DISHING GOOD EATS
Restaurant offers American, Middle Eastern cuisine
BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. » A new Ballston Spa restaurant is boasting good eats, offering both American and Middle Eastern cuisine to local customers.
Good Eats Restaurant, owned and operated by Matt and Ranan Akari of Ballston Spa, is located at 11 Prospect St., in the restaurant space that was previously rented by Willow’s Bistro.
The Akaris own the building, as well as the adjacent gas station.
This is the husband-wife duo’s first restaurant, though they’ve operated delis in the past.
On why they decided to start Good Eats, Matt said running a restaurant is something that Ranan has always wanted to do.
“I love to cook,” said Ranan, who often entertains at home. Guests have told her for years that she should open a restaurant, and now that her three children are getting older, she decided to go for it.
The lunch menu at Good Eats Restaurant is a mix of both American and authentic Middle Eastern dishes. On one page there are burgers, paninis and wraps, while the other page features falafel, hummus, baba ganoush and stuffed grape leaves. Shawarma wraps, also known as gyros, are available as well.
“We’re trying to be unique with our menu,” Matt said.
Some of the most popular lunch items, the couple said, are butter chicken, falafel and hummus.
For breakfast, the restaurant serves classic American foods like egg sandwiches, pancakes, French toast and large omelets. “Everybody loves the size of the omelets,” Ranan said.
Additionally, Good Eats Restaurant offers daily breakfast and lunch specials, which are posted on its Facebook page regularly.
From savory soups to sweet desserts like baklava and hareeseh (honey cake), “Everything
we make here from scratch,” Ranan said. “We don’t bring anything canned or frozen.”
Most of the menu is healthy as well, Ranan said, noting that only a couple foods are deep fried. In the new year, Ranan expects to increase the restaurant’s salad offerings for those being health-conscious.
All items on the Good Eats menu, for breakfast and lunch, are priced at $11 or less — and they’re hearty, Matt said. “You will not leave hungry.”
In just the few weeks since Good Eats Restaurant’s opening, the eatery has already started to see positive reviews from customers and regulars coming back again and again, the Akaris said.
Good Eats Restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. six days a week, Wednesday through Monday.
In 2018, the owners plan to expand their hours to be open later for dinner on Friday through Sunday.
Customers are always welcome to dine in at the restaurant’s tables and counter, or take-out is available.
Good Eats Restaurant can also provide catering for gatherings, both onand off-site. Catering customers can book the restaurant space to use during its off-hours.
Looking ahead, the Akaris said their goal for Good Eats Restaurant is to grow and become known for their food.
More information about Good Eats Restaurant is available online at www. goodeatsballstonspa.com or www.facebook.com/ Good Eats Balls ton Spa.
The restaurant can be contacted by calling (518) 288-3380.