San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Meat prices force Two Sawers to shutter
The rising cost of meat and higher rent are to blame for the closure of a Floresville restaurant. Saturday will be its last day of service for Two Sawers BBQ.
Randy and Jenna Sawers started Two Sawers BBQ as a food trailer in 2015, opening the brick-andmortar in 2017. Randy Sawers said the reason for the closing was mostly due to rising costs for meat, rent on his building, and uncertainty about the future of the COVID epidemic.
“Our costs just went through the roof on everything ... like double,” he said. “The supply chain also hurt us, we had to raise our prices, which upset our customers. And the final nail was being told that our rent was going up.”
The spot was reviewed in the Express-News’ “52 Weeks of BBQ” series in 2018, earning a “solid neighborhood option” designation with praise for its quality fried catfish and pork ribs. It also featured a house sausage that was made exclusively for the restaurant by Wiatrek’s Meat Market in Poth, as well as house-made desserts.
The Sawers used to operate the Blue Diamond Cafe in Floresville, but closed it in 1994 so Randy could pursue a career as a firefighter in Austin. One of the unique features of Two Sawers in the barbecue scene was that it offered samples of the meats and sides prior to the tableside ordering process, a testament to the smalltown charm it served.
In a social media post Two Sawers stated: “It has been such an incredible pleasure to share our journey with the most amazing people — fans, family & team. Because of that truth, it breaks our hearts to say: this Saturday will be our last. Rather than just closing the doors quietly, we felt the desire to honor your support and include you in the goodbye.”
On Wednesday, the day after posting the farewell message, customers came out in droves, and Two Sawers sold out of all of its meats by 2:30 p.m.
Sawers said that he’s not ruling out a barbecue comeback in the future.
Two Sawers BBQ, 656 10th St., Floresville, 210-7874686, Facebook: @2sawersbbq. Hours: 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.