What began as a humble batch of homemade barbecue sauce at a local fundraiser has grown into a flavorful small business with a loyal following across Long Island and beyond. Saucy Rascals, the brainchild of former Port Washington resident Andrew Sarchese, now offers a full line of sauces and condiments—without losing sight of its community roots.
The story of Saucy Rascals started in 2017 at Karmacue, an annual barbecue competition and fundraiser organized by Alper’s Hardware Store to benefit local causes. At the time, Sarchese was just experimenting.
“We didn’t have a name then,” he recalled. “But we made our first ever batch of what’s now our Original Barbecue Sauce for the contest. People kept saying, ‘You should bottle this.’ I thought, ‘I’ve got a full-time job, but sure, why not?’”
In those early days, there were no labels—just Sarchese with a cooler, walking down to the Port Washington Yacht Club to sell bottles for $10 a pop. Over time, with encouragement from family and friends, the project took on a new identity. The brand name, Saucy Rascals, was inspired by Sarchese’s sons, Sebastian and Rafael, and a nod to the classic cartoon “The Little Rascals.”
What began as one homemade sauce now includes six different products: two barbecue sauces, a hot sauce, barbecue mayo, ketchup and a black garlic teriyaki glaze. Saucy Rascals is now stocked in around 85 stores, with a growing number of online customers placing national orders.
Despite the growing reach, the business remains proudly regional. “We do well in Port; the community knows us,” Sarchese said. “We have a strong following there.”
One reason for that loyalty may be the quality and philosophy behind the products. Sarchese, a passionate home cook, emphasizes balanced, chef-inspired flavor profiles. “I don’t use high fructose corn syrup—period,” he said. “You can taste that right away. I use real ingredients—brown sugar, honey—and aim for a blend of tangy, sweet and heat. It’s meant to be premium.”
Saucy Rascals also maintains ties to its origins in local events. This year, the brand returned as a sponsor for the National BBQ Festival (June 13-15)—the first in over a decade—held right in Eisenhower Park. Sarchese was there, handing out samples and reconnecting with old friends and customers.
“Of all events, this is the one that lit the fire for me,” he said. “It’s cool to be here as a sponsor.”
With help from longtime friends and Port residents Finn Meyer and Stefan Nicodemou, Saucy Rascals continues to thrive as both a flavor-forward business and a testament to the power of community support. Sarchese, who now lives outside Port Washington, remains closely tied to the area.
“I visit all the time,” he said. “I’m still involved with things in the community; this brand was born in Port and it’ll always be part of its story.”
Visit www.saucyrascals.com to learn more and to make a purchase.
