Folsom Restaurant Reviews - The Express Gourmet

Webmaster' Note:
We regret to inform you that Express Gourmet is now closed. This page is for archival purposes only.

Quietly opening in the shopping center by Goodfellas, I had heard a couple of people on the boards mention that the Express Gourmet was open. I'm always up for local food, so I was anxious to try it out. Usually when something new opens, I am a bit skeptical, as the food quality may not be perfected yet and the owners are still figuring out their way. Well, I was very pleasantly surprised... the food was very, very good.

I walked in, not really knowing what the place was all about. I had the impression it was kind of a Boston Market sort of place - better quality food than fast food, but it's still served up cafeteria-style. I would say this is in line with Jack's Urban Eats. The food is definitely higher quality, but it's not a sit-down restaurant, so you pay and order up front. The plates and glasses are plastic, but they are more of a "nice" plastic - the kind you wash when you are done. The ambiance is nice - clean, modern, spacious.

I had the salmon and garlic mashed potatoes, while my wife ordered the shrimp salad. The salmon was great. The portion sizes were just about perfect... usually at a sit-down restaurant, I have too much food and have to take some home; here, I ate everything and was very satisfied. I should have ordered some cheesecake (they are obviously cheesecake nuts, as am I), but I had to rush back to work.

I expect this place to really take off. There's really no reason it shouldn't. While the cost of a meal is slightly more than a deli (our bill for two of us was about $21), the food is definitely high quality, and nothing on the menu is over $10 (Prime rib is $9.99). The location is right by Intel, so it should be popular with the Intel lunch crowd, too. There's plenty of room to grow as there is a nice open area outside of the restaurant, which would serve as a great patio during nicer weather.

I look forward to eating there again! Good food, good price.

Style of food: American
2-person lunch: $21
Overall rating (out of 5): 5

Reviewed by John Gladding