In the heart of Homewood, unknown to many college students looking to eat on a budget, lies a restaurant that has been serving up home-style favorites for over five decades. Salem’s Diner, a family owned restaurant located on 18th Street, not only satisfies that craving for Mom’s cooking but also promises not to break the bank.

The Salem family has been delivering tasty dishes since 1951 when Ed Salem, former University of Alabama All-American and Washington Redskin, and his wife, Ann, opened their first restaurant, Salem’s Drive-In. Soon after, they opened two more restaurants along with Vestavia Bowl, which still continues to be owned by the family today.

For the past twenty years, Wayne Salem, the son of the late Ed Salem, and his mother have continued to appease the appetites and hearts of locals by cooking up fresh food and serving it with a welcoming smile. Customer service is their number one priority, and Wayne Salem is always ready to make each and every customer feel right at home.

“I’m not much about running people in and out like I’m herding cattle,” Wayne said. “I want customers to enjoy themselves, take their time and eat some good food.” Eating is no problem for the regulars who come in to dine.

“There’s no question that your meal will be good because Salem’s is consistent,” one local customer said. “The only problem is having to narrow down your choices and pick something to eat.”

Open for breakfast and lunch, Salem’s is known for their sausage and egg sandwiches; buttermilk biscuits; the ‘Salem’s Dog,’ which is loaded with mustard, onions, chili and kraut and, The Philly, piled high with onions, peppers and melted cheese, has even drawn national attention due to the “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.” Talk show host Craig Ferguson, who stopped in while doing a show at the Comedy Club in Homewood, announced on his show that Wayne Salem was telling no lie when he claimed it was “the best cheese steak he had in his life,” and urged Birmingham locals to try it for themselves.

On the lighter side, grilled fish and chicken sandwiches, Greek salads and a variety of other good bites are available for those seeking fewer calories.

As it’s been for 56 years, Salem’s is most concerned with putting a smile on customer’s faces, who inevitably come back to try something new. Salem’s Diner offers good food at a fair price, so stop in to this family-owned dig to visit with Wayne Salem and enjoy a 10 percent discount upon presentation of a Samford student I.D.

When the mood strikes for a home-style meal and home is just too far away, visit Salem’s Diner for a meal that tastes just like Mom’s cooking.