I originally had some hesitation
walking to the counter of the new
Goodfellas Express Italian
Restaurant in Folsom, to order. But then my eyes and my nose
caught up with the third item on the menu board, Eggplant Parmigiana, and I knew I was in a good place. Goodfellas is
surprisingly a small, efficient and colorful restaurant. It has
successful business plan written all over it. The restaurant,
according to their website, is the brainchild of the Baratta
Family. The Baratta’s have been serving Italian Food in the United
States for 100 years. But the latest variation, “Fast, Fresh
Italian, in a New York Minute,” is the first of its’ kind for the
Family. But it is clear from the very well designed logos, menus
and marketing, that Goodfellas has big plans down the line.
Now, back to the Eggplant Parmigiana. This favorite Italian dish
of mine, consists of lightly breaded eggplant topped with
mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce. It is served with a side of
pasta and both are sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. There are
additional cheese shaker containers on the table to add more, if
you like. My dining party also enjoyed the Baked Ziti, which based
on my observations, the three times I’ve eaten there, is
definitely a favorite. The Baked Ziti, now made famous by all the
TV Chefs like Emeril Lagasse and Mario Batali, is ziti pasta with
cheese, sausage and more cheese, baked off in the oven till it is
bubbly and delicious. Both dishes were very good for any Italian
Restaurant, whether fast food or not.
In future visits I have enjoyed the Hot Meatball Parm sandwich and
the “Fuhgeddaboudit!” Panini sandwich. I do consider myself a
seasoned Meatball sub and Panini consumer. Both of these items
were good and would be hard to beat, especially in a fast food
venue anywhere in Folsom. Goodfellas’ other menu items include,
Pastas, Hot and Cold subs and hoagies, salads and desserts. They
do have a children’s menu as well as food to go, both in large and
small quantities. Goodfellas has wines by the glass, including a
decent glass Chianti for $3.50 and beer in the bottle of both
domestic and imported.
If I had one thing to get used to at Goodfellas, it would be all
the plastic. It is understandable to have plastic for all the
to-go items, but when actually relaxing and enjoying a meal in
their dining room or patio, it would have been nice to have
something with a little more of an “at home feeling.” Even the
wine glasses are a heavy duty plastic. Now I understand that this
plastic serving ware has a lot to do with our wonderful
bureaucratic governmental health department and the even more with
our red tape loving Alcohol Beverage Control (God I’m glad I’m no
longer in the restaurant business), but it is just a little hard
to get used to. What is easy to get used to is the very reasonable
prices and the wonderful smell which will draw you to the front
counter to order ever time you pass by. (editor's note:
since the original publish date, the owners have upgraded their
dishes at the request of customers :)
Goodfellas is located at 1760 Prairie City Road, Suite 160, on the
same side of the street as Safeway. Just north of Iron Point Road
at Willard Drive. They open daily at 11:00 and can be found at
GoodFellasExpress.com
Review By
Randy Aspinall
