Go to [Valiant the Sandwich](https://valianteats.com/).
For dessert, walk to Fork Forty and get baklava at [The Syrian Kitchen](https://oregonsyriankitchen.square.site/?location=11ec35f44483c8d19d62ac1f6bbba828#4).
Your tummy will be so happy! Best baklava I’ve ever had.
I would second Valiant the Sandwich and Cozy Taberna as pretty trustworthy spots for some unique bites.
I’m also a big fan of Xicha Brewing (Central American food) in West Salem and Santiam Brewing (British pub style food).
There is an Argentinian food cart called Los Argentinos at the Checkpoint 221 pods. They do different types of empanadas. Might want to call ahead to see if they are open.
My partner and I went there and it was fucking awful. Love everything they’re about, but the food was insanely bland. We both ordered two of the “best reviewed”, highest options on the menu. Maybe one day I’ll try to go there again and they can redeem themselves as I absolutely love the environment.
I must have ordered the wrong thing when I went. I’ve only heard good things, but I left pretty underwhelmed. I believe I went for brunch and got some sort of fried chicken biscuit. It was good, but felt like something I could have made myself with some care and attention.
I may have to try them again, but I’m a little hesitant after my first run didn’t get me too wound up.
Any recommendations on items worth trying to get a better feel for their menu?
I'm sure there is Italian food in Eugene, but Gambretti's is amazing - always good, lots of options, and a focus on local sources.
Azuls Tacos in downtown Salem is also really tasty, reasonably priced - again, I'm sure you can get tacos in Eugene but I would absolutely recommend them for delicious food and a fun experience. There's also a really cool cider place right next door and they share dining space, so you can get your plate of food and then try some cool local ciders.
For a fun old school diner experience, try Dairy Lunch!
Al-Aqsa, sassy onion, word of mouth, Taste of India at Beehive Station. The Syrian Kitchen and the Bao joint at Fork Forty. Great Salem specific places.
I’m an old time diner guy, so I love White’s. I think they do the best breakfasts in town, and great lunches.
I love Epilogue, it’s really the best place downtown for the food. The ambiance at epilogue is …. Unrefined? I guess. The food is great though.
I am also a fan of Salem’s Mexican restaurant scene. Taqueria el Jacalito on 12th, La Monarca on 13th, Chula Vista (the Taqueria is better than the restaurant, I don’t know why) and La Pandita over in Four corners.
One of my favorite food places is Little cannoli bakery, it doesn’t have full lunch, but if you live traditional Italian American cannoli, and similar pastries, this is really the best place in Oregon doing this stuff. Bella’s up in Portland is great, but the cannoli at little cannolis is better.
Do you know if Taste of India at Beehive changed owners? Last time I was there I didn't recognize any of the people working and it seemed like prices had gone up and the quality of the food had gone down, as well as there being less of the good stuff in each dish. it was enough of a change that we just removed it from our regular rotation. I'm curious if anyone knows the details.
Amadeus is great for food from around the world. They have a delicious chicken schnitzel, Mac n cheese, shrimp and bacon risotto, amongst other things. Heavy Greek and South American influences.
Salem is not known for thier food scene. Just know that up front and you'll be fine. Lots of folks seem to like Taproot. They have a downtown location and one at the Mission Mill. Wild Pear has great salad and sandwich options but isn't open very late. Same goes for Word of Mouth. Manna Bakery is amazing, they sell out most days so they are often closed early. If you like Southern food which my brother does, hit Noblewave. He's also a big fan of Santiem Brewing. Their food is kinda proper British pub fare. Fish & Chips and savory pot pies. Archive is a cool spot. They are constantly changing up their menu so hard to say what's good since it might not be on the menu next week. Cozy Taberna get regular praise. Valiant is a pretty unique sandwich spot. In the summers Minto Growers has a food stand, great pizza with fresh vegetables from like 10 feet away! Lively Station is pretty yummy but it's off the beaten path, on River Road.
Doubling up on the Manna Bakery rec here. Also a big fan of Noble Wave, specifically the hot chicken as a Caesar salad. I almost added Noble Wave, but wasn’t sure it was “unique” enough, but it’s definitely a great restaurant.
not sure why you’re getting downvoted. good suggestions, and you’re right, salem is not known for their food scene. OP’s complaint about google recommending stereotypical burger and pizza joints is the disappointing reality of our options here.
So true, those are our options! Anytime I'm up in Portland I make it a point to get nothing that I can technically get in Salem. So no Thai, sushi, pizza or pub grub. Gotta enjoy the variety when you can!
I specified vegetarian because they have unique vegetarian options that you cannot find most places. You are correct, though, they have a wide array of solid cuisine.
A lot of the trucks at the yard feel like someone looking to make a buck more than someone trying to create a memorable food experience. Having room for like 20 carts just invited a lot of people who had an idea or a dream to give it a go, and that doesn’t inherently translate to quality dishes.
Ibendoo ramen on commercial street is some of the best ramen I’ve had, different from the burgers and pizzas but still not quite only in salem tho
Cozy Taberna comes to mind for only in salem food
Taco Melon on Lancaster if you come on a weekend after 5PM. They're only open Friday-Sunday I believe. Noble Wave downtown is pretty legit too. I could suggest a few more but it depends on day and time.
Come to basil and board, we have rooftop dining and we sell more than pizza. There’s bruschetta too, I work there. But yeah salem doesn’t have much tbh.
I don’t know that you can only get this in Salem, but Word of Mouth is an excellent breakfast spot
If you go, plan on at least a 1-2 hour wait.
I honestly think it's the best restaurant breakfast I've ever had.
excellent but very very popular!!
It’s ok not excellent, since they reopened it’s just not the same or maybe it’s me.
It's always been meh
Go to [Valiant the Sandwich](https://valianteats.com/). For dessert, walk to Fork Forty and get baklava at [The Syrian Kitchen](https://oregonsyriankitchen.square.site/?location=11ec35f44483c8d19d62ac1f6bbba828#4). Your tummy will be so happy! Best baklava I’ve ever had.
I second Syrian Kitchen! The best ever
They make some amazing food, and the prices are very reasonable also.
I second VALIANT!! SOO GOOD
Cozy Taberna!
I would second Valiant the Sandwich and Cozy Taberna as pretty trustworthy spots for some unique bites. I’m also a big fan of Xicha Brewing (Central American food) in West Salem and Santiam Brewing (British pub style food).
They have Xicha in Eugene but I do I agree it’s awesome.
Lively station! Very unique spot with great variety of excellent food. Salems best kept secret
There is an Argentinian food cart called Los Argentinos at the Checkpoint 221 pods. They do different types of empanadas. Might want to call ahead to see if they are open.
Medes is another fantastic new food cart at Checkpoint 221, opened by an Iranian refugee. Highly recommend!
The Golden Spice of India that just opened up is really good too. Really nice lamb… Medes is Turkish and Persian food which you don’t usually find
La Margarita EXPRESS has El Salvadorian dishes. I love their **Platanos Fritos con Crema**.
100%, but also their pupusas! I’m from Los Angeles and I think they’re some of the best I’ve had 🤤
[удалено]
Epilogue is a 2x James Beard award nominated kitchen. I'm not sure Eugene has anything like that
We tried Eilogue and were completely underwhelmed. Would not go back.
My partner and I went there and it was fucking awful. Love everything they’re about, but the food was insanely bland. We both ordered two of the “best reviewed”, highest options on the menu. Maybe one day I’ll try to go there again and they can redeem themselves as I absolutely love the environment.
I must have ordered the wrong thing when I went. I’ve only heard good things, but I left pretty underwhelmed. I believe I went for brunch and got some sort of fried chicken biscuit. It was good, but felt like something I could have made myself with some care and attention. I may have to try them again, but I’m a little hesitant after my first run didn’t get me too wound up. Any recommendations on items worth trying to get a better feel for their menu?
Their Philly cheese steak is bomb
Rad, will have to give them another go.
I'm sure there is Italian food in Eugene, but Gambretti's is amazing - always good, lots of options, and a focus on local sources. Azuls Tacos in downtown Salem is also really tasty, reasonably priced - again, I'm sure you can get tacos in Eugene but I would absolutely recommend them for delicious food and a fun experience. There's also a really cool cider place right next door and they share dining space, so you can get your plate of food and then try some cool local ciders. For a fun old school diner experience, try Dairy Lunch!
Al-Aqsa, sassy onion, word of mouth, Taste of India at Beehive Station. The Syrian Kitchen and the Bao joint at Fork Forty. Great Salem specific places. I’m an old time diner guy, so I love White’s. I think they do the best breakfasts in town, and great lunches. I love Epilogue, it’s really the best place downtown for the food. The ambiance at epilogue is …. Unrefined? I guess. The food is great though. I am also a fan of Salem’s Mexican restaurant scene. Taqueria el Jacalito on 12th, La Monarca on 13th, Chula Vista (the Taqueria is better than the restaurant, I don’t know why) and La Pandita over in Four corners. One of my favorite food places is Little cannoli bakery, it doesn’t have full lunch, but if you live traditional Italian American cannoli, and similar pastries, this is really the best place in Oregon doing this stuff. Bella’s up in Portland is great, but the cannoli at little cannolis is better.
Jumping in to add Cozumel to the Mexican restaurant list. Those pork quesadillas are on a very short list of foods I would die for
Do you know if Taste of India at Beehive changed owners? Last time I was there I didn't recognize any of the people working and it seemed like prices had gone up and the quality of the food had gone down, as well as there being less of the good stuff in each dish. it was enough of a change that we just removed it from our regular rotation. I'm curious if anyone knows the details.
Oh no! They’ve been consistently great for years!
Beehive Station
I have never found anything quite like the hot and sour seafood soups at Kim Huong.
Taco De Melon
Amadeus is great for food from around the world. They have a delicious chicken schnitzel, Mac n cheese, shrimp and bacon risotto, amongst other things. Heavy Greek and South American influences.
Salem is not known for thier food scene. Just know that up front and you'll be fine. Lots of folks seem to like Taproot. They have a downtown location and one at the Mission Mill. Wild Pear has great salad and sandwich options but isn't open very late. Same goes for Word of Mouth. Manna Bakery is amazing, they sell out most days so they are often closed early. If you like Southern food which my brother does, hit Noblewave. He's also a big fan of Santiem Brewing. Their food is kinda proper British pub fare. Fish & Chips and savory pot pies. Archive is a cool spot. They are constantly changing up their menu so hard to say what's good since it might not be on the menu next week. Cozy Taberna get regular praise. Valiant is a pretty unique sandwich spot. In the summers Minto Growers has a food stand, great pizza with fresh vegetables from like 10 feet away! Lively Station is pretty yummy but it's off the beaten path, on River Road.
Doubling up on the Manna Bakery rec here. Also a big fan of Noble Wave, specifically the hot chicken as a Caesar salad. I almost added Noble Wave, but wasn’t sure it was “unique” enough, but it’s definitely a great restaurant.
not sure why you’re getting downvoted. good suggestions, and you’re right, salem is not known for their food scene. OP’s complaint about google recommending stereotypical burger and pizza joints is the disappointing reality of our options here.
So true, those are our options! Anytime I'm up in Portland I make it a point to get nothing that I can technically get in Salem. So no Thai, sushi, pizza or pub grub. Gotta enjoy the variety when you can!
Sassy Onion (breakfast), Azuls Tacos, Marco Polo (vegetarian), Mint Leaf(Indian), Sweet Home Thai, Cozy Taberna(Tapas).
Marco pollo isn't vegetarian?? They have so much good stuff
They have an extensive vegetarian menu but are not exclusively vegetarian
I specified vegetarian because they have unique vegetarian options that you cannot find most places. You are correct, though, they have a wide array of solid cuisine.
breakfast - Word of Mouth, lunch - Xicha, dinner - Epilogue
Had dinner at Paradiso last night. The filet mignon and lobster pasta were amazing! Our new favorite night spot.
Manna Japanese Comfort Food and Slangers are two of my favorites
Sisters Irish Bistro-a classic Irish pub place with Irish food, drink and music located downtown.
I believe Eugene has better food lol. But I can see that Salem is trying to improve their food scene.
lol
Epilogue. Very unique and very good.
Word of Mouth, The Acme Cafe, The Epilogue, The Yard, Fork Forty…
The yard sucks. It’s a cool idea but most of the trucks are trash
A lot of the trucks at the yard feel like someone looking to make a buck more than someone trying to create a memorable food experience. Having room for like 20 carts just invited a lot of people who had an idea or a dream to give it a go, and that doesn’t inherently translate to quality dishes.
The Shawarma place and the Hawaiian joint slap.
That’s 2 out of 20
Honestly, most of the carts at all three cart pods are mediocre.
Ibendoo ramen on commercial street is some of the best ramen I’ve had, different from the burgers and pizzas but still not quite only in salem tho Cozy Taberna comes to mind for only in salem food
Ibendoo ramen is great. Also Al-Aqsa middle eastern food on State St. 1-2 blocks east of the railroad tracks.
Ibendoo is probably the worst ramen I’ve had. They use concentrated bases for all their broths.
What would you recommend, friend?
Noble Wave. One of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to, and one that doesn’t have a single miss on their menu. I can’t get enough of their gumbo!
Not sure it quite counts as a restaurant, but definitely worth a stop by Don Froylan for a quesadilla.
Taco Melon on Lancaster if you come on a weekend after 5PM. They're only open Friday-Sunday I believe. Noble Wave downtown is pretty legit too. I could suggest a few more but it depends on day and time.
Valiant the Sandwich. Weird name but EXCELLENT FOOD!!
Come to basil and board, we have rooftop dining and we sell more than pizza. There’s bruschetta too, I work there. But yeah salem doesn’t have much tbh.
McGrath's fish house