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Sacramento, CA

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Polanco Cantina

3.9 (942 reviews)
Open • 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

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POLANCO CANTINA ATMOSPHERE

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Moderate noise
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The charge for "cups" to drink out carafe of cocktail
John R.

I've been to Polanco more times than I can remember over the years. I hadn't been in a few years and had really been craving their food, so when we had tickets to a show this past week I wanted to take my girlfriend there beforehand. It's always been a busy place and sometimes hard to get into before a show, but the service was always great. This time we sat outside, which actually had a really nice view of the Golden 1 entrance. Our waiter was really nice and courteous, but it was pretty obvious he was doing the job of about three people. He did the best he could and stayed friendly the whole time, but when you're spread that thin it's hard to stay on top of drinks, food coming out, checking on tables, etc. We didn't really hold that against him because it seemed much more like a staffing issue than anything he was doing wrong. One of the things I've always liked about Polanco is their carafe of Palomas. We ordered one at the bar and then another at the table. When we got the bill, we noticed an extra charge for four cups. After looking at it again, we realized that after paying $48 for a carafe, you're also being charged for the cups you drink it out of. That is honestly one of the most ridiculous charges I've ever seen at a restaurant. I've always really liked this place, so it was disappointing. Being short staffed is one thing, but that's a management issue, not the waiter's fault. Charging people extra for cups after they just bought a $48 carafe of cocktails is just wild. This review does not refer to their food, ambiance, decor or staff. Unfortunately this has to do with under staffing (managing issue) and now charging for CUPS

Cristina M.

Our experience here was wonderful a couple of weekends ago. It was very hot out and we came here for drinks while waiting to go to Golden 1 for our concert. Great fun vibe, very colorful decor, nice bar area, great service, attentive waiter. We got a couple of drinks and some chips and salsa.

Queso Fundido
Jonnie D.

We were staying in Sacramento overnight heading to another town in California first thing in the morning. We're staying down by the golden one center so decided to walk over to this restaurant for dinner. It was not very busy but it also wasn't on a game night or any events going on. we ordered the queso fundid which was very very yummy. My husband got them all tacos I did not get a picture of those. I got the mushrooms and raja's quesadilla it was really good it was very big and I could not eat all of it. This is definitely a good place with a fun vibe! Service was wonderful!

Mango Slushy
Kristina M.

This is such a fun spot to check out while you are in DOCO. I was fortunate enough to go during the day time and sit outside facing DOCO. This was a cool experience and I got to people watch which was perfect. The service is good. The guy who sat us and took care of us kept checking in and we were celebrating a birthday and he made sure to make the birthday girl feel special. The mango margarita was STRONG but good. I ended up ordering 2 of them. I did get chips and salsa and that was good too. I look forward to coming back and eating a meal here one day. One person in our party got the birria tacos and loved them! I do love ceviche so I know I will be back to check out the ceviche at Polanco Cantina.

Chicken mole with beans, rice and Brussels sprouts.
Kristi M.

The service was friendly and attentive, keeping drinks refilled. Our food was tasty and in large portions. The restaurant was bright and airy, no wait for a table during the weekday lunch period.

Baja Fish Tacos (grilled)
Nishalina B.

Can't say enough how much I recommend the mushroom quesadilla! So much flavor and not skimpy. Baja shrimp and fish tacos could have been better. My tortillas were soggy and fell apart. Homemade chips and fresh salsa. I've had their drinks there before and they're good! My waiter Dustin was great and made it a pleasant experience. Would definitely come back.

1/6/2026
Jackson T.

Went here for happy hour with coworkers. Since I work close by, we walked here so didn't have to deal with parking. You have 2 garage options (the garage by 24 hour fitness, or the one by the movie theaters). I believe they validate parking as well. There's also street parking available and pubic transit within walking distance. For the happy hour, we ordered guacamole, chips and salsa, carnitas tacos, and chicken tacos. We also ordered the sinaloa wings and Oaxacican cheese sticks. I did enjoy everything, but it can be spicy for some, especially the wings. Everything we ordered was from the happy hour menu. The restaurant itself is roomy and has a lot of seating. I can see a lot of costumers coming here before a game at G1 center. Service was great as well. The bartender was nice and helpful, even though he was playing bartender and waiter. If you do happy hour. It's at the bar only. This might be in our rotation.

Dale S.

I arrived here somewhat late with a party of three on a weekday evening and quickly realized that there was only about 30 minutes left before closing, so we decided to order our food to go rather than dine in. From what I could see, the restaurant looked really inviting and I appreciated that they have a dog friendly patio. I always have my pup with me and that is the main reason we chose this location. I liked the style and design of the interior of the restaurant and overall it had a very nice vibrant feel. The staff was also warm and friendly. Unfortunately, the food was a mixed bag. The Torta Gorda was the biggest disappointment. The meat was very bland and seemed barely seasoned while the bread had become soggy by the time we got it home. There just wasn't much to it. The mole also missed the mark for me. The sauce lacked the rich complex flavors I expect from a good mole and the chicken was noticeably dry. The rice, beans and esquites were ok. The nachos on the other hand were quite good. They were flavorful and satisfying and although I thought they were a little heavy-handed with the radishes, I mostly enjoyed the flavors. For for three people the bill came to around $100 after tip which felt a bit steep, especially considering the overall quality of the meal. While this visit didn't live up to my expectations, I'm willing to give Polanco Cantina another shot and probably dine in next time. I have a much better idea now of which dishes to steer clear of and the restaurant itself seemed promising so I'm hoping the experience is improved when the food is enjoyed fresh from the kitchen.

Quesabirria (yum!)
Jerry H.

Excellent service each time I have come. Interior is beautiful, fun, and has a great view of the Golden1 Center in downtown Sacramento. My friend enjoyed the pollo verde enchiladas and two of us ordered the quesobirria. I always enjoy a great quesobirria and these came with a slightly crispy/chewy delicious shell and well prepared birria. The onion/cilantro side were a nice complement. The cilantro rice was a bit cold, but still delicious.

Camarones Borrachos
Jurem F.

Surprisingly delicious Mexican food right by the golden 1 center, this bright and speedy establishment is the perfect spot before hitting the arena. The inside is well lit, with color walls and plenty of room for larger parties. Our server was very prompt with getting our drink orders down, as well as getting the kids food ordered before the adult meals. -Mexican Cornbread-absolutely stole the show. Was not expecting such a delightful piece of bread! -Ceviche app- nice and tart with firm shrimp and cod pieces, a crowd favorite. -Nachos El Supremo with chicken adobo- another safe bet if you're looking for crunchy and savory tortillas covered in all your favorites -Baja fish tacos- HUGE. I ordered 3ea instead of their normal 2ea, big mistake. You'll be full eating 2 only! Crispy fish with a nice creamy chipotle crema, avo, slaw, and pico de gallo. Fantastic, will get these again -Quesabirria tacos-comes with consume, pickled and raw onions. This is the one that didn't hit the mark with me personally, but my table enjoyed it. I wasn't expecting perfection, but since the quality of everything else was unexpectedly high, I was looking forward to a nice surprise. Maybe I'll try them again next time to be sure this wasn't a choice for me. -Camarones Borrachos-tequila cream shrimp over cilantro rice- it's like eating a Hispanic risotto! A banger, must try. Overall a fantastic choice if you're hitting the arena after a quick, delicious lunch/dinner!

Frijoles con Queso with Chorizo
Janice H.

Absolutely loved this restaurant. The ambiance was so bright and clean. We sat on the patio overlooking Golden 1 Center Entrance. It was a beautiful day. The service was great. Food came out fast and our server was knowledgeable and he gave us recommendations. I ordered a Moscow Mule to drink. It was made just how I like it. And lastly the food was . The textures and flavors were so refined and absolutely delicious. Everything we had was so tasty. I ordered the shrimp tacos. OMG so good!! The layers of flavors were perfect. The sauce was creamy with a good kick. The shrimp was fried and crispy. The lettuce and herbs were so fresh. We got the frijoles dip with chorizo. It was really delicious. I thought I was going to get gerd but I didn't care since I had tums in the car lol. I didn't get gerd though, score I'd definitely come back!

Pinky N.

One of my students gave me a gift card to Polanco. His dad works there so he wanted us to try it out. We were going to a Kings game so it was the perfect chance to use it! I told his dad we are on a quest to try as many quesabirria tacos as we can. He said theirs were really good! We only really wanted the tacos, but they don't offer the tacos à la carte anymore (other reviews showed that they did). The plate came with two tacos, cilantro rice, refried beans and a consommé. You could add a third taco for $6. We waited a lonnnnng time for our food to come out - almost 30 minutes!! Not sure if that was because of the crowd or not, but they have that much seating on a normal basis, so.... The tacos themselves were delicious (though a little in the smaller size) - burnt cheese and meat delightfully oozed out of the crispy shells and the cheese they used was super yummy! There was a fair amount of meat and cheese. There was cilantro/onion and pickled onions on the side, so I had to peel open the tacos to put them in - minor inconvenience. The consommé was flavorful, but mine was not even warm. The cilantro lime rice was green. That was a little off putting when we saw it on the menu and asked if there was Mexican rice and we were told that there wasn't. It was meh. The beans were also lackluster. Both of us only took a few bites. I wish we had the option to just get the tacos. It felt wasteful to not eat the beans and all of the rice. The server and host were great. The vibe was awesome - Spanish music playing with mood lighting and heat lamps outside. I don't know if we will make a special trip out here again, but we are happy we got to try the tacos!

Horchatalada
Christina M.

Went with friends after a work event. Not super authentic, but food was still good. I enjoyed my Horchatalada and quesabirria tacos. Server was very attentive. Cute space with murals and bright colors. Great location by Golden One center.

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Polanco Cantina Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Polanco Cantina

Can you accommodate customers with nut allergies? Does the mole sauce have peanuts?

Yes! We can accommodate most all dietary restrictions and allergies. We do not use any peanuts in house. Some dishes contain almonds, pepitas and or sesame seeds. Our staff will happy walk you through which dishes to avoid should you have a… 

If a group of 6 makes a reservation and one doesnt show up do they have to pay?

Hi Diana, There is no charge for making reservations, however we do ask that you provide us with… 

Is there a gluten free menu?

Hi Alex! Yes. We do have the ability to accommodate gluten free patrons with modifications of… 

Do you allow walk ins on Friday evenings for dinner? What's the typical wait time like?

Hi Nitasha, On Friday evenings and any day in which there is an event at the Golden 1 Center we… 

Is there a late night menu for fridays and saturdays when you all reopen?

We serve tamales out of our tamale truck located in front of the restaurant between 10:30 pm and 1:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays. We will re-open those days at 10:30 pm. There is a $10 cover charge, Dj, and a great security team. We have lots of… 

What time does the kitchen close on Fridays?

Cassandra, thank you for your question. We stop serving our full menu at 9:30pm on Friday and Saturdays. We close the restaurant then and re-open at 10:30pm for our Polanco late night party every weekend. Please let me know if you have any other… 

Do you offer Taco Tuesday?

There is a happy hour M-F 2-5 at the bar only!

Is there music and a dance area on certain days?

Hello, Yes we have live music every Wednesday night from 6:00-9:00. We also have DJ and Dancing on… 

What are the vegan options here?

Is the outdoor seating pet friendly?

Yes it is. Let the host know you have a pet with you

What is you happy hour?

4-6p Mon-Fri

Will they be open on Labor Day?

We are currently closed on Mondays

When will you be back open?

That are open now

Do you serve menudo?

Hi Ruben, We do not serve Menudo at the moment but will keep it in mind for the next menu change.… 

Where should I park and do you validate?

HI Orlando, The DOCO Central Parking Lot is the closest and we will validate 1h:30 min.… 

Are there vegetarian options?

Hi Tina, At the moment we are offering Fried avocado tacos, Salads, and a few vegetarian… 

Does this restraunt do taco Tuesdays specials?

Hi Charline, Thank you for our inquiry. We are currently do not offer any special pricing on… 

Do you take reservations for dinner before Kings games? Thanks.

Hi M M, We ware currently not taking any reservations as we operate on a first come first serve… 

Where is their menu?

Hi Jet, You can find our menu posted online through our website or you can use this link:… 

Any word on when/if they'll start opening for lunch?

Hi Ken B, We are now open for lunch daily 11:30 to 4:00 pm!… 

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