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, theyāve 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, thereās noĀ dithering over what to order.
Only oneĀ styleĀ ofĀ veggieĀ pizza per dayāwhatās up with that? According to Alex Sherry, who ownsĀ MajkaĀ with his wife,Ā ChutharatĀ SaeĀ Tong,Ā itās 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 weatherās nice, pick up a pizza, a bottle of natural wine and a couple of chocolate chunk misoĀ cookies fromĀ MajkaāsĀ 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.
Drive past Mikuniās big picture windows overlooking 16thĀ Street at dinnertime and youāll 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 Araiās famed rock ānā 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 MikuniāsĀ 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 maāam! service. That means youāre 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
Bacon & Butter
Why we love it:Ā Because breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
This popular breakfastĀ houseĀ has had to pivotāhardāduring 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&BāsĀ famous gut bomb, the grilled cheese Benedict. Breakfast foods donāt 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 (TuesdayāThursday), thereās a nice littleĀ perk: free coffee or teaĀ whenĀ you order online. 5913 Broadway; (916) 346-4445; baconandbuttersac.com
Canon
Why we love it:Ā BecauseĀ itās MichelinĀ qualityĀ toĀ go.
In a few short years, BradĀ CecchiĀ has made his mark on Sacramentoās dining scene with hisĀ youngĀ East Sac restaurant Canon, which received a Michelin Bib Gourmand awardĀ in 2019ānot 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 Itās 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
BinchoyakiĀ IzakayaĀ Dining
Why we love it:Ā Because itĀ servesĀ pupuĀ plattersĀ for the 21stĀ century.
As parents of small children, CraigĀ TakeharaĀ and Toki Sawada knowĀ how challenging it is toĀ have to put dinner on the tableāstat. So the couple behindĀ Binchoyaki came up with several āmixed plattersāĀ that answer the age-old question āWhatās for dinner tonight?ā The kidsā 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
Taylorās Kitchen
Why we love it:Ā Because the burger canāt be beat.
Last spring, when COVID shutĀ down indoor dining, this upscale Land Park eatery began sellingĀ humbleĀ smashĀ burgersĀ 4ā7 p.m.Ā on Mondays, dubbing it āBurger Madness.āĀ What started out as a way to keepĀ theĀ staff employed turned into a neighborhood community builderĀ as people flocked to Taylorās 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 80ā20 blend from the butcher at next-doorās Taylorās 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
KruĀ Contemporary Japanese Cuisine
Why we love it:Ā Because itās widelyĀ consideredĀ Sacramentoās finest sushi.
In the pre-COVID era,Ā Kru owner Billy Ngo had a strict dine-in-guests-first policy: āWe 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 KruāsĀ 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 doesnātĀ 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 karaageāeach piece hasĀ a crisp, almost glassy exterior andĀ aĀ moist interior. Note:Ā If youāre 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
Why we love it:Ā Because theĀ ThaiĀ flavors are clean,Ā freshĀ and authentic.
Thai restaurants are a dime a dozen, but local foodies swearĀ allegiance to this small Broadway shop. Itās 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. āA 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
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 heās 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
Why we love it:Ā Because the crispy tacos are the bomb.
You wonāt find anythingĀ fancy or highfalutinā at thisĀ NatomasĀ taqueria, just good, fresh, authentic Mexican food.Ā ElĀ BramidoĀ makes great burritos, quesadillas, tostadas and moreāthe 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
Camden Spit & Larder
Why we love it:Ā BecauseĀ theĀ fish and chipsĀ areĀ made by aĀ realĀ Englishman.
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 heās 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, itās the next best thing to crossing the pond.Ā 555 Capitol Mall; (916) 619-8897; camdenspitandlarder.com
OrigamiĀ Asian Grill
Why we love it:Ā Because itās fast-casual fare made by a pair of talented chefs.
Scott Ostrander and PaulĀ DiPierroĀ arenāt your typical fast-food slingers: Theyāve worked at some of the best restaurantsĀ in the country, including ChicagoāsĀ 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 popāup from pastry chef Ramon Perez ofĀ PuurĀ Chocolat.Ā 4801 Folsom Blvd.; (916) 400-3075; origamiasiangrill.com
Restaurant Josephine
Why we love it:Ā Because the food is Frenchāand delicious.
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 theyāre 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 coupleās farm).Ā 1226 Lincoln Way, Auburn; josephineauburn.com
And Thereās Moreā¦
Adamoās
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 Sacramentoās Food Literacy Center.Ā 5604 Franklin Blvd.; (916) 428-6706
CĆ©lestinās 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; donāt miss the avocado yellow curry or Drunken Noodle.Ā 1110 T St.; (916) 822-4665; thecoconutthai.com
Cookieās 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 fastāseafood salads and grab-and-go hand rollsāfromĀ KruāsĀ Billy Ngo.Ā 1104 R St.; (916) 706-0605; fishfacepokebar.com
Frank Fatās
Upscale takes on Chinese-AmericanĀ favesĀ like honey walnut prawns, plus Fatās 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
Junoās 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
OBOā 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 ācluckenĀ hot.āĀ 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 ValenteāsĀ 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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