Saddleback BBQ Almost Gets Into Legal Battle With Wu-Tang Clan

A local Lansing barbecue joint and a world-famous hip-hop supergroup almost had legitimate BEEF.

Yeah. These are the stories you love to hear.

Unless you're on the other end of the phone when the Wu reaches out to you. And not in that good way.

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Yup, THAT Wu-Tang Clan

For the uninitiated (and I can't believe I have to do this), the Wu-Tang Clan are hip-hop royalty.

You would be hard-pressed to not know of them, their legacy, their songs, their impact on hip-hop and the culture.

From the Wu we got Method Man, RZA, GZA, Ghostface Killa, R.I.P. to ODB. Such legendary albums as Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) and anthems like C.R.E.A.M. and Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing Ta F' Wit.

They are huge. They are also a merchandising and marketing machine. You can find their t-shirts on sale at Target and Hot Topic.

And that's where this story really begins.

The Wu-Tang Clan is holding on line one.

We love our friends at Saddleback BBQ. They do a lot for us, both on and off the grill. Their food is great and so is their community spirit. They give back in so many ways which make us love them even more.

They have merch. You can buy it in-store and online.

One particular shirt got them a call from THE WU.

Because this shirt and that logo with Saddleback in the middle of it...

Saddleback BBQ

Looks an awful lot like someone's official logo.

Getty Images

The story goes a little like this.

For the past 2 years, I had been telling Matt "Don't worry, we are tiny and what we are doing is completely out of respect, there's no way Wu-Tang would get mad at us for this." I would even go so far as saying "A cease and desist from the Wu-Tang Clan would be the coolest thing ever!"

It was NOT the coolest thing ever. (Saddleback Facebook)

What started out as "Wu-Wings with Killer Beez Sauce" and the "Wu-Wings" Shirt nearly turned into a lawsuit and a "poop" your pants moment as a restaurant owner.

All's well that ends well and it's a great story. You can read all about it on Saddleback's Facebook page.

And those legendary Wu-Wings? They are headed back too.

So, tomorrow Wu-Tang Wings return! Matt will be selling them personally at Reo-Town from 11:30 to 1:30pm tomorrow (2/9/22). They will be available every day starting tomorrow. They will be available at all Saddleback BBQ locations. (Saddleback Facebook)

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