{"id":316503,"date":"2026-05-15T02:24:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T02:24:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/316503\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T02:24:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T02:24:19","slug":"experience-puerto-rican-flavors-on-land-parks-patio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/316503\/","title":{"rendered":"Experience Puerto Rican flavors on Land Park\u2019s patio"},"content":{"rendered":"

When I last visited Lola\u2019s Lounge for my roundup of Caribbean restaurants<\/a>, it was winter, which meant their back patio was not open. That\u2019s a shame, because the restaurant\u2019s patio, which they call El Jardin de Elda, is one of the best-kept secrets in the city.<\/p>\n

Part of the reason for that is, even if you are in the restaurant, it\u2019s not immediately apparent they have one. You have to skirt past the kitchen to a back door to access it. But once you get there, you are transported.<\/p>\n

The space is colorful, playful and surprisingly quiet considering the adjacency to the freeway and Broadway. However, it\u2019s not always so quiet.<\/p>\n

On the second Sunday of June, they host a Boricua Day, a celebration of Puerto Rican culture<\/a> coinciding with the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City. They have live music, dancing and more \u2014 and it\u2019s already sold out for this year.<\/p>\n

On any given day, though, the patio is one of the city\u2019s many charming al fresco dining destinations, 30 of which I\u2019ve rounded up for your reference.<\/p>\n

I popped by Lola\u2019s as part of the story, and spoke with the eponymous Lola, daughter of the owner, about the restaurant. Of course, I had to enjoy a bite as well.<\/p>\n

I started with the empanadillas ($5), small fried pastries filled with meat, seasoned ground chicken in this case, served with a creamy sauce reminiscent of Thousand Island dressing.<\/p>\n

\"The The Puerto Rican Special ($22), featuring roast pork, season rice and plantains, is served at Lola\u2019s Lounge on 16th Street near Broadway in Sacramento. JOS\u00c9 LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com <\/p>\n

Then I went for the greatest hits. The Puerto Rican Special ($22) hits all the high notes, with pernil (roast pork), arroz con gandules (seasoned rice with pigeon peas), maduritos (fried sweet plantains) and avocado. For those who like to kick things up a bit, like I do, Lola\u2019s has a housemade hot sauce called pique, though my calloused palate can take much hotter stuff.<\/p>\n

Naturally, I had to wash it down with some sangria ($15). The bar menu is recommendable overall, with Caribbean twists on classics, such as a guava daiquiri ($15) and a fruity passionfruit paloma ($16).<\/p>\n

\"The The Bee\u2019s food & dining reporter, Sean Timberlake, enjoys a sip of sangria in the back patio at Lola\u2019s Lounge at 2424 16th St., in Land Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. Sean Timberlake stimberlake@sacbee.com <\/p>\n

El Jardin de Elda is a tribute to Lola\u2019s grandmother, who is the inspiration for the restaurant, and whose recipes form the backbone of the menu. Even the plants that deck the patio were hers, cared for by the family. If the space reflects her spirit, she must have been a remarkable woman indeed.<\/p>\n

Lola\u2019s Lounge<\/p>\n

Address: 2424 16th St., Land Park<\/p>\n

Hours: 5-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 5-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; closed Sundays and Mondays<\/p>\n

Phone: 916-389-0429<\/p>\n

Website: lolaslounge.co<\/a><\/p>\n

Vegetarian options: Some, including a vegan bowl, but as with most of Puerto Rican food, it\u2019s pretty meat-forward<\/p>\n

Noise level: Moderate to loud depending on how busy<\/p>\n

\"Lola Lola Serrano, co-owner of Puerto Rican restaurant Lola\u2019s Lounge on 16th Street in Sacramento, on Wednesday. JOS\u00c9 LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com <\/p>\n

This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 2:17 PM.<\/p>\n

Related Stories from Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n


\n \"Profile
\n <\/a><\/p>\n

Sean Timberlake<\/a><\/p>\n

The Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n

Sean Timberlake is the food and dining reporter for The Sacramento Bee. He has been writing professionally for nearly 30 years, and about food for 20. A variety of well-known outlets have published his work, including Food Network, Cooking Channel, CNN, Sunset Magazine and SF Weekly.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n