Ramen House Tenjin Serves the People of the Pocket

Ramen places are popping up all over town, many are good, but they can sometimes feel like cookie-cutter copies of themselves. Ramen House Tenjin doesn't have that feel. Delivering outstanding service and a multitude of different ramen options, Ramen House Tenjin is the perfect ramen place to serve the folks who live in the Pocket area of Sacramento.

Food -
Ramen House Tenjin provides its patrons with a menu full of ramen. It can be daunting to figure out what to eat, but their first page provides the most common versions - so if you're in doubt, try one of those. As usual, my wife got the white tonkotsu ramen, while I got the red. The white tonkotsu ramen isn't spicy at all, but had a nice smooth and savory flavor. The broth had a good flavor, not the most complex that there is, but one that has a good taste to it.

The red tonkotsu ramen is the spicy variation. I enjoyed the taste of this ramen, but it could have used just a little more spiciness to it. As it came, the heat was there, but only just. I found that the spicy taste of this ramen was quite different than other tonkotsu ramen that I have had at other places. Not that it was better or worse tasting than other restaurants... just a bit different. Overall I did enjoy the ramen and would get it again given the chance.

Aside from these standard ramen types, Tenjin also offers tan tan men (a spicy bowl topped with flavored ground pork), kimchi ramen, challenge ramen (a very hot dish), and more.

As always, I chose to order the chicken karaage as an appetizer. The karaage was well fried and came with a slice of lemon. The karaage was the traditional type and didn't have much grease or oily taste to it at all. The flavor was good and the lemon added a nice citrus element. This appetizer is on par with what I would expect of this dish.

If you're wanting some rice, Tenjin has that base covered. Pork, chicken, and beef bowls are all on the menu. You can also opt for cold noodles, stir fried noodles, or udon soup. I told you the menu was big!

Service/Atmosphere - 
I found the service at Tenjin to be superb. Every single staff member was welcoming and friendly. I was honestly very surprised as sometimes at these ramen places the service can be iffy. Even with our kid here, they were awesome. In fact, they were very good to him and made sure he had a high chair and bowls for his food. My wife was blown away by the service and couldn't stop raving about it as we recapped our time there.

As for the atmosphere, Tenjin is well furnished with a simple, yet classy decor. There isn't anything extremely hip or modern here, just a solid, clean eating environment.

Price -
The prices at Tenjin are similar to other ramen restaurants. Ramen bowls are around the ten dollar mark. You can choose to add extra toppings, noodles, or soup for an extra fee. All in all, I'd say the prices at Tenjin are moderate and compare well to other restaurants of its ilk - definitely not an overpriced place to eat.

Special Tips and Recommendations -
Some restaurants close on a weekday to get their break. Ramen House Tenjin does so on Tuesdays, so make sure you don't come on that day! If you do you'll be disappointed!

Bottom Line - 
Ramen House Tenjin is a very solid choice for ramen, not just in the Pocket area, but of all Sacramento. The service is really great and the food options will leave anyone who comes happy after their visit!

Letter Grade

A-

New restaurant in the Pocket area of Sacramento.

They gave the kid this really cute bowl to use.

The standard pork ramen - non-spicy.

Beef over rice.

Chicken Karaage.

Doggeros Mexican Urban Eats

Doggeros combines traditional American diner food like hotdogs and hamburgers with a Mexican flair. The result is a flavorful explosion that will leave you satisfied. Doggeros has just opened, but word of its delicious food has already spread across the town of Woodland. People are lining up to get their taste of what they have to offer!

Food -
If you like diner style food, then Doggeros is a must-visit. First, the dogs. There are numerous hotdogs to select from. Each dog comes on a brioche bun and is all beef. Of course, you can select a plain dog, but for the adventurous there are options like the Papi Chulo Super Doggo which comes wrapped in smoked bacon, smothered in mozzarella cheese, and loaded with chorizo, grilled onions, chipotle mayo, avocado, and special sauces. It's a mouthful... for sure! For heat lovers, try the Fuego Doggo which is a beef hot link with grilled onions and jalapenos, chipotle mayo, and cheese sauce.

If you're craving a burger, there are an equal number of amazing variations to select. On my visit to Doggeros I chose the Carne Asada burger. It was a loaded up burger with carne asada instead of a traditional burger patty. The sirloin steak it was made of went perfectly in the brioche burger bun and was a flavor experience that I had never had before. Traditional patties are also available as well as a burger that comes with a mesquite charbroiled grilled chicken filet. There are so many choices that it is a given to come back for multiple visits just to try them.

Though all this food seems to be rather heavy, they surprisingly have a lighter feel to them. I believe it's because the ingredients they use are fresh. You can spot them when you are making your order. I love that! But if you're not in the mood for hotdogs and hamburgers they have light and veggie options.

One thing that I am very excited about is the availability of elote, a grille Mexican corn. There aren't that many places that have this, but they do! There are a few variations to choose from and you can even get it in a cup.

And that's not the end of it! Doggeros also has tacos and Mexican dessert like churros. I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture. Doggeros has a wide selection of mouth watering food!

Service/Atmosphere - 
Doggeros took over another dive/diner location in Woodland. It's definitely not the most modern looking place, but it has a dive-y feel that is right for the type of food they serve. I found the customer service to be excellent. The cashier was extremely friendly and the person I picked up my food from was helpful and nice. No complaints regarding service, in fact, it was top notch.

If you're dining in, you'll be eating in a covered patio area as there is no indoor seating available. The covered area does the job well and there is a surprisingly good amount of tables and counter space for people to eat at.

On your first visit, you may be confused as to how to get to the ordering window as you have to open up their gate to go inside, but once you figure that out you should be ok.

Price -
Prices at Doggeros are moderate. This isn't a huge budget friendly place, but the prices are not excessive and are appropriate for the quality and portion of the food you get. Their plain hotdog is $3.95 with their specialties going from $7 to $9 dollars. Burgers are in the ten dollar range and come with a side of fries.

Special Tips and Recommendations -
I recommend coming to Doggeros as early as you can to avoid the lines. I came shortly after it first opened at 11am and the line was just fine, but as I sat and ate, more and more people started to come. With the heat of Woodland in the summer, you definitely don't want to be stuck waiting in line in the burning hot sun. Also, be prepared to wait a bit after you order. I found the wait time for food to arrive a bit longer than most places.

Bottom Line - 
I highly recommend coming to Woodland to try Doggeros. It's a diner that really offers a unique taste in hotdogs and hamburgers. Everything I had was delicious and I am really chomping at the bit to go back for some more!

Letter Grade

A

A little hidden gem in the town of Woodland, Ca.

Explanation of their food concept.

Food served on diner style sliver treys and checkered paper.

Cheese fries with Mexican spices. This is flavor.

Creamy's has the BEST Cheesecake in Sacramento

I love it when I can find truly unique things around town. And Creamy's by Cayla Jordan is definitely a find! Creamy's main claim to fame is their amazingly creamy (hence the name) cheesecake. They offer numerous flavors as well as other delectable treats at their beautifully set up location in the R Street Corridor os Sacramento.

Food -
Cheesecake is the name of the game at Creamy's, and they come in these little tiny bites of perfection. Once you put one in your mouth, you'll know how creamy a cheesecake can be! But more than that, there is a smooth cheesecake flavor that is oh-so-balanced. It's not too sweet and makes you want to come back for more. Thankfully, you can order a pack of 6 so that you have enough to satisfy your cheesecake cravings. Mix and match with your favorite flavors like their classic, chocolate chip cookie, caramel pecan, carrot cake, coffee, and chocolate.

On hot summer Sacramento days you may opt for one of their frozen cheesecake sandwiches. These are like an ice-cream sandwich except with their creamy cheesecake in the middle. I got to try the oatmeal caramel pecan version and was floored by the taste. You can really get the high quality ingredients and care in this sandwich. At first I thought it might be too rich with the cheesecake and the cookie, but somehow Cayla got it to work!

On Saturdays, cheesecake filled donuts are available. I don't think I need to say more about that! They are just something that needs to be tried!

Service/Atmosphere - 
Currently, the Creamy's location is pop-up style on the corner of 12th and R. It's like a dessert stand you might find at a mall. You simply go up to the open window and place your order. Around Creamy's are some nicely placed decorations and seating. It's very well put together for a small operation - you can tell that a lot of thought went into making this place a great experience when visiting. Because it's a smaller retail establishment, you really also get the personal feel when interacting with the employees here. I found the service to be friendly and it was easy to strike up a conversation.

Price -
Expect to pay a premium price for these premium desserts. The 6 pack of mini cheesecake bites will cost you about $18. It's certainly on the higher side, but worth it if you are really into some high-quality taste. Just know that you won't be paying grocery store prices here!

Special Tips and Recommendations -
If you'd like to make sure you get exactly what you want when visiting Creamy's, you can actually order from their online site and they'll have it ready for you when you make your visit. I did this with a pack of 6 cheesecakes, and it was all ready for me to pick up when I got there. It's very convenient and a great way to guarantee that you can get your cheesecake fix on! Visit http://caylajordan.com for ordering information.

Bottom Line - 
If you're into having the best of the best, I'd suggest checking out Creamy's. Their cheesecakes are locally made and created with the best ingredients. You'll definitely be paying a premium for these delicious treats, but they are well worth the little slice of heaven that you get!

Letter Grade

A

An assortment of frozen cheesecake sandwiches.

It's a really cute little pop-up stand!

This 6 cheesecake pack is going to bring some happiness.

Maria and Jenn are so excited to give these a try!

Love the decorative signage and flowers all around.

La Crosta is an Excellent Choice for Pizza in West Sacramento

La Crosta is a beautiful pizza restaurant located in West Sacramento. It has an alluring exterior that welcomes you in to try their artisan pizzas. If you're into pizza that really pops with flavor, La Crosta is the right place for you. The flavors found in their menu items really sing!

Food -
La Crosta serves up higher-end artisan pizzas that come topped with premium ingredients. This is a pretty big step up from pizza joints like Pizza Hut and Papa Johns. You won't find sizes like small, medium, and large here. The pizzas come in a standard size that I'd say is around a small/medium size. For a hungry person, one pizza could hit the spot. Otherwise, two people could share one pizza just fine.

I found the ingredients in the pizza to be excellent. The balance of flavors was great as certain parts of the pizza really came alive with a spark of flavor. Other parts allowed some respite with deliciously creamy cheese and perfectly cooked crust. The meal was a roller coaster of flavors which I found to be a rush.

Though I thoroughly enjoyed my pizza, my friends that came along were a bit more middling with their opinions. Both had ordered the seafood pizza and both found issues with certain parts of it. So I'd say that it might be good to try different pizzas during different visits to see which ones are the best.

Besides the pizza I got an order of La Crosta chicken wings. These wings were sauced with a sweet and spicy glaze. The chicken was cooked to perfection with a nice crispy outside and tender inside. If you're a fan of heat, these wings would be perfect as they had quite a kick to them. The more I ate, the hotter things got!

As I did have my baby son along for this food adventure, I got him some kid meatballs. They arrived looking amazing and tasting amazing... however... the amazing taste was for the adult taste bud. They had a bit too much spice to them for my son's liking. A milder kids menu would be great.

But all in all the food at La Crosta is top notch and worth the premium in price you have to pay over chain pizza establishments.

Service/Atmosphere - 
Our server was very attentive and chill. I initially thought we would have a few more people than ended up going tonight so we asked for a larger table. Since it was a slow mid-week night, they didn't move us or anything and we got to enjoy a larger table space. The service was quick and the orders were put in quickly. Food came out at a nice rate with only one problem in which they had to re-make one of my friends' pizza. They wanted to get it right, so it was nice of them to let us know that is what they were doing.

In terms of atmosphere, La Crosta has it in spades. I love the color tones in the restaurant, and I really enjoyed the dining space. Even the restrooms were really nice! The atmosphere here is superb, and you can tell there was a lot of thought put into it.

Price -
Being a higher-end restaurant, you're looking from $13-$16 per pizza. It's not outrageous, but it's certainly not your everyday pizza either. For the ingredients used and the dining experience, I'd say the prices are quite fair. In fact, I was expecting to pay a little more than I did for the meal I had.

Special Tips and Recommendations -
I suggest getting a variety of pizzas if you come in a group. The servers will give you little plates so that you can spit up the pizzas and share them. It's a fabulous way to get a tasting of many different menu items.

Bottom Line - 
La Crosta is a pizza restaurant that I would certainly enjoy frequenting many times. The flavorsome pizzas hit their mark and are packed with quality and flavor. The restaurant is gorgeous with a friendly staff. There's a lot to like here!

Letter Grade

B+

The inside of the restaurant is well decorated.

The crust is a star.

La Crosta wings are no joke! Beware if you can't handle spiciness!

The magic happens in that magnificent pizza oven.

The exterior of the restaurant is beautiful! Great for eating outside on a nice day.

First ever Sacramento Eats Secret Gathering! More to come!

Solomon's Deli in Davis

When I think of Jewish delis, I think of the famous Katz's Deli in New York with their giant sandwiches piled high with pastrami. Solomon's Deli in Davis is a Jewish deli, but this restaurant goes for a more refined style that emphasizes big taste in moderate-sized portions. We've got high quality here, but the price certainly reflects it.

Food -
You'll find a variety of items to order at Solomon's. The menu contains different types of sandwiches, bagels, soups, salads, and other sides. Though these are very typical deli options, I'd say that the quality is step above most places.

Let's talk about their bagels first. They are dense and filling. I typically light lighter, airy bagels so these aren't my favorite, honestly, but the tastes of the bagels are excellent. You can select plain, lava salt, onion, everything, sesame, and poppyseed. Topping-wise you can go with schmears such as roasted beet, dill pickle, or green onion. And you can create a bagel sandwich with smoked salmon nova lox, eggs, whitefish, or pastrami. There are many ways to combine ingredients to make the exact bagel you want. Anyway you get it though, you'll get full as these guys are filling - don't let the size fool you!

As with other Jewish delis, you'll find sandwiches with pastrami and corned beef here. I love the traditional tastes that these sandwiches have. The flavors are strong and pronounced, not lacking at all! I guess the only complaint would be that these sandwiches aren't that large. I always feel like I'd like a bit more when I have one. The famous New York delis have gigantic sandwiches - which I guess is an unfair comparison - but it's one that I think many people will make.

Want something warm? How about some matzo ball soup? This traditional soup isn't something you find in many places, so if you haven't tried it before, this is the place to get it. It's a thin soup with very soft matzo balls in it. It can be ordered by itself or with half a sandwich.

Service/Atmosphere - 
Both service and atmosphere are great here. The customer service bends over backwards to give you a great experience. I took my son here and the server asked if he wanted a plain bagel to chew on (on the house)! We, of course, said yes and he absolutely devoured the thing.

Solomon's Deli is beautiful inside and out with a great dining space. The decor is hip and trendy with comfortable places to sit.

One thing I've got to talk about is the napkins. Why the napkins? Who talks about napkins? Well, these are worth mentioning. These things were super high quality. They are disposable napkins like any other but have a thickness and softness to them that I've never seen in a restaurant before. I felt bad using it because it was so nice! No joke!

Price -
Here's where you may be deterred from visiting Solomon's. The prices here are definitely on the higher side with medium-sized sandwiches costing thirteen dollars. Adding sauerkraut and cheese will add two more dollars to the price. That's a lot no matter how you look at it. You just have to ask yourself if you're willing to pay that much. Bagel sandwiches are a bit less painful on the wallet as they run about eight bucks each. A regular bagel is two dollars with the extra costs coming with each topping you put on it.

It's not uncommon to spend thirty bucks for two people. So just be warned that if you want to get full, you'll be forking out some money here.

I think the establishment is a bit too expensive for a place like Davis. I would love to see this restaurant succeed and stay for a long time, I'll cross my fingers for them!

Special Tips and Recommendations -
This was not on the regular menu, but I saw a sign that said that they had matzo ball ramen. MATZO BALL RAMEN!!! This is something I've got to try or have someone try and tell me about! That seems like a totally crazy combo to me. Give it a shot!

Bottom Line - 
Solomon's Deli is a sweet delicatessen that offers some of the highest quality eats in Davis. The high quality comes with a pretty steep price so keep that in mind when choosing to stop here for a meal.

Letter Grade

B

My reuben sandwich with bagel chips on the side.

Bonnie's chicken salad sandwich is piled high.

Lox and plain schmear in a poppyseed bagel.

A fun atmosphere to hang out in and chat.

I got these free pins and sticker on my visit. Get them before they're gone forever!

A Helluva good Ice Cream Shoppe!

When I think of great ice-cream in Sacramento, I think of Gunthers. Well, Devil May Care in West Sac gets to sit right up there with Gunthers as having some of the best ice-cream in town! This little ice-cream shoppe is simply amazing and a must try if you're looking for a delicious way to cool down on those hot summer days!

Food -
Small batch ice-cream. That's what you come here for. And while you can get the standards like vanilla, strawberry, and the like, you'll also find some very unique flavors that I'm sure you've never even thought of having in a scoop of ice-cream!

Depending on when you go, you'll be treated to a variety of different unique choices. The flavors are always changing so you'll be in for a surprise when you come. On the menu the night I made a visit were coffee and donuts as well as cornbread and honey. WHAT?!?! Yes, these flavors exist!

Jenn went for the cornbread and honey so I got a chance to try it as well. Let me tell you... it was fabulous! The ice-cream was smooth and just a tad sweet. It was a very subtle and delicate flavor that had nuance to it. I really enjoyed it.

To me, trying the standard flavors is always a must as well because the standards are what make a good ice-cream shoppe good. I usually don't do this but I ordered a double scoop - vanilla and strawberry. Both flavors were excellent. The flavor profiles of both were mild and sweet - just as an ice-cream should be.

And I've got to talk about the sugar cone. Get one! The sugar cone that they put their ice-cream on is also top notch. I like eating ice-cream from a cup because I'm afraid it'll melt all over the place, but the cone is worth it here at Devil May Care.

Service/Atmosphere - 
Devil May Care is a very small shoppe. It has a vintage, mom and pop, vibe to it that works very well. There's hardly any seating inside, but you can enjoy your ice-cream just outside where there is an area to sit and hang out.

The workers on my visit to Devil May Care did their jobs just fine, though I think they could have upped their service game just a bit. Not a big issue as these girls seemed to be very young and just working as a first job.

Price -
This isn't your budget ice-cream place! For a single scoop of ice-cream you're looking at $4.50. That's quite a bit of money to ask for, but for this premium scoop I think it is worth it. Unless you're pretty well-to-do, Devil May Care is probably a place you come every so often when you want a special treat for yourself.

Special Tips and Recommendations -
Since the flavors can be so unique, be sure to ask for some samples before you commit to something. You can get a little taste of what you want to try before you make your final selection. This is really helpful so you use your money on exactly what you'd like!

Bottom Line - 
Devil May Care is a special ice-cream shoppe. There really isn't anything like it. I highly recommend trying this place out if you are into premium ice-cream flavors that you will not find anywhere else.

Letter Grade

A

The vibe is totally right here.

This menu changes regularly.

Small batch ice-cream.

The baby wants some.

Absolutely NO MEAT in these Burgers from The Burger Patch

Watching sports at the arena or ballpark used to mean having very few food options. Usually it was hotdogs and french fries with maybe some bbq if you were lucky (and willing to fork out a substantial amount of money). The Golden 1 Center is an area that has a huge selection of different foods, including these meatless burgers from the Burger Patch.

Food -
The Burger Patch offers meatless burgers and sausages. Today I had the opportunity to give the burger a try. The burger comes with the choice of either a single patty or a double patty. The person working at the front recommended that I get all the toppings on it - I was hesitant to get everything, because I wasn't really wanting onions, but I went with it anyways for the full experience.

The burger is medium sized - mostly because of the fluffy bun. Like some recent burgers I've had, it felt like just a bit too much bun. The patty to bun ratio was just off and there was just a little too much bread for my liking. Taken as a whole, the burger tasted pretty much like a burger, but that's because all the toppings like cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and sauce (like a 1000 island concoction) made it feel that way. The patty actually got a bit lost for me in the mix - and maybe that was the point? I just didn't get much of the full beef flavor I would want in a burger. I'd be very curious to what the patty tasted like by itself without any other masking agents.

All in all the burger was just fine and totally acceptable as a burger. Because the bun was a bit on the bigger side, the burger filled me up. Also filling were the chips that came on the side. Actually, these chips were rally good. They had tremendous crunch and were satisfying to eat. It was a nice side with the burger, but it would have been nice to have fries as an option.

I'm curious as to what the meatless sausage is like. That's something I'm going to have to give a try the next time I get the chance.

Service/Atmosphere - 
I found the ordering system at the concession stand to be a little clunky. There weren't many people in line and to order I had to make a 'pre-order' before heading to the register. This method of ordering confused some of the people wanting to get food so they actually left to go to a different place! I suppose that this system was put in place to get the orders going when the line is long, but for a short line it made the entire process of ordering confusing and tedious.

Being on the concourse of an arena can be hectic, so be prepared for that when coming to this concession stand. The Burger Patch is one of the smaller stands, so it can be easy to miss if you're not looking for it.

Price -
Being at an arena automatically means prices will be higher than they should be. My burger and chip combo was twelve dollars. A double patty burger was sixteen. This is definitely a lot more than you would expect to pay for the amount of food you get - but sadly on par with arena pricing.

Special Tips and Recommendations -
My biggest recommendation would be to make sure to get all the condiments on the burger. I feel that without them, you're taste experience will be much more bland than you'd want it to be.

Bottom Line - 
It's pretty awesome that people have the option to get a meatless burger or hot dog at the Golden 1 Center. It's probably not for everybody, but I'm a fan of the fact that there are so many choices to eat at this arena.

Letter Grade

B-

The 'burger' comes with a big handful of chips!

A nice alternative for those who don't want to have meat at the game.