The first thing you notice at Union Woodshop is the smell of hickory smoke curling out from the backlot.
Inside, the hum of conversation and clinking glasses makes it feel like a tight-knit neighborhood hangout, even if it’s your first visit.
The menu leans into slow-smoked meats, wood-fired pizza, and serious comfort food that locals have been craving for years.
It all adds up to a place that feels easygoing and deeply satisfying, the kind of spot you think about long after the last bite.
How Union Woodshop won locals’ hearts
Union Woodshop gained local love by turning a familiar Clarkston building into something new while still respecting its history.
Locals watched the old Clarkston Cafe space become a wood-fired, BBQ-focused joint, so the change felt natural instead of disruptive.
From the start, the team focused on low-and-slow smoking in a green hickory smoker tucked in the backlot, making smell alone a daily invitation.
That smoker pumps out ribs, pork, brisket, wings, whole birds, and plenty of bacon, giving regulars a steady rotation of favorites.
They paired that barbecue with wood-fired Pizza Coco pies, so a group can share ribs, pizza, and mac and cheese at the same table.
The Union mac and cheese quickly became a signature, giving comfort-food lovers something rich and cheesy to build a meal around.
Locals also appreciated the way the interior kept an “odd and honest” charm, using pieces of the old cafe instead of a generic makeover.
The space feels personal and lived in, so guests relax fast and lean into unhurried, plate-sharing meals with friends and family.
Over time, word spread from Clarkston regulars to visitors, and features on shows like “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” only boosted the pride factor.
Despite the attention, the restaurant kept the focus on warm service, familiar faces, and consistently good plates, which matters to locals.
People return because they know they’ll get steady quality, big flavor, and an easygoing vibe on busy nights and quiet afternoons.
That mix of small-town comfort and serious wood-fired cooking is exactly how Union Woodshop won, and kept, local hearts.
Food Highlights
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Union Mac & Cheese: A bubbling mix of Vermont sharp cheddar, Pinconning, penne, and béchamel with a crisp top. A must-order for its rich, cheesy comfort that pairs well with ribs or brisket. 🧀
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St. Louis Spare Ribs: Slow-smoked over hickory until tender with a smoky bark. Loved for their classic BBQ flavor and ability to hold any sauce. 🍖
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Beef Brisket: Sliced brisket with a visible smoke ring, rich bark, and balanced fat. Popular for its tender texture and deep flavor, perfect on combo plates.
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Pork Belly Burnt Ends: Twice-smoked pork belly glazed with Michigan maple and molasses, served on Texas toast. Known for its sweet, sticky, smoky richness and melt-in-your-mouth texture. 🤤
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Woodshop Pizza (Pizza Coco): Fired at high heat with smoked chicken, pulled pork, brisket, onions, cheese, and Memphis BBQ sauce. A favorite for its crisp crust, smoky toppings, and slight char. 🍕🔥
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The Triple Threat: A hearty combo of pulled pork, ribs, and sausage with sides and pickles. Great for sharing or sampling top BBQ favorites in one plate.
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Smoked Chicken Wings: Hickory-smoked wings finished for a crisp edge and juicy center. Popular for their deep flavor without feeling too heavy.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere at Union Woodshop feels like a lively, wood-wrapped gathering place where conversation and clinking plates set the tone.
Warm lighting, reclaimed details, and a slightly quirky layout give the room a relaxed, personal feel instead of a polished chain vibe.
The steady scent of smoke and the buzz of regulars make it feel like a favorite local hangout that also welcomes curious out-of-towners.
It’s the kind of space where lingering over one more drink and one more side feels completely natural.
Bottom Line
Come for slow-smoked meats, craveable mac and cheese, and wood-fired pizza that hits every comfort-food craving.
Stay for the warm, small-town atmosphere, where locals and visitors share big plates, easy laughs, and plenty of leftovers.
Address: 18 S Main St, Clarkston, MI 48346
📞 (248) 625-5660
🕔 Open Mon–Thu 4 PM–11 AM | Fri 4 PM–12 AM | Sat 12 PM–12 AM | Sun 4 PM–11 PM