A new restaurant cafe called Fresh Off Da Boat is taking over a vacant at the Federico Beauty Institute in Natomas, located at 1515 Sports Drive. The restaurant will serve breakfast and lunch and the menu features Polynesian, Pacific Island, and Asian fusion food.
Chef Operator Operator Muagututia Tuala-Tamaalelagi, who goes by Chef T, is a Samoan, Sacramento-based chef who used to be Executive Chef for Marriott in Rancho Cordova. During the pandemic, Chef T was laid off and decided to give entrepreneurship a shot by starting a catering service called Chef T’s Kitchen with his wife Jacinta. Fresh Off da Boat was originally the name of their pop-up restaurant.
The restaurant’s menu will carry a few of the all-time favorites from its pop-up era, including taro fries, FOB Shrimp (fried shrimp over coconut cream rice), and poke nachos. “We had [the idea of building a storefront] in mind within five years but this opportunity presented itself and we didn’t want to miss it.” Chef T posted on his official Facebook page. “[We’ve] been searching for a location from the beginning of this year, meeting with potential partners and investors. Finally, something that we never thought would happen anytime soon did happen.”
Fresh Off Da Boat is anticipated to open in January 2024. The space was mostly turnkey as it was remodeled for restaurant operation when the previous business, Cafe Federico moved in. By the time of this coverage, Chef T had not responded to What Now Sacramento’s request for comments.
