Patty's Off-Center Cafe — Restaurant in Salem

So I have to preface this review with the fact that this is our first time back in a couple of years. We used to dine here often, loving the cozy atmosphere, the friendly staff (especially the chef and I believe co-owner), and their fun eclectic coffee mugs. Then the pandemic hit and in order to keep our family safe (I’m immunocompromised), but yet continue to support local businesses, we started doing exclusively takeout orders. We felt disregarded as customers by Patty’s as we were continuously told they were too busy to take our takeout order. We often wondered if they would’ve turned us away at the door if we came in person. We doubt they would have. So since they apparently did not need our business, we decided to support other local businesses that appreciated our patronage.

Now to our experience today. We almost didn’t eat here because they didn’t answer their phone the first two times I called. So we began looking at other places to eat when I decided to try one last time. This time they answered. My hubby ordered the Mexican scramble with corn tortillas which was absolutely delicious just as we remembered. My son got a kids meal with one scrambled egg, one piece of bacon and a small Mickey Mouse pancake with a cute face on it. While it was absolutely adorable and my son said it was delicious, it was very small and he was still hungry. Honestly, I think the size of this meal is more suited for kids under five. Luckily, my husband wasn’t able to eat all of his food and was able to share it with our son. I had my old favorite their chicken fried steak with herb biscuit. It comes with the most amazing homestyle potatoes ever. They are very unique and absolutely delicious. Their gravy is also unique and very delicious. My problem came from the chicken fried steak itself, and the herbed biscuit. The chicken fried steak was very tough and chewy, but the flavor somehow was still good. My herb biscuit lacked the herb flavor I remember and was very very dry. I even ordered a side of gravy to put on the biscuit and ran out of gravy because it was so dry. Based on my experience today, I would recommend ordering toast instead. Our 3 meals came to around $45.

It’s still adorable and cozy and the service was good.

I wish I could give it 4 1/2 stars, but they don’t allow half stars so I have to give it a 4. But we will definitely be back.

Definitely give them a try. They have unique creations and good food. If possible, dine in. The atmosphere is partly what makes this place...

A hidden gem of Americana.

The kind of place that makes you feel at home.

The ingredients are fresh and cooked to order. No stale reheated hashbrowns here!

Great food at a great price. Need I say more?

Yes, I do. The food is plated spectacularly. We are talking Van Gogh on a plate! It looks too good to eat... but this is one great master you can sink your teeth into.

I LOVE the California eggs benedict. However, the portions are substantial, and I often have to lay down afterwards for an hour or so just to digest. When you see this plate coming out, you will want one too.

The chefs are fantastic. When I first started visiting, I remember the chef saying, "that's a dish!" And, by all the goodnesses, it truly was. I think he is getting surgery right now, so I wish him the best. But the new chef is similarly fantastic. We are talking professional. Not just any pros, but these wizards take great pride in their cooking, and it shows.

The serving staff takes similar pride in their work. They are attentive, kind, and far too functional for how early in the morning it is. Water and coffee are never too far out of reach, and I never seem to go thirsty while devouring their culinary arts.

Moving on to the star of the show, Patty. She is the Queen of this nutritional realm. Akin to Parton or Beyonce, she navigates her realm with ease and grace. Having worked in the food industry, I know standards are maintained from the top. Her exacting awareness, precise control, and diligent fortitude keep the kitchen slinging hits as if it was the top charts of the 80s. Above all, she exhibits kindness and compassion that keeps customers feeling as if they were back at home receiving breakfast from their own mom. It makes sense that she is the star of the show, after all, it is her name in lights above the door.

Now, you can go get a fancy overpriced breakfast in West Salem. Or you can get a cheap reheated one on State st. But in both cases, you'll be missing Patty's Off Center. For the quality and price it is nigh impossible to beat.

(Vegans, I am sorry, but there are few options here for you. Unfortunately, there are few vegan options in Salem generally.)

(Holy goodness the jalapeño cheddar biscuit is bomb.)

Mind your pleases and thank yous. And please don't pack the place too much, I need...

I never post with negative reviews, ever. When we entered the building we stated we wanted a table for four. A server said, "We don't have a table for four and can you shut the door!" The other server from behind the counter, "I'm sorry for her, did you mean you wanted to be on the list for four?" And we said yes. Later on, she asked one of our party "it's really busy, can you get out of the way?!?". I know we came at a busy time but we were not rude and we were not pushy. This was unacceptable and very rude.

Update: I saw the unprofessional response from the owner. We could not sit in the car because we had a compact truck, and my mother in law said it wasn't an option, that you don't understand the situation (sitting in the car). Anyway, we honestly did not mean to come across rude and we certainly did not yell at anyone. We never said, "Did you want us to leave". This may be a different party then us that the owner is thinking of. I guess it was a bad experience from both the customer and restaurant. Either way, we won't come back. They are busy enough, they won't miss our business anyway. Humility and kindness will go a long way. The owners response was far from that. I am truly disappointed and saddened by that response. I really hope that this unprofessionalism and defensiveness will be resolved, because this is truly unacceptable. Please owner, do not edit your response again. I'm really over all of this. Peace be with you and your restaurant. Peace...