Cat-themed cafe, juice bar chain among 14 new Sacramento-area eateries in June
Throughout June, small food businesses opened their first brick-and-mortar restaurants in the capital region, while some big names closed in downtown Sacramento after serving their final meals.
New restaurants opened in June
The capital region saw at least 14 eateries open their doors for the first time in June, spanning a wide range of cuisines, from fried hot chicken to Asian fusion food to an upscale steakhouse.
While the plurality of new restaurants reside within Sacramento, restaurants joined shopping complexes and business districts across the Valley. Roseville added three restaurants, and Carmichael, Elk Grove, El Dorado Hills, Placerville, Rancho Cordova, West Sacramento and Winters each got one new dining spot.
88 Bao Bao (4181 Thrive Drive, Roseville): This Northern Californian dim sum chain is digging its roots deeper into the region with its eighth restaurant opening on June 20, this time in Roseville. Another 88 Bao Bao outpost is planned for the under-construction Davis Collection shopping center.
Angry Chickz (9624 Bruceville Road, Suite 102, Elk Grove): Diners at the Nashville hot chicken chain can take on the challenge of the ultra-hot “Angry Heat” spice, which requires a waiver to order. Gimmick or legit? You’ll have to face the heat to find out.
Barrel & Bliss (4359 Town Center Blvd., El Dorado Hills): Champagne and chocolate pairings are only $20 every Wednesday at El Dorado Hills Town Center’s newest wine bar. Though it was originally slated to open June 13, Barrel and Bliss had its launch on June 17.
Burger Bros. Winters (43 Main St., Winters): Brothers Alejandro and Andres Salazar took their smash burger business from four wheels to four walls in June when they moved from a food truck to a central location in downtown Winters.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar (1101 Galleria Blvd., Roseville): The nationwide chain steakhouse opened its first Sacramento-area location on the final day of June, boasting Japanese wagyu cuts and an impressive wine cellar in an upscale dining experience.
Gami Burger (5050 Arden Way, Carmichael): The team behind Origami Asian Grill launched a burger pop-up in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, gaining enough popularity to take over the former location of Willie’s Burgers. Paul DiPierro and Scott Ostrander’s concept opened to the public June 28.
The Jade Cuisine (2855 Zinfandel Drive, Rancho Cordova): A new Chinese restaurant entered Rancho Cordova’s Zinfandel Plaza in mid-June, flanked by a number of fast food eateries around the intersection of Zinfandel Drive and Olson Drive.
Meow Me Cafe (1714 14th St., Sacramento): Despite its feline-inspired name, Meow Me is not a true cat cafe. However, the cat-themed gift shop in the back is perfect to peruse (purr-use?) with a marbled matcha milk toast or mochi croissant in hand.
Movita Juice Bar (2018 Sutterville Road, Suite 114, Sacramento): The Carleton Tract neighborhood’s newest juice bar chain location bases its philanthropy efforts on cancer prevention and treatment, after the owner’s child was diagnosed with cancer at a young age. The health-focused juices include agave nectar sweetener and fresh fruits.
Sake Sushi (1251 Baseline Road, Suite 150, Roseville): Although the all-you-can-eat sushi dinner costs nearly $40 per person, Sake’s early Yelp reviewers say the quality and quantity of food is worth the price.
Sociology Coffee (564 Main St., Placerville): Colorful drinks and fresh brunch meals fit right in with the Instagrammable green brick exterior of Sociology’s new Placerville Main Street cafe, in the former location of Rocker Oysterfeller’s and Tortilla Flats.
Stepdad’s (2968 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento): After Dad’s Kitchen shut down its Land Park location, Camden Spit & Larder chef Oliver Ridgeway and Tank House owners Tyler and Melissa Williams teamed up to revamp the restaurant into a playful neighborhood spot with a small, refined menu designed for the whole family.
Sun House Cafe (611 16th St., Sacramento): A popular matcha and tea pop-up business found its permanent home in Boulevard Park, allowing it to expand into serving espresso-based drinks. Lines stretched out the door throughout June during the cafe’s limited soft opening hours.
Suruki Sushi + Teriyaki Grill (767 Ikea Court, Suite 110, West Sacramento): The Vallejo-based sushi spot joined the Riverpoint Marketplace, feeding loaded sushi rolls, bento boxes and rice bowls to weary Ikea shoppers.
Recent restaurant closures
Downtown and midtown Sacramento faced multiple hits throughout the month, with three eateries closing their doors in the capital city’s central neighborhoods.
In addition to the Sacramento departures, one restaurant in Arden Arcade and one Yuba City spot ceased operations in June.
Le Macaron French Pastries (1011 Seventh St., Sacramento): Franchisees Emily and Jeffrey Gramse closed their shop after struggling to overcome low foot traffic and parking woes in downtown. The closure ended the French macaron chain’s presence in Northern California.
Public House Downtown (1132 16th St., Sacramento): The sports pub ended its 13 years of residency at the edge of downtown Sacramento on June 30. But it’s not all over yet: Public House’s owners, MAC Hospitality Group, announced plans to open a Mexican restaurant in the vacant space later this year.
Station 16 (1116 16th St., Sacramento): Just two doors down from Public House, Station 16 closed its Sacramento outpost after almost 10 years in business. The restaurant’s Elk Grove location, which opened in December, is still open, serving an identical menu featuring a range of raw and cooked seafood dishes.
Taqueria El Taco Naco (968 Cooper Ave., Yuba City): The Yuba City community shared an outpour of love when the Mexican restaurant shared on Facebook that it was shutting its doors for reasons out of the owner’s control. Taqueria El Taco Naco still runs an Olivehurst restaurant while hoping to find a new spot in Yuba City.
Twin Peaks (535 Howe Ave., Arden Arcade): The lumberjack-themed sports bar infamous for its double entendre name and waitress uniforms featuring a low-cut plaid crop top closed its final California location in June after nearly 10 years in operation.
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