Top 5 food and drink stories in August 2025 among readers

Common themes among the top 5 articles among subscribers in August 2025 include restaurant openings, closures, and strategic adjustments in the industry.

A Hawaiian restaurant in East Sacramento plans to pivot to a Japanese concept. Kiki’s Chicken Place undergoes restructuring. Meanwhile, the introduction of various new eateries, including a pirate-themed cafe and a new Chipotle restaurant with a Chipotlane, shows the different dining options available in the Sacramento area.

Customers line up shortly after opening at Jim-Denny’s in Sacramento on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. By IRENE ADELINE MILANEZ

NO. 1: 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. | Published August 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Camila Pedrosa

N’Gina Guyton talks with customers Wednesday at Jim-Denny’s that reopened on Sept. 2 with a new spacious outdoor dining area. By Lezlie Sterling

NO. 2: PLANS TO REBOOT N’GINA GUYTON’S SOUTH RESTAURANT FELL THROUGH, DEVELOPER SAYS

Sacramento restaurateur N’Gina Guyton’s new restaurant will no longer open as planned in a Mansion Flats development, the project’s developer said. | Published August 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Camila Pedrosa

Kau Kau will serve Hawaiian-inspired dishes like this poke bowl with lomi lomi salmon.

NO. 3: EAST SACRAMENTO HAWAIIAN RESTAURANT TO CLOSE, REPLACED BY A JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Hawaiian restaurant Kau Kau is closing, with plans in place to transform the East Sacramento establishment into a Japanese eatery by the fall. | Published August 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Camila Pedrosa

An array of menu items available at Chipotle Mexican Grill, including bowls, a quesadilla and tortilla chips. By Courtesy of Chipotle Mexican Grill

NO. 4: CHIPOTLE OFFERS FREE BURRITOS AT NEW SACRAMENTO-AREA LOCATION OPENING SOON

Chipotle Mexican Grill will open a new location this week in the Sacramento area, featuring the brand’s Chipotlane, a drive-through pick-up lane that allows patrons to pick up orders without leaving their vehicles. | Published August 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Marcus Smith

NO. 5: KIKI’S CHICKEN PLACE IS SEPARATING FROM 10 OF ITS SACRAMENTO-AREA RESTAURANTS

Sacramento-based fried chicken chain Kiki’s Chicken Place is closing 10 of its restaurants in the Sacramento region, with independent operators planning to take over the locations. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Camila Pedrosa

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.