14 eateries opened in Sacramento in July, including a pirate-themed cafe
In July, Sacramento-area foodies gained a dozen new eateries to try, and two iconic Sacramento restaurants shut their doors — though only temporarily.
Drive-through Mexican chain and Sacramento’s first Liberian eatery now open
At least 12 restaurants, ranging from major Mexican food chains to gourmet toast cafes, opened for business across the Sacramento region in July.
The new eateries dot the breadth of the Sacramento region, from Yolo to Placer counties. Only three of the dozen restaurants opened in July reside in Sacramento city limits, while Arden Arcade and Folsom each added two restaurants. Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, Rocklin, Roseville and West Sacramento each had one new eatery.
AfroEatz (1725 I St., Sacramento): Liberian food joined the Sacramento culinary roster on July 7 when AfroEatz opened for takeout and delivery in the former site of Bambi’s in midtown. The small building was revamped with a vibrant multicolor mural spanning the front wall, honoring the history and culture of the food served inside.
Ben & Jerry’s (711 Sutter St., Folsom): The Vermont-based ice cream giant became a modern addition to Historic Folsom’s Sutter Street last month. According to Google reviews, the capital region’s sole Ben & Jerry’s location opened on July 10 serving scoops, shakes and sundaes with the company’s gourmet flavor creations.
Black Sails Coffee Lounge (5925 Birdcage Centre Lane, Suite D102, Citrus Heights): If sea shanties and pirate-speak are your thing, the swashbuckling new cafe set sail for business on July 12 after more than five years operating as a coffee trailer in the region.
Chez Luc’s French Cafe (650 Fulton Ave., Arden Arcade): Classic baguette sandwiches, croque monsieurs and more now fill the building previously stacked high with imported Greek goods, according to previous Sacramento Bee reporting. Operator Ryan Forrester and his business partner opened their cafe on July 17.
Chip Cookies (2080 Fair Oaks Blvd., Sacramento): The gourmet cookie chain, which offers customizable bakes, opened its second Sacramento-area outpost on July 5. The Fair Oaks Boulevard and Howe Avenue bakery joined a Curtis Park location, which opened in July 2024.
Chipotle Mexican Grill (2795 Fulton Ave., Arden Arcade): A former Carl’s Jr. restaurant provided an apt location for the Mexican food giant to set up a “Chipotlane” drive-through lane, The Bee previously reported. With the most recent Chipotle restaurant’s launch, the chain’s presence in Arden Arcade expanded to four locations.
Emile’s Cafe (1300 Lake Washington Blvd.,West Sacramento): In the midst of an upcoming park development project in the Northeast Village neighborhood, Emile’s Cafe opened its doors. The cafe serves coffee drinks, sandwiches and other pastries to hungry customers lounging in its large outdoor patio.
Habit Burger & Grill (3290 East Bidwell St., Folsom): The Santa Barbara-based burger chain opened in the Shops at Folsom Ranch on July 16, bringing the region’s total to 16 Habit Burger restaurants spanning from Woodland to Cameron Park.
La Sabrocita Taqueria (5015 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento): After closing briefly due to security concerns and reports of homeless encampments nearby, the popular Fruitridge Manor taqueria reopened on July 12. While its brick-and-mortar location was shuttered, the business traveled around the region slinging street tacos and burritos with its food truck and catering service.
Pedal Car Pizza & Gelato (222 Vernon St., Roseville): More than a year after the business announced it would be coming to central Roseville, Pedal Car launched on July 29 with a selection of thin-crust pizzas and Italian gelato and sorbetto.
The Hangry Herd (11225 Trade Center Drive, Rancho Cordova): Brisket is slow-cooked for 16 hours at Rancho Cordova’s new barbecue restaurant, which opened July 18. Tri-tip, ribs, pork and chicken are also center stage among various platter and combo meals, accompanied by classic comfort food sides like mac and cheese, coleslaw, potato salad and baked beans.
Toastique (5418 Crossings Drive, Suite 103, Rocklin): As its name suggests, Toastique’s main offering features a line of gourmet toasts with toppings including smoked salmon, tomato and burrata, spicy crab and classic avocado. Açai bowls, wellness shots, juices, smoothies and specialty coffee drinks round out the health-focused chain’s menu.
Big names closed their doors around the Sacramento area in July
Chando’s Tacos (multiple locations across the capital region): After 15 years in the Sacramento area, the regional taco chain unexpectedly shut all of its restaurants on July 29. Owner Lisandro Madrigal said the closures were expected to be temporary and hinted at a new venture coming soon, according to previous Bee reporting.
Jim-Denny’s (816 12th St., Sacramento): N’Gina Guyton’s diner shuttered on July 2, when the building’s landlord served an eviction notice on the business, The Bee reported at the time. Soon after, Guyton announced she would be partnering with New Helvetia Brewing Co. in Land Park to continue serving hamburgers, hot dogs and other American classics from the historic Jim-Denny’s restaurant.
Malt and Mash (715 K St., Sacramento): The downtown Sacramento Irish pub thanked its crew, customers and musical guests in a farewell post on its Instagram posted July 20. National park-themed Parkside Bar will open its second location in mid-September to fill the now-vacant Downtown Commons-adjacent spot, according to Bee reporting.
The Porch Restaurant & Bar (1815 K St., Sacramento): A late-night fire at the midtown Southern food restaurant forced it to cease operations in mid-July. The Porch’s website indicates it is closed until further notice, and diners can visit its sister restaurant, Capitol Garage, at 1500 K St., in the meantime.
This story was originally published August 9, 2025 at 1:52 PM.
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