This Mexican sushi restaurant is bringing a new kind of fusion food downtown Sacramento
Mexican sushi has landed in downtown Sacramento.
A new restaurant called La Capital Latin Cuisine is serving the fusion food, highlighting flavors and dishes from the Mexican northern state of Sinaloa. The 1535 N. St. eatery opened last month and is the latest restaurant in California to showcase this Mexican-Japanese cuisine.
The food first appeared in Los Angeles in 2010, and has moved its way up the state. In 2018, Culichi Town — the most successful Sinaloan-style chain restaurant — opened in Arden Arcade.
“It’s pretty popular right now with music, culture and food so that’s what we’re trying to do here,” said Sergio Fonseca, owner of La Capital Latin Cuisine.
Unlike Japanese sushi, the Mexican version is defined by cheesy, breaded and deep-fried rice rolls of carne asada, chicken and seafood — known to Sinaloa’s coast.
Fonseca, 33, is now trying to put his twist on the fusion food. He is leaning more into its Japanese components to give customers a traditional sushi experience.
At the same time, Fonseca is bringing his own family background to the menu. He has been working in the Mexican restaurant industry since immigrating from Sinaloa at the age of 4.
His grandfather, father and uncle started a taqueria called La Estrella (The Star) in 1994 in Manteca. In 2007, the family opened a second location in Sacramento.
Fonseca got his chance at the family business in 2019 with two food trucks that park on Franklin Boulevard in South Sacramento and 30th Street in East Sacramento.
Then two weeks ago, Fonseca said he achieved his childhood dream by opening his own restaurant. Fonseca hopes to take his nearly three decades of experience and apply it to La Capital Latin Cuisine.
With a full liquor license and 2,200-square-foot space, Fonseca also envisions the restaurant becoming a nightlife destination. He recommends customers try the flavored mango flights of liquor.
“We’re trying to make it a place for everybody in Sacramento to feel comfortable coming downtown, next to the Capitol, to have good food and drinks,” he said.
As for food options, Fonseca highlighted the tres amigos roll — a combination of steak, chicken and shrimp, and the chimichanga roll. For customers who prefer traditional Mexican food, the restaurant also offers mariscos, fajitas and chile rellenos plates.
La Capital Latin Cuisine is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. The restaurant occupies the space where Antojo Street Taco Bar once was.
This story was originally published March 2, 2023 at 9:44 AM with the headline "This Mexican sushi restaurant is bringing a new kind of fusion food downtown Sacramento."
