I’ll be the first to admit I am not into football. I know nothing about the sport and instantly fall asleep when Sunday games are switched on (I do love my Sunday naps). So when I was recently asked to attend a game at the new Levi’s Stadium, I only said “yes” based on the fact that the stadium serves great food and that Wi-Fi and wine are available on the Amtrak ride to the game. With those two promises, I couldn’t say no.
So on an unseasonably hot October morning, I donned my favorite blue sundress (completely team-neutral) and boarded the train to Santa Clara. Naturally, I headed straight to the dining car to get my bubbly. This would be the start of a delicious day.
Let’s fast forward through a relaxing train ride to arriving at the stadium. My first impression was that it was shiny and new, but the crowds were the usual rowdy bunch to be expected at any football game. Not really engaged in the whole sports side of this experience, I made a beeline for the food.
Unlike what you might imagine, the stadium does not feature foods that are necessarily regional to the area. In fact, besides the depictions of the Golden Gate Bridge and wharf on some signage, the stadium creates that sort of “I could be anywhere in the U.S.” feeling you get inside an airport.
However, the food is of high quality and they take special care to source local products from area farms and producers. I thoroughly enjoyed the first bite of the day, a Mexican torta with marinated steak. The meat was seasoned well and the sandwich had a great balance of flavors- acid, spice, salt- offset with a generous dollop of tangy crema. It was a perfect complement to my cold beer.
My next course was the Steamed Buns sampler featuring duck, shitake mushroom and pork varieties. All three had unique sauces and toppings, surrounded by a fluffy, chewy bun. These are a nice departure from usually heavy football fare, and, for a more comprehensive food and drink experience, they offer Kirin Beer at this station so you can enjoy a tailored pairing!
My last course was a nice cold scoop of rocky road ice cream. No words necessary for this guy other than it was a refreshing finish to a hot day in the Silicon Valley.
Who won the game that day, you ask? Of course I can’t remember, but what I can recall are the tasty treats I enjoyed that afternoon. They were so great, in fact, that I might even return one day to enjoy another taste of Levi’s Stadium.
Archives for 2014
FREE PIZZA!
Did that headline get your attention? We thought it might.
The fast casual restaurant chain, zpizza, will be serving up free pizza samples at both of their Sacramento-area locations to hungry pizza-lovers this Saturday, November 22 from 1-3pm.
As a part of their “Pop Up City Tour,” zpizza will be sampling their most popular pies and giving those who stop by a chance to win coupons and gift certificates. So we’d advise getting there while it’s hot!
What: FREE PIZZA!
When: Saturday, November 22
1-3pm
Where: Two zpizza Sacramento-area locations:
Sacramento (Greenhaven Pocket)
7600 Greenhaven Drive
Sacramento, CA 95831
(916) 424-4222
Roseville (Granite Bay)
3984 Douglas Blvd
Roseville, CA 95661
(916) 786-9797
Sushi Burrito King
Ever since I have developed a love for sushi, I have noticed that you can never get enough of it. In other words, it doesn’t fill you up. Granted, I’m a full-grown American man who does realize that being full after every meal isn’t always good. But, every time I venture out for sushi, it just kind of leaves you hanging. That’s why there seems to be a frozen yogurt shop somewhere close by sushi restaurants, because they know you’re still going to be hungry after chowing down on three sushi rolls.
My first reaction as I pulled into the drive-through was, “Wow, they weren’t kidding. These are actually burrito-sized sushi rolls!” I was there, I had to order something, and personally I just wanted to see if this potentially-amazing new food creation actually, physically existed.
“Hello?” squawked the drive-through box.
“Um, yes I’d like to order a Fried Soft Shell Crab Sushi Burrito please.”
“Anything to drink?”
“Uhhh, sure I’ll have a Peach Boba Tea too while you’re at it.”
“That’ll be $11.94 at the window please.”
“That’s it?” I thought as I pulled up to the window. “That’s either really awesome or really bad for sushi.”
I pulled around to the one sliding window, handed the cashier my dough and waited.
And waited.
And waited.
“Oh my dear Lord! I thought this was fast food!”
But then it hit me, they were actually making it from scratch. They were frying the crab, cutting the vegetables and sushi burrito ingredients, and actually hand rolling it into an edible masterpiece.
“This is good,” I thought. “They are taking their time on my burrito, putting tender love and care (and seaweed) into my food!”
It wasn’t like an ordinary drive-through, in that the food wasn’t pre-made, sitting there waiting for someone to buy it. This sushi was made to order.
When I finally received my sushi burrito, I took it home and fell in love. It was everything I wanted it to be and more: I was actually full!
Now I make a point to go there every time I’m in Chico. I wish there was a Sushi Burrito King on every corner.
They have reasonably healthy, filling food for a good price. If you’re not adventurous enough for a burrito-sized sushi roll, they have regular sushi rolls and combination boxes as well.
Trust your gut on this one, not your instincts. Try this revolutionary American-sushi phenomenon and you won’t be disappointed.
Sushi King
2190 Esplanade
Chico, CA 95926
Goose Island Migration Week
Chicago’s Goose Island Beer Co. is ending its Migration Week in sunny Sacramento County! Migration Week is a 32-city tour that began in Miami in March and has finally made its way west for the winter. It includes a series of tap takeovers, brewer meet-and-greets and beer education events that are open to the public. Tonight is the second-to-last event, followed by the grand finale on Friday.
Many of the beers they’ll bring will be introduced to Sacramento for the first time. They’ll also share one of their most popular beers, Bourbon County Brand Stout, which is only released once a year and tastes like an “intense mix of charred oak, chocolate, vanilla, caramel and smoke.”
Migration Invasion: Industry Night
“We’re taking over the taps to bring you an exclusive first taste of some of our best brews. We invite home brewers to come and talk beer with us as we end an eight-month trek visiting great craft towns around the US.”
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 29, 5-8 PM
Capitol Beer and Tap Room
2222 Fair Oaks Blvd.,
Sacramento, Ca. 95825
(916) 293-8207
The Migration Ends Here: Bourbon County Night
“Help end our 32-city tour with a bang! Shake hands with our brewer and try some delicious barrel-aged brews. We’ve got fruit-fusion sours, too. Craft enthusiasts and novices alike are welcome to indulge in a frosty farewell brew.”
FRIDAY, OCT. 31, 8 PM – MIDNIGHT
Samuel Horne’s Tavern
719 Sutter Street
Folsom, Ca. 95630
(916) 992-1745
For more information, visit www.gooseisland.com
Rubio’s New Sustainable Shrimp Tacos
If you know me, you know I love shrimp. Grilled, pan fried, deep fried, coconut battered – you name it, I love it. So it should come as no surprise that when the SacFoodies were offered the chance to try Rubio’s new sustainable shrimp offerings, I jumped on the opportunity.
While I’ve always been a fan of Rubio’s shrimp tacos, I recently made a lifestyle change that prohibits me from eating non-sustainable meat. As you can imagine, this modification eliminated many of my favorite quick lunch/dinner stops. However, I was thoroughly impressed upon walking into Rubio’s and learning that the brand is diligently working to expand its menu with innovative recipes, ranging from sustainable shrimp tacos to Atlantic salmon burritos, sustainable tilapia items and much more.
They say old habits die hard and my Rubio’s order is no exception: “Two shrimp tacos, please!” I hadn’t had one of these in at least a year – would they be everything I remembered? Would the shrimp be smaller? Would the Hass avocados be as buttery as they once were? At last, my tacos were served. To my delight, they weren’t everything I remembered – they were so much better. Toasted cheese (why doesn’t every place toast their cheese?!) topped with crisp bacon pieces, red tomatillo salsa, creamy chipotle sauce, cilantro and onions – I felt weak in the knees. The shrimp was grilled to perfection and I couldn’t believe what a flavor compliment the crumbled bacon was. After devouring my two tacos and “no-fried” pinto beans, I sat with a full belly and mixed feelings. The bliss was over, but I’ll be back. After all, there is an entire sustainable shrimp burrito to be had.
Rubio’s Tacos
2820 Marconi Ave
Sacramento, CA
(916) 483-6643
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