KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Sauced, a smash burger restaurant in Kansas City’s Crossroads district, is set to reopen Tuesday along East 19th Street after closing last October.
Owner Steven Blakley said the business started as a pop-up in 2020 before growing into a brick-and-mortar location. The restaurant eventually outgrew that space, he said.
Closure and path to reopening
Blakley said the closure left the restaurant’s future uncertain.
“It was kinda shaky there. Didn’t know if we was gonna open back up or not,” Blakley said.
Sauced smash burger restaurant set to reopen Tuesday in Kansas City’s Crossroads(KCTV)
After the closure, the restaurant was selected to participate in FIFA Fan Fest, which Blakley said provided renewed confidence heading into the new location.
New space, familiar feel
The new location is directly across the street from the previous one. Blakley said the space incorporates concrete and brick elements consistent with the restaurant’s prior aesthetic.
“It’s laid back, chill, with good food,” Blakley said.
Blakley said the experience of serving people extends beyond the menu.
“You’re in the business of serving people. The food is the core, but it’s very much people,” Blakley said.
He described the reopening as a milestone.
“It’s a good milestone for the business, for me, I think for everyone involved,” Blakley said.
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Dining and Cooking