(Last UPDATED 1/28/2020) Description and review of Sauced BBQ & Spirits, a Southern BBQ restaurant located in Downtown Sacramento. Axe Throwing anyone?
Original Post
The day before Christmas my daughter and I made a trip to the Downtown Sacramento Macy’s to pick up a few items. Afterwards, we decided to stop by Sauced BBQ & Spirits for a late lunch.
This was my first visit to Sauced. The restaurant is located in the building that previously housed the Hard Rock Cafe in what is now called Downtown Commons or DOCO.
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The open dining room is quite large, and there is a good-sized outdoor patio as well. Despite the large capacity, given the location I am sure that Sauced gets quite crowded on Golden 1 Center event nights.
There is a full bar, and quite a few beers on tap. The menu is both extensive and a bit overwhelming. The large TV’s placed throughout give Sauced a sports-bar vibe.
My daughter and I were seated immediately upon entering. On the table were napkins and utensils, as well as large plastic bottles filled with four different types of BBQ sauce.
Menu/Service Review
After some consideration we both decided that a beer with lunch sounded appealing. After looking over the menu we opted to share two “Starters” for lunch. We settled on the Swamp Fries (fries tossed in house rub with poblano queso, smokey baked beans, chopped brisket, Tin Roof BBQ sauce, chipotle sour cream and chives) ($15.50) and the (3) Sliders (choice of burger (with cheddar), pulled pork or sliced brisket) ($11).
We asked that the Swamp Fries BBQ sauce be on-the-side, and since the menu indicated that mixing and matching was allowed we ordered one of each type of the sliders.
Our lunch was served in pretty short order. The serving portion of the Swamp Fries was huge. As we dug in we were glad that the Tin Roof BBQ sauce had not been added to the dish. My daughter favors a mustard-based BBQ sauce, and I felt that adding any BBQ sauce would be too much for me.
Both of us agreed that the chopped brisket in the Swamp Fries was very tasty. I was not, however, a big fan of the house rub on the fries as it was sweet as opposed to savory.
We cut each of the three sliders in half so that we could both try all three. The sliders were tasty, and we both commented favorably on the slider buns.
As we sat and chatted over lunch I noted the various dishes being served to others in the near vicinity. Huge portions are apparently the norm.
I thought that the Sauced menu was a tad expensive – but my daughter is of the opinion that BBQ is as a rule pricey. Unfortunately, Sauced does not have a lunch menu that offers smaller portions and reduced prices. If they did, I might find myself going back again sooner than later.
Our waitress was pleasant, but she disappeared right after serving us. I had to catch another employee to ask for plates.
The serving platters and plates at Sauced are a heavy plastic. While one can understand the choice of plastic – I still thought it was a bit tacky. I would rather have had our meal served on a metal tray covered with butcher paper.
When it came time to depart our waitress was again nowhere in sight, so I made my way to the front desk to ask for our check. The person at the desk told me she would find our waitress, who reappeared shortly thereafter.
While my daughter was paying for lunch our dishes were cleared. She was a bit put out as she had been contemplating taking the leftover Swamp Fries home for a snack – and felt that we should have at least been asked if we wanted the leftovers.
Bottom line – while I would certainly patronize Sauced again if one of my friends wanted to go – I don’t anticipate going out of my way to dine there again anytime soon.
See related blog posts: DOCO Al Fresco and Annual Sacramento Restaurant Review Recap (2018)
Updates
Sauced – Axe Throwing
(1/28/2020) When walking past Sauced recently I noticed an advertisement for Axe Throwing! Curiosity got the best of me, and when I was in the area next I stopped by to check it out.
Towards the back of the Sauced main dining area are four enclosed cages with a target at the far end. Apparently the idea is to throw the axe at the target with the goal of hitting the bulls eye. Axe Throwing sounds very similar to another sports bar favorite – darts.
To my disappointment, no one was throwing axes when I was checking it out. I would have liked to witness someone engaging in the sport. My guess is that it is harder, and more dangerous, than darts!
The cost is $25 per person for 1 hour and 15 minutes – which includes time with the “Axe Coach”. You can make reservation for Axe Throwing online – which is probably advisable on a weekend evening.
Comments on Sauced BBQ & Spirits?
What has been your experience at Sauced BBQ & Spirits? What are your favorite items on the menu? Have you engaged in the sport of Axe Throwing?
Sacramento Sauced BBQ & Spirits Snapshot:
- 1028 7th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
- (916) 400-4342
- Hours: Sunday – Wednesday (11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.); Thursday (11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.); Friday (11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.); Saturday (11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
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