Featured Restaurant

The Good Times Restaurant
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Everywhere in the northeast one can see that the beginning of autumn is upon us. The temperature is falling and leaves are changing color. October's Featured Restaurant has been awarded to Good Times Restaurant located on 175 Lake Road in Ballston Lake New York. The restaurant has been in business for a remarkable 36 years.
Upon entering I was greeted by a friendly staff that welcomed me as if I were family. The interior décor presents a rustic/country style setting. The dining area has solid wood tables and a natural hard wood floor. Walking past the spacious inside dining area I took notice of the full bar they have towards the rear of the restaurant. This makes it a great place to unwind after a long week of work. I decided to dine outdoors on the spacious deck. The deck has a beautiful view of Ballston Lake and plenty of dense colorful trees populate the landscape. Good Times also owns a section next to the lake where guests can walk around the shore. There is also a gazebo where one can sit and relax. Good Times also has a large garden behind the restaurant. The fresh organic vegetables and herbs are used when preparing the meals. I am one who enjoys quality food and it is reassuring to know that fresh ingredients are being used on a daily basis.

When presented with the menu I noticed an array of delicious selections. I decided to begin my meal with a Taco Pizza as an appetizer. The Taco Pizza consists of a tortilla shell topped with sauce, mozzarella, olives and fresh basil. The Taco Pizza was unique, satisfying and delicious. Good Times also had their own ale called “Good Times Ale”. This dark, smooth, mildly spiced, flavorful beer is brewed by Adirondack Pub & Brewery and can only be purchased at Good Times Restaurant. I highly recommended it. While waiting for my entrees I was presented with complementary pumpkin bread. In the bread I could taste brown sugar, nutmeg, and a hint of ginger. The warm moist homemade bread really got my taste buds jumping. If you are a fan of pumpkin be sure to stop by Good Times in the fall where they have a special Pumpkin crème brulee made with none other than their homegrown pumpkins.

When it came time for the entrées I decided first to try the Grilled Chicken and Artichoke Sandwich. The sandwich consists of grilled boneless chicken, artichoke/sour cream spread, crisp lettuce and fresh tomato served on a soft homemade roll. Along with the entrée came a side of Pineapple slaw which was a delightfully different take on traditional coleslaw. I felt that the portion size of the meal was just right for the price. The second entrée I tried was the Desiree’s Moon Light Delight. The dish includes a pan seared 8 oz. sautéed boneless chicken breast, tender shrimp, chardonnay herb butter sauce, fresh tomatoes and broccoli served over linguine pasta. The chicken was very moist and tender. The flavor of fresh tomatoes and broccoli blended well into this dish. The rich buttery sauce was creamy and delectable. The last entrée I tried was the Ghost Crazy Alfredo. A secret family recipe dish which includes sweet Italian sausage, tender shrimp, broccoli, bell peppers, and marinated tomatoes in thick velvety cream sauce served over penne pasta. This was definitely the meal for me. The shrimp and sausage seemed to compliment one another perfectly. The sauce was thick and creamy.

To end my dining experience I could not help but have some desert as well. I chose the Chocolate Mousse Cake and Home-made Blackberry Pie. The Chocolate Mousse Cake was thick and extremely rich, perfect for those chocolate lovers out there. The Blackberry Pie reminded me of my grandmother’s home baking when I was a kid. The crust was warm and crunchy and only elaborated on the fresh blueberries (picked from the garden of course) which were sweet and fresh. On each desert was served whipped cream topped with a mint leaf (again picked from the garden). This provided a classic presentation and showed me Good Times took pride in their food.

So don’t let the beautiful colors and delicious tastes of the fall pass you by this year! Visit Good Times Restaurant located directly on Ballston Lake and take it all in. Enjoy a distinctive home-made style meal while enjoying the picturesque view of fall. I left Good Times feeling full and very satisfied. The service was superb and I really take pleasure in knowing that my food was made from the freshest ingredients. So take a trip to Ballston Lake in upstate New York, and be sure to Dine at Good Times.

Photography by Christopher Case

Q. What are your hours of operation?

A. Year round 11:30am - 9:00pm Closed on Tuesdays

Q. Why should people dine here?

A. We have the most expressive affordable menu that is both adaptable and organic.

Q. What kind of influences do you contribute to your food?

A. We use a lot of care when preparing our delicious food. Our meals are also organic, healthy and affordable.

Q. What makes your restaurant unique?

A. Our restaurant has been in operation for three generations. We grow and harvest our own organic vegetables and herbs. We feel such gratification to provide customer satisfaction. We pour care, heart and soul into the restaurant.

Q. Why did you get into the restaurant business?

A. I truly fell in love with the restaurant.

Q. How long have you been in business?

A. The restaurant has been open for 109 years by 3 families. Out of the 109 years, we have combined 56 years of tradition.

Q. What is your best selling dish?

A. Our best seller is The Ghosts Crazy Alfredo.

Q. If you had 1 word to describe your food, what word would it be?

A. Amazing!

Q. Do you cater to special events?

A. Yes, we have a banquet room that seats 100 and under.

Q. How do you want people to feel after leaving your establishment?

A. I want people to have a great experience that they didn't expect and feel satisfied. I want everyone to understand that at Good Times Restaurant we care.