Little Morocco Cafe — Restaurant in Sacramento

Flew in from New Orleans (a food capital) by way of Seattle (seafood capital) to visit my Cousin, who lives next door to this restaurant and……

didn’t realize it was there.

I spent 3 months in Morocco when I was 18, and returned to spend a month recording music with The Master Musicians of Joujouka in Jajouka (aka Joujouka or Zahjouka) part of the Rif Mountains of northern Morocco!

I’m a foodie, and I promise you, this tiny oasis of a corner restaurant is culinary gold, in a capital city that still needs to earn such a great dining experience.

With a simple menu, a wonderful Chef, I was transported to memories and tales of delectable dining near immaculately tiled pools of cool clear water, and architecture befitting the most colorful films!

We started with breakfast:

I had Atlas Sunrise with the delightful Moroccan warm bread accompaniment, and Moroccan Mint Tea Pot as my morning drink.The eggs came in a hot pot with a lid (presentation 10 stars), the bread was just the perfect amount, and the tea (for those of you who have a taste for some hot morning drink on the sweeter side) was a Moroccan classic at perfection!

Cousin had Baghrir - Moroccan pancake with honey & butter - “It was the bomb, I gotta give credit to the Chef! Excellent taste of the food! Oh, yeah! I give it 100 or a perfect 10! Both! Thumbs up to them!”

He also made the hot chocolate, his morning hot drink of choice, disappear as soon as it cooled and the whipped cream still had a bit of molten fluff to it!!

It was our first visit. I will be here for a week, we’ve decided to making our way through each section of the menu once a day, while visiting other places to dine during other meal periods.

Because this gem is a sure thing. And life is about the pleasure of eating well as often as you can!

THANK YOU for LOVING what you do,

LITTLE MOROCCAN CAFE!

PS We will add photos when we come back...

I met a college friend here for our every two to three year catch-up lunch a couple Saturdays ago. It was both of our first times. I found parking just a block away and walked to the restaurant. The owner (not sure, but he gave off those vibes) greeted me and I let him know I was waiting on another person. He told me I could sit wherever and to let him know if I needed anything. I was early and the place was empty, so I grabbed the furthest table and perused the menu. Not being familiar with Moroccan food, I had to look up a few items, but finally decided what I would eat.

My friend arrived and we excitedly caught up. After a while, we came to the ordering spot and were told we would be waited on. (Apparently, during the week, it is so busy that it is counter service, but they prefer table service during the weekend when slower). We went back to our table and ordered drinks and food. I got the tangia (beef stew meat cooked with spices and served with rice and zaalouk), while my friend got the chicken version of the same dish. When it arrived, in a traditional Tagine serving dish, the meat was melt off the bone (for her chicken) and in your mouth (for my beef) perfect. The flavor was delectable, and my mouth is watering just thinking about it. There was even enough left for me to take home leftovers!

We chatted with the owner about where we're all from and what brought us there that day. He was very kind, thoughtful, and brought us Moroccan tea and fekkas to try. Both very different, but delicious! After a while, the place starting filling up. Some folks had clearly been there before and were back to eat their favorite dish.

I know I'll be coming back in the near future. Thanks Little...

Such an oasis this authentic Moroccan place in downtown is. On weekdays, come for delicious breakfast (Atlas sunrise is basically Shakshuka, and you must try Baghrir = semolina pancake served with honey butter that is out of this world!), and they open for early dinner on Saturdays. Specials of couscous and fish tagine are available on Fridays and sometimes the next day. Lentil soup is very hearty and if you need to take it up the notch, ask for harissa sauce. Eggplant lovers rejoice in Zaalouk, reminiscent of borani banjan (Afghan) or baingan bharta (Indian), available as a side dish or accompanying Tangia (beef stew). If you like meat, there is also kefta (meat ball). Chicken comes as kebab or tagine, the latter is more moist. The vegetable that comes with some dishes are perfectly cooked I can just eat those alone. Only tried one salad (quinoa, fresh and like tabouleh with plenty of high quality beet) and one sandwich (Tangier Tuna) but there are plenty offerings. Mint tea and OJ (freshly squeezed, truly a rarity) are pure delights. The room is modern and airy yet exudes warmth and comfort, but the true stars are owner husband and wife Jamal and Sameera, who always greet us with utmost hospitality. Parking can be tricky: there are several spots around but when you are out of luck, you can park in the public garage (free on weekends). It's worth it, as within minutes you are transported to Northwestern Africa (the Maghreb) without having to fly for 20 hours. Believe me, I have eaten there more than 10 times with about a dozen people who all leave very satisfied. B'nin bezaf...