Sacto Chicken Co. Shuts Down

The Sacramento Chicken Company, which took over the iconic, orange Merlino’s Freeze building on Stockton Blvd two years ago, has served its last chicken wing.

They closed down in March.

It’s a darn shame too. The chicken was tender, juicy, and delicious. It was a cool little spot to have lunch and take in the scene along Stockton Blvd across from UCD hospital.

Life on that corner was becoming as colorful as the building and the reggae music they piped out of the little orange food stand.

On the Sacto Chicken Co. Facebook page somebody wrote, “Why are you guys closed? So many broken hearts at UCD”.

I spoke with the affable owner Zak Rever over the phone and he said, “We’re evaluating our options moving forward and hope to have something up and going in that location very soon. We’ll leave that a mystery as to what they may be”.

“Quality of product was never our challenge. People loved our food”. Zak told me.

He added, “I don’t want to go into editorial mode with the difficulties of running a successful restaurant but it’s hard and we’re just gonna see what we can do next”.

He wouldn’t throw me a chicken bone and tell me what might be next for the old Merlino’s Freeze location.

Lets hope it’s something as equally delicious.

 

 

 

Land Park Man’s Best Friend: Rosie The Bulldog

Land Park Man’s Best Friend Is Rosebud The Bulldog

If you’ve spent any amount of time in William Land Park you’ve probably come across Jack Peyton and his loveable 9 year old English bulldog, Rosebud. Rosie for short. They spend three to five hours a day in the park walking, sitting, and meeting other park goers.

Jack and Rosebud take a break on a park bench in William Land Park.

Jack and Rosebud are regulars at William Land Park. They cover every inch of the park. Even the golfers know Rosie. Folks walk right up to Jack and Rosebud, say hello, and pet the top of Rosebud’s wrinkled little head. Her smushed up nose sniffs for a treat from a familiar face. Rosebud is all about the kibbles and dog biscuits. “You have to pay to pet” Jack joked.

Mornings and afternoons are their go times. Unless it’s one of those scorching hot Sacramento afternoons. That’s when they stay home in the air-conditioned confines of the home. Bulldogs are very sensitive to heat. Jack parks his Ford Ranger pickup on 11^th avenue and Land Park Drive and walks toward the zoo. They have their regular stops. Sometimes they walk towards the duck pond, or the WPA Rock Garden. But make no mistake, Rosebud is the boss. She’s leading Jack around by the leash. She’d drive the Ranger if she had a license. “She’s in charge”. Jack said. Wherever Rosebud wants to go, Jack follows.

Rosebud takes Jack for a walk through the park.

If he hasn’t walked her that day Rosebud starts pacing the room to hint, “Hey, lets hit Land Park, Jack”. That’s when Jack packs up the kibble and heads on over to the Park.

Jack joked to me over the phone that Rosebud is better than a wife. “That’s unconditional love, he chuckled. “No questions. No feedback”. And no unexpected bills from Nordstrom’s.

Jack lives off Riverside Blvd and told me, occasionally, Rosebud makes a beeline down the street to Land Bark pet store. That’s HER Nordstrom’s! “It’s just nonstop, like swoosh”. Jack explained. I guess Rosebud gets strong cravings for their kibbles.

Jack and Rosebud used to walk over to Ford’s Hamburgers when it was still open. Every Tuesday morning before they’d open for business they would give Rosebud a load of bacon strips. Rosebud loved the bacon from Ford’s. Sounds a lot better than Snausages, doesn’t it? “She does get cranked up about food”. Jack said.

Rosebud isn’t all about kibbles and bacon. She also eats vegetables. Rosebud is getting her fiber. She eats carrots, apples and tomatoes. Jack learned about her penchant for tomatoes one day when there was a tomato on the ground at the park. On the first day he told Rosebud to “get away from that”. On the next day, bam! She engulfed it without hesitation.

Rosebud has the typical Bulldog appearance. Thick folds of skin, round black wide-set eyes, drooling lips and pointed teeth. She has an extreme underbite no orthodontist could fix. The crooked teeth give the dog character and charm. “She’s the ultimate cartoon dog” Jack bragged.

It’s difficult to imagine but Bulldogs were bred to fight bulls. Jack told me they called it “bullbaiting”. They would bite on the bulls lower lip and hang on. Maybe that explains the pointed teeth.

Evenings are low key for Rosebud. I asked Jack once the day is done, “How does Rosebud unwind?” After dinner, which is usually between 4 and 6, she just curls up and goes to sleep until the next day. Dog tired! I assumed Rosebud slept on a plush pink dog bed with a blanket that had “Rosebud” emblazoned on it. A pampered pooch. But, no. She actually has three bed spots. Two of them are just crate liners with a ridge of fake sheepskin. She also has a towel she likes to sleep on. Nothing fancy for Rosebud. Jack added, “The best part about a bulldog is they snore”.

So if you’re walking, running, or just enjoying beautiful William Land Park. Look for Jack and Rosebud taking a stroll. They’ll be near the dog treats.

-Greg Brown