Sacramentans love to eat. With the region bursting with restaurants, we asked our subscribers to vote on their favorites in a variety of categories. Here are their picks, along with a few standout dishes selected by Sacramento magazine’s editors.
Best of the Best (Money No Object):
2. The Firehouse
3. Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Runners-up: The Kitchen, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Slocum House
Best of the Best (Moderate Prices):
Paragary’s Bar and Oven
2. The Waterboy
3. Bandera
Runners-up: Carvers Steaks & Chops, 4th Street Grille, Lucca Restaurant & Bar, 33rd Street Bistro
Best of the Best (Inexpensive):
Jack’s Urban Eats and The Old Spaghetti Factory (tie)
2. Cafe Bernardo and Chili’s Grill & Bar (tie)
3. Chipotle
Runner-up: Mimi’s Cafe
New Restaurant:
2. Crush 29
3. McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant
Runners-up: BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, Mulvaney’s Building & Loan
New Downtown Restaurant:
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant
2. Buckhorn Grill
3. Spataro
Runners-up: Bistro 33 Midtown, Mason’s, Restaurant 55 Degrees
Restaurant on the Rise:
2. Roxy Restaurant & Bar
3. Mulvaney’s Building & Loan
Runners-up: BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, Mason’s, McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant
Appetizers:
2. T.G.I. Friday’s
3. The Firehouse and P.F. Chang’s China Bistro (tie)
Runners-up: BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, Elephant Bar Restaurant
Bagels:
Noah’s Bagels
2. Panera Bread
3. New York Bagel Boys
Runners-up: Bella Bru, Nugget Markets, Raley’s/Bel Air, Sacramento Bagel, Safeway
Bakery:
Freeport Bakery
2. Ettore’s European Bakery & Restaurant
3. Raley’s/Bel Air
Runners-up: Grateful Bread Baking Company & Cafe, Panera Bread
Barbecue:
Texas West Bar-B-Que
2. JR’s Texas Bar-B-Que
3. Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que
Runners-up: Back Forty Texas BBQ, Sandra Dee’s Bar-B-Que and Seafood Restaurant
Biggest Portions:
Claim Jumper
2. The Cheesecake Factory
3. Buca di Beppo
Runners-up: Cattlemens, Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, Mimi’s Cafe, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Romano’s Macaroni Grill
Bread at a Restaurant:
2. Romano’s Macaroni Grill
3. Panera Bread and Red Lobster (tie)
Runners-up: The Firehouse, Mimi’s Cafe
Breakfast:
Fox & Goose Public House
2. Mimi’s Cafe
3. IHOP Restaurant
Runners-up: Cafe Bernardo, Cornerstone Restaurant, Tower Cafe
Brew Pub:
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
2. Sacramento Brewing Company
3. Brew It Up! Personal Brewery & Grill
Runners-up: Pyramid Alehouse, River City Brewing Company, Rubicon Brewing Company
Burger:
In-N-Out Burger
2. Red Robin
3. Squeeze Inn
Runners-up: Carl’s Jr., Ford’s Real Hamburgers, Willie’s Burgers
Burger, Non-Fast-Food:
Red Robin
2. Hamburger Mary’s
3. Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks
Runners-up: Chili’s Grill & Bar, The Firehouse, Squeeze Inn
Burrito:
Chipotle
2. Dos Coyotes Border Cafe
3. Adalberto’s Mexican Food
Runners-up: Baja Fresh, Ernesto’s Mexican Food, Gordito Burrito
Caesar Salad:
Jack’s Urban Eats
2. The Firehouse
3. La Bou
Runners-up: Cafe Bernardo, 4th Street Grille, Mimi’s Cafe, Outback Steakhouse, Paragary’s
Bar and Oven, Piatti
Caterer:
Classique Catering
2. Texas West Bar-B-Que
3. Chateau by A Shot of Class and Selland’s Market-Cafe (tie)
Runners-up: A Chef’s Affair, Capital City Catering, David Berkley Fine Wines & Specialty Foods, Ettore’s European Bakery & Restaurant
Chain Restaurant:
Romano’s Macaroni Grill
2. Chili’s Grill & Bar
3. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
Runners-up: BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse,The Cheesecake Factory, Mimi’s Cafe
Cheese Plate:
The Melting Pot
2. The Firehouse
3. 58 Degrees & Holding Co.
Runners-up: Biba, Tapa the World
Chef:
Kurt Spataro (Spataro)
2. Biba Caggiano (Biba)
3. Rick Mahan (The Waterboy)
Runners-up: Taro Arai (Mikuni Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Taro’s by Mikuni), Patrick Mulvaney (Mulvaney’s Building & Loan), Randall Selland (The Kitchen)
Chips and Salsa:
Chevys Fresh Mex
2. Ernesto’s Mexican Food
3. Zócalo
Runners-up: Centro Cocina Mexicana, Chili’s Grill & Bar, On the Border
Coffeehouse:
Starbucks
2. Peet’s Coffee & Tea
3. Bella Bru and It’s A Grind (tie)
Runners-up: Java City, La Bou
Coffeehouse, Locally Owned:
2. Java City
3. It’s A Grind
Runners-up: La Bou, The Naked Lounge, Plantation Coffee Roasters
Cooking School:
American River College (Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management)
2. Whole Foods Market
3. Kitchen Academy and The Kitchen (tie)
Runners-up: Culinary Institute of America,Institute of Technology (Culinary Arts), Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op
Crab Cakes:
2. Joe’s Crab Shack
3. The Firehouse
Runners-up: McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, Red Lobster, Rio City Cafe
Deli:
David Berkley Fine Wines & Specialty Foods
2. Raley’s/Bel Air
3. Corti Brothers
Runners-up: Beach Hut Deli, Dominick’s Italian Market, Nugget Markets
Desserts:
Rick’s Dessert Diner
2. Ettore’s European Bakery & Restaurant
3. The Cheesecake Factory
Runners-up: The Firehouse, Freeport Bakery, Tower Cafe
Dining and Dancing Spot:
Harlow’s
2. The Park Ultra Lounge at Mason’s
3. The Cliff House of Folsom
Runner-up: Rudy’s Hideaway
Dining Entertainment:
Garbeau’s Dinner Theatre
2. Delta King Pilothouse
3. The Kitchen
Runners-up: Benihana, Harlow’s, The Town Lounge
Dining Secret:
2. 4th Street Grille
3. The Melting Pot
Dive:
Squeeze Inn
2. Jamie’s Bar and Grill
3. Zelda’s Original Gourmet Pizza
Runner-up: Poor Red’s
Chinese:
Frank Fat’s
2. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
3. The Mandarin
Runners-up: Chinois City Cafe, Fat’s Asia Bistro & Dim Sum Bar, New Canton
Chinese, Hole-in-the-Wall:
Wonderful Chinese Restaurant
2. Far East Cafe
3. Shanghai Garden
Runners-up: Forbidden City, Fortune House, Hop Sing Palace, Mayflower Chinese Cuisine, Panda Express
French:
La Bohème
2. La Provence Restaurant & Terrace
3. Le Bilig French Cafe
Runners-up: Bidwell Street Bistro, Cafe Rolle, Danielle’s Creperie & Gallery
German:
Sudwerk
2. St. Pauli Inn
3. Plaza Hof Brau
Greek:
Greek Village Inn
2. Daphne’s Greek Cafe
3. Opa! Opa!
Runners-up: Kabob House, Symposium
Indian:
Gaylord India Restaurant
2. Kaveri Madras Cuisine
3. Bombay Bistro
Runners-up: Kathmandu Kitchen, Pooja Indian Grill,Sher-E-Punjab Indian Restaurant
Italian:
Biba
2. Il Fornaio
3. Romano’s Macaroni Grill
Runners-up: Cafe Vinoteca, Lucca Restaurant & Bar, Olive Garden
Italian, Family-Style:
Buca di Beppo
2. The Old Spaghetti Factory
3. Español
Runners-up: Club Pheasant, Olive Garden, Romano’s Macaroni Grill
Japanese:
Mikuni Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
2. Benihana
3. Hana Tsubaki and Taro’s by Mikuni (tie)
Runners-up: Mana Japanese Restaurant, Nishiki Sushi Bar
Mexican:
Ernesto’s Mexican Food
2. Zócalo
3. Tres Hermanas
Runners-up: Centro Cocina Mexicana, Chevys Fresh Mex, Vallejo’s
Mexican, Hole-in-the-Wall:
Vallejo’s
2. Adalberto’s Mexican Food and Jimboy’s Tacos (tie)
3. Tres Hermanas
Runners-up: Emma’s Taco House, La Fiesta Taqueria
Sushi:
Mikuni Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
2. Nishiki Sushi Bar
3. Taro’s by Mikuni
Runners-up: Kamon Japanese Restaurant, Kru, Mana Japanese Restaurant, Osaka Sushi, Samurai Sushi
Thai:
Thai Basil Cafe
2. Lemon Grass Restaurant
3. Amarin Thai Cuisine and Thai Cottage (tie)
Runners-up: Bangkok Garden, Thai Siam
Vietnamese:
Lemon Grass Restaurant
2. Bobo Cafe
3. Andy Nguyen’s
Runners-up: Hoa Viet, Pho Bac Hoa Viet
Family Restaurant:
The Old Spaghetti Factory
2. Mimi’s Cafe
3. Brookfield’s Restaurant
Runners-up: Applebee’s, Buca di Beppo, Chili’s Grill & Bar, Red Robin
Fish Market:
Fins Market & Grill
2. Scott’s Seafood
3. Whole Foods Market
Runners-up: Corti Brothers, Nugget Markets, Raley’s/Bel Air
French Fries:
McDonald’s
2. In-N-Out Burger
3. Red Robin
Runners-up: Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks, Jack’s Urban Eats, 33rd Street Bistro
Fried Chicken:
KFC
2. Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits
3. Church’s Chicken
Runners-up: Chick-fil-A, Raley’s/Bel Air, Sandra Dee’s Bar-B-Que and Seafood Restaurant
Gourmet Cookies:
Mrs. Fields
2. Cookie Connection
3. Freeport Bakery
Runners-up: Cookie Company, Ettore’s European Bakery & Restaurant, Kelli’s Gourmet Cookies
Gourmet Takeout:
Selland’s Market-Cafe
2. David Berkley Fine Wines & Specialty Foods
3. Nugget Markets
Runners-up: Ettore’s European Bakery & Restaurant, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Whole Foods Market
Guacamole:
Chevy’s Fresh Mex
2. Ernesto’s Mexican Food
3. Centro Cocina Mexicana
Runners-up: Chipotle, El Torito, Zócalo
Happy Hour:
Chops Steak Seafood & Bar, El Torito, McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood
Restaurant and T.G.I. Friday’s (tie)
2. Spataro
3. The Firehouse
Health-Conscious Menu:
Fresh Choice
2. Sunflower Drive-In
3. Applebee’s
Runners-up: Jack’s Urban Eats, Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, Whole Foods Market
Hotel Restaurant:
Dawson’s (Hyatt Regency Sacramento)
2. Chanterelle (The Sterling Hotel)
3. Basil’s by the Lake (Radisson Hotel Sacramento)
Runners-up: Morgan’s Central Valley Bistro (Sheraton Grand Sacramento), Tower Bridge Bistro (Embassy Suites Sacramento), Zinfandel Grille (Rocklin Park Hotel)
Ice Cream Parlor:
Leatherby’s Family Creamery
2. Coldstone Creamery
3. Vic’s
Runners-up: Baskin-Robbins, Burr’s Fountain, Gunther’s
Auburn:
Latitudes
2. Awful Annie’s
3. Le Bilig French Cafe
Runners-up: Bootleggers, Carpe Vino, Katrina’s Cafe, Monkey Cat Restaurant
Davis:
Bistro 33 Davis
2. Seasons
3. Sudwerk
Runners-up: Dos Coyotes Border Cafe, The Mustard Seed, Sophia’s Thai Kitchen
El Dorado Hills:
Masque Ristorante
2. Bella Bru and Cafe Campanile (tie)
3. Chantara Thai Cuisine and Strings Italian Cafe (tie)
Elk Grove:
Boulevard Bistro
2. Silva’s Sheldon Inn
3. Elk Grove Brewery & Restaurant
Runners-up: BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, Logan’s Roadhouse, Mikuni Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Palermo Ristorante Italiano, Texas Roadhouse
Folsom:
Bidwell Street Bistro and The Cliff House of Folsom (tie)
2. Fat’s Asia Bistro & Dim Sum Bar
3. BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
Runners-up: Chicago Fire, Scott’s Seafood
Lodi:
Wine & Roses
2. Movie City Grill & Bar and Rosewood Bar & Grill (tie)
3. School Street Bistro and Woodbridge Feed & Fuel (tie)
Natomas:
Bella Bru
2. BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
3. Center Court with C-Webb
Runners-up: Carino’s Italian Grill, Malabar
Placerville:
Sequoia
2. Cafe Luna
3. Sweetie Pie’s Restaurant & Bakery
Runners-up: Tomei’s, Tortilla Flats, Zachary Jacques
Roseville/Granite Bay:
Carvers Steaks & Chops
2. Crush 29
3. Fat’s Asia Bistro & Dim Sum Bar
Runners-up: La Provence Restaurant & Terrace, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Ruth’s Chris Steak House
West Sacramento:
Club Pheasant
2. Emma’s Taco House
3. Vince’s
Runners-up: Ikea, Sal’s Tacos, Westside Pub & Grill, Whitey’s Jolly Kone
Woodland:
Morrison’s Upstairs
2. Tazzina Bistro
3. Ludy’s Main Street BBQ
Runners-up: Ruby Tuesday, Sonic Drive-In
Kid-Friendly Dining:
The Old Spaghetti Factory
2. Red Robin
3. Mimi’s Cafe
Runners-up: Chili’s Grill & Bar, Chuck E. Cheese’s, McDonald’s
Late-Night Dining:
Ink
2. Tapa the World
3. Bistro 33 Midtown
Runners-up: BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, Denny’s, Lyon’s, Mel’s Diner
Lunch, Budget:
La Bou
2. Jack’s Urban Eats
3. Subway
Runners-up: Chipotle, McDonald’s, Togo’s
Lunch, Business:
The Firehouse
2. Esquire Grill
3. Chops Steak Seafood & Bar
Runners-up: 4th Street Grille, Il Fornaio, Lucca Restaurant & Bar
Lunch, Ladies’:
Danielle’s Creperie & Gallery
2. The Firehouse
3. La Bou and Mimi’s Cafe (tie)
Runners-up: Ettore’s European Bakery & Restaurant, Lucca Restaurant & Bar
Neighborhood Restaurant:
Riverside Clubhouse
2. Applebee’s
3. 33rd Street Bistro
Runners-up: Bella Bru, Chili’s Grill & Bar, Original Pete’s
Old Favorite:
The Firehouse
2. The Old Spaghetti Factory
3. Slocum House
Runners-up: Bandera, Club Pheasant, 4th Street Grille, Paragary’s Bar and Oven, Rudy’s Hideaway, Tower Cafe
Outdoor Dining:
The Firehouse
2. Paragary’s Bar and Oven
3. Slocum House
Runners-up: Chevys Fresh Mex, The Cliff House of Folsom, Rio City Cafe
Pasta Selection:
Romano’s Macaroni Grill
2. Olive Garden
3. Strings Italian Cafe
Runners-up: Biba, Il Fornaio, The Old Spaghetti Factory
Pizza:
Round Table Pizza
2. Zelda’s Original Gourmet Pizza
3. Giovanni’s Pizzeria
Runners-up: California Pizza Kitchen, Original Pete’s, Steve’s Pizza
Pizza, Non-Pizzeria:
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
2. Paragary’s Bar and Oven
3. California Pizza Kitchen
Runners-up: Paesano’s Pizzeria, Original Pete’s, Zinfandel Grille
Restaurant in a Mall:
California Cafe
2. California Pizza Kitchen
3. Il Fornaio
Runners-up: Taro’s by Mikuni, Pluto’s, River City Brewing Company
Restaurant To Take Mom:
The Firehouse
2. Slocum House
3. Mimi’s Cafe
Runners-up: Biba, The Cliff House of Folsom, Il Fornaio
River Dining:
Rio City Cafe
2. Chevys Fresh Mex
3. Bridges on the River
Runners-up: Crawdad’s River Cantina, Delta King Pilothouse, Joe’s Crab Shack, The Virgin Sturgeon
Romantic:
The Firehouse
2. Slocum House
3. The Melting Pot
Runners-up: Aioli Bodega Española, The Cliff House of Folsom, Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Sandwich Shop:
Mr. Pickles
2. The Beach Hut Deli
3. Togo’s
Runners-up: La Bou, Quiznos, Subway
Seafood:
Scott’s Seafood
2. McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant
3. Fins Market & Grill
Runners-up: The Firehouse, Joe’s Crab Shack, Red Lobster
Special Occasion Restaurant:
The Firehouse
2. Slocum House
3. Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Runners-up: Biba, The Melting Pot, Morton’s The Steakhouse
Sports Bar:
Mandango’s Sports Bar and Grill
2. BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
3. Center Court with C-Webb
Runners-up: Hooters, Mark & Monica’s Sports Grill & Pizza, Player’s Sports Pub & Grill
Steakhouse:
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
2. Morton’s The Steakhouse
3. Carvers Steaks & Chops and Outback Steakhouse (tie)
Runners-up: Chops Steak Seafood & Bar, Cattlemens
Sunday Brunch:
The Cliff House of Folsom and Dawson’s (Hyatt Regency Sacramento) (tie)
2. Slocum House
3. Delta King Pilothouse
Runners-up: Basil’s by the Lake (Radisson Hotel Sacramento), Fox & Goose Public House, Sacramento Brewing Company, Tower Cafe
Theme Restaurant:
Elephant Bar Restaurant
2. Joe’s Crab Shack
3. Hard Rock Cafe
Runners-up: Buca di Beppo, Center Court with C-Webb, The Melting Pot
View:
The Cliff House of Folsom
2. Rio City Cafe
3. Bridges on the River
Runners-up: Chevys Fresh Mex, Delta King Pilothouse, Joe’s Crab Shack
Wine Bar:
58 Degrees & Holding Co.
2. Crush 29
3. Enotria
Runners-up: The Firehouse, Restaurant 55 Degrees
Wine List:
The Firehouse
2. Enotria
3. Crush 29
Runners-up: 58 Degrees & Holding Co., The Kitchen, The Melting Pot, Morton’s The Steakhouse
Sacmag.com Votes&emdash;During the month of May, we asked sacmag.com viewers to vote for the best restaurants in the region. Here are their favorites in 10 categories.
Best French Toast: Tower Cafe
Best Doughnuts: Krispy Kreme
Best Frozen Yogurt: Brookfield’s
Best Garlic Fix: Jack’s Urban Eats (garlic fries)
Best Lunch To Go: La Bou
Best Margarita: Chevys Fresh Mex
Best Place To See and Be Seen: The Park Ultra Lounge at Mason’s
Best Prime Rib: Cattlemens
Best Sangria: Tapa the World
Best Buffalo Wings: Hooters