazing. I had my initial reservations about the burnt-ish crust, but I ended up scraping off every last bit. The Badass Beer was okay - nothing special, but lagers rarely excite me. I will probably stick with Bell's next time. Given my poor initial experience at Slow's in Detroit, this is my current favorite BBQ in the Detroit area and will amply hold me over between trips back to Texas. Why is this and Clarkston Union (do they share some identical menu items?) the only places so heavily reviewed in Clarkston? Where do people go after hitting up Pine Knob?
(4)
Sarah N.

I'm not a huge BBQ fan and I'm mostly a vegetarian (just don't really like meat usually), but I LOVE the pulled pork at the Woodshop! I love having the assorted sauces to choose from and all the sides are fantastic! The sweet potato mash is my fave. I love the decor in this place and I've always had great service. The only thing is that it is quite loud, so it's hard to have a conversation, but I'm not talking as soon as the food shows up anyway! The only thing i would change is that they don't have wine glasses that they serve the wine in, it's served in a cylindrical glass. I'm sure it's because of the "woodshop" atmosphere, but I just like to let my wine breathe, so I prefer wine glasses.
(5)
Al P.

Arriving at 6:30 on Saturday night, the wait was an hour and a half. But it was totally worth it. Ordered the pulled pork, which was excellent. Have not had it in Kansas City, but I think Red, Hot & Blue (in Warren) is pretty good from (and well reviewed), and this is even better! Sides of potato salad and mac/cheese were excellent. All the sauces were delicious, and a great variety. Asked for the Hell, MI hot sauce (not on the table) which was also great (and hot!). The burnt ends appetizer was also great, although it was provided before we had silverware, and was cold by the time we got them (but still good). I will be back, for sure.
(5)
Sarah P.

If I could give this place higher than 5 stars, I would. Even though the Union Woodshop is an hour away from my house, I go there as much as I can. Everything is fresh and so tasty every time. Even when there is a 2 hour wait, just go to the bar upstairs and have some fun!
(5)
Kristin G.

A little slice of Hog Heaven. Thank goodness for pigs & slow smokers because some things truly are worth waiting for. It's not likely that many people think of BBQ when they think of Michigan. Especially not a quiet little town such as Clarkston. In my book, they definitely earned any accolades they've won thus far. I have had "Burnt Ends" at other establishments, and I must say, these take the cake hands down. They are not dried out and tortured, they're quite the opposite...melty, creamy even, but with no lack of BBQ char bits and dropped on top a fluffy piece of white Texas toast...slathered in a sweet BBQ sauce. Truly an ode to Beef. Another appetizer I tried was the deep fried pickle spears. The beer battered spears are a nice mix of crisp & fluffy outer shell and tangy warm pickle underneath. Worth a try & undeniably enjoyable. For dinner, the Pulled Pork with sides of Jalapeno Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Mac n' Cheese. The pulled pork was so tender and the sauces were all really good. If you ask, they'll bring out the hottest sauce they have "Hell Michigan"...it's a creeper with the heat...so be warned! My favorite of all the sauces were the "Memphis Tennessee" and the "Lockhart Texas" BBQ sauces. They are all worth a try, though. You can tell whoever is making these, knows their stuff! The Jalapeno Mashed Sweet Potatoes were a huge highlight. I never would have thought to pair the sweet and spicy but they work great together. Just the light airy consistency of the mashed sweet potatoes alone was like a fluffy little cloud on my tongue and then with all it's array of sweet, savory then spicy flavors, it really was a surprising treat! The mac n' cheese was good but not mind blowing. The atmosphere is nice & fits the town of Clarkston. It's easy and unique with a little touch of what I consider that "Up North" feel. They serve drinks in ball jars...there's a quaint Michigan-country feel to it without it being over the top woodsy. The greatest part about the Woodshop? The reasonable prices! Holy smokes...we ate like royalty for a mere fraction of what we pay at most places. That's a big bonus in my book. Watch out, other BBQ greats out there...competition is getting cut throat. I can think of few other worthy places to mark my 200th review. Congrats, Union Woodshop, on a job impeccably done!!!
(5)
Chris V.

High quality food with everything made from scratch. You need to add this place to your list of must eats. Half chicken with onion rings and mac&cheese is a winner.
(5)
Stuart T.

one my favoriate places to eat in Southeast Michigan. Everything I've tried has been awesome. One exception - their famous desert is a bit over-hyped. One star taken away due to very long waits and average (at best) service.
(4)
Vince N.

Good BBQ, all the meats I have tried, have been smoked properly. Sauces are all A-OK Sides- The Mac and cheese is good, but I still prefer Slows for this dish. Handcut Fries were very good some of the best I have ever had. Service was good. Would visit more in I lived closer, If you like BBQ this place is a must try.
(4)
Z T.

Excellent Food! The wait is worth it. The menu has a little something for everyone. Can't say anything that hasn't already been mentioned by previous reviewers. Definitely add this place to your list.
(5)
Drew M.

Checked out the Union Woodshop last night. Drove about 60 miles for dinner. In the end, definitely worth it. Here's the run down: Arrived a little before 7 on a Thursday night, waited about 30 minutes for our table. Had a Hopslam at the back bar(AWESOME). Lots of great Bourbon options if that's your kind of thing(It is). Here's what we got: Fried Pickles: Why have I never had these before? Its like the fryer gods descended from heaven and kissed a pickle. There's no reason why you shouldn't try these. AWESOME Pizza: We had a Shroom pie and added the Woodshop's in house sausage. The shrooms were the best thing on the pie, and it was just so so. Nothing to write home about. Mac and Cheese: This stuff was really good. Great baked cheese crust on top, creamy penne beneath. Just overall cheesy goodness. It made me happy. Probably not quite as good as Slow's, but pretty damn close. Brisket W/ Sides of Green Been Casserole and Mustary Potato Salad Thing. I will say I enjoyed the Brisket, but it doesn't have the fatty rich goodness of Slow's. We got some really lean pieces, and frankly, they were a tad dry. I was just yearning for a little more fatty juiciness. My girlfriend and I both agreed that the Texas and South Carolina sauces were the best. Carolina had a great vinegar base and had some really nice heat. Texas was pretty traditional BBQ with some heat to it. We also liked the Bama sauce, which was kind of a Horseradish/Onion/Ranchy thing. Overall, Brisket was very good, but not on Slow's level. Sides: I liked both quite a bit. Hearty, yummy rich casserole and a nice mustardy potato salad. The side portions are pretty small, for fair warning. The standout side was the BREAD. Oh my it was good! I would have got an extra piece if i would have been warned of its deliciousness Overall, this place is great. Nice vibe, really casual, Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ. And: FRIED FREAKING PICKLES.
(4)
kari a.

Had *another* fabulous dinner at the Woodshop. This time, we ended up eating at the bar- but that was a good thing! The bartender/waitress was knowledgable, fun and totally attentive. I have a gluten allergy, and rather than just hand over the GF menu, she went through it with me to discuss options. I went with the Scott's burrito and my husband had ribs. We honestly cleared our plates! Didn't think we could eat any more but saved room for a maple bourbon sundae. I usually feel like I have to compromise when eating out, but as a Celiac sufferer, I NEVER feel that way at any of the Union restaurants. They are sensitive, aware and super accommodating- plus, everything is delicious! Can't wait to go back....!
(5)
Mike L.

Great Atmosphere Great Food Decent Price Service is good Seating coordinators could stand some improvement Highly recommended. But come early.
(5)
Brian B.

Absolutely fantastic meal. Started with some Woodsticks, Burnt Ends, and Deep Fried Pickles. All were great. all were enjoyable, but the Burnt Ends stole the appetizer show. A little different than what I have had in the past, but so so good. For my entree, I went with the brisket, mac, and green bean casserole. The brisket was cooked perfectly. Not dry at all. Literally fell apart as you were eating it. I wasn't disappointed in the sides, but will probably try different ones next time. they all sound fantastic. I can't wait to go back. It'll definitely be sooner rather than later.
(4)
Kristin D.

I've honestly never heard of this place until I saw it on DDD. Kid Rock apparently is a huge fan, so I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon. Enough with the small talk though, lets get to what's important here... THE FOOD. Fried Pickles= My favorite appetizer on the menu and the best fried pickles I've had.... EVER Ribs= Fucking awesome, I'm talking fall off the bone tender. No BBQ sauce is needed but they have an excellent assortment of sauces right on the table that you can sample to your liking Cajun Smoked Sausage= Made in house and impressively tasty Mac N' Cheese= slap yo' mama good Collard Greens= Any kind of green with bacon is awesome in my book Corn Bread with whipped sweet butter= Can I take a dozen to go?? Please? I've also had the Porker sandwich, it was decent but it made me wish I got the ribs. They have an awesome drink menu but my drink of choice is the Detroit brewed BADDASS beer. Sweet, sweet nectar. The boy and I have always been too full to get dessert but one day, if we can pull ourselves away from the table I'd love to try every single one of them. Glutenous you say? Don't judge me. Sure it's difficult to find parking, sure it gets crowded, but it's worth every delicious bite. Definitely a favorite spot of ours.
(5)
Lauren P.

I drove the distance to check this place out because of the ratings but it didn't live up to its expectations. If I gave a rating based on sides then it woukd receive 5 stars but based on the main dish, it looses some credibility. I ordered the beef brisket and it was such a small dry portion and it was totally covered up by the fries...which were great. The mac and cheese was awesome and probably the best part of the evening. The service could've been better as well. Don't let the fact that this place being featured on Food Network channel with props from Kid Rock result in lack of judgment!
(3)
Mary Jane S.

This is my all time favorite restaurant. I have enjoyed every bite of food I have ordered there. The service is great, too. We showed up for New Year's Eve last year and even had fun while waiting for our table. It is worth the trip.
(5)
Kelly K.

Good lord!!! This place is like HEAVEN!!!! I was so nervous to try Union Woodshop because lately I've been unimpressed with some of the highly-rated restaurants on here...but UW did not fail to impress! BF and I got there around 8pm on Saturday night - of course there was an hour and a half wait, but we weren't leaving. We ended up standing around the bar and after about 30 minutes, we sharked two seats there and gave our pager back. Bonus - I love sitting at the bar! He was really impressed with the Badass draft, and I had some yummy Grand Traverse Select Reisling (I loooved the wine glasses!!). The bartender was super nice and was quick to bring us anything we needed. For appetizers, we got the breadsticks and 6 wings. Holy cow!! The breadsticks were so yummy!! You dip them in this delicous garlic butter - I think they were gone within seconds! We both really liked the wings too, which come without sauce, so you dip them in whichever of the 6 or so different sauces they leave at your table. We opted for the Tennessee sauce and it was so good - slightly sweet with a mild spice. For our dinners he got the baby back ribs and I got the pulled pork. Now, I used to LOVE Lockhart's pork, although I could only eat about 1/2 of it because the other 1/2 was fat. At Union, it was ALL tender and I swear, there was NO fat on it!! Incredible! His ribs were falling off the bone and they were so good as well. We both got mac and cheese and cheesy potatoes as sides - holy cow!! The mac and cheese is creamy and cheesy with a crispy layer of breadcrumbs on top, and the cheesy potatoes are oniony and they have that golden layer of baked cheese on top. Cheese overload!!! Also worth a mention - their cornbread muffins!! They were so good!! They crunched when you bit into them so you know they had coarse cornmeal in them, and the whipped butter was to die for. So you'd think after all that we'd be full, right? Well, clearly you don't know us. He ended up getting a brownie skillet and I got a peach-lavender cobbler. Best. Peach. Cobbler. EVER. They both came out in mini cast-iron skillets which was an awesome touch. His brownie smelled amazing, but I didn't try it because I didn't want to ruin the perfection that was the peach-lavender cobbler. There was this awesome brown sugar crust on top, the peaches were soft and sweet, and paired with the liquid nitrogen vanilla ice cream, I was in a food coma after a few bites. We even ended up buying a bottle of the Tennessee sauce to go!! On top of ALL of the wonderful food, it wasn't that expensive!! We got 3 drinks (a Badass draft, a Kid Rock N Rye, and a glass of wine), 2 apps, 2 dinners, 2 desserts, and the BBQ sauce for $70! That's pretty affordable compared to some of the other places we like to go. Does it have a long wait? Of course it does, the food is ridiculous. Is the wait gonna get longer? Oh yeah, it's about to premiere on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (we saw where Guy Fieri signed the wall!!!), but it's worth it. Go there expecting to wait, drink at the bar and have a good time enjoying this place.
(5)
Mike B.

Went to this place recently and the food was really good. Same owners as the Clarkston Union. Tried the pulled pork and brisket and both were fantastic. One of the nice things about this place is that they have the sauces at the table and can try a variety of different sauces. Had the ribs and they were just ok. As far as the sides the mac and cheese and the sweet potato mashed potatoes w/ jalopeno and maple syrup were money! Cole slaw also really good. Good variety of local beers and the price is reasonable. Recommend getting one entree for 2 as the portions are big. Would definitely make a return trip in the future.
(4)
Jeremy S.

Another Diners, Drive-ins and Dives place but this is actually nicer than that label. We definitely were too excited and grossly over ordered. I'm glad we did. We tried the burnt ends and blackened steak tips (on special) for appetizers. Now the burnt ends were some of the best I have had, but they were completely out classed by the blackened steak tips. I am such a fan of savory, almost to the point of over flavored and this was perfect in my opinion. Little chunks of rib eye cooked in so many herbs and then piled on a piece of Texas toast and drizzled with a blue cheese dressing/sauce. It's like someone read my mind. I'm a sucker for wood fired pizza and they claimed to make a good one. If I were you, I'd just stick to ordering BBQ here. They make a napoletana style pizza and the outer crust is very good...slight char with a crunchy exterior and soft chewy center. So far so good, right? but...like a lot of napoletana pizzas the center of the pie was soggy and flopped worse than a NY style pizza. On the table is about 6 homemade bbq sauces, but you can ask for the hot ones. They'll bring you out two hot sauces and you'll have to ask again to get the XXX sauce. Let me tell you, it is HOT! It just about ruined my night. Seriously if you dip it just your pinky in it and touch your tongue that spot on your tongue will swell up and stay that way for over an hour.
(4)
Brent R.

Go early and be hungry, the Woodshop is a solid BBQ joint in the oddest of places. Good sauces, smoky meat and even some good beers on tap, it's really hard to go wrong with anything at this place. I cannot give 5 stars just due to the long wait that this place has since its not always possible to wait 2 hours to eat dinner. I heard they are adding on so that should help and I will adjust my rating accordingly. I know its not a bad thing to have people clamoring to eat at your establishment but they should manage it a little better. I would rate the Woodshop a tad less than Slows if you want to know what to expect but not by much.
(4)
Suzie C.

The food here is absolutely amazing!!! But the reason I only give it 3 stars is there is always a LOOOOONG wait. My 1st trip we went with 4 people and waited an hour, which I would expect for a popular restaurant on a Saturday night. But the 2nd time I went I was with a birthday party and waited 4 HOURS for a table. Yes four hours. It's nice that they just added an upstairs bar/waiting area with tables and such, but they would not serve food upstairs (not even appetizers) which was annoying after about 2hrs. I wish they would just serve food upstairs and I think it would be a more enjoyable experience. But like I said the food is delicious. I would just recommend going during a weekday lunch. I do not recommend if you have a party of more than 6.
(3)
Michele G.

I can simply say that we REALLY LIKE THIS PLACE!!! I ate at the Vinestta Garage last week and like what I ordered. VG has the same owners as Union Woodshop so I was excited to try this place. You could definitely see some similarities: drinks in mason jars, most of the food served on a silver platter lined with butcher paper, some of the same menu items such as the infamous Mac n Cheese, pizza's, the Michigan emphasis. But I'm not sure why they had a picture of President Roosevelt behind the bar.... We walked in on a Sunday evening about 7:45P the hostess said we would have about a 30-45 minute wait but by the time we got upstairs ordered our drinks the buzzer went off- 15 minutes- not bad at all My husband and I ordered: Appetizer: Burnt Brisket ends smothered with the house BBQ sauce served on Texas toast- The meat had a good smokey flavor, the BBQ sauce had a good smoke sweet mix and it all balanced nicely with the thick Texas toast. It was a nice to try but don't need to order it again. Entree: The Juicy Lucy Burger w/fc fries: I've seen this burger on triple D and Man vs. Food. It was made famous by two restaurants in Minneapolis so when I saw this burger on the menu I had to order-. It's a meat patty with American cheese stuffed in the middle and cooked medium well with a pickled red onion. I added a side of lettuce and tomato. Great flavor, perfectly cooked and the cheese oozed out the middle. A generous side of fc fries. I was very very satisfied Woodshop 101: Included- Ribs, pulled pork, 1/4 chicken, side of mac n cheese, collard green, cornbread. added a side of the house made smoked hot link sausage. Ribs- just okay- we've had better Pork- nicely smoked, great flavor, moist, very good- I recommend Chicken: just okay- would prefer more seasoning and better smoke flavor Hot Link Sausage- AWESOME! Great flavor with a little bit of heat- LOVED it. Mac n Cheese- Liked it better than what I had at Vinsetta Garage, I prefer my cheese more on the creamy side but it was a nice flavor- I recommend Collard Greens- VERY VERY good- nice smoke flavor, well seasoned- I just wished we had a larger serving- it was so good- I recommend Cornbread- Yummy- moist, I thought I tasted jalapeno seemed to have a little kick- I recommend Desert: The homemade vanilla ice cream made with nitrogen, with maple tasting syrup and sprinkled with Spanish peanuts and whipped cream. LOVED IT SERVICE: Our server Erin- was really very good. She said she'd only been working there for about 2 weeks. Really? She handled herself like she had been on the job for years. Knew the menu, provided good recommendations, fun, attentive. Job well done Erin We walked out stuffed and satisfied just the way we like it. Next time we go to a concert at DTE we'll make sure we give ourselves enough time for another visit to the Union Woodshop. Nice job!
(4)
Gary K.

Like others, we waited 2 hours to be seated. The upstairs area was nice and helped us pass the time. We ordered the burnt tips, pulled pork sandwich and burrito which were all good when they came. Prices are reasonable and wait staff was very friendly and helpful. I am not sure the food justified the wait.
(3)
Neil Y.

Where to begin? I had been here before to meet the culinary genius Will Cole but never had time to eat. We'll wax Will Cole later. For starters, we had the fried pickles and burnt ends. The fried pickles were quite crunchy in their Bad Ass Beer batter but not heavy. The pickles come with a creamy remoulade that was cool and tangy. The burnt ends were well done, just not really burnt but I wasn't sure if I was not going to get jerky. The ends were well done and smokey but certainly far from shoe leather. While it comes in the Tennessee sauce (sweet) I managed to try all of the sauces with this. I really enjoyed the sauce variety and clearly someone at the Woodshop is a student of the game. They had more traditional sauces like the Texas and Tennessee. The South Carolina mustard sauce was great as I the only other time I had it was actually in SC. Creative flare was the New York sauce which was Asian inspired of ginger and hoisin sauce. However, the Alabama was nice to see as the mayo based sauce is lost on the BBQ world outside of Bama. I also opted to taste the two "off the table" sauce like the North Carolina vinegar sauce with heat--well done sirs. Further, I also enjoyed the Hell, Michigan sauce because the Woodshop brings great flavor with heat and doesn't try to bury you in discomfort. Is it the hottest sauce ever--certainly not but you'll enjoy it instead of making your mouth and mind numb. Well played. Do I get BBQ or pizza? People here seem to love both. While we as a family share our food, I opted for neither. Instead I chose the home-made smoked hot-dogs, my wife tried the pulled pork and my son tried the cheese pizza so I was able to try it all. The pulled pork was tender and smokey. However, the cole slaw was incredible. The cheese pizza was wood fired and had a little char--just the way I like it. Next time, I'll tell them just another minute to get a crispier crust but otherwise quite good. For me, this seamed unusual as I have never been to a place that makes their own hot dogs. Purest would say it's more like a sausage but they were meaty and tasty--quite good actually because I'm assuming there were no nitrates, no fillers, no hooves, no beaks, no feathers in them. Smokey but not over the top. The fries are real potatoes and this presents a challenge to most places (like 5 Guys) where you get limp fries. Not here, they were over cooked and partly crispy---JUST THE WAY I LIKE THEM! The homemade dill pickle relish was a very nice compliment. We knew Will Cole does the desserts here. We enjoyed the mini doughnuts and vanilla ice cream. Nothing over the top but not a budget breaker either as neither cost more than $3. Good form Woodshop. The doughnuts were indeed mini but they weren't greasy at all and were covered in simple cinnamon and sugar coating. These little cakey gems had a lemon flavor to boot that was mostly noticed when I paired it with the vanilla ice cream. That's how you do it. Now the ice cream. I'm not a dessert man so simple is right up my alley. Most ice cream is from GFS, Cisco or a local place. The Woodshop's Will Cole makes it in house and the one thing that is missing though present everywhere else--no chemical aftertaste. Just creamy and honest. It's not really simple as Will Cole uses space age technology to prepare it but bravo, it kicks major ass and cleanses the pallet. Per my usual reviews, we traveled with our brood of a 3.5 year old and a 1 year old. No worries though, this place is loud (but not obnoxious--just bustling) so my kids can make plenty of noise without being glared at. Fortunately, my kids are are great in public but always a plus for us. Plus, the paper on the table for a 4'x3' coloring sheet is nice. Continuing with the kid theme, there meals were $4 and included a giant grilled cheese and a good size cheese pizza with veggie/fruit side and beverage. Thank you Union Woodshop! I'll talk about service and the servers in a follow up review. Quite possibly the only blotch on an otherwise great evening. Hat's off to the Woodshop kitchen team for practicing the basics everyday, paying attention to detail and remembering how important the small things are. Two starters, two entrees, two kids' meals, two desserts and gratuity was $48. Thank you Union Woodshop.
(5)
Michael P.

Decent food. Way way too loud. Got the famous lobster mac. It was so spiced we couldn't taste the lobster. Parking situation is not very good.
(3)
Matt D.

Awesome,awesome. Everything is great: beer, Q, dessert
(5)
Dave S.

Became a bigger fan after my 2nd visit. The wings here are phenomenal. I've immediately tried to plan my next trip here. The thing I'm seeing with local BBQ places is that nobody is good at everything. If you look at UW, Slow's, Lockhart's, etc. some of them excel in some areas, and some in others. I really think UW makes great Wings though. The Burnt Ends were very hearty, but I think with the ends I almost prefer some fattiness, which I think I got more of at Rub Pub. I had the Porker Sandwich though and it was a beautiful thing. I haven't had enough of the menu to know what else I might deem as a specialty, but I'm sure it doesn't end with the wings. Anytime I leave a place and think about what I ate, days, weeks, months later, I know I've found a winner. Union Woodshop delivered that to me with the Porker and Wings. Also, our waiter looked like Brian Wilson (Closer for the SF Giants) and embraced it by wearing a Giants hat. His real name was Gabriel and he was the man. Aim for his section.
(5)
Samantha R.

There is no denying- food is DELICIOUS! During my first Woodshop experience we ordered the Woodshop 101 with brisket and onion rings. We tried the cheesy potatoes and collard greens, as well. I don't like how many restaurants prepare collard greens, but I liked these very much. Everything was very tasty. For dessert we ordered the butterscotch pudding, also very good. We arrived around 5:30pm and were seated immediately. As we waited for our food, the line was out the door. Definitely get there early if you don't want to wait. I give the food alone a solid 5 stars. The reason I rated 4 stars was because of the service we received. I don't recall our waitresses name but our service was absolutely terrible. From what I understand, this is an exception. I highly recommend!
(4)
Charlee K.

Great FOOD. Great Atmoshphere. THE WORST Bartender's I have ever encountered.......extremely slow. Stick to sitting at a table and NOT going upstairs.
(3)
Ryan P.

I should start off by stating that I love BBQ. I come from a family who owned one of the best BBQ restaurants in Nashville, so I know good BBQ. To put it simply, i was impressed with the quality, quantity, and the price of the food. My girlfriend and I had a date night here last week. Since she is from Waterford she recommended we come here. Usually I get my BBQ fix from Slows in Detroit so naturally my opinion was a little biased. I order the Pulled pork and a side quarter of chicken. I also had the cheesy potatoes and Mac and Cheese. Everything was amazing. The pork was cooked perfectly it was moist, tender and wasn't overly fatty. The chicken was smoked perfectly and seasoned well. The absolute killer were the side dishes. Homemade mac and cheese and cheesy potatoes. Both were out of this world. I would go back just for them. Combine the amazing food with a great Michigan beer selection and this is one the premier restaurants in Oakland County.
(5)
Carol A.

First time here, but all I can say is WOW! The only reason to ever go to Slows is if Brisket is your goal...because otherwise, everything is way better. 1 hour wait on a Wednesday night... But well worth it. This will definitely stay on the favorites list. Whatever you do please save room for the Butterscotch pudding.
(5)
Alyssa A.

While visiting family in Michigan, our friends suggested we meet at this place for dinner one night. It was about 30 minutes from where we were but is was SO worth it. Right off the bat, I absolutely loved the decor and the atmosphere of the restaurant. 4 of us came here on a Thursday night around 7pm, and it was a little more crowded than I'd anticipated - but the wait wasn't bad. We found a little bar table to stand at and ordered a drink, and were seated after about 15 minutes. One of our favorite things to do is order local brews from where we are visiting, and this place had a few available (on tap and bottled). I had one from Bell's and one from Shorts, both in MI. Beer is served in a mason jar, some people may not like this but I LOVE it. Plus it fits with the overall vibe of the restaurant. The menu is fantastic, prices are very reasonable, and the way dinner is presented is great. We started off with the Burnt Ends, which were very good. I'd expected them to be a little more "burnt" but they really weren't at all. For dinner I had the Beef Brisket & the husband had the Half Chicken, sides of mac 'n cheese, sweet potato mash and collard greens. It was all super delish!!! The corn muffin that was served alongside was also very, very yummy. Unfortunately we didn't have room for dessert, but they had quite a few things that looked amazing.
(5)
Thomas I.

I've had kc BBQ an I've had Texas BBQ and now I've had motor city BBQ. Wow this place had amazing food. Ordered the pulled pork which came with corn bread and two sides. Everything on the plate was delicious. I recommend the onion rings and Mac and cheese. Delicious!
(5)
B W.

Top notch BBQ. Great service too.
(5)
Rachel W.

My husband and I went to Union Woodshop on Friday night. The three reasons Union Woodshop does not get that fifth star are: 1) The wait. As previous reviewers have mentioned there is a wait, usually a long one. We tried to avoid the wait by going early, we got there just before 5:30p. We were told it would be a 30 minute wait, which thankfully only ended up being about 15 minutes. The main problem is the lack of waiting space, sure you can go to one of their bars, but even at that time of day they were already filled! The wait is worth it though, and next time we'll be getting there even earlier. 2) It's loud. The noise level is more on par with a bar than a restaurant. 3) The dessert I ordered, the donuts were a bit dry and overcooked. They were still pretty darn good though. Everything else was excellent! I love the little mason jars they serve your beverage in, too cute. I would recommend getting one of their dinners in which you can choose a meat option and then two sides. I got the pulled pork (HUGE portion) with the mac n' cheese and green bean casserole. I'm glad I didn't get the mac n' cheese entree, it would have been too much because it is so rich. The side portion is the perfect amount. The dessert menu is one to keep going back for just to try all of them because each sounds as equally delicious as the next! The prices are reasonable too, especially considering they could get away charging a lot more for how popular and busy they are! The quantity of food you get for the price is awesome too. We are counting the days until it is socially acceptable to go back... is it too soon yet?
(4)
Jonathan R.

Let's get this out of the way first: if you go here in peak hours you'll almost definitely need to wait. That said, this is definitely in the running for my favorite restaurant in the area. I've only been here a couple times but I've had an overwhelmingly positive experience both times. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and there is a small bar area if you're interested in watching the game. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and prompt. They gave us some great recommendations and good service. I got the Hot Link Roll, a spicy sausage on a roll with coleslaw and fries and it was delicious. The fries were crispy and seasoned, and they had a nice variety of signature sauces to add to your meal (which I love). Tip: request the spicy Hell sauce, which is only available upon request. I've also ordered the Woodshop burger and was satisfied with it. Overall this place is worth the drive and the wait. You don't need to spot Kid Rock while you're here for it to be a great experience.
(5)
Dan N.

BEST BBQ of my life--not even close (note: I have yet to build up enough patience to wait for Slow's). We started with the burnt ends app--pretty good, although I thought the ends would be a little more "burnt (/crispy). Go for the fattier pieces here, they are incredible. For my entree, I had the pulled pork entree. Seriously, this stuff was not only the best BBQ I've had, but right up there with some of the best food. They serve up the pork without any sauce, and you have 5-6 sauces at the table to slather it up in. Really any sauce was good, but I preferred the white sauce and the texas BBQ sauce. For my sides, I went with the onion rings and the mac 'n cheese--yea, I was trying to eat healthy that night. To be honest, it was a bit of "heavy-ness" overkill. Don't get me wrong, they were super delicious, but something green on the plate would have served me well. If you've never had the mac 'n cheese here before, you gotta try it at least once. To top it off, you get a TON of DELICIOUS food and it's only about $13!! I had plenty of food for 2 meals--easy. If you don't feel like waiting 2 hours at Slow's, come to Union Woodshop and wait a half-hour--on a Tuesday (trust me, it's worth it).
(5)
Rayna P.

Wow! I loved the trendy, retro atmosphere. There are neat touches to your experience that will make this a fun meal. The food served on cafe-style metal trays is a fun way to present the food. The decor is funky, fun and eclectic. Service was amazing. We ate with our young kids and the offerings were great for young kids! But, you could eat here for a great dinner with adults and not have the family buzz around you either. If you are near or even if you have to drive, you MUST eat here!!
(5)
Daniel S.

They cook their meat perfectly and the waitstaff is knowledgable and friendly. The only thing holding them back is that none of their 8 sauces really stand out as amazing (to someone accustomed to Southern BBQ). The best sauce is probably the Caroline sauce (not at the table, so ask them to bring it out).
(5)
Bob B.

Delicious - got the woodshop 101 dish. Amazing, all of the meats were great! Onion rings were the best i have ever had. Got there at 4pm on a Saturday, had to wait for just over an hour. When we left the wait was 3 hours - never heard of someone waiting that long for BBQ.
(4)
levramosis H.

I have no doubt that I would be a much bigger fan of Union Woodshop if I hadn't recently fallen in love with Red Rock Downtown Barbecue in Ypsilanti. While the food here is good, much of it is edged out by Red Rock. I went to UW on a Monday night, about 7:15pm. Was informed there was a 45 minute wait and headed upstairs to the bar. The drinks there, while limited, were fairly solid if not inspired cocktails. I had a "grandma betty" which was a riff on an old fashioned. There was an addition of a respectable orange bitter and some interesting homemade cherries. There was no offer of food/menu/bar snacks but there was a group at the bar that had some, so I'm not sure what the situation there was. It was maybe 20 minutes when our pager went off that our table was ready. Settling up at the bar was a bit of a pain, but not as much as getting downstairs to discover a completely different and highly disappointing bar/beer/bourbon menu. Mediocre bourbons, uninspired cocktails and the only beers on tap were of the lager/pilsner/ipa style. One porter/stout was available in a bottle. The only saving grace was Scrumpy's cider. Which at $15.50 a bottle was a touch steep, even at restaurant markup. Service was also mediocre at best. Menus came after sitting at the table for upwards of ten minutes. Water glasses were not refilled until the end of the meal and I typically drink 2-3 glasses with each meal. The shrimp cocktail was the shining star of my meal. It was smoky, chilled and delicious. The cocktail sauce complimented and in no way took away from the smoked delicacy of the shrimp. This one dish alone I would return for. Started with burnt ends. Red Rock TOTALLY has them beat here. The burnt ends at UW were heavily sauced, and true flavor from the meat was difficult to discern. There were large chunks that were nothing but fat and the sauce soaked mushy bread detracted rather then added to the dish. For entrees we tried the baby back ribs, side car or brisket, and pulled pork sandwich. For sides we chose onion rings, fries, and sweet potato mash. The corn muffin that came with the ribs was solid and was elevated by the whipped butter it was served with. The ribs were smoky but more toothsome than I prefer. The brisket was smokey, lean-ish and tasty. The pulled pork (which we thankfully thought to order un-sauced) was nicely smoky, the slaw a decent addition but the sandwich desperately need more texture. This is again where Red Rock has UW beat. The well toasted buns at Red Rock make a world of difference in the sandwich. The onion rings tasted good but were greasy, the fries were good but not well seasoned and the sweet potato mash was interesting but was watery and lacked the depth of flavor of a nicely roasted then mashed sweet potato. For dessert we chose the maple bourbon sundae. There were major texture issues with this dessert. The nitrogen ice cream was served way too cold. I took quite a bit of time for it to soften to a texture that was less icy and more creamy and warm to a temperature that made the most of the nicely flavored ice cream. There was a grainy residue left on the spoon with every bite that I suspect came from texturizers in the ice cream. The sauce was watery and runny. The highlight was the smoked peanuts which gave this dish some desperately needed interest. There were many good points to the meal, but few really great points. I would happily sit at the bar upstairs with a nicely crafted cocktail, a couple of the shrimp cocktails and maybe a smoked peanut bar snack and never really feel the need to eat dinner downstairs.
(3)
Kelly S.

Went here about a month ago on a Wednesday. Arrived at about 5:45 expecting a wait and they sat us immediately! Woodstick app (breadsticks with cream cheese dip) was fresh out of their pizza oven and absolutely delicious. Burnt end brisket app was very good. Pulled pork was without a doubt the best I have ever tried! Best part is that portion is large and you'll have leftovers so when you crave it again the next day (which you will) you can make a pulled pork sandwich...yum! Baby back ribs were fall off the bone and tender! You get so much food that it doesn't matter too much, but want to add that the sides you choose with the meal are VERY small. Cornbread comes with meals and you choose two sides. The sides are about 2oz or something enough to take a couple bites. Fries and mac n' cheese were definitely the larger options. Cheesy potatoes were my personal favorite. Based on the sizes of the meals I think you are better off getting a meal and adding a sidecar of another meat than ordering the Woodshop 101, it was quite small in comparison with the other meals at the table. Don't know if BBQ will ever be the same after eating here only wish it wasn't so far away!
(5)
Sandra M.

Was at Union Woodshop today at 12:15pm, no wait but after an hour I could see people waiting outside. the service was not the best but the food was amazing, the mac and cheese , beans, corn bread , onion rings was out of this world. The meat was pretty good(pulled pork, beef brisket, hot links, burnt ends) specially if you try all of their sauces. I wish I live closer... I would come over ever other day and try everything on the menu!
(5)
Dave A.

Great food just call a head for a table
(5)
Laila C.

PORKTOBERFEST!!!! mm...this could, this is, this MUSt be an annual tradition!!!!!!! A carnivore's dream filled with fried pig's ears, head cheese and pork cheek bacon that's just the most delectable thing I've ever put in my mouth (WHY IS THERE NOT AN APP THAT'S JUST A BOWL OF THIS STUFF!!) The pork shank that fell from the heavens and landed in my mouth. The sausage trio!!!!!!!! What's not to love when offered 3 different types of encased meats? All this magic could only be achieved by a chef slaughtering his own HUGE pig and making everything on site with love and tenderness. In addition to all that, don't forget the yummy yummy fatty burnt ends, the delightfully crispy, homemade bratwurst pizza and perfectly smoked wings (which is AWESOME with the 6..and if you're really brave, 7 homemade bbq sauces)-if you're really brave, and dumb, ask for the hotter than hell sauce. You'll die. I promise. Last but not least, finish with the butterscotch pudding. Yup, never thought I'd say this...but that butterscotch pudding it pretty much all I've been thinking about since this weekend (and that means TONS from a girl who doesn't like sweets). Why's this butterscotch pudding sooo amazing? Oh maybe the super heavy but unimaginably light whipped cream, maybe the butterscotch pudding with chunks of yumminess, or most likely the ingenious addition of natural sea salts to really bring out all the flavors!
(5)
James B.

Of the seven deadly sins that I'll most likely burn for, in all probability it will be for gluttony. In fact, this evening I came perilously close to it becoming a reality thanks to the food at Union Woodshop. Dinner was 5 hours ago and I'm still experiencing the agony and the ecstasy from stuffing myself until loosening my belt was the only way to create room in my stomach. One "waaafer-thin mint", and I would have become the Filipino version of Mr. Creosote. It was all worth it because in my humble opinion, this is the finest BBQ in the area. My friend and I started with the burnt ends appetizer. The beef was tender, unctuous in the best sense, and delicious. There was enough in one order for the 2 of us so it would also make for a nice entree if served with a couple of sides. My entree was the Woodshop 101. This combo plate offers you a 1/4 chicken, choice of brisket or pulled pork, choice of 2 spare or baby back ribs, plus 2 sides. I chose the brisket and the spare ribs to go with my chicken and the mac & cheese and black beans and rice as my sides. (I told you I pigged out!). The chicken was tender and juicy, the ribs were melt in your mouth delicious due to the generous layers of fat that remained from proper smoking technique, and the brisket had a beautiful smoke ring and likewise so tender that you could cut it with your fork. Both side dishes were on point, particularly the black beans and rice. UWs's is actually vegetarian which I usually find suspect - no offense to my vegetarian/vegan friends, but I love all things meat related. I must say that the black beans and rice were savory and quite delicious. All the meats were served sans sauce though you have a choice of 5 sauces on the table to choose from if you are of the bbq sauce aficionado persuasion. As it is, I am usually of the anti-sauce camp because I really like the flavor of the meat to shine through - i will/did taste each sauce to compare to the sauces I have tried in each region, though I've never had the Alabama bbq. All were tasty to try, but as luck would have it, I was given a sauce that I thoroughly enjoyed enough to use - it is not actually on the menu though. So let's talk a bit about bbq sauce... The 5 sauces on the table are: 1. Tennessee - tomato based 2. S. Carolina - vinegar and mustard based 3. Lockhart, TX - tomato and chipotle based 4. NYC Chinatown - hoisin based 5. Alabama - this is a form of bbq sauce that I've never had. It is horseradish/mayo based. (A brief digression - The Lockhart TX bbq is actually a misnomer. The bbq of Central TX, where Lockhart is located, rarely is sauced. The bbq sauce served at UWs is reminiscent of sauce that you'd find in East TX, like in Houston, so it would be more appropriately dubbed, East TX sauce.) There are 2 other sauces on the menu that you must ask for as they have a much higher chili content and unsurprisingly much hotter. The first is Raleigh NC, a vinegar/chili pepper based sauce, and the second is called Hell, Michigan sauce made with the 1M Scoville unit Ghost chili. I tried the Hell sauce and liked it - alot actually, but it didn't live up to my expectations of heat. Having heard me say just that, our server mentioned they had a sauce that was much hotter called XXX that was off-menu and came with a warning about eating it. It is a proprietary blend of the Ghost chili, pure capsaicin extract and a few other "things". "Bring it on!" was my response. What our server brought out was a clear squeeze bottle labeled XXX Special Reserve. Inside the bottle was a concoction that looked quite literally like the tar balls from the BP spill, with a consistency to match. It is also worth noting that this particular bottle had to be refrigerated, as if to keep the heat from melting the bottle. It took me several minutes to squeeze a dollop onto my ribs because of the high viscosity. One sniff of the stuff managed to open up both my nasal passages which have been continuously plugged due to my allergies. Tentatively, I took a bite... it was quite delicious... you could taste the meat, the chili... our server came by to see if I liked it... "Why, yes... yes I do... it's not as hot as I thought...".... BAM!... my tongue feels like I've licked a gas range set to 11... tears start streaming down my cheeks... I take a sip of water... MORON!!!!... chili oil now spreads throughout my mouth... bursts of flame shoot through my nose... tongue goes numb... mouth goes numb... lather, rinse, repeat with masochistic abandon. I.love.that.sauce. It is a blessing that it is a bit of a hike to get to UWs. It is the one thing that saves me from becoming a complete bbq glutton and facing Hades because of it.
(4)
Andi M.

Update I lived in Texas for a year and I still think this is the best brisket I have EVER had.
(5)
Bob M.

Great food and atmosphere, I have been twice now and both times it was great. the brisket is fall apart tender. the union mac and cheese is yummy as usual. the hand cut fries are tasty and crunchy. the pulled pork and hot link were top notch. The first time we had the fried pickle app, they were good and crunchy. We had the wood sticks the second time and they were some of the best bread sticks I have ever had. On the first vist the girlfriend had a burrito with smoked chicken , she could only eat half. I picked a few pieces of chicken out and it was juicy,smokey and tender. The wait times they said when we arrived were terrible, 2 and 1.5 hours, but we ended up not waiting that long at all. All in all we will be back . It is a bit of a drive ( 45 min) for us but well worth it. There is not any other BBQ of this quality around here.
(4)
Andrea D.

I have been wanting to try this place for years! Finally got the opportunity last night and was not disappointed. Tip: Don't be in a hurry when you go. We were trying to get to fireworks at the Oakland County Fair, so we were a little rushed. Our wait was about 20-25 minutes on July 4th. Service was outstanding - great waitress. Not to mention, the entire staff is super cute and hip. The vibe of the place is outstanding from the interior, to the music. Even the bathroom is hip. The menu is great. Definately, start with the fried dill pickles - at $2.50, how can you not? Thankfully, you'll only get 4....it would be easy to gobble down more. I had a small cherry/pork salad, which was great with a bit of the NY BBQ sauce. I ordered the small in hopes that I would have time to order the butterscotch pudding...but alas, I did not. My hubs had the hot link roll with slaw & a side of the mac & cheese. Only needed about 1/3 of the bread included with the hot link roll, otherwise, magnifique! Can't wait to go back. Love this place!
(5)
Christine S.

My husband and I came here for our wedding anniversary, it was close to the house and I have been dying to try this place ever since I moved out here. The place was packed on a Thursday night at 6:45 pm, there's a wait of course...to the bar we stand..in the way of everyone mind you, everyone! There was no good place to stand. After about a 1/2 hour we managed to find a table top to stand next to, along with 2 other couples we felt bad for. They were in the way as well and we kept calling them over to stand with us. 2 drinks, $15..gulp! It's now 8:15pm, finally we get called to our table. Tired, famished, and irritable. Husband: Pulled Pork Sandwich with fries. OMG the dipping sauce for the fries..so good. It tasted something like Thousand Island dressing but better. He loved the sandwich. Me: Blackened Catfish with Rice and Beans...loved it! I ate the whole darn thing and washed it down with a Dark and Stormy, Black Rum and Ginger Beer, really unique taste and really good. $24.00, now that's more like it. I would definitely come back and with my patience.
(4)
Chuck H.

After three attempts, I finally got to try the Woodshop. I was happy with my meal, but nothing bowled me over. The best things I had were the Kid Rock N' Rye drinks, deep fried pickles, and the cornbread muffin. The brisket, sweet mash, mac & cheese, and bourbon ice cream were all good, but I had really high expectations for them that weren't quite met after three attempts, seeing Guy Fieri's stupid mug on TV hyping them, and waiting yet another hour to get in today. I'll be back again, but I'm in no rush... nor should anyone be with the crazy wait times.
(4)
Jared H.

I have only gone to the Union Woodshop once and it was about two years ago, but I was shocked to see the overwhelmingly positive reviews here... maybe they were having an off night, but my experience was such that I do not plan to go back. First of all, it was a date with my then-girlfriend (now wife). We were seated at a very odd table... it was round, but the seats were only around one side of the table, so it was impossible to sit facing each other. Also, it was surprisingly dark. We ordered a meal where we got ribs, brisket, and pulled pork. We had the fries and macaroni for sides, as I had heard nothing but praise for the macaroni. The meats were all on the dry side, which would have been fine if they had a good flavor - but they didn't. It was ok, but nothing special... famous daves does much better. Also, I did not like a single one of their sauces, though I don't remember anything else about them at this point. The fries were good, but the macaroni was not very cheesy at all, and somehow managed to be both dry and mushy. The service was slow and impersonal. Overall, I have nothing positive to say about the experience.
(2)
Jessica S.

I recently made the trek out to the Union Woodshop in Clarkston for a private party, and was glad to see the hype was pretty darn accurate! The service was friendly (Extra points for the super-nice service from Rhonda), the food was delicious (Mac N Cheese? Yum! House Smoked Shrimp Cocktail? Yum! Rocket Pizza? Yum!) and the atmosphere was very cozy and relaxed. The prices are extremely reasonable as well! I'll definitely be back to sample the rest of the goodies on the menu very soon! (Especially the ribs and pulled pork I've heard so much about!)
(4)
Anson M.

Great food. I had the ribs with collard greens and macaroni&cheese. I had no leftovers.
(5)
Ashley A.

This place is definitely worth the 40 minute wait for a table for two! They have an awesome Michigan beer selection and some of the best priced apps I have ever seen ($2.50 for fried pickles). Their macaroni is seriously the best I have ever encountered (sorry Clarkston Union) and their half chicken includes all the skin, fat, and bones! I love it!
(4)
Michael S.

Everything you heard about this place is true! The pulled pork is out of this world and the Mac & Cheese is hall of fame! Try the "kid rock & rye"! Smoked chicken with the 'Bama sauce is an excellent combo. If you can possibly save room get the bourbon sundae!
(5)
Eric C.

Since I live downtown I am a Slows To Go Fan but I think today I had something better. Walked in to Union Woodshop today sat down ordered pulled pork, mac and cheese and cheesy potatoes. The pulled pork was better than my hometown favorite, I could not believe it. I have lived in GA and SC and thought that was good bbq but the pulled pork I had today was incredible. The sauce collection was dead on in terms of descriptions and regional accuracy. The South Carolina sauce was my favorite. North Carolina and Hell MI sauces were fantastic. The Mac and Cheese was good but not make you cry like Slows. Great place. A definite mandatory stop for anyone driving up I-75.
(4)
Megan F.

This place is top notch - everything is DELICIOUS! We started with a Bloody Mary that featured smoked, stuffed olives (completely unbelievable) and smoked pickles. I was already in heaven. As a complete pickle freak, we ordered the fried pickles which were served with a tangy mayo dippy sauce and thick breading. My man ordered the Porker with a side of Mac which did not disappoint - seriously one of the best mac n cheeses this side of the galaxy. I had the smoked shrimp salad which was tasty but could have used a lot more dressing and shrimp (this is my only complaint) and the potato salad which was in a REAL mustard sauce with bacon and other goodness. I would eat it all again, but would probably skip the salad next time. It's a distance from where we live, but worth the drive. We arrived at 1:30 p.m. on a Sunday and found seats at the bar right away, but be advised that you should plan for a long wait.
(5)
A G.

We went there to celebrate sweetest day early. We have been debating on going for awhile now and every time the opportunity arises, we didn't take it. Well, last night we took the opportunity and I am so glad that we did. Not only did I not have to wait for a table, but our waitress, Sarah, was amazing! We had the half chicken and the porker, both great. The sides, Mac and cheese and sweet potato mash with jalapeÃ±os in it were outta this world. The selection of sauces is mind boggling and I definitely recommend this place to anyone!!! A huge kudos to the restaurant and all the employees, you gained two more fans! I would much rather stand in line for this restaurant for hours and have great food with less cost than go up the road to a different restaurant (Logan's) and spend nearly twice the money and leave that place still hungry and utterly disappointed. A MUST DO!!!!
(5)
Rodney H.

If you are a fan of Anthony Bourdain no Reservations, or a fan of Janelles reviews you have heard that Street food is the most authentic, best tasting Food to be eaten & you will get no arguments from me, especially in Asia but also in Mexico & certain European countries Street food does provide the best experience of local cuisine. However in the USA we really have no Street food culture, save for perhaps Manhattan Hot Dog Vendors or the Food courts in every suburban shopping mall in the country. Really its not surprising because we are the country of the Automobile & Driving everywhere & street food just don't go together. Hence my hypothesis that Barbecue in all its incantations is the USA equivalent of Street food. Whether you prefer Memphis style dry rub or North Carolina versions or Kansas city BBQ, whether your a Ribs person or Pulled Pork or Chicken Fiend BBQ is usually inexpensive, the Antithesis of Fine dining & very very tasty. I'm glad to say that in Oakland county we have a fantastic purveyor of BBQ. We have sampled the Kansas city style Spare ribs, The platter comes with 2 from multiple sides but the French Fries are fantastic & the Cole slaw is a good 2nd choice. The Ribs are served dry & 6 different sauces are on the table if you prefer wet, they range from TN mild, NYC piquant, Mustard based, Tomato based sauces. The Ribs them selves are cooked to perfection, melt of the bone goodness, moist & meaty. They also serve a slew of excellent draft beers served in Mason glasses, a healthy wine list & Hard Cider. Do yourself a favor & head out to clarkston, its a fair drive North of the city but well worth the effort. Fantastic
(5)
Richard F.

OK. This is an update to my update. We went back to the Union Woodshop for dinner. We had 5 in our party this time. It was a spectacular experience. I upgraded the place from 4 stars to 5 as a result. Several of us ordered dinners with sidecars. I expected a small add-on portion of the meat item selected. In my case I ordered the hot link as a sidecar item. I think they could have called this a freight train! It was not only delicious, but it was huge too. And all the sidecars ordered were similarly huge. I almost always finish everything I order. I do this out of stubbornness as much as anything else. I had take some food home this time. What a huge meal. But I don't want to focus on how much there was to eat. I should really tell you how good the food was and how attentive the service was. The food was perfect. I ordered the half chicken plate and I opted for the Mac and Cheese which is a specialty of the Woodshop, and I also had the collards. Both sides were insanely good and the half chicken was juicy and smoky. Sometimes when you order a half chicken, the breast comes dried out. But not at the Union Woodshop. IT was perfect with a capital P. The mac-n-cheese came with browned bread crumbs on top and it was great and the the collards were seasoned just right. Everyone enjoyed their selections and also enjoyed trying the 8 or so sauces we had on the table. We will be back soon. --------------------------------------------------Â--------------------------------------------------Â--------- Six of us had a dinner at the Union Woodshop to celebrate a birthday. We went early because the lines get very long starting at about 6 PM. While I did not enjoy my smoked rib-eye last time, this time I ordered a half chicken and it was quite good. I also reordered the mac-n-cheese and it was just wonderful as it was last time. I also ordered the onion rings. While the person sitting across the table from me said his were served hot, mine came out lukewarm and greasy. So I mentioned this to our server and he apologized and put in a replacement order. The replacement rings came out red hot and delicious, We share two order of the burnt ends as appetizers and also a couple of growlers of dark beer too. All in all, I have upgraded the Union Woodshop. Although it was not a perfect experience, they certainly did deliver a great meal as everyone had a good experience. The food was good. The service was excellent. Portions were big too. The total damages came to around $ 140 with tax and before tip. Go early if you want dinner and don't like waiting on a long wait list.
(5)
Kristi S.

Not worth waiting for. Went on Saturday night Mar 3rd, and ordered "fall off the bones" ribs as labeled on the menu. I had to pull them apart with both hands. When addressed with the waiter I was told comically that "well we smoke them for 15 hours". He was entertaining and threw me off so I didn't lament over it. I think he got us a complimentary butterscotch pudding which was pretty tasty, to offset rib displeasure. Sweet potato side tasted okay, but it was like baby food - too mushy for me. Coleslaw was good. The atmosphere is rock solid. The waiters rule too. Very cool new waiting area on level two just opened. All this to say, when you want fall-off-the-bones ribs, you want them, and this is not the place.
(2)
James B.

Pizza was good. Didn't try the BBQ on this visit. Definitely gets crowded there. And we were there on a Sunday evening. Very loud.
(4)
Rochelle P.

Not sure why I didn't write this earlier...Anyway back to the good stuff. I heard about Union Woodshop from someone at work when I made the apparently insulting comment that we had yet to find good barbeque in the area. He looked appalled but then felt compelled to tell me about Union Woodshop....WOW were we glad we insulted that guy. There was a bit of a wait (ok a lot...an hour and 20 minutes). BUT all good things come to those wait, right? Well it is definitely the case here! It didn't hurt that they have servers asking if you want a drink every 20 minutes or so :) OK on to the food....At this point we were starving so app's were definitely needed. I believe we had something called Brisket Bites? Whatever they were, it was like little morsels of heaven. The menu all looked so good but I went with Woodshop 101 so I could sample a little bit of everything. The chicken was excellent! I'm not sure how they keep the white meat so moist but they really should let me in on that secret. The pulled pork (always a favorite with me) was amazing as well! Another thing I enjoy? The meat comes naked so you can choose any one of their sauces. I love that the sauces are each states own version of barbeque sauce. This makes for much less arguing when it comes time to pick a BBQ restaurant! OK I'm hungry now so I'm going to see if they take reservations :) Do yourself a favor and GO!
(5)
Merle H.

6 of us piled in our vehicle and headed two hours south today to eat at the Woodshop. We met another couple from the area who had been there twice before. We arrived at 2.30p on Saturday and they indicated we would have a 40 minute wait. No problem, based on other reviews we expected up to two hours. We were seated in 30 minutes. We ordered appetizers for all 8 of us and chose 2 orders each of Woodsticks and Burnt ends. Perfect amount for 8. Fantastic!!!Highly recommend both. 2 of us ordered the brisket, 1 Porker, 1 pulled pork, 1 chicken club, 1 burger, 1 sweet potato burrito, and one 101 combo. We all shared and loved all of the food with no complaints. It is a must see and taste. Plan to wait but you can shop and walk around this quaint little town that seems a little busy with traffic for the size of town. Next time I am ordering the Ribeye for sure.
(5)
Brian J.

Love it! Keep getting the porker burger and it is great! The mac n' cheese is good, but not great, but the meats are incredible.
(5)
Raymond B.

Used to love this place!! NOT anymore, I was an original customer way before all the media hype.. If you enjoy waiting 2-3 hours + go for it !! NOT worth it!! Who waits that long?? Then when u do sit done get ready for the we are out of Brisket or no more Wings or out of this & ran out of that!! Noticed to alot of the food is not as good as it once was.. I think they are overwhelmed by the amount of customers..
(1)
L P.

BBQ is great, highly suggest the pulled pork. The atmosphere is slightly more upscale but jeans are still right in lone with dress code. The obvious comparison is always going to be slows so here you go: the meat is very similar but bigger portions at woodshop, the sides are smaller and not quite as good at woodshop, the wait is always less at woodshop, and the price is a bit less at slows. Clarkston is a very cool tiny town but this brings me to the two downsides: it's very far from Detroit and their alcohol carding policy. I totally appreciate that they can't take a risk for serving underage drinkers but I feel like using your judgement on age is still acceptable. One of our party forgot his wallet but he looks well older than 21 by at least 10 years but they absolutely refused to serve him, quite frustrating. Soooo, remember your ID.
(4)
Rena I.

Everything we ate was excellent! The pulled pork, beef brisket, hot links, burnt ends, Mac & cheese, sweet mash, collard greens, corn bread, wood sticks, beans, brownie skillet w/ ice cream and butterscotch pudding..... Delicious... & friendly, helpful staff
(5)
Scott U.

My girlfriend and I stopped off here while exploring cute downtown Clarkston. Loved the beer selection, and very good bread sticks. We had the pulled pork, which was good, not fantastic. Huge portion however, plenty for the two of us. Very friendly and efficient wait staff. We ate there during a free concert in the park, place was jammed and they handled the crowd well, service was still pretty quick.
(3)
Steve C.

This place was incredible. Managed to snag a few spots at the bar on a busy Friday evening. They had a decent selection of Michigan beers on tap. The beef brisket was the best I've had, and the sauces were great. Would definitely return.
(5)
Marc C.

Huge fan of Union Woodshop! Best BBQ in SE Michigan (Sorry Slows). The pulled pork sandwich with house made pickles is out of this world, and the Mac & Cheese is incredible! Very cool vibe, well worth the long lines, especially now with bar area above the restaurant where you can grab and an appetizer while you wait. Highly recommended!!
(5)
John Z.

Friday, 9/16/11 4;30p Potato salad is best ever in Michigan....and many other states. Chicken Club sandwich was tasty. Pulled Pork BBQ - has nice wood-smoke flavor and very tender. Somewhere in the process too much salt is added. Also, too greasy for me. 2 bites were nothing but large globules of fat. :-( Collard greens are NOT edible, need a real southern recipe. Sweet potatoes were soupy. Corn muffin dry, over-done. Desserts need more work...butterscotch thing was scorched and disgusting. I'll return, if I'm near Clarkston, to try the chicken and maybe ribs & brisket. Not worth a drive from SCS for their food alone. Anxious to hear what Guy Fieri has to say about his experience. (he never has a bad meal on DDD, ya know).
(3)
Jason D.

Great barbeque
(5)
Phillip B.

go here and eat everything... that is all
(5)
Shanna L.

I really wanted to be able to give this really cool place four or five stars...but....not yet. My fiancÃ© and I went with good friends, who recommended the Union Woodshop. We had also seen the restaurant featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives and knew we had to try it. We went at an "off" time, which was perfect, as we only waited about 20 minutes (apparently waits can be a few hours!). We started with the Woodsticks, which is a small pizza-sized wood-fired breadstick dish serviced with a cream cheese dip. So yummy! I could have made a meal of that alone! My fiancÃ© and I both ordered the pulled pork, which was very tender. The sauces are also delicious, although I think I preferred the TN sauce. I was disappointed with the side dishes I ordered, which is my main reason for giving this restaurant three stars at this time. The green bean casserole tasted very cheesy; I'm not sure if this is because they use cheese flavored onion crisps, but it seemed to permeate the whole side dish. I know most people wouldn't mind, because most people like cheese, but I'm weird. The black beans and rice was nothing to write home about; it seemed to have a strange taste I couldn't quite put my finger on. We had originally planned on getting dessert, but were so full and had enough to take home, that we decided to save dessert for next time. At a 45 minute drive, we won't be going too often, but that will just mean it will be a treat! Service was okay, but not great.
(3)
Jamie A.

My absolute favorite restaurant! I'm pretty sure I could eat at The Woodshop every day and not get sick of it! I've been there 3 times in the past 4 weeks, and if asked tomorrow where I wanted to go to dinner, I'd choose it again. The pulled pork is out of this world! And the cheesy potatoes? OMGoodness! My mouth is watering thinking about the mac & cheese, and the onion rings! You have to start with the friend pickles, they are ridiculous! The atmosphere is fun and laid back. Be prepared for a wait pretty much any night of the week if you head in after 530 or 6. However, the little boutique next door is super cute and offers free wine on Friday and Saturday evenings :) Finish your meal with the salted butterscotch pudding, you won't regret it! I was the kid that constantly tried to pawn off butterscotch pudding if it happened to end up in my lunchbox, but this stuff is seriously to die for. The entire staff at The Woodshop goes out of their way to make your entire experience enjoyable!
(5)
TJ J.

Gross ribs that appear to have sat under a heat lamp all day. Poor selection of vegetables. Week beer selection. Very expensive. Long wait. If you go here order the pizza.
(2)
Kevin W.

best fried pickles/ onion rings hands down... Delicious beef brisket and really good dipping sauce, a great place in Clarkson to check out, no complaints, only praise.... unique and one of a kind, Ive heard people from out of state come here just to eat!
(5)
Don D.

I have been hearing about The Union Woodshop for a little while. A DJ on a local radio station was singing it's praises, and I was met with more positive reviews when I checked it out on Yelp. Being that Lazybones Smokehouse is my favorite by far, I stack every experience up against that establishment. While The Shop wasn't as good, it was definitely worth the drive to Clarkston, and definitely one I would make again. I ordered brisket(like I always do) and it was tender, and smokey. The sides were great, and the cornbread was also very tasty. My friend who was with me said that after dining here, and at the aforementioned Lazybones, that Slow's was now third on the list. I disagreed, because to me, Slow's isn't even on the map. This place has better food and better service then Slow's, and has a classy atmosphere, without the "seen and be seen" cloud that plagues everyone's seemingly favorite Detroit restaurant. This is a place worth checking out for sure.
(4)
Carol P.

I live in Clarkston and I would love to give this place a one star rating in order to lighten the crowds. Before it was highlighted on DDD we and our friends went there without the very long waits. Now that they have the awesome bar upstairs, the wait isn't painful at all, great relaxed atmosphere like the restaurant. The food is always fantastic, pulled pork being my favorite along with the vanilla nitro-ice cream. The wait is worth it.
(5)
Lori Z.

We went there on a Thursday night and it was pretty crowded. We waited for a half hour or so and the bar was packed with little room to stand. But we enjoyed some Founders beer and watched the Wings game while we waited, so it was just fine. Ordered the fried pickles for an appetizer. They were good, different than what I've had before. Normally, fried pickles are the fried pickle chips, these are fried pickle spears. If you haven't had them, definitely worth trying. For dinner, I ordered the brisket and my husband ordered the spare ribs. The ribs were good...tender. The brisket was okay, a little on the fatty/chewy side. I liked being able to try different sauces (there are four on each table) and both of our dinners came with two sides (and yes, we had to order the Union mac n' cheese which was delish as usual). The pizzas looked great and we'll probably try one of those next because we'll definitely go back.
(4)
Hayley S.

Amazing food, great atmosphere. I've been her multiple times and will never get sick of it. I HIGHLY recommend the cherry pork salad, but get the half version as the full is enough to feed an entire family. And of course the pulled pork, and beef brisket simply to die for. The Woodshop is very similar is Slows BBQ in Detroit for the fact that the menu is the very similar, and all the BBQ sauces are on the table. However, I think the Woodshop is much better than slows. If you've never had the Union Mac and Cheese you must get it as a side, it's to die for. Make sure get there early on a weekend, or plan on waiting as they don't take reservations. It's worth the wait!
(5)
Caitlin F.

I never thought I could have delicious, authentic barbecue out of a restaurant in Clarkston, Michigan...never in one hundred years! However, this is the place to go for genuine Michigan barbecue. That's right, I'm starting a Michigan barbecue movement. I don't even know where to start. Drinks? No...I can't remind you of my love for whiskey just yet...how about...the decor! Yes, the decor. Stunning. Kitschy without being tacky, warm and cozy without being crowded, and a throwback to art deco without being...well, art deco. It feels new and classic all at the same time. Really, I wouldn't leave, except for that they close... Let's bring it back to the whiskey, now. I didn't even glance at the rest of their drink list. I stopped at the first one listed, dubbed the "Kid Rock and Rye". Hah! I see what you did there. It's Faygo Rock and Rye with a generous portion of Red Stag mixed in. Get it? Get it?! Faygo=Michigan=Kid Rock=Corporate Sponsor Red Stag?! I love when product placement is so hilariously presented to me. Am I mad? Hell no. This drink is delicious. If I had mixed Faygo with liquor at home it would be "klassy-with-a-K"; however, at this ridiculous, beautifully adorned restaurant, it is a revelation. Buyer beware: they pour their drinks on the heavy side. After half of my drink, it was appetizer time...as I was, well, feeling a tad loopy. The prices are phenomenal on appetizers, about $3 for fried pickles and $4 for a side of bread with magical garlic-cream cheese-butter-STUFF. Very appropriate portion sizes as well. Bonus points! We each ended up ordering a different type of meat, so we could share and try the different kinds the Woodshop makes. I was lucky enough to sample their brisket, pulled pork, hot links, hot dogs and chicken. Really, truly, all of the meats were fantastic...moist, flavorful, perfectly fatty...everything you could want from a meaty treat. The hot link had a similar flavor to beef jerky, just spicy enough to be enjoyable, too. The house-made hot dogs(!) mimicked the jerky note in the hot link, and had an amazing all-around beef flavor. These are what Hebrew National aspire to be (and I LOVE Hebrew Nationals). The brisket, pulled pork and chicken all were great alone, but were also incredibly perfect vessels for the homemade sauces. There is a 'cue sauce for everyone...Texas, Georgia and Alabama styles, ultra-spicy (by request only!) and a special Asian-inspired sauce. In all, I believe there were 8 sauces. What a selection! Speaking of selection, a good plate of barbecue would be naked without side dishes. The menu boasts at least twelve different options. Hands down, the macaroni and cheese and cheesy potatoes are the two best sides. I swear, if everyone just ate their cheesy potatoes...there would be world peace. For real! Surprisingly enough, I saved room for dessert. My mom ordered the butterscotch pudding, which featured sea salt at the bottom of the Mason jar dish. It made a flavor sensation, especially when paired with the real whipped cream topping. I had the freshly-baked brownie skillet, complete with their specialty liquid-nitrogen vanilla ice cream. What an amazing end to a meal. So comforting and homey. I can't wait to visit the Union Woodshop again. Their menu also features wood-fired pizzas, fresh salads and a variety of burgers. They also feature an entire gluten-free menu. Not some namby-pamby few, select items...a whole menu! There is quite literally something for everyone, so next time you find yourself around Clarkston, give the Union Woodshop a try!
(5)
Matthew S.

I never heard of the Union Woodshop until my wife and I saw a Kid Rock special on MTV in November, 2010, and the Union Woodshop was featured in the show. We decided to give it a try. We went on an Friday night, so there was almost an hour's wait, but the wait was definitely worth it! We started out with the deep fried pickles. Instead of sliced pickles like I've seen elsewhere, UW does them as whole pickles, and they were awesome. Not too heavy, so you could eat them and still have room for dinner. I opted for the Pulled Pork and my wife went with the ribeye. The pulled pork was easily the best I've ever tasted. It was tender, melt in your mouth, moist deliciousness. UW provided several sauces for me to put on it, and the "Bama" and Texas were my favorites, but the pulled pork pulled its own weight without the need for sauce. My wife's ribeye was perfectly cooked, tender and delicious. Both of us went with a side of Mac and Cheese, after reading plenty of reviews in favor of it. Definitely worth it! And their baked beans were quite yummy as well. We rounded out our waistlines with the deep fried twinkie. Not at all what we were expecting...this tasted more along the lines of an elephant ear, but that's not a bad thing. It was quite good, and rich. Good for splitting! And, very importantly, was the exemplary service. Our waitress was very attentive to us, despite the establishment being veeeeeery busy. She kept ensuring our beverages were filled, asking if there was anything else we needed, etc. And when we requested the Red Wings game to be put on, the Wings got turned on. If Yelp would allow me to rate this as 6 stars, I would. Two thumbs up from both Sheila and me!
(5)
Patricia P.

Very good food, very long wait.
(5)
Keely W.

Amazing BBQ! If you dont go to eat, go to look at the decor!
(5)
Christopher C.

I recently went here with a friend who lives in suburban Detroit. Upon arrival around 8PM on a Saturday night we were told it was going to be a 2 hour wait. We retreated to the bar upstairs with a pager for some drinks and conversation. The service at the bar was fast despite a large crowd and the beer selection was excellent. The wait was about 2 hours, and we sat down for dinner around 10pm. Normally I would not wait this long for dinner, however I was told the place was excellent and worth the wait. Sure enough it was, I ordered 6 smoked wings to start, they were large, cooked perfectly, and very tasty with all the sauces on the table. For dinner I ordered the back ribs with house cut fries, and house made mac n cheese. The ribs were excellent, the meat was plentiful and they were perfectly smoked. The sauces on the table were great and offered some unique variety. Overall, everything was excellent, and given the size of the portions, it gave me lunch the next day as well. Overall, this place was great, the wait sucks, but food was excellent.
(4)
Al N.

Ok this place is all great except one thing. If you want wine, they serve it in these tiny glasses. The owner has an issue with traditional wine glasses; he needs to get over it ! The food - BBQ chicken, ribs, pizza is all good. Atmosphere us great. Back bar is wonderful
(4)
Andy T.

Ok, now we're talking. 'Union Woodshop' is honest-to-goodness, slow smoked, authentic barbecue...done right. For people to whom that matters, that's most of what you need to know and you should just start planning your trip right now. My friend and I sampled quite a few items from the menu and found it all to be very good to excellent. All smoked items come without sauce and there's a complete cross-section of sauces on the table. It's like a veritable US House of Representatives of sauces...from vinegar based sauce, to Texas and Kansas City style tomato based sauces. Even the Carolina mustard and Alabama white sauces you almost never see in this area. Your choice. It's a great way to do it. My friend enjoyed the taste of the meat so much he pretty much opted for no sauce. That is saying something. Beef Brisket - juicy, tender, smokey. Nice smoke ring. I added a little of the Texas sauce. Pork Ribs - very nicely trimmed and smoked to perfection. Came loose from the bone, but do not fall apart. Really quite perfectly cooked. A little less smokey, but very tasty. Nice cut of meat. Pulled Pork - Also excellent. Tender and juicy. Not too much fat or extra tissues. Sides were delicious, with my highlight being the macaroni and cheese. Served in it's own small dish, spiced with a hint of pepper and thrown under the broiler for a nice crust on top. Fantastic. Enough of this could be a great meal on it's own. If there was one thing I would change would be the ability to maybe mix and match a plate without chicken. Decor is casual rustic with a cool raw wood wall treatment. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Food came out very quickly. We went fairly early on a Friday evening and sat right down, no waiting. The holiday weekend might have helped us here. I'm not a big fan of waiting around to eat, but Union Woodshop would be worth a decent wait frankly. Downtown Clarkston would be a fine place to wander around while you wait too. ---- With the 'real' barbecue places few and far between in southeastern Michigan, and simply bad 'barbecue' somehow making it into 'best of' lists...Union Woodshop is beacon of authentic smoked tasty goodness. (Check my 'Michigan Barbecue Landscape' list here on Yelp for a roundup of other great (and not so great) barbecue places in SE Michigan)
(5)
Jeff S.

Word of advice: GO HUNGRY The Union Woodshop is an instant Clarkston classic with an oustanding menu. I have been here at least 3 or 4 times since they opened and I swear the food just keeps getting better. If it's your first time I would recommend trying the Woodshop 101 which is a little of everything, ribs, chicken, and brisket or pulled pork; it's also the way to go if you can't decide. The Deep Fried Pickels are a great starter, surprisingly crisp and juicy but with a hot crust. The dipping sauce is amazing too and at just $2.50 for 4 pickels you really can't go wrong. The service is pretty quick, even on a busy Saturday night so it's just enough to hold you over while waiting for some extrordinary meals. We were there on Saturday and they were featuring many other appetizers made with ingredients from the local farmer's market, we didn't try any but the tables around us were very happy. One of the best sides is the famous Union Mac & Cheese which is a must try. Of course The Union is a must try too, your hardest decision this weekend may be which restaurant to choose downtown Clarkston.
(5)
Joel H.

The fried pickles and Rib tips were great for starters. The Porker and Pulled Pork sandwiches exceeded expectations. Its great to find a quality B-we joint in Michigan.
(5)
Don D.

We went to a Pistons' Game and were excited to get another chance to stop in at the Union Woodshop. I have since recommended it to anyone I feel may be up that way at any point. Being in Ann Arbor it saddens me I can not go more often. They changed their awesome bloody mary's but not for the worse. Still a great drink there if you like bloody marys. Everyone loved their food, our waiter was exceptional and a character which we all loved. Even though they overcooked my steak the first time, the waiter didn't even have to wait for me to say anything, he was on top of it as soon as I went to show him and took care of the mistake promptly. Always a pleasure to eat at the Union Woodshop and anyone that like's great food, smoked meats, $1 beers, delicious bloody mary drinks, bar-b-q and more should stop in.
(5)
Sara T.

Superb!! Two girlfriends and I went on a Monday night so it wouldn't be as busy. We were able to walk right in and get a table. Mind you, I drove over an hour in rush hour traffic just to try this place out! It was definitely worth the drive! We started out with the fried pickles. Divine! I loved that they were pickle spears and not the pickle chips that so many chain restaurants do now. I ordered the half slab of baby back ribs with the mac & cheese side and side of cole slaw. The ribs were meaty and fell off the bone. Gristle and fat were nonexistent! I loved the variety of sauces! I tried the NYC, Hell, and Bama. I think my favorite was the NYC. The cole slaw was shaved very thin and had just the right amount of creaminess. I scarfed it down! Now, on to the mac & cheese! I think this may be the best mac & cheese to ever cross my lips. It's definitely rich, and I couldn't eat the entire side portion. I loved the crispy top!! I work down the street from the infamous Slows BBQ in Detroit, and this hands down has Slows beat! From the service to the food, everything about Union Woodshop has them beat!
(5)
Lori D.

The Woodshop is awesome! Totally worth the wait. (My party only waited about 30 minutes. (We watched the Tiger game at the bar.) My husband and I had the beef brisket. It had absolutely not a morsel of fat on it--and with the array of 6 sauces---well, it was excellent!!! The mac n cheese on the side is a def must. So so good. My husband had the sweet potatoes and he loved them! After a bite of his, I can conclude they are delicious!!!! Try the fried pickles as an appetizer--for 2.50. they are such a deal! I liked this place better than Slows and certainly better than Lockhart's. We will certainly be back!!
(5)
DD K.

Amazing & cool. The food was fantastic - a meat lovers dream (though we were with a happy vegetarian) Tomato soup, fried pickles, Woodshop pizza, Margarita pizza, Brisket, mac -n- cheese, green beans & sweet potato mash. All delicious and perfectly cooked. Our server was great with good conversation and suggestions. Great Food - Great Service - Great Decor
(5)
Matthew R.

I would go so far as to say the BBQ is better than Slow's, but it's certainly not as hip. I had the beef brisket with mac and cheese and green bean casserole with butterscotch pudding for dessert. The Bama sauce was my favorite. Great service, great atmosphere, and incredible food. And I peed next to Joe Dumars in the bathroom.
(5)
Mj F.

Hot & delicious. Wait staff was very friendly
(5)
Steven B.

Excellent sides, mac and cheese is phenomenal, and great bbq. Pretty far drive for me but if I am ever that way I like to stop by. Only complaint is the service has never been that good and the prices are somewhat high for this type of food.
(4)
Nikki L.

I give two big thumbs up to the Union Woodshop. It has a great ambiance for a casual night out with friends. I sampled a variety of appetizers, main courses and desserts the night I went, and all were fantastic. Two of the appetizers included beef tips and a chicken tostada, and both were scrumptious. I have to say my favorite part of the evening was dessert. When our server told us about the butterscotch pudding that included a layer of salt and then a layer of whipped cream, I was skeptical. Salt and butterscotch didn't sound like a tasty combo. I was dead wrong. It was ahhh-mazing! The mix of salty and sweet was a perfect pair. It was a to-die-for dessert. I'm a huge fan of the Union, but now that I know its sister location has such great menu options, I'll have trouble picking which restaurant to eat at when I take trips to Clarkston.
(4)
Elyse S.

Very busy on the weekend night we were there - great to see a business doing well. Very good food... highly recommend the brisket. Had to wait an hour + for a table - stood the whole time... there is a bar to help ease that wait if you so indulge. It was good and we will definately be back. They also do a carry out, which also really appealed to us.
(4)
Lauren D.

The food is delicious, servers are bad ass, and you might be in for a Kid Rock sighting. Make the trek. Nuf' said.
(5)
Richie J.

very good comfort food,cool place to hang out upstairs if youre waiting and have a beer and play some free ol school bowling,I got a strike,thx...very good bbq,potato salad,they have the mac n cheese that other union restaurant down street has also,overal a really good dining experience,from the pic of Bob Seger an Bruce Springsteen on the wall to the American Bad Ass wooden wallpiece behind bar...i been there twice in the last month..
(4)
Adam P.

BBQ WARS HAVE BEGUN!! Here is what happens when you lack in service!! You're niche gets bad reviews, thus you get rated lower and do not become a restaurant of the year. Fortunately for The Union Woodshop and their team, they have overcome exceptionally these feats. I have eaten there twice, well one was take out. The first time was packed but we sat at the bar, bellied up to some brisket and ribs and a wide array of sauces from around the country. Smoky and juicy, washed down with a Bad Ass beer (Not a fav, but had to). I love adding the musterdy SC BBQ or drench it in the Tennesse styles. Or bartender Rhonda was very passionate about working there and paid great attention to us. I love that. Now the next time was take out: Pulled Pork, St Louis style ribs, Black Beans and rice, Baked beans and Mac and Cheese. First the ac and Cheese, which I'm so tired of everyone making.. This was actually really good and tough to define. Smokiness of cheeses with a nice crusty top. Like a Cheesy Penne Au Gratin, next was the Ribs, Nice to see then fall off the bone and keep their smokey flavor with this salty sweet rub, And my favorite, was the pulled pork which I drenched in loose vinegery BBQ Sauce. It moistened the meat and ran over into the Black bean and rice... (Im salivating!) I give 5 outta 5 and that is based on two different experiences that blew me away in flavor and kept me happy with service. I'm not gonna ding them for the wait. Get there early. This is a highly regarded restaurant so expect a wait, but not rude lazy servers that stand around unlike some other SLOW ('s) places..
(5)
Liz L.

If you're a casual barbecue fan, this is a great choice for you. If you're looking for somewhere to meet friends prior to a concert at DTE, try the Union Woodshop. We had bar service only and the wait was pretty long for a Sunday at 5 (45 minutes), but we loved our food--burnt tips, greens, onion rings and pulled pork--and the bartender, Rhonda, was great!
(4)
Angela R.

I went to Detroit shortly after a few restaurants aired on Triple D so of course I had to try them. I ate here with a friend. I had the woodshop burger and he had the Porker. The porker is what was featured on Triple D and it was OMG amazing! This is definitely a place to eat at if you are in town. I do recommend making reservations as we had to eat at the bar because we didn't have any.
(5)
Melody H.

Restaurant was decorated trendy and hipster, not at all you would expect from a bbq joint. Felt as though we were constantly hovered over, a lot of staff. On the bright side food was okay, smoked sausage was excellent, bbq was decent. Decent bbq for the north, but not a true bbq 'joint.' The feeling wasn't there.
(4)
Bill E.

I'm from down south. I've eaten BBQ'd pulled pork all my life Let me just say, this was the poorest excuse for nnq'd pulled pork I have ever tasted. In good bbq'd pulled pork. You taste the smoke and the meat. One doesn't overpower the other. In the case of the union worship, I think the use liquid smoke That is all I tasted. The meat was overcooked and again the smoke overpowered the pulled pork. I don't think I will be back.
(1)
Kate R.

Went out to the Woodshop based on it's recent reviews and it is as phenomenal as it was portrayed! The crust on the pizza is excellent, the brisket was smokey and juice (and not dry), sauces are awesome, and by far one of the BEST shrimp cocktail I have ever had! I wanted to go back the next night but the wait was too long!!! My only complaint would have to be the strangeness decor and flow of the restaurant. The decor is a little rustic meets modern meets art deco, and there didn't seem to be a lot of consistency to it. Also, the flow of the restaurant is very awkward and leaves little standing space for customers waiting for a table. There is little to no space around the hostesses stand leaving the waiting patrons to overflow into the dining space if you can't get a seat at the bar. They're understandably busy because of the quality of food, but the dining experience is a little skewed when there are floods of people standing around watching you eat. There is a second bar in the third "room" of the restaurant - if that makes sense - and as the evening wore on, there were more and more people nearly standing over our booth with their drinks waiting for a table. Space to accommodate waiting patrons is definitely a bit of an issue, but the food does make up for it a little...
(4)
Casey Z.

Hands down, the best restaurant in Michigan. The only con is the wait for a table. Sometimes you can get a spot at the bar. But, if not...there is a really cool store next door to the Woodshop that offers wine! They have also added an upstairs lounge area that is VERY cool where you can get drinks and cold appetizers. Food/Drink recommendations include: Woodshop Margarita, Spicy Jalapeno Margarita (only served at upstairs bar), The Woodsticks, Smoked Shrimp, Catfish, Shop Burrito, and the Mac & Cheese. You really cannot go wrong with anything on the menu! Hope this helps!
(5)
Dave J.

Fantastic food and great service. Went on a Saturday afternoon at 12:45 and had to wait 30 minutes but no problem because they have a great, brand new 2nd floor bar where my wife and I could have our favorite beer while we waited for our buzzer to light up. Saw the restaurant on Triple D with Kid Rock and Guy Fieri. We were really looking forward to eating there and weren't disappointed one bit. Highly recommend UW and I'm sure you'll love it like we did. Looking forward to going again and taking our friends.
(5)
Jess M.

NO BETTER PLACE FOR A FUN NIGHT OUT! I always bring people here and they are never disappointed. Everything you order is fantastic. I LOVE the Sweet Potato Burrito and the chicken wings! It's a fun place to go. Expect to wait a little but its always worth it.
(5)
Casey B.

Quite possibly had the worst waitress in the place on New Years Eve. We ordered 2 Woodshop burgers and woodsticks for the appetizer. After almost 30 minutes the waitress tells us that our appetizer would be out in 2 minutes. Ten plus minutes later our appetizer came out after our meal because the Manager saw our meal in the window and thought he was doing her a favor. He was putting our meal down when she came up behind him with the woodsticks. He offered to take our meal back and have new ones made. I asked him if he was high...no way in hell that food was leaving our sight, we had waited almost 45 minutes and we were hungry! Just have to learn to avoid this place on the weekend or during holidays.
(4)
Mark B.

What do you do after playing soccer in 40 deg weather for 90 minutes in Clarkston, MI. Head to the locally famous Union Woodshop located in Downtown Clarkston (don't blink). Had the deep-fried pickles (yum!) which remarkably enough they serve with a special sauce. Why is this remarkable you ask? Well, they already have six special sauces on the table (5 of which were pretty darn good with the pickle). We moved on to the pulled pork with green been and potato salad as sides. Really job on the pulled pork - and with those 6 sauces - awesome (well, 5 out of 6 of them). The potato salad was something special too. Also had the smoked chicken salad which comes undressed and had a nice variety of greens. Arrived at about 8 pm on a Sunday and that equaled no wait. This is a beautiful area with really cute little lakes. Well worth visiting and don't pass up this barbecue joint.
(5)
Sean A.

They have a good selection of microwbrew beers on tap to keep you occupied during the long wait for a table. The smoked salmon pate was great. The barbeque is easily the best I've had outside of Kansas City. They even offer different regional sauces for those who prefer sweet, vinegary, spicy or just plain different flavors with their barbeque.
(5)
Amy S.

Completely amazing! The food, service, and atmosphere was fantastic! The staff went above and beyond to accommodate our large party of kids and adults (about 25 people). The pricing was great for both adult and kid meals. And the food was awesome! Everyone loved their dish, not one complaint from the group.
(5)
Wanda L.

I gave this place only 3 stars because of the state of the wait. I get it, it's popular, the food is good, lots of people wanna eat there and you will face a long wait on most busy nights than not. I am not the type of person who would wait for over 30 minutes to sit down and eat at any restaurant. However, it was suggested by my BF and I wasn't paying so whatever. I just totally HATE restaurants that don't have a proper waiting/bar area with enough room to accomodate those standing around. The BF and I had to stand by the entrance on one of the coldest nights I have ever experienced here earlier this year along with many others. The multiple hostesses/servers I observed up front had virtually no personalities much less WELCOMING ones. There was a friendly guy who came around passing along breadsticks/pieces to those waiting to munch on. The only saving grace in my opinion.
(3)
Natalie M.

I dig it. I want it. I wish I was there right now.
(4)
Donkey K.

Great food. Nothing fancy just straight BBQ and sides. But great food and awesome drinks. Free bowling machine upstairs that is great fun. Just a different experience that yo should try.
(4)
Matthew A.

Union Woodshop is a special restaurant. This type of place doesn't spring up often. Everything I tried there was fantastic. I had read raving reviews and was tried to arrange plans to eat there for months. Finally, the stars aligned and I went there on a Saturday night. I arrived at 6 and had expected a wait. We finally sat down around 7:45. The waiter was a character. (His name was Nacho Daddy and is a roller derby ref. He was also in the roller derby movie Whip It.) They had TVs showing the football and Red Wings games that were on at the time. Now to the food! I judge BBQ restaurants first based on the sauces that they have at the table. If there are a ton of sauces, it throws a red flag. Did they just make a bunch of sauces because they wanted to tout their selection? Usually, these places care more about quantity than quality and the sauces are nothing special. That's not the case at Union Woodshop. Each sauce was unique and justifiable. There was a mayo-based sauce which was great on the chicken, an Asian inspired sauce with hoison sauce, a hot sauce, a spicy sauce and a mustard-based South Carolina sauce at the table. There were also two that you have to special order (a vinegar-based North Carolina sauce and a Hell, Michigan extremely spicy sauce). I would love to buy any of these sauces bottled at the store. Each one was amazing and better than most other area BBQ restaurant's signature sauces. As for the meat; I had a chance to try the BBQ chicken, pulled pork, brisket and baby back ribs. Each was nothing short of smokey heaven. I am usually a pulled pork only guy but the brisket was something special. A couple next to me ordered the burnt end appetizer and I was jealous. Speaking of appetizers, we ordered the fried pickles and the bread sticks. The pickles were wonderful in a tempura-style batter. The breadsticks were ok, served with a chevre-chive butter. I ordered the breadsticks because they were made in the pizza oven. The pizzas looked pretty special and worth their own trip. The night I visited, they offered a coney dog pizza that sounded unique. The side dishes need to stand out at a BBQ joint and the ones I tried failed to disappoint. The highlights were the potato salad and the baked beans. The sweet potato was alright and can be missed in favor of some of the other options. Though no one at my table ordered them, the onion rings looked amazing as did the fries. I had heard that their mac and cheese was out of this world, so rather than waste a side dish, I ordered the entree portion knowing that we would take some home for lunch the next day. You can't miss this dish! It is the best mac and cheese that I have ever tried. Starting with the bread crumb topping through the cheese sauce, it was great and heavy. We didn't have room to sample the deserts, which I regret. As I walked out, I saw one of their burritos. It was massive. I asked a waitress what was inside: sweet potato and black beans, among other things. As you can tell, Union Woodshop offers more than just BBQ, which they have mastered. I don't care where you are driving from. You must try it as soon as possible. It is the best BBQ in the state.
(5)
Laura L.

Okay so the only complaint is the wait but it is totally worth it. Best BBQ I have had in a long time. The BBQ brisket is outstanding. I went there for my birthday with a party of 6 and we all had a wonderful dinner. I would highly recommend trying this place.
(5)
Irene L.

Just ate here last night with my family. In a word: "Mmmmmmm!" For appetizers, we tried the fried pickles and the burnt-ends. Both were good, but now that I've tried fried pickles, I don't think I ever need to eat them again. Nothing against them; I'm just not *that* into pickles. We also split their large house salad, which was fresh and plenty for 4-6 people. As for the main courses, I had the pulled pork and the rest of my family had the beef brisket or ribs. The pulled pork was my favorite: amazingly tender, flavorful, not drowning in sauce, and you get a ton of it! Beef brisket was also good, and the ribs fell right off the bone. Oh, and the sauces they had at the table were all pretty good. 1 star off for the sides. Not all of them are as good as the meats that they accompany. I was not into their collard greens, which were sour. The mac and cheese was not so good--tasted burned, not so cheesy and creamy as it should be. I'm on the fence about their onion rings. Is it possible for something to be called "very fried"? The batter to onion ratio on these things is like 8:1. They're good in a really really bad way. You bite into one and grease seeps out. Eating more than 2 of these suckers made me feel like I was setting myself up for triple bypass surgery. For the sake of my health, I probably shouldn't order them again... I didn't get a taste of the mashed sweet potatoes, but apparently they are really good! Their fries had good texture and actually tasted like potatoes rather than grease and salt. Dessert menu looked good but we were too stuffed to try anything. Service was great. Our waitress was friendly and super attentive; she kept our glasses (actually they use mason jars) constantly full. I don't think I ever saw my glass less than half full. It's kind of a hike from my hometown, but ohh, it was worth it! I will definitely return. However, as Dave F. said, this place gets packed! Get there early. We got there around 5:30 and had to wait about 15-20 minutes. By 6 pm, eager bbq-eaters had swarmed the entrance, which means you might want to avoid getting a table near the front unless you don't mind having random people "all up in your business."
(4)
Tim M.

Ann & I ate here on April 21st. 2010, our 20th wedding anniversary! We heard good things about this special place. The music was initially loud but the helpful staff reduced the volume after our request. We did not find any booths for more private dining. The food and portion sizes are GREAT for the cost. The atmosphere is warm and cozy but not recommended for special occasions! We will be back as a family next time!
(4)
Brian P.

I was in suburban Detroit visiting friends this weekend and they suggested taking a longish (30+ mins) drive north to Clarkston. Cute little downtown area and Union Woodshop was absolutely worth the drive. I must've read the mind of Jeff S. (from 7/26) even tho I didn't read his review; we basically ate the same thing and I loved it. We started with the deep fried pickles (my friends had been there before and this was one of their favorites). I expected something soppy greasy and overdone but the batter was light, perfectly crispy and the pickles were juicy, fresh, delicious. For my main, I got the Woodshop 101 which was a perfect way to sample the pulled pork, chicken, and ribs. Pulled pork was outstanding, baby back ribs were just okay (a bit dry), and I never order chicken in restaurants but this was worth it. My two sides were mac & cheese and the old slaw. One cheesy, the other cold and sweet, both were great complements to the meat -- and the sauces. Yes, the sauces. The table comes with 6-7 squirt bottles with many of the classic BBQ sauces, including Texas (very good) and NC (good for what it is but I don't like vinegary sauces), but also a deliciously mustardy SC sauce. That sauce was perfect with the chicken. Here's my one 'inside' tip - they've got two off-menu sauces that you have to request from the waitress. The Hell sauce is their very hot sauce; it was fine, but not great. But the XXX sauce. Wow. Really, really hot while still keeping some smoky chili flavor. I could only handle a few dobs but so good. If you're not sure you can handle it, I'd stay away. It's brutally hot. The best wrinkle to my experience was that as we were waiting for our table, Kid Rock walked in with his entourage! Literally, five seconds before my friend was telling me that the Bad Ass beer on tap was Kid Rock's beer company. So being in Rome, I drank BA with my meal. It was fine, a very cold lager that went well with the food but not something I'd drink as a stand alone beer. Next time in Detroit, I'm going back.
(4)
Frank C.

one of Michigan's hidden gems!!! that's where ill start!! the union Woodshop is a must if travel the I75 corridor! Everything from the decor to the bar area, to the outside patio, this place was done right. First off , i went on a wed. night @ 620 and had no wait at all. For our appetizer we went with the smoked wings!! MMMMMMMMMM. now i am from Buffalo,NY so I have high expectations for wings and these wings meet my standards and beyond! I then ordered a full rack of baby back ribs with my sides of mac and cheese and sweet potatoes!! Holy Cow the sweet potatoes are AMAZING!! Baby back ribs were thick and cooked just right! Side note, i would just go to the Woodshop just for the sweet potatoes and corn bread!! I willl def be back for round 2
(5)
Erin D.

Best overall BBQ experience I've had in Metro Detroit. These places have become increasingly more difficult to compete with one another, as BBQ becomes more popular. We started with the chicken wings. Phenomenal. We ordered the pulled pork and brisket. Both were great. Have had better brisket but the mac and cheese, sweet potato mash, and home fries were some of the best we've ever had! Excellent service too! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Kate G.

The pulled pork was smoky delish, and the wood-fired pizza had the perfect crust and mix of toppings (I had the pineapple and Tasso Ham). The ham on the pizza was smoked to perfection. If you like barbecue and wood-fired pizza, this place can't be beat.
(5)
Bryce P.

Best BBQ in metro Detroit....hands down. I've eaten here about 20 times since this restaurant re-opened as the Woodshop and have never had a bad meal. A few things that are a must try when you go to the Woodshop: 1. Back Ribs....always juicy, smoked to perfection, just barely fall off the bones. No sauce even needed. 2. Mac N Cheese...to die for. With or without ham, it's the best in town. If anyone finds out the recipe for this, feel free to share it becuase i've been told only 2 people know the exact recipe. 3. Onion Rings....the tempura batter makes these bad boys fluffy, yet crunchy. WIth the chipotle mayo sauce, they melt in your mouth. 4. Woodsticks....one of many great appetizers but my favorite. The garlic cheese dip that comes with these breadsticks is amazing. I could eat that stuff with a spoon all by itself. 5. Butterscotch pudding....sounds weird as a dessert but trust me, just try it. Fluffy, rich, creamy, with a hint of salty sweetness. You won't regret the decision. Honorable mention...The woodshop pizza, pulled pork, french fries, deep fried twinkie This place is as good as it gets for a "trendy", yet affordable, night out. My wife and I typically split a growler of beer with appetizer, dinner, and dessert and our bill is never over $50 for the 2 of us. This restaurant is in my top 3 all time favorites. Try it!
(5)
Matt C.

Waited over two hours on a weekend night and it was worth every second. Really comfortable feel to this place--and fantastic food to match. You won't be disappointed. Can walk to Clarkston Union and have a drink while you wait--pager will still ring--which helped break up the wait.
(5)
Donald R.

Ever since this place was discovered the wait has become unbearable. We arrived at 4:30p to be told there was a 1.5 hour wait. We thought that since it was early and now they have the upstairs open to wait we would try it. The upstairs is nice but serves only drinks no appetizers :(. An hour and a half later we inquired as to how much longer only to be told there were 6 more ahead of us. At the two and half hour mark I asked how much longer only to be told there were 2 tables in front of us. At that point I started to threaten to leave and the manager found a seat right away for us. We were only 3 people not a large group. The food is very good and the wait staff is good but the wait is not worth it.
(2)
Jason R.

This place is a must visit if you like smoked food! Their menu is jammed with options, ribs, chicken. Angus burgers, salmon - all smoked. I will be going back and trying something new each time, the two items I ate were fantastic. There is also a wide variety of side dishes to choose from that come with your meal. The layout of tables is a bit funky, but I am sure that will work itself out.
(4)
Dave F.

Having lived in Texas for half a year Ive been missing the good bbq for a while now - this is decent replacement. The prices are reasonable and there is a nice beer selection. Like the other reviewers said, the meat is smoked, they have a variety of sauces, etc. They have pretty good sides to go with everything. The quality of all of the food is really good. There also seems to be a focus on great tasting food over fancy food, which is refreshing considering how nice the place is (dont get me started on Ann Arbor restaurants). If you like bbq, this is a must-go place if you're in the area. Show up early though, we ended up waiting over an hour on a tuesday night (3 people).
(5)
Mary B.

Went there for dinner and had my wallet and cell stolen. Apparently there was a similar incident about 2 weeks before my arrival. You would think that the staff would warn patrons that there has been an issue and to watch around you ... but I guess that would be bad for business. When I tried to get the wait staff to help me look around for my wallet and cell, there was no interest but a firm comment to step away from the bar. Drink orders were ridiculously long aside from the 2 1/2 wait to eat. A friend with me bit into a spare rib and there was a bone fragment which consequently caused a chip tooth. Overall, a terrible experience. I would not recommend this restaurant and please be aware ... they have a thief who is canvasing the bar area to rob you blind. Keep an eye on your purse at all times ... even if it is buried under a pile of coats.
(1)
Meredith E.

Roll down your windows the next time you drive through Clarkston. They may not have police or recycling, but they do have the best free smells around! In the area around lunchtime on Saturday, we figured the wait would be tolerable. During our 25 minutes (not bad) we shopped the great boutiques around the Woodshop. I ordered the house burrito with pulled pork and sweet potatoes. Then I ate the whole thing. I couldn't stop. It was that good. My stomach didnt even cry at the large portion. YUM. Our waiter, Chris was attentive and knew the beer list in detail. This meal made a perfect Saturday afternoon!
(5)
Mike M.

Me and my wife had a pizza from their fire brick pizza oven. WOW was that good. A lot of what they do is smoked, which some of our toppings were like the bacon and some cheeses. Excellent!
(5)
Mark H.

Wonderful meals, even better sides. I must say this is the best bbq place I have been to, and I have been all over including places in Texas, and NY city
(5)
Emily K.

I've been here a handful of times and never been disappointed!! I love everything on the menu and if you like Bloody Mary's theirs is excellent!!!
(5)
Leslie K.

Went here to celebrate a pal's birthday. Hubby got the pulled Pork, which was a giant lump of meat. He ate a lot of it and still had some to take home for leftovers. I got the ribs and really enjoyed them too. The sauces are really where this place stands out. They have the usual, NYC and Sweet BBQ sauces, but they also have a white "Alabama" sauce which I haven't seen before. Apparently they also have Hell sauce, made with Ghost peppers, which you have to ask for because it doesn't come with the regular sauces. Their side dishes were also amazing. I love the sweet potato has, which has jalapeno peppers in it for a little kick. The mac n' cheese was excellent too. Despite the 45 minute drive, it was worth it :)
(4)
Susan R.

This is one of out favorite places! It is so good we are willing to drive 45 minutes to get there. The BBQ is the best I have ever had and everything is so fresh and unique. The decor is super hip and it's always a fun atmosphere. Try this place, you won't be disappointed!
(5)
Tim K.

I don't normally like Mac N Cheese, But DAMN it was so good here!!!!!! We usually order a sandwich and the Mac then we share. Kind of pricey. You may see Kid Rock!
(4)
Rebecca B.

I don't think this place will ever disappoint... The only complaint I have is that it's always soooo busy, but this is a good thing for them, right? Once again, a tasty meal devoured.. Great service!
(5)
Brian W.

Well well well. We finally made it. Date night with the wife. No kids. We showed up around 830p, well aware of the impending wait. Tap of the fork to other reviews for the heads up. 2 1/2-3 hour wait? Sure, why, not. So with our vibrating drink coaster in hand, we headed up stairs. Started a tab, sat back, made some friends at our table and joined the crowd of "waiters. " When someone's coaster lit up- it was like they had won the lotto! high fives for everyone! After about 90 minutes, it was our turn. We went with pulled pork, beef brisket, Mac and cheese, collared greens, Cheesy potatoes and spicy sweet potatoes. We easily could have split one meal. But of course we left with a smile having left overs to take home. well.worth.the wait. Top notch food. Great service. Huge selection of food, craft beers and drinks. We will be back!
(5)
Ranger R.

You know, the wait was pretty long... A consistent long wait is either the sign of poor management or simply great food that everyone wants. Well this place had proven the latter. Their food is great, and by the way, the wait was totally stomachable with the large waiting area/bar area upstairs, really a pretty cool experience. I had the porker, way more food than I typically can eat, but it had such depth and breadth of flavor, I couldn't help myself. Overall it was a great experience and the food was delicious, I will be back time and time again. Can't wait until the owners get their new place open in Fenton... Talk about wait! Construction is taking a lifetime! :-)
(5)
Brian M.

The porker burger is fantastic, although a complimentary angioplasty should be offered! Excellent!
(5)
Ashley D.

LOVE this place! My favorite is pulled pork with mac and cheese and sweet potato mash. Close runner up is the loaded potato pizza- it has a pleasantly surprising shittake bacon. Least favorite is woodshop 101 pizza- seemed to have no pulled pork and the meats just didn't blend well with the flavor of the pizza. There is usually a wait but theres a very cool bar area upstairs to pass the time in. I plan on going here many more times!
(5)
Crystal W.

Con No. 1. We went to there on a early Saturday night, but the waiting time is 2 hours and 45 minutes!!! This is the longest waiting time I have heard. Suggestions: We decide to buy take-out and bring food back home. The total wait is only 20 minutes! This could be a solution for people who hate the long waiting line but don't mind eating at home. Con No. 2: Chicken looks like not be cooked through. Even the meat close to the skin part still looks red! But I guess this should be okay to eat, but it seems that they use frozen chicken and haven't defrozen them enough. Pro No. 1: The pork is super good! I have tried a lot of BBQ places in the south, but this place is one of the top ones! Five stars + an extra flower! Pro No. 2: Ribs have good flavor, but a little bit dry. Four stars! Union woodshop is a very good restaurant in general. I just think the wait is too ridiculous.
(4)
Erin K.

I like that this BBQ joint is more 'upscale' than all of the traditional BBQ places. And they have a smoky bacon beer that was incredible (but steep at $10 a bottle), which is surprising since I had an amazing drink (Faygo Rock N Rye and Red Stag) for only $4.25 regular price. And the building is big and can hold a lot of people, but I didn't find the BBQ to be anything spectacular. It is a good pick if you are in the area, but not my favorite BBQ place.
(3)
Enid H.

The whole family had the best meal! Our 7 year old said the burger was the best she ever had (bc of the bread) and we all kept swiping her fries, the 9 year old kept repeating "this is chili" and macncheese was crusted on top just like she loves. My wedge had just enough zip in the dressing and the tomato soup was awesome. Husband loved the pork! Try sides of Rice and beans, creamy potatoes and collard greens. Yum!
(5)
Becki B.

Yum! Union Woodshop would be a great place to visit for any occasion! Tonight we headed out for a casual dinner for me, hubby, our four-year-old daughter and our newborn son. The wait for a table was about 45 minutes, but there were still a couple businesses open on the block that we visited, and then it was a nice enough night out for our daughter to play hide-and-seek behind the lightpost outside :) Once we were seated, our waiter (Ben) enthusiastically explained the specials, and almost changed my mind about my order. He was raving about the lasagna that night, and when I saw it delivered to the table next to us I was again afraid I may regret my BBQ order. But I certainly did not! I got the beef brisket, and it was fabulous. I usually stay away from brisket, as most of them have a little more fat than I enjoy, but Union Woodshop's brisket was perfectly delicious! I also loved the homestyle fries. I'm usually really good about finishing up my meat, but frequently leave sides like fries after a few bites. These fries and the dip that came with them were disappearing fast right along with the brisket and slaw. I was mildly devastated to find they were out of Southern Comfort, but I may have found a new favorite drink as well. The Kid Rock n Rye was super sweet and satisfying for me. Overall, this was a dining experience that was worth the wait, and I can't wait to go back again!
(5)
The Critic C.

The people watching is off the charts and the grub is real good. -1 star for little fancy portions and the high probability that you will be accosted by a weirdo asking to play pool with you by putting his hand on your leg. Service is super slow but it's made up for with the good grub and accommodating atmosphere. If they tell you "hour" wait... it could be an hour, it could be 10 minutes, it could be 3 hours... I don't think there is any rhyme to the reason here. All in all, I likes it more than I hates it.
(4)
MJ W.

I was up here again for NAIAS. I normally go to Slow's BBQ, but I was told this is THE place to get you meat in the D. We drove far from downtown Detroit to Clarkston to Union Woodshop. We were told there would be a 2.5 hour wait. We knew the wait would be long going in, so expect it. I ordered the Woodshop 101 with fried pickles. The pickles were great. They didn't sound that good, but they are quartered, so it is a nice balance of pickle and breading. The Woodshop 101 is a nice sampler of their best smoked meats. I got chicken, baby back ribs, and the pulled pork. All were fantastic, but the pulled pork took the prize. I got the greens and macaroni and cheese. They were just awesome. I wanted to try everything on their menu. It was all so good. I could not eat anymore and I ordered the butterscotch pudding before hand, so I got it to go and enjoyed it a few hours later. It was creamy topped with smoked sea salt and whipped cream. It was so simple and so good. The only thing that was not 5 stars was the American Bad Ass Beer. It was not good. They have MANY beers that are, but I wanted to try something new. I don't think I would order it again. Overall great food with great service! Well done Union Woodshop!
(5)
Trey B.

It is hard to find a true bbq place so far north but the Union Woodshop certainly delivers. They have a wide array of bqq'ed goodness. They have rotating microbrew selection so there is always something new to try. The only problem I could see is coming here as a vegetarian, but what else would you expect from a bbq joint haha.
(5)
Sharina J.

Amazing! I loved the food and the amazing ice cold beverages. Now it doesn't go well with my weight watchers but it is amazing comfort food. I love love love the macaroni! This isn't close to our house but it is worth the drive! We came here after seeing it on Diners, Driveins and Dives (I think that's the name of the show) and recommend it to all of our friends. We will definitely being going back, oh did I mention that I love the macaroni! :-)
(5)
Pete D.

My wife loves the Union. It's worth the drive to Clarkston. Good food but not easy to get into and if you don't like waiting in line this may not be the place for you. If you stick it out and you are willing to wait you will be rewarded with a nice meal. I liked the ribs and brisket but the whole menu is good. The service is good at the bar, maybe at the table to but I have only eaten at the bar. OK thats it.
(4)
Austin S.

Went to this place on a whim since I was in the area. Best decision I've made in quite some time. I got here on a Sunday morning as soon as they opened, which I'm glad I did. The place filled up her almost immediately. wait staff was fun and friendly, and while I understand that the Union Station down the road has a better craft beer selection, the beer selection here was still impressive! Dragon's Milk goes perfectly with comfort food. The woodsticks and fried pickles were amazing and extremely affordable. The Mac and cheese was fantastic, and the atmosphere was rustic and inviting. The bar upstairs was very comfy and a great place to sit down and have a drink with some friends. I can't wait to come back here!
(5)
Kara D.

My husband and I are lucky enough to live just a few miles from The Woodshop. It's so good and is definitely our go-to place when dining out. His favorite meal is the pulled pork, and I love their pizza. We've also had the Woodshop 101, which I would recommend if it's your first time there! It allows you to try three of their different meats and a few different sides. There is usually a wait, but the food always makes it worth it! :)
(5)
Justin C.

LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!! We live up the road a few miles and try to frequent here at least 2 times a month and sometimes more. When it's just the wife and I we generally will always get one pulled pork dinner and then try whatever the current special is. This time it was queso sliders. These things were amazing! I would get these every time if they were put on the menu. If you don't like smoke bbq then your not human...... or maybe just a vegetarian..... which then I still stick with the first statement. The wait can be long but absolutely worth it. Grab a beer at the bar and take in the many smells this place has to offer.
(5)
Monte B.

The place is cool and Clarkston is a great little town to get out to but has anyone in this area ever eaten good BBQ!?! Don't get me wrong but the pulled pork is not even close to good. The consistency was that of tuna fish that had been shredded in a food processor. Flavor was OK but the texture ruined it. I really hope this was a case of a lazy cook and not what they put on a plate regularly. The side were very good though but I did not come to Clarkston to fill up on side dishes. Service was just fine. especially for a weekend night. Drunks guys at the bar were entertaining and generously bought us drinks b-cuz they were a little loud (and they knew it, just couldn't control it). I'm giving 3 stars for the disappointing pork. I don't live in the area so a return trip soon is not likely. If the pork was even in the descent category this place would have a 4 stars and a quicker return visit from me. Someone please show me you can provide SE Michigan with a true Kansas style smoked BBQ.
(3)
Henry C.

I was on a business trip and Union Woodshop was recommended by a local person. The place was very busy even on a Monday night. I was by myself so I sat at the bar. The bartender was very helpful in explaining what the restaurant is known for and went over their specialties. I ended up getting the woodshop101 (sampler) where I selected the pulled pork, baby back ribs, 1/4 dark chicken, mac & cheese and maple syrup sweet potato mash. I also added a hot-link sausage. He also went on to explain the different BBQ sauces available. The pulled pork was juicy and tender. The baby back ribs fell off the bone. The hot-link sausage was flavorful. The mac & cheese was baked so the top layer was crispy and cheesy. Everything was delicious as described. I'd recommend this place if you're in town or around the area. They don't take reservations if you're thinking about going with a bigger group.
(5)
David M.

OMG awesome BBQ!!! I ordered the brisket and it was delicious with nice burnt on it!! We only had to wait about 20 min for our table for 4 on a saturday, we got there around 5pm. The Union Workshop has a very cool vibe to it. The waitress we had was friendly, didn't rush us and very efficient. The meal came with 2 sides, I got the mac n cheese(very good) and the green bean casserole (excellent!) the corn bread (delicious) If there was a negative it was the choice of BBQ sauces to use. I liked the Memphis Tennessee sauce best, though I've had better bbq sauce Now for dessert, we ordered the deep fried twinkie with chocolate sauce over it! Unbelievably Awesome!!! Over-all a Great experience, will definitely will go back! The pizza looked really good so might need to try that next time!! Cheers!
(4)
Brendan C.

I have been coming to the Woodshop ever since I could remember, as a Clarkston native, I went when it was Pizza coco/The Clarkston Cafe. Hands down, pizza coco was the best thing out there. When the restaurant changed to the union woodshop it was great, but, ever since it was on diners drive-ins and dives, the wait has been unbearable, it is tolerable but extraordinary. All in all, it is a great restaurant and I highly recommend it!
(5)
Mark M.

Great American food. Pulled pork, Mac and cheese and mashed sweet potatoes. Top that off with a Bell's two hearted on draft and you have a great meal. Staff was very knowledgable friendly and attentive. All around good experience.
(5)
Rob E.

This place is simply awesome. Only 2 visits thus far but the food I have had is amazing. Have sampled all BBQ options, catfish, and mac n cheese, beans, and greens. If you dig hot links, theirs is killer, try it on a side car. Craft brews available are sure to please the beer lover, I appreciate seeing Shorts and Bells available. Upstairs is for pre-dinner drinks when the wait is really long. The cocktails available are good and beer list is again sure to please anyone passionate about decent beer. Badass (Bobby Rock's vested presence) is available but I would suggest trying a really good beer. Have never had room for any dessert. Burgers and pizza here are next on my agenda for this place. Just go to the Woodshop...If there is a wait, go upstairs and hangout. Good for people watching and enjoying a drink.
(4)
Faith K.

Heard so much about this place had to try it. Me and boy wonder opted for trying it out on a random Tuesday night. Got there about 6 and were seated right away! My brother raves that this place "has a great vibe". I thought it was fun and eclectic. We sat right under where Guy signed the wall. Service was great - prompt and personable. I love drinking anything out of a mason jar, so beer from a mason jar is the bees knees. Got the burnt ends app, came out super fast and was super yummy. Boy wonder loved how big it was (ha). When the food arrived, I loved the cafeteria-esque metal trays with brown paper it was served on. Also enjoyed the sides in the small plastic condiment dishes. Ah, nostalgia. I got the pulled pork, mac n cheese, and sweet potatoe hash. LOVED it all. Sweet potatoe hash was a bit smooth for me (I like a little texture) but flavor was good. Pork was awesome, tried all the bbq sauces, like Tennessee the best. I was hoping they would have a cherry or apple type sauce but no luck. The mac n cheese delivered as I expected! Creamy with a crunchy top. Boy wonder got briscuit, baked beans, and potatoe salad. All was tasty, he felt the baked beans were so so-so, but meat and potatoe salad were fantastic. So I'm a girl who LOVES cornbread, and this corn muffin did not disappoint. I could have eaten a dozen of them. Was tempted by dessert but passed from the meat food coma we were in. All in all, great experience.
(4)
James M.

Always happy with the Woodshop!! Great food, drinks and atmosphere. Really neat upstairs to hang out while you wait (sometimes a long wait, but thats a good thing).
(5)
Kathryn R.

Happy to share that my second visit to Union Woodshop was just as tasty as I remember it a few months earlier! Impressed with the quality and freshness of the food my Mom and I ordered. Cooked to perfection and mouthwateringly succulent, our large portion meals really satisfied! Even the leftovers blew my mind. Especially recommend: butterscotch pudding with sea salt. Less impressed with the one hour wait at 8pm on a Wednesday night, although enjoyed passing the time hanging out at the well appointed bar. Planning to eat here any time I crave BBQ, worth the drive from Ann Arbor!
(4)
Shelby H.

Sadly, I came back to my review to downgrade it. The food is excellent, but the service and wait times continue to suck. The wait times continue to be ridiculous, even on weekdays. They won't take reservations. This past time we went on a Tuesday and it was an hour wait. Another couple who was waiting said they were going to leave because they'd already been waiting an hour and had seen other people walk in and get a table sooner than them. Further, friends of mine went recently on a Friday night and waiting 2 1/2 hours before they just decided to leave. I was happy to learn that they opened up the upstairs, but then let down when I found out it's basically just a waiting area with a bar. It doesn't provide more available tables. While I realize such popularity is a good thing and is only within so much of their control, this past time we went the pulled pork wasn't good at all. The texture was different it was very greasy. Big let down. It's good but not good enough to wait for an hour plus anymore.
(3)
Kyle W.

Amazing food. Awesome service. Good times!
(5)
Tony M.

Union Woodshop is well worth the drive from anywhere in Metro Detroit. I took my folks there for birthdays, and everyone was very impressed. The meat is off-the-hook, and the side dishes are amazing. Everyone tried everyone else's, and nothing was anything other than delicious. The sidecar of meat is a bargain, but I'm going to warn all of the Yelpers that they probably will bring all of that and part of the main meal home as leftovers. The portions are super-sized, and that's not a bad thing when food is this good. The service is very attentive and the food comes out in a good amount of time, particularly considering how busy they are. The sauces are very good, even the mayo-based one and the hoisin style. Did I mention the fantastic side dishes? The only two negatives I can mention are the extremely high noise level (particularly in the first room), and the fact that parking can be tricky. But those are far outweighed by the food. Just don't expect to have a conversation. Not that it matters, you'll be too busy stuffing food in your mouth! If you like BBQ, then make sure to add Union Woodshop to your list!
(5)
Bill B.

As a vegetarian, one of the things I miss about my meat-eating days is good barbecue. When I was a traveling musician, I always looked forward to the band's trips down south so that I could renew my vows with the magical sauces and sides. Union Woodshop doesn't have veggie barbecue. However, they have a lot of other stuff that is the bomb. The macaroni and cheese is oven baked, gooey, crispy heaven. Vegetarian black beans and rice are warming bordering on downright soulful. There is a serious coleslaw that challenges the southern stuff of my memory. The barbecue sauces, which I used on my pretty good but not the best fries (memo to chef: easy on the salt), are far from ordinary, the highlight being the Tennessee sauce. Best of all, one can combine all these and more as side dishes into a personal pastiche. Finish it off with some of their liquid nitrogen vanilla ice cream (deliciously cold) and you'll be floating on a bed of satiety. In addition to the food, the relaxed atmosphere makes this place special. There are wood floors and chairs; mason jar glasses and baking sheet plates; and good tunes, old and new. As I said to my lunch companions today, it's a good hang. Union Woodshop is a fine example of quality without being pretentious. Now, if I could only talk them into adding barbecued seitan or tofu...
(5)
Brandon U.

Ohh man the Woodshop! I think this place was amazing! The decor in the place is really cool alot of different signs and things on the walls. It has a nice wood theme throughout. I have been here 3 times and I've tried the pulled pork, brisket and the ribs. I thought that the pulled pork and brisket were both outstanding but the ribs were alittle dry to me although I did bring them home and then try them so I guess kinda hard to judge them. All their meals come with sides the mac and chz is awesome so is the sweet pot side I get those 2 every time because they are so good to me but I'm sure they are all good. The corn bread is phenomenal. So if your in the mood for some real good BBQ stop here!!!!!!
(5)
Johnny R.

And now... my most favorite bbq place is... 5 hours from me. Yep. Move over Smoque, hello Union Woodshop. Hello, hello, hellooooo. I went here with a co-worker, and even though I had heard they had been on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives I had hmmm pretty low expectations. That show is fun to watch but they've also covered places that I think are average. But allow me to gush a bit, back to Union Wood Shop. Wow. Get the sampler. I got ribs, brisket, chicken (I picked dark meat), onion rings and the mac and cheese. Get the mac and cheese. Get it. The ribs - Nice. The brisket? Best I've had in a few years, since my last trip to Kansas City. 6 different 'que sauces. Meat is served without sauce. I like many of them. I preferred the white sauce for the brisket. I woke up at 3:30AM here in my hotel room. I had no idea why. Then I realized, to finish the left overs. The mac and cheese is even better at 4am. This place was hella crowded for 6PM, and we had a 35 minute wait which flew by up stairs while we had a drink. I'd like to come back here again in a week, but alas, that can't happen. Maybe that's a good thing, because now I can't eat here weekly. I might start getting a little... well you know... Picky. Then again, there were a ton of other things to try. I'll be back....Ahhnold.
(5)
Haroun K.

The whole "restaurant of the year" acclaim made Union Woodshop a must-try. Even early on a Saturday night, there was a 1.5 hour wait for a table, but thankfully there were some openings at the bar. The garlic pizza was quite good, and quite garlicky. Although it was tasty, the crust was not evenly cooked, so that about half of the pizza was actually kind of crispy and the other half was kind of doughy. The mac and cheese lives up to the hype, and gives Slows' a run for its money. The onion rings are very well prepared, also. There is a respectable collection of beers on draft, and there was a nice stout on special. There seems to be a relationship with Kid Rock, because both Union restaurants feature his beer. That makes me cringe a little bit, but only a little. The service at the bar was fine, but not overly friendly. As for the restaurant - even though it was full, there wasn't at all a feeling of anything being harried or rushed. I don't think I'd actually drive all the way to Clarkston - MAJOR SCHLEP - for this place, but if I were within 10-15 mins, I'd be here a lot.
(4)
Keely W.

Amazing BBQ! If you dont go to eat, go to look at the decor!
(5)
Mike M.

Excellent BBQ. Ribs are the best around. Be prepared to wait, but well worth the wait. Sides including the cheesy potatoes, green bean casserole, and Mac and cheese are all uniquely made and delicious. Desserts are all amazing, especially the ice cream cookie sandwiches. Great restaurant!
(5)
L R.

Love it here. My boyfriend and I come here quite often when we're in a rib mood. Everything we've had on their menu - salads, breadsticks, BURNT ENDS, ribs, pulled pork - are perfect. Good quality stuff. Their sauces are really good too, especially the Texas. Although it's usually very busy, their staff is very friendly. The upstairs bar is cool to wait at, too, with a good beer selection and interesting cocktails. The Long Island is a must if you have a long wait (or not, doesn't matter. You'll feel good in no time). I don't think there are ribs anywhere else in the metro D that are this good, and I've had plenty of them.
(5)
Sara T.

We moved to Puyallup WA in January and one of the five restarurants we miss most about living in East Michigan is Union Woodshop. If you don't watch your bill and you drink, it can definitely be expensive, but there is SO much good food to choose from! When we come back to the area to visit, we'll DEFINITELY be stopping by!
(5)
Lu H.

So delicious! Great service. We will definitely return. Definitely recommend this place.
(5)
Sunil A.

I remember coming here when it first opened, and enjoying it, but this time around I fell in love with the food. Ordered a pizza and onion rings and who knew such simple, basic foods could be made to taste so delicious? The pizza was crisp through the crust, soft and biteable on the top. The onion rings (another kick I've been on recently) were without a doubt the best I've ever eaten. They were fried to the perfect crunch and the onions were thoroughly cooked. The atmosphere is fun and family friendly, but a little tight. I will come back here a thousand more times.
(5)
Jon A.

My favorite restaurant in the world... yes, I said it! Food is awesome, the staff are great and Detroit sports on tap all the time! Yes, it does get very busy.. but worth the wait for a table!
(5)
Chris N.

The wait was long but the servers were friendly, the atmosphere was awesome and the BBQ delicious! Possibly the best BBQ in metro Detroit! Almost as good as St. Louis BBQ that I base all my BBQ experiences to. Highly recommended!
(5)
Jennay B.

Amazing food. Flavorful BBQ sauces. Service is always good. Very busy tho. Always have to wait for hours to get in if your not there right when they open. Only problem is that because of the wait we have resorted to take out. The quality of the food goes down by half when you order take out. It's like the cook does not care about the food that is not eaten in the restaurant.
(4)
Michael W.

The food was phenomenal. Ribs were beyond tender and tasted awesome with or without sauce. Greens and mac and cheese were so good that I coukd have eaten enough of them to make a meal.
(5)
Eric M.

Having worked I this industry, I heartily understand the demand that can arise when there is a long wait to be seated, and the attitudes that customers can get. I feel like there is never that feeling at this establishment. I come to visit once a month when I am in town and I always see my favorites, Harmony and Erin. They always take wonderful care if me, are extremely attentive and make me feel like I am home. In fact, I call ahead to make sure they are working or I will wait to come in until they are. The food is always wonderful, and when I am seated at the bar with one of these 2 lovely ladies, the service is absolutely impeccable.
(5)
Patrick C.

Very cool environment. A gem in Clarkston.
(4)
Melissa C.

Awesome atmosphere and delicious food. Seriously best Mac and cheese in Michigan with an impressive pulled pork sandwich to match. They have tons of sauces to choose from and a sick bar upstairs but new comers beware! There is a crazy long wait on the weekends if you don't time it right!
(5)
Elyse S.

Very busy on the weekend night we were there - great to see a business doing well. Very good food... highly recommend the brisket. Had to wait an hour + for a table - stood the whole time... there is a bar to help ease that wait if you so indulge. It was good and we will definately be back. They also do a carry out, which also really appealed to us.
(4)
Lauren D.

The food is delicious, servers are bad ass, and you might be in for a Kid Rock sighting. Make the trek. Nuf' said.
(5)
Gina D.

We came early for dinner on a Saturday night about 4:30 pm hoping to beat the rush. Unfortunately, when we walked in we were told it would be about an hour and 20 minute wait. We lucked out when two seats opened up at the bar right then. I ordered the caesar salad, pulled pork, and sides of mashed sweet potato and green bean casserole, my husband ordered the chicken club sandwich. My caesar was decent, some of the lettuce was strong tasting, good dressing, lots of cheese, pork was fork tender and tasty, there were many different barbecue sauces to choose from. Most tasted similar except the mustard and one was very spicy. My sides were ok. My husband thought his sandwich was ok. We passed on dessert. I would go back, but not sure if they have some kind of call ahead system, as I don't want to have to wait an hour or more for dinner.
(4)
C.J R.

AMAZING! I cannot believe it took me so long to finally get out to this place but I am so glad I did. This place is a types of fun lively joint. It's great for all types of groups.
(5)
Henry B.

Kid Rock walked in when we were eating here. And they had $1 Bad Ass beers that night too. All that plus juicy pulled pork with their off-menu ghost pepper chili sauce. Hands. Down. Five. Stars.
(5)
Jeff V.

BBQ? In Clarkston? Way up north? Hell yes, we have pickup trucks. We know how to roll. Replacing the famous Clarkston Cafe, the Union Woodshop is a re-imagining of the classic BBQ joint. Cutting to the chase: the food is top notch, rivaling Slows in downtown Detroit. The service is good, nothing exceptional, but just fine. You probably won't notice because you'll be drowning your food in one of the many available BBQ sauces, trying to convince your mouthbreathing friends that just because the Alabama BBQ sauce is white with a black pepper overtone, it's still a BBQ sauce. And the best one at that. Stupid friends. The Woodshop just opened a second level, which was desperately needed. Before, when you were told your astronomical wait time (45-90 mins), it was hardly worth it because you had to stand in the crowded downstairs bar and listen to people ask the hostess how long the wait is 10 times a minute. Now, you go upstairs to wait. The drink list is great, and the finish is modern/industrial. It's like a college dorm room on steroids and with about 30 more HDTVs, minus 100% of the incense and vomit. Big win. One suggestion for the Woodshop folk: the upstairs drink menu blows away the one downstairs, and of this writing they were separate things. Bad idea. Make the upstairs drinks available downstairs. I suspect this will happen very quickly. If you're a first-timer, get the pulled pork. Just trust me, OK? You've read this far, so don't quit on me now. The pulled pork. It's the perfect intro dish and my consistent go-to.
(5)
Heather M.

I first learned about this place on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives... watching the KID ROCK episode because he is from MI... and I was really excited to eat here. Clarkston is a bit of a drive for me (about 45 minutes one way) so I figured my birthday dinner would be a great opportunity to experience something I wouldn't normally go to. **I work in the industry, therefore, I consider myself a bit more forgiving than most people. ** I called a week ahead of time, to make reservations. I was informed that they did not take call aheads. I had 15 people, so I knew that would be a bit rough to get in and out, but figured I would go in early and sit and wait with my boyfriend to kill some time before the rest of the people got there. It was a Saturday (so I assumed we would wait a bit), and when I checked in at 3:45. I was told a large party would be at least an hour wait. I went upstairs and had a cocktail. About 5:00 people were starting to show up, and grabbing a drink. By 5:15 everyone was here,except for 1 person (who I knew was coming late), and I was wondering why no one had contacted us about our table. I went downstairs to check on our table. The girl didn't even remember my party, and searched for our name/pager number (I showed her it on the top of the list). and she informed me that the table was boxed and cashed out...we just were waiting for them to get up. I said thank you and went upstairs. Within 20 minutes we were sat. Everyone was excited about finally getting to eat. I made sure everyone looked at a menu before we sat so they could know what they wanted and move the process along a bit faster, once we were sat and informed the server which people were going to be on each bill together. The server was nice and friendly. She did her best to keep up, but everyone had empty cups constantly and she was hard to locate. (I'm not saying this because I think she was a bad server, just too busy to keep up and give us the service we deserve). The food hit the table at about 6:15. Everything was tasty. Not extremely hot, but tasty. A piece of the cornbread was missing, and she brought me 2 (because my boyfriend and I were sharing our meals together). At 7, we asked for our checks and started getting our coats and stuff on. It took 15 minutes for her to grab the checks and another 15 to return them to us. Grand total I arrived at 3:45 and didn't leave until 7:30 at night. The food was delicious, but I was disappointed with the customer service. The pace was EXTREMELY slow and there was no sign of management to apologize for it. I was misquoted on how long my wait would be, and never had a manager come to the table while we were there. There was a birthday dessert on the house, which I didn't touch because that's not why I go somewhere to eat. It's for an experience... and though the food you may not be able to get anywhere... I would rather feel special then just another customer that can be replaced. I came with excitement this magical feeling, and left full... but feeling like this place didn't need/ really want my business.
(3)
Dan A.

In a word, Phenomenal! Now it's just my humble opinion but this some of the best BBQ I've had and considering I had spent the 2 months previous to my first visit living in Nashville and traveling to Memphis I think that says a lot! The only thing I could think to complain about would be the 2 hour wait for a table but with a nice lounge upstairs and some great company I hardly noticed. I still think Bad Brads will give them a run for their money but I can assure you I will return to The Union!
(5)
Robert J.

Okay, my review for this place is overdue. I first ate at Union Woodshop over two weeks ago. I went back precisely one week later, because it was so damn good. As far as appetizers go, I have had their Smoky Dogs (I think that's what they're called.) It's pretty darn straightforward. Take a couple of hot dogs, and smoke them. Serve them on a nice bun (Really, it's a damn good bun!). Voila! That's a tasty hot dog! The Burnt Ends were the first thing I tasted at Union Woodshop. They served as a great prologue to my first meal there. I've had burnt ends once before. The name isn't too enticing when one considers that they're quite possibly the dried out bits. That's pretty much what happened the first time I had them. I assure you. That's not the case here. Moist and flavorful, served on a thick slice of white bread, they were a great reminder of how amazing classic Americana can be. After Union Woodshop's Burnt Ends, I knew the meal to come was going to be phenomenal. When my Woodshop 101 showed up with brisket, a chicken thigh, and some lovely baby back ribs, it was love at first sniff. The flavor, the moistness, and the tenderness of all the meat was really all that I had been looking for--but never received--from Slow's or from Lazybones. It was just the right combination of all of those things. It was like going from watching the haphazard nature of college sports to the polish of professionals. It was like watching Montana to Rice--or Young to Rice--for that matter. Okay, a modern day example? How about Brady to Moss? It was a moment in which I realized that this was what I had been looking for in this area. Finally, someone got it right, I thought. I mean, REALLY got it right. Just to make sure it wasn't a fluke, I had to go back the following weekend. Sure enough, it was just as fabulous. The second time I was there, I had the ribeye. Never have I had a steak done this way--in a smoker. It's probably the most powerfully flavorful steak I have ever had. It was stunning! The sides deserve mention. The mac and cheese is fantastic. The greens have bacon lardons and are lovely, because of it. Sweet potato thing with jalapenos and maple syrup? Divine. I only ate dessert the first time I was there. The second? Eh...I knew I'd hurt myself. Why? It's just too much damn food! When I did have dessert, I had a sundae. Lovely, rich ice cream topped with a very nice hot fudge and roasted peanuts comprised the sundae. This is not your ordinary, phoning-it-in/one-step-up-from-McDonald's kind of sundae. This is artisanal quality stuff. I assure you. As far as I'm concerned, this is the go-to spot for BBQ in the Detroit area. Honestly, I just have to say that I highly recommend this place. I feel it so fervently that this place is worthwhile that I have to dispense with my usual descriptive narratives about how exactly everything tasted and how the experience was. I just can't wait to get to the point and state that this place is fantastic.
(4)
Brian B.

Absolutely fantastic meal. Started with some Woodsticks, Burnt Ends, and Deep Fried Pickles. All were great. all were enjoyable, but the Burnt Ends stole the appetizer show. A little different than what I have had in the past, but so so good. For my entree, I went with the brisket, mac, and green bean casserole. The brisket was cooked perfectly. Not dry at all. Literally fell apart as you were eating it. I wasn't disappointed in the sides, but will probably try different ones next time. they all sound fantastic. I can't wait to go back. It'll definitely be sooner rather than later.
(4)
Colette N.

The area is not known for having too many food options, so I'm sure The Woodshop HAS to be a welcome addition. In the area, def 5 stars. I found it to be very loud, but the truth is - I was there to eat and WOW, the food is is delicious. I've only been twice, but both times I couldnt have been happier with my selections! I loved their mac and cheese (nice and toasted on top), and the ribs are great with about 6+ sauces to try on them. I also have tried the Juicy Lucy hamburger and fries (skinny and good) and they was delish too. The restaurant itself is kind of choppy and in 3 sections. the first section is very unappealing, as the hustle and bustle of the waitstaff exiting the ktchen and people coming in and being seated is very apparent. The middle section has been a good choice and the last section I havent even checked out. Def worth the try.
(4)
Jimmy P.

The best BBQ in Michigan. Meats are smoked for over 12hrs. Time stops at the Mac n cheese. You really can't go wrong with whatever you order. They also make some bomb cocktails, most notably their watermelon drinks. They should dub the watermelon martini, or the watermelon shot the ShopTail.
(5)
Bill S.

I was sadly disappointed. All the positive reviews, featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Worst potato salad I have eaten in my 50 years. Bland and tasteless is too kind. Pulled pork tasted like absolutely nothing - no smoky taste, no seasoning, nothing. Plus, overpriced "attraction". Stay away. I know I will.
(1)
Miss P.

Food was very good. Pulled pork dinner was plenty for two. The Porker burger got praised. The Bloody Mary was tasty but rather weak. We sat outside to avoid the 30 min wait (wed 5pm). Service is excellent.
(4)
Lori K.

For people who live up there, this is the best BBQ place. If you live closer to Slows, it is better. Slows has better mac and cheese, better Ribs, better baked beans. The one thing that Woodshop thrives in is the corn bread, breadsticks, onion rings, all the bread is delicious. Would I drive 45 min again to get here, probably not, probably just go to Slows. But I loved it, second best BBQ in Detroit. Just not as good as Slows. We were actually disappointed with the ribs at Woodshop. Big portions. We got the pulled pork and we have leftovers for days. The combos are the way to go that come with two sides. We drove all the way for this? And granted we were there on a Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. when they opened so no wait.
(4)
Niraj S.

Been to Slows, been to Lockharts, this beats them both. I ate so much, I almost fell asleep in the car I the way home. Portions are generous, drinks are good. Everything we ordered (burgers, pizza, ribs, burrito) were all solid.
(4)
Jake E.

The food here was pretty good, especially my macaroni and cheese. My order was confused for a more expensive one, but that wasn't a big deal. It was a better meal. And my server was willing to fix it if I was going to be "that guy." Speaking of the server, he was awesome. Insanely funny and friendly guy. Idk his name, but he has a big beard. He's the main reason I'm giving 5 stars. He also recommended a good beer.
(5)
Benjie S.

This place fucking rocks. I saw this place on the tv when some fat blonde chick was with Kid Rock and they were talking about this place and their wonderful food. My lady and I took a half hour drive to get here and we were NOT disappointed. The baby back ribs are fucking amazing. Some of the best ribs I have ever eaten. We're talking hot, fresh, juicy, fall off the bone ribs. The bbq sauces on the table are all good in their own respects but my favorite was the 'Hell MI'. It's a hot sauce made with habanero peppers. I'm pretty bad ass so I didn't think it was hot, just fucking delicious but for you weak tongued individuals you may want to ease into it. Speaking of bad ass they have bad ass beer on tap. Fuck YES! Fresh food and fresh beer. What more do you want? Fried pickles? FUCK YES! The fried pickles I had here were hands down the best fried pickles I have ever had. So good I was craving more as I was eating them. They have a bunch of sides and the ones I had were good. Cheesy potatoes, mac n cheese and the collard greens. All good but the ribs and pickles were where it's at. The corn muffin was also good. This was only my first visit but I'm already planning for my return. It's lovely place with awesome food and an open fun atmosphere. Thank you Union Woodshop. Thank you very fucking much.
(5)
Tom S.

Well all of the hype and reviews are correct. The Food was some of the best BBQ I have ever eaten and I have eaten a lot of it throughout the south and Southwest USA. And yes the wait is incredibly LONG! So long that a 4 or 5 star rating went down to a 3 for me. It was a Wednesday evening. The restaurant opens at 4:00PM and when we arrived at 5:00PM, it was a 2.5 hour wait to be seated. After the 2.5 hour mark we decided to chat with the hostess. Apparently there was a table of guys who after eating decided this was there all night drinking club and had been seated for three hours. The hostess then explained that there was a group of 13 waiting to be seated in front of us and even though there was a table free for us they could not seat us until the drinking party left and they could seat the group of 13. Really, that is nuts! Someone else intervened and we were seated. Now on an odd night or right before they close up for the evening if I happen to wonder by the Union Woodshop and the wait time is not very long I would go in and eat. But after finally experiencing it and with the crazy wait times to be seated, once is probably enough.
(3)
Dan C.

This place rocks! I tried the smoked link and it was awesome! Plus what had to be the best Mac and cheese that I have ever had. And I know Mac and cheese. Save room for the butterscotch pudding! I will definitely be back. Great experience!
(5)
John C.

I used to love Diners Drive Ins and Dives but now i hate it. I live 7 minutes from this amazing restaurant but the crazy waits keep me away. The food is amazing. The pizza is fantastic along with the mac and cheese. The staff is professional, friendly and knowledgeable. Iv had a couple issues with super fatty burnt ends and tough brisket but whatever. As much food as they pump out its understandable. So i guess what im trying to say is..stop coming here...i will for you.
(4)
Samir N.

Of course I came here because I saw Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. We got there on Saturday at around 2 and sat at the bar because we were too impatient to wait for a table. By the time we were done, there was at least 15-20 people waiting for tables. I guess I am not the only one that loves me a late lunch. Hooray for just beating the crowd. The pulled pork was amazing - it was a huge pile of fluffy, tender goodness and did not really need a sauce. They had the basket of regional sauces, so I went ahead and indulged. My favorite was when I mixed the Tennessee with the Hell Sauce; on their own, both are good. The mac and cheese is also amazing. I had my initial reservations about the burnt-ish crust, but I ended up scraping off every last bit. The Badass Beer was okay - nothing special, but lagers rarely excite me. I will probably stick with Bell's next time. Given my poor initial experience at Slow's in Detroit, this is my current favorite BBQ in the Detroit area and will amply hold me over between trips back to Texas. Why is this and Clarkston Union (do they share some identical menu items?) the only places so heavily reviewed in Clarkston? Where do people go after hitting up Pine Knob?
(4)
Sarah N.

I'm not a huge BBQ fan and I'm mostly a vegetarian (just don't really like meat usually), but I LOVE the pulled pork at the Woodshop! I love having the assorted sauces to choose from and all the sides are fantastic! The sweet potato mash is my fave. I love the decor in this place and I've always had great service. The only thing is that it is quite loud, so it's hard to have a conversation, but I'm not talking as soon as the food shows up anyway! The only thing i would change is that they don't have wine glasses that they serve the wine in, it's served in a cylindrical glass. I'm sure it's because of the "woodshop" atmosphere, but I just like to let my wine breathe, so I prefer wine glasses.
(5)
Gary K.

Like others, we waited 2 hours to be seated. The upstairs area was nice and helped us pass the time. We ordered the burnt tips, pulled pork sandwich and burrito which were all good when they came. Prices are reasonable and wait staff was very friendly and helpful. I am not sure the food justified the wait.
(3)
Neil Y.

Where to begin? I had been here before to meet the culinary genius Will Cole but never had time to eat. We'll wax Will Cole later. For starters, we had the fried pickles and burnt ends. The fried pickles were quite crunchy in their Bad Ass Beer batter but not heavy. The pickles come with a creamy remoulade that was cool and tangy. The burnt ends were well done, just not really burnt but I wasn't sure if I was not going to get jerky. The ends were well done and smokey but certainly far from shoe leather. While it comes in the Tennessee sauce (sweet) I managed to try all of the sauces with this. I really enjoyed the sauce variety and clearly someone at the Woodshop is a student of the game. They had more traditional sauces like the Texas and Tennessee. The South Carolina mustard sauce was great as I the only other time I had it was actually in SC. Creative flare was the New York sauce which was Asian inspired of ginger and hoisin sauce. However, the Alabama was nice to see as the mayo based sauce is lost on the BBQ world outside of Bama. I also opted to taste the two "off the table" sauce like the North Carolina vinegar sauce with heat--well done sirs. Further, I also enjoyed the Hell, Michigan sauce because the Woodshop brings great flavor with heat and doesn't try to bury you in discomfort. Is it the hottest sauce ever--certainly not but you'll enjoy it instead of making your mouth and mind numb. Well played. Do I get BBQ or pizza? People here seem to love both. While we as a family share our food, I opted for neither. Instead I chose the home-made smoked hot-dogs, my wife tried the pulled pork and my son tried the cheese pizza so I was able to try it all. The pulled pork was tender and smokey. However, the cole slaw was incredible. The cheese pizza was wood fired and had a little char--just the way I like it. Next time, I'll tell them just another minute to get a crispier crust but otherwise quite good. For me, this seamed unusual as I have never been to a place that makes their own hot dogs. Purest would say it's more like a sausage but they were meaty and tasty--quite good actually because I'm assuming there were no nitrates, no fillers, no hooves, no beaks, no feathers in them. Smokey but not over the top. The fries are real potatoes and this presents a challenge to most places (like 5 Guys) where you get limp fries. Not here, they were over cooked and partly crispy---JUST THE WAY I LIKE THEM! The homemade dill pickle relish was a very nice compliment. We knew Will Cole does the desserts here. We enjoyed the mini doughnuts and vanilla ice cream. Nothing over the top but not a budget breaker either as neither cost more than $3. Good form Woodshop. The doughnuts were indeed mini but they weren't greasy at all and were covered in simple cinnamon and sugar coating. These little cakey gems had a lemon flavor to boot that was mostly noticed when I paired it with the vanilla ice cream. That's how you do it. Now the ice cream. I'm not a dessert man so simple is right up my alley. Most ice cream is from GFS, Cisco or a local place. The Woodshop's Will Cole makes it in house and the one thing that is missing though present everywhere else--no chemical aftertaste. Just creamy and honest. It's not really simple as Will Cole uses space age technology to prepare it but bravo, it kicks major ass and cleanses the pallet. Per my usual reviews, we traveled with our brood of a 3.5 year old and a 1 year old. No worries though, this place is loud (but not obnoxious--just bustling) so my kids can make plenty of noise without being glared at. Fortunately, my kids are are great in public but always a plus for us. Plus, the paper on the table for a 4'x3' coloring sheet is nice. Continuing with the kid theme, there meals were $4 and included a giant grilled cheese and a good size cheese pizza with veggie/fruit side and beverage. Thank you Union Woodshop! I'll talk about service and the servers in a follow up review. Quite possibly the only blotch on an otherwise great evening. Hat's off to the Woodshop kitchen team for practicing the basics everyday, paying attention to detail and remembering how important the small things are. Two starters, two entrees, two kids' meals, two desserts and gratuity was $48. Thank you Union Woodshop.
(5)
Michael P.

Decent food. Way way too loud. Got the famous lobster mac. It was so spiced we couldn't taste the lobster. Parking situation is not very good.
(3)
Matt D.

Awesome,awesome. Everything is great: beer, Q, dessert
(5)
Mike L.

Great Atmosphere Great Food Decent Price Service is good Seating coordinators could stand some improvement Highly recommended. But come early.
(5)
Kristin G.

A little slice of Hog Heaven. Thank goodness for pigs & slow smokers because some things truly are worth waiting for. It's not likely that many people think of BBQ when they think of Michigan. Especially not a quiet little town such as Clarkston. In my book, they definitely earned any accolades they've won thus far. I have had "Burnt Ends" at other establishments, and I must say, these take the cake hands down. They are not dried out and tortured, they're quite the opposite...melty, creamy even, but with no lack of BBQ char bits and dropped on top a fluffy piece of white Texas toast...slathered in a sweet BBQ sauce. Truly an ode to Beef. Another appetizer I tried was the deep fried pickle spears. The beer battered spears are a nice mix of crisp & fluffy outer shell and tangy warm pickle underneath. Worth a try & undeniably enjoyable. For dinner, the Pulled Pork with sides of Jalapeno Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Mac n' Cheese. The pulled pork was so tender and the sauces were all really good. If you ask, they'll bring out the hottest sauce they have "Hell Michigan"...it's a creeper with the heat...so be warned! My favorite of all the sauces were the "Memphis Tennessee" and the "Lockhart Texas" BBQ sauces. They are all worth a try, though. You can tell whoever is making these, knows their stuff! The Jalapeno Mashed Sweet Potatoes were a huge highlight. I never would have thought to pair the sweet and spicy but they work great together. Just the light airy consistency of the mashed sweet potatoes alone was like a fluffy little cloud on my tongue and then with all it's array of sweet, savory then spicy flavors, it really was a surprising treat! The mac n' cheese was good but not mind blowing. The atmosphere is nice & fits the town of Clarkston. It's easy and unique with a little touch of what I consider that "Up North" feel. They serve drinks in ball jars...there's a quaint Michigan-country feel to it without it being over the top woodsy. The greatest part about the Woodshop? The reasonable prices! Holy smokes...we ate like royalty for a mere fraction of what we pay at most places. That's a big bonus in my book. Watch out, other BBQ greats out there...competition is getting cut throat. I can think of few other worthy places to mark my 200th review. Congrats, Union Woodshop, on a job impeccably done!!!
(5)
Chris V.

High quality food with everything made from scratch. You need to add this place to your list of must eats. Half chicken with onion rings and mac&cheese is a winner.
(5)
Stuart T.

one my favoriate places to eat in Southeast Michigan. Everything I've tried has been awesome. One exception - their famous desert is a bit over-hyped. One star taken away due to very long waits and average (at best) service.
(4)
Vince N.

Good BBQ, all the meats I have tried, have been smoked properly. Sauces are all A-OK Sides- The Mac and cheese is good, but I still prefer Slows for this dish. Handcut Fries were very good some of the best I have ever had. Service was good. Would visit more in I lived closer, If you like BBQ this place is a must try.
(4)
Z T.

Excellent Food! The wait is worth it. The menu has a little something for everyone. Can't say anything that hasn't already been mentioned by previous reviewers. Definitely add this place to your list.
(5)
Jim E.

Overall this was a solid place to try out. We were there around 4:30 on a Saturday, shortly after that time there was over an hour wait! The service was very attentive, but slow overall due to the large volume of people. The atmosphere in this place was better then I expected, very lively and the decor is modern as well. The when you go downtown Clarkston it is quite a charming feel to this town, you can feel the vibrancy! The Woodsticks (starter bread sticks) are above average, I thought the dip would have been more cream cheesy then like garlic The wings are very meaty and flavorful, an excellent choice. The Beef Brisket is really good, as is the Macaroni and Cheese which has a unique flavor. I thought it was a Beef Brisket sandwich but you just get the meat, the Brownie dessert was average I thought it could have been a little more of a wow factor. Overall this is great home come cooking, the food and presentation actually makes it feel like your in the South...definitely worth a try! There was a buzz with the locals in this place, they mentioned it will be featured on Diners Drive In's and Dives December 12th at 10pm.
(4)
Megan T.

Better than Slow's, better than your mom's barbecue. Best BBQ in Michigan. The food: EXCELLENT! You'd be crazy not to order off their bbq menu (and choose 2 sides). I have tried the brisket, pulled pork and cajun catfish and all are really great! You can order the catfish and choose 2 sides just like the other combos. My favorite sauce is the Tennessee sauce, but they are all good in their own way. The pizza is really good too. All the food is excellent - you can't go wrong. The atmosphere: Casual, fun, intimate. It's always busy, but you feel like a special table. Drinks are served in Mason jars, food is served on trays lined with paper- it's casual. The service is always good, but considering that they are so busy you might have to wait a while, but it's well worth the wait. Full bar- if you go any day between 6-7 you should expect to wait an hour. They renovated the upstairs to be a full bar, so relax and have a House Margarita (made with fresh juices). You wouldn't expect such fresh food and drinks from a place like this but it is fantastic. Worth the money, worth the wait, and I visit this place all the time when I'm in MI.
(5)
Mark B.

Food is decent. I prefer upstairs but they don't serve food on the second level.
(3)
Brent R.

Go early and be hungry, the Woodshop is a solid BBQ joint in the oddest of places. Good sauces, smoky meat and even some good beers on tap, it's really hard to go wrong with anything at this place. I cannot give 5 stars just due to the long wait that this place has since its not always possible to wait 2 hours to eat dinner. I heard they are adding on so that should help and I will adjust my rating accordingly. I know its not a bad thing to have people clamoring to eat at your establishment but they should manage it a little better. I would rate the Woodshop a tad less than Slows if you want to know what to expect but not by much.
(4)
Ryan S.

My wife and I loved this place. There was a bit of a wait (8pm on a weeknight), so we sat at the bar while waiting. One of the bartenders was kind of snotty, but the other was very nice. We were seated pretty quickly after we sat at the bar. Once we were seated, our server was awesome. She was one of the best servers we've had in a long time. The food was great. We had the fried pickles and woodsticks (wood oven breadsticks) for an appetizer. I had the pulled pork sandwich and my wife had the burger. Both were sooo tasty. I am imagining the taste of the food right this second and want to go back for more. Now. Their selection of draft beer was not gigantic, but they only had quality stuff. They had two Founders, and three Bells. My one complaint about the place is that they serve beer in Mason jars. I hate to sound like a beer snob, but I found this incredibly annoying. I say that if you are going to serve decent beer, at least serve it in pint glasses. Pint glasses are easier to hold and drink from (ok, go ahead and make fun of me, just saying). It's like, why not serve beer in something specifically designed for beer? My grandma didn't can vegetables in pint glasses, so let's not serve beer in Mason jars.
(4)
Daniel G.

Its 4/5 star BBQ. Service was good, bbq solid, beer selection expansive, atmosphere fine except for the BAD ASS BEER mural behind the bar. tacky...which isn't ever an adjective I'd use for the Clarkston Union family so I was and am surprised at that. We have some good BBQ in the Detroit area so I wouldn't drive 40 minutes just to go here but I certainly wouldn't fault anyone who would. Its good stuff. Go.
(4)
Jeremy S.

Another Diners, Drive-ins and Dives place but this is actually nicer than that label. We definitely were too excited and grossly over ordered. I'm glad we did. We tried the burnt ends and blackened steak tips (on special) for appetizers. Now the burnt ends were some of the best I have had, but they were completely out classed by the blackened steak tips. I am such a fan of savory, almost to the point of over flavored and this was perfect in my opinion. Little chunks of rib eye cooked in so many herbs and then piled on a piece of Texas toast and drizzled with a blue cheese dressing/sauce. It's like someone read my mind. I'm a sucker for wood fired pizza and they claimed to make a good one. If I were you, I'd just stick to ordering BBQ here. They make a napoletana style pizza and the outer crust is very good...slight char with a crunchy exterior and soft chewy center. So far so good, right? but...like a lot of napoletana pizzas the center of the pie was soggy and flopped worse than a NY style pizza. On the table is about 6 homemade bbq sauces, but you can ask for the hot ones. They'll bring you out two hot sauces and you'll have to ask again to get the XXX sauce. Let me tell you, it is HOT! It just about ruined my night. Seriously if you dip it just your pinky in it and touch your tongue that spot on your tongue will swell up and stay that way for over an hour.
(4)
Suzie C.

The food here is absolutely amazing!!! But the reason I only give it 3 stars is there is always a LOOOOONG wait. My 1st trip we went with 4 people and waited an hour, which I would expect for a popular restaurant on a Saturday night. But the 2nd time I went I was with a birthday party and waited 4 HOURS for a table. Yes four hours. It's nice that they just added an upstairs bar/waiting area with tables and such, but they would not serve food upstairs (not even appetizers) which was annoying after about 2hrs. I wish they would just serve food upstairs and I think it would be a more enjoyable experience. But like I said the food is delicious. I would just recommend going during a weekday lunch. I do not recommend if you have a party of more than 6.
(3)
Michele G.

I can simply say that we REALLY LIKE THIS PLACE!!! I ate at the Vinestta Garage last week and like what I ordered. VG has the same owners as Union Woodshop so I was excited to try this place. You could definitely see some similarities: drinks in mason jars, most of the food served on a silver platter lined with butcher paper, some of the same menu items such as the infamous Mac n Cheese, pizza's, the Michigan emphasis. But I'm not sure why they had a picture of President Roosevelt behind the bar.... We walked in on a Sunday evening about 7:45P the hostess said we would have about a 30-45 minute wait but by the time we got upstairs ordered our drinks the buzzer went off- 15 minutes- not bad at all My husband and I ordered: Appetizer: Burnt Brisket ends smothered with the house BBQ sauce served on Texas toast- The meat had a good smokey flavor, the BBQ sauce had a good smoke sweet mix and it all balanced nicely with the thick Texas toast. It was a nice to try but don't need to order it again. Entree: The Juicy Lucy Burger w/fc fries: I've seen this burger on triple D and Man vs. Food. It was made famous by two restaurants in Minneapolis so when I saw this burger on the menu I had to order-. It's a meat patty with American cheese stuffed in the middle and cooked medium well with a pickled red onion. I added a side of lettuce and tomato. Great flavor, perfectly cooked and the cheese oozed out the middle. A generous side of fc fries. I was very very satisfied Woodshop 101: Included- Ribs, pulled pork, 1/4 chicken, side of mac n cheese, collard green, cornbread. added a side of the house made smoked hot link sausage. Ribs- just okay- we've had better Pork- nicely smoked, great flavor, moist, very good- I recommend Chicken: just okay- would prefer more seasoning and better smoke flavor Hot Link Sausage- AWESOME! Great flavor with a little bit of heat- LOVED it. Mac n Cheese- Liked it better than what I had at Vinsetta Garage, I prefer my cheese more on the creamy side but it was a nice flavor- I recommend Collard Greens- VERY VERY good- nice smoke flavor, well seasoned- I just wished we had a larger serving- it was so good- I recommend Cornbread- Yummy- moist, I thought I tasted jalapeno seemed to have a little kick- I recommend Desert: The homemade vanilla ice cream made with nitrogen, with maple tasting syrup and sprinkled with Spanish peanuts and whipped cream. LOVED IT SERVICE: Our server Erin- was really very good. She said she'd only been working there for about 2 weeks. Really? She handled herself like she had been on the job for years. Knew the menu, provided good recommendations, fun, attentive. Job well done Erin We walked out stuffed and satisfied just the way we like it. Next time we go to a concert at DTE we'll make sure we give ourselves enough time for another visit to the Union Woodshop. Nice job!
(4)
Dave S.

Became a bigger fan after my 2nd visit. The wings here are phenomenal. I've immediately tried to plan my next trip here. The thing I'm seeing with local BBQ places is that nobody is good at everything. If you look at UW, Slow's, Lockhart's, etc. some of them excel in some areas, and some in others. I really think UW makes great Wings though. The Burnt Ends were very hearty, but I think with the ends I almost prefer some fattiness, which I think I got more of at Rub Pub. I had the Porker Sandwich though and it was a beautiful thing. I haven't had enough of the menu to know what else I might deem as a specialty, but I'm sure it doesn't end with the wings. Anytime I leave a place and think about what I ate, days, weeks, months later, I know I've found a winner. Union Woodshop delivered that to me with the Porker and Wings. Also, our waiter looked like Brian Wilson (Closer for the SF Giants) and embraced it by wearing a Giants hat. His real name was Gabriel and he was the man. Aim for his section.
(5)
Samantha R.

There is no denying- food is DELICIOUS! During my first Woodshop experience we ordered the Woodshop 101 with brisket and onion rings. We tried the cheesy potatoes and collard greens, as well. I don't like how many restaurants prepare collard greens, but I liked these very much. Everything was very tasty. For dessert we ordered the butterscotch pudding, also very good. We arrived around 5:30pm and were seated immediately. As we waited for our food, the line was out the door. Definitely get there early if you don't want to wait. I give the food alone a solid 5 stars. The reason I rated 4 stars was because of the service we received. I don't recall our waitresses name but our service was absolutely terrible. From what I understand, this is an exception. I highly recommend!
(4)
Charlee K.

Great FOOD. Great Atmoshphere. THE WORST Bartender's I have ever encountered.......extremely slow. Stick to sitting at a table and NOT going upstairs.
(3)
Ryan P.

I should start off by stating that I love BBQ. I come from a family who owned one of the best BBQ restaurants in Nashville, so I know good BBQ. To put it simply, i was impressed with the quality, quantity, and the price of the food. My girlfriend and I had a date night here last week. Since she is from Waterford she recommended we come here. Usually I get my BBQ fix from Slows in Detroit so naturally my opinion was a little biased. I order the Pulled pork and a side quarter of chicken. I also had the cheesy potatoes and Mac and Cheese. Everything was amazing. The pork was cooked perfectly it was moist, tender and wasn't overly fatty. The chicken was smoked perfectly and seasoned well. The absolute killer were the side dishes. Homemade mac and cheese and cheesy potatoes. Both were out of this world. I would go back just for them. Combine the amazing food with a great Michigan beer selection and this is one the premier restaurants in Oakland County.
(5)
Carol A.

First time here, but all I can say is WOW! The only reason to ever go to Slows is if Brisket is your goal...because otherwise, everything is way better. 1 hour wait on a Wednesday night... But well worth it. This will definitely stay on the favorites list. Whatever you do please save room for the Butterscotch pudding.
(5)
Alyssa A.

While visiting family in Michigan, our friends suggested we meet at this place for dinner one night. It was about 30 minutes from where we were but is was SO worth it. Right off the bat, I absolutely loved the decor and the atmosphere of the restaurant. 4 of us came here on a Thursday night around 7pm, and it was a little more crowded than I'd anticipated - but the wait wasn't bad. We found a little bar table to stand at and ordered a drink, and were seated after about 15 minutes. One of our favorite things to do is order local brews from where we are visiting, and this place had a few available (on tap and bottled). I had one from Bell's and one from Shorts, both in MI. Beer is served in a mason jar, some people may not like this but I LOVE it. Plus it fits with the overall vibe of the restaurant. The menu is fantastic, prices are very reasonable, and the way dinner is presented is great. We started off with the Burnt Ends, which were very good. I'd expected them to be a little more "burnt" but they really weren't at all. For dinner I had the Beef Brisket & the husband had the Half Chicken, sides of mac 'n cheese, sweet potato mash and collard greens. It was all super delish!!! The corn muffin that was served alongside was also very, very yummy. Unfortunately we didn't have room for dessert, but they had quite a few things that looked amazing.
(5)
Thomas I.

I've had kc BBQ an I've had Texas BBQ and now I've had motor city BBQ. Wow this place had amazing food. Ordered the pulled pork which came with corn bread and two sides. Everything on the plate was delicious. I recommend the onion rings and Mac and cheese. Delicious!
(5)
B W.

Top notch BBQ. Great service too.
(5)
Rachel W.

My husband and I went to Union Woodshop on Friday night. The three reasons Union Woodshop does not get that fifth star are: 1) The wait. As previous reviewers have mentioned there is a wait, usually a long one. We tried to avoid the wait by going early, we got there just before 5:30p. We were told it would be a 30 minute wait, which thankfully only ended up being about 15 minutes. The main problem is the lack of waiting space, sure you can go to one of their bars, but even at that time of day they were already filled! The wait is worth it though, and next time we'll be getting there even earlier. 2) It's loud. The noise level is more on par with a bar than a restaurant. 3) The dessert I ordered, the donuts were a bit dry and overcooked. They were still pretty darn good though. Everything else was excellent! I love the little mason jars they serve your beverage in, too cute. I would recommend getting one of their dinners in which you can choose a meat option and then two sides. I got the pulled pork (HUGE portion) with the mac n' cheese and green bean casserole. I'm glad I didn't get the mac n' cheese entree, it would have been too much because it is so rich. The side portion is the perfect amount. The dessert menu is one to keep going back for just to try all of them because each sounds as equally delicious as the next! The prices are reasonable too, especially considering they could get away charging a lot more for how popular and busy they are! The quantity of food you get for the price is awesome too. We are counting the days until it is socially acceptable to go back... is it too soon yet?
(4)
Jonathan R.

Let's get this out of the way first: if you go here in peak hours you'll almost definitely need to wait. That said, this is definitely in the running for my favorite restaurant in the area. I've only been here a couple times but I've had an overwhelmingly positive experience both times. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and there is a small bar area if you're interested in watching the game. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and prompt. They gave us some great recommendations and good service. I got the Hot Link Roll, a spicy sausage on a roll with coleslaw and fries and it was delicious. The fries were crispy and seasoned, and they had a nice variety of signature sauces to add to your meal (which I love). Tip: request the spicy Hell sauce, which is only available upon request. I've also ordered the Woodshop burger and was satisfied with it. Overall this place is worth the drive and the wait. You don't need to spot Kid Rock while you're here for it to be a great experience.
(5)
Dan N.

BEST BBQ of my life--not even close (note: I have yet to build up enough patience to wait for Slow's). We started with the burnt ends app--pretty good, although I thought the ends would be a little more "burnt (/crispy). Go for the fattier pieces here, they are incredible. For my entree, I had the pulled pork entree. Seriously, this stuff was not only the best BBQ I've had, but right up there with some of the best food. They serve up the pork without any sauce, and you have 5-6 sauces at the table to slather it up in. Really any sauce was good, but I preferred the white sauce and the texas BBQ sauce. For my sides, I went with the onion rings and the mac 'n cheese--yea, I was trying to eat healthy that night. To be honest, it was a bit of "heavy-ness" overkill. Don't get me wrong, they were super delicious, but something green on the plate would have served me well. If you've never had the mac 'n cheese here before, you gotta try it at least once. To top it off, you get a TON of DELICIOUS food and it's only about $13!! I had plenty of food for 2 meals--easy. If you don't feel like waiting 2 hours at Slow's, come to Union Woodshop and wait a half-hour--on a Tuesday (trust me, it's worth it).
(5)
Tom N.

Definitely recommended. We got here just after noon on a Saturday and were able to get right in. Great atmosphere great service at this time and really good food too.
(5)
DD K.

Amazing & cool. The food was fantastic - a meat lovers dream (though we were with a happy vegetarian) Tomato soup, fried pickles, Woodshop pizza, Margarita pizza, Brisket, mac -n- cheese, green beans & sweet potato mash. All delicious and perfectly cooked. Our server was great with good conversation and suggestions. Great Food - Great Service - Great Decor
(5)
Matthew R.

I would go so far as to say the BBQ is better than Slow's, but it's certainly not as hip. I had the beef brisket with mac and cheese and green bean casserole with butterscotch pudding for dessert. The Bama sauce was my favorite. Great service, great atmosphere, and incredible food. And I peed next to Joe Dumars in the bathroom.
(5)
levramosis H.

I have no doubt that I would be a much bigger fan of Union Woodshop if I hadn't recently fallen in love with Red Rock Downtown Barbecue in Ypsilanti. While the food here is good, much of it is edged out by Red Rock. I went to UW on a Monday night, about 7:15pm. Was informed there was a 45 minute wait and headed upstairs to the bar. The drinks there, while limited, were fairly solid if not inspired cocktails. I had a "grandma betty" which was a riff on an old fashioned. There was an addition of a respectable orange bitter and some interesting homemade cherries. There was no offer of food/menu/bar snacks but there was a group at the bar that had some, so I'm not sure what the situation there was. It was maybe 20 minutes when our pager went off that our table was ready. Settling up at the bar was a bit of a pain, but not as much as getting downstairs to discover a completely different and highly disappointing bar/beer/bourbon menu. Mediocre bourbons, uninspired cocktails and the only beers on tap were of the lager/pilsner/ipa style. One porter/stout was available in a bottle. The only saving grace was Scrumpy's cider. Which at $15.50 a bottle was a touch steep, even at restaurant markup. Service was also mediocre at best. Menus came after sitting at the table for upwards of ten minutes. Water glasses were not refilled until the end of the meal and I typically drink 2-3 glasses with each meal. The shrimp cocktail was the shining star of my meal. It was smoky, chilled and delicious. The cocktail sauce complimented and in no way took away from the smoked delicacy of the shrimp. This one dish alone I would return for. Started with burnt ends. Red Rock TOTALLY has them beat here. The burnt ends at UW were heavily sauced, and true flavor from the meat was difficult to discern. There were large chunks that were nothing but fat and the sauce soaked mushy bread detracted rather then added to the dish. For entrees we tried the baby back ribs, side car or brisket, and pulled pork sandwich. For sides we chose onion rings, fries, and sweet potato mash. The corn muffin that came with the ribs was solid and was elevated by the whipped butter it was served with. The ribs were smoky but more toothsome than I prefer. The brisket was smokey, lean-ish and tasty. The pulled pork (which we thankfully thought to order un-sauced) was nicely smoky, the slaw a decent addition but the sandwich desperately need more texture. This is again where Red Rock has UW beat. The well toasted buns at Red Rock make a world of difference in the sandwich. The onion rings tasted good but were greasy, the fries were good but not well seasoned and the sweet potato mash was interesting but was watery and lacked the depth of flavor of a nicely roasted then mashed sweet potato. For dessert we chose the maple bourbon sundae. There were major texture issues with this dessert. The nitrogen ice cream was served way too cold. I took quite a bit of time for it to soften to a texture that was less icy and more creamy and warm to a temperature that made the most of the nicely flavored ice cream. There was a grainy residue left on the spoon with every bite that I suspect came from texturizers in the ice cream. The sauce was watery and runny. The highlight was the smoked peanuts which gave this dish some desperately needed interest. There were many good points to the meal, but few really great points. I would happily sit at the bar upstairs with a nicely crafted cocktail, a couple of the shrimp cocktails and maybe a smoked peanut bar snack and never really feel the need to eat dinner downstairs.
(3)
Z K.

Needs better service...food was ok.
(2)
Kelly S.

Went here about a month ago on a Wednesday. Arrived at about 5:45 expecting a wait and they sat us immediately! Woodstick app (breadsticks with cream cheese dip) was fresh out of their pizza oven and absolutely delicious. Burnt end brisket app was very good. Pulled pork was without a doubt the best I have ever tried! Best part is that portion is large and you'll have leftovers so when you crave it again the next day (which you will) you can make a pulled pork sandwich...yum! Baby back ribs were fall off the bone and tender! You get so much food that it doesn't matter too much, but want to add that the sides you choose with the meal are VERY small. Cornbread comes with meals and you choose two sides. The sides are about 2oz or something enough to take a couple bites. Fries and mac n' cheese were definitely the larger options. Cheesy potatoes were my personal favorite. Based on the sizes of the meals I think you are better off getting a meal and adding a sidecar of another meat than ordering the Woodshop 101, it was quite small in comparison with the other meals at the table. Don't know if BBQ will ever be the same after eating here only wish it wasn't so far away!
(5)
Sandra M.

Was at Union Woodshop today at 12:15pm, no wait but after an hour I could see people waiting outside. the service was not the best but the food was amazing, the mac and cheese , beans, corn bread , onion rings was out of this world. The meat was pretty good(pulled pork, beef brisket, hot links, burnt ends) specially if you try all of their sauces. I wish I live closer... I would come over ever other day and try everything on the menu!
(5)
Dave A.

Great food just call a head for a table
(5)
Laila C.

PORKTOBERFEST!!!! mm...this could, this is, this MUSt be an annual tradition!!!!!!! A carnivore's dream filled with fried pig's ears, head cheese and pork cheek bacon that's just the most delectable thing I've ever put in my mouth (WHY IS THERE NOT AN APP THAT'S JUST A BOWL OF THIS STUFF!!) The pork shank that fell from the heavens and landed in my mouth. The sausage trio!!!!!!!! What's not to love when offered 3 different types of encased meats? All this magic could only be achieved by a chef slaughtering his own HUGE pig and making everything on site with love and tenderness. In addition to all that, don't forget the yummy yummy fatty burnt ends, the delightfully crispy, homemade bratwurst pizza and perfectly smoked wings (which is AWESOME with the 6..and if you're really brave, 7 homemade bbq sauces)-if you're really brave, and dumb, ask for the hotter than hell sauce. You'll die. I promise. Last but not least, finish with the butterscotch pudding. Yup, never thought I'd say this...but that butterscotch pudding it pretty much all I've been thinking about since this weekend (and that means TONS from a girl who doesn't like sweets). Why's this butterscotch pudding sooo amazing? Oh maybe the super heavy but unimaginably light whipped cream, maybe the butterscotch pudding with chunks of yumminess, or most likely the ingenious addition of natural sea salts to really bring out all the flavors!
(5)
James B.

Of the seven deadly sins that I'll most likely burn for, in all probability it will be for gluttony. In fact, this evening I came perilously close to it becoming a reality thanks to the food at Union Woodshop. Dinner was 5 hours ago and I'm still experiencing the agony and the ecstasy from stuffing myself until loosening my belt was the only way to create room in my stomach. One "waaafer-thin mint", and I would have become the Filipino version of Mr. Creosote. It was all worth it because in my humble opinion, this is the finest BBQ in the area. My friend and I started with the burnt ends appetizer. The beef was tender, unctuous in the best sense, and delicious. There was enough in one order for the 2 of us so it would also make for a nice entree if served with a couple of sides. My entree was the Woodshop 101. This combo plate offers you a 1/4 chicken, choice of brisket or pulled pork, choice of 2 spare or baby back ribs, plus 2 sides. I chose the brisket and the spare ribs to go with my chicken and the mac & cheese and black beans and rice as my sides. (I told you I pigged out!). The chicken was tender and juicy, the ribs were melt in your mouth delicious due to the generous layers of fat that remained from proper smoking technique, and the brisket had a beautiful smoke ring and likewise so tender that you could cut it with your fork. Both side dishes were on point, particularly the black beans and rice. UWs's is actually vegetarian which I usually find suspect - no offense to my vegetarian/vegan friends, but I love all things meat related. I must say that the black beans and rice were savory and quite delicious. All the meats were served sans sauce though you have a choice of 5 sauces on the table to choose from if you are of the bbq sauce aficionado persuasion. As it is, I am usually of the anti-sauce camp because I really like the flavor of the meat to shine through - i will/did taste each sauce to compare to the sauces I have tried in each region, though I've never had the Alabama bbq. All were tasty to try, but as luck would have it, I was given a sauce that I thoroughly enjoyed enough to use - it is not actually on the menu though. So let's talk a bit about bbq sauce... The 5 sauces on the table are: 1. Tennessee - tomato based 2. S. Carolina - vinegar and mustard based 3. Lockhart, TX - tomato and chipotle based 4. NYC Chinatown - hoisin based 5. Alabama - this is a form of bbq sauce that I've never had. It is horseradish/mayo based. (A brief digression - The Lockhart TX bbq is actually a misnomer. The bbq of Central TX, where Lockhart is located, rarely is sauced. The bbq sauce served at UWs is reminiscent of sauce that you'd find in East TX, like in Houston, so it would be more appropriately dubbed, East TX sauce.) There are 2 other sauces on the menu that you must ask for as they have a much higher chili content and unsurprisingly much hotter. The first is Raleigh NC, a vinegar/chili pepper based sauce, and the second is called Hell, Michigan sauce made with the 1M Scoville unit Ghost chili. I tried the Hell sauce and liked it - alot actually, but it didn't live up to my expectations of heat. Having heard me say just that, our server mentioned they had a sauce that was much hotter called XXX that was off-menu and came with a warning about eating it. It is a proprietary blend of the Ghost chili, pure capsaicin extract and a few other "things". "Bring it on!" was my response. What our server brought out was a clear squeeze bottle labeled XXX Special Reserve. Inside the bottle was a concoction that looked quite literally like the tar balls from the BP spill, with a consistency to match. It is also worth noting that this particular bottle had to be refrigerated, as if to keep the heat from melting the bottle. It took me several minutes to squeeze a dollop onto my ribs because of the high viscosity. One sniff of the stuff managed to open up both my nasal passages which have been continuously plugged due to my allergies. Tentatively, I took a bite... it was quite delicious... you could taste the meat, the chili... our server came by to see if I liked it... "Why, yes... yes I do... it's not as hot as I thought...".... BAM!... my tongue feels like I've licked a gas range set to 11... tears start streaming down my cheeks... I take a sip of water... MORON!!!!... chili oil now spreads throughout my mouth... bursts of flame shoot through my nose... tongue goes numb... mouth goes numb... lather, rinse, repeat with masochistic abandon. I.love.that.sauce. It is a blessing that it is a bit of a hike to get to UWs. It is the one thing that saves me from becoming a complete bbq glutton and facing Hades because of it.
(4)
Andi M.

Update I lived in Texas for a year and I still think this is the best brisket I have EVER had.
(5)
Bob M.

Great food and atmosphere, I have been twice now and both times it was great. the brisket is fall apart tender. the union mac and cheese is yummy as usual. the hand cut fries are tasty and crunchy. the pulled pork and hot link were top notch. The first time we had the fried pickle app, they were good and crunchy. We had the wood sticks the second time and they were some of the best bread sticks I have ever had. On the first vist the girlfriend had a burrito with smoked chicken , she could only eat half. I picked a few pieces of chicken out and it was juicy,smokey and tender. The wait times they said when we arrived were terrible, 2 and 1.5 hours, but we ended up not waiting that long at all. All in all we will be back . It is a bit of a drive ( 45 min) for us but well worth it. There is not any other BBQ of this quality around here.
(4)
Andrea D.

I have been wanting to try this place for years! Finally got the opportunity last night and was not disappointed. Tip: Don't be in a hurry when you go. We were trying to get to fireworks at the Oakland County Fair, so we were a little rushed. Our wait was about 20-25 minutes on July 4th. Service was outstanding - great waitress. Not to mention, the entire staff is super cute and hip. The vibe of the place is outstanding from the interior, to the music. Even the bathroom is hip. The menu is great. Definately, start with the fried dill pickles - at $2.50, how can you not? Thankfully, you'll only get 4....it would be easy to gobble down more. I had a small cherry/pork salad, which was great with a bit of the NY BBQ sauce. I ordered the small in hopes that I would have time to order the butterscotch pudding...but alas, I did not. My hubs had the hot link roll with slaw & a side of the mac & cheese. Only needed about 1/3 of the bread included with the hot link roll, otherwise, magnifique! Can't wait to go back. Love this place!
(5)
Christine S.

My husband and I came here for our wedding anniversary, it was close to the house and I have been dying to try this place ever since I moved out here. The place was packed on a Thursday night at 6:45 pm, there's a wait of course...to the bar we stand..in the way of everyone mind you, everyone! There was no good place to stand. After about a 1/2 hour we managed to find a table top to stand next to, along with 2 other couples we felt bad for. They were in the way as well and we kept calling them over to stand with us. 2 drinks, $15..gulp! It's now 8:15pm, finally we get called to our table. Tired, famished, and irritable. Husband: Pulled Pork Sandwich with fries. OMG the dipping sauce for the fries..so good. It tasted something like Thousand Island dressing but better. He loved the sandwich. Me: Blackened Catfish with Rice and Beans...loved it! I ate the whole darn thing and washed it down with a Dark and Stormy, Black Rum and Ginger Beer, really unique taste and really good. $24.00, now that's more like it. I would definitely come back and with my patience.
(4)
Chuck H.

After three attempts, I finally got to try the Woodshop. I was happy with my meal, but nothing bowled me over. The best things I had were the Kid Rock N' Rye drinks, deep fried pickles, and the cornbread muffin. The brisket, sweet mash, mac & cheese, and bourbon ice cream were all good, but I had really high expectations for them that weren't quite met after three attempts, seeing Guy Fieri's stupid mug on TV hyping them, and waiting yet another hour to get in today. I'll be back again, but I'm in no rush... nor should anyone be with the crazy wait times.
(4)
Jared H.

I have only gone to the Union Woodshop once and it was about two years ago, but I was shocked to see the overwhelmingly positive reviews here... maybe they were having an off night, but my experience was such that I do not plan to go back. First of all, it was a date with my then-girlfriend (now wife). We were seated at a very odd table... it was round, but the seats were only around one side of the table, so it was impossible to sit facing each other. Also, it was surprisingly dark. We ordered a meal where we got ribs, brisket, and pulled pork. We had the fries and macaroni for sides, as I had heard nothing but praise for the macaroni. The meats were all on the dry side, which would have been fine if they had a good flavor - but they didn't. It was ok, but nothing special... famous daves does much better. Also, I did not like a single one of their sauces, though I don't remember anything else about them at this point. The fries were good, but the macaroni was not very cheesy at all, and somehow managed to be both dry and mushy. The service was slow and impersonal. Overall, I have nothing positive to say about the experience.
(2)
Jessica S.

I recently made the trek out to the Union Woodshop in Clarkston for a private party, and was glad to see the hype was pretty darn accurate! The service was friendly (Extra points for the super-nice service from Rhonda), the food was delicious (Mac N Cheese? Yum! House Smoked Shrimp Cocktail? Yum! Rocket Pizza? Yum!) and the atmosphere was very cozy and relaxed. The prices are extremely reasonable as well! I'll definitely be back to sample the rest of the goodies on the menu very soon! (Especially the ribs and pulled pork I've heard so much about!)
(4)
Anson M.

Great food. I had the ribs with collard greens and macaroni&cheese. I had no leftovers.
(5)
Ashley A.

This place is definitely worth the 40 minute wait for a table for two! They have an awesome Michigan beer selection and some of the best priced apps I have ever seen ($2.50 for fried pickles). Their macaroni is seriously the best I have ever encountered (sorry Clarkston Union) and their half chicken includes all the skin, fat, and bones! I love it!
(4)
Michael S.

Everything you heard about this place is true! The pulled pork is out of this world and the Mac & Cheese is hall of fame! Try the "kid rock & rye"! Smoked chicken with the 'Bama sauce is an excellent combo. If you can possibly save room get the bourbon sundae!
(5)
Rayna P.

Wow! I loved the trendy, retro atmosphere. There are neat touches to your experience that will make this a fun meal. The food served on cafe-style metal trays is a fun way to present the food. The decor is funky, fun and eclectic. Service was amazing. We ate with our young kids and the offerings were great for young kids! But, you could eat here for a great dinner with adults and not have the family buzz around you either. If you are near or even if you have to drive, you MUST eat here!!
(5)
Megan F.

This place is top notch - everything is DELICIOUS! We started with a Bloody Mary that featured smoked, stuffed olives (completely unbelievable) and smoked pickles. I was already in heaven. As a complete pickle freak, we ordered the fried pickles which were served with a tangy mayo dippy sauce and thick breading. My man ordered the Porker with a side of Mac which did not disappoint - seriously one of the best mac n cheeses this side of the galaxy. I had the smoked shrimp salad which was tasty but could have used a lot more dressing and shrimp (this is my only complaint) and the potato salad which was in a REAL mustard sauce with bacon and other goodness. I would eat it all again, but would probably skip the salad next time. It's a distance from where we live, but worth the drive. We arrived at 1:30 p.m. on a Sunday and found seats at the bar right away, but be advised that you should plan for a long wait.
(5)
A G.

We went there to celebrate sweetest day early. We have been debating on going for awhile now and every time the opportunity arises, we didn't take it. Well, last night we took the opportunity and I am so glad that we did. Not only did I not have to wait for a table, but our waitress, Sarah, was amazing! We had the half chicken and the porker, both great. The sides, Mac and cheese and sweet potato mash with jalapeÃ±os in it were outta this world. The selection of sauces is mind boggling and I definitely recommend this place to anyone!!! A huge kudos to the restaurant and all the employees, you gained two more fans! I would much rather stand in line for this restaurant for hours and have great food with less cost than go up the road to a different restaurant (Logan's) and spend nearly twice the money and leave that place still hungry and utterly disappointed. A MUST DO!!!!
(5)
Rodney H.

If you are a fan of Anthony Bourdain no Reservations, or a fan of Janelles reviews you have heard that Street food is the most authentic, best tasting Food to be eaten & you will get no arguments from me, especially in Asia but also in Mexico & certain European countries Street food does provide the best experience of local cuisine. However in the USA we really have no Street food culture, save for perhaps Manhattan Hot Dog Vendors or the Food courts in every suburban shopping mall in the country. Really its not surprising because we are the country of the Automobile & Driving everywhere & street food just don't go together. Hence my hypothesis that Barbecue in all its incantations is the USA equivalent of Street food. Whether you prefer Memphis style dry rub or North Carolina versions or Kansas city BBQ, whether your a Ribs person or Pulled Pork or Chicken Fiend BBQ is usually inexpensive, the Antithesis of Fine dining & very very tasty. I'm glad to say that in Oakland county we have a fantastic purveyor of BBQ. We have sampled the Kansas city style Spare ribs, The platter comes with 2 from multiple sides but the French Fries are fantastic & the Cole slaw is a good 2nd choice. The Ribs are served dry & 6 different sauces are on the table if you prefer wet, they range from TN mild, NYC piquant, Mustard based, Tomato based sauces. The Ribs them selves are cooked to perfection, melt of the bone goodness, moist & meaty. They also serve a slew of excellent draft beers served in Mason glasses, a healthy wine list & Hard Cider. Do yourself a favor & head out to clarkston, its a fair drive North of the city but well worth the effort. Fantastic
(5)
Richard F.

OK. This is an update to my update. We went back to the Union Woodshop for dinner. We had 5 in our party this time. It was a spectacular experience. I upgraded the place from 4 stars to 5 as a result. Several of us ordered dinners with sidecars. I expected a small add-on portion of the meat item selected. In my case I ordered the hot link as a sidecar item. I think they could have called this a freight train! It was not only delicious, but it was huge too. And all the sidecars ordered were similarly huge. I almost always finish everything I order. I do this out of stubbornness as much as anything else. I had take some food home this time. What a huge meal. But I don't want to focus on how much there was to eat. I should really tell you how good the food was and how attentive the service was. The food was perfect. I ordered the half chicken plate and I opted for the Mac and Cheese which is a specialty of the Woodshop, and I also had the collards. Both sides were insanely good and the half chicken was juicy and smoky. Sometimes when you order a half chicken, the breast comes dried out. But not at the Union Woodshop. IT was perfect with a capital P. The mac-n-cheese came with browned bread crumbs on top and it was great and the the collards were seasoned just right. Everyone enjoyed their selections and also enjoyed trying the 8 or so sauces we had on the table. We will be back soon. --------------------------------------------------Â--------------------------------------------------Â--------- Six of us had a dinner at the Union Woodshop to celebrate a birthday. We went early because the lines get very long starting at about 6 PM. While I did not enjoy my smoked rib-eye last time, this time I ordered a half chicken and it was quite good. I also reordered the mac-n-cheese and it was just wonderful as it was last time. I also ordered the onion rings. While the person sitting across the table from me said his were served hot, mine came out lukewarm and greasy. So I mentioned this to our server and he apologized and put in a replacement order. The replacement rings came out red hot and delicious, We share two order of the burnt ends as appetizers and also a couple of growlers of dark beer too. All in all, I have upgraded the Union Woodshop. Although it was not a perfect experience, they certainly did deliver a great meal as everyone had a good experience. The food was good. The service was excellent. Portions were big too. The total damages came to around $ 140 with tax and before tip. Go early if you want dinner and don't like waiting on a long wait list.
(5)
Kristi S.

Not worth waiting for. Went on Saturday night Mar 3rd, and ordered "fall off the bones" ribs as labeled on the menu. I had to pull them apart with both hands. When addressed with the waiter I was told comically that "well we smoke them for 15 hours". He was entertaining and threw me off so I didn't lament over it. I think he got us a complimentary butterscotch pudding which was pretty tasty, to offset rib displeasure. Sweet potato side tasted okay, but it was like baby food - too mushy for me. Coleslaw was good. The atmosphere is rock solid. The waiters rule too. Very cool new waiting area on level two just opened. All this to say, when you want fall-off-the-bones ribs, you want them, and this is not the place.
(2)
James B.

Pizza was good. Didn't try the BBQ on this visit. Definitely gets crowded there. And we were there on a Sunday evening. Very loud.
(4)
Rochelle P.

Not sure why I didn't write this earlier...Anyway back to the good stuff. I heard about Union Woodshop from someone at work when I made the apparently insulting comment that we had yet to find good barbeque in the area. He looked appalled but then felt compelled to tell me about Union Woodshop....WOW were we glad we insulted that guy. There was a bit of a wait (ok a lot...an hour and 20 minutes). BUT all good things come to those wait, right? Well it is definitely the case here! It didn't hurt that they have servers asking if you want a drink every 20 minutes or so :) OK on to the food....At this point we were starving so app's were definitely needed. I believe we had something called Brisket Bites? Whatever they were, it was like little morsels of heaven. The menu all looked so good but I went with Woodshop 101 so I could sample a little bit of everything. The chicken was excellent! I'm not sure how they keep the white meat so moist but they really should let me in on that secret. The pulled pork (always a favorite with me) was amazing as well! Another thing I enjoy? The meat comes naked so you can choose any one of their sauces. I love that the sauces are each states own version of barbeque sauce. This makes for much less arguing when it comes time to pick a BBQ restaurant! OK I'm hungry now so I'm going to see if they take reservations :) Do yourself a favor and GO!
(5)
Merle H.

6 of us piled in our vehicle and headed two hours south today to eat at the Woodshop. We met another couple from the area who had been there twice before. We arrived at 2.30p on Saturday and they indicated we would have a 40 minute wait. No problem, based on other reviews we expected up to two hours. We were seated in 30 minutes. We ordered appetizers for all 8 of us and chose 2 orders each of Woodsticks and Burnt ends. Perfect amount for 8. Fantastic!!!Highly recommend both. 2 of us ordered the brisket, 1 Porker, 1 pulled pork, 1 chicken club, 1 burger, 1 sweet potato burrito, and one 101 combo. We all shared and loved all of the food with no complaints. It is a must see and taste. Plan to wait but you can shop and walk around this quaint little town that seems a little busy with traffic for the size of town. Next time I am ordering the Ribeye for sure.
(5)
Brian J.

Love it! Keep getting the porker burger and it is great! The mac n' cheese is good, but not great, but the meats are incredible.
(5)
Raymond B.

Used to love this place!! NOT anymore, I was an original customer way before all the media hype.. If you enjoy waiting 2-3 hours + go for it !! NOT worth it!! Who waits that long?? Then when u do sit done get ready for the we are out of Brisket or no more Wings or out of this & ran out of that!! Noticed to alot of the food is not as good as it once was.. I think they are overwhelmed by the amount of customers..
(1)
L P.

BBQ is great, highly suggest the pulled pork. The atmosphere is slightly more upscale but jeans are still right in lone with dress code. The obvious comparison is always going to be slows so here you go: the meat is very similar but bigger portions at woodshop, the sides are smaller and not quite as good at woodshop, the wait is always less at woodshop, and the price is a bit less at slows. Clarkston is a very cool tiny town but this brings me to the two downsides: it's very far from Detroit and their alcohol carding policy. I totally appreciate that they can't take a risk for serving underage drinkers but I feel like using your judgement on age is still acceptable. One of our party forgot his wallet but he looks well older than 21 by at least 10 years but they absolutely refused to serve him, quite frustrating. Soooo, remember your ID.
(4)
Drew M.

Checked out the Union Woodshop last night. Drove about 60 miles for dinner. In the end, definitely worth it. Here's the run down: Arrived a little before 7 on a Thursday night, waited about 30 minutes for our table. Had a Hopslam at the back bar(AWESOME). Lots of great Bourbon options if that's your kind of thing(It is). Here's what we got: Fried Pickles: Why have I never had these before? Its like the fryer gods descended from heaven and kissed a pickle. There's no reason why you shouldn't try these. AWESOME Pizza: We had a Shroom pie and added the Woodshop's in house sausage. The shrooms were the best thing on the pie, and it was just so so. Nothing to write home about. Mac and Cheese: This stuff was really good. Great baked cheese crust on top, creamy penne beneath. Just overall cheesy goodness. It made me happy. Probably not quite as good as Slow's, but pretty damn close. Brisket W/ Sides of Green Been Casserole and Mustary Potato Salad Thing. I will say I enjoyed the Brisket, but it doesn't have the fatty rich goodness of Slow's. We got some really lean pieces, and frankly, they were a tad dry. I was just yearning for a little more fatty juiciness. My girlfriend and I both agreed that the Texas and South Carolina sauces were the best. Carolina had a great vinegar base and had some really nice heat. Texas was pretty traditional BBQ with some heat to it. We also liked the Bama sauce, which was kind of a Horseradish/Onion/Ranchy thing. Overall, Brisket was very good, but not on Slow's level. Sides: I liked both quite a bit. Hearty, yummy rich casserole and a nice mustardy potato salad. The side portions are pretty small, for fair warning. The standout side was the BREAD. Oh my it was good! I would have got an extra piece if i would have been warned of its deliciousness Overall, this place is great. Nice vibe, really casual, Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ. And: FRIED FREAKING PICKLES.
(4)
kari a.

Had *another* fabulous dinner at the Woodshop. This time, we ended up eating at the bar- but that was a good thing! The bartender/waitress was knowledgable, fun and totally attentive. I have a gluten allergy, and rather than just hand over the GF menu, she went through it with me to discuss options. I went with the Scott's burrito and my husband had ribs. We honestly cleared our plates! Didn't think we could eat any more but saved room for a maple bourbon sundae. I usually feel like I have to compromise when eating out, but as a Celiac sufferer, I NEVER feel that way at any of the Union restaurants. They are sensitive, aware and super accommodating- plus, everything is delicious! Can't wait to go back....!
(5)
Kristin D.

I've honestly never heard of this place until I saw it on DDD. Kid Rock apparently is a huge fan, so I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon. Enough with the small talk though, lets get to what's important here... THE FOOD. Fried Pickles= My favorite appetizer on the menu and the best fried pickles I've had.... EVER Ribs= Fucking awesome, I'm talking fall off the bone tender. No BBQ sauce is needed but they have an excellent assortment of sauces right on the table that you can sample to your liking Cajun Smoked Sausage= Made in house and impressively tasty Mac N' Cheese= slap yo' mama good Collard Greens= Any kind of green with bacon is awesome in my book Corn Bread with whipped sweet butter= Can I take a dozen to go?? Please? I've also had the Porker sandwich, it was decent but it made me wish I got the ribs. They have an awesome drink menu but my drink of choice is the Detroit brewed BADDASS beer. Sweet, sweet nectar. The boy and I have always been too full to get dessert but one day, if we can pull ourselves away from the table I'd love to try every single one of them. Glutenous you say? Don't judge me. Sure it's difficult to find parking, sure it gets crowded, but it's worth every delicious bite. Definitely a favorite spot of ours.
(5)
Lauren P.

I drove the distance to check this place out because of the ratings but it didn't live up to its expectations. If I gave a rating based on sides then it woukd receive 5 stars but based on the main dish, it looses some credibility. I ordered the beef brisket and it was such a small dry portion and it was totally covered up by the fries...which were great. The mac and cheese was awesome and probably the best part of the evening. The service could've been better as well. Don't let the fact that this place being featured on Food Network channel with props from Kid Rock result in lack of judgment!
(3)
Mary Jane S.

This is my all time favorite restaurant. I have enjoyed every bite of food I have ordered there. The service is great, too. We showed up for New Year's Eve last year and even had fun while waiting for our table. It is worth the trip.
(5)
Lori D.

The Woodshop is awesome! Totally worth the wait. (My party only waited about 30 minutes. (We watched the Tiger game at the bar.) My husband and I had the beef brisket. It had absolutely not a morsel of fat on it--and with the array of 6 sauces---well, it was excellent!!! The mac n cheese on the side is a def must. So so good. My husband had the sweet potatoes and he loved them! After a bite of his, I can conclude they are delicious!!!! Try the fried pickles as an appetizer--for 2.50. they are such a deal! I liked this place better than Slows and certainly better than Lockhart's. We will certainly be back!!
(5)
Dave J.

Fantastic food and great service. Went on a Saturday afternoon at 12:45 and had to wait 30 minutes but no problem because they have a great, brand new 2nd floor bar where my wife and I could have our favorite beer while we waited for our buzzer to light up. Saw the restaurant on Triple D with Kid Rock and Guy Fieri. We were really looking forward to eating there and weren't disappointed one bit. Highly recommend UW and I'm sure you'll love it like we did. Looking forward to going again and taking our friends.
(5)
Kelly K.

Good lord!!! This place is like HEAVEN!!!! I was so nervous to try Union Woodshop because lately I've been unimpressed with some of the highly-rated restaurants on here...but UW did not fail to impress! BF and I got there around 8pm on Saturday night - of course there was an hour and a half wait, but we weren't leaving. We ended up standing around the bar and after about 30 minutes, we sharked two seats there and gave our pager back. Bonus - I love sitting at the bar! He was really impressed with the Badass draft, and I had some yummy Grand Traverse Select Reisling (I loooved the wine glasses!!). The bartender was super nice and was quick to bring us anything we needed. For appetizers, we got the breadsticks and 6 wings. Holy cow!! The breadsticks were so yummy!! You dip them in this delicous garlic butter - I think they were gone within seconds! We both really liked the wings too, which come without sauce, so you dip them in whichever of the 6 or so different sauces they leave at your table. We opted for the Tennessee sauce and it was so good - slightly sweet with a mild spice. For our dinners he got the baby back ribs and I got the pulled pork. Now, I used to LOVE Lockhart's pork, although I could only eat about 1/2 of it because the other 1/2 was fat. At Union, it was ALL tender and I swear, there was NO fat on it!! Incredible! His ribs were falling off the bone and they were so good as well. We both got mac and cheese and cheesy potatoes as sides - holy cow!! The mac and cheese is creamy and cheesy with a crispy layer of breadcrumbs on top, and the cheesy potatoes are oniony and they have that golden layer of baked cheese on top. Cheese overload!!! Also worth a mention - their cornbread muffins!! They were so good!! They crunched when you bit into them so you know they had coarse cornmeal in them, and the whipped butter was to die for. So you'd think after all that we'd be full, right? Well, clearly you don't know us. He ended up getting a brownie skillet and I got a peach-lavender cobbler. Best. Peach. Cobbler. EVER. They both came out in mini cast-iron skillets which was an awesome touch. His brownie smelled amazing, but I didn't try it because I didn't want to ruin the perfection that was the peach-lavender cobbler. There was this awesome brown sugar crust on top, the peaches were soft and sweet, and paired with the liquid nitrogen vanilla ice cream, I was in a food coma after a few bites. We even ended up buying a bottle of the Tennessee sauce to go!! On top of ALL of the wonderful food, it wasn't that expensive!! We got 3 drinks (a Badass draft, a Kid Rock N Rye, and a glass of wine), 2 apps, 2 dinners, 2 desserts, and the BBQ sauce for $70! That's pretty affordable compared to some of the other places we like to go. Does it have a long wait? Of course it does, the food is ridiculous. Is the wait gonna get longer? Oh yeah, it's about to premiere on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (we saw where Guy Fieri signed the wall!!!), but it's worth it. Go there expecting to wait, drink at the bar and have a good time enjoying this place.
(5)
Carol P.

I live in Clarkston and I would love to give this place a one star rating in order to lighten the crowds. Before it was highlighted on DDD we and our friends went there without the very long waits. Now that they have the awesome bar upstairs, the wait isn't painful at all, great relaxed atmosphere like the restaurant. The food is always fantastic, pulled pork being my favorite along with the vanilla nitro-ice cream. The wait is worth it.
(5)
Patricia P.

Very good food, very long wait.
(5)
Josh S.

Been waiting to try out the BBQ at Union Woodshop for a long time. Finally made the drive out to Clarkston and it was well worth the drive and wait. Saturday night, we got there at 5:30pm and there was a 2+ hour wait. We were expecting this so we found a spot at the bar and had some drinks. They have 6 rotating taps with MI craft beers (Bells, Founders and Shorts) all of which were some of MIs most popular crafts. We decided to get an app at the bar, got the Burnt Ends and they were delightful. The Brisket comes on top of a slice of Texas toast and it was a nice mix of texture. For dinner I had the Porker and it was everything I expected, pork patty + hot link + maple bacon on a burger with a delicious southwest mayo. Wait staff was wonderful, once we sat at our table service was prompt. Highly recommend and will be returning
(5)
Jamie A.

My absolute favorite restaurant! I'm pretty sure I could eat at The Woodshop every day and not get sick of it! I've been there 3 times in the past 4 weeks, and if asked tomorrow where I wanted to go to dinner, I'd choose it again. The pulled pork is out of this world! And the cheesy potatoes? OMGoodness! My mouth is watering thinking about the mac & cheese, and the onion rings! You have to start with the friend pickles, they are ridiculous! The atmosphere is fun and laid back. Be prepared for a wait pretty much any night of the week if you head in after 530 or 6. However, the little boutique next door is super cute and offers free wine on Friday and Saturday evenings :) Finish your meal with the salted butterscotch pudding, you won't regret it! I was the kid that constantly tried to pawn off butterscotch pudding if it happened to end up in my lunchbox, but this stuff is seriously to die for. The entire staff at The Woodshop goes out of their way to make your entire experience enjoyable!
(5)
TJ J.

Gross ribs that appear to have sat under a heat lamp all day. Poor selection of vegetables. Week beer selection. Very expensive. Long wait. If you go here order the pizza.
(2)
Don D.

I have been hearing about The Union Woodshop for a little while. A DJ on a local radio station was singing it's praises, and I was met with more positive reviews when I checked it out on Yelp. Being that Lazybones Smokehouse is my favorite by far, I stack every experience up against that establishment. While The Shop wasn't as good, it was definitely worth the drive to Clarkston, and definitely one I would make again. I ordered brisket(like I always do) and it was tender, and smokey. The sides were great, and the cornbread was also very tasty. My friend who was with me said that after dining here, and at the aforementioned Lazybones, that Slow's was now third on the list. I disagreed, because to me, Slow's isn't even on the map. This place has better food and better service then Slow's, and has a classy atmosphere, without the "seen and be seen" cloud that plagues everyone's seemingly favorite Detroit restaurant. This is a place worth checking out for sure.
(4)
Lori Z.

We went there on a Thursday night and it was pretty crowded. We waited for a half hour or so and the bar was packed with little room to stand. But we enjoyed some Founders beer and watched the Wings game while we waited, so it was just fine. Ordered the fried pickles for an appetizer. They were good, different than what I've had before. Normally, fried pickles are the fried pickle chips, these are fried pickle spears. If you haven't had them, definitely worth trying. For dinner, I ordered the brisket and my husband ordered the spare ribs. The ribs were good...tender. The brisket was okay, a little on the fatty/chewy side. I liked being able to try different sauces (there are four on each table) and both of our dinners came with two sides (and yes, we had to order the Union mac n' cheese which was delish as usual). The pizzas looked great and we'll probably try one of those next because we'll definitely go back.
(4)
Hayley S.

Amazing food, great atmosphere. I've been her multiple times and will never get sick of it. I HIGHLY recommend the cherry pork salad, but get the half version as the full is enough to feed an entire family. And of course the pulled pork, and beef brisket simply to die for. The Woodshop is very similar is Slows BBQ in Detroit for the fact that the menu is the very similar, and all the BBQ sauces are on the table. However, I think the Woodshop is much better than slows. If you've never had the Union Mac and Cheese you must get it as a side, it's to die for. Make sure get there early on a weekend, or plan on waiting as they don't take reservations. It's worth the wait!
(5)
Kevin W.

best fried pickles/ onion rings hands down... Delicious beef brisket and really good dipping sauce, a great place in Clarkson to check out, no complaints, only praise.... unique and one of a kind, Ive heard people from out of state come here just to eat!
(5)
Shannon B.

What a cool atmosphere! So happy they had Michigan beer on tap especially Witch's Hat. Excellent food and fantastic service! Highly recommend the mac n cheese. Full Gluten Free menu as well. Didn't have to wait long for a table!
(5)
Adam M.

Went on a Sunday afternoon, pretty busy but got seated right away. Had the brisket dinner with pulled pork and sweet mash and Mac n cheese. Mac n cheese was excellent and pulled pork.was so moist and tender, loved the mason jar glasses and the whole atmosphere, only complaint is the brisket was a lil fatty, well worth the drive from saginaw
(5)
Melody M.

Wonderful atmosphere. Food is wonderful. Love this place! Great meeting spot with friend!
(5)
Kim V.

Second time here. Great barbeque! Great sides! Love the fried pickles. Everything here is yummilicious! Run there before your concerts at D.T.E.
(4)
Mike S.

The Union Woodshop is (by far) the best BBQ in the metro Detroit area. I've tried them all (yes Slows too) and the Woodshop is the BBQ champ. I usually get the Woodshop 101 which allows me to sample all the meats. The Mac and cheese is amazing...and make sure to try the burnt ends b/c they frequently run out.
(5)
Mandy S.

Love the union. I've only been there one time, but I was thrilled with the laid-back and overall courteous bartender. They also have a great Gluten Free menu. If you want a burger, you can get a Gluten Free bun! This is awesome. :) Oh and they offer a good selection of Gluten Free beer as well. One of my fav places. Small, might have a wait but it is wellllllll worth it! A gem in downtown Clarkston!
(5)
Michele A.

Service was slow maybe it was a bad night but she forgot our drinks and we did not get them until the middle of the meal. Neat seating areas very open and comforting. The food was great my chicken was not dry at all the sweet potato mash was amazing. Sorry folks but the mac and cheese was just ok, it tasted like my homemade mac and cheese nothing special except they make it fresh its not from a box. However if they add their pulled pork to that mac and cheese with possibly some red onion it would be killer. BBQ sauces need some work as well we only liked one of the set that they had on the table. French frys were great as well.
(3)
Sally S.

We've tried this place twice now because of the rave reviews and have been disappointed each time. The wood shop sticks and dip were nothing special. My kids didn't care for the Mac and cheese which was shocking and our burgers were huge but salty and overdone. If you want a good burger, Red Coat Tavern in Royal Oak is the place to go. I used to live in Grand Blanc and good restaurants are hard to come by so maybe that's why wood shop gets good reviews because it's a decent place for this area. However, when you eat at other metro Detroit BBQ places , this doesn't pass the test. Personally, we think Slows BBQ is the place to eat.
(2)
Brian K.

Excellent food and service. Ribs and pulled pork..may be hard to beat. Consistent for the 5 times I've been here. The only reason for 4 stars is I went here with 10 people in our party, and they REALLY cut down on the portion sizes for our table. Not cool.
(4)
Nancy R.

My husband and I both agreed: if this place was closer, we'd be bankrupt. We took the 45 minute drive up there just to check it out. It had been on the TV too many times and we just HAD to see what it was all about. I knew it'd be packed, so we went on a Sunday, at 4pm, before the dinner crowd. Initially we could've waited 10-15 minutes, but a table opened up right away. The Woodshop is pretty loud, but we got used to it. It's not the kind of place that you have to shout, but you will have to be a little louder than normal. The only downside, I think. We ordered the smoked chicken wings as an app. DELICIOUS. They're very lightly smoked, then deep fried. So they're a touch smokey and charcoal-y, but crispy and very flavorful. Also, not dry at all. They have 6 BBQ sauces on the table that you can put on them. Try it, experiment, but I went light on the sauce and just reveled in the smokey, juicy succulence of perfect wings. My hubby got the porker for dinner. I got the ribs. The bites of Porker I could steal from his plate were awesome. I was worried the pork, bacon and sausage would be just too rich and savory. The pickled jalepenos really cut through it all and made it so very good. I secretly wanted to steal half of his burger, but my stomach could barely fit all we ordered. My ribs were perfect. Simple as that. I've had BBQ before. I've had Slow's and even BBQ in the south. The ribs at the Woodshop rivaled anything Slow's could put out. Not too smokey, the rub was flavorful and the meat was perfectly tender. Perfectly tender where you took a bite and the meat pulled away from the bone, but the rest of the meat stayed put -- it didn't fall apart. Awesome. A little of the Tennessee sauce (my preferred) from the table and I was a happy girl. I got the sides of the mac and cheese and collards. Great collards, no complaints there. The mac and cheese comes with a lot of hype. But I saw it made on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. I was concerned with the amount of cheese. I love cheese as much as anyone, but I love me my pasta, too. There really is a lot of cheese in the mac and cheese. Even though I got a side order, it was super cheesy. The top was crusty and crunchy with cheese, it was stringy and goopy. It was a really righteous mac and cheese. I'd really rank it up there. Not perfect, but damn worth getting. As a side, of course. As a whole meal, I think it's too much unless you're a die-hard junkie. We skipped dessert. Their website menu hasn't been updated, so I was drooling over the thought of little donut bites. We were informed by the server that they hadn't carried them in over 2 years! I guess their menu online is REALLY out of date. The rest of the dessert menu looked good, but we were full and I was pretty bummed that my dreamed of warm, pillows of deep-fried sweetness were not to be. So we went upstairs to the bar. The bar should almost be it's own entity. The drinks are amazing. The atmosphere is amazing, it's just a great place. I loved the decor. I loved that the 5pm crowd up there (small) was quiet and my hubby and I could be cozy and chat, watch TV and mingle with other patrons. Only downside is: no food upstairs. I understand the restaurant doesn't want the bar to pirate any of the downstairs' profits, but some bar nuts, homemade potato chips or something else small and special would've been sublime with the adventurous drinks they had upstairs. Overall: 5 stars. I'd maybe give it a 4.8 because it was a touch too loud and I was seriously bummed about my denial of donuts. (I love me some donuts!) But I can't deny this place deserves 5 stars -- even if I really want my donuts.
(5)
Amy B.

I've been waiting to come here for some time, and finally made it in last night with one of my good friends who was in town. I first heard about this place when I saw it on Diners, drive ins and dives with Guy Fieri featuring Kid Rock and his beer, and immediately knew I wanted to come here and check the place out. Also, this is my review #700!!! That's right people, review #700! I came here and really had a good time. I went in with an open mind, and both my friend and I were extremely pleased with our entire evening. When we got in, the hostess told us there was an hour and a half wait, so instead of waiting we chose to sit at the bar and eat since we both were starving. After reviewing the menu, we both went with burgers. I chose the woodshop burger minus the bacon, and my friend went with the Juicy Lucy. Needless to say, we both were impressed and loved our food. My burger was HUGE, and absolutely delicious. My friends was stuffed with cheese, and came out delicious! We also really loved the fries. I don't know what they season them with, but we both really loved them. We also tried the American Badass beer, which was a okay. I'm not a beer connoisseur, but my friend liked it more then I did. It had a bit of a bite to it, and was okay. Our drinks, including the beer, were served in mason glasses! Nice southern touch without coming off as trying to hard. I like the way the place is decorated. Plywood looking floors, with wood log wallpaper, and plenty of other things that give it a nice feel without trying to hard. This is kind of place that you can come in a t shirt or a button down and not get looks for being over or under dressed. The bartender that waited on us handled the crowd at the bar with an ease that I haven't seen in a while. Usually if I sit at the bar, it usually takes a while to get noticed, or their busy doing other things. She treated us like we were the only ones there, taking time to answer our questions about the menu, side items and telling us about the sauces that they have available. Personable, friendly and she wasn't "trying to hard" to be a certain way...she was really good at what she does. I could tell she had regulars here, so it was obvious that she was a seasoned pro at handling multiple people and orders at once. Overall, I really loved this place. Food was Delicious, atmosphere was awesome, service and everything else was right on par. I'm really glad I finally made it up here, and yes, it's worth checking out no matter what side of town your on! Regardless of the TV show, it really is a good nice place to go check out.
(5)
Tim C.

Ahhhh, the Woodshop! Truly one of the best restaurants in the state. Service and atmosphere are fantastic, and the waitstaff seem to be passionate about their food. I always order the brisket and it never disappoints. The mac and cheese is far and away the best I've eaten at any restaurant. They also have lots of different regional sauces, which are all great, especially the locally made "Hell" sauce. The only negative I can think of is that there is always a long wait, but the bar upstairs is a great spot to have a drink and wait for your table.
(5)
Steven L.

I was here briefly last week and tried a piece of the Burnt Ends, although drenched in sauce, I found to be tasty. So yesterday I decided to bring my wife here because we had heard the Union Woodshop was second only to Slows, hard to believe but hey, I will try a full meal and judge for myself. Unfortunately, this placed turned out to be the typical BBQ place with dry brisket, over cooked ribs (due to the falling off the bone) with the silver skin still on (who does that) and overrated Mac & Cheese. However, the piece de resistance was the half chicken, which was moist and flavorful, good job on that one. The other items that were decent were the BBQ baked beans, Sweet potato mash and the pulled pork. However, the pulled pork was warm at best. Now the true reason for the limited stars is the dry brisket, which is how I judge all BBQ places. If you cannot devote the money and time to get a quality piece of meat and take the time to slow cook it, do not put it on you menu just because you call yourself a BBQ joint. In addition, the Union Woodshop opens at 4 PM, we arrived at 5 PM and they were out of the Burnt Ends. What the hell, how can you run out of something an hour into service. Oh well, if I have to choose to drive 30 minutes for BBQ, it will be south to Slows instead of North.
(3)
Amanda R.

First time visiting was this afternoon and we will definitely be back. For some reason my boyfriend wanted IHOP, but all I wanted was a giant plate of meat so we compromised and went here, and neither of is regret the decision. We first arrived and from the reviews I was expecting a short wait, but we were seated right away in a very cute booth. I don't know, the color of their booth seats were so cute, but I did almost slip on their floors as it was rainy outside and I was wearing "riding" boots, whatever. We started with the burnt ends and the salmon pate. Both were good, but we will try other options next time. For entrees my bf had the smoked ribeye with fries and a side of their Mac n cheese. I was lucky enough to have a bite of the Mac n cheese because apparently their smoked ribeye was very good, as well as their Mac n cheese. Ugh. I had their pulled pork with the extra white chicken breast and as sides I had their collard greens (perfect) and their sweet potato mash that has jalapeÃ±o and maple syrup from MI. This was absolutely amazing and I can not wait to try more, but seriously... Their collard greens. Try them NOW. For desert we got their brownie pot pie and their apple cobbler. We both agreed the brownie pot pie was superior to the cobbler, but both were fantastic. So was the vanilla ice cream. And beer. This was the best cheat meal as I am very paleo. I was honestly left in a food coma and I told my boyfriend that I was chocolate wasted, which was the best. We also ordered two black coffees and you could tell it was nice and fresh grounded coffee.
(5)
Jennifer T.

This is my favorite place for BBQ and much much more. The baby back ribs are fall off the bone tender. The chicken, pulled pork, pizza. I haven't had anything bad here. Everything here is made from scratch. They have wonderful and creative desserts. We love the homemade liquid nitrogen ice cream sandwiches. They have great beers on tap and of course Kid Rocks Badass beer to. The only downfall to this restaurant is the long wait. Come during peak hours and expect to wait a few hours. Thankfully they added the addition upstairs so you'll have somewhere to wait and have drinks. They should serve appetizers though.
(4)
Annette J.

I wish I lived closer to the Union Woodshop because--YUM! Stopped in here before heading to the Palace and it was a fantastic experience. It's actually a pretty large space compared to a lot of other local eateries and it was mobbed! We had a party of 5 and met at 5pm and grabbed one of the last large tables. There was already a wait for two tops. CRAZY. It was so busy so service was a little slower than I expected so definitely give yourself some extra time if you have somewhere to be, especially since you will likely have to wait for a table, at least on a weekend. Our waitress was great, though. I told her we were in a bit of a hurry and she did a fab job quickening things as much as possible (like bringing out check with our food, that sort of thing). The space is really cozy--lots of wood decor, great artwork, posters of local bands and shows. Love it. I ordered the Woodshop 101 which was way too much food but I wanted to try a little bit of everything so in that regard it was perfect. It came with a 1/4 chicken, your choice of pulled pork, brisket, or a hot link, and 2 ribs (baby back or spare). I went with a 1/4 dark chicken, pulled pork and the baby back ribs. Plus it comes with two sides (I got the mashed sweet potatoes and mac and cheese) and a cornbread muffin with sweet butter. SO.MUCH.FOOD. The pulled pork was excellent. Seasoned well and really lovely/smokey. The chicken was moist and again, seasoned fantastic. The ribs were tender but probably my least favorite (although still delicious). The table has about 6 different sauce bottles so you can put your own choice of sauce on there. Everything from their most popular Tennessee to a sweet/vinegary NYC, a honey mustard that was great with the chicken, and even a spicy sauce made with ghost peppers (that you need to ask your server for those!). My personal favorite was the NYC because I love my sauce a little sweet but tangy. The sweet potatoes were delicious and the mac and cheese was great! I tend to like my mac and cheese REALLY creamy and this wasn't exactly but the flavor was fantastic. Plus I had so much leftover that I had a whole meal for the next day! Afterwards we wrapped things up by splitting the butterscotch pudding at the table. It was GREAT. Perfectly creamy and sweet with a little sea salt in there to temper it. So good! They have a great beer selection (LOCAL beer as well--great Michigan brews on tap). The food is amazing, great service. I was really impressed. The only drawback is, as I mentioned, the wait. But it's not their fault they're so good they're busy! Don't let that deter you, though. It's worth the wait!
(4)
Jackie K.

I order pizzas for carry out here and they're always SO GOOD. I've never had a bad pizza - margarita is my favorite. HOWEVER - my family came here for a meal and EVERYONES food was TERRIBLE. The steaks were rubber or completely dry, and the sides were flavorless and frigid. I don't know what happened for that meal but it was not edible. No one ate their food. I was sad my family had a bad experience after I had so much good pizza here.
(4)
Sara W.

Got there around 5 on a Saturday night, and waited less than they quoted us. They still had burnt ends! They weren't as good as I've had in KC but still pretty tasty. I had the brisket and with the white bbq sauce they make....wow--amazing! The sides were great too. I had onion rings and mac n cheese. The husband had pulled pork which was also excellent. Totally worth the bit of a drive from the city and the wait. Reasonably priced too.
(5)
Mary B.

Went there for dinner and had my wallet and cell stolen. Apparently there was a similar incident about 2 weeks before my arrival. You would think that the staff would warn patrons that there has been an issue and to watch around you ... but I guess that would be bad for business. When I tried to get the wait staff to help me look around for my wallet and cell, there was no interest but a firm comment to step away from the bar. Drink orders were ridiculously long aside from the 2 1/2 wait to eat. A friend with me bit into a spare rib and there was a bone fragment which consequently caused a chip tooth. Overall, a terrible experience. I would not recommend this restaurant and please be aware ... they have a thief who is canvasing the bar area to rob you blind. Keep an eye on your purse at all times ... even if it is buried under a pile of coats.
(1)
Meredith E.

Roll down your windows the next time you drive through Clarkston. They may not have police or recycling, but they do have the best free smells around! In the area around lunchtime on Saturday, we figured the wait would be tolerable. During our 25 minutes (not bad) we shopped the great boutiques around the Woodshop. I ordered the house burrito with pulled pork and sweet potatoes. Then I ate the whole thing. I couldn't stop. It was that good. My stomach didnt even cry at the large portion. YUM. Our waiter, Chris was attentive and knew the beer list in detail. This meal made a perfect Saturday afternoon!
(5)
Mike M.

Me and my wife had a pizza from their fire brick pizza oven. WOW was that good. A lot of what they do is smoked, which some of our toppings were like the bacon and some cheeses. Excellent!
(5)
Mark H.

Wonderful meals, even better sides. I must say this is the best bbq place I have been to, and I have been all over including places in Texas, and NY city
(5)
Emily K.

I've been here a handful of times and never been disappointed!! I love everything on the menu and if you like Bloody Mary's theirs is excellent!!!
(5)
Leslie K.

Went here to celebrate a pal's birthday. Hubby got the pulled Pork, which was a giant lump of meat. He ate a lot of it and still had some to take home for leftovers. I got the ribs and really enjoyed them too. The sauces are really where this place stands out. They have the usual, NYC and Sweet BBQ sauces, but they also have a white "Alabama" sauce which I haven't seen before. Apparently they also have Hell sauce, made with Ghost peppers, which you have to ask for because it doesn't come with the regular sauces. Their side dishes were also amazing. I love the sweet potato has, which has jalapeno peppers in it for a little kick. The mac n' cheese was excellent too. Despite the 45 minute drive, it was worth it :)
(4)
dawn v.

I wish I could give 6 stars. There's not one thing I could suggest improvement on. Including young waitress, Emily, who knows her menu and knows how to keep people happy. They're smoking your meat outside the door and baking the pizzas in the open oven area... Nothing to hide here. It's as much of an experience as a meal. They even make their own ice cream, delicious!, but don't miss the butterscotch pudding! ( to die for! Melts in your mouth like rich bury caramel) Six sauces on the table, all unique. Pork perfect and spare ribs were tender, meaty, perfectly rubbed. Try their renowned Mac and cheese as a free side with your meat. It's so rich, you only need a small try. 2011 restaurant of the year and well deserved.
(5)
Melissa S.

I was never a big BBQ fan until I had the Union Woodshop's BBQ. Love the Hell sauce, mac & cheese, potato salad, pulled pork, spare ribs... Pretty much everything I've ever tried on the menu I've liked ;) I hate the wait but there is a bar upstairs...that will get you into trouble while waiting for an hour or more on an empty stomach!! But it makes for a good time!!
(5)
Greg N.

This has awesome barbecue. The wait can be long on weekends, but there is a nice sitting area upstairs for drinks while you wait. Lots of tasty and unique side dishes as well.
(4)
Stuart D.

I drive into the sleepy town in search of answers to looming questions. I've been told a story akin to the Lochness Monster wherein apparently there is a very good barbecue restaurant in Michigan out beyond the outskirts of Detroit to the point that I wouldn't call them outskirts any more. Could the stories be true? Was I to be led astray such that I was with that good-for-nothin' place in Corktown? I had the pleasure of dining at the Woodshop at least once before the fabled clash of pop culture and cable television. Sauntering up to the bar I noted the chipboard flooring that was either a brilliant design element or an attempt at pretentiousness. The "Bad Ass" beer logo Fathead affixed to the wall behind the bar started to turn my appreciation upward and the mention of Jim Beam on tap only added to that. A gaze at the menu had me hooked for a ride. Before I get to the details, let me summarize... THIS IS GREAT BBQ! Over my visits, I've partaken of burnt ends, house smoked chicken wings, pulled pork 'samich', beef brisket, spare ribs, hot links, and mac & cheese. Not once have I been disappointed with the quality of the meats. All have been smoked to perfection and are delivered on a quasi-rustic sheet pan for ambience. Every bite was succulent and I could easily go for some right now... and by right now, I mean right now. Whichever right now is going through your mind right now, that's the right now that I am talking about. While I don't really worry about sides when I'm in my carnivorous bbq zone, I felt an obligation to try the mac & cheese. It's good, but I wouldn't make a trip just for it. The sauces provided are all good, but I've still never come across what I consider to be a good Texas sauce. Of course, right after Bob and Guy aired on television, getting in has taken on a game of its own wherein you must strategize your ideal time for a good meal and balance it with the willingness to wait upwards of multiple hours while trouncing around town. But... it's worth it. I'm soooo hungry 'right now'!
(5)
Queen A.

Wow. Really, really, REALLY good, and I say this as the wife of someone who is VERY into BBQ joints. We left Cook's Farm Dairy on a Saturday afternoon in August 2013 with our 2-year-old, and stopped to get gas before heading home to St. Clair Shores. I noticed it was lunchtime, so at the gas station I pulled out my phone to see if there was any place nearby worth stopping at. I grew up in upper and lower Michigan, but had never been to Clarkston. We were pleasantly surprised and happy we didn't skip it and go straight home. The service was excellent. If you've ever dined out with a toddler, you know things can get messy. We sat outside -- there was no wait for a table -- and our server (I'm so sorry I didn't even get his name) accommodated my son to the max. He created a mini-easel out of two little clipboards and brought it with some brown paper and a box of crayons out. Life saver. Also brought him some fresh green apple slices straight from the smokehouse in a little dish, made some recommendations on food for the little guy (who ended up being happy with mac & cheese, one of my sides), and also went out of his way to find a plastic cup with a lid and straw. I seriously had no idea Kid Rock or Guy Fieri were into this place, and it wouldn't have really made a difference to me. The food was spectacular. I'd normally name Slows as my go-to joint when company's in town, but if I had the time, this is where I would be going every time, no doubt about it. My in-laws are coming this fall from CA and I can't wait to bring them here. I couldn't believe it when my husband just ordered a basic burger, so I did the pulled pork and can I just say that I will be happy not ordering another dish anywhere else. It was fantastic. Perfect texture. The side (besides mac & cheese) was roasted seasonal veggies, absolutely wonderful. Great selection of sauces available, and I love that the squeeze bottles are nice and cold and even seem clean (unlike your typical sticky diner ketchup bottles ... yuck). Fries were a little salty for my taste, but great texture and size. I'll definitely look for a reason to return to Clarkston!
(5)
Amy F.

I heard that this place was featured on the food network and had to check it out. I decided to call for reservation, but was told to come right in or we would have to wait. We went in at 4pm and the place became so busy. The service was great and the food was even better. I had the best macaroni and cheese in my life and the burnt end was great. If you are ever in the Clarkston area, you have to try this place, but I would get there at 4pm to avoid the lines
(5)
A W.

Yeah, our family loves this place and we go every chance we get!!! Mac n cheese is the best I've had from a restaurant thus far. The full ribs are a divine swine, and so is the pulled port sandwich. Staff is always helpful and friendly! The only thing is there is only 1 bathroom at a time, so if you have children that gotta go-its a wait....and the sweet tea is also great :) oh, and the bathroom is oh soo pretty and smells good...
(5)
Matthew B.

Mindblowing. Fantastic beyond belief. Delicious beyond words. I can't remember the last time I've raved about a meal I've just had all the way home. The Union Woodshop has by far and away the best combination of atmosphere, food, and service. For dinner we had the pulled pork, brisket, mac and cheese, cole slaw, and potato salad. Dessert was the pinnacle for me, the butterscotch pudding literally brought tears of joy to my eyes. Tears. Of. Joy. It was only through the superb recommendations of our waitress Kris that we easily had one of the best meals in a long time. Thanks to Kris and the Union Woodshop we are smiling those big, goofy smiles and feeling so very, very over-the-moon. Thank you Union Woodshop, and thank you Kris. We can't wait to see you again.
(5)
Joey J.

My fiancÃ© and I have visited Clarkston and the Union Wood Shop the past two years during out annual trip to Livonia to see friends. The town itself is beautiful and eclectic. The Wood Shop has a rustic/industrial theme, and the good the serve is wonderful. Give the chili with smoked ground beef a try, it brings a new twist to this classic. Also, if you would like to try a bit of everything they offer, try the Wood Fired "Wood Shop" pizza. A fantastic experience from start to finish.
(5)
Paula K.

The wait for a table and also for the entrees was long but the food was VERY good. (The appetizers did come out pretty quickly). I am a definite fan of the fried pickles, burnt ends, pulled pork sandwich, the super cheesy mac and cheese with the crisp crust...Oh, and the Butterscotch pudding with the hint of sea salt. Wow, just writing this and I am ready to go back. OH! And on tap..the BADASS BEER, which I hope they start bottling again soon. The service was friendly and knowledgeable. I will surely return here!!
(4)
Jimmy M.

I don't normally give 5 star reviews but this place is pretty much what you'd want in terms of BBQ. I came by myself and sat at the bar. The bartender was very cordial and pleasant to speak with. The beer selection was ok. They only had a few good beers but it's pleasant to see craft beer become more available in restaurants. I ordered a 1/2 slab of the baby back ribs with mac and cheese and onion rings. The food was very good and I finished everything but a couple onion rings. The portions were plentiful. I did not try any sauces because I believe that sauce is a means to sell a trojan horse of BBQ. I would recommend this place.
(5)
Kevin M.

The Woodshop hands down has the best barbecue I've ever had in my life. Everything on the menu from the appetizers, entrees (the Ultimate Porker lives up to the name!) and the desserts are fantastic. With food this good there is naturally going to be a wait, but the bar upstairs is a great place to relax while you wait for your table.
(5)
Darren E.

I don't get to Clarkston very often, mainly holidays but when I am in town I like to come here for BBQ. Great food and great selection. Pricing is not bad at all for what you get. The wait staff was friendly and helpful.
(5)
Libby T.

Food was remarkable. Wait was tolerable. Service was miserable.
(3)
Maureen M.

Finally! The Woodshop has been on my list of places to try for awhile. It's not because of Guy Fieri or Kid Rock. I've simply heard amazing things about it. I realize there are a ton of reviews and I don't want to sound like a broken record. So, I'll stick to what stood out for me. I really appreciated the convenience & availability of parking in the back. I'm sure it gets packed quickly, but at 5pm, there were plenty of spots. We had 8 people in our party that arrived at various times. Most of the them were also able to park in the back. I got there early and tried to get a table. They wouldn't seat me until my friends arrived, so I sat at the bar. I didn't get a chance to look at the drink menu but the draft selection was pretty small & not very impressive. I was sort of disappointed since I've been to Vinsetta Garage, which has a great draft selection. My friend ordered the Woodshop Shandy & let me try it. WHOA! It was dangerously good. I had a long drive ahead of me, so I stuck with beer. I can see myself getting in trouble with that drink! Fortunately, they sat us when we had 4 people. Service was great! Our waiter was Kelen & he was so much fun. The chairs freaked me out a little. I thought I was going to fall backwards. We ordered the fried pickles to start. They were pretty good, but I am not a big fried pickle person. I ordered the pulled pork with mashed sweet potatoes w/ jalapeno & the union mac. I wasn't going to get the union mac because I'm rarely impressed with any mac & cheese. Kelen convinced me to try it though. I admit, it was pretty good. The crunchy topping is what makes it though. Without the crunchy topping, it wouldn't be very impressive. The pulled pork & sweet potatoes were awesome! I loved the sauces that I tried. I pretty much stuck with the Tennessee sauce, but tried the Asian one (I think it's NYC) and another one that I can't recall. The sweet potatoes had just a little jalapeno that added a nice spice to it. My husband got my leftovers, which was quite a bit! He normally isn't a huge fan of pulled pork because it tends to be fatty. This was by far the best he's ever had. There really wasn't any (or very little) fat and he loved the Tennessee sauce that I added. He is super picky too, so I am surprs I really can't wait to go back & take my husband. Everything on the menu looked wonderful. It was definitely worth the drive.
(4)
Roman G.

This place is a beast. I had shark succotash tonight. Absolutely brilliant. The wings are smoked. The sauces are perfection. The pizzas rule. If you're in the area you're a fool to miss this place. This place, as well as Vinsetta Garage and the Clarkston Union all have menus created by the same exec chef. All these places are not to be missed. Very special food for a small town.
(5)
Lauren D.

Yum! This is one of my favorite places. If you're going to the Woodshop on a Friday or Saturday night, be prepared for a crazy long wait for a table, but it's totally worth it if you're willing to make a night out of it. They have a decent sized bar upstairs with a good beer selection and a great atmosphere. The burnt ends appetizer is delicious, IF you're lucky enough to order before they run out. I love the pulled pork with their North Carolina vinegar sauce, and the mac n cheese is always great. The pulled pork entree comes with two sides, and is way more than enough to share. If you have room, try the butterscotch pudding. Amazing.
(5)
Diane M.

Great place to find unique things! Love to shop
(5)
Meg K.

Between the four of us we ordered burgers, housemade hot dogs, pulled pork, mac&cheese, green bean casserole, slaw, potato salad, fries etc. We shared it all and I'm here to tell you that everything (okay, the hot dogs were a smidge dry) was well seasoned and appropriately moist, juicy, creamy, crunchy, smoky and the like. The desserts were a standout - the brownie skillet was ooey gooey chocolate bliss and I will remember the depth of flavor achieved in the peach cobbler sauce for a very long time. Our server was super friendly and very attentive. The serving vessels - cast iron skillets, aluminum trays, etc. are very fun. Comfortable atmosphere. You leave feeling happy. We'll be back.
(4)
Robert C.

The BBQ is pretty good. I have had the Kansas-style ribs which were good but I'd say "the Porker" is better. The atmosphere is nice and friendly but the music was a little loud. The downfall for me was the BBQ sauce. They do have a variety of them but I didn't care for any of the ones that I tried. The pricing is good for the amount of food you get. That are a busy place which means they are doing something right. There is room upstairs where you can wait and I think they have games to pass the time. Parking can be a little tricky also but if you get there early that is not an issue. Good eats!
(4)
Adam O.

The only way to review this place is by comparing it to the only other BBQ joint in Michigan that truly merits any conversation, Slow's. (Yes, RUB, Redsmoke, and Lockhart's, you are not worthy.) I'm a huge pulled pork fan and Union's was better. Mac and Cheese was a toss up. Brisket was better at Slow's, a little dry here. Sides, I'd give a slight edge overall to Union as the inclusion of collards w/ bacon puts it over top. Slow's has the better beer list, but Union's has the great upstairs lounge to wait in whileyour hour plus wait evaporates. Unfortunately, I didnt get to try any of the wonderful looking desserts as we were in a rush. Overall, they are neck and neck. Really depends on location and where you're coming from. I feel fortunate to have them both decently close.
(4)
Alexa C.

After living in Michigan for less than a year I moved back to the Carolina's and this is still the only BBQ I crave..... No comparison to the deliciousness of this place!!
(5)
Wendy C.

Phenomenally good BBQ, especially for this north of a location. It gives me hope that my hometown Toronto may one day be graced with a real and excellent BBQ joint. With multiple visits we've pretty much tried every meat and cut on the menu. Some are fabulous, others are good, none disappoints. Beef brisket is our absolute favourite, a perfect blend of spices in the dry rub and smokiness, and folk-tender. Side dishes are well executed as well, especially the awe-inspiring mac and cheese, and onion rings. Just a note, I've been to other highly rated BBQ places in northeast like Dinosaur's in Syracuse, Slow's in Detroit, etc., I'd rank Union ahead of the others. Go and enjoy!
(5)
Zac C.

Does anything else really need to be said about this place. There is nothing on this menu that isn't amazing. If you go, ask for Freddie, Gave amazing service, not overwhelming, cracked jokes, gave recommendations. Just do it, oh and get the Bourbon Sunday, trust me.
(5)
Ron C.

Well we wanted to go back for our 2nd visit, but have stayed away since it has aired on Diners Drive Ins & Dives 3-4-5 times + repeats , but we have a dear friend who loves brisket & road trips, so we surprised her with a UNION WOODSHOP VISIT. Today at 5pm. We only waited 22 minutes for a table. Also noteworthy is, Curt , Ann & Erich have the magic touch at hiring , great staff, who have the gift of gob & genuinely care about you & your experience, Both Hostesses tonight, amongst a see of hungry diners, took names & handed out pagers, all with a smile & grace. Once seated,our sensational Server OLIVIA bounced on the scene, this gal was too cool for school, yea an UBER COOL Server who knew the menu, very well. She started us off with hydration & woodsticks [Woodsticks are a signature appetizer here, glorious cheesy bread &garlic butter/ cream cheese dip] Our friend ordered a Brisket Platter with, collared greens/bacon & the LEGENDARY MAC Cheese WOW! A++ My Bride ordered 1/2 ribs with Hand Battered O-Rings & Red Skin Potato Salad A++ I ordered some side cars Red Hot Link, homemade A++ I also ordered Burnt Ends Charred brisket ends tossed in Memphis sauce & served on a slice of Texas toast A++ Green Been Casserole A++ Collared greens w/bacon A+ --------------- Another Note about the excellent staff Nacho [ yes that's his Roller Derby Street name ] , saw my wandering eye & asked if he could get me anything, I thanked him for his keen skills, & told him Olivia already got us. 'Nice' Well the gals saved room for the MAPLE BOURBON SUNDAE - MI maple syrup and Jim Beam sauce over house made liquid nitrogen ice cream with house smoked Spanish peanuts $5.25 This Dessert & MAC & Cheese alone is worth the 68 mile round trip drive! + the Village of Clarkston..must enjoy this welcome addition to downtown, as people were going in out of the small shops & boutiques with pagers in hand.. No wonder this place was 2011 restaurant of the year! freep.com/article/201102â€¦ cant wait to try the Vinsetta Garage & continue to lobby Curt /Ann & Erich for something on the eastside..
(5)
Barney C.

Great overall dining experience. This place was featured in Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and recommended to me by a coworker. The food was awesome and the drinks were great. Sat at the bar and got friendly service from the bartender. It seems to get packed so you might not want to come there famished or be ready to be on the hunt for seats. I definitely recommended checking out this spot that Kid Rock frequents. It's was worth the 40 minute drive.
(5)
Sheena B.

The food was all really good. Great wood fired pizzas, fried pickles, onion rings, green bean casserole and more. We really enjoyed our time there.
(5)
Anaa N.

Been here twice so far. Will definitely be going back. Expect to wait, even on a week night, and even if you go early. But just go on upstairs and have a drink and play some pool -- it's worth the wait. Food is excellent, and I am pretty fussy. I'm a good cook and am often disappointed when I go out to a restaurant, thinking I could have done this better and saved my money -- but NOT HERE! Everything... seriously EVERYTHING has been excellent. Melt-in-your mouth brisket, excellent ribs, amazing Mac & Cheese, etc., etc. Cool, casual, rustic decor. Staff were great both times, both the bartenders and wait staff. And the prices are actually reasonable. Honestly, it's that good.
(5)
Justin A.

Who knew in the heart of a little village called Clarkston that a joint could crank out such incredible barbecue that makes you honestly decide whether to drive to Detroit or drive to the outskirts of Oakland County for some righteous barbecue? Anywho, my brother and I went on a Sunday afternoon and the wait was about 15 minutes so we mozied around the place checking out the decor and what not. Meanwhile, the bartender gave us drinks while we waited. So for appetizers we had the deep-fried pickles with the memphis mayo (as they call it). 4 WHOLE pickles at $2.50 was a bargain considering how incredibly delicious they were. The batter was crisp and the pickle was warm, crunchy and tangy. And the batter stuck so when you bit it, the rest of the pickle didn't follow. Mayo was delicous. The other appetizer was the burnt ends served on texas toast. I feel bad because I was so into the pickles, I couldn't appreciate these as much. But nonetheless, they were meltingly tender and delicious. For the main entree I got the beef brisket with a "sidecar" of dark meat chicken along with 2 sides: the mac & cheese and onion rings w/ memphis mayo. It also comes with a jalapeno corn muffin with sweet buddah. Brisket was delicious. Smoky, tender, overall great. Chicken was juicy with a nice crisp skin that was slightly smoky. It went especially well with the "Bama" sauce. Mac & cheese was great and had a great top crust. I love the crusties. Onion Rings were awesome and had the same batter as the aforementioned pickles. Corn muffin= delicious. There are 6 sauces total i believe?? All delicious especially the Bama and Tex sauce. Tried the "hell" sauce and it was mad spicy. Also drinks are served in nice mason jars. The food was delicous, the waitress knew what the sauces were and suggested which sauce goes with which meat best and overall, I had a great dining experience at Union Woodshop. I most definitely will be making the 45 minute drive back just for those deep fried pickles.
(5)
Jonathon J.

Definitely one of my favorites. Next great place with a cool atmosphere. There is usually a wait. The longest was about 2-1/2 hours, but u can wait upstairs by the bar and sit by the lounge area. They have a pool table and a few other games as well.. They have good beer and a great bourbon menu. For appetizers the burnt ends and fried pickles are a must try. Don't hesitate with the pizza; it's pretty tasty. Burgers are great, but the porker should be your first. The main dish is usually gonna be pulled pork and a side of sausage with Mac and fries.. I've tried pulled pork at a lot of places and by far this place delivers. I have a hard time ordering anything else off their menu because the pulled pork is that good. Juicy and flavorful every damn time. Other then that try their brisket or baby's.. I also like my BBQ sauces hot; they have a special one that they keep in the back called hell. It's made with Ghost chili, beam red Stag and maple syrup which is amazing "love it". You won't have room for dessert, but you will probably still order a deep fried twinky lol
(4)
Nathasja T.

After endless hint-dropping, I was finally able to penetrate my husbands ears and mind and we made the trek out to the remote citt of Clarkston, Michigan. On a beautiful Wednesday night, the 40 minute wait wasnt as terrible as it could have been had it been February- for example. I actually enjoyed the time I was able to spend with my husband, wandering through the quaint little downtown area and browsing some boutiques. When it was our turn to be seated, we order a couple of waters and an order of fire sticks. These bread sticks were doughy, crispy and plain yummy, especially when slathered with the fresh chive creamcheese that accompanies them. I knew I would have the pulled pork with sides of mac n cheese and sweet potato mash, and Erin chose the half chicken with mac n cheese and onion rings. The pulled pork was amazing, super tender, smokey and juicy. And super sized! Be warned, a mountain o' pork lies in your future when you order this. Now I'm going to tell you a secret, as long as you promise to keep the booeing at bay. I dont like mac n cheese, and especially dislike the staple Kraft version. Some things you just need to grow up with such as root beer and Miracle Whip for example, and I did not grow up on mac and cheese. Only since lately I have been interested in venturing out into this foreign foodstuff, and now that I have I am on a mission to find one that I like. Union Woodshop makes some crazy good mac and cheese, and by my unbiased noob standards- that says a lot. Now I need to find a way to copy it at home, maybe make it a teeny bit creamier - and I am one step closer to becoming the perfect American wife! I was a little less enthusiastic about the sweet potato mash. Though I love jalapenos, they made my portion of mash slightly bitter in my opinion. Erin's chicken was moist and smokey, with a wonderfully crispy outside. I liked putting a little bit of the mustard sauce on the bites that I hijacked off his plate. The onion rings were crunchy yet light (not soggy or heavy with grease). The 'mayonaise' these are served with was great! My favorite sauces are the mustard sauce and the hell sauce. Hell sauce sounds a lot worse than it is, in my opinion it was barely 'warm' on the heatscale ranging from 'no big deal' to 'holy crap I need a gallon of milk'. I am actually fairly certain this has an apple sauce base, and perhaps this is why it isnt as potent as a vinegar based sauce would be. Speaking of which, the 'hot' vinegar based sauce which also comes on request was a real good compliment to the pulled pork. When we heard about the XXX sauce, we had to try it out! More of a paste versus a sauce, this concoction is actually quite gross. Think ground chillies without any attempt of improving/adding to the flavor, putting all focus on pure heat. This stuff was very doable heat-wise, flavor wise not so much. I get the impression it is more of a gimmicky item versus a serious condiment. Already bursting at the seams, yet stubborn and chanting YOLO (ok- not really..!) we ordered not one, but two desserts. We were having ourselves a regular old feast, and one dessert simply wouldnt do. Butterscotch with smoked salt pudding, and a brownie skillet with liquid nitrogen vanilla icecream were our poisons of choice. The butterscotch pudding was simply amazing. So creamy and dreamy, and the saltiness and sweetness were such a great marriage in this dessert, it became difficult to put our spoons down. And I dont even like butterscotch. The brownie skillet was..disappointing. I think that in all fairness anything eaten directly after that heavenly pudding needs to be pretty stellar for it not to feel a little blah. I did not particularly care for the icecream. Though cool and totally geek-chic, I found the consistency strange and hard to get used to. The brownie itself was chocolatey, but also a little eggy. Like it needed more flour in order for it to achieve a more conventional consitency. I also want to thank the drink menu, as though I did not want to consume alcohol that evening the Kid Rock 'n Rye provided some great inspiration to make at home sometime. Jim Beam and Rock 'n Rye? Hells yeah. Everything considered the Union Woodshop had me fall in love with their food and atmosphere, as well as the adorable city of Clarkston. We will definitely be back!
(4)
Regina S.

Wanted to update since we went back for pizza and ribs. We came in the back way this time, and probably will from now on just to smell the smoker sitting outside!! We got to go upstairs this time and check out the bar. Pool table and old school bowling game were quite cool, and lots of chairs, stools and couches to chill on, aside from the bar itself. It doesn't appear that any eating goes on upstairs. I didn't ask, but saw no food or menus up there.. We were seated about 10 mins after being told 30-45 mins so that was AWESOME! We ordered the burnt ends, and were sad to discover that they had just run out...on a Monday night. Got Woodsticks instead, and they were pretty good. Liked the cream cheese dip, but I wasn't blown away. We ordered the half slab of baby back ribs and a woodshop pizza. Neither disappointed!!! Sooo smokey and delish... My mouth is watering just writing about it!! Tried the sauces this time..(that white one really skeeves me out...mayo based and left out on the tables all day... fucking GROSS) and found that the NC mustardy one was just so great on everything I poured it on. I could have drank that shit right out the bottle!!! Unfortunately, they don't bottle it. Damn!! We were so stuffed and happy when it was all over, I really wish I lived closer!!! /Smoky!!
(4)
Randy C.

I was visiting Detroit a few weeks back and wanted to see what Kid Rock raves about. I am a believer now!!!!! I sat at the bar in the back left in front of the American Bad Ass mirror. I had the ribs and I absolutely loved them. Dry rubbed to perfection and really enjoyed the array of sauces. My sides were the beans and cole slaw and both were enjoyable. They also had Tito's vodka!!!! Get here early!!!
(5)
Dr. J.

Bar food taken to a gourmet level! A real gem for Clarkston. This place makes no qualms about being a neighborhood joint with a back woods feel. Drinks are served in mason jars. The floor is made of cheap particle board and the bathroom tiles have interestingly been replaced by pennies. It's all brought together tastefully by the reclaimed-antique style decor. I am consistently pleased with the gourmet bar food this place serves, especially its great pizza cooked in a CoCo gas fired brick oven. The selection of local Michigan beer is fantastic, including Kid Rock's Bad Ass Beer. To really enjoy a mason jar of Bad Ass Beer, order the Summer shanty. Fantastic! It was hard to get a seat here for about a year after Guy Fieri featured it on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Locals grumbled phrases like "over-rated" and "pretentious" for a while, but everything seems to be back in order.
(4)
Evie B.

If you know my husband, you know that he does not like to wait. His mantra "I've earned my stripes to not wait" whatever that means, I have no idea...but tonight (actually earlier today) he had to wait and I heard about it all the way up until he took his first bite of food. : ) LOL I've been hearing about this place for quite some time and it was #83 on the list of places to go...but this past Friday, my interest was piqued when a friend mentioned that infamous mac/cheese. So, I bumped this right up to #1. I called ahead, just to check about reservations, but non sai frais, they do not accept reservations. So we headed out around 3 and arrived at 3:50. At that time, the place was packed and there was a wait of an hour and twenty minutes. I would have bellied up to the bar, except that I couldn't see the bar... The hostess was most gracious and so very nice. God bless her, because we patrons can be royal pains in the arses. I was going to start giving her a $ for every time someone asked, "what time do we have to get here and not have to wait?" I hope that as I age, I do not become grumpy and impatient. Like it's her fault the place was busy...my next favorite statement, "did you forget us?" "Weren't we before them?" I wanted to leave a tip for the hostess! By the time we sat down at 5:15, there was a 2 hour wait for dinner. The place is much bigger than I expected. There are two bars, but with it being so busy, I couldn't find my way to either one and if I had, I would have had a liquid dinner and not been able to enjoy dinner. : ) Take Slows BBQ and triple the size. Very nice ambiance. Loud. Fast service with a smile ; ) I didn't feel like we were elbow to elbow with our neighbors; close enough to ask what was good and what to avoid and where did they get their cool hats from...lol We start with the fried pickles. MEH...but this is a personal thing, not that theirs were bad. I like dill chips and a light breading. These were frieds spears and the doughy breading. They were good, but not my favorite. Great price; $2.50 for four spears. My husband had the pulled pork; very nice portion, no fat, no gristle just nice smoky tender shredded pork. My husband slathered it with some Tenn. Sauce and it was good to go : ) He had the collard greens as one of his sides and said they were very flavorful, but a bit on the spicy side. $13.95 My son had the 1/2 chicken; very juicy and very very flavorful, nice and smoky, well done. No pinkness...very nice size. He had two sides of the fries. He said they were the best fries, ever. I think he said that about Dino's fries, too...LOL $13.95 I had the 1/2 slab kansas city ribs, but they looked like babybacks. Kansas city tend to be longer bones and meatier. These were GREAT regardless of what they were. The meat literally just fell off the bone. PERFECT burnt ends, nice outer crust, and juicy melt in your mouth meat. Not fatty and no gristle. PERFECT!!!! $14.95 I had the FAMOUS mac/cheese as one of my sides OMG, OMG, OMG!!!! HEAVEN. I word of caution HOT. This is where a restaurant has to be careful, you don't want the mac so hot that the cheese sauce curdles (SLOWS). The crunchy, buttery topping and the nice blend of cheeses; perfect! DON"T CHANGE THE RECIPE!!! I also had the onion rings..MEH. They were an after thought to the ribs and mac. They were thick and had a thick breading. Not my thing. I tried all of the BBQ sauces YUK to NYC and the white sauce. YUM to Tenn. Texas and S. Carolina. I also LOVE the mason jar drink glasses. I think I'm throwing out all of my glasses and replacing them with mason jars. : ) I would recommend refrigerating them, just to give the beverage a lil oomph. All our entrees were piping hot. We have so much food leftover for another meal...lunch tomorrow!!! And if you do have to wait, the lil' buzzer thing can reach a signal for up to three blocks. Get your buzzer and then go out and look at all the cute lil' shops.Or if you live close, go home and relax...and return : ) Happy Eating!!! UPDATE: today we ate the leftovers. A sign of good BBQ is when the BBQ tastes as good the second day as it did the first day. : ) This was perfect.
(5)
Loren K.

Delicious food. I'm not particularly fond of the high noise level, long wait and inability to reserve tables, or young and immature waitstaff... but the food USUALLY makes up for all that.
(3)
Krisitn M.

Friend's took me when I was in town. I wasn't particularly impressed. I'm not a big meat eater (primarily vegetarian) so maybe that was the problem.
(3)
Mark S.

BBQ was very good, Large variety of quality sides. Server was knowledgible and prompt. Portions were large.
(4)
Gerald L.

Again - another of our Food Network adventures. Damn you Guy Fieri. Only negative was the 2+ hour wait - but the food was well worth it. Fried pickles were perfect. I got the pizza, my wife got pulled pork - which she said was the best she ever had and we shared the salted butterscotch pudding - Redonk and Amallzing all rolled into one.
(5)
Christopher M.

Amazing place. Every time I'm in the area I come here. Food is awesome. Service is great. Atmosphere is light and fun. Can't wait to come back as soon as I've left.
(5)
Bobby Z.

I wouldn't say this is my official review...that one will take too long...I will simply say that today's experience is a prime example of why I keep coming here! The food is always awesome and the portions are generous, but the servers are really top notch. Even if they seem a bit eclectic/hipster they stay on top of shit and I never have the issues I have at other places. The management sets their level of service very high and the staff maintains that high level generally. Our server, Erin, who I have had several times before keeps the glasses full, the attention high without being naggy and goes out of her way to make sure the experience is excellent. Today was no exception! Half way through our meal I placed a carry out order...when the bill came I asked about the to go items and she went to check. Rather than come back and bullshit me she told me the kitchen forgot to put it in and it would be 10 more minutes. I said it was fine and left it at that, but she took the bill back and removed the charges for the carry out and apologized! It's new years day and I can think of several places where the wait staff would have been rude just to punish me for them having to work. Erin, and the rest of the woodshop crew are a prime example of what it takes to make a restaurant super successful...awesome food and awesome staff!
(5)
Elyse R.

My favorite restaurant in the Clarkston area by far and totally worth the wait. Never a bad experience, amazing food, and great staff!!
(5)
Kristopher S.

Tried a pulled pork sandwich the other night and it was OK. I am not crazy about any of the sauces (they were alright...nothing special), the meat was good, but the bun was stale. Again just not impressed by this restaurant. To drive and/or wait hours for this place is crazy. I recently found the exceptional Smoke Street BBQ in Milford which is everything I had hoped Union Woodshop would have been and more.
(3)
Jerri B.

Just like the majority of all the other reviewers have indicated: Food is AWESOME!!!!! We had the 101 (all meat!) and the Brisket. Loved both! Disappointed no burnt ends when getting there at 6 pm on a Sunday night (we still waited for an hour), but it is what it is and we will try to get them next time. Brownie Pot Pie was awesome. My suggestion; however, would be to offer some of their awesome HOT appetizers at the bar --- as at least one other reviewer stated, one can get in big trouble at the bar for 1-2 hours on an empty stomach. Allow us to order the wings, pickles, bread, and burnt ends at the bar for a perfect 5 rating!
(4)
Mike B.

Another great experience from a local walk in. Been there done that is a reality but the waiter Dave was so courteous, kind and knowledgeable it felt like a virgin experience. If your restaurant is struggling -- steal this guy. WoodShop --another home run event
(5)
Lita F.

The collard greens! Omg I can't stop thinking about them. I had planning to make the 45 minute trip and it was well worth it I have to go back now
(5)
Pete K.

They were sold out if my first choice of beer. They were out of my second choice of beer. Their Pulled Pork was so good, however, that this Ol' German is still giving them 5 stars! Although, because they were so busy, food took a while to arrive, it was well worth the wait!
(5)
Marcie K.

Best BBQ in Michigan, hands down. Everything is top notch from start to finish. The ribs are amazing, the sauces perfect, and the side dishes....well, damn! The mac and cheese is always on point, and the beans are delicious. The slaw is mediocre, but I can't even be mad when the rest of the food is this good. Save room for the best butterscotch pudding you've ever put in your mouth. The only thing that sucks is the wait to eat here. Sometimes it's 2 hours or more, and there is NOTHING to do in town while you wait. We've just resorted to coming as soon as they open so we don't wait, although that makes dinner time more like a late lunch. If they took reservations, life would be so much easier!
(5)
Josh B.

The pulled pork was life changing. Every morsel upon the menu was a delightful treat, with the exception of the beef brisket. It was flavorless and fatty. With that being said, the pulled pork and green bean casserole were so amazeballz I still awarded 5 stars. The cornbread was so moist. My fiancÃ©e and I had the most intense meat sweats we had ever experienced. Best pulled pork in the state!!!
(5)
Caleb Y.

If you like BBQ this is a good spot. Do not go for a culinary enlightenment, but do go for good BBQ. The wedges salad was a joke, but the pulled pork was delicious! I do like the food, but was not overwhelmed with excitement!
(3)
Alex V.

This place is incredible. We had burgers. Not much more to say, if you don't go here for Dinner and you're in the area you're missing out. Some of the best BBQ in the state! Not a place to take vegatarian, but they have a great selection of beer & wine. The atmosphere is cozy, and they have free pool / a bar upstairs that can occupy your time while you're waiting for food or a table.
(5)
Gabe B.

BEST MAC AND CHEESE EVER!! These guys have amazing food, amazing service and amazing people serving us. I am definitely coming back to this place. It is conveniently located for our family to come back and enjoy more! I would recommend to everyone to come here!
(5)
Monica B.

One of the best places I have eaten in a really long time! Everything from the drinks to the food to the service was amazing! I cannot believe it took me this long to go there. Amazing! I am from NC and I was impressed with their delicious 101 special. You get a little bit of everything! It was all cooked to perfection! Their food prices are very reasonable! However their drink prices are high. Great selection of drinks but pricy.
(5)
Adam R.

Really good experience. Had the brisket and pulled pork with smashed sweet potatoes, corn bread and Mac and chz. The Mac and chz was amazing. My girl friend got the cheesy potatoes, those were the only disappointment I tasted. The food I ordered isn't usually enough for my big belly but this evening It was I had to take a box home. Good beer selection for the most part. Wish they would have Atwater in the house. Overall had a great experience, making plans to come back this fall. Oh .. The fried pickles we had for appetizer were the best I have ever had. Making my mouth water right now at work. lol Kirk Gibson.. Yes the Kirk Gibson was there eating with his wife before the Van Halen concert at DTE.. He looked like he was enjoying his pizza.
(5)
Littlemac F.

We went here at 5:00 on a Friday, and were quoted a one hour wait, which did not surprise me, considering the myriad positive reviews. The gal told me the buzzer worked "stoplight to stoplight," so we went down the street for a drink. Our buzzer did not have such a range, and we returned 50 minutes later to find our table had been missed, but they managed to seat us right away, which was nice. I liked the atmosphere right away, and our server was genuinely friendly, and prompt. The chicken wings were dry and burnt, the breadsticks were not good, and the strange sauce they came with was gross. Our back ribs were terrible. All the sauces were odd variations of Open Pit sauce. The macaroni and cheese was not macaroni at all, but instead overcooked penne. I am willing to give this place another try, if I am ever near Clarkston again, since the service was excellent, and the atmosphere was great. I suspect I would have liked it better if we had not waited for so long, and I did not have such high expectations.
(2)
Otto V.

Went here while visiting from Texas. We met our son and his fiancee for dinner, and brought my 82 year old mother (born and raised in Texas). The service was fantastic, the food was delicious (and that's saying something since we are Texans and know good BBQ), and the atmosphere casual. Great place to spend our limited time with our son, and even mom loved the food!
(5)
M P.

First thing first...this place is definitely OVERRATED! The food is good, but the portion size is very small for $16.00. I prefer to go to the hood and get some good ol BBQ with a good price. Bottom line: I will not go back, due to overpriced food.
(3)
Rebecca M.

I've been here several times before and have had a fantastic experience every time! While I agree with others on the crazy long wait times on the weekends, I was pleasantly surprised on Tuesday night when we were seated right away! Me and my friends showed up around 6 and got a great table, and when we left around 7 there still seemed like there wasn't much of a wait. The food is always on point here, though I get the same thing every time: woodsticks (YUM!), a deliciously-moist grilled chicken club, and the amazing fries. My friends also highly recommend the juicy lucy burger and the pizza. Definitely make sure you stop by this Clarkston staple for the delicious food, great service, and cool aesthetic :)
(5)
Jody K.

After a particularly disappointing day at the Outlets at Birch Run, I decided to treat myself to a late lunch at the Union Woodshop on the way home. I got there at about 4:00 on a Saturday, and it was fairly crowded, even at that odd hour. Since I was alone, I was wedged in at this little table in front of a large party and across from 2 other tables of people, right inside the front door. I wasn't too happy about that, but I figured that them's the breaks when dining alone. Even though I'd read really good reviews of the ribs, I wasn't in the mood for that much. But, I definitely wanted to try barbecue, since that's what they're known for. I decided on the small Cherry Pork Salad because, as long as you include lettuce, it's a salad, right? And I also got a side of the mac & cheese. Oh. My. Goodness. It was really good. The salad is basically lettuce, some large dried cherries, topped with a good helping of pulled pork and some crispy deep fried onions on top. Oddly, the honey mustard dressing was on the bottom, so you have to really toss it to get it incorporated. It was slightly spicy, but not overpowering. And at $5.95, it seemed quite the deal. The little casserole of mac & cheese arrived on a small baking dish. The top was nice and brown & crispy, and it was really hot; I actually had to poke holes in it & let it cool a bit before I could eat it. But when I was finally able to take a bite, it made my mouth so happy. For $3.00, it cannot be beat. I tried to look at all the food that passed by me, and without exception, everything looked delicious. Do yourself a favor and come here the next time you want barbecue.
(4)
Tony C.

Nothing I'm going to say is different than anyone else. Go here. Period. It's delicious and well priced. If you don't like it you're a communist. If you think Slow's is good...el o el. That's crap. This is actually good. Woodshop = 'Merica.
(5)
Karen W.

So so so good. Every single time the Woodshop is consistently delicious. First let me start by saying that our server today was Gabriel who was not only knowledgeable but also hilarious. At his suggestion I had the cocktail of the day which was St. germain, strawberry vodka and ice over Oberon....it was damn good! Food wise we have tried basically everything on the menu at some point. I never eat ribs except when I come to the Woodshop, they are that good! My mom is a huge fan of their cedar planked salmon, they have amazing pulled pork and brisket and their burrito is also very tasty (I get it with shrimp). I recommend coming on a weeknight when they first open, otherwise your guaranteed to wait. They have an awesome upstairs bar with plenty of room to wait where you can also do a little bowling, foosball or pool to up your appetite for dinner!
(5)
Genevieve R.

The repeated words of everyone in my group while we were here "This place NEEDS to open by us". Walking in we got seated right away and the decor is just awesome. Multiple bars for your drinking pleasure and chairs that you can rock in while you enjoy your meal. Menu has something to satisfy everyone from "sammiches" to salads to burgers, ribs and pulled pork entrees. All prices were very reasonable, my grilled chicken sandwich was HUGE and came with a hefty side of delicious potato salad for around $11. I couldn't finish the sandwich or the side because of their size. Everyone liked their meals from the baked mac and cheese to the quesadilla special. Service was friendly and we came in close to closing too. After we were done eating we headed upstairs to watch the game where they had another bar with a pool table, foosball and a bunch of comfy couches and chairs. Dimly lit in the TV areas. It kind of felt like hanging out at someone's house (if it was a really cool house) the place was very comfortable. I ordered the fat tire Amber ale after it was suggested by the bartender and I'm glad I did. If you like magic hat #9 you'll probably like it too. If I come back to this area in the future I will absolutely come back to eat and hang out.
(5)
Albert K.

Finally got around to going to this place. We stopped in at 4pm on a Saturday and still had to wait an hour and fifteen minutes to get in. Fortunately, they had a huge lounge upstairs and we waited it out in comfort. The lounge was furnished with a mish mash of furniture and tables. They also had a pool table and a skeeball bowling game. I only wish they served something to nibble on up there. When we were seated our waiter came by immediately and took our order and made some great suggestions when we ordered items they had run out of that night. In the end, it started with the smoke chicken wings and the shredded pork and cherry salad. The wings were surprisingly juicy and were a great delivery system for their sauces. I was partial to the hell and a Tennessee BBQ sauce. The salad was also a solid recommendation. Be sure and order the small unless you are going to share with at least 3 people. For our entree we ordered the Woodshop Pizza. I found it to be delicious and the leftovers were still just as good when I reheated them the following day. We ended the meal with the special dessert, a chocolate raspberry mousse cake with a crispy bottom. My wife is not a dessert person but she helped me demolish the thing. The best part of the meal was getting the bill. We had and app, salad, pizza, dessert and coffee and it cost less than $50. Hell of a deal and worth a trip of you are in the area.
(4)
Francine M.

Went in on a Sunday afternoon, got quick service. Wait staff was very helpful. I ordered the spare ribs, Mac and cheese and baked beans. The food was delicious, our server took the time to explain all of their sauces. Everything was hot and delicious. I will highly recommend getting the Mac and cheese even just as a side, it's well worth it.
(5)
Ornella B.

The hubby and I finally ventured to the Union Woodshop for our anniversary over the weekend, and it was DELISH!! We sampled the loaded potato pizza - MUST TRY. The crust was perfectly crispy and chewy. The Woodshop 101 with brisket, 1/4 chicken white, and the baby backs with a side car of pulled pork. The ribs were the standout for both of us, we will definitely just get a rack of the baby backs for dinner next time..YUM-O!! The rest of meats were very good also, we just preferred the ribs. I deducted the one star for the ambience and the mac n cheese. It is extremely loud in there, like cannot hear my husband across our table loud. This I can get over since the food is soo good. However, the mac n cheese was a disappointment for both of us. I think the hype supersedes the actual product. While it was pretty good, I think it was too oily and too much cream in there, and not enough of a sharp cheese. It could have really benefited from the bite a sharp cheddar would lend. Plus, my hubby said shells would have been a better pasta choice. But, that is just our preference...
(4)
Tracy P.

I wish there was a way to give half stars. The Woodshop has 3.5 stars in my book. The food was excellent. I had the Shop Burrito with shrimp and it was delicious! My husband and mother in law got the Woodshop 101 and Hawaiian pizza, which was also great. The reason why I'm docking stars is that the wait is always insane and you can't make reservations. They have an upstairs lounge and bar for people waiting which is a nice bandaid to their wait time issue but I think a lot of people are deterred from going here because it's usually an hr+ wait every night. The service was also iffy. Our waitress was slow, even though she knew we had a fussy baby and needed to get the check and leave as soon as possible. I'm dissapointed that I have to take away stars for anything other than food quality but the hour+ wait along with the slow service made our night out more of a hassle than a getaway. My tip to future patrons: leave the kids at home. They said the lounge upstairs was kid friendly but there were no changing tables and the atmosphere was too loud and dark for me to consider the restaurant to be kid/baby friendly.
(4)
GR G.

This is my favorite bbq place in Michigan. Have tried a bunch of different dishes, but my go to is the Porker Burger. Features three house made meats: pork patty, bacon and a hot link. With all their different sauces available, will satisfy everyone. For an app, the burnt ends are available until sold out. I prefer their smoked wings. For sides, their fries are excellent and the sweet potato mash complete my meal. If you have the chance, this is a must try!
(5)
Steve G.

You drive 340 miles from Chicago, fire up Yelp, type in "Craft Beer", hit enter and BAM! you're eating a delicious pulled pork samich in a cozy small town tavern with a rockin' wood-fired oven and very nice beer selection. Add in a welcoming, knowledgeable staff (thanks for the beer tip, Frank!) and you've got a winner! I'd make the drive again, just to come back to THIS place.
(5)
Jo N.

I don't know what I could say that has not been said. Excellent service, great atmosphere, delicious food. I know: the place smells of smokey meat, so good. I was so hungry I wanted to like the wall LOL! The food was so good it made me want smack my mama. Please bring this whole menu to the Vinsetta Garage!
(5)
Henry T.

I thought about deducting a star for the long waits, but oh my, this place is worth it. I wouldn't wait 2+ hours for it...but that's not saying anything about the quality of the food. Just come at off hours and you'll see how good this place is. It's better than Slows. At least the baby back ribs. They peel right off the bone and you could see the steam coming out. First bite was amazing. No sauce needed. I did eventually try having them with the sauces, and they were also great. Advantage to Woodshop (over Slows) because of the quality and the peel-off-the-bone factor. I also tried some of the pulled pork, too, which was fine. Rubbing some Tennessee sauce on it made it great. Tennessee mixed with the Hell, Michigan sauce was amazing. Now the slides were lacking a little. The bbq beans were in a small dish, but that wasn't even the worst part. It was too tomato-y. It tasted like beans in salsa. Advantage Slows. However, the mac and cheese here was delicious! The employees here were super attentive and accommodating. As a side note, I came on a Sunday, and it seemed like some of their staff were high school kids. Now usually that'd likely be a bad thing, but everyone here were professional and provided excellent service. What a great BBQ place!
(5)
Esther G.

If you are planning to stop here before a show at DTE/Pine Knob, then go a couple hours early! Everywhere in town is a complete zoo before a show. No reservations is a bummer. That being said, once we got in, the service was friendly, solid beer selection, good food, pretty fast service. Overall stressful wait (was told it would be a 1hr40min wait but we found a spot at the bar after an hour...). I'd like to try again sometime on a night when nothing's going on at DTE.
(3)
Papa W.

Went to eat at this place after hearing and reading the rave reviews...as a constant YELPER when looking for the best food around I give credence to reviews that discuss the food and drink, not the motif and decor so read on for the skinny on Union Woodshop. Started out with the Burnt Ends as an appetizer since I was told they run out of these very early in the evening. For the price not much meat and WAY too much BBQ sauce. Was not worth $8. The breadsticks on the other hand were great and had a smoky flavor from the pizza oven. Spread was great too. Skip the Burnt Ends and get breadsticks. We had 3 couples and all split the Woodshop 101 between couples. There is a lot of meat on that plate. I mistakenly ordered another side of brisket because I like it so much. There was too much to eat. The chicken was tender but lacked much flavor other than being roasted or smoked, the ribs were just so-so. I have had better ribs at my son's house. The pulled pork was tender but too much fat left in the meat for my liking. I always remove fat chunks when I pull pork. The brisket was very flavorful and I enjoyed it but was stuffed by the end of the meal. Side dishes: onion rings are a must have, mac & cheese was very cheesy and was not the creamy type you get at most places. This was full of flavor on multiple levels. The muffins are good as well. Was not impressed with the cheesy potatoes as they had a few strange flavors with some spice they added. Cole slaw was good with hint of vinegar taste. I tried all the sauces offered except the N. Carolina hot sauce. WARNING: IF YOU TRY THE HELLS, MI SAUCE BE PREPARED FOR AN AFTERBURN. I enjoyed the flavor of the sauce but it was HOT. The Alabama white sauce is a must try as well. I will be back. Wait staff is very helpful and attentive. We sat outside and it was wonderful.
(4)
Christopher D.

I go here all the time and never thought to write a review since they always are packed. Tonight, I have to write a review. Well done Woodshop. Went there on Valentines Day with my wife and expected a wait and we had one. Right after we checked in a US Army soldier checked in, in uniform with his date. They didn't tell him there was a wait. Moved him right to the front of the list and got him a table. Class move Woodshop. Much respect for taking care of our military. Thank you. My wife and I went upstairs and had a blast waiting for our table. Rhonda was one of our bartenders. Very knowledgeable about the huge beer list and made me a fantastic Manhattan. Megan was the other bartender that checked on us for our next drink and again knew the beers well to recommend us great selections. We got our table and went downstairs. Sat in Erica's section and she was fantastic. Let us know about the specials, was prompt with our drinks and always there for water refills or a new beer. As for the food, there seems to be a huge contest about the BEST BBQ. Woodshop wins. My catfish was amazing, the sidecar of the hotlink was as good as the entry and my wife's pulled pork was perfect. I love this place. I can't say enough about the food or the staff. I can't wait to go back again. After dinner we went back upstairs for one (we had a sitter, so why not). Chris was our bartender and again, an amazing bourbon cocktail. This was a grapefruit Manhattan this time and again, a new beer for my wife. This place is great. Love it.
(5)
Orson B.

I have to agree with some of the other recent reviewers that the waitstaff has a lot of spunk and moxie and that it is hard to find a better barbecue joint in Michigan. I had the pulled pork, which was amazingly moist and tender as well as the excellent Mac and cheese. I got there for a birthday celebration at 1pm on a Sunday and it was already mobbed, but that's because it's world class barbecue. It was loud inside due to the construction of the old building not having any sound dampening, so you might want to brush up on your sign language and lip reading beforehand, but I found that it was so good that it's still worthy of five stars. The only thing I would caution against is the fried Twinkie. They gave me a fried Twinkie because it was my birthday celebration, but let me tell you, that was like eating a gallon of grease. I am known for eating stunning amounts of food in seconds, such as two Dominoes extra large pizzas with everything on them in eight minutes with no water, but this fried Twinkie messed me up for hours because it was a grease bomb. Just say no to the fried Twinkie and you'll be happy.
(5)
Justin R.

A bit of a drive from the metro Detroit area, but well worth it. The barbecue is definitely the highlight but the other dishes can certainly hold their own! The Mac and cheese is the first that comes to mind. Sides are phenomenal as well, I recommend the onion rings, sweet potato mash and of course the Mac and cheese (provided you don't get a full order). The wait times can get lengthy! Fridays, Saturdays, and any day the "diners, drives ins, and dives" episode they're featured in is rerun you can expect to wait an hour or longer. The wait is almost non existent weekday nights though. If you are forced to wait for a table, there is a bar upstairs with ample seating and a free pool table to kill some time. Definitely earns its spot as some of the best bbq in Michigan.
(5)
Lisa W.

I recently stopped in for dinner. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich it was pretty good I didn't care for the giant sized bun but that's my preference. My mate ordered the combination plate with ribs pulled pork and brisket our sides were mac n cheese, potato salad and coleslaw. The mac n cheese flavors were just perfect. I didn't care much for the mostaccioli noodles they use I think mac n cheese should be small and saucy. The potatos in the poatoe salad were to large and it had to much mayo going on so I didn't eat much of it. The smoke flavor in the meats was delisious and the meats were very tender and juicy. they have some nice sauces. The service was good and I would defintley come back.
(4)
Rachel P.

There is always a wait, but it is SO worth it!!!! Been here many times and have never been disappointed. Probably one of if not my favorite place to eat!
(5)
Kateryna S.

Great bbq, all around, you won't be disappointed with anything that you order! The union Mac and cheese as a side is a definite must!
(5)
Minh S.

American Food/BBQ is not my forte, so I wouldn't have tried this had it not been for a few friends inviting me. From the reviews, I expected the best. This is what I got. Pros: + Friendly staff. Hostess knew my party was in the back, because I'm Asian, and they are too. One of the perks of being a minority! + Waiter knew the menu inside and out, and offered recommendations. Very friendly, but the menu was so extensive I stopped listening after a few seconds. + Whenever I go to a BBQ place, I have to get ribs. It's like Pad Thai at Thai places, California Rolls at Sushi places, and Fried Rice at Chinese places. It's the heart and soul of BBQ. Full rack of back ribs. Does not disappoint! Fall-off-the-bone meat. Very tender and juicy, although I needed sauce to make it better. + Inside was very nice and festive! Kind of moody lighting, which made it harder to see the vibrant colors on the food. + Lots of beers and drinks to choose from (But I only drink water and mojitos). + House-made slaw. Nice. Cons: - I wish they had some kind of dry rub to choose from for the ribs, but maybe I missed it? - Mac and cheese, for me at least, was just Ok. They also used straight shells instead of the classic curved ones. Maybe I'm a stickler for the Kraft Brand. - Cell service/4g is low to non-existent in the place, But you shouldn't be on your phone while hanging out with your friends anyways. Notes: Honestly I'm just nitpicking. The place is great for chilling with a few friends, plus I heard they have a lounge/hangout area on the second floor that I didn't check out. Parking is also located behind the restaurant if you're a first-timer. The meat is also kind of greasy if you order a lot, so order a flavored, girly drink from the bar to cut your taste buds with.
(4)
Jennifer H.

I've been to the Woodshop on many occasions for lunch/dinner however mostly for cocktails with friends. While the food is well priced and tasty, the drinks are more often than not my favorite part of my Woodshop dining experience! Though a bit pricey, the cocktails are always poured well, never do I feel that the bartenders skimp on the important stuff...like alcohol or personality!! I have been here on many occasions, most recently for my birthday. The service and attention I received was excellent. This day in particular, our bartender was Harmony. She offered to take a picture for me and my boyfriend and then wished me a Happy Birthday, adding that now I have a little souvenir of the fun I was having at the Woodshop :) I loved the picture as well as the thoughtfulness and attention she paid to us. Overall I think the service, staff, and quality of the restaurant is exceptional and would be happy to celebrate a special occasion here, or just drop by for their awesome drinks. Many reviews are written to give input on the food or restaurant ambience however I felt it was important to give praise to those who really make my Woodshop experience a good one...the bartenders/servers!! Happy eats...and drinks!
(5)
Megan K.

I love BBQ and am a big fan of Slows. For a change my boyfriend and I decided to try out Union Woodshop. We entered and the hostess told the couple in front of us that the wait was three hours. Yes, you read that right, three hours. So while I'm panicking, my boyfriend snaps up seats at the bar. We definitely lucked out on that one. I've never heard of a place having a wait that long. If they have such an issue they should really take reservations but I think it's more they want to be pretentious. Like "we're so good, you have wait 3 hours for your food". The bartender was friendly but not overly concerned with service, she was definitely working at her own pace. I had planned on getting craft beer but I was very surprised. Their website boasts 40 beers on tap and that has to be an outright lie unless the upstairs bar has all the taps. There were only 8-10 beers on tap and they were almost all shitty domestics like Miller Lite. I decided to get a margarita instead and it was really good. As for food, I got the pulled pork with baked beans and potato salad. My boyfriend got a full rack of ribs with coleslaw and mac and cheese. We also got a sidecar of brisket. The food came out relatively quickly. I hated the presentation. They give you the meat in these flimsy ass paper containers. If you want sauce then there is no way to isolate the meat you want to put it on. So all the sauces would get mixed together and that's not really tasty. Now let's talk about their sauces. They have about seven of them. The bartender warned us about "Hell" their spiciest sauce. Yeah, it was weak. Their Tennessee which is apparently the most popular just takes like KC Masterpiece from the grocery store. The Bama was basically just watered down mayo, gross. The meat was good but really, really greasy. Like swimming in it. The sides were about half the size of the sides you get at Slows. I didn't find any of the sides to be particularly tasty. The baked beans were flavorless, the slaw was dry, the mac and cheese was okay, the potato salad was my favorite but not spectacular in any way. I'm shocked at how people say it's so much food, we barely took anything home, just a bit of pork and two ribs. Overall, the food was mediocre and definitely not worth a 3 hour wait. Slows is far superior in just about every way, from size of the sides to the actual price. It's $4.00 more for the same meal at UW.
(3)
Ann W.

Charming as advertised, Union Woodshop is located in cozy downtown Clarkston. Although it was at the odd time of 3:30pm - too late for lunch, too early for dinner - the restaurant was already packed and there was a small wait. I was in the mood for barbecue - when am I not? - and went with the Woodshop 101. Great idea since this was my first visit and it allowed me to sample and enjoy favorites like: well-smoked chicken, lean brisket, and baby back ribs. This massive entrÃ©e came with a tasty cornbread muffin and choice of two sides: onion rings and mac and cheese, in my case. These sides were first rate and would merit a return visits on their own. I also got to sample (a bite, really) The Porker sandwich, an incredible concoction involving ground pork patty, bacon, and sausage. And cheese. How have I not heard about this until now? And similar to the sides that came with the 101, the mountain of fries was incredible. As if I were not full enough from the 101, I also got the Brownie skillet. Both the waitress and neighboring diners suggested it. This rich dessert oozed chocolate gooeyness and had a lovely crust. The ice cream was just okay; I did not enjoy it. I understand that liquid nitrogen produces a creamier and fresher ice cream but I found it to be icy. While the food was very good, service was painfully slow. Not sure why that would be case when the barbecue meats are prepared hours earlier. Sides should not take long to prepare. This was not an isolated incident - it seemed as if everyone else experienced longer wait times for their food, as well. I will definitely return - next time, I plan to get The Porker sandwich. So enjoyable.
(4)
Cheryl L.

Had dinner here after finding it on yelp. We were in Michigan for a shopping trip so came by pretty late, 9:30 on a Friday night (after stores were closed of course). There was still a wait to get a table. We hung out at the bustling bar upstairs until a table was available. Food was good. Not the best BBQ I've ever had - the chicken was a little dry but still ok. We also ordered a prosciutto and arugula pizza that was pretty good. Will definitely be back on our next shopping trip!
(4)
Shanita M.

We came for dinner on Saturday night with another couple and had a great time. There was about a 20 minute wait and we found chairs in the bar in the meantime. We got a great corner booth when it was ready. Josh was our server and he was perfect. Attentive, super personable and very fast. The beans were undercooked and he raced back to get me the sweet potato mash instead. The food was really good, we all got something different and were all pleased. A very nice night out.
(4)
Julie P.

Overall this place is great. Service is very friendly most of the time. Food comes quickly and is served hot. There's a big bar and shop upstairs and 2 smaller bars on the restaurant level, so there are different atmospheres for anything from one person to large groups. The waits can be long. There are some cute shops right by the restaurant you can browse through while you wait. Try to get there early if you're hungry and don't want to wait. What I love: the Rocket Pizza, fried pickles, sweet potato burrito with pulled pork, and the Mac and cheese of course!!!! Good cocktails, nice beer selection. All around 2 thumbs up!!!
(5)
Zachary F.

It is even better than advertised. Ambience 5: I love the way this place is set up. They have three different bar areas and they are each extremely unique. We sat at the bourbon bar for most of the evening but we also checked out the upstairs, which I LOVED. It's really wide open and decorated with a feel of comfort. Food/drinks 5: the food is amazing. I had the cheese and more cheese sides. The gloriously cheesey macaroni and the dangerously delicious cheesey potatoes. The first bite of macaroni smashes your palate with a back hand of cheesy goodness, and the cheesy potatoes follow up with a bruce lee karate chop to your tantalizing taste buds. Once I rinsed it down with the nectar from the God's, hopslam, I decided to dig in for the main course. I had the woodshop 101. It's a barbarians barbeque dream. The pulled pork was tender and juicy, the ribs were crispy and amazing, and the chicken, not to be out done, was succulently sensational. I would highly suggest you try this the first time you go. Service 10: it's the best service I have ever recieved! The bartender, Chris, who's a girl, was absolutely dynamite! She was super friendly and accommodating. I asked her to make me a bourbon drink and she did not disappoint. It tasted like it was crafted by the hand of God himself. I don't remember what she called it but it felt like a butterfly was lightly brushing it's magnificent wings against my tongue. If you go, be sure to ask for her, she is AMAZING. Overall 5.73: the entire experience was memorable and amazing. It turned into a full Sunday funday. I will definitely be returning!
(5)
Will W.

This place was simply amazing. The wait was quite long (40 minutes), but that is due to the popularity and quality this place delivers. The wait went by quick, however, because they have an upstairs area with a bar, pool table, etc to keep you busy. Our waiter seemed very informed on everything, which is always nice. He was able to provide recommendations based off experience. I got the brisket, Mac and cheese, and green bean casserole. It was all perfect. Some of the best BBQ I have ever had! Definitely going back when I can.
(5)
Lavorice L.

Great atmosphere. Server Jeff was awesome. Had the pulled pork samich. It was good. Wife had the brisket and said it was great. The mac & cheese is phenomenal!
(4)
Andy R.

Very good food and knowledgeable staff. I consider myself a beer snob but my server taught me a thing or two. I wish I could remember his name. Ordered a potato pizza for home for the kids and I snagged some leftovers and they it was equally as good.
(5)
Ricky G.

Completely not what everyone makes of it. If it wasn't for the great pizzas I'd give it 1 star. The barbecue is awful. Food all came out at room temperature, and had no taste to it. We had Burnt Ends, Pulled Pork, Whole Chicken and it was all just plain Jane. The mashed sweet potatoes with jalapeÃ±o and syrup were great. The Pizzas are amazing and the only thing I'll come back for besides some of the sides. Our favorite is the Chipotle Shrimp pizza. The loaded potato pizza is second along with the pepperoni which has a decent spice.
(3)
Scott W.

This place is a cruise for us to go to but we heard good things about this and wanted to try it. I really wanted this to be great but I can't say it was. There were some good things and some not so good. The good - Chicken wings, very good flavors and nicely done. The Mac and Cheese, great flavor and some of the best I have had. The onion rings, The rings were very good and the dipping sauce was a good match for them. The mashed potatoes, great flavor with honey. The not so good - The serving size of the mash potatoes was in a pretty small serving cup as were the greens. This is not a cheap place, please give us more than a taste. The meats, we had the brisket and pulled pork. They were not bad but I have had a lot better. It was also very greasy and a lot of salt. Both Slow's and and Bad Brad's are way better. Selection on the menu. I thought they would have more bar-b-que meat selections on the sandwich menu. Not much there for sandwiches other than burgers and hot dogs/sausages. This place also tried to be more trendy than what I like. Service was good but they tend to put on the sale a little too thick for me.
(3)
Connie L.

I heard so many good things about this place and finally got to check it out after a good 2 hour wait. Of course as a first timer, I had to get Woodshop 101 which gave me a little bit of everything. My choices included baby back ribs, chicken dark meat (leg quarter), pulled pork, corn muffin, and mac and cheese. I was told that if I come here, that I had to try their mac and cheese and it did not disappoint. I also had the woodsticks with their butter as an appetizer which was also an excellent selection. The best part was being able to try all the different sauces that they offer on the table, and more options when you request for it. Everything was tender, not overcooked, packed with flavor and overall just excellent. The entree I chose was a huge dinner, but I came hungry and was able to eat it all. It was just too good to not finish on the spot.
(5)
William D.

We went to the Woodshop before a Kid Rock concert on a Tuesday evening (got there at 5pm) and the place was packed with an hour wait. We went upstairs for a beer and they had Blatz...what a treat! (I drank it in the 70's.) We then went downstairs and had a fabulous meal. "Sam" was a great waitress and the food came very quick. The pulled pork was great, the mac n cheese even better and the onion rings were huge and crispy. So, great food, great service and reasonable prices...a perfect combination. I have to admit, this place is better than "Slows" in Detroit.
(5)
Steve K.

Best. BBQ. In. Metro. Detroit. PERIOD!! Fabulous ribs, chicken, pulled pork, brisket, burnt ends. ALL smoked to perfection and all finger licking delish! AMAZING sides, too, including hand-dipped onion rings, fantastic black beans & rice, incredible collard greens & on and on. Pizza looks great, but never tried it. Why eat pizza at the best wood smoked BBQ place in town? Always a wait, but there's a cool bar upstairs that serves local Michigan microbrews so you can hang until they call you.
(5)
Alyssa R.

Alllllright. Union Woodshop has a million reviews and has had a lot of media hype, but I'm going to review it anyway. It's definitely worth a stop in, (I'm probably going to get stoned for this), but in comparison to Slows BBQ I would say it's still second best. There! I said it! Phew. It's really just a preference of how one likes BBQ. Their meats are smoky and they linger with you. If you are really looking for that deep smoky flavor and quality meat then you'll love Union Wood Shop. So your thinking, "uhhhhh, yeah...why wouldn't I love smoky delicious quality BBQ?" Well... You make a good point. Since I'm only evaluating the pork I can only talk about the pork. First, I'm a texture and consistency person. I just don't like the finely shredded pork. I like taking a huge bite of chunky bits of delicious goodness. True, the smokiness at Union Woodshop sticks with you a tad longer, but I'm an in the moment person. I want the flavor now and in the moment. Swish those thick chunks of deliciousness in that Apple BBQ and I'm in foodie BBQ heaven! Ok back to Union... Their meats come out in large platters. It's more than enough for you and a friend. What's truly awesome about Union is that they give you the option of their sidecars, which are smaller portions of their meats (pork, brisket, chicken). Variety is the spice of life and Union gives you a chance to mix it up! You can have a burger and a sidecar with no judgements. Their sides remind you of mom's kitchen. Specifically the cheesy potatoes taste just like Easter Sunday and their green bean casserole reminds me of Thanksgiving at the Rei's household. I didn't bother getting their Mac and cheese since Vinsetta serves up the same kind and though I like it, I don't love it. The sweet potato mash is another winner mixed with jalapeÃ±o that gives it a slight kick. Their sides are small so you need to order a good amount. I personally think for three bucks a pop they should be slightly larger, but that's ok. It's not a deal breaker. The sidecar brisket was good. Tender and not tough. You can cut it with a fork and it's a nice flavor. I sampled all of the barbecues and landed on my favorites being the Tennessee and Hell sauce. One sweet and one spicy just how I like em'! The pork was a little mountain of goodness. Not my favorite but would I get it again? Absolutely. However I would like to try something else like the Porker burger. I notice at BBQ places I like I will be more adventurous and order a variety of options and try new things. At BBQ places I love, I tend to stick with favorites because if I don't order it I'll have deep deep food regrets and a sadness in my heart all day. Even if the food I ordered was delicious. It's like I'm abandoning my GOTOs and I just can't do that to them... At the end of the meal, there was sooooo much food left. There were 5 sides, one mountain of pork, and a sidecar of brisket that was ingested. You can easily bring home the pork and have a monstrous pork sandwich for the next day. All of this for a little less than 30 bucks. Now go drop 30 doll-ahs like it's hot and try them out!
(4)
Rivo H.

This is by far one of the best meals I've had!!!! I got a pulled pork entree that came with mac and cheese. It was SO GOOD. I'm a sucker for cornbread, and their's was delicious I can't wait to go again!
(5)
Helena D.

Now, I don't want to be one of those people who's all like "I lived in the south, I know what BBQ should be like." I'm not even 100% sure if the Woodshop claims to be Southern style BBQ (though all their sauces were). I just think it's strange how there's this new phenomenon of northern states opening "home cooked" or "southern style" restaurants that serve the same food you could make cheaply (and better) at home or elsewhere but slapping a higher price on because they're hipster and trendy. What I mean is, you're paying for the ambiance and the name. Just like an education from Western is no worse than an education from UM--it's really just the name you're paying for. Their food was bland and not always hot (kind of annoying after spending 3 hours waiting for a table in the middle of a Michigan winter). Their bacon tastes like cardboard and the drinks are expensive. At night, the upstairs bar fills up with beards and flannel shirts. So if you're into that, this is your place. Bottom line: The place is lovely but if you're more interested in the food (like myself), I wouldn't recommend spending that much time and money. But if you're not that hung up on the ideals of BBQ, and you can afford a pricey meal, and you're in the area before or after their dinner rush--then check it out.
(2)
Jennifer G.

We are huge fans of Vinsetta Garage, and have been curious to try the food here. We know the wait is long at Vinsetta, so after the second attempt at eating here, we decided a Saturday lunch would be best. We showed up at 1:30 for a late lunch at it was still a 45 minute wait. That's okay, though, because there is a huge bar/seating lounge upstairs. The music is great, we were able to have a few drinks while watching the MSU basketball game. There is a pool table, foosball table, and a tabletop bowling game for kids and adults. The Bloody Mary is top notch. I think they use McClure's mix, which is one of my faves. There isn't much of a menu upstairs: we could order a cheese and sausage basket or a salmon pÃ¢tÃ©. I'm not sure why the appetizers on the menu aren't offered upstairs. That would definitely make the wait better. But the sausage and cheese was a price performer: $3 for some fantastic smoked sausage that was abundant! They skimped a bit on the cheese and the Carr water crackers were a bit of a disappointment, but the sausage more than made up for it. We were seated downstairs after about an hour. The wood sticks were delicious. The garlic butter was so good; I would serve it with everything. We both ordered BBQ: I had a pulled pork sandwich and my partner had the Woodshop 101. They do not skimp on the food. The 101 is loaded with chicken, ribs, pork or brisket and 2 sides. All the food was delicious. The least appetizing, however, were the BBQ sauces. While there were 6 to choose from (TN, SC, Bama, NYC, TX and ??) they all tasted too different. Who ever heard of NYC sauce? No NC sauce or just regular old BBQ? Very weird. Sauce is often the lynchpin of a good BBQ, and this disappointed me most. The greatest part of the meal? The DESSERT! The brownie pot pie was a perfect combination of warm, gooey chocolate brownie and caramel. But the ice cream sandwiches? AMAZING. Peanut butter cookies with banana ice cream. Chocolate cookie with coffee ice cream. Chocolate chip cookie with vanilla. Heavenly. Overall it was a decent meal, but not worth the drive. I'll stick with Lockhart's for BBQ.
(3)
Melissa M.

I ate about 7 hours ago and I'm still stuffed. My daughter and I ordered a ton of food so we could try a little of everything. We started with fried pickles. I tend to like the chipped version better, but they do spears. The batter made up for my preference. Yum! We got the 1/2 back (fall off the bone ribs) with rice & beans and mac & cheese. Both great but the Mac was just sinful. Creamy, nutmeg, cheesy, crunchy - piping hot but the noodles were still al dente. I would change nothing about it. Amazing. To make sure we got to try everything I ordered sidecars of: 1/4 chicken and house made hot links. We barely even ate them. They were wonderful but we had to save room for dessert! We ordered the IceCream sandwich trio. Flavor were cho chip/vanilla, cherry oatmeal/butterscotch, chocolate/orange cardamom. WAY too much good for about $5. I expected them to be bite sized. So is not the case. It's really plenty for two, after all that food up to 4. Washed it down with a Woodford reserve bourbon and I am a happy gal!
(5)
Little E.

Nice place for some BBQ set at the bar for great service.. Sampler served on a cookie sheet plenty to share if on a budget? I've had better and I've had way worse will go again. Love the decor of log slices on the walls.
(4)
Maxon M.

Great food but if you show up an hour until close they will tell you to leave. They are very rude about it as well. I honestly was expecting more from the high class clarkston holds itself too. No respect is all. I work in retail and know what a last minute shopper is and they treat their later customers very very rude like
(1)
Candice M.

This restaurant can't even be flattered enough with a 5 star review. I love the woodshop atmosphere, food and signature cocktails. The ONLY downfall is that they don't take reservations and on a Friday or Saturday you should plan to wait awhile for a table. We usually go upstairs and play games or sit in one of the "living room" style lounge areas, and you still get a server! My favorite things on the menu are the Mac & Cheese which is very rich and a must try if you are not already familiar...it's a staple. The large portion can easily be spit as a meal between 2 people or used as a side to share with a small group. When it comes to appetizers you really can't go wrong with any of them, the woodsticks come with a deliciously tasty garlic cream cheese sauce and are a nice starter if you plan to go the bbq route... if you go with the pizza they are made from the same dough so it may be overkill. The BURNT ENDS are a favorite and beware they often do run out so if that's what you have your heart set on call ahead and make sure they have them or go early.
(5)
Emily B.

The bar upstairs makes any wait for a table worthwhile. Seriously awesome decor and appeal. Super cute fixtures, creative nooks to drink awesome draft beers, helpful & kind service. Dinner was amazing. Woodsticks appetizer is amazing thanks to a delicious homemade butter. Split pulled pork and Mac & cheese and left with tons of leftovers. Will drive the 50 minutes to go here again!
(5)
Joel W.

I wish I could give the place a 4.5 out of 5, while not blow me away yet I'm only having drinks and if I had food I bet it would be a 5. Till that happens just come and love it as much as me!
(4)
Scott M.

AWESOME!!! I sat out on the patio and it had a nice country western feel to set us up for a fun BBQ filled Summer Night. Staff was amazing and very attentive and also kind. Now onto the food, oh the yummy yummy food. I had the pulled pork. Definitely the best and most juiciest in Michigan, It came out with a plethora of sauces. The top two in my book were the Alabama White and the Texas Spicy, and tied for 3rd was the Carolina Mustard and the NY Korean BBQ, however, that Alabama White was so awesome for any sauce to compare. Next time I watch TV and hear the word cocaine, I will refer to that drug as "Alabama White." The corn muffin was okay. It came with a sweet butter that was aight. The sides I chose were okay. I got the cheesy potato casserole and green bean casserole. I think I'll stick to Holidays at home for these items, because they didn't pair up so well with the BBQ. Next time I go.....and YES.....there will be a next time, I'll be choosing classic sides like tater salad and greens. I am going to start buying my friends concert tickets as gifts, just to get an excuse to stop here, that pork was phenomenal.
(4)
Roger D.

I wondered what all the hype was about. went in around 4:30 on a Saturday (as they open at 4) as I read the reviews as it said they get packed later. so we got right in which was good. Had a great waiter. Cant remember name, male, has beard, he looks a little laid back and he looks like he probably supports legalizing marijuana, but he was very cool. I ordered the brisket and my daughter ordered the world famous mac n cheese that I have heard about. Brisket came in a small portion, of the 5 pieces that I got 4 were cold. I think because we got their early they had given me stuff that had been sitting for a while and it was already cooled off. I tried all the sauces they had. they weren't bad. but brisket was nothing to write home about and the portion was way too small. I had some of my daughters mac and cheese and it was just okay. Nothing spectacular. I wouldn't go back just to eat there again unless I was already in town and hungry. it looks like a cool place to hang out and drink some beer. so I would probably do that. But as far as going there just for the food and no drinks I would pass. Overall, It wasn't bad, but it sure wasn't great or what i was expecting after reading all the reviews about it. I heard later in night it gets up to 2 hours wait. I can say that if there was a line, I would keep walking as it is not worth the wait. Unless I could walk in and sit right down, I would keep walking.
(2)
Ricky P.

This place is who I want to cater my events when I die and I'm in heaven. They will show up with their Mac and Cheese and pulled pork and it will just float into my mouth. That's how good it was. It was so good, my mother slapped me and my father divorced her and remarried porpoise in the mid-Atlantic. It was so good that I laid an egg and in 4 months a baby version of myself came out and gave me $5000 cash. I love this place.
(5)
Amanda Y.

I recently moved back to MI from SC and never thought I would taste BBQ on par with what I'd experienced down south. The Woodshop blew this assumption out of the water. Everything my party of 4 ordered was amazing. The woodsticks were delicious, wings were perfect and piping hot, pulled pork on point (and the slaw atop the sandwich is one of a kind), potato salad clearly homemade, mac and cheese lived up to the hype, and above all the service we received from Freddie guaranteed I will be a customer for life. I was in the military for the last 6 years and have had BBQ from all over the country. In my opinion, The Woodshop puts Michigan on the map for must try BBQ. Also of note, my brother-in-law, who's active duty Air Force, was also in attendance during this luncheon. Freddie made it apparent he and the restaurant appreciated my brothers service to our country. The level of service we received from Freddie and the rest of the staff can't be overstated. THANKS AGAIN FREDDIE, see you soon!
(5)
J. Ashton M.

Well let me tell you about this place; in one word. Fantastic! The only issue I have is that they spelled "sandwiches" wrong on the menu. Samwich? The Earl of Sandwich must be spinning in his grave! Grammar aside, you will not be disappointed. Well you may be a little disappointed if you are a vegetarian. I know my vegetarian friend was a bit perplexed when I took him there for a surprise celebratory lunch as I was driving him home after his gum surgery. In hindsight his confusion may have been in part due to the lingering effects of the anesthesia. But I look at it this way...if the good Lord didn't want us to eat animals than why did he make them out of meat? Ponder that one for a while. I always order the Woodshop 101 and it never disappoints. Delectable portions of an array of Gods creatures just begging to be consumed. It is so good they should rename it Woodshop MBA! Nothing 101 about it! When they rename it, should they wisely accept my recommendation, they can fix the typo on the misspelling of sandwich before they reprint the menu. It has been said that the singer Kid Rock frequents this fine establishment. I appreciate Kid Rock more for him having been married to Pamela Anderson than for his music. Well, I've never seen Mr. Rock there, nor the Ex Mrs. Rock for that matter. However, the last time I was there the guy at the next table had a startling resemblance to Harry Belafonte. Not wanting to be caught gawking, I cleverly hummed a few bars of the Banana Boat Song (Day O) from 1956 hoping to get at least a confirming nod. Truth be told I kind of hoped he would join in and treat the dining room to an impromptu concert of sorts. Although I only had my jaw harp with me I was confident I would have done justice to that beloved tune having recently mastered Turkey In The Straw. Sadly, there was no reaction from Mr. Belafonte. But at 87 years young he may not have heard me. Or maybe it wasn't him. I digress. Check this place out. You will be glad you did. You might even spot a celebrity!
(5)
Mark S.

We have been to this restaurant several times. Each time the waiter was very informative and knowledgeable about the menu. The food has been always prepared great and as described. The wait can be long but the waiting area above the restaurant was a fun place to wait.
(5)
Jeremy F.

This place is unreal! Everything we had was the best I've ever tasted and the service was top notch (not to mention easy on the eyes). I showed up 20 minutes before they opened on a Sunday (by accident), and given the usual waits I hear about, this is the way to do it! The service could not have been better. Our waiter was extremely helpful, and there were at least 3 other staff members that pleasantly and proactively helped us throughout our time there as well. And the food... The woodsticks starter was just the beginning. I was nervous it would be all downhill after that app, which was heavenly! But literally everything we had was the best we had ever eaten. I had the pizza (sounds like a lame choice, I know... But our waiter recommended it, and I certainly have no regrets). My friend had the chicken, brisket, mac&cheese...look, I think he ordered one of everything on the menu... Portions are huge, so be ready to grab boxes or share. I was literally sad when we left. The only question is, how soon can I get back there? And how many people can I get to try this place! ENJOY!
(5)
Alice C.

Great environment AMAZING FOOD!! If I lived closer I'd be here every night. There's almost always a line out the door!!!
(5)
Sean K.

I came here around 1pm thinking I would miss the lunch rush, since I heard beforehand that this location, like Clarkston Union, could get crowded. Nope. I got a buzzer and waited about fifteen minutes, which wasn't bad. I went upstairs to the bar and it looks pretty nice. Lots of seating, games, even a corny shop area. But on to the dining. We got seated and then served by a waiter who always seemed unsure of what was going on. I ordered a pizza, friend ordered mac and cheese. Drinks came in mason jars, which I hate, but ok it goes with the theme. The portions were huge, I'll give it that. I enjoyed everything about the pizza except the sauce, which stood out as having way too much onion for me. This place is loud; don't go for conversations unless you don't mind raising your voice and saying "what?" the whole time. After we got the check we continued our attempted conversation and the waiter kept hovering, actually interrupting us and making it clear they wanted us gone so they could get a new table, and that was the turn off for me. I don't know if I'll return.
(3)
Sophie M.

Took forty-five minutes to get in at 5:00pm on a Saturday. Ordered the Woodhouse 101 with sausage, dark meat chicken, and spare ribs. My boyfriend ordered beef brisket. While the ribs and brisket and sausage were very tasty and enjoyable, the chicken is really what set the meal apart from others. The Mac n cheese is tasty, but a little dry. The beans and slaw were average. It was worth the wait. The service was great and the atmosphere was fun. I would not wait over an hour, however, and some people were waiting over an hour and a half.
(4)
Tyler G.

Shut up, stop looking and go eat here! went here after 4 hours of golfing in the rain and it changed my life! Try the burnt tips
(5)
Loren C.

Like all of the Union Joints businesses, Curt always outdoes himself. The staff is incredible, friendly, and helpful. The food itself is amazing. I would eat here every single day if I could! It might sound strange if you haven't had it before, but I would absolutely recommend the Sweet Potato Burrito. It is phenomenal!!!!
(5)
Thomas L.

Decided to come here since in the area on a Thursday night. Quoted a 45 to 1 hour wait and was advised have bar and waiting area upstairs. We then proceeded upstairs and it has a very good layout of tables couches lounge chairs and seats at the bar. Took to looking at a drink menu and only downside of upstairs is they do not seem to have a sever come see if you want a drink you have to go up to the bar to order. After an hour wait our table was ready. Server was friendly and knowledgable and gave us pointers of restaurant favorites. Decided to get the 101 an the porker sandwich. Date got white chicken, ribs and pulled pork for the 101. She gave me a try and vice versa. Little disappointed for the food could have been smokier and more meat on the ribs. The porker was good though, as advertised. Have had better BBQ before. Another downside is the noise level in the place is set on high and the music they played tonight was very repetitive in the beat the keep going on and on. On to the sauces where they have many sauces to choice from. I though the Tennessee, Texas and S.C were best. They do add flavor to the meats. Overall the experience was a little below expectations but still average since had high hopes and heard such good things. If you like bbq this is good just be ready for a long wait an some noise.
(3)
G H.

Workshop 101 was a good choice. Great sides and our server Freddie was fantastic. Definitely will go back to try the burgers.
(5)
Rick D.

This place is awesome. Awesome food, drinks and wait staff. Try the KidRock-n-Rye. Awesome.
(5)
Melissa M.

Why is this place SO good? Literally everything here is amazing. Stay away if you are on a diet, but my gosh, the chefs here know how to make down-home comfort food correctly. I love the ambiance, the people, and drinking my beer from a Mason Jar. End of story.
(5)
Rachel E.

I don't know HOW this place gets all of the accolades it does, because our experience here was horrible. Not only did we have to wait 2 hours and 15 minutes for a table after we were quoted a 1 hour wait, but the food was not good. That was agreed upon by 7 of the 8 people at our table. The pulled pork was so fatty, it was sitting in what I can only describe as "pork fat soup". I actually thought they had already put barbecue sauce on my pork, but to my dismay it was just sitting in a pool of grease. My mom pulled a glob of fat out of her pulled pork that was larger than a golf ball! The sides weren't that great either, and most of them were cold. I must admit, the corn muffin was amazing though! The worst part, 5 people from our table got sick after eating there. Imagine being up all night with the worst stomach pains and multiple trips to the bathroom kind of sick. I actually got sick while we were still at the restaurant! This place was on my Metro-Detroit restaurant bucket list, and unfortunately it did NOT live up to the hype at all.
(1)
Nicole W.

Went here on a Thursday night to celebrate my son's graduation with a party of 8. We were promptly seated and well taken care of by the host and server. The atmosphere is fun and the food smells are out of this world! The food was delicious. Our party enjoyed hamburgers, pulled pork sandwiches, blackened catfish, fried green tomato BLT, mac and cheese, and veggie burger. The serving are huge-so bring your appetite. After getting our food, we realized we could have ordered half the plates and shared, instead we all wound up bring home leftovers. Everyone enjoyed their meals. Well seasoned and just plain good. We had a wonderful evening and will be back. Highly recommend if you are in the area. And yes- the mac and cheese really is awesome.
(4)
Chelsea G.

It's no secret that Clarkston is home to one of the BEST BBQ joints in the state. Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, the Washington Post, Crain's Detroit and Hour Magazine all agree - The Woodshop rocks our taste buds. Their menu is packed with housemade comfort foods that are bursting with flavor. I have visited this establishment more times then I would like to admit and I've tried everything from the smoked meats, to the cherry pork salad and even their butterscotch pudding. One of my personal favorites is the sweet potato burrito. It took me a while to try because it's a very unique item - but I promise it's worth the risk. This little taste of heaven consists of THE BEST sweet potatoes, black beans & spinach in a flour tortilla topped with a cheese blend, sour cream & salsa. Another one of my favs is the smoked chicken - which is rubbed with a delicious blend of spices and is sooo juicy! Pair it with their potato salad and zucchini and you've got one heck of a meal. The average cost of an entre is about $15 and I would say the menu is fairly priced based on the quality of their meats and the large portion size. After the sweet potato burrito - the vibe is my favorite part of this place. You can tell the staff genuinely enjoys working at the Woodshop - everyone I have encountered has been friendly and down to earth. The decor is eccentric, unique and welcoming all at once. I have spent hours in their oversized booth with friends and family feeling welcome, comfortable and truly enjoying my experience and this unique BBQ joint.
(5)
Kristin C.

Favorite BBQ joint in the metro Detroit area - hands down. The "other guys" are pretty good but my meals here are memorable and delicious and totally live up to all the hype. Unfortunately, most of the time I can't spare the drive time AND the wait time combined, so I don't come nearly as often as I would like to. Saturday afternoon around 12:30 - we were seated right away - what luck. It filled up pretty quickly after that. Split the burnt ends app (it was super yummy, although not very charred, which I kind of thought was the whole point) and pulled pork samich (crunchy slaw and pickled chilies add just the right crunch and flavor). Both were delicious. The potato salad that comes with the sandwich is the ultimate. It has bacon, dill, red onion and whole grain mustard (not your gross grocery store variety yellow potato salad!). Seriously - get the potato salad. As everyone knows, the mac & cheese is the bomb. If you haven't tried it - please do. Super reasonably priced kids menu ($3.95!) is another plus. I wish I had room for dessert ... maybe next time!
(5)
Betsy A.

My husband has been wanting to try this place for a long time (ever since we saw it on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives). So we had his birthday dinner here this year. It was a Thursday evening and we were worried about having to wait in line with a party of 6 (and a hungry 3 year old). Luckily it wasn't too bad and once our whole party was there, we were seated pretty quickly (I believe they'll seat you when all but one person is there). The strangest thing about the restaurant was how slippery the floor was in the room we were seated in. The floor looked like particle board, or some sort of unfinished wood, and the whole thing was slippery, it seems like people/servers would fall a lot? Our waitress was great and suggested some of her favorite and popular items on the menu. They have great BBQ, mac & cheese (this takes a little longer to prepare, so we ordered it right away), and special cocktails and good beers. The atmosphere of the restaurant is fun, though it was pretty noisy, which probably would have been ok if there were just two of us, but with a party of six, trying to talk across the table was hard. I really enjoyed this place and would frequent it more if I lived closer, so it may just be a special occassion type of place.
(4)
Mathias D.

Such high hopes for this place and it did not deliver. Not one bit. I know this wont make it on the recommended list because thats just what businesses do. I did like the location, the area was nice. (Although it was a 30 minute drive). The food was less than average. Maybe it was a bad night, after seeing all the good reviews honestly, I do not see what ya'll see in this place. The service was horrible. Me and my Wife waited for an hour+ just to have a guy just walk in and take a table that should have been ours and when I asked the lady what the hell was that?! She simply said she didnt buzz us in. Glad to see that when they say at least 30 minutes to an hour, they really mean just stand here while we sit other people in front of you and really piss you off. So we just got it to-go we at least got some service there.
(1)
Chris M.

Wow. What a great place to eat. I ordered the Mac and Cheese, BBQ brisket with a side of sweat potato mash and collard greens. EVERYTHING was great! I hade 4 people total in my group and all of us enjoyed it. I normally stay near the airport when I'm in town but the trip up to Clarkston (about 50 min) was worth the trip.
(5)
Julie B.

I went for the 2nd time last night and was not disappointed at all. Just a warning....get there early! We got there at 4:00 on a Saturday and it was almost a 1 1/2 hour wait. By 6:30 it was a 2 1/2 to 3 hour wait. (that tells you how good this place is!) Pulled pork is out of this world and fun to try the different sauces. The Porker is huge. I tried their potato salad and it's delicious and you have to get the mac and cheese. The butterscotch pudding is awesome too. I don't think there's a bad meal in there!
(5)
Mark C.

Stopped in for dinner tonight. While some may say that one of the perks of business travel is that you get to visit places like this, the downside is that you often do it alone. This is one of those rare places that feels as comfortable as an old sweatshirt. I chose to sit at one of the two bars that they have here. Was promptly greeted by an very personable young lass named Erin. Despite tending bar, she took the time to go thru the specials, point out some of her favorites, and answer any questions that I might have. I ordered the brisket and pulled pork combo, with sides of Mac and cheese and collared greens, and cornbread muffin. I found the portion sizes to be good, and the food was delicious. There has been much already written about the food here, so I want to spend more time discussing the service. I am more forgiving of bad food than I am of bad service. Here there was neither. Even when Erin may have been occupied gathering an order out of the kitchen or helping someone else, her colleagues like Kenny were there to ask if everything was good or whether I needed anything. You do not tend to see that type of behavior in many places. Often times servers only worry about their tables, and tend to look the other way when passing someone's section. Here you truly get the sense that it is a team effort. The only thing I will add is that when Erin and Kenny strongly recommend the butterscotch pudding, I would heed their advice. The butterscotch, sea salt, and whipped cream combo is really good. This is a place where even if the food was not as good as it is, I would likely come back because of the quality of servers like Erin and Kenny.
(5)
Marco C.

I have been to many BBQ places in NC and this place will give any of them a run for their money. Great food with friendly staff. The noise level is a little loud for a business dinner so better to go with your mate! Ribs, pulled pork and chicken are great.
(5)
Molly G.

I get tired of reading reviews from people who try a place once and give it horrible reviews. I have eaten in some of the best restaurants in the world and have occasionally had a bad meal. Some reviews of this restaurant are horrible by people who only tried it once. I thinks reviews should be done after 2 visits. The wait was supposed to be 1 1/2 hours but we got right in at the bar. My pulled pork was the best I have ever had. The sides were great and the bartender was really attentive. You need to try it.
(4)
Ryan B.

Always worth the wait. Great food, wide selection of adult beverages, and a wonderful atmosphere. If you have Freddy as your waiter consider yourself blessed. Hilarious and prompt. My favs are the woodshop burger and a side of Mac of course. Can't go wrong with the pizzas either.
(5)
Roldan S.

Overall, a pretty great experience. The pulled pork was my favorite, moist and tender (5/5). The brisket was pretty good too (4/5)... Though my brother didn't share any of the fatty pieces with me. The Mac (Pasta) & Cheese was baked to perfection (5/5). Make sure to come with an appetite 'cause the portions are sizable. If they're telling you the wait is under an hour, it's definitely worth it. NOTE: They told my party the wait would be 45 minutes to an hour; we were seated after 30 minutes. This was my first time here, so I don't know if they make it a habit of overestimating wait times.
(4)
Renee W.

Well I guess I'll chime in with the other 8 billion reviews. There were 4 us here at 5PM on a Tuesday night. One - there was a concert at Pine Knob and two - they had a beer thing going on upstairs - so even on a Tuesday there was quite a crowd. They told us about a 20 minute wait - and that was probably right on. Good beers on draft. Our serve Sondra was great! Asked right away if it was anyone's first time here (just mine). She was very accommodating explaining the tap beers and the menu. Ordered some beers and got into the menu. I jokingly told Sondra that I measure all bbq against Slows - and she joked right back "we're better". Man it helps a restaurant out so much when you have a great server - it's all part of the experience! OK to the food - I ordered the Pulled Pork Sammie (of course) and a side of the (famous) mac & cheese. Sondra told me that they don't really put sauce on their meat (good sign) and she would explain all the sauces on the table. My dining companions got the pulled pork sammie and potato pizza (which looked amazing). My sandwich was amazing. The pork was moist and smoky. It was a little more "chopped" than I prefer (I like bigger chunks ala slows) - but it was pretty darn good. Usually when I go for bbq there really isn't one sauce that I like (exception Slows Apple - I'm addicted) so I usually mix some up and find a happy medium. I actually did find one that I thought had the right amount of heat and sweet (sorry don't remember what it was called). Didn't think I would like the 'bama sauce, but I actually did. The mac and cheese was awesome - definitely like it when something is as good as the reviews! Crispy crust and cheesy interior goodness! So although I feel guilty about - I would say that this bbq was on par with my favorite! I definitely would return - even to try that pizza! Yum.
(4)
spence b.

Hands down the best BBQ in metro detroit. Period. Delicious whatever you get. Be prepared to wait most of the time . A little known fact is the best vegetarian fish I've ever eaten is from here as well. The vegan burger is phenomenal ! I would be shocked if this didn't become one of your favorite BBQ spots. Sauces are great , great atmosphere , you may even spot a local legend or traveling band ,enjoying some great food . Stars ... They're just like us they love great food too! Also great to pick up . Ohhhh the slaw is pretty impressive as well. On the whole it is upscale,wholesome,down home , from scratch yummy ness . Period .
(5)
Joey M.

AWESOME food!!! Great atmosphere for everyone. Only one problem: after being featured on the Food Network, it is very hard to get into without a big wait. p.s. I'm a local so I come here a lot!
(5)
Shawn S.

Great bratwurst and sauerkraut and delicious Cuban sandwich! Love all the beer choices.
(4)
Matt G.

I had the pulled pork with collard greens and potato salad. The pork was decent - good flavor but a little greasy. The BBQ Sauces were good. Overall, I would say it is fairly good BBQ in the Detroit area. Not better than Slows, in my opinion, but better than Lockhart's in Royal Oak.
(4)
Grace O.

This place is awesome! Great food and amazing severs! The only thing I don't like are the bartenders/cocktail waitresses upstairs if you're waiting for a table they always come over a million times while I'm just starting my drink but when I'm almost done or looking to get the check they are nowhere to be found. But I understand there are a lot of people there and they get busy. I just wanted to be thorough. I also want to add that if they served appetizers upstairs in the bar area I would be more willing to wait to eat. I haven't ordered anything that I don't like. I'll list all the things we have ordered before in no particular order wood sticks, burnt ends, friend pickles, pizza, pulled pork sandwich, ribs, Mac and cheese, fried, onion rings, and the brownie skillet is amazing!! Everything I listed I have personally tried and they are amazing and the food comes out so quickly and is reasonably priced. Freddie is our favorite server ever! I know putting this on here means more people will ask for him but he deserves his props for being the absolute best! We went there with friends for a bday and we waited 2.5 hours for a table and he was amazing by being very quick about taking our orders because he knew we were hungry and even brought her cheesecake at the end with a candle in it. A week later I went there with my husband and in laws and I asked specifically for Freddie and we were unfortunately sitting in a spot where the sun was blinding us and Freddie got a poster board advertisement from the door and stuck it on the window to shield our eyes. He goes above and beyond what any server has ever done before. He makes the experience so much more than just a meal, he's entertaining and jokes with you. And never judges me when I order a whole rack of ribs and then the brownie skillet. :) All in all, I give this place a 5 star (I would give it more if that were possible). This is our favorite bbq place and we drive 30 mins there and 30 mins back just to eat there.
(5)
Tricia R.

Best BBQ in the area and worth the wait. Get the pickles, Mac and cheese and definitely dessert. The desserts are ideally sized. Draft beer list is usually good- the Woodshop has a great relationship with the Michigan brewers and tend to get priority for seasonal brews. A little loud at times- but a fun atmosphere and awesome staff.
(4)
Colleen H.

Pulled pork--tons of food!
(5)
Sharon K.

That margarita pizza though!! It's to die for; so fresh. World's famous Mac and cheese is right at the Woodshop. The pulled pork and ribs are just how you get them down south. Also, try the onion rings. Just go get you some woodshop!! Quit thinking about it, just do it. Get off the couch and do something with your life (ITT tech commercial) LOL.
(5)
Kristen P.

I personally think this place is hugely overrated. I don't understand the 2 hour wait or the lines out the door to eat at this place at all!! Yes, the food is decent but overpriced for what you get. I also do not like getting served wine in a mason jar, seriously, who does this? Parking in back is very limited so try getting a spot on the street somewhere or nearby public parking lot. Parking can be tricky on weekends though. The bar upstairs is the best thing about this place. It has fun, quirky decor in a lounge type setting. Definitely, check it out if you have a wait for a table downstairs or just come for a night out with friends.
(3)
Rachel M.

Took my boys here (17 and 3) after dragging them on a shopping trip. I am already trying to find a reason to head out this way again. When we walked in, there was a small wait. The hostess suggested the bar area (family friendly) upstairs. Well, not only was that great for me to grab a drink, but there was a old-school "bowling" machine up there. AND to top it off - it was FREE!!! My three year old had just been asking to go bowling that week.. Can it be any more perfect? The answer - yes! We sat outside on the patio because it was nice. I had the Woodshop 101, my oldest had the spare ribs, the youngest had a pizza off the kid's menu. OMG. Holy Fat Kid Moment. We were seriously in a lazy food coma but could not stop eating. I even tried to drink another cocktail (something that had hot sauce in it) to try to see if I could fit more of the deliciousness in my belly but I gave up and had it packed up to-go. Needless to say, nothing made it until the morning. And it tasted just as good. This place has a lot of hype surrounding it... and I do not like to give no-reservation places 5 stars, but this may be my exception. Servers were great, hostess was friendly, it was a wait but there were things to "do" while I wait (free things - at that) and the food was epic. It really is that damn good.
(5)
LaLenia G.

I bought into the hype- have eaten here at least four times. Never had anything I loved...it's ok. Just ok. The Mac and cheese everyone raves about...it was dry and just noodles with melted cheese. Meh. Not ever worth a two hour wait. The upstairs bar is cool, we like to drink there in the winter :)
(1)
Michael N.

One of Clarkstons best places to eat by far. The weekend nights there is a wait time, but it's worth it. All the food is good and it's priced well. The staff really moves quickly even when it's a packed house. A must if your in the Clarkston area.
(5)
Chelsey D.

As a huge food critic, I have to tell you this is my favorite restaurant of ALL TIME! The best value would be to get the Pulled Pork or Half Chicken combo! Make sure to try the award winning Mac & Cheese as one of your side items! If there is a wait, have some signature cocktails upstairs. My favorite is the Bloody Mary with cold smoked blue cheese olives and a smoked pickle. If that isn't your thing they have a great beer selection and pride themselves on supporting Michigan products.
(5)
Tamara Y.

I've been to this place a couple of times. I like it a lot, and would rather go here rather than wait in an endless line at Slow's. (I don't think I've ever waited more than 20-30 minutes for a seat here.) The BBQ is good, and they give you a MOUNTAIN of it with no fat and no gristle. Tender, smoky, awesome. I like to experiment with the sauces. I like some more than others, but none are awful. The brisket is also spectacular. I've tried several of the sides and they were all good -- mac and cheese, baked beans, onion rings, cole slaw, potato salad, collard greens. The service I've received has been more good than bad.
(4)
Liz R.

Finally! Stars aligned, we were in the area AND there wasn't a wait! Yes, it was 3pm on a Saturday (and we felt 80yo eating at 3pm despite me repeating 'this is a late lunch' over and over again, hoping we'd believe it)... but NO WAIT! Our waitress Sarah was a-maz-ing. She knew the booze list. She knew the menu. She made recommendations. She was funny. Loved the eclectic interior, and how surprising it is to the first timer stepping off the small town street. We started with drinks and apps. An Odd Side Jackalope Amber for Ken and a Dark Horse Sapient Trip Ale for me (slightly sweet, pretty high ABV). We split the Fried Pickles and Wings. Fried pickles never are a bad thing IF you do them right (and they did) and serve them with an interesting Ranch-y dipping sauce (and they did). OK, I hate wings. Hate the whole skin, and vein-y things... but JOP, these wings were perfect. Smoked, so they were a bit dry but super flavorful.. then juicy meat inside. How do you do dry and juicy at the same time?! I'd get these wings again in a heartbeat! Ken got the Brisket with a side of Hot Links ('the side' is a great way to try more than one meat, and cheap at only $3.95). I did their half rack of Baby Back ribs, dry. Ken's sides were mac and cheese and green bean casserole, both of which were delicious. My sides were onion rings and potato salad, also delish. Lots of starch!! We ordered more drinks with dinner - another Jackalope for Ken but I switched to a Bloody Mary. While not the fancy BM on their menu with bourbon in it, this one was a standout, especially with house-smoked blue cheese stuffed olives in it (ask for these!!! They were out of the house-smoked pickle, or I would have tried that too). The sauces at the table were good when tasted off your finger, but transformed to YUM on meat. Ask for the two hotter sauces that they don't leave at the table - neither is flamey mouth hot. On my friend H's recommendation, we took a Butterscotch Pudding dessert back to the hotel fridge for a late night, after the show snack. I've been really digging sweet and salt lately, and the addition of sea salt to this childhood fav really elevates it. We loved everything EXCEPT the brisket. We missed that flavorful, smoke ring outside (that they remove for their Burnt Ends app). Yes, it was tender... but there was no smoke or flavor. Depressing when you're a snobby brisket piglet. The corn muffin wasn't all that great either (and this is coming from someone who could eat... er, and has... only corn muffins for dinner). Our first two attempts to try this place were utter failures. Driving home from Ken's folks up north, we called to see how long the wait was... 2 hours the first time and 2.5hrs the second time. Nope. We would... and will... return!
(4)
Michael A.

Another Amazing Dinner, brought my nephew to celebrate his birthday, arrived at 630 just in time to grab the last available table, started with deep fried pickles then a loaded potato pizza, OMG that pizza is amazing, my nephew loved the shitake bacon topper that covered the pizza, then we split a 14oz Ribeye, by far the best steak I've had in years, cooked to a perfect medium, we opted for a side of Union Mac n Cheese instead of fries, then of course the dessert, a trio of ice cream sandwiches for the birthday boy; a chocolate chip stuffed with bourbon vanilla ice cream, a dark chocolate cookie stuffed with orange infused ice cream and finally a oatmeal cookie with dried Michigan cherries stuffed with butterscotch ice cream, I enjoyed the amazing Brownie Pot Pie, our server was amazing, the place was packed and the door staff was extremely welcoming.
(5)
Eric F.

The negative waited 90 minutes to get a table on a Saturday night (they don't take reservations) Fortunately they give you a pager, and they have an upstairs bar and lounge. Only issue with the upstairs bar is that you have to go up stairs (no elevator) which can be difficult for an elderly person. The positive. Excellent barbecue. Having recently traveled and had barbecue in Deep Ellum Texas very glad to see that you can get as good if not better barbecue in metropolitan Detroit. Our party had the brisket, barbecue chicken, pulled pork, and a porker sandwich. The pulled pork was outstanding, best I have had since the pulled pork experienced at Smith's Garden Luau on the Hawaiian island of Kauai in 2007. Brisket, chicken were excellent. Porker sandwich interesting and tasty. The only disappointing item was the side of baked beans. Side of mac and cheese was very good. Excellent attentive service by our waiter. Grew up in Michigan, did not have quality restaurants like this 25 years ago. Will be back to try the other barbecue items, but will definitely order the pulled pork again.
(4)
Catherine B.

This place freaking rules! My fella and I came here today (Friday 3/27) around 4pm. They had just opened and were already rather busy (good for them!). we were sat right away and our server Steve was there less than a minute later with water asking if we would like anything additional to drink. He was super friendly and helpful (I hadn't been there before and he explained the menu to me). He was expedient with our beverages. My boyfriend had an old fashioned which he fancied and I had the Shandy cocktail which was amazeballs. For food we started with the fried pickles (the Memphis mayo is like crack). My boyfriend said if you poured it on garbage he would probably eat it. For entrees, he got the smoky dogs and apparently the sweet and spicy relish over just the dill is the way to go. If you feel like getting crazy, put some Tennessee bbq on there. Speaking of BBQ sauces, they have 5 housemade kinds on the table (2 tomato based, mustard, horseradish and a hoison based. The woman who dropped our food off kindly explained them to us.) The horseradish and Texas were my favoritea. Oh yeah and on to my dinner. .. beef brisket with corn bread, mac n' cheese and a bomb freaking potato salad. I played around with the sauces but the brisket didn't need it. It was moist and tender. Good golly, it was amazing! We didn't do dessert and instead went upstairs for a drink. Dude had the grandma bettys and I had the Hemingway daiquiri. Thank goodness they did not have the Hemingway downstairs because it was so good, I would have had about 10 (overstatement but tasty). I wish I could go here more but I live in Cleveland (*tiny violin*).
(5)
Aaron B.

Probably some of the best pulled pork around (I've lived in Tennessee, and Kansas City, so I know good pulled pork). I felt like they brought the best from both worlds and brought them under the same roof. Great beer too, the Raspberry Ale from Dark Horse Brewery is A+!!! However, the only reason they didn't get 5 stars is because of their catfish, which was a recommendation by the server...it had small bones still in it, and was over cooked on one end. I've had much better catfish. Otherwise, don't miss this place!
(4)
Steve J.

My wife and I travelled to Union Woodshop based on multiple recommendations. Started with the burnt ends which were doused in BBQ sauce and served on a pice of Texas toast. We were really happy with this and it made a nice appetizer. For the main course we split the 14oz smoked ribeye (med rare) with fries. The steak was cooked perfect and the fries were served with a type of mayonnaise which was a great addition. We also ordered a side of the Mac and cheese and hot link. All were great with just the right amount of smoky flavor. The Mac and cheese was pretty good too, but not the best we have had. As for drinks, my had the Union Margarita. This was one of the best margarita we have ever had. I had a three ounce flight (3x 1oz glasses) of bourbon and had the bartender pick. All three were great and provided a great range of flavors. All in all...really satisfied and we would definitely go back.
(5)
Andy B.

Bitter tears of disappointment, just not that good! Food was mediocre at best, restaurant was freezing, and unpleasantly noisy - too many hard surfaces I suppose. However, wait staff was great and raised this to 2 stars from 1. I had the sampler entrÃ©e, pulled pork (just bad), chicken (dry and flavorless), spare ribs (risible), greens (laughably small portion and blah), and probably the poorest excuse for mac&cheese I've had (and there have been many worthy of that dubious title). What gives? With so many rave reviews I was expecting better... however my wife tells me the soap and candle in the restroom was nice - so its got that going for it, right?
(2)
Heather E.

Everything is delicious. Call ahead if you don't want to wait over an hour. If you don't call ahead, go upstairs and have a drink at the bar while you wait.
(5)
Brie B.

SO good. We got the woodsticks and fried pickles to start. Didn't think I would like the woodsticks very much, but they were incredible. Fried pickles were great too and a steal at only $2.50 Ordered the pulled pork with onion rings and potato salad as my entree. Probably the best pulled pork I've ever had. Onion rings and potato salad are exactly the same as what they serve at Vinsetta Garage. Although it's a bit far, i look forward to my next trip there!
(5)
Lindsey B.

You are doing yourself a disservice if you come here and get anything other than the ribeye. It has a delicious hint of smoke and the temperature is perfect. Their barbecue brisket appetizer is also amazing. Great service, atmosphere, and food.
(5)
Yolanda G.

The food is always great. The service is a little less. Me and my boyfriend go there a lot because we love the food. But if you happen to get a waiter named Gabe , ask for another one. He never came back to our table and when he did he had this "I'm too cool for this place" attitude. It honestly just turned us off to the place. So whenever we do go we always ask for any sever but him
(4)
Michael P.

So cool they forgot the food, which goes more downhill each time I visit. It is possible to love oneself too much.
(1)
Nick M.

Went to the 'Shop today, for the very first time, and it was for my birthday. And I don't live close; I drove 45 minutes just to see what all the fuss was about. But this was my birthday choice of a meal after hearing about it through the grapevine, not to mention seeing it on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. I walked in with three others and the wait was 30-45 minutes, which wasn't that bad for a Friday evening -- especially considering some of the waiting times I have heard about on this site and from others who have eaten there. So, to kill time I drank a Final Absolution (damn good craft beer!!) and was really happy to see that because I live close to Dragonmead and get it all the time. After about 40 minutes our buzzer went off and we went to eat. The server was nice. She was a newbie but handled herself well and was nice (and attractive, hey oh!) ... anyway, I ordered the baby back ribs (half slab) and my two sides were Mac n Cheese and onion rings. And holy sh*t was this a lot of food! I was drinking heavy beer and eating all this good stuff -- I felt like a king. The onion rings were HUGE and the sauce they give with it is amazing. The Mac n Cheese may very well be the greatest Mac n Cheese I have ever had, just awesome. And the ribs were cooked nicely and tasted great with the multitude of sauces the place offers, from really spicy (Hell, MI) to mildly spicy to even mustard sauce. It was really filling. Like, REALLY FILLING. So filled up from the food and beer, I actually passed out in the car on the way home!! (And I'm not even an overweight guy; I'm just not used to eating that much in one sitting. I couldn't resist.) Go here, Bring an appetite. Drink a good macro brew. Bring good company. Enjoy.
(5)
Samantha T.

Came from out of town with friends for a bite before the concert at DTE. BEST BBQ EVER. If you don't come here, you're missing out. I'll be back for sure! Mac and cheese, onion rings and French fries with pulled pork were to die for!
(5)
Danielle C.

Best pulled pork ever! No sauce needed to enhance the juicy goodness. Got the union Mac & cheese as a side along with the sweet potato mash. The chicken was also good, but my nearly as delicious as the pulled pork. We enjoyed the fried pickles also. Wish we had gotten here soon enough for the burnt ends though.
(5)
Bob N.

RIB CIRCUMCISION MUST STOP!!! Please please please quit cutting the tips off of the ribs. It's the best part. These ribs would have pushed it to 5 star but alas no tips. The greens were smoky and yummy as was the mac and cheese as others have noted. We waited about a hour for our seats in the bar area having some fried pickles and salmon pate mmmmmm so good, these were recommended by our waitress Olivia. When we went to dinner our waiter John was just as good explaining and recommending certain dishes, Both added to a enjoyable evening and even had a deepfried Twinkie for the birthday boy.
(3)
Lisa K.

Very disappointed that after waiting 2 1/2 hours to be seated our party of 12 was seated separately. One table of 4 and another of 8. We couldn't talk with our other friends the entire dinner. The manger bought 2 desserts for our table of 4 however would not give the other table anything.
(1)
Tara L.

Do NOT bother ordering take out. Your portion sizes will be greatly reduced and it tastes so much better when it's hot and fresh! :) We've ordered take out on two occasions, and both times didn't compare to the dining in experience. You will have to wait, but as soon as you accept it, you will be just fine. :) Go upstairs to the bar, grab a drink, play some pool, or skeeball-type bowling, chit chat with all the other hungry patrons, and before you know it, your buzzer will vibrate and light up! Recently we took a friend here who ordered takeout previously, and was thoroughly blown away by the quantity and taste. Husband and I were flabbergasted at how much Burnt Ends and beef brisket we got. Loved the onion rings (the batter is something! Make sure you get it.), and the fries were typical. Side of mac and cheese was perfectly manageable for two, and yummy as well. I haven't tried getting here when they first open, but will try next time to see how long the wait is.
(5)
Louai S.

On my 4th visit, it is the same, just decent, nothing I would brag about or run to because I am in the mood for BBQ. Like any normal dining out night with family, I order lots of food, so here it is: chicken wings, no smoke, no flavor, no seasoning. fried pickles and wood sticks very good, shrimp salsa, needs shrimp, but good, burnt ends, is really pot roast with lots of BBQ sauce. Then comes dinner, Ribs were melt in mouth over cooked days old tasting, no porkey goodness, really disappointed in the ribs which is why I went there all the way from Troy. Burger "juicy lucy" which is what my wife orders, tasted oxidized, 1-10 it scored a 5 or less. Mac was ok, noodles overcooked, my sons dinner was 3 ice cream sandwiches, he liked it, he ate two of them, I ate third, good banana ice cream.
(3)
Laura S.

Awesome food and great service. We went on a weekday and got right in. The mac and cheese was fantastic and so were the ribs. Great place!
(5)
Noah D.

Great pulled pork! The Mac and Cheese was not as good as Slows BBQ, but the appetizers and main dish were on par or better!
(5)
Brian M.

Bravo! That place hit it on all fronts: taste, atmosphere, staff, and location. Ok, well the location could have been better if it were put across the street from my house. The staff is easy on the eyes, the service was top-notch, the food was incredible (make sure to get the butterscotch pudding), the smell had that faint campfire scent, and the ambiance/decor was very comfortable. Go there, you won't regret it!
(5)
Karly K.

Went last night and besides waiting for 2 hours (we got free appetizers in return) the food here never disappoints. You could probably order anything on this menu on not think you chose wrong. Fried pickles are a must!
(5)
Sarah P.

If I could give this place higher than 5 stars, I would. Even though the Union Woodshop is an hour away from my house, I go there as much as I can. Everything is fresh and so tasty every time. Even when there is a 2 hour wait, just go to the bar upstairs and have some fun!
(5)
Matthew S.

I never heard of the Union Woodshop until my wife and I saw a Kid Rock special on MTV in November, 2010, and the Union Woodshop was featured in the show. We decided to give it a try. We went on an Friday night, so there was almost an hour's wait, but the wait was definitely worth it! We started out with the deep fried pickles. Instead of sliced pickles like I've seen elsewhere, UW does them as whole pickles, and they were awesome. Not too heavy, so you could eat them and still have room for dinner. I opted for the Pulled Pork and my wife went with the ribeye. The pulled pork was easily the best I've ever tasted. It was tender, melt in your mouth, moist deliciousness. UW provided several sauces for me to put on it, and the "Bama" and Texas were my favorites, but the pulled pork pulled its own weight without the need for sauce. My wife's ribeye was perfectly cooked, tender and delicious. Both of us went with a side of Mac and Cheese, after reading plenty of reviews in favor of it. Definitely worth it! And their baked beans were quite yummy as well. We rounded out our waistlines with the deep fried twinkie. Not at all what we were expecting...this tasted more along the lines of an elephant ear, but that's not a bad thing. It was quite good, and rich. Good for splitting! And, very importantly, was the exemplary service. Our waitress was very attentive to us, despite the establishment being veeeeeery busy. She kept ensuring our beverages were filled, asking if there was anything else we needed, etc. And when we requested the Red Wings game to be put on, the Wings got turned on. If Yelp would allow me to rate this as 6 stars, I would. Two thumbs up from both Sheila and me!
(5)
Caitlin F.

I never thought I could have delicious, authentic barbecue out of a restaurant in Clarkston, Michigan...never in one hundred years! However, this is the place to go for genuine Michigan barbecue. That's right, I'm starting a Michigan barbecue movement. I don't even know where to start. Drinks? No...I can't remind you of my love for whiskey just yet...how about...the decor! Yes, the decor. Stunning. Kitschy without being tacky, warm and cozy without being crowded, and a throwback to art deco without being...well, art deco. It feels new and classic all at the same time. Really, I wouldn't leave, except for that they close... Let's bring it back to the whiskey, now. I didn't even glance at the rest of their drink list. I stopped at the first one listed, dubbed the "Kid Rock and Rye". Hah! I see what you did there. It's Faygo Rock and Rye with a generous portion of Red Stag mixed in. Get it? Get it?! Faygo=Michigan=Kid Rock=Corporate Sponsor Red Stag?! I love when product placement is so hilariously presented to me. Am I mad? Hell no. This drink is delicious. If I had mixed Faygo with liquor at home it would be "klassy-with-a-K"; however, at this ridiculous, beautifully adorned restaurant, it is a revelation. Buyer beware: they pour their drinks on the heavy side. After half of my drink, it was appetizer time...as I was, well, feeling a tad loopy. The prices are phenomenal on appetizers, about $3 for fried pickles and $4 for a side of bread with magical garlic-cream cheese-butter-STUFF. Very appropriate portion sizes as well. Bonus points! We each ended up ordering a different type of meat, so we could share and try the different kinds the Woodshop makes. I was lucky enough to sample their brisket, pulled pork, hot links, hot dogs and chicken. Really, truly, all of the meats were fantastic...moist, flavorful, perfectly fatty...everything you could want from a meaty treat. The hot link had a similar flavor to beef jerky, just spicy enough to be enjoyable, too. The house-made hot dogs(!) mimicked the jerky note in the hot link, and had an amazing all-around beef flavor. These are what Hebrew National aspire to be (and I LOVE Hebrew Nationals). The brisket, pulled pork and chicken all were great alone, but were also incredibly perfect vessels for the homemade sauces. There is a 'cue sauce for everyone...Texas, Georgia and Alabama styles, ultra-spicy (by request only!) and a special Asian-inspired sauce. In all, I believe there were 8 sauces. What a selection! Speaking of selection, a good plate of barbecue would be naked without side dishes. The menu boasts at least twelve different options. Hands down, the macaroni and cheese and cheesy potatoes are the two best sides. I swear, if everyone just ate their cheesy potatoes...there would be world peace. For real! Surprisingly enough, I saved room for dessert. My mom ordered the butterscotch pudding, which featured sea salt at the bottom of the Mason jar dish. It made a flavor sensation, especially when paired with the real whipped cream topping. I had the freshly-baked brownie skillet, complete with their specialty liquid-nitrogen vanilla ice cream. What an amazing end to a meal. So comforting and homey. I can't wait to visit the Union Woodshop again. Their menu also features wood-fired pizzas, fresh salads and a variety of burgers. They also feature an entire gluten-free menu. Not some namby-pamby few, select items...a whole menu! There is quite literally something for everyone, so next time you find yourself around Clarkston, give the Union Woodshop a try!
(5)
Christopher C.

I recently went here with a friend who lives in suburban Detroit. Upon arrival around 8PM on a Saturday night we were told it was going to be a 2 hour wait. We retreated to the bar upstairs with a pager for some drinks and conversation. The service at the bar was fast despite a large crowd and the beer selection was excellent. The wait was about 2 hours, and we sat down for dinner around 10pm. Normally I would not wait this long for dinner, however I was told the place was excellent and worth the wait. Sure enough it was, I ordered 6 smoked wings to start, they were large, cooked perfectly, and very tasty with all the sauces on the table. For dinner I ordered the back ribs with house cut fries, and house made mac n cheese. The ribs were excellent, the meat was plentiful and they were perfectly smoked. The sauces on the table were great and offered some unique variety. Overall, everything was excellent, and given the size of the portions, it gave me lunch the next day as well. Overall, this place was great, the wait sucks, but food was excellent.
(4)
Al N.

Ok this place is all great except one thing. If you want wine, they serve it in these tiny glasses. The owner has an issue with traditional wine glasses; he needs to get over it ! The food - BBQ chicken, ribs, pizza is all good. Atmosphere us great. Back bar is wonderful
(4)
Andy T.

Ok, now we're talking. 'Union Woodshop' is honest-to-goodness, slow smoked, authentic barbecue...done right. For people to whom that matters, that's most of what you need to know and you should just start planning your trip right now. My friend and I sampled quite a few items from the menu and found it all to be very good to excellent. All smoked items come without sauce and there's a complete cross-section of sauces on the table. It's like a veritable US House of Representatives of sauces...from vinegar based sauce, to Texas and Kansas City style tomato based sauces. Even the Carolina mustard and Alabama white sauces you almost never see in this area. Your choice. It's a great way to do it. My friend enjoyed the taste of the meat so much he pretty much opted for no sauce. That is saying something. Beef Brisket - juicy, tender, smokey. Nice smoke ring. I added a little of the Texas sauce. Pork Ribs - very nicely trimmed and smoked to perfection. Came loose from the bone, but do not fall apart. Really quite perfectly cooked. A little less smokey, but very tasty. Nice cut of meat. Pulled Pork - Also excellent. Tender and juicy. Not too much fat or extra tissues. Sides were delicious, with my highlight being the macaroni and cheese. Served in it's own small dish, spiced with a hint of pepper and thrown under the broiler for a nice crust on top. Fantastic. Enough of this could be a great meal on it's own. If there was one thing I would change would be the ability to maybe mix and match a plate without chicken. Decor is casual rustic with a cool raw wood wall treatment. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Food came out very quickly. We went fairly early on a Friday evening and sat right down, no waiting. The holiday weekend might have helped us here. I'm not a big fan of waiting around to eat, but Union Woodshop would be worth a decent wait frankly. Downtown Clarkston would be a fine place to wander around while you wait too. ---- With the 'real' barbecue places few and far between in southeastern Michigan, and simply bad 'barbecue' somehow making it into 'best of' lists...Union Woodshop is beacon of authentic smoked tasty goodness. (Check my 'Michigan Barbecue Landscape' list here on Yelp for a roundup of other great (and not so great) barbecue places in SE Michigan)
(5)
Jeff S.

Word of advice: GO HUNGRY The Union Woodshop is an instant Clarkston classic with an oustanding menu. I have been here at least 3 or 4 times since they opened and I swear the food just keeps getting better. If it's your first time I would recommend trying the Woodshop 101 which is a little of everything, ribs, chicken, and brisket or pulled pork; it's also the way to go if you can't decide. The Deep Fried Pickels are a great starter, surprisingly crisp and juicy but with a hot crust. The dipping sauce is amazing too and at just $2.50 for 4 pickels you really can't go wrong. The service is pretty quick, even on a busy Saturday night so it's just enough to hold you over while waiting for some extrordinary meals. We were there on Saturday and they were featuring many other appetizers made with ingredients from the local farmer's market, we didn't try any but the tables around us were very happy. One of the best sides is the famous Union Mac & Cheese which is a must try. Of course The Union is a must try too, your hardest decision this weekend may be which restaurant to choose downtown Clarkston.
(5)
Joel H.

The fried pickles and Rib tips were great for starters. The Porker and Pulled Pork sandwiches exceeded expectations. Its great to find a quality B-we joint in Michigan.
(5)
Don D.

We went to a Pistons' Game and were excited to get another chance to stop in at the Union Woodshop. I have since recommended it to anyone I feel may be up that way at any point. Being in Ann Arbor it saddens me I can not go more often. They changed their awesome bloody mary's but not for the worse. Still a great drink there if you like bloody marys. Everyone loved their food, our waiter was exceptional and a character which we all loved. Even though they overcooked my steak the first time, the waiter didn't even have to wait for me to say anything, he was on top of it as soon as I went to show him and took care of the mistake promptly. Always a pleasure to eat at the Union Woodshop and anyone that like's great food, smoked meats, $1 beers, delicious bloody mary drinks, bar-b-q and more should stop in.
(5)
Sara T.

Superb!! Two girlfriends and I went on a Monday night so it wouldn't be as busy. We were able to walk right in and get a table. Mind you, I drove over an hour in rush hour traffic just to try this place out! It was definitely worth the drive! We started out with the fried pickles. Divine! I loved that they were pickle spears and not the pickle chips that so many chain restaurants do now. I ordered the half slab of baby back ribs with the mac & cheese side and side of cole slaw. The ribs were meaty and fell off the bone. Gristle and fat were nonexistent! I loved the variety of sauces! I tried the NYC, Hell, and Bama. I think my favorite was the NYC. The cole slaw was shaved very thin and had just the right amount of creaminess. I scarfed it down! Now, on to the mac & cheese! I think this may be the best mac & cheese to ever cross my lips. It's definitely rich, and I couldn't eat the entire side portion. I loved the crispy top!! I work down the street from the infamous Slows BBQ in Detroit, and this hands down has Slows beat! From the service to the food, everything about Union Woodshop has them beat!
(5)
Christine N.

I went to Woodshop without ever hearing about it. I am new to MI. I should have checked my phone for reviews/suggestions before ordering. Based on reviews I definitely would have tried the pulled pork. However, as a huge pulled pork (and BBQ) fan from Kansas City, I was tired of being disappointed by MI BBQ places so I went with the Woodshop burger. It was really good but dear lord it was heavy/greasy. I tried a bite of the onion ring. Very good/crisp but I decided to take it off the burger and didn't eat it. Although everything tasted wonderful, it was just too much for me. So heavy and greasy I couldn't finish it although I wished I could. I know people who would have called it perfect (big greasy burger is what they like) just not for me. The sauce that came with the meal was wonderful both on the burger and the fries. I will definitely be back. I can tell they know what they are doing. I simply ordered the wrong thing for myself. Hopefully I can return soon and re-review. One last thing is the patio. I enjoyed being able to sit outside but it has to be the most inconvenient set-up. You walk out the back door, into the parking lot, and around the side of the building to get there. The building was definitely not built for a patio and travel to/from the patio is awkward.
(3)
Steven B.

Excellent sides, mac and cheese is phenomenal, and great bbq. Pretty far drive for me but if I am ever that way I like to stop by. Only complaint is the service has never been that good and the prices are somewhat high for this type of food.
(4)
Nikki L.

I give two big thumbs up to the Union Woodshop. It has a great ambiance for a casual night out with friends. I sampled a variety of appetizers, main courses and desserts the night I went, and all were fantastic. Two of the appetizers included beef tips and a chicken tostada, and both were scrumptious. I have to say my favorite part of the evening was dessert. When our server told us about the butterscotch pudding that included a layer of salt and then a layer of whipped cream, I was skeptical. Salt and butterscotch didn't sound like a tasty combo. I was dead wrong. It was ahhh-mazing! The mix of salty and sweet was a perfect pair. It was a to-die-for dessert. I'm a huge fan of the Union, but now that I know its sister location has such great menu options, I'll have trouble picking which restaurant to eat at when I take trips to Clarkston.
(4)
Jess M.

NO BETTER PLACE FOR A FUN NIGHT OUT! I always bring people here and they are never disappointed. Everything you order is fantastic. I LOVE the Sweet Potato Burrito and the chicken wings! It's a fun place to go. Expect to wait a little but its always worth it.
(5)
Casey B.

Quite possibly had the worst waitress in the place on New Years Eve. We ordered 2 Woodshop burgers and woodsticks for the appetizer. After almost 30 minutes the waitress tells us that our appetizer would be out in 2 minutes. Ten plus minutes later our appetizer came out after our meal because the Manager saw our meal in the window and thought he was doing her a favor. He was putting our meal down when she came up behind him with the woodsticks. He offered to take our meal back and have new ones made. I asked him if he was high...no way in hell that food was leaving our sight, we had waited almost 45 minutes and we were hungry! Just have to learn to avoid this place on the weekend or during holidays.
(4)
Adam P.

BBQ WARS HAVE BEGUN!! Here is what happens when you lack in service!! You're niche gets bad reviews, thus you get rated lower and do not become a restaurant of the year. Fortunately for The Union Woodshop and their team, they have overcome exceptionally these feats. I have eaten there twice, well one was take out. The first time was packed but we sat at the bar, bellied up to some brisket and ribs and a wide array of sauces from around the country. Smoky and juicy, washed down with a Bad Ass beer (Not a fav, but had to). I love adding the musterdy SC BBQ or drench it in the Tennesse styles. Or bartender Rhonda was very passionate about working there and paid great attention to us. I love that. Now the next time was take out: Pulled Pork, St Louis style ribs, Black Beans and rice, Baked beans and Mac and Cheese. First the ac and Cheese, which I'm so tired of everyone making.. This was actually really good and tough to define. Smokiness of cheeses with a nice crusty top. Like a Cheesy Penne Au Gratin, next was the Ribs, Nice to see then fall off the bone and keep their smokey flavor with this salty sweet rub, And my favorite, was the pulled pork which I drenched in loose vinegery BBQ Sauce. It moistened the meat and ran over into the Black bean and rice... (Im salivating!) I give 5 outta 5 and that is based on two different experiences that blew me away in flavor and kept me happy with service. I'm not gonna ding them for the wait. Get there early. This is a highly regarded restaurant so expect a wait, but not rude lazy servers that stand around unlike some other SLOW ('s) places..
(5)
Liz L.

If you're a casual barbecue fan, this is a great choice for you. If you're looking for somewhere to meet friends prior to a concert at DTE, try the Union Woodshop. We had bar service only and the wait was pretty long for a Sunday at 5 (45 minutes), but we loved our food--burnt tips, greens, onion rings and pulled pork--and the bartender, Rhonda, was great!
(4)
Angela R.

I went to Detroit shortly after a few restaurants aired on Triple D so of course I had to try them. I ate here with a friend. I had the woodshop burger and he had the Porker. The porker is what was featured on Triple D and it was OMG amazing! This is definitely a place to eat at if you are in town. I do recommend making reservations as we had to eat at the bar because we didn't have any.
(5)
Melody H.

Restaurant was decorated trendy and hipster, not at all you would expect from a bbq joint. Felt as though we were constantly hovered over, a lot of staff. On the bright side food was okay, smoked sausage was excellent, bbq was decent. Decent bbq for the north, but not a true bbq 'joint.' The feeling wasn't there.
(4)
Richie J.

very good comfort food,cool place to hang out upstairs if youre waiting and have a beer and play some free ol school bowling,I got a strike,thx...very good bbq,potato salad,they have the mac n cheese that other union restaurant down street has also,overal a really good dining experience,from the pic of Bob Seger an Bruce Springsteen on the wall to the American Bad Ass wooden wallpiece behind bar...i been there twice in the last month..
(4)
Mj F.

Hot & delicious. Wait staff was very friendly
(5)
Bill E.

I'm from down south. I've eaten BBQ'd pulled pork all my life Let me just say, this was the poorest excuse for nnq'd pulled pork I have ever tasted. In good bbq'd pulled pork. You taste the smoke and the meat. One doesn't overpower the other. In the case of the union worship, I think the use liquid smoke That is all I tasted. The meat was overcooked and again the smoke overpowered the pulled pork. I don't think I will be back.
(1)
Mark B.

What do you do after playing soccer in 40 deg weather for 90 minutes in Clarkston, MI. Head to the locally famous Union Woodshop located in Downtown Clarkston (don't blink). Had the deep-fried pickles (yum!) which remarkably enough they serve with a special sauce. Why is this remarkable you ask? Well, they already have six special sauces on the table (5 of which were pretty darn good with the pickle). We moved on to the pulled pork with green been and potato salad as sides. Really job on the pulled pork - and with those 6 sauces - awesome (well, 5 out of 6 of them). The potato salad was something special too. Also had the smoked chicken salad which comes undressed and had a nice variety of greens. Arrived at about 8 pm on a Sunday and that equaled no wait. This is a beautiful area with really cute little lakes. Well worth visiting and don't pass up this barbecue joint.
(5)
Sean A.

They have a good selection of microwbrew beers on tap to keep you occupied during the long wait for a table. The smoked salmon pate was great. The barbeque is easily the best I've had outside of Kansas City. They even offer different regional sauces for those who prefer sweet, vinegary, spicy or just plain different flavors with their barbeque.
(5)
Amy S.

Completely amazing! The food, service, and atmosphere was fantastic! The staff went above and beyond to accommodate our large party of kids and adults (about 25 people). The pricing was great for both adult and kid meals. And the food was awesome! Everyone loved their dish, not one complaint from the group.
(5)
John N.

An awesome place to worship at the temple of meat. The wings were some of the best I have ever had. The pulled pork and burnt ends were downright tasty as well. The ribs drew rave reviews from some other guests in our party. Plus the have an an excellent selection of beers including many local choices. They could use a few more veg items though.
(4)
Margo K.

Great barbeque, awesome beer/cidar from local breweries. You have to try the wings- they're not greasy, great flavor, try with Hell sauce. My favorite is the pulled pork sandwich. No reservations, can get really noisy on Friday and Saturday.
(4)
Wanda L.

I gave this place only 3 stars because of the state of the wait. I get it, it's popular, the food is good, lots of people wanna eat there and you will face a long wait on most busy nights than not. I am not the type of person who would wait for over 30 minutes to sit down and eat at any restaurant. However, it was suggested by my BF and I wasn't paying so whatever. I just totally HATE restaurants that don't have a proper waiting/bar area with enough room to accomodate those standing around. The BF and I had to stand by the entrance on one of the coldest nights I have ever experienced here earlier this year along with many others. The multiple hostesses/servers I observed up front had virtually no personalities much less WELCOMING ones. There was a friendly guy who came around passing along breadsticks/pieces to those waiting to munch on. The only saving grace in my opinion.
(3)
Natalie M.

I dig it. I want it. I wish I was there right now.
(4)
Donkey K.

Great food. Nothing fancy just straight BBQ and sides. But great food and awesome drinks. Free bowling machine upstairs that is great fun. Just a different experience that yo should try.
(4)
Rena I.

Everything we ate was excellent! The pulled pork, beef brisket, hot links, burnt ends, Mac & cheese, sweet mash, collard greens, corn bread, wood sticks, beans, brownie skillet w/ ice cream and butterscotch pudding..... Delicious... & friendly, helpful staff
(5)
Scott U.

My girlfriend and I stopped off here while exploring cute downtown Clarkston. Loved the beer selection, and very good bread sticks. We had the pulled pork, which was good, not fantastic. Huge portion however, plenty for the two of us. Very friendly and efficient wait staff. We ate there during a free concert in the park, place was jammed and they handled the crowd well, service was still pretty quick.
(3)
Steve C.

This place was incredible. Managed to snag a few spots at the bar on a busy Friday evening. They had a decent selection of Michigan beers on tap. The beef brisket was the best I've had, and the sauces were great. Would definitely return.
(5)
Marc C.

Huge fan of Union Woodshop! Best BBQ in SE Michigan (Sorry Slows). The pulled pork sandwich with house made pickles is out of this world, and the Mac & Cheese is incredible! Very cool vibe, well worth the long lines, especially now with bar area above the restaurant where you can grab and an appetizer while you wait. Highly recommended!!
(5)
Eric C.

Since I live downtown I am a Slows To Go Fan but I think today I had something better. Walked in to Union Woodshop today sat down ordered pulled pork, mac and cheese and cheesy potatoes. The pulled pork was better than my hometown favorite, I could not believe it. I have lived in GA and SC and thought that was good bbq but the pulled pork I had today was incredible. The sauce collection was dead on in terms of descriptions and regional accuracy. The South Carolina sauce was my favorite. North Carolina and Hell MI sauces were fantastic. The Mac and Cheese was good but not make you cry like Slows. Great place. A definite mandatory stop for anyone driving up I-75.
(4)
John Z.

Friday, 9/16/11 4;30p Potato salad is best ever in Michigan....and many other states. Chicken Club sandwich was tasty. Pulled Pork BBQ - has nice wood-smoke flavor and very tender. Somewhere in the process too much salt is added. Also, too greasy for me. 2 bites were nothing but large globules of fat. :-( Collard greens are NOT edible, need a real southern recipe. Sweet potatoes were soupy. Corn muffin dry, over-done. Desserts need more work...butterscotch thing was scorched and disgusting. I'll return, if I'm near Clarkston, to try the chicken and maybe ribs & brisket. Not worth a drive from SCS for their food alone. Anxious to hear what Guy Fieri has to say about his experience. (he never has a bad meal on DDD, ya know).
(3)
Jason D.

Great barbeque
(5)
Phillip B.

go here and eat everything... that is all
(5)
Daniel S.

They cook their meat perfectly and the waitstaff is knowledgable and friendly. The only thing holding them back is that none of their 8 sauces really stand out as amazing (to someone accustomed to Southern BBQ). The best sauce is probably the Caroline sauce (not at the table, so ask them to bring it out).
(5)
Bob B.

Delicious - got the woodshop 101 dish. Amazing, all of the meats were great! Onion rings were the best i have ever had. Got there at 4pm on a Saturday, had to wait for just over an hour. When we left the wait was 3 hours - never heard of someone waiting that long for BBQ.
(4)
Shanna L.

I really wanted to be able to give this really cool place four or five stars...but....not yet. My fiancÃ© and I went with good friends, who recommended the Union Woodshop. We had also seen the restaurant featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives and knew we had to try it. We went at an "off" time, which was perfect, as we only waited about 20 minutes (apparently waits can be a few hours!). We started with the Woodsticks, which is a small pizza-sized wood-fired breadstick dish serviced with a cream cheese dip. So yummy! I could have made a meal of that alone! My fiancÃ© and I both ordered the pulled pork, which was very tender. The sauces are also delicious, although I think I preferred the TN sauce. I was disappointed with the side dishes I ordered, which is my main reason for giving this restaurant three stars at this time. The green bean casserole tasted very cheesy; I'm not sure if this is because they use cheese flavored onion crisps, but it seemed to permeate the whole side dish. I know most people wouldn't mind, because most people like cheese, but I'm weird. The black beans and rice was nothing to write home about; it seemed to have a strange taste I couldn't quite put my finger on. We had originally planned on getting dessert, but were so full and had enough to take home, that we decided to save dessert for next time. At a 45 minute drive, we won't be going too often, but that will just mean it will be a treat! Service was okay, but not great.
(3)
Matthew A.

Union Woodshop is a special restaurant. This type of place doesn't spring up often. Everything I tried there was fantastic. I had read raving reviews and was tried to arrange plans to eat there for months. Finally, the stars aligned and I went there on a Saturday night. I arrived at 6 and had expected a wait. We finally sat down around 7:45. The waiter was a character. (His name was Nacho Daddy and is a roller derby ref. He was also in the roller derby movie Whip It.) They had TVs showing the football and Red Wings games that were on at the time. Now to the food! I judge BBQ restaurants first based on the sauces that they have at the table. If there are a ton of sauces, it throws a red flag. Did they just make a bunch of sauces because they wanted to tout their selection? Usually, these places care more about quantity than quality and the sauces are nothing special. That's not the case at Union Woodshop. Each sauce was unique and justifiable. There was a mayo-based sauce which was great on the chicken, an Asian inspired sauce with hoison sauce, a hot sauce, a spicy sauce and a mustard-based South Carolina sauce at the table. There were also two that you have to special order (a vinegar-based North Carolina sauce and a Hell, Michigan extremely spicy sauce). I would love to buy any of these sauces bottled at the store. Each one was amazing and better than most other area BBQ restaurant's signature sauces. As for the meat; I had a chance to try the BBQ chicken, pulled pork, brisket and baby back ribs. Each was nothing short of smokey heaven. I am usually a pulled pork only guy but the brisket was something special. A couple next to me ordered the burnt end appetizer and I was jealous. Speaking of appetizers, we ordered the fried pickles and the bread sticks. The pickles were wonderful in a tempura-style batter. The breadsticks were ok, served with a chevre-chive butter. I ordered the breadsticks because they were made in the pizza oven. The pizzas looked pretty special and worth their own trip. The night I visited, they offered a coney dog pizza that sounded unique. The side dishes need to stand out at a BBQ joint and the ones I tried failed to disappoint. The highlights were the potato salad and the baked beans. The sweet potato was alright and can be missed in favor of some of the other options. Though no one at my table ordered them, the onion rings looked amazing as did the fries. I had heard that their mac and cheese was out of this world, so rather than waste a side dish, I ordered the entree portion knowing that we would take some home for lunch the next day. You can't miss this dish! It is the best mac and cheese that I have ever tried. Starting with the bread crumb topping through the cheese sauce, it was great and heavy. We didn't have room to sample the deserts, which I regret. As I walked out, I saw one of their burritos. It was massive. I asked a waitress what was inside: sweet potato and black beans, among other things. As you can tell, Union Woodshop offers more than just BBQ, which they have mastered. I don't care where you are driving from. You must try it as soon as possible. It is the best BBQ in the state.
(5)
Laura L.

Okay so the only complaint is the wait but it is totally worth it. Best BBQ I have had in a long time. The BBQ brisket is outstanding. I went there for my birthday with a party of 6 and we all had a wonderful dinner. I would highly recommend trying this place.
(5)
Irene L.

Just ate here last night with my family. In a word: "Mmmmmmm!" For appetizers, we tried the fried pickles and the burnt-ends. Both were good, but now that I've tried fried pickles, I don't think I ever need to eat them again. Nothing against them; I'm just not *that* into pickles. We also split their large house salad, which was fresh and plenty for 4-6 people. As for the main courses, I had the pulled pork and the rest of my family had the beef brisket or ribs. The pulled pork was my favorite: amazingly tender, flavorful, not drowning in sauce, and you get a ton of it! Beef brisket was also good, and the ribs fell right off the bone. Oh, and the sauces they had at the table were all pretty good. 1 star off for the sides. Not all of them are as good as the meats that they accompany. I was not into their collard greens, which were sour. The mac and cheese was not so good--tasted burned, not so cheesy and creamy as it should be. I'm on the fence about their onion rings. Is it possible for something to be called "very fried"? The batter to onion ratio on these things is like 8:1. They're good in a really really bad way. You bite into one and grease seeps out. Eating more than 2 of these suckers made me feel like I was setting myself up for triple bypass surgery. For the sake of my health, I probably shouldn't order them again... I didn't get a taste of the mashed sweet potatoes, but apparently they are really good! Their fries had good texture and actually tasted like potatoes rather than grease and salt. Dessert menu looked good but we were too stuffed to try anything. Service was great. Our waitress was friendly and super attentive; she kept our glasses (actually they use mason jars) constantly full. I don't think I ever saw my glass less than half full. It's kind of a hike from my hometown, but ohh, it was worth it! I will definitely return. However, as Dave F. said, this place gets packed! Get there early. We got there around 5:30 and had to wait about 15-20 minutes. By 6 pm, eager bbq-eaters had swarmed the entrance, which means you might want to avoid getting a table near the front unless you don't mind having random people "all up in your business."
(4)
Tim M.

Ann & I ate here on April 21st. 2010, our 20th wedding anniversary! We heard good things about this special place. The music was initially loud but the helpful staff reduced the volume after our request. We did not find any booths for more private dining. The food and portion sizes are GREAT for the cost. The atmosphere is warm and cozy but not recommended for special occasions! We will be back as a family next time!
(4)
Mark B.

Just there a couple of weeks back -- simply the best smoked barbecue I've had east of Kansas City. My wife and I split a rack of ribs that were tender, well rendered and perfectly smoked; broccoli on the side was nicely steamed and not mushy. We had a chance to meet one of the owners -- folks, this isn't a chain and the people who own this restaurant are waay hands on and keenly interested in their patrons' satisfaction. We'll be back again often.
(5)
Brian P.

I was in suburban Detroit visiting friends this weekend and they suggested taking a longish (30+ mins) drive north to Clarkston. Cute little downtown area and Union Woodshop was absolutely worth the drive. I must've read the mind of Jeff S. (from 7/26) even tho I didn't read his review; we basically ate the same thing and I loved it. We started with the deep fried pickles (my friends had been there before and this was one of their favorites). I expected something soppy greasy and overdone but the batter was light, perfectly crispy and the pickles were juicy, fresh, delicious. For my main, I got the Woodshop 101 which was a perfect way to sample the pulled pork, chicken, and ribs. Pulled pork was outstanding, baby back ribs were just okay (a bit dry), and I never order chicken in restaurants but this was worth it. My two sides were mac & cheese and the old slaw. One cheesy, the other cold and sweet, both were great complements to the meat -- and the sauces. Yes, the sauces. The table comes with 6-7 squirt bottles with many of the classic BBQ sauces, including Texas (very good) and NC (good for what it is but I don't like vinegary sauces), but also a deliciously mustardy SC sauce. That sauce was perfect with the chicken. Here's my one 'inside' tip - they've got two off-menu sauces that you have to request from the waitress. The Hell sauce is their very hot sauce; it was fine, but not great. But the XXX sauce. Wow. Really, really hot while still keeping some smoky chili flavor. I could only handle a few dobs but so good. If you're not sure you can handle it, I'd stay away. It's brutally hot. The best wrinkle to my experience was that as we were waiting for our table, Kid Rock walked in with his entourage! Literally, five seconds before my friend was telling me that the Bad Ass beer on tap was Kid Rock's beer company. So being in Rome, I drank BA with my meal. It was fine, a very cold lager that went well with the food but not something I'd drink as a stand alone beer. Next time in Detroit, I'm going back.
(4)
Frank C.

one of Michigan's hidden gems!!! that's where ill start!! the union Woodshop is a must if travel the I75 corridor! Everything from the decor to the bar area, to the outside patio, this place was done right. First off , i went on a wed. night @ 620 and had no wait at all. For our appetizer we went with the smoked wings!! MMMMMMMMMM. now i am from Buffalo,NY so I have high expectations for wings and these wings meet my standards and beyond! I then ordered a full rack of baby back ribs with my sides of mac and cheese and sweet potatoes!! Holy Cow the sweet potatoes are AMAZING!! Baby back ribs were thick and cooked just right! Side note, i would just go to the Woodshop just for the sweet potatoes and corn bread!! I willl def be back for round 2
(5)
Erin D.

Best overall BBQ experience I've had in Metro Detroit. These places have become increasingly more difficult to compete with one another, as BBQ becomes more popular. We started with the chicken wings. Phenomenal. We ordered the pulled pork and brisket. Both were great. Have had better brisket but the mac and cheese, sweet potato mash, and home fries were some of the best we've ever had! Excellent service too! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Kate G.

The pulled pork was smoky delish, and the wood-fired pizza had the perfect crust and mix of toppings (I had the pineapple and Tasso Ham). The ham on the pizza was smoked to perfection. If you like barbecue and wood-fired pizza, this place can't be beat.
(5)
Bryce P.

Best BBQ in metro Detroit....hands down. I've eaten here about 20 times since this restaurant re-opened as the Woodshop and have never had a bad meal. A few things that are a must try when you go to the Woodshop: 1. Back Ribs....always juicy, smoked to perfection, just barely fall off the bones. No sauce even needed. 2. Mac N Cheese...to die for. With or without ham, it's the best in town. If anyone finds out the recipe for this, feel free to share it becuase i've been told only 2 people know the exact recipe. 3. Onion Rings....the tempura batter makes these bad boys fluffy, yet crunchy. WIth the chipotle mayo sauce, they melt in your mouth. 4. Woodsticks....one of many great appetizers but my favorite. The garlic cheese dip that comes with these breadsticks is amazing. I could eat that stuff with a spoon all by itself. 5. Butterscotch pudding....sounds weird as a dessert but trust me, just try it. Fluffy, rich, creamy, with a hint of salty sweetness. You won't regret the decision. Honorable mention...The woodshop pizza, pulled pork, french fries, deep fried twinkie This place is as good as it gets for a "trendy", yet affordable, night out. My wife and I typically split a growler of beer with appetizer, dinner, and dessert and our bill is never over $50 for the 2 of us. This restaurant is in my top 3 all time favorites. Try it!
(5)
Matt C.

Waited over two hours on a weekend night and it was worth every second. Really comfortable feel to this place--and fantastic food to match. You won't be disappointed. Can walk to Clarkston Union and have a drink while you wait--pager will still ring--which helped break up the wait.
(5)
Donald R.

Ever since this place was discovered the wait has become unbearable. We arrived at 4:30p to be told there was a 1.5 hour wait. We thought that since it was early and now they have the upstairs open to wait we would try it. The upstairs is nice but serves only drinks no appetizers :(. An hour and a half later we inquired as to how much longer only to be told there were 6 more ahead of us. At the two and half hour mark I asked how much longer only to be told there were 2 tables in front of us. At that point I started to threaten to leave and the manager found a seat right away for us. We were only 3 people not a large group. The food is very good and the wait staff is good but the wait is not worth it.
(2)
Jason R.

This place is a must visit if you like smoked food! Their menu is jammed with options, ribs, chicken. Angus burgers, salmon - all smoked. I will be going back and trying something new each time, the two items I ate were fantastic. There is also a wide variety of side dishes to choose from that come with your meal. The layout of tables is a bit funky, but I am sure that will work itself out.
(4)
Dave F.

Having lived in Texas for half a year Ive been missing the good bbq for a while now - this is decent replacement. The prices are reasonable and there is a nice beer selection. Like the other reviewers said, the meat is smoked, they have a variety of sauces, etc. They have pretty good sides to go with everything. The quality of all of the food is really good. There also seems to be a focus on great tasting food over fancy food, which is refreshing considering how nice the place is (dont get me started on Ann Arbor restaurants). If you like bbq, this is a must-go place if you're in the area. Show up early though, we ended up waiting over an hour on a tuesday night (3 people).
(5)
Jody W.

Have to say on another trip there recently my husband got the Smoked Ribeye and it put my pulled pork to shame...just wanted to let you know. :)
(5)
Mike B.

Went to this place recently and the food was really good. Same owners as the Clarkston Union. Tried the pulled pork and brisket and both were fantastic. One of the nice things about this place is that they have the sauces at the table and can try a variety of different sauces. Had the ribs and they were just ok. As far as the sides the mac and cheese and the sweet potato mashed potatoes w/ jalopeno and maple syrup were money! Cole slaw also really good. Good variety of local beers and the price is reasonable. Recommend getting one entree for 2 as the portions are big. Would definitely make a return trip in the future.
(4)
Dana W.

Food was good. Service was good. The only thing that really bothered me were the chairs, rocking chairs to be exact. We went with our 4 year old son, and I swear I thought he was going to fall over backward from the nonstop rocking in the chair. I, as well, startled myself several times from accidentally leaning back and feeling like I was falling over backwards. How come nobody has mentioned this? Between me and my son, It was really distracting from actually enjoying the meal. I've never been in a restaurant with chairs like this. What is the point? Anyway, besides that, it seemed like a nice restaurant. Just nix the chairs please!
(3)
Al P.

Arriving at 6:30 on Saturday night, the wait was an hour and a half. But it was totally worth it. Ordered the pulled pork, which was excellent. Have not had it in Kansas City, but I think Red, Hot & Blue (in Warren) is pretty good from (and well reviewed), and this is even better! Sides of potato salad and mac/cheese were excellent. All the sauces were delicious, and a great variety. Asked for the Hell, MI hot sauce (not on the table) which was also great (and hot!). The burnt ends appetizer was also great, although it was provided before we had silverware, and was cold by the time we got them (but still good). I will be back, for sure.
(5)
Gerold S.

So, here is my update after more than 20 visits at the Union Woodshop. I would like to give 5 stars, because the food is still outstanding and the service got really perfect. But 5 out of 20 times we had to return our food, because it was cold. Sorry, but my rating of 4 stars stays the same. The woodshop is still one of my favorite palces and I like the atmosphere and to dine here. And if you have to wait, just go upstairs to the bar and have a drink that you can take later downstairs.
(4)
Eddie D.

Walked in along with friends during the Taste of Clarkston on a Sunday dinner. Sizable crowd with a 15 minute wait. I ordered the Woodstock 101 which consists of a quarter chicken, 2 piece baby back ribs, and spare ribs. I got 2 sides of sweet potato mash and mac and cheese. There's a piece of corn bread as well. All served on individual aluminum tray. Kinda cool! Different sauces are available on the table for your individual taste. The chicken is smoked to perfection. Very tender and NOT dry at all. The baby back ribs are also tasty and almost fall off the bone though my friend says that I cook better ribs. (Thanks bestie!) The spare ribs are sublime though. OMG! You've got to have it! After being a carnivore, be ready to dig into some heavenly sweet potato mash. It is sooooo gooood! It has a little spice to it but it's perfect. Be careful when you eat the mac and cheese. It's hot! Hahahaha! Went back after a month with family. Ordered the deep fried pickles since I have not had one ever. To my surprise, I liked it! I prepared for this dinner trip too, not having eaten almost anything all day. In the end, I still did not finish what I ordered. Definitely coming back again. This time, I think I want to try their pizza.
(5)
David S.

Came with a party of 12 and after waiting 2.5 hours they sat us at 2 different tables. Food was just okay and manager bought 2 desserts for the twelve of us. Guess he felt that made up for the blunder.
(1)
Frank B.

Went today. First time Eating here. Excellent apps of buffalo wings and deep fried pickles. No after taste from old oil. Excellent. Ordered Brisket,potatoe salad,collard greens, the porker, the pulled pork with veggies, and pulled pork sandwich. All I can say is perfect. Server Chrystal was attentitive and tried hard while working 4 tables. Great overall experience. Get the Brisket!!!!!
(4)
L D.

Great atmosphere, good chow and fantastic service! We had the Woodstock pizza, pulled pork sandwich and brownie pot pie....yum! Great bar and lounge upstairs with pool tables. This is by far one of the best restaurants Guy Fieri has recommended so far
(5)
Geoff M.

Love this place, has a fun lively atmosphere everyone, including our server Sam where fantastic!! The food was extremely tasty had the pulled pork, mac & Cheese,(this was hands down best I have had at a restaurant) green bean casserole and added 2 baby back ribs. Co-worker had the beef brisket and also was completely happy with his meal. I well be coming back again!!
(5)
Leigh W.

BRAVO on the new upstairs room!! Love the look and feel and makes the wait for good eats less frustrating.
(4)
Molly C.

In town for a concert at Pine Knob, and this place has an amazing reputation. Very few knit-picky complaints. Their sauces are amazing, big flavors that beat the socks off of Slow's. The fried pickle appetizer was acceptable--nice batter, a little greasy, but it is, in fact, fried--but sad that we missed out on the burnt ends. My barbecue-loving husband had the spareribs, mac-and-cheese and collard greens. He loved it all. Great rub on the ribs, perfectly tender without being soft, nicely smoky. I had brisket with the M&C and slaw, and couldn't resist the smoked hot link "sidecar." The macaroni was perfect--the rich, crunchy topping made the dish. The slaw was excellent, nice and light and not doused in dressing. My only complaint was that most of my brisket seemed to be missing the rub, like maybe it had sat in liquid and braised. The little bit of rub I got on the couple pieces that had it was epic and the flavor of the brisket was delicious, beautiful rosy smoke ring and lean enough for me (I generally cut off whatever is left of the fat cap, because yuck--not much loss here). Did not care for the server. She was brand new, training, and very eager to show off all of her newly-acquired barbecue knowledge. Delivered our food then attempted to give a ten minute lecture on all of the sauces. Go away, I want to eat! Highly recommended, along with a suggestion to the Woodshop that they encourage less chit-chat when your patrons clearly aren't interested in it.
(4)
kristen S.

Ahhhhhmazing! Pulled pork is to die for. Wings are amazing. Basically everything you order is great. You will not be disappointed. The atmosphere is amazing and so perfect in downtown Clarkston. Can't wait for more restaurants from this owner!!
(5)
Kristin D.

Food is outstanding! The place is totally packed, we sat at the bar for an hour and a half on a Saturday night waiting for a table. We tried a variety of the BBQ meats and the mac and cheese, all very good.
(4)
Victoria M.

This is by far my favorite restaurant! Very cool atmosphere. There is usually a wait, but you can go upstairs because there is a full bar, and have a drink or 2. (BEST bloody mary!) Food is always very good. Love the juicy lucy burger, pizza, and mac & cheese!
(5)
Ashley H.

I feel like writing a haiku for this place: Way better than Slow's The best barbecue in town Save room for dessert I love that they added an upstairs that's perfect for hanging out during a long wait. Cool bar, lounging areas, and a pool table. But really, their barbecue is amazing. I love Slow's, and everything about this place is better. You will not be disappointed. Their house-made sausage is awesome, as is their pulled pork, brisket, smoked chicken, etc. Of course the mac and cheese is legendary and does not disappoint. I ordered the coleslaw with my pulled pork and it was perfect. Slightly tangy, but cool and creamy. Perfect with the spicy Texas bbq sauce. The servings are LARGE. In an effort to save room for dessert, we split a pulled pork plate, added a third side and side car of chicken. Really, we could have skipped the extra side and chicken. I just wanted to sample a few more things. We still managed to take a large portion of pulled pork and some chicken home. The important thing is that we had room for dessert and we opted for the butterscotch pudding. It's way better than any you've ever had. Not overly sweet with a hint of salt. It was a perfect amount to share without overstuffing yourself.
(5)
Nelson R.

An amazing restaurant. Great atmosphere, beer selection, and an intriguing take on classic foods such as burgers and wraps.
(5)
Kate R.

Went out to the Woodshop based on it's recent reviews and it is as phenomenal as it was portrayed! The crust on the pizza is excellent, the brisket was smokey and juice (and not dry), sauces are awesome, and by far one of the BEST shrimp cocktail I have ever had! I wanted to go back the next night but the wait was too long!!! My only complaint would have to be the strangeness decor and flow of the restaurant. The decor is a little rustic meets modern meets art deco, and there didn't seem to be a lot of consistency to it. Also, the flow of the restaurant is very awkward and leaves little standing space for customers waiting for a table. There is little to no space around the hostesses stand leaving the waiting patrons to overflow into the dining space if you can't get a seat at the bar. They're understandably busy because of the quality of food, but the dining experience is a little skewed when there are floods of people standing around watching you eat. There is a second bar in the third "room" of the restaurant - if that makes sense - and as the evening wore on, there were more and more people nearly standing over our booth with their drinks waiting for a table. Space to accommodate waiting patrons is definitely a bit of an issue, but the food does make up for it a little...
(4)
Casey Z.

Hands down, the best restaurant in Michigan. The only con is the wait for a table. Sometimes you can get a spot at the bar. But, if not...there is a really cool store next door to the Woodshop that offers wine! They have also added an upstairs lounge area that is VERY cool where you can get drinks and cold appetizers. Food/Drink recommendations include: Woodshop Margarita, Spicy Jalapeno Margarita (only served at upstairs bar), The Woodsticks, Smoked Shrimp, Catfish, Shop Burrito, and the Mac & Cheese. You really cannot go wrong with anything on the menu! Hope this helps!
(5)
Geno B.

Yes, it's my hometown. Yes, I'm probably biased. Yes, this my favorite BBQ joint in the USA. The Woodshop not only gets the ribs right, it serves the best side dishes as well; the mac-n-cheese is worth the trip all by itself. Heck, the Detroit Free Press named it their restaurant of the year -- and Clarkston is 50-miles north of the city.
(5)
Dan M.

Don't hesitate! Great atmosphere- good service. Burnt ends were more like chunky pieces of melt in you mouth brisket than dry barky bits. The chicken was incredibly moist, back ribs were fantastic- no sauce required! Good beers on tap
(4)

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Address : 18 S Main St
Clarkston, MI, 48346
Phone (248) 625-5660
Website https://www.unionwoodshop.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :4:00 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : Background
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Wed, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Union Woodshop

18 S Main St, Clarkston, MI, 48346

Union Woodshop Menu

Starters

Soups

Salads

Samiches

Shop Burgers

Wood Fired Pies - You-choose Pizza

Pizza Coco

Mains

Mains - First Place Pulled Pork

Woodshop Regional Bbq Sauces

Sides

Dessert

Healthy Meal suggestions for Union Woodshop

Starters

Soups

Salads

Samiches

Shop Burgers

Wood Fired Pies - You-choose Pizza

Pizza Coco

Mains

Mains - First Place Pulled Pork

Woodshop Regional Bbq Sauces

Sides

Dessert

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