Magpie Cafe: Feeding Sacramento Locals...and the Dalai Lama

Feb 15th, 2023

For the yellow-billed Magpie, there is nowhere quite like California. The species is endemic to the state, meaning there is no other place in the world it calls home. Magpie Café, located in Downtown Sacramento, takes the bird as its namesake as a symbol of its culinary goals.

Just as the species is local to the Golden State, Magpie Café embodies “local” in every aspect of its business. Eating at the cafe not only means supporting a small business, but also enjoying the surrounding environment and bounties of the Earth. All of Magpie’s food is made from seasonal and sustainable ingredients, so customers can enjoy the freshness of farm-to-fork flavors in true Sacramento fashion.

Magpie first took flight as a business in 2005. With the help of a SacAsian Chamber-facilitated loan of $10,000 and some savings, it had its start as a catering company in a shared kitchen space. Janel Inouye, who is co-owner of the cafe, worked hard to grow Magpie and bring its vision to life.

“I literally went door to door talking to people to tell them about what we were doing and bringing them samples of what we had planned,” Janel said. “Some of our event site partners were really key to getting our name circulated.”

Janel’s efforts paid off and allowed Magpie to soar to new heights. At its peak, Magpie had a restaurant, a cafe with a limited menu, and a bakery. Unfortunately, the pandemic impacted their plans as it did for so many small businesses. For Magpie, this meant scaling back to just the restaurant and limited catering.

Despite the changes of the past few years, the business seeks to continue providing the best food and service possible, acknowledging shifts in consumer culture and adapting accordingly.

“I’m thinking of 2023 like starting from scratch. There is limited predictability and everyone’s habits have changed,” Janel said. “We have to build a restaurant that people will go out of the way for since so many people work from home now. We are looking at more shareable plates and tables that bring people together. Our main goal for 2023? Survive.”

Despite current hardships, the restaurant’s attention to quality and the hard work of its staff has brought many people together to enjoy the delicious menu, including notable guests such as the Dalai Lama. Janel views feeding him and his staff as Magpie’s biggest honor.

“He, of course, treated everyone like family with a warm smile and handshake. The Lamas who traveled with him were equally as fascinating,” Janel said. “At one point, one of the higher Lamas requested an apple to feed to the horses, which were assigned to the CHP as security. It was quite an adventure getting that apple to him since there was so much security and limited time, but we did it!”

Many fond memories and adventures surround Magpie Café, which holds a special place in the hearts of its staff. Go for a visit with loved ones, enjoy fresh and flavorful food, and you may just find it holds a special place in yours as well.

Here’s where you can find Magpie Café:
1601 16th St.
Sacramento, CA 95814

Website: magpiecafe.com
Facebook: Magpie Cafe
Instagram: @magpiecafesacramento
Twitter: @MagpieCafeSacto

Written by: Sarah Ansari

Magpie Cafe: Feeding Sacramento Locals…and the Dalai Lama