With so many restaurant people newly out of work as a result of the pandemic, it has never felt so altruistic to order takeout. Here are a few local eateries that are staying open so that we all can eat. Don’t forget to tip generously—in many cases, restaurants are pooling tips with their out-of-work employees.
Juno’s Kitchen & Delicatessen
This little East Sac lunch spot continues to offer its delicious regular menu of takeout sandwiches, salads and pasta “pans” such as pappardelle with shrimp, chicken pasta and shrimp mac ’n’ cheese. While you’re at it, grab a loaf of chef Mark Helms’ freshly baked, naturally leavened sourdough. 3675 J St.; (916) 456-4522; www.junoskitchen.com
Revolution Winery & Kitchen
This urban winery is now offering curbside takeout and delivery of both food and wine. Options include dinner-for-two and dinner-for-four specials, along with a la carte items such as a burger, French BLT and pasta primavera. 2831 S St.; (916) 444-7711; www.revolution-wines.com
Cattlemens
Hankeringn for a steak? Cattlemens, with locations in Dixon, Rancho Cordova and Roseville, offers takeout from 4 to 8 p.m., including bottled wine to go. Get a tri-tip “feast for four”—with baked potatoes, ranch-style beans, salad and bread—or even raw cuts of custom-cut meats to whip into dinner yourself when you get home. www.cattlemens.com
Allora
This upscale modern Italian restaurant, run by chef Deneb Williams and his sommelier wife Elizabeth-Rose Mandalou, has shifted gears to offer family-style meals and an a la carte menu to go, along with wine by the bottle. This is high-end dining for sure: The $90 prix-fixe dinner for two might include a starter of white asparagus and crab bisque, a main course of 30-day dry-aged rib-eye and, for dessert, citrus bread pudding with whey caramel. Purchase a bottle of champagne and you’ll get a dozen free oysters. Curbside pickup Tuesday–Thursday, 4–8 p.m. 5215 Folsom Blvd., (916) 538-6434; www.allorasacramento.com
South
This popular casual Southern joint, best known for its fried chicken, now has a limited daily menu that includes bone-in fried chicken (entrée or bucket), a barbecue platter with smoked brisket, pulled pork and a hot link, and barbecued jumbo shrimp. Beer and wine available. Order by phone; pay by credit card only. 2005 11th St.; (916) 382-9722; www.weheartfriedchicken.com
Canon
This highly regarded chef-driven restaurant, run by Brad Cecchi, is offering family-style “meal boxes” to go, such as a whole chicken, smoked pork shoulder and prime rib-eye steak, along with a la carte items like crispy oxtail, burger and tots, and its famed chicken drumsticks with yogurt and Urfa chili sauce. You can also buy a bottle of wine or a craft cocktail—either a Negroni or a Fanciulli Manhattan. 1719 34th St.; (916) 469-2433; www.canoneastsac.com
The Rind
This cheese-centric restaurant offers curbside service and delivery, both direct and through third-party services like DoorDash and Postmates. Special deals include a cheese platter for two ($29) and dinner for two featuring Not Your Mom’s Mac, salad and dessert ($49). Beer and wine available. 1801 L St.; (916) 441-7463; www.therindsacramento.com
The Waterboy
Rick Mahan’s chic Mediterranean restaurant is offering a three-course dinner for four for $120 (tax and tip not included). The prix-fixe menu changes daily; a typical menu might feature beet salad, mixed grill of Emigh’s lamb and Llano Seco pork belly, and apple crostada. Add on an antipasto or cheese plate for $24. Beer and wine available. Credit card info is taken over the phone to reduce contact, and preordering is required. 2000 Capitol Ave.; (916) 498-9891; www.waterboyrestaurant.com
La Crosta
This West Sac pizza bar now offers prix-fixe dinners for two with curbside pickup. Options include spaghetti and meatballs, chicken fettuccine Alfredo and pasta Bolognese, all served with salad and bread sticks, along with pizza and wings with a house salad. You can also pick up heat-and-eat entrees like cold beef stew and rice, cold chicken parm and cold spaghetti and meatballs for $9 per serving. Beer and wine available. 330 3rd St., West Sacramento; (916) 389-0372; www.lacrostapizzabar.com
Origami Asian Grill
This East Sac fast-casual restaurant serving Asian fusion sandwiches, salads, ramen and bowls has a new online ordering site. Place your order online and they’ll run the food out to your car. Owners Paul DiPierro and Scott Ostrander offer healthful meal-prep kits and plan to post free videos teaching people how to cook at home. 4801 Folsom Blvd.; (916) 400-3075; www.origamitakeout.com
The Golden Bear
Normally a rollicking bar with surprisingly good food, this midtown hangout has shifted to a takeout operation, operating from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., with a limited menu from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. In addition to the regular menu, there are takeout specials, such as pasta carbonara with spring vegetables, meatball hero and family meals like chicken parm—$20 to feed two, $40 for four. Prebatched cocktails to go include watermelon margarita, classic Old Fashioned and tropical Tom Collins. Any tips are shared with out-of-work employees, so be generous! 2326 K St.; (916) 441-2242; www.goldenbear916.com
Pushkin’s Bakery
While Pushkin’s Restaurant in midtown Sac takes a breather, the company’s two bakeries are open for curbside pickup of gluten-free pastries, sandwiches and savories such as quiche, salads, waffles and other plates. Order online or by phone. You can also purchase Pushkin’s proprietary GF baking flour mix, which comes with the bakery’s own chocolate chip cookie recipe. 1820 29th St., (916) 376-7752; 1220 Roseville Pkwy, (916) 886-5050; www.pushkinsbakery.com
Father Paddy’s Public House
This Woodland pub’s new “limited menu” for curbside pickup is actually quite extensive, with burgers, salads, sandwiches, Irish fare and “sharesies”—things like pretzel bites, wings, calamari and garlic fries. Cocktails and beer—including pints of Guinness—are also available to go. Order online, in person, by phone or through the newly launched app, Swipeby. 435 Main St., Woodland; (530) 668-1044; www.fatherpaddyspub.com
Biba
COVID-19 has pushed everyone out of their comfort zone. Even this venerable white-tablecloth Italian restaurant has ventured into the takeout market with a limited menu of a la carte pastas and entrees, plus a prix-fixe dinner for two. (This week’s offering is cioppino, with halibut, prawns, swordfish and calamari, for $35.) Biba’s famous spinach lasagna is also available, with your choice of soup or salad plus bread, for $30. The entire wine list is 25 percent off. 2801 Capitol Ave.; (916) 455-2422; www.biba-restaurant.com
The Boxing Donkey
Rosevillians can grab pub grub to go at this traditional Irish bar. The limited menu includes corned beef tacos, burgers and sandwiches, and Irish fare such as Guinness beef stew, shepherd’s pie and fish and chips. Beer and cocktails to go are available with food purchase, and you can fill a clean growler with any beer on draft. 300 Lincoln St., Roseville; (916) 797-3665; www.theboxingdonkey.com
