What a gem! Visiting from out of state in October and we can smell the delicious aroma of concentrated Papaya sauce from the fabric store next door. Lol. We decided to go in and was surprised it was a Hmong store. You can find a variety of Hmong inspired tshirts, mugs, and jewelry. We bought some of their papaya and it was so so good! read more

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Saturday, 9/17/2022 - Went to to "L & L Video" to try their papaya salad. Address is 6420 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95823. They are next to New Asia Market, located at the corner. Upon arrival: Pros: 1) lots of parking when we arrived. 2) the inside no longer have shelves of movie videos for rent. They have a smaller selection now. But!! They have other items for sale such as jewelries, gems, t-shirts, cups, cake slices, nava, pepper chips, etc. We ended up buying papaya salad and some jewelries. 3) you have to buy $10+ to avoid a fee. 4) the young lady at the front was very nice. 5) it didn't take them long to make the the papaya salad. 6) papaya salad was nice and crunchy. But it was on the sweeter side. To me, it was just ok. Cons: 1) none Conclusion: Cute little store. I'd come here again. Not for the papaya salad, but for other items. read more

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#1 Papaya salad in sacramento!!! It was legit and I'll be ordering this for my next party! read more

Hmong video store that serves papaya salad?!?! This was my thought too. I have never used their video services but I absolutely love the papaya salad. I am bland and usually just go for the L&L original. This one is just the normal salad without the chunks of crab and stuff, but I know people love that one too. And bonus, if you're into crystals and jewelry, they have a selection of that kind of thing for you to peruse too. Some of them are quite nice for the price! read more

Haven't visited the actual store myself, but ever since having a taste of their papaya salad a year ago, hands down the best place to get papaya salad in Sac and that's compared to Vinai Wholesale market and other Thai restaurants. When I know someone I'm coming to the bay from Sac, I always tell them to bring me an order or L&L's combo papaya salad. And their pork rinds - Oh em gee!! I'm passing through Sac this weekend so I'm ordering 2 big trays (medium & spicy) for the weekend trip! read more

the best papaya salad I've had in Sacramento. They are always so nice once you walk in. I travel from out of town (30-40 minutes) just to get their papaya salad / sauces. I've ordered a batch of their papaya sauce from them last year and they made it fresh for me. Highly recommend for everyone or anyone who's a papaya lover and never had theirs before. Their prices are very affordable! 10/10 for me! read more

L & L Video - Current prices as of 2/17/24. - Videos & Video Game Rental Near Me - Sacramento, California

best papaya ever...when their open...hours say until 530p...I get here daily at 4p and they always closed...please update the times...awesome place, when they are open read more

Really random of a spot to be selling food; especially since it's located inside a video store. Don't let it fool you though, because sometimes the most authentic and legit cultural food are hidden in gems like this. I ordered (2) Thai papaya salad and (2) nabvam. ONE of the best papaya salad I've had. And by far THE BEST nabvam I've tasted. If it wasn't so far from where I reside, I would drive here everyday. Inside of the store is really dark. I don't recall seeing any lights on; strictly on natural lighting (but it was a gloomy and rainy day). From what I can see, there seems to be a kitchen in the back where I hear them pounding and making the papaya salad. Parking is shared with other businesses. There are homeless people sleeping nearby (about 50 ft away from their entrance). read more

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Friendly and good customer service. Papaya is good. They're always so welcoming. I been coming here for a long time.

One of the best papaya spot in town! You will not be disappointed with their papaya. Their sauce is also available for sale if you want to make your own papaya. I have recommended this place to many family and friends for papaya and papaya sauce and none have been disappointed. read more

I've visited this place since 2012~ and I appreciate how their quality of papaya still taste the same. I love that they dice their tomatoes; I love that they don't put too much peanuts; I love that they use red chili peppers instead of green, and I love that their papaya is the perfect balance of every taste notes: sour, sweet, and spicy. I've tried papaya from Vinai and although Vinai is good, I prefer L & L. I have to grab papaya everytime I visit from out of town. The only difference I've noticed is that I use to order four chilis and that would burn my mouth! In the past, this place didn't follow the standard chili amount of other places I go to and I loved it. Maybe my tolerance went up; who knows! I can handle an 8 chili from L & L now. Like other reviewers said, don't be intimidated by the location. This place is the definition of "hole in the wall" food spots serving amazing papaya salad read more

Even with the change of business owners, the papaya salad and customer service are still exceptional. I am a loyal L&L papaya girl for the last 8 or so years, and have not been disappointed (yet)! I know inflation has hit every business so what use to be $5 for papaya had now reached $7, & vermicelli noodles are up from $1, to $2, for just about the same serving size prior to pandemic. I dont mind it though when I know the quality and consistency are the same as before. They have *prized* (LoL) pickles and spicy pickle powder, boba (which - I haven't had in a while due to braces, but recall the Thai Tea being good), papaya sauce only jars to DIY yourself (I think it can yield 2-3 batches of papaya depending on how much sauce you like), really cute Hmong inspired merch and other miscellaneous things to try. I have always called ahead to order, and is usually ready by the time I get there (~10m). I have also ordered party trays of papaya in the past, and nothing ever gets left uneaten bc the papaya here is really good! They have also upgraded to card readers for payment as prior owners were cash only; very convenient. Separately, the owners are really sweet people! So, dont mind striking up a conversation with them. Peep new updated hours tho! Dont miss 'em when you have a papaya salad craving. read more

L & L Video - Current business hours as of 3/26/2023. - Videos & Video Game Rental Near Me - Sacramento, California

I love this place! Not just for the papaya salad but their service is top notch! And I am not saying it just to say it. I seriously & sincerely mean it. Whether it is walk-in or over the phone service, they are always so professional, friendly & pleasant! read more

One of the best in town. Sweet, our, savory. Add the spice level you want, will definitely satisfy you cravings.

Their new number is 916- 410-7937. You're welcome! Owners of this place should really claim this business on Yelp! It'd help a LOT. But this place is wonderful and worth anything and everything lol read more

Papaya salad is sold at this Hmong video store. Yes, you read it right. My friend was the one that introduced me to this place. She walked up to the counter to order and stated how many peppers she wanted in it. There is someone in the back who makes it. Once they are done preparing it, it's packaged it in a clear plastic bag. A bag costs $5. It tasted fresh but I thought it had too many peanuts. I also liked drinking the liquid. The papaya salad was better than I thought it would be, but I would much rather get it from an actual restaurant/ food store. The store isn't located in the best neighborhood either. read more

L & L Video - Papaya Salad - Videos & Video Game Rental Near Me - Sacramento, California

A great hidden hole in the wall. I used to come here for years. I used to order over the phone, then pick it up and eat it during my lunch break. It would stink up my entire office! After so long, the nice man that always helped me told me they were remodeling due to code violations. I was sad, but then happy again because they got their violations fixed! However, I tried their papaya after they remodeled and they changed their recipe. I was really disappointed. The nice man behind the counter was no longer there... Today, 4/13/15, I decided to give them another try! I was ecstatic when I had that taste I longed for. It was sweet and spicy. Just how I remembered it. And now they sell boba drinks. Not sure if I would get one since there are so many other boba place out there. Their beef jerky they sell there is also pretty good. Make sure you examine the bags before you buy. If there isn't a gloss to it, the jerky has been dried out! Don't get it! They also sell dubbed videos. read more

L & L Video - Videos & Video Game Rental Near Me - Sacramento, California

Great papaya! So far better than Vinai for sure. They are never busy and is always friendly and willing to help. Only down side is, when I come there a couple of time that it was supposed to be open. They had the closed sign on. But overall papaya is reasonable price and hit the spot! read more

Located in a dark corner of a shabby plaza, this papaya salad will be sure to please your taste buds and satisfy your papaya craving. On a Sunday afternoon, the high yelp reviews convinced me to make the drive to South Sac. It was definitely worth it! You can smell the goodness emanating from the back room as you enter the small cozy video shop. Although there were 2 people ahead of me, service was quick and friendly. I ordered the combo papaya and it did not disappoint. Perfectly seasoned salad, not too salty or too sweet, not too shrimpy or too fishy or too crabby (I did order mine with no crabs though) - had just the right balance and tang. The green beans and egg plant added a fresh crunchy texture. I didn't request any noodles (no carbs this week) but that is available to those who want it. I saw some complaints that the portion size was small, but to me it was a reasonable amount. Don't let outside appearances fool you - step over the scruffy threshold and enjoy the best papaya salad in Sacramento. BTW, New Asia Supermarket is right next door, so while they were preparing my order, I was able to grocery shop. read more

L & L Video - Combination papaya salad - Videos & Video Game Rental Near Me - Sacramento, California

One of my favorite papaya salads in town. The service is friendly and fast! Their sauce is great as well!

I always order from L&L video and they have always been so nice! The papaya is so flavorful! Definitely my number one papaya spot! read more

I come here a lot just to order my food and of course buying some gifts set for a friend. I will come here to order my papaya and shop around. Love this place a lot thank you read more

I just discovered this hidden gem a few days ago and it has kept me going back for more. My sister in law sent me here to buy her two jars of papaya sauce and have it ship to her since she moved away to another state and that's when magic begun. While browsing the videos, I found a movie that my dad starred in and asked the owner if I can buy it from him. He said he can make me a copy to buy and that's when I started digging out more and more old videos from my childhood and had him make copies of them all for me to buy. The pricing is not expensive. To rent it would cost $1 but to have a copy made costs $3. I was extremely happy that I would be able to rewatch movies I grew up loving and have a copy of the video my dad played in. Afterwards, I requested to purchase papaya salad. Oh my lanta, was I in papaya salad heaven or what? It was so damn delicious!!! The best I have tried in a long time. I am a papaya juice lover, so my husband ate most of the papaya but I gulped the juice down the nothing. The man and woman behind the counter were friendly as well. read more

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My go to for papaya salad! Best in sac. Be careful of how many peppers you add .... It can be super spicy!

Papaya salad (sauce) is amazing. Decent prices and friendly faces. I usually buy their sauce so I can make my own papaya salad at home when I'm too lazy to drive. read more

This place has good papaya but their hours of operation are not correct. They are hardly ever open. The only day it shows they are closed are on Mondays. But on Friday at 4 pm they are not open or answering their phones. On a Tuesday they are not open. Wednesday they may or may not open. Thursday you might get lucky and they open up the store. So I feel like it's a hit and miss now. Very bad business practice. Please update your hours of operation read more

Inconsistent hours. Been here on multiple occasions where it's stated on yelp and google that it is open and I get there to find out it's not. They should update it. read more

One of the best papaya salads in sac town! Perfect balance of spicy, sour, and sweet! Its a video store, so don't be intimidated by the location! Its literally a hole in the wall. But its definitely a regular stop for me when I'm in Sacramento! I always order a spicy with the vermicelli noodle. I'm not sure how many pepper is in it, but it hits the spot! read more

Visited for the first time today and I'm totally coming back again. Papaya salad is my favorite food and I haven't really had a good one since moving to NorCal but this was a good find. I heard about this place through reddit and figured Id try it out since I was near. The guy working there today was really nice and helpful and my order of Thai Style Papaya Salad was out quickly. The portion size was fairly big and I found medium spicy just right. I'm adding this place to the list of small businesses I'll continue supporting regularly. read more

Best papaya salad from Sacramento to the Bay Area. I always make a stop every time I'm in town or passing by. I get mine spicy and it's hot hot! read more

One of the best papaya salads I've had! Perfect balance of sour, sweet, salty and spicy. Don't be intimidated by the location! Definitely will be a regular stop for me when I'm in Sac! I ordered a medium combo which was about four peppers had some good heat. read more

Just like the rest of them, I am NOT reviewing their videos. They always play them while I'm waiting for papaya salad, and frankly, they look prettttyyy bad. But the papaya beats out Laos Kitchen, Pure Water, South Area Market, and any other restaurant/side dealer of papaya in the area. Best papaya salad I've ever had. The service is friendly enough and they have a few plastic chairs inside. Buuuut there are crackheads roaming around the parking lot, so run inside, grab your papaya, and dip before a crackhead spots you & your wallet. read more

L & L Video - Menu now includes boba! - Videos & Video Game Rental Near Me - Sacramento, California

I used to frequent this place a lot back in the days. It was probably 10 years ago. They definitely used to have the best papaya in town. It's still good, but it could be better. It's too sweet, maybe because I'm older and now and I don't like my food sweet. The guy who made the papaya was really friendly. I bought some fried pork skin. NEVER AGAIN! They bought it from Sam's club members' mark pork rinds for $6.38, put it in a sandwich bag, and said someone made it. That was not homemade, and they charged $3 a bag. I sure did have some at my house and made everyone do a taste test. I felt bamboozled! I'll come back for the papaya but not the pork rinds. read more

I freakin love places like this. My family was in the supermarket next door and my mom saw the sign outside of this video store. She ordered the papaya salad and it was DELICIOUS! My mom is super picky with her papaya salad but she like it. It's definitely not the cleanest in here and there's no where to eat but it is so so good. The papaya salad is very flavorful, might be too spicy or even smelly for some people. If you can get past the smell it is good. It is also very cheap for a large portion. Obviously I don't know how their video rentals work here but their food is great! Just don't get it in your clothes.. It'll smell. read more

The best place for papaya salad hands down! No fishy or crabby taste. No added veggies, just made to perfection and extra juicyness for only $5! This place is Hmong owned and they also sell Thai and Hmong videos. Oh and grab $1 of the pickle seasoning on your way out. Lol read more

L & L Video - MMmm - Videos & Video Game Rental Near Me - Sacramento, California

Out of all the papaya places I've tried. This is by far my favorite to go places. I've ordered plenty of party trays and individual sizes papayas. The flavor is always the same As how I expect it to be. Since I don't live close by, I love how convenient that I can call In my orders a few days in advance and or even on the same day for a party tray. It's located in a shopping center where you have to make sure to watch your surroundings because there are some shady people & bums that hang around. I would definitely recommend this place if you are looking for the best papaya in town . read more

Hands down, the best papaya in Sacramento! I ordered 1 pack for myself and I finished it so fast, I could definitely eat another bag or two. They used to give out extremely small portions and I'm happy to see that their portions have gotten a little bigger. read more

The papaya is delicious. The service is good! I've run unfit the business being closed on operating days, so that was a little inconvenient.

BEST papaya salad ever! I don't go anywhere else but here when I am craving papaya salad. It's definitely the best that I've ever had and I can assure you that you will not be disappointed. What is also neat is that they sell their papaya sauce in a jar for only $12. Worth every penny! Plus, the customer service here is A+ and they are super nice and friendly! read more

If you're craving for the dirtiest, tastiest, yummiest papaya salad, this is the place to go! I've been going here for all my papaya cravings for years and they do not ever disappoint me. I've tried many other different places at restaurants, food trucks, outings, events and no other compares. The portion is a bit small, but hey... it doesn't hurt to buy a second order! Just buy two! read more