By Sonya Sorich  –  Digital Editor, Sacramento Business Journal

A restaurateur with businesses in the Bay Area is bringing French dip sandwiches to a Rancho Cordova space previously known as a barbecue restaurant.

Sam Azizi hopes to open the new business, called Baguette Up, on April 5. He will own the eatery at 2320 Sunrise Blvd. with his son, Jordan Azizi.

The restaurant building, which includes a drive-thru, is in Rancho Cordova’s Rivergate Shopping Center. The space was occupied by a Dickey’s Barbecue Pit before a former franchisee for the Dallas-based Dickey’s Barbecue chain turned it into his own concept, called Side Burn BBQ and Brew. That franchisee, Jared Katzenbarger, later closed all his Side Burn locations.

Sam Azizi lives in Vacaville, but was drawn to the local site because he has family in Rancho Cordova. Azizi owns two other eateries: Benicia Grill 1 in Benicia, and Benicia Grill 2 in Fairfield.

Rancho Cordova will be the first location for Baguette Up, a concept that he hopes to expand locally. “I love Sacramento and Rancho Cordova, and I wanted to come toward here,” he said. Azizi expects future locations will also include drive-thru lanes.

The new eatery will specialize in French dip sandwiches, Azizi said. Those sandwiches will be made with tri-tip and served with au jus sauce. Azizi plans to offer other sandwiches as well, with options such as buffalo chicken.

The 2,813-square-foot restaurant will emphasize speed and convenience, Azizi said. Those elements have been especially crucial during the pandemic, when restaurants have largely been limited to outdoor dining, takeout and delivery.

While the drive-thru is a prominent feature of the Rancho Cordova space, Baguette Up will offer indoor dining when it’s permitted, as well as an outdoor patio — another feature that’s been important for restaurants during the pandemic.

Baguette Up will be in a Rancho Cordova shopping center that’s anchored by Sportsman’s Warehouse, Smart & Final and Pet Club.

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