There’s a new restaurant in town…a restaurant that is certainly one of a kind. Deb and I tried it out for you, so we can give you our honest opinion of whether this is a good place to eat, or a place to avoid. Our opinion? As Siskel & Ebert would say about a classic movie, we give it a “two thumbs up.”
This new restaurant is called “Sauced.” Appropriately named, the menu features a wide selection of very unusual pizzas, as well as 14 craft beers on tap. So you literally can get “sauced” in two different ways!
The Drinks
“Sauced” serves a variety of wines and specialty cocktails, as well as teas, sodas, and juices. Now I can’t speak to the beer, as I am not a beer drinker. Yes, I have tried a few in my younger years, but honestly, I have yet to meet a beer I actually like! So why pay good money for something I don’t even enjoy!
The Food
But the pizza, now that’s a different story. Deb and I ordered a Thai Shrimp Pizza, with Thai Peanut Sauce, Tiger Shrimp, Roasted Peppers, Red Onions, Scallions, Mozzarella, Orange Sesame Drizzle, and Toasted Sesame Seeds. Yuck, you say? I say delicious! It truly was one of the best pizzas I have ever had the privilege of sinking my teeth into. And as my dear mother used to say, “Don’t knock it ’til you try it!” The shrimp were so fresh you could practically smell the ocean, and the crust? Well let’s just say we didn’t leave the edges on our plates! We ordered a large, ate our fill, and had a few slices to take home for another day.
If Thai Shrimp doesn’t appeal to you, you could try the “Duck and Fig,” “Smokehouse Chicken,” “Carbonara,” or the “El Ranchero,” among other handcrafted options. And of course you could get a traditional pizza fully loaded with red sauce, Virginia ham, Italian sausage, pepperoni, smoked bacon, green peppers, red onions, and mozzarella cheese. And if none of these options appeal, you can create your own pizza by choosing from three different sauces and twenty-three different toppings!
Pizza is not the only thing served up by “Sauced.” We started off with an appetizer of fried pickle spears and chipotle dipping sauce. Yum! Other appetizers include onion rings, nachos, chicken tenders, wings, crab dip (which I heard was fabulous, and is on the top of our list for when we return), and sliders.
They also have a good mixture of salads, if you really feel the need for something healthy. Or their roasted sandwiches provide a good respite from the “normal” offerings of other restaurants.
The Atmosphere
When we were there, things were a little noisy for intimate conversation. However, the cheerful atmosphere made it a place to which we will definitely return.
The Hours
Sauced is open Monday through Thursday from 4 pm until 11 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11 am until Midnight, and Sunday from 11 am until 11 pm.
The Location
Located in the Staunton Mall, but with an entrance directly from the parking lot, Sauced is just 20 minutes from Cabin Creekwood. For more information visit www.saucedfood.com.