Since its founding in Roanoke in 1978, by Richard Macher, Macado's has strived to provide a…read morecomfortable, familiar setting where locals, college students, and families feel at home. Macado's slogan "Just to be there" is meant to highlight Macado's welcoming, highly social atmosphere; suggesting that this restaurant is more than just a place to have a meal. It's a local hangout place where people come to relax, socialize, and be part of the community. Macado's Salem was established in 1990 by the Macher family to bring Macado's signature blend of hearty sandwiches and eclectic decor to the heart of the City of Salem.
After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I was also awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Photographer of the Year Award at their Yelpies 2025 Award Ceremony, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, and where last year I was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year Award, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and businesses, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And this Macado's in Salem, Virginia is a perfect example.
Today I visited this restaurant for the first time to experience first hand this beloved hangout place and see for myself if it's living up to its reputation and if it's really worth the trip. I invite you to besides reading my review, view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place, its one-of-a-kind ambiance, and high-quality food and drinks, not to mention its extraordinary customer service.
From the time I arrived in my pearl white Lexus and took my first photograph of the front of the building which originally was the site of the Malibu restaurant (receiving a total face-lift from the Macher family after purchasing it) and checked-in with my Yelp app with that photo, I started receiving likes from all my Yelp friends, and felt mesmerized about the place and eager to finally walk in.
Inside a friendly young lady greeted me and took me to my table. After a warm welcome she took my drink order for an Iced Dr Pepper and went to get it while I studied the extensive menu of which I enjoyed looking at the caricature of this gigantic tall hamburger. When my server nicknamed Bean arrived with my drink, I ordered the Wild Bill Burger. It was described in the menu as having cheddar cheese, smokehouse bacon, BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomato, and topped with beer battered onion rings. All sounded so delicious that set my high expectations for the burger which I chose to be accompanied by their fries which I had yet to taste. My server mentioned that this was a great choice and went to put in the order.
When it came out, the burger looked gigantic and marvelous, and tasted amazingly delicious. And the fries light and crunchy. One of the best fries that I've ever had. I asked my server to give my compliments to the cook for such amazing food cooked and displayed to perfection. While I was earing my very kind and efficient server came by to check on me and see if I needed a refill on my drink. For dessert I had an Original New York Cheesecake and a Single Scoop of Vanila Ice Cream. It too was amazing. I made sure to ask for and pay for the bill before it was time to change shifts to make sure my server got her tip.
In conclusion, I highly recommend this cozy and friendly establishment not only to have a lovely meal but also to spend some quality time with family and friends. It far exceeded my highest of expectations. And I'm looking forward to returning ... Just To Be There.