As a college student in Portland, it can be hard to find a restaurant that fits your budget. With books to buy and student loans to pay off, who has the money? If you’re looking for affordability, good service and great food, Silly’s Restaurant, at 40 Washington Ave. has it all.
No, it’s not in the Old Port, but their food could rival any of the restaurants on Fore St. Silly’s offers items for both their vegetarian and carnivorous friends. They have a full vegan menu of many delicious wraps, salads, tofu dishes, and even pizza. They also have gluten-free meals, such as the “Cradle to the Gravy,” made of vegetable topped rice covered with Silly’s own gluten-free gravy. Their appetizers are reasonably priced and delicious. Try the sweet potato fries or fried pickles if you’re feeling brave. If you’re a meat eater, get “The Slop Bucket” with some sweet potato fries as an appetizer.
Silly’s has a warm, unique atmosphere. Customers seat themselves either in the dining room or on the brightly colored patio, which looks over a gorgeous garden. If you visit Silly’s during the summer, be sure to take a seat outside. The patio is decorated eccentrically, with old toilets, sinks and shower nozzles turned into plant potters. Also, the overall color pattern of their patio is, well, rainbow. Inside seating is limited, so during the snowy months you may have to wait a little while for a table.
The service at Silly’s is excellent. No matter how busy the restaurant is, once seated, you’re almost immediately greeted by your server. The food is prepared in a reasonable amount of time, so you won’t starve as you wait for your main dish to arrive. They also pile the food up high on those plates, so come ready to share because you’ll never be able to finish. Don’t worry, you won’t find yourself crying when the check comes either: the highest priced item on their menu runs about fourteen dollars.
Warning: if you don’t want to see your server’s tattoos, this won’t be your favorite place, as many hostesses and servers have at least one. Also, Silly’s doesn’t have a parking lot, so be prepared to walk from the nearest on-street parking. Whatever you do, don’t park at the 7-11 across the street: they won’t hesitate to tow your car. Besides, Silly’s is well worth the walk.
For more information, go to www.sillys.com.
Grade: A