Salem Dining Scene Changes--2012

5/21/12 Chuck Bradley gave us the scoop . . .
Just learned that the new Mexican place in the old Cherry City Cafe venue is now open. Here's the info:
Taqueria El Tapatio, 615 High ST NE, Salem, OR 97301, (503)385-8816
Closed Sundays

5/21/12 Chuck Bradley suggested . . .
I went to Wild Buffalo Wings grand opening today. I'm going to suggest giving them a little time for the dust to settle. It was pure bedlam. The legions of staff were tripping over each other. The first order delivered to my table was someone else's. I bit into a tongue numbingly hot wing before I realized it. Just as I was finishing my correct order, the same delivery runner who brought me the first surprise brought me an order of Deep Fried Pickles. I hadn't ordered them either. Give 'em time to thin the Keystone Cops down to Larry, Mo and Curly, then check 'em out. The potential is there.

5/21/12 Anonymous agreed with CB re: BiBim Bap House . . .
I concur. Solid authentic selection of Korean choices (also Japanese & Korean/Chinese fusion)- surprising for Salem as the closest authentic Korean dining is Beaverton. Korean-Chinese cuisine is more commonly found in NYC so delighted to see the inclusion here. I heard the vegetables are fresh from their organic garden but don't quote me on that. Very cozy mom&pop atmosphere.

5/19/12 Chuck Bradley shared . . .

• Wild Buffalo Wings is scheduled to open Monday (5/21/12).
• A nearby business worker, of unknown veracity, says the owners of the unfortunately named Drunken Cook (Hard to conjure any positive connotations here.): "are hoping to open in about two months".

5/17/12

• Fast Eddie's has closed
• Jimmy Johns has opened next to 5 Guys on S Commercial
• Freshmart is going out of business

5/12/12 Anonymous shared . . .
Coffee In Motion is reopening on South Commercial on May 15, at this location 3170 Commercial St. SE  This is the Events at Copper Hill parking lot. It is across from Rock N Rogers

5/11/12 Anonymous hopes . . .
The Coffee in Motion location in front of the Golden Tent Mongolian Restaurant is now closed too. I hope they choose to to reopen somewhere on South Commercial.

5/09/12 KandN shared . . .
Coming soon . . . Drunken Cook (not Kitchen, oops!), an Italian restaurant. It'll join Fitt's Seafoods, Davidson's Landscaping and Santiam Wine Co. in the 12th Street Marketplace.

5/05/12 Anonymous added . . .
I have been hearing that the old Mazzi's/Golden Tent Mongolian Grill building will be torn down, and be replaced with a steakhouse.

5/04/12 Anonymous shared . . .

• Golden Tent Mongolian Restaurant on south Commercial is closed.
• BiBim Bap House is now open (near SJ building) and Stone Soup Bistro is slated to open second week of May.

5/02/12 Anonymous shared . . .
Just spotted message on old Cherry City Cafe's reader board, "Fresh, homemade tamales coming soon" and on the flip side it reads, "el Tapatio coming soon".

4/21/12 Anonymous shared. . .
Papa G's Blacklight Bar no longer bears the name Papa G's. The signs have all been modified to just say blacklight bar.

4/20/12 Anonymous knowingly shared ...
There's a Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich shop going in at 2990 Commercial ST. SE Sw #190 in the strip mall where Five Guys is.

Chuck Bradley said ...

• Apr 11, 2012 ...Unless you like cold deep dish Pizza, don't go to the new Silverton Bread Board expecting to have lunch. It's really just a Bread store. (Albeit a very good one.) Everything is baked in Falls City then transported to Silverton for sale. No oven, no Soup, no Salad, no Sandwiches and no fresh Pizza.
• Apr 19, 2012... Just learned that Goodfellas is under new management and has a revised and expanded menu
• Apr 20, 2012... Checked out the "new" Goodfellas today. My Bleu Cheeseburger rivaled Willamette Burger Company's, which I've long judged to be Salem's best. My bride's Turkey Grinder with Cheddar toasted in their Pizza oven was also top drawer. This place is definitely worth your time.

4/18/12 Observed by @salemrebekah . .
"Something's happening at the old Cherry City Cafe bldg. Looks suspiciously like a stack of sombreros in the window... "

3/20/12 Posted on Twitter by @MySalem:
"Al Aqsa Fine Middle Eastern Cuisine on State ST finally is open in#SalemOR: 1326 State ST 503-581-1160; And it's in my neighborhood!"

3/19/12 Chuck Bradley said . . .
The Sandwich Shop, 1350 Hawthorne NE. Tried the Pulled Pork Sandwich, Potato Salad and Navy Bean & Ham Soup. Also sampled Tri-Tip. All amazing. Uses a Traeger (Oregon Company) Pellet fired BBQ. BrucePac (Local source) Brats. Ian, the proprietor is the owner/operator of Iggy's Catering. Knows his stuff. Prices very reasonable. Check it out! (Chuck, is it in the Texaco station?)

3/16/12 Chuck Bradley updated us . . .
Falafel King is up and running at 498 Church ST NE. The food is good but they're pretty proud of it price-wise. Open 6 day 10AM 'til 8PM.

3/14/12 Anonymous teased . . .
"As noted above Lil's Cupcake has new owners and a new name. Becky & Nick are the owners and the new name is Twinsies Coffee and Cupcakes. I tried the Peanut Butter Chocolate and really enjoyed it. I never tried Lil's but I think Twinsies had a great cupcake today! PS More changes are on the way for the South Commercial dining scene." (I hope you share more, anonymous!)

3/06/12 via Red Ginger's Facebook page: "Yes we are closed for a slight remodeling, but we will open again very shortly! Come by and check out our new renovations, and enjoy some good tasty food :)"

3/06/12 R on Twitter asked....
"Am I the last one to notice the handwritten "for sale by owner" sign in the window of Sushi Topia (place by La Capitale)?"

3/05/12 David on Twitter shared...
Cupcake cafe on High St. is under new ownership.

3/01/12 Oregon Maiden shared....
To save folks an unneccessary trip---there was a note on yelp this morning that Red Ginger had a sign "Closed for remodeling until March 18." Since I live w-a-y South and am currently snowed in---I haven't seen it for myself but would suggest at least calling before you make the trek :-) OM ( 503 304-5092 )

2/25/12 DeeDee Diner shared....
According to the S-J's Polk Co. reporter Justin Much---2/22/12: Nine Lounge brings sushi back to the heart of Monmouth’s Main St. Nine Lounge, located next to Main Street Pub & Eatery in Monmouth, recently held its soft opening. The eatery once again brings sushi back to the heart of Main Street, Miyama Sushi, but it is also equipped to offer a much broader menu: pasta, seafood, sandwiches, etc. Owner Naing Soethura said the restaurant recently secured its liquor license, and he hopes to host a grand opening very soon. Nine Lounge phone is (503) 838-4511.

2/13/12 Chuck Bradley said...
Napoleon’s menu is greatly expanded to include Soups, Salads, Sandwiches Crepes and Quiche. Everything we've had there, so far, has been very good. The new eatery in the old Smiles BBQ venue is not open yet. It will be Bi Bim Bap House. Sounds like another Korean place. Anxious to try it! The Food Truck at Commercial and Ferry is Speedy Tacos. Have only had Tacos there, so far. Lengua and Carne Asada were good. Tripe was a little chewy and not crispy as I like it. But confess I did not specify. He has a pretty extensive Mexican menu.

2/12/12 Anonymous said...
1. Napoleans did a huge expansion downtown. Anyone tried it yet? Looks nice. 2. There is a taco truck on the corner of Ferry and Commercial, across from Umpqua Bank and in the parking lot of the youth church. Anyone try it? 3. There is a new restaurant taking a stab at the old Maxine's location (formerly Smile BBQ among many other incarnations). 4. There is definitely activity at the old Coffee House. That is a really cool old space. Lots of potential. 5. Old Super Pho location is papered up and something is definitely happening there. 6. The old Big Town Hero is going to be a bar/retro-arcade. Rumor has it.. 7. Governor's Cup is now having live music on weekends and serving cocktails. Really nice space. Great ambiance. 8. Christo's took over the old "Space" venue and now have lots of great live music and a cool bar. Seen rock and jazz. Great addition to Salem. 9. Quizno's in downtown is gone. Always glad to see chain's lose out to locally owned.

2/07/12 Via FB...
Someone has applied for a liquor license for Super Pho's old spot on 383 State St..

2/06/12 Sign spotted downtown...
"Falafel King Food Mart, coming soon"--on north side of building where Papa G's Blacklight Bar resides.

2/04/12 Word on the street says Gilgamesh may be moving to a new spot downtown. :>)

2/04/12 Via The Breadboard's FB page...
"Join us March 22nd in Silverton as we celebrate the opening of our second location..206 S. Water St., next to the Silverton Coffee Station!"

2/03/12 Via email ...
Salemites have noticed something going on in the old Coffee House Cafe & old Spaghetti Warehouse location.

2/02/12 Kristi replied re: Smile BBQ...
I've tried to go there a couple times in the last month and there was a sign on their door that they were "closed for remodeling". I'm hoping that's all as their food was amazing and the two women were so nice!

1/29/12 DeeDeeDiner said . . .
Just saw on yelp that Smile BBQ closed---haven't independently verified however. 3-D

1/27/12 Spoons Bistro said ...
We are saddened to announce the closure of Spoons and are forced to closed our doors to all customers. today will be our last day

1/26/12 MRose said...
Buffalo Wild Wings sports bar will open at old Party Depot site on 3892 Center NE in Salem Ore. by June, company says

1/05/12 Anonymous asked & KandN answered...
"Is rockin rogers moving into the Eola Inn space on hwy 22 in west salem?" Yes, as mentioned below on 12/20/11, they have opened another location in the old Eola Inn building.~KandN

Anonymous also asked:
"Anybody try the taco truck downtown on the corner of Ferry and Commercial street?"

1/04/12 KandN shared...
Just learned that San Diego Taco Co. in Salem is still open. Two other stores (Canby & Hillsboro) are now closed.

12/28/11 Roxie shared ...
Cherry City Café is going out of business. I answered an ad on CL for Cafe out of business - $1 (ne salem). ... So sad.