Swingle's Family Diner — Restaurant in Salem

I've been trying to check this place out for a long time and was thrilled when I finally had my chance. This place is in the charming little town of Salem and its right in the square. The building appears to be late 1800s and is subtle in looks. When I went in the place was packed. The entry door is right up against the cash register desk. Being new to the area I wasn't aware that its a seat yourself place and that place is anywhere you can get a seat. I ended up joining 2 gentlemen at their 4 top but took the end to stay out of their space. The place being packed it took a bit of time to get service but I didn't mind because it gave me a chance to watch the different foods come out. I got my coffee placed my order and waited some more. The interior is very old with rich history all over the place. Most definitely they are tried and true Razorback fans which is evident it the hand-made artwork on the walls. I love the old store front vibe this place puts. Anyway, being so cozy and packed its not hard to imagine being bumped into by staff or other diners. Its clear that this is a good way for the locals to great their neighbors which is pretty cool. I ordered an omelet that came with cheese sausage, bacon, ham & had them toss in some onion. It came with hashbrowns and your choice of either toast or biscuit & gravey. I chose toast. When it arrived it was plated nicely and looked plentiful. The omelet was done to perfection with no runny eggs. The flavor was amazing with the right amount of each ingredient to compliment each other rather than over power. As for the hashbrowns, they were crisp and golden brown on part but quite oily/greasy throughout. The toast was fine. Its toast! I had 1 hour from start to finish before I had to leave so when my alarm went off I had had a half cup of coffee, a few bites of omelet, several bites of hashbrowns and time to get a To-Go container. Then I stood by the door to pay. So I must say again that the place is quite cosy( realtor speak for small) very cute, not lots of seating with a very old-time community feel. The place is usually very busy so plan to visit right at opening and don't expect fast service. If you was fast there's a Sonic nearby. They close by 2 PM so plan accordingly because from past experience you're not getting a seat at 1:45!! The coffee was good, there's no creamer except on packets which is fine for me. The omelet was perfection! I wasn't crazy about the hashbrowns be greasy but ill put that in the fluke column for now. All of the plates of food I watched come out looked really good. It felt like granny was back there cooking up feasts for everybody. You don't need masks to enter and social distancing isn't happening do to the intimate setting. So if that's your gig then this isn't for you. Again my visit was more than an hour from walk in to leaving without finishing my meal. I definitely will be going again to try the lunch/dinner menu !!...

We love eating at local places when travelling. Swingles is in an old stone building in the center of town. It's a homey little place with wooden floors, an oddball assortment of razorback memorabilia, rocky linoleum tables, and an assortment of coffee mugs that look like they came from every thrift shop in a 25-mile radius. They do breakfast all day and that's what we ordered for lunch. I had a Denver omelette that was loaded. It came with perfectly cooked hash browns and a huge biscuit smothered in sausage gravy. The biscuits are made fresh daily, so when they run out you get toast instead. Neither my husband or I could finish it all. The burgers looked great. Prices were very good. I recommend you get off the highway, drive a block into town, and give this...

1st time for us here. Very friendly service. We sat ourselves as the waitress was busy at the register, a local police officer came in and waited to be sat. No signage about that we saw and the waitress didn't seem to mind. There was other signs.🤣🤣

I had the Catfish special and my husband had breakfast. Waitress said they was out of biscuits which my husband was ok with. I'm just gonna say I guess we missed out because a lady came in to purchase a Togo meal and when she was told no biscuits she walked out and ordered nothing. That spoke volumes about the biscuits.

The food was delicious and service was excellent definitely a family place to go right on the square. Real Catfish!!!!

Will definitely be going back and hoping to be there in time to...