When Muzo Saritas purchased a commercial property near Interstate 85 in Suwanee, he initially did not plan to open another restaurant. After reviewing proposals from potential tenants that failed to impress him, Saritas chose instead to develop his own concept for the space.
He envisioned a high-end, family-run steakhouse offering guests the quality of a major city dining experience at more accessible prices and in a convenient location. Three years after its opening, Cuts Steakhouse of Sugarloaf has established itself as a destination in Gwinnett County. The restaurant features carefully designed interiors and attention to detail in both décor and menu items.
Saritas, who has lived in Gwinnett County for over three decades and has extensive experience as a restaurateur, oversaw every aspect of the project. “I took my time and didn’t rush the project,” he says. “When I ordered the marble, I watched them cut it. I went to the wood shop to be sure every angle was cut perfectly. I wanted to touch every corner of this restaurant to create an exceptional experience.”
The menu includes seafood, signature specials, and steaks made from Midwestern Angus beef sourced directly from select farms. Saritas emphasizes quality control: “Where you source your meat matters,” he explains. “It matters what the cow eats and how the meat is handled. We only buy the highest-quality meat and hand-cut it in-house so our guests can enjoy the best steaks in Gwinnett.”
Saritas believes that guest service is equally important as food quality: “A steakhouse experience can be expensive, and most of our guests are here to celebrate a special occasion or impress a visitor who has come to town,” he says. “That once-a-year visit needs to be exceptional. I ask my team to imagine it’s their special day. How would they want to be treated? That’s how we treat our guests.”
He also notes low staff turnover at Cuts Steakhouse compared with industry norms: “I’m proud that we’ve been able to retain most of our staff from when we opened three years ago,” he says. “My staff members are proud of what they do, and we care for each other.”
The restaurant regularly hosts business meetings for local organizations such as the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and offers private dining facilities equipped with technology suitable for events.
Reflecting on his decision despite initial doubts from local officials about whether such an establishment could succeed in Gwinnett County, Saritas says: “They told me it was overkill and that Gwinnett couldn’t support a restaurant like this,” he says. “But Cuts has been a great addition to Gwinnett’s upscale dining scene.”
