Zocalo - University Village

Name: Zocalo - University Village
Address: 466 Howe Ave, Sacramento, CA, United States, 95825-5507
Telephone: (916) 252-0303
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.6

4.6

1392 Reviews

$30 and under

Regional Mexican

Top Tags:

Family friendly, great for groups, and a celebration destination known for its fine Mexican cuisine, happy hour, craft cocktails, and to-go—Zocalo UV opened up in the newly renovated University Village shopping center in January of 2018 based on the success of its Midtown and Roseville locations. Offered in a upscale yet casual setting with original artwork from Tlaquepaque, Mexico and a spacious patio—Zocalo’s warm hospitality, fresh regional Mexican food, and commitment to customer service are designed to transform the ordinary act of eating into an extraordinary and memorable experience.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jul 3, 2022

7:00 PM

Booked 31 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(916) 252-0303

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Regional Mexican
Hours of operation
Lunch Daily 11:00 am–4:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Mon, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm
Phone number
(916) 252-0303
Website
http://zocalosacramento.com/uv/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Ryan Rose
Catering
Zocalo features many large party trays and group to-go options, including Door Dash, for in-home catering. Please visit zocalosacramento.com or give us a call at 916-252-0303 for more information.
Private party facilities
Zocalo University Village is East Sacramento's celebration destination for corporate events, birthday parties, wedding rehearsal dinners, and holiday parties. For more info, visit https://www.experiencezocalo.com/banquets.
Private party contact
Ariana Arroyo: (877) 593-1479

Location
466 Howe Ave Sacramento, CA 95825-5507
Neighborhood
Sacramento
Cross street
Fair Oaks
Parking details
In addition to the many parking spaces at the University Village Shopping Center, guests may also find additional parking a five minute walk away on Scripts Drive and by using the UV Valet, which is available Wednesday-Friday from 11-1 and 4-10 and costs $5.00.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Experiences

ZOCALO HAPPY HOUR
Multiple dates available
Indulge in the region’s finest happy hour with fresh guacamole, golden fish tacos, cadillac margaritas, and much more in an upscale setting every day of the week from 3:00-6:00. From cotija crusted quesadillas to refreshing palomas, Zocalo is your destination to unwind and connect. Listo pal pisto!

Popular dishes

Guacamole$10.50
Start your meal the right way. Prepared fresh with avocados, and combined with tomato, jalapeño, cilantro, onion, lime and queso cotija
Ceviche de Guaymas*$12.75
Fish or shrimp, pico de gallo, avocado, cucumber, radish, Zócalo hot sauce
Tostadas$8.50
Pinto Beans, Carnitas, Tomatillo Salsa, Crema, Cotija, Grilled Onion, Cilantro
Queso Fundido$11.50
Chorizo, Steak or Chicken, Onions, Mushroom, and Queso

Ensaladas

All our salads use organically grown spring mix. Add chicken $4

Pepita$11.50
Roasted carrots, avocado, cilantro, pumpkin seeds, goat cheese, oranges, balsamic-chipotle dressing
Taco Salad$11.50
House Ground Beef, Pintos, Cherry Tomatoes, Sour Cream, Avocado, Grilled Tostada, vinaigrette
Fresa$11.50
Strawberries, Blue Cheese, Candied Almonds, Dried Cranberries, Pickled Red Onion, Lemon Dressing
Tejano$11.50
Asparagus, Cherry Tomatoes, Black Beans, Feta, Tortilla Strips, Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette

Burritos Y Quesadilla

All our salads use organically grown spring mix. Add chicken $4, tri-tip $5, shrimp or salmon $6

El Burrito$13.75
Flour tortilla, choice of carnitas, asada, vegetables or fajita chicken. Includes Davey's beans, rice, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole. Served "wet" with a chile puya sauce, queso cotija, and pico de gallo
Burrito Bowl$13.75
Gluten free with all the burrito fixings
Quesadilla$13.75
Queso Cotija crusted Flour Tortilla, Chicken, Black Bean Purée, Jack, Grilled Onions, Poblano Aioli

Hearty Bowls

Mexican inspired bowls. Filling salad of baby kale, local brown rice and pebble black beans. Topped with our signature cilantro pesto

Pollo Bowl$14.75
Yucatecan Chicken, Roasted Bell Peppers, Pico de Gallo, Jalapeno & Carrot Pickle
Salmon Bowl$15.75
Roasted Sweet Potato and Carrot, Mango Glaze, Pickled Red Cabbage
Veggie Bowl$14.75
Asparagus, Broccoli, Roasted Bell Peppers, Tomatillo Salsa, Pickled Red Onion
Asada Bowl$15.75
Roasted Fingerling Potato and Grilled Onion, Chipotle Aioli, Chile Guero Pickle
Craft Your Own Bowl$14.75

Enchiladas

Our enchiladas come filled with cheese & chicken braised in Pasilla Chile. All can be filled with seasonal vegetables upon request

Salsa Roja$13.75
California and japonés chile, roasted tomato, cumin. Sour cream and cotija cheese
Guanajuato$13.75
Poblano and jalapeño chiles, tomatillos and cilantro. Sour cream and cotija cheese
En Mole$13.75
Hints of chile, dried fruits, toasted nuts and chocolate — 26 ingredients in all. Our recipe was taught to us at the Convento de Santa Clara in Puebla, Mexico, the birthplace of mole poblano

Tacos

All tacos are served on locally made corn tortillas containing gluten, unless requested otherwise

Carnitas$13.75
Slow-cooked pork, chile morita salsa, tomatillo pico de gallo
Asada$13.75
Steak, Tomatillo Salsa, Jalapeño Rajas, Davey's Beans, Grilled Onion
Tacos Americanos$13.75
Two crispy tortillas, braised chicken, jack and cotija cheese, romaine, salsa serrano, crema, pico, zocalo hot sauce
Baja Fish Tacos$14.75
Don't miss our most popular tacos. Beer battered, with chipotle aioli, pico de gallo, and topped with fresh repollo
Camaron$14.75
Lightly Sautéed Shrimp in Garlic, Chipotle Aioli, Pico de Gallo and Pickled Red Cabbage
Cazuela$13.75
Steak or Chicken sautéed with House Chorizo, Onions, Mushrooms, and QuesoBaked. Served Casserole-Style with Tortillas. Vegetarian Option Available

What 1,392 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.5Service
4.6Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Sacramento / Sacramento Valley
Most Booked
Sacramento
Most Booked

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Filters

AL
AllanL
Sacramento
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined today
overall4food5service5ambience2
The “noise level” was because of the music. Walked into foul-mouthed rap music, rather than Mexican music. The music stayed on loud rap and rock for the two hours we were there. Server said it was because it was “happy hour”. Food is always excellent, and service is always excellent. Just don’t understand how management could allow that type of music. My wife and I had to talk loudly over it. I am a rock lover, but it is not appropriate for that setting.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Sacramento
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Music was a little to loud but the food, service and restaurant is outstanding.
DG
DonnaG
Sacramento
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our lunch at Zocalo was wonderful. The food and service was great!
SG
StevieG
Sacramento
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
overall3food2service3ambience1
This is a restaurant that is a victim of its own success. It was like fast food service...we ordered and the food came immediately, all cold and clearly had been sitting in a chafing dish. Poor wine selection (I guess you have to drink margaritas at a Mexican restaurant). VERY loud. Of our party of 4 (who often travel to Mexico together and eat there) none of us thought the food was very good. The mole was especially poor.
DC
DawnaC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very nice place. Had a going away lunch for coworker. Food was good and staff was great.
PS
PamS
Sacramento
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Birthday meal for husband and son. Staff sang bday song and brought churro/ice cream sparkler dessert treat! Much appreciated! All staff friendly and accommodating. Waiter was especially attentive & courteous. Will definitely return & recommend to others. Thank you!
F
Flyflyfly
Sacramento
16 reviews
vip
2.0
16 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall2food2service1ambience2
We had a makeshift table, shoved against the wall by the kitchen. Our server didn’t listen to our orders and didn’t bring the items we asked to be on the side. My margarita was disgustingly sour (tasted like sweet and sour and that’s it). I asked for some simple syrup and he brought me a new drink which was just as bad. The food was decent, the service was way off!!!
M
Mcmikmul
Sacramento
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 25, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Special occasion dinner on the back patio. Service is excellent, food very satisfying, the mole enchilada is sublime!
JW
JanW
Sacramento
5 reviews
2.0
5 reviews
Dined on June 24, 2022
overall2food2service3ambience3
Lunch was uninspiring and the restaurant was like a freezer it was so cold. The server was young and did not look clean or well groomed. He was nice enough but called us (2 women) “guys” and instead of “you’re welcome” as a response to us saying “thank you”, he kept repeating “no problem”. I wonder what problem he was thinking of. The food is also uninspiring. The chef works way too hard to seem clever and forgets to deliver sharp flavors. Mexican “hole in the wall” restaurants are much better than this. My enchiladas (one red one green) were bland…not bad not good. The chips were ok as was the dipping salsa. The location is great but beware, parking is always difficult. It was on the slightly expensive side for lunch so save yourself some money and go to your local Mexican eatery.
H
Henry
Sacramento
11 reviews
vip
1.0
11 reviews
Dined on June 21, 2022
overall1food1service1ambience3
So disappointing. The salmon bowl had about a tablespoon size piece of salmon. Way too much dressing. And meals came about 2 minutes after ordering. So obviously it is all premade and sitting in a fridge.
D
Deol
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 20, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We really enjoyed it. Food was very tasty. Service was good.
MR
MariaR
Sacramento
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on June 19, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
I eat here regularly. The food and service are top notch.
AC
AmyC
Sacramento
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on June 19, 2022
overall4food4service2ambience4
The food is very good here, but for the 3rd time, service on the patio is very poor. We didn't have tableware or napkins for the first 30 minutes, and our waitresse was gone for so long, we couldn't ask. A different time I had to finally hunt down our waiter to get the check 20 minutes after our plates were cleared.
D
Deep
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 19, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food is delicious! Would definitely recommend to anyone who is craving Mexican food!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Sacramento
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on June 19, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
My wife’s son & daughter in-law came from Utah to visit family and friends. They were hungry so we took them to our favorite restaurant Zocalo. You guys didn’t disappoint, they lived every thing from drinks, food and the vibe. Our server Trinity was amazing and fun and very attentive to our party.
ME
MaryyE
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 18, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
All the staff (host, waiters) were very attentive. Food came out quickly and was 10/10 as always.
MD
MarchDiners
Sacramento
10 reviews
3.0
10 reviews
Dined on June 18, 2022
overall3food3service3ambience3
The establishment looks nice and is comfortable. The food is ok. Shrimp didn’t have much flavor, however. Must have been frozen at some point. Thing that bothered us the most was the incessant vacuuming near our table. Four people vacuumed the same space almost the entire time we were there. We were rushed by workers but the restaurant was almost empty. Won’t be returning.
MA
MikeA
Hawaii
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on June 18, 2022
overall3food4service4ambience2
This has always been a favorite Friday night goto spot for my wife & me as we enjoy the ambience of a summer evening in the outdoor patio. I hope This past experience was an outlier as the moment we were seated very loud techo pop made it very unrelaxing to have a normal conversation. The service which is usually superb somehow messed up my order where I specifically requested to have soft tacos and the fish grilled. The tacos had to be sent back because they were not soft shell. As i tried to let our server also know that the fish was deep fried, but it was so noisy he couldn’t hear my request. They brought the order with soft tacos. I decided to take the beer battered taco home. We will come back & hopefully this was an outlier of an evening.
SC
StaceCase
Kansas City
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on June 17, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We ate outside. The service was attentive and efficient. The food was delicious. I recommend the salmon bowl.
I
Isela
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Service was excellent! Made reservations for 20 to celebrate my son's Graduation.
K
Kari
Sacramento
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on June 12, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Service was excellent and everyone enjoyed their meals and atmosphere. The chicken mole enchiladas were so good!
JP
JanetP
San Francisco
39 reviews
vip
5.0
39 reviews
Dined on June 11, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience5
Great time - very loud but it was Happy Hour. Everyone was happy!
G
Gorlamigirl
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 10, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Went here for a graduation celebration with about 14 people and 3 toddlers. Our server was very attentive to the older people in the party and the kids. And the staff accomodated a dairy allergy with no problem. Would recommend, especially for big parties.
AR
Alm0stReady
San Francisco
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on June 9, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
I love this restaurant, and the food is delicious. It was busy so the outdoor service was a little slow, but on the plus side we were able to linger at the table
CS
CalvinS
Sacramento
8 reviews
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on June 8, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
Quick service and food was very good
OT
OpenTable Diner
Omaha
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 6, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Waiter was amazing! Food came out fast and hot! Everything was delicious!
M
Mariposa
San Francisco
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on June 6, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
We had a nice family dinner. Staff were great!
DK
DarrenK
Sacramento
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on June 6, 2022
overall4food3service5ambience5
This trip I ordered the fish tacos. They were good, but not exceptional. My disappointment is only because everything else I've had here was better. They should probably use cod and had a lighter batter. As for service, I ordered the meal (which was 3 tacos, rice and beans), and a few minutes later, requested it to be changed to the happy hour version, which is just 2 tacos and nothing else. To their credit, they not only did the change, but they included the 3rd taco, I assume, because it was already made. Very good customer service. I think this place is becoming my new favorite restaurant.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Sacramento
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on June 6, 2022
overall2food3service1ambience3
Food was fine, service was awful. We had no idea who our server was, random people would stop by occasionally. We never got things we asked for…such as napkins. Then it took forever to get our check, which we had to ask a random employee for.
B
Bret
Sacramento
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on June 5, 2022
overall2food5service1ambience3
Food was great. Service continues to be an issue . Waiter never introduced himself. Never checked on us after food delivered. Had to ask 3 staff for more chips and water.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Sacramento
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Exceptional service. We were served immediately after ordering. Sound was low, only downside was the old chips.
KE
KelseyE
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Super fun spot for happy hour with the girls! Get the blackberry margarita and the tacos.
P
Paul
Sacramento
7 reviews
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on June 4, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Good food and service. A bit too loud. A very busy place during happy hour
T
Travel
Sacramento
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on May 31, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience4
We sat outside for the noise level. The music was a bit too loud. The food and service was really good. I ordered a strawberry basil margarita. The glass was super small and it tasted like strawberry syrup.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Tahoe
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had a big party. Food was delicious, amazing service and perfect outdoor seating.
J
Jackkie
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 26, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The service was outstanding. The staff were very friendly. They moved umbrellas, replaced a fork with water spots on it, and regularly brought water pitchers without us having to ask for anything. The food and drinks were delicious!
CP
ChrisP
Palm Springs
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 25, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience5
Best sophisticated Mexican cuisine ever. We’ll be back
JB
JulieB
San Francisco
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 25, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience4
Love the food and decor and service was excellent. There-were some loud parties next to me and when I asked to be moved it was no problem.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Sacramento
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on May 25, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had 21 people for a birthday dinner and the food and service were fantastic! Our food came out quickly and our waiter made sure we always had drinks, water, and whatever we needed. He was fantastic! I’m sad that I did not catch his name. The food was amazing and the portions seemed bigger than what I remember. Overall, we had a fantastic time and I’m so glad I picked this place for my birthday dinner!
AL
AlexiaL
Seattle
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 25, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Sandra did a wonderful job hosting our large party of 15 as well as another huge group next to us. She was attentive and courteous. She handled both parties efficiently without sacrificing service.

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Sealed or wrapped utensils used
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
- Contactless payment available
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners
- Distancing maintained in common areas
- Extra space between tables

Protective equipment
- Waitstaff wear masks
- Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Zocalo - University Village offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (916) 252-0303.

Zocalo - University Village is rated 4.6 stars by 1392 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jul 3, 2022

7:00 PM

Booked 31 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(916) 252-0303

Google Map for Zocalo - University Village

466 Howe Ave Sacramento, CA 95825-5507

Additional information

Cross street
Fair Oaks
Neighborhood
Sacramento
Hours of operation
Lunch Daily 11:00 am–4:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Mon, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm
Cuisines
Regional Mexican
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
In addition to the many parking spaces at the University Village Shopping Center, guests may also find additional parking a five minute walk away on Scripts Drive and by using the UV Valet, which is available Wednesday-Friday from 11-1 and 4-10 and costs $5.00.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Executive chef
Ryan Rose
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://zocalosacramento.com/uv/
Phone number
(916) 252-0303
Catering
Zocalo features many large party trays and group to-go options, including Door Dash, for in-home catering. Please visit zocalosacramento.com or give us a call at 916-252-0303 for more information.
Private party facilities
Zocalo University Village is East Sacramento's celebration destination for corporate events, birthday parties, wedding rehearsal dinners, and holiday parties. For more info, visit https://www.experiencezocalo.com/banquets.
Private party contact
Ariana Arroyo: (877) 593-1479

Zocalo - University Village

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

Additional information

56 Sacramento Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

The Best Breakfast Restaurants in Sacramento

The Most Fun Restaurants in Sacramento

ZOCALO HAPPY HOUR

Carnitas Tacos

Baja Fish Tacos

Mix Enchiladas

Platos Chicos

Guacamole$10.50

Ceviche de Guaymas*$12.75

Tostadas$8.50

Queso Fundido$11.50

Ensaladas

Pepita$11.50

Taco Salad$11.50

Fresa$11.50

Tejano$11.50

Burritos Y Quesadilla

El Burrito$13.75

Burrito Bowl$13.75

Quesadilla$13.75

Hearty Bowls

Pollo Bowl$14.75

Salmon Bowl$15.75

Veggie Bowl$14.75

Asada Bowl$15.75

Craft Your Own Bowl$14.75

Enchiladas

Salsa Roja$13.75

Guanajuato$13.75

En Mole$13.75

Tacos

Carnitas$13.75

Asada$13.75

Tacos Americanos$13.75

Baja Fish Tacos$14.75

Camaron$14.75

Cazuela$13.75

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Sort by

Filters

Cleaning & sanitizing

Physical distancing

Protective equipment

Screening

FAQs

Does Zocalo - University Village offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Zocalo - University Village restaurant rated?

Is Zocalo - University Village currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

Additional information

Featured in

56 Sacramento Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

The Best Breakfast Restaurants in Sacramento

The Most Fun Restaurants in Sacramento