Calzones are the star at Sauced at Mercer Village
Ah, pizza. How can some dough, a little tomato sauce and various toppings make so many people so happy? Is it the way you can personalize it with your favorite foods? Is it the sweet yet savory sauce? Is it the way you can feed a crowd for the price of a fancy dinner for one? Whatever it is, Sauced at Mercer Village has most of it down pat.
We started with the bruschetta bites for $5.99 and the garlic butter bread balls for $4.99. The bruschetta is basic but good, with toasted bread topped with diced fresh tomatoes, basil and balsamic glaze. The basil had a distinctly minty flavor, which went well with the tangy tomatoes.
The garlic butter bread balls, despite having an unpleasant name, were OK, but the way they are shaped and baked does not allow them to soak up much of the butter. Next time I’m going to try the meatball skewers, alternating meat with balls of mozzarella.
The Sammies are $6.75 each and are created on a fresh-baked hoagie roll. We tried the Caprese BLT with fresh mozzarella, pesto mayo and alfalfa sprouts (along with the B and L and T). Other choices include a meatball sub, a turkey and bacon club, an Italian with prosciutto, and a three meat with ham, turkey and roast beef. You can also design your own by choosing two meats or four veggies for that same price.
My personal favorite was the calzone. You want to choose one that you can eat a lot of, because the calzone is just a 12-inch pizza folded over into a crescent shape. I chose the Bangin’ BBQ with barbecue sauce, chicken, onions, diced jalapeno and double cheese. The crust above and below balanced well with the heat of the jalapeño, making it the hit of the night.
Other specialty pizzas include The Works with pepperoni, ham, Italian sausage, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, black olives and garlic; the Greenhouse Veggie with spinach, mushrooms, onions, black olives, green olives, feta and garlic; the Five Meat with pepperoni, ham, Italian sausage, beef and bacon. There’s also The Popeye with a ricotta base, spinach, mushrooms, feta, prosciutto and garlic; a Caprese Meatball with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil and meatballs; and a Pesto chicken with feta. These can be ordered as slices, mediums, larges or calzones for various prices.
One thing I haven’t been able to figure out is the flatness of the Sauced pizza. Yes, it’s thin crust, but the toppings seem to be too finely chopped, giving it a very low profile. It’s still tasty, just unusually flat. Fold it in half New Yorker-style and you’ll never be bothered.
The lunch special includes a two-topping slice, drink and side salad for $6.50, with upgrades available. There’s also a large brownie offered for dessert, priced at $2. Like their Facebook page and get up-to-date info on daily specials and discounts.
Address: 1635 Montpelier Ave., Macon
Phone: 478-743-4113
Website: www.facebook.com/saucedmercer
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday; 5-9 p.m. Sunday
Payment: Cash, credit
Smoking: No
Alcohol: Yes
Kids Menu: Yes
Noise Level: Low
Health Rating: 100
Price range: $5.50-$20.75
Rating: 3 stars
This story was originally published October 17, 2014 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Calzones are the star at Sauced at Mercer Village."