The creamy garlic dressing makes the Frugatti's house salad sing. Photo by Linda Fiddler.

Though the square-shaped, julienned carrots are delightfully crunchy and the pepperoncinis are so juicy they are like spicy bombs going off in your mouth, the most delicious element in Frugatti’s house salad is the creamy garlic dressing. It is one of those dressings that should be bottled.

The dressing comes in a ramekin perched on the side of the salad and I carefully reserve a small amount of it. I dip my butter-laden croutons into the dressing and pop them into my mouth.

I am assuming that the garlic is coddled in balsamic vinegar, high quality mayonnaise and maybe a little virgin olive oil, but I can’t be sure. I have tried to make it at home but it is never quite right. Ralph should keep his dressing a secret because it is one of Bakersfield’s treasures.

Frugatti’s Italian Eatery is located at 600 Coffee Road and the house salad is a $4.99 experience. The fresh made bread, pastas, pizzas and other Italian dishes can be added as a side.

Editor’s note: This is the third in an on-going series of reviews of favorite menu items around Bakersfield. If you have one to share, please e-mail your write-up and a photo of the item to editor@bakersfieldexpress.org.