Café Connection

This is a place my daughter recommended. The people here were helpful and friendly and our selections were made to order in front of us. (Not sure if that is true of every menu item). At the time we were there it was not busy and we were going to a park to eat so it was very quick, convenient, and tasty. The place was clean and the space was open and uncluttered. The restroom was accessible, stocked and maintained. This was important to me because we were traveling.

The name "Cafe Connection" doesn't let in on the wonderful cuisine that is served up here. Located across from the Capitol along the same row of shops as See's Candies, seating is plentiful and comfy and the first thing you'll notice is the smell of Carribean cooking. They do have traditional sandwich fare, but why settle for a boring sandwich when you can get jerk chicken with beans & rice, jerk burgers, curry chicken and the like? I got their daily lunch special -- it's not written up on the sandwich menu. Look for the small whiteboard. With a drink, it came to $8.14 with tax. I got the jerk chicken plate: spicy tender chicken over beans and rice with a side salad. Wow. My friend got the jerk burger. And that first bite is hot! Spicy hot! But then your mouth succumbs to the heat and all you want to do is eat more. Service is genuine and friendly. The owner passed out samples of their banana fritters - three for $4.50. If I hadn't gained weight and am trying to whittle down my bondakadonk butt, I would have inhaled a plate of these. Free WiFi, which is a bonus. Ask for the password, you'll crack up when you hear it!

Outstanding jerk chicken and other Jamaican specials like oxtail varying by day, plus great curry and other options daily. Cute, simple place with awesome staff, and a fantastic value for the quality and location. I wish I still worked in the neighborhood.

Looking for lunch that slaps you with caribbean flavor? Get to this place stat, the food is great and there's a buncha daily specials!(all of which are stellar, they've got a bunch of vegetarian options too!) They have homemade sorrel, mint lemonade, and ginger beer available too. Get the sorrel. Do it do it do it

Highly recommend. The oxtail is on Friday only but I lucked out and they had some today. Meat falls off the bone. Authentic Caribbean food. You need to go to this place if you love soul food or comfort food.

When working down by the capitol always try to find time for this place. Food is very good Owners are the nicest people ever. Get a mint-lemonade !! It's hot out

All I can say is oh my God, the best oxtails in the city jerk chicken the food is amazing. The environment is clean. Debbie is so awesome. She’s super nice. I’ve been coming here for years and not one time. Have I been let down I highly recommend. Love you guys and looking forward to seeing you next week when I come by to get my oxtails Quint.

Ken and Debbie are so nice! Food is amazing!

This place a gem!! The food is so flavorful and authentic. Stopped by on a work trip-definitely will be my go to when we are back! Super friendly service and the flavors take you to the Caribbean!!

Food was super tasty. My girlfriend wasn't a fan but I think she's crazy! I wish I could have tried the famous jerk chicken. I'll be dragging her back and force feeding her the food. The owner was exceptionally nice and debbie's hot sauce was so good. So. So good. I could tell Debbie is the type of person who shares the same love for spicy, flavorful sauces!!! It's the first time that when someone warned me something was spicy, I could actually taste the spice.

I stumbled across Cafe Connection as I was planning a statewide meeting for my work. I was having a hard time finding a place that could accommodate all the food restrictions I was dealing with. (Veg, vegan and gluten free.) Cafe Connection was the answer to my prayers, and they helped deliver a delicious and memorable meal for my guests. The owner is so warm and friendly and was really helpful when it came to picking out the menu. They were great communicators and kept me in the loop the entire time during the process. We paid extra to have the food delivered to our meeting location. The food arrived on time, piping hot ready to eat! Most importantly the food was AMAZING!!! Our lunch consisted of rice and beans, veg curry, chicken curry, jerk chicken and salad. Everyone at the luncheon raved about the food, with many asking where they could get more. I would literally eat at this place every day if I could. Between the kind and gracious staff to the delicious food it was all a 10/10.

I had been eying this place on my walking lunch breaks and on my drive home after work. I finally got the opportunity to eat lunch here. I got the Oxtails (only on Friday) so it was my lucky day! The Oxtails were delicious 😋 and to compliment the tender Oxtails was a nice portion of the beans and rice. The red chili sauce is pretty spicy and adds a great kick to every bite. I didn't catch the owners names, but they were so sweet and welcoming. I will definitely be back next Friday!

Such yummy treats! Love, love love the jerk chicken burrito.

I ordered the curry Chechen roti wrap . You can tell they cooked this food with love , and from scratch . The Chicken was moist ,and super flavorful , the roti is homemade /handmade . The sorrel (hibiscus tea) was the cherry on top ! Thank you for such warm and comforting home cooked food . 10/10 will eat here again !

Omg!!!! Just what I needed on this long rainy day. Debbie and Ken are an amazing pair with an amazing business. The food was great . Finger linking good! I live an hour away and I will come all the way back for this meal. The chicken curry, patties, oxtail, rice and peas was so amazing!

Very tasty jerk chicken with rice n beans, I loved their homemade peanut dressing and their sorrel was perfectly tart! Lots of folks came in asking for their half curry half jerk plate- I'll have to try that next! check out this spot for yourself next time your at the Capitol!

Best Caribbean Food I've had in over 5 years! I'm from Guyana and I know good Caribbean food when I taste it. This place met and exceeded that expectation of good Caribbean food. Everything tatses good. Trust me, my husband and I tried a bit of everything. The prices are affordable, the portion sizes are spot on, and the owner and staff are very welcoming. Go feast your hearts and tummies out when you can.

Had an absolutely delicious lunch here. The curry chicken roti is out of this world. It reminds me of dinners at home in Trinidad. Definitely give this place a try for authentic Caribbean flavors.

The food is incredible and the service is just as awesome. If you like Caribbean food this is a must try. The owners are such sweet people and they also offer catering for private parties. The place is clean and festive. There's also live music sometimes.

Shakyra Brown

I ordered the curry Chechen roti wrap . You can tell they cooked this food with love , and from scratch . The Chicken was moist ,and super flavorful , the roti is homemade /handmade . The sorrel (hibiscus tea) was the cherry on top ! Thank you for such warm and comforting home cooked food . 10/10 will eat here again !

Mutale Kalulu

Omg!!!! Just what I needed on this long rainy day. Debbie and Ken are an amazing pair with an amazing business. The food was great . Finger linking good! I live an hour away and I will come all the way back for this meal. The chicken curry, patties, oxtail, rice and peas was so amazing!

Priscilla Arballo

Very tasty jerk chicken with rice n beans, I loved their homemade peanut dressing and their sorrel was perfectly tart! Lots of folks came in asking for their half curry half jerk plate- I'll have to try that next! check out this spot for yourself next time your at the Capitol!

Jule Josiah

Best Caribbean Food I've had in over 5 years! I'm from Guyana and I know good Caribbean food when I taste it. This place met and exceeded that expectation of good Caribbean food. Everything tatses good. Trust me, my husband and I tried a bit of everything. The prices are affordable, the portion sizes are spot on, and the owner and staff are very welcoming. Go feast your hearts and tummies out when you can.

HookLife

Had an absolutely delicious lunch here. The curry chicken roti is out of this world. It reminds me of dinners at home in Trinidad. Definitely give this place a try for authentic Caribbean flavors.

Dave Jones

The food is incredible and the service is just as awesome. If you like Caribbean food this is a must try. The owners are such sweet people and they also offer catering for private parties. The place is clean and festive. There's also live music sometimes.

I can't imagine food with more flavor than the Caribbean food at this Cafe. I've had both the jerk chicken and the curry chicken and nobody makes it tastier. Yum!!

I am from Trinidad so I knnnoooowwww authentic west indian cooking and thos is it. The curry goat was tasty, not salty, and has that nice thick curry sauce that only caribbean cooks can do (could have been a little more tender/fall off the bone but the taste was awesome). The rice and beans was very flavorful. The homemade peanut sauce for the fresh salad was delicious. Debbie stayed opened for us to do a last minute pickup which was very thoughtful. The location is opposite a park so ideal for an outdoor picnic. Everyting was great as is including the $17 price but I would recommend the traditional sauteed cabbage or some mixed slightly cooked vegetables and plantains with the meal - the days for traditional rice, meat and salad caribbean lunches are gone, rightly so - give some healthy vegetables, and of course must have the sweetened fried plantains. I am now eating the next day left overs and it is tasting even better. Thank you.

I hadn't been by in a bit since i was working mostly from home. But just like before, did not disappoint! The jerk chicken is soo good and the chicken curry roti wrap, it tastes like home cooking made with love. Also love the mint lemonade. The owners are so friendly and make you feel at home. Will definitely be back soon.

I can’t comment on how authentic the food is, but it is so savory and tasty that I can always finish the whole big plate. Staff are very friendly.

I wish I could give six stars. Amazing food and the service is even better. The couple running this place are great to talk to and very kind! Make sure to get their hot sauce, adds an amazing spice.

Ive been going here for 10 years. The food is always good and thr owners are the kindest, most hospitable people I have encountered since moving to Sacramento. The only con 9s the Cafe is only open during commerce business hours.

Traveled into Sac for work and ate here 2022-2025. Great food, great people. Jerk Chicken Plate / Burrito with the spicy sauce. Love it!!!

Matthew Reeves

Traveled into Sac for work and ate here 2022-2025. Great food, great people. Jerk Chicken Plate / Burrito with the spicy sauce. Love it!!!

Lena Li

I can’t comment on how authentic the food is, but it is so savory and tasty that I can always finish the whole big plate. Staff are very friendly.

Larry Mucho

When working down by the capitol always try to find time for this place. Food is very good Owners are the nicest people ever. Get a mint-lemonade !! It's hot out

Ican Help Marketplace

I am from Trinidad so I knnnoooowwww authentic west indian cooking and thos is it. The curry goat was tasty, not salty, and has that nice thick curry sauce that only caribbean cooks can do (could have been a little more tender/fall off the bone but the taste was awesome). The rice and beans was very flavorful. The homemade peanut sauce for the fresh salad was delicious. Debbie stayed opened for us to do a last minute pickup which was very thoughtful. The location is opposite a park so ideal for an outdoor picnic. Everyting was great as is including the $17 price but I would recommend the traditional sauteed cabbage or some mixed slightly cooked vegetables and plantains with the meal - the days for traditional rice, meat and salad caribbean lunches are gone, rightly so - give some healthy vegetables, and of course must have the sweetened fried plantains. I am now eating the next day left overs and it is tasting even better. Thank you.

Cauley Schulz

I wish I could give six stars. Amazing food and the service is even better. The couple running this place are great to talk to and very kind! Make sure to get their hot sauce, adds an amazing spice.

gesenia hernandez

I hadn't been by in a bit since i was working mostly from home. But just like before, did not disappoint! The jerk chicken is soo good and the chicken curry roti wrap, it tastes like home cooking made with love. Also love the mint lemonade. The owners are so friendly and make you feel at home. Will definitely be back soon.

I really like the Chicken/Potato curry that they serve for lunch. It's all I ever have , so I can't comment on any of the other food. It's great - a little different to the usual Indian curry, mainly because it's served with red rice and beans. You get a quality serving of salad (I like the peanut dressing). Locale is nice, quick service and nice views out over the West side of the Capitol.

The food is always tasty here. I usually get the plate chicken curry over red beans and rice (coconut rice is best but they always run out early). My second choice is the jerk chicken over rice plate. The chicken is really tender in the curry. I haven't tried the sandwiches. The plates are only$8.25 and you get a salad too.

Ordered the Jerk Chicken plate. Sorrel to drink. The service was fantastic. The lady and gentleman behind the counter were super friendly and pleasant. The restaurant was neat and clean. The food was fresh and good. I went in hoping for an amazing experience and the food fell a little short. It was good. Just not as good as the jerk chicken I had from a recent trip to Montego Bay. Overall a good experience. Good portions. Great service.

Came by here with family as a pit stop after visiting the State Capitol for lunch. We made it just in time, 45 min before closing which would have been 2:30pm. Ordered jerk chicken plates. The food was simple, and honest. It was great! The jerk chicken was flavored just right and cooked well. It was served on rice and beans with salad. Picked the peanut sauce for the dressing and did not regret! If you like sauces and are stopping by, ask for extra! The owners are very friendly and personable. There is Caribbean music playing. The seating and env is simple and friendly. Next time I'm in town, I would come back!

The food was homestyle and simple. What we really enjoyed was their service. They came and checked in on us. They offered “the best” lemon cake ever to my toddler. We obviously devoured some ;) before leaving they gave a cookie too for the road. Very thoughtful owners.

I've been wanting to go to this place since last year. We finally made it on a Friday to check out the oxtail. It was very good. It reminded me of the oxtail my parents make. We also had the jerk chicken plate. It was very good. The ginger beer was refreshing, bright, & had that crisp bite to it. I would definitely go back again. The service was very friendly. We dined in to enjoy our meal but there was a steady stream of people coming in for take-out orders. Next time I want to try one of the curry dishes.

Leah K

I've been wanting to go to this place since last year. We finally made it on a Friday to check out the oxtail. It was very good. It reminded me of the oxtail my parents make. We also had the jerk chicken plate. It was very good. The ginger beer was refreshing, bright, & had that crisp bite to it. I would definitely go back again. The service was very friendly. We dined in to enjoy our meal but there was a steady stream of people coming in for take-out orders. Next time I want to try one of the curry dishes.

Art Osby

Ordered the Jerk Chicken plate. Sorrel to drink. The service was fantastic. The lady and gentleman behind the counter were super friendly and pleasant. The restaurant was neat and clean. The food was fresh and good. I went in hoping for an amazing experience and the food fell a little short. It was good. Just not as good as the jerk chicken I had from a recent trip to Montego Bay. Overall a good experience. Good portions. Great service.

Max S

Came by here with family as a pit stop after visiting the State Capitol for lunch. We made it just in time, 45 min before closing which would have been 2:30pm. Ordered jerk chicken plates. The food was simple, and honest. It was great! The jerk chicken was flavored just right and cooked well. It was served on rice and beans with salad. Picked the peanut sauce for the dressing and did not regret! If you like sauces and are stopping by, ask for extra! The owners are very friendly and personable. There is Caribbean music playing. The seating and env is simple and friendly. Next time I'm in town, I would come back!

Athulya “Atu-lia” Mo

The food was homestyle and simple. What we really enjoyed was their service. They came and checked in on us. They offered “the best” lemon cake ever to my toddler. We obviously devoured some ;) before leaving they gave a cookie too for the road. Very thoughtful owners.

Easy ordering and friendly service. The jerk chicken salad was tasty but pretty wet, seemed like it was missing some of the veggies it said it came with from their board too. I thought the good taste made up for the missing ingredients and extra juice from the chicken. I’ll definitely try stopping here again. The espresso with cream hit the spot also.

Julian Bishop

Easy ordering and friendly service. The jerk chicken salad was tasty but pretty wet, seemed like it was missing some of the veggies it said it came with from their board too. I thought the good taste made up for the missing ingredients and extra juice from the chicken. I’ll definitely try stopping here again. The espresso with cream hit the spot also.

Ordered the veggie curry roti wrap. Flavor was on point however the veggies were overcooked and mushy. When veggies are the main item of dish, it needs to be cooked perfectly.

Rickey-Dean Wasson

Ordered the veggie curry roti wrap. Flavor was on point however the veggies were overcooked and mushy. When veggies are the main item of dish, it needs to be cooked perfectly.

I’d like to say I constantly travel to Michigan Chicago Florida and New Orleans for Caribbean / Jamaican food and I’ve been coming to this place since 2020. I’ve had the curry goat a few times the first couple being perfect the last time I had it being a couple months ago it was dry Jerk chicken plate once which was also dry Curry chicken plate is usually dry too and today I got a curry chicken wrap and mint lemonade which unfortunately the chicken was dry again and the mint lemonade wasn’t minty as usual and actually just tasted like lots of sugar. Never had a problem with the lady who usually serves me but it seems when her husband is there the past couple times I hadn't received the same good service I had gotten the past few times I’ve been here. I’m not sure their origin but they definitely are not Jamaican if u are looking for Jamaican cuisine this is not the place. I hate to give a partially bad review but for the money I’ve spent with them I don’t think it was worth the experience and now when people ask me about the place I have no option but to tell them it’s either a hit or miss type of place.

Adam Hill

I’d like to say I constantly travel to Michigan Chicago Florida and New Orleans for Caribbean / Jamaican food and I’ve been coming to this place since 2020. I’ve had the curry goat a few times the first couple being perfect the last time I had it being a couple months ago it was dry Jerk chicken plate once which was also dry Curry chicken plate is usually dry too and today I got a curry chicken wrap and mint lemonade which unfortunately the chicken was dry again and the mint lemonade wasn’t minty as usual and actually just tasted like lots of sugar. Never had a problem with the lady who usually serves me but it seems when her husband is there the past couple times I hadn't received the same good service I had gotten the past few times I’ve been here. I’m not sure their origin but they definitely are not Jamaican if u are looking for Jamaican cuisine this is not the place. I hate to give a partially bad review but for the money I’ve spent with them I don’t think it was worth the experience and now when people ask me about the place I have no option but to tell them it’s either a hit or miss type of place.

Ordered Jerk Chicken with rice and beans to go. Chicken was dry and hard to swallow. Stomach did not feel good afterwards. Service was fine, but the food was not.

These food reviews are so important for the health of the consumers, and each should be taken seriously. Having stated, I recently took a chance and stop by Cafe Connection for lunch-take out. As I entered the eatery in Sacramento-near the state capital I immediately noticed a very welcoming spirit. The employees/owners were incredibly nice, despite running a bit behind. Honestly, this didn't bother me at all since I was ahead of schedule. However, what did bother me immediately was a lack of food options for a Caribbean restaurant. Fast forward ahead, as I got home and started eating the food and it was horrible. For starters, the jerk chicken ((probably cooked 3 days prior) was too dry; and the oxtails and lack proper seasoning. Of note, I was so afraid that the food was bad, I trashed my plate! My partner had the oxtails, bean, and rice. He thought the oxtails were better but lacked southern Caribbean seasonings. His criticism was that the restaurant offered had no plantain, or cabbage- isn't this a must for Caribbean meals. Honestly, the best part of the meal was dry lettuce- a substitute for not having cabbage- I guess. As for giving Cafe Connection a second visit, I'll pass. I'm from Atlanta, Georgia, and the Caribbean meals that I took home would never be acceptable!

1. ROTI WAS NOT FRESH, CHICKEN HAD A FROZEN TASTE THE CURRY WAS WEAK, VERY SMALL SIZE MISSING ALOT OF OTHER INGREDIENTS LIKE PUMPKIN, MANGO, CHANNA, BHAGI, THE DHALPURI WAS NOT FILL WITH GROUND CHICK PEAS, .. NOTHING LIKE A REAL TRINI ROTI... On a scale 1-10 I RATE #2 FOR TRYING.. The clientele that comes in and out of the restaurant Probably I'm not familiar with a good roti... Whatever island someone is from that's the type of food they should cook. You can't make Caribbean food from all different islands. If you're from Jamaica, you cook Jamaican food, If you're from Trinidad you cook Trinidadian food. If you're from Barbados, you cook barbarian food, Can't cook all across-the-board because flavors are not there. The pholouri & tamarind chutney sauce both needed seasoning had a weak taste.. The Jerk taste like it was a store bought brand...my family was very disappointed they tossed it.. I realized there's no good West Indian restaurants in Sacramento, the only places is in Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles. They have real Trinidad, Barbados and Jamaican food. We go on vacation twice🇧🇧 🇹🇹 🇯🇲 🇬🇩 twice a year to the same islands... When we want real good tasting West Indian food we drive to the bay area or wait until vacation time.... RESTAURANT IN GREAT LOCATION 👍 MEALS ARE NOT SATISFYING.. I have a solution for you if you hire a Jamaican cook & Trini cook You can't go wrong & your Clientele would be amazing in your restaurant. Would not be so vacated Mondays-Fridays. Thank you

The owner of the store is racist, I went to pick up the food today, I was the first in line, and I had already called him, he ignored me, I am sure he saw me, and then ignored me walked away. Then I saw the white man coming from behind, the owner took the initiative to go up to help him get the meal, and the first point was that the white man was in line behind me. Strongly condemn this owner.Racial discrimination, I will not go to this restaurant again, people of other skin colors should think carefully before going

The girl in glasses that took my order must have been tired of the day. Rude and rolling her eyes over simple question. The guy at the cash register if the owner get a hold of your attitude. Caribbean food served with western hate my life vibe. It’d fly if the food was actually good. Catered to state workers in a rush with not a lot of options to choose from.

Gabriel A-Go-Go

The girl in glasses that took my order must have been tired of the day. Rude and rolling her eyes over simple question. The guy at the cash register if the owner get a hold of your attitude. Caribbean food served with western hate my life vibe. It’d fly if the food was actually good. Catered to state workers in a rush with not a lot of options to choose from.