San Joaquin Valley
Hardly the fanciest digs in town – just four bare walls and a few tables – but this downtown Thai restaurant makes an excellent combination pho soup,…
Must-see restaurants in Sacramento & the Central Valley
Sacramento & the Central Valley
This is where college kids take their visiting parents. It features crisp white tablecloths, steaks tender enough to cut with a reproachful look, and…
Sacramento & the Central Valley
This bright, family-run Mexican spot overlooks the central junction of Red Bluff. It has great salsa and molcajetes (meat or seafood stew, served in a…
San Joaquin Valley
An earthy little sandwich shop housed in a wood-shingled, former gas station, serves up sandwiches such as the Larry (Polish sausage, mushrooms, green…
San Joaquin Valley
A vintage burger stand (part of a chain founded in nearby Lodi), where roller-skating carhops and classic cars on display move a lot of root beer floats…
San Joaquin Valley
On the outskirts of town at Michael David Winery, this farmstand cafe slings big breakfast plates of fluffy omelets with country potatoes, cinnamon…
Sacramento & the Central Valley
The service won’t win awards for speed, but this local favorite draws both vegetarian and omnivorous mobs with its burly breakfast plates. Order anything…
Sacramento
The wicker and palm in the windowed dining room offer a preview of the chef's style – a French-Italian spin on Central Valley ingredients. The day's catch…
San Joaquin Valley
More Tex than Mex, this excellent cafeteria packs in city workers for smoky, slow-roasted pit beef. The chili fries are a messy delight, and the…
San Joaquin Valley
Every Thursday, a fleet of independent food trucks from around the valley park on the Fulton Mall, serving grab-and-go lunch options from every corner of…
Sacramento & the Central Valley
Debate about which of Chico’s taco trucks is best can quickly lead to fisticuffs, but the smoky carnitas tacos served at this mobile kitchen are a dream.
San Joaquin Valley
A simple Basque eating hall loaded with character. You can order the nine – yes nine – sides without a main dish, or loosen your belt and get it all.
San Joaquin Valley
Get lunch at Manny’s, which serves flavorful rotisserie meats and fried-chicken sandwiches. It’s at the edge of the Miracle Mile district.
San Joaquin Valley
One of downtown Bakersfield's swanky spots has red banquettes and big-city classics such as cioppino and pistachio-crusted lamb chops.
San Joaquin Valley
The soda jerks flip fantastic cheeseburgers and pour thick shakes at the store's original soda counter, buffed to its former glory.
Sacramento
Within a stroll of the convention center is this quality Italian eatery. Parmesan frites with truffle aioli are the way to start.
Chico Certified Farmers Market
Sacramento & the Central Valley
Rain or shine, this excellent open-air market brings in the best from the valley, artisanal baked goods and coffee.
Sacramento & the Central Valley
Besides the groceries and organic products, there's a coffee bar, sustainable sushi, salads and kombucha on tap.
San Joaquin Valley
Local booths serve the freshest seasonal food from surrounding farms.
Sacramento & the Central Valley
Sure, it's slightly creepy, but this one-of-a-kind spot is a veritable museum of taxidermy – with beer. Three hundred hunting trophies include Kodiak…
Sacramento & the Central Valley
Simply put, the Nobby Burger, topped with a crispy fried blanket of cheese and crispier, thick bacon, is a heart attack. Worth it? Probably. This place is…
Sacramento & the Central Valley
This cute cafe occupies the 1st floor of an early 1900s farmhouse and delivers amazing sandwiches. The teriyaki chicken comes on a soft Portuguese roll…
Celestino’s Live from New York Pizza
Sacramento & the Central Valley
A convincing imitation of ‘real’ New York pizza, it serves thin-crust pizzas and playful variations like the meaty Godfather. There's a budget slice-n-a…
Sacramento
An anchor of the K St Mall area, this loud, enormous pizza joint has a great Margherita, a rock and roll theme and a well-tattooed staff.
Sacramento
Best bet for big ol' breakfasts – custardy French toast, chorizo sausage with eggs – at a 1938 art-deco movie theater.
Sacramento & the Central Valley
A remarkably solid Thai restaurant with good curries and soups.
