Otherside Diner — Restaurant in Portland

Other reviewers seem to like this place so I think we went on an off day??

Atmosphere-wise, I didn’t find it very homey. It felt like a hospital cafe, despite the many plants.

We did get greeted quickly by a young server who said we could sit anywhere. There was plenty of seating at the counter so we sat there. Next to our seat, there were used water glasses and a water carafe that looked like it had been there a while because it had those bubbles that usually form in water that’s been sitting around awhile. These were never cleared away, they were there the whole time we were there.

There was someone wearing an apron behind the counter who was deep in a conversation with some other customers seated at the counter. He never looked over at us. We waited about 5 minutes and then I finally went over to the server station and grabbed menus for us. I thought maybe that would get someone’s attention and they would come over but it was probably another five minutes before someone came over. The guy was still deep in conversation with his people. We did see him go back into the kitchen later on so we realized he wasn’t a server but based on my many years as a server and then restaurant owner, it would have been nice if he had looked over at us and said someone would be over to take our order.

The woman who did eventually come over was nice enough and took our order. We ordered one coffee and two OJ. She brought two coffees and one OJ. Totally understandable, but it did seem to match the lackluster service so far.

We both got the classic breakfast which came with eggs, toast, choice of meat and a hash brown. It came out fairly quickly which made us happy. But nothing was very good. It came with one piece of barely buttered toast which was fine but seemed strange when it’s just such common practice to give two pieces of toast. The hash brown was shaped like a ball and it looked interesting and crispy but it wasn’t. It was lukewarm and didn’t seem cooked all the way through. The one bite I took tasted very starchy. The eggs were bland and also not hot, and seemed microwaved (even though we could see the cook at the large griddle in the open kitchen so it must have been cooked on the griddle?) and the bacon seemed old and overcooked… it felt like biting into a piece of jerky instead of freshly cooked bacon.

Our server was attentive and did come over after a few minutes to check on us. Since most of the food was passable, we only mentioned that the hash brown wasn’t edible. She offered new ones but we declined. We do appreciate that she took $10 off our check for our two hash browns.

Based on all the other reviews, we expected better and were disappointed. If the hash browns hadn’t been deducted, the total would have been $45 which seems like a lot for two classic breakfasts, one coffee and one OJ.

(The next day we spent the same amount of money elsewhere on similar items so the price seems to be the norm in the area. We didn’t mind paying $45 at the second place because the food was phenomenal.)

We did tip based on the $45 because the server was nice and efficient but based on the meal itself, it’s not a place we’d go back to...

I had been out walking the town, on a cold rainy Portland Morning. I decided a Hearty Breakfast was in order. Walking in here was the best decision Ive made food wise in a long time. Due to my social anxiety disorder,I usually don't like sitting at the counter,but I was alone,and these stools were sufficiently spaced, so I wasn't banging elbows with anyone. I felt quite comfortable,and the staff was very pleasant. The Hercules Breakfast was a thing of beauty. An all inclusive affair of eggs, Toast, Hash browns, Meat Choice, and one of the most beautiful Pancakes my eyes have ever beheld. The Hashbrowns were a crispy,dense, deep fried, potato ball of a sort. Hot, Golden, Crispy, yet moist inside. It was something different, a deliciously welcome delight. The Pancake as stated above,was beautiful. Served with a little scatted fruit, house whipped citrus butter, a flurry of powdered sugar,and what I presume was real Maine Maple Syrup. Excellent. The Bacon,was special. Thick cut. Homestyle Country Flavor. Any Country Boy will know what I mean. This was the good stuff. I really enjoyed my breakfast here. I'm a breakfast boy! If you are too, stop in here,you can't go wrong. They also do lunch. It's also away from the hustle of downtown. A nice little location by the bridge. They seem to actually appreciate your business, unlike some places...

Initially I was searching for a place with good packages so I did a quick web search and this place popped up in my results. I pulled in to the little Strip mall by off of I-295 and immediately noticed that through the windows, every seat was full at 9 in the morning. That seemed like a good sign so I proceeded in and sat myself at the Bar along one wall. I was greeted in a very friendly manner by a sweet lady with a menu who offered to grab me a coffee. Instead of Pancakes, which were highly recommended online, I decided to try the corned beef hash breakfast.

When it arrived, it was a rather sizeable mound of homemade corned beef hash with shredded potatoes, covered with 2 over easy eggs with a grilled English muffin on the side. I requested a small side of hollandaise sauce and then dribbled it over the top.

I cannot express the truth enough in this statement. This was one of the best, if not the single best breakfasts I have ever had. It was the perfect amount of savory, salty, and just plain delicious. I will undoubtedly be back.

The service was great and the unassuming strip mall location was much more charming than I had initially surmised. I think I've found a new hidden gem in Maine. Do yourself a favor and drop by this place for breakfast as...