Old-school diner is Deli-cious

Walk through the dingy front door of The Woodside Deli, and you may be expecting overcooked burgers and dry pancakes. But don't be fooled by the Deli's outwardly uninviting, outdated looks. The Woodside's extensive menu of mouth-watering chow and friendly service will have you calling the diner "hip" in no time.

"Even though the physical premises may change from time to time, we will endeavor to maintain the Woodside as it is and was in the past…a place where good people and good food meet on common ground," reads the menu of the more than half-century old deli, a fixture in the Woodside Park area for its delicious breakfast, subs and matzoh ball soup.

The Deli's diner-style cuisine is perfect for hungry patrons of any age, and any craving can be fulfilled, as breakfast, lunch and dinner choices are served all day. When craving breakfast, your best bet is the wide, taste-bud-pleasing pancakes, which can be ordered packed with blueberries or chocolate chips and are served with butter, jam and hot syrup. A short stack, a plenty-big portion, is less than $5. Add one of the Deli's several juices, including orange, grapefruit, tomato, and apple, for between $1 and $3.

The Woodside's most famous dish is its matzoh ball soup, a full meal which combines generously sized, fresh matzoh balls with big chunks of chicken, wide noodles and a few veggies swimming in a well-seasoned, lightly salted broth, all for just $4.50.

In the mood for a sandwich? Any one of the more than 20 subs and "triple-deckers" offered by the Woodside can satisfy your craving, along with either chips or French fries, for between $5 and $8. The Chicken Tenderloin Sub features mouth-watering breaded chicken strips and melted cheddar cheese.

Among the Woodside's best desserts are its thick, rich milkshakes. The chocolate or vanilla shakes are full of flavor and are served in a tall glass, with the accompanying overflow of shaken dairy goodness in an extra glass.

The Deli is also great for carry out, and all the menu items are available to take home, so the homemade eats can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere.

The allure of the Woodside is not limited to the food, as customers are immediately greeted by an array of antique pictures, posters, and paintings hanging from the tiny restaurant walls. Framed photos of movie stars, presidents, athletes and celebrities, old advertisements, Life magazine covers and even a few not-so-PG-rated pictures adorn the walls like a collage of Silver Spring life since 1947, when the Deli was established.

The homey atmosphere of the Woodside is reflected in the friendliness of the Deli's servers, who quickly put the customer at ease, sometimes even sitting down at an empty chair to take their order. The waitresses are quick to open up to customers about personal affairs, even offering advice on subjects other than the menu.

The Woodside Deli's generous portions, cheap meals, friendly service, pleasant atmosphere and local flavor will certainly meet the expectations of those seeking an old-school diner with a kick. And, as their menu reads, "At Woodside, we promise friendly service at reasonable prices. If, for any reason, we fail to live up to this promise, please don't tell anyone."

The Woodside Deli is located at 9329 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring. To contact the restaurant, call 301-589-7055.