The most noteworthy restaurant and food truck openings in the Mid-Valley in 2023

Another year, another batch of restaurant and food truck openings to look back on.

I've been pleasantly surprised by the variety and creativity new owners are bringing to the Mid-Valley.

In no particular order, here are the most noteworthy restaurant and food truck openings this year.

3lephant Noodles

Hot noodles on a cold day and a runny nose from Thai chilis was exactly what the Mid-Valley didn't know they needed. 3lephant Noodles brings a lesser known side of Southeast Asian cuisine from owners Sherry Saetern and Lee Keomorakoth.

If you're not familiar with Laotian or Mien food, Keomorakoth is easy to talk to for a better idea of what you'd like to try. The papaya salad platter is something I think about weekly. Its tantalizing umami and sour-spicy sauce is addicting with an abundance of greens and crunchy rinds. The kaosoy is one of their noodle dishes I really enjoyed, especially if you like the extra toppings like pork blood and chicken feet. But if those sound too adventurous, the fish sauce fried chicken wings are also a good sticky, sweet and spicy dish.

Address: 4792 Silverton Road NE

New York Squares

Pizza's on! One of the most surprising finds of the year isn't in Salem but in Independence. New York Squares is the pizza you need to try from the Mid-Valley.

Owner Mike Galatioto is straight-forward, jolly and genuinely just loves pizza. His squares are a blend of Sicilian and New York-style pizza. The pies are a labor of love and he hopes folks can enjoy more pizza variety in the area.

The pies have a thicker crust and topping options are on the simpler side, which actually accentuates the taste. I am a big fan of the Grandma slice with hot honey drizzled on top, but all the toppings are solid choices.

Address: 240 Monmouth St., Independence

The Nu-chopped Sandwich

"Is it a sloppy joe or a different sandwich entirely?"

Well, the answer is kind of a funny story for The Nu-Chopped Sandwich food cart co-owner Patrick Anthony Burke Jr. He had been dreaming of owning a sandwich business for over six years, wanting to fuse his New York background with his wife's Midwestern roots.

The sandwich is called a Nu-Chopped because it's a mix of NuWay or Maid-Rite, which are loose meat sandwiches, with a chopped cheese. The sandwich is full of sauce and flavor, which is a nice change from standard burgers. I recommend a side of smoky fries or tots, which have a blend of seasonings that Burke keeps secret.

Address: 1510 Fabry Road SE

Manna Bakery

The bright yellow entrance of Manna Bakery is a cheerful addition to downtown Salem. After the closure of Cascade Baking Co. and downtown's Great Harvest location, Manna showed up at the perfect time.

Owners Lydia Short and Dirk Leichty bring their specialty sourdough bread and other pastries, both sweet and savory. In the mornings before they open, you can catch a whiff of fresh bread from the street.

In just a few months, the couple were able to expand with a cafe area in the space, allowing for more options like espresso, sandwiches and indoor seating.

I am a regular patron of the olive and rosemary sourdough, croissants and any other daily special that catches my fancy. There's a wide enough selection that regardless if you have dietary restrictions or simply don't like certain flavors, there's something for everyone in their pastry and bread case.

Address: 229 State St.

Mint Leaf Bistro

One of the few varieties of food I was surprised to see more of in Salem this year was Indian. Mint Leaf Bistro's opening brought more dishes I had never tried before and also a newfound love of kulfi.

The restaurant offers an extensive menu with appetizers, non-vegetarian, vegetarian and side options. Whether you go for lunch of dinner, you'll be sure to have a fairly large portion of whatever you order.

I'm a fan of the chicken biryani, lab kebab korma and the pistachio kulfi. Kulfi is a yogurt dessert that is a cross between a yogurt bar and gelato, in terms of texture. But the flavor is much milder and not as sweet, which I prefer.

Address: 360 High St. NE

Icarus Wings and Things

A women's sports bar in downtown Salem? Yes, and Icarus Wings and Things also specializes in both fried chicken and a vegan alternative.

The food-side of the venture is manned by Jonathan Jones, owner of Epilogue Kitchen and two-time James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist. Jones' co-owners include partner Maura Ryan and Kelli and Aaron Gilliland. The kitchen is entirely gluten free. Along with wings you can find sandwiches, salad, chili, dessert and a limited cocktail menu.

Despite its name, I find the fried mushroom alternative better than the chicken wings. I prefer my sauces on the side as I want my wings and things to be as crispy as possible. Otherwise, you can find me ordering collard greens and potato salad.

Address: 130 High St. SE

Em Chan covers food and dining at the Statesman Journal. You can reach her at echan@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @catchuptoemily.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Noteworthy restaurant openings in Salem, Oregon in 2023