After more than a month of closure, one of Folsom’s most beloved family-owned restaurants has reopened its doors, offering an expanded space, enhanced amenities, and the same warm hospitality that has made it a community favorite for more than three decades. The wait is finally over—Visconti’s Ristorante has officially reopened, welcoming guests into a newly remodeled and larger space designed to better accommodate the loyal patrons who have supported the restaurant since its beginnings.
Visconti’s Ristorante has undergone a transformation, adding an impressive 2,000 square feet to its footprint, bringing the total space to just under 7,000 square feet. The most significant upgrade is the expansion of the bar, a long-requested improvement from customers over the years.
“It’s funny because we’ve been in this location for 15 years, and from day one, people were saying, ‘Oh, you need a bigger bar, you need a bigger bar.’ So I heard that for the last 15 years, and I finally said, ‘Okay, let’s do it,’” said owner Frank Visconti. “When the Back Store next door moved to a different unit here, that was a big part of it, and I appreciate our neighbors working with us like that.”
The newly expanded bar has grown from just nine seats to an impressive 24-seat setup, with an added drink rail along the back wall for standing guests. In addition to the added seating, seven TVs have been installed inside to enhance the experience for those looking to enjoy drinks and entertainment.
Visconti’s also extended the patio across the front entry, adding even more outdoor seating along with climate control features such as heaters and fans to ensure a comfortable experience year-round. “Now that this is done, we will also extend the patio and add even more outside seating. We added heaters and two TVs out there as well,” Frank shared.
In addition to the expanded bar and patio, the kitchen has also received significant upgrades to keep up with the restaurant’s growing demand. “I got two more pizza ovens and another new fryer in my kitchen,” Frank noted. “And we got all new walk-in refrigerators, bar coolers, and a freezer we never had before.”
To improve safety and functionality, the old slippery tiles were replaced with wood-look non-slip tiles, eliminating the need for floor mats and ensuring a safer working and dining environment. The former office space was transformed into a larger employee break room, and a new, larger waiting area was introduced to provide guests with a more comfortable experience. “That little bar we had before was always packed, no matter what day it was,” Frank said. “Now, we made our waiting area bigger, so in summer or winter, people have somewhere to sit down inside. There are little tables next to them, so you can order a drink while you’re waiting for your table.”
The decision to expand did not happen overnight. Visconti’s spent nearly 15 years considering ways to better accommodate their customers before finally moving forward when the opportunity presented itself. The negotiation process to take over the neighboring space took three years, and despite careful planning, challenges arose throughout the renovation process.
“I thought two or three weeks, it ended up being like four weeks, but I was here every day,” Frank said of the timeline. “Even though you have plans and stuff, things always change. You don’t know what you’re getting into.”
Folsom Times photo by Bill Sullivan.
Throughout the remodel, some of Visconti’s staff chose to stay on and assist with the transition rather than go on temporary unemployment. “We had them help me move everything out, pack everything up, put it in the dining room, tape it all off. Some of my employees helped me do the demolition all the time,” Frank explained. “I gave them the option to be off or work. We kept them busy; they were a big help in all this.”
Frank himself worked tirelessly during the closure. “I got here at seven or eight o’clock in the morning, didn’t leave until eight, nine, ten sometimes—seven days a week,” he shared.
Visconti’s Ristorante has long been a staple in the Folsom community, with a loyal customer base eager to return as soon as the doors reopened. Anticipation was so high that when Frank posted on Facebook about passing the final inspections, he received 120 text messages in just 30 minutes from customers eager to know when they could dine in again.
This unwavering support reflects the deep connection between Visconti’s and the Folsom community. “This community has been just awesome to us,” Frank said. “I was 23 years old when we opened, and here we are 32 years later with this great community and great people—we are all family here. It’s just awesome.”
A Legacy of Family and Tradition
Visconti’s story began in 1991 when Frank Visconti, then a young chef working in the Bay Area, decided to open his own restaurant in Folsom. With some financial support from his family, he launched Visconti’s in a small location near the legendary Handley’s Western Wear.
Initially, the family wasn’t sure how well the restaurant would do, but it didn’t take long for the community to embrace the establishment and its homemade Italian cuisine. After nearly 18 years in their original location, Visconti’s moved to its current Broadstone Marketplace location in May 2009, a transition that took place in the midst of a recession.
“We were kind of forced to make that move back then as it was small and there were some issues with the building,” Frank recalled. “It was a bit scary. It was in the middle of a recession, and it was a lot more expensive. But now, we have survived that recession and a pandemic through it all to be here today, and I just have to thank the Lord and everyone that has supported us along the way.”
A true family operation, Visconti’s has always been run with dedication and heart. While Frank oversees the kitchen as head chef, his brother, Tista, manages the front of the house and staffing. His sisters, Cathy and Josie, handle customer service and bookkeeping, while their parents, Carmelo and Angela, continue to be involved, especially in preparing the restaurant’s signature homemade desserts.
“A lot of the recipes are family recipes—my mother’s recipes—and recipes that we have created on our own,” Frank said, emphasizing the restaurant’s commitment to authenticity and tradition.
With the renovations now complete, Visconti’s is ready to continue its legacy, offering an even better experience to its patrons. Whether guests come for a family dinner, a corporate event, or simply a drink at the new bar, they can expect the same great hospitality and homemade Italian cuisine that has made Visconti’s a Folsom favorite for more than three decades. While the expansion brings new changes to the restaurant’s amenities, one thing isn’t changing, the authentic homemade Italian fare they serve, starting from scratch every day.
“I’m ready to get back in this kitchen now,” said Visconti. “It’s a labor of love, I’ve missed cooking these last few weeks.”
Visconti’s is open for lunch and dinner, offering take-out, private dining, and event hosting. For more information, visit www.viscontisristorante.com.
