Fat City Bar & Cafe

We went to The Fat City Café tonight with friends after finding out we were unable to get into three other steak restaurants. Good thing we were all drinking to occupy us because we had reservation and a hour later still no table. I should have known when I first went to drive to meet my friends at The Fat City that a turkey sitting on my car was a omen. The second clue should have been what the waitress said about getting the manager immediately after being seated. This was before we even ordered. They had said they were out of steak at 6:30 when we tried to order our dinner which disappointed all of us. Almost two hours later still no food. Was there anyone in the kitchen at all? The waitress kept apologizing but nothing ever changed. I felt bad that I had suggested eating here. This is not a good way to impress your customers. They comped a round of drinks for us and three pieces of crummy tasteless pie. This restaurant will go down in our memory as the worst most terrible service ever and the food wasn’t very good. No reason to ever return.

Was great to be able to drive into Old Sacramento with all of its rich history and then I hadn’t been here in years and I just got to say the server was above reproach and I just needed to be able to have what I wanted! I asked for a very detailed breakfast and they gave it to me exactly the way I wanted it! The server was Tracy and he is Just amazing just made sure everything was the way it was supposed to be. Thank you. On a day I needed a little uplifting. Thank you. Hope to be back soon!

The only reason why I am giving this place 2 stars is because the food wasn’t too bad. It wasn’t great either. Very overpriced and dirty! There was a piece of food floating around in my drink, I told the waiter and he gave me a mean look as if it was annoying that I pointed that out to him! He did refill it but the glass was dirty. I did not enjoy at all. Then there were two ladies sitting at a table next to us and we over heard her tell him her fish was UNCOOKED! Like what?!? That’s so horrible he again did not seem to care or apologize instead looked annoyed. Everything was over priced for what you get. Horrible WILL NOT GO BACK! Don’t go, unless you want unfriendly service and dirty glasses.

I just love this place! It’s so beautiful and so much to look at. Not to mention that the food is fabulous!

Made the mistake of reading the reviews for this place AFTER I was already waiting to be seated. MADE the second mistake of sticking around anyway! Service wasn’t horrible as mentioned in many other reviews, but it definitely wasn’t great. Where I was really let down was the food! Save your time and money and buy some Ragu marinara at the grocery store, since that is about the quality you’re going to get here.

Stopped by for dinner last night. Upon checking in, we were informed that they were short-​staffed and there were only 2 cooks for the night and that there would be a 20-​minute wait to be seated. We said we’ll wait. And I’m glad we did.
It did not take long for the bartender to take our order. He was also cleaning up (I guess there wasn’t a bus boy) and bar tending at the same time. Our orders arrived not too long after and they were PERFECT!
Our waiter/​bartender kept checking on us multiple times. .. and with a smile on his face too!
In short, we left the place full and satisfied. To the staff of Fat City on the night of 5÷1÷16 — you ROCK!

I have been going to this place for years and have always enjoyed the amazing service from Dylan. This guy is a gem! Seriously funny guy with fantastic wit and great knowledge of food and spirits.
I am writing this because It has come to my attention that Dylan has recently been let go. After I got over the initial shock, I had to wonder why anyone would get rid of a loyal employee who genuinely cared about his customers and company. Sad to say I won’t be back.
I have a lot of respect for the Fat family, but they dropped the ball on this one. I guess the times are changing.

My husband and I came here for brunch. He ordered the ham and cheese omelet and I ordered Lina’s Favorite which is a hash with egg and waffle. The food was great and affordable; both dishes were under $ 10. The environment is good, it feels spacious and cozy at the same time. If you sit by the windows, you get to enjoy the sights of a busy Old Sac. I would definitely come back.

Stopped in while on a long bike ride. Place wasn’t crowded. Servers just watched us as we decided to seat ourselves. After 5 minutes or so, we had to wave them over to ask for a menu and drinks.
Drinks were pretty good. Food was just ok. I had the Jambalaya Penne.
Neat place, but less than attentive service and ok food.

Stopped in for dinner with my husband while staying over to attend meetings at a nearby hotel. It was a quiet Sunday evening. We were greeted and seated promptly. Our waiter quickly took our drink order and left us to explore the menu. I ordered the chicken fried ribeye with double veggies and no potatoes. My husband ordered the pulled pork sandwich. We both enjoyed our food tremendously. My veggies were zucchini, crookneck squash and red onion sautéed in olive oil and garlic. They were well cooked, not the least bit mushy. The garlic was a tad strong for my taste but veggies still had really good flavor. The gravy on the CFS was flavored with sausage and was quite yummy. I am picky about my CFS and this was well prepared with a nice crispy panko crust. The pulled pork sandwich was served with a zesty BBQ sauce and smoked cheddar on a great tasting ciabatta roll. It was served with crispy fries and spicy cole slaw. There were green peppers in the slaw which we didn’t like, but we did like the spicy kick it had.
We had the banana cream pie for dessert and it did not disappoint!
We had excellent service and food, so I’m not sure what’s up with these negative reviews. Great experience. When we are back in Old Town, we will definitely stop in again.

Great service and food. I had the smoked turkey with avocado sandwich. Waiter was attentive and friendly to our table. Positive experience and will be back. It was a good start to a weekend outing with my family.

The food quality and portions are super. The prices are reasonable considering the historic area and amount of food they give. Worth trying will come back when in the area.

I wanted to like this place, I really did. But from the start I knew it was going to be a let down. We had reservations for 130, we didn’t get seated until 145 and we checked in at one. They first said our table wasn’t ready, then they said they thought we were waiting for two other people that hadn’t shown up yet. All after we had checked on our table several times.
Then it took over an hour and a half to get our food, and it was cold, flavorless and soggy. We spent well over 2 hours there and they were NOT busy! The people around us were in and out faster than us and we had a modest sized group of 6 compared to their 10 – 12 sized groups. They just wanted a better tip from those people and paid way more attention to them. We went over 20 minutes without drink refills and when they did show up is was half ass, not paying attention to other needs we had, like lack of napkins and appetizer plates. We had made a crummy mess, with nothing to clean it with!
By the end of it all I was grumoy, hungry and my butt hurt, their chairs are so tiny and uncomfortable!
The only nice thing I have to say is they took off an order for us since it only had a bite taken from it, that’s how bad it was. But the bill was still over 150 dollars.
Over priced and underwhelming food. Will not return!

After sitting at the bar for over 10 minutes with NO service or even acknowledgement from bartender or bar waitress I stood up and made a point if being seen. The bar tender came over with the attitude that we had disturbed her. Took our orders and made the mixed drinks first and they were bad and then drew the draft beers. We waited as a party of six for our dining table and could not get the bar staff to make new drinks or even cash us out. We left cash on the bar and left. We will never return. The bar staff ruined our experience. We went around the the corner to Ten22 were seated immediately at a table in the bar. We got immediate service for drinks and apps. Drinks and food arrived fast and with a smile. I will post a review of them tonight.

My first stop for Dine Downtown 2016. I usually go every year to try new places and help out Food Literacy Center. Vaguely familiar with all the Fat’s family of restaurants (Frank Fat’s, Fat City, Fat’s Bistros in Folsom and Roseville) but was enticed by their Dine Downtown menu this year and that famous banana cream pie.
Parking meters are enforced until 8pm, Fat City located on the corner of J and Front Streets. Was easy to phone in reservations for a Thursday night.
Beautiful interior, stained glass light fixtures, window seating facing Front St. Complimentary bread basket and waters right away. There was also a Paint Nite event happening in the banquet/​private room.
$ 35 per person, tax and gratuity not included. $ 1 from every Dine Downtown meal benefits Food Literacy Center.
DINE DOWNTOWN 2016 MENU (select one each)
Starters: Crispy Risotto Balls, Baby Spinach and Arugula Salad
Entrees: Pan Seared Organic Farm Raised Salmon, Filet Mignon, Vegetable Fettucine
Dessert: Fat’s Famous Banana Cream Pie, Five Spice Bread Pudding
Normally, my fellow diner and I would divide and conquer for each course… but we thought too much alike this time around!
I had the crispy risotto balls (stuffed with parmesan cheese, served with cilantro lemon dipping sauce) to start. Three hefty risotto balls did not disappoint! Sauce really complemented the dish. The salad, in case you wanted to know, came with red onion, fuji apple, glazed walnuts, apple thyme vinaigrette, and shaved parm.
I also got the salmon (6 oz. with orange sweet chili sauce, baby carrots and cilantro lime rice) entrée, which coincidentally was similar to the restaurant’s regular menu daily special salmon dish for $ 22. The plate itself was simple, a little lacking in color variety (the sauce made the salmon look even more orange) but all the flavors went well together. My bf got the 5 oz filet mignon which came with garlic blue cheese butter, pureed parsnip, and snap peas.
The star of the show was indeed the Fat’s Famous Banana Cream Pie (didn’t get the bread pudding, but that came with vanilla ice cream, caramel and chocolate sauces, and glazed walnuts). Really, they should really just have the banana cream pie and chocolate cream pie as the only dessert options ever. I had never had it before but had heard many great things. Apparently if you live in Sacramento and haven’t tried it, you’re not doing desserts right. Fail on my part, I have been missing out!
Fat’s pie is practically a staple in Sacramento desserts, a classic signature menu item made from scratch daily since the 1940’s. The sliced bananas in the pie are so fresh that they practically melt as soon as they enter the warmth of your mouth. The rich creamy egg custard that holds the bananas is equally soft but thick enough not to be runny. The flakiness of the buttery bottom crust is almost reminiscent of a croissant, and the fresh, fluffy, airy whipped cream topping is the proverbial cherry on top. Very light, not overly sweet.
After that first taste at Dine Downtown, I will be back during this month of January to enjoy my free Happy Birthday piece of Fat’s Famous Banana Cream Pie.

FAT CITY IS NOT A CAT RESTAURANT CALLED CAT CITY, LIKE MARGE THOUGHT…
Great granny Marge, known to be a real gray-​haired boozeface around the local dives, decided to treat me and Mars Bars to some tasty grub after pampering us with some new Magic the Gathering Cards!
#spoiled #yaasss #TooBlessedToBeStressed
I didn’t get anything good (never do [#bummer]) Mars Bars did (always does [#littleturd]) and he can’t even play Magic (the Gathering) properly because his cute little paws just aren’t fit for handling trading cards! He always scratches my rare/​vintage/​holographic cards! I get mad then look at his fluffly cuddly wuddly face and forget what the heck I was mad at!
I’m sure you’re wondering about Mr. Badkitty… Well… he had been a real bad kitty (tinkled on Marge’s linoleum floors one too many times [even took a #2 1 time and Marge came home drunk one night and drove over it on her Motorized Wheelchair and tracked poo poo all over the condo {she was ticked off!}]) but we couldn’t find a kitty-​sitter, so, unfortunately, he had to come. He was NOT allowed in the Comic Store and,
let it be known, that once we found a food destination, he was NOT allowed to order food or make eye contact with our hungry waitress, Tabby (Assuming her parents were 420/​cat-​friendly upon naming).
After the Magic Shop, it was time for some much needed culinary delicacies. We needed to find something close because Marge’s wheelchair batteries were hekka low and when’s she hungry, she’s a grumbly. She kept revving that little sucker but was barely moving.
We sought a restaurant that catered to both cats and people (where’s the kitties on a leash emoji? [am I right?!]). Marge had recently smoked a Marijuana Cigarette behind the Comin Store and thought the sign that said Fat City actually said Cat City. Don’t worry, Granny Marge has her «card» (think that refers to medical marijuana ((pretty sure =‘s weed)) (((but she always talks about «dabs» and idk wth that is))). I didn’t even notice the sign because Mr. Badkitty was throwing a fit and I had to calm him down with some Christmas Jingles, his favorite is «Silver Bells» by America’s All-​Time-​Hunk Bing Crosby, I call him the Michael Jackson of the 30s. He died in Madrid in 77.
Let’s get down to the Nitty Gritty — FAT CITY (forgive me for repeating this but Marge called it FAT SHITTY)
If Fat City were a real city it would be Dublin around 1845 – 1852. Why’s that? Because the food is so bad people would starve and we’d have the Irish Potato Famine 160 years later. Now, the Irish had no choice in the matter because of that darn Potato Blight but the inhabitants of Fat City would have a choice, and they’d choose starvation. The cats would die too because this isn’t even suited for felines, rodents might eat the food, but I can’t say that for sure.
Time to order…:…
Mars Bars pointed that cute paw towards the Sampler Platter and Marge wanted the Deep Fried Pickles. Me, being a bit of a health nut, decided I would just nibble on both.
— The deep fried pickles were fine, not a hard dish to pull off.
— The Sampler Platter on the other hand… let me try to explain.
From world’s worst to bad order, Sampler Platter: 1) Potstickers,
2)Roast Beefy-​thing Wraps,
3)Fried Greenbeans.
*Fried Greenbeans are like Fried Pickles, with Ranch, easily consumed.
**Roast Beefy-​thing Wrap tasted like something you’d dig out of the dumpster behind a Grocery Outlet (Bargain Market). Nothing tasted fresh. These wraps reminded me of the wraps on the nasty party platter that the broke aunt who tries hard brings to the Baby Shower but nobody eats. Everyone just sniffs then throws to the dog.
One bite was taken, that was enough for all of us.
***BUT THE POTSTICKERS ¡Aye Caramba! Me, Marge and Mars were very excited for these bad boys (I know Mr. Bad kitty wanted one but he was on time out). I was busy catching the game and asked «What’s that smell?»
«It’s the Potsticker,» said Marge.
I said «There’s no way that smell is coming from that,» then Marge gestured for me to smell what’s on the end of her fork.
(smells fork) OH MY GOD!
The only way I could describe the smell of this «chicken» potsticker was rotten Limburger Cheese, sitting on a pile of dead vermin, fried in hot oil. Sorry for this grotesque picture but it was that bad.
Poor Mars Bars… he took a whiff and couldn’t stop Hissing at his food, I know it ruined his night. Marge was gonna make Mr. Bad Kitty eat it for tinkeling and doodooing on her floor, but there was people around and she didn’t want a Cruelty to Animal Charge.
I politely brought it up with Tabby, not because of the money, more for the safety of Fat City customers, but she didn’t seem to care. She kept it on the bill and didn’t even offer to take it off or fix the situation.
Fat City isn’t suitable for cats, or people.
½ Star bc the Patriot Bronco game was on. Marge has the hots for that Tom Brady.
½ Star water was potable.

Walked around old Sac looking for a casual place to eat and this «seemed» to be a safe spot to try compared to some of the older run-​down places around there. Overall, I was disappointed over the quality and price of the food.
To start: my wife sees the fried pickles and wants it as an app. $ 10.50 so I’m assuming it’s a large order and these must be made fresh and should’ve been good. I was wrong. They came out and it was 5 pieces and you can tell they were previously frozen. It was probably one whole pickle and it tasted like an old (previously frozen) mozzarella stick. This dinner was last night and my wife has told me to stop talking about the stupid pickles-​so I will, but be advised and don’t waste your money.
After being disappointed with the app, we decided to just split a sandwich and get out of there knowing that whatever we ordered-​prob wasn’t going to be great. We ordered the fat city sandwich and it tasted like a sandwich I could’ve just made at my house.
It was our first time in old Sac and we were hoping to find a place we would like and bring our friends to but unfortunately it won’t be Fat City. I will say that the service was good and the location/​restaurant is nice-​just overpriced, average food.
$ 10.50 for pickles… really?

Three stars for it being… ok. It certainly wasn’t bad: food was brought out in a timely manner, it was good, the décor is nice. It’s just ok because the server was somewhat off-​putting, the location is ok and it’s not memorable.
We had reservation for Halloween, 7 p.m. Not a huge party but four adults and one child. Quickly sat down and welcomed. The waiter was very anxious to serve us alcohol so I threw a dart at the board and selected a $ 5.50 English «style» ale. Eh, ok. Not particularly noteworthy.
When asked if one can get a starter as a meal, the waiter gave a somewhat sarcastic flip remark of «yes, if you order two» and «I don’t know why you would do that.» Well, sir, I don’t know why I would leave you a good tip either but here we are.
Our sandwiches were good and their French fries were great. Their bread, which they gladly served two helpings of, was fine.
In the end, we left with full stomachs but lacking that positive vibe. I doubt I’ll be back but hope they give a bit more to be warm to their guests for their own sake. Thanks!

Wow the manager, Tracy, reached over our table while we were eating to adjust the temperature. Didn’t say excuse me or anything just thought it was okay to do such an disgusting act.
But on the good side our server Katie was amazing I almost wanted to do two different reviews cause she deserves a 5 star review for the awesome service.
I will not be coming back though because I feel like this is not okay to reach over people eating. And there was no apology.

Fat City was ok, but just ok. It was neither note-​worthy, nor was it terrible.
My server was super friendly, but he had too many tables for one waiter, thus our service was predictably slower than it needed to be. My Wee one ordered the kid’s burger; I ordered a Mojito and the chicken tacos plate. Then we ordered a Mudd Pie for dessert.
The Mojito was one of the best I’ve ever had. Seriously-​it is in the top two! So cudos to the bar tender. The Kid’s burger was a sad, plain patty on a boring bun. The fries on my kid’s plate were fresh and crispy, she said they were very yummy.
My tacos, sadly, were bland and lackluster. I actually had to salt them to make them taste like anything. They were not bad (the flavor was just bland), they were «just tacos». The lettuce on my plate was dried out and rusty: I consider that a Cardinal Sin of commercial kitchens. The Mudd pie was very good. We both really and truly enjoyed it.
Alas; all-​in-​all, I very likely won’t be back for a second meal. This really is one of those restaurants that relies on tourist first time (and only time) business.
Sit at the bar, order drinks and dessert, and enjoy a meal elsewhere beforehand.

Good beer selection, great, original décor, diverse menu.
The cajun fettuccine was just the right heat with plenty of chicken, shrimp and sausage.
Good mojitos.