Category: Food

California Brewer’s Festival

On Saturday, I was privileged to attend the California Brewer�s Festival at Discovery Park. It was a fantastically fun event with a diverse crowd and plenty of beer. For $20, much of which went toward hurricane victims, you got 10 tokens, good for beer samples and the option to purchase more. Since my memory of the event is a little shaky, I thought I�d just post my notes from the event.
Continue reading “California Brewer’s Festival”

Crepes: the New Sushi?

Heckasac and Postcards (kudos on the ballsy post title) are discussing the encroachment of a third Crepeville franchise on the grounds of Cafe Melange. Much great discussion at both blogs. (Especially that one commenter on Postcards who notes that what is really needed is a good Jewish deli. One of the only things I miss regularly about not living in Los Angeles anymore is the abundance of deli goodness.)

Before we started The Sac Rag I commented elsewhere on the net when I noticed that two fine foreign food establishments–Shandiz (Persian) and Royal Hong King Lum (Chinese)–went sushi right at the same time. And speaking of deli’s, Max’s at Market Square is of course now a sushi place. At the time I was convinced that sushi was to Sacramento’s eaters what the Kings are to Sacramento’s “people who only pretend to care about basketball.” Not sure what that means but plenty of you out there can figure it out.

Not to mention: I’ve only eaten at the Davis Crepeville but doesn’t Crepeville use crappy cheddar cheese in its crepes? For shame.

“You in Line” at Tortillas?

My encounter at the fine taqueria Tortillas (unfortunate name, but great burritos. It would be like a burger place called “Buns” or, I suppose, an Italian restaurant named “Tomatoes”) tonight with the fam’ was vintage Sacramento. To get there on a workday for early dinner you have to brave the Northbound Howe Ave. rush hour traffic, which is no picnic, but man that pork burrito is worth it. We roll into the joint and are the only ones in line. Now, a family of four basically either has to eat PB&J at home or designate one parent to order food for the group in order to acquire a meal with no fuss, so as I’m standing in line with the baby in her carrier, my wife is taking the toddler (2 1/2 y.o.) to the restroom, I’m conferring with her on what those two ladies would like to eat.

Literally in the middle of that sentence, while I’m standing maybe 3 feet from the cash counter, in busts this very typical Sacramento woman. She gives me the “you in line?” but with that voice that’s maybe twice as loud as it needs to be. “Uh, go ahead” I grumble, and she barges past me and proceeds to order a takeout order for 2 or 3 in that same voice.
Continue reading ““You in Line” at Tortillas?”

Three-Way Thai

It seems like Thai restaurants are popping up faster than teenage wood at the new Hooters joint at Arden fair. While they might not contain sweater meat and rib cushions in profusion, Thai restaurants usually provide an exciting array of uniquely spiced dishes, crisp Asian beer and creative head-dresses.

I’m not sure when it was that Thai went from fringe ethic eats to mainstream American diet, but I knew when I saw a “Taste of Bangkok” booth at the state fair that Thai food had definitely arrived. Let’s talk about the three I’ve eaten at most recently:
Continue reading “Three-Way Thai”

We report, you throw up

Thanks to Sac Rag reader “Lofter” for bringing to our attention the Good Day Sacramento story on conditions at Rice Bowl restaurant this morning. I didn’t see it either but I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that i’m 101% sure sac-eats was not crediting with breaking that story. But did anybody see the story? I’d love to hear from you.

P.S. My one story about “The Loft” which I assume refers to the über cool rock venue of the same name is that I borrowed a copy of Deleuze & Guattari’s Anti-Oedipus from the book racks there and never returned it. Because what are they gonna do, demand that I follow society’s rules?

(Actually I’m not sure if I returned it or not. If it was the night I got spit on there then I might not have gone back after that. If you’re still fired up I’ll totally get you a new copy. Although sheesh, $19.95, capitalism at its finest.)

Spilling Over With Excitement

YEAH! I’m thrilled to be a new member of the Sac-rag family. Hopefully I’ll be able to contribute my cock-eyed slant to the local eats scene, informing, entertaining and whetting the appetites of the public. Be forewarned though, if your restaurant offers gift cards, has a predominantly English speaking workforce or is owned by Randy Paragary you probably already get your knob slobbered enough by Sacramento magazine and its bastard children. We’re on the lookout for the overlooked, downtrodden and truly delicious. Color me excited.

Sample this

Came across this article (RR) in the Bee today. This is something we used to do in college regularly when our Top Ramen supplies ran out.

    “The friendly allure of the demo dollies is made more attractive by the free nourishment they give in such quantities; company policy is to let shoppers have as much as they want.”

There you go all you Hornets and Aggies out there, don’t ever say your friends at the Rag never did anything for you!

West Coast Brew Fest

At the west end of Broadway, there is a colony of feral cats and skunks that harmoniously co-exist. The cats don’t mind the stink, the skunks don’t mind the cat politics. All is well.

This Saturday, if you hang a left at the cat/skunk colony, you will see a similar example of peaceful coexistence. People of all races, creeds and tattoo colors will congregate and ignore the things about each other that makes them want to “la la”. They will be enjoying the universal lubricant.

Free Beer.

Free, that is, with a $25 donation to local charities. But who can’t blow $25 in an hour or two at the local watering hole? I sure can.

The West Coast Brew Festival will be at Miller Park on May 14 from 1-5pm. Advance tickets for $20 at local breweries.

See www.matsonian.com/wcbf for more info.

La Fiesta Keeps it Simple

We at the Sac Rag do not claim to be much. We are connoisseurs of nothing. We like what we like and even that is subject to change without notice. But, there is one thing we do know, we love us some Mexican food. And if you find yourself in the Midtown area around lunch time, do yourself a favor and make a stop at La Fiesta Taqueria (1105 Alhambra Boulevard, across from BofA.) The menu speaks for itself. More meat choices than its competitors, a great salsa bar, and fast service. What more could you ask for? Be sure to get there before or after the lunch rush as this place can get busy.