The Slide Inn — Restaurant in Portland

EAT HERE AT YOUR OWN RISK (read the quotes from their last health report on 2/1/2024).

We walked out. It was so disgusting. I've attached photos of the mold at the bottom of the water bottle used to serve us water in. I'm fortunate as the only one in our party to not the drink water. I first noticed what I thought was ice at the bottom and thought that was weird, then moved the bottle to realize it was white and black mold.

The utensils my partner received were dirty, the cups that they served tea in were sticky and gross. There was a layer of filthy film on the salt and pepper shakers. The server was wearing the most disgustingly filthy apron (later I realized he was also operating the kitchen).

Reading through other reviews it appears this is a one person show. In my humble opinion, a restaurant that size should have a minimum of 3-4 people running it. At least one cook, one dishwasher/cleaner, and a server. That is bare minimum, otherwise you'd have to be the Flash to keep up and maintain a clean restaurant.

It's important that food is safe to eat. So many are immunocompromised, have liver or kidney problems. People shouldn't have to gamble in having a clean environment and safe food to eat. I filed a complaint with the health department and in the process learned this restaurant just had an inspection and barely passed with a 75 (below 70 is failing) and required corrective action. Here are actual quotes from the inspection done on 2/1/2024 by Multnomah County:

"The person in charge has not demonstrated knowledge of foodborne illness disease prevention"

"NO RUNNING HOT WATER AT DESIGNATED HANDWASHING SINKS (TWO)."

"Food is unsafe, adulterated or not honestly presented, specifically: MANY FOODS IN THE WALK-IN EXHIBIT MOLD GROWTH."

"Raw or ready-to eat food is not properly protected from cross contamination, specifically: FREEZERS OF RAW ANIMAL PROTEINS ARE IMPROPERLY STORED."

"Raw or ready-to eat food is not properly covered or stored, specifically: ALL FOODS ARE UNCOVERED IN THE WALK-IN. CONTAINERS OF FOODS/TOPPINGS IN KITCHEN PREP AREAS ARE KEPT UNCOVERED. FREEZER STORING RE-PACKAGED RAW ANIMAL PROTEINS IN UNSEALED BAGS."

"Food-contact surfaces are not clean, specifically: CUTTING BOARDS, UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT HAVE BUILD UP FOODS AND DEBRIS, NOT CLEAN."

"Ready-to-eat food is not properly date-marked, specifically: NO DATE MARKING PRACTICED."

Edit: To the owners response - we were there after the 2nd inspection you cited, so clearly there were still issues. The goal operating a restaurant shouldn't be about just passing an inspection. It's about operating a restaurant that should be clean and healthy...

The Slide Inn shows how to run a restaurant with just 1 employee. Answer? Not very well.

I came here with my family for Sunday brunch. We waited at the front of the restaurant for 5 minutes before seeing a single employee. Once seated, it became apparent why. There was literally only 1 person doing the seating, taking the orders, cooking the food, serving the food, and taking payment. I would have felt sorry for this poor man, but he kept seating more and more people and warning no one of the situation.

Here were the outcomes of running The Slide Inn with a single employee: (1) long wait times for every step of the process; (2) coffee cups usually empty; (3) items ordered never arrived after multiple requests; (4) the kids' French toast and my partner's hashbrowns were burned; (5) never once were we checked on or asked if we needed anything; (6) never provided with a bill, only verbally told of the total amount owed; and (7) we had another engagement to get to, but had to wait 20 minutes to get the bill after we had finished eating.

The unburned food was good and the coffee excellent, but the portions were small, and some of us left hungry. I really wanted to like this place, but we won't be making the 30-minute drive again for this.

Reply to Slide Inn's Response: Much of what the Slide Inn stated in its Response is untrue. The restaurant was not especially busy that day. While I was dining, there was never a time when all tables were filled or when people were waiting to be seated because spaced needed to open up. It only felt busy because a restaurant, even a small one, cannot be effectively run with just one person. Also, we were only warned that it might take a while to be seated. We were not warned that the restaurant was understaffed or that every step of the process would be slow. And no one apologized to anyone in our party for not bringing all of our beverages. I find the defensive posture taken relating to the subpar experience provided to my...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Slide In, a small, authentic German restaurant that offers a truly unique culinary experience. This hidden gem is run entirely by the owner, who is not only the cook but also the waitress and host, depending on the time of day. Every item on the menu is made in-house, showcasing an incredible level of dedication and craftsmanship. The sausages, made with natural casings, boast authentic German seasonings and flavors. The in-house mustard, with its whole seeds, is unlike anything I’ve tried before—truly a standout. One of the most interesting elements was the sauerkraut and cabbage. Rather than being fermented, it is cooked and has a sweet, almost delicate flavor, a stark departure from the tangy bitterness typically associated with store-bought versions. This creative twist really highlights the owner’s unique approach to German cuisine. Even the burger buns and condiments, like ketchup, are made from scratch. The attention to detail and pride in every aspect of the food is remarkable. During my visit, the restaurant wasn’t very busy, so the owner took time to engage with us, offering recommendations and ensuring we had an authentic German dining experience. It was clear how much thought and effort went into every dish. The prices are extremely reasonable, especially considering the unparalleled level of care and the fact that everything is made in-house. Lunch was an ideal time to visit, as the service was quick and personal. However, I can imagine that with more customers, wait times could increase given the owner’s multitasking responsibilities. If you appreciate unique, high-effort, and handcrafted food, The Slide In is a must-try. It’s a fun and creative dining experience that highlights the artistry of German cuisine. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to try something out of...