Opened in 1985 by Mr. Flowers and passed on to the Henderson family in 1993, this old-school restaurant fries chicken and fish to order. The heaping two-way combo of fried whiting and fried chicken pieces with a side of soft, hand-cut fries always does the trick. Don’t miss out on the fresh out the oven sweet potato pies, if you’re lucky enough to get your hands on one.

No one better ever mention South Sacramento without bringing up La Esperanza. Hailing as the anchor of Franklin Blvd, this panaderia was opened by patriarch Salvador Plasencia in 1969. It’s now being operated by Natali Plasencia and her brothers, Salvador’s grandchildren. Visit the bakery for the best pan dulce in Sacramento, the grocery story for your fruits and vegetables, the tortilleria for your fresh tortillas and carnitas by the pound, all in one parking lot. Don’t forget to visit their sister restaurant, Los Jarritos at 2509 Broadway. 

Oto’s has a super fresh seafood selection, including sashimi and takeout poke. There are also daily lunch bento boxes in the cold case, onigiri (rice balls), teriyaki chicken, and katsu. The market stocks Japanese dried goods, plus a large sake and Japanese beer selection, fresh produce and a dizzying array of soba noodles.

Alzono’s recently made a move for the first times since Jesus and Wanda Alonzo opened the beloved South Sacramento restaurant in 1969, jumping from one section of the Mid Century Modern shopping plaza to another in preparation for its demolition. While the menu does have American breakfast favorites like waffles and pancakes, most people come for the menudo and posole, the latter of which is a bowl of steaming hangover cure, containing bits of pork and tripe in a rich, red broth. Top it with a bit of cabbage, a squeeze of lemon and a spoonful of raw white onion for the full effect.

The first thing diners notice about Happy Garden is its massive size, equipped to host its numerous wedding banquets throughout the season. Use this space to your advantage and bring all your friends to enjoy dim sum. On weekends, the restaurant is indeed packed full of families waving down various carts full of shumai, hargow, chicken feet, and pineapple buns. Your table will be full before you know it.

Located on a wickedly busy corner next to a tire shop, Pitt’s is a true neighborhood institution. Opened in 1979, Denise Shelton is a one-woman kitchen army cranking out warm biscuits, chile verde with pinto beans, chicken-fried steak, crispy hash browns, grits and eggs, and SOS (“shit on shingles,” a hamburger patty with cream gravy on toast). Saddle up at the front counter next to folks in Stetson hats and Air Jordans for a welcoming plate of food, all of which is made from scratch.

In February 2010, a stretch of Stockton Boulevard from Fruitridge Road to Florin Road was designated as Little Saigon. Bon Mua joined the lineup in 20143, immediately becoming incredibly popular for its Bon Mua Special: a huge platter of grilled pork patties, grilled pork, grilled chicken, shrimp patties, fresh herbs, lettuces, crunchy wrappers and vermicelli noodles. Don’t miss the sweet garlic Sriracha chicken wings or broken rice dishes, either.

Wings City is the first independently owned chicken wing eatery in South Sacramento, from childhood friends and South Sac natives Vay Lu and Tommy San. Stop by in the evenings or on weekends to watch some sportsball, or come during the weekdays and enjoy hulking bone-in and breaded chicken wings with classic flavors like Buffalo, original, and barbecue. Fusion flavors like cheesy money (wings topped with crushed Cheetos, sour cream and scallions), K-Town, and mano habanero are not to be missed.

Even though it’s dead center in one of South Sacramento’s gnarliest intersections, you can always count on this truck (that shares a lot with a gas station) to draw a line. Hefty $6 tortas, tostadas de “seviche,” and tacos are prepared to order. For those who don’t want to wait in line head to their grocery market Morales Carniceria (located down the street at 6830 Stockton Blvd), that has a full restaurant serving menudo and posole. 

Bakers Donuts, opened in 1985 by the Hem family, is a neighborhood favorite. When a Krispy Kreme moved in directly across the street in 2013, the small yet mighty Bakers Donuts, owned by Cambodian immigrants, decided to kick it up a notch and offer some more creative flavors like Thai tea, maple bacon, and seasonal pumpkin pie. No time to walk in? Order one of their sausage, egg and cheese croissant breakfast sandwich in the drive-thru.