I mostly come here for brunch, and almost always get eggs benedict in some form or fashion. like some of the other reviews mention, it's a little loud, but nothing to get worked up over, and the service is always top notch and quick. We've tried most of the brunch spots in town, and though some have offered some really fantastic dishes, this still remains our regular brunch spot for quality and service. Lastly, I cannot recommend the croissant benedict enough, it's simply one of the best brunch dishes I've ever had, nothing crazy or experimental, just well prepared, simple, and delicious.
(5)
LL C.
Years ago my friends and I used to go here for lunch (BEFORE the days of Yelp) and always enjoyed it. Even though it's been years since my last visit (and new owners) it was still just as enjoyable. My favs used to be the Silvertron Fried Chicken salad and the chicken salad on crossaint. I didn't get either this time but my friend got the Silvertron salad and enjoyed it. I got the steak & bleu cheese quesadilla and it was YUMMY! If I aren't sure you like a lot of bleu cheese then don't get it. PLENTY of cheesy goodness that I loved! AND the caramelized onions set it off perfectly. The steak was well-done, which I prefer in something like quesadillas and tacos. If you're a medium-well kind of steak person maybe request it that way. However, I think the flavors work better with the steak well-done. Oh and it is huge!!!! It came with guac and sour cream on the side. I probably could have used some salsa (maybe?) and I'm sure our server Trey would have gotten some for me had I asked. He was great! Such a fun & pleasant personality! For appetizers we tried the bruschetta which was quite tasty. Though I wished it had been a larger order...maybe 5-6 pieces instead of only four. Hard to share if you have a large table and we had six. Now the fried cheesy artichokes had more than enough to share! Surprisingly good especially since we didn't know what to expect. The cheese mixture was really good and the fried pieces were perfect. Messy but cheesy stuff should be messy right?! :-) Another friend had the pork tacos and I could have eaten a pot of that pork with a spoon! Tender with a slight sweetness! Yum! Another friend had the triple salad platter with chicken, shrimp and pasta salads. Didn't try but she enjoyed it. All in all a great night! Glad to see it's still as good as it was in the past and that it's still a popular place. Wish it stayed open a little later on Saturday's (closes at 9:30?) so plan accordingly. We were having such a good time that it was 9:45 before we realized it!
(4)
Miranda R.
Silvertron is a great atmosphere, I love the building, but the food is only mediocre. I took my mom in yesterday and I could tell her mouth was watering for the pork shanks. I was so angry when they brought her out 2 dried up pieces of meat with a bunch of scattered fries on a CHIPPED plate. Are we not good enough for whole china? So tacky! It ruined the whole experience. Broken plates. Throw that garbage away! She ate the food but said it wasnt as tender as she was hoping for. I had fettuccini Alfredo. Nothing magical there. Not my first recommendation. If you aren't expecting too much out of your meal, you'll be ok. The sweet potato fries are good and I think the one time I had the Nonnas pasta it was good. Stay away from the lasagna.
(2)
Peter H.
Overall a enjoyable dinning experience. This food was excellent, but the service was a little slow. I had the pork chop with bourbon sauce, the pork chop was extremely tender and juicy, the bourbon sauce was sweet but not overpowering, just a nice flavor, that came with a side of roasted potatoes on the side. Of course, to finish the night I had to get the ice cream topped Pecan Pie!
(4)
Jody O.
Great environment.... pretty good food. I had the chicken parmesan several times and the chicken and sauce is great. However, the noodles are always overcooked. The drinks are good but if you have something other than well, the drinks tend to be pricey. Overall, I usually have a pretty good experience.
(3)
Tammy B.
Haven't even left yet and am compelled to review. The good: My service was awesome, loved her and the rest is not her fault. The food was horrible. I wasn't even hungry but ordered their steak tacos thinking I'd take home some leftovers. The steak was so burnt on one side I truly felt I'd chip a tooth. It was crunchy. Awful. Bland - absolutely no flavor. Is this is an "Italian" restaurant you could have fooled me. Their pasta salad tastes horrendous. Can't even get the after taste out. I did like their drink options, and suspect their breakfast foods are better but I have plenty of better options on they category. I won't be coming here again, but am dying to try out Little Savannah next store when they are open. (Not Sundays apparently ) UPDATE: Since Marco replied to my review, I decided to write an update (which I never do). Setting aside the creepy feeling that he or someone "saw/watched" my every move while I dined.............he did miss one tiny detail. Yes the waitress offered me a to go container, which I used, but did NOT take with me. I left it on the table. Also Yelp had this listed as an Italian restaurant just a few days ago - so somehow that got fixed. While I sincerely appreciate the reply and offer to "make it right", it wouldn't have mattered if I sent it back and got steak that wasn't burnt - it was still bland. I doubt it would have come back miraculously tasty and perfect (I could be wrong, because yes, I chose NOT to send it back, or make a fuss, because I wasn't hungry enough). I grew up in a small town with restaurants just like this - they are "good" by the local standard which usually translates to "bang for your buck". My own family will eat pretty much anything, and gets giddy about getting a plate full of bland food for cheap prices. They simply don't know any better standard. For the past 20 years, I've been fortunate to travel and live around the country (Los Angeles, Boston, NY), and really be exposed to multiple cultures and standards of food at the ultimate level. And no, I don't need fancy or pretentious "fusion" food to make me happy - I'll always be a country girl (who appreciates a bargain) at heart. Some of the best things I've ever eaten came off a food truck. You said you've been around 30 years, and I have no doubt you'll be around another 30! There will always be clientele that is attracted to this type of establishment, it's just not me.
(1)
Jacky V.
This place is alright. I love the concept. It's an old TV store and had great old pictures of Birmingham and gives you a lot of history. My food was just food. Nothing to rave about. The fried cheese was just that, nothing big. My quesadilla wasn't cooked all the way (cold shredded cheese) so I had to send it back. The service was just service. Nothing above and beyond.
(2)
Elizabeth N.
The restaurant was empty when my group got there and the service was speedy. The portions were generous and our water glasses were never empty. Our waiter was very polite and provided awesome service. Definitely loved the butternut squash ravioli and pork shank with sweet potato fries. Vegetarian options were definitely accommodating. Desserts were smaller than I expected but definitely delicious and recommend the white chocolate bread pudding. The Bailey's caramel brownie was delicious but a little dense. Overall fantastic meal and service!
(4)
Casey S.
Came for a Sunday brunch. Arrived around 12 and was told there was a 20 minute wait. We were sat within ten minutes and received our food allots immediately after ordering it which was actually quite surprising. Unfortunately our pitcher of mimosas didn't come until we were almost done our food but the waitress didn't seem to mind us sitting there to finish the pitcher rather than chug it! We got the raspberry mimosas - I thought they were good but didn't taste extremely raspberry like. However my friend thought the raspberry flavor can through well. Regardless I enjoyed them and you can't really beat the price. As far as food, both of us loved what we ordered. I got florentine Benedict while my friend ordered the croissant Benedict. We both agreed that the eggs were perfectly poached - love that yummy runny yolk!! The florentine had spinach with bacon and tomatoes - could have had just a little more bacon and tomatoes but was delicious either way. The hollandaise is one of the better I've had - not overly thick or over empowering blocking the rest of the flavors which is fairly common. My friend loved hers and enjoyed the flavors of the buttery croissant with everything. The Canadian bacon was well grilled. As far as mine, I thought the English muffin could've been just a LITTLE bit more toasted but I think that is just a personal preference. Eggs were only room temperature is my only complaint which I will dock a star for (would do half a star if possible). I just prefer my food super hot, especially when it comes to eggs. I have also been on a Tuesday night just for drinks - their margarita special is really unbeatable. Have tried the southern (the bourbon flavor is unique and really does add a lot to the drink), Hawaiian (mostly tasted pineapple juice but I was ok with this), pomegranate (nice and fruity), and spicy jalapeño (definitely spicy but a unique option). I bet the jalapeño margarita would be delicious with Mexican dishes! Will definitely be back. Would love to try their other food at lunch or dinner.
(4)
Tre F.
Hey Marco, I mean this as nicely as possible......YOU'RE A LIAR. No one at our table at all of anything that was served to us. I apologize if your feelings are a little hurt, but I stand by what I said in my original review. The food is not as good, PERIOD. It's my money that is being spent, so if I am not satisfied it's my right to state it as such. Don't worry, it will never happen again.
(1)
Jeremy E.
Very cool atmosphere and good, large portions of food! The pasta entrees, which are already fairly inexpensive, can easily be split by my partner and me (especially if you get one of the appetizers, like the delicious fried mozzarella.) The cocktails are pretty good, but if you veer off their list, some cheaper liquors can be a lot more expensive than they should be. The brunch is awesome...great food and $10 pitchers of many different flavors of mimosas!
(4)
Cody M.
My wife and I visited Sunday evening and really enjoyed the experience. We were seated quickly and our server promptly took our order. The pasta dishes we had were both excellent and for the quality/quantity of the food the price was outstanding. Definitely a great experience all the way around, worth making an extra effort to go there.
(5)
Jimmy H.
In the area on business and ordered take out for dinner based on positive reviews. I was hugely disappointed!! Ordered the pork shanks with gremolata served over cheese grits (sounds good right!!). I opened my dish at the hotel to find 2 thick pork ribs encrusted in a green sauce with sesame seeds and a side of sweet potato fries!! Also ordered the spinach and artichoke dip with pita chips, which was dreadful!!, basically thawed frozen chopped spinach with a touch of butter and milk, and parmesan cheese sprinkled atop along with deep fried flour tortilla pieces. My wife drove down from Nashville to join me and had the chicken parm....overly salted, but otherwise good. Overall, it was a horrible experience!! I would never eat here again!
(1)
Lee C.
This is a nice restaurant in a nice area. With a beautiful room, the atmosphere is classy but comfortable. Good for friends or a date. The prices are reasonable too. I had a butternut-squash ravioli in cream sauce. It was pretty good and a generous portion. My friend had grouper on a Greek salad, which was also pretty good. The ingredients looked fresh and were well presented. I also had a berry cocktail, which was good--not overly sweet. The servers were good, giving recommendations as needed and checking up often enough. Food came out fairly quickly, and an incorrect order was fixed very quickly. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, they have good drink specials. I think I'd like to visit Silvertron again.
(4)
Susan L.
We ate an early dinner there tonight and we *loved* it. Firstly, the food: I had the pasta duo, whereby you can choose two of the pastas and have a half-portion of each. I chose the butternut squash ravioli and the pasta alla Francesca, both of which were *heavenly* ($11.75). My husband had the hummus and chicken with (shoestring) sweet potato fries ($9.95). All of the food was *delicious*, and the prices were truly a bargain. Secondly; the interior of the restaurant is *very* attractive and spacious, with a lovely (original - ca 1940's) tin ceiling and some of the walls are painted red. Also, we really liked the background music (jazz and swing). Lastly; our server was very friendly & attentive, and the young man who brought us our food was very sweet-natured. We wanted to compliment the owner afterwards and we ended up having a delightful conversation with him. He's a really nice and friendly person.
(5)
Brian C.
Great place with creative dishes for reasonable price in a casual local atmosphere. Esp on Monday night when they have pasta special. All pastas $7.95 5pm til close. The lasagne is pretty impressive. I was worried it might be a smaller portion on Mondays but it's far from it. It's easily two meals worth. If you finish it your name better be Joey Jaws Chestnut.
(4)
Lori T.
Love Silvertron with its eclectic decor. Helpful wait staff. The food is very good especially at Brunch on the weekend. Unfortunately, the cocktails aren't very good. I have been going there for a long time and am not impressed with any specialty drink I have tried. The Bloody Marys are passable but nothing special about them.
(3)
Kristin Marie S.
The Silvertron was perfect! It was everything I needed after a long day/night in Birmingham. When I woke up the next morning I was convinced I was going to have to stay in Birmingham forever. Silvertron helped me leave happy, full, and ready for the 3-hour trip home. We arrived early, so early that we couldn't order any drinks. When noon hit the place was in full swing and pitchers of bloody marys and mimosas were making the rounds. The flavored mimosas looked so delicious! Ugh, I wanted one but didn't. Next time Silvertron, next time. For brunch I ordered the egg taco salad. It was light, filling, and pretty healthy! I asked for no cheese and the chef came out to confirm that I wasn't lactose intolerant because there was cheese in the grits. I just didn't want it on my salad but I fully appreciated the check-in. I knew I was in the right place. As a side they give you fruit. Not everyone ate it but seriously, it made my day. I can not, and will not, eat anymore hash brown casserole. It is just so bad for you. Periodically, sure, it's okay to eat but not at every meal! Again, I fully appreciated them adding that as a side especially when a lot of the other menu items were pretty heavy. Hollandaise sauce galore! The location is in a cute part of B-ham. The inside was open, clean, and paid homage to Silvertron's previous life. It was super cool.
(4)
Brian C.
We were promptly seated at about 12:30 - so maybe halfway through the peak of lunch service. There were maybe 4 wait staff serving approximately 12 tables. Having grown up in a restaurant family, I'd say it was a very comfortable ratio. We waited over ten minutes at the table before anyone greeted us or took drink orders. When someone finally came, he appeared to be a chef or owner and apologized for the wait and took drink orders and said the server would be with us shortly. We then waited another 4-5 minutes for the actual server to arrive. When he did, he positively reeked of strong, stale tobacco. The guy was 4+ feet from me but the odor very unpleasant. The food came quickly via a runner and was good. The waiter never showed up until we were almost finished and the glasses long since empty. Rather than offering to get drink refills, he started wandering off and we had to request service. They weren't busy, the guy spent his time wandering rather than taking care of us. Food A-, service D
(2)
Susan W.
Have to update my review now that I've been back a few times not during restaurant week. I've had a few salads, the steak and blue cheese quesadilla and a chicken dish and they were all very good. Their service is top notch and they have a decent wine and beer list as well as specials. They are also good for large groups and never bat an eye at splitting the check.
Solid food but nothing outstanding. I get the feeling people like this place for the mimosa specials. My Benedict was ok- eggs poached nicely but the hollandaise that accompanied it could have used more flavor- it was really watery and I prefer mine thicker. The pancakes were good-they had a cornmeal base and would have been perfect had they been served with real maple syrup. The cheese grits that came with the egg based meals were way too thick and had developed that film on the top that comes when they have been sitting out too long. However, the vegetables that accompanied my spinach and artichoke egg dish were seasoned nicely and made up for the lackluster grits. Service was nice and we were sat quickly on a Sunday afternoon.
(3)
Greg R.
The pasta is some of the best in town. As usual, the carbs are standout, but the meat is neglected. The chicken here is always like jerky. I had an honest moment with my waiter the last time I was there. I said "I want to like this place, but the meat is always a disappoinment--this chicken breast is needlessly dry. I think it's a process problem" I was almost certain they cooked it ahead, which is unforgivable. Sure enough, the waiter told me that the chicken is all cooked in the morning and placed in water to store. Then they cook it again, assuring any flavor is leached and any tenderness lost. My short order cook at Waffle-House can easily cook a decent chicken breast in ten minutes. Until they start cooking their chicken like respectable chefs, I boycott. And I really like the atmosphere. It's a shame.
(2)
Shellie S.
Went for brunch and it was just okay. Eggs are only prepared scrambled or poached, so we opted for scrambled. They were burnt and actually tasted like powder eggs. The grits were good but nothing fantastic. Bloody Mary was pretty tasty and food came out quick, but other than that I wasn't impressed. In my opinion, there are better options for brunch in Birmingham. I'm editing this to 3 stars because the owner contacted me through Facebook directly the day after my review. While my opinion still stands, there is something to be said for great customer service.
(3)
Monika S.
This place has one of the best drinks I've ever tasted - a ginger martini called the Birminghamer. Don't miss it. It's one of the longest taste sensations of any drink you can imagine. The food is quite inventive and mostly tasty, definitely not your average diner fare but sometimes uneven. Prices are reasonable. The biggest problem is the noise in this place. While it's cool to eat in a historic building, the sound reverberates like in a tin can and it's just too loud.
(3)
Peter H.
I lived in Birmingham for 3 years and somehow never went to this place. We went on boxing day and nearly had the place to ourselves for Brunch. I had the Steak Grillades for a reasonable $8.75. It was two pieces of steak, cheese grits, a bagel, scrambled eggs, and a fruit bowl. Everything was great except for the fruit bowl. It wasn't super fresh, but I can excuse that. The service was good. Our waiter was obviously bored on a slow day. He checked on us more than was necessary, but I understand that as I've been in the same position. I'm definitely a better waiter when I have 4 tables than I am with just one. This place may have just replaced Bogue's as my go-to Sunday brunch spot when I'm in Birmingham.
(4)
Sam R.
We came here for brunch on my husbands birthday after reading the menu online and being intrigued by the interesting mimosa flavors. They open at 11 and we were the only people in the restaurant. Our waiter asked what we wanted to drink and when we ordered mimosas from the menu he told us we couldn't have alcohol "until church let out at noon". I asked him why it didn't say anything about that on the menu or website and he just kept saying that was the law. We asked for a minute and he walked away from our table. I asked my husband if he wanted to go somewhere else, since we were really interested in the mimosas not the food at Silvertron. Our waiter, Michael M., must have been eavesdropping because he came back to the table and rudely told us there was no where else to go, that no counties nearby even serve alcohol, and that its Alabama law. I told him that we live in Mississippi and don't have laws like that in our county so again I was just disappointed that the information wasn't made available of the menu or website. He began arguing with me about the alcohol laws in Mississippi! At this point I am so frustrated with the entire experience, I just want to get done with the meal as quickly as possible. The food was extremely basic and flavorless. I had a bacon egg and cheese croissant and it tasted like a hotel breakfast (the shredded cheese wasn't even melted). Major disappointment! I understand laws are laws but be transparent and remind your employees they should never be argumentative with customers.
(2)
Patrick M.
Absolutely stunning dining room in the cutest corner of Birmingham. Delicious food and cocktails. I'll definitely be back. We had Nonna's Pasta which needed a bit more seasoning but the Dixie Summer Punch with fresh ginger and blueberries hit all the right spots. Great place to experience Birmingham's food culture.
(4)
Erin B.
I live the decor of this place. From the time you walk in, you feel like you've been transported to the early 1900s. But they also have modern artwork on the walls to bring it back to current day. The food is very good, and they have specials like cheaper pastas one night a week. The brunch is pretty good too.
(4)
Ee Vonn Y.
Get the triple combo salad with hot bacon vinaigrette. It tastes exactly it's described--liquid bacon. Fortunately, your salad won't need the vinaigrette dressing. The triple combo salad comes with two scoops of chicken salad, pasta, shrimp and celery, eggs, and some olives in the middle. It's delicious and not diet-friendly. For people who love burgers, the black and blue burger is the real deal. The patty is soft, grainy, and delicious. When cooked medium, it's still soft and meaty.
(4)
Spence H.
I had been wanting to visit Silvertron Cafe ever since hearing about it a few months ago. Since I rarely have brunch, I decided to go on a Sunday and give it a whirl. I ordered the classic Eggs Benedict and a raspberry mimosa (they were out of three flavors because it was so busy that day). The food and drinks came out very quickly and I really enjoyed the Eggs Benedict, grits and fruit that came with it. Also, having the mimosa to wash it all down with was certainly a plus. The items were reasonably priced, the service prompt, and the drinks tasty. I will definitely be making another visit to Silvertron in the near future
(5)
Will L.
I finally made it to Silvertron this weekend for brunch and I'm glad I did. The options were great and affordable. Speaking of affordable... $9 Mimosa pitchers! One of these steals were more than enough for two of us. I decided on the Grillades & Grits. They come with scrambled eggs & steak medallions with a Creole hollandaise. Plus, they're served with cheese grits, toasted bagel, and fresh fruit. When it first came to the table, I was worried that it wasn't going to be enough to fill me up. I was very wrong. It was delicious and filling. My friend got the fajitas and they looked amazing. I'll definitely be trying them out next time The only negative is the parking situation. There only seems to be street parking and not much of it. It's really not a big deal. I guess it stood out due to the torrential downpour that was taking place.
(4)
Meggin M.
I had heard so many good things about this place I finally made it a point to go with an out of town friend last Saturday and though the food most definitely did not disappoint, the service could use some work..the server did not even greet us, he simply took out hit pen and paper and stared at us until we ordered. Some waters were placed on our table and we were never given the option to order something different, and literally the entire time we were at his table, never heard a word from out server! It was the strangest thing I've ever experienced..I much more enjoy a dining experience where the workers interact and are personable.
(3)
Jim T.
Awesome place for brunch. Good service, good food, decent prices.
(4)
Tammy B.
Silvertron was requested by our friends and we gladly accepted. Silvertron has a lovely local, comfortable, upscale-diner feel. They offer a varied menu, beers and cocktails, friendly service, and very reasonable prices for food and atmosphere. I was a bit bummed by the small serving of guacamole; I had no other complaints. Everyone at the table was pleased with their meal.
(4)
Donna B.
I visited Silvertron yesterday for the first time in many years. I must say things have changed and not for the better. I was so disappointed in the quality of my food. I ordered the Triple Salad Plater, which was always my most favorite menu item. The shrimp salad consisted of tiny brine shrimp not the plump medium shrimp that I remembered. My lunch companion and I were calling it "sea monkey salad". The chicken salad was the consistency of Tuna salad not the wonderful chunky chicken salad I had in the past. The only saving grace on the plate was the pasta salad, which too was not the same but good. To add insult to injury, I asked for some crackers, bread, or crostini. The server brought me two packages of saltines. How cheap can you be ?!
(2)
Wendy C.
Great for breakfast. Good mimosas. I had the grapefruit which was perfectly made. I am told thier Raspberry mimosas are the best. They do great grits as well.
(4)
Hiram C.
While the atmosphere and staff are great... the food is not. The food is never seasoned well or not at all. Out of the 10 times I have been there, my meal has only been decent twice. Their Sunday Brunch offers a different menu and is only slightly better than their regular one. Their wraps are never made right and always break. Given I've worked in the food industry, I know it's not hard to make a decent wrap. I tried to venture and try different things but finally was so disappointed I got the chicken fingers and even those were terrible. They used a fish batter to fry it in and it seems like they shouldn't be in the food industry if they can't get chicken fingers right. While I do like the staff, there is just no excuse for the food to be that terrible.
(2)
Lars C.
Love the Silvertron!!
(5)
Gary N.
We went to the Silvertron tonight with friends and while my pasta plate was pretty good, my wife's lasagna and the kid's pizzas did not fare as well. Huge portions on the pasta plates, really enough for two. Appetizers were not very big for the price. Service was great, but some of our menu choices didn't suit us. Maybe another time.
(3)
Stephen V.
Went to pasta night (Monday) last night, and OMG it was absolutely amazing. I tried the lasagna of the day and their cheesy pasta, and both were delicious. If I wasn't on a weight loss program, I would eat pasta at Silvertron every Monday night!
(5)
Randy W.
Birmingham, we need to have a dialogue regarding the # of restaurants you have available. You're really lacking in this department. That said, the Silvertron is a decent little place with an inventive menu. Like great jazz music all they are doing is making little variations of traditional recipes and in so doing it is magical. I think that their idea of creating a Margarita Flight was downright inspired! (I'm stealing this idea and taking it home to NY with me.) So why, if I like it so much, does it only get 3 stars? Service. Friendly but slow ... I mean REALLY slow. The place was virtually empty and they seemed confused that I wanted to place my order after only sitting for 20 minutes.
(3)
Nathan C.
Decent fish tacos, but I'll probably stick to their more traditional items next time.
(4)
Andy S.
Great Ameritalian bistro/diner. Good, friendly service. Daily Specials. The most immediately pleasing aspect was the atmosphere. Old building, sparse yet tasteful decor. Good wine. Great for lunch or dinner. Situated in a nice neighborhood on a pleasant strip of local shops. Again, friendly service.
(4)
debra d.
On a recent visit to b'ham my son and I took advantage of pasta night every Monday for 7.95. The portion sizes on our dishes were enormous!! The food was quite tasty as was the charming atmosphere with twinkling lights . Believe it or not we had 3 additional lunches from our leftovers,crazy huh! Highly recommend this place.
(4)
Patrick M.
Absolutely stunning dining room in the cutest corner of Birmingham. Delicious food and cocktails. I'll definitely be back. We had Nonna's Pasta which needed a bit more seasoning but the Dixie Summer Punch with fresh ginger and blueberries hit all the right spots. Great place to experience Birmingham's food culture.
(4)
Erin B.
I live the decor of this place. From the time you walk in, you feel like you've been transported to the early 1900s. But they also have modern artwork on the walls to bring it back to current day. The food is very good, and they have specials like cheaper pastas one night a week. The brunch is pretty good too.
(4)
Ee Vonn Y.
Get the triple combo salad with hot bacon vinaigrette. It tastes exactly it's described--liquid bacon. Fortunately, your salad won't need the vinaigrette dressing. The triple combo salad comes with two scoops of chicken salad, pasta, shrimp and celery, eggs, and some olives in the middle. It's delicious and not diet-friendly. For people who love burgers, the black and blue burger is the real deal. The patty is soft, grainy, and delicious. When cooked medium, it's still soft and meaty.
(4)
Gary N.
We went to the Silvertron tonight with friends and while my pasta plate was pretty good, my wife's lasagna and the kid's pizzas did not fare as well. Huge portions on the pasta plates, really enough for two. Appetizers were not very big for the price. Service was great, but some of our menu choices didn't suit us. Maybe another time.
(3)
Tammy B.
Haven't even left yet and am compelled to review. The good: My service was awesome, loved her and the rest is not her fault. The food was horrible. I wasn't even hungry but ordered their steak tacos thinking I'd take home some leftovers. The steak was so burnt on one side I truly felt I'd chip a tooth. It was crunchy. Awful. Bland - absolutely no flavor. Is this is an "Italian" restaurant you could have fooled me. Their pasta salad tastes horrendous. Can't even get the after taste out. I did like their drink options, and suspect their breakfast foods are better but I have plenty of better options on they category. I won't be coming here again, but am dying to try out Little Savannah next store when they are open. (Not Sundays apparently ) UPDATE: Since Marco replied to my review, I decided to write an update (which I never do). Setting aside the creepy feeling that he or someone "saw/watched" my every move while I dined.............he did miss one tiny detail. Yes the waitress offered me a to go container, which I used, but did NOT take with me. I left it on the table. Also Yelp had this listed as an Italian restaurant just a few days ago - so somehow that got fixed. While I sincerely appreciate the reply and offer to "make it right", it wouldn't have mattered if I sent it back and got steak that wasn't burnt - it was still bland. I doubt it would have come back miraculously tasty and perfect (I could be wrong, because yes, I chose NOT to send it back, or make a fuss, because I wasn't hungry enough). I grew up in a small town with restaurants just like this - they are "good" by the local standard which usually translates to "bang for your buck". My own family will eat pretty much anything, and gets giddy about getting a plate full of bland food for cheap prices. They simply don't know any better standard. For the past 20 years, I've been fortunate to travel and live around the country (Los Angeles, Boston, NY), and really be exposed to multiple cultures and standards of food at the ultimate level. And no, I don't need fancy or pretentious "fusion" food to make me happy - I'll always be a country girl (who appreciates a bargain) at heart. Some of the best things I've ever eaten came off a food truck. You said you've been around 30 years, and I have no doubt you'll be around another 30! There will always be clientele that is attracted to this type of establishment, it's just not me.
(1)
Jacky V.
This place is alright. I love the concept. It's an old TV store and had great old pictures of Birmingham and gives you a lot of history. My food was just food. Nothing to rave about. The fried cheese was just that, nothing big. My quesadilla wasn't cooked all the way (cold shredded cheese) so I had to send it back. The service was just service. Nothing above and beyond.
(2)
Elizabeth N.
The restaurant was empty when my group got there and the service was speedy. The portions were generous and our water glasses were never empty. Our waiter was very polite and provided awesome service. Definitely loved the butternut squash ravioli and pork shank with sweet potato fries. Vegetarian options were definitely accommodating. Desserts were smaller than I expected but definitely delicious and recommend the white chocolate bread pudding. The Bailey's caramel brownie was delicious but a little dense. Overall fantastic meal and service!
(4)
Greg R.
The pasta is some of the best in town. As usual, the carbs are standout, but the meat is neglected. The chicken here is always like jerky. I had an honest moment with my waiter the last time I was there. I said "I want to like this place, but the meat is always a disappoinment--this chicken breast is needlessly dry. I think it's a process problem" I was almost certain they cooked it ahead, which is unforgivable. Sure enough, the waiter told me that the chicken is all cooked in the morning and placed in water to store. Then they cook it again, assuring any flavor is leached and any tenderness lost. My short order cook at Waffle-House can easily cook a decent chicken breast in ten minutes. Until they start cooking their chicken like respectable chefs, I boycott. And I really like the atmosphere. It's a shame.
(2)
Shellie S.
Went for brunch and it was just okay. Eggs are only prepared scrambled or poached, so we opted for scrambled. They were burnt and actually tasted like powder eggs. The grits were good but nothing fantastic. Bloody Mary was pretty tasty and food came out quick, but other than that I wasn't impressed. In my opinion, there are better options for brunch in Birmingham. I'm editing this to 3 stars because the owner contacted me through Facebook directly the day after my review. While my opinion still stands, there is something to be said for great customer service.
(3)
Rob R.
I love the ambiance, the service, and the portions. However, my beef and spinach lasagna was a little bitter and the tetrazini wasn't quite creamy enough. The fajitas, however, came out sizzling and were juicy but not oily like a normal mexican place. Try the pasta duo on Monday for $8.50 (especially the primavera) - I promise that it's enough for two. Next time, I'm going back to one of the stand-bys: the chicken fajita wrap.
(3)
Monika S.
This place has one of the best drinks I've ever tasted - a ginger martini called the Birminghamer. Don't miss it. It's one of the longest taste sensations of any drink you can imagine. The food is quite inventive and mostly tasty, definitely not your average diner fare but sometimes uneven. Prices are reasonable. The biggest problem is the noise in this place. While it's cool to eat in a historic building, the sound reverberates like in a tin can and it's just too loud.
(3)
Caleigh R.
Customers, please don't let the emptiness of this beautiful space turn you away. I will be honest, sometimes the food selection is good, and sometimes I think, "why did I pick this???" We ordered the carnitas tacos and grouper fish and chips. I requested the orange-jalapeno sauce on the side of the taco's as David is often picky with unique sauces. In the end, he poured it all over his taco! He didn't like it very much, either--guess he wasn't thinking it through. The pulled pork is soft and falls apart easily. I enjoyed the taco's, but the sauce is unique...so make sure to order it on the side! I wish I had asked if they had salsa or something else to dress the taco with. What's not to like about fried goodness? Grouper and chips....yum! I thought the fish was very good, but it is heavily breaded--so don't get this if you want healthy. Because I have Great Britain in my blood, I know that chips are NOT thin french fries. That is the only thing I request....if you are going to call it Fish and Chips, make it fish and chips :) Steak fries will complete this entree best. Oh--we had onion rings with the tacos and they were delish!!! We also had a couple pints from Avondale Brewery--always enjoy the Saizon and Tripel. I feel like Silvertron has improved since my last visit, or perhaps I made a better selection! But don't completely write it off Birmingham, let's keep supporting this unique Forest Park option!
(4)
Rebekah H.
My parents were in town for the weekend and wanted to go somewhere local. I had heard good things about the Silvertron so decided I should take them there! I was glad I did! Well priced and diverse menu- we were all able to find something we liked! I had the butternut squash ravioli- which was going out on a limb for me seeing as I am not a fan of cinnamon and most places flavor anything "squash" with loads of cinnamon or all spice- this was garlicy and creamy savory bliss!! My mom had the hummus with chicken, onions, and peppers. . . Which was fabulous- even as left overs! My dad had the pork shanks with grits- which I did not try because I don't eat pork, but he said it was slightly bland. I have an active two year old and a three month old and found the Silvertron to be fairly kid friendly, although I don't remember there being a children's menu. We just ordered the slides for my son and he ate one and we took the rest home for daddy. :-) I would definitely take out of town company there again!!!
(4)
Peter H.
Overall a enjoyable dinning experience. This food was excellent, but the service was a little slow. I had the pork chop with bourbon sauce, the pork chop was extremely tender and juicy, the bourbon sauce was sweet but not overpowering, just a nice flavor, that came with a side of roasted potatoes on the side. Of course, to finish the night I had to get the ice cream topped Pecan Pie!
(4)
Jody O.
Great environment.... pretty good food. I had the chicken parmesan several times and the chicken and sauce is great. However, the noodles are always overcooked. The drinks are good but if you have something other than well, the drinks tend to be pricey. Overall, I usually have a pretty good experience.
(3)
LL C.
Years ago my friends and I used to go here for lunch (BEFORE the days of Yelp) and always enjoyed it. Even though it's been years since my last visit (and new owners) it was still just as enjoyable. My favs used to be the Silvertron Fried Chicken salad and the chicken salad on crossaint. I didn't get either this time but my friend got the Silvertron salad and enjoyed it. I got the steak & bleu cheese quesadilla and it was YUMMY! If I aren't sure you like a lot of bleu cheese then don't get it. PLENTY of cheesy goodness that I loved! AND the caramelized onions set it off perfectly. The steak was well-done, which I prefer in something like quesadillas and tacos. If you're a medium-well kind of steak person maybe request it that way. However, I think the flavors work better with the steak well-done. Oh and it is huge!!!! It came with guac and sour cream on the side. I probably could have used some salsa (maybe?) and I'm sure our server Trey would have gotten some for me had I asked. He was great! Such a fun & pleasant personality! For appetizers we tried the bruschetta which was quite tasty. Though I wished it had been a larger order...maybe 5-6 pieces instead of only four. Hard to share if you have a large table and we had six. Now the fried cheesy artichokes had more than enough to share! Surprisingly good especially since we didn't know what to expect. The cheese mixture was really good and the fried pieces were perfect. Messy but cheesy stuff should be messy right?! :-) Another friend had the pork tacos and I could have eaten a pot of that pork with a spoon! Tender with a slight sweetness! Yum! Another friend had the triple salad platter with chicken, shrimp and pasta salads. Didn't try but she enjoyed it. All in all a great night! Glad to see it's still as good as it was in the past and that it's still a popular place. Wish it stayed open a little later on Saturday's (closes at 9:30?) so plan accordingly. We were having such a good time that it was 9:45 before we realized it!
(4)
Miranda R.
Silvertron is a great atmosphere, I love the building, but the food is only mediocre. I took my mom in yesterday and I could tell her mouth was watering for the pork shanks. I was so angry when they brought her out 2 dried up pieces of meat with a bunch of scattered fries on a CHIPPED plate. Are we not good enough for whole china? So tacky! It ruined the whole experience. Broken plates. Throw that garbage away! She ate the food but said it wasnt as tender as she was hoping for. I had fettuccini Alfredo. Nothing magical there. Not my first recommendation. If you aren't expecting too much out of your meal, you'll be ok. The sweet potato fries are good and I think the one time I had the Nonnas pasta it was good. Stay away from the lasagna.
(2)
Will G.
I mostly come here for brunch, and almost always get eggs benedict in some form or fashion. like some of the other reviews mention, it's a little loud, but nothing to get worked up over, and the service is always top notch and quick. We've tried most of the brunch spots in town, and though some have offered some really fantastic dishes, this still remains our regular brunch spot for quality and service. Lastly, I cannot recommend the croissant benedict enough, it's simply one of the best brunch dishes I've ever had, nothing crazy or experimental, just well prepared, simple, and delicious.
(5)
Casey S.
Came for a Sunday brunch. Arrived around 12 and was told there was a 20 minute wait. We were sat within ten minutes and received our food allots immediately after ordering it which was actually quite surprising. Unfortunately our pitcher of mimosas didn't come until we were almost done our food but the waitress didn't seem to mind us sitting there to finish the pitcher rather than chug it! We got the raspberry mimosas - I thought they were good but didn't taste extremely raspberry like. However my friend thought the raspberry flavor can through well. Regardless I enjoyed them and you can't really beat the price. As far as food, both of us loved what we ordered. I got florentine Benedict while my friend ordered the croissant Benedict. We both agreed that the eggs were perfectly poached - love that yummy runny yolk!! The florentine had spinach with bacon and tomatoes - could have had just a little more bacon and tomatoes but was delicious either way. The hollandaise is one of the better I've had - not overly thick or over empowering blocking the rest of the flavors which is fairly common. My friend loved hers and enjoyed the flavors of the buttery croissant with everything. The Canadian bacon was well grilled. As far as mine, I thought the English muffin could've been just a LITTLE bit more toasted but I think that is just a personal preference. Eggs were only room temperature is my only complaint which I will dock a star for (would do half a star if possible). I just prefer my food super hot, especially when it comes to eggs. I have also been on a Tuesday night just for drinks - their margarita special is really unbeatable. Have tried the southern (the bourbon flavor is unique and really does add a lot to the drink), Hawaiian (mostly tasted pineapple juice but I was ok with this), pomegranate (nice and fruity), and spicy jalapeño (definitely spicy but a unique option). I bet the jalapeño margarita would be delicious with Mexican dishes! Will definitely be back. Would love to try their other food at lunch or dinner.
(4)
Tre F.
Hey Marco, I mean this as nicely as possible......YOU'RE A LIAR. No one at our table at all of anything that was served to us. I apologize if your feelings are a little hurt, but I stand by what I said in my original review. The food is not as good, PERIOD. It's my money that is being spent, so if I am not satisfied it's my right to state it as such. Don't worry, it will never happen again.
(1)
Jeremy E.
Very cool atmosphere and good, large portions of food! The pasta entrees, which are already fairly inexpensive, can easily be split by my partner and me (especially if you get one of the appetizers, like the delicious fried mozzarella.) The cocktails are pretty good, but if you veer off their list, some cheaper liquors can be a lot more expensive than they should be. The brunch is awesome...great food and $10 pitchers of many different flavors of mimosas!
(4)
Cody M.
My wife and I visited Sunday evening and really enjoyed the experience. We were seated quickly and our server promptly took our order. The pasta dishes we had were both excellent and for the quality/quantity of the food the price was outstanding. Definitely a great experience all the way around, worth making an extra effort to go there.
(5)
Jimmy H.
In the area on business and ordered take out for dinner based on positive reviews. I was hugely disappointed!! Ordered the pork shanks with gremolata served over cheese grits (sounds good right!!). I opened my dish at the hotel to find 2 thick pork ribs encrusted in a green sauce with sesame seeds and a side of sweet potato fries!! Also ordered the spinach and artichoke dip with pita chips, which was dreadful!!, basically thawed frozen chopped spinach with a touch of butter and milk, and parmesan cheese sprinkled atop along with deep fried flour tortilla pieces. My wife drove down from Nashville to join me and had the chicken parm....overly salted, but otherwise good. Overall, it was a horrible experience!! I would never eat here again!
(1)
Lee C.
This is a nice restaurant in a nice area. With a beautiful room, the atmosphere is classy but comfortable. Good for friends or a date. The prices are reasonable too. I had a butternut-squash ravioli in cream sauce. It was pretty good and a generous portion. My friend had grouper on a Greek salad, which was also pretty good. The ingredients looked fresh and were well presented. I also had a berry cocktail, which was good--not overly sweet. The servers were good, giving recommendations as needed and checking up often enough. Food came out fairly quickly, and an incorrect order was fixed very quickly. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, they have good drink specials. I think I'd like to visit Silvertron again.
(4)
Susan L.
We ate an early dinner there tonight and we *loved* it. Firstly, the food: I had the pasta duo, whereby you can choose two of the pastas and have a half-portion of each. I chose the butternut squash ravioli and the pasta alla Francesca, both of which were *heavenly* ($11.75). My husband had the hummus and chicken with (shoestring) sweet potato fries ($9.95). All of the food was *delicious*, and the prices were truly a bargain. Secondly; the interior of the restaurant is *very* attractive and spacious, with a lovely (original - ca 1940's) tin ceiling and some of the walls are painted red. Also, we really liked the background music (jazz and swing). Lastly; our server was very friendly & attentive, and the young man who brought us our food was very sweet-natured. We wanted to compliment the owner afterwards and we ended up having a delightful conversation with him. He's a really nice and friendly person.
(5)
Brian C.
Great place with creative dishes for reasonable price in a casual local atmosphere. Esp on Monday night when they have pasta special. All pastas $7.95 5pm til close. The lasagne is pretty impressive. I was worried it might be a smaller portion on Mondays but it's far from it. It's easily two meals worth. If you finish it your name better be Joey Jaws Chestnut.
(4)
Lori T.
Love Silvertron with its eclectic decor. Helpful wait staff. The food is very good especially at Brunch on the weekend. Unfortunately, the cocktails aren't very good. I have been going there for a long time and am not impressed with any specialty drink I have tried. The Bloody Marys are passable but nothing special about them.
(3)
Kristin Marie S.
The Silvertron was perfect! It was everything I needed after a long day/night in Birmingham. When I woke up the next morning I was convinced I was going to have to stay in Birmingham forever. Silvertron helped me leave happy, full, and ready for the 3-hour trip home. We arrived early, so early that we couldn't order any drinks. When noon hit the place was in full swing and pitchers of bloody marys and mimosas were making the rounds. The flavored mimosas looked so delicious! Ugh, I wanted one but didn't. Next time Silvertron, next time. For brunch I ordered the egg taco salad. It was light, filling, and pretty healthy! I asked for no cheese and the chef came out to confirm that I wasn't lactose intolerant because there was cheese in the grits. I just didn't want it on my salad but I fully appreciated the check-in. I knew I was in the right place. As a side they give you fruit. Not everyone ate it but seriously, it made my day. I can not, and will not, eat anymore hash brown casserole. It is just so bad for you. Periodically, sure, it's okay to eat but not at every meal! Again, I fully appreciated them adding that as a side especially when a lot of the other menu items were pretty heavy. Hollandaise sauce galore! The location is in a cute part of B-ham. The inside was open, clean, and paid homage to Silvertron's previous life. It was super cool.
(4)
Brian C.
We were promptly seated at about 12:30 - so maybe halfway through the peak of lunch service. There were maybe 4 wait staff serving approximately 12 tables. Having grown up in a restaurant family, I'd say it was a very comfortable ratio. We waited over ten minutes at the table before anyone greeted us or took drink orders. When someone finally came, he appeared to be a chef or owner and apologized for the wait and took drink orders and said the server would be with us shortly. We then waited another 4-5 minutes for the actual server to arrive. When he did, he positively reeked of strong, stale tobacco. The guy was 4+ feet from me but the odor very unpleasant. The food came quickly via a runner and was good. The waiter never showed up until we were almost finished and the glasses long since empty. Rather than offering to get drink refills, he started wandering off and we had to request service. They weren't busy, the guy spent his time wandering rather than taking care of us. Food A-, service D
(2)
Susan W.
Have to update my review now that I've been back a few times not during restaurant week. I've had a few salads, the steak and blue cheese quesadilla and a chicken dish and they were all very good. Their service is top notch and they have a decent wine and beer list as well as specials. They are also good for large groups and never bat an eye at splitting the check.
Solid food but nothing outstanding. I get the feeling people like this place for the mimosa specials. My Benedict was ok- eggs poached nicely but the hollandaise that accompanied it could have used more flavor- it was really watery and I prefer mine thicker. The pancakes were good-they had a cornmeal base and would have been perfect had they been served with real maple syrup. The cheese grits that came with the egg based meals were way too thick and had developed that film on the top that comes when they have been sitting out too long. However, the vegetables that accompanied my spinach and artichoke egg dish were seasoned nicely and made up for the lackluster grits. Service was nice and we were sat quickly on a Sunday afternoon.
(3)
Sam R.
We came here for brunch on my husbands birthday after reading the menu online and being intrigued by the interesting mimosa flavors. They open at 11 and we were the only people in the restaurant. Our waiter asked what we wanted to drink and when we ordered mimosas from the menu he told us we couldn't have alcohol "until church let out at noon". I asked him why it didn't say anything about that on the menu or website and he just kept saying that was the law. We asked for a minute and he walked away from our table. I asked my husband if he wanted to go somewhere else, since we were really interested in the mimosas not the food at Silvertron. Our waiter, Michael M., must have been eavesdropping because he came back to the table and rudely told us there was no where else to go, that no counties nearby even serve alcohol, and that its Alabama law. I told him that we live in Mississippi and don't have laws like that in our county so again I was just disappointed that the information wasn't made available of the menu or website. He began arguing with me about the alcohol laws in Mississippi! At this point I am so frustrated with the entire experience, I just want to get done with the meal as quickly as possible. The food was extremely basic and flavorless. I had a bacon egg and cheese croissant and it tasted like a hotel breakfast (the shredded cheese wasn't even melted). Major disappointment! I understand laws are laws but be transparent and remind your employees they should never be argumentative with customers.
(2)
Ashley W.
In the middle of a volunteer training day, a group of trainees and I decided to grab lunch at Silvertron during our allotted hour break. A few were vegetarians and knew that Silvertron Cafe offered options for them, so we drove the few streets over to get some grub. For a Saturday at lunchtime, Silvertron was awfully empty. Ironically enough, one of the vegetarians in our group pointed me towards the crab and shrimp cake sandwiches. I'm glad these cute little sandwiches came with what seemed like homemade tartar sauce on the side because without it they would have been pretty boring. A plus for this dish was that the crab and shrimp used in the cakes were obviously very fresh, which I always appreciate. I also loved that the crab and shrimp cakes were served on buttery yeast rolls! Onion rings were a miss as my side dish - they looked so tasty from across the room, but turned out to be soggy. I wouldn't avoid going back to Silvertron for a meal, especially since my vegetarian and non-vegetarian friends can eat together in harmony. EDIT: When I say that Silvertron was empty, I meant more so in terms of space - the tables are a decent amount of space away from each other. This definitely isn't a bad thing in my opinion.
(3)
Ginger W.
Visited for Sunday brunch. Restaurant seems dingy and unclean. We ordered the pitcher of Bloody Mary's. The flavor was not very good but tolerable, however there seemed to be an extremely small amount of vodka. Husband ordered a couple of extra shots of vodka to add, but received two watered down shots that didn't improve the situation very much. We were hopeful about the food based on the crowd and from reviews we had read. But our meal was also a disappointment. The scrambled eggs (which I don't think are even real eggs at all) were terrible...worst eggs either of us have ever had. Overall a big let down for our first and last visit.
(1)
Tammy B.
Silvertron was requested by our friends and we gladly accepted. Silvertron has a lovely local, comfortable, upscale-diner feel. They offer a varied menu, beers and cocktails, friendly service, and very reasonable prices for food and atmosphere. I was a bit bummed by the small serving of guacamole; I had no other complaints. Everyone at the table was pleased with their meal.
(4)
Donna B.
I visited Silvertron yesterday for the first time in many years. I must say things have changed and not for the better. I was so disappointed in the quality of my food. I ordered the Triple Salad Plater, which was always my most favorite menu item. The shrimp salad consisted of tiny brine shrimp not the plump medium shrimp that I remembered. My lunch companion and I were calling it "sea monkey salad". The chicken salad was the consistency of Tuna salad not the wonderful chunky chicken salad I had in the past. The only saving grace on the plate was the pasta salad, which too was not the same but good. To add insult to injury, I asked for some crackers, bread, or crostini. The server brought me two packages of saltines. How cheap can you be ?!
(2)
Wendy C.
Great for breakfast. Good mimosas. I had the grapefruit which was perfectly made. I am told thier Raspberry mimosas are the best. They do great grits as well.
(4)
Riley H.
Yelp says 3 stars is "A-OK"... Thats what I would give our dinner-- but we want to go back for brunch since that seems to be the time to go! Dinner was ok to good. Simple, standard cafe food. My husbands steak and blue cheese quesadilla was HUGE. He was able to take half for lunch the next day, which was great. I had the french onion soup. Good, but there were a few too-crispy pieces in it I had to remove throughout dinner. We had the brownie for dessert- it was pretty good but I know adding Baileys (which they offered) really would have made it better! It's too bad I couldn't have alcohol during our visit. After pregnancy is over, we'll be going back for brunch to grab a couple of the tasty mimosas for brunch. I liked that they had a lot of specials throughout the week...Including pasta night on monday for under $8 a dish. The atmosphere was nice. Food wasn't jaw dropping, but we'll be back to enjoy the specials!
(3)
Ryan B.
Found this place by accident, while looking for another place, that ended up being closed. Food was REALLY good! Prices were good. Weird atmosphere. It was like a cross between TV memorabilia, and a juke box cafe.
(4)
Curry T.
The great thing about this place is it is consistently mediocre, and sometimes that's exactly what I want. There are some exceptions to this: the Fried Mushrooms are FREAKING FANTASTIC, though unless you're with a dozen other people you probably won't be able to finish the gigantic order (tip: they're not so bad reheated in the oven!) But Marco, what happened to the horseradish sauce? They were served with ranch last time I went, and though the ranch was delicious, the mushrooms really need the original sauce back. I also absolutely love the Shrimp and Avocado Salad, it has the perfect blend of flavors and is always delightful. Some people say the Mushroom and Swiss Chicken Sandwich is their thing, but I don't do swiss cheese so I can't speak to the veracity of that claim. Some of the dishes vary depending on who's in the kitchen: for example, I've had the alfredo be delicious and flavorful, then greasy and bland at another visit. At my last visit, there were some very burnt edges on my lasagna (which I actually enjoyed a lot... who doesn't love burnt cheese?) But overall, the food is a great value for the quality and portion size. Want even more value? Go on Monday nights, it's Pasta Night! I really wish Marco would bring back the Italian Sausage Pesto, it was my favorite even though it was always sitting in about a liter of extra grease. I'm exaggerating, but I honestly never saw the dish without excess grease and it never once stopped me from ordering it. Much like the food, the alcohol varies as well. One Sunday Brunch, I had a bloody mary that tasted like water. How does that even happen? Then on another visit I had some silly cocktail bullshit from their special cocktail menu and it was delicious (and super alcoholic). Order the Bailey's Brownie. It's a brownie of the perfect consistency, served with ice cream and splashed with Bailey's. Overall, I'd recommend going here if you're not too uptight about everything being perfect all the time, or you know exactly what you want and that it is always good (like the mushrooms). The service is always friendly and the atmosphere is always pleasant. I love all the old photos! Full disclosure: I worked here under the first two owners and was offered a job when Marco took over, though I declined. There will always be a soft spot in my heart for this place!
(4)
Brock O.
I came here with my daughter on a Sunday for brunch. The service was clean and straightforward and nobody seemed to mind that we did magic tricks at the table. The beer selection is not fantastic. I bought a Duvel, which paired nicely with my crab and shrimp cake eggs benedict. They brought my beer out with a chilled glass, which was offputting. I thought they would have known better, but warming the glass in my hands gave me something to do (beside making salt shakers disappear and otherwise bonding with my four year old) while we waited for our food to arrive. The Duvel poured a light gold with a wispy lacing and rapidly receding head.
(5)
Mark B.
Great experience. Reasonable prices and good atmosphere. Everything on the menu looked delicious. We will be back.
(5)
Spence H.
I had been wanting to visit Silvertron Cafe ever since hearing about it a few months ago. Since I rarely have brunch, I decided to go on a Sunday and give it a whirl. I ordered the classic Eggs Benedict and a raspberry mimosa (they were out of three flavors because it was so busy that day). The food and drinks came out very quickly and I really enjoyed the Eggs Benedict, grits and fruit that came with it. Also, having the mimosa to wash it all down with was certainly a plus. The items were reasonably priced, the service prompt, and the drinks tasty. I will definitely be making another visit to Silvertron in the near future
(5)
Will L.
I finally made it to Silvertron this weekend for brunch and I'm glad I did. The options were great and affordable. Speaking of affordable... $9 Mimosa pitchers! One of these steals were more than enough for two of us. I decided on the Grillades & Grits. They come with scrambled eggs & steak medallions with a Creole hollandaise. Plus, they're served with cheese grits, toasted bagel, and fresh fruit. When it first came to the table, I was worried that it wasn't going to be enough to fill me up. I was very wrong. It was delicious and filling. My friend got the fajitas and they looked amazing. I'll definitely be trying them out next time The only negative is the parking situation. There only seems to be street parking and not much of it. It's really not a big deal. I guess it stood out due to the torrential downpour that was taking place.
(4)
Meggin M.
I had heard so many good things about this place I finally made it a point to go with an out of town friend last Saturday and though the food most definitely did not disappoint, the service could use some work..the server did not even greet us, he simply took out hit pen and paper and stared at us until we ordered. Some waters were placed on our table and we were never given the option to order something different, and literally the entire time we were at his table, never heard a word from out server! It was the strangest thing I've ever experienced..I much more enjoy a dining experience where the workers interact and are personable.
(3)
Matthew K.
Very nice atmosphere. I imagine a nice place to take a date. Ordered artichoke hearts and a margarita to start me off. Both were fantastic. I was then served the carnitas tacos with a side of fries. Fries were okay, not too greasy but the tacos were delicious and healthy sizes. Would come here again if in the area.
(4)
Janna T.
I love this place so much! I love bringing new friends here. Everything I've tried here is good and I love the different flavors of mimosas for Sunday brunch. This is such a chill place that you can sit and talk for hours. Their chicken salad is the BOMB!
(4)
Michael B.
Steak Benedict * Poached eggs over grilled steak topped with a Creole hollandaise over English muffin. Served with fresh fruit and cheese grits. $8.75 Visited this Birmingham Tradition for the first time in years. The Biscuits we ordered right away were excellent. The Fried Cheese, the best anywhere we have ever eaten. The entree Steak Benedict was supposed to be grilled but was coated in flour and fried so it seemed like a "country fried steak." Not what I wanted, a gut bomb, but manageable. Unfortunately, the cheese grits that everyone else raves about on this restaurant's page were WAY OVER SALTED. We brought the issue to the attention of our server and she said they couldn't be fixed because they were made in a large batch. "May I please have some spinach instead?, I asked. She seemed confused and then brought out some fruit that she said she was instructed to substitute. However, there was already a healthy portion of fruit on my plate. I asked for the manager and he worked nicely at getting the spinach. Of which I would have been pleased with and carried on with my life. However, for some reason the owner/chef didn't want to let it go at that. They sent out another round of grits that were obviously a watered down version of the first serving. Still salty and inedible. A few minutes later the chef/owner came to the table and wanted to know if i was pleased with the substitution and additional change to the grits. To tell the truth, I told him the grits were STILL too salty. He said, "well we haven't had any other customers send them back!" I was left thinking, "well, we are only 2 of the first 20 customers of the day and I don't see any SALTY GRITS on any other person's plate." I was simply airing my experience and trying to partner with them in resolving the issue before their brunch really got busy. This point was missed or bounced of the SALT BLOCK on the shoulders of the owner/chef. Without being able to relay the message with any success or resolve I simply decided to let the issue go and get the heck outta DODGE. Ps. My company makes cheese grits by the gallons everyday, we know when they are done properly.
(2)
Raye F.
Good! I was kinda confused walking in because it seemed like a fancy place that I was under dressed for. The menu has a hodgepodge of items. A good appetizer for a small group that's sure to please are the chips & salsa because it's not your average chips/salsa. I went against my personal preference to eat pork tonight. The lasagna of the day had Italian sausage, peppers and onions in it-- it was a generous portion. I'm looking forward to trying something else! Maybe Tex-Mex Tuesday $3 margaritas; $9 pitchers. Your tummy will thank you~happy eats
(3)
J M.
A decent place, but nothing special.
(3)
Josh O.
This place was awesome. I went yesterday and had the shrimp and crab cake eggs benedict with cheese grits, and I honestly could not have asked for a better breakfast. I can almost guarantee that I'll be going back here on any and all future trips to Birmingham.
(5)
Joseph B.
This is a perfect place for daydrinking. The food ranges from all right to good, depending on the day, but the atmosphere is nifty and the drinks are strong, and the bruschetta is a reliable appetizer as are the mushrooms.
(3)
Russ M.
Sunday Brunch is a winner. Drinks are good, my fav. dish is the Grits and Grillades. Can't go wrong there.
(3)
Brandon M.
I only started frequenting Silvertron Cafe again recently. In the past I had only dined here for lunch but I must say, Brunch does not let you down. I'm thinking of making this a ritualistic visit at least two Sundays a month. The steak/eggs benedict are to die for and when paired with orange mimosas it doesn't get much better. Service is always great and management always checks in with you 3/4 through the meal. Waitstaff is excellent. Kudos to Ellen to always makes the visit special.
(4)
Lindsey E.
I was so disappointed by my first trip to silvertron. First the martini they poured was short to say the very least (barely half full). I even asked our server to send the bartender over who defended his short pour and said that if he filled the glass his alcohol costs would be too high. Um. . .solution. . .charge more for the drink and give the customer a decent drink. Next, the menu is almost devoid of gluten free options (which I can deal with), but the salad (shrimp) I ordered was bland and did not have much diversity in flavor or texture. The vegetarian french onion soup lacked the oomph of its beefy counterpart, but wasn't even really great as a vegetarian soup. I hate to give a bad review, but eek. . .methinks not.
(1)
Lisa S.
Portions are huge and the service is fantastic. I ate here 3 or 4 times while living in Birmingham, and each time I was greeted by the manager/owner and asked how the meal was. The restaurant is pretty big (we never had to wait) and in a great location -- right across from a consignment store, which frequently meant post-meal shopping! :) Highly recommend: the chicken, mushroom & swiss sandwich and the buffalo wrap. Also, if you're there for Tex Mex Tuesday, the nachos are great. Only order that I didn't enjoy: the gazpacho soup. It's way too oily, and had no veggies in it. Definitely not their specialty.
(4)
Ayon J. R.
Good ambience, decent menu choices,. But, slow service! Really slow!
(3)
Hiram C.
While the atmosphere and staff are great... the food is not. The food is never seasoned well or not at all. Out of the 10 times I have been there, my meal has only been decent twice. Their Sunday Brunch offers a different menu and is only slightly better than their regular one. Their wraps are never made right and always break. Given I've worked in the food industry, I know it's not hard to make a decent wrap. I tried to venture and try different things but finally was so disappointed I got the chicken fingers and even those were terrible. They used a fish batter to fry it in and it seems like they shouldn't be in the food industry if they can't get chicken fingers right. While I do like the staff, there is just no excuse for the food to be that terrible.
(2)
Lars C.
Love the Silvertron!!
(5)
katie r.
It's a great neighborhood restaurant. Huge portions, great pastas, and good mixed drinks! Great owner and staff. They make you feel at home.
(4)
Heather T.
My favorite place to grab dinner on a Friday night. Marco is always so friendly and there aren't enough yums to describe his lasagna! They have been experimenting with the cocktail menu and have created some wonderful martinis. Fried cheese, fried mushrooms, salads, steak sandwiches... the list goes on and on for my faves. Marco also does so much for the Forest Park / South Avondale neighborhood that it's a pleasure to patronize his establishment.
(5)
Asher K.
A few years ago the restaurant changed owners and they have really done an amazing job adapting and updating. They have a great menu with several delicious vegetarian options, which is often hard to find in the south. I would recommend the French onion soup.
(4)
Peter H.
I lived in Birmingham for 3 years and somehow never went to this place. We went on boxing day and nearly had the place to ourselves for Brunch. I had the Steak Grillades for a reasonable $8.75. It was two pieces of steak, cheese grits, a bagel, scrambled eggs, and a fruit bowl. Everything was great except for the fruit bowl. It wasn't super fresh, but I can excuse that. The service was good. Our waiter was obviously bored on a slow day. He checked on us more than was necessary, but I understand that as I've been in the same position. I'm definitely a better waiter when I have 4 tables than I am with just one. This place may have just replaced Bogue's as my go-to Sunday brunch spot when I'm in Birmingham.
(4)
Hunter M.
Had the Steak Sandwiches with Bernaise and they were amazing. Unique place with fun people.
(5)
Brian K.
Always enjoy going. Food is just ok and service could be better but great place to go with friends.
(3)
Chris G.
Somewhere between 3 stars and 4 for me but, hey, I'm feeling warm and fuzzy on a Sunday afternoon. Silvertron is reliable, quick, and a notch above bar food. It's in the Forest Park neighborhood, so you get a wide variety of patrons, from tattooed rockers who just rolled out of bed to families with kids to blue-blooded Episcopalians who just came there from church. The waitstaff is good, the Bloody Marys are well-made and the atmosphere is convivial. Just a good, consistent neighborhood place with no pretensions to it. And I like that. It's particularly good for Sunday brunch or for weekday lunch. It's not haute cuisine, but it doesn't aspire to that. My only knock? No reservations. So you kind of have to ease past the place to see if there's a line going out the door. If there is, we move on.
(4)
bananas T.
Blech, the food here is terrible. Well, I should say what we ordered was, and if you can manage to mess up a salad, then I'd hate to venture any further. What chef puts tomatoes and avocados in the fridge? And what chef serves pink tomatoes? Veggies on salad were frozen in the middle, mealy, without flavor and the portions horrendous. No wonder there's a weight problem in the south, I could have shared my food with two other people. Staff were friendly enough, but it's definitely not one of those places the server takes notice of a barely touched meal and asks if anything wrong...
(1)
Angie H.
I've been wanting to try this place for the longest time. My boyfriend and I finally caved last Sunday for Brunch...and one word: wow. The pitchers of mimosas for $9 are unbeatable. There are so many menu items at such affordable prices. No matter what your pallet, you can find something to enjoy. Personal fave? The spinach artichoke dip had pita chips actually IN the dip. Save a step? Why not! Definitely must try!
(5)
Pam T.
I thought the food was VERY good and also beautifully presented. My issue with the Silvertron was that it was REALLY loud!! We were there for brunch/lunch on a Sunday. Hopefully that's an unusually busy day but I doubt I will be going back just because we had to shout to talk. I finally started reading lips, got sick of that, and then just hoped I made appropriate facial expressions. It was miserable which was especially disappointing because it was a birthday lunch. :( It seems to me that they could change the ceiling so that it could absorb sound.
(3)
Stephen V.
Went to pasta night (Monday) last night, and OMG it was absolutely amazing. I tried the lasagna of the day and their cheesy pasta, and both were delicious. If I wasn't on a weight loss program, I would eat pasta at Silvertron every Monday night!
(5)
Jim T.
Awesome place for brunch. Good service, good food, decent prices.
(4)
Randy W.
Birmingham, we need to have a dialogue regarding the # of restaurants you have available. You're really lacking in this department. That said, the Silvertron is a decent little place with an inventive menu. Like great jazz music all they are doing is making little variations of traditional recipes and in so doing it is magical. I think that their idea of creating a Margarita Flight was downright inspired! (I'm stealing this idea and taking it home to NY with me.) So why, if I like it so much, does it only get 3 stars? Service. Friendly but slow ... I mean REALLY slow. The place was virtually empty and they seemed confused that I wanted to place my order after only sitting for 20 minutes.
(3)
Nathan C.
Decent fish tacos, but I'll probably stick to their more traditional items next time.
(4)
Andy S.
Great Ameritalian bistro/diner. Good, friendly service. Daily Specials. The most immediately pleasing aspect was the atmosphere. Old building, sparse yet tasteful decor. Good wine. Great for lunch or dinner. Situated in a nice neighborhood on a pleasant strip of local shops. Again, friendly service.
(4)
debra d.
On a recent visit to b'ham my son and I took advantage of pasta night every Monday for 7.95. The portion sizes on our dishes were enormous!! The food was quite tasty as was the charming atmosphere with twinkling lights . Believe it or not we had 3 additional lunches from our leftovers,crazy huh! Highly recommend this place.
(4)
Riley H.
Yelp says 3 stars is "A-OK"... Thats what I would give our dinner-- but we want to go back for brunch since that seems to be the time to go! Dinner was ok to good. Simple, standard cafe food. My husbands steak and blue cheese quesadilla was HUGE. He was able to take half for lunch the next day, which was great. I had the french onion soup. Good, but there were a few too-crispy pieces in it I had to remove throughout dinner. We had the brownie for dessert- it was pretty good but I know adding Baileys (which they offered) really would have made it better! It's too bad I couldn't have alcohol during our visit. After pregnancy is over, we'll be going back for brunch to grab a couple of the tasty mimosas for brunch. I liked that they had a lot of specials throughout the week...Including pasta night on monday for under $8 a dish. The atmosphere was nice. Food wasn't jaw dropping, but we'll be back to enjoy the specials!
(3)
Ryan B.
Found this place by accident, while looking for another place, that ended up being closed. Food was REALLY good! Prices were good. Weird atmosphere. It was like a cross between TV memorabilia, and a juke box cafe.
(4)
Ginger W.
Visited for Sunday brunch. Restaurant seems dingy and unclean. We ordered the pitcher of Bloody Mary's. The flavor was not very good but tolerable, however there seemed to be an extremely small amount of vodka. Husband ordered a couple of extra shots of vodka to add, but received two watered down shots that didn't improve the situation very much. We were hopeful about the food based on the crowd and from reviews we had read. But our meal was also a disappointment. The scrambled eggs (which I don't think are even real eggs at all) were terrible...worst eggs either of us have ever had. Overall a big let down for our first and last visit.
(1)
Michael B.
Steak Benedict * Poached eggs over grilled steak topped with a Creole hollandaise over English muffin. Served with fresh fruit and cheese grits. $8.75 Visited this Birmingham Tradition for the first time in years. The Biscuits we ordered right away were excellent. The Fried Cheese, the best anywhere we have ever eaten. The entree Steak Benedict was supposed to be grilled but was coated in flour and fried so it seemed like a "country fried steak." Not what I wanted, a gut bomb, but manageable. Unfortunately, the cheese grits that everyone else raves about on this restaurant's page were WAY OVER SALTED. We brought the issue to the attention of our server and she said they couldn't be fixed because they were made in a large batch. "May I please have some spinach instead?, I asked. She seemed confused and then brought out some fruit that she said she was instructed to substitute. However, there was already a healthy portion of fruit on my plate. I asked for the manager and he worked nicely at getting the spinach. Of which I would have been pleased with and carried on with my life. However, for some reason the owner/chef didn't want to let it go at that. They sent out another round of grits that were obviously a watered down version of the first serving. Still salty and inedible. A few minutes later the chef/owner came to the table and wanted to know if i was pleased with the substitution and additional change to the grits. To tell the truth, I told him the grits were STILL too salty. He said, "well we haven't had any other customers send them back!" I was left thinking, "well, we are only 2 of the first 20 customers of the day and I don't see any SALTY GRITS on any other person's plate." I was simply airing my experience and trying to partner with them in resolving the issue before their brunch really got busy. This point was missed or bounced of the SALT BLOCK on the shoulders of the owner/chef. Without being able to relay the message with any success or resolve I simply decided to let the issue go and get the heck outta DODGE. Ps. My company makes cheese grits by the gallons everyday, we know when they are done properly.
(2)
Ashley W.
In the middle of a volunteer training day, a group of trainees and I decided to grab lunch at Silvertron during our allotted hour break. A few were vegetarians and knew that Silvertron Cafe offered options for them, so we drove the few streets over to get some grub. For a Saturday at lunchtime, Silvertron was awfully empty. Ironically enough, one of the vegetarians in our group pointed me towards the crab and shrimp cake sandwiches. I'm glad these cute little sandwiches came with what seemed like homemade tartar sauce on the side because without it they would have been pretty boring. A plus for this dish was that the crab and shrimp used in the cakes were obviously very fresh, which I always appreciate. I also loved that the crab and shrimp cakes were served on buttery yeast rolls! Onion rings were a miss as my side dish - they looked so tasty from across the room, but turned out to be soggy. I wouldn't avoid going back to Silvertron for a meal, especially since my vegetarian and non-vegetarian friends can eat together in harmony. EDIT: When I say that Silvertron was empty, I meant more so in terms of space - the tables are a decent amount of space away from each other. This definitely isn't a bad thing in my opinion.
(3)
Raye F.
Good! I was kinda confused walking in because it seemed like a fancy place that I was under dressed for. The menu has a hodgepodge of items. A good appetizer for a small group that's sure to please are the chips & salsa because it's not your average chips/salsa. I went against my personal preference to eat pork tonight. The lasagna of the day had Italian sausage, peppers and onions in it-- it was a generous portion. I'm looking forward to trying something else! Maybe Tex-Mex Tuesday $3 margaritas; $9 pitchers. Your tummy will thank you~happy eats
(3)
J M.
A decent place, but nothing special.
(3)
Rob R.
I love the ambiance, the service, and the portions. However, my beef and spinach lasagna was a little bitter and the tetrazini wasn't quite creamy enough. The fajitas, however, came out sizzling and were juicy but not oily like a normal mexican place. Try the pasta duo on Monday for $8.50 (especially the primavera) - I promise that it's enough for two. Next time, I'm going back to one of the stand-bys: the chicken fajita wrap.
(3)
Curry T.
The great thing about this place is it is consistently mediocre, and sometimes that's exactly what I want. There are some exceptions to this: the Fried Mushrooms are FREAKING FANTASTIC, though unless you're with a dozen other people you probably won't be able to finish the gigantic order (tip: they're not so bad reheated in the oven!) But Marco, what happened to the horseradish sauce? They were served with ranch last time I went, and though the ranch was delicious, the mushrooms really need the original sauce back. I also absolutely love the Shrimp and Avocado Salad, it has the perfect blend of flavors and is always delightful. Some people say the Mushroom and Swiss Chicken Sandwich is their thing, but I don't do swiss cheese so I can't speak to the veracity of that claim. Some of the dishes vary depending on who's in the kitchen: for example, I've had the alfredo be delicious and flavorful, then greasy and bland at another visit. At my last visit, there were some very burnt edges on my lasagna (which I actually enjoyed a lot... who doesn't love burnt cheese?) But overall, the food is a great value for the quality and portion size. Want even more value? Go on Monday nights, it's Pasta Night! I really wish Marco would bring back the Italian Sausage Pesto, it was my favorite even though it was always sitting in about a liter of extra grease. I'm exaggerating, but I honestly never saw the dish without excess grease and it never once stopped me from ordering it. Much like the food, the alcohol varies as well. One Sunday Brunch, I had a bloody mary that tasted like water. How does that even happen? Then on another visit I had some silly cocktail bullshit from their special cocktail menu and it was delicious (and super alcoholic). Order the Bailey's Brownie. It's a brownie of the perfect consistency, served with ice cream and splashed with Bailey's. Overall, I'd recommend going here if you're not too uptight about everything being perfect all the time, or you know exactly what you want and that it is always good (like the mushrooms). The service is always friendly and the atmosphere is always pleasant. I love all the old photos! Full disclosure: I worked here under the first two owners and was offered a job when Marco took over, though I declined. There will always be a soft spot in my heart for this place!
(4)
Brock O.
I came here with my daughter on a Sunday for brunch. The service was clean and straightforward and nobody seemed to mind that we did magic tricks at the table. The beer selection is not fantastic. I bought a Duvel, which paired nicely with my crab and shrimp cake eggs benedict. They brought my beer out with a chilled glass, which was offputting. I thought they would have known better, but warming the glass in my hands gave me something to do (beside making salt shakers disappear and otherwise bonding with my four year old) while we waited for our food to arrive. The Duvel poured a light gold with a wispy lacing and rapidly receding head.
(5)
Mark B.
Great experience. Reasonable prices and good atmosphere. Everything on the menu looked delicious. We will be back.
(5)
Chris G.
Somewhere between 3 stars and 4 for me but, hey, I'm feeling warm and fuzzy on a Sunday afternoon. Silvertron is reliable, quick, and a notch above bar food. It's in the Forest Park neighborhood, so you get a wide variety of patrons, from tattooed rockers who just rolled out of bed to families with kids to blue-blooded Episcopalians who just came there from church. The waitstaff is good, the Bloody Marys are well-made and the atmosphere is convivial. Just a good, consistent neighborhood place with no pretensions to it. And I like that. It's particularly good for Sunday brunch or for weekday lunch. It's not haute cuisine, but it doesn't aspire to that. My only knock? No reservations. So you kind of have to ease past the place to see if there's a line going out the door. If there is, we move on.
(4)
bananas T.
Blech, the food here is terrible. Well, I should say what we ordered was, and if you can manage to mess up a salad, then I'd hate to venture any further. What chef puts tomatoes and avocados in the fridge? And what chef serves pink tomatoes? Veggies on salad were frozen in the middle, mealy, without flavor and the portions horrendous. No wonder there's a weight problem in the south, I could have shared my food with two other people. Staff were friendly enough, but it's definitely not one of those places the server takes notice of a barely touched meal and asks if anything wrong...
(1)
Angie H.
I've been wanting to try this place for the longest time. My boyfriend and I finally caved last Sunday for Brunch...and one word: wow. The pitchers of mimosas for $9 are unbeatable. There are so many menu items at such affordable prices. No matter what your pallet, you can find something to enjoy. Personal fave? The spinach artichoke dip had pita chips actually IN the dip. Save a step? Why not! Definitely must try!
(5)
Pam T.
I thought the food was VERY good and also beautifully presented. My issue with the Silvertron was that it was REALLY loud!! We were there for brunch/lunch on a Sunday. Hopefully that's an unusually busy day but I doubt I will be going back just because we had to shout to talk. I finally started reading lips, got sick of that, and then just hoped I made appropriate facial expressions. It was miserable which was especially disappointing because it was a birthday lunch. :( It seems to me that they could change the ceiling so that it could absorb sound.
(3)
Matthew K.
Very nice atmosphere. I imagine a nice place to take a date. Ordered artichoke hearts and a margarita to start me off. Both were fantastic. I was then served the carnitas tacos with a side of fries. Fries were okay, not too greasy but the tacos were delicious and healthy sizes. Would come here again if in the area.
(4)
Janna T.
I love this place so much! I love bringing new friends here. Everything I've tried here is good and I love the different flavors of mimosas for Sunday brunch. This is such a chill place that you can sit and talk for hours. Their chicken salad is the BOMB!
(4)
Caleigh R.
Customers, please don't let the emptiness of this beautiful space turn you away. I will be honest, sometimes the food selection is good, and sometimes I think, "why did I pick this???" We ordered the carnitas tacos and grouper fish and chips. I requested the orange-jalapeno sauce on the side of the taco's as David is often picky with unique sauces. In the end, he poured it all over his taco! He didn't like it very much, either--guess he wasn't thinking it through. The pulled pork is soft and falls apart easily. I enjoyed the taco's, but the sauce is unique...so make sure to order it on the side! I wish I had asked if they had salsa or something else to dress the taco with. What's not to like about fried goodness? Grouper and chips....yum! I thought the fish was very good, but it is heavily breaded--so don't get this if you want healthy. Because I have Great Britain in my blood, I know that chips are NOT thin french fries. That is the only thing I request....if you are going to call it Fish and Chips, make it fish and chips :) Steak fries will complete this entree best. Oh--we had onion rings with the tacos and they were delish!!! We also had a couple pints from Avondale Brewery--always enjoy the Saizon and Tripel. I feel like Silvertron has improved since my last visit, or perhaps I made a better selection! But don't completely write it off Birmingham, let's keep supporting this unique Forest Park option!
(4)
Rebekah H.
My parents were in town for the weekend and wanted to go somewhere local. I had heard good things about the Silvertron so decided I should take them there! I was glad I did! Well priced and diverse menu- we were all able to find something we liked! I had the butternut squash ravioli- which was going out on a limb for me seeing as I am not a fan of cinnamon and most places flavor anything "squash" with loads of cinnamon or all spice- this was garlicy and creamy savory bliss!! My mom had the hummus with chicken, onions, and peppers. . . Which was fabulous- even as left overs! My dad had the pork shanks with grits- which I did not try because I don't eat pork, but he said it was slightly bland. I have an active two year old and a three month old and found the Silvertron to be fairly kid friendly, although I don't remember there being a children's menu. We just ordered the slides for my son and he ate one and we took the rest home for daddy. :-) I would definitely take out of town company there again!!!
(4)
Heather T.
My favorite place to grab dinner on a Friday night. Marco is always so friendly and there aren't enough yums to describe his lasagna! They have been experimenting with the cocktail menu and have created some wonderful martinis. Fried cheese, fried mushrooms, salads, steak sandwiches... the list goes on and on for my faves. Marco also does so much for the Forest Park / South Avondale neighborhood that it's a pleasure to patronize his establishment.
(5)
Asher K.
A few years ago the restaurant changed owners and they have really done an amazing job adapting and updating. They have a great menu with several delicious vegetarian options, which is often hard to find in the south. I would recommend the French onion soup.
(4)
Hunter M.
Had the Steak Sandwiches with Bernaise and they were amazing. Unique place with fun people.
(5)
Brian K.
Always enjoy going. Food is just ok and service could be better but great place to go with friends.
(3)
Russ M.
Sunday Brunch is a winner. Drinks are good, my fav. dish is the Grits and Grillades. Can't go wrong there.
(3)
Brandon M.
I only started frequenting Silvertron Cafe again recently. In the past I had only dined here for lunch but I must say, Brunch does not let you down. I'm thinking of making this a ritualistic visit at least two Sundays a month. The steak/eggs benedict are to die for and when paired with orange mimosas it doesn't get much better. Service is always great and management always checks in with you 3/4 through the meal. Waitstaff is excellent. Kudos to Ellen to always makes the visit special.
(4)
Lindsey E.
I was so disappointed by my first trip to silvertron. First the martini they poured was short to say the very least (barely half full). I even asked our server to send the bartender over who defended his short pour and said that if he filled the glass his alcohol costs would be too high. Um. . .solution. . .charge more for the drink and give the customer a decent drink. Next, the menu is almost devoid of gluten free options (which I can deal with), but the salad (shrimp) I ordered was bland and did not have much diversity in flavor or texture. The vegetarian french onion soup lacked the oomph of its beefy counterpart, but wasn't even really great as a vegetarian soup. I hate to give a bad review, but eek. . .methinks not.
(1)
Lisa S.
Portions are huge and the service is fantastic. I ate here 3 or 4 times while living in Birmingham, and each time I was greeted by the manager/owner and asked how the meal was. The restaurant is pretty big (we never had to wait) and in a great location -- right across from a consignment store, which frequently meant post-meal shopping! :) Highly recommend: the chicken, mushroom & swiss sandwich and the buffalo wrap. Also, if you're there for Tex Mex Tuesday, the nachos are great. Only order that I didn't enjoy: the gazpacho soup. It's way too oily, and had no veggies in it. Definitely not their specialty.
(4)
Ayon J. R.
Good ambience, decent menu choices,. But, slow service! Really slow!
(3)
Josh O.
This place was awesome. I went yesterday and had the shrimp and crab cake eggs benedict with cheese grits, and I honestly could not have asked for a better breakfast. I can almost guarantee that I'll be going back here on any and all future trips to Birmingham.
(5)
Joseph B.
This is a perfect place for daydrinking. The food ranges from all right to good, depending on the day, but the atmosphere is nifty and the drinks are strong, and the bruschetta is a reliable appetizer as are the mushrooms.
(3)
katie r.
It's a great neighborhood restaurant. Huge portions, great pastas, and good mixed drinks! Great owner and staff. They make you feel at home.
(4)
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Address :3813 Clairmont Ave S
Birmingham, AL, 35222
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Will G.
I mostly come here for brunch, and almost always get eggs benedict in some form or fashion. like some of the other reviews mention, it's a little loud, but nothing to get worked up over, and the service is always top notch and quick. We've tried most of the brunch spots in town, and though some have offered some really fantastic dishes, this still remains our regular brunch spot for quality and service. Lastly, I cannot recommend the croissant benedict enough, it's simply one of the best brunch dishes I've ever had, nothing crazy or experimental, just well prepared, simple, and delicious.
(5)LL C.
Years ago my friends and I used to go here for lunch (BEFORE the days of Yelp) and always enjoyed it. Even though it's been years since my last visit (and new owners) it was still just as enjoyable. My favs used to be the Silvertron Fried Chicken salad and the chicken salad on crossaint. I didn't get either this time but my friend got the Silvertron salad and enjoyed it. I got the steak & bleu cheese quesadilla and it was YUMMY! If I aren't sure you like a lot of bleu cheese then don't get it. PLENTY of cheesy goodness that I loved! AND the caramelized onions set it off perfectly. The steak was well-done, which I prefer in something like quesadillas and tacos. If you're a medium-well kind of steak person maybe request it that way. However, I think the flavors work better with the steak well-done. Oh and it is huge!!!! It came with guac and sour cream on the side. I probably could have used some salsa (maybe?) and I'm sure our server Trey would have gotten some for me had I asked. He was great! Such a fun & pleasant personality! For appetizers we tried the bruschetta which was quite tasty. Though I wished it had been a larger order...maybe 5-6 pieces instead of only four. Hard to share if you have a large table and we had six. Now the fried cheesy artichokes had more than enough to share! Surprisingly good especially since we didn't know what to expect. The cheese mixture was really good and the fried pieces were perfect. Messy but cheesy stuff should be messy right?! :-) Another friend had the pork tacos and I could have eaten a pot of that pork with a spoon! Tender with a slight sweetness! Yum! Another friend had the triple salad platter with chicken, shrimp and pasta salads. Didn't try but she enjoyed it. All in all a great night! Glad to see it's still as good as it was in the past and that it's still a popular place. Wish it stayed open a little later on Saturday's (closes at 9:30?) so plan accordingly. We were having such a good time that it was 9:45 before we realized it!
(4)Miranda R.
Silvertron is a great atmosphere, I love the building, but the food is only mediocre. I took my mom in yesterday and I could tell her mouth was watering for the pork shanks. I was so angry when they brought her out 2 dried up pieces of meat with a bunch of scattered fries on a CHIPPED plate. Are we not good enough for whole china? So tacky! It ruined the whole experience. Broken plates. Throw that garbage away! She ate the food but said it wasnt as tender as she was hoping for. I had fettuccini Alfredo. Nothing magical there. Not my first recommendation. If you aren't expecting too much out of your meal, you'll be ok. The sweet potato fries are good and I think the one time I had the Nonnas pasta it was good. Stay away from the lasagna.
(2)Peter H.
Overall a enjoyable dinning experience. This food was excellent, but the service was a little slow. I had the pork chop with bourbon sauce, the pork chop was extremely tender and juicy, the bourbon sauce was sweet but not overpowering, just a nice flavor, that came with a side of roasted potatoes on the side. Of course, to finish the night I had to get the ice cream topped Pecan Pie!
(4)Jody O.
Great environment.... pretty good food. I had the chicken parmesan several times and the chicken and sauce is great. However, the noodles are always overcooked. The drinks are good but if you have something other than well, the drinks tend to be pricey. Overall, I usually have a pretty good experience.
(3)Tammy B.
Haven't even left yet and am compelled to review. The good: My service was awesome, loved her and the rest is not her fault. The food was horrible. I wasn't even hungry but ordered their steak tacos thinking I'd take home some leftovers. The steak was so burnt on one side I truly felt I'd chip a tooth. It was crunchy. Awful. Bland - absolutely no flavor. Is this is an "Italian" restaurant you could have fooled me. Their pasta salad tastes horrendous. Can't even get the after taste out. I did like their drink options, and suspect their breakfast foods are better but I have plenty of better options on they category. I won't be coming here again, but am dying to try out Little Savannah next store when they are open. (Not Sundays apparently ) UPDATE: Since Marco replied to my review, I decided to write an update (which I never do). Setting aside the creepy feeling that he or someone "saw/watched" my every move while I dined.............he did miss one tiny detail. Yes the waitress offered me a to go container, which I used, but did NOT take with me. I left it on the table. Also Yelp had this listed as an Italian restaurant just a few days ago - so somehow that got fixed. While I sincerely appreciate the reply and offer to "make it right", it wouldn't have mattered if I sent it back and got steak that wasn't burnt - it was still bland. I doubt it would have come back miraculously tasty and perfect (I could be wrong, because yes, I chose NOT to send it back, or make a fuss, because I wasn't hungry enough). I grew up in a small town with restaurants just like this - they are "good" by the local standard which usually translates to "bang for your buck". My own family will eat pretty much anything, and gets giddy about getting a plate full of bland food for cheap prices. They simply don't know any better standard. For the past 20 years, I've been fortunate to travel and live around the country (Los Angeles, Boston, NY), and really be exposed to multiple cultures and standards of food at the ultimate level. And no, I don't need fancy or pretentious "fusion" food to make me happy - I'll always be a country girl (who appreciates a bargain) at heart. Some of the best things I've ever eaten came off a food truck. You said you've been around 30 years, and I have no doubt you'll be around another 30! There will always be clientele that is attracted to this type of establishment, it's just not me.
(1)Jacky V.
This place is alright. I love the concept. It's an old TV store and had great old pictures of Birmingham and gives you a lot of history. My food was just food. Nothing to rave about. The fried cheese was just that, nothing big. My quesadilla wasn't cooked all the way (cold shredded cheese) so I had to send it back. The service was just service. Nothing above and beyond.
(2)Elizabeth N.
The restaurant was empty when my group got there and the service was speedy. The portions were generous and our water glasses were never empty. Our waiter was very polite and provided awesome service. Definitely loved the butternut squash ravioli and pork shank with sweet potato fries. Vegetarian options were definitely accommodating. Desserts were smaller than I expected but definitely delicious and recommend the white chocolate bread pudding. The Bailey's caramel brownie was delicious but a little dense. Overall fantastic meal and service!
(4)Casey S.
Came for a Sunday brunch. Arrived around 12 and was told there was a 20 minute wait. We were sat within ten minutes and received our food allots immediately after ordering it which was actually quite surprising. Unfortunately our pitcher of mimosas didn't come until we were almost done our food but the waitress didn't seem to mind us sitting there to finish the pitcher rather than chug it! We got the raspberry mimosas - I thought they were good but didn't taste extremely raspberry like. However my friend thought the raspberry flavor can through well. Regardless I enjoyed them and you can't really beat the price. As far as food, both of us loved what we ordered. I got florentine Benedict while my friend ordered the croissant Benedict. We both agreed that the eggs were perfectly poached - love that yummy runny yolk!! The florentine had spinach with bacon and tomatoes - could have had just a little more bacon and tomatoes but was delicious either way. The hollandaise is one of the better I've had - not overly thick or over empowering blocking the rest of the flavors which is fairly common. My friend loved hers and enjoyed the flavors of the buttery croissant with everything. The Canadian bacon was well grilled. As far as mine, I thought the English muffin could've been just a LITTLE bit more toasted but I think that is just a personal preference. Eggs were only room temperature is my only complaint which I will dock a star for (would do half a star if possible). I just prefer my food super hot, especially when it comes to eggs. I have also been on a Tuesday night just for drinks - their margarita special is really unbeatable. Have tried the southern (the bourbon flavor is unique and really does add a lot to the drink), Hawaiian (mostly tasted pineapple juice but I was ok with this), pomegranate (nice and fruity), and spicy jalapeño (definitely spicy but a unique option). I bet the jalapeño margarita would be delicious with Mexican dishes! Will definitely be back. Would love to try their other food at lunch or dinner.
(4)Tre F.
Hey Marco, I mean this as nicely as possible......YOU'RE A LIAR. No one at our table at all of anything that was served to us. I apologize if your feelings are a little hurt, but I stand by what I said in my original review. The food is not as good, PERIOD. It's my money that is being spent, so if I am not satisfied it's my right to state it as such. Don't worry, it will never happen again.
(1)Jeremy E.
Very cool atmosphere and good, large portions of food! The pasta entrees, which are already fairly inexpensive, can easily be split by my partner and me (especially if you get one of the appetizers, like the delicious fried mozzarella.) The cocktails are pretty good, but if you veer off their list, some cheaper liquors can be a lot more expensive than they should be. The brunch is awesome...great food and $10 pitchers of many different flavors of mimosas!
(4)Cody M.
My wife and I visited Sunday evening and really enjoyed the experience. We were seated quickly and our server promptly took our order. The pasta dishes we had were both excellent and for the quality/quantity of the food the price was outstanding. Definitely a great experience all the way around, worth making an extra effort to go there.
(5)Jimmy H.
In the area on business and ordered take out for dinner based on positive reviews. I was hugely disappointed!! Ordered the pork shanks with gremolata served over cheese grits (sounds good right!!). I opened my dish at the hotel to find 2 thick pork ribs encrusted in a green sauce with sesame seeds and a side of sweet potato fries!! Also ordered the spinach and artichoke dip with pita chips, which was dreadful!!, basically thawed frozen chopped spinach with a touch of butter and milk, and parmesan cheese sprinkled atop along with deep fried flour tortilla pieces. My wife drove down from Nashville to join me and had the chicken parm....overly salted, but otherwise good. Overall, it was a horrible experience!! I would never eat here again!
(1)Lee C.
This is a nice restaurant in a nice area. With a beautiful room, the atmosphere is classy but comfortable. Good for friends or a date. The prices are reasonable too. I had a butternut-squash ravioli in cream sauce. It was pretty good and a generous portion. My friend had grouper on a Greek salad, which was also pretty good. The ingredients looked fresh and were well presented. I also had a berry cocktail, which was good--not overly sweet. The servers were good, giving recommendations as needed and checking up often enough. Food came out fairly quickly, and an incorrect order was fixed very quickly. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, they have good drink specials. I think I'd like to visit Silvertron again.
(4)Susan L.
We ate an early dinner there tonight and we *loved* it. Firstly, the food: I had the pasta duo, whereby you can choose two of the pastas and have a half-portion of each. I chose the butternut squash ravioli and the pasta alla Francesca, both of which were *heavenly* ($11.75). My husband had the hummus and chicken with (shoestring) sweet potato fries ($9.95). All of the food was *delicious*, and the prices were truly a bargain. Secondly; the interior of the restaurant is *very* attractive and spacious, with a lovely (original - ca 1940's) tin ceiling and some of the walls are painted red. Also, we really liked the background music (jazz and swing). Lastly; our server was very friendly & attentive, and the young man who brought us our food was very sweet-natured. We wanted to compliment the owner afterwards and we ended up having a delightful conversation with him. He's a really nice and friendly person.
(5)Brian C.
Great place with creative dishes for reasonable price in a casual local atmosphere. Esp on Monday night when they have pasta special. All pastas $7.95 5pm til close. The lasagne is pretty impressive. I was worried it might be a smaller portion on Mondays but it's far from it. It's easily two meals worth. If you finish it your name better be Joey Jaws Chestnut.
(4)Lori T.
Love Silvertron with its eclectic decor. Helpful wait staff. The food is very good especially at Brunch on the weekend. Unfortunately, the cocktails aren't very good. I have been going there for a long time and am not impressed with any specialty drink I have tried. The Bloody Marys are passable but nothing special about them.
(3)Kristin Marie S.
The Silvertron was perfect! It was everything I needed after a long day/night in Birmingham. When I woke up the next morning I was convinced I was going to have to stay in Birmingham forever. Silvertron helped me leave happy, full, and ready for the 3-hour trip home. We arrived early, so early that we couldn't order any drinks. When noon hit the place was in full swing and pitchers of bloody marys and mimosas were making the rounds. The flavored mimosas looked so delicious! Ugh, I wanted one but didn't. Next time Silvertron, next time. For brunch I ordered the egg taco salad. It was light, filling, and pretty healthy! I asked for no cheese and the chef came out to confirm that I wasn't lactose intolerant because there was cheese in the grits. I just didn't want it on my salad but I fully appreciated the check-in. I knew I was in the right place. As a side they give you fruit. Not everyone ate it but seriously, it made my day. I can not, and will not, eat anymore hash brown casserole. It is just so bad for you. Periodically, sure, it's okay to eat but not at every meal! Again, I fully appreciated them adding that as a side especially when a lot of the other menu items were pretty heavy. Hollandaise sauce galore! The location is in a cute part of B-ham. The inside was open, clean, and paid homage to Silvertron's previous life. It was super cool.
(4)Brian C.
We were promptly seated at about 12:30 - so maybe halfway through the peak of lunch service. There were maybe 4 wait staff serving approximately 12 tables. Having grown up in a restaurant family, I'd say it was a very comfortable ratio. We waited over ten minutes at the table before anyone greeted us or took drink orders. When someone finally came, he appeared to be a chef or owner and apologized for the wait and took drink orders and said the server would be with us shortly. We then waited another 4-5 minutes for the actual server to arrive. When he did, he positively reeked of strong, stale tobacco. The guy was 4+ feet from me but the odor very unpleasant. The food came quickly via a runner and was good. The waiter never showed up until we were almost finished and the glasses long since empty. Rather than offering to get drink refills, he started wandering off and we had to request service. They weren't busy, the guy spent his time wandering rather than taking care of us. Food A-, service D
(2)Susan W.
Have to update my review now that I've been back a few times not during restaurant week. I've had a few salads, the steak and blue cheese quesadilla and a chicken dish and they were all very good. Their service is top notch and they have a decent wine and beer list as well as specials. They are also good for large groups and never bat an eye at splitting the check.
(4)Gregory F.
Yesterday evening the Chicken Tetrazzini was superb. Luisa Tetrazzini, the great opera star after whom the dish was named, would have been proud of the way the flavors blended like voices singing in rich harmony. The tenderly juicy and lovingly seasoned chicken breast reclined on a magnanimous bed of perfectly cooked pasta which was bathed in a delectable creamy sauce with an abundance of sautéed mushrooms. This epicurean orgy was followed by a piece of heaven in the form of white chocolate bread pudding with whipped cream and raspberry coulis.
(5)Autumn S.
Solid food but nothing outstanding. I get the feeling people like this place for the mimosa specials. My Benedict was ok- eggs poached nicely but the hollandaise that accompanied it could have used more flavor- it was really watery and I prefer mine thicker. The pancakes were good-they had a cornmeal base and would have been perfect had they been served with real maple syrup. The cheese grits that came with the egg based meals were way too thick and had developed that film on the top that comes when they have been sitting out too long. However, the vegetables that accompanied my spinach and artichoke egg dish were seasoned nicely and made up for the lackluster grits. Service was nice and we were sat quickly on a Sunday afternoon.
(3)Greg R.
The pasta is some of the best in town. As usual, the carbs are standout, but the meat is neglected. The chicken here is always like jerky. I had an honest moment with my waiter the last time I was there. I said "I want to like this place, but the meat is always a disappoinment--this chicken breast is needlessly dry. I think it's a process problem" I was almost certain they cooked it ahead, which is unforgivable. Sure enough, the waiter told me that the chicken is all cooked in the morning and placed in water to store. Then they cook it again, assuring any flavor is leached and any tenderness lost. My short order cook at Waffle-House can easily cook a decent chicken breast in ten minutes. Until they start cooking their chicken like respectable chefs, I boycott. And I really like the atmosphere. It's a shame.
(2)Shellie S.
Went for brunch and it was just okay. Eggs are only prepared scrambled or poached, so we opted for scrambled. They were burnt and actually tasted like powder eggs. The grits were good but nothing fantastic. Bloody Mary was pretty tasty and food came out quick, but other than that I wasn't impressed. In my opinion, there are better options for brunch in Birmingham. I'm editing this to 3 stars because the owner contacted me through Facebook directly the day after my review. While my opinion still stands, there is something to be said for great customer service.
(3)Monika S.
This place has one of the best drinks I've ever tasted - a ginger martini called the Birminghamer. Don't miss it. It's one of the longest taste sensations of any drink you can imagine. The food is quite inventive and mostly tasty, definitely not your average diner fare but sometimes uneven. Prices are reasonable. The biggest problem is the noise in this place. While it's cool to eat in a historic building, the sound reverberates like in a tin can and it's just too loud.
(3)Peter H.
I lived in Birmingham for 3 years and somehow never went to this place. We went on boxing day and nearly had the place to ourselves for Brunch. I had the Steak Grillades for a reasonable $8.75. It was two pieces of steak, cheese grits, a bagel, scrambled eggs, and a fruit bowl. Everything was great except for the fruit bowl. It wasn't super fresh, but I can excuse that. The service was good. Our waiter was obviously bored on a slow day. He checked on us more than was necessary, but I understand that as I've been in the same position. I'm definitely a better waiter when I have 4 tables than I am with just one. This place may have just replaced Bogue's as my go-to Sunday brunch spot when I'm in Birmingham.
(4)Sam R.
We came here for brunch on my husbands birthday after reading the menu online and being intrigued by the interesting mimosa flavors. They open at 11 and we were the only people in the restaurant. Our waiter asked what we wanted to drink and when we ordered mimosas from the menu he told us we couldn't have alcohol "until church let out at noon". I asked him why it didn't say anything about that on the menu or website and he just kept saying that was the law. We asked for a minute and he walked away from our table. I asked my husband if he wanted to go somewhere else, since we were really interested in the mimosas not the food at Silvertron. Our waiter, Michael M., must have been eavesdropping because he came back to the table and rudely told us there was no where else to go, that no counties nearby even serve alcohol, and that its Alabama law. I told him that we live in Mississippi and don't have laws like that in our county so again I was just disappointed that the information wasn't made available of the menu or website. He began arguing with me about the alcohol laws in Mississippi! At this point I am so frustrated with the entire experience, I just want to get done with the meal as quickly as possible. The food was extremely basic and flavorless. I had a bacon egg and cheese croissant and it tasted like a hotel breakfast (the shredded cheese wasn't even melted). Major disappointment! I understand laws are laws but be transparent and remind your employees they should never be argumentative with customers.
(2)Patrick M.
Absolutely stunning dining room in the cutest corner of Birmingham. Delicious food and cocktails. I'll definitely be back. We had Nonna's Pasta which needed a bit more seasoning but the Dixie Summer Punch with fresh ginger and blueberries hit all the right spots. Great place to experience Birmingham's food culture.
(4)Erin B.
I live the decor of this place. From the time you walk in, you feel like you've been transported to the early 1900s. But they also have modern artwork on the walls to bring it back to current day. The food is very good, and they have specials like cheaper pastas one night a week. The brunch is pretty good too.
(4)Ee Vonn Y.
Get the triple combo salad with hot bacon vinaigrette. It tastes exactly it's described--liquid bacon. Fortunately, your salad won't need the vinaigrette dressing. The triple combo salad comes with two scoops of chicken salad, pasta, shrimp and celery, eggs, and some olives in the middle. It's delicious and not diet-friendly. For people who love burgers, the black and blue burger is the real deal. The patty is soft, grainy, and delicious. When cooked medium, it's still soft and meaty.
(4)Spence H.
I had been wanting to visit Silvertron Cafe ever since hearing about it a few months ago. Since I rarely have brunch, I decided to go on a Sunday and give it a whirl. I ordered the classic Eggs Benedict and a raspberry mimosa (they were out of three flavors because it was so busy that day). The food and drinks came out very quickly and I really enjoyed the Eggs Benedict, grits and fruit that came with it. Also, having the mimosa to wash it all down with was certainly a plus. The items were reasonably priced, the service prompt, and the drinks tasty. I will definitely be making another visit to Silvertron in the near future
(5)Will L.
I finally made it to Silvertron this weekend for brunch and I'm glad I did. The options were great and affordable. Speaking of affordable... $9 Mimosa pitchers! One of these steals were more than enough for two of us. I decided on the Grillades & Grits. They come with scrambled eggs & steak medallions with a Creole hollandaise. Plus, they're served with cheese grits, toasted bagel, and fresh fruit. When it first came to the table, I was worried that it wasn't going to be enough to fill me up. I was very wrong. It was delicious and filling. My friend got the fajitas and they looked amazing. I'll definitely be trying them out next time The only negative is the parking situation. There only seems to be street parking and not much of it. It's really not a big deal. I guess it stood out due to the torrential downpour that was taking place.
(4)Meggin M.
I had heard so many good things about this place I finally made it a point to go with an out of town friend last Saturday and though the food most definitely did not disappoint, the service could use some work..the server did not even greet us, he simply took out hit pen and paper and stared at us until we ordered. Some waters were placed on our table and we were never given the option to order something different, and literally the entire time we were at his table, never heard a word from out server! It was the strangest thing I've ever experienced..I much more enjoy a dining experience where the workers interact and are personable.
(3)Jim T.
Awesome place for brunch. Good service, good food, decent prices.
(4)Tammy B.
Silvertron was requested by our friends and we gladly accepted. Silvertron has a lovely local, comfortable, upscale-diner feel. They offer a varied menu, beers and cocktails, friendly service, and very reasonable prices for food and atmosphere. I was a bit bummed by the small serving of guacamole; I had no other complaints. Everyone at the table was pleased with their meal.
(4)Donna B.
I visited Silvertron yesterday for the first time in many years. I must say things have changed and not for the better. I was so disappointed in the quality of my food. I ordered the Triple Salad Plater, which was always my most favorite menu item. The shrimp salad consisted of tiny brine shrimp not the plump medium shrimp that I remembered. My lunch companion and I were calling it "sea monkey salad". The chicken salad was the consistency of Tuna salad not the wonderful chunky chicken salad I had in the past. The only saving grace on the plate was the pasta salad, which too was not the same but good. To add insult to injury, I asked for some crackers, bread, or crostini. The server brought me two packages of saltines. How cheap can you be ?!
(2)Wendy C.
Great for breakfast. Good mimosas. I had the grapefruit which was perfectly made. I am told thier Raspberry mimosas are the best. They do great grits as well.
(4)Hiram C.
While the atmosphere and staff are great... the food is not. The food is never seasoned well or not at all. Out of the 10 times I have been there, my meal has only been decent twice. Their Sunday Brunch offers a different menu and is only slightly better than their regular one. Their wraps are never made right and always break. Given I've worked in the food industry, I know it's not hard to make a decent wrap. I tried to venture and try different things but finally was so disappointed I got the chicken fingers and even those were terrible. They used a fish batter to fry it in and it seems like they shouldn't be in the food industry if they can't get chicken fingers right. While I do like the staff, there is just no excuse for the food to be that terrible.
(2)Lars C.
Love the Silvertron!!
(5)Gary N.
We went to the Silvertron tonight with friends and while my pasta plate was pretty good, my wife's lasagna and the kid's pizzas did not fare as well. Huge portions on the pasta plates, really enough for two. Appetizers were not very big for the price. Service was great, but some of our menu choices didn't suit us. Maybe another time.
(3)Stephen V.
Went to pasta night (Monday) last night, and OMG it was absolutely amazing. I tried the lasagna of the day and their cheesy pasta, and both were delicious. If I wasn't on a weight loss program, I would eat pasta at Silvertron every Monday night!
(5)Randy W.
Birmingham, we need to have a dialogue regarding the # of restaurants you have available. You're really lacking in this department. That said, the Silvertron is a decent little place with an inventive menu. Like great jazz music all they are doing is making little variations of traditional recipes and in so doing it is magical. I think that their idea of creating a Margarita Flight was downright inspired! (I'm stealing this idea and taking it home to NY with me.) So why, if I like it so much, does it only get 3 stars? Service. Friendly but slow ... I mean REALLY slow. The place was virtually empty and they seemed confused that I wanted to place my order after only sitting for 20 minutes.
(3)Nathan C.
Decent fish tacos, but I'll probably stick to their more traditional items next time.
(4)Andy S.
Great Ameritalian bistro/diner. Good, friendly service. Daily Specials. The most immediately pleasing aspect was the atmosphere. Old building, sparse yet tasteful decor. Good wine. Great for lunch or dinner. Situated in a nice neighborhood on a pleasant strip of local shops. Again, friendly service.
(4)debra d.
On a recent visit to b'ham my son and I took advantage of pasta night every Monday for 7.95. The portion sizes on our dishes were enormous!! The food was quite tasty as was the charming atmosphere with twinkling lights . Believe it or not we had 3 additional lunches from our leftovers,crazy huh! Highly recommend this place.
(4)Patrick M.
Absolutely stunning dining room in the cutest corner of Birmingham. Delicious food and cocktails. I'll definitely be back. We had Nonna's Pasta which needed a bit more seasoning but the Dixie Summer Punch with fresh ginger and blueberries hit all the right spots. Great place to experience Birmingham's food culture.
(4)Erin B.
I live the decor of this place. From the time you walk in, you feel like you've been transported to the early 1900s. But they also have modern artwork on the walls to bring it back to current day. The food is very good, and they have specials like cheaper pastas one night a week. The brunch is pretty good too.
(4)Ee Vonn Y.
Get the triple combo salad with hot bacon vinaigrette. It tastes exactly it's described--liquid bacon. Fortunately, your salad won't need the vinaigrette dressing. The triple combo salad comes with two scoops of chicken salad, pasta, shrimp and celery, eggs, and some olives in the middle. It's delicious and not diet-friendly. For people who love burgers, the black and blue burger is the real deal. The patty is soft, grainy, and delicious. When cooked medium, it's still soft and meaty.
(4)Gary N.
We went to the Silvertron tonight with friends and while my pasta plate was pretty good, my wife's lasagna and the kid's pizzas did not fare as well. Huge portions on the pasta plates, really enough for two. Appetizers were not very big for the price. Service was great, but some of our menu choices didn't suit us. Maybe another time.
(3)Tammy B.
Haven't even left yet and am compelled to review. The good: My service was awesome, loved her and the rest is not her fault. The food was horrible. I wasn't even hungry but ordered their steak tacos thinking I'd take home some leftovers. The steak was so burnt on one side I truly felt I'd chip a tooth. It was crunchy. Awful. Bland - absolutely no flavor. Is this is an "Italian" restaurant you could have fooled me. Their pasta salad tastes horrendous. Can't even get the after taste out. I did like their drink options, and suspect their breakfast foods are better but I have plenty of better options on they category. I won't be coming here again, but am dying to try out Little Savannah next store when they are open. (Not Sundays apparently ) UPDATE: Since Marco replied to my review, I decided to write an update (which I never do). Setting aside the creepy feeling that he or someone "saw/watched" my every move while I dined.............he did miss one tiny detail. Yes the waitress offered me a to go container, which I used, but did NOT take with me. I left it on the table. Also Yelp had this listed as an Italian restaurant just a few days ago - so somehow that got fixed. While I sincerely appreciate the reply and offer to "make it right", it wouldn't have mattered if I sent it back and got steak that wasn't burnt - it was still bland. I doubt it would have come back miraculously tasty and perfect (I could be wrong, because yes, I chose NOT to send it back, or make a fuss, because I wasn't hungry enough). I grew up in a small town with restaurants just like this - they are "good" by the local standard which usually translates to "bang for your buck". My own family will eat pretty much anything, and gets giddy about getting a plate full of bland food for cheap prices. They simply don't know any better standard. For the past 20 years, I've been fortunate to travel and live around the country (Los Angeles, Boston, NY), and really be exposed to multiple cultures and standards of food at the ultimate level. And no, I don't need fancy or pretentious "fusion" food to make me happy - I'll always be a country girl (who appreciates a bargain) at heart. Some of the best things I've ever eaten came off a food truck. You said you've been around 30 years, and I have no doubt you'll be around another 30! There will always be clientele that is attracted to this type of establishment, it's just not me.
(1)Jacky V.
This place is alright. I love the concept. It's an old TV store and had great old pictures of Birmingham and gives you a lot of history. My food was just food. Nothing to rave about. The fried cheese was just that, nothing big. My quesadilla wasn't cooked all the way (cold shredded cheese) so I had to send it back. The service was just service. Nothing above and beyond.
(2)Elizabeth N.
The restaurant was empty when my group got there and the service was speedy. The portions were generous and our water glasses were never empty. Our waiter was very polite and provided awesome service. Definitely loved the butternut squash ravioli and pork shank with sweet potato fries. Vegetarian options were definitely accommodating. Desserts were smaller than I expected but definitely delicious and recommend the white chocolate bread pudding. The Bailey's caramel brownie was delicious but a little dense. Overall fantastic meal and service!
(4)Greg R.
The pasta is some of the best in town. As usual, the carbs are standout, but the meat is neglected. The chicken here is always like jerky. I had an honest moment with my waiter the last time I was there. I said "I want to like this place, but the meat is always a disappoinment--this chicken breast is needlessly dry. I think it's a process problem" I was almost certain they cooked it ahead, which is unforgivable. Sure enough, the waiter told me that the chicken is all cooked in the morning and placed in water to store. Then they cook it again, assuring any flavor is leached and any tenderness lost. My short order cook at Waffle-House can easily cook a decent chicken breast in ten minutes. Until they start cooking their chicken like respectable chefs, I boycott. And I really like the atmosphere. It's a shame.
(2)Shellie S.
Went for brunch and it was just okay. Eggs are only prepared scrambled or poached, so we opted for scrambled. They were burnt and actually tasted like powder eggs. The grits were good but nothing fantastic. Bloody Mary was pretty tasty and food came out quick, but other than that I wasn't impressed. In my opinion, there are better options for brunch in Birmingham. I'm editing this to 3 stars because the owner contacted me through Facebook directly the day after my review. While my opinion still stands, there is something to be said for great customer service.
(3)Rob R.
I love the ambiance, the service, and the portions. However, my beef and spinach lasagna was a little bitter and the tetrazini wasn't quite creamy enough. The fajitas, however, came out sizzling and were juicy but not oily like a normal mexican place. Try the pasta duo on Monday for $8.50 (especially the primavera) - I promise that it's enough for two. Next time, I'm going back to one of the stand-bys: the chicken fajita wrap.
(3)Monika S.
This place has one of the best drinks I've ever tasted - a ginger martini called the Birminghamer. Don't miss it. It's one of the longest taste sensations of any drink you can imagine. The food is quite inventive and mostly tasty, definitely not your average diner fare but sometimes uneven. Prices are reasonable. The biggest problem is the noise in this place. While it's cool to eat in a historic building, the sound reverberates like in a tin can and it's just too loud.
(3)Caleigh R.
Customers, please don't let the emptiness of this beautiful space turn you away. I will be honest, sometimes the food selection is good, and sometimes I think, "why did I pick this???" We ordered the carnitas tacos and grouper fish and chips. I requested the orange-jalapeno sauce on the side of the taco's as David is often picky with unique sauces. In the end, he poured it all over his taco! He didn't like it very much, either--guess he wasn't thinking it through. The pulled pork is soft and falls apart easily. I enjoyed the taco's, but the sauce is unique...so make sure to order it on the side! I wish I had asked if they had salsa or something else to dress the taco with. What's not to like about fried goodness? Grouper and chips....yum! I thought the fish was very good, but it is heavily breaded--so don't get this if you want healthy. Because I have Great Britain in my blood, I know that chips are NOT thin french fries. That is the only thing I request....if you are going to call it Fish and Chips, make it fish and chips :) Steak fries will complete this entree best. Oh--we had onion rings with the tacos and they were delish!!! We also had a couple pints from Avondale Brewery--always enjoy the Saizon and Tripel. I feel like Silvertron has improved since my last visit, or perhaps I made a better selection! But don't completely write it off Birmingham, let's keep supporting this unique Forest Park option!
(4)Rebekah H.
My parents were in town for the weekend and wanted to go somewhere local. I had heard good things about the Silvertron so decided I should take them there! I was glad I did! Well priced and diverse menu- we were all able to find something we liked! I had the butternut squash ravioli- which was going out on a limb for me seeing as I am not a fan of cinnamon and most places flavor anything "squash" with loads of cinnamon or all spice- this was garlicy and creamy savory bliss!! My mom had the hummus with chicken, onions, and peppers. . . Which was fabulous- even as left overs! My dad had the pork shanks with grits- which I did not try because I don't eat pork, but he said it was slightly bland. I have an active two year old and a three month old and found the Silvertron to be fairly kid friendly, although I don't remember there being a children's menu. We just ordered the slides for my son and he ate one and we took the rest home for daddy. :-) I would definitely take out of town company there again!!!
(4)Peter H.
Overall a enjoyable dinning experience. This food was excellent, but the service was a little slow. I had the pork chop with bourbon sauce, the pork chop was extremely tender and juicy, the bourbon sauce was sweet but not overpowering, just a nice flavor, that came with a side of roasted potatoes on the side. Of course, to finish the night I had to get the ice cream topped Pecan Pie!
(4)Jody O.
Great environment.... pretty good food. I had the chicken parmesan several times and the chicken and sauce is great. However, the noodles are always overcooked. The drinks are good but if you have something other than well, the drinks tend to be pricey. Overall, I usually have a pretty good experience.
(3)LL C.
Years ago my friends and I used to go here for lunch (BEFORE the days of Yelp) and always enjoyed it. Even though it's been years since my last visit (and new owners) it was still just as enjoyable. My favs used to be the Silvertron Fried Chicken salad and the chicken salad on crossaint. I didn't get either this time but my friend got the Silvertron salad and enjoyed it. I got the steak & bleu cheese quesadilla and it was YUMMY! If I aren't sure you like a lot of bleu cheese then don't get it. PLENTY of cheesy goodness that I loved! AND the caramelized onions set it off perfectly. The steak was well-done, which I prefer in something like quesadillas and tacos. If you're a medium-well kind of steak person maybe request it that way. However, I think the flavors work better with the steak well-done. Oh and it is huge!!!! It came with guac and sour cream on the side. I probably could have used some salsa (maybe?) and I'm sure our server Trey would have gotten some for me had I asked. He was great! Such a fun & pleasant personality! For appetizers we tried the bruschetta which was quite tasty. Though I wished it had been a larger order...maybe 5-6 pieces instead of only four. Hard to share if you have a large table and we had six. Now the fried cheesy artichokes had more than enough to share! Surprisingly good especially since we didn't know what to expect. The cheese mixture was really good and the fried pieces were perfect. Messy but cheesy stuff should be messy right?! :-) Another friend had the pork tacos and I could have eaten a pot of that pork with a spoon! Tender with a slight sweetness! Yum! Another friend had the triple salad platter with chicken, shrimp and pasta salads. Didn't try but she enjoyed it. All in all a great night! Glad to see it's still as good as it was in the past and that it's still a popular place. Wish it stayed open a little later on Saturday's (closes at 9:30?) so plan accordingly. We were having such a good time that it was 9:45 before we realized it!
(4)Miranda R.
Silvertron is a great atmosphere, I love the building, but the food is only mediocre. I took my mom in yesterday and I could tell her mouth was watering for the pork shanks. I was so angry when they brought her out 2 dried up pieces of meat with a bunch of scattered fries on a CHIPPED plate. Are we not good enough for whole china? So tacky! It ruined the whole experience. Broken plates. Throw that garbage away! She ate the food but said it wasnt as tender as she was hoping for. I had fettuccini Alfredo. Nothing magical there. Not my first recommendation. If you aren't expecting too much out of your meal, you'll be ok. The sweet potato fries are good and I think the one time I had the Nonnas pasta it was good. Stay away from the lasagna.
(2)Will G.
I mostly come here for brunch, and almost always get eggs benedict in some form or fashion. like some of the other reviews mention, it's a little loud, but nothing to get worked up over, and the service is always top notch and quick. We've tried most of the brunch spots in town, and though some have offered some really fantastic dishes, this still remains our regular brunch spot for quality and service. Lastly, I cannot recommend the croissant benedict enough, it's simply one of the best brunch dishes I've ever had, nothing crazy or experimental, just well prepared, simple, and delicious.
(5)Casey S.
Came for a Sunday brunch. Arrived around 12 and was told there was a 20 minute wait. We were sat within ten minutes and received our food allots immediately after ordering it which was actually quite surprising. Unfortunately our pitcher of mimosas didn't come until we were almost done our food but the waitress didn't seem to mind us sitting there to finish the pitcher rather than chug it! We got the raspberry mimosas - I thought they were good but didn't taste extremely raspberry like. However my friend thought the raspberry flavor can through well. Regardless I enjoyed them and you can't really beat the price. As far as food, both of us loved what we ordered. I got florentine Benedict while my friend ordered the croissant Benedict. We both agreed that the eggs were perfectly poached - love that yummy runny yolk!! The florentine had spinach with bacon and tomatoes - could have had just a little more bacon and tomatoes but was delicious either way. The hollandaise is one of the better I've had - not overly thick or over empowering blocking the rest of the flavors which is fairly common. My friend loved hers and enjoyed the flavors of the buttery croissant with everything. The Canadian bacon was well grilled. As far as mine, I thought the English muffin could've been just a LITTLE bit more toasted but I think that is just a personal preference. Eggs were only room temperature is my only complaint which I will dock a star for (would do half a star if possible). I just prefer my food super hot, especially when it comes to eggs. I have also been on a Tuesday night just for drinks - their margarita special is really unbeatable. Have tried the southern (the bourbon flavor is unique and really does add a lot to the drink), Hawaiian (mostly tasted pineapple juice but I was ok with this), pomegranate (nice and fruity), and spicy jalapeño (definitely spicy but a unique option). I bet the jalapeño margarita would be delicious with Mexican dishes! Will definitely be back. Would love to try their other food at lunch or dinner.
(4)Tre F.
Hey Marco, I mean this as nicely as possible......YOU'RE A LIAR. No one at our table at all of anything that was served to us. I apologize if your feelings are a little hurt, but I stand by what I said in my original review. The food is not as good, PERIOD. It's my money that is being spent, so if I am not satisfied it's my right to state it as such. Don't worry, it will never happen again.
(1)Jeremy E.
Very cool atmosphere and good, large portions of food! The pasta entrees, which are already fairly inexpensive, can easily be split by my partner and me (especially if you get one of the appetizers, like the delicious fried mozzarella.) The cocktails are pretty good, but if you veer off their list, some cheaper liquors can be a lot more expensive than they should be. The brunch is awesome...great food and $10 pitchers of many different flavors of mimosas!
(4)Cody M.
My wife and I visited Sunday evening and really enjoyed the experience. We were seated quickly and our server promptly took our order. The pasta dishes we had were both excellent and for the quality/quantity of the food the price was outstanding. Definitely a great experience all the way around, worth making an extra effort to go there.
(5)Jimmy H.
In the area on business and ordered take out for dinner based on positive reviews. I was hugely disappointed!! Ordered the pork shanks with gremolata served over cheese grits (sounds good right!!). I opened my dish at the hotel to find 2 thick pork ribs encrusted in a green sauce with sesame seeds and a side of sweet potato fries!! Also ordered the spinach and artichoke dip with pita chips, which was dreadful!!, basically thawed frozen chopped spinach with a touch of butter and milk, and parmesan cheese sprinkled atop along with deep fried flour tortilla pieces. My wife drove down from Nashville to join me and had the chicken parm....overly salted, but otherwise good. Overall, it was a horrible experience!! I would never eat here again!
(1)Lee C.
This is a nice restaurant in a nice area. With a beautiful room, the atmosphere is classy but comfortable. Good for friends or a date. The prices are reasonable too. I had a butternut-squash ravioli in cream sauce. It was pretty good and a generous portion. My friend had grouper on a Greek salad, which was also pretty good. The ingredients looked fresh and were well presented. I also had a berry cocktail, which was good--not overly sweet. The servers were good, giving recommendations as needed and checking up often enough. Food came out fairly quickly, and an incorrect order was fixed very quickly. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, they have good drink specials. I think I'd like to visit Silvertron again.
(4)Susan L.
We ate an early dinner there tonight and we *loved* it. Firstly, the food: I had the pasta duo, whereby you can choose two of the pastas and have a half-portion of each. I chose the butternut squash ravioli and the pasta alla Francesca, both of which were *heavenly* ($11.75). My husband had the hummus and chicken with (shoestring) sweet potato fries ($9.95). All of the food was *delicious*, and the prices were truly a bargain. Secondly; the interior of the restaurant is *very* attractive and spacious, with a lovely (original - ca 1940's) tin ceiling and some of the walls are painted red. Also, we really liked the background music (jazz and swing). Lastly; our server was very friendly & attentive, and the young man who brought us our food was very sweet-natured. We wanted to compliment the owner afterwards and we ended up having a delightful conversation with him. He's a really nice and friendly person.
(5)Brian C.
Great place with creative dishes for reasonable price in a casual local atmosphere. Esp on Monday night when they have pasta special. All pastas $7.95 5pm til close. The lasagne is pretty impressive. I was worried it might be a smaller portion on Mondays but it's far from it. It's easily two meals worth. If you finish it your name better be Joey Jaws Chestnut.
(4)Lori T.
Love Silvertron with its eclectic decor. Helpful wait staff. The food is very good especially at Brunch on the weekend. Unfortunately, the cocktails aren't very good. I have been going there for a long time and am not impressed with any specialty drink I have tried. The Bloody Marys are passable but nothing special about them.
(3)Kristin Marie S.
The Silvertron was perfect! It was everything I needed after a long day/night in Birmingham. When I woke up the next morning I was convinced I was going to have to stay in Birmingham forever. Silvertron helped me leave happy, full, and ready for the 3-hour trip home. We arrived early, so early that we couldn't order any drinks. When noon hit the place was in full swing and pitchers of bloody marys and mimosas were making the rounds. The flavored mimosas looked so delicious! Ugh, I wanted one but didn't. Next time Silvertron, next time. For brunch I ordered the egg taco salad. It was light, filling, and pretty healthy! I asked for no cheese and the chef came out to confirm that I wasn't lactose intolerant because there was cheese in the grits. I just didn't want it on my salad but I fully appreciated the check-in. I knew I was in the right place. As a side they give you fruit. Not everyone ate it but seriously, it made my day. I can not, and will not, eat anymore hash brown casserole. It is just so bad for you. Periodically, sure, it's okay to eat but not at every meal! Again, I fully appreciated them adding that as a side especially when a lot of the other menu items were pretty heavy. Hollandaise sauce galore! The location is in a cute part of B-ham. The inside was open, clean, and paid homage to Silvertron's previous life. It was super cool.
(4)Brian C.
We were promptly seated at about 12:30 - so maybe halfway through the peak of lunch service. There were maybe 4 wait staff serving approximately 12 tables. Having grown up in a restaurant family, I'd say it was a very comfortable ratio. We waited over ten minutes at the table before anyone greeted us or took drink orders. When someone finally came, he appeared to be a chef or owner and apologized for the wait and took drink orders and said the server would be with us shortly. We then waited another 4-5 minutes for the actual server to arrive. When he did, he positively reeked of strong, stale tobacco. The guy was 4+ feet from me but the odor very unpleasant. The food came quickly via a runner and was good. The waiter never showed up until we were almost finished and the glasses long since empty. Rather than offering to get drink refills, he started wandering off and we had to request service. They weren't busy, the guy spent his time wandering rather than taking care of us. Food A-, service D
(2)Susan W.
Have to update my review now that I've been back a few times not during restaurant week. I've had a few salads, the steak and blue cheese quesadilla and a chicken dish and they were all very good. Their service is top notch and they have a decent wine and beer list as well as specials. They are also good for large groups and never bat an eye at splitting the check.
(4)Gregory F.
Yesterday evening the Chicken Tetrazzini was superb. Luisa Tetrazzini, the great opera star after whom the dish was named, would have been proud of the way the flavors blended like voices singing in rich harmony. The tenderly juicy and lovingly seasoned chicken breast reclined on a magnanimous bed of perfectly cooked pasta which was bathed in a delectable creamy sauce with an abundance of sautéed mushrooms. This epicurean orgy was followed by a piece of heaven in the form of white chocolate bread pudding with whipped cream and raspberry coulis.
(5)Autumn S.
Solid food but nothing outstanding. I get the feeling people like this place for the mimosa specials. My Benedict was ok- eggs poached nicely but the hollandaise that accompanied it could have used more flavor- it was really watery and I prefer mine thicker. The pancakes were good-they had a cornmeal base and would have been perfect had they been served with real maple syrup. The cheese grits that came with the egg based meals were way too thick and had developed that film on the top that comes when they have been sitting out too long. However, the vegetables that accompanied my spinach and artichoke egg dish were seasoned nicely and made up for the lackluster grits. Service was nice and we were sat quickly on a Sunday afternoon.
(3)Sam R.
We came here for brunch on my husbands birthday after reading the menu online and being intrigued by the interesting mimosa flavors. They open at 11 and we were the only people in the restaurant. Our waiter asked what we wanted to drink and when we ordered mimosas from the menu he told us we couldn't have alcohol "until church let out at noon". I asked him why it didn't say anything about that on the menu or website and he just kept saying that was the law. We asked for a minute and he walked away from our table. I asked my husband if he wanted to go somewhere else, since we were really interested in the mimosas not the food at Silvertron. Our waiter, Michael M., must have been eavesdropping because he came back to the table and rudely told us there was no where else to go, that no counties nearby even serve alcohol, and that its Alabama law. I told him that we live in Mississippi and don't have laws like that in our county so again I was just disappointed that the information wasn't made available of the menu or website. He began arguing with me about the alcohol laws in Mississippi! At this point I am so frustrated with the entire experience, I just want to get done with the meal as quickly as possible. The food was extremely basic and flavorless. I had a bacon egg and cheese croissant and it tasted like a hotel breakfast (the shredded cheese wasn't even melted). Major disappointment! I understand laws are laws but be transparent and remind your employees they should never be argumentative with customers.
(2)Ashley W.
In the middle of a volunteer training day, a group of trainees and I decided to grab lunch at Silvertron during our allotted hour break. A few were vegetarians and knew that Silvertron Cafe offered options for them, so we drove the few streets over to get some grub. For a Saturday at lunchtime, Silvertron was awfully empty. Ironically enough, one of the vegetarians in our group pointed me towards the crab and shrimp cake sandwiches. I'm glad these cute little sandwiches came with what seemed like homemade tartar sauce on the side because without it they would have been pretty boring. A plus for this dish was that the crab and shrimp used in the cakes were obviously very fresh, which I always appreciate. I also loved that the crab and shrimp cakes were served on buttery yeast rolls! Onion rings were a miss as my side dish - they looked so tasty from across the room, but turned out to be soggy. I wouldn't avoid going back to Silvertron for a meal, especially since my vegetarian and non-vegetarian friends can eat together in harmony. EDIT: When I say that Silvertron was empty, I meant more so in terms of space - the tables are a decent amount of space away from each other. This definitely isn't a bad thing in my opinion.
(3)Ginger W.
Visited for Sunday brunch. Restaurant seems dingy and unclean. We ordered the pitcher of Bloody Mary's. The flavor was not very good but tolerable, however there seemed to be an extremely small amount of vodka. Husband ordered a couple of extra shots of vodka to add, but received two watered down shots that didn't improve the situation very much. We were hopeful about the food based on the crowd and from reviews we had read. But our meal was also a disappointment. The scrambled eggs (which I don't think are even real eggs at all) were terrible...worst eggs either of us have ever had. Overall a big let down for our first and last visit.
(1)Tammy B.
Silvertron was requested by our friends and we gladly accepted. Silvertron has a lovely local, comfortable, upscale-diner feel. They offer a varied menu, beers and cocktails, friendly service, and very reasonable prices for food and atmosphere. I was a bit bummed by the small serving of guacamole; I had no other complaints. Everyone at the table was pleased with their meal.
(4)Donna B.
I visited Silvertron yesterday for the first time in many years. I must say things have changed and not for the better. I was so disappointed in the quality of my food. I ordered the Triple Salad Plater, which was always my most favorite menu item. The shrimp salad consisted of tiny brine shrimp not the plump medium shrimp that I remembered. My lunch companion and I were calling it "sea monkey salad". The chicken salad was the consistency of Tuna salad not the wonderful chunky chicken salad I had in the past. The only saving grace on the plate was the pasta salad, which too was not the same but good. To add insult to injury, I asked for some crackers, bread, or crostini. The server brought me two packages of saltines. How cheap can you be ?!
(2)Wendy C.
Great for breakfast. Good mimosas. I had the grapefruit which was perfectly made. I am told thier Raspberry mimosas are the best. They do great grits as well.
(4)Riley H.
Yelp says 3 stars is "A-OK"... Thats what I would give our dinner-- but we want to go back for brunch since that seems to be the time to go! Dinner was ok to good. Simple, standard cafe food. My husbands steak and blue cheese quesadilla was HUGE. He was able to take half for lunch the next day, which was great. I had the french onion soup. Good, but there were a few too-crispy pieces in it I had to remove throughout dinner. We had the brownie for dessert- it was pretty good but I know adding Baileys (which they offered) really would have made it better! It's too bad I couldn't have alcohol during our visit. After pregnancy is over, we'll be going back for brunch to grab a couple of the tasty mimosas for brunch. I liked that they had a lot of specials throughout the week...Including pasta night on monday for under $8 a dish. The atmosphere was nice. Food wasn't jaw dropping, but we'll be back to enjoy the specials!
(3)Ryan B.
Found this place by accident, while looking for another place, that ended up being closed. Food was REALLY good! Prices were good. Weird atmosphere. It was like a cross between TV memorabilia, and a juke box cafe.
(4)Curry T.
The great thing about this place is it is consistently mediocre, and sometimes that's exactly what I want. There are some exceptions to this: the Fried Mushrooms are FREAKING FANTASTIC, though unless you're with a dozen other people you probably won't be able to finish the gigantic order (tip: they're not so bad reheated in the oven!) But Marco, what happened to the horseradish sauce? They were served with ranch last time I went, and though the ranch was delicious, the mushrooms really need the original sauce back. I also absolutely love the Shrimp and Avocado Salad, it has the perfect blend of flavors and is always delightful. Some people say the Mushroom and Swiss Chicken Sandwich is their thing, but I don't do swiss cheese so I can't speak to the veracity of that claim. Some of the dishes vary depending on who's in the kitchen: for example, I've had the alfredo be delicious and flavorful, then greasy and bland at another visit. At my last visit, there were some very burnt edges on my lasagna (which I actually enjoyed a lot... who doesn't love burnt cheese?) But overall, the food is a great value for the quality and portion size. Want even more value? Go on Monday nights, it's Pasta Night! I really wish Marco would bring back the Italian Sausage Pesto, it was my favorite even though it was always sitting in about a liter of extra grease. I'm exaggerating, but I honestly never saw the dish without excess grease and it never once stopped me from ordering it. Much like the food, the alcohol varies as well. One Sunday Brunch, I had a bloody mary that tasted like water. How does that even happen? Then on another visit I had some silly cocktail bullshit from their special cocktail menu and it was delicious (and super alcoholic). Order the Bailey's Brownie. It's a brownie of the perfect consistency, served with ice cream and splashed with Bailey's. Overall, I'd recommend going here if you're not too uptight about everything being perfect all the time, or you know exactly what you want and that it is always good (like the mushrooms). The service is always friendly and the atmosphere is always pleasant. I love all the old photos! Full disclosure: I worked here under the first two owners and was offered a job when Marco took over, though I declined. There will always be a soft spot in my heart for this place!
(4)Brock O.
I came here with my daughter on a Sunday for brunch. The service was clean and straightforward and nobody seemed to mind that we did magic tricks at the table. The beer selection is not fantastic. I bought a Duvel, which paired nicely with my crab and shrimp cake eggs benedict. They brought my beer out with a chilled glass, which was offputting. I thought they would have known better, but warming the glass in my hands gave me something to do (beside making salt shakers disappear and otherwise bonding with my four year old) while we waited for our food to arrive. The Duvel poured a light gold with a wispy lacing and rapidly receding head.
(5)Mark B.
Great experience. Reasonable prices and good atmosphere. Everything on the menu looked delicious. We will be back.
(5)Spence H.
I had been wanting to visit Silvertron Cafe ever since hearing about it a few months ago. Since I rarely have brunch, I decided to go on a Sunday and give it a whirl. I ordered the classic Eggs Benedict and a raspberry mimosa (they were out of three flavors because it was so busy that day). The food and drinks came out very quickly and I really enjoyed the Eggs Benedict, grits and fruit that came with it. Also, having the mimosa to wash it all down with was certainly a plus. The items were reasonably priced, the service prompt, and the drinks tasty. I will definitely be making another visit to Silvertron in the near future
(5)Will L.
I finally made it to Silvertron this weekend for brunch and I'm glad I did. The options were great and affordable. Speaking of affordable... $9 Mimosa pitchers! One of these steals were more than enough for two of us. I decided on the Grillades & Grits. They come with scrambled eggs & steak medallions with a Creole hollandaise. Plus, they're served with cheese grits, toasted bagel, and fresh fruit. When it first came to the table, I was worried that it wasn't going to be enough to fill me up. I was very wrong. It was delicious and filling. My friend got the fajitas and they looked amazing. I'll definitely be trying them out next time The only negative is the parking situation. There only seems to be street parking and not much of it. It's really not a big deal. I guess it stood out due to the torrential downpour that was taking place.
(4)Meggin M.
I had heard so many good things about this place I finally made it a point to go with an out of town friend last Saturday and though the food most definitely did not disappoint, the service could use some work..the server did not even greet us, he simply took out hit pen and paper and stared at us until we ordered. Some waters were placed on our table and we were never given the option to order something different, and literally the entire time we were at his table, never heard a word from out server! It was the strangest thing I've ever experienced..I much more enjoy a dining experience where the workers interact and are personable.
(3)Matthew K.
Very nice atmosphere. I imagine a nice place to take a date. Ordered artichoke hearts and a margarita to start me off. Both were fantastic. I was then served the carnitas tacos with a side of fries. Fries were okay, not too greasy but the tacos were delicious and healthy sizes. Would come here again if in the area.
(4)Janna T.
I love this place so much! I love bringing new friends here. Everything I've tried here is good and I love the different flavors of mimosas for Sunday brunch. This is such a chill place that you can sit and talk for hours. Their chicken salad is the BOMB!
(4)Michael B.
Steak Benedict * Poached eggs over grilled steak topped with a Creole hollandaise over English muffin. Served with fresh fruit and cheese grits. $8.75 Visited this Birmingham Tradition for the first time in years. The Biscuits we ordered right away were excellent. The Fried Cheese, the best anywhere we have ever eaten. The entree Steak Benedict was supposed to be grilled but was coated in flour and fried so it seemed like a "country fried steak." Not what I wanted, a gut bomb, but manageable. Unfortunately, the cheese grits that everyone else raves about on this restaurant's page were WAY OVER SALTED. We brought the issue to the attention of our server and she said they couldn't be fixed because they were made in a large batch. "May I please have some spinach instead?, I asked. She seemed confused and then brought out some fruit that she said she was instructed to substitute. However, there was already a healthy portion of fruit on my plate. I asked for the manager and he worked nicely at getting the spinach. Of which I would have been pleased with and carried on with my life. However, for some reason the owner/chef didn't want to let it go at that. They sent out another round of grits that were obviously a watered down version of the first serving. Still salty and inedible. A few minutes later the chef/owner came to the table and wanted to know if i was pleased with the substitution and additional change to the grits. To tell the truth, I told him the grits were STILL too salty. He said, "well we haven't had any other customers send them back!" I was left thinking, "well, we are only 2 of the first 20 customers of the day and I don't see any SALTY GRITS on any other person's plate." I was simply airing my experience and trying to partner with them in resolving the issue before their brunch really got busy. This point was missed or bounced of the SALT BLOCK on the shoulders of the owner/chef. Without being able to relay the message with any success or resolve I simply decided to let the issue go and get the heck outta DODGE. Ps. My company makes cheese grits by the gallons everyday, we know when they are done properly.
(2)Raye F.
Good! I was kinda confused walking in because it seemed like a fancy place that I was under dressed for. The menu has a hodgepodge of items. A good appetizer for a small group that's sure to please are the chips & salsa because it's not your average chips/salsa. I went against my personal preference to eat pork tonight. The lasagna of the day had Italian sausage, peppers and onions in it-- it was a generous portion. I'm looking forward to trying something else! Maybe Tex-Mex Tuesday $3 margaritas; $9 pitchers. Your tummy will thank you~happy eats
(3)J M.
A decent place, but nothing special.
(3)Josh O.
This place was awesome. I went yesterday and had the shrimp and crab cake eggs benedict with cheese grits, and I honestly could not have asked for a better breakfast. I can almost guarantee that I'll be going back here on any and all future trips to Birmingham.
(5)Joseph B.
This is a perfect place for daydrinking. The food ranges from all right to good, depending on the day, but the atmosphere is nifty and the drinks are strong, and the bruschetta is a reliable appetizer as are the mushrooms.
(3)Russ M.
Sunday Brunch is a winner. Drinks are good, my fav. dish is the Grits and Grillades. Can't go wrong there.
(3)Brandon M.
I only started frequenting Silvertron Cafe again recently. In the past I had only dined here for lunch but I must say, Brunch does not let you down. I'm thinking of making this a ritualistic visit at least two Sundays a month. The steak/eggs benedict are to die for and when paired with orange mimosas it doesn't get much better. Service is always great and management always checks in with you 3/4 through the meal. Waitstaff is excellent. Kudos to Ellen to always makes the visit special.
(4)Lindsey E.
I was so disappointed by my first trip to silvertron. First the martini they poured was short to say the very least (barely half full). I even asked our server to send the bartender over who defended his short pour and said that if he filled the glass his alcohol costs would be too high. Um. . .solution. . .charge more for the drink and give the customer a decent drink. Next, the menu is almost devoid of gluten free options (which I can deal with), but the salad (shrimp) I ordered was bland and did not have much diversity in flavor or texture. The vegetarian french onion soup lacked the oomph of its beefy counterpart, but wasn't even really great as a vegetarian soup. I hate to give a bad review, but eek. . .methinks not.
(1)Lisa S.
Portions are huge and the service is fantastic. I ate here 3 or 4 times while living in Birmingham, and each time I was greeted by the manager/owner and asked how the meal was. The restaurant is pretty big (we never had to wait) and in a great location -- right across from a consignment store, which frequently meant post-meal shopping! :) Highly recommend: the chicken, mushroom & swiss sandwich and the buffalo wrap. Also, if you're there for Tex Mex Tuesday, the nachos are great. Only order that I didn't enjoy: the gazpacho soup. It's way too oily, and had no veggies in it. Definitely not their specialty.
(4)Ayon J. R.
Good ambience, decent menu choices,. But, slow service! Really slow!
(3)Hiram C.
While the atmosphere and staff are great... the food is not. The food is never seasoned well or not at all. Out of the 10 times I have been there, my meal has only been decent twice. Their Sunday Brunch offers a different menu and is only slightly better than their regular one. Their wraps are never made right and always break. Given I've worked in the food industry, I know it's not hard to make a decent wrap. I tried to venture and try different things but finally was so disappointed I got the chicken fingers and even those were terrible. They used a fish batter to fry it in and it seems like they shouldn't be in the food industry if they can't get chicken fingers right. While I do like the staff, there is just no excuse for the food to be that terrible.
(2)Lars C.
Love the Silvertron!!
(5)katie r.
It's a great neighborhood restaurant. Huge portions, great pastas, and good mixed drinks! Great owner and staff. They make you feel at home.
(4)Heather T.
My favorite place to grab dinner on a Friday night. Marco is always so friendly and there aren't enough yums to describe his lasagna! They have been experimenting with the cocktail menu and have created some wonderful martinis. Fried cheese, fried mushrooms, salads, steak sandwiches... the list goes on and on for my faves. Marco also does so much for the Forest Park / South Avondale neighborhood that it's a pleasure to patronize his establishment.
(5)Asher K.
A few years ago the restaurant changed owners and they have really done an amazing job adapting and updating. They have a great menu with several delicious vegetarian options, which is often hard to find in the south. I would recommend the French onion soup.
(4)Peter H.
I lived in Birmingham for 3 years and somehow never went to this place. We went on boxing day and nearly had the place to ourselves for Brunch. I had the Steak Grillades for a reasonable $8.75. It was two pieces of steak, cheese grits, a bagel, scrambled eggs, and a fruit bowl. Everything was great except for the fruit bowl. It wasn't super fresh, but I can excuse that. The service was good. Our waiter was obviously bored on a slow day. He checked on us more than was necessary, but I understand that as I've been in the same position. I'm definitely a better waiter when I have 4 tables than I am with just one. This place may have just replaced Bogue's as my go-to Sunday brunch spot when I'm in Birmingham.
(4)Hunter M.
Had the Steak Sandwiches with Bernaise and they were amazing. Unique place with fun people.
(5)Brian K.
Always enjoy going. Food is just ok and service could be better but great place to go with friends.
(3)Chris G.
Somewhere between 3 stars and 4 for me but, hey, I'm feeling warm and fuzzy on a Sunday afternoon. Silvertron is reliable, quick, and a notch above bar food. It's in the Forest Park neighborhood, so you get a wide variety of patrons, from tattooed rockers who just rolled out of bed to families with kids to blue-blooded Episcopalians who just came there from church. The waitstaff is good, the Bloody Marys are well-made and the atmosphere is convivial. Just a good, consistent neighborhood place with no pretensions to it. And I like that. It's particularly good for Sunday brunch or for weekday lunch. It's not haute cuisine, but it doesn't aspire to that. My only knock? No reservations. So you kind of have to ease past the place to see if there's a line going out the door. If there is, we move on.
(4)bananas T.
Blech, the food here is terrible. Well, I should say what we ordered was, and if you can manage to mess up a salad, then I'd hate to venture any further. What chef puts tomatoes and avocados in the fridge? And what chef serves pink tomatoes? Veggies on salad were frozen in the middle, mealy, without flavor and the portions horrendous. No wonder there's a weight problem in the south, I could have shared my food with two other people. Staff were friendly enough, but it's definitely not one of those places the server takes notice of a barely touched meal and asks if anything wrong...
(1)Angie H.
I've been wanting to try this place for the longest time. My boyfriend and I finally caved last Sunday for Brunch...and one word: wow. The pitchers of mimosas for $9 are unbeatable. There are so many menu items at such affordable prices. No matter what your pallet, you can find something to enjoy. Personal fave? The spinach artichoke dip had pita chips actually IN the dip. Save a step? Why not! Definitely must try!
(5)Pam T.
I thought the food was VERY good and also beautifully presented. My issue with the Silvertron was that it was REALLY loud!! We were there for brunch/lunch on a Sunday. Hopefully that's an unusually busy day but I doubt I will be going back just because we had to shout to talk. I finally started reading lips, got sick of that, and then just hoped I made appropriate facial expressions. It was miserable which was especially disappointing because it was a birthday lunch. :( It seems to me that they could change the ceiling so that it could absorb sound.
(3)Stephen V.
Went to pasta night (Monday) last night, and OMG it was absolutely amazing. I tried the lasagna of the day and their cheesy pasta, and both were delicious. If I wasn't on a weight loss program, I would eat pasta at Silvertron every Monday night!
(5)Jim T.
Awesome place for brunch. Good service, good food, decent prices.
(4)Randy W.
Birmingham, we need to have a dialogue regarding the # of restaurants you have available. You're really lacking in this department. That said, the Silvertron is a decent little place with an inventive menu. Like great jazz music all they are doing is making little variations of traditional recipes and in so doing it is magical. I think that their idea of creating a Margarita Flight was downright inspired! (I'm stealing this idea and taking it home to NY with me.) So why, if I like it so much, does it only get 3 stars? Service. Friendly but slow ... I mean REALLY slow. The place was virtually empty and they seemed confused that I wanted to place my order after only sitting for 20 minutes.
(3)Nathan C.
Decent fish tacos, but I'll probably stick to their more traditional items next time.
(4)Andy S.
Great Ameritalian bistro/diner. Good, friendly service. Daily Specials. The most immediately pleasing aspect was the atmosphere. Old building, sparse yet tasteful decor. Good wine. Great for lunch or dinner. Situated in a nice neighborhood on a pleasant strip of local shops. Again, friendly service.
(4)debra d.
On a recent visit to b'ham my son and I took advantage of pasta night every Monday for 7.95. The portion sizes on our dishes were enormous!! The food was quite tasty as was the charming atmosphere with twinkling lights . Believe it or not we had 3 additional lunches from our leftovers,crazy huh! Highly recommend this place.
(4)Riley H.
Yelp says 3 stars is "A-OK"... Thats what I would give our dinner-- but we want to go back for brunch since that seems to be the time to go! Dinner was ok to good. Simple, standard cafe food. My husbands steak and blue cheese quesadilla was HUGE. He was able to take half for lunch the next day, which was great. I had the french onion soup. Good, but there were a few too-crispy pieces in it I had to remove throughout dinner. We had the brownie for dessert- it was pretty good but I know adding Baileys (which they offered) really would have made it better! It's too bad I couldn't have alcohol during our visit. After pregnancy is over, we'll be going back for brunch to grab a couple of the tasty mimosas for brunch. I liked that they had a lot of specials throughout the week...Including pasta night on monday for under $8 a dish. The atmosphere was nice. Food wasn't jaw dropping, but we'll be back to enjoy the specials!
(3)Ryan B.
Found this place by accident, while looking for another place, that ended up being closed. Food was REALLY good! Prices were good. Weird atmosphere. It was like a cross between TV memorabilia, and a juke box cafe.
(4)Ginger W.
Visited for Sunday brunch. Restaurant seems dingy and unclean. We ordered the pitcher of Bloody Mary's. The flavor was not very good but tolerable, however there seemed to be an extremely small amount of vodka. Husband ordered a couple of extra shots of vodka to add, but received two watered down shots that didn't improve the situation very much. We were hopeful about the food based on the crowd and from reviews we had read. But our meal was also a disappointment. The scrambled eggs (which I don't think are even real eggs at all) were terrible...worst eggs either of us have ever had. Overall a big let down for our first and last visit.
(1)Michael B.
Steak Benedict * Poached eggs over grilled steak topped with a Creole hollandaise over English muffin. Served with fresh fruit and cheese grits. $8.75 Visited this Birmingham Tradition for the first time in years. The Biscuits we ordered right away were excellent. The Fried Cheese, the best anywhere we have ever eaten. The entree Steak Benedict was supposed to be grilled but was coated in flour and fried so it seemed like a "country fried steak." Not what I wanted, a gut bomb, but manageable. Unfortunately, the cheese grits that everyone else raves about on this restaurant's page were WAY OVER SALTED. We brought the issue to the attention of our server and she said they couldn't be fixed because they were made in a large batch. "May I please have some spinach instead?, I asked. She seemed confused and then brought out some fruit that she said she was instructed to substitute. However, there was already a healthy portion of fruit on my plate. I asked for the manager and he worked nicely at getting the spinach. Of which I would have been pleased with and carried on with my life. However, for some reason the owner/chef didn't want to let it go at that. They sent out another round of grits that were obviously a watered down version of the first serving. Still salty and inedible. A few minutes later the chef/owner came to the table and wanted to know if i was pleased with the substitution and additional change to the grits. To tell the truth, I told him the grits were STILL too salty. He said, "well we haven't had any other customers send them back!" I was left thinking, "well, we are only 2 of the first 20 customers of the day and I don't see any SALTY GRITS on any other person's plate." I was simply airing my experience and trying to partner with them in resolving the issue before their brunch really got busy. This point was missed or bounced of the SALT BLOCK on the shoulders of the owner/chef. Without being able to relay the message with any success or resolve I simply decided to let the issue go and get the heck outta DODGE. Ps. My company makes cheese grits by the gallons everyday, we know when they are done properly.
(2)Ashley W.
In the middle of a volunteer training day, a group of trainees and I decided to grab lunch at Silvertron during our allotted hour break. A few were vegetarians and knew that Silvertron Cafe offered options for them, so we drove the few streets over to get some grub. For a Saturday at lunchtime, Silvertron was awfully empty. Ironically enough, one of the vegetarians in our group pointed me towards the crab and shrimp cake sandwiches. I'm glad these cute little sandwiches came with what seemed like homemade tartar sauce on the side because without it they would have been pretty boring. A plus for this dish was that the crab and shrimp used in the cakes were obviously very fresh, which I always appreciate. I also loved that the crab and shrimp cakes were served on buttery yeast rolls! Onion rings were a miss as my side dish - they looked so tasty from across the room, but turned out to be soggy. I wouldn't avoid going back to Silvertron for a meal, especially since my vegetarian and non-vegetarian friends can eat together in harmony. EDIT: When I say that Silvertron was empty, I meant more so in terms of space - the tables are a decent amount of space away from each other. This definitely isn't a bad thing in my opinion.
(3)Raye F.
Good! I was kinda confused walking in because it seemed like a fancy place that I was under dressed for. The menu has a hodgepodge of items. A good appetizer for a small group that's sure to please are the chips & salsa because it's not your average chips/salsa. I went against my personal preference to eat pork tonight. The lasagna of the day had Italian sausage, peppers and onions in it-- it was a generous portion. I'm looking forward to trying something else! Maybe Tex-Mex Tuesday $3 margaritas; $9 pitchers. Your tummy will thank you~happy eats
(3)J M.
A decent place, but nothing special.
(3)Rob R.
I love the ambiance, the service, and the portions. However, my beef and spinach lasagna was a little bitter and the tetrazini wasn't quite creamy enough. The fajitas, however, came out sizzling and were juicy but not oily like a normal mexican place. Try the pasta duo on Monday for $8.50 (especially the primavera) - I promise that it's enough for two. Next time, I'm going back to one of the stand-bys: the chicken fajita wrap.
(3)Curry T.
The great thing about this place is it is consistently mediocre, and sometimes that's exactly what I want. There are some exceptions to this: the Fried Mushrooms are FREAKING FANTASTIC, though unless you're with a dozen other people you probably won't be able to finish the gigantic order (tip: they're not so bad reheated in the oven!) But Marco, what happened to the horseradish sauce? They were served with ranch last time I went, and though the ranch was delicious, the mushrooms really need the original sauce back. I also absolutely love the Shrimp and Avocado Salad, it has the perfect blend of flavors and is always delightful. Some people say the Mushroom and Swiss Chicken Sandwich is their thing, but I don't do swiss cheese so I can't speak to the veracity of that claim. Some of the dishes vary depending on who's in the kitchen: for example, I've had the alfredo be delicious and flavorful, then greasy and bland at another visit. At my last visit, there were some very burnt edges on my lasagna (which I actually enjoyed a lot... who doesn't love burnt cheese?) But overall, the food is a great value for the quality and portion size. Want even more value? Go on Monday nights, it's Pasta Night! I really wish Marco would bring back the Italian Sausage Pesto, it was my favorite even though it was always sitting in about a liter of extra grease. I'm exaggerating, but I honestly never saw the dish without excess grease and it never once stopped me from ordering it. Much like the food, the alcohol varies as well. One Sunday Brunch, I had a bloody mary that tasted like water. How does that even happen? Then on another visit I had some silly cocktail bullshit from their special cocktail menu and it was delicious (and super alcoholic). Order the Bailey's Brownie. It's a brownie of the perfect consistency, served with ice cream and splashed with Bailey's. Overall, I'd recommend going here if you're not too uptight about everything being perfect all the time, or you know exactly what you want and that it is always good (like the mushrooms). The service is always friendly and the atmosphere is always pleasant. I love all the old photos! Full disclosure: I worked here under the first two owners and was offered a job when Marco took over, though I declined. There will always be a soft spot in my heart for this place!
(4)Brock O.
I came here with my daughter on a Sunday for brunch. The service was clean and straightforward and nobody seemed to mind that we did magic tricks at the table. The beer selection is not fantastic. I bought a Duvel, which paired nicely with my crab and shrimp cake eggs benedict. They brought my beer out with a chilled glass, which was offputting. I thought they would have known better, but warming the glass in my hands gave me something to do (beside making salt shakers disappear and otherwise bonding with my four year old) while we waited for our food to arrive. The Duvel poured a light gold with a wispy lacing and rapidly receding head.
(5)Mark B.
Great experience. Reasonable prices and good atmosphere. Everything on the menu looked delicious. We will be back.
(5)Chris G.
Somewhere between 3 stars and 4 for me but, hey, I'm feeling warm and fuzzy on a Sunday afternoon. Silvertron is reliable, quick, and a notch above bar food. It's in the Forest Park neighborhood, so you get a wide variety of patrons, from tattooed rockers who just rolled out of bed to families with kids to blue-blooded Episcopalians who just came there from church. The waitstaff is good, the Bloody Marys are well-made and the atmosphere is convivial. Just a good, consistent neighborhood place with no pretensions to it. And I like that. It's particularly good for Sunday brunch or for weekday lunch. It's not haute cuisine, but it doesn't aspire to that. My only knock? No reservations. So you kind of have to ease past the place to see if there's a line going out the door. If there is, we move on.
(4)bananas T.
Blech, the food here is terrible. Well, I should say what we ordered was, and if you can manage to mess up a salad, then I'd hate to venture any further. What chef puts tomatoes and avocados in the fridge? And what chef serves pink tomatoes? Veggies on salad were frozen in the middle, mealy, without flavor and the portions horrendous. No wonder there's a weight problem in the south, I could have shared my food with two other people. Staff were friendly enough, but it's definitely not one of those places the server takes notice of a barely touched meal and asks if anything wrong...
(1)Angie H.
I've been wanting to try this place for the longest time. My boyfriend and I finally caved last Sunday for Brunch...and one word: wow. The pitchers of mimosas for $9 are unbeatable. There are so many menu items at such affordable prices. No matter what your pallet, you can find something to enjoy. Personal fave? The spinach artichoke dip had pita chips actually IN the dip. Save a step? Why not! Definitely must try!
(5)Pam T.
I thought the food was VERY good and also beautifully presented. My issue with the Silvertron was that it was REALLY loud!! We were there for brunch/lunch on a Sunday. Hopefully that's an unusually busy day but I doubt I will be going back just because we had to shout to talk. I finally started reading lips, got sick of that, and then just hoped I made appropriate facial expressions. It was miserable which was especially disappointing because it was a birthday lunch. :( It seems to me that they could change the ceiling so that it could absorb sound.
(3)Matthew K.
Very nice atmosphere. I imagine a nice place to take a date. Ordered artichoke hearts and a margarita to start me off. Both were fantastic. I was then served the carnitas tacos with a side of fries. Fries were okay, not too greasy but the tacos were delicious and healthy sizes. Would come here again if in the area.
(4)Janna T.
I love this place so much! I love bringing new friends here. Everything I've tried here is good and I love the different flavors of mimosas for Sunday brunch. This is such a chill place that you can sit and talk for hours. Their chicken salad is the BOMB!
(4)Caleigh R.
Customers, please don't let the emptiness of this beautiful space turn you away. I will be honest, sometimes the food selection is good, and sometimes I think, "why did I pick this???" We ordered the carnitas tacos and grouper fish and chips. I requested the orange-jalapeno sauce on the side of the taco's as David is often picky with unique sauces. In the end, he poured it all over his taco! He didn't like it very much, either--guess he wasn't thinking it through. The pulled pork is soft and falls apart easily. I enjoyed the taco's, but the sauce is unique...so make sure to order it on the side! I wish I had asked if they had salsa or something else to dress the taco with. What's not to like about fried goodness? Grouper and chips....yum! I thought the fish was very good, but it is heavily breaded--so don't get this if you want healthy. Because I have Great Britain in my blood, I know that chips are NOT thin french fries. That is the only thing I request....if you are going to call it Fish and Chips, make it fish and chips :) Steak fries will complete this entree best. Oh--we had onion rings with the tacos and they were delish!!! We also had a couple pints from Avondale Brewery--always enjoy the Saizon and Tripel. I feel like Silvertron has improved since my last visit, or perhaps I made a better selection! But don't completely write it off Birmingham, let's keep supporting this unique Forest Park option!
(4)Rebekah H.
My parents were in town for the weekend and wanted to go somewhere local. I had heard good things about the Silvertron so decided I should take them there! I was glad I did! Well priced and diverse menu- we were all able to find something we liked! I had the butternut squash ravioli- which was going out on a limb for me seeing as I am not a fan of cinnamon and most places flavor anything "squash" with loads of cinnamon or all spice- this was garlicy and creamy savory bliss!! My mom had the hummus with chicken, onions, and peppers. . . Which was fabulous- even as left overs! My dad had the pork shanks with grits- which I did not try because I don't eat pork, but he said it was slightly bland. I have an active two year old and a three month old and found the Silvertron to be fairly kid friendly, although I don't remember there being a children's menu. We just ordered the slides for my son and he ate one and we took the rest home for daddy. :-) I would definitely take out of town company there again!!!
(4)Heather T.
My favorite place to grab dinner on a Friday night. Marco is always so friendly and there aren't enough yums to describe his lasagna! They have been experimenting with the cocktail menu and have created some wonderful martinis. Fried cheese, fried mushrooms, salads, steak sandwiches... the list goes on and on for my faves. Marco also does so much for the Forest Park / South Avondale neighborhood that it's a pleasure to patronize his establishment.
(5)Asher K.
A few years ago the restaurant changed owners and they have really done an amazing job adapting and updating. They have a great menu with several delicious vegetarian options, which is often hard to find in the south. I would recommend the French onion soup.
(4)Hunter M.
Had the Steak Sandwiches with Bernaise and they were amazing. Unique place with fun people.
(5)Brian K.
Always enjoy going. Food is just ok and service could be better but great place to go with friends.
(3)Russ M.
Sunday Brunch is a winner. Drinks are good, my fav. dish is the Grits and Grillades. Can't go wrong there.
(3)Brandon M.
I only started frequenting Silvertron Cafe again recently. In the past I had only dined here for lunch but I must say, Brunch does not let you down. I'm thinking of making this a ritualistic visit at least two Sundays a month. The steak/eggs benedict are to die for and when paired with orange mimosas it doesn't get much better. Service is always great and management always checks in with you 3/4 through the meal. Waitstaff is excellent. Kudos to Ellen to always makes the visit special.
(4)Lindsey E.
I was so disappointed by my first trip to silvertron. First the martini they poured was short to say the very least (barely half full). I even asked our server to send the bartender over who defended his short pour and said that if he filled the glass his alcohol costs would be too high. Um. . .solution. . .charge more for the drink and give the customer a decent drink. Next, the menu is almost devoid of gluten free options (which I can deal with), but the salad (shrimp) I ordered was bland and did not have much diversity in flavor or texture. The vegetarian french onion soup lacked the oomph of its beefy counterpart, but wasn't even really great as a vegetarian soup. I hate to give a bad review, but eek. . .methinks not.
(1)Lisa S.
Portions are huge and the service is fantastic. I ate here 3 or 4 times while living in Birmingham, and each time I was greeted by the manager/owner and asked how the meal was. The restaurant is pretty big (we never had to wait) and in a great location -- right across from a consignment store, which frequently meant post-meal shopping! :) Highly recommend: the chicken, mushroom & swiss sandwich and the buffalo wrap. Also, if you're there for Tex Mex Tuesday, the nachos are great. Only order that I didn't enjoy: the gazpacho soup. It's way too oily, and had no veggies in it. Definitely not their specialty.
(4)Ayon J. R.
Good ambience, decent menu choices,. But, slow service! Really slow!
(3)Josh O.
This place was awesome. I went yesterday and had the shrimp and crab cake eggs benedict with cheese grits, and I honestly could not have asked for a better breakfast. I can almost guarantee that I'll be going back here on any and all future trips to Birmingham.
(5)Joseph B.
This is a perfect place for daydrinking. The food ranges from all right to good, depending on the day, but the atmosphere is nifty and the drinks are strong, and the bruschetta is a reliable appetizer as are the mushrooms.
(3)katie r.
It's a great neighborhood restaurant. Huge portions, great pastas, and good mixed drinks! Great owner and staff. They make you feel at home.
(4)