Noodles Pasta and Sandwich Shop - Long Overdue

I had take away from Noodles Pasta and Sandwich Shop twice in May.  I should have definitely posted my review a very long time ago.  Luckily I take NOTES!

My first impression was that this is a very locals-only shop.  Two dining rooms, a little outdated décor.  You order at the counter, and they bring the food to your table. The tables, by the way, remind me of the Bingo halls that my Grandma use to drag me to.  Like I said, I ordered take away, so I ate at my desk.  Noodles is located about half way between my house and my office, on SW 9th.  Right next to Henry J's Taco House.

The first visit, I had spaghetti and meatballs, a side salad with Ranch dressing, and garlic bread.

I was pleasantly surprised that the noodles were perfectly cooked with a slight bite.  A lot of those little mom and pop Italian joints grossly overcook their noodles (I guess to appease the elderly who, in their youth, frequented the establishment?).  But the texture and cook on the noodles made me want to return.  I also expected it to be quite bland (looking at YOU, Barratta's), but as you'll read below, it was not.

The red sauce was slightly spicy, in a very good way.  A spice that gently builds on your palate. It was a thin sauce, but not so thin that it's reminiscent of soup.  Rich, I really enjoyed it.  The meatballs were oh so tender!  Very flavorful, and BIG.  You get two per order, and that's enough.

The side salad was just as homey as the pasta.  Only this time, not in a good way.  It essentially is bagged iceberg mix with purple cabbage and shredded carrots.  It was DROWNED in Ranch dressing, which I guess that some people like, but I prefer a whisper of dressing to allow the veggies to shine. 

The garlic bread was pretty basic, nothing special.  It was instrumental in eating very last drop of the awesome red sauce.

My second visit, I ordered Alfredo, salad, garlic bread, and a sausage link.  I thought they'd put the sausage in the Alfredo, as I really like rich sausage with white sauce.  Nope.  It came in a separate container with that yummy red sauce.  And it was kind of mushy.  No snappy casing that you'd expect on sausage.  The texture just didn't appeal to this girl, but the flavor was nice.

The noodles were perfect, again.  I think I like this place.  The Alfredo was creamy, albeit a touch bland.  I added a bit of salt, and it was quite good.  Not something I'd order at a sit-down restaurant.  But I paid less than $10 for this visit, and less than $9 for the first. Both of those prices are including tip.  So very good for the price.  I've spent the same at Fazoli's  for far less quality.

This time I ordered the salad with a house dressing, which I try to do as much as possible.  I don't know why I ordered Ranch on the first visit.  The house Creamy Italian was awesome.  I would buy it by the bottle, if I could.  I definitely think that the salad could benefit from some croutons or tomatoes.  Perhaps a salad like the Antipasto Salad at Orlondo's on Park?

The bread this time was actually pretty good.  A bit salty, but good salty.  But basic garlic toast.

Overall, I really like Noodles Pasta and Sandwich Shop.  It feels like Grandma made it, which is the reason I would return.  It's incredibly home, and well made. 

The staff is incredibly friendly.  Having never been there before my first visit, I was a little intimidated that it felt like a "regulars-only" place.  I mean, a dude walked in and they knew what he wanted already.  But I felt very welcome during both visits. 

I definitely recommend as a good, cheap lunch or dinner option. 

Address: 2924 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50315

Phone:(515) 283-1218