From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — Mike Wilson, the owner and founder of Saw’s Barbecue, has died at 46, according to multiple media reports.
Wilson’d death over the weekend was confirmed by former Saw’s catering director Lindsey Noto, according to WIAT. The cause of death has not been released.
According to the restaurant’s website, Wilson was born in North Carolina and was a Johnson & Wales trained chef who staffed the test kitchen for Cooking Light magazine. He began smoking meat and crafting sauces as a hobby and opened Saw’s in Homewood in the former Broadway BBQ location in May 2009.
In 2012, Wilson partnered with Brandon Cain to open a second location of Saw’s, called SAW’s Soul Kitchen, opened in the former Quick & Split Cafe at 215 41st Street South in Avondale. Later that same year, Wilson and Doug Smith partnered with Taylor Hicks to open a third location, known as SAW’s Juke Joint, in Crestline Park. In 2018, Michael Brandon opened SAW’s BBQ — Southside at the former home of Fat Sam’s Sub Station.