Plantation Soul Food

Place was wonderfully ran especially when it was closer to downtown. The food was still stellar once it moved into the old Firehouse. Liquor License and club was appreciated by the party crowd but the location made in mind this Establishment truely became a part of my Sacramento experience.

Based on my experience about 6 years ago… this place is alright… not super memorable soul food. poritions were a little skimpy. I’m glad and surprised this is still around in the heart of Del Paso ghetto heights.

I heard awesome reviews about this place so my hubby and I decided to give this place a try.
We walk in and no one greets us. We see workers walking back and forth, yet they don’t make eye contact with us. Are we invisible?
We sit and wait, hoping someone would say something. 15 min later, nothing. It was so strange.
We finally walked out and never came back!

I know that normally you want to go to a place before you review them, and I really tried. I called this business, they were busy so I left a message to please call me to set up a large group.
That night at 11 pm, my phone rings. I don’t get to it on time, so I call the number back, which I did not recognize. When I ask who is calling me at 11 pm, this person curses me out loudly and repeatedly. I hang up. Google the phone number, it shows up as this business. I call the main restaurant number and ask for the owner. I tell him what happened and he defends the caller first and after (too) long admits fault, offers to comp me, and tells me that he has been having trouble in the neighborhood because of racist behaviour towards him and his employees. So I looked this place up on the internet and I found several articles in the local press talking about late night fights, drive-​by shootings, drug busts and other «fun» facts. Supposedly a police conspiracy, according to the owner. I decided to take my business elsewhere.
The only reason I share this is so that people are better informed. It is a shame too, because they have a good reputation in town for their food.

So, late nights this turns into a nightclub upstairs… They REALLY need to add some windows because it was funktastic! The DJ was ok, nothing special, and the speakers went in and out for awhile. The drinks were ok. The bartenders downstairs are better than the ones upstairs. The ones upstairs seem unsure of themselves. The couches were comfy in the lounge area. They closed the club at 1am… ooooookkkkkkk. I don’t know if that’s regular for this location, or if it was because there was a fight outside.
The best part of the night [outside of the friends I was hanging out with] was the guy at the bar who was a pimp. He was wearing a fur coat and hat IN THE HOT CLUB. I wanted to stare at him, but I didn’t want him to try to put me to work. I guess pimps need to go out and get drinks too!

The first stop on my Sacto Summer Soul Food Tour of 2006. I almost feel bad for the rest of the participants in this annual, well organized event as Plantation’s food is pretty damn good and will be hard to follow. I went in feeling like some fried chicken but as soon as I saw the menu, visions of my last visit (years ago, and farther down Del Paso) appeared and I remembered the true joy of fried ribs. There was no choice, I had to get them again. And they did not disappoint. Mmm… the ribs were every bit as good as I had remembered. Usually, when I get «to go», things are never as good as «dine-​in», however everything (fried ribs, mashed potatoes & gravy, and greens) were «dine-​in» good. The only thing i would of changed is that the mashed potatoes could of been a little creamer. I need to try some other things off of their menu, but I’m not aware of many places that serve fried ribs so it’s hard to deviate. I wish they had a cheaper lunch menu, or any kind of lunch menu and/​or specials (only one menu for the day). And if you take any of your vegetarian friends here, be prepared to hear some serious complaining.

After hearing numerous raving from my friends about how this place had the best Soul Food in town, I was really really disappointed. So after a late night escapade on the town with some friends, we stopped by here after a suggestion from one of my friends. The food was really bland, and the sides were more assertive than the entrée. The mac & cheese was the only thing I liked and it seemed to be out of a box of Easy Mac. I ordered the ribs and it was dry, some pieces were bland, and others were shockingly salty. The green beans were just «there» adding no effect to the order whatsoever. The meals come served in to go plastic styrofoam boxes and meats are setted in tin foil. How original as I wouldn’t want to stay in that place any longer after what they served me. The service was absolutely horrible also. It took a while to be served and just asking for water took a few tries. I didn’t go with just Asians to eat here but with a mixed group of friends from Hispanic and African Americans and I wouldn’t ever consider returning here again.