Best lunch spot in town, the oxtail stew is amazing as well as their signature hot sauce. Ken and Debbie are an amazing team and make you feel like family. I've been going for years and will continue going for years more. read more

Stopped by on my way to catch the 142 bus to get to the airport. The space is welcoming and the service is good. I purchased a beef patty and a chicken club sandwich and both we delicious! This is a great spot and the perfect location. The next time I am visiting Sacramento, I will stop and have a sit down meal. read more

Cafe Connection - Seating - Cafes Near Me - Sacramento, California

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Place has great food, smells amazing, and the people here are great. This all led to an experience that I'd like to repeat time after time. The couple working were awesome, and the portions were very generous. During lunch hour, they get busy, especially with their location, but it makes complete sense with how the food tasted. I got a jersey chicken salad, and the chicken and rice were the stars. When I'm back, and not looking after calories, I'm absolutely stuffing my face with a non salad. The food was delicious, and my mouth is watering thinking about it. I'll definitely be back for the food they cook in house. read more

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I read on here that The jerk Chicken burrito was a flavor bomb and they weren't lying this was absolutely delicious read more

Cafe Connection - Jerk Chicken Burrito - Cafes Near Me - Sacramento, California

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If you are on your lunch break, I highly recommend this place! The food was delicious and the owner Debbie is a sweetheart. Please support this business because the food is truly amazing. Definitely get their homemade peanut dressing on the salad and their refreshing mint lemonade. Will definitely come back again! read more

Cafe Connection - Mint Lemonade and Plate with half jerk chicken and half Curry Chicken - Cafes Near Me - Sacramento, California

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This was my first time eating here and I had the half curry and half jerk chicken plate with mint lemonade and sorell added. Everything was delicious and the staff was very nice. Can't wait to come back for lunch! read more

The service here is great and very personable. And the food is superb. I can tell they put much care into everything they do. read more

Cafe Connection - Curry Chicken with Coconut Rice with Black Eyed Peas - Cafes Near Me - Sacramento, California

I've been meaning to stop by Cafe Connection for a long time, but I kept missing them as they're open M-F 11am-3:30pm. It's perfect for the Downtown crowd, but I tend to do more exploring on the weekends. I was walking back to my car after some meetings and saw they were open and took my chance! As I entered, I was greeted with the delicious smell of Caribbean food. When I made it to the counter I asked for their recommendation and ended up getting the chicken curry plate. I also ordered a chicken and a beef patty to take home and got a half sorrel half mint lemonade for my drink. The staff was so friendly and was telling me about all their favorite dishes. I need to come back to try more soon. As I left, I took a sip of my drink and that completely won me over. The Sorrel (hibiscus) and mint lemonade mixed is so flavorful and refreshing. The portion sizes were generous and everything came out to $35.84 after tip and will easily be at least two meals, maybe three. I'm excited for my next visit already! read more

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Cafe Connection impressed me being my first time! To start, service was wonderful! The staff was very nice and welcoming. I ordered the curry chicken which came with coconut rice and a salad which I got peanut dressing. I thought the salad was good, although I wish it was a cold salad versus warm and mixing into my chicken. The chicken was delicious and tender. The rice was good although it didn't taste like coconut. If you're in the downtown Sac area and looking to try something new, highly recommend this spot! I'll be back! read more

Cafe Connection - Cafes Near Me - Sacramento, California

You've read about the prompt service at the counter - check. You've read about the cleanliness of the shop and the convenient location across from the capitol - check. You've read about the delicious food and ample portions - check. I got a curry chicken roti, which was conveniently wrapped (although it would also be great as a plate). The roti is filled with white and dark meat boneless chicken and potatoes, so it's easy to eat without having to navigate through weird pieces of bone or anything - definitely a plus - and if Keith Lee were to ever drop by, this place would blow up like crazy because the seasoning on everything is excellent. What you haven't read *enough* about is the amazing couple who run Cafe Connection. The fact that this little place has stood the test of time, in and out of Covid, and for 18 years, is simply a testament to Ken and Debbie - some of the most down to earth, warm, and genuine people in the game. They have events and are truly involved in the community. All in all, this is a great spot to get your fix of fast, easy, and very tasty Caribbean cuisine. read more

Cafe Connection - Curry Chicken Roti Wrap - Cafes Near Me - Sacramento, California

Absolutely will be returning! The Jerk chicken was Smokey and flavorful and the Chicken curry was rich and savory! Definitely can tell it was slow cooked to perfection. Shared a plate with my husband for lunch and it was plenty to leave us both satisfied. read more

Cafe Connection - Half curry half jerk chicken plate. - Cafes Near Me - Sacramento, California

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This restaurant and its owners are gems. I'm only sad that I don't live is Sacramento otherwise I'd be a regular at this restaurant. The food was incredible and it was a pleasure to meet and talk with the owners who have been there for 19 years. You can really sense how much love they put into the restaurant, preparing the food, and serving the customers. Please support independent, mom and pop businesses! read more

Delicious and good amount of spice. Lots of flavor. I tried the curry chicken and jerk chicken with rice and peas. Recommended.

I've gone here a few times now and always like to stop by after going to the Cathedral. I haven't tried the other food except for the patty; they have 3 (chicken w\potatoes, ground beef and veggie (which is like the samosa ingredients). All $4.85 each. My favorite is the veggie and chicken. It reminds me so much of an empanada but super-sized. They call it "Patty" in the Caribbean from what I take it. I like the dough, the filling and just how it is the right size for a quick lunch. They provide 1 container of the tamarind sauce however I think the sauce is a little too watery. Also, they will not give you extra if you buy more than 1 patty and will put in the container (see pic) which I think is good for 1 patty. The service can be slow at times when they still have to bake the patties and they run out during the lunch hour. Parking can be tough in this area and if the sauce can be less watery I think it would help. I give this place a 3.5 which rounds to 4. read more

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First time here, won't be the last. Cool and casual place with great service and nice selection of healthy eats. Had a veggie curry roti wrap that was both huge and delicious. Reasonable prices too. Loved it! read more

Excellent food! Excellent service! The people who own and run this place are kind and genuine!!!

Food was so excellent! We came with a big group and were served right away. Even had dessert and specialty drinks.

The Curry Chicken & Jerk Chicken are amazing. Great assortment of drinks. Solid amount of indoor seating available. The hot sauce is phenomenal, but Hot! Recommend giving it a try for lunch! read more

Cafe Connection - Jerk Chicken - Cafes Near Me - Sacramento, California

I heard about this place from my wife. I came here for lunch. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. I ordered the chicken sandwich with bacon and avocado on rye bread. The sandwich had a great flavor and very filling. The ambiance was very customer friendly. A great place to go for lunch. read more

Cafe Connection - Chicken sandwich with bacon and avocado on rye - Cafes Near Me - Sacramento, California

Such a wonderful little shop! I was delighted to find Caribbean food in this part of town. I didn't have much time so I just got a veggie patty (large and flavorful with a flaky pastry) and some rice and peas. Delicious food! I can't wait to go back and try the curry goat, doubles, and the coconut rice. Friendly service and super clean space, to boot! read more

This place is a hidden gem. The food is unreal and so delicious. The owners and chefs are so friendly every time I go in. It's a rare, genuine place that is absolutely Sacramento Local. read more

this resteraunt stands out tremendously, but for reasons surprisingly besides just having yummy food. I work nearby on occasion for my job, and of course there are days I forget to pack my lunch therefore seeking out a nearby spot to grab some food. This place is located right next to the capital on L st and yes the parking is terrible due to the construction currently happening at the capital so walking from nearby is recommended. Coming in you notice the owner greeting and having conversation with almost every customer. Knowing them by name and talking to them as if they have all been long established friends. First time coming here the owner threw in some coconut rice for me to try for free, and second time I came we were able to chat for a second and exchanged names. I feel like I'm already part of the family. Food is made with love and delicious. The chicken roti wrap is a chicken curry with potatoes and wrapped in a flaky flatbread. Very flavorful and tender potatoes. I also love getting the pholourie that comes with almost a tamarind chutney?? Whatever it is I love to drizzle it inside the roti wrap and it's just *chef's kiss* Cute interior, amazing people, and a whole new cuisine of delicious food to devour, what else could you need? read more

The food here is delicious! I had the chicken curry and jerk chicken plate along with a side salad. The homemade dressing on the salad was incredible. Debbie and Ken, the owners, are super sweet and friendly. They had regulars and new customers come in during my visit and they were very welcoming to everyone. Their mint lemonade was also delicious. I will certainly be back!! read more

I'm a guy with simple taste, so when I tried out their sandwiches I was hooked. Good quality, friendly customer service, and very generous portions. I used to go to La Bou around the corner for a dry overpriced sandwich, haven't been back since coming here. My only issue is they might have technical issues (i.e., add-ons like sauce might not be displayed for them when ordering online via Grubhub - through yelp app, and sides like chips are not listed, so without cash no chips for me). read more

took my mom here and she got the jerk chicken plate. she kept saying it reminded her of home cooking. i had a beef patty and a hibiscus tea. the patty was flaky and the tea was refreshing. read more

The BEST and MOST AUTHENTIC Jamaican food I've tasted!!! I thought I would have leftover but ate everything!!! I had the jerk chicken and ordered a beef patty and some roti drink and had the pepper sauce on the side. So delish!!!! read more

OMG! I found this place walking by and OMG! The oxtail plate is literally real Caribbean food real Jamaican style. It comes with peas and rice and a salad which you know is the only authentic way. It's perfectly spicy and the ox tail fall off the bone. Wow. I haven't had ox tails good as these since I was stationed in Georgia. Highly recommend. And the owners I think, are super friendly and knowledgeable and kind. Awesome ambiance and awesome awesome awesome food! read more

Everything is delicious, and you really feel like you're part of the family when you walk through the doors. I always recommend this great spot to friends visiting! read more

Had the oxtails and omg it was so good!!! Enough for three days of food!!! It's $25 but it is so worth it and cheaper than getting them from the grocery store and making them with all of the ingredients. read more

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I really do think that in a previous lifetime I was an Island Girl. I love Caribbean food and no place in Sacramento does it better than Café Connection across from the Capitol. I work around the corner and eat here alot. It's one of the only places I can get really good goat curry and oxtails, although those are periodic specials. The Jerk Chicken and Curry Chicken are always available and always tasty too. Today, and until supplies run out, they have JERK TURKEY for Thanksgiving. I had some last year and was waiting for them to open today to make sure I didn't miss out. This is spicy, juicy, flavorful turkey with squash and greens, over red beans and rice, topped with gravy and cranberry sauce. It is so good. And since it's such a different take on the traditional Thanksgiving feast, you won't have flavor fatigue on Thursday. So please, give our local restaurants some love. Head over to Café Connection today and check out this amazing Jerk Turkey. read more

Cafe Connection - Jerk Turkey plate done up the way Debbie likes it (and so do I!) - Cafes Near Me - Sacramento, California

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All of the yummy PLUS house made ginger beer!!! Everything that I've had is delicious. I'm told that the meat patty's and chicken patty's are fabulous. I'd hop off a freeway to try them because this place is the real deal. Oh. And yes, super friendly helpful people working there. (Assume owners?) read more

Food and owners are amazing! I got the jerk chicken plate with red beans and rice, such a big portion for a reasonable price and so delicious! And the people that own it are so friendly, make you feel very welcome! I definitely recommend this place! read more

Let me see. Since working downtown whenever I don't bring lunch I stop here and grab a jerk chicken salad. I hold the rice and beans- crazy right with blue cheese dressing on the side. Last week I grabbed my husband a chicken and veggie patty for lunch the next day. Everything is so good from here I promise you. Service is good. It's always busy but not too busy during lunch rush and the owners are friendly. Will definitely come back read more

Cafe Connection - Cafes Near Me - Sacramento, California

I've worked downtown over 8 years now and can't even count how many times I've walked by this place and didn't even give it a thought. On a walk to Starbucks last week, we finally decided to check it out for lunch. As soon as you walk in the door, you're hit in your nose holes by Curry. I love Curry and I don't mind the smell so it made me even more hungry when I walked in. Their menu is pretty small which doesn't leave a lot of time standing there trying to figure out what you want which I like. I decided on the Curry Chicken Plate with half Red Beans and Rice and half Coconut Rice. It came with a side salad and their homemade vinaigrette dressing on top. Huge fan of the salad dressing! I thought the chicken was very flavorful, but I thought the rice lacked in flavor. I honestly couldn't tell the difference between the red beans and the coconut. My boss ordered the Pesto Chicken Salad and the Pesto was spot on! I went back a second time last week because I wanted to try their Jerk Chicken Plate that is only served Thursday through Monday. I thought the chicken was good, but was a tad on the dry side unfortunately. She added a sauce to it too, but I couldn't really taste it. I also ordered their homemade Pomegranate Spritzer that was very good! They also make a Ginger Beer and Mint Lemonade in house! Overall, I'm not blown away by their food, but I do like that it is fresh and the staff is very welcoming. It's weird - even though I prefer more flavor (I love salt) on my food, I still find myself thinking about Cafe Connection and wanting their food! There's just something about it! I will be back soon to try their Beef Stew! Their specials are always changing and you can find them on Instagram as well - @cafeconnectionsac. Their prices are also very good for a lunch spot in downtown! Check them out! read more

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The food has been absolutely amazing every time! I have tried the goat curry, jerk chicken, oxtail, chicken curry, coconut rice with black eyed peas, red beans and rice, peanut butter ranch, mint lemon aid, and hibiscus. The portion sizes are perfect. The restaurant was clean and full of laughs a smiling people. They move a long line during the lunch rush very quick, and their customer service remains a 10 while doing so! I have recommended this place to friends and family who I know will support! read more

Well. This downtown eatery looks basic from the outside. Simple unpretentious interior. The eatery is set near the corner of 10th and on L street in downtown Sacramento. But what sets them apart is the type of food. They serve home cooked tasty Caribbean food along with basic American breakfast, sandwiches, and salads. Mint lemonade. Fresh brewed fabulousness. It's Made with real ingredients, no HFCS. Friday lunch special rotates every week from oxtail stew and goat curry. I've had the oxtail stew. It's fabulous. Spiced right. Flavorfully stewed oxtail. It's cooked down to a tender fork shreddable meat. Glutinous bone. Gravy. YUM! The plate comes with a little green salad. The Jerk chicken with red beans and rice is a special lunch items a couple times a week. I forget the days though. It's pretty darn good. The chicken is spiced rubbed. The cafe is open only on the weekdays only. Is this the best ever Caribbean food you will have within the downtown Sacramento grid? Probably... YES! #cafeconnectiondowntownsacramento #cafeconnectioncaribbeanfood read more

Cafe Connection - Oxtail stew. Soo GOOD! :) Friday lunch special. Served every other Friday. - Cafes Near Me - Sacramento, California

What a gem of a restaurant! The owners are so nice and the food is delicious. I came in for the jerk chicken but the owner told me to try 1/2 curry and 1/2 jerk. It came with a salad and she recommended the peanut dressing and it did not disappoint! It also came with red beans and rice. It was enough food for two lunches. I have been back again and will continue to go! And the homemade hot sauce is amazing! read more

Finally decided to try this place out. I already had it in my mind to get the curry plate and when we got in there my wife decided she wanted the jerk chicken and just wanted to "try" my curry. The wait wasn't bad and the line moved at a decent pace. The whole time the owners/staff were greeting people and making you feel welcomed. My wife loves lemonade so she had to have the mint lemonade and that was an excellent choice! Our plates came with a salad and I went with the peanut dressing and my wife went with the ranch. The peanut dressing was awesome and now my wife only wants it. The curry was delicious and as I figured the jerk chicken was too spicy for her so she took mine. I'm not complaining because the jerk chicken was on point! The place has a cozy feel, plenty of seating inside and set up well for to go orders. This is now in the rotation when I have to work downtown! This place is definitely worth a try! read more

[context: I am a returned Peace Corps volunteer who served on the eastern Caribbean island of Grenada for two years] I finally ate here and it was outrageously good! I've been hesitant because its location made me think that the food would be Americanized, but it definitely wasn't. The pholourie was excellently cooked, and the dipping sauce was equal in quality. However, the star dish for me was the curried chicken that I ordered. The seasoning was extremely Caribbean, as well as the cook on it. The red beans and rice that it came with, the same. Wonderfully filling without weighing me down. And the pepper sauce! Its spiciness is very potent (as all Caribbean pepper sauce should be) while also having a citrusy tang, and it was the perfect addition to speckle my curry and rice. I unfortunately no longer have the heat tolerance for pepper sauce that I did when I lived in Grenada (I couldn't just douse the dish), but that did not stop me from enjoying it. I have nothing but good things to say about this place. This was amazing and I will be back for the goat curry on Thursdays! read more

I'm very glad they have reopened. It used to be a favorite lunch spot when I worked downtown and now that I'm back I'm happy to make this a regular lunch stop. Owners/workers are incredibly friendly and really add to a nice local restaurant experience. It also helps that while the menu is a bit limited, the food prepared that I've tried so far has been delicious! read more

Cafe Connection - Looks like their doing Brunch November 18, 2023! - Cafes Near Me - Sacramento, California