Photography by David Jacobo
I have lived in Salem, Oregon for most of my life. I have seen this city change… a lot. The one change that has always bothered me was watching businesses I’d grown to love close just a few months after opening. It seems that this is much more prevalent in restaurants and music venues than any other businesses–except maybe for businesses that try to operate out of the old Sam Goody in the downtown mall.
Anyways, I have always believed in supporting the community–shopping and spending my money local if possible. Especially if it is a place I want to thrive. In Salem, we have a tendency to travel 60 miles North or South for a good time, and then we wonder why we don’t have anything fun to do here.
Now, I have lived and worked downtown for the majority of my adult life. I’ve worked in the mall and various other establishments in the area for over 6 years. Due to some mall food horror stories (ask only if you dare), I needed to find some different eats to grub. At first, I went with bar food. I mean how can you go wrong with good ol’ burgers and fries? You really can’t (Pete’s place is still my preferred bar burger). I began to feel as if something was missing though, and after a winter of eating burgers and gaining 40 pounds, I decided I needed a change.
So today, I want to showcase the places that I love to go when I am in need of some damn good food. These places are locally owned and definitely worth going to. I bring you:
A day downtown with Joshua Seech.
When I worked mornings, I’d usually settle for a cup of coffee and whatever little pastry or sandwich I was able to procure and call it good for the day. Now, I know that Busick’s Court is probably the most popular breakfast joint downtown, was featured on Rachel Ray’s little show, and have a cult like following, but I like to go a little deeper and to the lesser known for my breakfast treats.
On the basement level of the Reed Opera house, there are 2 little shops. One that dishes out liege style waffles, and right across the hall another serves cannolis and other Italian pastries. The best part: it’s all handmade. Belgique dishes out made to order liege waffles, and they cook them right there in front of you. There are little doodles of a flying waffle and other little things to look at while your waffle delight is being prepared. There are different flavor combinations and even an eating challenge for the brave and hungry.
After throwing down there, venture next door and visit the Little Cannoli Bakery. The guy there hand makes and hand dips everything. With a pretty big variety of different types and flavors of pastries, you’ll most likely do what I did my first time; buy one of each and get it to go.
The cannoli was pretty bomb.
Lunch time downtown can be a challenge all in its own. With a couple of lunch buffets and businesses that are only open until 5, it can be hard to decide where to head next. After the breakfast we just ate, it would seem as if fortune smiled upon us and offered a lift to my favorite place to not only get some mid-day food, but also the best fish taco’s in town (coming from me and also the entire City of Salem).
Take the elevator, or stairs for those of us watching our figures, to the Mezzanine level of the Reed Opera House. La Pearla, A family owned Mexican food restaurant, that does Mexican food right. I suggest ordering two fish tacos and a carnitas quesadilla. Now, I am passionate about food, and I am willing to put this quesadilla up against any other quesadilla in Salem. As if the flavor packed inside of this tortilla pocket of awesomeness was not enough, they have a ketchup (catsup for you weird people) and mustard bottle that come with your food, but my friends, there is not ketchup or mustard in those bottles. Instead, you will find the sauces. Your typical salsa verde taco sauce in the mustard bottle, but inside of the ketchup bottle is this magical sauce. It’s not hot. It’s just delicious. You’ll start pouring it on everything, including the chips they give you to munch on when you arrive.
Ok, so we had some European delights for breakfast, some awesome Mexican for lunch. What in the world are we going to eat for dinner? Simple, walk across the street and up the block towards the water front and you’ll find Venti’s Café.
Owned by Dino Venti–who is one of the coolest dudes in the restaurant business. He can be often found hanging around, chatting with guests as well as helping in the kitchen. Dino seriously knows what he is doing. This place is special. When you walk in, it appears you walked into an art museum mixed with a teriyaki joint. Local artists are featured on the walls and the place screams culture. To the right you’ll notice the staircase. Venture down the stairs and discover the underground bar.
I have tried almost everything here and everything tastes great. For the skeptical; try the chicken and rice. If you are willing to step out of the norm, the tofu teriyaki is downright amazing. They are also opening a new location soon, Venti’s Taphouse, located on S. Commercial.
Now I’m no Rachel Ray… but you should get out there and start eating at the places that make the Northwest great. If we don’t start supporting our local family, we won’t have anywhere left to go except Applebee’s and Olive Garden. And if you have any places you want to tell me about, please hit me up, I love to try new things whenever I can.
Til next time,
Eat your heart out, Love Joshua.