SliderBarCafe in Palo Alto

[Melanie Wong]

Last month I had a chance to try the newish SliderBarCafe on University Avenue. Open till midnight, the place was pretty busy after 9pm. The yogurt shakes and the Mediterranean lamb sliders we wanted to try were sold out. You order and pay at the counter, then the food is brought to your table. Our order came our relatively fast despite the crowds.

Here’s what we tried:

Mediterranean chopped salad, small, $4.49 – Quite limp and soggy, but bear in mind that the size small is less than $5. The fresh mozzarella was a nice touch.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniewong/4691736471/

American Classic Slider, $2.89 and Kobe Beef Slider, $3.99 – While we tried to order these medium-rare, it’s not possible to specify here. Both sliders were too dry and the flavor of the kobe (from Masami) was not that much more flavorful. Too much bun to meat, and despite being grilled, the buns were stiff and tasted stale.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniewong/4691736459/

Italian sausage slider dog, $3.29. This was the only item in this meal that I'd want to eat again. Made with a Niman Ranch sausage and wrapped in a soft New England style hot dog bun, this was garnished with chopped pickles and grilled onions.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniewong/4691736455/

Baked garlic fries, $2.89 – Tough rather than crispy with a grainy texture to the potatoes, these were barely warm. According to the menu, the ketchup is housemade and tastes a bit sweeter than Heinz.

For University Avenue, the prices aren’t bad. The quick service approach with “natural” ingredients might appeal to some, but I need more flavor than found here. Keep this one in mind when you need some food late at night and everywhere else is closed.

http://www.sliderbarcafe.com/

Also spelled SliderBar Cafe or Slider Bar Cafe.

[bbulkow]

On my visit - week after opening - we had one of every slider on the menu. All were dry and not particularly flavorful. I think the veggie might have been the best.

Best part was the high-tech wine serving system with the nitro pumps, and half-glass portions. Too bad to hear they haven't improved.

For sliders @ midnight, you're still better off sliding around the corner to Old Pro, which has a long slider menu, low prices, and a peculiarly good wine by the glass list.

In other opening news, iTapas/Bistro d'Asia spot has reopened as Baklava. Not bad at all - good taste, good service, expensive for what it is though. Going to have a little trouble in that spot; hopefully they can find a niche.

Garden Fresh, vegan Chinese specialist in the old Hahn's spot, is interesting. They do fake meat 30 ways. However, I've never had blander Chinese food (chinese style?) in my life. At least the texture comes through, and they're nice enough people. Some noise problems.

Haven't tried the new Thai place or Renzo yet.

And Taxi's (nee Abbey's) closed.

[Melanie Wong]

I had a vague recollection of your Old Pro report and thought this place might be related. I'll have to walk around the corner.

[bbulkow]

Old Pro's failings are high noise, glacial/vanishing service, and the constant reek of stale beer. Minimize these effects by sitting at the actual bar in the center, and go on a night when you're happy to be in a hubub.