This 63-year-old institution is Sacramento’s most underrated Mexican restaurant, readers say

Benjy Egel
·1 min read
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Community support has helped Caballo Blanco Restaurante endure for 63 years at the intersection of Franklin Boulevard and Fruitridge Road. Yet the restaurant still flies under the general populous’ radar in the eyes of its most loyal fans.

The Sacramento Bee’s readers voted Caballo Blanco the region’s most underrated Mexican restaurant in a weeklong poll that saw nearly 200 responses. Readers had previously nominated Caballo Blanco along with 11 other area eateries old and new.

Miguel and Conception Unzueta founded Caballo Blanco in 1961, naming it after Miguel’s beloved white horse Palomo. It became a Sacramento institution on the strength of its fluffy chiles rellenos covered in salsa Española, and was eventually passed down to sons Ruben and Raul Unzueta and their families.

Miguel and Eliza Unzueta founded Caballo Blanco in 1961, naming it after Miguel’s beloved white horse Palomo.
Miguel and Eliza Unzueta founded Caballo Blanco in 1961, naming it after Miguel’s beloved white horse Palomo.

Caballo Blanco earned 18.8% of the poll’s total votes, followed by Cantina Azteca (14.1%) in Carmichael. Founded by Ismael Pantoja in 2005, it’s adapted to changing palates over the past two decades, serving vegan mole negro enchiladas along with jalapeño-chorizo hamburgers and stuffed poblanos smothered in the signature Suiza sauce.

Orangevale institution La Placita (12%), East Sacramento newcomer East Patio Mexicano (10.9%) and La Rosa Blanca (9.9%), which has locations in Arden Arcade and Folsom, rounded out the Top 5 vote-getters. Not far behind were 524 Mexican Food (9.4%) on Northgate Boulevard and Mezcal Grill (8.9%) of South Natomas and Tahoe Park.

Lexi Villalpando serves a table burrito grandes at Caballo Blanco restaurant on Friday.
Lexi Villalpando serves a table burrito grandes at Caballo Blanco restaurant on Friday.
Urmilae Unzueta, left, stands with her dad Roy Unzueta, co-owner of Caballo Blanco restaurant in Sacramento’s South City Farms neighborhood Friday.
Urmilae Unzueta, left, stands with her dad Roy Unzueta, co-owner of Caballo Blanco restaurant in Sacramento’s South City Farms neighborhood Friday.
Ulysses Unzueta fills orders in the kitchen at Caballo Blanco restaurant on Friday.
Ulysses Unzueta fills orders in the kitchen at Caballo Blanco restaurant on Friday.
Brothers Ruben and Roy Unzueta, owners of Caballo Blanco restaurant, stand outside their event hall called the Zapata Room on Friday.
Brothers Ruben and Roy Unzueta, owners of Caballo Blanco restaurant, stand outside their event hall called the Zapata Room on Friday.
Miguel and Conception Unzueta, who founded Caballo Blanco in 1961, stand with their two sons, Ruben left, and Roy, who now run the restaurant.
Miguel and Conception Unzueta, who founded Caballo Blanco in 1961, stand with their two sons, Ruben left, and Roy, who now run the restaurant.