Food & Drink

7 stories featuring recent restaurant openings in the Sacramento area

Stories by Sacramento Bee journalists, with AI summarization

Recent restaurant openings in Sacramento bring a variety of culinary experiences to the region.

Paititi Peruvian Bistro introduces Peruvian fusion pizza to the Sacramento scene on J Street. Chef Alfredo Vega offers pizzas with unique toppings and traditional Peruvian dishes. This mix reflects cultural fusion and creativity. At 4400 Freeport Boulevard, Tai Pan Bakery delivers handmade dim sum that draws crowds. Customers lined up for a taste of buns and dumplings, showing the eatery's strong customer appeal on debut.

Sonic expands its presence in Citrus Heights with its fourth drive-in location. Known for slushies and traditional fast foods, Sonic expresses excitement about serving its Citrus Heights neighbors with a nostalgic menu. In Rancho Cordova, Fatburger joins Round Table Pizza, offering a mix of burgers and pizzas in a shared space. The joint effort marks a novel concept where guests can enjoy diverse brands under one roof.

Randy Sutton, the current owner of Rick’s Dessert Diner, poses for a portrait at the restaurant in midtown Sacramento on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. By HANNAH RUHOFF

NO. 1: ICONIC SACRAMENTO DINER EMERGING FROM BANKRUPTCY WITH PLANS TO GROW

To the casual observer, much has remained the same in Rick’s Dessert Diner since it opened in the 1980s. | Published August 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Annika Merrilees

The exterior of Maria’s Paella is seen in Sacramento’s Boulevard Park neighborhood on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. The Midtown Farmers Market vendor opened its first brick-and-mortar location at 701 16th St. earlier this month, expanding into a permanent restaurant and taking over the former Lulu’s Commercial Kitchen. By Daniel Hunt

NO. 2: A SACRAMENTO FARMERS MARKET PAELLA POP-UP FINDS PERMANENT HOME

Maria’s Paella, a staple Midtown Farmers Market vendor, opened its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Sacramento’s Boulevard Park neighborhood. | Published August 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Camila Pedrosa

NO. 3: FATBURGER JOINS ROUND TABLE PIZZA, CELEBRATES CALIFORNIA DEBUT WITH FREE FOOD, PRIZES

Free food and prizes will be served at the grand opening celebration on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. | Published August 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kat Tran

Fizzed, a mobile dirty soda business based out of Sacramento, provides a fully sugar-free version of the soda drinks developed in Utah and popularized nationwide by social media and reality television. By Ashlee Homen

NO. 4: UTAH-BORN, REALITY SHOW-HYPED ‘DIRTY SODA’ TREND BUBBLING UP ACROSS SACRAMENTO

When Lucía and Tyler Cheney moved to Sacramento from Utah in 2021, they quickly noticed a 44-ounce flavored soda-shaped hole in their hearts. | Published August 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Camila Pedrosa

Pastries are displayed during the soft opening of Tai Pan a dim sum restaurant in Sacramento on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. By HECTOR AMEZCUA

NO. 5: TAI PAN BAKERY DEBUTS IN SOUTH LAND PARK WITH HANDMADE DIM SUM SELLOUT

From open to close on its first day in business, Tai Pan Bakery Dim Sum was packed with a line stretching out the door. | Published September 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Camila Pedrosa

Paititi Peruvian Bistro opened at 2001 J St. in Boulevard Park on Tuesday, September 9, serving traditional Peruvian fare and Californian twists on the cuisine. By Camila Pedrosa

NO. 6: PERUVIAN CHEF BRINGS TOP-NOTCH CULINARY EXPERTISE TO SACRAMENTO’S J STREET

A brand new Latin American restaurant quietly opened its doors in one of Sacramento’s busiest areas. | Published September 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Camila Pedrosa

A drive-in American chain is opening this upcoming week in Citrus Heights, according to a news release by the company By SONIC

NO. 7: SONIC IS OPENING NEW SACRAMENTO-AREA BURGER JOINT. WHERE TO GET YOUR SLUSHIE FIX

A popular fast food chain known for its hamburgers, hot dogs and cherry limeade slushies is opening a fourth drive-in location in the Sacramento area. | Published September 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.