A popular East Sacramento restaurant has temporarily closed after it was broken into and vandalized on Christmas Day, causing what the owners described as “significant damage.”
In a social media post, the owners of Brickland Restaurant & Bar, at 3301 Folsom Blvd., announced that due to the extent of damage, the restaurant would be closed “until further notice.” The restaurant’s operators, Rahim and Sheila Amiri, said they were “heartbroken” by the damage and did not provide a timeline for reopening.
“On Christmas Day, our restaurant was broken into and vandalized, resulting in significant damage,” the owners wrote in a statement signed by the Brickland and Amiri family. “This space means so much to us, and we are heartbroken.”
The Amiris opened the restaurant in 2022. The space had previously housed a beloved eatery, the 33rd Street Bistro, which closed in 2020 following a rent dispute.
Despite the Amiris’ investment and a menu that blended Afghan dishes with American brunch staples, Brickland faced backlash early on. Some former Bistro patrons called for an informal boycott, blaming the new owners for the loss of the previous restaurant. At the Bistro’s closing-night party, some customers reportedly agreed not to support any business that replaced it.
Rahim Amiri, a longtime home builder and first-time restaurateur, said he was unaware of the site’s emotional history when he signed the lease.
“We put our life savings into this place,” he told The Sacramento Bee at the time. “It’s not fair — these are good people,” one former Bistro regular said of the Amiris. “They’ve built something special.”
The restaurant did not detail the nature or extent of the vandalism, but said it would remain closed “until further notice” while repairs are made.
Sacramento Fire Department spokesperson Capt. Justin Sylvia said firefighters responded after smoke was reported inside the restaurant and later determined the fire was suspicious. The investigation was ongoing, he said.
On Instagram, supporters offered condolences and encouragement. One commenter wrote, in part: “This community is so STRONG & will show up for you in unexpected ways — you’ll be back in no time & we will all be here, cheering you on.”
In September, the Amiris opened a small cafe concept, Brick Cafe, in the 3311 Folsom Blvd. space adjacent to the restaurant in August. The cafe is also closed during repairs.