The Easy Otter

4.7 (129 reviews)

Waffles, Cajun/Creole, Southern

Closed • 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Updated 2 weeks ago

Add Review

Call

Directions

The Easy Otter Photos

The Easy Otter - So delicious - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

The Easy Otter - Inside - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

The Easy Otter - Canyonero Sandwich - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

+177

The Easy Otter - Fried chicken and coleslaw - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

Business Info

Health Information

View Health Score

The Easy Otter Popular Dishes

9 Photos8 Reviews

4 Photos5 Reviews

3 Photos5 Reviews

The Easy Otter menu photos

See all

THE EASY OTTER ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?

Inside

19 Photos

Outside

7 Photos

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - The Easy Otter

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.

Start your review...

Browse more easily on the app

Reviews With Photos

Shari P.

Great restaurant food is good. Service is amazing. Love the vibe. I had the mac & cheese. It was very good. It had bacon on it and it came with some baguette that had been toasted. My lunch buddy. Had chicken and waffles and said it was amazing. We both had beignets afterwards. The lemon ones looked wonderful. I had the traditional everything was great service was fast and very kind. Please try it.

Wendy C.

After a long day of traveling my husband and I were looking for comfort food. This place was perfect, so cute and cozy. The customer service was amazing and the food was delicious! The chicken was the best part, it was so juicy and flavorful with the perfect amount of spice. Would definitely come back.

Jennifer H.

We stopped here for a quick breakfast-lunch. We were looking for a spot with outdoor seating since we had our golden retriever with us, and this place was perfect! There were plenty of tables outside, and it was super dog-friendly. The interior decor matches the name and theme--it's quirky, fun, and really cute. The menu is just as charming, with the most adorable names for their food items. We ordered the chicken and waffle along with the original beignets to share. My husband also got a black coffee with cream. The waffle was a little soft for my personal preference, but the chicken was perfectly crispy with just the right amount of kick. The beignets were delicious--fresh, hot, and a fun treat to split. They were also kind enough to bring out the chicken and waffles already divided on two separate plates for us, which we appreciated! You order at the counter, and they bring the food out to your table. Super easy and relaxed.

Gillian T.

I like the decor with the floating umbrellas and pictures of otters in Victorian clothing. There's lots of television show references that I dunno it all, but when I did, I laughed my head off. Food was amazing, with its brunch on par with Word of Mouth. Staff was friendly and quick.

The Oo-De-Lally chicken sandwich with ranch and cajun fries.

Benjamin M.

Finally visited this place on a Sunday afternoon. It's decorated in a cool, hip vibe with umbrellas hanging over the seating area and cute otter-themed art on the walls. You order at the counter, and they bring your food out to your table. Service was friendly, but it was a bit hard to hear over the music. We went with the Oo-De-Lally chicken sandwich and the 5-alarm chicken and waffles. The food came out quickly. The chicken and waffles (I selected thighs, but you can also do tenders) was a huge portion and truly delicious. The chicken was lightly spicy but not too hot. It was a tiny bit stringy, but moist and so flavorful! The waffle was malty, lightly sweet and thick. The two components melded beautifully together, and with the addition of butter and maple syrup? -heavenly! Easily in the top five best chicken and waffles I've ever had. My dining companion enjoyed their chicken sandwich, and the bite I had was delicious! The slaw was especially a great addition. The Cajun fries were very tasty as well. The portions were so generous, we both took half of our meals home, and my chicken and waffles was amazing the next day. Highly recommended, very flavorful, well-executed comfort food with a twist. I will be back!

Mara C.

While visiting friends we decided to give this cute place a visit. Lots of street parking and we were greeted warmly by Ryan. There is a limited menu but don't let that fool you. We decided to try the Nashville chicken breast with hot chili oil on the side. I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to spicy. I also ordered the lemon poppy seed slaw. Our friends got the salmon Chowdah and also some spicy chicken with Cajun fries. They remarked that the salmon chowder pronounced Chowdah looked to be quite thick and was very flavorful. I gotta say it was some of the best fried chicken I ever sampled. The slaw was very tasty as well. Great combination of savory and sweet. My daughter and I split an order of chicken as we wanted to sample the beignets. We ordered the Killa bees and they came out fluffy and hot with a very nice honey drizzle. Ryan also gifted us with a second order of beignets of our own choosing, and we asked for the Good God Lemon ones, and they were very sweet and tangy. For the five of us the bill came to right around a hundred dollars which being from California I found very reasonable. It's a small place, and you order first at the counter and then go and find a table. If you are looking for some very tasty chicken this side of Nashville you should stop by and order some at this unique place in Salem Oregon.

Mel G.

Small interior, has outdoor street seating. Friendly service. Went there for beignets only. They are out of this world good! We did to go order so their presentation may have been ruined in the hot drive home.

Liz A.

First time here and it really didn't disappoint. It's a small little restaurant and it's constantly packed! Came here at a sweet spot. We ordered so much food. I had the chicken and waffles (I would say spice level is a 4.5-5 out of 10), we also had the biscuits and gravy, the spicy chicken sandwich on ciabatta, stuffed waffles and the deep fried pickles. Everything was so good! This is where you go when it's a cold day and you need some comfort food. It was so good. Love how there's more diverse restaurants in Salem now. This one I hope stays!

Karin H.

The menu is based around fried chicken with not many other options, so know that going in. Being allergic to hazelnuts, even the Mac and cheese was not an option for me. Luckily the fried pickles were excellent even if my chicken was a bit over done and dry (get a dipping sauce). Service was good. For a counter service restaurant the staff spent enough time on the floor that it felt like a table service establishment. The dining area is small, like 8 tables, but even on a Friday evening we had no problem getting a table. Was it my favorite, no. Would it be my first choice for dinner out, no. Would I go back, yes.

Julie E.

Easy Otter was very welcoming. Great indoor seating. It's an order at the counter kind of place. We sat on the patio because we had our dog. Everyone was super friendly. Lots of seating options and no wait. Food came out fast. Plan extra time for the incredible fluffy beignet. I ordered a variety pack for an extra dollar. Total worth it so you can explore multiple flavors. The seasonal honeybee was my favorite. My canyonero sandwich was the freaking best chicken sandwich of my life! Juicy inside, crispy outside, bacon cooked to perfection and smothered in BBQ. Yum yum yum.

Jennifer L.

My mom and I meet in Salem for lunch and we wanted to try someplace new but neither wanted to do the research. My partner found this and I took a look at the menu and it was simple, but looked delicious. When I mentioned beignets to my mom she was all in (apparently she never had them before). There is lots of parking in the area. This isn't a huge space, but it's clean and cute. You order at the counter but they still provide a lot of service throughout your meal. Everyone was really pleasant. We both opted for the mac and it was so creamy and yummy. Very large portion and it comes with crostini on the side. Plenty of bacon and panko for extra flavor and texture. You lose some of the creaminess reheating, but the flavor is still there. Of course we had to get beignets but who wants to decide between lemon and raspberry? Not us so I got us each an order to go. They definitely knocked it out of the park for my mom. She loved them. Of course we did too and I heated ours up for just a few seconds. The don't skimp on the toppings so you get all the flavor. I always bring back food for my partner (he'd never forgive me if I didn't) so I chose a few items he'd been looking at. Now hushpuppies aren't usually our thing but these were a little different. Not spicy at all but you do get plenty of that jalapeno flavor and the texture was so crisp. Plus they serve it with their red pepper pesto which is a nice compliment. The slaw didn't really give off lemon poppyseed flavor so much, but it was creamier than I'm used to. We were like, not so much flavor, but this creamy texture is very satisfying. Fresh and crisp and plenty of it. And of course I had to get something chicken so went for chicken and waffles. It would have been hard not to get a waffle since the place smells so deliciously of them while you're eating. Big fluffy waffle and nice crispy chicken. Since it was to go I had them put the Nashville hot on the side and he opted to dunk his piece of chicken instead. He said it wasn't too spice and had a good flavor (I don't do too spicy). We were so super happy with our meal that I know we'll come back. My take out order even came in a cute reusable tote. This place is just terrific.

Aileen I.

Went here to try something new . My boyfriend got the Neds-5 try not to confuse it with the neds 5 chicken and waffle which is what we thought we ordered but cashier kinda cut me off at neds 5 and we were just served chicken. Were waiting for the waffle till at asked and was charged 5$. For the had to go and ask for the butter and syrups we didn't get it. I got the Shrimp Incident! I was expecting it saucier the sauce on top was kinda clumpy and super thick. While ordering and asking for drinks they had decaf ready on the spot and told us it would take 8mins to get regular coffee. Thats fine tho. I will give it to them the flavor in the chicken is what made this at 3! If not we would have said 2.

See all

Sunni E.

1 year ago

I was skeptical going in but the tenders were surprisingly great! The worker was unfriendly but the atmosphere was really cute. read more

The Easy Otter - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Heather S.

1 year ago

This was our first time at Easy Otter and there was so much to love. The most important thing to me is food, and it was incredible. I'm a fiend for fried pickles and these were the best I've had. The batter was crispy and flavorful, like a tempura but lighter, and it didn't slide off. The ranch was the good stuff and not out of a bottle. We ordered chicken in the Nashville hot style; it was rich with flavor and it brought the heat. We joke that mayonnaise is "Salem hot sauce" so finding hot chicken that lives up to the name was a thrill. Another thrill: two kinds of chicken. My husband got the breast tenders he prefers, and I was able to get boneless thighs, which is my favorite piece on the bird. You can tell they take care with their food because of things like the quality ingredients, but the technique is so solid! Fried foods are a thing of beauty when done correctly: making sure the pickles are dry before battering, frying at the perfect temperature, and keeping the batter ratio right. No unbattered chicken bits fried to inedible toughness, no bare-gummy-stuck-together pickles, no huge clods of breading hiding uncooked food. It's all done properly. (It's always a good sign when there is a limited menu, too. Places with a nin-page menu might let you order braised moose, but what you're getting is a mystery package from the freezer. A limited but well-rehearsed repertoire is a sign of quality.) Ambiance is perfect for me, because I love otters, whimsy, and references from the early years of The Simpsons. It's hard to explain why so many little touches made me laugh (a menu item called the Canyonero, or sauce description about eight spices -- some of them have to be duplicates!) but if you know, you know. There was also a small vase of fresh flowers on each table. For a lot of people, that's a shrug. But the miniature bouquets seemed hand-arranged and had a couple of unusual stems with a variety of market blooms. It matters. The building itself is like many other retail spaces, and this one is nicely personalized with whimsical otter-art and creative decor. But fresh flowers enliven the table and feed the eye before the food arrives. Such touches show care and earnest effort, sending the message that someone works in this space with love, and is thinking about your experience. Beer selection works for me -- I had an Ecotopia (Santiam Brewing), which is a reliable standard -- and this is another area where quality control is everything. Maybe a sports bar can have 40 taps and be diligent with hygiene and temperature, but I would rather open a fresh can than have a flat or funky draft. (They also serve Coke! For those of us who die a little when we hear "Is Pepsi All Right?", this is a gold star. Southern food goes hand in hand with Coca-Cola.) Service was fast and friendly. There was a hitch with one of our entrees and they handled it flawlessly. Lots of places will greet you walking in, but they said goodbye as we left, and that made me feel well hosted and welcome to come back. Things I didn't love as much: * you order at the counter and seat yourself. It's efficient, especially for the space, and I would probably run things the same way, but it's not my favorite system. * huge appetizer portions. That sounds like a hidden flex, but I don't want to have to choose between apps and dessert. I didn't get to try the beignets! * no salt on the table. Sign of a quality joint, I know, and the seasoning was perfect for my husband, but a I like a last-minute salting. Sue me. * garlic fries were tasty but what my eye told me was a lavish heap of fried garlic was actually buttery bread crumbs that were not too garlicky. This might be the Southern influence (or serving a local palate that doesn't want extreme flavors) but I personally like a vampire-slaying level of garlic that laughs in the face of Altoids. I can see why they wouldn't want a palate-wrecker in the appetizer menu but I was hoping for a lot of fried or minced raw garlic (not "jarlic"). Now I know. And I will definitely be back. Might order delivery sometime, but I love that place. And I can't wait to try the fresh Berry White beignets. read more

The Easy Otter - Appetizers - fried pickles and Cajun shrimp plus andouille sausage in cream sauce - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

The Easy Otter - Five-Alarm Nashville Hot Chicken and Waffles - breast tender and boneless thighs - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

See all

Helpful 3

Thanks 1

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Michael L.

671

2 years ago

I love the chicken sandwiches. Their beignets are top tier. I love the vibe here and the service is incredibly friendly. read more

The Easy Otter - Hot chicken and waffles - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Mark T.

6 months ago

We just had lunch and the food is great. We highly recommend eating here. Chicken, and the Mac and cheese, with beignets for dessert was fantastic. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Nathan I.

1 year ago

The salmon chowder is one of the best I've had- excellent flavor. We also tried the chicken and waffles, as well as beignets. The chicken is breaded and seasoned very well. The turkey, brie and apple beignets were also a great combination of flavor. This is on our list to return. read more

The Easy Otter - Turkey, Brie, and Apple Beignets - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

The Easy Otter - Chicken and Waffle - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

The Easy Otter - Salmon Chowder - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Jean Ann T.

1 year ago

Oh Mah Gawd! This place is wonderful! Chef is from Vegas but this place will be on our short list now. Had the Shrimp Incident and an order of beignets and are thoroughly impressed! Service is friendly and the theme of the place is cute! read more

The Easy Otter - The Shrimp Incident and beignets - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

Helpful 2

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Hiilei B.

11 months ago

The food was FANTASTIC! Service was great as well and left me very happy. New Orleans is one of my favorite places to visit so being able to pop in and have a beignet made me so happy. Beignets were HOT and fluffy, a little denser than I'm used to but just as yummy. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Kaitlyn M.

11 months ago

The Easy Otter was such a cute restaurant and the people definitely had Southern hospitality down. We ordered the fried chicken and waffles, canyonero sandwich, and berry beignets. The fried chicken and waffles was comparable to our favorite from South Carolina and so delicious, and the beignets were incredible. We'll be back for those! read more

The Easy Otter - Cider - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

The Easy Otter - 3 Berry White Beignets - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

The Easy Otter - Neds Five Alarm Chicken Specialty - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Scott D.

2 years ago

Formerly a food truck at the Beehive on south Commercial, this place has made such a great name for itself that they were able to move into a cozy little brick and mortar location in downtown Salem near the Elsinore Theatre- with a fun and upbeat ambiance no less. This was the first time my dad and I had patronized the place, and it sho ain't gonna be the last. Johnhenry, our server, was super affable and quick to accommodate- he was very intentional about making sure our dinner service went smoothly. And Lindsay the proprietor and chef was a delight, as were her incredible dishes! We started with the mouthwatering jalapeño tarragon hush puppies that came with a roasted red pepper pesto (the dish is called "All Dogs go to Eleven"). They were straight up fire. And then both of us ordered the "Ned's 5-Alarm Chicken"- it was as boldly flavorful and tender as could be. And there couldn't possibly be a better way to finish this outstanding meal than with their masterfully prepared, New Orleans inspired beignets...omg. Don't tell anyone, but I had five. No, six. These were definitely the most delectable beignets I've had this side of the Seine River. It's so nice to finally have a fast casual restaurant of this caliber in Salem! read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Jeffrey H.

11 months ago

Good food. We had sandwiches. Interior is pretty minimal. Napkins supporting neurodivergence.

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Anouk C.

11 months ago

Quick service and filling portions. I was surprised that the special Mac and cheese cost the same as the regular since it comes with fried chicken and sausage. Prices aren't bad either. read more

The Easy Otter - Mac and cheese special - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jan H.

11 months ago

The yummiest and most mouth watering beignets we have ever tasted. New Orleans has nothing over this gem of an extremely popular restaurant.

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Randy L.

5 months ago

What a great place to eat, food was delicious,super moist chicken ,tender ,and large portions,had chicken thighs and waffle ....oh my ,it was fabulous.fried pickles were a big hit ,Mac and cheese ..didn't get to have dessert ,but saw others having it and look delicious,staff were friendly,quick service and all smiling making it a great first time experience..will definitely be back .... read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Eric P.

Elite 26

103

542

620

3 years ago

The Hey Taylor and Ol Lally with Beingets. You will find this little gem tucked at the very end of the Beehive station that is located in Salem. With the delicious food that simply leaves your mouth watering you will want to try more and more. The service was quick, food was out in a timely manner and perfect for those whom have an appetite. Short of actually being in New Orleans, these were some of the best Beingets (pronounced Ben-Yeah) I have come across. It is very easy to over cook these bad boys and have them not be very flavorful. Too little time and they are doughy. Being that you are at Beehive, pick your spot to go and strap on that feed bag and be prepared to enjoy a delicious to go or sit there meal. read more

The Easy Otter - The Hey Taylor Nashville chicken sandwich and garlic fries - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

Helpful 2

Thanks 2

Love this 2

Oh no 1

Chris M.

10 months ago

Great food, friendly staff. The Easy Otter is easy to recommend to absolutely everyone.

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jessica W.

1 year ago

We stopped at this place while visiting the area from out of town. The beignets were pretty good, service was okay. We were expecting really good food based off the Google reviews but were pretty disappointed. The "Cajun" Mac & cheese was $23 for 3 slices of andouille and 2 pieces of chicken just thrown on top. Chicken tenders and fries were okay. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

M S.

1 year ago

Delicious. Staff was friendly. The food was flavorful and amazing. We will be back to try everything else for sure. Loved the fried chicken and garlic fries. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Kacey H.

8 months ago

Great food, great atmosphere. The customer service however is subpar. I ordered coffee with my meal, and we had to ask several times for the coffee of be delivered. Then I had to go up to the counter to get cream and sugar. I ordered beignets and they took forever to arrive after my meal. Probably won't be back because of the customer service. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Crowd A.

132

2 years ago

The beignets! I made a return visit (more chicken fingers and their delicious slaw) and tried their seasonal beignet special: pumpkin (pumpkin spice?) Not remembering exactly what they are called, but oh my gosh, they are perfection. They are a little crisp--just the slightest, slightest hint of it, with soft perfect texture inside, and tasty pumpkin topping drizzled over, and of course the requisite confectioner sugar. Made me think of my grandma making donuts at home. Service was again genuinely warm, friendly and fast. LOVE THIS PLACE. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Carlene B.

10 months ago

Great chicken, best fries in town, fantastic beignets! Wonderful staff! We go often. Sidewalk tables are nice.

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

C B.

1 year ago

Food was great! Portions are big! We went on a quiet afternoon after seeing cherry blossoms. Fries chicken was amazing, Mac and cheese was very good. I do wish the beignets were filled rather than drizzled with toppings. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Amy E.

1 year ago

Service was incredible, food was delicious! We shared the tenders with fried pickles and took beignets to go!

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Helen A.

1 year ago

It was fabulous! Great food and excellent service (got our food quick even though they were very busy). Decor was inviting.

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jorgee R.

10 months ago

To start it off, the drinks were super watered down. The chicken crust was super burnt but the inside was okay. Pricey for what you're getting. The service was okay. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Nicholas C.

2 years ago

This review is for the downtown brick and mortar: AWESOME JOB! I love that they have the brick and mortar! Chicken sandwiches my wife and I ordered yesterday were awesome! We will be back! read more

The Easy Otter - Nashville Chicken Sandwich - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Mark L.

2 years ago

So glad I found this place! The Canyonero BBQ chicken sandwich was fantastic! Best I've had in town honestly. Service was quick and staff were very friendly and accommodating. The decor and otter pictures in the downtown Salem location are so cute! We will be back! read more

The Easy Otter - Canyonero Sandwich with Garlic Fries - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Tiffany J.

2 years ago

Went with a friend on a Saturday night. Delicious chicken tenders. We were too full to order dessert but I will be back to try the beignets. Very cute de or inside read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Eric H.

2 years ago

Exceptional food and tablet stands More than adequate banter as well. Not to be missed read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Stephanie C.

1 year ago

If I could give more than 5 stars, I definitely would! Can't say enough about the quality of the food (delectable) the value (super generous portions, reasonable prices) and the service (friendly, fast, attentive). SO. GOOD!!! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Todd H.

4 years ago

A really cute food truck. And the owner is AWESOME. The Beignets are spectacular!!! They have a variety of other things to choose from. I really can't say enough about the Beignets. Get in your ride and make the drive to see for yourself. read more

The Easy Otter - a food truck parked in a parking lot - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Eric M.

1 year ago

The chicken and waffles is excellent, it's a very nice smaller restaurant. Good beer and beignets!

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Alysha C.

2 years ago

We got the chicken and waffles, Mac n cheese and the cookies and cream beneigs. All frickin amazingly delicious!

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Emily R.

Elite 23

163

111

112

3 years ago

We stopped by on our way through town and found this place in a food cart pod with a lot of cool options. We got two Taylor chicken sandwiches (one with no hot sauce, the other with lite sauce. Both came with a large amount of fries and a side of ranch/ketchup or BBQ. We got ranch. Both sandwiches were tall with a nicely fried chicken breast and a good amount of coleslaw plus some fried pickle sliced. The fries were nice and hot and weren't as large as steak fries but still quite substantial. The side of fried pickles we ordered was huge and had a light amount of breading, served with ranch and chipotle aioli. This should be half the size for the price and would actually still be too much! Lastly we got an order of beignets, she was kind enough to make 6 smaller ones instead of 3 larger ones so we wouldn't fight over the 3rd one. lots of powdered sugar and these were okay, not amazing. I'd like to try the cinnamon sugar version. We were able to wait for the food in our car and she texted us to let us know it was ready. Overall a good meal. read more

The Easy Otter - Taylor sandwich with no hot sauce - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

The Easy Otter - Half the sandwich and the included fries - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

The Easy Otter - Fried pickles - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

The Easy Otter - Traditional beignets. She made them half size for us - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

See all

Helpful 3

Thanks 0

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Mallory B.

2 years ago

We were thrilled to find out one of our favorite food trucked opened a restaurant! Easy Otter has the best chicken sandwiches, and the beignets are to die for. We can't recommend the this place enough! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Zy X.

180

2 years ago

Love this cute little place. The chicken has heat to it. We've tried the sandwiches, chicken and waffles, beignets- all very good! Counter order service. Friendly service. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Tiffany D.

Elite 26

107

205

435

5 years ago

I've been to The Beehive several times and can't believe it's taken me this long to try Easy Otter! I had the Nashville hot chicken and it was delicious. I couldn't finish the ciabatta bun because it was just so much (good) food. My boyfriend had the club and upgraded to two fries and it made for two meals. We were both very impressed and can't wait to keep trying other menu items! read more

The Easy Otter - Hey Taylor - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

The Easy Otter - Club - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Aleta S.

2 years ago

I'm not a chicken and waffles person. I don't order spicy food. Trust me. Get the chicken and waffles. The waffle is thinner, the chicken is thicker, and the butter and syrup (all of it - put it on) make this the only chicken and waffles I will ever love. We also ordered the Mac and the beignets, which the hubs said were the closest to Café du Monde he's had. Great service. Great atmosphere. Amen. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

John B.

1 year ago

Menu is concise - everything is done extremely well and easily my favorite option is the chicken sandwich oo-de-lally and the raspberry beignets. Simple but done better than anyone else. The seasoned fried are phenomenal. The staff is super friendly and funny. The restaurant has a cool look to it and the otter them is everywhere. Will return and am excited to have another awesome option downtown! read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Marco V.

434

5 years ago

The chicken sandwich war is real.....Don't waste your time with fast food when theres this place. This place has a amazing chicken sandwich And the "OoDeLally" is a must to have in this place. One of the best customer service experience, amazing food, and soooooo much love and effort is given for some great food. read more

The Easy Otter - OoDeLally - Southern fried chicken sandwich, spicy chipotle aioli, plus tangy jalapeño slaw on a toasted ciabatta - Waffles Near Me - Salem, Oregon

Helpful 3

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Soma B.

2 years ago

The best fried chicken I ever had! I loved the beniets too...nom nom, I'll be back for more.

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Back

Page 2 of 4

130 High St SE
Salem, OR 97301
Directions
(971) 915-2897
Call Now

Full menu

Hours

What time does The Easy Otter open?

The Easy Otter opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.The Easy Otter opens at 4:00 PM on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.The Easy Otter opens at 10:00 AM on Sunday.

What time does The Easy Otter close?

The Easy Otter closes at 3:00 PM on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.The Easy Otter closes at 9:00 PM on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.The Easy Otter is closed on Tuesday.

Mon, Wed-Sat 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PMTue ClosedSun 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Payment methods

Does The Easy Otter take credit cards?

Yes, The Easy Otter takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does The Easy Otter have catering options?

Yes, The Easy Otter does have catering options.

Does The Easy Otter serve alcohol?

Yes, The Easy Otter serves alcohol. Beer & Wine Only

Indoor Amenities

Does The Easy Otter allow dogs?

Yes, The Easy Otter allows dogs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does The Easy Otter have outdoor seating?

No, The Easy Otter does not have outdoor seating options.

Does The Easy Otter have parking?

Yes, The Easy Otter has parking options.

Other Amenities

Is The Easy Otter wheelchair accessible?

Yes, The Easy Otter is wheelchair accessible.

Does The Easy Otter have free WiFi?

Yes, The Easy Otter has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

I’m currently a one woman operation specializing in delicious made from scratch comfort food! My beignets are guaranteed to be the best you’ve had outside of New Orleans and don’t get me started on the fried chicken!

More Info

Health Score

Ask the Community - The Easy Otter

Do they serve wine?

We currently offer a small selection from Croft Vineyards here in Salem.

View question details

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

You might also consider

Noble Wave

TLDR: "The biscuit was F'n wonderful!" - my MiL. High praise coming from her…read more Second time to Noble Wave and everything was fantastic! Sunday brunch menu is limited but has some great options that aren't available other days. The chicken and biscuit sandwich was amazing! One of the best biscuits I have tasted in a while. The chicken and waffles were delicious and not what I expected. The waffle was more like a flavorful waffle cone than a giant Belgian waffle. The fried chicken was very tasty. The bacon was crisp and wonderful. The over medium egg was perfect. My Diet Coke was never empty this time and the rest of the service was also on point. We had a fun discussion with one of the owners, I think and were convinced of his love of good food and New Orleans. Nothing fancy with the furnishings and atmosphere but more than enough for downtown Salem. I'll definitely be back!

It's hard to go here and try something new. But the classic fried chicken sandwich is amazing. It's…read morefried perfectly, every single time. The size, the slaw and the fries are perfect. One of the best fried chicken sandwiches ever. And the batter has a little kick too, so it has a little heat. Not crazy about the hot chicken sandwich cuz it's just too much hot sauce, but the classic is unbelievable. My wife always gets the Caesar with grilled chicken and it's so good. We all know the beignet fried chicken sliders are good. But this is one of my favorite spots in Salem. Lastly, the service is always great. The owner, waiting staff and chefs are always super personable.

Photos

Inside

Catfish poboy

See all

Water cup with beautiful view of outside

White's Restaurant

I've been coming here for years. I love the friendly atmosphere and delicious food. The servers…read morego out of their way to get to know you. It's a special place.

We haven't eaten here in many years and I guess we just forgot about it. It far exceeded our…read moreexpectations. My husband got Breakfast and I got lunch! My husband said his eggs were perfect and everything was just delicious! I had the Brisket sandwich and my goodness it was the best ever. Service was spot on and we sat at a community table and just chatted away with other family. We will definitely become regulars here.

Photos

Brisket sandwich and fries!

See all

Melted cup

Epilogue Kitchen and Cocktails

We were hoping for a little better here. First, the restaurant is still a bit newish, so it may…read moretake time for them to figure out how much food to keep on hand. The primary problem was that they were out of many menu items by 6pm. The dining room is cool with a nice vibe, super friendly waiter and food came from the kitchen pretty quickly. Pimento cheese appetizer was delicious, one of the better versions I've had. Unfortunately the Pierogi were pretty bland and nothing special, and for the high price, just not worth it. Weird arrangement with the coffee shop located in the restaurant as well. Restaurant was out of desserts and coffee, but could not serve any of the desserts from the coffee shop case, as those were part of the coffee shop. Despite that, we will be back next time we visit Salem, and I'm sure they will figure out how to manage supply of food items better so they are not sold out before 6pm. Lots of potential here for a small neighborhood restaurant.

Yes, yes, yes! A restaurant for the culture and the people. The food is simple but the flavors are…read morecomplex and leaves you wanting more. It's a play on old comfort food or classics. The restaurant is tucked away in a community filled with gardens and a wonderful quaintness. The book exchange program or library checkout program offers a variety of books that helps explains the humanity and beauty of Black people in excellence and glory. After reading so many books and providing a report-you receive a free meal. Luv, luv, luv the concept. I wish other restaurants would mirror this example.

See all

Word Of Mouth

10 OMG where do I begin? We visited this quaint little…read morerestaurant in Salem Oregon on our way out of town. We had the pleasure of having the best waitress named Kelly. Kelly was so friendly, so full of life and energy and love. It seemed like everyone loves working there.. The food was absolutely amazing. Amazing from beginning to end this was by far superior to any restaurant I've been to in a long time. The service, the food, the ambience, sure wish it was in my town. Everyone at our table enjoyed their breakfast. We couldn't take it with us unfortunately because we're flying home today, but the portions are huge. Do yourself a favor and visit this cozy place. The wait can be a bit, but absolutely beyond worth the wait.

Stairs up to entry was very dangerous with waiting customers using handrails on both sides, then,…read moreno landing at the top! We told hostess we did not want to sit at the bar, she sat us at the bar, after some more wait, we did get a table. Coffee was ok, but the cups were huge, always 2/3 full of cold coffee. The food took one hour to find our table. Nothing special, my wife had an omelet, with a big glob of Brie cheese, overpowering the omelet. I had corned beef hash that was extremely dry and salty. I also had warm rye bread. Not toasted. We were half done with our breakfast, and was given the bill, and boxes to go. Very rushed, crowded, and expensive. $58 for sub-par breakfast for 2. Sorry WOM, didn't cut it.

Photos

Restroom

See all

Bathroom

Best Little Roadhouse

My family and I came here last night, and they were able to accommodate my grandfather, who's in a…read morewheelchair, very easily, which I really appreciated. The rolls were very good. We didn't get appetizers, but everyone in my family (except me) ordered the prime rib and loved it. I went with the grilled chicken topped with a parmesan sauce and a loaded baked potato on the side. The seasoning and sauce were great, but the chicken itself was pretty dry. It reminded me of cutting into a well done steak where it takes way too long to get through. It wasn't terrible overall, but I was definitely a little disappointed with how overcooked the chicken was.

Friendly staff, generous portions of good food! T Table had…read morethe French dip, BBQ chicken salad, chicken dinner and steak sandwich. Lunch was,enough food for the day!

Photos

Grilled Chicken

See all

Tri-Smoked Tri - tip Sandwich Pulled Pork Sandwich Side Best Little Garden Salad Chicken artichoke soup

Roger That BBQ

Great smash burger and fries. Very affordable and great food. Will define make it a 1-2 times a…read moremonth habit

Food was not edible, cold and way overpriced. We've eaten barbecue at several different barbecue…read morejoints throughout the Willamette Valley and this one is by far the worst I've ever eaten at literally everything was cold. Plus it took forever to get the food. It's a very unfortunate because I have heard good things about this place so figured we would give it a try. But we definitely will not be going back. I highly recommend you explore different options. when you spend over $63 for 2 2 meat plates, a Texas link and two drinks I expect to be able to use real silver silverware not plastic, fork, and knife and not sit on a picnic table with other folks.

Photos

See all

Waiting for take out order

The Cozy Taberna

4.5

(282 reviews)

0.2 mi

Amazing experience all around. I accidentally made my reservation for the chef counter. I don't…read moregenerally like bar seating because I am short and the stools are often uncomfortable, but they had a nice ledge at the right height for me. It was fun watching all the variety of dishes come together. Service was great, just the right amount of attentive. Food was amazing. Everything was great, but special nod to the squid ink pasta and the tres major steak. Definitely will come back next time I'm in the area

I'm coming out of my yelp reviewing hiatus to give flowers to this restaurant. An absolute triumph…read moreof fresh and local fusion cuisine, O was impressed by the bold flavors (squid ink pasta with fish paste) and high quality ingredients. Of note was the pork chop entree, with the pork sourced from a local farm. The pork was unbelievably tender, practically the pork equivalent of wagyu. The fat was rendered out perfectly and the chop had a smoky char, the tomato and onion sauce over the top cut through the fattiness and balanced the dish perfectly. The pork chop itself is worth traveling out of your way for, and the squid ink pasta and salmon smoked on a wood board are also highlights. The Cozy Taberna lives up to its reputation as one of the best restaurants in Salem.

Photos

Seared to perfection! Pork chop shared by my husband and me. Great size portion. Melted in our mouths!

See all

Gumbo Ya Ya

4.2

(16 reviews)

2.9 mi

Not much to say other than, "Holy moly!" Perfect for a cold day, Gumbo Ya Ya serves up delicious…read moregumbo straight to the soul! Opt for a side of the delicious potato salad and don't be afraid to mix the two together! Huge pieces of meat and delicious sausage make for a hearty lunch that fills you up and warms your bones!

Went here for lunch and it was delish! The shrimp baked…read morepotato was really good and super filling and I got a cup of gumbo, would have liked a bit more rice but other than that it was yummy! Definitely will be trying other things on the menu!

Photos

Cajun mac and cheese with shrimp and a Goodlife Comatose Imperial IPA

Menu as of January 2021

See all

Menu as of January 2021

Silver Spur

A beautiful western theme bar for any occasion…read more Active management, reasonable prices, and delicious drinks.

This business is filthy, hardly ever any soap, paper towels in the bathrooms. Barely have any…read morealcohol to serve, out of all the food they serve on the menu. As well as they have no garbage service and have garbage piled up outside.

Photos

Reserve a table for your B-day party and receive a free b-day drink.

Celebrate all holidays with us!

See all

Dance floor is always full

Jade Dumpling & Noodle House

4.5

(31 reviews)

0.2 mi

Sorry no pixs. We had an awesome birthday lunch here. Service was a little spotty but place was…read moresuper busy. We had: 1 dry brased green beans - 5+/5. Perfectly cooked with plenty of garlic 2 pork steamed broccoli- 3.5/5. Tasty but if you expertly char sui bad this is not that. Filling is closer to a pork meat ball and the dough was chewy not.the pillowy dough. Tasty tho 3 pork soup dumpling - 5/5. Yummy without of 'soup' 4 chicken dumplings - 5/5 tender and tasty 5 onion cake - 5/5 plenty of scallions and super flakes 6 sui mai - 4/5 Tasty and all shrimp 7 sesame balls. 5/5. Yummy deserts bite perfectly fried and the red bean paste the right amount of sweet. While you are there (especially if you have to wait.to be seated) walk to inside of building and watch them making the wrappers and stuffing the dumplings. They are fast and skilled.

The reviews for this place are very good. We met friends there for lunch to see for ourselves. Soup…read moredoes not come with your order, so my husband ordered the egg flower soup, I ordered the hot and sour. It was $5 extra for each. My husband said his soup was very oily, probably sesame oil. My hot and sour soup was not spectacular, certainly not in the top 5 in my experience. We ordered the Dan Dan noodles, Housemade dumplings and the shrimp walnut dish with broccoli. There was more than enough food for both of us and we took home a lot of each. I had not had the Dan Dan noodles before, it was basically spaghetti noodles with well cooked hamburger and Asian seasonings. Not bad. The dumplings had no dipping sauce, we made our own from the vinegar and soy sauce provided at the table. There were 10 dumplings, we brought home more than half. While the shrimp and walnut dish was good, the broccoli fresh and perfectly steamed, I've had better. The sauce that goes on them was served on the side. I'm guessing because that way when you take it home, it doesn't make everything mushy when reheating. The service was excellent, the food came quickly and was hot. Probably the most expensive Asian lunch we've ever had, $55 not including tip. Instead of paying for street parking, we parked in the Parkade behind the building. Did not appreciate the smoky pot filled elevator that greeted us when the delinquents stepped out. But that has nothing to do with Jade Dumpling. Though the food was good, there was nothing there I craved bad enough to warrant another go. I hope they do well, downtown Salem is a hard sell these days with Oregons economy and downtown homelessness.

Photos

Kids watching the dumplings being made

Kung Pao Tofu

See all

Inside

La Fondita

This is more like a hole in a wall family restaurant and we went in after checking out the reviews…read more What amazing authentic Mexican food! We ordered the Camarone À la diabla and it was savory and spicy, just the way we like it. The portions were also generous. Will definitely stop by on our way to Portland!

Wasn't impressed with the seafood stew or tortillas. Hoping to be pleasantly surprised with the…read morenext visit. Perhaps the carne asada and beans will be better.

Photos

Covered indoor patio

Chicken Enchiladas Molé

See all

Seating area

Noble Wave

See all

Water cup with beautiful view of outside

Chen's Family Dish

After moving east from 97302 to 97317, we needed to find a new favorite Chinese food restaurant…read more We had loved Hong Kong House, then they were taken over by Chen's. We loved the food, and decided to try the original. We had some trouble trying to figure out how to get to their parking lot, but we were sure glad we did! We were greeted warmly and seated in a cozy booth. The minimalist decor and soothing music was wonderful. We had a generous and delicious cup of soup first. Egg Flower for my husband, and Hot and Sour for me. They were both flavorful and hot. Next we had pot stickers, pan-fried, of course. The texture was perfect. Brown and crisp on the sides, and soft and chewy everywhere else. The filling was tasty, too. Our main dish was Sesame Beef, one of our favorites. They typically stir fry it here, but we asked for the traditional deep-fried version. We weren't disappointed. The dish was absolutely delicious! We had enough leftover for another meal for the two of us. We will definitely be back!

My family and I had a wonderful time at Chen's family dish! The staff was super friendly and our…read moreserver was knowledgeable about gluten-free allergies. They were able to make quite a few dishes, gluten-free for me, which was unexpected and exciting. The food was delicious, the restaurant was clean and had a nice atmosphere. I would highly recommend this place especially to anyone with a gluten allergy or intolerance.

See all

Archive Coffee & Bar

Beautiful atmosphere and unique drinks! My favorite late night date night…read more On the more pricey side, but delicious! I've always had friendly service. Helpful but not pushy. Will have to visit again soon!

I was traveling for work and was looking for a good coffee/brunch spot to work at for a little bit…read morebetween job sites. This came up on my research and I was completely blown away. The staff is very friendly and helpful. They told me they make their own vanilla syrups and roast their own coffee beans. After some quick back and forth, the worker recommended I try their eggplant shakshuka and their iced shaken cappuccino. Both were phenomenal! I honestly am counting down the days til I get to be back in the area for that shaken cappuccino again! The subtle flavor notes from their roasted beans really shines through and is balanced by the cream they use. The eggplant shakshuka was also great. It wasn't too spicy but it was a lot of flavor with each bite. I was so into the sauce that I almost forgot to save some to eat with the toasted baguette slices that came with the plate! Can't wait to go back to try other stuff!

Photos

Specialty coffee by day

Seasonal global fusion dinner menu

See all

Roasting specialty coffee on site

Taqueria El Jacalito

4.7

(58 reviews)

0.8 mi

We had some time to wait before the donation center up the street opened so we decided to go get…read morebreakfast. Based on a recommendation we decided to try the taqueria that was just up the block. You definitely get the old diner vibe when you walk in...all booths and counter service. The place wasn't very busy, but it was a Monday morning. We were seated immediately in one of the booths. I ordered chilaquiles and my husband ordered huevos rancheros. The food was excellent...you could almost taste the love and care that went into preparing it. Before we left they let us know their holiday open schedule...I gotta say, we might just be starting a new Christmas tradition this year.

We ordered two burritos, but they were salty, oily, and inedible. I got nauseous after two bites…read more We also got a bag of chicharrones. They were soggy and not fully cooked.

Photos

See all

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

10 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Cooper B.

5 years ago

My wife and I decided to head down to the Beehive yesterday to grab some lunch together. Once we arrived, we split up seeing as how there is a plethora of options to dine on. As I finished making my lap, still unsure of what I was going to eat, I happened upon my wife perusing the menu at an earthy green cart. Intrigued by their options, I decided to dive in with her, and boy let me tell you I am more than delighted with the outcome. The Easy Otter is fantastic! My wife tried one of their waffle iron pressed panini, I do believe it was called Simply the Pesto, and she said, and I quote, "This is ridiculously good!" Having heard that, and not even opening up my box yet, I somehow sensed I was in for something glorious...then it arrived. I have had a variety of chicken sandwiches, both locally and through my travels, but the Oo-de-lally is king! The toasted ciabatta bun was spot on, the chicken was succulent, the jalapeno slaw transcending, and the chipotle aioli married perfectly with everything. Utterly flawless! I can't wait to explore the rest of the menu at Salem's finest food cart! All in all, an amazing experience! read more

Aedan G.

3 months ago

Easy Otter was welcoming with great indoor seating and a dog-friendly patio. Everyone was friendly, and there was no wait. Food came out quickly, and the fluffy beignets are a must--definitely get the variety pack! My favorite was the seasonal honeybee. The canyonero sandwich was the best chicken sandwich I've ever had--juicy, crispy, and perfectly bacon and BBQ topped. Yum! read more

camilla

20 days ago

Nice ambience, delicious food, and friendly servers. You pay upfront and then they bring the food to you. The mac & cheese was delicious, but the beignets were next level. Taste just like the ones I had in New Orleans. Marion Berry hard cider super tasty. Definitely worth checking out. read more

Mark J.

11 months ago

The chicken and waffles at The Easy Otter in Salem is a delightful Southern treat. The fried chicken is crispy, juicy, and lightly spicy, paired perfectly with fluffy, sweet waffles. Generous portions and a cozy vibe make it a standout. It's straightforward comfort food done right. read more

Kelly K.

5 years ago

The Easy Otter has THE most amazing chicken sandwiches. The Ooh La Lolly is ginormous and delicious, with a heap of fries(upgrade to garlic fries..)! The beignets are always so hot and fresh, and melt in your mouth! read more

Smile R.

4 years ago

This place is the best! The Canyonero is my all time favorite chicken sandwich! We eat here once a week to support this amazing owner and her business. She is so sweet s d the food is divine! read more

Emma E.