Hometown Eats: Garcia’s Bistro

SALEM, Va. (WDBJ) - When Garcia’s Bistro in Salem announced it was closing earlier this year, fans of the restaurant were shocked.

But now, Garcia’s is back with the same great flavor and lots of gratitude. We’ll show you in this week’s Hometown Eats!

“We closed for three weeks but as soon as I open this place, all my customers come back. Right away,” said owner Victor Garcia.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, but in Salem, absence just made stomachs rumble. Welcome to Garcia’s Bistro on Wildwood Road.

“There was a lot of hugs,” added Garcia.

Victor explained the first day back after they closed to fix some things in the kitchen earlier this year, “It was a lot of thank you guys for opening it was thank you guys for this, thank you for coming back. That meant a lot.”

But if you know anything about Victor, nothing keeps him out of the kitchen.

“Cooking in that kitchen, that is my love. You can see me walking and talking to my customers, but you send me to the kitchen I’ll be so happy to go back there. It’s what I do. It’s what I love,” said Garcia.

A love that started over 30 years ago in Long Beach, California before bringing his flavors to Virginia in 1999. From a restaurant in Roanoke, to time in Blacksburg helping a friend. Victor opened Garcia’s Bistro in 2023.

“The people in Salem treat me really good because as soon as I opened this place, they started coming in,” said Garcia.

“Saw that it was like a breakfast/Hispanic fusion and I was like I need to try that. It was great the first time I came, I brought him and now we’re back,” said regular customer Christopher.

“It’s where I bring this kind of style to Salem,” said Garcia.

Just like the old Omelet Shoppe that was in this location, it’s breakfast all day, every day.

“I love a good waffle, so I want another one of those,” said regular customer Garren.

“Breakfast tacos,” added more than a dozen time regular Pete.

“They like my breakfast burritos, huevo rancheros, chilaquiles, they start enjoying my dishes,” said Garcia.

One of the most popular breakfast platters is the Jalisco Breakfast, carne asada with refried beans, eggs and chilaquiles. Finished with queso fresco, sour cream and onions.

Keep in mind, if you love something, order it soon, because Victor keeps his menu moving.

“Because in my mind you go to any kind of restaurant you are going to find a menu for years and years and years. I guarantee you if you come in today and check my special menu and come in two weeks, it will be something different,” said Garcia.

One example, the Torta Cubana. A twist on a Cuban sandwich by adding a little Southern flair.

“It’s country fried steak with ham, eggs, lettuce, tomato, carnitas in there. One of my big sales,” explained Garcia.

“That’s a good portion size,” added first time customer Garrett.

Don’t be shy with compliments. Victor says that’s the payoff.

“When they call me to the table and say everything is so good, that pays for everything,” said Garcia.

Garcia’s Bistro, a hometown eat where family is the secret ingredient.

Garcia’s Bistro is located at 349 Wildwood Rd, Salem, VA 24153 and is open 7:30am to 9pm every day.