03/23/09

Anthony Bourdain wasn't wrong!

by JackMeoff

I recently saw this place on Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations" tv show. In it, he announced that their pork sandwich was "the best sandwich in America." I would have to digress a bit, as their Saltimbuca is every bit as savory and delicious.

No matter what you order, get some onion rings as a side. Also, make sure that you get a portion of their red onion and green tomato relish. It's simply amazing.

The service was okay, but nothing to write home about. I went twice in a 3 week period and I had a little bit better experience sitting at the bar.

As for drinks, this place is TOPS. You will not find better concoctions anywhere in Chicago.

• Pros: Awesome food
• Cons: a bit crowded

03/11/09

Interesting food, but a good "interesting."

by Jeffreybomb

My girlfriend and I saw this restaurant featured on "No Reservations." I had to have the Three Little Pigs sandwich. I've already recommended it to a number of friends who I think would enjoy its gargantuan nature.

We had onion rings for an appetizer; probably the best onion rings I've had in a long, long time. Breading was great, seasoned well, onions themselves were thick-cut but not overpowering.

The building itself shouldn't be something that takes away from a review (seriously, are you really there because you like walls, the ceiling, and the floor?). I can't understand why some people drop the rating because it's a little cramped. Big deal. Don't go when it's obviously going to be busy. Get over it.

The only thing stopping me from popping this restaurant up to a five-star rating was the staff. We sort of felt like we were those annoying neighbors that drop in unannounced at very inconvenient times. They're not very friendly (except the bartender, whom I can only assume is the owner).

If you can get by the waitstaff's indifference, it's a cool, unusual spot for some dinner.

• Pros: Easy to get to, good food. Neat building. Blue Line stop practically dumps you at the front door.
• Cons: Waitstaff indifference.

08/03/08

If you like to drink this is the place. If you like good food, forget it.

by soulbait

First you must be a drinker to enjoy this place. if you are looking for a nice place to relax and get a good meal, don't come here. This is not a kid friendly place, so keep the kids home. Not much fun when you are trying to eat and you have all these people drinking around you and using not so nice language and bumpoing into you and your table. Pass on this place unless you are coming here to drink. Bar style restaurant.

• Pros: Nothing - will not go back.
• Cons: Must be a drinker to enjoy this place.

04/30/08

Great laid-back atmosphere...

by PattyOfurniture

I travel to Chicago quite frequently for business and never pass up the opportunity to go to The Silver Palm. It's everything a bar/restaurant should be-very jovial with decent enough service and the food is quite good. It's loaded with a clientele of 30-somethings from all sorts of backgrounds and it makes for an interesting mix...everything from investment bankers sipping martinis to aging rockers/hipsters drinking cans of Schlitz.

The food's quite good too. I usually get the Chicken Saltimbocca. It's a perfect. Burgers are quite good, but you'd expect that from anywhere. Most everything on the menu is under $15. The bar area can get crowded, but you can usually find a seat in the dining car. The service is quite friendly and respectable and is in keeping with what a local joint is.

If you're the suburban type that never goes out, you may want to go elsewhere...perhaps a big corporate owned chain restaurant (probably with a phoney theme) that you see advertised on the television (like Bennigans) would be a safer bet for you.

This place is definitely for the nightlife pros.

• Pros: Great drinks and bar food....
• Cons: Bar area can get a bit crowded

02/21/08

Great food, great atmosphere

by taniak

Silver Palm is one of my favorite places to relax and have dinner. It's got great food and a quirky decor that I really enjoy. My food faves include the shrip po-boy. And when I go i always have to order a "sidecar". It's a brandy and fruit juice drink (not made with cheap mixer) that is really tasty and not too sweet. Served with brandied cherries that are soooo tasty! It's hard to have just one (cherry or "sidecar"). The staff are friendly the location is great just off the blue line. One thing to note: it's not a place for kids.

• Pros: Ambience

12/30/07

Always a party

by danpalm

I have been frequenting the Silver Palm for years and have yet to find a better place to eat, drink, and be merry. The food is american but with the Palm's own twists that will knock you out. They have the best southern style ribs in the city, amazing hand dipped onion rings, and a duck club sandwich that melts in your mouth. All of the desserts are personal creations of award winning chef Jaquelin Gervercer, with specials that will inspire you to greatness. And if the food isn't enough to keep you comming back for more, the drinks are the same as the famous ones served next door at the matchbox (same owner / genious). Topping it all off are the gorgeous servers (except for one who makes up for it with wit and expertise), the diverse music, and the best bartenders in the world.

• Pros: everything
• Cons: eventually you have to go home

08/05/07

Pass On This One

by beetle1

After a long day on vacation in the Chicago area, we were ready to relax and kick back with a great dinner. Just the opposite! When we entered we had to work are way thru all the rude bar patrons. (Do not bring the kids). We were seated fast as there were only a few people in the restaurant area and now we know why. No sooner then we sate down, the bar crowd worked there way into the restaurant area and the cussing/smoking and rude behavior went into high gear. You would have thought the server/manager would have put a handle on it. Nothing was done! We were ready to leave as soon as possible. We received our food and I ordered the ribs. I am a rib eater, and this was far from being on the top of my list. I only ate 2 sections of the half slab and sent the rest back. The main dish did come promptly. When we asked for desert, it took close to 20 minutes to get this part of the order. Still trying to hurry things up and wanting to get out. The service was so bad, we left the minimal tip of 10% and left. As we approached our car one of the waitress hollered profanities at us from the front of the testaurants. I always say: If you provide the service, we will provide the tip. Pass On This One. We were a little concerned about our safety at this place and glad we were gone.

• Pros: Food was served quickly
• Cons: Rude bar scene, not family friendly,

08/05/07

Food was mediocre

by legna55

We had no idea a rowdy bar was attached to the restaurant. It was very loud and the partrons in the bar made their way in to the restaurant and were obnoxious. The service was below par and we could of spent our money elsewhere for a better meal. The shrimp entree was a small portion, and about the only thing that was good was the dessert, but it was a special dessert not normally on the menu. Don't waste your time on this one.

07/22/07

Skip It

by mike5666

Dont waste your time.

The food is overpriced Bar food. The Staff is unfriendly. Go to the matchbox for before and after drinks skip the palm and eat some where else.

• Pros: Good Drinks
• Cons: Too many too list

11/20/06

Awesome duck breast club!!

by ufkitty79

What a unique and interesting idea to have a restaurant in a dining car. Convenient to our work and home, the Silver Palm offers a great variety of well done American favorites, some with a great original twist. The staff is friendly and attentive, and the cocktails are well made and generous.

I had the duck breast club sandwich which was absolutely delicious. My partner had a burger, cooked to perfection, and postiively delectable.

There were quite a few couples with kids, which I found very disappointing, and the only reason this restaurant gets a 8 and not a 10. This is a very close-quarters/borderling cramped environment, and children are not suggested. (Although this is coming from someone who does not like dining with or near children whatsoever). Still, to walk into the train car you must walk through a very cramped smoky bar...NOT an atmosphere for children. I would never bring my children here. It's inappropriate.

But for adults, it can be quite fun.

We have been back many times. Silver Palm is now one of our favorites.

• Pros: Great, unique atmosphere
• Cons: Can get cramped.