Frank Fat’s
If you’re looking for a step back into the history books, Frank Fat’s in downtown Sacramento may be the place for you. This location has been here for year and years… and years. It’s a well-known establishment that touts its fine food and service. Though the restaurant comes from humble beginnings, the current version of it aims to give its customers a premium experience.
The restaurant doesn’t have great parking, but there is a garage that you can park in right next door. If you have a medium to large party, I would recommend making a reservation as the restaurant gets pretty packed. We came in on a Thursday for dinner and the place was buzzing with people. In fact, I had wanted an early time, but no time was available until a 7:30 seating. I can only imagine what coming in at a peak time would be like.
For the prices that you see on the menu, you’d expect Fat’s to be the top of the line, best food in town. Sadly, it really isn’t. The food here may have been top quality 30 years ago, but modern dining has really surpassed with Fat’s has to offer now. The presentation and preparation is reminiscent of a better than average American-Chinese place. What would have been pretty good years ago is now lagging when it comes to the food.
The dishes are served family style for the most part and come on your standard serving plates. Everything is clean, but modern diners look for something unique and something that sets the food apart. The decently solid food here doesn’t quite do that.
Appetizers are around $15-18. I decided to give the combination appetizer a try to get a sense of all on offer, and that was over $20 that that app. It came with an assortment of fried openers like pot stickers, egg rolls, salt & pepper chicken, and their special dumpling. The entire combination plate had a similar look with each item being a bit heavy on the palate. As I mentioned, the food was solid, but not outstanding.
Dinner items are pretty much in the $20 and up range. They have things like orange chicken, green beans, and other familiar dishes that you might find at another local Chinese place. I noticed the immigrant beef on the menu and it sounded interested so I went for it. Sadly, it just came out as slices of beef over some zucchini. It was pretty plain for an entree that was over $20.
The most impressive dish of the evening for us was the Peking duck. This Asian specialty pairs the best parts of the duck and skin with soft rolls. The whole version of the dish was $50 (market price). It was the star dish of the evening and prepared just the way you would think it would be.
For modern foodies looking for a special taste experience, I’d have to say that Fat’s doesn’t deliver. The combination of high prices and standard food offerings leaves you wanting. I’ll have to give the other restaurants in the Fat’s family a try to see if they are any different. I hear that those are a bit different and have a more modern take with their cuisine.
Website: www.fatsrestaurants.com
Address: 806 L St, Sacramento, CA 95814
Rating: C
Look to Frank Fat’s if you want a pricey blast to the past. Though the food is good, it may not be good enough for the price you pay for it. The best thing in the entire house is probably the banana cream pie. This legendary dessert is well regarded in all the Sacramento area.
