Sacramento's Locally Made AMAAAAZZZZING Pies!

The Real Pie Company is a locally owned restaurant featuring hand-crafted pies made from ingredients grown around the Sacramento area. Their menu is constantly changing as they get ingredients in from various local sources. It's a little slice of heaven right here in our great town!

Food -
When you think of a pie place, I'm guessing you'd think of a dessert diner or something similar to that. That's what I thought when I first heard the name of the Real Pie Company. Well, the Real Pie Company takes its name seriously in that they offer both sweet pie varieties as well as savory ones. I am a huge fan of both so I was elated that there was such a restaurant in town.

The Real Pie Companies menu is seasonal - which means it is constantly changing. The food offered here is made from ingredients sourced locally. That is so exciting! I love that they are utilizing our area for their items. It means that the food is fresh and has that special Sacramento identity.

On my visit here I had the pleasure of trying their cherry pie and lemon pie. I have always thought of cherry pie as being pretty extreme in its sweetness. The first thing that comes to mind are those deep red cherries piled up on the inside. That's not the way it is at the Real Pie Company. Here, the cherries were freshly cooked with nothing artificial feeling about them at all. The cherry pie filling was slightly tart with a natural cherry taste that quite frankly I've never had before in a cherry pie. The ice cream I chose to go with it was the perfect addition as well. Again, the ice-cream too was from a local source!

I haven't had the opportunity to try their savory pies yet, but I am very much looking forward to giving some a try. On the menu is the classic chicken pot pie, a shepherd's pie, a three-cheese mac and cheese pie and more!

The bottom line is that the food here is excellent with subtle flavors carefully made with love.

Service/Atmosphere - 
The service at The Real Pie Company is top notch. The person at the front was extremely polite and helpful. Being a first timer, I really didn't know what to choose. She pointed me in the right direction and mentioned the menu favorites. It was a really pleasant ordering from her, and I appreciated her attention to us.

The atmosphere of The Real Pie Company is neat and tidy. There are some nice decorations around and I'd say above average in decor for a locally owned restaurant. The dining area is wide and open with a nice amount of seating available within.

Price -
Slices of pie are around the six dollar price range and when adding things like ice-cream, the price can go up a little bit. Savory pies can get to the nine and ten dollar mark, and getting a whole pie can be thirty or more dollars. Overall the pricing is fair for the quality of the pies that you get. There is certainly a little premium for the locally sourced items here. But it's well worth it!

Special Tips and Recommendations -
Come to the Real Pie Company in the evening after dinner someplace else! It's a great way to top off an evening. There is plenty of parking around and the restaurant is open until 10pm. Just be careful not to come on Monday and Tuesday as those are the days it is closed.

Bottom Line - 
If you're a Sacramento resident, you've got to give the Real Pie Company a try. Their menu is very large and full of delicious pies that will make your decision making pretty difficult. This is a must-go and a restaurant that I highly recommend!

Letter Grade

A

Real Pie Company's storefront in the evening.

Savory pies are available.

Several types of pies are available.

Seasonal menu to select from.

Old Fashioned Lemon Meringue Pie.

Cherry pie. Up close.

Get your pie with ice-cream.

Pear tart to go!

Natomas' Ramen Fix!

Natomas has always had a great deal of food options, but ramen wasn't really ever one of them. Koshi Ramen Bar adds this popular noodle dish to the options when dining in this part of Sacramento. Like many ramen restaurants around Sac, I foresee this one as being quite popular - so make sure you arrive before the huge lunch and dinner rushes!

Food -
Koshi Ramen Bar is, of course, a place to get ramen. You can get the usual bevy of soup bases here such as tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu, as well as veggie, black garlic, chicken, and seafood. It's quite a vast selection! Being me, I've already decided I'm a tonkotsu guy, so I go for it on my visit. After selecting the type of ramen you would like you can apply heat to it. Select from four levels of spiciness to get the exact taste you want. I went for the medium spice and I felt it was exactly a medium level!

If you'd like other toppings for the ramen you can go ahead and select more items. Most of the extras like corn are a dollar more, but getting more pork is two bucks as is extra ramen noodles. I'm a big fan of the ability to really customize the your ramen bowl, so this is a great feature!

Aside from the ramen, there is a nice selection of appetizers on the menu. Many of these starters are dishes common to ramen places. You'll find chicken karaage, gyoza, and tempura but also things like lumpia, spam masubi, and even grilled whole squid. The pricing on the appetizers range from around four dollars to eight.

Finally, if you're not in the noodle mood, you can get one of the three rice bowls that are offered. There's chashu and chicken which are pretty par for the course... but there's also unagi on the menu as well! For those of you not in the know, unagi is eel! And it is quite delicious! I didn't get a chance to try the unagi here at Koshi, but I would very much like to in a future visit.

On a negative note, on this particular visit to Koshi, I found that the egg and chashu were a bit cold in my ramen bowl. It was kind of a shock to feel that temperature as I was eating. The two items seemed to be fully cooked so I'm not sure why they had that temperature. This is something I'll have to pay close attention to the next time.

Service/Atmosphere - 
The servers at Koshi Ramen Bar are extremely friendly. I felt that the worker who took my order up front was being very nice. I appreciate the effort to make me feel welcome in the restaurant. It certainly does make the entire experience better.

The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated. The color tones and wall art give the place a modern look that is very inviting. You can tell that some thoughtful design went into creating the dining atmosphere here.

Price -
The ramen bowls are around $10 each - actually a little more. Adding an appetizer and a drink is going to get you near the $20 range. I'd say that if you're on a budget and want to get filled up, this may not be the place for you as every extra thing will be more money out of your wallet.

Special Tips and Recommendations -
Be wise when adding things to your bowl of ramen. At one to two dollars each for extras, the price of just a bowl of ramen can get pretty high pretty fast. Like I mentioned in the price category of this review, make sure you tabulate everything you select and make sure you're willing to pay it!

Bottom Line - 
Koshi Ramen Bar is a great add to the restaurants in Natomas. I'd happily come here for a ramen fix. The service is friendly and the restaurant is nicely furnished. I had a minor issue with my food on this visit, but I don't think it's par for the course. I'm looking forward to the next go-around!

Letter Grade

B+

Koshi is located to the right of the movie theater in Natomas.

Medium spicy ramen.

Nice piece of wood!

The Cheese LOVERS DREAM Burger Lives Here in Sacramento

Maria and I went to check out Squeeze Burger in Midtown Sacramento. This diner is known for their cheese skirt. This unique feature of their hamburgers is something really special that you've got to try if you are a cheese fan! The skirt may be an intimidating feature for some, but it really is delicious and easy to eat!

Food -
Squeeze in is a diner and serves up diner style food - so you'll find hamburgers, fries, hotdogs, sandwiches, and shakes. The food is freshly prepared after you order it so there is a little bit of a wait, but it's worth it as your food comes out hot and at the peak of its goodness.

The cheese skirt is what puts Squeeze Burger on the map. It's an addition that you add to any hamburger you like (and the menu also has it on a few other items as well). It's basically a big ring of cheese that is around the hamburger. It's connected to the middle of the burger and comes to you in a crunchy form. I liken the taste of it to a grilled cheese sandwich - except not gooey. The cheese skirt is bursting with cheese taste and is delicious. If you like cheese at all, I think you'll really enjoy this part of the burger.

The burger itself is actually excellent as well. The patty is juicy and the burger can be customized with many toppings. I chose to get some crispy bacon in my burger on this visit. The standard size is 1/3 lb patty, but you can get a smaller 1/4 lb version or go for a double stack.

The fries at Squeeze Inn are your typical medium sized french fries. They come piping hot and golden. They are salted just so and are a joy to eat.

Service/Atmosphere - 
I found the service at Squeeze Burger to be very good. The guys at the counter were friendly and willing to strike up a conversation. We were attended to very quickly and all our needs were met. I felt that the folk here had a very positive vibe to them, which made the experience all the better.

The restaurant itself is nicely furnished for a diner. You can eat inside or outside as there is plenty of seating to select from. If you're lucky, you can snag the little cabin booth inside the dining area for a more private and cozy eating experience. That's definitely the best seat in the house!

Price -
Prices at Squeeze Burger are not outrageous. You'll be paying around $10-12 dollars for your meal. Make sure you ask to add in the cheese skirt to your burger as it is an add-on item. Our large basket of fries was about five bucks and that could feed 2-4 people. It was a good deal in my opinion.

Special Tips and Recommendations -
Go for the cheese skirt! That's really the simplest recommendation I could give. In terms of eating it, I suggest tearing it bit by bit to eat on its own. You can also tear some off and put it back into the burger for an extra cheesy and textured experience.

Bottom Line - 
Squeeze Burger is an excellent choice to make when you're looking to get a hamburger in Sacramento. I love the cheese skirt and I'm glad we have something so unique to try in our town! The prices aren't bad and the service is good. Squeeze Burger is well-worth a visit!

Letter Grade

A

You can't miss the orange exterior of the restaurant.

Home of the "cheese skirt"... yep!

These fries are about to disappear.

Just look at that glorious amount of cheese!

I LOVE the Caramel Apples at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Old Sac!

I favor savory foods to sweets... but the sweet confections at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Old Sacramento are just too good to pass up. Of particular note are their wide variety of caramel apples. You'll be blown away by the different kinds that they have for you to try. Into other sweet delights? I'm sure Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory will have you covered.

Food -
I have to talk about the caramel apples at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. They are simply AMAZING. You can see all the varieties they have from the outside of the window. Go inside and check out the menu of options. They go from traditional caramel apples to nut covered to chocolate covered to specialty flavors like cheesecake. Each apple is delicately made. I suggest asking for the apple to be sliced so that it is much easier to eat. The slices are a perfect apple crunch to them with a thin layer of chocolaty coating. The combination is perfection. I could eat these all day long - no joke!

Other than the caramel apples, as the name suggests there is a huge amount of chocolates to purchase. Look in the case and you'll find truffles, bars, brittle, and tons of other sweet creations. Make sure you have a sweet tooth though because these chocolates will be sweet! On my visit to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory I chose to get a number of items some of which were a tad too sweet for my liking.

If you're in a more romantic mood, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory also sells chocolate covered strawberries! I like the apples better by far, but these strawberries still taste magnificent and have that romantic factor that a caramel apple wouldn't have.

Service/Atmosphere - 
The folks working at the shoppe were friendly and were helpful in helping us choose what to get. I found the service to be friendly and competent. As for the atmosphere, you're getting the classic Old Sacramento wood tones on the inside. You'll be transported to a time long past once you step into the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Look around and you'll see products being made as amongst the vast varieties of sweets on hand.

Price -
Premium candy and caramel apples like this don't come cheap. The caramel apples rum from five to seven dollars each. I would say that is pretty pricy for an apple covered with some chocolate. But I'd be willing to shell out this price as they are just that good!

Special Tips and Recommendations -
So that you don't break the bank, I suggest going for one or two caramel apples to share amongst a group of people. That way, everyone can get a slice or two and try different varieties. The same goes for the other treats in the store, just get a small amount of a single item unless you are dead set on something in particular!

Bottom Line - 
If you're in Old Sacramento and you want to satisfy your sweet tooth then the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is the place to go. It's a small shoppe but there are a ton of sweets that will dazzle and amaze you once you go inside and check them out!

Letter Grade

A

Rose with a couple of white chocolate covered treats.

There are many different kinds of Truffles to select from.

Feeling like some toffee? They've got that for you!

Nothing beats their caramel apples... soooooooo goooooood!

Taco Battle Royale! Burger King vs. Jack in the Box

Food Review -
We're going to talk about one of the lowest forms of fast food today... the taco from a burger place. Tacos don't really have any business being at burger places, but companies like Jack in the Box have begged to differ for years now. Recently, I saw a sign while going through Burger King that said they had tacos too. Well, well, well... my curiosity was peaked! Who has the better fast food taco???

I visited each chain in town and decided right then and there to eat the tacos - so they would be as fresh as possible. Being the new kid in town, I went with the Burger King taco first.

In terms of appearance, the Burger King taco looks a bit better. The shell looks better and the sauce oozing out of the top is kind of cool. The taco is also missing the huge grease stain that you usually see on a Jack in the Box taco. Upon further inspection, there is also lettuce and a large slice of cheese inside along with the mushed up 'meat'. These tacos are very thin, and seem to be made in the same way the Jack in the Box ones are - just dumped in the fryer. In terms of taste, these tacos had a bold taste that really left behind a flavor that lingered in the mouth. These tacos were a bit too bold and unbalanced flavor-wise.

As for Jack in the Box - this was a taste I knew and loved. Though looking like a greasy mess, the taco shell was surprisingly light and crunchy tasting. In appearance, the BK taco certainly had this one beat as my taco looked like a disheveled mess right out the sleeve, but in taste, this one came up on top. The flavors were more subtle than the Burger King taco and I just wanted to come back for more! These tacos are also a bit cheaper than their BK counterparts.

The Jack in the Box tacos win hands down. After years of serving up these flat fried tacos, they have it down to a science. Jack in the Box is the clear winner of the fast food taco battle.

Winner:

Jack in the Box

Mas Taco Bar Will Have You Dizzy With Taco Options!

If you're looking for an elevated and trendy version of traditional Mexican tacos, Mas Taco Bar will be exactly the place to visit. Mas Taco Bar serves up a wild variety of tacos and other takes on Mexican food. There is a full bar with plenty of drink options - all in a restaurant that is modern and fun!

Food -
You'll want to take some time to study the menu at Mas Taco Bar as it is full of tacos that you've likely never had before. There are traditional versions of tacos, but also an equal amount of types that you just don't find at your usual taco stand. The tacos go from pork al pastor to Korean fried chicken in a 'laughing bun'.

I loved trying the different tacos that they had there. On my first visit I chose pork belly, duck confit, and the Korean fried chicken taco. These are very Asian inspired flavors. Of the three, I enjoyed the duck confit the most. The duck flavor was excellent with a meaty texture and balanced taste. The pork belly was good, but not the soft full flavored pork belly that I'm used to. It was actually a bit similar to the duck confit - maybe too similar.

The most surprising 'taco' was the Korean fried chicken. It actually comes in an Asian style bun much like a bao that you'd get at dim sum. Sadly, this was my least favorite taco as it wasn't really a taco and the chicken wasn't crisp enough. It was actually pretty flaccid. It didn't really stand out to me and the flavor profile was that of a dish I might find at a so-so Asian restaurant.

All the tacos came out on a baking sheet style trey and served family style. It was a pretty cool presentation, but I did find that after the server described which was which, I had a hard time figuring out what tacos were what.

If you're looking for a larger portion of food, Mas Taco Bar has a number of bowls that include brown rice and many of the meat options that they serve in taco form.

In addition to the tacos, I also ordered their guacamole and chips and some grilled corn. The guacamole and chips was actually a tostada stack next to a large bowl of guacamole. I thought the flavors were there, but Maria wasn't a fan of the tostada chips. It looked very cool, but made a big mess when trying to eat it as the tostadas left behind many little pieces when they were broken apart to dip.

The corn was nice and had a mild taste to it. I enjoyed the grilled corn and would probably get it again as it was a good item to eat between tacos.

Jenn ordered a cocktail for herself and it was presented very nicely and looked absolutely delicious. The watermelon flavor was good, but overall the cocktail had a bit of a watered down taste. Was it supposed to have this more refreshing taste or did they just skimp on the alcohol? I'm not sure.

Service/Atmosphere - 
The service at Mas Taco bar was excellent. Our server was very good and was totally attentive to our needs. He kept coming back and checking on us and made sure we had what we needed. The food came out relatively quickly and we were given refills on our drinks in a timely manner. The service was impressive and it made the entire experience better!

The atmosphere at Mas Taco bar is as great as the service is. I really enjoyed eating here and enjoyed the ambiance very much. The restaurant is clean and modern. I can see brining out of town guests here to really soak in the night life of Sacramento.

Price -
At around four dollars per taco, Mas Taco Bar can get pricy really fast. I definitely wouldn't recommend this place if you're looking for a casual and cheap Mexican taco place to hit up. With its premium location and modern atmosphere, you're going to be paying a bit more for just about everything.

Special Tips and Recommendations -
If you're into sweets, the freshly made churros are a great item to get. I recommend them as they come out piping hot with two dipping sauces to select from. I personally would use the caramel sauce all day long as it seems to be the perfect pairing for the churros. The delightful desserts have a nice and crisp outside and a pillowy soft inside. For four dollars, it doesn't break the bank either! It's a great way to finish off your meal here.

Bottom Line - 
Come to Mas Taco Bar if you're looking for a different Mexican restaurant experience. You'll find a huge selection of unique tacos that you'll have a difficult time choosing from. Just make sure you bring your wallet because it can get pricy pretty fast!

Letter Grade

B

Hanging out with Maria at Mas Taco Bar.

Guac n' chips.

Lot's of cocktails to select from!

Grilled corn, Mexican style.

Churros made for the perfect dessert.

A beautiful place to eat.

Davis' Favorite Taiwanese Restaurant

Hometown in Davis has been around for many years, however, their location has switched places quite a few times. They've been in West Davis, a gas station, a second story location in downtown, and now a new location in downtown. No matter where they've been in this college town, they have given their patrons authentic Taiwanese dishes that really hit the spot!

Food -
Hometown has changed their menu over the years. Their previous location had a wide variety of things to choose from including a full selection of milk teas. They have since dropped the milk tea bar and slimmed down the menu to only their best items. I think this is a fabulous idea as it gives customers only the very best of what Hometown offers. Even though the menu is smaller, there are still plenty of items to select from. And I have a hard time choosing exactly which dish I would like when I go.

I'd say the most popular item at Hometown is the beef noodle soup. It's a large bowl of noodles along with savory broth and tender cubes of beef. It's a very warming meal that is perfect on a cold day. The menu indicates that the dish is spicy, but I found it to be just a tad spicy - definitely nothing that will scorch your tongue.

If I'm feeling more like a rice dish, I typically get either their chicken plate or their hock meat bowl. The cut of chicken you get when you get the chicken plate is quite large and comes with a tasty crispy skin. It is accompanied by rice, some hock meat, and egg, and green beans. The hock meat (which is a flavorful pork) is a simple rice bowl with just the meat, egg, and some green beans. Basically it's just more of the chicken dish without the chicken.

Also on the menu are dumplings, cold noodles, and other rice plates and soups. Each item has a distinctly Asian taste to it. It's a taste that is hard to describe, but I'd say that it is a taste that reminds many Asian visitors of home.

Service/Atmosphere - 
There aren't too many workers at Hometown. It's usually just the wife and husband duo and a server or two helping to get the food out. The wife is usually at the register while the husband takes care of ALL the cooking. I've found that the wife is very friendly to talk to and will engage with you in some conversation. She speaks Cantonese, so if you do too, feel free to order in that language and fire up some friendly talk!

The dining area at Hometown is relatively large. There are two areas to eat in - the main area in front of the ordering counter and the sides close to the windows. The center area has large tables enough for six to eight people. You could easily get a bigger group to come and enjoy a meal together.

The overall atmosphere of Hometown is clean and functional. It's not really decorated in a way that is trendy or modern, but the place just gets the job done.

Price -
Dishes at Hometown hit at about the ten dollar mark. The portion sizes of the dishes are appropriate for the asking price and can definitely fill you up. I mentioned the chicken plate before, and it is quite large for just over ten dollars. I'd say that Hometown is a moderately priced restaurant that you can visit frequently without breaking the bank.

Special Tips and Recommendations -
Since there is only one cook (the husband), it can take a long time to get your food - especially at a rush hour during lunch or dinner time. If you're in a hurry, you may want to skip out and try someplace else. At one of their former locations, I had to wait almost 45 minutes for my order to come out. Just be very mindful of this if time is limited for you. It really is best to come when the restaurant is less full of people.

Bottom Line - 
Hometown is a Davis institution and is well worth a visit. Because it's a mom and pop type operation (and mom and pop are getting older), it's not going to be here forever. Come and get your Taiwanese fix in before they decided to shut the doors forever!

Letter Grade

A-

Beef noodle soup.

Rice plate with delicious sauce and an egg.

Chicken and shrimp noodle soup.

Small menu with just the favorites from years past.

Willie's Hamburgers in Old Sacramento

Checking out Old Sacramento is always a good time. The shops and restaurants there all have a really cool and unique vibe to them. Willie's is one that you can't miss as you walk down the wooden sidewalks. They serve up hamburgers, fries, and drinks for those who need to fill up while enjoying their time in the area.

Food -
Willie's appeal is their focus on traditional American hamburgers. You can get a variety of hamburger types with various toppings. Chili is probably the most famous of the toppings as they have a portion of their menu dedicated to it - and you can also get it on top of their hot dogs and fries as well. Being here in California, I had to go for the bacon and avocado version of their burger. Bacon and avocado are a great combination, and a favorite amongst Californians!

I put my order in along with a medium fry and waited for my meal to come up. When it arrived I was greeted with a nice portion of fries and a burger that had quite a small meat patty in it. The ratio of meat to the other ingredients was shockingly small. And biting into the burger just confirmed that notion as I did not get much of a meat taste out of it. It really made me say "Where's the beef?!?!?" I had read a few other reviews stating that the burger lacked flavor - and I can see why. The meat portion is just not enough. If you're going to go for a burger here, you should probably get one with multiple patties just to get the balance correct. As a single burger, the meat gets lost in the bun.

The french fries were a pretty big positive though! The medium size was an excellent portion and the fries came out nice and crisp. Willie's serves up a shoe string type of fry that is addictive to eat. I found myself really enjoying them.

Service/Atmosphere - 
I came in at a time when there was hardly anyone in the restaurant so I expected service to be pretty quick. Unfortunately, I found myself standing waiting at the register for a good 2-3 minutes before someone came to take my order. After that the wait for the food felt like it was a bit too long as well. The customer service was pretty average as well as they weren't very friendly. They weren't unfriendly, but it was just a bland experience ordering here.

As for the atmosphere, I really like the decor and ambiance. In fact, that's the reason I was drawn to Willie's in the first place. The restaurant has an inviting look that matches perfectly with Old Sacramento. I only wished the food matched the actual vibe of the restaurant.

Price -
Being in Old Sacramento, you just have to expect the prices to be a bit higher than your standard place. For a small burger like what I got it was between 4-7 dollars. I added bacon and avocado so it was more. With medium fries and a drink the total was nearly fifteen bucks! It's not unheard of, but you're definitely not coming here if you want a cheap burger on a budget.

Special Tips and Recommendations -
Apparently, they give out free beignets when it is rainy. I went in and they didn't give me one with my order. Perhaps you have to actually ask for them before they give it to you. I really don't know. It's something I want to try to get the next time it is rainy.

Bottom Line - 
Willie's appearance is higher than the taste of the food it serves up. It's also a pricy place to eat for the amount and quality of food you get. I really wanted to like Willie's a lot more than I actually did. I'd unfortunately recommend other stops in Old Sacramento over Willie's Hamburgers.

Letter Grade

C-

I was hoping for this to be really good.

The interior of Willie's is very nice!

These fries were excellent tasting.

Going in for a bite.

The 'Other' Ramen House - Ramen House Raijin

When you're craving some good ramen in Sacramento, I would typically steer you towards Ramen House Ryujin. It's probably the most popular ramen restaurant in town. But often times Ryujin has a long line and a long wait time. Rather than waiting, some folks (who are in the know) walk right across the street to Ramen House Raijin to get their ramen fix on. It's just about as good as Ryujin, and an excellent place to satisfy your noodle desires.

Food -
If I'm not mistaken, Ryujin and Raijin have the same ownership, so the food can't be too much different from each other. In fact, many of the menu items are similar between the two places. Raijin, I believe, actually has more food item offerings - but I could be mistaken.

As for the food at Raijin, there are plenty of ramen choices to select from. If you're in a spicy mood, there are spicy ramen flavors to get. Typically this spicy ramen flavors come with a red colored broth. It really isn't that spicy, but will give you a nice kick of heat. If you're just like that hint of spiciness, these bowls of ramen will really hit the spot. I like to add extra noodles to my ramen to make the dish just a little bigger. If you're really hungry, double noodles is also an option to get.

The milder brothers come in pork and soy varieties. They offer a much milder and smoother taste than the spicy ramen. These milder tastes still boast a rich flavor that is very enjoyable. What I love about Raijin is the ability to customize your bowl with the exact ingredients you want in it. The menu does a great job of showing you exactly what you can put in and at what cost.

Ramen's most important feature is the noodle. And the noodles at Raijin are absolutely addicting! Often times I finish my extra noodle bowl and crave even more - making me wish I had gone with double noodles. The ramen here has the perfect texture; it's so easy to eat!

Another favorite dish of mine at Raijin is the chashu rice dish. It's the same pork that you find in the ramen dishes, but prepared a different way. It pairs with rice perfectly. This is a dish that I will sometimes order alongside my ramen just because it is so good. On a recent visit my I got this for my mom and she enjoyed it very much - even though she is a very critical eater!

If you're looking for starters, Raijin has plenty of appetizers to get you going. I often order a little plate of fried chicken karaage. I select the spicy version and it comes loaded with this insane looking amount of peppers. Looks are deceiving though as the dish really isn't very hot at all!

Service/Atmosphere - 
Raijin is all about getting you in, seated, eating, and out! You'll often be able to get a table relatively quickly as the dining area here is large. There's ample space for many customers to dine in. A bar area is available as well, but often there should be table space if that's what you're looking for. Raijin has some Japanese style decor all around, but it hasn't been very well kept up and looks as thought it could use a bit of cleaning. I'm sure that's not a priority as business here is quite brisk.

The servers here do their jobs exactly as they need to. They are friendly enough and check in on you from time to time. If you need anything, just flag one down and they will get you what you need. It's a pretty no nonsense experience, so just expect that.

Price -
Bowls of ramen will be around the ten dollar mark. Adding more noodles or extra ingredients will boost that amount a little higher. Overall the prices at Raijin aren't that bad. Everything is reasonably priced. It's not on the cheaper side, but sits nicely in the middle - I certainly wouldn't say it is a high priced place to go.

Special Tips and Recommendations -
Come to Raijin if Ryujin is too long a wait! I'd say the food is 90% as good as what Ryujin is. Sure, Ryujin is a little better in my opinion, but you have to factor in the wait time over there. If you're hungry, this place will satisfy you!

In terms of food, give the chicken karaage a try. It is fried very nicely and comes out pipping hot. They have a few different varieties of it here - pick the one that appeals to you the most!

Bottom Line - 
Raijin is a solid choice to get ramen in Sacramento. It often gets overshadowed by its neighbor Ramen House Ryujin, but Raijin continues to go on strong for a good reason... it's a great place to eat in and of itself!

Letter Grade

B+

This chashu rice dish is off the charts!

The Tokyo ramen has a soy sauce base.

Spicy chicken karaage isn't as intimidating as it appears to be.