Beloved Burger & Wings Eatery, Sauced, Closes, But Owner Hints At A Comeback

One of Kansas City’s favorite burger and wing joints has closed its doors – for now.

Sauced, a small hidden eatery in the Crossroads, officially closed the window to its trailer two weeks ago. Owner Steven Blakley announced the closure on social media, citing space limitations as the driving factor.

“We had outgrown the space,” Blakley says. “Last year, part of our storage was taken away, and without proper storage, the back of house became a logistical nightmare.”

Sauced originally operated out of a commissary kitchen in downtown Kansas City, where the team hauled supplies back and forth, a system Blakley says he wasn’t willing to revisit. “The risks and impact on quality were too high,” he explains. “Ultimately, I wasn’t able to reach the right agreement with the landlord’s team, and staying there just wasn’t sustainable.”

Despite the setback, Blakley says this isn’t the end for Sauced. He’s exploring other possible brick-and-mortar locations, ideally with indoor seating and proper storage space. “Sauced has taught me how to be efficient with space,” he says. “We’re focused on finding the right fit. Progress is being made, but growth naturally comes with hurdles.”

Chef Jayaun Smith, a longtime collaborator and chef partner of Blakley’s hospitality group UHungry?, will continue to be part of the Sauced team, with plans to possibly expand the chef roster as the brand evolves.

It’s not all hurdles for Blakley and his team, however. Blakley’s full-service restaurant Triune, which opened at end of 2024, is riding high after being named in Yelp’s Top 25 List.

“It came as a complete surprise, and I am truly grateful,” Blakley says. “I’m grateful to have the right people on my team and that everyone believed in the vision to make it happen. Now, our focus is to keep improving, stay true to our brand, continue holding ourselves to a high standard and showcase what Kansas City has to offer.”

(To read my restaurant review on Triune, click here.)

For now, fans will have to wait to see where Sauced lands next, but Blakley assures that “the sauce will keep flowing.”

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