Team Recipe: Ryan’s Crystal City Country Salad

Recipe Courtesy of Ryan Patterson

Growing up, Poppy’s Ristorante in Crystal City was the “nice” restaurant in town. It was the place my parents would take us to celebrate a special occasion, and while their Italian dishes were fantastic, my absolute favorite thing on the menu—even as a kid—was their “Country Salad.”

In the Jefferson County area, Italian-American dining has a unique, deeply local flavor profile, and this salad is the perfect example. It bridges the gap between classic Italian starters and hearty Midwestern comfort food by swapping a traditional vinaigrette for a

rich, creamy, ranch-based dressing. It’s a comforting, flavor-packed dish that brings back great memories of family celebrations.

Ingredients:

• 1 large head Romaine or Iceberg lettuce, chopped into bite-sized pieces

• 1/2 cup bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

• 1/2 cup canned artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped

• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

  
  

Instructions:

1. Prep the Base: In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, bacon, artichoke hearts, red onion, and shredded cheese.

2. Dress the Salad: Drizzle the ranch dressing evenly over the dry ingredients. Toss thoroughly until well-coated.

3. The Crunch: Right before serving, gently fold in the garlic croutons. This ensures they keep their signature crunch.

4. Serve: Divide onto chilled salad plates and serve alongside your favorite pizza, toasted ravioli, or steak.

We hope you enjoy this recreation of a local classic!