Remember Biba? Club Pheasant? See 10 Sacramento restaurants that locals miss the most

Do you remember Biba? Bandera? What about Cafe Pheasant?

We asked you — our readers — about the Sacramento-area restaurants you miss the most. We received more than 300 submissions.

We enjoyed going down memory lane and looking back at some of the classic eateries that helped fuel the capital city’s bustling foodie scene.

Here are 10 restaurants that resonated the most with our readers, from a classic tiki bar to a pizzeria.

Which Sacramento-area restaurants do readers miss the most?

Bandera, located at 2232 Fair Oaks Blvd. in Sacramento, closed its doors in June 2018 after being part of the Sacramento community for more than 20 years, according to The Bee’s archives.

The restaurant served up Southwestern-style food such as house-smoked salmon and butternut squash enchiladas, The Bee previously reported. It was part of a national chain owned by the Hillstone Restaurant Group of Beverly Hills.

“I still find myself reminiscing about Bandera, a restaurant that held a special place in my heart,” Erik Honore wrote in his response to The Bee’s callout. “It was more than just a dining spot; it was a haven of culinary delight, a perfect ambiance, and an ideal location.”

Hot Italian, 1627 16th St. in Sacramento, closed in December 2019.

The casual pizzeria and bar opened in midtown in 2009.

Responding to The Bee’s callout, Peter Stamos called Hot Italian “hands down the best pizza place ever in Sacramento,” praising the “amazing, authentic ingredients” used in its dishes.

“The charcuterie board and gelato were also top notch,” Stamos wrote.

South, 2005 11th St. in Sacramento, closed in June 2022.

It first opened its doors in 2014 in a 100-year-old building, The Bee reported in 2022.

Restaurant owner N’Gina Guyton adapted many of the recipes that were served at South from her family roots in Mississippi and Louisiana, The Bee reported in 2022.

Danielle McGarrity told The Bee that she’ll always remember “the incredible chicken & sides, the cool atmosphere & outdoor dining option.”

Biba, 2801 Capitol Ave. in Sacramento, closed in May 2020.

The Italian restaurant’s proprietor and chef, Biba Caggiano, opened the doors to her restaurant in 1986.

“The food was inspired and impeccably prepared,” Malcolm Segal wrote in his response to The Bee’s callout. “Biba was virtually always present lending her vast knowledge and authority to the the quality of the meal, service and experience, while never being intrusive.”

“It was a place of tableside friendships with other regular quests and staff,” Segal said.

Club Pheasant, 2525 Jefferson Blvd. in West Sacramento, closed its doors at the end of 2022 after more than 80 years.

The restaurant, which opened in 1935, specialized in homemade dishes crafted with fresh ingredients, The Bee previously reported.

“My extended family would regularly eat there throughout the (1960s) and ’70s in the middle of fields along a two-lane Jefferson Blvd,” Robert Finnegan told The Bee in his response to the callout. “(I) always ate the same thing: ravioli and (a) steak sandwich with spumoni ice cream for dessert.”

The Coral Reef, 2795 Fulton Avenue in Sacramento, closed in 1994, according to The Bee’s archives.

The tiki bar and restaurant, which opened its doors in 1949, was known for its unique decor and tropics-inspired menu offerings.

“Everything about the place was special ... from their mai tais to the spare ribs to the interior to its consistency over the decades,” Kevin Culcasi wrote in his response to The Bee’s callout.

Lucca, 1615 J St. in Sacramento, closed its doors in March 2021.

The restaurant, which opened in 2003, served Mediterranean food at an upscale location in midtown, according to The Bee archives.

“They had the best penne pasta with olives and capers! It was my favorite dish from any restaurant,” Jessica Pagan wrote in her response to The Bee’s call out. “They also had a delicious flat bread with olive tapenade on the appetizer menu that I would order every time. They had a wonderful selection of wines and some amazing gelato for dessert!”

Cafe Rolle, 5357 H St. in East Sacramento, closed in 2020.

The French restaurant was highlighted by Guy Fieri on his television show “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” and featured twice on Yelp’s list of America’s 100 best restaurants, The Bee reported in 2020.

Ken Cobler told The Bee that he “enjoyed chef (William) Rolle’s simple Lyonnaise menu of salmon salads and sandwiches” as well as the restaurant’s “great pricing” and “jovial atmosphere.”

Espanol, 5723 Folsom Blvd. in Sacramento, closed in 2020.

The restaurant first opened its doors in 1923 as a Basque eatery and served Sacramento residents for 96 years. It was awarded the Burnett Award from the Sacramento History Alliance in recognition of its longevity, The Bee previously reported.

John Parino, who had “many family meals there,” told The Bee, “Their minestrone is the best I’ve ever had.”

Luis’s Mexican Food was located at 1218 Alhambra Blvd. in Sacramento, closed in 2004.

The Mexican restaurant first opened its doors in 1965, according to The Bee’s archives.

Luis’s was famous for the hundreds of photos of politicians, professional athletes, business moguls and others that adorned its walls, The Bee reported in 2003.

“(The) food was always good,” Irene Capps wrote in response to The Bee’s callout.

She also remembered the “fun” and “welcoming” environment of the restaurant.

Vote for your favorite closed Sacramento restaurant

You’ve shared your memories of the best Sacramento-area restaurants of yesteryear. Now it’s time to vote.

The Sacramento Bee’s to take a closer look at some of the top local restaurants that have shut their doors, but we need your help to narrow down the list.

Vote for your top three favorite restaurants in the poll below.

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.