When you pass the
empty corner where Ralph’s Market on Blue Ravine in Folsom once
sat, you might think nothing is going on the west side of the
street. But when you turn onto Natoma Street you see an array of
very successful businesses continuing to thrive, even with all the
odds against them. Having come from one business that was
devastated by the loss of a major anchor in Folsom, I am in awe
that anyone can survive, much less thrive in this environment. But
Rice Express,
Roma’s Pizza,
Quiznos and
Tasty Time Ice Cream are doing it.
Rice Express has been dishing it up for years in Folsom. The small
yet very clean and pleasant establishment serves both lunch and
dinner, and of course has everything available to go. I have tried
all the
Chinese Restaurants in Folsom and I just keep coming back to
Rice Express. They pretty much have the standard array of Chinese
food items including seafood, beef, pork, chicken vegetables, egg
foo young, chow mein and so forth. They have the combination
“family” dinners and of course your Po Po Platter.
My favorite items at Rice Express are often the specials. Most of
these involve vegetables that are in season. You have to check out
the large white board as you go into the restaurant, or call and
ask. My other “standards” when ordering take-out are the General’s
Chicken (the best in Folsom), Sesame Chicken, Fried Crab Meat
Cheese Wontons and the Shrimp with Lobster Sauce. If eating on
site, besides the seasonal vegetables, I will often order one of
the Sizzling Plates of either Seafood or Beef, Chicken and Pork
combined. Their Pan Fried noodles are also very good, especially
when dining at the restaurant.
Rice Express serves Beer and Wine and has Daily Lunch Specials as
well as your standard lunch combo plates found at almost all
Chinese Restaurants from 11 to 3 p.m. The difference though
between Rice Express and the others is the fresh taste of the
items. My daughter will often drive from her home in downtown
Sacramento, just to meet me at Rice Express for lunch, because she
likes it better than the options on her end of town.
Over time I hope to write a review for each of these restaurants
that are stuck in this black hole of Folsom. They each should be
awarded for their ability to endure the bleakness of the situation
and supported for their ability to stand strong when many others
in similar situations have failed. Long Live the Mom & Pop
Business!
Style of food:
Chinese
2-person dinner: $ 15.00
Overall rating (out of 5): 4.0
Review By
Randy Aspinall
