My husband and I have lived in Clarkston for many years. The woodshop is one of our favorites. One of the newer bartenders at the back bar, Belle, has served us the last several times. Her drinks are amazing. Service is impeccable. She is very timely and a joy to talk to! read more

Fantastic experience and food at the Woodshop Sat at the Main bar on a Wednesday night . Belle is an amazing bartender !! Chicken , veggie, sauces and service .. all outstanding . We will be back soon . read more

We enjoyed our experience here. The bar was well decorated for Halloween which made it feel like an immersive experience. Since we ate at the bar all our meals were served in To Go boxes. Our bartender Angela was very helpful in assisting us with choosing food and drinks. She was very honest which was extremely refreshing. We had the painkiller and payback drinks which were both very tasty and also packs a punch, just how we like it. Don't worry they weren't too strong to not be able to walk out the bar safely My husband absolutely loves their fried pickles and it's an always must have when we visit. They're lightly breaded with a side sauce that's slightly sweet and tangy to create a balance of flavors We shared the Chick n pick platter as my husband and I aren't huge beef eaters. We got the pulled chicken which was surprisingly well seasoned. We ordered dark meat that was smoked but to be honest looked a bit raw and we had to send it back for more pulled chicken. I trust that it was well cooked but we've had food poisoning from previous restaurants in the past so this made us a bit hesitant to eat it when there's signs of pink and some blood by the bone. The andouille sausage was extremely flavorful and brought us right back to Nola Overall great experience and we would return read more

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Best Woodshop experience yet! As usual, the ribs, brisket and pulled pork were juicy and tender, delicious. The asparagus side with feta sauce - amazing! But tonight the service was exceptional - Chris our waiter tended to everything even explaining the sauces. Then we met the GM Lexy and were so impressed with her passion for her job and joy in taking care of customers. If you go ask to meet her! read more

Pelle was our server and she was fantastic! Food never disappoints. Woodshop pizza a favorite! read more

My husband and I came here for dinner tonight, I have tried Clarkston Union before and Honcho but never the Woodshop, so I was excited to try it. I think I have stopped in before but it always had a long wait because I usually am just in Clarkston for Pine Knob shows. We were in the area to do a maternity photo shoot and I was pretty hungry, so we ordered the pork belly burnt ends as an appetizer. I was disappointed that it came out at the same time as our meal, although it ended up being very tasty. For our meal, we were going to order one of the combos which has brisket, pulled pork, and chicken, but we wanted kielbasa instead of chicken. Turns out you can make your own combo and it ended up being a few dollars cheaper, which was a nice surprise. The food was all 5 out of 5 here, everything was excellent. My husband is a brisket critic because he makes his own and it's very good, we also have friends who make their own brisket, and both of us liked this brisket. The pulled pork was also good and so was the kielbasa. For sides, you get two included, and we had the sweet potato and the cheesy potatoes. The cheesy potatoes were amazing especially the crust on top. I liked the sweet potatoes but it was a teeny bit spicy, it has some charred jalapeno or something on it. (Take that with a grain of salt because I can't eat much spicy food) It also came with cornbread and some butter and that was good too. For dessert we ordered the peanut butter icebox pie which ended up being in a tiny mason jar as you can see in my photo. It was also delicious. The only reason Woodshop gets 4 stars from me instead of 5 was the service. It definitely wasn't bad, per se, but I had to ask multiple times for water refills, and every time the waitress brought a Pepsi zero refill for my husband, she never took away the previous cup, so soon enough we had a stack full of cups on the table. Same deal for dessert, nothing was cleared before it was brought. A few personal pet peeves of mine is when the appetizer is brought with the meal, although to be fair we did not ask for it to be brought ahead of time, and when the check is given to the man at the table, even though I was planning on paying it. However, I would definitely come back here again because all of the food was very tasty. They do have a small parking lot in back, we were able to find street parking though. read more

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I've been coming to woodshop for over 3 years. Bella has been an excellent employee and one of the main reasons I will continue to return. Food is excellent by the way. read more

Used to be one of the best. Now just average and overpriced. Kid Rock is affiliated with them so that is another reason they wont get a penny from me. read more

Been coming here for years. Yesterday we went and couldn't believe how awful the food was. I mean ALL of it. The quality seriously went down. I can't believe I'm even writing this. The Mac and cheese came COLD. Literally cold. There was cheddar cheese blobs not even melted. The fries were all the end crumbs. Just horrible. The pizza was undercooked, floppy and tasteless. I am in such shock as this was always one of my consistent favorite places. You guys need to get it back together!! read more

Food was fantastic! Always love eating here. But special shoutout to Belle for her amazing service. She was prompt. Entertaining. And very knowledgeable. Absolutely would love to be served by her again. read more

Belle was a fantastic example of excellence in the service industry. The ambiance and atmosphere in the restaurant was chill and comfy. Belle's extensive knowledge of the food and the restaurant was superb. She's a wonderful example of professionalism. Definitely will be coming back and requesting Belle. read more

Fantastic spot. We tried the Woodshop Pizza, Burnt ends, and triple meat platter, and mac and cheese. To be honest the burnt ends were ok. I loved the Woodshop pizza - the pizza in general is tasty and wood fired with fantastic crust. We had the triple meat platter - my favorites were the chicken then the pulled pork and then the brisket. The chicken came right off the bone so perfectly. The Mac and cheese was delicious. Cute restaurant. Plenty of TV's if you are looking to catch a sporting event. I would definitely come back. read more

Union Woodshop - Burnt Ends - Barbeque Near Me - Clarkston, Michigan

The last few times we went here we were not impressed but today they redeemed themselves. The brisket was tender and flavorful, andouille sausage delicious! The ribs were perfection. As usual the bbq sauce is great. A must try! Love the relaxed decor. Very clean and staff was amazing as well. read more

Food was phenomenal and the service was even better! Belle took great care of us and made it feel like home. We will definitely be back and request her. She was great with the kids too! read more

One of my favorite places in Michigan. Staff is always engaging and kind. Great environment for any size group (yourself to big groups). Portion sizes are large and filling, worth the price. I tend to always get the pulled pork (recommend). I got the brisket this time and it was not my favorite sadly.. not a ton of flavor. I probably wouldn't get that again. However, I will definitely be coming back! read more

Union Woodshop - Pulled Pork and Beef Brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Clarkston, Michigan

Had a fabulous time at the Woodshop - food was great and our server, Belle, was even greater!

This is only the second negative review I've written in my life -- and the first was for the Woodshop four years ago. What used to be the best place in Clarkston has somehow become the worst restaurant I've ever set foot in. The decline isn't subtle. It's a freefall. And the fact that they're still in business with this level of "service" is honestly unbelievable. Remember when people used to line up down the street to get in? That doesn't happen anymore. And no, it's not because Honcho opened down the street. It's not because the Fed opened across the street. It's not because of Rudy's new steakhouse. It's because everything that once made the Woodshop great -- the BBQ, the drinks, the service -- is gone. Completely gone. The food? Sometimes good. Always overpriced.The service? Calling it "service" is generous. If "service" means sitting for 15 minutes before anyone even acknowledges your table, then sure -- service is great. If "service" means waiting 30 minutes and still having your appetizer order mysteriously not entered, then yes -- fantastic service. If "service" means ordering a beer and never receiving it, or receiving three different beers when you ordered the same one, and having your server openly admit they have no idea what they just handed you -- then congratulations, this is world‑class service. If "service" means getting your appetizers with no silverware or napkins, and having to go to the bathroom twice to grab paper towels because three different servers walked by without noticing -- then yes, they're absolutely nailing it. And if "service" means waiting an hour and a half for food -- with only most of the table receiving their meals -- then the Woodshop is truly operating at the peak of its craft. It's a shame. Our family used to celebrate birthdays here. Never again. When friends came into town for concerts, we'd grab food and drinks here first. Never again. When people asked where to eat when they were in town for sporting events at the school, I used to recommend the Woodshop. Never again. This will be the last negative review I ever write -- because I'll never step foot in the Woodshop again. The worst part? I genuinely don't think they care that everything that once made this place special has completely disappeared. read more

We have had great dinners and service at this restaurant. The vibe is a ton of fun and they have great food options.

Always a great time at the Union woodshop right down on Main Street in downtown Clarkston location. They have an upstairs bar and games with a downstairs restaurant. The menu Has lots of options lots of taste. I always enjoy the backlot burger with the Memphis mayo and the six piece smoked chicken wings. The Smokey taste is always perfect after taste ,The signature union, mac & cheese, and the union tater tots are the best side around town . Check out the union woodshop for great service and great food. Prices could be a little bit better. There should be no up charge on the mac & cheese or the tater tots. The fries are absolutely terrible soaked in oil all 20 times that I've been to the union woodshop I would never order the french fries !! read more

Union Woodshop - Barbeque Near Me - Clarkston, Michigan

We part of the street side as this is kind of in a downtown Clarkston area. I really enjoy barbecue and we had the opportunity to try many things on the menu. All the pictures you see was only for three people. The food was really good. I would say that anything barbecue insides are a great selection. Not a huge fan of the pizza probably not something you would get if you were visiting a place like this. I would recommend everything else that you can get. The service was very friendly and fast. The ambience was bright and really love it, I would definitely come back here again. We enjoyed it so much that I gave gift cards to this restaurant to different friends and family so they can try it out. read more

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Service was good and the restaurant is clean. The food however was greasy and tasteless. The kids Mac and cheese was maybe three bites and came out so hot my girl couldn't eat it. It was almost to the point of burned. The paper on the tables, while I understand keeps things from getting sticky was very annoying and stuff kept sliding all over the table. There was a reason I didn't go back for a few years and now I remember why. read more

Nice place. Food is great. Some really tasty cocktails and pretty attentive server. But the food is so go. I got smoked chicken dark meat and a kielbasa that was delicious. couple good sauces read more

Stopped in for dinner and the place was packed, which is always a good sign at a BBQ spot. Even with how busy they were, the staff kept things running smoothly and stayed friendly and attentive. The food came out hot and full of flavor--everything tasted fresh and well-prepared. The meats were tender, the portions were generous, and the sides really stood out too. Service never felt rushed, but you could tell the team was working hard to keep up with the crowd. Overall, a great experience, and definitely worth the visit. I'll be back! read more

Got the 1/2 lb brisket dinner. The brisket was dry as a bone and chewy. Also got a Caesar salad, lettuce was wilted and no flavor whatsoever. Corn muffin was also dried out! I've been a patron of the Woodshop for many years now and would say that the food quality has really gone downhill in the past couple of years! Very pricey for basically sub par food! I think I'm done eating from there, I've been patiently waiting for them to turn it around. It seems more than likely won't! I'm done eating there! There are a lot of other places that are better to eat at! read more

Very pricey. No combo platters for any of the meats by themselves. It makes no sense. They are lucky there is not much competition. Much better places in Metro area that have lower ratings but are better than this because they have more competition. 3 meat rib included a crunchy end piece, not for 12 dollars. The sausage was dry and tasted store bought. Other ribs were okay, pulled pork was okay. All sides were good but no side only combo. 3 star food, 1 star prices. read more

Union Woodshop - Drink Menu - Barbeque Near Me - Clarkston, Michigan

Taste: 6/10 While the barbecue was decent, l've had better elsewhere. The brisket, unfortunately, was on the dry side and lacked the juiciness l'd expect from a standout BBQ spot. I sampled all the sauces, but none really elevated the flavors. The sides were also lackluster and didn't leave much of an impression. Service: 7/10 The service was fine but not memorable. Our server was polite and attentive when present, but I would've appreciated more frequent check-ins. For example, I only received one water refill, and a couple more would have been nice, especially during a meal like BBQ. Ambiance: 7/10 The atmosphere was pretty standard for a BBQ restaurant--nothing remarkable but nothing off-putting either. It's what you'd expect: casual, unpretentious, and straightforward. Value: 3/10 Here's where the experience really fell short for me.For over $20, the large portion of brisket and accompanying sides were underwhelming, both in quantity and quality. I left the meal unsatisfied and couldn't justify the cost. Adding a single side for $10+ felt steep. I've visited twice now, hoping for improvement, but l've consistently found better BBQ at other spots that offer more generous portions and better flavors at similar or lower prices. read more

Great service and great food. Had a $5 marg for happy hour and it was still made fresh , not a pre-mixed. As a vegetarian there is a lot of options here which I appreciate. Love coming here & will be back. They also decorate the top floor for the holidays with special cocktails and it's super cute. read more

Union Woodshop - Happy hour - Barbeque Near Me - Clarkston, Michigan

This is what I call an elevated dive bar. From the second you step out of your car you can smell the bbq smoke, and it smells delicious. Inside they have quite the ambiance as you feel like you're up north. The food was excellent and the service was good but a little slow. We'll definitely be back! read more

Union Woodshop - Pizza - Barbeque Near Me - Clarkston, Michigan

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We were excited to check this place out. Although the waitress was pleasant, they were out of Mac and cheese, burnt ends, brisket and Red Bull. Seriously, why did you even unlock the doors? read more

Before tonight we had ate there a number of times because we have never had a bad meal. Today, if it had been my first visit, I probably wouldn't go back. I will return and give it one more try, but we drive way too far and the bill was too high for the food. It started with them being out of brisket -and three out of four of us ordered it, so we all had to reorder something else. Kinda strange because they had only been open since 4:00 and we ordered around 6:30-6:45. What we did get-the mac n cheese was great as was the pulled chicken and pulled pork. Both appetizers-Woodstick's and pork belly burnt ends were really good too. However, both servings of potato salad contained hard, practically uncooked potatoes, and there were multiple small bone fragments in the baby back ribs. It was sadly underwhelming. read more

Ok, this is the second within 2 days I've been here. 7/31/24 & 8/2/24 The 1/4Lb meal wasn't what I expected. My friends and I were waited on by Sam. Young man. He was pleasant and served us spot on. But, I expected the meat to be somewhat a little bit more than 2 pieces. And the fact it was warm almost cool was not what I expected either. Fries are fries and slaw the same. I like this place but, the meat needs to arrive at the table hotter than mine was this time. read more

Union Woodshop - 1/4lb brisket meal. - Barbeque Near Me - Clarkston, Michigan

Great food and excellent service. Only downfall was that brownie was advertised and there was no brownie available :( read more

Union Woodshop - Woodshop Pizza - Barbeque Near Me - Clarkston, Michigan

food was amazing! Best to go during the week, not as busy. Iced tea was freshly brewed. Highly recommend the Mac

Solid BBQ joint. Came on a Thurs night around 8PM and were able to get seated right away at a high top in the bar area. The place was about half full and there was plenty of seating for large groups. They had some decent brews on tap including Three Floyds Barbarian Haze. My bride went with the salmon ($25) and enjoyed it. I ordered the half pound of pulled pork ($14) and it was good - liked the mustard style sauce as it had good flavor. Both our our entrees came with a small cup of slaw and pickles (they were good). It seemed to take quite awhile for the food to come out. Not sure if they were short staffed in the kitchen or not. Service from our bartender Thoth was super friendly. read more

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We love the Union Woodshop! Husband got the porker and I had a brisket sandwich. Both outstanding and smoke on it was amazing. Also had burnt ends as an appetizer. If you're coming here don't skip the Mac and cheese! Be ready for a wait. Some of the best BBQ around. read more

Union Woodshop - The porker with hush puppies - Barbeque Near Me - Clarkston, Michigan

Sorry CK that! The prices got cranked up from my last review over the last year. The pulled pork sandwich is now $17 and doesn't come with a side just chips, sides are five to six bucks extra. Yeah I know wow. Still enjoyed it but my wallet didn't. read more

Union Woodshop - $$up - Barbeque Near Me - Clarkston, Michigan

Went with a large group and we all ordered something different. Everything was so good. The Union always knocks it out of the park so you can't go wrong with any choice. We tried all sides as well and every single one is a slap-in-the-face flavor! The top for me is Mac and Cheese, then collards, then baked beans. Great beer selection. Cool place to hang at the bar or sit and eat- large groups or small. read more

Union Woodshop - Salmon, Union Mac & Cheese, Collard Greens, Bbq Baked Beans - Barbeque Near Me - Clarkston, Michigan

The barbecue is pretty good for a restaurant so far north. Presumably the chef(s) spent some time eating in different Southern states, but there are some off notes. Authenticity per se is not required. Good barbecue is good barbecue. Wanna make barbecue with a thyme and rosemary rub? Go right ahead. Just make it good, and perhaps focus on just that one barbecue. Reduce the number of choices of meat, and get them right. But on the other hand, a cook may try to reproduce a specific style of barbecue and present it as such. That's where problems creep in. If there's pulled pork and brisket on the menu, and a variety of sauces, and a a Disneyfied Southern-ish style to the menu, and an attempt to make the restaurant look like a Southern barbecue place, that leads a diner to a certain mood and to certain expectations. Especially one who grew up or lived in the South. (One friend couldn't believe I'd actually go for BBQ in the Midwest.) Anyway, the restaurant didn't get the barabecue quite right. I'm sure the barbecue could win praise and local awards, but it's just not right. The pulled pork was actually pretty good for a place in the Midwest, but it would be deemed just okay in the South. It wasn't moist enough. Barbecue shouldn't depend on sauces for moistness. It tasted very deliberately made a certain way. Using the right equipment and following a recipe isn't quite enough. The "Texas" barbecue sauce from Lockhart is a weird outlier. Please do NOT focus on spicy barbecue sauce. It ruins the taste of the meat. Spiciness for the sake of spiciness is cute once or twice in some contexts, but a terrible choice for barbecue. This isn't a competition to test tolerance for spiciness. Balance the flavors. Don't mask them. Please take the spicy sauces away (regardless of any complaints) and get a more traditional molasses-centric sauce. There are many choices, and even some widely available sauces like Stubb's are good. For good barbecue, you get what the cook makes. That's it. No mix-and-match choices to suit predilections. If you don't like one place's barbecue, you eat at the next place. Any attempt to generalize or to accommodate a broad audience messes things up. Korean barbecue in Korean American communities can be transporting. Just awesome. And it need not be purely traditional. Authentic or not, it's simply good or it isn't. Before I continue, I'll admit I have a bias to Central Texas barbecue, but I traveled and ate around the South for years. I've eaten in tiny restaurants, touristy restaurants, barbecue joints that had just a few items on the menu, and so on. Also lots of TexMex and home-made barbecue. This was just how people eat, sometimes many times per week. Just like Michiganders will have coneys and gyros and Faygo. On to the side dishes: The pickles seemed to be fairly standard store-bought pickles. Meh. The collard greens were pretty good, but should've been chopped less coarsely. Collard greens can be great lots of ways, and their collard greens were quite acceptable. The sweet potato mash was lukewarm, and noticeably less hot than the collard greens. That was just weird. Lastly, the corn muffin was simply bad. Very dry. Not enough butter. Some kind of odd and unnecessary glazing. Having butter on the side is okay, but "butter on the side" is additional butter--not the main source of butter. A corn muffin or (better yet) cornbread should taste more like butter held together by the bread, not the other way around. They had no iced tea. Whatever they used for iced tea was broken. Iced tea doesn't have to be brewed the same day; it just needs to exist. It can be cheap iced tea. It can be black, and there can be hibiscus or some other option. A sugary soft drink can be okay. Without the culture and the competition all around, it's very hard to get barbecue right. If you live in Michigan and you're used to fresh corn, strawberries, apples, etc., you can immediately tell when store-bought produce is off. That was my experience of this barbecue. I finished everything besides the corn muffin because I was very hungry and I don't like to waste food. But if I ever went back, I would have something other than the barbecue. And I bet they could make a few tweaks and get it right. In the meantime, it's nice to have barbecue of some kind in a small town. read more

Great service in the bar. Great collard greens, beans. However, The worst pulled pork I've ever had. Dry Unseasoned No smoked flavor It's easy to make and somehow the chef absolutely made it awful. read more

The last time I was there, the food was just amazing. The roads were wonderful. Haven't been there in a long time.