Salvador Molly's staff emulates legendary namesake Captain Salvador by pillaging culinary treasures from Ethiopia, Hawaii, Thailand, New Orleans, and Jamaica and gathering them together in an eatery that grew from humble beginnings as a hot-tamale cart. Frequent food challenges, the proceeds of which help low-income Oregon families foot heating bills, revolve around consumption of the menu's signature Great Balls of Fire fritters–spicy spheres featured on the Travel Channel's Man v. Food. Patrons who demolish all five habanero-cheese fritters with all the accompanying sauce get their picture added to the Hall of Flame and move onto the subsequent challenge of making out with a bonfire. Other far-flung entrees, such as the Hawaiian-inspired Tiki Mac with cheesy sweet potatoes, the Bayou Crunch catfish, and Molly's hot tamales, stuffed with yucatan chicken and cotija cheese, mirror the interior's exotic décor.
Photos of foreign locales crowd Salvador Molly's walls, surrounding colorful baubles that illuminate tables embellished with painted flames and vibrant cocktails. A wall dedicated to Africa flaunts a mural depicting desert terrain, stationed caddy-corner to African artifacts including a wooden mask. On Monday, diners feast upon culture by projecting two featured films directly into their mouths.
