Saucy Noodle Restaurant on University Boulevard has welcomed locals into its home for the past 56 years. The neighborhood spot is representative of that home-style aesthetic to a tee. They prioritize making customers feel like they are spending a Sunday night at grandma’s house instead of a stuffy night out. This can be seen in the antique pictures and décor that make it feel as if there are a couple of bedrooms around the corner and fireplace waiting to be lit.
The Markham family has brought Italian classics to Denver since Sam Badis opened the restaurant in the ‘60s. Their dishes are ones that we have seen and know quite well. It is the tradition, heart and made-in-house quality that keeps their fans so loyal.
Cheesy bread may appear simple because the name doubles as the recipe. However, Saucy Noodle ensures that theirs is different from the rest when they prioritize making the fluffy white bread in-house. The light inside is concealed by a flaky classic Italian style crust that makes for the ultimate textural contrast.
The layer of cheese has a rich melt, while the boiler gives it a nice color and crisp finish on the edges of the bread. As their slogan goes, “If you don’t like garlic, go home.” That perfectly encapsulates this appetizer, as ripping into the cheese exposes the garlicky layer that lies below.
Cheese is definitely not in short supply at the Saucy Noodle, as its gooey richness is required for their toasted ravioli. A typical fork and knife dish becomes an easy to eat and share appetizer as they bake each ravioli and serve the sauce on the side for a quick dip.
The beautiful browning on the outside comes from the lathering of garlic butter on top to mash up the flavors of their garlic bread into the dish. The thinness of the ravioli allows for each piece to be fully stuffed with the ricotta herb filling. The little details here are what make this dish more than just an after-school treat of pizza rolls.
With a name like Saucy Noodle, the pasta dishes are required to be drowning in flavorful sauces with layers of flavor. With 56 years under their belt, their ratio of pasta to sauce exhibits their talent well.
The red tomato sauce stews for hours, allowing the sweetness of the vine-ripe tomatoes to mingle with their secret blend of herbs and spices. While they don’t add anything unexpected, the dedication to getting the right consistency and patience for their beloved flavor surpasses what other restaurants may settle for.
This classic sauce is typically found in their Mamma’s Baked Lasagna, but it is accentuated with the addition of both Italian sausage and ground beef. The pairing of pork and beef allows for a more developed meaty flavor and plays on spices found in Italian sausage-like fennel, parsley, paprika and black pepper. This masterful dish arrives in a small casserole dish to support the cheese bubbling on top and the pool of red sauce that drips down the sides.
Another popular dish is their fettuccini alfredo, the hearty cream-based sauce that feels like the upscale older brother to a mac and cheese. This dish, while simple in nature, has a delicate flavor. Pairing the nuttiness of parmesan with hints of nutmeg and black pepper brings out the funkiness of the cheese.
We couldn’t end the meal without one final taste of Italy, and that comes from the crunch of biting into a fried cannoli shell. This traditional dessert intertwines the freshness of Italian cuisine by integrating the tanginess of ricotta into its filling. This balanced dessert leaves us with a sweet taste from Saucy Noodle without overpowering the meal we had prior. Their twist of adding chocolate gives it the American charm anyone might look for from an Italian American establishment.
The integrity still holds true to the Italian roots, which Saucy Noodle is always appreciated for. They are family-focused at heart with their big platters of food and warm sense of hospitality. This has brought them to their 56th birthday, and we can’t wait for another Sunday night supper or birthday celebration.
