Spotlight on Sutter Club Sports Bar, A Safe, Friendly Hometown Bar at 720 Sutter Street

We're pleased to include Sutter Club Sports Bar in our Business Spotlight Series.

We're spotlighting long-time favorites, new arrivals, and hidden gems alike. We encourage you to share these local stories and visit with merchants to get to know them firsthand.

We connected with Larry Smith to learn more about Sutter Club Sports Bar at 720 Sutter Street.

What is Sutter Club Sports Bar, how would you describe it to a friend?

It is the definition of a bar. No live music, food, or dancing. Just a bar with a pool table (that is free on Wednesdays). 

It’s a fun, safe, friendly place to meet people and have a good time. We’re a hometown bar where locals frequent.

Why did you start the business? What do you hope to accomplish?

I just wanted to run my own business and be my own boss. It’s been a bar for a few decades, was closed for a time, and then I bought it. I’m now in my 31st year.

What's something you wish people knew about your business?

It’s a place where you can meet new people, see old friends, and get to know tourists with exciting stories.

People are very easy to talk to when they come in here. You can meet people really fast and feel comfortable, whether you are by yourself or with a group.

What is a common question you get?

What’s the most popular drink? Do you make a good blood mary? The answer is yes and yes.

We also get Where’s a good place to eat? We answer them by giving them menus from the various restaurants on Sutter Street.

What is your most popular product?

Draught beer, Jameson Whiskey, and our shot specials.

Also, we do put Coors on draft during the rodeo time.

AND, we have a new, rotating craft beer all the time and try to focus on the local brewers to support the local community here in Northern California. We’ve probably done 120 craft beers since we’ve started it a year ago, constantly rotating.

What's the biggest compliment you've received?

That our bar is clean and friendly.

What is YOUR favorite drink at Sutter Club?

Budlight, haha, and Crown Royal.

What is YOUR favorite thing about your business?

It’s a fun place to come to, it doesn’t feel like a job or like I’m going to work. It’s like I’m coming to hangout with my friends. The regulars/our clientele are wonderful.

Why did you choose to be in the Folsom Historic District?

Tourist traffic, street traffic, and it was already here, haha.

Do you have any upcoming events or specials that people should know about?

Not really. But we do have a new website (thanks to Locable)!

Check it out at www.folsomsutterclub.com.

Are you involved with or do you support any local nonprofits, community organizations or causes?

We have done Christmas drives, we’ve donated to the zoo, flood victims, homeless victims, and more. We participate in a lot of fundraisers by directly giving funds.

Is there anything else you'd like people to know?

• We’re open 365 days a year from 9am to 2am - you can always count on us to be open.
• Sports bar aspect: we have 16 tvs, a lot of sporting events on at all times, NFL package, MLB package, soccer, golf, football, basketball, and even curling ( it was widely popular during the Olympics).
• We have the coldest beer in town with a great happy hour - 4-7pm, M-F.
• We are part of Untapped - if people sign up for Untapped, they’ll get an alert of new drinks we are serving so you can always find out what’s new.
  

Want to browse merchants in the Historic District?

Click over to Find It In Historic Folsom

Emma Eldridge is the Community Manager of Folsom-based technology company Locable and is excited to be working with the Historic District to share stories that make Folsom unique, and pretty much all-things-local.

Ravioli, Calzones, Stuffed Mushrooms - Delizioso Italian Dishes! A Review of Strings Cafe at 25035 Blue Ravine Rd, Suite 120

We're pleased to include Strings Cafe of Folsom in our Food & Drink Series.

We're visiting all of the delicious eateries in the Raley's at the Parkway Center and sharing our culinary adventures with you so you can then try them out for yourself. We encourage you to share these reviews and then get to eating!

Locable's Emma Eldridge paid a visit to Strings Cafe of Folsom at 25035 Blue Ravine Rd, Suite 120 in Folsom.

Pasta, bread, and salad are one of those amazing food combinations that leave you feeling full, relaxed, and a little bit nostalgic.

Am I right?

As a kid, one of my favorite meals was pasta - ravioli, fettuccine, lasagna, you name it. It was usually made on family game nights and birthdays, hence the nostalgia factor :) 

It's been quite a few years since I've been to Strings, so I was excited to visit once again and experience some fond childhood memories.

Cheesy Bread & Salad

So simple and yet so yummy! I could have been completely satisfied with just the bread and salad, they're that good.

I'm not sure exactly what kind of dressing is on the salad, but the combination of it with the croutons, carrots, raisins, and onions is divine.

Salad-y Goodness

Appetizer: Stuffed Mushrooms

The picture doesn't do them justice, but these mushrooms were delicious!

My only notes: I could have used more cheese on top and one or two more mushrooms. Other than that, they were flavorful, cheesy, and the tomato sauced paired perfectly with them.

Artichoke Ravioli

Cheesy sauce + tomato sauce = perfection

This dish was nostalgia on a plate and I loved it! The artichoke flavor could have been more pronounced, but this dish was happily gobbled up by my dinner date and I :)

Mmmhmmm...so good!

Meat Lovers Calzone

The pièce de résistance was this guy.

Meatballs, Italian sausage, pepperoni, and Italian cheeses in a flaky, dense crust with a zesty red sauce - a truly winning combination 

It was the perfect ending to our meal and left us feeling full.

Verdict

Delicious, filling, and nostalgic food in an intimate Italian cafe setting. 

We had more "carby" options (no regrets), but they also have chicken dishes, zoodles, soups, salads, and seasonal offerings; a little something for everyone.

Take a trip to Strings Cafe this weekend - you won't regret it.

---

Check Out Their Menu

Want to browse merchants in the Folsom Parkway Center?

Brian Ostrovsky is CEO of Folsom-based startup Locable and excited to be working with the Parkway Center to share stories that make Folsom unique, and pretty much all-things-local. 

Spotlight on Hacienda del Rio, A Fun Restaurant That Serves A Combination Of Authentic And Fusion Mexican Food at 702 Sutter Street Suite M

We're pleased to include Hacienda del Rio in our Business Spotlight Series.

We're spotlighting long-time favorites, new arrivals, and hidden gems alike. We encourage you to share these local stories and visit with merchants to get to know them firsthand.

We connected with Edward to learn more about Hacienda del Rio at 702 Sutter Street Suite M.

.

What is Hacienda Del Rio, how would you describe it to a friend?

Hacienda is a fun place with great food and drinks. It has a great atmosphere and fun people. We are a Mexican restaurant with a combination of authentic and fusion food.

When did you first become involved with the business? What do you hope to accomplish?

I started off as a bartender here over 20 years ago and then I bought in about 12 years ago. I hope to continue to make people happy and have a great time.

What's something you wish people knew about your business?

I wish people knew how good our fajitas are. They are amazing - they are not like anywhere else.

What is a common question you get?

People always ask if we make everything ourselves. The answer is yes, just about everything.

What is your most popular menu item?

Our most popular is items are our carnitas and fajitas. We have al pastor, beef, chicken, and shrimp fajitas. They're some of my favorites, too.

What is YOUR favorite thing about your business?

My favorite thing about my business is all the people that come in everyday. The people of Folsom are amazing.

Are you involved with or do you support any local nonprofits, community organizations or causes?

We donate to different fundraisers all the time and we always have posters up for other events to help our friends and neighbors. We don't do any fundraisers ourselves, but we do give away a lot of gift cards.

What's the biggest compliment you've received?

The biggest compliment that we receive is about how our customers love us. We have customers who have been coming in since before I worked here over 20 years ago.

What is your most popular drink at Hacienda?

Our top-shelf margaritas are DELICIOUS. We use ultra premium tequila Maestro Dobel with Patron Citronge, and a float of cointreau noir.

Why did you choose to be in the Folsom Historic District?

I chose to work here over 20 years ago because of Sutter Street. It is not just a street, it is an experience with all the different restaurants, bars, and fun little shops.

Hacienda had a fire a couple years ago, right? How long did it take for the business start up again? What did you do during the time it was closed down for repairs? Any advice for fellow business owners?

We did have a fire. It took over 2 years to reopen. We decided to make some changes in the bar area.

Because we were closed so long, all the systems had to be updated to today's building codes. That meant a lot of things had to be worked on that had nothing to do with the fire. That was the majority of the work.

My advice for fellow business owners would be make sure you have plenty of insurance and know your lease.

Are you a member of the chamber or any other networking organizations?

We are a member of Folsom Chamber.

Do you have any upcoming events, specials or new products/services that people should know about?

We have changed how we do catering events and large order pick ups. We have made everything super easy for our customers. They can pick up the food put it out and just take off the lids and go. Everything is now in self serving contains with disposable serving utensils.

Want to browse merchants in the Historic District?

Click over to Find It In Historic Folsom

Brian Ostrovsky is CEO of Folsom-based startup Locable and excited to be working with the Historic District to share stories that make Folsom unique, and pretty much all-things-local.