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A Taste of Thyme Cafe
Category: Restaurants American (Traditional) American (Traditional) [Edit]
122 Washington StSalem, MA 01970
(978) 741-4269
- Nearest Transit:
-
Washington St @ New Derby St (426/455, 450, 451, 455, 456, 459, 465, 468)
New Derby St @ Klopp Alley (426/455, 451, 455, 459)
New Derby St Opp Klop Alley (426/455, 451, 455, 459)
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Breakfast
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
17 reviews for A Taste of Thyme Cafe
17 reviews in English
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Review from Nicole L.
Salem, MA
9/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is great, they have awesome Belgian waffles, coffee, and the staff is wicked nice.
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Review from Jessica B.
Beverly, MA
11/10/2011
Not thrilled with this one. Figured that nothing in downtown Salem could be that bad and survive there, so we gave decided to give it a shot.
I ordered lunch and my fiance ordered breakfast. They definitely know how to make breakfast foods... lunch? Not so much. I just got a caesar wrap. Pretty basic. But it was a bit over priced and tasted extremely bland. Could've made it myself.
My fiance's breakfast however was really good. He loved it. A three egg omelet with really good home fries. He really thought it was delicious so I'm confused why mine wasn't all that great. Who knows. Maybe an off day?
I will probably go back, I'll just be sure to order breakfast next time. Don't completely count them out. -
Review from Chrissie B.
Salem, MA
6/13/2011
I've been feeling guilty for not writing a review of this place for a long time. I've written reviews for places I've been to once but can't muster up the energy to write a review for a place that I've been going to every weekend for 4 years?? What's wrong with me.
Anyway, I give a Taste of Thyme as many stars as possible because:
1. Everyone who works there is super nice and friendly. They get us our drinks and bring them to our table before we even sit down!
2. everything we get is delicious (pancakes, omelettes) I usually cry a little inside when I get homefries anywhere else because they are NEVER as god.
3. It's bright and cheery inside. It's not fancy by any means but we had been going to breakfast at some other salem establishments that were just physically dark inside. Major downer. -
Review from Josie M.
Ayer, MA
7/3/2006
This restaurant did not appeal to me. As we walked in last Saturday a handwritten, scrawled, and misspelled sign greeted us that said "Breakfast now served all day Saturday's [sic]." We understood this to mean that in addition to the regular menu, breakfast would not stop at 11:00 but would be available all day. What it apparently ACTUALLY meant was that nothing else BUT breakfast would be served on Saturdays. This is an idiotic idea and translates into: Cook is lazy.
The theme for me was "all the elements for success/doing everything wrong." The nice-sized dining area was very poorly (and barely) decorated. The beautiful bay window looking onto the cobbled-brick start of the Pedestrian Mall was obstructed by two large day-glo posters, also scrawled in black magic marker. The menu was not particularly vegetarian-friendly for a place called "A Taste of Thyme Cafe". The name sort of evokes an herby, vegetable, sandwich, salad & quiche American cafe. It isn't. This is basically a diner - and not a good one.
The wait staff was friendly but a little too "Waffle House", if you know what I mean. They offer omelets and don't mention scrambles (or scrambled eggs with other ingredients added) so I knew that asking for a scramble with cheese and tomato would net me a dried-out, flattened and then chopped breakfast. I got an English muffin. It was bready, not crunchy, and not with butter (as advertised) but with whipped margarine - and very little at that. It was also cold by the time it got to the table. I also got home fries drowned in red seasoning salt which came with the remnants of my boyfriend's corned beef hash attached to them. NOT acceptable vegetarian fare. No attention to detail here.
My boyfriend reported that his banana pancakes were good.
Our server seemed nervous, maybe new, and it took a very long time to get her attention for anything because she wouldn't look up. The place had a couple of tables of seniors dining, seemingly regulars, seemingly satisfied. Not me.
I might return to check out lunch (not on a Saturday!!!) but so far I have not been impressed. My feeling is - and hey, I may be alone in this - but that as a customer, when I walk into your establishment to give you my money I expect you to be accommodating. Not to an excessive degree, mind you, but confusing people about what is available each day and then offering lousy versions of what IS on the menu is no way to conduct business. -
Review from Mike H.
Salem, MA
3/22/2008
I was disappointed. On a Saturday morning, the place didn't have many customers, and now I understand why.
I had one of the "specials", a peach-cinnamon waffle. The waffle was served luke warm with cold canned peaches on top and a sprinkling of cinnamon. What? I was expecting a warm peach compote, but no, I got canned peaches on top of my waffle.
The staff was ambivalent at best. Yeah, I was disappointed. -
Review from B.K. D.
Salem, MA
7/18/2010
I haven't been here in several years but the menu nor food has changed all that much. Still a bit of a line to get in around 10am for breakfast (about 5-10min).
It was quite busy with the waitstaff rushing around and we were asked about drinks fairly quickly. My guest asked for water and OJ. I asked for water with no Ice. We were both given the same thing - I thought about saying something to the waitress but chose not to (had been abstaining from juices and sodas). Finally said something to the woman taking my order because I did not want to be charged for it and wasn't going to drink it anyway.
Again, I said they were busy but they didn't appear to be overcrowded but it was to the point that I started to look around to see if people seated after us had gotten their food before our two person party as it had gotten to the point where I felt our meals should have arrived. I wish I had been being more attentive to the actual time - then I could add more useful commentary about it.
I ordered the Waist Watchers Omelet with Homefries and Multigrain toast. The omelet was OK though unremarkable. The homefries were dry and probably could have used ketchup however I was focused on the conversation with my guest and only ate about half of them.
The most disappointing was the toast. Yes, a side at best but it was slightly burned, EXTREMELY dry and had no butter on it at all. There was no butter on the table and I had no interest in asking for any. I certainly could have - the onus was on me - but chose not to.
If I'm looking for a place with good food for breakfast - I'd probably seek elsewhere. Definitely would brave the crowds of the Cheesecake Factory chain before I'd come here again and perhaps would have stood in the outdoor line in Red's in the already 84 degree weather at 9:45am.
Keep trying harder folks! I want to like ToT! -
Review from Kevin W.
11/4/2008
It was a fluke yet a good buiness strategy to stay open late on Halloween, that we decided to eat here.
The waffle I had could have been served warm and the butter would have melted when I put on it.
The regular business hours are odd 11 am to 3 pm - also they are not on Sunday. -
Review from Geoff M.
2/11/2008
Better food than Red's. Service is WAY slower. Be prepared to flag down your server if you need anything. Food tends to be very slow when the place is crowded. Very good omlettes.
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Review from Rachelle H.
Salem, MA
2/7/2010
a taste of thyme is so charming. the color scheme (all the walls being different bright colors, painted chairs, etc) is totally cute and works for this space. it's kind of like diner-style food, made a bit less greasy, in a restaurant space with old family furniture that was donated. i totally like that feeling. the prices can't be beat, and you won't have any trouble finding something you like on the menu.
the omelettes are fantastic. they're thick and well-stuffed (err...) and have a ton of flavor. the home fries are great. they're cut larger and cleanly and the potato skins actually stay on the potatoes (do you know what i mean? like at a lot of diners how the skins come off and the potatoes are kind of messy, albeit delicious?) they pair well with the heinz tomato ketchup. you know, as opposed to heinz banana ketchup that you keep seeing nowadays.
it cost me $12 bucks for lunch for two. SOLD! -
Review from Kimberly A.
Salem, MA
1/13/2009
I work on the same street as this cafe, and I frequently go there with coworkers for lunch. There are usually two women working. Both of whom are very nice, though the younger of the two always wears an expression that seems a bit confused, she still gets everything right when you order.
The food is made hot, it's affordable, and it's delicious. I have yet to go into this cafe and be disappointed in the food.
The atmosphere is a little kitschy, and the service is slow, but for the meal and the price, it can't be beat!!! -
Review from Alexis J.
Watertown, MA
8/9/2008
OK so this place is kind of weird looking inside. The decor is wildly out of date and cheesy. I just never feel comfortable with the environment. That being said, I still like having breakfast here. They offer all the basics... egg and cheese sandies, omelets, and home fries. It is consistently good and although semi popular on the weekends, you never have to wait long for a table. Service is slow and you usually have to waive for their attention, but they are all friendly just the same.
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Review from jenilee p.
Salem, MA
1/28/2008
this restaurant always appeals to me. it's a diner type atmosphere, a go with your family and your grandma after church type place, with friendly, attentive wait staff (always ready with hot coffee), and a guarantee to fill your stomach.
do i like breakfast? yeah, i love breakfast, particularly all day, wake up lazy on the weekend breakfast with friends. have i ever tried their lunch or dinner? nope, i never get home early enough from work. if it's a good sunday around 11, i will have my choice of pancakes, waffles, a western omlet, poached eggs with hollandaise (sp?), or the excellent value of the thrill of the grill (2 eggs- how you like them, home fries or baked beans, bacon or kielbasa or sausage, toast, and then the kicker of french toast or pancakes). most of this I believe falls at six dollars or under. as far as atmosphere is concerned, the waitresses get into the sports season approaching major games, wearing jerseys and gear to perk up patrons. cooks prepare new specials themed as "randy moss omlete", etc etc.
breakfast all day on a sunday or saturday (though i do believe now they only serve all day breakfast on sunday), is not a bad thing, and does not indicate that a cook is lazy. it's a comfort food thing. it's a sunday morning thing. it's a pass the maple syrup new england thing. it's in demand, and i hope the next president speaks his mind, endorsing all day breakfast.
[ps. a scramble? must be a vegetarian thing. for the record, i've asked about it at six different restaurants (both chain and not chain) on the north shore and boston and found blank stares. sounds awesome though.] -
Review from Stephanie H.
Salem, MA
2/9/2008
I have been here twice for breakfast. It is alright. Not great like Red's but a good place to go if you don't want to wait in the line at red's. They have a good size dining room and the two times I have been there we got our food fast, hot and the staff was friendly. We didn't have to wait for a table either time. The 2nd time we did get the last table that was dirty from the people that just left so we had to wait for it to be cleaned and re-plated. But that wasn't anything major in our eyes.
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Review from Paul M.
Salem, MA
5/28/2010
Taste of Thyme serves breakfast and lunch, though I've only been there for breakfast. It's a very family friendly place- I've been there with groups of up to 8 people and the waitstaff have been very accommodating. It can get busy on weekends for breakfast but I've never waited for a table longer than a few minutes. The dining area and restroom have always been very clean.
The menu is priced very low for the amount of good food you get - for example the "Thrill of the Grill" is about $7 and comes with eggs, bacon or sausage, home-fries or beans, toast and a plate of pancakes or French toast. The Captain Crunch French Toast is so good it makes me wonder why people bother with regular French Toast at all. Their Specials menu always has a great choice of different eggs benedicts and omeletes - the Polish Omelete (with kielbasa) is my favorite.
I consider Taste of Thyme the best place in downtown Salem to grab breakfast; it's on par with The Salem Diner but within walking distance of everything. -
Review from Jim K.
Salem, MA
1/20/2010 1 photo
In a word...clean, bright, inexpensive and cold food. Our usual fare of eggs over easy, hash, toast, bacon and fries were not the best we have encountered but not the worst either. Coffee is a "bottomless cup" but was served cold and cost extra. Food slow to arrive (and there were only 3 bodies to wait on) and was served only warm. Eggs were as ordered but the home fries were tasteless and seemed to be cut too large for our liking. Bacon done just right but could have used one more "pat" on the paper towel to remove more grease. Our server was prompt but far from a morning cheer-us-up treat.
Our experience made us wonder if this was evidence of new ownership that is still trying to get used to the customers and the stove.....maybe......and maybe not.
At any rate...only slightly warm food makes us rate Thyme as a "witch" found in the "Witch City".
The Breakfast Guys -
Review from Joe S.
Boston, MA
12/21/2010
Weekend brunch at Taste of Thyme is a regular outing for us. We love the old school diner menu and vibe. Service has always been good, waitresses are friendly. Taste of Thyme is a great place for pancakes, waffles, eggs and coffee. We have weekend brunch regularly and are always happy with the food and service.
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Review from Mason R.
Methuen, MA
10/1/2009
I've been to this place a few times...the owner also has a local catering business which I have utilized on many occasions. Consistent with what several other reviewers have noted, I never have had an unsatisfactory meal here. I've had breakfast here more often than lunch, but everything has been well prepared with generous portions. And yes, the omelettes are quite large!
Is this the fanciest spot in Salem? Hardly. Is the decor a bit on the spartan-wacky side? Yep. Is it the best food? No, but it's better than many Salem eateries, including some living at much higher price points. It doesn't pretend to be haute cuisine, and you're not paying for that either. Just decent, acceptable food.
I'm sorry that the vegetarian reviewer had a bad experience here. In my experience, the wait and kitchen staff always have been quite accommodating to my wife's and my dietary needs.
