These 22 new restaurants opened around the Sacramento area in April
The month of April brought a slew of new restaurants throughout the Sacramento region — particularly in the city to the south.
At least 22 new restaurants opened in the area, including five in Elk Grove. Two new restaurants also opened in Folsom, West Sacramento and Rocklin, plus one each in Colfax, Davis, Lincoln and Cameron Park.
Anar Persian Kitchen (1259 Merkley Ave., West Sacramento): This halal restaurant is still in its soft-opening phase, but customers can already get skewered meats, Uzbekistan-style pilaf and chainaki (Afghan chicken stew served in a teapot).
Bambu (8139 Elk Grove Blvd., Suite 140, Elk Grove): This boba chain known for Vietnamese dessert drinks called chè debuted in South Sacramento before expanding to Elk Grove.
Burger Patch (4400 Freeport Blvd., Suite 160, Sacramento): Sacramento’s all-vegan fast food chain opened its biggest location to date across from William Land Park on April 9 and will use its central kitchen to power a coming “double-digit” Bay Area expansion.
Captain Crab (8471 Elk Grove Florin Rd., Elk Grove): After opening its first area location (and third overall) near Arden Fair Mall last August, this Cajun seafood concept replaced Sizzler in Elk Grove on April 19.
Curry Pizza House (4261 Truxel Rd., Suite A6, Sacramento): Franchisee Sukhchain Singh Bhangu introduced this Bay Area-based Indian pizza chain to the Sacramento region with his 1,200-square foot Natomas location, which replaced California Express Pizza.
Gaspachos (1600 Ethan Way, Suite 70, Sacramento): Gaspachos’ second location launched in Howe Bout Arden shopping center with burritos, sandwiches and the Michoacán-inspired seasoned fruit cups from which the business takes its name.
Hidden Dumpling House (9635 E. Stockton Blvd., Elk Grove): Dumplings are the thing to get at this Chinese restaurant that replaced S.E.A. Bowl near Highway 99, but look for established classics like mapo tofu, chow fun and sweet-and-sour chicken as well.
Hikari Sushi & Omakase (110 F St., Suite A, Davis): Former Mermaid Sushi owners Zin Khine and Sithu Tun have started serving sushi in downtown Davis and will soon debut Edomae-style omakase, where the chef tops nigiri with cured seafood.
Melting Grill (6700 Lonetree Blvd., Suite 700, Rocklin): Blue Oaks Town Center’s new restaurant from KoJa Kitchen’s ownership team busts out Korean fusion items like like kimchi fried rice omelets, yangyum chicken wings and dak-galbi.
Mi Ranchito Mexican Food (1 S. Main St., Colfax): Look for tacos, sopes and combo plates like green chicken enchiladas or carnitas at the newest eatery in this small foothill town.
MF Gyros & Burgers (4419 Elkhorn Blvd., Sacramento): This fast-casual Middle Eastern joint in Foothill Farms can hook it up with fried chicken, lamb gyros, loaded fries and more.
Mochinut (4331A Elkhorn Blvd., Sacramento): This Korea-based chain’s mochi doughnuts and eclectic corn dogs landed in Antelope after downtown and South Sacramento.
Nara Sushi (1125 Riley St., Folsom): An Ok Yoon and Jung Mi Yoon opened their Japanese restaurant April 8 in Folsom Central shopping center, with baked lobster rolls, geoduck sashimi and teriyaki donburi.
Nick The Greek (7460 Elk Grove Blvd., Suite 110, Elk Grove): Grab relaxed Greek bites like souvlaki, pita wraps and avgolemono from this South Bay Area-based chain, which recently opened in Roseville and Davis as well.
Paris Banh Mi Cafe & Bakery (8403 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove): This Florida-based chain founded by Paris-raised Hien Tran and Vietnamese cafe owner Doan Nguyen opened its first California location in Elk Grove at the beginning of April, serving banh mi as well as burgers and sandwiches on fresh-baked croissants.
Pizza Twist (4400 Freeport Blvd., Suite 150, Sacramento): Butter chicken, garlic paneer and veggie tikka masala top pizza pies at this Land Park restaurant, which has sister locations in Elk Grove and Arden Arcade.
Represa Grill (97 Natoma St., Folsom): Former Brahma Bar & Grill chef William Hartzell’s new venture is making burgers, sandwiches and appetizers such as fried pickles inside Folsom Dam Bar.
Saladworks (820 Sterling Pkwy., Unit 3070, Lincoln): Pennsylvania-based Saladworks chose Lincoln for its second California location, greeting Sterling Pointe Center customers with soups, wraps and build-your-own bowls.
Sila Thai Cuisine (6815 Lonetree Blvd., Suite 105, Rocklin): Look for Thai dishes like rat na (flat rice noodles stir-fried with meat, broccoli and oyster gravy) or yum woon sen (glass noodle salad with prawns, ground beef and onions in a chili-lemon dressing) at this new Rocklin West shopping center restaurant.
Sister’s Cafe (3300 Coach Ln., Suite D8, Cameron Park): Beatriz Ramos Rodriguez’s new breakfast-and-lunch spot in Burke Junction Shopping Center mostly makes its money on diner staples but occasionally adds a Mexican American twist, as with a carnitas burger or Mahi Mahi tacos.
Smashburger (1600 Ethan Way, Suite 80, Sacramento): Denver-based Smashburger became the second Howe Bout Arden restaurant to open last month when it started serving flattened patties April 20.
Teriyaki Madness (289 3rd St., West Sacramento): A fast-casual Japanese concept also based out of Denver, Teriyaki Madness made its first Sacramento-area splash on April 7 through franchisee and local rice farmer Jeff Gallagher.