Sauci Pasta — Restaurant in Saint Charles

My son introduced us to Sauci a local to Saint Louis. He really enjoyed, so a small group of four met up. The store is around 20 minutes or so outside of town in Saint Charles.

Parking was not a problem in their spacious lot. I found it clean too.

Their claim to fame is they make their own noodles. The operation for this is up front and open for viewing. The restaurant is set up as a fast casual that you would swear is a chain. Great name, great concept so of course it could be a chain. I confirmed with the manager that this is store #1 with hopes to franchise. I found the prices a good value.

The staff up front were friendly and helpful. The menu board is helpful and to get ahead just look at their website. My wife and I both decided on the deconstructed lasagna. They offer two sizes and don't be fooled as the small packs a punch! They also have a few salads and I ordered the Cosmopolitan. Breadstick were also ordered.

They are so popular the dining room gets overwhelmed. Especially if you immediately go in a have someone in your party save a table. However, they allow it per the manager, but he would he would discourage as it disrupts the flow.

When waiting for our order we waited a good 15 for something to open up. Others were waiting too! They have three outdoor tables for two that were also occupied. Food rolled out and we sat at one of the two bars for a bit more until a table did finally open. All the food pushed out within 20 minutes.

I was impressed with the quality and quantity of the large bowl. My dish tasted so good. My salad was fresh and flavorful. The bread was great hot, but not good cold.

Next time in town I will return. 4.5...

Hidden Gem with Mind-Blowing Pasta!

We stumbled upon Sauci Pasta while visiting St. Charles for a long weekend, and I can confidently say this place is an absolute treasure. It’s one of those rare finds where the food, the concept, and the experience all come together perfectly. If you’re anywhere near the area and even remotely enjoy Italian food, do not miss this spot.

The first thing that struck us was the homemade pasta being made right inside the restaurant—on a machine you can actually watch in action. It’s oddly mesmerizing, and it sets the tone for what you’re about to eat: fresh, handmade, flavorful pasta that puts most big-city Italian places to shame. The pasta texture alone was perfect—tender with just the right bite, and clearly made that day.

We tried several dishes across multiple visits (yes, we came back more than once during a single weekend trip). The pesto pasta was a standout—rich, creamy, vibrant, and absolutely addictive. The sauce had a bold basil flavor without being overwhelming, and it clung to the noodles just right. We also sampled their red sauce and every dish hit the mark. You can tell the ingredients are fresh, the recipes are well thought out, and the care behind the food is genuine.

And the prices? Totally unexpected in the best way. For the quality you’re getting, it almost feels like they forgot to mark things up. It’s affordable, family-friendly, and delicious enough to justify a drive from just about anywhere. If Sauci ever opens a location in Kansas City, we’ll be the first in line. Until then, it’s officially part of our travel itinerary whenever...

I'm a huge fan of Fratelli's, so I was very excited to try this fast casual version of their model.

Picture the inside setup similar to a Noodles and Co but with very much upgraded food. They make fresh pasta daily and the pasta station is next to the line and order area. This is kind of cool to see, but also like a zoo exhibit... I didn't love it. I feel like it may have been a better setup to have it closer to the other food making area - which is also open concept so you can see it while you dine.

They have a cool menu where you can build your own bowl or pick from a few dishes that they recommend. I am a huge fan of their white sauce, but wanted to try something new. I ordered the side salad and Rigatoni Carbonara. Their side salad is DELICIOUS! Never skip out on their salad, the dressing is homemade and one of my favorites. It's simple but amazing. I enjoyed the carbonara. It was creamy, had plenty of bacon and the sauce was tasty. The serving size was also plenty. Friend built their own bowl and also enjoyed it.

Overall I enjoyed my experience here. So why did I give it 4 stars? Easy - price points were comparable to the fine dining Fratelli's original restaurant once I added on my salad, but didn't include some of the nicer touches you get at the full restaurant such as bread basket. For the future, I will stick to the full dining concept. However I can see how this is a great on the go or quick dine option. Also the noise level here is LOUD, even with only a few people in the location. It was difficult to hear the employee assisting at the register as well the person...