The Backdoor Lounge

1112 Firehouse Alley

Sacramento

(916) 442-5751

Located in the touristy Old Sacramento, this hidden bar is only accessible to the brave few who travel down the alley where its “backdoor” entrance is located. Its fabulously tacky, yet vintage lounge décor will have you exploring when you’re not tilting back drinks served by Nick, the Backdoor Lounges’s octogenarian bartender, and likely Sacramento’s oldest bartender. This is a great bar to go to off the beaten path.

Pre-Flite Lounge,

513 L St.

Sacramento

(916) 441-7963

The Pre-Flite Lounge is Sacramento’s best-kept secret. Tucked away under the declining Downtown Plaza Mall, The Pre-Flite once was a watering hole where travelers could get a pre-flight drink while awaiting shuttles to the airport in the ‘70s. This bar’s hidden entrance requires directions or just dumb luck to find but when you do, expect cheap drinks and great bartenders. This is a great place to sneak away to if your spouse drags you shopping. Once you find it, talk to longtime bartender, Russ.

Thai Canteen

1501 16th St.

Sacramento

(916) 382-9196

Ok, so this place isn’t exactly a secret spot, but it does boast somewhat of a secret menu, with local regulars often ordering employee favorites not on the menu. Also the owner, who goes by “T,” is very friendly and often pours you one of his “T teas,”a mysterious mixture of Thai tea and a rice-based alcohol. Quickly turning into a neighborhood fixture, this restaurant is a great place to eat authentic Thai food and enjoy some libations. It stays open late, so it’s a tastier alternative to pizza by the slice after a night of drinking. Ask for “T” and try the duck fried rice.

Taqueria El Paisano

3900 Fruitridge Rd

Sacramento

(916) 428-3559

This one may look a bit seedy with its rough bordertown look, but don’t judge this book by its cover. It is definitely a hidden gem for taco aficionados who crave simple, authentic street tacos. For those who have done any traveling in Mexico and enjoyed the numerous taco stands, this little taco shack serves up delicious food reminiscent of those times. The prices aren’t quite as low as they are in Mexico, but this is a great place to grab a few tacos and beers on the cheap. Make sure to try Elotes, a cob of corn smothered in a mayonnaise and butter mixture, then dipped in spicy seasonings and sprinkled with Cotija cheese. If you’ve never had Mexican street corn, you’ll thank me.

Sampino’s Towne Foods

1607 F St.

Sacramento

(916) 441-2372

Sampino’s Towne Foods is an authentic Italian market hidden at the end of a rundown looking strip of shops that include a doughnut shop, a liquor store, and a coin-operated Laundromat. They offer full meals, including homemade lasagna and meatloaf and a wide variety of Italian meats, cheeses and salads. But what sets this unassuming little store apart is the quality of its sandwiches. Its biggest seller, the Sampanini sandwich, packs a variety of Italian cold-cuts and cheeses on top of a fresh baked ciabatta roll and finishes it off with Italian dressing and garlic aioli. Go here to grab a sandwich and pick up something for dinner too.

Steven Senn can be reached at [email protected]