There’s a small converted heritage home on 17th Street in Salem, Oregon, that has been making people set their alarms early, drive across town, and wait in line with zero regrets since 2008.
Word of Mouth Neighborhood Bistro — affectionately known to locals as WOM — is the kind of best brunch in Salem because the only thing that’s ever kept this place packed is exactly what its name promises: people telling other people they absolutely have to go. ☕
From its house-made recipes and scratch-made biscuits to the warm, family-run energy that radiates from every corner of its cozy dining room, WOM has earned its place as one of Oregon’s most beloved independent breakfast restaurants. 🍞
How WOM Won Salem’s Hearts
Some restaurants are institutions from the moment they open — WOM had to earn it, one breakfast at a time, and that’s exactly what made it impossible to replace.
Steve and Becky Mucha founded Word of Mouth in 2008, transforming a charming heritage house in a residential Salem neighborhood into a breakfast destination that quickly developed a following unlike anything else in the city.
Their philosophy was simple but powerful: no canned goods, no frozen shortcuts, nothing that wasn’t made from scratch — every biscuit, every jam, every sauce was homemade, and regulars could taste the difference immediately. 🏡
The Salem brunch institution grew steadily on reputation alone, drawing lines out the door on weekends and becoming the kind of spot people took out-of-town visitors specifically to experience.
When Steve and Becky announced their retirement in 2022, the community’s reaction was nothing short of heartbroken — their announcement drew thousands of emotional responses from fans who had grown up eating there, celebrated milestones there, and considered it a second home.
But the story didn’t end there. Mychal Arredondo, who had worked at WOM since 2015, stepped in as the new owner — motivated by the same love for the place that had kept him there for years.
His partner Nicole, who had worked at WOM since 2013, joined him — and together they kept the original recipes, the original energy, and much of the original staff intact.
The recipes Steve and Becky built didn’t go anywhere. Every scratch-made biscuit, every house-made bruschetta mix, and every hand-crafted omelet still comes from the same kitchen philosophy that put WOM on the map in the first place.
Food Highlights
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Vanilla Custard Crème Brûlée French Toast: Rich, deeply indulgent, and served with that signature crackle-top finish — this is the signature brunch dish that regulars have been ordering since day one. 🍮
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Becky’s Ridicu-licious Cinnamon Roll Pancakes: Named after the founder herself, these fluffy pancakes are built around a cinnamon roll flavor profile with a sweet glaze finish. 🥞
- Biscuits & Gravy: Served with two eggs and thick-cut bacon, this one features a fresh-baked buttermilk biscuit smothered in gravy with another on the side. 🥣
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Filet Mignon Chicken Fried Steak and Eggs: A hearty, no-apologies plate that packs serious flavor — tender steak served with savory gravy and eggs. 🥩
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Bacon, Cheddar & Avocado Womlet: A three-egg omelet loaded with chopped bacon, melted cheddar, fresh sliced avocado, and WOM’s housemade Backyard Salsa — served with smashed baby Yukon Gold potatoes or fresh fruit. 🥑
- Sausage, Artichoke & Feta Wrap: Pork sausage, fresh spinach, artichoke hearts, Roma tomatoes, and feta cheese scrambled into three eggs, then wrapped and pressed Panini-style in a flour tortilla. 🌯
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Bacon Bruschetta Omelet: Three eggs folded around chopped bacon, fresh mozzarella, and a bruschetta mix of diced Roma tomatoes, fresh basil, onion, garlic, and olive oil. 🍅
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Spinach & Tomato Benedict: Fresh spinach, diced Roma tomatoes, and three poached eggs draped in velvety Hollandaise on a toasted English muffin. 🍳
Atmosphere
Word of Mouth is housed inside a charming heritage home, and every inch of the interior leans into that — cozy rooms filled with eclectic decor, fun little signs to read, and the kind of lived-in warmth that immediately puts you at ease. 🏡
It’s the kind of space where strangers share tables without a second thought and where the noise of a busy dining room somehow feels comforting rather than chaotic.
Diners who visit consistently describe the atmosphere as a “great cottage feel with eclectic decorating style” — a lively space without ever feeling overwhelming, and personal without ever feeling pretentious.
Bottom Line
Word of Mouth is Salem’s brunch institution — a converted home with heart, history, and food worth every minute of the wait.
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Entirely scratch-made menu with zero shortcuts 🍳
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Legendary dishes like crème brûlée French toast that regulars drive across Oregon to revisit
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Family-run since 2008, with a new owner who worked there for years before taking over
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Warm, cottage-like atmosphere that feels nothing like a restaurant 🏡
Address:
140 17th St NE, Salem, OR 97301
📞 (503) 584-1927
🕔 Open Wed–Sun 6:45 AM–2:00 PM (Closed Mon & Tue)