As football teams are kicking off their seasons, Brent Sexton and Lee Bell are prepping to kick off their new venture, Sauced.

Construction is wrapping up at 24821 Canal Road in Orange Beach and Sexton is looking forward to the end zone. The interior remodel has given the space a new lighter and more open feel and if everything keeps to schedule, Sexton hopes to have Sauced open as early as Sept. 25.

Sauced is Sexton’s answer to a void he saw in the local food scene.

“There’s really no place that has a full bar where you can grab a pizza and watch the game,” Sexton said.

The handmade cocktail program will feature fresh daily squeezed juices. Sexton is hoping to create a great place to hang out, have a drink and watch the game on one of several televisions placed around the restaurant.

The menu is still being finalized but one of the highlights is the brick oven pizza with homemade cold proofed dough. Bell explained cold proofed dough’s slow fermentation process results in a crispier more flavor dense crust.

Dietary restrictions were taken into consideration when creating the menu and will include gluten-free cauliflower pizza crust, gluten-free pasta, vegetarian meatballs, burgers and cauliflower wings. Several menu items are also Moxie-Approved offering healthy alternatives.

Bell is most excited to feature his homemade burrata on the menu. Burrata is a fresh cheese that features an outer shell of solid mozzarella while the inside contains creamy mozzarella cheese curds and fresh cream. When split open, you will be delighted to discover a rich-tasting soft filling of fresh pieces of mozzarella soaked in heavy cream. Look for the burrata on the starter menu as well as a pizza topping.

The in-house ground burgers are Sexton’s favorite menu item.

“Grinding the meat is my favorite thing to do in the kitchen. It’s so fun. Once you grind your meat in-house there’s no reason to go back,” Sexton said.

If dessert is your favorite course, the menu has that covered as well.

“I got my tiramisu recipe from an Italian chef while I was working in Port of Prince Haiti opening fine dining restaurants for the ruling class. They were brought in amazing chefs from all over the world,” Bell said.

Sauced should seat around 170 people total between the inside and outside patio areas and banquet room that will seat between 50-60 for private parties.

“This central seating area will be the best place on the island to sit and watch a game in my opinion. Selfishly I am really excited to hang out here,” Sexton said.