Top Takeout

With the pandemic wreaking havoc on indoor dining, restaurateurs have had to up their to-go game. Here’s a guide to some of the best takeaway food in town.
pandemic takeout

During COVID-19, few industries have suffered as mightily as the restaurant business. Unable to offer dine-in services for most of the past year, restaurants have turned to takeout in order to survive. In the process, they’ve managed to keep us well fed with fun, interesting, delightful food in boxes, cartons and bags.

MajkaĀ PizzeriaĀ & Bakery

Why we love it:Ā Because, with oneĀ pizzaĀ flavor per day, there’s noĀ dithering over what to order.

Majka Pizzeria & Bakery takeout

Only oneĀ styleĀ ofĀ veggieĀ pizza per day—what’s up with that? According to Alex Sherry, who ownsĀ MajkaĀ with his wife,Ā ChutharatĀ SaeĀ Tong,Ā it’s so they can use the freshest ingredients possible without any waste. The coupleĀ previouslyĀ worked at The Cheese Board Collective in Berkeley, famed for its vegetarian pizza (and the hordes of people who lined up for it). At Majka, the pizza comes on an organic, whole-grain sourdough crust,Ā usingĀ wild yeast from a mother starter. Toppings are sourced from local farmers markets and small farms, including Twin Peaks OrchardĀ in Newcastle. When the weather’s nice, pick up a pizza, a bottle of natural wine and a couple of chocolate chunk misoĀ cookies fromĀ Majka’sĀ takeout window andĀ headĀ across the street to Fremont Park for an alfresco meal.Ā 1704 15thĀ St.; (916) 572-9316; lovemajka.com

Mikuni

Why we love it:Ā Because they do takeout right.

mikuni

Drive past Mikuni’s big picture windows overlooking 16thĀ Street at dinnertime and you’ll see quite a sight: dozens upon dozens of bags filled with takeout orders lined up on tables, bar tops and every other horizontal surface.Ā In the before times,Ā Taro Arai’s famed rock ’n’ roll sushi joint, with its hip design and pulsating music,Ā may have beenĀ the ultimate dine-in experience forĀ localĀ sushi freaks. But in the age of COVID, it quickly figured out how to swivel to the takeoutĀ space. These days,Ā Mikuni’sĀ to-go business is run like a military operation.Ā When a customer in a car pulls up outside, a staffer promptly runs the order out for wham! bam!, thank you ma’am! service. That means you’re home before you know it, enjoying yourĀ ZigĀ Zag Soft Shell Crab hand roll or your DMC sushi roll (named for DeMarcus Cousins) in your own crib.Ā 1530 J St.; (916) 447-2112; mikunisushi.com

mikuni sushi takeout

Bacon & Butter

Why we love it:Ā Because breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

This popular breakfastĀ houseĀ has had to pivot—hard—during the pandemic. Owner Billy ZoellinĀ shut downĀ hisĀ East SacĀ restaurantĀ and turned the Tahoe Park eatery into a takeout-only operation. (The crowds proved too large and unruly for patio dining.)Ā But the menu remains the same, an alluring selection of a.m.Ā comfort foods such as biscuits and gravy, French toast, flapjacks andĀ B&B’sĀ famous gut bomb, the grilled cheese Benedict. Breakfast foods don’t always travel well, soĀ ZoellinĀ got creative. The house potatoes, for instance, get extra time in the frying pan in order to stay crispy in their takeout container. On weekdays (Tuesday–Thursday), there’s a nice littleĀ perk: free coffee or teaĀ whenĀ you order online. 5913 Broadway; (916) 346-4445; baconandbuttersac.com

Canon

canon takeout

Why we love it:Ā BecauseĀ it’s MichelinĀ qualityĀ toĀ go.

canon

In a few short years, BradĀ CecchiĀ has made his mark on Sacramento’s dining scene with hisĀ youngĀ East Sac restaurant Canon, which received a Michelin Bib Gourmand awardĀ in 2019—not quite a Michelin star, but not bad for aĀ Sacramento newcomer.Ā When youĀ pack up elevated fareĀ to go,Ā it often loses somethingĀ in the car rideĀ between restaurant and home, but the talentedĀ CecchiĀ hasĀ mastered the art of makingĀ inventive fareĀ that travels well. His Sunday-night prix-fixe dinners areĀ particularly successful.Ā The $35 meal, which changes weekly, includes aĀ starter, entrĆ©e and dessert.Ā It’s not your typical takeout:Ā A recent dinner featuredĀ a stuffedĀ pasillaĀ pepper,Ā beef cheek tacosĀ on beet-juice tortillas, planchaĀ potatoes and, for dessert,Ā pumpkin mousse.Ā 1719 34th St.; (916) 469-2433; canoneastsac.com

Brad Cecchi

BinchoyakiĀ IzakayaĀ Dining

binchoyaki takeout

Why we love it:Ā Because itĀ servesĀ pupuĀ plattersĀ for the 21stĀ century.

food to go binchoyaki

As parents of small children, CraigĀ TakeharaĀ and Toki Sawada knowĀ how challenging it is toĀ have to put dinner on the table—stat. So the couple behindĀ Binchoyaki came up with several ā€œmixed plattersā€Ā that answer the age-old question ā€œWhat’s for dinner tonight?ā€ The kids’ platter ($40) featuresĀ fun foods such asĀ edamameĀ with sea salt,Ā arabikiĀ corn dogs, Japanese fried chicken and French fries. Other options include a poke andĀ tako wasabi dip platter ($35) and a veggie sumiyakiĀ platter ($96). Platters are available with 24 hours notice. 2226 10th St.; (916) 469-9448; binchoyaki.com

toki sawada and craig takehara

Taylor’s Kitchen

taylor's burger takeout

Why we love it:Ā Because the burger can’t be beat.

taylor's kitchen

Last spring, when COVID shutĀ down indoor dining, this upscale Land Park eatery began sellingĀ humbleĀ smashĀ burgersĀ 4–7 p.m.Ā on Mondays, dubbing it ā€œBurger Madness.ā€Ā What started out as a way to keepĀ theĀ staff employed turned into a neighborhood community builderĀ as people flocked to Taylor’s for the tasty diner-style burgers. Last summer, the place wasĀ routinelyĀ selling 200 burgers a night. Even now, people still clamor every Monday for the burger: a 1/3 pound beef pattyĀ (an 80–20 blend from the butcher at next-door’s Taylor’s Market), American cheese, red onion and house-made pickles on an Acme bun, plus fries. The price: $10.99 for one, $35.99 for a four-pack. Makes you almost wish Monday would hurry up and come. 2924 Freeport Blvd.; (916) 443-5154; taylorskitchen.com

taylor's kitchen burger

taylor's kitchen takeout

KruĀ Contemporary Japanese Cuisine

Why we love it:Ā Because it’s widelyĀ consideredĀ Sacramento’s finest sushi.

In the pre-COVID era,Ā Kru owner Billy Ngo had a strict dine-in-guests-first policy: ā€œWe only took takeout orders if we had time,ā€ he explains. Since the restaurant was generally packed, that meant no takeout for you. But all that changed with the pandemic. Now, you can take enjoy Kru’sĀ exquisite sushi in the comfort of your own home. Order the colorful Firecracker roll (crab and avocado topped with salmon, spicy garlic sauce, tempura crisps and jalapeƱo) or a five-, 15- or 25-piece assortment of sparkling-fresh sashimi. Ngo has a few other takeout tricks up his sleeve, offeringĀ grab-and-go bento boxes at lunchtime and dumpling-and-broth meal kits that can be warmed up at home or frozen for future consumption. They come in two varieties: duck dumplings with mushroom dashi and kabocha squashĀ agnolottiĀ with squashĀ dashi.Ā 3135 Folsom Blvd.; (916) 551-1559; krurestaurant.com

Bawk!Ā Chicken + Bar

Why we love it:Ā Because whoĀ doesn’tĀ love fried chicken?

When Rob Archie, Josh Nelson and Tamera Baker teamed up to openĀ Bawk! on the R Street Corridor, they already had major foodĀ cred: Archie is the guy behind Pangaea Cafe and Urban Roots Smokehouse, while siblings Nelson and Baker practically grew up in the food business. (Their parents are Randall SellandĀ and Nancy Baker of The Kitchen fame.) This hip chicken joint wasĀ ideallyĀ situated to shift to takeout: A bucket of fried fowl is, after all, the perfect moveable feast. Theirs is a fusion-y version that marries Southern fried chicken with JapaneseĀ karaage—each piece hasĀ a crisp, almost glassy exterior andĀ aĀ moist interior. Note:Ā If you’re watching your waist,Ā Bawk! recently added rotisserie chicken to the menu. 1409 R St.; (916) 376-7531; bawkfriedchicken.com

Thai FarmĀ HouseĀ BBQ & Bistro

thai cooking takeout

Why we love it:Ā Because theĀ ThaiĀ flavors are clean,Ā freshĀ and authentic.

thai food takeout

Thai restaurants are a dime a dozen, but local foodies swearĀ allegiance to this small Broadway shop. It’s owned by Sacramento native Bradford PromkesaĀ and his wife, Ice, who came here from Thailand in 2008. Many of the dishes are from herĀ ownĀ family recipes. Kao soi, for instance, is a noodle dish from her native Chiang Mai province. ā€œA lot of people come back from a trip toĀ Thailand and say it tastes just like what they ate there,ā€ says Bradford. The food is fresh, with a heavy emphasis on organicĀ produce and high-quality meats. 1049 Broadway; (916) 382-9448; thaifarmhouse.com

prep

BrasserieĀ Capitale

Why we love it:Ā Because the owner himself delivers the food to your door.

The pandemic has forced restaurant folk toĀ adjustĀ in new and unusual ways. To keep his downtown brasserie afloat, AzizĀ Bellarbi-SalahĀ summoned his inner hustle and personally delivers takeout orders to customers all over the city. It allows him to bypass the third-party delivery services likeĀ DoordashĀ andĀ Grubhub, which take as much as 30 percent off the top of each order.Ā The food he’s delivering is classic French fare: steak frites,Ā cassoulet, coq auĀ vin, mussels.Ā Some customersĀ are surprised when the owner shows up at their door. But he always gets a good reception: At one home in Elk Grove, a pit bull named Veronica greeted him happily,Ā sniffing and wagging her tail.Ā 1201 K St.; (916) 329-8033; brasseriecapitale.com

ElĀ Bramido

el bramido burrito

Why we love it:Ā Because the crispy tacos are the bomb.

el bramido

You won’t find anythingĀ fancy or highfalutin’ at thisĀ NatomasĀ taqueria, just good, fresh, authentic Mexican food.Ā ElĀ BramidoĀ makes great burritos, quesadillas, tostadas and more—the whole enchilada, if you will. Meat choices includeĀ carnitas, beef and chicken, along with cabezaĀ (head),Ā lenguaĀ (tongue),Ā bucheĀ (pork neck) andĀ tripitaĀ (tripe). Tacos come two ways: in a warm, soft corn tortillaĀ orĀ a crispy fried tortillaĀ lashed withĀ savoryĀ sprinklingĀ of Parmesan cheese.Ā On weekends, people line up on the sidewalk out frontĀ for hotĀ churros right out of the fryer, made to order by a guy workingĀ atĀ a cart on the sidewalk. Jaunty Mexican music plays while you wait, adding to theĀ merryĀ atmosphere.Ā 2394 Northgate Blvd.; (916) 565-1552

el bramido interior

Camden Spit & Larder

camden spit and larder takeout

Why we love it:Ā BecauseĀ theĀ fish and chipsĀ areĀ made by aĀ realĀ Englishman.

chef oliver ridgeway

At this chic downtown chophouse, owner Oliver Ridgeway is known for serving elevated versions of pub staples and British schoolboy fare. (His sausage rolls are aĀ kick.) When the pandemic struck, he started aĀ newĀ takeout tradition: Fish and Chip Friday. AĀ native of Britain, he uses a recipe he’s tweaked over the years,Ā coatingĀ Pacific cod fillets in a foamy ale batter that, when fried, stays crisp for hours. The fish comes with thick, hand-cut chips (those are fries to you, Yank) andĀ tangyĀ house-made tartar sauce.Ā In a pandemic lockdown, it’s the next best thing to crossing the pond.Ā 555 Capitol Mall; (916) 619-8897; camdenspitandlarder.com

camden takeout

fish and chips camden

OrigamiĀ Asian Grill

Why we love it:Ā Because it’s fast-casual fare made by a pair of talented chefs.

Scott Ostrander and PaulĀ DiPierroĀ aren’t your typical fast-food slingers: They’ve worked at some of the best restaurantsĀ in the country, including Chicago’sĀ Alinea (Ostrander), Meadowood in Napa (DiPierro) and Park Winters (both). In 2018, they opened Origami in East Sacramento toĀ serve affordable fare created through a fine-dining prism. Origami loosely follows the Chipotle mix-and-match, assembly-line model, with the diner choosing format (sandwich, ramen, rice bowl or salad), protein (chicken, pork belly, tri-tip or tofu) and sauce (onion glaze, chili misoĀ or hot).Ā Specials periodically make an appearance; look for the Origami double burger and fries,Ā or the Saturday cream puff pop–up from pastry chef Ramon Perez ofĀ PuurĀ Chocolat.Ā 4801 Folsom Blvd.; (916) 400-3075; origamiasiangrill.com

Restaurant Josephine

restaurant josephine spices

Why we love it:Ā Because the food is French—and delicious.

restaurant josephine owners

Graduates of the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park, N.Y., Eric Alexander and Courtney McDonald ran the kitchen at Auburn wine bar CarpeĀ Vino before leaving to open their own fine-dining restaurant. Unfortunately, COVID-19 put a hitch in their plans, so they’re temporarily running Restaurant Josephine (named for their young daughter) as an upscale,Ā weekends-onlyĀ takeout operation. The menu is largely French bistro fare: things like beef cheekĀ daubeĀ ProvenƧalĀ and chicken Ć” laĀ Normande. Another popular offering is a whole chicken, grilled in a cast-iron pan and served with sauceĀ verteĀ and frites. Hot, ready-to-eat main courses are designed to feed two and cost around $45. McDonald, a former pastry chef, prepares restaurant-quality desserts, such as sticky toffee pudding with maple Chantilly and mandarinĀ confitĀ (made with produce grown on the couple’s farm).Ā 1226 Lincoln Way, Auburn; josephineauburn.com

courtney meal prep

oysters takeout

And There’s More…

Adamo’s
Gently priced Italian favorites: risotto, meatballs with polenta, andĀ lotsaĀ pasta.Ā 2107 P St.; (916) 440-9611; adamoskitchen.com

Azul Mexican Food + Tequila Bar
Ceviche, fish tacos and the best green enchiladas in town.Ā 1050 20th St.; (916) 447-4040

CaballoĀ Blanco
Burritos,Ā chimichangasĀ and other Mexican favorites, plus the healthful Avocado Fresco Bowl, a partnership with Sacramento’s Food Literacy Center.Ā 5604 Franklin Blvd.; (916) 428-6706

CĆ©lestin’s Restaurant
Soulful versions ofĀ French Creole fare: gumbo, jambalaya, chicken Creole and more.Ā 3610 McKinley Blvd.; (916) 258-4060; celestinsgumbo.com

Coconut on T
Superb Thai food; don’t miss the avocado yellow curry or Drunken Noodle.Ā 1110 T St.; (916) 822-4665; thecoconutthai.com

Cookie’s Drive In
Old-school fast-food joint serving burgers, fries and shakes.Ā 5640 H St.; (916) 457-8353

Fish Face Poke Bar
Fresh fish fast—seafood salads and grab-and-go hand rolls—fromĀ Kru’sĀ Billy Ngo.Ā 1104 R St.; (916) 706-0605; fishfacepokebar.com

Frank Fat’s
Upscale takes on Chinese-AmericanĀ favesĀ like honey walnut prawns, plus Fat’s signature New York steak and banana cream pie.Ā 806 L St.; (916) 442-7092; frankfats.com

Fish & Things
Poke bowls, sushi, searedĀ ahiĀ burger and that Hawaiian staple, SpamĀ masubi. 7423 Laguna Blvd., Elk Grove; (916) 647-3047; fishnthings.net

Journey to the Dumpling
Shanghai-style dumplings (try the soup-filledĀ xiaoĀ longĀ bao), along with Chinese dishes such as green onion pancakes, garlic green beans, salt-and-pepper calamari.Ā 7419 Laguna Blvd., Elk Grove; (916) 509-9556; journeytothedumpling.com

Juno’s KitchenĀ FriendlyĀ East Sac sandwich shop that bakes its own bread; open for lunch only.Ā 3675 J St.; (916) 456-4522; junoskitchen.com

Kasbah
Middle Eastern fare such asĀ shawarma, falafel and gyros; theĀ mezzaĀ platter includes hummus,Ā lebne,Ā babaĀ ghanoushĀ and more.Ā 2115 J St.; (916) 442-4388; kasbahlounge.com

Kathmandu Kitchen
Excellent Nepali and Indian fare. 234 G St., Davis; (530) 756-3507; kathmandukitchendavis.com

KintaroĀ Sushi Bar
SuperfreshĀ sushi, sashimi andĀ nigiri.Ā 8355 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove; (916) 684-6933; kintarosushibar.com

Lemon Grass Restaurant
Upscale Vietnamese and Thai food from the incomparable Mai Pham.Ā 601 Munroe St.; (916) 486-4891; lemongrassrestaurant.com

Madar
Modern Afghani street foodĀ such asĀ chapliĀ kabob burger,Ā naanwichĀ and Sultan fries (with crispy chicken and feta sauce).Ā 2654 Marconi Ave.; (916) 827-0009; madarstreetfood.com

Mom & Pop Chicken Shop
Buttermilk fried chicken, plus fries, burgers and doughnuts.Ā 4355 Town Center Blvd., El Dorado Hills; (916) 673-9563; chxshp.com

OBO’ Italian Table & Bar
Wood-fired pizzas, house-made pastas and specials such as $29 dinner and a bottle of wine for two (changes weekly) and $10 Meatball Monday.Ā 3145 Folsom Blvd.; (916) 822-8720; oboitalian.com

Nash & Proper
Originally a food truck, now a restaurant serving Nashville-style hot fried chicken; you choose the heat level, from mild to ā€œcluckenĀ hot.ā€Ā 3270 Northgate Blvd.; nashandproper.com

Nixtaco
Inventive tacos such as the Porky Shrimp (shrimp with beer and cheese sauce andĀ chicharronĀ powder) and the Octopus (withĀ serrano-infused butter and peanut chipotle sauce).Ā 1804Ā Cirby Way, Roseville; (916) 771-4165; nixta.co

Orchid Thai
All the greatest hits from the Thai canon, plus vegetarian and gluten-free options.Ā 1609 16thĀ St.; (916) 476-3681; orchidthai916.com

Pizza Supreme Being
A limited menu of whole pies that includes cheese, pepperoni and Hawaiian (Spam, jalapeño and pineapple). 1425 14th St.; (916) 917-5559; pizzasupremebeing.com

Relish Burger Bar
Options far beyond the basic burger: bison, lamb,Ā ahiĀ tuna and a peanut butter bacon cheeseburger.Ā 1000 White Rock Road, El Dorado Hills; (916) 933-3111; relishburgerbar.com

Southpaw Sushi
LouĀ Valente’sĀ hip take on sushi,Ā nigiriĀ and hand rolls.Ā 1616 Del Paso Blvd.; (916) 550-2600; southpawsushi.com

TacoaĀ Tacos Y Tequila
AuthenticĀ Mexican-style street tacos, great carneĀ asadaĀ fries and cocktails to go.Ā 6350 Folsom Blvd.; (916) 476-3407

TresĀ Hermanas
Known for its generous servings of topnotch crab enchiladas, prawns a laĀ diablaĀ and al pastor (grilled pork).Ā 2416 K St.; (916) 443-6919; treshermanasonk.com

YueĀ Huang
Exquisite dim sumĀ thatĀ earned this Cantonese restaurant a shout-out in the 2019 Michelin Guide.Ā 3860Ā TruxelĀ Road; (916) 621-3737; yuehuangdimsum.com

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