In A Pig’s Eye
148 Derby St, Salem, MA, 01970
In A Pig’s Eye Menu
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Address :
148 Derby St
Salem, MA, 01970 - Phone (978) 219-6279
- Website https://www.inapigseye.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 10
- Mon : 11:30 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Becca M.
Friendly, laid back environment that's perfect for chowing down on some BBQ. Our server, Michael was kind, funny, and made us feel at home right away. I had the pulled pork sandwich and fries that were the perfect amount of crispy. The pork was smoked perfectly and went great with just a little sauce, because the meat Yates so good itself. All in all, a great place to grab a bite!
(5)Anna G.
What a great experience! Love it when you walk into a place and they treat you like family. We had a fabulous lunch of fried pickles, pulled pork sandwich and andouille sausage sandwich. The pork was juicy with no need for the sauce so it just became what it should be--an added bonus instead of a necessity. The sausage sandwich had amazing flavor with the coleslaw on top. The street corn side is incredibly inventive and super flavorful. We happened to come in on a Friday afternoon just before they set up for the Friday Blues Jam so we decided to stay. Second best decision of the day--the first being the one to stop here in the first place! The drinks are generously poured, complementary BBQ appetizers are served, the place is a solitary packed with a fun crowd, and the music is super entertaining. Every staff member we came in contact with during what turned into a 5 hour stay had the same genuinely happy-to-serve-you attitude. Go here. You won't regret it!
(5)Rose C.
A local recommended this place to us. We were skeptical when we walked in because it really is a bar with a few tables and I do mean a few. There were some inebriated locals chitchatting away within earshot and the food took forever to come. We were there for lunch and too tired and hungry to leave. We both got the brisket sandwich. Yum!! The sides were delicious also. My son's burger was amazing and he said so as he ate all of it. We weren't drinking but I could see it being kinda fun if you wanted to down a few with your meal. I hear they have cool live music also. Definitely worth checking out!
(4)Carol G.
Pork Belly sliders, what can I say, crispylicious, caramelized sammies of deliciousness. The side baked beans are some of the best I have had. The loaded mac n' cheese is off the hook. Everything eas fabulous. Our server Michael was the best. We love this place.
(5)David C.
Great little neighborhood joint! Not fancy but it's a place with lots of locals but if you're a tourist, like we were, they make you feel welcomed like a local. Deviled Eggs 3 ways were terrific for a starter! Wife and I both had the Pulled Pork sandwich. What a great sandwich! Better than many of the more famous BBQ joints I've been to. (And I've been to a lot!!) Fries cut from real, skin -on potatoes. Mac n cheese was creamy and very good. Highly recommend this place!
(5)Mark J.
Amazing service and food. You must try the pork belly sliders. Out of this world good and melts in your mouth.
(5)Philip M.
Fun. Fun. Fun. Met some cool people and had a wonderful meal. Drinks were on spot. Highly recommend to everyone. Philip Martin
(5)Jo M.
It's a "dive" but with great food - what's not to love?! Don't expect to be treated like a king(or queen), don't expect a lot of space, or a bathroom you will enjoy your visit in. Do expect a bit of local flavor, very good BBQ (for the area at least) and a nice beer selection and a lively atmosphere.
(4)Richard C.
This is a perfect example of a local "dive". A mix of locals, regular visitors and tourists. The service leaves a lot to be desired; the decor is outdated and dirty; the ambiance is LOUD! The food is very good, possibly the best Mac and cheese on the North Shore. Really good pub grub. Sandwiches, steak tips, fries, etc.. Great beer assortment. It's not pretty; the servers are kids with an attitude ( which they're not old enough to have developed yet).; the whole place could use a good scrubbing, or at least a dusting; but the food is tasty, filling and reasonably priced. If you don't mind the atmosphere, this isn't a bad place. It tends to get very crowded at night due to the live music. If you're a tourist, try to come between 2 and 5, it's usually less crowded (FYI, there's only about a dozen tables inside).
(3)Tim C.
We had a very good time here. The food was good but with the addition of their sauces provided at each table, the food became great. Even though there was a little mess up on our order I was pleasantly surprised by them fixing the problem quickly and they gave us some free peach cobbler and corn. There is a nice atmosphere here. However, the place is quite small for how busy it was (we went during lunch and the place was almost completely full). So don't be surprised if you get there and the place is completely full.
(5)Shannon C.
One of the best places in town to see live music. Love the intimate atmosphere and lack of TV's. It's one of the most relaxed and chill places to go in Salem.
(5)Karma K.
I really feel bad writing a 2 star review for an independent restaurant but it's my honest feeling. Here is why: It's a cute litte place on a corner not to far from where you depart the Ferry coming from Boston. I didn't have a problem with the smallness of it or "vintage" feel. I'm good with the vibe. My issues are... What restaurant in 2014 doesn't serve any diet soda? None, nada, zilch here. They offered us iced tea or ginger ale. OK but I still don't get it. I ordered a vegetable melt sandwich and it was to come on French Bread with fries. Ok, I got the fries, like 10 of them. The sammie did NOT come on french bread. Instead it was some sauteed veggies spooned on top of wheat toast with a slice or two of swiss cheese melted on top. I hate open face sandwiches. When I crave a sammie, I want to pick it up and eat it with my hands. Also, don't say it's on French bread when hello it's not! It was a crowded day in Salem and the service suffered because of it. Maybe it was an off day but I doubt I'll return. I walked past several other restaurants after eating here and was disappointed that I didn't keep walking to try something else. I will say their prices are very reasonable but still 10 fries, wrong bread and sytle of sandwich and no diet soda?!!!
(2)Jeff C.
The new BBQ menu is amazing. From the wings to the collards to the ribs, everything was fantastic. If you enjoy good BBQ give them a try. We'll be back for sure!
(5)Stefan S.
Stopped in for lunch while walking around Salem looking for some decent pub fare. We were a group of 5 and were met with uncertain eyes upon walking through the door - as if our party of 5 was too much to handle (the place was half full). After ordering a few tall boys of Narragansett ($2.50, a steal to be truthful), we waited about 15 mins before asking for the beers to be delivered. We ordered our lunches - some clam chowder, a turkey sandwhich, a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches and some fish cakes. When one of my friends inquired if her sandwich came with fries or chips, the waiter said, "oh yeah, either one, but I assumed you wanted fries." Quite presumptuous. My wife asked for American cheese. Dont be silly - they dont have American cheese. Fish cakes came out in a timely manner but were pretty bland. My friend enjoyed his turkey sandwich. Chowder was OK. Truthfully I wouldnt have even written this review if it werent for our waiter. He was a scrawny punk kid who was snippy and seemed like he couldnt care less to be at work. Upon bringing the chowder to the table, he just pushed my friend's hands out of the way with the chowder bowl, rather than annoucing his presence. He also seemed to be pissy when we asked another waitstaff member for our check because he refused to make eye contact with anyone at the table. Here's a Yelp tip for In the Pigs Eye - theres a fine line between a dive, and a crumby restaraunt. You're crossing that line. Oh and they dont have cocktail sauce either.
(2)Spiny N.
Good eats and a good selection of beers. Small with about a dozen tables. We stopped in around 1230 on a weekday. Service was attentive without being in the way. Try the smashed cuban and a Ipswitch Ale!
(5)Priscilla O.
Currently waiting to pay.. Idk why this place has good reviews other than the live music. The bartender who served us was a bitch, my clam chowder wasn't that appetizing but that may have been due to the stench of bad odor filling the place. Will not return.
(1)Rachael H.
I went for Sunday brunch. I should've known not to eat the food when I saw the spider webs. Anyway, long story short, I had to take the following day off from work after a long night of being sick from food positioning. Needless to say, I will never return.
(1)Corey L.
Stopped in to watch a friend sing on a week night, which was great. It's a small, pretty typical New England pub/restaurant. Really nice they have local musicians and art on the walls. Best thing about the place (besides every possible pig paraphernalia you could imagine) was the bar tender/server. She was handling the whole place, was quite nice, and took great care of us. Had 6 beers on draft, which was decent. Menu was Mexican, which surprised me. Saw a plate of nachos as I walked in that looked quite tasty. I ordered the special of duck quesadilla. Typical looking quesadilla drowned in two giant globs of sour cream and guacamole. Inside was a crap load of duck breast and cheese, but not much else. So it was tasty, but I'd like some more flavor. Also had a small greek salad, which was surprisingly adequate in size and ingredients for a little pub like that. Definitely will go back for music and grub/beer.
(3)Chris O.
Hard to explain why I am so fond of this place. Service is poor to fair, food is fair to good. Interior is small, super cozy, and well decorated (no TVs!). Definitely a local crowd--very much a neighborhood restaurant. Music almost every night of the week. My go to for a cheap meal and a strong cocktail in a pint glass. Quick warning: I've never found this place to be a well run restaurant. Been here five or six times and every time the whole operation feels a bit disorganized. Service is usually on the slow side and no one is bending over backwards to help you. For me this is part of the charm, but don't come in on a busy night or with a large group if you're not ok with enduring a bit of chaos getting seated. .
(4)Rita M.
Found this place because when traveling I look for local holes instead of chains and this is definitely it. Service was slow but that's okay because I don't like to rush when eating out. I loved the total laid back feel of this place and food tasted like a real home cooked meal. Didn't go late enough to see live music but can't win them all, I approve this place.
(3)Debra G.
This place is a Local Favorite of Mine * YES - Great service, Gives You the feeling of Eating Mom's Home Cooked Meals * YES - Open space & Setting, Little Tight at Times, But Open Concept * YES - Awesome Lunch Options * MIX - Crowd Food has Always been Delicious. Portions are Perfect! Nothing to Small or Too Big. The food is so good, it leaves you wanting more and to take some home. They even Put together their own Curry/Dipping Sauce! ASK FOR IT! (Not many know its around) They don't put a bottle on every table as I believe theres only one Bottle. Its SPICY! Has such a unique flavor, that its almost that good to put on anything. I used it for dipping in My Crunchy F. Fries. Try it out for sure! I can't say anything bad about this place. I am starving at the moment and think I may take a trip over there! The only CON is that its in Salem, MA. Parking is off street and in the tight squeeze throughout all the streets and all the tourism, its always difficult to find spacing close. Around every corner there's something to look at in Salem, so its not a bad thing parking a little ways away for the walk. If you're lucky You will find some parking close but i have been here about 5 times now and only once have i found something right outside. Their worth the walk though :) SAMPLE OF THEIR MENU ITEMS: Grilled Cheese - $3.25 New England Crab Cakes - $7.95 Risotto Cakes on Mixed Greens - $7.95 B-B-Q Pork Sandwich - $7.25 Hearty 8 oz. Burger - $6.25 Cubano - $7.95 Homemade Fish Cakes - $6.95 Honey Cashew Fried Boneless Chicken - $7.95 Beef Stroganoff - $7.95 Pastrami Melt - $6.95 Ultimate Pig Burger - $7.95 Tuna Tortilla Roll up - $5.95 Boston Baked Scrod - $12.95 Boston Baked Scallops - $12.95 Mexican Dishes - $4.95 - $7.95 Derby Street Steak Tips - $12.95 Teriyaki Steak Tips - $12.95 Boneless Center Cut Pork Chop - $12.95 Marinated Lamb Sirloin - $12.95 PRICES ARE AMAZING! Perfect Variety of Dishes. This is a place you go to when you want consistent, delicious food. You won't be dissapointed. Enjoy!
(5)Robyn L.
Our tour guide reccomended we visit In a Pig's Eye for some local flavor. We got there at around 6:45 on Friday evening and it was PACKED wall to wall with happy, innebriated dancing fools. A man stumbed out of the front door and said..."you want to go in there!" We barely squeezed through the door and the patrons said, "come in, come in" and dragged us into the mob with open arms. It was a friendly, boisterous and fun vibe. After being body slammed around for approximately 20 minutes, 3 stools opened up at the bar as the blues jam came to an end. The entertainment was great! We all ordered dinner, which came with bread, and a salad. My sister ordered a cider and got an IPA? The bartender was a aloof. I had brian's special shrimp. It was spinach fettucine with pistachio pesto cream, parmesan, shrimp, and snow peas. The pasta, shrimp, and snow peas were cooked nicely. The dish was grossly underseasoned. There was not 1 grain of salt added during the cooking process which cannot be salvaged after the fact. My sister had the tuscan chicken pasta. It had chicken, olives, sun dried tomatoes, and artichoke hearts. Same problem here - no flavor. How is that even possible with all those ingredients??? This is a great hang out for beer and entertainment but the food leaves much to be desired. Maybe we just ordered the wrong items? I would definitely give it another try but who knows when I'll be back in Salem.
(3)Mallory S.
Good place for beers and live music. Food and service are both just average though (hit and miss - with both). My in-laws love it. Which means it's inexpensive, food is old-fashioned American (aka somewhat bland and uninspired), and it's no frills. Ya know... the way things used to be "back in the day." If you are looking for a cheap lunch or early dinner with non-foodies over the age of 70 - this is a great little spot.
(3)C. A.
This place has a serious identity crisis, laid out like a pub but has a Mostly 'Mexican' food, burgers, and cheap salads on the menu. Given that the restaurant has the word, 'pig' in it and is hideously decreased with pig themed crafts, I thought ordering the split pea and ham soup and chipotle pork burrito would be good option...I could not have been more wrong. First of all to call anything on the menu 'Mexican' would offend anyone who has had the slightest authentic Mexican food, this place makes Taco Bell look great. All the ingredients were canned or came from a bag. My burrito had the equivalent of a whole can of tostito's salsa poured on it. The soup tasted like bland paste that comes from a bag. Finally, the server forgot half our order and came off as rude. Do not wast the money.
(1)J W.
Sunday brunch used to be so good but went there and had a horrible experience; abnormally off service and inconsiderate wait staff; my meal was cold and eggs almost not cooked; cousins meal the same. we asked for an orange juice and we didn't get it until we got the check along with other drinks and requests. We were so excited to go out to brunch yet disappointed with every aspect of it.
(1)Kara M.
Prejudice is alive and well in the heart of Salem! My husband and I live locally, and we stopped in for a weekend afternoon meal. The customers in front of us seated themselves, so we did the same (as did the customers after us). The server (a woman approximately in her 70's) immediately provided menus and took drink orders for the table that had seated themselves in front of us. After a substantial amount of time, the server had gone in and out of the kitchen several times and had not acknowledged us at all, so my husband stood up for a moment to scan the bar to see if perhaps we wished to sit there instead. The seating was tight at the bar, so he sat down--we were not upset, and we kept patiently waiting though we started to consider going elsewhere. Finally, the server came towards our table with menus, wagging her finger in my face as she stated to me in a scolding tone, "that's what happens when you don't wait to be seated," apparently referring to the length of time we were waiting, though we were not even upset. This was all she stated, and she proceeded to walk away. I explained to her that the other table had also seated themselves so we had thought it was okay, and my husband asked if she had told the other table the same thing, and she said "yes I did," without turning around--we saw that she had not reprimanded the other table, and had attended to them immediately. Her condescending tone, combined with her waggling finger in my face was extremely offensive and uncalled for. At that point, we walked out of the restaurant. She obviously targeted me personally, and not even my husband--perhaps because I was the only non-white customer in the restaurant? If you want people to wait to be seated, you should put up a sign and not leave it up to a rude server to selectively enforce the "rule" against certain customers. We had been there previously and the service was very pleasant, but this server's inappropriate conduct means this restaurant has lost our local business. This has never happened to us, and there are plenty of other friendly restaurants who are happy to welcome us.
(1)Jeremy S.
Not sure how anyone can write a bad review about this place. I have been there for lunch, brunch, and live music, and have never had a bad experience. In my opinion, the brunch is the best meal you can get there. It is a small place, so I'd recommend calling ahead. The brunch food is great, and they have a great selection of drinks for some good hair of the dog. Lunch was great, we had a group of 6 people that came in from Boston to see the city, and loved the location and experience. This is one of the places that I bring family/friends to when they are in town. I'm not sure about some of the other reviews that commented about bad service. Every employee (bartender/server/owner/etc) that I have dealt with have been really friendly. This place was also a great place to go during October, when Salem is overrun with people coming up for the witch city experience.
(5)Phyllis F.
My family and I were looking for a place to eat and saw it had a good rating from tripadvisor so my family and I went in. The waitress was very nice no complaints about her. But the food wasn't what we expected . I ordered a house salad for my lunch since I was unable to find anything on the menu it was a joke, one piece of lettuce, I thought I was on punk'd. My son ordered fish cakes very oily. My husbands chicken was a joke also. After we ate I happened to look up and noticed the dust on the ceiling and then the dust on the fans it was even worse it was caked on like it hasn't been cleaned it years. I wish I would've noticed before we ate because I would've walked out. Can't believe the good reviews it got. So if we ever decide to comeback we will scratch that off the list. But if your happen to be in the area ,you have to just look in and look at the ceiling . I mean I never saw anything like it. If this place was in the New York area it would have received a. D. Hey John Taffer where are you because they really need you!
(2)Ashley N.
My husband & I loved having lunch here! It's got tons of character, but the best part is the food. We had clam chowder & grilled turkey & cheese sandwiches. The turkey was real, not the crap you normally get at other establishments. The service was friendly & attentive, even though the place was packed. A great little place overall!
(5)Al A.
"A friendly neighborhood restaurant..." my ass... Went to this place for the first time for brunch this passed Sunday. The food was excellent...the service, not so much. I agree with the other reviewer, do not go into the restaurant business if you have no intention of accommodating your customers or at the VERY least being somewhat friendly. A pig's eye was neither friendly nor accommodating and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone going with a party larger than two people. Bottom line: the food is great, call ahead for brunch for parties larger than 2 (although if the restaurant is going to be rude about accommodating larger parties it would be worth it for them to put a statement that suggests calling ahead on their website so first-timers aren't subject to this exasperated "tough-love" thing the staff has going on.)
(3)Susan C.
Bar Food. I had the grill cheese with fries. Very tasty and well worth it. The restaurant definitely has the bar feeling to it. The waitress was this elder woman, who did an amazing job and was extremely friendly. The name is a very interesting restaurant name!
(4)Jon G.
Went for Sunday brunch. Got eggs Benedict. I think they make their own English muffins, and they are awesome. Sirloin hash was unbelievably great. Perfect Bloody Mary from the very friendly bartender (we sat at the bar.) I'm surprised at any negative reviews of this place. Small space, seemed like mostly locals around, but that's usually a good sign to me. Brunch was great, dinner menu looked great too. We'll go back for sure.
(5)Nat A.
Really disappointed by this place -- it looked so cute when I walked in, and the menu, interesting. I had a house salad (meh) and the kale sausage soup... which came out 40 minutes after everyone else's meal in my group. I had to ask the waitress about it for her to even notice that my meal never came. Then 20 minutes later I had to get her attention again, because everyone had finished eating and my food still hadn't arrived. Also, no free refills on the sodas -- which really surprised me! You get charged for each glass of soda, which is 80% ice. The meatloaf and pork chili looked good. The cup and bowl of soup are pretty much the same size (small). Salads are boring and look/taste like they came straight from a bag of Dole salad mix. Wish I had eaten somewhere else...
(2)Ashley H.
Went here the weekend before Halloween and found this place right before they opened for dinner, so we got our name in before the rush. It is a pretty small place, so if you are one of those that needs at least 3 feet, don't go. 4 of us sat at the bar until our table was ready and were waited at least 10 minutes until someone came by to get a drink order. Keep in mind, they literally just opened for dinner so it isn't like the kitchen was backed up. I ordered some kind of beef that came with potatoes and green beans. I went to put pepper on them and (classic Halloween prank) the entire jar spilled on my beans. Hilarious! I asked for new beans because of the not so original trickster and was told "that's going to be awhile". We had the most UNPLEASANT server! Did the beans have to grow? How long does it take to open a can? Anywho, the food was OKAY at best, drinks were strong thought and the bartender was great. After we got our food we were in and out quickly. No drink refills, that wasn't happening. I wouldn't go back, not "in a pig's eye"!
(3)Dave A.
How about ZERO stars ?! My wife and I went in to see a friends band play. Now granted we don't drink booze, we would've gladly paid for each diet coke we would've bought had we not been CHASED OUT OF THERE BY THE RUDE WOMAN BARTENDER FOR TAKING UP AVAILABLE SEATS IN A NEARLY EMPTY PLACE ! Really ?? I have never been treated so rudely in a place of business except maybe the DMV... You can be rude to me, but when you're rude to my wife, there is something FIERCELY wrong with you ! ! If you don't like serving people, GET OUT OF THE SERVICE INDUSTRY ! Needless to say, I will return to this place when PIGS EYES CAN FLY ! If you love LONG waits and RUDE service, THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU ! =D
(1)Amelia L.
I've been here a handful of times the two times I've been to Salem. Every time I get the handmade sangria and I love love love it. I crave it on hot summer days. Its crisp and tart and delicious!
(5)Jennifer L.
Great neighborhood restaurant! I was introduced to The Pig recently via the woman I work for, who is a regular & I fell in love immediately. The menu isn't huge, but there's variety & it's vegetarian friendly. The bar seats about a dozen & the options are enough that you find something you like without being under/overwhelmed. Service is friendly, helpful, & on point. It's one of those fun, friendly places you visit & feel like you've been coming to forever.
(4)Megan E.
I'll give it three stars because while the meal that I ordered the beef Burgundy wasn't my favorite, it lacked a little flavor. The steak quesadilla that we ordered for an appetizer was very good and the steak tips that I shared with my boyfriend were also delicious. I think that I ate more of his food then I did mine. The steak tips came with green beans and Mexican rice that both were perfect. I think that the highlight of this place was that it came with a live band, although it's very small so it was hard to have a good conversation it was still a very good band. I was impressed. The quality of the service also was great, we sat at the bar and the bartender was quick and refilled our drinks fast. I'd definitely stop here again.
(3)Sarah C.
Love to visit In A Pig's Eye whenever I'm in a Salem. Their staff are the friendliest in town and their food is so delicious. Had sage cider chicken and pumpkin ravioli last time we were there and it was amazing!!! Love the name of this place too!!
(5)Mark B.
We love hitting up this neighborhood gem for good drinks and great food. Get there early for the Sunday brunch. Lots of local music too.
(5)Elle C.
Solid veggie sandwich. I'm not a big fan of sandwich's in general, but they had solid french fries and sandwichs. Everyone was happy. I'd go back but not going to rush back.
(3)Chris S.
Went here with a couple of friends for dinner. Took a little while to find parking, but if you go when Salem is busy that will be the case everywhere. Luckily when we walked in there was an open table, so there was no wait at all. The menu had plenty of offerings and the prices were great. They also had a decent beer selection. We were a little disappointed in the quantity of the popcorn scallops...it would have been a good amount for one person, not great for sharing. For my dinner, I had the special, which was meatloaf, mashed potatoes and carrots. I hadn't had meatloaf in a while, so I gave it a shot. It was a huge portion, well seasoned and moist. The carrots were excellent as well. I look forward to going back.
(4)Kris M.
Food was delicious! Especially recommend the clam chowder. The place wasn't that busy but we still had to wait a little while for our food. It was worth the wait!!!
(4)Scott S.
Our first time in Salem and enjoyed this place very much for lunch. Friendly atmosphere and great food.
(5)Jenna A.
I like the food and the people who work here. Nothing special but i love the grill cheese and their sandwiches.
(3)Joe D.
We had a great time here. Nice beer selection, good food and funny waiter. I could see how someone not familiar with Boston style humor might be put off, but we really enjoyed the banter. Nice local style pub, smaller more intimate place. When we come back we'll definitely be stopping in again.
(5)James N.
Inexpensive local hangout with decent food and a pretty good beer selection. The crowd seemed more middle aged than frat boy (a definite plus) but parking was impossible. The staff was genuine (and normally friendly) but my black & tans were either mostly black our mostly tan.
(3)Sarah R.
The bloody mary's and Sunday Brunch are to die for! Such a delightful hole in the wall. Delicious food is guaranteed, strong drinks too! I love the local art and music that is featured here, but it's often a little too crowded for my taste when there is an in house band. I also love that this little hidden jewel isn't bombarded with tourists, but instead loved by locals! The waitresses are salty local women who have been there for years. I also enjoy the ever-changing daily specials. Yum!
(4)Denny K.
"Excellent. I had garlic bistro steak with a tomato baked potato. Service was execellent. Cozy atmosphere."
(5)Wendy C.
Really enjoyed this place! very quirky-friendly waiter and bartender and awesome food. I got the fish cakes,when they arrived I thought " Oh no, greasy fried!" In reality they were very light and amazing! In fact quite memorable. I was with 3 other people who were equally satisfied, impressed! Highly recomended!
(5)Bill M.
Over 75 reviews and growing. This place is cool and the food is great. Sunday brunch, Sirloin hash with eggs and a irish coffee. none better. Friendly staff, good music, funky decor. Well worth trying.
(5)Mike S.
Another local gem. Pigs Eye, as it's referred to by the locals, is located in Old downtown Salem on Derby Street. It's just a block down from the House of Seven Gables, which was made famous by the Nathaniel Hawthorne novel of the same name. Pigs Eye is a quaint little place. Monday and Tuesday nights their specialty is Mexican food. They have a chicken enchilada that's amazing. Order your Mexican meal with some of their homemade sangria or a fresh local brew. Or if you feel like drinking cheap, there's Pabst Blue Ribbon on tap for $1.50-$2.00. And as always, the staff is friendly and helpful. Stop by on Sunday for their delicious Sunday Brunch. Prices are reasonable and I recommend getting a nice breakfast cocktail to get your Sunday morning started. Pigs Eye is a small place so if you're heading in for dinner or drinks, be sure to get their early so you're able to grab a place to sit. Some nights they feature local music and I believe Monday night is open mic night. **3/24/2014** I am surprised to read the negative reviews for this establishment. The seating is limited and tight. You will not have privacy in this restaurant. It's still amazing. I don't see this place being racist as one writer accused. I do know that the wait staff can come across as salty or unfriendly at times but that is part of what you get in a touristic/townie seaside restaurant. It's small, tightly packed and busy. Please wait to be seated unless you are going to sit at the bar.
(5)Lisa M.
After an awesome day in Salem, my friends and I decided to go over to In A Pig's Eye for some beers and some food. We got seats at the bar pretty quickly, which was awesome, because after just a few minutes the place became completely packed. I think we got there around 6:00 p.m. Anyway...food was all right. I had never been before, but my friends said it was good. I have to say, I found the food very reasonably priced, but I am not a salter, and I had to salt both my chowder and main dish. But again, the food was okay and it's a really cute place. BUT...the female bartender was rude to us at one point and then had the nerve to ask if the service was all right or if she had done something to offend us because the tip wasn't even 15%!!! WTF?!?!?!?! Which, by the way, was wrong, because the tip was slightly over 15% (we didn't include the taxes in the calculation). I was so surprised by her saying that that I just said everything was fine, but I am now wishing that I said something, so here it goes: If you are so concerned with your tips that you calculate the percentage as soon as you get the credit card receipt, then perhaps you should be nicer to the people shelling out their money to you. I do not OWE you anything. I paid for my food and the drinks. Your tip is a gratuity that I calculate based on whether it is deserved or not. She knew she was rude because she tried to make up for it, but...TOO LATE! I was curious about the reviews so I read them all, and I noticed a few people saying things about the bartender so it's obviously not just me. There was one person who said she was the best and funniest, and I am now thinking that the bartender wrote it herself!! So...great place for the price, but don't expect to be treated all that well. Instead, go to Rockafella's, where we went afterward, and had a blast accompanied by friendly service despite the fact that the place is four times the size of In A Pig's Eye and four times as crowded. That bartender got a bundle...and she deserved it! Tsk, tsk, nasty Pig's bartender! Shame on you!
(2)Joe S.
It's the Cheers stereotype of Salem. Santarpios without the lamby bamby. Everyone knows your name. Very relaxed kinda place. If they don't know you and you sit at the bar, expect the regulars and the bartenders to have some fun with you. Roll with the quirks (no jerks) and make friends fast here. Hello Anne! Great food. I don't look at the menu anymore. I check out the specials and ask the bartender what she likes. Never fails. My consistent favorites are the chowder, chili, pig sauce (pour it on everything), roast pork and the meatloaf. Enjoy!
(5)R A M.
I want to like this place. It has all the things that I like about a bar - decent food, decent draft choice, and live music. Going there always seems like a good idea, but for some reason, once I'm there, I end up regretting my choice. Usually, the regret comes around the tenth minute of waiting for the bartender to acknowledge our existence. We're not asking for instant service or anything, but if the bartender is going to ignore us, at least she could not do it while standing right in front of us, you know? When this first happened, we chalked it up to us being new to town. Or maybe a bad night. We figured things would come around in time if we were polite, didn't cause a fuss, and tipped well. But after the third visit, the bartender continued to ignore us and made us feel pretty unwelcome. My wife now refuses to go back. I can't say I blame her.
(2)Beth G.
Sadly, I'm done w/the pig. The most recent visit a few Sundays ago was our very last. The service was absolutely horrible! We waited about 20 mins after being seated just to get some waters and menus. It wasn't crowded in there and there were plenty of tables open. It seemed that there was one waitress and one hostess of some sort not helping much. On top of that, we had to call across the room for our waters to eventually come b/c ten mins after asking for them, they still hadn't arrived. Then there was the food. Once we ordered it, we got it in reasonable time and it was just okay. One thing I found really bizarre was how they dole out toast and English muffins: my husband got toast w/his eggs and he got 4 pieces of toast. I ordered an English muffin w/my eggs and got a half of one. WTF? The other oddity I found was that if there was going to be all this time b/t ordering drinks and food why not bring the little plate of bread before the meal and not w/it? So the whole time we were there, we just kept saying to each other: never again.
(1)Karen D.
After a great afternoon of enjoying pre-Halloween festivities, four friends and I went to In A Pig's Eye for drinks and dinner. We were fortunate enough to get seated at the bar. First we ordered a round of drinks. The bartender wasn't particularly friendly, but it was fine. There was a door behind us wide open, the cold air was blowing in and we were freezing. My friend suggested we ask the bartender to close the door. One person indicated on a previous visit the bartender could be surly and he didn't want ask. (I had been with him and she did start out cold when a local patron asked her to serve a proper Guinness because it had a huge head on it, but she warmed up a bit after the night went on.) It was getting colder and even though we were wearing sweaters, we were freezing trying to drink our beers, so we asked. Sure enough, her response was surly and she said she would only close it part way. It took the edge off and was tolerable. That is where we should have put our name in for a table. The restaurant was now busy, and since we all had a seat, we decided to eat at the bar. At one point, I had asked for a glass of water, hadn't received it yet, but it wasn't a problem. Then she came over and said, "Did you wave me over?" We hadn't. My friend politely said, "no, but can she get a glass of water?' The bartender rudely snapped, "Two hands, I only have two hands!" Gee, I don't know when it is ever appropriate to respond like that when you are in the service industry. She was hot and cold for the rest of the meal, and we didn't want to ask her for anything else. We would have stayed for more drinks, but after her treatment, we decided to take our money elsewhere. We split the bill 5 ways and my friend figured out the tip. We are usually 20%+ tippers, but we agreed on 15% which was more than generous given how rude she was. Because my friend didn't count out the tax, the tip was undeservedly a little more than 15%. When we got up to leave, she shockingly asked if there was a problem because her tip was less than 15%. Because we just wanted to move on and not want to spend our time giving manners and math lessons, we said "no," went a different establishment, and happily spent a good chunk of change without attitude. I had been a big fan of this place for years. The food is good, not overpriced, nice beer selection, cozy atmosphere. However, I won't be recommending it anymore and I will only consider going back if I'm sitting at the table or this particular bartender isn't there.
(2)Brad D.
Decided to try Pig's eye for the first time ever after being bye it frequently for quite some time. I found the food to be o.k. but nothing to write home about. One good thing was that it is fairly priced for the portion size. Parking was a little annoying so plan on walking if you go on a busy Salem night. If you care about how you interact with the waitstaff than don't expect much here. If that's not part of the eating out experience you wish to care about then you will not be wondering about the interaction (or lack-of) you get.
(2)Pamela G.
Great place for breakfast on the North Shore. It's a small cozy hangout with a bar. I've never been there for lunch but the menu looks good and would hit it if I was in the area.
(4)Cal D.
Oink Oink Oink! Best neighborhood bar downtown. Prices are reasonable for beverages and pub fair. Awesome chowder and sammies. Mexican night is great too if you're in the mood for some fiesta flavor. There is live music just about every night, and NO TVs which means people actually talk to each other. Excellent spot for a whistle wetter and joking around with the locals. A 2 nostrils up establishment.
(4)Alia H.
I went here today for brunch. So yummy! There was a line already, and the place hadn't even opened yet! (11:30 is a bit late to open for brunch, in my opinion). I ordered the Eggs Florentine (which was amazing) and my partner got the special Eggs Benedict -- which had lobster AND bacon. He said it might have been the best brunch he'd ever had. I tried some, it WAS good. Of course, I had a bloody mary -- perfectly spicy. Service was a bit slow, but I thanked my waitress greatly when she brought over apple-walnut coffee cake for our brunch appetizer.
(4)Nicole J.
Food: Very good. Came one weekend afternoon for lunch and had a chicken and avocado sandwich. Would order it again! Service: Excellent. Friendly. Ambiance: Ehhh, alright. Is kind of a divey place, but that's what we were looking for. Summary: Would come back again!
(4)Jason A.
Great place for a pint and the best bar food you will be able to find in the area. They have great appz and their special are always awesome. The place is kinda hard to find since it is in mostly residential area... but the food is worth it. Go with a few friends and realize that you will be there for a few hours. Don't be afraid to make new friends either, it's always a great, friendly crowd!
(5)Bill G.
Rude staff and run of the mill food. Our visit started with the bar maid giving strict orders of where to sit and that we must sit up straight and not interfere with her waitress. When we advised that we would like dinner we were told to get a table; but not a "big" one. Once we got around to dinner the meals were sub par. Their famous clam chowder was nothing more than tasteless wall paper paste. The Fish and chips tasted old and greasy, made us long for Mrs. Paul's fish sticks which would have been better than the fishy junk the Pig served. All in all, we won't ever be back and save yourself some misery and stay away from this place.
(1)Kristin M.
My friends had been debating about the best place in Salem for brunch and they raved about how great the food was at the Pig so I decided to give it another try. I've lived in Salem for 11 years but it had been about 8 years since I'd been back to the Pig because I thought the food was awful. Well, memory served me correctly, the food was still AWFUL!! My friend and I decided to split the Sirloin Hash with poached eggs and the Frittata. The hash was cold and gloppy, the eggs were overdone and the yolks were hard. The frittata was a shade of green/grey. They seemed to recognize how unappetizing it was so they smothered it with melted cheese. We were alarmed about how eggs could have turned this color and were concernced about eating it so we asked the server if this was the color it was supposed to be. He explained that it was the cooking oil in the pan that had made it turn that color. WHAT???? The only shining light in this entire experience was the male server/host who was charming and gracious. However, this will be my last Pig experience.
(1)Annaliese R.
I came here with my Mum who had gone previously, while on her honeymoon. I had this yummy cream of asparagus soup to start off on, then moved on to a pastrami sandwhich. I made some changed to my order and the waitress conveyed them perfectly all while being a doll. The place was a bit divey in a cute, local sort of way. I'd go back!
(4)Topher D.
Homecooking from wed-sat - about as comfortable as comfort food gets. Very local clientele; we came in right behind 2 tourists who promptly left. One of my favorite things about this place is there is no tv... how rare is that in a bar/restaurant? Of course don't go here if you want to catch a game!
(4)Matt M.
Randomly visited In A Pig's Eye for the first time last night because they were one of the only places near us that was serving food until 10. My gf and I really liked our food, she had the shrimp pasta house specialty and I had the steak tip with fries, both we would have again. The best surprise of the night was the live band they were great, and I'm not much of a live band in bars type of guy. All in all great service, really good food, big stiff drinks, and great music. I would definitely go back again great local spot. Oh I forgot to mention, 2 meals and 8 absolute mixed drinks for $100 including tip, great deal!
(5)Donald S.
This a very comfortable and casual restaurant that features good food and some great live music, albeit a tad loud. I always enjoy dining here, the staff is super friendly and the service is excellent. Had their "Derby Tips", which were cooked exactly as ordered and they were delicious. It may have been an off night as the kitchen switched the sides. (My potatoes ended being served to my guest and I got her Rice! One of the things I enjoy about eating out is the coffee at the end of the meal. I have to say that the coffee was pretty tired and tasted burned. When the waitress asked if I would like another coffee and I asked if was a fresh pot, she replied no. Note that she did not offer to have a fresh pot of coffee put on for me. Sadly I have to mark this with only 3 stars, because of the order mix up and their poor coffee!
(3)Katie G.
Came here for drinks with friends a week or so ago. This place is a totally casual, neighborhood bar. If that's your scene, you will LOVE this bar. I must give a shout out to our waitress. She was sooo funny. She had quick wit and sarcasm ready to roll. She gave us a run for our money! :-). Drink selection is pretty good. If they don't have what you want, they are ready with other suggestions (which are quite good, might I add!). I wanted something with pumpkin, but ended up with another seasonal beer (blanking on the name...my apologies) and I liked it! Prices will keep you about $5 and under (not bad at all!). I'll definitely come back!
(4)Holly S.
Small place, but my steak tips were awsesome. For a tourist town, I would have never expected such good food. The service is a bit slow, but it is only because they are such busy hole in the wall.
(4)Steve P.
Stopped by, like many, after a tour of the House if Seven Gabled. It was the first place we found on our walk back to the center of town, so we thought we would take a shot... big mistake. Our waitress seemed overwhelmed from the start, despite there being only three other tables occupied. Several of us were going to order burgers but before we could order, we were told that they had just run out... huh? We debated leaving since instincts told us things were only going to get worse, but we stuck it out (mistake #2). We switched to pastrami sandwiches and burritos for the kids. After some time, we were told they were out of pastrami also! With plan 'B' busted, we asked for our menus back and settled with grilled turkey sandwiches. The turkey sandwiched were average. The burritos we ordered for the kids had different fillings which were reversed and had to be reordered. It didn't really matter tjough because neither kid would eat what arrived. I sampled the beef burrito and it reminded me of a 'Sloppy Joe' in a tortilla. As mentioned by an earlier poster, the Mexican food seems as gringo as it comes. Also, my wife's onion soup showed up as clam chowder. When I asked for another round of drinks, the even more frazzled waitress said she had to get the other food out and would be back (she couldn't remember 2 beers?). If the waitress and/or kitchen was overwhelmed (I don't see how with 3 tables occupied), the 'hostess' / 'owner' did nothing to help. We ate, paid and I even gave a more than generous tip, but we won't return.
(1)Matt R.
Dinner at 6:00? After becoming parents my wife & I hadn't made it back to Pig's Eye for a couple of years. There's a ton of restaurants here in Salem and we were tending to go out Saturday late-afternoon. Now back on a grown-up schedule, we've eaten there 4 times since February and it's as good as we remembered. A block or so off the beaten path, and it's great to be back!
(4)Maria V.
This is a cute little pub in Salem. Came here on a Saturday night with a few friends and we were sat right away. Right next to the bunch of beret-ed beatniks... but that is a different story for another time.... The waitress took our drink order as we sat down and was back quickly with a beer for my friend. The rest of us got carded later by a second waitress (we had about three servers during our dinner). Nothing too fantastic, but a tasty selection of comfort food for a rainy night. I had the baked scrod and found it a little bland, but fairly tasty overall. The Cubano sandwich and the baked scallops were enjoyed by my two friends and the third enjoyed a hefty serving of shepherd's pie. We all enjoyed carrot cake for dessert. I don't believe it is made on location, but it was tasty and moist nonetheless. I'd definitely come back with my boyfriend for a cheap, but tasty night out.
(3)M d.
A great place. Though I haven't tried it on a weekend at the height of the tourist season, I can see how it manages to survive year-round. I live about 12 miles away (some perspective: Boston is a scant 13 miles away from Salem), and for all intents and purposes will happily call myself a local - but I was more or less outclassed when I walked into Pig's Eye and appreciated how local it really was. Pig's Eye manages to create its own atmosphere, and would be as easily at home in Cambridge (with a clientle just as dedicated) as it is in Salem. The ambiance was full of conversation without being loud, and every table on this Wednesday night was taken. Fans of stews, we had the beef bourguignon and the beef stroganoff, both respectably prepared and not overspiced - and a steal at less than half the price of some of their nightly specials (which looked equally delectable). Our plates were served in hearty portions, pub-grub style, but the attention to detail in the food was still clear - all the way down to the perfectly al dente pasta under stews and the tasty house-made russian dressing. We're definitely looking forward to trying this place again, though we'll budget a little bit more time for it: a small gripe to be sure, but its popularity ensures there will be a wait even on a weeknight, and with diners at every table they seem to have a few kinks to work our with getting around to taking your order.
(4)Elizabeth B.
Food is really good for the price. But the service is off, not rude, not friendly, but downright cold. Which I don't get. Parking is annoying so be prepared to walk which is no big deal because there is so much to see in Salem. I also noticed a few dead flies in the windowsill that I sat next to. It desperately needs to be dusted. I was worried about my food at that point, but my sandwich was fine... I hope. Fries are awesome, and they play good music.
(3)Crystal S.
me and my boyfriend are locals who love going to "the pig", everyone there is very friendly and attentive. the food is always hot and delicious and the beer selection is very well priced and a delicious selection of local brews. i wouldn't change anything about this place.
(5)Kristin N.
Really good food for a hungry person. It's tiny but I'm really glad I finally got to eat here. The turkey club and fish cakes were excellent and the service was attentive and friendly considering we got there just when the afternoon rush hit. I have no idea how good it is, but I can't wait to come back and have some homemade sangria! Great place for people watching too. If you're going to Salem, I highly recommend eating at A Pig's Eye.
(4)Tom M.
Good stuff! Check it out. Good burgers, good live music, could use a tv for the sox games but overall a good place for a beer and some food.
(5)Joe M.
The Pig has been around forever and it's still exactly the same as it's always been. The ultimate neighborhood bar, The Pig has Mexican food on Monday's and Tuesday's and a broader menu the rest of the week including a hell of a Sunday brunch that people are usually lined up for. My only critique of the place would be the waitstaff who have been there forever and show it with a lack of enthusiasm. Oh yeah, and Monday night is also open-mike night which has become an institution for local musicians.
(4)Jeremy G.
Had a great brunch here with friends. complimentary coffee cake, and a really nice menu(eggs are only offered scrambled or poached as a heads up) made for a great experience. Very pleasant staff, awesome bloody mary...will definitely be back.
(4)Dixon T.
1st I'm rating this place as a bar, because while I was there, they weren't serving food. That said, bartendress working this place is the hardest working, funniest, and most delightful person I've ever seen behind a bar. I came in freezing, and she made me a hot cider with Captain Morgan's that knocked me on my butt and warmed me to the tips of my toes. That drink, coupled with the banter of the other patrons made this a perfect place to get out of the cold for a few hours while touring this town.
(5)Amber L.
Given that time was the hugest detractor in my review, I feel the need to update. I've gone back to In a Pig's Eye twice recently and have yet to have another ridiculously long wait. Also, their food continues to be amazing. Between that and the fact that it is right down the street from me, this will now be a regular place for me.
(4)Misty S.
I like the Pig. Lots of locals hang out here on the weekend nights. It is packed a lot at dinner, and I've had to wait quite a few times for a table. And the bar area is small. The menu is large and cheap, and the food is always good. They have something for everyone. The people who hang out here on Friday nights, when I tend to go the most, have been super friendly. They have the normal Boston beers on tap. One of my favorite things about the Pig.. OK, 2 favorite things.. are the homemade Sangria, and the Captain's spiced rum & cider that they serve (hot or cold) in the fall.
(3)Melissa F.
I haven't been there in about, oh ages...and since Halloween was over I thought we would try it. Parking is always a problem around there. It's a small place with atmosphere and I remembered it having great and interesting food. Well....won't be going back there. As others have said, the service is an after-thought and definitely not a priority. We ordered drinks but it took a gentle reminder to see about getting them (it wasn't busy) but I was told that a check had to be closed out in the register before she could put the order in to the bartender, so....HUH? The bar is not 10 feet away...put a verbal order in and then figure it out. I had to ask if it was possible to have my soup warmed up since it was barely warm. She was not pleased about that. She brought it back and it was exactly the same temp, so I just left it. She seemed very annoyed with me. Is that asking too much? The main courses were blah..nothing special. My plate was all one color, completely beige. Couldn't there even be a sprig of parsley?? I have a feeling if your a local and sit at the bar, you are more accepted. Otherwise you feel like an intruder.
(2)Steven K.
My wife and I checked this place out for lunch after visiting the nearby House of the Seven Gables. Based on some of the reviews mentioning poor service here we hesitated, however we were hungry and didn't want to walk all the way to Essex St. When we walked in, maybe four of the roughly 15 tables were occupied. We sat down and I ordered the Turkey-Boursin wrap off the specials board while my wife ordered the Nachos off the main menu. Michael, who was working as the lone waiter in the room said they'd be out shortly. At just about that time, a sudden influx of patrons arrived, quickly filling all but about three of the tables. We wondered aloud how Michael and the kitchen would fare under the sudden onslaught, considering some of the previously posted experiences. Well we definitely noticed Michael grab another gear and go into hyper-drive as he worked the entire room. Our orders came out quite soon thereafter. My wrap was delicious; the boursin a nice accompaniment to the turkey. The flour tortilla was particularly fresh and moist. My wife's nachos were perfection. We all know how nachos can go badly wrong, but the cheese on these was melted perfectly and the ground beef mixture was juicy and tasty. A very satisfying lunch and service that came through with flying colors in a tough test.
(5)M. A.
Cheap, generally, but the quality is hit or miss, parking is damn near impossible, and most importantly, the service is run by assholes. Once got my card refused because it was LITERALLY 5 CENTS under the $10 limit, even though tip would have put it over. Had to beg from my friends to pay up. Hope she enjoyed the nickel tip. On a previous occasion got told I wasn't allowed to join my newly arrived friend at their table because I'd already started my tab at the bar. Long story short, I'm never going back there, and neither should you.
(1)Chrissy H.
" Churchill remarked 'I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals." These are the words on display behind the bar. The dining room is small and cozy. We went for brunch, arrived right at 11:30. 10 minutes later, the dining room was full. But the drinks came right out, (mimosas all around) and once we got to order, the food came out quickly as well. I had the eggs Benedict which were pretty tasty. John had the Steak hash which he did not complain about, and then practically licked the plate. We split an order of the kids size french toast which was really good. But I think the best was the warm cube of coffee cake that they served us before we got our food. DELICIOUS! Price was great. Staff was pretty friendly and the atmosphere was totally unpretentious. And I'll admit that I was jealous that the other diners and waitstaff didn't shout a friendly hello to me when I walked in. That's what I get for being from Revere instead of Salem, I guess.
(4)Missus F.
Cheap Pabst! Unpretentious food! Creative specials! Rad homemade hot sauce! REAL waitstaff! Cozy atmosphere! Good location! Lame customers that write reviews with an overabundance of exclamations! ME LIKEY! edit 1/5/09: i went for one of the mexican nights (monday). the food was good. the mexican menu is long, pretty basic, and cheap. if you're looking for sauce/salsa options, you're not going to find them, but that's okay. things weren't drowning in cheese, which is awesome because at some mexican restaurants you can't find your food under the cheese.
(5)Amanda M.
We ended up at this restaurant when we discovered that Red's Sandwich Shop only served breakfast on Sundays and closes at 1:00pm! Since it was 2:30pm we were forced to find another option, so after a short stroll through town past the Derby St. shops we spotted In A Pig's Eye. I had heard of it and when we saw that they had brunch until 4:00pm we were sold. As we entered I was surprised by how small the place is, with a "please wait to be seated" sign. A waitress motioned to a table and handed us two brunch menus, knocking a spoon off the table. I am not bothered by coarse service, especially in a small, local restaurant with low prices. We ordered an iced tea and diet soda with the same waitress that gave us the menus, but when it came time to order our meals another woman took our order. The two ladies working the room seemed a bit flustered and one almost delivered two plates of eggs benedict to us by accident. However the mean bartender must be gone, since I did notice an easy going guy working at the bar. I had the pastrami sandwhich on rye and asked for cheddar cheese instead of swiss...it was no big deal to make the change. The sandwich was great and has caramelized onions and tomato on it and came with really crispy fries, maybe double fried? Also the pickles on the side were sooo good, not just out of a jar dill slices. The steak and eggs was a hefty portion of nicely seasoned homefries, toast, poached eggs, and steak tips. The dish also had some nice touches like a slice of cantaloupe and a little piece of coffee cake. The grand total for this meal came to $21 plus tip, so I really can't complain. Good food, good price and a nice alternative if I am ever in Salem when Red's is closed.
(3)Michael L.
I went on a Blind Date and we met at In A Pig's Eye. How many burning one liners can you think of based on that softball of a pitch? C'mon throw them at me I can take it! I arrived there first and sat in a corner looking at the goings on in the place.. It was busy for a Friday evening and the crowd was what I refer to as Urban Educated. I knew right away the evening was going to be trouble for my date when I saw the bartender's ass! My god! I've never considered myself to be much of an ass man but I'm considering it now. She was a perfect stunner from behind and the front was not shabby at all either. Seriously...for any one single part of the female anatomy to get me ga-ga it has to be beyond peer... You see... I am a constant connector with the greatest aphrodisiac of all...the mind. The beer I ordered was chilled perfectly and I'm all for any place that has the absolute good sense to have Pabst Blue Ribbon on tap. I sipped the beer admiring the frosty goodness of the glass...glancing over the pint from time to time at the bartender and all her amazing attributes...What a cutie.... Anyway my date arrived, and we met for the first time. Yawn. The Door Whore tried to put us at a table that offered no view of the bar so I had to put my foot down... "I've been told that appetizers taste better when you can view the bar... You have heard that right?" "ummmmm ahhhh yeahhhhh" My date and I ordered a few more beers and some appetizer thingie that had all kinds of seafood items in it. The shrimp at the end of my fork was curvy enough in just the right way to allow a perfect view of the bartender as I ate it... The slices of portobello were a bit of a problem since they were wide and hard to see around... The rest of the evening was easy enough to negotiate... Did you know that if you tilt a scallop on the end of a fork and position your beer to your left and forward of the plate by about 5 inches you can see the bartender's rear when she reaches into the cooler? Large chunks of bread require agility and a bit of a strain on the neck if you want to watch the bartender as she rinses a few glasses. The rest of the date was so so....and it came down to the Bartenders ass vs, my date's ass, and of course my date did not have a chance against a bartender in asstastic jeans...
(5)Al D.
My husband and I went for dinner to In a Pig's Eye. we were both so turned off to this restaurant. I don't see what people see in it; the food was terrible, the waitress not helpful nor knowledgable and the place is dark and dreary. Everything about the restaurant conveyed they don't seem to really care too much. There are so many good restaurants in Salem, we would never go back here. We started with bean Nachos. They had globs of thick melted cheese, the beans looked like they just dropped them in one or two spots on the chips, the rest of the platter had none. The guacamole had no real flavor and had a very strange consistency; kind of slippery like butter. We seem to think this was a processed product and not real avocados that had been mashed. I do not like my burgers too rare so I asked the waitress how to order it so it was slightly pink in the middle. She said she didn't know but she would tell the chef. Mine came out almost raw. I sent it back and the outer edges were cooked more but the center was still very rare. They charge extra for barbecue sauce and there was merely a 1/8 of tsp. of sauce on the burger. I see no reason to to go to In A Pig's Eye for dinner. I hear the music is good.
(1)Christopher W.
In a Pig's Eye was truly an awful restaurant. It was a while b4 we were offered a place to sit. The TWO servers seemed to be totally swamped and took a long time getting to our table to take our orders. And then they didn't come back till the end. Then on top of that, the burritos we received were barely warm. The cheese inside the burritos was still in its shredded from, which led us to ask ourselves, were they ever hot?? And furthermore, the burritos weren't properly folded (maybe that's their style...), which made it a little more cumbersome and sloppy than it needed to be. Maybe they had a really bad day, but I would suggest they increase their staff levels and learn how to cook. Oh, and they also charge for soda refills.... is this really necessary???
(1)Amy T.
My husband and I went here last Saturday night. We used to come pretty frequently, but hadn't been in a while. I got the Brian's Special Shrimp with Pesto-- a dish I've enjoyed on numerous past occasions. This time it was terrible. Drowning in a pool of liquid, there was barely any pesto, only five small shrimps and no snap peas like the menu description says. Totally disappointing. My husband's shrimp BLT was just boring, although he said the artichoke appetizer was really good. Maybe this is getting too nit-picky, but I also ordered a glass of wine which came in a weird shaped glass, making it really hard to drink and impossible to enjoy. Sadly, I doubt we will go back. This used to be an excellent restaurant, but they seem to be more focused on the bar and bands than on food.
(2)Moira H.
I had been to this restaurant twice before with different groups of people and enjoyed myself. So, when I had an opportunity to get a "group-on"-like coupon for the restaurant I jumped at the chance. Last weekend, my boyfriend and I were in Salem and decided to finally use the coupon. However I had forgotten the printed certificate and called to ask if they would accept the certificate on my phone. The woman on the phone said it was no problem. When we got there and i took out my phone to show the waitress my coupon and explain our situation again, she scolded me for having my phone out, say it was a "no-no." Excuse me? I understand it is inappropriate to talk on the phone in a restaurant, but I clearly wasn't doing that. It was so rude, I was stunned. Then she freaking looked at me like I was a bug when I tried to explain what I was doing. After my boyfriend came back from the bathroom, we left. We were so pissed at how rude she was to me. I'm sure the whole coupon thing is a little annoying to them, but that is why I called ahead to see if they had a problem. Although I still have $30 to spend, I don't think I'll ever go back. Very disappointing.
(1)Heather H.
Depending on the night you go will make or break how much you like this place. Parking is rather difficult so plan on walking a bit if you are not a local. Mon-Tues are Mexican Night. Honestly it wasn't bad food but the food the other nights of the week are so much better. Wed-Sat they have their regular pub menu with the likes of Beef Burgundy and Beer Stroganoff. They have a great variety of comfort food and at a fair price. Good beer selection as well as dessert. Also, if you sit at the bar you may have a not so friendly indivdual serving you. I will only sit at a table now to get my delicious food.
(4)H J.
I can't say much about the food here, as I only ate here twice and got a salad both times (which was actually really great and had tons of veggies on it), but it seems like the other reviews have that covered anyway. I do want to give credit to Pig's Eye though for their awesome open mic on Monday nights. My boyfriend and I went at the recommendation of a friend and we were so glad we did. I guess many of the people that participate are regulars, and they are great. Lots of folk, country, and blue-grassy music. Everyone is really into it and there is a really nice community vibe. Also, they serve Pabst Blue Ribbon for $1.50. So, for $1.50 you can get beer, awesome music, and new friends. I think it's a bargain.
(4)Nick B.
It will take some time to forget "Mexican Night." Stale, cold refried beans, a day-before-the-mold-sets-in tortilla, guacamole that was actually mixed with mayonnaise and just general nastiness. Serious gringo Tex-Mex slop that was about as authentic as a run to Taco Bell. One waitress worked (crawled) the whole room and she looked like she had just woken up in her rig after a slaughterhouse haul from Pasadena to Salem. Watched her pick up a stomped french fry from the ground, throw it onto some dirty dishes and then deliver our food to us. But the worst part is that both she and the bartender make you feel like you just broke into their home and demanded they feed you. Generally I like dives and don't mind a little attitude but I'll just sum this place up as an armpit and be on my way.
(1)Bart D.
The place has character and that is nice in this rather touristy town. The food on the other hand was just ok. I had the special of the day: chicken curry sandwich; the food came fast and was fresh, the curry was a bit salty and could Use more actual curry for my personal taste. The fries were very crispy and the service was excellent.
(3)Elizabeth m.
I live next door and its always a happening place. If you go on Mexican night don't get anything Mexican, get something off the specials menu. Food is great, drink selections are awesome, beer selection even better. If its busy give yourself time, It tends to run on the slow side. Its small but totally worth the wait. Some of the waitresses can be a little surly, and by some I mean one in particular and if you have been before you probably know which one I am talking about. They have live music sometimes and that is always a good time. Overall good experience but mostly great food.
(4)Dorise G.
went to the peabody essex museum and looked for a place to stop and eat afterwards - a short amount of driving wound us up here. since the kitchen was closing in 5 minutes we had very little time to order, but my friend got the soup and i got the veggie melt, we were served immediately, and were out in about a half hour. if i lived closer by, though, i have a feeling i'd stop by here more often. it had sort of a hip almost-divey-but-not-really feel, complete with local monster-esque art on the walls. the food is no-frills but it's still tasty and priced fairly, and the bar looked cute in general.
(4)Lia M.
The food is good for a qucik meal out, but standard. I had a haddock special over risotto with asparagus, which I really liked. I've also had the chicken nachos (Mondays & Tuesdays are Mexican nights), which were good as well. Prices are reasonable and portions big. The place is pretty small & parking is difficult, especially in tourist season. Service is alright, not too attentive, but they are sort of friendly. I got a dessert I didn't like and didn't eat, so they took that off the bill, which was super nice. Place can get packed & I do like their mixed drink list. Very townie, lots of regulars. I am sure I'll be back for dinner.
(3)Adam G.
I live right next to the Pig, no seriously, I can see peeps hanging out there from my kitchen window, and I have to say it's awesome. The food there is awesome (except on Mexican Night, if you go on mexican night try to get one of the non-mexican specials), the drink selection is fantastic (God bless anyone that has $2 PBR), and there is always a great crowd. For the most part the wait staff is cool, but if it's busy, I have to say you need the patience of Buddah. Plus the music that comes through the joint is pretty awesome, and it's cool to support the local scene. All in all the Pig is 9 times out of 10 going to be a good time, and if you do have a bad experience it's totally worth trying it again on a different night. Oh and parking sucks but whatever, yo ass can walk a little.
(4)Brittani A.
I went here once and that was enough. I ordered a chicken caesar salad and get a salad with mostly burnt steak, some chicken. The chairs are uncomfortable and everything creaks and seems very makeshifty. Everyone I was with had a subpar meal. Go to Witch's Brew next door for the better meal.
(2)Ash B.
I've only been there once, but I had a great experience at the Pig. It was VERY crowded, so the service wasn't as fast as it could have been, but the food was fantastic. The interior is inviting and quirky, the staff friendly and able. Lots of atmosphere, good food, and local flavor...recommended.
(4)Rachael E.
This is by far my favorite place to go in Salem! The bartenders are fabulous, the food is good, and the other patrons are always up for a chat. I love Sunday brunch...yummy Bloody Marys. If you're going to eat there on a Fri or Sat night it's best to not be in a hurry. It gets busy and might take more than a second to get your food...but it's soooo worth it.
(5)Dave L.
This is a most excellent place to stap by and have brunch.
(3)Caroline W.
I love the Pig! It's an institution in Salem - a total neighborhood joint full of a motley crew of patrons. The food is great, the bar is great - they make a mean cabo-wabo margarita which I thoroughly enjoy! There's music on Monday nights (after the mexican) and Friday afternoons. I suggest the Pig to anyone who might be near Salem - but build in some time - street side parking is limited and if it's busy you'll want to plan to hangout for a while. Plus, the locale is great - it's outside the downtown enough to be away from the hoopla but the Derby Street neighborhood is so cool and very old. The "wharf" vibe hasn't changed in 200 years and you can feel it all at the Pig.
(4)John M.
Great local pub. The food and the live entertainment is great. Sometimes it gets very packed in there and is a bit annoying if you are attempting to eat. Overall a definite recommendation. Enjoy.
(4)Whit B.
Yes, we enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. The burger selection was excellent!
(4)Jenna M.
A local favorite for sure. Try the Peach and Chong next time you're in the mood for a drink. A great place to meet other locals and find some good conversation. Great food, great staff.
(5)fraulein v.
I love this place! I'm kind of a local. The bartenders are always great. Good selections for beer and food, vegetarian freindly. Its basic, cheap and good. When its crazy busy the waitresses can be way short with you, any other time they are chatty and nice. But for a $5 salad at dinner that fills you up, Its worth it.
(5)Alicia D.
Finally went there for brunch, and it was very good. I love this place. I have been in for a quick drink and/or dinner. It's very small, the locals hang out here. Very friendly and laid back. A real Salem gem. Also, you can catch some live theater here.
(5)Stephanie H.
I went here last night. I always like to give a place a 2nd chance- more so when I hear such good things from so many others. I went back here last night with some friends. I got the veggie burger with fries. It was great! And I am not normally a veggie person! Don't get me wrong. I like my vegtables like the next person but I am a meat person through and through. I devoured this burger so fast! One friend I was with got the same burger and the other got a cashew chicken dish that looked great. Service was decent. We got there at around 7:15 and a party of 3 so we had a little bit of a wait- which is fine. The staff was friendly enough. They don't have a good place to wait if you are not drinking before getting a table- and even if you are its small space which is why I am only giving it 4 stars. Cramped space. **************************************************Â**************************** First Review: 09/30/07 The one time I went there it was alright....true rating is 2 1/2 stars. Had the steak tips with a vegtable side.........thought the tips were overcooked for what I wanted/asked for but was to hungry to send it back. The carrots that came with it on the side were not cooked enough. I have yet to give it a second chance because my husband didn't like it at all and refuses to go back. I will have to go with friends when he isn't around I guess.
(4)Christina P.
I love the brunch here. That is the only reason i go as well. i was reading other reviews and some people were complaining about the service, but i've never had a problem. i always sit at the bar and never at the tables...they seem too cramped. they pour really good drinks and it is definitely nice to have a tall vodky and sody with my eggs idaho.
(4)Veronica H.
great food, but this place is always packed and it is very small. Great Burgers and fries, the clam chowder is very good here too. Go for lunch, you'll beat the crowds
(4)C D.
In a Pig's Eye is a great diamond in the rough. The home-style food is very good and the atmosphere is very laid back. The place is small and can get a little crowded, but this just adds to the homey feeling. The staff is always pleasant yet a little over worked on busy nights. Definitely a great little restauraunt!
(4)Jared B.
I can only comment on the brunch, is that is the reason I always go here. Some people have complained about the service, but I have been around 6 or 7 times, and everytime the service was average but not slow by any means. The food was reasonably priced, and very good brunch foods. They always have decent specials and their soups are very good. I have never had a problem with any meal I have ordered here and always have a good time. So I say, if you want a step up from the average egg and pancake breakfast, try the Sunday brunch here and I don't think you'll be disappointed at all. If you are let me know.
(4)Jennifer R.
watery soup & rude staff! stay away from the pig!
(1)Jessica K.
"I have just recently went to this quaint little restaurant this past Sunday for Brunch. Brunch is served only on Sundays and starts at 11:30. We arrived a few minutes before and waited outside with many others til they opened the door. Inside this rustic ,bricked wall post and beam pub we were greeted and seated. The place really fills up quick so i would suggest you get there early or be prepared to wait for a seat. We all had a hard time deciding what to order because everything sound fantastic. They have a regular brunch menu and a few daily specials as well as desserts. They start you off with a plate of warm apple coffee cake, which was delicious and a nice little surprise. The waitress was friendly and seemed to know a lot of the regulars. Our plates arrived in a fair amount of time and were piping hot. I ordered the Brunch Quesadilla, a veggie and eggs scramble in a tortilla topped with salsa and Quac. Others had the Idaho eggs, think potatoe skins with eggs, veggies adn cheese. Yum! and Eggs Commadore, a Eggs Benny with Sausage. The food was of good quality and prices were well worth it! I will be visiting there often hopefully not to often I do need to keep this girlish figure!
(4)kathy l.
This is a good place for lunch. It does get a little too crowded but that just means it's popular. The vegetable melt was good and my husband had the clam chowder which he enjoyed.
(4)Amanda P.
Loved it here! I loved the atmosphere, food and the service. Such a great hidden gem. It's off the beaten path so very unlikely to have tourists here. Yum! It's actually been a while since I've been here so I'm due to go again.
(5)