Eat Salem

As we all know, Starbucks Coffee is contracting it's massive operation across the US by 600 stores. Fortunately, none of the store closures will be in Salem, Oregon. Click on the above graphic for a list of Oregon closures. With the price of gas at an all time high, it makes sense that people are less willing to pay $3 for a cup of coffee. I always encourage people on this blog to dine at small...

It had been a busy day, so I nearly forgot it was N and my scheduled blood date. It's amazing how quickly 9 weeks can go by. After we had finished giving our pints, enjoying the company and community of blood takers and donators, I had a hankering for halibut. So we decided to drive downtown to McGrath's Fish House for dinner. We walked into McGrath's and the hostess asked, "two for dinner?"....

This email came in from a reader asking for your help to select a local wine that will be brought to a party in Los Angeles. I'm not much of a wine drinker, but I know that the Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley is superb. Your input would be appreciated. Hi Salem Man, Just a quick Thank You for creating this blog. I would've never discovered some of the hidden treasures without your site. I...

In my last post, I mentioned Caffe Milan on Fairview Ave and 12th SE and I discovered this video on YouTube about them. Check it out. Very cool. 1210 Fairview Ave SE (503) 763-6070eatsalem.blogspot....

Drive thru coffee in Salem is a big part of the culture. The workforce wakes up and orders a steaming cup of joe before punching the clock and the stay at home parents treat themselves to a caffeine kick after getting little ones to school on time. Choosing the right coffee stand is sort of like choosing a sports team. You're going to be walking around the office with the logo covered cup like...

If you haven't checked out Marion County's Restaurant Inspection Scores online lately, you should. You'll be impressed by how many perfect scores Salem restaurants are getting. Most notably India Palace with a perfect 100 during an inspection on 5/27/2008. Other restaurants with perfect scores so far in 2008 include: 4 Caminos, Amadeus Cafe, The Arbor Cafe, Bentley's, Best Little Steakhouse,...

Every chance I get to dine outside downtown, I'll take. During these hot summer days, the temperatures at night in the shaded sunset can't be beat. La Margarita Express is a little Mexican restaurant across the street from the bus station with a few tables on the sidewalk just outside the front door. The night we went, there were more people eating outside than inside. The servers got a table for...