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    Crawdads on the River

    3.2 (1k reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Order Crawdads on the River Takeout or Delivery

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    Business Info

    CRAWDADS ON THE RIVER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Crawdads on the River

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    Sean B.

    Location great Dock guys great Atmosphere great Hostess telling us that there is 1.5 hour wait for service is way out of line....especially since 1/2 the tables were empty...on a Sunday afternoon....she told us to "see if you can get service at bar"...so I did... Bar tenders...not great....no one even acknowledged I was standing there waiting for 13 minutes...no big deal, except there seemed to be a lot of worker just moving around...not really doing much.... My brother and family walked thru restaurant, and sat in a seat...and were helped by a very nice waitress...! When I sat down I asked her, how are we getting helped, and she said "I know how to make money and I can handle more tables"! Awesome! She was great! Maybe she should train the rest of the staff who seemed very busy not doing much! We did have some trouble getting napkins, extra plates, and forks, but when we ask she got right to it.. So overall place is cool! Management needs to do proper staffing and train your staff properly...you se to have plenty of people, just need them all working together properly.

    Rod N.

    Time flies...Two years since our last visit. We've always loved the locale and setting, but I don't recall being too impressed with the food. Today was delicious though. A grilled cheese with crab and a chicken club sandwich. Both were wonderful, and the fries were cooked perfectly. Two Cajun Bloody Mary's and a perfect lunch on the Water. We were really impressed today. A special thank you to our server Whitney. We arrived before opening and we're just hanging out, but Whitney offered us the chance to seat ourselves and enjoy the view before their business hours. Wonderful service as well.

    Cajun pasta, surf and turf, Mardi Gras
    Tatiana K.

    One of the best places I've been to lately. Very lively atmosphere, tasty food, great strong drinks. Beautiful views of the river. Live music on weekends. Perfect place for a dress up dinner date or just a casual dinner with friends after paddle boarding. Outstanding friendly service all around from hostess, security, bartender and servers. We also liked shuttle service to Folsom downtown!

    Looking bomb
    Jocelyn C.

    Food was 8/10 for me. So, not bad. As my cousin said, it was about the ambiance & I'm glad she recommended it. It was very nice! My kind of place. I celebrated being with good people by having a mango margarita. it was good! Clam Chowder was actually the disappointment. I've had way better. They have this thing called clam chowder fries. Basically, a little bit of clam chowder on top of the fries. That was actually good. Everything else I had was good. I had fish and chips. Crispy fish! My husband liked his burger and fries. It was a huge burger! I will need to try one of these days. Everyone else's food look amazing. Josh was our server, and he was nice.

    Grilled salmon
    Mary S.

    I loved having lunch right along the river! It's a hot day today but there's shade and fans so we felt fine. I had the salmon and my coworker had the Cajun pasta. Great portions and the salmon was great. We did have to wait a bit to be seated but it was lunchtime so that's fine. I'm in Sacramento area again next month so I'll definitely enjoy this restaurant again.

    Lin L.

    Who wants to enjoy Sacramento river scenery while dining? Love love love the location! Cannot be more perfect to see sunset from this spot. Food: I totally recommend Cajun Pasta. This is their best pasta. Decent portion with generous toppings. It seems one of the best seller menu, totally recommended by the server. Drink: great selection of beers on tap. Parking: free on their complex (covered parking) Restrooms: decent clean To-go box: dusty, make sure you clean it before putting your foods! For first timer, be mindful that you would need to walk across metal bridge and going down a bit steep steps to the premise, especially ladies with their high heels and long dress!! The back area can be booked for private events .

    Beet salad
    stephanie H.

    Great place on the river! We hadn't been here in years and recently went on Father's Day. We went right when they opened and sat on their patio with a water view. It's nice to watch the river traffic and animals. We had the beet salad, crab cakes , green beans, and jambalaya. Everything was good, we just wished there were more beets on the salad. The Bloody Mary was good, drinks were a little slow coming out, but they seemed to have only one bar tender for the busy day. Good place to take out of town guests.

    Cute photo op
    Danays M.

    Amazing view of the Sacramento River. Easy reservation process promptly seated. Great service and food.

    Crawfish, Calamari, Grilled Crab Grilled Cheese, and carnitas tacos!!!
    Steve M.

    We had an amazing lunch here with our daughter! The staff was super friendly and everything flowed smoothly! The river side location was amazing!!! What a beautiful day on the river in Sacramento!!! Highly recommended for mud bugs and top shelf seafood and drinks!!!

    Brendan M.

    Great day at the river and lunch was even better. Our a waitress Zariah fun and fast and cute. Food was awesome. And my brother birthday so much fun.

    Cajun Pasta - so yummy!
    Sacha O.

    Got to Crawdads on the River for Valentine's Day brunch, and was shocked at how much space the restaurant really has and such a beautiful location by the Sacramento River as well. To find it off the Garden Highway Level, it's at the river level so there's some stairs to take to head to the lower level from the driving level. If you have trouble walking this might not be the best choice for you because it is a bit of a walk from the parking lots to the restaurant, and since it's at the lower level coming back up the stairs after eating may not be easy for some people. Service was great everyone was as very welcoming and helpful. I needed something changed from my order, and it was very efficiently done. All the food seemed very fresh. All the dishes were served piping hot. Really enjoyed the Cajun Pasta. It was delicious and portion was satisfying. We also ordered the calamari, and enjoyed this as well. We ordered the drink called the Mardi Gras and it was just the right amount of alcohol, frozen blending and sweetness. We would love to be back again.

    Parag B.

    Friendly staff, beautiful interior and outside! The food is good bar food. The location is the best part of the restaurant! Fun music and tvs for sports! Definitely a must visit when you're in Sacramento!

    Do not get the calamari!! The worst I've ever had, hard as a rock and mostly bread. Get the crab sandwich!
    Katie S.

    Crab sandwich was good. Tacos although loaded, they were bland and needed some seasoning. Calamari the worst I've ever had! From desk service was weak. Server was nice.

    A picture of a lttle bit of the menu taken 6/5/2026

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    22 days ago

    Ambiance was great. Service was good. Steak Sando was thin on the meat but I get it with the prices these day.

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    You can't split a ticket and they make you pay 21 % tip. No other choice. Terrible system!

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    Page 1 of 26

    Ask the Community - Crawdads on the River

    Is a 19 year old allowed in for the late night concert with a parent? I emailed the restaurant last week and nobody answered. Whenever I call, the line is busy.

    Yes They can't order drinks but you can order food till 9 pm The kitchen closes at 9

    Do you serve breakfast and or a brunch menu?

    Is Crawdads wheelchair accessible?

    There is an elevator

    Is this business open anymore? Every time I try to plan to go they're closed.

    Open Wed thru Sunday 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM

    Is Crawdads dog friendly?

    Yes. There is outdoor seating... But I'd call first

    Is it as good as it was 10 years ago?

    Not sure about how good it was 10 years ago, but they underwent a remodel and menu update within the last couple years so it will definitely be different.

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    Tack Room

    Tack Room

    4.7
    (154 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    Fantastic Spot To "Pregame" Shows @ Goldfields Next Door…read more SITREP We descended upon the Tack Room an hour before our show for "Ally The Piper" (both the classical AND heavy metal bagpiper extraordinaire) began her show! THE SETUP Goldfields is a charming, rustic country-western stylized saloon that serves up beer at good prices. But we weren't interested in beer and wanted quality cocktails. Hence, our pivot next door to the Tack Room! QUALITY COCKTAILS & DRINKS! The Tack Room specializes an amazing array of martinis, bourbons, and other deLISH cocktail drinks at really really reasonable prices! So this was an excellent choice to chill, thus avoiding the tremendous *noise pollution* we were immediately subjected to upon entering Goldfields an hour later for our show. THE LOWDOWN This is a quality bar with plenty of comfortable seating to relax and have quiet, intimate conversations. So if you and your later friend(s) want some privacy, cocktails at a reasonable price, etc., this is a good way to go.

    What an absolutely fantastic place to duck into and chill for a bit on a hot summer day. It's about…read moreas classic as you can ask for from a small bar. It's themed around horse racing, but not in an overbearing or... tacky way. The mixologist was delightful and had great recommendations, the lights were dim, and the drinks were all on point. The highlight was the espresso martini, which is among the best I've had. It was reminiscent of the one I had at the Starbucks Roastery in NYC, which is high praise. The other coffee drink that surprised me was the Revolver. I always forget about what a good pairing orange and coffee is, and I'll be taking this one back home with me to try! Every other drink we tried was delicious in some unique way. The Pho drink was savory and surprising, the New York Sour was rich and flavorful, and the Practical Move was refreshing. Will definitely return here after dinner to sip an espresso martini for dessert!

    Photos
    Tack Room
    Tack Room
    Tack Room

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    The Roost

    The Roost

    4.4
    (211 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    I love the idea of speakeasies. The way that suddenly you are transported to a hidden space that…read moreyou think no one else knows about but then you open the door and it's like you share a secret with other like-minded people. I had been to Bawk before but little did I know about the hidden space behind it. You do need to make reservations, which I did not do. Instead I got on a list until there was a space, close to midnight and way past my bedtime, to discover this hidden gem. Once your reservation time comes up, you are escorted to a booth or bar area and given a menu. We had welcome drinks upon arrival and could choose from a cocktail list. Drinks average about $20 each, so be prepared to spend some cash. You should definitely experience this at least once! Great spot for date night or a fun girls night out.

    The Roost in Midtown Sacramento is such a great hidden spot and one of those places you go for the…read morefull experience, not just a quick drink. The space is small and intimate with serious speakeasy vibes that remind me of some of the cocktail bars in San Francisco. The drink presentations are gorgeous, and you can tell a lot of thought goes into both the flavor and how everything looks when it arrives at the table. They have a great selection of gin, rum, champagne, and whiskey, and I often lean on the staff for drink suggestions because they're really good at recommending something you might not normally order. A few times now they've pointed me toward a drink that ended up being a hidden gem. I've been here a few times and it's always a great time whether you're catching up with friends or doing a date night. The food is also surprisingly good and pairs well with the cocktails. It is definitely on the pricier side, but that's part of the experience. Also, because the space is small and intimate, reservations fill up quickly and they do require a deposit, which goes toward your final bill. Helpful tip: make a reservation ahead of time and don't be afraid to ask the staff for drink recommendations -- they're excellent at guiding you to something special. Final verdict: absolutely worth it.

    Photos
    Equanimity, beer and rum
    Equanimity, beer and rum
    5-9-24   I am ruined for ever having an Old Fashioned anywhere else.
    5-9-24 I am ruined for ever having an Old Fashioned anywhere else.
    Inside

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    Inside
    Mecca Club

    Mecca Club

    4.3
    (50 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $

    Kind of a tucked in sort of place harder to find. I believe they do have street parking…read more Small area, but ample dance floor staff is nice. Drinks are pretty good and the prices is not too bad. It's not the most lively atmosphere, but it is a cool spot to try out

    Although I love the aesthetics associated with a craft cocktail from an upscale bar, I also…read moreappreciate the simplicity behind a stiff adult beverage from a dive bar. Looking to meet up and chat over a couple drinks, I suggested that a friend and I meet at the Mecca Club. When our Lyft driver dropped us off at the establishment (I highly recommend using a ride sharing app when visiting this bar), I honestly couldn't tell if the business was still in operation. The outside sign was not illuminated, and at the time, the two motorcycles parked outside was the only indication of patrons. However, when we opened the back door (it literally felt like entering a secret society club), we were greeted by a friendly employee named Amy, laughter from some folks at the bar, and the sound of tunes coming from the jukebox. We took a seat at the bar, Amy politely requested to see our ID's (this is a silent compliment when you're in your late 30's), and we placed our orders for our first round of margaritas. As Amy concocted our drinks (she really puts love into making each drink), she greeted the patrons that continued to file in. What really stood out about Amy was her ability to not only remember the names of the regular patrons, but also their drink preferences (now that's what I call exceptional customer service). I did not watch Amy make our drinks; therefore, I cannot attest to how many shots she put in each drink. However, I will say that the drinks that are served here are indeed stiff (by no means am I complaining). Hence, why I suggested that you utilize some form of ride sharing if this is your bar of choice. If you're not in the mood to deal with downtown/midtown parking and the increasing prices of cute craft cocktails, I highly recommend checking out Mecca Club...enjoy and please be safe!

    Photos
    Mecca Club
    Delicious margarita courtesy of Amy (bartender)!
    Delicious margarita courtesy of Amy (bartender)!
    Patio seating

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    Patio seating
    The Midway

    The Midway

    3.9
    (170 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    We had a time, we had a time!!! The vibe was really good. Folks just eating, drinking and having a…read moregrand time. The DJ was dj'ing his tail off. Allllllll the music was good. This one man came in and let me tell you, he brought a party with him and partied the entire time. He as about in his 50s and he danced by himself, he danced with the young and the older. He was a whole entire VIBE. We purchased a table for 4 and paid $100 in advance. We were happily surprised to see that when we arrived we received a complimentary champagne and juice for mimosas! Ok so that's the good stuff. Here is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. We paid in advance for a table howevor, they let the people in first who did not have a ticket or a table, so we and others with tables had to wait until they paid and went in first. That defeats the purpose, in my opinion, of paying in advance. I hope they consider to allow advance payees in first. I mean coupled with the champagne, that would make it a complete VIP experience. The service. They had one young lady on the floor and she was stretched thin. She came to our table and took the order of our 2 friends and walked away. She did not take my and my daughters order. I was like what the heck. She walked to the next 2 tables, who had already had their food and took their drink orders. When I got her attention she was like "I know" and then walked to a third table before coming back to our table. I was flabbergasted to say the least. If they did not automatically put a 20% service fee on the bill, please beleive she would have received a lesser tip for that. I dont know if they were short staffed or what, but that was crazy. Please know your credit card will be required to open a tab. They put a 20% service fee on the bill. There is a $200 minimum spend for each table. Leading with that i will add, the minimum spend would not be a problem except, if you don't drink you are stuck with ordering multiple plates of food. I ended up ordering the fried chicken (3 large wings) and a French toast plate. I dont drink beyond mimosa and they do not offer any non alcoholic options aside from juice...at least from what I saw on the menu. The food... Omg, the fried chicken was lukewarm and had no seasoning on it. We doused it in hot sauce, that is how bland it was. The French toast, while pretty, was cold so I did not eat it. The eggs and potatoes were hot and sufficient. No one at our table finished the chicken. The catfish was good and perfectly seasoned. I wish they had seasoned the chicken the way they seasoned the fish. The table next to us did not finish their fish and grits. The lady told me the grits were subpar. Another lady did not eat her breakfast burrito. One person at our table spoke to someone about the bad service we received and they adjusted our bill so we were not required to meet the $200 table minimum. So that was a good save. Overall I would give 5 stars for the vibe. Music. Complimentary champagne. 1 star for the food. I hope they consider revamping their menu and marinating the chicken overnight in some good spices and frying it to order, even if folks have to wait a bit longer. Lukewarm unseasoned chicken for $15 was disappointing. Would i come again, absolutely. I would eat beforehand and not get a table so I dont have to spend $200. I would drink mimosas and party. I do recommend going because despite the food, the party is a VIBE!

    What a fun place for dinner! We enjoyed garlic noodles,…read moreBahn Mi, Spring Rolls, edamame and drinks. Everything was delicious! The service was fantastic and the prices were reasonable. We will definitely be back!

    Photos
    Big Bar!  Open restaurant space!
    Big Bar! Open restaurant space!
    Fish and grits
    Fish and grits
    The Midway

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    Mezcal Grill

    Mezcal Grill

    4.2
    (870 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    I've had the pleasure of eating at Mezcal Grill many times over the years, both dining in and…read moretaking out, including at their Broadway location. The service and food quality have always been excellent. They have a huge menu, a friendly staff, and a relaxed atmosphere that feels a step above a typical taqueria or fast casual spot, with solid table service to match. It's about time I gave them the credit they deserve because their food is consistently great. Historically, I've loved their enchilada plate, especially the mole enchilada. It's one of my favorites. Today, with the sun out, I was in more of a mariscos mood, so I ordered the shrimp ceviche and the fried tilapia plate. The ceviche is very bright and fresh, with mango mixed in, which adds a really nice layer of flavor to the traditional combination. It comes with freshly fried tostadas that are crisp and flavorful. I'm not personally a fan of the white crackers on the side, but they also bring complimentary chips and salsa, so once the tostadas run out you can use the tortilla chips instead, which works just fine. The tilapia was excellent. It's hard to go wrong with a well fried tilapia, and they do it right. The guacamole and pico on the side are great for building tacos, and the beans and rice are both perfect. You really can't go wrong coming here, especially with the variety they offer. Sitting outside on the patio is nice, though this particular location can feel a bit sketchy at times since a few odd characters often cut through the parking. It's mostly fine, but if you're looking for a more relaxed patio vibe, the other location might be a better option. That said, this spot also has a comfortable indoor dining area.

    Fire Mexican food. Authentic dishes. Lots of items to choose from. Happened to be in the area so we…read moredropped in for lunch. The restaurant is very clean. Lots of outdoor seating too. You order at the counter then are given a number. Picked up some complimentary chips and salsa and waited. The salsas here were pretty good. Particularly like the mild red salsa. Fresh radish and jalapeños available too. I loved my California burrito. I added avocado to it. The asada were meaty and plentiful. Fries were crunchy yet not greasy. My mom loved the beans here. That's always a big deal with Mexican spots. The chilaquiles were delicious. I'd order that myself on the next visit. We didn't care for their scrambled eggs on the plate, could've went a bit softer on the scramble. Overall this place is a great local spot for Mexican eats. Affordable while still serving big portions and awesome bites. Cashier was super friendly and patient.

    Photos
    Chips and salsa bar
    Chips and salsa bar
    Asada Nacho fries (happy hour) very decent portion size
    Asada Nacho fries (happy hour) very decent portion size
    House margarita

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    House margarita

    Crawdads on the River - seafood - Updated July 2026

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