10 Local Sacramento Places Worthy of Cheating on Your Diet

First things first, we want you to know we completely support your resolution to embrace a healthier diet. We even rounded up 10 of the Best Healthy Restaurants in the Sacramento Area and created Your Guide to Being Gluten-Free in the Sacramento Area.

But we also think you’ve earned a cheat day (or two). To convince you of that fact, we rounded up the top ten places that belong on your cheat day itinerary (and added a few drool-inducing photos). Peruse our top picks and get ready to treat yourself!

1. Sweet Dozen

Find it in Sacramento + Folsom | Facebook

A post shared by Sweet Dozen Cones (@sweetdozencones) on Aug 31, 2017 at 8:38am PDT

If you successfully made it past that first photo, you’re probably looking for information on where you can find it, right? Sweet Dozen has a beloved Sacramento donut shop, a Folsom ice cream cone spot, and a food truck! As pictured, Sweet Dozen Cones offers made to order donut cones stuffed with delicious ice cream and topped with even more treats!

2. Pangaea Bier Cafe  

Find it in Sacramento | Facebook

Pangaea Bier Cafe won the title of Best Burger in the 2015 Sacramento Burger Battle and they’ve curated 30 drafts and more than 300 bottles. So while it may not be the healthiest of places, it’s definitely worth it. In addition to famous burgers, their menu offers items like the Hot Buttered Pretzel, the Fried Chicken Sandwich, and The Big Brat.

3. South

Find it in Sacramento | Facebook

4. Rick’s Dessert Diner

Find it in Sacramento | Facebook

An entire diner dedicated to dessert is exactly the kind of spot that belongs on your cheat day itinerary. This beloved Sacramento spot offers more than 285 varieties of European and American desserts, all made daily from scratch. If we haven’t convinced you yet, Rick’s has been voted Best of Sacramento for Dessert every year since 1986!

5. Masullo

Find it in Sacramento | Facebook

This Land Park pizza spot serves sophisticated, simple and authentic pies with outstanding sauces. Their bright, modern atmosphere and authentic, light Italian food may make you feel like you haven’t even cheated on your diet! If that’s the case, we recommend something off the dessert menu. How about a homemade Ice Cream Sandwich with Vic’s Ice Cream in the middle?

6. The Parlor  

Find it in Sacramento + Roseville | Facebook

A post shared by The Parlor Ice Cream (@theparloricecream) on Sep 30, 2017 at 5:41pm PDT

If you haven’t heard of ice cream puffs yet, then you probably haven’t made it into The Parlor. It’s pretty simple really; an ice cream puff is decadent, homemade ice cream sealed inside a hot donut. And that’s not all they have on the menu! Check out their Instagram account to see photos of other popular desserts like the Sea Salt Caramel ice cream tower topped with a warm Nutella-filled donut, whipped cream, extra caramel and Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

7. Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates  

Find it in Sacramento | Facebook

Photo courtesy of Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates

Picture this: peppermint buttercream between macaron cookies with perfectly charming sprinkles. Or, just stop by Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates and try them for yourself! This Sacramento chocolaterie produces a few of our favorite things, including decadent macarons, handmade chocolates and homemade hot chocolate topped with homemade vanilla bean marshmallows.

8. Squeeze Burger  

Find it in 6 locations | Facebook

Photo courtesy of Squeeze Burger 

What’s better than a sizzling, oversized cheese skirt? Answer: nothing. And Guy Fieri agreed when he visited this Sacramento original on “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives”. Today, Squeeze Burger has two Sacramento spots and one in Roseville — so you have plenty of chances to taste the famous burger for yourself!

9. Old Town Pizza

Find it in Roseville + Lincoln + Auburn | Facebook

Photo courtesy of Old Town Pizza

There’s a reason Old Town Pizza consistently wins awards as the region’s best pizza parlor. Their mountainous pies are perfect for the entire family and the menu includes an indulgent dessert pizza topped with cinnamon and ice cream. With locations in Old Town Auburn, Lincoln and historic Roseville, stop by the next time a craving hits.

10. Vampire Penguin  

Find it in 12 locations | Facebook

Photo courtesy of Vampire Penguin

Shaved ice may not seem too sweet or indulgent, but that’s before Vampire Penguin tops it with things like sliced almonds, marshmallows, strawberries, chocolate sauce and condensed milk! That particular creation is called The Tuxedo, but you can also get Green Tea, Mexican Candy and S’Mores, which is cookies and cream shaved snow, crushed graham crackers, Oreos, marshmallows and chocolate syrup. Yum!

Have you picked your spot?

In the comments below, let us know where you’re headed on cheat day — even if it’s not in our top ten!