Donny G's Ristorante in Elmwood Park

Donny G's Ristorante
7308 W North Ave, Elmwood Park
https://donnygsristorante.com/

Since they had a special 'St Josephs Table' buffet last night we figured it would be a good time to visit and try a few entrees for the less than the price of one.

This worked out great for My Bride as the buffet was heavy on the fish but that left me open to try a few favorites off of the menu. Very nice sweet table (making the older ladies swoon) accompanied the buffet including Zeppoles and Cannoli's as well as fancy cookies and biscotti.

The menu is fairly extensive but printed on one large page making the print hard to read. The house was busy as could be expected with the bargain price of $15.

90% seniors but nary a gray or white hair in the crowd. Almost all tables filled but they were able to squeeze us in arriving without a reservation. A couple of large round tables filled with a heavyset patriarch occupying a seat of honor.

Only a couple of waitresses (and busboys) working as hard as they could with Donny filling in bringing out glasses of wine and circulating the tables checking that the guests needs were being attended to. Chatting it up in general.

On the buffet was Chicken Marsala, Spaghetti and Mostaccioli, a poached White Fish in a butter garlic (with a touch of lemon) sauce, deep fried and breaded Calamari and an warm Artichoke salad. A regular salad was also available.

Since I was going off the menu I started with a cup of...

(no Minestrone? Wha???)

Basically a bean and pasta soup so there wasn't a lot of complexity to the broth but I punched it up a generous shake of parmesan cheese.

Appetizer portion
I was actually full last night and didn't try it. I will tonight.


Very good! Very tender and juicy chicken. Could of had a touch more crunch or browning but that is just my taste. Probably would of dried out. Almost seemed prepared to order.

After hearing about neckbones being available and having some last week at Big Guys I ordered a cup of neckbone gravy on the side. Alternating between that and the red sauce. Tasty!

All in all Donny is doing a good job. Will it fill the hole in my heart left by Sabatino's? No but it is comfortably in the upper half of the local Italian places.

Not sure what this means:

90% seniors but nary a gray or white hair in the crowd.

Did they all have dyed hair? Were they bald?

chicagojim wrote:Not sure what this means:

90% seniors but nary a gray or white hair in the crowd.

Did they all have dyed hair? Were they bald?

All dyed. Their wrinkles gave them away.

Nicely dressed.