NOT FOUND: eric.jpgOur delivery area has definitely expanded since we started this paper over a decade ago. And to anyone who has been paying attention the paper has gotten bigger and much better. A couple of the right people with the right attitude and great things can begin to happen, and such has been the case with The North Sac News over the last couple of years. It has been a joy to watch this paper grow, expand and become something that community it serves can be proud of. I would like to take the credit however my small part of this has remained primarily the same while the paper around has improved by leaps and bounds. There are many wonderful eateries in our service and I have written to you about a lot of them. It is true however, that like a vegetarian at a rib cook-off, our choices 'round here are still a bit limited. So with that in mind, I decided to head about 10 minutes down 80 and try one of the many restaurants at Truxel and 80 in Natomas. With Basketball season knocking at our doors, Chris Webber’s Center Court seemed to be the obvious choice.
As I was having lunch a few weeks ago with C-Webb, he began to tell me about how the slow economy was negatively affecting his restaurant. So I says to him, “C, don’t you worry 'bout a thing. Your buddy Eric (that’s me) has got your back. I will give you a write up in the North Sac News and business will be coming in by the bus load." After five minutes of thank yous, hallelujahs and weeping, C composed himself and just spent the rest of our time together smiling.
NOT FOUND: eric2.jpgShockingly, Center Court is a sports themed restaurant leaning heavily (even more shockingly) on basketball. With TV Monitors everywhere you look, it's a very cool atmosphere for any sports fan. However, none of that matters if the food doesn't measure up. Well it does.....measure up that is.
The appetizer list is pretty basic with nachos, hot wings and chicken tenders; basic but very good. I was there with my eleven year old daughter Aimee, and we both loved the chicken tenders. Try them and you will never eat another McNugget as long as you live! Center court also brings it (that’s’ sports lingo) with some nice salads, the tostada salad particularly impresses. They also have a big sandwich menu. My first thought was that they gave the sandwich menu that name based on the rather enormous size of the sandwiches, but hey what do I know? Try the pulled bbq pork sanda for $9.95 and enjoy. Very tasty, and believe it or not, it was big!
NOT FOUND: eric3.jpgMy daughter Aimee opted for the half rack of ribs. I kid you not, she finished those suckers clean and pickin' her teeth with the bones in under 5 minutes! She loved them. She could have taken down a full rack if her Daddy wasn’t so cheap. For $19.00 I had the marinated skirt steak. Skirt Steaks are always flavorful but not always tender. However, this one did not even require a knife. A very generous cut of meat yet I was still sorry when it was gone 'cuz it was just that good. If you can’t decide what to order, go with the skirt steak. Another gem are the grilled skewers, which absolutely will not disappoint. Center court has some tasty burgers as well. For $40.00 you can get their five pound burger that feeds up to six people, or Aimee by herself if you pour their bbq sauce on it.
Yes, Center Court is the ultimate pre-Arco stop for a great dinner. And if any of you are questioning the authenticity of my relationship with C-Webb, you shouldn’t. I met him at Arco right before I went backstage to talk with Paul McCartney on the 2005 tour.