We landed in Sacramento for a night, unplanned. Also how we found the best BBQ in the city, or so it was advertised.

From Redding, we drove south to a possible campsite for our next stay. Sherwood Harbour Marina & RV Park. We liked the idea of being by the water and we also thought about checking out some hot springs.

Sherwood Harbour Marina & RV Park is located by the Sacramento River and only a 2.5-hour drive from where we were, so not too far. We had wanted to find somewhere to set up for a few nights. It’s really nice not to do it for one night here and there. After we lost Wade’s tent set up in the storm at Tish Tang, we found a new one via FB marketplace.

We had a late check-out in Redding and arrived at Sherwood Harbour Marina & RV Park around 2:30 in the afternoon. It was hot and sunny. While we waited to get more information, Wade and I browsed the convenience shop, which was well-stocked. I also used the bathroom, which was very clean. The lady confirmed that it was $55/night for both tent-camping and RVs. She showed us where the tent campground was on the map and decided to walk us there herself.

The area for tent camping is at the far end, beyond the RV sites. It was a grassy field, with some areas shaded by the trees. It was empty and she invited us to look around to choose our spot. So we walked around and noted how much geese poop there was. It was everywhere. The geese was also actively protecting their territory, probably because they had a couple of chicks. The lady felt pretty bad about all the poop and relayed this information to the manager and they’ll look into it.

Even though she offered for us to take one of the RV spots, Sherwood just didn’t feel right for tent-camping for us this time. While there is a marina, campers don’t have access and we wouldn’t be able to sit on the docks. So it felt limited. It’s in the name – RV park and it was nice for RVs, with all the facilities or if you want to go fishing, which you can do on the other end of the park. If you’re looking for a RV park on the Sacramento River, check out Sherwood Harbour Marina & RV Park. The lady was very helpful and friendly. Witnessing her interactions with other guests, it sounded like a place of repeat-visitors.

Original Mel’s & Shanghainese

Wade and I decided to have lunch before deciding on Sherwood. We were both hungry and needed food. Fast. So we quickly looked for diners close by and found The Original Mel’s. This started as Mels Drive-Ins in San Francisco in 1947, which sold in 1972 and re-opened in 1985. With fifteen locations, the closest one was on J Street. We were pretty excited to have some diner food actually.

Wade and I have a commitment to each other that if either one of us doesn’t resonate with a place, even after we’ve arrived, even after we’ve stepped inside, even after we’ve sat down, then we’d leave.

So we left.

As we drove on to see what else was around, I spotted Shanghai Garden down a side street. The juicy soupy dumplings. Xiaolongbao (小笼包). Since I don’t eat pork. I just take out the meatball. Wade loves these. This is probably one of the most famous Shanghainese dishes. I also love the panfried ones (生煎包). The thick bottoms. Again, I just remove the pork meatball. Wade has yet to try these!

The last time I had Shanghainese, I probably had some Chinese donut (油条) with soya milk (豆浆). It’s traditionally a breakfast meal; these days, you can get this combo for lunch and afternoon snack as well. I also love the sticky rice. The inside is Chinese donut or “youtiao“, pork floss, and pickles. I’ve yet to find an alternative to pork floss.

So if you want to try something other than Cantonese or Americanized Chinese, look for a Shanghainese restaurant.

We drove on, the city looking sketchier and then all of a sudden it seemed like we drove into a nice residential neighbourhood and stumbled onto Roxie Deli & Grill.

Roxie Deli & Barbeque

Roxie Deli & Barbeque is located inside a corner store on 3340 C Street. We almost missed it, if it weren’t for the smoke. There’s parking right outside which is handy as the neighbourhood seemed like all permit parking.

Standing in line, we listened to others’ orders and investigated the extensive menu. Not only do they have barbequed meats, they also had a variety of sandwiches. By then, they only had one type of bread left. Wade and I decided to share a turkey sandwich, which we enjoyed outside at one of their tables. This gave us time to decide what to do next. We decided to spend that night at Governor’s Inn in town.

So we got some BBQ from Roxie Deli for dinner. Tri-tip and chicken. There were even more people ordering this second time. It was clear that Roxie was a popular place. Is it the best in Sacramento? I don’t know, obviously. What we got was sure tasty though and I recommend checking it out.

Sherwood Harbour Marina & RV Park

• 3505 South River Road, West Sacramento (916) 371-3471
• located by the Sacramento River and under 100-year-old Cottonwoods
• facilities include bathrooms and showers, laundry room, pump out station, 30 hookups with water and electricity, convenience store, area for tent camping
• water access to gas and diesel
• $55/night