Acme Cafe
110 Hansen Ave S, Salem, OR, 97302
Acme Cafe Menu
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Address :
110 Hansen Ave S
Salem, OR, 97302 - Phone (503) 798-4736
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Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Kara W.
First time at Acme Cafe. The service (Lindsay) was great. We had the fish/chips and chicken fried chicken and both were really delicious. The fry sauce is yummy! Cute atmosphere, reasonable prices, cold beer, and they had the Blazer game on. Will be back for sure! :)
(5)Dave S.
The food here is amazing. We ordered the pastrami cheese fries as a starter and wish we would have ordered two more as our entree. The service is fantastic and match the style. Acme captures the Americana vibe and is a fun place to chill with friend's. We are excited to come back with friends and have some drinks at the bar with lots of starters.
(5)Bradley E.
Enjoyed lunch here with friends. Utilized the outdoor eating area. Very pleasant, great service, great food. Look forward to going again soon!
(5)Nicki H.
Love the atmosphere! Great food and wonderful service!!! Would definitely recommend this restaurant as they have something for everyone. ...
(5)Roger S.
Stopping to the restaurant today with my attorney Todd he had a BLT with fries. They look really good. I had their clam chowder it was horrible since when do you put okra in New England clam chowder. Oh I forgot this is Salem Oregon even without the okra the soup wasn't good c'est la vie
(3)Patrick F.
I love that a restaurant like this is in south Salem. The location isn't super easy to get to but it's worth figuring out the traffic patterns. Seating can be a little difficult if they don't have the outside section open. It took us about 25 minutes to be seated this time. The outside area is awesome and well decorated. I love all the foliage that surrounds it and the lights are a great touch. It's my favorite area to sit at this restaurant. Also, they have a little area for dogs to sit and get some water on hot days which is a very caring thing to do for our canine friends. In terms of food, they have lots of gluten free options which was great for my friend. The only thing that didn't have a gluten free option with was the gravy. My biscuits and gravy was huge and delicious. Bacon was thick. My over easy eggs were perfect. I looked at some other plates and the potatoes looked a little overcooked. Coffee was high quality and hot. Local, home made marionberry jam was really good on a biscuit. Overall, this place is a great place to eat with a great vibe. I highly recommend it.
(4)Wendy D.
We had one waffle and two pieces of bread, which was supposed to be French toast. The French toast may have had a drizzle of egg mixture on one side but definitely not on the other. They were definitely not dipped. I asked for fresh fruit instead of the sugary syrup and was offered about a quarter of one peach sliced neatly on the top and was charged three dollars extra for that. I couldn't flag down any waitress for a little butter, I'm not sure anyone is actually assigned to the bar area. So $18 for two basic breakfasts with poor service that probably cost the restaurant $1.50. I would definitely not recommend this place.
(1)Demitri G.
Only place in Salem that I have ever seen Fried Chicken & Waffles. It's made with boneless skinless thighs that are coated in a very flavorful dark breading. Butter your waffle, pour the syrup over the chicken and enjoy. I sure did. PS: you can order it with white meat, if that's your thing.
(5)Anne P.
I've had some good things here, some okay things, and some things that were just bad. Their cocktails have always been great. The food, not always as great. Tonight we ordered the specials - steak medallions and a lemon-thyme chicken. After waiting quite a long time (waitress came by to apologize several times due to a large party in the back room), we finally received our dishes. The chicken was tender but way under-seasoned. It came with rice pilaf which also lacked flavor, and some un-trimmed asparagus spears, half of which could not be chewed. Just cut the ends off and you don't have that problem. Instead I sat there and sawed off the ends of the spears with my butter knife, which was not easy. My husband's steak medallions were made from something that appeared to be round steak - very lean and pretty tough. This was also under-seasoned. The deviled egg appetizer was the best part of the meal. They are very tasty. And our daughter was happy with her mac and cheese. But then we got the bill and realized her "kid's cup" of milk was $4.00! Really? Wow. That is roughly what you would pay for a whole gallon of milk. The restaurant was very busy, and although there were a lot of wait staff rushing around, it took quite a while to get our food, drinks/waters refilled, and a to-go box for our daughter's mac and cheese. Sending something back would have resulted in a longer wait and a more impatient toddler, so we just ate what we could. We live out South, and ACME is one of the few non-fast food options out here, but our last few visits have been disappointing, so I don't think we'll be back.
(2)Alex B.
In a nutshell: decent food & service, some prices a bit high. Decent straightforward American style food, slightly more ambitious menu than a typical diner. Friendly and reasonably quick service. Kind of a cool diner/industrial decor vibe going on inside, and there is outside seating for nice days. Parking is easy. But... The prices are high considering the quality and quantity of food. For instance, there's a DIY salad option with mix and match ingredient choices, if you go crazy you can basically get close to a decent sized but not large Cobb salad. But for $12 it's a lot of money for what you get. Lunch for two, with two sodas and no dessert, is going to set you back at least $30.
(3)Eva L.
Met the owner Cecilia tonight. She was super sweet and easy to talk to. I had the tomato pie with smashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. The smashed potatoes melted in your mouth and left me wanting more. I also had dessert and the brownie was soft and warm and went perfectly with the vanilla ice cream. It was my first time coming to this restaurant and I had a good experience. I would like to come here again and check out the happy hour!! :)
(4)James M.
The ACME Cafe has been going a year now, so we dropped in to see how they are doing. Two at the table ordered the Deluxe Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Parmesan and Garlic Buttered Texas Toast, filled with Cheddar and Swiss cheeses / $8.50). They thought the proportion of bread to cheese was off -- too much bread -- and that it was too expensive for a grilled cheese sandwich. Where is the Deluxe? I had Don's Big Skillet** (bacon, ham, home fries, mushrooms, onions and peppers, topped with three scrambled eggs, Cheddar Cheese and sausage gravy, and wheat toast / $13.00). I found it delicious. The building itself is great, and our server was quick and efficient (Thank You, Deidra). Three Star food and Four Star service. ** Don's Big Skillet is the Chef's tribute to Don "The Breakfast King of Salem" Uselman, of the Ritz Diner, White's Restaurant and Don's Restaurant. RIP, Don.
(3)Nelson S.
I went to Acme cafe Sunday morning. I'm not a big breakfast eater so I really didn't see anything I wanted so I asked if I could order off the lunch menu. The waitress said hold on a second and I'll ask the cook if they can accommodate that. She came back and said he'd do it. I got a turkey sandwich with avocado and a fruit bowl. About 7 minutes later it was brought to me. First impression was its piled high with thick sliced turkey and a half an avocado. It's served on a hoagie roll and tasted really good. I wish I would have taken a pic but I was hungry and just dove right in lol. The fruit cup was a good variety of orange slices, watermelon, cantaloupe, grapes and strawberry slices. It's a small establishment so it's really cozy. It reminded me of a European cafe with how close everyone sits. All in all a solid 5 star place with good food and staff willing to go the extra mile for the customer.
(5)Thomas J.
The standard menu is outstanding if you're not quite sure what you want, but enjoy simple food executed with high quality and attention. The specials often provide a chance to try a showcase local ingredient for a more upscale vibe. Their breakfast menu will convince you of the virtues of being an early riser. The staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and always hustling to take care of guests. Come once and there will be at least 2 things to inspire a return trip from the menu. Come back and you will be hooked for good. This may be Salem's best value restaurant on the south end.
(5)Jake E.
I have since been back. Haven't been displeased, and they have some awesome seasonal specs.
(4)Neko K.
The fried food was extremely greasy. More diner ambiance than actuual flavour. The problem may be that I expected more respect for the food and the customer than what I experienced. Pie is quite alluring and it's possible that I will go to try some but with very loe expectations given what has already occurred.
(2)Darren F.
Savory food. Delicious gravy. Sautéed rockfish is amazing...as is the bacon wrapped pork chop. I'll be working through their menu.
(4)Laura S.
Nice little cafe, moderately hard to get into parking lot (if coming from the wrong side of the street). Stopped in here for lunch with my mother and was pleased with the diner as a whole. I ordered the shrimp po-boy and had a taste of my mother's order of Matzo ball soup. Both were really good, though I did like her soup slightly better than my sandwich - mostly because it was a cold and rainy day out and hot, homemade soup really hit the spot. It's pretty casual on the inside, with a mix of booths and chaired tables. My mother wished it had been a little less casual, but I was fine with it. Because it was lunch, we did not order anything from the beer/drinks menu - but some of the items looked tasty. Our waitress was friendly and attentive, but there was only one other customer in the diner at the time (and I'm pretty sure he was an undercover cop). We debated on, and finally wound up ordering the Blueberry Sour Cream pie dessert. Not bad, but not my taste.
(4)Angela Pfaffenberger L.
The food is VERY salty; the menu run of the mill; I won't be back.
(1)Erin H.
Pro: Our drinks stayed full. All in all, this restaurant is no different than any other new, locally owned "cafe" that sets up shop in Salem. Limited, boring, and 'already one that' menu. Nothing jumped off the page at me, so I went with the pastrami fries (because the waitress declared them to be "AWESOME") and a small garden salad. The pastrami fries were NOT awesome. Obviously Acme discovered a profitable way to use up the end bits of their pastrami... the meat was in teeny pieces. The curds were curds and the gravy was flat. This dish needed something to make it pop. Unfortunately, it fell flat and instead of enjoying what should be a tasty treat, I begrudgingly picked at it. It was not worth $10. My garden salad was made with those shitty mixed greens. You know the ones--with the leaves that are too long, can't be pierced well with a fork, and don't mix well with any toppings. My salad was flying all over the table. And the ranch? Forgettable. This place was really hyped up before its opening. That happened, in part, due to the owner(s) having been the owners of J.James. I don't know how (or why) they created a restaurant with such a boring and flavorless menu. More importantly, I don't know why Salem is enamored with it. ** Oh I almost forgot! They're warm rolls? Try cold, hard, and dry! Bleh!
(2)Laura A.
I loved this place!! We had planned to go to another local breakfast favorite. But they always have a two hour wait and no one was answering the phone for take out orders, so we decided to try something new! I really like the decor! It was cute and fun without being overboard. And the food was really good. I got the biscuits and gravy. They were delicious. And a huge serving! I barely managed to eat half of it, and I was super hungry! But the star of the morning was my SO's choice of chicken and waffles. It was sooooooo good. The waffle was fluffy and delicious. The chicken was fantastic. Great coating and great flavor. I am a fried chicken snob and I was pretty satisfied with this. We didn't try them, but their selection cocktails looked great too. I'm looking forward to checking them out on our next visit.
(5)John R.
Food is hit or miss. Menu lacks imagination and is limited for lunch selections. Service mostly is bad. Wait staff in back section is ok. Front section wait staff needs work. Someone needs to curb all of the yapping and get customers served. Someone needs to step up and become an alternative to the perpetually packed Word of Mouth and Acme isn't it. Don't know why ownership hasn't looked at the negative reviews and fixed the problems.
(2)Mary K.
The breakfast is pretty darn good. Eggs over easy were perfect. Home fried potatoes very good, not sure how they do that, looked like baked potatoes cut in chunks then deep dried, but I don't know for sure. Bacon thick and crisp. But the toast...oh my! Wheat toast from bread baked on site...a meal on it' own.
(4)Eugene P.
We read the reviews and were hesitant about trying this place out. We did so anyways to judge for ourselves. Here are our thoughts: I read some reviews about portion sizes and honestly, if your goal is to eat 1 huge meal a day - Denny's might be a better fit for you. There's no point in coming in a place with a hungry feeling, paying money and leaving feeling so full you're sick. You come in with a negative feeling and you leave with a different negative feeling - pointless. We had the eggs benedict and dons skillet - both were portioned just right. We were full without feeling sick. Another topic that keeps coming up is prices. When 99% of the dishes are made from scratch, including the sausage that goes into the gravy, you can't expect to pay the same as a dish that has been assembled with pre-made sides and blasted in the microwave. If those kinds of things don't matter to you - yeah, I can see why you'd think it's spendy...but that's not the restaurants issue. That kind of approach to food is becoming more and more rare. I personally really appreciate that and believe that people should be paid for such effort. Our food was excellent. The gravy, eggs, ham, biscuits - everything on the plate was delicious. We both had clean, empty plates at the end of breakfast and didn't feel like we couldn't breathe. Definitely coming here again. Way to go guys!
(5)Karen H.
Was excited to try the Acme, finally! I ordered the Monte Crisro sandwich, and my daughter had the Shrimp Po' Boy. Mine was good, but had to ask for jam, not the honey mustard. Good flavor, but was expecting a classic. My daughter said her shrimp and coleslaw was great, but the roll got too soggy. Service was our issue. We let our server know that wanted to take an order home, but after waiting an eternity for her to come take the order, we declined. Then it was a wait wait wait for the check. Lots of busy bees all over, so why the wait? Will be back, no doubt. Will re-review and fingers crossed for another star or two!
(3)Jarrod B.
I would consider this place the best breakfast in Salem if it were open for breakfast five days a week ... sadly, they only serve breakfast on the weekends ... need to change that ACME! staff is great and the breakfasts are even better ... that being said, the lunch and dinner menu is just okay. my suggestion for ACME is to stick with what it does best ... breakfast.
(4)Erin W.
Still 5 stars after countless trips. This is one of our favorite spots in Salem. The burgers (beef or black bean) are delicious. My husband orders the chicken fried chicken nearly every time and is never disappointed. We love sitting at the bar and chatting with the bartender and watching them cook. matzo ball soup is always a favorite, the broth is wonderfully flavored. Not a romantic dinner setting if you want an intimate vibe but great food with great service. Glad they are doing well!
(5)Veronika G.
Server forgot my straw, fries are okay, fish for happy hour is cod, regular is rock fish, decent prices, cute decor, no dressing on the Cesar salad, only 1 lemon slice, and brought me a cold biscuit, I asked her to warm it up and she happily obliged which I was happy about.
(3)John K.
Lunch was average. Black bean burger was more aglop of beans. Fairly pricy for what it is. Fries were way, way too salty.
(2)Nenah D.
Today my husband, daughter and I tried Acme Cafe. I was pleasantly happy with cafe. When you walk in you can enjoy a comfortable atmosphere w/ trendy style that's relaxed. I enjoy seeing a open kitchen I believe it gives the cooks a certain accountability to their customers. Breakfast is served all day on Sunday from 8:30-2:30pm. My husband is a big Eggs Benedict fan so he tried their classic one. I really liked the sauce had a nice fresh and tart flavor, best sauce we've had in Salem so far. My little cupcake tried the Sourdough pancakes and ate almost the entire pancake! I sampled it and was so impressed, best I've had in Salem and that's hard bc Orig.Pancake house and Busick Court are good! These pancakes are so light and have a nice slightly chewy texture I would expect in sourdough bread. I had their special premium steak hash w/ fresh jalapeños. The hash wasn't the prettiest I've seen but the flavor was nice spice and tender steak. I was concerned it was going to be tough bc of the way it looked. I've tried Word of Mouth and wasn't impressed enough to order it again. However acme cafe was a winner and I would order again. Acme cafe coffee was a 3 star coffee. Most breakfast places in Salem fail for coffee with the exception of Orig.Pancake house. I actually go their for their coffee. I was so excited about Acme Cafe coffee cups, my fav style. The coffee was good nice bold strong flavor. However I don't care for the bitter after taste not sure if it's their roast or if the coffee wasn't fresh. However it's 2nd best to me for Salem. Most places like Word of Mouth, Busick & HWY 22 have horrible coffee and I won't always get coffee. Here hwvr it's good and I would order again Service was fine nothing exceptional. I will say hwvr I was VERY surprised by the speed from when we placed our order to when we rcvd r food bc it was so busy. Defiantly worth 4 stars. The only complaint I have is with the prices. I think it's expensive. Coming back here from NY tip employees r paid less. So I've had to get use to OR tip employees being paid such a high wage therefore effecting the cost of food. I cook a lot myself therefore I'm always aware of quality, quantity vs price. I think the quantity of food vs price makes them expensive. Typically I've realized Salem offsets prices w/ more quantity however I felt portions here do not. It's not a portion you could split and paying $12 is a lot. At least at Busick Court portions are large and you could split. Acme Cafe not so much. So sadly this is not going to be a place I can go to more often then maybe once or twice a month. BUT I know quality and flavor makes it worth going to when I don't want to cook.
(4)Ted F.
Great lunch. .. great service. .. I have had the Special 3 different times and each one was unique and tasty.
(5)Wyland M.
If I could give anyone life advice it would be this: get the shrimp po'boy! It is hands down the best sandwich I have ever had the fortune of eating. The coleslaw is the freshest thing I've ever tested, and combined with the shrimp makes for a perfect meal! This place is under rated and is the best place to eat in Salem. Strongly recommend!!
(5)Bob W.
Ate a second time on 6/5/2014. The disappointing thing was up front: rolls come with dinner but they were cold and very firm. We didn't even try them. It's hard to believe they could not have been kept in a bread warmer. My wife had a build your own salad and was very pleased. She like the croutons made from...old rolls. She also though the deviled eggs were very tasty. I had the dinner special which was roast pork with a brown mustart glaze. The glaze was very good and the pork cooked just right. The vegetables. shaved carrot and zucchini with a dill glaze, was tasty but barely warm. The potato pancake with apple, had chunks of what seemed like left over bakers, which would be fine, but was also barely warm. The problem here is attention to detail. Hot food in a café atmosphere is a must, and easily rectified: cook hot sides to order, and keep your bread warm.
(3)Ashley And Sean H.
We have been here many times. The service is always top notch. Kind, caring and attentive servers always keep your drinks full. Breakfast food is a huge hit with the whole family. My one year old loves the blueberry pancakes and yells in joy when she sees them come out of the kitchen(whether they are here or not) Lunch and dinner are great as well. Branch out and try new creations. The chef is amazing and his food always hits the spot. I've seen negative reviews on here and to those I'd say, give it another shot and order something more than a salad. Your taste buds will thank you :)
(5)Kris C.
Love this place. Here on day 1 because I knew the reputation of the owners. My 10 year old is very particular about his Mac-n-cheese...he pronounced it "Excellent!". My pastrami sandwich was a winner and I would come back just for the soup. Top it off that they have a full bar...we will be back.
(5)Donald P.
This place was amazing! I am a fan. The food and service was epic, you can tell the food was made fresh and came from fresh sources. I had the Shrimp Po'Boy (I am from the south - and it's a comfort food for me) It was awesome! Great flavor, and I they even substituted mac-n-cheese for me instead of fries since me and my dinner date got the fries as an appetizer. I will definitely go again. In a town where GREAT food, and GREAT Atmosphere are very lacking - having a restaurant giving us just that - is a blessing!
(5)Jill D.
We heard nothing but good about this restaurant so decided to try it for breakfast. We were among the first few people there. I have no issues with the prices or the portion size, if the food and service is special. It wasn't. Our server was very late with our drinks and food and instead of apologizing, she made excuses. The people who came in at the same time as us, plus about four other groups who came in later all got served before us. I think the only reason she remembered us is we asked her what was going on. If she would have apologized, we would have been okay. But all we got were excuses and she appeared annoyed. Food quality--I had the eggs benedict, because the menu raved about the homemade hollandaise sauce. It was okay, but nothing special. My husband had eggs, bacon and toast and it was fine. We absolutely love the Wild Pear and expected something similar. We will not be back.
(2)Julie H.
We loved this place! Sister restaurant to Wild Pear, this place has more of a classic diner feel. On Saturdays, there's a limited lunch menu, with breakfast served until 3 p.m. My sister and son were happy with baskets of cornmeal battered shrimp and fries. I loved the veggie scrambled eggs with avocado, with breakfast potatoes -- crispy outside, tender inside -- and a delicious, soft biscuit with homemade blueberry jam. Yum!
(5)Chris D.
Great restaurant if you want awful service. My family was seated, and left forgotten for over 30 minutes. Super busy, you might ask? No, there were only a couple seats taken when we arrived. We ended up eating drive-thru since we were tired of waiting and didn't want to go anywhere else. When we left, we had three of the staff thank us for coming as we left. Uh, thanks?
(1)Karen D.
I thought their food was pretty good. I ordered a shrimp Po boy which was decent. I wished I had ordered the special, which friends of mine did, which tasted delicious!!! They have several local beers on tap as well as wine. Laid back casual dining environment. Would go back!
(4)Andy K.
We have been to Acme several times. We have always had good to great food and excellent service. We like it because it is convenient and usually full of diners but still easy to get a seat. Great to take kids there without having to worry about them being too loud. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are equally good. My only complaint is that the menu is somewhat limited. I find myself wishing for more choices or more interesting food choices. You can't go wrong giving them a try!
(4)Bob V.
We have eaten here enough that the staff recognizes us and greets us by name. However there are some things that others should know. The temperature varies greatly throughout the building with the warmest being around the kitchen area. Weather permitting the outside area is nice but can be a little crowded. The food lacks consistency in taste and appearance. On some occasions the meal might be good but ... The breakfast is generally consistently good but so are most breakfasts anywhere. The fish is not of the highest quality and the seasonings are haphazard: sometimes OK but generally too much. Overall some customers are going to be all over the board in their ratings. As this is an over-rated restaurant although we may continue to have a breakfast here now and then, we are going to have our other meals elsewhere.
(2)M M.
I took my husband here for the first time, I had already even here for dinner , we had breakfast it was very good! We will be back!!
(5)D M.
Heard great things about this restaurant, and so was excited to give it a try. We were there around 1:00 and was seated promptly. The waitress arrived at our table and right away figured she wasn't real friendly. Wasn't real informative and seemed like we were wasting her time by asking her questions about the menu. I ordered a chicken Caesar salad and I asked if it came with bread. She said yes, only if they had any left. My salad came on a small plate and was hard to eat as the lettuce kept falling off my plate. Our waitress and another helper took garbage out right down the aisles in the middle of the restaurant. I usually give a restaurant a few try's before I decide to never walk thru there doors again. Hopefully next time it will be better.
(2)Trish H.
Quality diner food, yes, that does exist. Go in with the mindset that is in fact classic American diner food, but made of quality, fresh, local ingredients. The build your own salad with their house made vinaigrette is to die for! Also, aside from food, the dessert menu is one of the best in town. Snowball is the best, vanilla ice cream with essentially toffee bits covering it. But beware, it's huge! Best shared with another person. Service has been excellent every time I've gone. Once, they double charged my friend's credit card and gladly refunded her, as well as gave her a gift certificate. The owners are local and have both owned other very good restaurants.
(4)Beth M.
Wandered into Acme Cafe on a lark and the recommendation of a local. I found it to be charming. The decor was kitchty kool, and the menu was straight forward, if not sparse. Breakfast was solid. Service was amazing, especially with the crowded dining room. We opted to sit at the open seating bar area and were pleasantly surprised at how friendly everyone was. Owner Cecelia came out to meet and greet, and we found her passion for Acme cafe almost as good as the breakfasts.... Biscuits and gravy were great, the hash Hubs had was also good. I had chicken and waffles...Nom! They make a house-made hot sauce that is amazing. But what really changed my life was their sticky buns....seriously, you have to try a fresh hot sticky bun....it was fresh out of the oven and AMAZING! We took a sak of them home...I should just tape them to my thighs, but I don't care....mind blowing sticky buns. Don't know how people can give this place less than 4 stars. I'm adding one to even things out a bit. I'll be back for dinner sometime.
(5)Matthew H.
I've had a couple great meals here. I don't understand some people's issue with portion size, maybe a buffett of frozen food is more their speed, which is not what you'll find at Acme. Fresh, friendly and fun. Hard to put a value on that! Salem is nearly a restaurant desert, lets support the local businesses and families behind them. If we don't we'll have even fewer options. I'll be back often.
(5)Irene M.
This was our second visit to Acme. An informed and attentive waitress tended our table. We each had red-fish....one Parmesan coated and the other sauteed, both excellent. The jalapeno, cheddar potato pancake accompaniment was really tasty. They are working on an outdoor experience under the shade of a magnificent Douglas Fir.
(4)Eric B.
We came over to Word of Mouth because we couldn't get service. As a business owner you should be worried when people walk out because your wait staff is so bad. Is it so hard to bring over coffee and water? It would have kept us in our seats. But when you are the fourth top seated and they bring coffee service for three tops after you and don't even acknowledge your existence... that's pretty much a F### you. So we came somewhere where maybe we have to wait, but at least they value their clientele. Based on yelp reviews we're eagerly awaiting the next restaurant that opens up at ACME's location.
(1)Karin H.
Disclaimer: I have known and been friends with the proprietors for many years. ACME is a neighborhood diner serving comfort food favorites from across the country. The set menu is a little eclectic, but that means there should be something for everyone. As the diner is actually in, what could be considered, my neighborhood, I watched and waited anxiously as the old Teriyaki House took on new life. I was excited, not only for my friends but, to have a new restaurant option close by. With the disclaimer in place, I have to admit that my first experience at ACME was less than stellar. Without going into detail, I chalked it up to getting into the groove of the new location. I will say that pastrami is not a meat that is meant to be thick cut. The fact that they are friends weighed heavily in giving them the benefit of the doubt and my second visit was much better. Both of my visits have been during lunch service. Second time around I went with the fish and chips. The fish had excellent flavor and I found myself trying to figure out if that slight spice was coming from the breading on the fish or the tartar sauce. I decided it was the breading and then I was trying to figure out what it was so I could try to replicate at home. I would have liked to have had my fish served in a traditional newsprint as it would have helped to absorb some of the oil, but that is just a personal preference and didn't really affect flavor at all. I only ate a couple bites of the accompanying Cole slaw and as Cole slaw goes, it was fine (I am really not a fan of any Cole slaw so I'm not your best source here). As I was full from the fish, I also only had a few of the chips. They were very good, but in my opinion, not worth over-eating for. For Salem, the prices seem a little high, but in line with what you would expect to pay any place else. (it's a quirky Salem thing). The service on both visits was very good. The space is smallish and seating is cozy to your neighbor, but not obnoxiously so. The decor is very well done and reads vintage roadside diner. The parking lot is very small and overflow seems to have moved over to the adjacent Office Depot parking lot. I got there before 11:30 am, both visits and within minutes the place was packed and had a waiting line. As a lunch place I will definitely go back and I would like to find the opportunity to give the dinner menu a try. I have my eye on the mac and cheese for the next visit.
(3)Travis C.
Food was good but pricey, like others say. Workers were very rude. Despite what the info for this place says, it is NOT good for kids. They only have one high chair, which was in use when we were there. There is no kids menu. There are no kids cups, cups with lids, etc. In fact, the workers seemed genuinely put off that my wife and I brought our children. We will not go back. Again, if you're without kids in tow it's not a bad spot. Food was fine but we received poor service and it simply was not family friendly. Lots of better options in Salem for us.
(2)Sara C.
We were very impressed with the food here. I had the Hot Brown, my husband had the ribs. We both thought our food was excellent. We started with the pimento and cheese which was amazing. We came in on a Friday evening and had to wait about 10 minutes for a table, but were able to wait at the bar. Service was excellent, and the restaurant is very nice. Hoping to try breakfast soon, and hope ACME is here to stay.
(4)Kathryn J.
We have been anticipating the opening of Acme for a few months and were excited to stop by for breakfast this morning. It was quite crowded at 8:30 (opening time) but our food came out fairly quickly as we were one of the first to order. I decided on the French Toast ($8.00) and added "two eggs and meat" for an additional charge ($4.00). The french toast looked good when it arrived, although the portion was a bit stingy (three half pieces) for the price. Unfortunately, looks were deceiving as I cut into, basically, dry bread. Either the bread wasn't soaked long enough or they are using bread that is too thick - or maybe a combination of both. Not worth sending back but definitely disappointing. On the bright side, my scrambled eggs were cooked beautifully. My dining companion had the Chicken and Waffles, which was much better than the french toast. The chicken was moist and had a nice flavor, though a bit over salted. The waffle was nicely cooked. Again, the portions were quite small (basically two oversized chicken nuggets) for the price ($13.00). Decor was nice and service was friendly. I want to like Acme but at least for breakfast, it has a way to go.
(3)Ronda H.
Great food and service was wonderful!!would go back next time when traveling in the area .
(5)Heath C.
90 minute wait at Word of Mouth. Walked right into an outdoor table at Acme The food was awesome love this place. Five stars.
(5)Laureen K.
Had the breakfast special. It was scrambled eggs with pork and some kind of seasoning. It was edible but it came Luke warm. The entire breakfast looked like it had been sitting around for awhile. Never did get our toast or biscuit. All this for $13. Seemed kind of expensive. We also had hot chocolate which was not hot and the whipped cream was separating into a film of oil.
(2)Stephanie K.
Wonderful food. Fun environment. Awesome story of how it came to be. Can tell owners love community and family. Can't remember what my sandwich was called but was like a hot rueben. It was awesome!!
(4)Melisa G.
Went for lunch on 11.5.13 The host seated us promptly considering the parking lot was full and there was only a few people in line. Waitstaff was attentive. Love the industrial type decor. Only bad thing is the tables are so close together, if you had to sneeze you would feel bad turning to your left or right because some is RIGHT there!! Hopefully we get a corner table next time.
(3)Michelle H.
I loved the breakfast here. The service was great and the prices were similar to other local spots. A must try!
(5)Joani H.
I love that they have a gluten-free black bean burger along with a gluten-free bun! Their fresh crunchy fries and Acme sauce are yummy!
(5)Kyle R.
Limited menu. Excellent big salads, where you get to choose your own toppings. Staff is supper efficient with great attitudes. Usually packed around lunch time. Parking overflows into Office Depot. Prices are a little high for the quality you get. Acme seems to love salads and sandwiches. And so if you love salads and sandwiches this is the place to go. Been here 2 times, and both times was satisfied. Just don't expect something great.
(3)Joe H.
Two of us arrived for lunch on a Thursday about 2pm. There were perhaps 4 groups of two in the diner. The place, in part has bench seats on one side and tables/benchseat combo on the other. The initial worker sat us between two couples and most of the restaurant was bare. Why seat people on top of each other?? Our elbows could had touched easily with the patrons on either side of us. We asked if we could move (didn't like to be crowded) to a bench seat, no problem. I wondered why would they seat us in such a tight locations with all of the bench seating that was bare at 2 in the afternoon? Looking at the menu, we both initially agreed there were limited choices on the menu and at this point we were wishing we were dining elsewhere. Even Wendy's! I had an $11 hamburger (burger +9, cheese +1, mushrooms +1. The burger arrived in a basket and the meat was near the thickness of a quarter. I mean it was THIN! The bun was dry, the burger wasn't really very good, but the fries were. I asked for water to go with my glass of beer and there suddenly must be an ice cube shortage. I was delivered a warm glass of water with no ice cubes. Lunch special ($12.50), + one burger, + soda, + one beer totaled $31.50 and then the tip on top. By this time the couple we were initially seated by was done making out and left. An expensive lunch with limited choices, average to fair lunch and warm water. The service was OK and the place was clean. Overall impression of the Acme, we won't return. There are many better places to drop $40 for lunch for two! Start with 3 stars, -1 for poor seating, -1 for lack of cold water, paper thin hamburger, limited menu items and expensive, average to fair food. I'll give +1 only because I don't think the place deserves one star, but certainly not more than 2.
(2)Rob M.
The third time that I have given the Acme a try. Unfortunately it continues to disappoint...The staff is friendly and attentive, but the food lacks. It seems like they are trying to be something they aren't. $16.00 for chicken fried chicken with smashed, not even mashed potatoes is way too much. This last time I tried a sampling of deviled eggs and meatballs. The meatballs were cold and flavorless. They continue to disappoint with quality and value.
(2)Lew L.
Trendy, industrial decor. I had the Wild Pear Salad and the butter nut, coconut, curry soup. Both are feature selections on the menu for good reason. They are both fabulous! Very attentive service.
(4)Elke B.
We arrived at 8:15am and waited in our car until the restaurant opened at 8:30am. Several people were rude and pushed their way in early. Even though we waited we were still the fourth table seated. Our server did not greet us or offer coffee. The table right next to us was seated 10 minutes after we arrived. Their server offered water and coffee within 5 minutes. At that point we realized that ACME is interested in image but not customer service. On the way out we told a server why we were leaving. Her answer, "I was gonna come over in a minute." Sorry ACME; your food is great but it won't prop up your sad service.
(1)Jenni B.
We went there for breakfast last Sunday. The portions are small for the price paid (comparable to other breakfast places in Salem). The food seemed like something I could have easily made at home--and I'm not the best cook. The atmosphere was ok and most everything tasted ok. I had the chicken fried chicken and liked the batter on the chicken and the potatoes. I ordered poached eggs and specifically asked our server (Kim) that the whites be solid and the yolk to be runny. That translated to the kitchen cooking everything solidly through. Seemed to defeat the point of poached eggs. Kim did a good job serving us and answering questions, so I do give credit where it's due. Maybe our hopes were too high for this new place, especially because the owners come from Wild Pear, a place I adore. I would like to try dinner sometime to see if it's better (I heard they have Mac n cheese--one of my faves), but honestly I'm not dying to come back.
(2)Christina G.
Went in tonight with an open mind. I'd read both positive and negative reviews on this establishment. Were seated quickly enough. Hostess came and took a drink order which I thought was great, so far go good. Took longer than it should have for delivery of drink order. I ordered the Blackberry Mojito, it was AWFUL. Tasted like lime!! Was garnished with lemon and lime and was just weird. I two a couple of sips, passed it to my husband and he agreed, not good. I communicated to the waitress, she apologized and I ordered another drink, red wine this time. I figured you can't mess that up. Waited quite a while to place our dinner order and waited even longer for it to be delivered. We were on a birthday dinner so believe me, we weren't in a rush and it really seemed like forever for the food to come. I ordered the Parmesan Rockfish it was dry and had the crust uncooked on the sides. The smashed potatoes were bland and easily enough seasoned but I'd expected more from the reviews I'd read. The entree is supposed to come with two sides and a roll. Never got the roll but my husband did with his dish and didn't bother asking for one because it was pretty hard. I will say the good things were my sons shrimp and chips and my daughters chicken nuggets but really, who can't whip that out. Had to flag the waitress down to get the check and found she charged me for the drink I didn't drink. Oh well, I'm not one to make a fuss, I'll just never go back again and I'd caution those to want to try it out to be prepared.
(2)Jasmine B.
We went with a somewhat larger group, so I expected to wait, when we first arrived they said it would be about a 40 min wait and gave us the option to leave and come back, that they would hold our table for an hr. Great, came back, I at that point expected to be seated promptly, since we had been gone for an hr. We had to wait another 25min, and all of us were ready to order when we were seated, only to find out there weekend lunch menu was limited ( would have been nice to know that when we came in) , so we all had to change our orders, which was disappointing because one of us was a vegetarian and would have loved to try their veggie wrap, and I was looking forward to the fish and chips, the only other option was shrimp, and I'm not a huge fan of shrimp. So we all order, it took quite a while to get drinks and even longer to get our food. But their saving grace was that there food was excellent. Everyone enjoyed their meals, my only complaint about my own meal, was that the sandwich was so large it was difficult to eat, and cutting it wouldn't have made that much of a difference. So over all, good food, poor service.
(3)Eva C.
Although the food was good, we thought the portions were a bit stingy (3 half biscuits with a full order of biscuits & gravy) and the prices were a bit high for an average breakfast. Also a couple was seated very close to us which felt a little too close for comfort and then when they asked if they could have my coffee creamer, it made me uncomfortable. Especially since no one waited on them for a very long time and the customer got up himself to get his own water and coffee. The servers all watched him, but no one said anything! He asked a passing waitress if he had to also cook his own breakfast and she laughed it off as a joke, but no one would come serve this poor couple! So, that was a little awkward and they were not happy. We might go back and try dinner, but for breakfast, it was average.
(3)Lily D.
I ordered the Russian rye sandwich which was good but over priced. The waitress was very friendly and did come by to check on us after we received our food but took two reminders for my friend's decaf. coffee. The menu has plenty of choices but the prices are a little overpriced for lunch so I don't think I will be a frequent customer.
(2)Joseph S.
Service was good. Food was very average for above average price. 22$ for a salad and burger with water to drink. We were there for lunch an were surprised by the limited options on the menu. Will not be frequent flyers here.
(2)David B.
Time will tell. I had hoped for a great breakfast....Maybe next time. A bit on the pricey side. They've got some work to do.
(2)Abby S.
Me and my husband went for dinner last night. I got the Ribeye special, my husband the pastrami sandwich, and we split the snowball for desert. All was amazing! Steak cooked perfectly, sandwich was delicious, and coffee ice-cream with candied almonds was amazing. We don't go out often but we're happy we tried this place out! We will definitely be going back.
(4)David P.
Was going to try and eat last Friday but the parking lot was full and it looked like it was very busy. From the reviews it looks like a good place to eat and try a new place. Want to see for my self why some people were giving low reviews. With what I work it may be hard to find the time to try it with their hour. Maybe in time they will have better hours that's why I and giving it 3 stars for now. Would really like to try it so I and give it a better review that will help other to see if the would like to give it a try. Maybe can get down here on one of my vacations this year.
(3)Vance B.
This place meets a need not only in South Salem but the rest of the City. If you like fresh, high quality food, not fancy though, along with great atmosphere, go there. If not please stay away because I can see that it may be getting real difficult to get a table once word spreads.
(4)Julie E.
My husband and I went here on date a few nights ago for the very first time. I was excited cause I had heard good things. We were able to get a table right away. The atmosphere and decorations are great. I love the mix of industrial and 'fifties'. The kitchen is open and there's a bar with a small tv. I also loved the outside seating and that we can take our dogs. The service was good, our waiter was diligent and nice but I got a feeling from him that he was either having a bad day or he just didn't like us. My husband ordered the steak special and I got the Parmesan rockfish. Both of us liked our meals but weren't over the moon. I'm kind of a foodie and so I might be a little critical but it just wasn't awesome. It was a little pricey. More than I had expected but not astronomical. I feel the meal should have been better for the price. We each got a beer they had on tap, both were from breweries I hadn't heard of, I liked that and they were both good. Overall, I enjoyed it and will be back. Next time my hubby and I will bring the pups and eat outside.
(3)Carson K.
We loved it. The atmosphere was great and the food was excellent. We really liked the unique menu and will be back!
(5)Diane Q.
Our first meal @ the new restaurant ACME. Enjoyed a tasty breakfast in a fun atmosphere. Well done Cecilia & Jeff!
(3)Terry M.
My wife and I have been here three times now for breakfast. The food is great, far better than most of the local standards. The "chicken gravy chicken" dish is just wonderful. Agree with others, that the pricing seems just a bit high for the quantity received. Wait Service has been very inconsistent. There doesn't appear to be any standard in terms of performance, script or follow up, although the food has come quickly every time. The follow up on water, coffee or the bill has always been spotty so far. I'm no expert, but it seems the seating configuration needs to be looked at, in that the balance of tables, booths and bar spots just doesn't seem to accommodate the dining requirements, at least at breakfast. Well worth the try, and I hope it evolves into a consistent cafe choice. If I had a choice, I would give 3 1/2 stars, but it's not a 4 stare place yet IMHO.
(3)Charles W.
I took my family of four to enjoy a great meal at a low key location. Our three year old absolutely loved the mac & cheese, and the short ribs were awesome. I had the steak of the day ( New York with an awesome sauce). Our three month old watched, and greeted the owners niece with a big grin. The owners were cooking amazing food, and greeting guests while their extended family enjoyed a meal, and the Blazers game was on the one TV behind the bar. That is what a diner is all about in my opinion. It is great food without the frills of a huge beer list or second wine menu. I am giving Acme Four Stars for being a great diner (You still can get an awesome beer minus the decision). They do have spirits for those who need a nice Manhattan, or Scotch. My favorite diner is Ruth's in Salt Lake, and the second is the Sunriser in Tacoma. However, Acme falls just shy of those two based on my number of visits. Hopefully Acme stays consistent, and customer focused over the next couple years.
(4)Jay S.
So I've ate here 3 times. Breakfast was very good and I recommend the sticky buns. Had lunch/dinner here twice. First time had their special which was pulled pork and wasn't impressed. I don't like cole slaw so gave mine to my mom. She said it wasn't very good so took it to go. My dad likes everything so he tried it and said it wasn't good. Second dinner we split the ribs. Not impressed at all. Just ate it because I was hungry. I have never complained about my meal but felt like I should this time so I did. Just wanted a discount for having to eat bad tasting food. The waitress talked to her manager and he decided to give us a $10 gift card. It was fine with me because I knew I would get sticky buns with it. Ribs were $17 so paid that and tipped the waitress because she did a great job and it's not her fault. Some other people with us got the short ribs also and enjoyed them. Service is 5 stars. Breakfast is 4 stars. Dinner is 3
(3)Annette H.
We had a party of five tonight and decided to try this place out. Two of us ordered the fish and chips, 2 ordered the shrimp and chips and one had a burger. The burger and one of the fish and chip orders were not quite as good according to the parties that ordered them. But three of us were really pleased with what we ordered and would give it five stars. We also ordered a carrot cake and a key lime pie to share, which were delicious, and obviously homemade. I would definitely go back again! Oh, and service was excellent as well and they have a full bar, which is definitely a plus!
(4)Tara M.
Great food but the atmosphere was a little lacking in ambiance. It was super loud for dinner and the tables on either side of us were basically on top of us. I had to strain to hear my date who was no more than 2 ft away. Surprised at the lack of local Oregon wines on the wine list. That said the food was great and I would get takeout anytime.
(3)James R.
I was hoping for more. The owners have a pedigree, and it seems the potential was there. How hard would it have been to come up with something like Portland's Grain and Gristle? In other words, great food at comparable prices. Instead, Acme Cafe appears to be aiming to be a cut above the Rock and Rogers down the street. I really think Salem has the audience to appreciate something finer. Sadly, this is not it.
(2)Carrie W.
Just finished a great lunch at a hopping NY Diner - oh wait it was ACME Cafe! Perfect, fresh food, great atmosphere and, according to Ron, a terrific Bloody Mary! This is truly Americana - the perfect, real diner - a bit of everything with friendly service and a fun time! This could easily become a hangout! After the new year, I see a field trip for deviled eggs, hot wings and martinis! In reading other reviews - I can only say wow- It is ok to sit near other people - you actually talk to them and be friendly - everyone was great to us! Neither my husband or I could finish our lunch as it was huge. We will definitely be back - a lot!
(5)K C.
So, this is a combination of two visits to Acme. Our first visit was right after they opened and we really enjoyed our dinner, being from Kentucky, we ordered the pimento cheese appetizer and deviled eggs, both were fantastic. I also had the special which was shrimp and grits while my hubby had the chicken fried chicken, also wonderful. Our second visit was last night and unfortunately, while we had great service, it seems the food has gone slightly downhill. We ordered the pimento cheese again and the meatballs, both were just ok and decided to get a bowl of their soup d'jour which was just ok as well, it was a green chili and chicken soup and honestly I make better soup that that. My hubby and I opted to also split the Hot Brown, being from the area of Kentucky where this sandwich was invented we were itching to try it. Well, I can honestly say what we tried was NOT a hot brown. The only resemblance it had to a hot brown was that it was an open faced sandwich with turkey and tomato on it. I really think the owners and chef need to take a visit back to Kentucky or at least look up the recipe online because what they served us was an insult to the Brown Hotel in Louisville, KY where this wonderful sandwich was invented. We will still give Acme another try since we had fantastic service and will hope that the food is better next time.
(3)Gayle M.
LOVED Acme Cafe! I've been waiting for a chance to try it and I was not disappointed! Not only was the food delicious and original, the portions were perfect and the price was on-target for their fresh, hand-made, locally-sourced product. My party, including a guest from Australia, shared the Pastrami Cheese Fries - they were heavenly! Crispy on the outside, smooth on the inside fries tossed with pastrami and cheese smothered in gravy. I added a little house-made hot sauce and ketchup and - voila - heaven on a plate! I had the Egg Salad and Bacon sandwich with cole slaw. It was large enough that I brought most of it home with me, and I don't think anyone who knows me would call me a delicate eater... Others in my party had the Creamy Tomato Soup and called it the best they'd had (unsuccessfully analyzing a lovely, mystery flavor that passing staffer, Katie, refused to divulge). The Grilled Cheese was world-class as well. As for the coffee, well, Mary from Australia says, "It's the best I've had State-side!" and bought herself a bag to take home! Our charming servers were polite, happy, efficient and snazzy dressers to boot! The atmosphere was stylish, and campy - a nod to American Diner Chic. I will be back as often as my New Year's diet will allow!
(5)Andrew B.
Seems like a pretty popular place, there are usually quite a few cars in the parking lot. We visited for the first time today for lunch and had to wait about twenty minutes. The service and food were both pretty good.
(4)