Laszlo’s Gourmet Smoked Fish

Today marked the start of a five-​day family vacation to Sacramento and Lake Tahoe during which I expect to eat buckets of cheap fried food and lots and lots of hamburgers. Imagine how thrilled I was at our very first stop to have a chance to replace one meal of objectionable fried stuff with smoked fish? And this in super touristy Old Sacramento. Score! At this bare-​bones place on Front St. I ordered a smoked salmon sandwich. For seven bucks I got some very nice and nuanced smoked fish on a ciabatta roll with cream cheese, tomato, red onion, and a couple of other vegetables. The menu here is limited, but to judge by this sandwich it is probably worth trying the smoked shrimp and sturgeon as well. Not so sure about the smoked beef. Tiny, unassuming restaurant with an impressive smoker on premises apparently run by a friendly sole proprietor. I’m delighted to have found it!

Joe retired about a year ago :(. The name has changed to Old Town Smoke House. My mouth was watering this morning thinking about this after reading the Unilocal reviews. Unfortunately, we went on a day they were slammed (spring break, etc), the new owner was an older gentleman– friendly and kind. He was unable to fire up the grill today, because of how busy it was (certain Tuesdays the train runs, and the place was packed because of Spring break). So, I can’t vouch for the melt in your mouth, soft, juicy smoked fish I was anticipating. He only had 1 roll left, and my friend and I both wanted a sandwich. So, he took the salmon belly sticks (usually $ 2 each), and put about 3 of these on the sandwich, and still charged us the same price for the sandwich ($ 6.75, I think?). It was a delicious sandwich with freshly sliced red onions, tomatoes, capers, cream cheese and yellow peppercini’s. He was out of smoked sturgeon, so will have to come back for that. The flavor of the salmon was delicious– moist, tasty, not too sweet or salty, smokey. Yum! wish I picked up a few salmon sticks ($ 2) to take home. Check it out. Awesome little place. Much better than many of the options in Old Town Sac.

My intention was to have lunch at Indo Café next door. I got there at 11am, which is when they say they open. I waited until 11:15 and no one was there… the place was still closed. So I decided to head next door as I was drawn to an adorable Golden Retriever (named Sonny Boy or Sunny Boy?) that was lingering around the entrance of the shop. I asked for the smoked salmon sandwich but was told by the very polite owner he didn’t have any that day. He did recommend the smoked sturgeon and gave me an ample sample. I took the bait and ordered that instead (runner up was the tri tip). the sandwich was a bit on the small side and I definitely wish I had gotten some chips or had a side salad of some sort to make it like a complete lunch/​meal. The sandwich is yummy and there was plenty of fish in the sandwich. Lazlo uses cream cheese as a spread and I asked him to go light on it. There were also capers and red onions, lettuce and I think tomato in the sandwich. I’m glad I Indo didn’t stick to their opening time because Lazlo’s is a really cool shop with yummy sandwiches, a friendly owner, and an even friendlier dog! Next time I feel like going on a walk for lunch, I’ll be heading over here for a healthy fish sandwich and some play time with a cute dog and great conversation with a nice shop owner.

Went on a friday afternoon and we had been reading the reviews about how delicious the fish is here so we decided to stop by. We only ordered the salmon skewers, the cashier was super nice and asking us about our day. The two skewers came out to four dollars.
It was delicious! For being smoked fish it was still really moist! I wish I had gotten the sandwich, I’m sure it’s to die for. This is definitely a place to try out when you’re in old sac!

Smoked Salmon For My Bagels & Cream Cheese
SITREP
On those occassional Fridays (or Thursdays if I have Friday off), this is a welcome quick stop to get some delicious smoked salmon for the weekend.
THE SETUP
Located in Old Sacramento along the Front Street promenade, this is one store in a line of many cool little stores almost at the water’s edge.
There is a boardwalk leading up & down this row of stores dotted with some well-​placed picnic tables as well for quick sitting and munching if your desires & cravings can not be delayed — such as I often find for myself when I want to snack on smoked salmon, or on some dolmas purchased at another store a few doors down.
FRESH & TASTY
This spot smokes their own salmon and other seafood items, so be assured you are getting some extra tasty preparations when you get it from Laszlo’s.
I love smoked salmon for weekends especially when I am staying in, and fixing a brunch for myself or with friends. Salmon on my Bagels & Cream cheese is always a plus (and I’ve been known to «sneak» a couple of these with me when I catch coffee at Old Soul Weatherstone near where I live as I munch & WiFi).
However, smoked salmon is also fantastic in an egg & hash scramble, and I often prefer Laszlo’s smoked salmon over sausage any day for my scrambles.
THE LOWDOWN
Thank you, Laszlo’s, for providing my favorite fish & seafood items in Sacramento!

Very tasty smoked fish sandwiches here. It is extremely fresh and worth the trip to old Sac just for the fish. Very friendly customer service staff. Not a lot of items on the menu, but perhaps that is a good thing. Too many items and people start cutting corners and quality suffers. In-​n-​out is an example of a place that does the ‘one thing’ really well. If I could sum this place up in two words, I’d have to say ‘fish candy’.

I went to Laszlo’s late in the afternoon when they were about to close and purchased a peppered salmon and sturgeon filet. The salmon was very cold and hard but the sturgeon was warm and flaky. They were both good but the the sturgeon was VERY good. The smokiness permeated through each fish especially the sturgeon and was awesome.
I would probably try this place again but only during the earlier hours as I do not like cold fish. Also the pricing was a bit too expensive for my taste. Each fillet was a size of a cellphone (not a smartphone), and the total came out to $ 15. Kind of regretted not getting a sandwich after I paid but one bite made me forget about the price.
I would give this place this 5 stars for taste but the price and cold salmon dropped it 1 star.

Honestly I was not impressed when I watched the lady make my salmon sandwich. She pulled out a regular hoagie roll, philidelphia cream cheese, capers, tomatoes, some red onions, and a slab of hot smoked salmon. I though to myself «Jeez… why should i pay $ 8.95 for a sandwich I could make on my own at home? But right when i bit into the sandwich i knew exactly why!» OH man the slab of smoked salmon made it all worth it! It was soooo good! This was honestly the best hot smoked salmon i’ve ever had! The lunch special comes with the sandwich, bag of chips, and a drink. I’m not sure if I would buy another sandwich but I would definitely at least come back to buy a few slabs of smoked salmon! Deeeelcious!

Fish smoked in house. Get the sandwich, it’s delicious!

Do not share this smokey heaven!
It was lunch special. $ 7.95 for smoked salmon sandwich. With everything on it.
Smoked scent stayed with me entire day, long after sandwich was gone.
Mr. Laszlo, I’ll be back for more! No sharing!

BEST SMOKED FISH ANYWHERE!!!
Great prices and Joe is a great guy to buy from.
The fish he offers is always fresh and the flavor is unbeatable for store bought. I always go in and buy $ 20 worth and it usually never makes it home. I find myself snacking on it on the way home and it’s the sweetest and smokiest fish.
His salmon and shrimp are my favorites.

If ever I wanted to take someone in my pocket and keep him, it’s this guy.
Joe Lazlo.
It’s a little shop on Front Street. There’s a case of what he has available– labeled and priced. It didn’t look very appealing in a big case with plates here and there with this or that on ‘em. Really, it was just simple.
Behind the counter, there’s a bunch of large machinery along the wall. What each does– no clue. And then there’s just Joe. there to happily and proudly serve you.
I don’t have a great frame of reference for smoked fish. He put it in a ziplock bag and I ate it. I liked it. Had great ideas of what I’d want to have with it. Checked out the website and wow, he has recipes you can use his products in.
. giving me another reason to return.
D’oh!

Super nice owner and super tasty food! I tried the smoked salmon, sturgeon and shrimp. All were fantastic!

Smoked and peppered salmon was good but have had better. Nonetheless, very well done.
Smoked prawns are very unique and excellent. never had these before, gotta say I’m a fan.
Smoked sturgeon was great — another first for me in the smoked world. I’m a fan.

Shame on you if you don’t like this hole in the wall. Only one guy ever behind the counter, and its THE Laszlo as far as I know. You can barely understand what he says and it doesn’t matter. I’d talk to him all day. Salmon is A+. Prawns A+. He’s got sturgeon, trout & tuna also. Everything goes quick. I would pay him to smoke the hat that I’m wearing, so I could eat it right now. Price doesn’t matter. PAY THE MAN.

Heaven — walking inside this shop is like entering heaven.
Hands down he has the best smoked fish & shrimp in town. It’s a great gift for Christmas since he can vacuum seal it right up for you… but any time you can pop in & just grab some smoked shrimp for a quick snack/​treat.
MMMmmmm delicious

Five stars for the business
Five stars for Joe (super nice guy), the owner/​chief cook and bottle washer
Five stars for the product
Some yummy smoked fish. Awesome. Yes, a bit expensive
but what a great snack. Wouldn’t you rather feed the kids
some good protein and omega-​3 fatty acids instead of a
sugary ice cream cone or candy?
Mix and Match — One Low Price
* Smoked Salmon
* Smoked Sturgeon
* Smoked Ahi Tuna
* Smoked Prawns — seasoned to perfection (lightly peppered variety only)
All Varieties $ 7.95 per ¼ pound,
Available in both Plain or Peppered, unless otherwise indicated.
He does not have all varieties all of the time. Call first if you are looking for a specific fish.
I will return… anytime I am in the area!

The first time I walked by the little shop I was looking for a bite to eat with my children. I ended up at Indo Café but my nose keeps me glancing at Laszlo’s Gourmet Smoked Fish Shop. All I wanted to do was go over and check it out. He has delicious looking piece of fish out on trays in the display case. But my children steered me away from the shop and the kindly old gent sitting there. He looked lonely but as I got to know this old gent I have found he has a loyal following of clients. I am proud to say I am one of them.
The second time I went to eat at Indo Café I was with my loved one. Off we went by it and again I looked in. I came in this time because of the gent’s smile. He smiles at you over the counter. I dragged my loved one in and proceed to give my love one a bad time.
The gent at the counter wearing an apron all the time is called Joe. He’s smiling and has a slight accent that I am not brave enough to ask where he comes from yet. He charmed me with his first question on that first visit what would you like. My loved one couldn’t make up his mind. I think it was the $ 31.20 a pound that got to him. But I feel that if the food is great no price should stand in your way fro loving eating what makes you happy.
What Joe smokes in that a place makes your taste buds even the dullest one scream in pleasure. Can you believe the taste of the smoke shrimp? Or the smoked peppered salmon?
But I do regress. The first purchase was the shrimp. I was so delighted with it. I only shared a few out of the advice from Joe. While I was deciding what I wanted Joe was unmercifully teasing him about what he wanted to try. Finally I said I wanted the shrimp because I love shrimp. Joe weighed it for me and bagged it simply in a Ziploc bag. Then he leaned forward with old country charm and told me not to share my treat with my love one because he didn’t know what he wanted coming into the store.
I found smoked shrimp a bit odd at first. Smoked shrimp are full of flavor, you get the shrimp taste and a smokey smell and taste at the same moment. By smokey of course I mean the smokey like smoked fish.
I have been back four times now. Each time I purchase the smoked fish, as it is a decadence dessert. One time I was depressed because after a big weekend Joe didn’t have anything there to purchase. But I still come back two or three times a week.
If you are a diabetic or someone with high cholesterol this is the place to indulge.
But come for the smoked items because they will have you hooked.
I planned to come here one day and grab a pound of this and that on a cool summer night. Then go and sit net to the river bank and eat what I want. Maybe even stop for a lemonade.
Enjoy life and enjoy his Gourmet Smoked Fish.
I tried to post the website at the beginning of the address for Laszlo’s but it wouldn’t let me.
SO here it is.

Whenever I’m in Old Sac, I make a v-​line for Laszlo’s Gourmet Smoked Fish shop. It’s run by a little old man, Joe Laszlo, who smokes the fish right in the shop. You can smell the sweet barbeque from the sidewalk – intense and inviting. Joe has one, small cooler with only a few trays of smoked fish awaiting your purchase. When you taste it, you’ll understand why: it’s always fresh.
The first time I bought a piece of Laszlo’s smoked fish, it was an impulse buy for my husband. He’s a big smoked-​fish fan. Allow me to set the scene…
So, I’m buying my hubby’s fish when Joe Laszlo asks if I would like a napkin.
«A napkin?» I think. Maybe Mr. Laszlo assumes I’m on a picnic in Old Sac, here for a full day of tourism.
«No thanks,» I reply. He looks at me with wise eyes. «Are you sure? Have you ever tried my fish before?»
I can see that he knows something I don’t. He seems like such a sweet old man, and he’s staring at me with a look of expectance. I don’t want to disappoint him, so I reach into the bag of fish and take a bite. My fingers are almost instantly dripping from the sweet, moist nugget I now hold on my tongue. I’m experiencing the softest, meaty morsel wrapped in a bed of smoked honey. Divine.
I just returned again from Laszlo’s, where I bought two card deck-​sized pieces of fat, smoked salmon for $ 15. This time I took the napkin he offered. There’s no waiting till you get home to bite into this juicy goodness!

I’m a big fan of smoked meat in general, and smoked fish in particular. When I first moved to Sacramento, this place was temporarily closed… and I had heard rumors that the owner had decided to shut it down. I was crushed! But my smoked fish prayers were answered when it opened back up.
I got hooked on smoked tuna (pun intended) as a snack a couple of years back, and Laszlo’s did not disappoint! Present that and some boursin on a cracker to your guests, and they will think you’re the best host next to Wayne Newton.
I recently bought a hunk of the house-​smoked sturgeon and was amazed at the intense sweet smoky flavor.
All I can say is «Danke schoen» Joe Laszlo! You’ve made Old Sac a true destination for smoked fish impulse buying!