Patty's Off-Center Cafe

I really enjoy small cafes/diners like these and this one had the same charm. Very friendly server who knew most of the guests by name. I came on a Thursday at 12:30 and there were plenty of open tables. The food was 4/5. I ordered the breakfast burrito with no sour cream. They made it with sour cream but luckily it was only on the top so they simply removed it which is fine for me. It was not a burrito meant to be eaten with the hands since it’s bathed in a sauce, rather with a fork/knife. My butter knife was far too dull so I asked for a steak knife which should’ve come by default but it’s no big deal. The food was good and the staff was nice. Would recommend.

This is an under appreciated spot here in town! Everything was made fresh to order and it is noticeable too! The regular biscuit is good but definitely give one of the jalapeño cheddar biscuits a go! Everything was fresh age made to order. The wait stuff are very attentive and friendly. I imagine on weekends this place is extremely busy so parking may be a concern on a Saturday or Sunday morning.

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 so successful.

This place is small and you can expect a wait. We were told 15 minutes and it was closer to 30. You will be waiting outside. It took over 45 minutes to get our food. The chicken fried steak is everything you want. It’s hand breaded and the gravy is a nice consistency. The corned beef hash was also very good. The meat to potato ratio was great. Don’t order the cheesesteak omelette. It was dry and unseasoned. It tasted like somebody took some old beef jerky and shoved it in an omelette. The cheese wasn’t melted and there was not enough ketchup on the table to make it edible. You can clearly see how dry it is in the photos. The apple pancake with the apple cider vinegar syrup is absolutely necessary. I’ve never tasted anything like this, and I will go back time and time again just for this pancake. It’s probably the best pancake I ever had. The bathroom was as clean and the service was excellent. Total came to $62. That might sound a little high for breakfast, but it was definitely worth it not counting that gross omelette (which was the special).

Absolutely love love love this restaurant!! The food is phenomenal and the staff are outstanding!! I finally found a place that makes homemade corned beef hash like my mama did. The food here is like food coming out of your grandma's kitchen! I highly highly highly suggest this restaurant! If you live in Salem-Keizer area and have you not been here you don't know what you are missing! I would get down here as soon as possible! I promise you will be a returning customer!