This week marks our 14 year anniversary. Holy smokes. That’s a lot of chicken teriyaki and rice. It all started January 1, 1996 at the Reed Opera House. Dino and his brother Mike opened up Venti’s Bento in an old ice cream cafe, serving skewered chicken over rice — then came veggies, then came beef. It has blossomed into Venti’s, a full-service gastropub in the heart of downtown Salem, OR.
The brothers rocked it together until Dino bought Mike’s share in 2001. Venti’s had already outgrown the Reed, especially after adding beer taps to the cozy confines of the 800 sq ft shop.
After a long, arduous search, we skipped across the street in July of 2008 into our wonderful new location, expanding the menu and beer selection (as well as adding a full basement bar), Venti’s has become the place to be in Salem.
Thanks for your continued support. We couldn’t have done this without you. Literally: Our customers and staff helped move us in 2008!
We would like to invite you to share your favorite Venti’s story with us as a comment on the blog. We’ll gift one of you with a $20 gift certificate, which we’ll select on January 27th.
14 years of Venti’s awesomeness
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Ahhhh Venti’s, where the beer is exquisite and the patrons are finely tuned consumers with a taste for the daring and a thirst for rubbing elbows with strangers… Where a guy can enjoy one beer or ten, guilt free, perhaps thinking he has a chance with one of the lovely ladies serving drinks or realizing he smells like a blast of methane gas after mtn. biking all day… Is it a joint for urban hipsters complete with witty & ironic humor or is it a place for athletes to discuss their tales of danger drinking to celebrate or forget? It’s these things and more, most notably it’s that place where anyone can arrive and feel comfortable whether they’ve been there once or dozens of times.
Good job you guys and congratulations on 14 years! That’s quite an impressive accomplishment in any town, but especially Salem.
I would have to say that my favorite Venti’s memory was when I discovered they served regular french fries. Also, all the stories Dino has told me about what it was like when he helped elect Abraham Lincoln – he just knew he was gonna preserve the Union!
Just wrote about our time at the Basement Bar recently. http://grizzlygrowler.com/2010/01/04/the-great-oregon-beer-adventure-2009/
Tim
im such a sap. totally teary eyed after reading this. i love you guys! congrats uncle dino <3
This isn’t going to specifically focus on the absolute deliciousness of Venti’s food – and it is delicious, but of an incident that occurred doing a photoshoot for Venti’s food.
I’m hesitant to name names (*ahem* *cough* LESLIE *cough)…
The kitchen was preparing a few dishes for me to photograph. And as I was photographing some of the beautiful dishes, John came in to take care of any necessary business Dino & the Venti’s establishment may need to have John complete. Once done with his duties, John sat down to await his earned culinary dish from the kitchen.
So as I’m taking photos of the Boulder Bowl, the kitchen places John’s scrumptious Sweet Potato Fries in front of him. Just as John is about to partake in said fries, someone (*ahem* *cough* LESLIE *cough) notices out of the corner of her eye John’s motion towards *HIS* fries. (*ahem* *cough* LESLIE *cough) yells, “John, NO!!!” and proceeds to grab the plate of fries, further explaining, “Will has to photograph these.”
Needless to say, no, I didn’t have to photograph the fries, they were John’s, and bewildered and upset he shot straight out of the front door. By the time the kitchen explained this to Leslie, John was already up the block, and would not acknowledge (*ahem* *cough* LESLIE *cough) as she ran out the door, calling his name, and trying to get his attention.
Two things. After this incident I figured I’d better photograph this dish, which I think turned out great. And secondly, one of the perks of doing food photography is being able to consume the food afterwards. Each dish I photographed was shared and eaten quickly by all involved, except the Sweet Potato Fries. No one wanted to invite the negative juju or bad karma now so obviously associated with that dish!
But it was that specific dish only, as the Sweet Potato Fries are way to delicious to ever allow themselves to be sullied in perpetuity due to one particular incident.
When we use to sell ice cream way back when, there was a black licorice ice cream that I tried out…
Let me tell you.. NEVER TRY THE BLACK LICORICE ICE CREAM… when your about 7 years old and what’s supposed to be BROWN in the toilet, is BLACK in the toilet.. it’s a little scary.
We have been going to Venti’s since it first opened where Napoleons now is. My husband would go work out at the Golds gym when it was just around the corner and then I would meet him downtown for chicken and rice, when the chicken was on the skewers and there were no wraps and no bar
. We would go to Venti’s about 4 times a week for dinner. My daughter, who was 4 at the time, used to say “Chicken and rice, chicken and rice, all we have is chicken and rice”. Because if we weren’t eating chicken and rice from Venti’s I was making it at home for my husbands special diet. That saying has stuck around and we often say it when we are heading down to Venti’s. Don’t get me wrong, she loves your chicken and rice! We all do. Thanks for providing our family with so much protein over the years! We love you Venti’s!
On Wednesday nights I always look forward to my post run pint of Tricerahops. On pub crawl nights we seem to linger the longest at Venti’s, and the new burgers are awesome!!
I was there on day one! One of my fondest memories was the day beer taps were installed in the old locale. I was proud to be part of the after hours quality control team.
I have been to Venti’s several times since moving here only two months ago. As for many, the sweet potato fries are my favorite. But I suppose my most memorable time there was this past New Year’s Eve…the masquerade bash (for which I brought but did not wear a mask…bad me!). It was so nice to just hang out at one of the tables downstairs as more and more derby folks came in and joined us. Just a very warm and inviting place.
Venti’s. I’ve been hanging around there since they were the small ice cream spot across the street. : ) The food is by far some of the best in Salem, and I can say the same for the people that hang out there as well. : ) My favorite memory there was me and a couple of friends came in to eat one night. These two friends were dating and I keep noticing the girl AND the guy checking out Andy after he brings our food. The girl asked who he was and I told her, then her boyfriend asked why and she got all bashful. She said he was gorgeous and without missing a beat her boyfriend said “I was thinking the same exact thing!!!” I almost died laughing right there…
The good ol’ days back in Salem will forever be associated with Venti’s. I’d first heard that was the place to grab a bowl of the best teriyaki after a ride at Blackrock with Wade Waddell. Next day I wandered down the alley from the office and sampled the character (and characters) of Venti’s. After that made it a point to wander down that way at least once a week. Always a good vibe to be had.
It’s the first place I think of when someone asks where to meet up in Salem for a lunch meeting. Heck, I’ve taken IMBA trail care crew dignitaries there to dine and drink, and I’d brimg my mom there twice on Mother’s Day.
This summer we took a 22 day, cross-country driving trip and covered 23 states in those days with our 4 kids. We had planned for this trip for years and even dubbed it The Epic Journey, and set out to see more than half of the continental states — 6 of us crammed into one vehicle. (http://nwduffer.wordpress.com/)
At times, we literally felt like we were eating our way across the country. The best hole in the wall Mexican food in Arizona, amazing Italian food in New Mexico, wonderful BBQ in Kentucky, migas in Austin, grits in Georgia…we really made the most of our culinary travels. A highlight definitely was eating family style with a sweet older gal in the basement of Miss Mary Bobo’s in Lynchburg, TN at the Jack Daniels distillery. We even hit up Commander’s Palace in New Orleans where Emeril Lagasse served as Executive Chef, (the birthplace of Bananas Foster,) and scarfed down beinets and chickory coffee at Cafe Du Monde, before grabbing gumbo and jambalaya on our way out of New Orleans.
Suffice to say, we had definitely tried our hardest to research and eat the signature dishes of the local communities, and had a fabulous time doing so!
When we got back to Salem, the first meal out we had was back at Venti’s. We ordered a mix of our usual standards between the 6 of us, settled in upstairs and had a nice dinner. After we ate, before leaving my wife said, “you know, even after all those great meals, if I was traveling through Salem and ate at Venti’s, THIS place, and this food would want to make me move here.”
Venti’s is special to me not because of the fries or food, but because of the people involved with it. I’ve known Conrad and Bobby since highschool, and there always seems to be old friends and aquaintances there. This makes it hard to pick a favorite memory so I’ll go with two.
1. Venti’s 1 year anniversary at the new location occured shortly after I started my beer blog. For awhile I’d been trying to catch Dino at Venti’s when he wasn’t busy working so I could do a interview about the tap selection. About this time Leslie sent me an email about me possibly writing a small piece for my blog on the 1 year anniversary. I grabbed my friend Bill, my laptop, and we headed in on our way to a football game that day. Of course everyone was busy as usual so we grabbed some food and headed to the basement to eat. I figured I’d just make something up since it looked to busy to talk to anyone. Next thing I know Leslie and Jack are at the table with us. We had a great time talking and Dino even managed to snag some free time for a bit before they all went to another table to eat with family. Since then Jack and I have emailed and commented back and forth about beer as he continues what he calls his beer education. That short chat in Venti’s basement snagged me not only a loyal reader, but I met an awesome guy who I enjoy discussing beer with.
2. After a stressful day at work I headed into Venti’s for a pint to help me wind down. I’m used to only having enough time to order one pint on work days because I’m off at 10pm, and by the time I get to Venti’s it’s usualy last call. This day however Thane was bartending, and it was busy enough he was keeping it open a little later. In between his serving drinks Thane and I spent what felt like hours discussing great beer. In realtiy it was probably only an hour. Thane is one of the most knowledgable people in Salem when it comes to beer, and is more knowledgable then probably 95% of the Portland crowd. It was great to talk with the man behind Venti’s great beer taps.
Notice my 2 favorite memories involve geeking out over beer???
For me, my obsession started with Venti’s started in the early days when I was in beauty school across the street from the original location. Too bad for lazy me, the fantastic new location is 2 doors down from the school, but I digress… I started going to Venti’s practically everyday in school, filling myself for less than I would spend anywhere else in town. The $4.95 lunch special was my usual, unless of course I made extra tips that day and splurged on a regular Hawaiian, hold the tomatoes, extra cheese, please. I ate there 4 out of the 5 days a week I was in school. Our lunch at the beauty school was pretty early, 11, so most days a pack of 5 or 6 of us opened Venti’s doors at 11:01 on the dot. We usually had to eat and run, so we didn’t get to spend much QT in the joint. After graduating ( Again, thanks for the on the house pint on graduation day, Dino
) I took a job in a salon close enough I would often get a chance to sit and enjoy my lunch while Dino sat in the window cutting the days ration of chicken and telling me his fave stories of his grandfather who was a barber in Hollywood during the hay day of the silver screen, and some of his clientel, such as Old Blue Eyes himself. I used to love listening to Dino’s plans for expansion into a bigger location, and couldn’t wait for his dreams come true. Now, it’s all a reality, every little idea he had and shared. I enjoyed every conversation and story Dino was kind enough to share with me on my lunch breaks. Today, 6 years after school, I now work in a salon 1 block away from Venti’s new spot, and I’ll be damned if I didn’t admit I took that job offer due to the proximity of the best food and bar in town! The menu is fantastic ( I can afford anything on it now, not just the lunch special ), the beer selection is by far the best in town, and the friends and entertainment on any given night is the greatest. Thanks for many memories, Venti’s, and here’s to many, many more in the years to come!!
I love Venti’s … I’ve become completely addicted to their wonderful menu! It all started with Leslie telling me a certain Derby member loved the sweet potatoe fries… and for days all I craved were sweet potatoe fries! Well… broke down, got out of my office and went and got some of those fries!! I brought them back to my office, sat down at a conference table and proceeded to enjoy my fries– when one by one the fries began to disappear by my crew! All I have to say is now, almost everyday there is at least one box of sweet potatoe fries at the office. Today, I show up with a new entree and it all started over again! We’ve ALL become Venti’s addicted and I imagine you will see us there on a regular basis!! I have to admit I rarely made it out to lunch before I found the best food in town — but now I make a point of it! Thanks Venti’s!!
Submitted on 2010/01/05 at 7:34pm
My hubby and I seem to be way behind times, we kept meaning to venture outta our cave dwelling and get downtown to give Venti’s a try, a restaurant that we had heard many of our friends rave about.
It’s a funny story really, I finally decided to stop in on a lunch break and to my dismay, Venti’s was gone!! (at the time I didn’t look across the street to notice you had just moved across the way, I’m completely blind apparently) so I went back to work thinking I missed out big time.
Then with Culture Shock’s community activities in October, I won a certificate to Venti’s Cafe and immediately called up the hubby and had him meet me downtown.
We were buzzing about the place immediately, it has a comfortable feel for the family yet also a big city vibe. The food is wonderful and fresssh with a crowd pleasing menu. (Mmmm sweet potato fries)
We’re looking for an opportunity to check out Venti’s Basement, I have a feeling we’ll feel right at home with your impressive tap list. Been looking for that perfect spot to hit up some blues over some quality beer. Tell me that’s in the plans and I’m a forever fan.
Dino is my son-in-law; Leslie, my daughter. Both of whom, I am duly proud.
After Venti’s Cafe had opened at 325 Court Street in the Summer of 2008, Dino and/or Leslie asked if I could help. So, . . .
. . . We met in the unfinished basement. Dino showed me the bench-seat that had been taken from the Reed Opera House and ask if I would mount it on the wall in the basement.
The bench-seat was about 12 feet long, 14″ wide, stained plywood seat on 2×4 frame, with a 21″ tall stained plywood, angled back. The bench seat had been Saw-All’ed off the wall at Reed; the braces which had held up the bench seat at the Reed were useless.
I smiled wanly, swallowed, and said something to the effect of ‘It is possible’. I had no experience as a cabinet maker/shop-fitter.
At home I search the internet and found two sites with vague plans/instructions for bench seats that looked suitable for the task and I began the process of re-purposing the lumber contained in the Reed bench seats and lumber left over from construction of the bar.
During the 3-4 weeks I worked in the basement building/installing the benches, I came to know most all of the staff; I ate many lunches; I took many ‘to-go’ dinners home. Venti’s came to feel like an extension of home.
Sarah and I departed Salem in December to winter in SW Fla. The bar opened in January 2009. On return to Salem in April, the VBar became my local and the source by which I came to know and appreciate Pacific NorthWest craft beer.
Hail to Venti’s. Hell, yes.
Alright, I’m obviously not gonna be included in the drawing/picking for the gift certificate, but I can’t read all these wonderful stories about gift certificate and not give my story.
Dino is my uncle. Many of my friends and now business associates have come to know him as Uncle Dino as well. I was 12 when Venti’s opened and I started working there with UD as soon as I was legally allowed. Since day one of the “Venti’s Bento” opening Dino and I have grown to be great friends. He is hands down the most father-like figure during my adolescence. Working and hanging with him at Venti’s through high school and college taught me much of what I know about life and work ethic. His passion for what he does at Venti’s gave me clarity in how to search for my path in education and a career. If you know Dino, you know he loves what he does and that has influenced my life tremendously.
Through the years, I’ve learned how to cook, learned how to work, learned how to love, learned how to network and learned how to market because of this place and because of that man. Thanks UD!
i would have to say the most interesting and mildly entertaining memory was causing a guy to drop his food at the Reed location, This was as a result of him seeing me in my kilt ( or so i figured) as he was fine until i stood up to put my dishes away and he tripped into a chair and dropped his to-go food onto a table . He never told me why he dropped it, but this was my only guess. I offered to replace it but he was pretty kool about it. he just asked 1 of the kids behind the counter for a plate and scooped his food into the plate/bowl.as far as when, it was during the summer and mid afternoon(both doors were open and it was nice and warm out,a rarity in Salem). Im thinking he was a Tourist as before i left, he asked for directions to the MALL.
Venti I will be if I continue down this road…
Let me start off by saying I just moved to Salem in December, and Venti’s has become one of my favorite locations. It was the sweet potato fries that addicted me one night after work, was there with friends for drinks. It was her birthday. That sweet chili sauce.. to die for. Can’t leave without sampling beer, and martini’s either… I guess it was more than a sampling.
Decisions, decisions.. where to go for lunch with my manager. I raved about the sweet potato fries, and off we went. In line, thought we would beat the rush at 11:30– Apparently I’m not the only one that loves Venti’s, we didn’t beat the rush. Something catches my eye, aside from the food. In the booth by the counter, a man. Yes.. a man, he was eating the food though.. which also looked exquisite. Strikingly handsome, I couldn’t stop glancing at him. Sweet Potato fries have landed–my manager she loves them too, but not like I love them. She too is now addicted, amazing sweet chili sauce. Chicken Pita, excellent… but not as good as her Chicken Thai Peanut Bowl… phenomonal.
Couple more glasses of water I need… thirsty…he’s sitting in the booth by the water. Opened zip up sweatshirt (hooded I think) t-shirt underneath.. nice shoes.. hiking perhaps… Merrell’s maybe? Jeans are purposely worn and faded, purchased that way. A little natural curl to his hair, medium brown. Longer in the back.. NO not a mullet. Mid to late 30’s. .At one point he put glasses on, black rimmed on the top –still breathtaking.. and now he has added a little intellectual flare. Everyone seems to know him, random customers are walking up to his table to talk to him. Oh.. is that an accent I detect? Or maybe that is just what I want to hear, I like to hear that. Is he single? Is he straight? Contemplated taking a picture with my phone, how awkward would that be, but he does remind me of a friend of mine. I could play that route. “Excuse me, have we met before?” That’s about as tactful as “where’ve you been all my life?” or “Do you wash your pants in windex?” I don’t, I don’t say a word. Mainly because it’s not my place, not the right time. We leave.
My start to 2010 has been, well its left a bit to be desired. Its for lack of better terms.. gut wrenchingly depressing. So I get this email, because I became a fan of Venti’s.. favorite Venti’s story. Maybe this is a sign? I love Venti’s. I also have recently watched Julie and Julia, why not blog about this? Where do I blog? Not on my facebook. Venti’s needs a story. Did I mention I have decided to start coming back randomly to see if I run into the man in the booth? I did today. I had the soup of the day, herbed pork with cabbage… and this time I got the Chicken Thai Peanut Bowl. No man in the booth. I love the atmosphere here…
Maybe the man in the booth was a sign, of what I’m not quite sure. The power of intention? Speaking of which, I am going to start reading Rhonda Byrne.
Doesn’t matter, I love Venti’s.
My favorite memory of Venti’s was teaching my daughter how to use chopsticks for the first time. She was 2 1/2 and saw that I was using chopsticks and asked if she could to. Andy was nice enough to find me a rubber band from some broccoli. (nice and helpful as always). With the rubber band, the wrapper from the chopsticks and a little creativity, we were able to make a spring loaded starter chopstick set. My daughter was VERY proud of herself as she picked up a piece of chicken from our thai chicken peanut bowl (with brown rice, cabbage and ginger). It was a good day.
First off congrats to 14 AWESOME years! It gives other business’s in Salem hope.
I would stick my head in and see if you wanted me to bring you a coffee from across the street. You “usually” did unless someone already beat me to it, (your cousin) And then we’d chat a bit. About nothing in general, maybe business, maybe biking, maybe photography, whatever it was I always enjoyed “catching up”. I am also VERY VERY stoked to see your success not only at the Reed but from across the street! Congrats Dino and Leslie!
Secoundly one of my fondest memories is when you were inside the Reed Opera House. I remember coming dowm from my studio and walking by the window and you’d be waist high in chicken.
So… there’s been a million fun times at Venti’s… but I would have to say my birthday takes the cake. Not only did they let me take over the stereo and pump my jams AND take over the upstairs for dancing, but they got me a stripper! (Ok, **ahem** Venti’s did not provide the stripper, but did certainly welcome him onto their premises >AFTER 10 pm Still want those sweet potato fries like WHOA!
My favorite Venti’s Memory…
While working at Venti’s during the summer and while Dino was out of town, Kenny and I were left to run the show. It was a Saturday not unlike any other Saturday in Downtown Salem. The morning was running smoothly, Kenny was in his corner preping chicken while I took orders and served customers. Life was good, too good. All of sudden we became very busy, which tends to happen. This was not a problem. Kenny ran to the back of the cafe to start thawing some more chicken and we began to furiously fling chicken and rice. Now if you were “blessed” enough to work in the smaller cafe, you can appreciate the carefully choreographed dance one must perform to successfully move throughout the cafe. Kenny and I were on fire. We served customer after customer without a problem. In the middle of our rush something strange happened, not uncommon but strange. We found ourselves walking through a large puddle of water. At first we didn’t know where the water was coming from, thinking it was just a spill we continued. Not a safe choice but we had customers. We continue for a few more moments when in the middle of taking an order Kenny remembers where the water is coming from. Kenny asks me to take over and runs through the tiny kitchen and into the back room. Remember the thawing chicken? True to form the sink in the back room where the chicken was thawing had overflowed. Now we frantically serving the remaining customers while “dancing” through chicken water. Yum! Finally everyone is served and out the door. Kenny begins to mop up the water. It’s closing in on the end of the day and I’m putting away cold veggies and cleaning up this and that. Just as Kenny is finishing the back room, I open the frig to put away a very large container of pickled ginger. I carefully place the ginger in the frig and proceed to rearrange some of the items so that everything fits, when much to my surprise one of the shelves falls to the bottom of the frig. Pickled ginger as far as the eye can see. After some cursing and laughing, we clean up the ginger and finish closing up the cafe.
It was probably one of those you had to be there stories. It was just nice to be able to laugh even though I was covered in pickled ginger and chicken water.
To me, what is exciting about Venti’s is not any one single incident or visit, but the progression of the place. I remember being in high school and going into Venti’s for the first time. I remember meeting Dino and how friendly he was, regardless of whether you ordered a big meal or just a side of noodles. He always has a smile. (and back then, a ponytail). Then I remember the excitement I felt when the ice cream fridge appeared. Venti’s served ice cream! Then the beer. I remember saying to myself, one day, I will be old enough to come in, sit at the bar and drink a pint like all the other cool kids. After moving away for college and coming back, I was delighted to see that Venti’s had a new and much improved location. With… a full bar! And new menu items. Oh how the times have changed. My favorite noodle shop has now become my favorite bar and restaurant in town.
I was just the first employee.. nut’n much, helped figured out the sauces.