Local haunt known for sandwiches & hearty American breakfasts served in a casual, country setting.
Britni Laillet
We stopped in here for lunch during our day trip to Salem. It came highly recommended and with kids in our party we knew a place that served breakfast would be a crowd pleaser. It certainly was!
Everyone was happy with their meals. The portions are pretty generous and presentation was actually pretty cool for a diner-type place. I had the chilaquiles which was really good. I’m gluten intolerant and this was a safe bet for me. The hash it came with was delicious as well as their homemade corn chips. Absolutely loved the picked onions.
My only complaints are that the chilaquiles plate was a little small and lacked salt. The poached eggs weren’t well-drained so there was water in the bowl making the yolk diluted. This is a dive-y little place, very cluttered, old and cramped but if that doesn’t bother you it’s still a win.
We also felt the service was good and wanted to shout out to Andrew for his attentiveness and cool nails.
Overall a nice experience!
… moreEmma Schillage
Best breakfast in Salem hands down! There is always a line out the door in the mornings and the food and service is amazing. The way the restaurant is decorated and the music that plays makes you feel like you are transported to the 1990’s. They have options for anyone in your party and there is honestly so much to choose from! They have such fun and unique coffees and drinks and you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. The service is also so amazing. Everyone is so kind and helpful with recommendations.
… moreReuben Harvey
Recieved a nice warm welcome. Staff friendly and helpful with recommendations. Roasted peanut latte was perhaps one of the best coffees I have every had! The food was equally incredible. A little disappointed it was not piping hot, but staff apologised and I maintain it was incredible. I hugely recommend ‘The Captain’. The Mac and cheese was also lovely.
… moreBenjamin Hammer
Red’s is an institution in Salem, and I enjoyed my first visit overall! I went with a specialty coffee: the Up the Banana Tree, which was good but tasted slightly watered down. I then had the Monte Cristo (a personal fave) with breakfast potatoes. The sandwich innards were delicious, but there was no jam nor powdered sugar served with the sandwich, essential. Also, the potatoes weren’t crispy enough for me, personally. My dining partner had the breakfast grits bowl and really enjoyed it. Overall a decent first trip, and I’d go back.
… moreJosh Huilar
Red’s was good. It has an old café vibe to it.
The wait was long, but understandably so.
We had a group of 6 but were willing to divide into whatever number of people would get us seated the fastest, which we told the hostess as she proceeded to seat 2 people in line after us.
It was also annoying because we saw several seats open and the hostess didn’t seat us at those.
Either way the “spiral obsession” coffee and egg/bacon/cheese sandwich i ordered were good.
Overall, a very good lunch spot in Salem.
I recommend they limit the menu even more to increase velocity and table turnover seeing as there are a LOT of options on the menu.
… moreNicole Miller
I ate here a couple of times for breakfast on my recent trip. I’m basing my review on my first visit as the second was a little lack luster in comparison. I got the Perfect Hominy. It has avocado, bacon, a fried egg and the most delicious roasted tomato all atop the best cheese grits I have ever had! I also had a pumpkin roll for breakfast dessert. Highly recommend.
… moreDylan Andrews
It was the 2nd time going to Red’s. I ordered the French Toast and it was absolutely by far the worst French Toast I have had in my entire life. The French toast here is atrocious. I don’t know if it is a North Shore thing but this was the worst French Toast I’ve ever had. Salem food is a hit or miss but 2 thumbs down for me on this place. Anyone that says otherwise clearly grew up on cream of wheat or something because it is horrible breakfast food as well as horrible lunch and dinner food. The French Toast had no cinnamon, vanilla, or confectionary sugar on top. It was bland and the egg was not fully cooked into the bread, but wet and soggy. The French toast had no flavor. Overall, I gave the French Toast a rating of 4.5/10. Also, I tried the Fish and Chips. The fish was smelly and fishy. The fries were soggy and salty. I have had better French fries at Wendy’s. I also had a hot Chai latte which was the one thing I ordered that was great. I give the hot vanilla Chai latte an 8.0/10. It was the only exception if there is exceptions. Last time I went here it was a year ago. I got the buffalo chicken wrap for lunch and it had hardly any buffalo sauce on it and dry chicken. I give it a 7/10. The customers here are rude and it is also tourist/kid central. This place is lousy. Idc what anyone says. THIS MEAL WAS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE/TERRIBLE/BAD. I DO NOT SUGGEST GOING TO RED’S TAVERN. DO NOT GO TO RED’S TAVERN.
… moreAlduien
7:20 a.m. Halloween Morning
Walked into a red café in Salem called Red’s Sandwich Shop. Ordered the “I Summon a Breakfast Burrito.” No theatrics, no spells, just eggs, cheese, and the kind of spice that hits harder than it should that early in the morning.
Perfectly warm, perfectly simple. Ate it fast, left slower.
There’s a reason this place has won best breakfast 30+ in a row. And now I know why.
Praise the 80 year old shop.
… morePapangkorn Worasuphap
Dining at Red’s Sandwich Shop feels like stepping back in time in the best way possible. This historic spot has a warm, old-school atmosphere that makes you feel instantly welcome. The décor carries a sense of tradition and charm, giving you the impression that you’re part of a local story that has been going on for decades.
The food is exactly what you hope for — hearty, flavorful, and prepared with care. The sandwiches are generous and well-balanced, with fresh ingredients that make each bite satisfying. Beyond the sandwiches, the menu offers plenty of comforting classics that remind you why this place has been a favorite for so long.
What I loved most is that the atmosphere and the food complement each other perfectly. It’s not just about having a meal; it’s about enjoying a piece of local history while tasting food that feels both authentic and delicious.
Red’s Sandwich Shop is more than a restaurant — it’s a tradition. If you’re visiting the area or looking for a spot with real character, this place is absolutely worth it.
… moreLindsey Trent
Best breakfast spot in Salem! We ate here several times. Food and service are fantastic! Clean, affordable, and cozy. Our server was great and gave us several recommendations on other places to check out around Salem. And they have, in my opinion, the best eggs Benedict ever! The hollandaise sauce is AMAZING!!
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