Saus Boston: A Saucy Adventure in the Heart of Boston

• Episode Title: Seriously Saucy (Season 21, Episode 2)
• What Was Featured: Sloppy Jacques (now renamed the Triple D), Lemongrass Satay Chicken Pocket (no longer available)
• Is It Safe for Gluten-Free?
  The featured dishes, sadly, are not safe for those following a gluten-free diet. The Sloppy Jacques (now called the Triple D) contains gluten, and though some gluten-free alternatives are offered, cross-contamination risks are significant due to shared fryers.

Nestled in the heart of Boston, Saus was born from the vision of three local university graduates back in 2008. They were inspired by the idea of creating from-scratch food in a casual, no-frills environment, with a laser focus on one thing: the power of the condiment. They believe sauces can make or break a dish, which explains the array of sauces that make Saus stand out.

The restaurant itself is cozy and inviting, a hidden gem within the bustling streets of downtown Boston. Just a short walk from Quincy Market, it’s the kind of place that’s perfect for grabbing a quick bite, refueling as you explore the city. When Layla saw that you could get a flight of all the sauces, we knew we were in for an adventure. There are so many options, and the fun was in trying them all.

In 2018, Saus expanded to open a second location in Somerville, adding another layer to their Boston presence. But we were there to visit the original location and soak in all the vibes — and of course, celebrate Layla’s birthday.

It was a perfect fall day to be in Boston. The three of us—Layla, Justice, and I—were excited to start the day off at Saus before heading to a Red Sox game in the afternoon. Justice, honorary Travel Turtle for the trip, was along for the ride, and it felt like the perfect way to celebrate Layla’s special day.

We arrived at Saus at 11:30 AM, only to find the restaurant still locked up tight. They didn’t open until about 10 minutes later than their posted time. While we waited, we wandered over to the nearby Holocaust Memorial. It was a moving experience—each of the six glass towers stood tall, etched with numbers that represented the millions of victims from the concentration camps. The rising steam from beneath the towers created an atmosphere that was both solemn and chilling. It wasn’t part of our original plan, but it offered a quiet moment of reflection before our day of celebration.

Once Saus finally opened, we eagerly made our way inside, ready to start our foodie adventure.

French Fries and a Flight of All the Sauces (maybe mostly gluten-free)
Of course, we had to start with fries. Who could resist fresh, hand-cut fries with a flight of 16 different sauces? The fries were piping hot, crisp, and exactly what we hoped for. But the real challenge was trying to figure out which sauce was which. They weren’t labeled, so we found ourselves playing a guessing game based on the menu descriptions. It felt a bit like solving a food puzzle, but it added a layer of fun to the meal.

We each found our favorites: I was obsessed with the Ranch, which had a perfect balance of creaminess and tang. Layla couldn’t get enough of the Smokey Chipotle, and Justice became a fan of the Truffle Ketchup, Sweet Bill’s BBQ, and the mysterious Secret Saus.

The Triple D (not gluten free)
Next up was the Triple D, the dish Guy Fieri featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. It was made with bacon beer-braised beef, crispy shallots, and pickled red onions. I ordered it without the shallots and bun, thinking it was a safe gluten-free option, only to realize afterward that the beer braise contained gluten. Oops! I took a few bites anyway and was… underwhelmed. The beef had a texture that reminded me too much of canned hamburger, and the flavor wasn’t anything special. Think Beef-A-Roni, but less exciting.

Crispy Chicken Nugz (not gluten free)
Justice ordered the Crispy Chicken Nugz, which, although not gluten-free, became the star of the day. Made with real chicken, they were juicy, crispy, and absolutely delicious. Both Layla and Justice couldn’t stop raving about them. If you’re not gluten-free, these would definitely be the dish to order.

As a gluten-intolerant traveler, I had high hopes after reading the website’s promises about a dedicated gluten-free fryer and a gluten-free menu. Unfortunately, our experience didn’t quite live up to those expectations.

• Ease of Finding Gluten-Free Options:
  The gluten-free options were not as extensive as I had hoped, and the lack of a dedicated gluten-free fryer was disappointing. The fries, while delicious, were cooked in the same fryer as gluten-containing items like crispy shallots, making them a risky choice for anyone with celiac disease or a severe gluten allergy.
• Staff Knowledge:
  When I asked about gluten-free options, the staff seemed a bit unsure. The server admitted that the crispy shallots and fries shared the same fryer, which left me questioning how serious they were about avoiding cross-contamination.
• Cross-Contamination Safety:
  If you’re dining here with a serious gluten sensitivity, I would recommend being cautious. While they might do their best to avoid cross-contamination, there were no dedicated fryers or cooking areas, which always raises a red flag for me.

Saus is a cool, laid-back spot, and if you’re not dealing with food allergies, it’s a great place to explore unique flavors through their many sauces. Their focus on from-scratch, house-made dishes is admirable, and they have a lot of options for vegans and vegetarians, which can be tough to find in a quick-service environment.

However, for someone like me, who needs to be careful about gluten, it’s hard to fully enjoy a meal when there’s doubt about safety. The misleading information on their website about dedicated gluten-free fryers and a gluten-free menu also left a bad taste in my mouth.

Would I recommend Saus for gluten-free diners? Probably not. But for the sauce enthusiasts and those without dietary restrictions, it is worth a visit.

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• Gluten-Free Friendliness: ★☆☆☆☆
  The lack of a dedicated fryer and confusion around gluten-free options is a big issue here.
• Taste and Quality of Food: ★★★☆☆
  The fries and chicken nugz were solid, but the Triple D fell flat. If you’re a sauce lover, though, you’ll have fun here.
• Service: ★★☆☆☆
  Friendly staff, but their lack of knowledge about gluten-free safety was concerning.
• Overall Experience: ★★☆☆☆
  Saus is a fun spot with unique offerings, but if you have dietary restrictions, it’s best to proceed with caution.

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We ended our visit to Saus with full stomachs and lots of sauce samples to remember the day by. Though it wasn’t a perfect experience for me as a gluten-free eater, I’m glad we checked it off the list for Layla’s birthday. Now, on to the Red Sox game, more adventures await!