Orale Cantina — Restaurant in Sacramento

First visit about a week into their opening, on Jan 11 2025. Yes, you should go try Órale. I'm giving this visit a 5/5 because I want Orale to thrive, and any shortcomings I mention I imagine will be ironed out in time. Plus they were super accommodating to me and my 2 toddlers, which puts any visit rating above and beyond.

Food 5/5 Atmosphere 4/5 Drink 3/5 Service 5/5

Overall, tasty fresh food, not a long wait for meals to arrive, bright and colorful decor, and big selection of food and drinks.

Our total before tip was $64.98 for 2 adults, 2 toddlers. This included 3 tacos, 2-enchilada plate, a kid's quesadilla with rice and beans (~$11), one margarita, one horchata. And free chips & salsa. This is comparable pricewise with Mezcal on Broadway.

We did not order any of the sushi or poke items, though two of the tacos we got were shrimp. They were out of the octopus (pulpo) and a few other seafood dishes, which our server told us upon ordering. We saw some other tables order the Japanese-inspired menu items and they looked pretty good (nachos poke, etc.) but I can't comment on how they are.

Big dessert selection!

We walked in and seated ourselves. The door is on the 12th Ave side of the building, not Stockton — so it makes it seem like you're walking in from the back, but it's actually the main entrance. Unclear at first but NBD. They brought us a high chair and chips promptly. The server explained the menu and what wasn't available, and our food came out maybe 10 mins after ordering. The silverware got brought to us after our food came, but just a small detail overlooked that's probably not a regular thing.

The tacos are a winner here, I mean look at them (pics). Can't recall but it was a spicy shrimp, a beef, and forgot the last one.

The chicken enchiladas, one red and green, were filling, warm, and perfect. I'd order those again. The kids' cheese quesadilla was an OK serving size, and they brought us extra rice and beans, nice touch.

Horchata was delicious, not watered down. Tasted fresh.

The one bummer was the Cadillac margarita — it tasted heavily of too-sweet mixer, and it needed shaking longer because it wasn't very cold. No salt on the rim (they didn't ask us if we wanted it, but I forgot to mention it — I assume margaritas come with salt). But it was huge, which has that going for the drinks. I didn't get much of a buzz, so I'd hope for a stronger ratio next time =D

The decor is bright and fun. Atmosphere-wise it was welcoming, but Orale is so new that I'm not sure anyone knows what kind of atmosphere it's supposed to be — I could see it becoming a regular spot for drinks, or a family dining spot, or both? The bar is prominently located in the middle of the restaurant, and you can see it plus its 2 TVs from anywhere there. Similar to Venadita on Broadway. If you've been there, it's a similar atmosphere.

Gracious, friendly staff at Orale who seem earnest about service, and it seemed like a good spot for any occasion.

We live in the neighborhood and are stoked to have a place we can walk to. Orale is a great addition to Stockton Blvd (it's in the former Might Kong Cafe spot), and it'll hopefully enjoy a boost in business long term once the new apartments up the road are completed.

Edit: Photo of the kids quesadilla is half of one...

This family-owned Mexican restaurant is everything. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted like family—and the love they put into their food and drinks shines through every bite and sip.

Let’s talk drinks: the Paloma is dangerously good. Perfectly balanced, refreshingly citrusy, and not too sweet—just how it should be. And the margarita? It’s literally the size of your head. No joke. One of those, and you’re set for the evening. Strong, smooth, and served with flair.

The food? Absolutely phenomenal. Authentic, flavorful, and clearly made from scratch. You can taste the generations of tradition in every taco, enchilada, and bowl of salsa.

The ambiance ties it all together. Local art fills the walls—vibrant murals, handcrafted pieces, and colorful décor that tells a story. It feels like you’re dining inside a living gallery that celebrates culture, community, and creativity. It’s the kind of place where you want to linger, sip slowly, and take it all in.

If you’re looking for a place with heart, flavor, and a margarita you’ll dream about later—this is it. Support local and treat yourself. You won’t regret it! 🌮🍹🎨🔥

Ps....

This restaurant exceeded our expectations. The building is clean and nicely decorated. My wife ordered carnitas which were yummy, decent portion and came with tortillas. I ordered two crispy chicken tacos, they were fantastic. The taco was overflowing with chicken and on top of that, the chicken melted in your mouth. I added some salsa which really enhanced the meal. The rice and beans were good, the guacamole was also fantastic and we really enjoyed the chips and salsa. A little spicy but full of flavor, very good! Our daughter ordered the chicken nuggets and fries, the breading was a little different but in a good way. She did not complain at all. There were a few musicians playing, which was loud but still enjoyable. It's my understanding that they only play on Sundays. The icing on the cake though was the hospitality provided by the owner, Gabby. She was very sweet, and really made our dining experience pleasant. We even had a brownie and ice cream which was very, very, good. We will definitely be back, not just because the food was good but because of the hospitality provided. And the churros...