Aug 28, 2024
Ryan Ota’s humble sandwich window says a lot about him. First, the name. Mecha Mucho, two Japanese and Spanish words that mean “a lot.” The phrase reflects Ota’s Japanese and Mexican origins. And “a lot” is what Ota is doing.
A lot of focus. A lot of flavor. A lot of passion.
Inspired by West Coast Little Tokyos and Japantowns, Ota developed a tight menu of exceptional lunchtime offerings. His sandos, hearty and simple in appearance, hold the details of precise cooking. The results are unforgettable.
Aug 28, 2024
Empowerment Park beckons like no other local park. Located on Bell Street between Northrup Avenue and Hurley Way, Empowerment Park is designed for all children, including those with disabilities.
“There’s nothing sadder than a kid on the outside of a playground looking in because he’s not able to play. This will change that. This is a barrier-free, all-abilities park, where everyone can play together, side by side,” says Mike Grace, executive director of Sacramento Parks Foundation, the organization behind Empowerment Park (also known as emPOWERment Park).
Construction is set to start in September, with completion in May 2026.
Aug 28, 2024
With captive audiences, airports tend to offer generic food and drinks created in central kitchens not specific to their region. They make us feel we are nowhere and everywhere.
As the farm-to-fork capital, it’s fitting that Sacramento International Airport tries to reflect the community’s agricultural bounty and legacy.
Local emphasis began in 2011, when Terminal B opened with two restaurants linked to Downtown establishments, Esquire Grill and Cafeteria 15L. A makeover at Terminal A added more local hospitality names in 2015.
Jul 28, 2024
I’ve met hundreds of small business owners in almost three decades as publisher of Inside Sacramento. Mark and Stephanie Miller, co-owners of Rio City Café, are among my all-time favorites.
I met Stephanie in 2015, when the Millers arrived from Denver to run Rio City. Mark’s father owned the restaurant for decades.
Rio City has the best river views in town, just north of Tower Bridge. “The deck location has been the site of so many community memories, from parties to wedding proposals,” Stephanie says.
Jul 28, 2024
Sacramento needs new housing in all varieties, locations and price ranges. This reality is part of what makes the American River One high-rise apartment proposal on the American River near Downtown so intriguing.
The 3-acre site at Bercut Drive off Richards Boulevard was home to the Hungry Hunter and Rusty Duck restaurants, torn down years ago.
Now, property owner Steve Ayers, who also owns the Elks Tower, has city approval to build four residential apartment towers ranging from 11 to 18 stories in a city that hasn’t exactly embraced high-rise apartment living.
Jul 28, 2024
If you want to be overwhelmed—in a good way—visit the Book Den warehouse.
The unassuming building on Belvedere Avenue is a booklover’s paradise, where thousands of donated books organized into genres await readers.
“It just hooks you,” says Diane Sabo, Book Den’s volunteer coordinator. “And if you like books, it’ll hook you even more.”
Book Den is volunteer-run and operated by Friends of the Sacramento Public Library. Sales of used books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks and computer games support the library and many community groups.
