Maria's Place — Restaurant in Salem

Just tried this location after being recommended from someone who had positive reviews and experience. I was there around 7 am so quite early for a Wednesday. I ordered the "Hungry Man" with Pancakes. The Toast seemed a litter over toasted with more charr than I would prefer, but the taste wasn't affected too much fortunately. The potatoes were well seasoned and only a few where just a touch undercooked, so I stopped several pieces from finishing them, as it had been one or two pieces that had some crunch, and I didn't want to keep going. I turned to the Pancakes, really looking forward as they were thin and looked well browned, and when applying butter I could tell they were going to be crunchy. They brought back memories of when I was growing up and really gave me a home made feel. I went to cut into them and quickly notices that the insides were undercooked. I mentioned this to the server, Of which bother were extremely attentive and polite and I had no issues with at all. They took the pancakes back, however the cook seemed to question the claim of them being raw. Pancakes can be brown and crispy on the outside, and yet still remain well undercooked on the inside. This is common on grills that are far too hot, or if the batter is old or over mixed, causing the rise in them to be knocked out. I observed as the cook took the same pancakes, which I had used my fork to cut into, and plop them back onto the grill (they had butter and syrup on them already as well, not to mention a possible health code violation), and then had the same pancakes returned to me. So when you take pancakes, that were not fully cooked the first time, and simply reheat or "cook" them further, the dense undercooked insides are not going to expand and cook, and instead will become gummy, which is what had occurred. I was disappointed that instead of making the pancakes over the first time, to make them more correctly, It seemed I was doubted, and given the same undercooked pancakes, just more heated. I should have taken a picture, but the thought had not occurred at the time.

I may try this location again someday, but I certainly won't be there soon. I welcome any communication from the manager or owners, as I was unable to locate publicly available contact...

Maria's is on Jefferson Ave in Salem, MA, at the end of a small, brick strip mall. We went at the beginning of the fall season so it was still warm outside & they had a bunch of tables/chairs set up right outside the front door, along with the regular seating inside the restaurant. We would've liked to sit out there on the warm, sunny, gorgeous morning we were there, but the numerous hornets flying all around the outdoor tables nixxed that idea. Inside this place is very "diner-ey,"with small tables & chairs around the perimeter & interior...but somehow it didn't feel cramped. I didn't really notice anything about the wait staff...not great, not bad either. When our order was brought to our table, mine was not what I asked for & the waitress wasn't within sight so I had to go & find her & ask to send it back so I could get what I actually ordered. It came back closer to my order but not quite, so I gave up and tried it anyway. Unfortunately, I wasn't impressed with my food since I didn't like what the kitchen decided to add to it. I ended up eating when I got home after paying for a meal I didn't order & didn't eat. So I can't honestly recommend this restaurant. Maybe it was just an off day for the kitchen? I have no idea but I won't be finding out because I won't be going back there anytime soon. There's too many other good...

Unpretentious breakfast & lunch spot that is busy for a reason, and hasn't disappointed us in 20+years. It's a local family-friendly, multi-generational favorite.

Here we adore the omelettes made from eggs that are evenly cooked with interior fillings tucked just short of bursting; fork-tender, lightly seasoned home-fries that are knife-cut from red-bliss potatoes with the skins left on; corn-beef hash made from scratch; big pancakes and French toasts made to order.

The short order cooks are impressively in constant motion as they work the busy griddle. If you like to watch this activity, they are not in a hidden kitchen.

Friendly servers are unobtrusive and everything prepared reaches you hot. Your coffee will be refilled without question.

This is a homey-style establishment where you exit with a full belly and [the only drawback] is you smell like the kitchen. In the spring and summer there are a few outdoor tables.

When driving up, if the parking lot seems full, expect a 10-15+ min wait. Just find a spot on the side/rear lot...