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Resto: Willowside

By Denise De La Franier

Even though Willowside Family Restaurant is nearly overshadowed
by Jiffy Lube, the Shoeper Store, Rogers Video and one of those
super–massive Shoppers’ Drug Marts, it stands apart. It’s one of
the few non–chain businesses on the hectic corner of Willow and
Silvercreek in Guelph’s west end. And ‘cus of that, it was fair
game for a review, and my hubby Eric and I checked them out last
Wednesday before heading to a concert. How would the small,
family–oriented restaurant measure up? Can they hold their own
among the mega–players that are gobbling up every last square
inch of land in the area? Is it just a matter of time before they’re a
KFC or a Fast Eddie’s?
The outside of the place is non–descript, but the inside is
surprisingly homey. The walls are a warm brown color, and
there’s lots of natural light and some exposed brick. The art is
limited to pictures of food, which probably wasn’t meant to be
quirky but is anyway. When we walked in we were greeted
promptly and sharply by an extremely blond young woman with
extreme fingernails. On our way to the corner booth I glanced at
the chalkboard full of daily specials – trout, beef, hot turkey, fish
‘n chips – you know, the standard family diner stuff.
I got me a pop ($1.99) and checked out the lengthy menu.
They serve up salads, (garden, Greek and Caesar), homemade
burgers (add a few bucks to combo–ize it), sandwiches, wraps,
fish, steak and so on, and everything’s priced well within reason. I
was banking on our server reading us the specials since they
weren’t visible from our table, but she didn’t bother so I stood up
and took another look.
I was tempted by both the trout special and by the burgs, but
went for the chicken souvlaki ($10.99). Eric picked the fish ‘n
chips deal ($10.99). I saw that this is a regular menu item but
forgot to note how much and if we were saving bucks. (You know

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