In Restaurant Roundup, Em Chan shares the latest updates on some local restaurants. Have a question for a restaurant Chan should check out? You can send her your inquiries at [email protected].
Ring of Fire Frozen Treats
Ring of Fire Frozen Treats opened in June as West Salem’s newest dessert shop. The shop was previously On Any Sundae and was owned by Caleb Hayward, who then sold it to Zach Voss. Voss hopes to offer people in West Salem more than just ice cream; the shop also offers boba milk tea, drinks named after the Ring of Fire area, bubble waffles and even a karaoke room.
Voss explained his vision for Ring of Fire was to create a more kid-friendly environment by incorporating pop culture elements and moving away from the vintage aesthetic of the previous store. He added that the diverse menu was designed to offer something unique to the area, noting that there was no dedicated spot nearby for boba milk tea or bubble waffles – a sweet Hong Kong-style waffle with oval bubbles instead of the usual square indentations. The name “Ring of Fire” reflects the theme of the drinks and sundaes, which are inspired by the flavors and destinations of the Pacific Rim region.
Another element Voss is adding is a karaoke room. In Asia, karaoke is a popular pastime for all ages, and he is setting up a room for it in his store, with glow-in-the-dark decorations and a sofa, and it will be ready for use soon, he said.
Voss said he hopes to support the community’s youth in his long-term plan as well. There will be rewards in the form of redeemable treats for students who show progress in their studies or other education-related activities (sports, music, etc.). Voss, who has children of his own, said he hopes students who may be struggling will see this as a strong incentive to work hard. For those of working age, Voss said he will eventually need to hire young people and wants to hire them to give them a place to learn how to provide services.
To stay updated on the dessert shop, follow the Facebook and Instagram page @ring_of_fire_ice_cream.
Hours: daily 12pm–9pm
Address: 1124 Edgewater St. NW
Palominos – The most beautiful Palominos
Palominos closed its doors on August 9, just over a year after the casual fine-dining restaurant opened.
Rumors of the restaurant’s closure began circulating online earlier this week, and employees confirmed the rumors were true. A post on the restaurant’s Facebook account confirmed the rumors. The post detailed how Paradigm Business Management Group sold its business assets to executive chef Travis Gunn. Gunn will unveil a new concept for the location, with more details to come. Palomino’s management did not respond to requests for comment.
Owner Will Mary said the goal when opening the restaurant was to create a place where people could enjoy quality food in a setting that was alternately casual and formal. The restaurant offered a mix of burgers, pasta, fancy takes on classic entrees and also caviar. The restaurant had a Western-like theme that accentuated the interior, while the dark wood and chandeliers created an upscale feel. The parking garage outside was also one of the largest in downtown Salem and was built by the restaurant’s former tenant, The Kitchen on Court Street.
For updates on Palominos’ future development, follow the Facebook page.
Address: 466 Court St. NE
Em Chan covers food and dining for the Statesman Journal. You can reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @meet Emily.
