Salem’s Diner

Absolutely delicious and one of the best hidden gems in the Birmingham area. Their bacon and egg sandwiches helped me survive law school and their Philly cheese steak is out of this world. The owner has a booming personality and knows nearly everyone by name. It’s a fantastic experience all around.

I have now been to this diner many times not yet for lunch. They serve the usual diner breakfast fare but they do it well. They also have some specialty/​unique items such as a phili cheesesteak omelet that is out of this world good. I think any bham foodie should try it out.

When I was a kid, my dad and I would venture out every Saturday morning in the Vette, and enjoy breakfast followed by an activity of some kind. A lot of these were when we were living in Franklin, TN. The place we went for breakfast was called «the smack». It’s long gone, but it’s where I learned to love breakfast and the time with dad was priceless.
All of that was YEARS ago of course, but the memories came flooding back when I stepped in Salem’s this past weekend. Walked in at about 7 am and was greeted by the owner. He introduced himself and welcomed me to town when I told him I had just moved to bham. There were lots of regulars there and all were engaging and friendly. Got some coffee and biscuits and gravy. It was delectable. Chopped up crispy, spicy sausage on top. Perfect. Pour your own coffee in a good way.
I’ll for sure be a regular there real soon. Can’t wait to try the cheese steak.
I immediately called my dad when I left and can’t wait to take him.
No frills. Just tasty, cheap food and good people. Perfect

My boyfriend and I flew in on a red eye flight from California to spend NYE out here in Birmingham. So we get to our hotel around 730am… since we were already in the car feeling tired and lazy. we figured that we could get breakfast at the Wendy’s drive thru by our hotel. Apparently they didn’t open until 10am so I was forced to Unilocal a breakfast spot. THANK YOU FOR BEING CLOSED WENDYS! Salem’s was just a few minutes away and had great reviews so we decided to drop on by.
It’s a nice and welcoming environment. The people th
ere were very friendly. My boyfriend ordered his favorite dish: Biscuits and gravy. He LOVED it. Usually he would tell me what the is gravy lacking or that the Biscuits had a bad texture etc. but I did not hear any of that from him. All I heard was him scraping his plague getting every last morsel into his mouth. He said that was the best biscuits and gravy I’ve ever had. He tipped both the cook and waitress because he was so pleased with his breakfast.
I ordered the «trashcan with a lid» meaning perfectly seasoned hashbrowns with ground sausages and other varies ingredients topped off with two eggs over easy. So good. So big. Couldn’t finish. So sad.
I travel a lot for work and pleasure… however being that its my first time in Alabama I’ve already had a great experience of the people and food because of Salem’s. !

Great breakfast! Love the owner Wayne’s sarcastic humor «Just Eat the d*** Philly Cheesteak!!»

Best breakfast in Birmingham! Omelettes, French Toast, pancakes, family friendly environment. Lots of regulars so walk in grab some coffee and say hello. My family goes 5 – 6 mornings a week.

Don’t believe the hype. One star is far too generous, but I guess it’s for the ½ cup of coffee I wish I hadn’t drank. Having been a regular cheesesteak eater on the East coast, and everywhere in between… This place is below average and wayyyyy overpriced. I’m in town for business, and as with all my trips I love to check out the local, fresh, beloved restaurants.
Let’s start with walking in. Barely a good morning, the waitress looked miserable and was totally phoning it in. Granted, we can all have «the Mondays», but when you tout your place as a welcoming down-​home joint, be welcoming to ALL, not just a few. The waitress NEVER came back to my table, and stands to the side on the phone. Meanwhile, the owner is fawning over a business man asking all about his job, how long he’s done it, yada, yada. Then two other ladies come in and he fawns all over them too, asking them all about their day, what’s on the menu, etc. the couple behind me? Same thing. As for me? The owner just tosses my «philly» omelet on the table and says «is this yours?» Did I mention there was a centimeter of warm, old cream in a little cream jug. Yuck. After my silverware was tossed on the table I started to dig in. First bite? Just ok. The «steak» was very tough and flavorless, perhaps food service chopped meat? Next bite… RAW EGG. I mean the raw egg white membrane all through the middle of the omelet. Gnar. The hash browns? Tasted like flat top grease and nothing else. I had to season the whole plate beyond comprehension, and the super old bottle with a few drops of Texas Pete in it (the only redeeming quality of this joint) couldn’t even save this mess. No one bothered to ask how my food was, so I assume they know it was pretty much garbage. And they knew that I was onto their sad excuse for a diner. I saw nasty Cobblestone Mills «Philly steak rolls» up on a shelf (NOT what you want a cheesesteak on), and watched the owner mix up some generic food service «white gravy mix» in a coffee cup to make the next customers biscuits and gravy.
I took my check that was tossed down on the table, left ¾ of the food on a plate, and went up to pay my 9.81 check which I wish I could have kept. Not a thank you, not a «How was it?», NOTHING. And guess what? No TIP either. then I had to come back to my hotel room and get sick from the nastiness. Thanks so much!!!
Pathetic. Homewood should be embarrassed by this place. It reflects badly on the city that has shown me such welcoming behavior all over town this week. If Jack in the Box would just bring their cheesesteak… Hahaha!

Short order cooking in a storefront location, Salem’s is quick and it’s fast. Not much space in here, but the few tables are going to be occupied by locals who are well known to the owner/​manager who is working the register.
I had my usual cheese omelet with home fries. And while the omelet was quite good with plenty of cheese, I’d recommend giving the home fries a pass next time. I’ll try the grits. These were grilled and greasy with little taste. Just blah. Fortunately, the omelet was good and the toast was good and the service was friendly.
Four stars, I’m a fan.

Reminds me of eating breakfast at my grandmas!!! Owner greeted me when I opened the door! Best sausage I’ve had since I was a kid! Waitress said the owner has it ground specially! Great find in neat neighborhood!

This is the type of diner of yore… the kind of places you see in ’50’s movies with cool cars out front… The place your Mom and Dad hung out at when they were the hipsters of the day and «going steady».
The food is consistently good! The wait staff friendly even when it’s packed! Everyone had a Howdy and a cup of joe ready for you… If your looking for Michelin Stars «your in the wrong place my friend you better leave»…but if your there to have good food to feed your soul. Pull up a table or stool. Sit down and order the appetizing Trashcan plate! It hits everything right!
On a side note it did not go unnoticed that this dinner is in Birmingham while «The Times They are a-​changing by Bob Dylan played overhead. I’m pretty sure he would smile at that!
Well played Dylan well played!!’

Classic greasy spoon. Cheese grits were good and the service was great. Pancakes are nice and fluffy.

So glad I listened to fellow Unilocalers! Amazing place, yes it is tiny but when we walked in the door the owner greeted us from across the store calling cheerfully «Cmon, I have a table right here for yall!» What a fantastic local find, we had breakfast and when I couldn’t decide between the anything you could ever want to find in an omelet omelets and the French toast the owner just brought us tastes of things like his moms homemade peach preserves (wow delicious!) and their cheese grits. I recommend everything because all the other diners looked just as happy as we were! Look forward to my next visit for this philly cheesesteak sandwich… if it is half as good as the philly cheesesteak omelet I am in for a treat!

Great breakfast & lunch. Good food, super friendly atmosphere. But small with limited seating. Groups be advised! Philly Steak. Lemon Ice Box Pie. ‘Nuff said.

Great Philly cheese steak and fries. Friendly owner and staff. This place is great of you just want to stop and get a quick bite to eat. A Homewood favorite!

I’ve only had the philly cheese steak but it was Fantastic. I’ll be back to try it again.

Very tasty albeit small and busy. But it’s one of the few places one can get lemon icebox pie!

Don’t overlook this Homewood institution for a quick meal. These guys know how to run a place with friendly banter and made –to– order meals. Want something special? Tell them and they’ll make it.
Don’t expect a lot of space; this is more like a New York sized restaurant.

This would certainly not be my go-​to spot in this area considering there are a multitude of other options within this walking area for delicious food and great prices. However, if I am craving a good Philly cheese steak with some fries again, I will absolutely come back to Wayne Salem and his folks here. The cheese steak and fries were both excellently made, perfectly cooked and seasoned. Of course it’s a lot of greasy grill food, but the fries were actually prepared perfectly; dry and a bit crispy with good flavor. I’ll come back to try breakfast sometime, and for the cheese steak and fries again.

Do not miss this place if you are in Birmingham/​Homewood. We stayed down the street at the Aloft hotel so it was just a quick walk. It looks just like a little hole in the wall place from outside but its so much more!
Their service is amazing. They treat you like you’re an old friend coming back for a visit even if its your first time there. They recommend things and make special orders to ensure you are happy. They have small little booths but our party of 9 just split up btwn two of them. The omelettes are amazing. Biscuits are even better and spicy sausage they use is probably my most favorite I’ve ever had in a restaurant.
Would definitely return, wish it wasn’t so far away!

A national talk show host described the Philly Cheese Steak as better than ones found anywhere including Philadelphia. I must say that peaked my interest. However, while it is a very good sandwich it is not even the best Philly Cheese Steak in town.
I love how small the store is and the friendly atmosphere. I am eager to try other selections on the menu. I recommend going after the lunch rush or you may not be seated. This is definitely a gem in Homewood.