T he Saucy Meatball
Sal and Alex Basile
“It’s bittersweet,” says Alex Basile about stepping into the shoes of his popular father, Sal. For nearly four decades, Sal Basile has served comforting Italian food from the kitchens of the numerous successful restaurants he’s owned in the Fort Myers area.
As a young boy, Alex bused tables for his father and started making pizza at age 12. Now at 28, he has his own space, The Saucy Meatball in Gateway. Offering classic Italian food from family recipes, Alex has added a few modern twists of his own, saying, “I wanted a newer, younger vibe.”
Sal is finally taking time to travel internationally, exploring his Italian roots and bringing back inspiration for The Saucy Meatball menu. When not traveling, he’s in the restaurant; and as he says, “Coming in with fresh eyes to see the little things and mentor on the business side.” Alex adds, laughing, “I call it micro-managing.”
One of the biggest changes to the Basile brand at the hands of Alex is technology. Laughing again, he explains, “Dad doesn’t even know how to turn the lights on. I can do it all from my house; the lights, the music, the AC—it all goes through the phone.” Sal notes, “He even pays the bills that way. I never did anything without a mailbox.”
Sal also assists his two daughters, Maria and Alaina, with a new project next door to The Saucy Meatball, called Rise & Grind Cafe. About stepping back from the business, he says, “It’s a double-edged sword. For generations my family has been handing down what we love. We’re a restaurant family; it’s in our blood. I’m proud of Alex. He’s going to be better than I am and that’s what I want.”
Flavors to Savor: Red Sauce is the menu item bringing the Basiles the most pride. A family tradition and foundation of their cuisine, it’s in more than half of The Saucy Meatball’s best-selling dishes.