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    The Virgin Sturgeon

    3.5 (565 reviews)
    ModerateBars, Seafood
    Open 9:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated a few days ago

    The Virgin Sturgeon Photos

    Business Info

    THE VIRGIN STURGEON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - The Virgin Sturgeon

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    The entrance
    Janet C.

    Great setting, atmosphere, service and food! The surrounding areas setting is a beautiful view and perfect for this restaurant! The entrance is quite clever and the step into the actual restaurant has got the perfect nautical feel for a riverside Café! So many options the menu is OFF THE HOOK LITERALLY!!! Food is great.. freshly made and a full bar! It's worth it to experience all that it is!!!

    Sturgeon with Cajun seasoning and mango salsa
    kian s.

    No frills restaurant and bar off garden highway, family owned and great customer service. Got the sturgeon with Cajun seasoning and mango salsa, the fish was nice and flaky overall rate it a 7/10. A great place to come get a no frills meal Or enjoy drinks on the river

    Patty melt on sourdough. It was okay.
    Lysa D.

    Great spot right on the river. Small but has outdoor seating with a bar and a few barstools. We had a couple drinks which were fine. We ordered a sandwich but it came with the wrong bread (different from what we ordered) and a taco plate with a side salad. We asked for extra ranch but never got it. They focused on fixing the sandwich bread and forgot about the ranch so I could only eat half the salad. They dont offer any fried sides like French fries or chips because they dont have a deep fryer. It wasnt the best experience but its good enough for the location. Note, youre on a floating dock that moves when boats go by so keep that in mind if you visit (its not a problem unless bigger boats go by, faster than the required 5 mph).

    Tiramisu Cheesecake
    Anita G.

    The Best!!! I am shocked that we never made it here before. Great service. The combo plate for $22 was a deal! So delish. We also had the sturgeon, trout, and Cajun catfish plus the ceviche and calamari appetizers. The blended watermelon and mango margaritas are on hit! Oh, and the tiramisu cheesecake had me rolling out the door. Thank you for a wonderful Mother's Day!

    Amazing service
    Zach M.

    We come in for brunch every Sunday. The bartender Jackie is always giddy and glowing. We asked for breakfast shots, and they told us they didn't have butterscotch alcohol. Dez who runs the place said don't worry, we'll have it next weekend. To our surprise, when we came in today, she delivered. Breakfast shots all around, Talk about service! Beautiful views and staff. Love it here

    Pulled up to grab some food
    Sheree H.

    The Virgin Sturgeon is a family favorite. Whenever we're out on the water and enjoying the Sacramento River, we dock here to grab a bite and a drink. They are known for their floating bar dock with plenty of seating and shade, full menu and a friendly fun vibe. You're guaranteed to run into the owners, as well as life long regulars and other boaters enjoying their food and beverages. The seasonal menu changes daily, from fresh grilled swordfish, to stuffed avocado salad or a zesty key lime pie for dessert, there are always delicious options to choose from. I usually order the grilled Cajun chicken tenders and a side salad, fresh and healthy and full of flavor. You can also get it in sandwich form which is basically two small sandwiches (see photo). The bean dip is also a great starter and pairs well with beer and cocktails. We like to add beef for a heartier dip. This comes with tortilla chips and is really spicy! This trip we got our food to go and made sure to use the clean restrooms and chat with fellow patrons in the upstairs bar area while waiting for our food. We come here multiple times a year, especially in the summer. So if you're looking for a place to dock your boat and grab some food and drinks, and hang out with a cool crowd, The Virgin Sturgeon is the place to be. Don't forget to tip the bartender!

    Cajun Sturgeon
    Christine L.

    This restaurant caught my eye while searching for a place to eat in the area, and the idea of dining right next to the water while enjoying seafood sounded perfect. Located along the Sacramento River, you reach it by walking down a tunnel-like pathway that leads directly to the entrance. The moment you step inside, the humidity hits you. All the windows were open and the ceiling fans were running, but it was still uncomfortably warm and sticky. Most of the diners appeared to be in the 60+ crowd, giving the place a more mature, relaxed vibe. For drinks, I tried the Sturgeon Whisperer. It was so light it tasted like it barely had any alcohol in it. The smoked sturgeon appetizer came on a bed of greens but was underwhelming--bland and lacking character. The house specialty, grilled sturgeon with Cajun seasoning, was moist and cooked perfectly but needed a serious boost in flavor--salt, hot sauce, anything to wake it up. The side of rice was tasty, but the steamed vegetables were just average. I imagine this restaurant would be a much better experience on a cooler day. Adding misting systems or stronger cooling fans would make a big difference. The space itself could also benefit from some updating, especially for a spot with such a prime riverfront location. On the plus side, the bathroom was clean, and our server was pleasant and attentive.

    Mushroom burger & salad
    Chrisy H.

    I have always been a fan of this restaurant. Thinking back, I'm not sure if it was the cocktails, it being on the river or it was just a cool place to hang out during the summer. Hadn't been in years! My husband wanted to take a ride in our new car & grab lunch so we decided to come here. The place hasn't changed at all. Still a bit of a dive, old & musty. We were seated right away inside by the window. We don't drink anymore so water it was for us. My husband remembered having a great burger long ago. So we ordered a mushroom burger with everything. Came out looking delicious but just wasn't. The patty seemed like it was those patties you get at Costco, no bueno. We ordered a salad & soup because they don't have French fries...who doesn't have French fries? The salad was pretty good & the soup was good not great. Our waitress Darby was good, friendly & went out of her way to look for some Worcester sauce & mustard for my husband. Guess we were a little disappointed and probably won't return. Such a bummer! We did enjoy the view.

    Mai Tai
    Patrick R.

    Really love this place not only for its location but its staff. A happy and fun staff means this place appreciates it employees. Really homey location right on the Sacramento River. Great seafood and great sandwiches. I got the crab cake sandwich which was super tasty. I also got the Cajun chicken sandwich which was great as well.

    Chase H.

    Went to The Virgin Sturgeon for the first time with my wife and father-in-law, and it was a great experience. The restaurant is literally on the river, with an awesome outdoor patio--I'm sure it looks even better when the trees are in full bloom! I had the famous crab sandwich, and it lived up to the hype. It was delicious and just the right portion--not too heavy, which I appreciate. My wife and her dad both ordered the open-face steak sandwich, and they gave it two thumbs up! Overall, a fun and unique spot with good food and great views. We'd definitely come back if we're in the area!

    View from the river.
    Jim C.

    This beautiful restaurant is on the Sacramento River. We arrived by boat and docked right at the restaurant. However, it is also easily accessible by car. The restaurant is rustic, beautiful, and clearly has a great view of the river. We came for breakfast. We ordered the Machaka, Chicken Fried Steak, and Veggie Omelet. The food came out quickly with friendly service. I loved the Machaka! By far my favorite. However, the Chicken Fried Steak was also delicious! I did not try the Veggie Omelet, but was told it was great! The prices were moderate and the portions large. My wife and I shared the Machaka and both left full. I highly recommend this place to everyone!

    Entrance
    Virginia L.

    Great place for dinner! Love the wood burning stove to keep it toasty when chilly out. Crab sandwich was delish. I moved the dive bar vibes and beautiful views of the delta. Quick and easy spot to stop at when on the way to the airport. Service was quick and friendly.

    Absolutely Disgusting -- Would Not Recommend This place was deeply uncomfortable from the moment we walked in--outdated and unsettling. I'm white myself, and even I felt out of place. If trailer parks had a restaurant located in them, this is how I'd picture it looking and tasting. To say nicely, there was a stark and noticeable lack of diversity among the staff and customers. We had 7 people at our table, and not a single dish was remotely edible: 1. Salad - Tasted rancid, likely expired. 2. "Famous" Crab Sandwich - Smothered in Thousand Island dressing, it was inedible. 3. Mac & Cheese + Pasta - Clearly microwaved. The pasta literally exploded during heating. 4. Indoor Environment - Unbearably hot, humid, and sticky. The A/C was either broken or nonexistent. Overall, an absolutely awful dining experience -- from the food to the atmosphere. Save your time, money, and stomach, and eat literally anywhere else

    Steak sandwich and bomb seafood pasta

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    15 days ago

    The sturgeon was not sturgeon and whatever that fish was was mushy and salty. Never going back.

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    2 months ago

    Fun place and beautiful view right on the river. Food was good drinks were good, service was good as well.

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    7 months ago

    I have always loved the virgin sturgeon. I love the smoked sturgeon, dips beer selection and seating overlooking the river.

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    Ask the Community - The Virgin Sturgeon

    Are there many handicapped parking spaces?

    I'm not sure, probably one or two. But mostly the spaces are on the street. There is a ramp to go down.

    Are leashed pets allowed in outdoor seating?

    I believe they do at the outside seating. I didn't see any signs saying otherwise.

    Is it wheel chair accesible?

    No it is not.

    View All 5 Questions

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    One of my favorite dinner spots in Sacramento. Every time…read moreI've been here the staff has been extremely friendly and the food/drinks are always 10/10. It is a bit on the pricey side, but perfect for a special occasion! Super cute and cozy inside, and when it's nice out there is a decent size patio.

    We visited Frog & Slim for Mother's Day and overall had a very enjoyable experience. The food was…read moreexcellent -- thoughtfully prepared, well-executed, and the unique menu clearly reflected the creativity and skill of the chef. Every dish we ordered was flavorful and memorable, and the quality of the food was easily the highlight of the evening. That said, given the restaurant's reputation and price point, we expected a more elevated dining atmosphere. The seating consisted of simple bench-style arrangements that felt more casual than anticipated, and the smaller layout made the restaurant quite loud and crowded during peak hours. Since every table was full for the holiday, conversations carried easily throughout the space, and the lack of high-backed seating offered very little privacy between tables. We had also anticipated a slightly more upscale ambiance overall. My girlfriend and I dressed for what we expected would be a fine dining experience, but the atmosphere leaned much more casual, with many guests dressed in jeans and T-shirts. Of course, this is more of an observation than a criticism, but it did contribute to the experience feeling less refined than expected. In the end, the outstanding food ultimately made up for many of the atmosphere-related shortcomings. While the ambiance did not fully align with our expectations for such a highly rated restaurant, the quality of the cuisine absolutely stood out and is what we will remember most.

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    The Virgin Sturgeon - bars - Updated May 2026

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