Although it comes from a blueblood pedigree, the concept sounds at first like a cheap imitation. But once you try it, you'll discover Sauce is a stylish operation whose budget-priced food can compete with the fanciest restaurants. Tucson entrepreneur Sam Fox had already brought two popular, high-end restaurants of the Valley, North and Bloom, in North Scottsdale. Then he opened Sauce in North Phoenix. It's the first in a chain of streamlined, quick-serve Italian restaurants where you order at the counter, find a table and wait for a server to bring your food. Despite the cattle-call ordering process and low-end prices that top out at well under $10, the ambience is impressively chic. It includes striking rust-colored walls, fashionable track lighting and tables set with real plates and quality silverware. The menu is limited to a quality selection of thin-crust pizzas, lasagnas, salads and panini sandwiches, plus tiramisu and cheesecake for dessert and a well-crafted selection of wines by the glass.

Categories: Restaurants

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