Along with Tasty Time Ice Cream, Rice Express and Quiznos, Roma’s Pizzeria continues to thrive on the backside of a center that shouldn’t be doing any business, but they are. One year ago Ralph’s Market moved out of both its’ Folsom locations and businesses left with no real anchor have been falling by the wayside ever since. But not Roma’s and the other small restaurants that surround it. Across the street, the new Raley’s Center wishes it could have these four great businesses, instead of the dogs they were handed.
Roma’s Pizzeria III is part of a family owned operation that started with the original restaurant on Folsom Blvd between Watt and Florin Perkins. Tony Guerrera, who started Roma’s in Folsom over ten years ago, has done a great job of keeping it simple, fresh and homemade. Roma’s is a great place to go for an informal meal, after a ball game or pick-up an order to go. It is nothing fancy, but there is Italian art on the walls and usually Italian or Dean Martin music playing in the background. They have both booths and tables to accommodate groups and couples.
Roma’s offers some of the basic Italian specialties such as Cannelloni, Manicotti, Lasagna, Ravioli and Spaghetti, but Pizza is what most Folsom diners come in for. Roma’s Pizzeria is hands down the best pizza in Folsom. Roma’s pizzas are all made on fresh dough that is thrown in the air as the bakers prepare your pie. The pizzas come in three sizes and range in price from approximately $12.00 to $25.00. I have two favorite pizzas at Roma’s. One is the Pizza a la Margarita, which is a pizza topped with olive oil, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, basil and garlic. My second favorite is the Giuseppe Special, which is topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, salami, pepperoni, sausage, olives, linguisa, beef and green peppers. Yes they actual fit all that on a pizza. But be careful when you lift up the box, that is one heavy pizza.
My wife and I often get a sandwich and a salad and split it for dinner. The Sausage Sandwich, made with linguisa is our favorite. They offer Meatball, Pesto Chicken, Pesto Veggie and a Sub Sandwich as well. Roma’s Pizzeria has a great house salad, made with real greens not iceberg, as well as mozzarella, salami and a pepperoncini or two. Ask for the dressing on the side though, because they aren’t holding back on the serving. Roma’s also offers beer and wine. The wine is nothing special, but the draft beer includes Sierra Nevada, Sam Adams and Hefeweizen.
Roma’s Pizzeria III is open daily except Monday and can really be hopping on the weekends. But then again every restaurant with good food is hopping on the weekends, especially at dinnertime. Roma’s is located at the corner of Natoma and Blue Ravine/Green Valley Road. Their phone number for to-go or delivery orders is (916) 985-7828.
Style: Pizza
2-person dinner + beer: $25
Overall rating: (out of 5): 5
Review by Randy Aspinall
Roma’s Pizzeria III
25004 Blue Ravine Rd #121