Village Inn is a tough place for diabetics, and you must be extra cautious while ordering food at the Village Inn, especially if you're a diabetic. The food items low in sodium are high in sugar or cholesterol at Village Inn which makes it difficult for diabetics to choose the right food at the diner.
Foods to Avoid at Village Inn for Diabetics
Village Inn offers very few items edible for diabetics without any threat. You can avoid sandwiches and burgers at Village Inn and try the light breakfast items on the menu. You must also skip the shakes as well as other juices from the beverage menu. Almost all the dinner items on the menu are high in sodium except Grilled Tilapia and 6 oz. Top Sirloin & Toast. Avoid Soup bowls and opt for cups instead at Village Inn.
Food Suggestions for Diabetics at Village Inn
2 Egg Low-Cholesterol Egg Substitute Omelette with Part-Skim Mozzarella
If you are concerned about high blood pressure, then you must try food items from the kid's menu at Village Inn as most food items on their regular menu are high in sodium. However, you can always bet on salads for rescue. Instead of dining alone, you can visit the Village Inn in groups to keep the sodium intake in check.
Foods to Avoid at Village Inn for High Blood Pressure
Avoid Sausage Links & Eggs, Sausage Patties & Eggs, Biscuit & Gravy with Eggs, 6 oz. Top Sirloin Eggs, Ham Steak & Eggs, Egg Benedict, and Country Benedict from Village Inn's breakfast menu. It is also recommended to skip the Skillet options at Village Inn for its high sodium content. Among the omelets, avoid Denver Omelette, Country Music Star Omelette, and French Spinach & Bacon Omelette. You must also skip Sandwiches and All-World Double Cheeseburger every time you visit Village Inn.
Food Suggestions for High Blood Pressure at Village Inn
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
High Cholesterol at Village Inn
Most items served at Village are made up of eggs, bacon, chicken, or steak. Hence, these food items are often high in cholesterol. You can try the salad items, juices, or light breakfast items from the menu to keep the cholesterol in check. You can also try food from the kid's menu to ensure that you consume fewer calories than usual.
Foods to Avoid at Village Inn for High Cholesterol
You must skip burgers and sandwiches at the Village Inn as these items are very high in cholesterol. You should also avoid the Garden Salads menu at Village Inn except for Southwest Salad, lunch size. You can order all the soups, but you must avoid Tomato Basil Bowl and Wisconsin Cheese Bowl. Almost everything on the dinner menu is also high in cholesterol and must be avoided. Also, skip shakes at Village Inn.
Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at Village Inn
Oof. None of the following is an exaggeration: We waited 15 minutes at the table before being seen. Then the waiter comes, and we order our food with drinks. Another twenty minutes pass before water arrives--the waiter said "sorry, I dropped them." Okay? I suppose he dropped them, waited 20 minutes, then brought them back. So, it took 35 minutes to get water. The food came only about 5 minutes later, but was not what we ordered. This is not entirely surprising, because the waiter had not written down the order. We told the waiter that the order was wrong, and he said that it was a quick fix and would be back in "two minutes." Fifteen minutes later, the corrected (subpar, dry) correct burger arrived. After this experience, hearing the waiter apologize to the table next to us for something, and watching him walk around with his finger in his nose, I decided to complain to the manager. This was quite nerve-wracking, because I have actually never complained at a restaurant before. Thankfully, the manager (who guessed who the server was--bad sign) fully refunded the meal. This was a nice gesture, and almost earned the place two stars, but should have never had to happen.
(1)
Paul A.
First, the reason for two stars was the server Brad. He was helpful and pleasant. The problem was my wife and I ordered the fried clam plate. They were delicious but here's the problem....they were strips not full clams with bellies. The waiter told me that's how they were described on the menu. Took his word for it. After dinner went inside to look at the menu and sure enough no mention anywhere of clam strips. Asked the staff at the hostess table and they told me they were supposed to be full clams and not strips. Another staffer came up to me and said that because of red tide, no one was getting full clams. Of course that's b.s since I ate full clams the previous week. I didn't want to start a scene but please don't lie or take the customer as a fool by using stupid excuses. Anyway, please have your servers tell the customer that they're only getting half a clam. The price was $18.99 for the plate which included fries and onion rings. The other dinners arrived on a timely basis, hot and tasty. By the way, no one offered to correct my complaint. Not good! Won't be back.
(2)
Kym M.
Great atmosphere, outside seating is dog friendly and pool for a buck? What? Awesome!
(5)
Megan F.
Excellent outdoor seating. Great food and the service was funny, quick and respectful of us just wanting to take our time and review the menu. We are not local to the area. A nice selection of craft beers too. Only thing I was sad about was all the rave on the prime sandwich which they were out of. I also noticed someone near by had ordered the Maryland crab cake appetizer - as a Marylander I would never recommend it, it looked like an over fried pattie.
(5)
Scott W.
Never in 25 years of living here in Salem have I ever had such a bad experience! Sarcastic and arrogant staff and purposely screwed up my lunch with the chef and then joked about it! This place just lost a great customer and my word of mouth will make it much worse! Stay away.....
(1)
Kyle G.
Killer place, great beer selection, great staff, good prices, and always friendly faces. Outdoor seating is dog friendly and great for people watching.
(5)
Stephanie A.
Get the onion rings! The sriracha mayo dipping sauce is amazing! I'd also recommend the smokehouse burrito. If you're not hungry come in and have a cold beer and play a game of pool!
(4)
C C.
This place can seduce you by its location, live music, atmosphere and pop Americana decor, but beware, they will treat your dog better than your children! Dogs have their own laminated menus, children get one tiny corner of a newsprint menu. A child's cheeseburger is a tiny, burnt, chunk of charcoal (no exaggeration). French fries for your child will be the same spiced and sophisticated garlic fries that satisfy the adult palette while the kids wince. The chicken fingers are all finger (breading) and no chicken! The clam chowder is excellent, but how can an adult truly enjoy his meal when his kids are struggling with lumps of coal, over-spiced fries, and chicken crackers?
(1)
Robyn T.
My experience at Village Tavern started out so well, and then sort of fell off as time went on. At first glance, this place had everything I was looking for. A fun menu, good prices, a nice beer list, pool tables and dart boards, open patio seating that includes dogs, and a mug club! My husband and I talked about how this could easily become our new 'go to' place. We read more about the mug club and it sounded right up our alley so sign us up! It's advertised on the menu, the website, and the drink menu. Excitedly we told our waitress to get us signed up, and she came back and said that there was no more room and we couldn't join. Huh? I don't even know what that means. So there's no room for me to spend a bunch of money at your establishment over a 3 month period drinking every beer you have? Kind of deflating. Moving on, I ordered a honey mustard chicken salad and my husband ordered the mac and cheese burger. Both were ok. Nothing that would blast off fireworks, but ok. My chicken was obviously frozen first and re-heated but the salad veggies tasted fresh so I can forgive that. The hubs said his burger was ok, but he's had better. I can't say it was a horrible experience, otherwise I would have rated it lower. And I do love the pool tables and dart boards, so we will probably be back for that. But we would probably eat somewhere else first, and would look on with envy at all the personalized, engraved mugs on the walls that will, unfortunately only be a pipe dream for us.
(3)
Carly B.
Awesome experience! We randomly wandered in here during a rainy Tuesday. Our bartender, Kevin, never stopped cleaning the whole time in between providing great customer service. The beer selection was great and served in ice cold glasses. We ordered the fried seafood platter to share and I highly recommend it! I've lived in New England all of my life and have never had a better one! The portions were huge and such great quality. The shrimp and scallops were gigantic! The whole belly Ipswich clams were sweet and tasty, the haddock piece was huge, as well. It comes with fries and big onion rings, what a value!
(5)
Matt C.
We happened upon this pub for Sunday brunch. They were just starting to open so we were the first in there. Let me tell you, the server, Amanda was great! She was very attentive and we had a great conversation. We chose to both have the buffet, and the food was very fresh, and high quality! Plus, the Bloody Marys were amazing. A great last minute choice, and will definitely go back!
(5)
Jeff C.
Well, at mgr / owners request we gave them another shot. I'll have to say, compared to our last experience 5 months ago, this experience was great. The food quality was much better and the service was pretty much perfect. I'm giving 4 stars mainly do to our Bartender. She was great. Keep it up. You'll keep us coming back. Next time we'll try brunch
(4)
Joseph A.
Not bad, not great. Oysters were delicious, better than what I had at the Union Square Oyster House in Boston during my visit. Lobster roll was kind of dry and peppery. Worth a try if you are in Salem.
(3)
Mark N.
$25 lobster roll. 90% celery, 10% lobster. Over priced and not much flavor. Very disappointed.
(2)
Ilyana E.
I honestly thought because of its location it would be expensive but I was hungry and the outdoor setting looked inviting, so we stop here. Service was good, waiting period of 15 min which is not bad at all. I order the Cajun chicken Alfredo, chicken was overcooked, meaning that it was moist, it was rather tough, but the pasta and salad were nice. More good point that bad so 3 stars. Prices are really reasonable.
(3)
Jacob C.
I started coming here about two months ago and love it! They have a great selection of beers on tap and many bottles and cans. Just over 60 I believe. If you come for food, everything seems to be fresh. My favorite is the pulled pork nachos. Their pulled pork is delicious! They recently opened a back room with pool tables, darts, and vintage video games. My cousin and I have started playing pool here almost every weekend. All in all, great atmosphere, great food, and great beer!
(5)
Scottie M.
A for Awful. Cursed by witches. Avoid like the plague! This horrid little sports bar pub is centrally located in the heart of Salem. The staff appear to be stoned out of their minds, gawking at you and staring off in a state of confusion. When you finally get a table inside, after you've mentioned quite a few times that "No" you would not like to sit outside in the freezing wind, "but thanks anyway!", you are escorted into a brothel of beer-chugging and french-fry-flinging children. The tables must be wiped down with a dirty rag, they were still sticky when we sat down. The menu - unless you want a plain salad - everything will leave you at risk for a heart attack. I ordered the smoked wings plate. Ghastly. Chicken was so dry it nearly changed to dust when pulled from the bone, baked beans were COLD COLD COLD, cole slaw was commercially produced and smelled old, and my corn bread was missing - I was told they were out. Want a pumpkin beer? Too bad, they're out. Want to use the ketchup bottle on your table? Too bad, it's empty. Want to use the ketchup bottle on the next table over? Too bad, it's empty too! This place is the very definition of low-rent! Run. Run, far away!
(1)
Cat D.
I liked the way the layout of the place was. It was a nice day. We all had tall beer - Blue Moons. I had the swiss mushrm bacon cheeseburger w/ fries. It was delicious!!!! I ate everything! BF had some sort of steak dish with rice. It was really good! We started Off with the hummus dip app. It was great. I dont quite understand the bad reviews. I had a greag server. Pretty attentive, fast service and great food.
(4)
Erik S.
went into the new tap room the other afternoon (watched it being built and was so excited to go in and have a cold one and grab a bite)waited at door and none came to greet us so we sat at a table waited ten minutes no one came over to table. employees were talking to friends and having a great time and drinking but paid us no attention. so we got up and walked out will never go back there again and have already told others not to bother. do not know if it is new staff or just opening confusion but no excuse for not greeting patrons when they enter.
(1)
Deborah M.
After waiting 45 minutes for our food, my husband and I were served hamburgers that were practically raw inside.
(1)
Aron W.
I stumbled on this place while on business trip to East Coast. It was a very easy place to find and in good location They had outside seating, but being 35 degrees outside I opted for inside. Highly recommend... They had a bunch of pool tables in the back room so I can see how this place would be cool after work or weekends They had a band coming in around 9ish... Small stage, but could see how it would have been fun Oysters - at first $2.04 per oyster seems a little high for local oysters, but I was craving and went ahead and ordered. I was so glad I did because they were amazing and totally worth it. BBQ Pork - BBQ would not be my first impression to order in Mass, but the bartender was raving about their new BBQ pit installed 6 months ago and how they slow cook it. I grew up in Texas and have had BBQ in Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, KC and this rates in my top 5. It was fresh, moist, tender and so used on the smoke pork and not some overpowered attempt @ BBQ sauce. I was impressed and highly recommend One advice would be to add more craft beers to the beer menu, but other than that I would HIGHLY recommend going
(5)
Erin H.
The music great but the only downside is that its loud. We wanted to sit outside but the only table available was next to the band. We wouldn't be able to hear each other. I recommend changing to a more acoustic sound.
(3)
Shelly A.
Looked like it would be a nice place, was willing to pay for the prices based upon that assumption - but we were wrong it was pretty crappy. My sister got ribs my mother and I got steaks. The pros: the setting, onion rings, sweet potato fries, and the corn bread. The cons: everything else. The steaks weren't cooked properly, the portions were sad, the plates were all tiny my Cole slaw was in a dip cup .. wtf Is that shit? Buy some real plates. The "free cheese and crackers" was wheat thins on a tea saucer lmfao its honestly laughable. RUN FOREST RUN
(1)
Jeff M.
Well this place is a Hidden gem The prime Rib was awesome pulled pork sliders perfect but the pulled pork Mac and cheese (served only Tuesday's) was to die for creamy Mac and cheese lunch and dinner sizes 4.99 for lunch can't beat it the chilly was sub par the prices are fair to high but you get what you pay for well worth it Plus 62 beers in bottles and tap 8.50 to 4.25 depending on alcohol content some beers like the golden monkey beer my favorite is 9.5% alcohol Plus Tuesday nights is Open mic night what a big screen TVs for football and of the sporting events Great place to hang out with your friends or that special someone check it out you will not be disappointed
(4)
Tharanisa T.
We ordered a cheeseburger with mayo and when I received my meal....no cheese no mayo. Waited for server for 20min. By this time burger was cold. Soda was flat and service was not that great. Ok the positive is their Ale is good and so is the patio.
(1)
Whitney S.
Service here is awful. Takes forever to get a drink or food (and we were sitting at the bar this time). I've been here a few times before and it's always the same. All the bartenders are in a corner talking to one another...just did a count and 6 people need drinks. Not to mention there is a fourteen year old Kid sitting next to me at the bar right now. Yikes.
(2)
M K.
We loved this place! I'm surprised it doesn't have higher ratings. We took others advice and got the pulled pork nachos...they did not disappoint. They come on a huge platter and are amazing! The menu was unique and had a variety of foods, my husband ordered fish, I ordered a burrito (the most interesting and unique burrito I have ever had but so delicious!) and my son ordered ribs. We all enjoyed our meals and the ambience was nice. The prices were great too. Give it a try!
(4)
Dick W.
We sort of fell into the Village Tavern after a Peabody Essex Museum visit on Easter Sunday. Despite being kind of reserved up for Easter, they not only found space for us but even found different space when the booth didn't work out for the bad back among us. Our excellent server was Adam who was very attentive but never intrusive. Another server (whose name I didn't get but who had an (I think) South African accent) helped out now and then as well. Two of us had the breakfast/brunch buffet which included custom omelette. Both omelettes were quite good but one required an additional mushroom transfusion. Both were cooked well, but not overcooked -- almost a scarcity these days. One of us had a burger, ordered medium rare but served almost raw in the center (the main reason for four rather than five stars). The fourth had Thai lettuce wraps and loved them. We had two hard ciders and a grapefruit shandy to drink -- driver stuck with water. Prompt service but no pressure to get up and go when we were done. If we lived closer (hundreds of miles away, sigh) this could easily have become our favorite place. The live music, by the way -- had we been into the room with the musicians -- would have been too loud. Addendum: I just went and read some of the earlier reviews -- including several negative ones. I attest those folks must have been at a different place. Although one visit is too little to generalize from I'll just say that we will be back next time we visit the area.
(4)
Freddie R.
1 star, but ONLY because i have to pick something. Place is junk. It was dead inside for any place on a Saturday afternoon, Especially a tourist destination like Salem. There was an overabundance of wait staff just hanging around and bumping into each other without any direction whatsoever. We were seated after being harassed by some street guitarist looking for a gig at the door, and then waited for 10-15 minutes for someone/anyone to acknowledge the fact that we were there. And then..... we left and walked by again several of the wait staff and no-one even asked how we were or if we enjoyed our meal. 1st impressions are important and this place blows.
(1)
Leah B.
The food was not very good and the service was awful. We never got our waters refilled the whole time we were there. We also had to search for a waiter to get our check. As for the food, the hummus tasted like nothing, as did my salad dressing. However, my biggest problem was that they started making me the wrong salad and when they figured it out just added some of the toppings I had ordered in top before bringing it to me. The two salad toppings did not mesh harmoniously. I got it fixed but the second salad I received had almost no toppings though they were finally the correct toppings. I gave this place two stars because I did try the pulled pork my boyfriend got and it was ok.
(2)
Laura D.
My husband had my 30th surprise party here this past Friday...it was my first visit and definitely won't be my last. The place is so fun, the staff were amazing and personable and the food and drinks were great! The 90s band that played after was also amazing (I wish I knew the name of the band!). I can't wait to go back for dinner and drinks! I will recommend this place to everyone.
(5)
Jim W.
After scouting the dinner options near the center of Salem, we opted for the Village Tavern. It was a pleasant Monday evening in July, so we opted to sit outside. Their patio faces a pedestrian street and a public fountain area. While we waited for our food, we got to watch the local bicycle-and-skateboard kids try out tricks around the fountain. No one was seriously hurt, which was good. The food is pretty standard bar-fare, but decent enough. We split a salad, I got a burger, and I'm not sure what the other 2 in our party got. No one was dissatisfied. They also had Angry Orchard on draft, which was nice. Service was friendly. This isn't destination-dining, but it's a fine choice if you're in the area and get hungry.
(3)
Corey L.
We live around the corner and popped in on a Sunday afternoon to sit outside and watch the tourists wander around in witch hats. Our experience overall was similar to what others have said: fine location, would be cool with music, but food and service were not impressive. I like that the menu is like a newspaper - cool idea. They have a bunch of typical pub food, like burgers and bbq stuff. The waitress suggested pulled pork, which was out. So we shared some oysters, fried pickle slices, and then my girlfriend got a grilled chicken salad and I got the border burger. Clams were fine, nothing impressive. The sauce was okay. Fried pickles were good. Mmmm, fried pickles. Her salad was fine, nothing that good but not bad. My burger was the same. I love burgers, so was disappointed. The guacamole didn't have much taste and overall it was pretty dry. I added ketchup to give some moisture, but it was a disappointing burger. The fries were fine. We'll go back to hang out and for beers, but not for food. And the service was pretty bad.
(3)
J P.
Beautiful day outside for lunch following the super fun Salem Pride parade. Even though the outdoor patio was busy we were sat right away. For appetizer the veggie quesadillas were ok I just didn't like all the onion. I was going to get a burger but decided on a pulled pork sandwich instead. To my dismay the sandwich didn't taste anywhere near as good as it looked had a strong taste of pepper and quite a few fatty pieces. My better half had the rodeo hamburger with sweet potato fries which was really good. We couldn't pass up the brownie sundae which was awesome. Our server was friendly nothing to complain or praise about. There was a raspberry beer which was good but the watermelon flavored beer tasted better if your into a fruity flavor. If I came back it would be for a burger.
(4)
Laura N.
I love this place. It is cozy and warm inside. It has a nice beer selection with rotating drafts. I got the Triple C Platter (chicken, chili, cheese) and it was awesome-- so comforting and tasty. It came with grilled cornbread that was moist and buttery. Very reasonably priced too!! My meal was $9.99 and I left very full! Great go-to restaurant in Salem for comfort food that won't break the bank.
(4)
Jeff B.
We found the food & service so-so and the prices outrageous. The menu doesn't even give prices for the drinks & beers. Our $10 buffalo wings came with 6 wings and were Sysco food. Really?!?
(2)
Steven M.
This is a local hangout. Let's get that out of the way first. If you are a tourist, come in by anyways, but understand it's for locals, by locals. There is live music most nights, the beer selection is good, the food is par for the course. The service is good, though I'm here enough that I've seen some of the bartenders off the clock. The Village Tavern is friendly above all. You go there to see your friends. It has an outdoor section for when it is too noisy outside. If I am going somewhere on a Friday Night, it is probably here.
(5)
Deborah L.
The restaurant was empty and we still got lousy service. The food was worse. Had to send my fish sandwich back because it wasn't how I ordered it. When it did come back, the bun was hard and indelible and the fries were mushy. My boyfriends food was Luke warm, BBQ plate came with 3 wings and the cheapest cut of ribs possible, he was pulling gristle from every bite. Cornbread was old, dry and so hard, he couldn't get a fork through it. OnI top of it all, the prices were sky high for terrible food. Skip this one!!!!
(1)
Joe M.
It seems their evening focus is now geared towards 20 something lunk heads. Salem doesn't need another Beginners Bar. We already have Murphy's and O'Neils.
(1)
Jeanele W.
Yummmyyyy! Came to village Tavern while on a vacation with the bf... Great beer selection and I love the BBQ! Will definitely be back on my next visit to Salem! Our server, dalton was great, very helpful and put a smile on our faces. After we ate we headed to the bar and Jon, our bartender, was really nice and helped us choose a good whiskey :)
(5)
Rupert T.
Great outdoor patio, friendly staff. They just recently added another room with 3 pool tables and darts. I like it, good atmosphere. Only criticism is the bands sucks. They have some thing where if you drink like 50 different beers you get a mug that you cant take home so if you try for that your dumb.
(4)
Alana B.
Really not impressed with this place. Got a seat at the bar, had been sat for about ten mins by the time they asked what I would like for a drink- and the guy never bothered getting me my drink. He just walked off and then served someone else. I had to ask for a menu also, and ask someone else again for a drink. The food was awful. I ordered the chicken tenders and it was one of those meals that make you feel yuk and I felt yuk just looking at it. Was just a plate piled high of fried food- a plate of brown food. Whilst the fries were nice, a bit of green on the plate would have gone down a treat.
(1)
Matt P.
Always a great time at the vtav!
(5)
Casey A.
Had dinner here and it was amazing. Very busy place. Offers both outdoor and inside seating which is great! Food was delicious and brought out in a timely manner. The only issue I had was the bathroom. There was a LONG wait because one of the stalls was broken and one of the sinks were broken. A huge crack in the sink! Besides that everything was perfect. Highly recommended food.
(4)
Nana T.
After a lovely day spent wandering around Salem, we planned to eat here--we even called ahead to ask if they made reservations and, when they said yes, we made them for 6pm. We wanted patio seating, to accommodate our dogs. When we arrived there was a long line and we asked if we could skip the line since we'd made reservations--and were told we hadn't made reservations, they didn't take reservations; the manager even suggested we were lying even though we had definitely called ahead and even left a name and number. So, can't review the food. Service: terrible. Not a good impression to give a hungry out-of-towner. If they didn't take reservations, they should have said so over the phone.
(1)
Samantha R.
Was just OK. waitress was not the best. a couple behind us had sent thier food back twice before they just said please just take it off the bill. We ordered the cheese and crackers for an appitizer... it was about a 1/4 cup of spreadable cheese with a handful of wheat thin crackers, it was very awkward but it was fun and i did enjoy that. I got the teriyaki chicken over white rice. my food was not that good and i would not get it again. Dan got the southwest burrito and he did enjoy his meal, but for the prices for the food, i have had wayyy better food and quality and service for less before. will not return
(1)
alice s.
My cousin and I went to the Village Tavern during the Essex Street Fair on Saturday. We sat at a high top near the bar. The food was really good. I liked the atmosphere of the restaurant. The menu is a newspaper so that was really cool. However the service was terrible! We were there ten mins before our server greeted us. She wasn't even the one to deliver our food and she never came over to ask how everything was. My cousin needed some water so he asked the bartender and the bartender refused to give it to him and told us to ask our waitress. We would have if she came by! The bus boy was nice enough to get us a water. We finished our meal and the waitress never came by with a bill so we asked the bartender if he could give us one, he was rude and said "that's what your waitress is for" so that's when my cousin spoke up and told the bartender that we only saw our waitress when she took our order and that though the food was good, the service has been awful. The bartender apologized. I will go back because I did enjoy the food, but hopefully we have better service.
(3)
Bill G.
Went there late Sunday afternoon. Ordered the Pulled Pork dinner. I have had apps with more meat than I got with this meal. Portion size was the size of a small ice cream scoop. Should have known by the absence of people ordering food there, that this was not the place to have a meal. Small crowd there most of them drinking, the few ordering food were ordering apps.
(1)
Nicholas K.
If you're into gross american food this is your place. Heart disease central, you'll find meat in every option on the menu. I am not one to ever settle for a salad at a restaurant, however I did here. The house salad I believe I got. Lettuce, onions, tomatoes, cucumber. 8.99. Bullshit. Beer selection was good. They allow dogs and were nice in general. It's 2014 and you're located in a super touristy location, get some vegan food on your menu.
(2)
Nicole M.
Come for the Mug Club stay for the food! This is a hidden little gem with awesome food and a great beer list. Their BBQ is awesome and unexpected, their burger list is unique (try the burger topped with cream cheese and jalapenos!), and their Mug Club is very cool. Check it out. I've only had 1 "iffy" experience, when a friend order a ($9) appetizer of onion rings and what came out looked like a side order. The waitress brought out more, but it was literally too little too late.
(5)
Dave H.
Being from the south, anytime I am in New England and I see BBQ on the menu I am always intrigued. Quite often I am let down. This place is no exception. Why even bother? Just don't think the BBQ concept is conceivable in this cold climate. With good BBQ you can claim all the hours of smoking you want, but the sauce is KEY. Without a good sauce you are just serving pre-jerky. It seems to me that the concept in New England for BBQ sauce is to take a typical sweet sauce from St. Louis and mix it with the disgusting clear vinegar substance they serve in the Carolinas and call it "Tangy" I beg you good people of Village Tavern. Take 1000 dollars, fly to Texas and go to the Salt Lick or similar BBQ house of legend and spend just a few minutes learning about a good sauce. Oh, and stop cutting cornbread muffins in half then putting it on a griddle for a few seconds and only serving that half with the platter. It is not chic or tasty. The location is great however...
(2)
Chad C.
There's a menu item at this establishment called the Salem Fire Burger. An homage to the Salem fire of 1914, it is topped with ghost chili oil. I'm a fan of spicy food and was giving serious consideration to making this hot hamburger a part of my lunch. I asked the waitress about its relative heat -- do people often return it to the kitchen? Do people cry while eating it? I wanted to get a sense of what I'd be up against. After all, this contains the essence hottest pepper I'm the world. The kitchen has total control of the burger's heat based on how much oil they apply. The waitress said that she constantly has wives yelling at her whose husbands ordered the fire burger & then were unable to eat it. Alright, now we're talking. I order it. After one bite I can tell this burger is a sham. Yes, it has some ghost chili oil on it. There's some heat. But it isn't even spicy enough for me to take some extra sips of my beer. Such a let down. Be it known that I'm not a chili chaser. I like spicy foods, am a Southerner, enjoy Indian cuisine and so on. But it isn't hot. And that made me oh so sad.
(3)
Alexis G.
I'm shocked that this place has so many negative reviews. Oh, well. You can't please everyone, can you? I've been here twice and I plan on returning each time I'm in Salem. Their oysters are delicious, the atmosphere is enjoyable, and the staff is always super friendly and kind. They're not too distant and not too overbearing; The perfect balance. None of my friends who joined us seem to have a problem with this place, either. It's great. Maybe some of you have your standards set a little too high? Being a customer doesn't mean that you are owed the sun and the moon.
(5)
Paula K.
We stumbled into this place on our way back to the parking garage. We had been walking all day and it was nice to collapse into a the booths inside. The decor seemed very confused with a sort of dining room/sports bar/ basement rec room framed vinyl album sort of thing going on. It didn't ruin the experience at all, but did lead to some fun and funny conversation between me and my husband. The waitress was attentive, the nachos lacked cheese, but was good overall. The burger was good and made from scratch the fries were also very good and appeared to be home made. Cost was decent as well.
(4)
Mallory S.
I came to Village Tavern with low expectations; expecting it to be busy, have new/unexperienced staff, and a hodge podge menu. Maybe this is why my experience was enjoyable overall? Yes - the menu is a mess. Too many items. No coherent restaurant theme/speciality/etc. I don't mind the newspaper look though - it's kind of fun. Yes - they are overwhelmed by the October crowds as they have only been open one week, so give them a little slack. Our service was efficient and friendly. Our food - simple brisket sandwiches - were just fine and the fries were good. Beers on tap were great and the outside seating was appreciated. Hopefully those heat lamps can get us through November. Nothing really wow'd me enough to come back. I wish this restaurant provided Salem with something more interesting. It is close to home so maybe it will be a good place to grab a drink every now and then. Food was good, but not something I would go out of my way to have again.
(3)
Narcissus A.
best.nachos.in .salem ! that's all! go for the nachos!
(5)
Josh A.
This seems to be a place to drink, not to eat. I have the three kinds of BBQ (ribs, brisket, and wings) and I was NOT impressed. The wings were kind of dry, the ribs were eh, and the brisket looked a bit like cat food dumped on my plate. It wasn't what I was expecting. We also ordered the "cheese & crackers" and it was basically triscuits with EZ cheese squeezed into a bowl. If I drank, I would certainly come here for some after work or late night drinks. I hear they have live music sometimes, which I'm sure adds to the feeling.
(3)
Mark W.
Me and some of my coworkers from my office decided to go out for drinks after work so we checked out this new bar in downtown downtown Salem. First off on a Wednesday evening the place was really quiet they have a very large bar but a very small menu. When we ordered the drinks they came out fine and tasted fine but for some reason there was a large amount of fruit flies all over the restaurant and our drinks. So we decide or just appetizers and waitress seem to get very upset that we were not having dinner. Once we got the appetizing add them beating really fast we decided to just pack up and go down to another bar in Salem we would definitely not go there again as a department
(1)
Bex A.
The one place when I visited the East Coast that I was very disappointed, it was very somewhat busy from the festival, but it was 10 mins before they acknowledged as we waited patiently seated at the bar, my sandwich came out before the oysters which I was still waiting for as I wrote this, which took roughly 20 mins after our food and were tiny. Only thing ok was the beer and the waitress was friendly.
(1)
Mike K.
This is one of my favorite places in the area. I'm a bit surprised to see some negative reviews here because I've always had a good experience. I usually go on Saturday nights and the crowd is manageable, little to no wait. The menu is big with something for everyone. As a vegetarian I usually get the veggie burger, although I've been meaning to try some other items like the mac 'n' cheese. I enjoy the salads too. My friend usually gets the hamburger with bacon, which he says is good. I have to rave about the fries. Unlike so many other places, they actually taste like they're made from fresh cut potatoes, not a bag from the freezer. They're definitely a must-try item. The atmosphere is a normal neighborhood pub/restaurant. The decor is clean and comfortable with old-school touches (old album covers and photos on the wall). Definitely a good addition to the Salem restaurant scene, and I hope they stick around for a while!
(5)
Bill M.
Went to the Bluegrass night it was awesome. Got there early to grab something to eat. The bartender was knowledgeable and they had a great beer menu. Had the bread bowl chowder, it was creamy a bit of bacon lots of clams, just the way I like it. then got the Brisket sandwich which was tender seasoned great awesome sandwich. Then the music started and it was such a great night. I haven't gotten to one of the best parts yet, they have shuffleboard. Blue grass was a lot of fun, I had some Kentucky bourbon beers that the bartender recommended and gave me a taste it had a great flavor. Overall I would recommend the experience to anyone in the area. Came back on a Saturday during the day, great little three piece berkley kid band, had a great large salad with grilled chicken and watched the derby. Lot of fun.
(5)
Chris M.
Awful. Just plain awful. Decided on this place on a whim while with my husband during a weekend getaway in Salem to celebrate our anniversary, back around Halloween. We were seated in a back corner and then seemingly forgotten. The place was clearly busy, as we saw several of the waitstaff hurry back and forth past us. However, we sat for 20 minutes without so much as someone bringing us water. I was livid at this point, already feeling overwhelmed by the Salem crowds and parking space nightmare we encountered earlier in the day (this was our very first time in Salem). Finally, a bartender came over and asked if we had been served. Had she not come over at that point, I was ready to walk out. I wish I could remember her name, because she was the ONLY staff member who assisted us that evening - and she wasn't even a waitress! She kindly took our drink and food orders, and the wait for the food was fine. However, my meal did not come as described. It was missing elements, and the kitchen provided substitutions that no one alerted me to. A gentleman (not the kind bartender) brought our food but took a bit of an attitude when I brought these oversights to his attention. I'm not sure, but I suspected he might have been a manager because he then went over to chastise the bartender as though it were her fault -which it was not. This poor girl was only picking up the slack where someone else clearly failed. They also barely had any of the beers they advertised, which is rather unacceptable for a "tavern." The food was mediocre at best, and overpriced for what you got. They also omitted my salad dressing, so eating a dry salad was less than enjoyable. Once we finished our meal, we noticed a crowd was gathering in the front end of the restaurant, and waitresses were scurrying to bus tables. Come to find out a live band was getting ready to play, and the place took on more of a club-type atmosphere. Thankfully we were on our way out. When it came time to pay the tab, we DID NOT leave a tip on the bill. However, because the sweet bartender had been so awesome to us, my husband decided to order a beer on a separate tab and then give her a handsome cash tip, which she greatly deserved. In my opinion, this place is a dump. There are so many other options in the area, so save your time, money, and aggravation. Better yet, go to Passage to India instead (where we had an AMAZING meal the next day). This place is only deserving of one star because of that awesome bartender who salvaged an otherwise horrible experience. That girl deserves a raise.
(1)
Holly H.
Horrible service. Food wasn't great. Left unhappy.
(2)
Megan L.
My husband and I recently relocated back to Massachusetts to care for my father, we were stumped on places to go to meet people and that held that relaxed/home sort of feel. When we moved to downtown salem we found the village tavern on a Thursday night and we were hooked and thrilled to find such a diverse group of patrons, menu, and friendly staff. We finally made friends in this home style, fun, relaxed environment. This place has become our weekly go to, the staff knows us by name, the drinks are cheap, the food is always good and they continue to put up with our shenanigans which is always a plus! Even in the month of October when finding a place to grab a beer and quick appetizer seemed impossible the staff at the tavern always made us, the local the priority which I thought was fantastic! Myself and my husband always recommend the tavern to friends looking for good food, drinks, and stellar service.
(5)
Joe M.
I chose the Village Tavern to host a special function for a group of friends. It was fantastic. Despite being busy, we had the side room/bar to ourselves with our own bartender. The appetizers were really delicious -- I recommend the stuffed spud skins. The staff was very nice and accommodating and I'm glad we chose this venue for our event. We'll be back for sure!
(5)
Joyce G.
Let me preface this by saying that I am extreeeemely patient, always open to second (and third) chances, and understanding of the myriad of unforeseen mishaps that can occur during service at dining establishments. My best friend is a chef who once fainted during service. Back of the house dropped everything. Things happen. When service or food is horrible, what saves a restaurant from a dismal rating is the undeniable tastiness of its memorable fare OR exceptional quality of service, respectively. It was an early Sunday evening and a few of us in our group were craving raw oysters. We were strolling around the area and we stumbled upon the Village Tavern. We entered and were greeted by a live band. But no one else. For a very long time. The eight of us stood in the area between the oyster bar and tavern bar - perfectly visible to the entire restaurant - begging for attention from the one waiter who looked at us several times and the one waitress at the oyster bar who also looked up from her shucking several times...but did nothing, said nothing. The waitress eventually, after a very long time - I think most people would have already left - asked us for the number of people in our party and said she would be with us in a moment. Tick tock, tickety tock...about five more minutes passed and just when we were about to leave, the waiter seats us in the oyster bar. Finally! Oh, look...cute menus that look like newspapers. I appreciate that quirk. We ordered: a couple of beers, potato skins, fried pickles, a veggie burger, a grilled chicken sandwich, two beef brisket sandwiches, and a NY sirloin. Funny that no one ordered oysters. N liked the veggie burger and whoever tried the fried pickles (including myself) enjoyed them...which were served about 30 minutes after we placed our orders and 30 minutes before we started to receive our entrees. Unfortunately, a veggie burger and tasty fried pickles cannot carry the weight of a dish that my friend deemed disgusting, sad soggy fries all around, boring, fatty brisket, a cold-to-the-touch bun when the brisket is supposed to be on "grilled sourdough bread," an undercooked steak, overall sub-par food, and nearly non-existent service. Note: My friend and I ordered beef brisket sandwiches. Although I didn't find it disgusting like she did, it was certainly fatty, and the chunks of beef that weren't fatty were flavorless. I was starving, so I ate some of it and the top half of the cold bun, as well as some of the soggy fries. Our waiter was friendly and SEEMED to be working hard because he looked flustered the couple times he came by our table within the HOUR that we were waiting for our entrees. (Yes, we didn't leave.) Here's the thing.... We were the only people seated in the oyster bar. There were people in the tavern bar who were being served by the bartender. And there were only a few guests in the dining parlor, so what gives? Here was the problem - COMMUNICATION. Communication is the key to any relationship, yes? It was not until the end of our horrible dining experience that we were told that their chef accidentally cut himself bad enough that they had to call in another chef. Pretty important situation. Why not inform us of the situation at the beginning?! If the chef cuts himself again, if you're understaffed, whatever the case may be, here's what you tell the guests - within a reasonable amount of time once they enter your establishment: Welcome to the Village Tavern. Just to let you know, [INSERT THE APPLICABLE UNFORESEEN MISHAP HERE]. We would be happy to serve you, but service will be slower than usual due to this unforeseen mishap. If your guests opt to stay, be sure to check in with them once in a while during their long wait time. Even though it's not something you normally do, perhaps you can offer them bread and butter. If anything, COMMUNICATE with your guests. Otherwise, they will walk out on you...just like the people who came in and ordered before us...which you discovered as you finally brought out their dishes. You lost money with the party before us. You lost money with our party because my friend refused to pay for her disgusting meal and you ended up giving us a 50% discount on our total bill. Was the severe lack of communication worth it? Was your waitstaff overworked? Did guests leave satisfied? Were you satisfied as an establishment? We give credit to the manager on duty for not charging us for my friend's inedible meal and for giving us a 50% discount. We understand the mishaps and how that affects overall service and we appreciate the discount gesture (even though my other friend had to have a detailed discussion with him about our experience), but in the end, the food was just not worth anyone's time or effort. If you want a good veggie burger, fried pickles and a 22 oz beer served by friendly, possibly overworked staff in a casual venue near the PEM, Village Tavern is an option for you. Otherwise, I leave you with this: No.
(1)
Jeremy S.
I was randomly walking down Essex Street on a Thursday night, and saw this place/heard the music playing. Decided to stop in for a drink, ended up staying for a few. I had great service the entire time I was there, good enough that my coaster didn't stay empty. Although I didn't have any, they offered free nachos from 9-930 on Thursday nights. Didn't partake in food, but they had enough options to have me curious. Will definitely be going back there for some more drinks and fun. PM me for more details.
(5)
Shaun C.
Stay away from the beef brisket sandwich. The beef and the BBQ sauce where ok, but the bun is two slices of white bread toasted, and there was a huge lack of beef. Fries where good but the lack of brisket defiantly left me hungry. Stick to the steak tips I had them last time I was there and they where actually pretty good. It would have given two stars if it wasn't for the entertainment. Peter Mercier runs a open mic night every Tuesday and he nails it. Some good local talent, Peter himself is a fantastic singer and he makes sure everybody is having a good time.
(3)
Jamie P.
The menu at Village Tavern has no clear direction. Village wants to be an oyster bar, sports bar, BBQ joint and a Mexican restaurant. They would be better served doing 1 or 2 things really well rather than trying to be everything for everyone. When I went in for a drink with friends I ordered a Guinness and and they served it in a frozen Woodchuck cider pint glass. No self-respecting bar can have Guinness paraphernalia on the walls and then serve it in frozen glass. I did have a pretty good pulled pork sandwich, which is why I'm giving it 2 stars.
(2)
Geoff M.
Stopped in to watch the Red Sox home opener on a random Monday afternoon. Enjoyed the Slumbrew on draft. Good call. Had the smoked bbg wings, and an order of the nachos with chili. Both were good pub grub. Disappointed that the pulled pork was being smoked and wasn't available, and that a self-proclaimed oyster bar was offering fried oysters, but the raw oysters weren't available that day. Service was good and friendly. Decor is pub. I'll try the place again.
(3)
Joeli G.
This place knows how to make a burger! We come and play shuffleboard, have some beers and burgers.. Always a good time.
(4)
Ryan J.
I find it funny that this place is asking for votes for Best of Boston North Shore. I just moved to the pedestrian walkway area of Salem and thought I'd give them a try - I will not go back. I didn't get to try their fried pickles (that I had heard were awesome) because I stood at the host stand for 7 minutes (on a slow night) and was passed by 2 (drunk or stoned) servers and a manager - without acknowledgement. I even picked up a menu to give them a hint, yet I was still ignored. I chuckled and walked to a PACKED Lobster Shanty and was well taken care of... Immediately! No, I will not vote for you, you are no where near the Best of Boston North Shore. P.s. I run a well established restaurant in Boston's Back Bay so I try not to be that critical of other establishments but let me give you some advice: Run your restaurant like an establishment (not a fun house), be choosy of who you hire to be ambassadors of your restaurant (not people that aren't guest friendly) and treat each guest as though they are just that - a GUEST in your restaurant. I also recently went to 62 on the wharf, they treated me like royalty - they were PACKED and I spent 220.00 on me and my guests. You've got a lot of competition in this area, you should try them out sometime - and take lots of notes.
(1)
K R.
I'm a little surprised by the reviews. My boyfriend and I had a really great night there. It was a little busy since we went during busy season in Salem. We had a lot of fun and the waitress was really sweet and cute. The food was pretty good- I'd love to get my hands on their chowder recipe. We also had oysters and we were chatting with the waitress and she said that they were from a local company which is pretty cool. Steak tips were great! The location was fun- after dinner we did a little bar hopping with friends. It was in the middle of all the fun Salem activities. I would def. go next time I'm on the north shore.
(4)
Jessica F.
I have visited this cozy establishment quite a bit over the past few months and love it! It's a fantastic place to relax with friends and family. Love singing along to the live bands and the staff is inviting and eager to please guests. My favorite item is the buffalo oyster appetizer which I can't find anywhere else! Very happy customer who will be returning again and again to this charming spot!
(5)
Matthew P.
So the food was mediocre at best which in itself isn't a reason to give it one star. The one star is because we were seated inside and 25 minutes later we had to ask if we were ever going to get served. When we finally got a waiter he wasn't very good. Got the order wrong and then didn't care. I've had bad experiences but this May be the one place I refuse to ever give another shot.
(1)
Karina M.
We had a very good food portions. Service otherwise is not that good. The hostess that day was not good groomed, no good customer service. But it was a nice place to visit. Good price too. We were hungry and Salem is a small town to find something to eat, specially if you are not from the area.
(3)
John C.
Great internal atmosphere and even better outdoor sitting. The food has been very good, and very nice waitstaff. This is on its way to being our neighborhood haunt.
(4)
Michael D.
I wrote a review of the Village Tavern about 10 months ago where I gave it 2 stars with a few criticizing remarks that made me decide to not give this restaurant another shot. However, I received a message from the owner who implored me to give them another shot due to some of the changes he made after reading my review. Impressed with the response, I decided they've earned it and who knows, it's been almost a year since my last visit so maybe things have gotten better. So, me and my girlfriend went on a Friday night in October with all the crowds and for the most part things were better from our last visit. My biggest complaint the last time was the service and it didn't start off well when we walked in. When we arrived there were about 2-3 couples in front of us. There were 2 hostesses at the front who greeted us and we told them 2 for dinner and they informed us it would be about a 10-15 minute wait. We then asked them if we needed to give them our name to be added to the wait list and they said no they would remember and one of the girls oddly replied, "We don't take names. Not in October." This remark struck my girlfriend as her being rude. I found the remark confusing. October in Salem is THE busiest month for businesses and crowds of people were beginning to follow us into the restaurant. If there is ever a reason to take names for a wait list to be seated, it should be in October. Of course, we were correct. The hostesses forgot who came in first and kept asking the 3 couples who was first. Because more people were showing up they started making number tickets on the fly and handing them out in order. For some reason a party of 5 got the number 3 1/2. Figure that one out. They really need to take names for a wait list. We were not very optimistic about visiting this place again but fortunately, it did get better. An observation I made in my previous review was the beer list. On the menu they had craft beer and listed under it was your typical, everyday Budweiser, Coors, Miller, etc. that in no way was craft. The owner said he reviewed the wording of the menu and took off the "craft" so as to not be misleading. Well, he can go ahead and put that back on because the beer menu was a HUGE upgrade! Great selection, great variety, had a few local breweries on there. I was thoroughly impressed with it. I ordered the beef brisket platter and my girlfriend ordered the brisket sandwich. When our food came out my girlfriend noticed there was hardly any BBQ sauce on her sandwich. It looked as if there was 1 little splash of BBQ sauce on the bun and that was it, none on the beef itself. Our server, Dalton, who was really attentive and friendly,brought us extra BBQ sauce so it was an easy fix. My meal was enjoyable but still felt the food was mediocre. The fries, which were a complaint in my previous review, tasted so much better. They were thick, had a nice little seasoning to it and were cooked well. The owner had made changes and improvements from my last review and I was really happy to see those changes put in place. I'm not a big fan of the food, I still think it's middle of the road as far as quality goes but because of the changes made to the beer menu and the great size of the bar area itself, I will be revisiting this restaurant for drinks in the future. If Yelp allowed for 1/2 stars I would give this place 3 1/2.
(3)
Nancy M.
Great lunch after a morning of moving. The chili was meaty with a perfect "kick" at the end. Along side of a giant green salad brimming with fresh, local produce it was the perfect lunch. My husband loved his beef brisket sandwich and I could not stop stealing the delicious side order of fries that came with the sandwich. For dessert we shared the flour-less chocolate torte with vanilla ice cream and raspberry sauce. I loved it so much because it was like eating a hot fudge sundae without the pressure to finish it fast before the hot fudge melts the ice cream. A $40 lunch is usually more than we spend on quick bite out, but the food and the service - sweet, helpful waitstaff - were worth it. We'll be back!
(4)
Tenisha G.
I really feel bad giving a bad review for a place just starting out but i was so disappointed. My boyfriend and I went in last night to grab some food to go. We got a platter that came with potato skins with pulled pork, nachos, tenders and wings. We asked for bbq tenders and buffalo wings for the order. I don't know if they felt they had to rush since we came in to sit and wait for it, but the whole order was wrong. The 2 potato skins didn't come with pulled pork on them (even though I'm pretty sure that's what the menu said they were suppose to have on them), the 2 tenders were an extremely weird, gross black color and had a strange taste to them, not buffalo OR bbq. The 2 wings we BBQ and probably the worst wings I've ever had. The nachos were eh. The worst part of all of this was this meal costed $18.00. SUCH A WASTE! I only gave the place two stars because everyone was so friendly there. I'd probably try the food again just because the place is new and might need a few weeks to get it's act together,
(2)
Max L.
I'm honestly a little confused by the low number of stars for the Village Tavern. This is a great spot in Salem that seems to get forgotten when everyone automatically heads to Rockafella's, O'Neill's, and Murphy's. Granted I haven't experienced the bar at night other than open mic nights on Tuesdays (which are great and put on by a great dude, by the way). That said, Village Tavern's patio is easily the best in Salem. Perfect spot to grab lunch or to sit and have a few beers. Went here on a Sunday for lunch and they had some good live acoustic music that was perfect for background and not overpowering. Service was friendly and quick, especially with a decent sized crowd there. I had hoped for a little more out of the pulled pork, but it's certainly good. A little on the salty side I guess. The menu has enough to set it apart from other similar "pub" menus - oysters, BBQ, fresh seafood, etc. Good beer selection and very decent prices too. For two people eating a full meal and a beer each, we managed a $23 bill. I will absolutely go back here. I'm excited to try the other stuff on the menu.
(5)
Gina B.
Came here today with my boyfriend and a couple friends after wandering Salem on the most perfect fall day. Sat outside, had great service, the only thing keeping this from being a 5 star review was that there was sediment in my boyfriend's and another friend's beers (possibly from a dirty tap line?). The fried pickles are the best I've had since leaving Texas and the burgers were amazing. Definitely will come back another time to try the Bloody Mary which looked yummy.
(4)
Meredith M.
It saddens me to write this as I was so excited about a new bar/ restaurant opening in my 'hood. On Saturday night I had a few girlfriends visiting the area and I thought it would be fun to try out this much anticipated new restaurant in the Pedestrian Mall. The patio looked cozy and inviting with heat lamps and cushioned chairs. My first impression caused me a little concern. While there were 3 girls behind the hostess stand they seemed confused and nervous about seating a table of 4 outside for drinks and appetizers. Maybe it was the fact that we didn't order dinner? Perhaps she was trying to figure out which waitress to assign to the table? (It seemed like they had a TON of help staff.) One of the girls was also complaining about a previous table/ customer and the tip. -- inappropriate when you are the first thing a potential new customer sees/hears. Anyway, we get seated. And the menu is set up like a newspaper. Fine, but there is a LOT on the menu. It's a little distracting and overwhelming and really causes you to wonder what this place is all about. Is it a BBQ place? Oyster bar? Pub? Dive? Therein lies the problem with Village Tavern. If they made all of these things wonderfully, I'd say "go for it, you rock!" But there was nothing really good about anything we ordered. We started with a bottle of wine for the table. The waitress brought over an open bottle of wine and left it on the table with 3 glasses. It seemed like she truly didn't know that was inappropriate bottle service. If we are going to pay double what the bottle would cost over at Bunghole Liquors, we should at least get proper service. We waited for a few minutes thinking she would come back and pour for us, but she did not. FYI proper service is to 1) Open the bottle at the table 2) Let the person who ordered take a sip and make sure it's good 3) pour a serving to each person at the table 4) come back periodically and refill glasses Maybe this only happens at every other restaurant I've ever been to... I haven't even started with the food...sigh. (Note: as other reviews mentioned, items we initially ordered were no longer available...) We ordered 3 Apps and shared around. Thank GOD we did not order a full meal or we would have been beyond disappointed. We got some kind of wings that came with a BBQ sauce. (These were not terrible and actually warm and had some good pieces of meat on them. However they needed/ should have provided more sauce on the side. And there were only 4 wings so we each got one little wing.) These get 1 star. Then we ordered the something Yum Yum, described to us as similar to an Awesome Blossom. When this plate of cold withering fried onions showed up, we had to say something. It was like someone had ordered an Awesome Blossom an hour earlier and this is what they left on their plate when they were full. (The waitress kindly took it back and had them make another one. This one she said they made from scratch and she watched pull out of the fryer.) - Nice, but why wasn't the first one made from scratch? Still, one star here for her service and the fact they took that item off the bill. When it came back it was much improved but still not great. Then, the last app we got was a serving of fried oysters. Just thinking about the taste of these makes me a little sick to my stomach. It tasted like they dropped frozen oysters into a fryer and fried no only the oysters but the melted water. They were bland, really chewy and slightly watery. We were so hungry and had waited so long that we needed something to go with our empty bottle of wine at this point. So we ate them. Needless to say we were thrilled to leave this place and go somewhere else nearby for dinner. I would not recommend this place to friends until management seriously revamps the menu and training of servers/ cooks. Please, call that show Bar Rescue ASAP before it gets worse!
(2)
Dosia S.
I have eaten here twice without actually eating in the locale itself. The first time I was here was in early September, when it was still warm outside and after a day of walking around checking out the shops in the area, I decided I was craving a really good, hearty meal and would not mind eating one by myself for once. I sat outside on the patio, and my waitress was very friendly. I got the steak tips cooked medium, which came with delicious mashed potatoes and coleslaw. I am a steak-lover and was very pleased with the dish. The second time I decided to get food from Village Tavern was when I had a random craving for none other than steak tips, and since I was in the area again, I was happy to remember a good place to find them in. I ordered them to-go, and they were just as delicious the second time as they were the first. The only negative comment I have about the service during my second experience was that the person who eventually came out with my food assumed I was tipping them. The host at the front desk area was very friendly and upon telling him my order, he went to go get it for me. In the meantime, another staff member-perhaps a manager of some sort because he was wearing a button-down shirt instead of a "work uniform" type of outfit-asked me if I was the person waiting for the steak tips. I said yes, and that someone had just gone to go get my food, and when the original person helping me came back with my order, this second man took it from his hands and delivered it to me. He then gave me my receipt, and told me my total was $21.24 (I'm guessing on the cents, it was somewhere around there). This exchange was not done behind the counter, he simply stood next to me. All I had on me was cash, so I gave him a $20 and a $5 for a total of $25, obviously expecting change. He swiftly took the money, said thank you, and walked away, what looked like pocketing the money. I did not have time to respond or say anything. I walked away bothered, but shrugging, because I had a good day and I figured that I would give the person the benefit of the doubt and not worry about where that extra money went and whether it was deserved or not at that time. (Although these days, every penny for me counts, and ordering food from a restaurant is something I really treat myself to rarely). Do not get me wrong-I understand how hard people in the restaurant business work-I have experience and I have seen people in different positions have to deal with rude and ridiculously selfish customers, and in general I do believe most restaurant staff deserve a higher pay...I also used to be someone who always tipped on take-out orders (until friends and family members who accompanied me while getting food brought attention to the fact that the people in most restaurants who are handing me my food are usually not the ones who are doing anything to prepare it-they are simply handing me a bag with food in it). I have since stopped, because although I like to be generous, I also often get take-out for the very reason that it comes out to cost less than dining in, or getting delivery. This specific individual's actions were surprising to me because it is, in general, proper etiquette to tell a customer a.) what their change is or at least b.) whether they want their change back in the first place. This incidence was improper, in my opinion, but it is certainly not going to stop me from ordering from the restaurant again. In fact, I am curious to see what other delicious items they might have on the menu!
(4)
Stephanie M.
I usually don't like writing bad reviews, especially since this place is still new. But I live right down the street and if this place were up to par, I would be a regular. I can only hope that they shake off their "growing pains" if that's what their problems are stemming from, because they won't last otherwise. I went with a friend (who also lives super close by) for a couple appetizers and some drinks. It was on a Sunday, the Pats game was coming to a close, the place was absolutely NOT busy and there were waitstaff practically falling over each other, so a shortage of staff wasn't the problem. To make a long story short, the food was terrible (nachos=SUPER salty, gross cheese potato skins= very greasy and overcooked, no dipping sauce of any kind) The cocktails were awful and took forever (seems like maybe they should stick with beer and wine and make it simple). Although the server was very sweet, she was super slow. Now, that may have been because the bar and the kitchen were slow, but either way, it seems like there was little communication between the three. Unless something changes, the BeerWorks and Tavern in the Square have nothing to fear from this newcomer.
(1)
Liv R.
Like the other Yelpers, I worried about posting a review, but I hope to post a better one in the future, should I return. Our first visit to the Village Tavern was a disaster, though. Granted our time there already had two major strikes against it; they just opened, and it was October. The good points: Their location is great for people watching and convenient to walking downtown. Our server was very friendly. The menu was varied. They have really cool torch-like outdoor heaters and plenty of outdoor seating. The negative points: The menu is so broad, I'm not really sure what they're good at. It seems like a catch-all tourist spot. Their menus are all also printed on newsprint, which may seem cool, but it means they're wasting menus every day, as opposed to reusable menu binders. Our of our party of five, only one person's order was correct when it was served. After waiting over an hour for our food to be delivered, we finally had to ask for bread to be served to the table (while other tables were being served it as they sat down) for our hungry kids. Of the food that was served correctly, all of our "roasted" vegetables were raw--not cold, not under-cooked--raw. We had bowls of raw, cold carrots, yellow squash, zucchini, broccoli, and red onion. When we asked if this was how they were normally served, or if the kitchen was backed up enough to send out raw food, the waiter did offer to take them back if we preferred ours cooked. I said I would take them home and cook them myself. All of our other food was rather banal or over-cooked. When we got our bill, there were other items that we didn't order listed. After finishing our meal, we did call over the manager and tell him about our experience. We said we understood that they were new and that October is a super busy time in Salem, but we hoped none of the other people present that night were locals, because they probably wouldn't come back. We'll probably try the restaurant again once they've been around longer--if they stay around. The manager was very nice and did reduce our bill quite a bit, but it was not a good first impression.
(2)
Vin L.
Early September and I stopped by the Village Tavern again for a few beers and some nachos. Live music on the patio was nice, and I had great time catching up with my friends. Food was great and the beer was nice and cold. What a selection! I am a fan for sure.
(4)
James R.
As a Salem townie, I'm always excited to see new establishments opening their doors. The Village Tavern location is a great one - right next to the fountain and with a great view of the Marine Hall. I've thought for years that Essex St would be better served by more nightlife and fewer knick-nack shops (a la Church St, Burlington VT). Last Saturday night my fiancee and I made our first visit to Village Tavern. They had a well staffed, but inexperienced hostess station. I'm sure in a few more busy shifts they'll iron out. We were seated in the bar area at a high-top table, which was quite acceptable. Our waitress arrived promptly and took our drink order, although we were told that the bar was entirely out of draft beer. Strange, and unfortunate for a bar to run out of beer at 8 pm on a Saturday night in tourist season. The menu is big, and a little all over the place. Confused, we opted for an appetizer. We ordered two absolut/sodas and BBQ chicken wings at 7:45. At 8:10 our drinks arrived, but lacked carbonation, citrus and straws. At least now we really understood why there was no beer - no CO2. So no beer and no soda. We sipped our watered down vodka and waited another 15 minutes. The menu said they were smoked for 6 hours, so maybe we were just waiting for a batch to finish? We inquired with the waitress, who produced them almost immediately, though it had now been an unacceptably long time since placing the order. The wings were okay, but definitely not great. I suspect they use 'liquid smoke', and based on my itching neck (allergic reaction), maybe even MSG? Oh, and why are the wing tips attached? Please shape up, Village Tavern! I want you to succeed!
(1)
Jeff W.
I'm not one to judge a newly opened restaurant too harshly but this one inspired me. While I usually go to Yelp for all things food, I went to this restaurant on a whim and because I had a hankering for some raw oysters. The good news is the oysters were delicious. The bad news is everything else wasn't. I ordered a steak medium rare and the missus ordered pork chops. The steak was decently cooked while the pork chops tasted like they were on the verge of going bad. The sides we ordered, chili and macaroni cheese, both had the consistency of buffet food sitting out for too long In addition, when we received our check, we noticed that we were charged extra for side items that supposedly came with our meal. We brought this up with our waitress and she informed us that certain sides are considered "signature items" and thus would cost extra. Since when is macaroni and cheese considered a premium side?!? Nowhere on the menu was this stated (all sides were grouped together) and the waitress never bothered to inform us while we were making our order. She even got a little defensive and said that it was on the menu so we handed it to her. Lo and behold, she couldn't find it either. As a side note, we went on a Friday and a DJ came on at 9pm to play music. The restaurant can't seem to decide whether it's a club or a restaurant. Depending on where you sit, you may not be able to hear yourself think. Thankfully the waitress was nice enough to move us. Pros Excellent location to everything downtown Heated lamps for outside seating Excellent oysters Waitress was generally nice until the problem with the check Cons Entrees ranged from o-k to bad Hidden charges for certain side items Loud music depending on where you sit In short, there are way too great restaurants in the Salem area to warrant stopping in this place. Maybe in a year or so the restaurant will work out the kinks and find its identity, but for now I would avoid.
(1)
Joe B.
We visited this place last October and had the to be expected horrible experience but felt like there was potential and were willing to come back after the kinks got fixed.. On a whim today I was reading the current reviews and noted that the review that my dinner partner and myself had left back then are now gone. When businesses pay to join Yelp and then start deleting their bad reviews, I get suspicious. The BEST thing to do would be to publicly reply to each one of those negative reviews, LEARN FROM THEM, and move on. No one really sets out to keep your business from succeeding, your lack of responsiveness to an outpouring of negative specific feedback is the reason your business will fail, I LOVED the chowder and have been craving it on every cool day.. But you need to listen to your customers a little... Your vision may be off a little.
(1)
Kevin M.
Was here Halloween nite with my fiance and had a great time. It was very busy but bartenders were still very attentive. One of them was even able to get us 2 seats right in front of the t.v. Great beer list too. We both started the "muggers club". So we will be back often. We have to finish all the beers on the menu to get a personalized 25 oz. mug to use when we're there. Love it!!!
(5)
Mike C.
Had Monday off for the Sox opener. Decided to take a walk downtown and check out the The Village Tavern...Great TVs for games at the bar...Good comfortable bar with plenty of drafts on tap..Bartender was friendly and helpful with the menu....Decided on the Beef Brisket sandwich (Cooked in the Smoker)...One of the best sandwiches I have had in a long time! Can't wait to go back.
(4)
Elana H.
I really enjoyed this place. The food was good and they serve real craft beer on tap. Oh and discount deals with Cinema Salem too.
(4)
Josh J.
The village tavern has by far the best burgers in town. A half pound of black angus beef served with a heaping mound of steak fries. Its a nice quiet atmosphere. Usually there is a small band playing quietly in the corner. The portions are massive. Im not a nacho guy, but my friends have told me the nachos are to die for. You simply have to try it out for yourself.
(5)
Christy C.
While here on vacation we stopped in for a late lunch. I had the fried pickles.....AMAZING! The service was wonderful and I would definitely recommend it!
(4)
Vicki F.
This was an excellent experience! The food was fantastic, the staff was friendly & very knowledgeable about the area. We were looking for place to have lunch while visiting the area. Couldn't have picked a better place to eat.
(5)
Kellie S.
My favorite part of this place is the outside seating and Yappy hour(bring your dogs for happy hour) Love bringing my dog here! Food is decent drinks are good ( careful if you order a rum and coke, ours came with 151!). Nachos are huge and the cheese sauce on them is soooo good. Always a live band. Sunday brunch was good as well as the jazz band.
(4)
Corey W.
went here with my boyfriend for dinner and loved it! amazing food and drinks and the staff is very nice and friendly! they have a huge bar with local beers and awesome bartenders... I have found my self coming here a lot! I suggest the buffalo wings, nachos, and the chowder is my fav! and for meals everything is good! I love the patio, especially during October... also if you like entertainment there's something happening every night... this is defiantly my fav spot!
(5)
Zach D.
Several improvements made to food, as well as staff. Food came out nice & hot, The Birsket was to die for! Love the fact my cheese was melted on my sandwich this time. They are headed in the right direction for sure now! I would like to see different DJs however. I would hops word goes out further soon. I would also like to see more room to dance after hours if possible. Maybe more Special Effects Lights, attract a younger a crowd perhaps. They are beginning to really define exactly what kind of restaurant they are. It seems the growing pains are beginning to diminish. I would also like to see other additional items able to be requested at the bar. Perhaps some things ghat are not on the menu such as a cotton candy martini perhaps.
(5)
Dr. Juan H.
I came here again for lunch with my niece. The chowder was excellent and the outdoor seating area last Monday with that warm weather wasthe perfect setting to eat. The waitress was attentive and helpful with suggestions for my niece who really liked the Mac and cheese.
(5)
Jen N.
I'm only giving this 1 star because I can't give it 0. The employee (who was not our waitress) who brought out our food, took it to another table. When it did get to our table, my husband's meal was not what he ordered, so we had to wait for the correct order to come out. My burger was also missing the toppings it was supposed to come with. I ordered it med-well. It was half cooked. Literally. Half of the burger was raw. My husband's brisket was cold, extremely fatty, and not what one would expect for bbq brisket (it was thick cut with a little sauce drizzled on top). Despite having the wrong food brought to the table and having to wait for it be corrected and my burger not being cooked, the server never offered anything to make up for it....and we were charged for the more expensive meal they mistakingly brought us in the first place. DISAPPOINTMENT. We will never go back or recommend this place.
(1)
Jeff L.
Meh...Less than advertised...Not an interesting beer selection with the exception of Slumbrew which I had and is phenomenal...BBQ ribs were horribly dry...Wifey's mac and cheese looked good but was dried out and tasteless...Bartender was great but she was alone and overworked. May go back for the music but won't expect much. Can park in garage and they validate, which is good. An ok place to watch a game, but that's it. Given the quality of the food, I don't know if I'd try an oyster.
(2)
Bonnie W.
We went this past saturday Oct. 6th being Biz Baz weekend they were busy, we really liked how the hostess suggested the bar for us when we hesitated about the 1/2 hour wait . when we got to the bar the bartender Scottie greated us and introduced himself and shook our hands making us feel welcomed. I ordered the teryaki tips and my husband ordered the ultimate philly cheese steak sandwich, the tips rocked loved loved the glaze(do not change this), my husband really liked his sandwich too but could tell it was done before mine cause the cheese was cool but was still very good. we will go back there in a second , knowing they just opened and will have kinks to work out I think they will succeed once they do iron them all out.
(4)
Ryan A.
My wife chose the Village Tavern for 8 of us to have dinner and watch the Bruins game on my birthday. She was able to make a reservation and they were even nice enough to make sure that we got a table with a good view of the TV's. When we first got there I was pretty psyched because I like the look of the place, the beer selection, the food selection and they have a shuffleboard table (oddly enough, no one else in Salem has one). But my excitement did not last.... The food in general gets a 1.5 out of 5. The jumbo smokehouse BBQ wings were fantastic and the 2 people that had the pulled pork burritos said that they were good. Personally, I had the BBQ combo 2 and it was terrible. The pulled pork was clearly chipped, not pulled and it was drowned in a ketchup-like BBQ sauce, gross. The brisket was super dry and very tough. Neither meat was very flavorful. 2 other people in the party had the brisket as well and felt the same way. The beer selection was pretty good, but definitely pales in comparison to some of the other bars in Salem (Tavern in the Square, Rockafella, etc.). I also thought the beer was slightly overpriced. 22oz microbrew for $8 is more expensive than Beerworks right around the corner. 2 of our party members were drinking hard liquor and I am told that the drinks were very stiff and that is never a bad thing. The service wasn't terrible but there was definitely room for improvement. 4 members of my party, including myself, were waitstaff at one time or another and a cardinal sin is to let 8 people who are watching a hockey game have to chase you for more beers. There were 2 times that we had to send a search party for our waitress, once for more beers as there were multiple empty glasses on the table and thirsty Bruins fans, and then again when we wanted our check. PROS: Good atmosphere (even when the band came on you could still hold a conversation at the bar) Good beer selection Lots of menu choices Friendly service (After the hockey game we left our table and headed to the bar for shuffleboard and beers....bartenders were very friendly and attentive despite being busy) Shuffleboard table! CONS: Service needs improvement The food is pretty bad...if you want to be Salem's spot for BBQ food, get your act together on the pulled pork front. Beers are a little pricey I really wanted to love this place when we first walked in. I left there wondering if I will ever make it back. I would say that this place is still good for having beers, appetizers and watching a game, but for dinner, I would definitely find somewhere else to go.
(2)
Dan G.
I have been to the Village Tavern quite a few times because I keep wanting it to get better.... it does NOT. The atmosphere is really nice, however and is probably why i gave it so many chances. The service was on different levels. One time I went and it was plain awful. Had to wait forever to get an order and it seemed like the bartender picked favorites. All the male bartenders need to take a course on bar tending or something here. The two female bartenders I have encountered here are actually great though and should be kept. The food has been god awful each time. The wings are okay, the pulled pork is probably the worst I have had, the oysters worst I have had, the clam chowder was clearly from a can, and if it wasn't should be taken off the menu. The burger was actually okay. The food is the absolute WORST thing about this place. Whoever is saying this food is fantastic has not been to many of the other great places around Salem and the North Shore or knows what good food is. The only reason this place got 2 stars is because it carries itself very well. It has the potential to be a five star restaurant if it get better employees and a whole new kitchen staff. I think this place is only moderately busy because its easy access and there is always room to come in when the good places are too packed. They need more draft beer selections as well. They get decent music there though which is another reason to bump them up to two stars.
(2)
Lisa J.
I think the Village Tavern's menu is varied enough to provide a less trendy, but viable alternative to the "something-for-everyone" Beer Works menu, and I'm hoping with time, they'll work out their newly opened restaurant kinks. That said, at Saturday at 7pm-ish they'd run out of a handful of items on the menu, and our server indicated it had been very busy all day. Our food's arrival wasn't delayed, though its quality, presentation, and volume did not live up to our expectations, let alone those set by the menu. Based on our experience, we had the impression they were running out of numerous other items as well, as our appetizer, one of our entrees, and one of our drink orders was missing ingredients based on their menu descriptions, and in one case, inadequate substitutions had been made that were noticeable enough to cause us to ask if we'd been delivered the wrong order. The serving size of one of our items was 50% smaller than its menu description. Both house side salads we ordered were well appointed, appropriately-sized, and quite fresh. While our server was competent and pleasant, her expression was that of someone who been addressing numerous ongoing unsolvable problems and was expecting more to arise. Based on the quality, presentation, and volume of what we were served, and as well, our server's dignified air of resignation, I have to wonder if because of dwindling food, they had been fielding numerous complaints. The interior ambiance had a more family restaurant vibe than I expected from a "tavern", and I wonder if this might be improved by turning the overhead recessed lighting down a notch, which was imparting a somewhat cafeteria feel. I rated my experience a 2, based on the less-than-mediocre food, but in all fairness, as this new establishment gains a better handle over time of its business volume, inventory, and prep needs, any food quality, quantity, and presentation problems should resolve themselves. All new restaurants have start-up problems, and we intend to watch this restaurant's reviews as they get their feet under them, and may venture back in mid-November, after the Halloween craziness has passed.
(2)
Ed F.
My girlfriend and I make an annual trip up to Salem every year in October to see the beautiful town of Salem in all it's glory during the busiest time of the year. We have gone to the other big named restaurants in the area and when I heard that there was an oyster bar, we beelined for the Village Tavern as quickly as possible. The place was packed and in order to get somewhere to sit we decided since the bar area had a handful of seats open we would sit at the bar and eat. We got there and sat down at 1:40 pm and watched the two (or three?) bartenders scramble about the bar pouring mostly beers at a snails pace. After being ignored for more than 15 minutes I told my girlfriend that by 2:00 pm if we didn't see menus or were asked what we'd like then we'd leave. There was a group of people next to us at the bar that waited an hour for appetizers and a small gathering of college kids that got so fed up with waiting for 10 minutes without seeing a menu (like us) and walked out. Literally at 1:59 the bartender looked at us and asked if we would like something to drink. I ordered a pumpkin beer and my girlfriend ordered a Sam-Octoberfest. I was pleasently surprised to find that they dipped the rip of my glass into vanilla/cream cheese icing and coated it with sweet pumpkin spices which enhanced the flavor of the beer. We figured since we would have to wait for a very long time to get an entree we would stick to appetizers. I got 1/2 dozen oysters and New England Clam Chowder and she got the Nachos. The oysters and the beer were the only good thing that we got. The New England Clam Chowder tasted more like bacon and potato soup with absolutely no flavor of clam chowder - I figured going to new england I would get a great cup of chowder - this was not the case. The Nachos were absolutely horrendous! DO NOT GET THE NACHOS The nachos were bland and the chips were burnt on the outside - something I would normally overlook if the nachos themselves were actually good since it means they were put into an over rather than a microwave. The nachos consisted of cheap cheese blend topped over nacho chips with some onions and tomatoes. The chips under the top layer were naked/had barely any cheese on them and after about 4 minutes at the bar the cheese was cold and dismal. The salsa was extremely watery and tasteless. Why do they not put cheese sauce or something on the nachos to enhance the flavor - I'd get a better nacho dish at a crappy Taco Bell rather than this place. Since the food was so bad I wanted to wash it down with another beer - except the bartender dropped the check off WITH THE FOOD and we have yet seen him to see if we wanted a refill. The only quick service we got was when we paid - they were oh so happy to get the people out that they could care less about making them want to stay. In all the time we waited - the fastest the bartender moved was when he dropped the check to us - and brought us back the change. Oh well, his loss considering I probably would've stayed to have another beer. If I could leave a 0 I would, but the only saving graces for this places' horrible service, crappy food, and over priced beer is that the beer was in fact cold, the little twist to the pumpkin beer was nice, and that the oysters were fresh and the cocktail sauce was good. I will never return to this place again in our travles back to Salem, and hope that someone knocks some sense into management and the kitchen staff/chef so they can make some worthwile food to make people want to come back since the location is so ideal.
(1)
Stephanie H.
I have been here numerous times since opening weekend at the end of September 2012. I have sat at the bar for drinks/apps, sat in the dining room for dinner or lunch (and drinks where appropriate) and lastly went in this morning for brunch that they recently started. Food can be hit or miss but personally had more hits than misses. I have heard friends had not so great service and/or food. But overall decent. I keep going back so they are doing something right! The first time I was there opening weekend the food was eh. I think they were trying to open to fast for October in Salem and staffed well (maybe to well) so employees were standing around with not enough to do. Burgers there are good. The southern pulled pork dishes that i have had have been hit or miss. The breakfast today was decent. I got the 3 egg omlette. It was huge! I am tlaking the size of my head huge. Stuffed with lots of meat and veggies and came with home fries and toast (not buttered- pet peeve of mine) and 2 slices of bacon (or you can get ham). For the amount of food you get the prices overall are decent.
(3)
Suzy B.
We ate here because of the outdoor seating. My husband and I ordered chicken salads, the kids had burgers. My daughter actually said the burger was tough. The chicken had no flavor and the dressing was kinda bad, like out of a bottle. Service was slow and the bill seemed too expensive for what we had. Not good.
(2)
Ana R.
We loved the Village Burger. Only reason for not giving 5 stars is the clam chowder has celery in it!
(4)
Carly F.
stumbled upon this place walking through salem. bartender very helpful. fried pickles are amazing. we had the beef brisket sandwich and beef brisket Rueben, both of which were smoked. they were delicious and reasonably priced. great for local bar fare while strolling through town.
(4)
Carl H.
A nice option in Salem. Still not my favorite place in town but solid
(4)
Jessica S.
Live entertainment every day, awesome bar, likable staff...what else do you want? Granted, this isn't the Ritz of all restaurants, but if you want to grab a bite to eat while enjoying some music in a relaxed and tavern-y environment, then this is your spot!
(5)
Kimberly M.
Absolutely amazing! Finally a restaurant on the mall - beats looking at traffic like the other choices around here. We have enjoyed their outdoor heated patio twice this week and the food was outstanding. Their chili with shredded beef is as good as it gets. This is the first time I've enjoyed real guacamole on nachos since moving here from California. Burgers were juicy, grilled onions - perfect! Our server Abby was friendly, food arrived fast, drinks filled - excellent service. They offer a wider variety of food than you will find anywhere around here. I personally am tired of chowder, pizza and just what exactly is a steak tip anyway?
(5)
Brian C.
Where do I begin. OK it's new, I get it, still not an excuse for a 2 hour horror lunch. Menu is confusing and overwhelming. This restaurant doesn't know what it wants to be,a little of everything I guess which screams tourist trap. I ordered the brisket Reuben and as it turns out they were out of the brisket. disappointed the opted for the pulled pork,which was not very "pulled" and more like pedestrian crock pot version that was cold and totally underwhelming. My buddy ordered a chicken sandwich and soup to start. The soup never came , sandwich arrived without the advertised lettuce, tomato and onion. When he told waitress it was supposed to come with aforementioned accoutrements she replied, "No it's not". Ohhhkayyy... Points for having what looked like hand cut fries, but all points deducted for the flimsy undercooked spuds that could have used a whole lot more time in the fryer. My friends daughter got a kids meal grilled cheese which came with apples slices as a substitute for the fries which he felt was a nice option. The ice cream arrived as part of the kids meal but unfortunately since she is 2, she had some difficulty using the soup spoon that was provided.Upon asking for a teaspoon,, we were told that they were on backorder. I can only surmise that the spoons must be on the same truck as the brisket. Clearly this place opened a good 3-4 weeks to early. When we kindly spoke to part-time manager/bartender on staff about the long wait and issues, she diverted all attention to my friends daughter to basically change the subject and not listen to us. She then so graciously took the grilled cheese kids meal off the bill, instead of any of our meals or even our round of beers. I wonder why... I see other reviewers repeat that they were out of certain foods they wanted to order, like the brisket when I was there. Funny how they had plenty of t-shirts,mugs,pints and whatever other swag for tourists. For those of you living in the North Shore, consider yourselves warned, this establishment is not meant for us.
(1)
albert r.
We have a friend that just started working here so we went over Monday. First we waited an hour for a table half the place was empty. We ordered drinks. Ok but overpriced on poor mixes being used. Wife got a coffee drink it was cold and no whipped cream. We ordered after 40 minutes we asked how much longer. In the mean time we ask for a grilled cheeses for the baby to tide him over. It was cold and burnt. 1 hour into waiting we grab the waitress she says the order is not even close to being started. Frustrating part is no one gave a damn if we would out un happy. I think they were just happy to see us go with out a hassle. This place is terrible and the owners should be ashamed of them selfs and so should the crew. Not even a sorry what can we do to make it right...nothing...so in the end they suck and they deserve to go under.
(1)
Alicia D.
HATE to give a bad review, but when food is inedible, I just feel I have to send that out there, in hopes something will change. Husband and I ventured out en route to the Thai place next to the cinema, but then we remarked that we had not given Village Tavern a try yet. We have dined at EVERY restaurant in Salem, so why leave this one out? Decor was a little weird, unfortunately I'm not a decorator, or I could suggest solutions, but it was too open and there was blonde wood everywhere. It seemed to lack "flow". I maybe better just shut up about decor because I'm babbling, but let's just say it did not work. Our waitress was lovely (hence the extra star). The menu lacked an identity; when you serve "everything", it's hard to tell what the place actually excels at, maybe barbeque? I also had a problem with the flimsy paper menu--ours were slightly stained which is pretty gross. It was getting a used place mat. I hope they are only using these menus until they decide what they are all about--then commit and get some laminated ones. So, not vegetarian friendly, please note that. There was very little for a veggie minded diner to choose from, so I got the clam chowder and the veggie quesadilla. I found the chowder completely inedible due to the high salt content! I slid it over to the hubby, who did eat it but admitted that it was extremely salty and not to his liking. The quesadilla was just OK, a little burnt around the tortilla, unspectacular but OK. I don't remember what the husband got, but I do recall that as we were leaving he said he felt bad that the place was not up to par. I might give it a try again, giving it some time to work stuff out in the kitchen but yah, we did leave a little sad for them. It would be nice to have a wonderful restaurant in that spot!
(2)
Rita R.
Saddens me also to write this review. Here are the positives - staff is trying, just need training and esperience. Love the patio and the cool gas heaters. Like the different areas for seating, but what do you do to accomodate a group of 10 inside? Recommendations: Bus boys - dont put the tub ob dirty dishes on the table when you are cleaning up while poeple are finishing their drinks. Menu - scale it back, make fresh burgers not pre-made patties, change the breading on the chicken tenders - what is that awful blend? sage? way too spicy for kids. Quality of chicken on sandwich was not good. Salad seemed fresh - slice chicken when ordered on top. Decor - boring, After halloween, maybe look into hiring a desiger to come in for some ideas. Good luck Village Tavern.
(2)
Charlie S.
I always try to give new restaurants a month or two before I give them a try to let them work out the kinks. I visited Village Tavern in December, giving them about two months. It was a Thursday night (normally fairly busy in Salem) and the weather was decent. To put the review simply, I found myself unimpressed and disappointed. I had read their website touting the "Largest Bar in Salem", "North Shore's Best Smoked BBQ" and "14 Custom Draft Beers" and had pretty high hopes for the experience. Smoke BBQ and beer are easily two of my favorite things, so how could this go wrong? For a Thursday night the place was fairly deserted, so I expected the best from the staff. However that sadly was not the case. When I first arrived the bar was unattended and a staff member clearly not familiar with it attempted to pour my beer. After about five minutes luckily the bar tender returned and started the beer from scratch. Unfortunately he was "called away" and left the bar unattended again, leaving us with empty glasses. A waiter tried to cover, but was clearly untrained (when another customer was served a cracked glass the waiter poured the beer into a new glass instead of pouring a fresh one). This apparently lead into a shift change, and the new bar tender was more interested in openly discussing his social life and complaining about other employees with his friend sitting at the bar then serving the customers (again empty glasses). I ordered a combination plate in order to get a good cross section of the BBQ offerings. Having been told by the bar tender (the first one) that it was their "pride and joy" my hopes were running pretty high. Dinner started strong with a wonderful, warm, and tasty loaf of honey oat bread. The ribs were not cutting it however. They were tiny, only about 2 1/2 inches long, and burnt. There was more char on them than meat, and the meat that was left was dry. The chicken was also not up to par. The portion I was served had very little meat on it, however it was juicy and had a nice flavor. Rounding out the meats was the brisket. I was impressed, it was tender and juicy however could have used more flavor. On top of the meats was a sauce that seemed really haphazardly squirted out of a bottle on top. Unimpressive, I would much more preferred to have it evenly spread on the meats (the brisket defiantly needed it). Finishing off the plate were some thick cut steak fries, which were solidly mediocre, and a delicious serving of corn bread (sadly the best thing on the plate). Now the nail in the coffin for this place was the beer selection. Touting "14 Custom Draft Beers" would imply a strong selection of craft or local brews. The reality is 10 standard brews (sorry guys but there is nothing "custom" about Harpoon or Sam in a Boston bar anymore) and 4 "craft" selections that were not listed anywhere. Either drop the confusing "custom" tag or build out your selection. I will say the design of the restaurant is very pleasant. An open floor plan with large windows looking out at the fountain, walking mall, and museum from the bar area. The bar is a large "U" shape with comfortable stools and plenty of TVs. The only real detracting factor was the fairly tacky space heaters spread around. Although it may be the "Largest Bar in Salem", the Village Tavern falls drastically short of being the "North Shore's Best Smoked BBQ" and misleadingly uses the "Custom Beer" line. The staff needs some serious help, and the food needs to step up or shut up. Overall, I'm not impressed right now, but I do hope they get the message and improve because the space was nice and the niche could use to be filled.
(2)
J C.
This was probably one of the worst dining experiences I've ever had. The restaurant was packed, don't get me wrong, but there also seemed to be an adequate amount of staff on to handle the lunch rush. Came here for lunch this past weekend, we were seated right away and our server, Courtney, immediately greeted us. That was the best part of the entire dining experience. It took around 20 minutes to get our drinks. Another 15 minutes to get a glass for the beer I ordered. Well over an hour for our food, which arrived cold and missing sides it was supposed to come with. I had ordered another beer within the 60 minute wait for our food which I never received--but of course it was put on the bill, with the server simply saying "Oh, I thought I gave it to you." She was very unapologetic, and clearly not weeded since she kept stopping to chat with the women seated next to us. I saw at least 3 or 4 other servers handling the outside area, so I'm assuming the sections aren't that big. I realize the food taking legitimately AN HOUR is not her fault, but our drinks taking 20 minutes each time, and one time not even getting the drink I ordered is. I feel bad leaving a terrible review like this, but I've never received such bad service in my life and I'm a little less forgiving considering the amount of staff I saw working that day. What should have been a 45 minute lunch turned into a 90 minute lunch that was extremely unenjoyable. We should have just went to Wendy's. I will not be returning.
(1)
Lisa R.
I just got back from lunch at the Village Tavern, and while the food didn't knock our socks off, it was perfectly decent and a pleasant meal overall. We were greeted right away and taken to a table outside, as we requested. The server was polite and attentive -- he showed up at all the right times, offered to refill our water glasses, took my boyfriend's plate away when he finished, asked if I was done (which I wasn't quite) and came back for my plate in a few minutes. I had the mac and cheese w/ broccoli, which exceeded my expectations (it was baked with buttery breadcrumbs, the broccoli was cooked but still a little crisp -not mushy at all-, and green onions on top, with a creamy cheese sauce) and my bf had a burger, which was a pretty good burger, cooked just slightly under well-done (he asked for well done). We live nearby, and this will probably be one of our middle-of-the-road places, when we don't want to splurge for a favorite place, but still want to have a decent meal for $20-$25 total for the 2 of us.
(4)
Cathy L.
I wish I had read the reviews here before going with friends last night. Friendly waitress but not very knowledgeable. Ordered a mojito only to learn they were out of mint. It was about 6:45 p.m. Don't remember what I ended up ordering but it came in a plain glass with no garnish and looked like a glass of flat ginger ale. My friend's parmesan peppercorn dressing had a very weird taste - between a chemical and a dirty sponge. I thought she was exaggerating until I tasted it. The steak tips in my salad weren't grilled and weren't cooked medium well like I requested - they were too red for me. The herb vinaigrette dressing was delicious, tho. I do not enjoy saying negative things about a place but the above coupled with annoying fruit flies that we had to swat while we ate propelled me to write. It's a great location and I love casual tavern/pubs and feel that it's a welcome addition to Salem. But the owners need to not cut corners and give their customers better quality food and drink - there are too many alternatives close by.
(2)
Ziqiu Z.
good service and live music earn the restaurant an extra star otherwise the food was just average the vintage menu looked interesting tho
(4)
Q & A on Village Inn
Does the Village Inn serve breakfast all day?
Since the year of 1958 when Village Inn was opened in Denver Colorado, the restaurant has been offering its guests great food all day. So, if you want to have a heavy breakfast, light lunch or enjoy pancakes at dinner, the Village Inn is the place to visit.
Does Village Inn still have free pie Wednesday?
Village Inn offers a free slice of pie with any dine-in purchase. Every Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. customers can enjoy a featured pie with any of their purchase. For more information on the pie, one can ask the servers while visiting the restaurant in the area.
Does Village Inn have vegan options?
Unfortunately, there are very few Vegan and Vegetarian options at Village In. There are fruits and salads but most of the items are not Vegan or Vegetarian. We advise asking the server before making the orders.
What time does the Village Inn Open and Close?
Village Inn restaurant opens from 6:00AM-12:00
Is the Village Inn closed during holidays?
Village Inn is among only a few restaurants which remain open on any major holiday's which includes Easter Sunday, Christmas and New Year.
How to find the nearest Village Inn restaurant?
There are over 212 operating Village Inn restaurants in the United States. This restaurant is known for its wide variety of Breakfast Menu. Today, people from all over US visit Village Inn to enjoy food and pies which have won many awards from American Pie Council. The best way to search the nearest Village Inn location is by using our Restaurant Listings Directory which gives you the exact address of the restaurant near as per your location.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
About Village Inn
Village Inn is an American dining restaurant that serves the best American breakfast items on its menu. Founded by James Mola and Merton Anderson, Village Inn began its operations in 1958 as Village Inn Pancake House in Denver. However, during the 1980s, Pancake House was dropped from the title and the name was changed to Village Inn. Registered as VICORP Restaurants Inc., the restaurant company acquired over 71 restaurants in the United States.
Village Inn began serving lunch and dinner menus in addition to breakfast items during the 80s. The pies at Village Inn have won several awards from the American Pie Council. You can order a variety of sandwiches, burgers, healthy salads, melts, and other dinner items. Spread across 212 locations in the United States, Village Inn is a renowned restaurant brand among foodies who love American breakfast menu.
Healthy Food Options at Village Inn
Village Inn is the place to go if you have cravings for enjoyable breakfast items. Most breakfast items are high in sodium and not consumable for certain health conditions. You must be extremely picky to have a healthy breakfast, lunch, or dinner at the Village Inn. Village Inn offers a wide range of breakfast and dinner menu to choose from. While most of the items on the menu are high in sodium and cholesterol, you can still find some healthy food options in salads and simple breakfast items.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Garage Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Live Good For Dancing : Yes Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Derek B.
Oof. None of the following is an exaggeration: We waited 15 minutes at the table before being seen. Then the waiter comes, and we order our food with drinks. Another twenty minutes pass before water arrives--the waiter said "sorry, I dropped them." Okay? I suppose he dropped them, waited 20 minutes, then brought them back. So, it took 35 minutes to get water. The food came only about 5 minutes later, but was not what we ordered. This is not entirely surprising, because the waiter had not written down the order. We told the waiter that the order was wrong, and he said that it was a quick fix and would be back in "two minutes." Fifteen minutes later, the corrected (subpar, dry) correct burger arrived. After this experience, hearing the waiter apologize to the table next to us for something, and watching him walk around with his finger in his nose, I decided to complain to the manager. This was quite nerve-wracking, because I have actually never complained at a restaurant before. Thankfully, the manager (who guessed who the server was--bad sign) fully refunded the meal. This was a nice gesture, and almost earned the place two stars, but should have never had to happen.
(1)Paul A.
First, the reason for two stars was the server Brad. He was helpful and pleasant. The problem was my wife and I ordered the fried clam plate. They were delicious but here's the problem....they were strips not full clams with bellies. The waiter told me that's how they were described on the menu. Took his word for it. After dinner went inside to look at the menu and sure enough no mention anywhere of clam strips. Asked the staff at the hostess table and they told me they were supposed to be full clams and not strips. Another staffer came up to me and said that because of red tide, no one was getting full clams. Of course that's b.s since I ate full clams the previous week. I didn't want to start a scene but please don't lie or take the customer as a fool by using stupid excuses. Anyway, please have your servers tell the customer that they're only getting half a clam. The price was $18.99 for the plate which included fries and onion rings. The other dinners arrived on a timely basis, hot and tasty. By the way, no one offered to correct my complaint. Not good! Won't be back.
(2)Kym M.
Great atmosphere, outside seating is dog friendly and pool for a buck? What? Awesome!
(5)Megan F.
Excellent outdoor seating. Great food and the service was funny, quick and respectful of us just wanting to take our time and review the menu. We are not local to the area. A nice selection of craft beers too. Only thing I was sad about was all the rave on the prime sandwich which they were out of. I also noticed someone near by had ordered the Maryland crab cake appetizer - as a Marylander I would never recommend it, it looked like an over fried pattie.
(5)Scott W.
Never in 25 years of living here in Salem have I ever had such a bad experience! Sarcastic and arrogant staff and purposely screwed up my lunch with the chef and then joked about it! This place just lost a great customer and my word of mouth will make it much worse! Stay away.....
(1)Kyle G.
Killer place, great beer selection, great staff, good prices, and always friendly faces. Outdoor seating is dog friendly and great for people watching.
(5)Stephanie A.
Get the onion rings! The sriracha mayo dipping sauce is amazing! I'd also recommend the smokehouse burrito. If you're not hungry come in and have a cold beer and play a game of pool!
(4)C C.
This place can seduce you by its location, live music, atmosphere and pop Americana decor, but beware, they will treat your dog better than your children! Dogs have their own laminated menus, children get one tiny corner of a newsprint menu. A child's cheeseburger is a tiny, burnt, chunk of charcoal (no exaggeration). French fries for your child will be the same spiced and sophisticated garlic fries that satisfy the adult palette while the kids wince. The chicken fingers are all finger (breading) and no chicken! The clam chowder is excellent, but how can an adult truly enjoy his meal when his kids are struggling with lumps of coal, over-spiced fries, and chicken crackers?
(1)Robyn T.
My experience at Village Tavern started out so well, and then sort of fell off as time went on. At first glance, this place had everything I was looking for. A fun menu, good prices, a nice beer list, pool tables and dart boards, open patio seating that includes dogs, and a mug club! My husband and I talked about how this could easily become our new 'go to' place. We read more about the mug club and it sounded right up our alley so sign us up! It's advertised on the menu, the website, and the drink menu. Excitedly we told our waitress to get us signed up, and she came back and said that there was no more room and we couldn't join. Huh? I don't even know what that means. So there's no room for me to spend a bunch of money at your establishment over a 3 month period drinking every beer you have? Kind of deflating. Moving on, I ordered a honey mustard chicken salad and my husband ordered the mac and cheese burger. Both were ok. Nothing that would blast off fireworks, but ok. My chicken was obviously frozen first and re-heated but the salad veggies tasted fresh so I can forgive that. The hubs said his burger was ok, but he's had better. I can't say it was a horrible experience, otherwise I would have rated it lower. And I do love the pool tables and dart boards, so we will probably be back for that. But we would probably eat somewhere else first, and would look on with envy at all the personalized, engraved mugs on the walls that will, unfortunately only be a pipe dream for us.
(3)Carly B.
Awesome experience! We randomly wandered in here during a rainy Tuesday. Our bartender, Kevin, never stopped cleaning the whole time in between providing great customer service. The beer selection was great and served in ice cold glasses. We ordered the fried seafood platter to share and I highly recommend it! I've lived in New England all of my life and have never had a better one! The portions were huge and such great quality. The shrimp and scallops were gigantic! The whole belly Ipswich clams were sweet and tasty, the haddock piece was huge, as well. It comes with fries and big onion rings, what a value!
(5)Matt C.
We happened upon this pub for Sunday brunch. They were just starting to open so we were the first in there. Let me tell you, the server, Amanda was great! She was very attentive and we had a great conversation. We chose to both have the buffet, and the food was very fresh, and high quality! Plus, the Bloody Marys were amazing. A great last minute choice, and will definitely go back!
(5)Jeff C.
Well, at mgr / owners request we gave them another shot. I'll have to say, compared to our last experience 5 months ago, this experience was great. The food quality was much better and the service was pretty much perfect. I'm giving 4 stars mainly do to our Bartender. She was great. Keep it up. You'll keep us coming back. Next time we'll try brunch
(4)Joseph A.
Not bad, not great. Oysters were delicious, better than what I had at the Union Square Oyster House in Boston during my visit. Lobster roll was kind of dry and peppery. Worth a try if you are in Salem.
(3)Mark N.
$25 lobster roll. 90% celery, 10% lobster. Over priced and not much flavor. Very disappointed.
(2)Ilyana E.
I honestly thought because of its location it would be expensive but I was hungry and the outdoor setting looked inviting, so we stop here. Service was good, waiting period of 15 min which is not bad at all. I order the Cajun chicken Alfredo, chicken was overcooked, meaning that it was moist, it was rather tough, but the pasta and salad were nice. More good point that bad so 3 stars. Prices are really reasonable.
(3)Jacob C.
I started coming here about two months ago and love it! They have a great selection of beers on tap and many bottles and cans. Just over 60 I believe. If you come for food, everything seems to be fresh. My favorite is the pulled pork nachos. Their pulled pork is delicious! They recently opened a back room with pool tables, darts, and vintage video games. My cousin and I have started playing pool here almost every weekend. All in all, great atmosphere, great food, and great beer!
(5)Scottie M.
A for Awful. Cursed by witches. Avoid like the plague! This horrid little sports bar pub is centrally located in the heart of Salem. The staff appear to be stoned out of their minds, gawking at you and staring off in a state of confusion. When you finally get a table inside, after you've mentioned quite a few times that "No" you would not like to sit outside in the freezing wind, "but thanks anyway!", you are escorted into a brothel of beer-chugging and french-fry-flinging children. The tables must be wiped down with a dirty rag, they were still sticky when we sat down. The menu - unless you want a plain salad - everything will leave you at risk for a heart attack. I ordered the smoked wings plate. Ghastly. Chicken was so dry it nearly changed to dust when pulled from the bone, baked beans were COLD COLD COLD, cole slaw was commercially produced and smelled old, and my corn bread was missing - I was told they were out. Want a pumpkin beer? Too bad, they're out. Want to use the ketchup bottle on your table? Too bad, it's empty. Want to use the ketchup bottle on the next table over? Too bad, it's empty too! This place is the very definition of low-rent! Run. Run, far away!
(1)Cat D.
I liked the way the layout of the place was. It was a nice day. We all had tall beer - Blue Moons. I had the swiss mushrm bacon cheeseburger w/ fries. It was delicious!!!! I ate everything! BF had some sort of steak dish with rice. It was really good! We started Off with the hummus dip app. It was great. I dont quite understand the bad reviews. I had a greag server. Pretty attentive, fast service and great food.
(4)Erik S.
went into the new tap room the other afternoon (watched it being built and was so excited to go in and have a cold one and grab a bite)waited at door and none came to greet us so we sat at a table waited ten minutes no one came over to table. employees were talking to friends and having a great time and drinking but paid us no attention. so we got up and walked out will never go back there again and have already told others not to bother. do not know if it is new staff or just opening confusion but no excuse for not greeting patrons when they enter.
(1)Deborah M.
After waiting 45 minutes for our food, my husband and I were served hamburgers that were practically raw inside.
(1)Aron W.
I stumbled on this place while on business trip to East Coast. It was a very easy place to find and in good location They had outside seating, but being 35 degrees outside I opted for inside. Highly recommend... They had a bunch of pool tables in the back room so I can see how this place would be cool after work or weekends They had a band coming in around 9ish... Small stage, but could see how it would have been fun Oysters - at first $2.04 per oyster seems a little high for local oysters, but I was craving and went ahead and ordered. I was so glad I did because they were amazing and totally worth it. BBQ Pork - BBQ would not be my first impression to order in Mass, but the bartender was raving about their new BBQ pit installed 6 months ago and how they slow cook it. I grew up in Texas and have had BBQ in Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, KC and this rates in my top 5. It was fresh, moist, tender and so used on the smoke pork and not some overpowered attempt @ BBQ sauce. I was impressed and highly recommend One advice would be to add more craft beers to the beer menu, but other than that I would HIGHLY recommend going
(5)Erin H.
The music great but the only downside is that its loud. We wanted to sit outside but the only table available was next to the band. We wouldn't be able to hear each other. I recommend changing to a more acoustic sound.
(3)Shelly A.
Looked like it would be a nice place, was willing to pay for the prices based upon that assumption - but we were wrong it was pretty crappy. My sister got ribs my mother and I got steaks. The pros: the setting, onion rings, sweet potato fries, and the corn bread. The cons: everything else. The steaks weren't cooked properly, the portions were sad, the plates were all tiny my Cole slaw was in a dip cup .. wtf Is that shit? Buy some real plates. The "free cheese and crackers" was wheat thins on a tea saucer lmfao its honestly laughable. RUN FOREST RUN
(1)Jeff M.
Well this place is a Hidden gem The prime Rib was awesome pulled pork sliders perfect but the pulled pork Mac and cheese (served only Tuesday's) was to die for creamy Mac and cheese lunch and dinner sizes 4.99 for lunch can't beat it the chilly was sub par the prices are fair to high but you get what you pay for well worth it Plus 62 beers in bottles and tap 8.50 to 4.25 depending on alcohol content some beers like the golden monkey beer my favorite is 9.5% alcohol Plus Tuesday nights is Open mic night what a big screen TVs for football and of the sporting events Great place to hang out with your friends or that special someone check it out you will not be disappointed
(4)Tharanisa T.
We ordered a cheeseburger with mayo and when I received my meal....no cheese no mayo. Waited for server for 20min. By this time burger was cold. Soda was flat and service was not that great. Ok the positive is their Ale is good and so is the patio.
(1)Whitney S.
Service here is awful. Takes forever to get a drink or food (and we were sitting at the bar this time). I've been here a few times before and it's always the same. All the bartenders are in a corner talking to one another...just did a count and 6 people need drinks. Not to mention there is a fourteen year old Kid sitting next to me at the bar right now. Yikes.
(2)M K.
We loved this place! I'm surprised it doesn't have higher ratings. We took others advice and got the pulled pork nachos...they did not disappoint. They come on a huge platter and are amazing! The menu was unique and had a variety of foods, my husband ordered fish, I ordered a burrito (the most interesting and unique burrito I have ever had but so delicious!) and my son ordered ribs. We all enjoyed our meals and the ambience was nice. The prices were great too. Give it a try!
(4)Dick W.
We sort of fell into the Village Tavern after a Peabody Essex Museum visit on Easter Sunday. Despite being kind of reserved up for Easter, they not only found space for us but even found different space when the booth didn't work out for the bad back among us. Our excellent server was Adam who was very attentive but never intrusive. Another server (whose name I didn't get but who had an (I think) South African accent) helped out now and then as well. Two of us had the breakfast/brunch buffet which included custom omelette. Both omelettes were quite good but one required an additional mushroom transfusion. Both were cooked well, but not overcooked -- almost a scarcity these days. One of us had a burger, ordered medium rare but served almost raw in the center (the main reason for four rather than five stars). The fourth had Thai lettuce wraps and loved them. We had two hard ciders and a grapefruit shandy to drink -- driver stuck with water. Prompt service but no pressure to get up and go when we were done. If we lived closer (hundreds of miles away, sigh) this could easily have become our favorite place. The live music, by the way -- had we been into the room with the musicians -- would have been too loud. Addendum: I just went and read some of the earlier reviews -- including several negative ones. I attest those folks must have been at a different place. Although one visit is too little to generalize from I'll just say that we will be back next time we visit the area.
(4)Freddie R.
1 star, but ONLY because i have to pick something. Place is junk. It was dead inside for any place on a Saturday afternoon, Especially a tourist destination like Salem. There was an overabundance of wait staff just hanging around and bumping into each other without any direction whatsoever. We were seated after being harassed by some street guitarist looking for a gig at the door, and then waited for 10-15 minutes for someone/anyone to acknowledge the fact that we were there. And then..... we left and walked by again several of the wait staff and no-one even asked how we were or if we enjoyed our meal. 1st impressions are important and this place blows.
(1)Leah B.
The food was not very good and the service was awful. We never got our waters refilled the whole time we were there. We also had to search for a waiter to get our check. As for the food, the hummus tasted like nothing, as did my salad dressing. However, my biggest problem was that they started making me the wrong salad and when they figured it out just added some of the toppings I had ordered in top before bringing it to me. The two salad toppings did not mesh harmoniously. I got it fixed but the second salad I received had almost no toppings though they were finally the correct toppings. I gave this place two stars because I did try the pulled pork my boyfriend got and it was ok.
(2)Laura D.
My husband had my 30th surprise party here this past Friday...it was my first visit and definitely won't be my last. The place is so fun, the staff were amazing and personable and the food and drinks were great! The 90s band that played after was also amazing (I wish I knew the name of the band!). I can't wait to go back for dinner and drinks! I will recommend this place to everyone.
(5)Jim W.
After scouting the dinner options near the center of Salem, we opted for the Village Tavern. It was a pleasant Monday evening in July, so we opted to sit outside. Their patio faces a pedestrian street and a public fountain area. While we waited for our food, we got to watch the local bicycle-and-skateboard kids try out tricks around the fountain. No one was seriously hurt, which was good. The food is pretty standard bar-fare, but decent enough. We split a salad, I got a burger, and I'm not sure what the other 2 in our party got. No one was dissatisfied. They also had Angry Orchard on draft, which was nice. Service was friendly. This isn't destination-dining, but it's a fine choice if you're in the area and get hungry.
(3)Corey L.
We live around the corner and popped in on a Sunday afternoon to sit outside and watch the tourists wander around in witch hats. Our experience overall was similar to what others have said: fine location, would be cool with music, but food and service were not impressive. I like that the menu is like a newspaper - cool idea. They have a bunch of typical pub food, like burgers and bbq stuff. The waitress suggested pulled pork, which was out. So we shared some oysters, fried pickle slices, and then my girlfriend got a grilled chicken salad and I got the border burger. Clams were fine, nothing impressive. The sauce was okay. Fried pickles were good. Mmmm, fried pickles. Her salad was fine, nothing that good but not bad. My burger was the same. I love burgers, so was disappointed. The guacamole didn't have much taste and overall it was pretty dry. I added ketchup to give some moisture, but it was a disappointing burger. The fries were fine. We'll go back to hang out and for beers, but not for food. And the service was pretty bad.
(3)J P.
Beautiful day outside for lunch following the super fun Salem Pride parade. Even though the outdoor patio was busy we were sat right away. For appetizer the veggie quesadillas were ok I just didn't like all the onion. I was going to get a burger but decided on a pulled pork sandwich instead. To my dismay the sandwich didn't taste anywhere near as good as it looked had a strong taste of pepper and quite a few fatty pieces. My better half had the rodeo hamburger with sweet potato fries which was really good. We couldn't pass up the brownie sundae which was awesome. Our server was friendly nothing to complain or praise about. There was a raspberry beer which was good but the watermelon flavored beer tasted better if your into a fruity flavor. If I came back it would be for a burger.
(4)Laura N.
I love this place. It is cozy and warm inside. It has a nice beer selection with rotating drafts. I got the Triple C Platter (chicken, chili, cheese) and it was awesome-- so comforting and tasty. It came with grilled cornbread that was moist and buttery. Very reasonably priced too!! My meal was $9.99 and I left very full! Great go-to restaurant in Salem for comfort food that won't break the bank.
(4)Jeff B.
We found the food & service so-so and the prices outrageous. The menu doesn't even give prices for the drinks & beers. Our $10 buffalo wings came with 6 wings and were Sysco food. Really?!?
(2)Steven M.
This is a local hangout. Let's get that out of the way first. If you are a tourist, come in by anyways, but understand it's for locals, by locals. There is live music most nights, the beer selection is good, the food is par for the course. The service is good, though I'm here enough that I've seen some of the bartenders off the clock. The Village Tavern is friendly above all. You go there to see your friends. It has an outdoor section for when it is too noisy outside. If I am going somewhere on a Friday Night, it is probably here.
(5)Deborah L.
The restaurant was empty and we still got lousy service. The food was worse. Had to send my fish sandwich back because it wasn't how I ordered it. When it did come back, the bun was hard and indelible and the fries were mushy. My boyfriends food was Luke warm, BBQ plate came with 3 wings and the cheapest cut of ribs possible, he was pulling gristle from every bite. Cornbread was old, dry and so hard, he couldn't get a fork through it. OnI top of it all, the prices were sky high for terrible food. Skip this one!!!!
(1)Joe M.
It seems their evening focus is now geared towards 20 something lunk heads. Salem doesn't need another Beginners Bar. We already have Murphy's and O'Neils.
(1)Jeanele W.
Yummmyyyy! Came to village Tavern while on a vacation with the bf... Great beer selection and I love the BBQ! Will definitely be back on my next visit to Salem! Our server, dalton was great, very helpful and put a smile on our faces. After we ate we headed to the bar and Jon, our bartender, was really nice and helped us choose a good whiskey :)
(5)Rupert T.
Great outdoor patio, friendly staff. They just recently added another room with 3 pool tables and darts. I like it, good atmosphere. Only criticism is the bands sucks. They have some thing where if you drink like 50 different beers you get a mug that you cant take home so if you try for that your dumb.
(4)Alana B.
Really not impressed with this place. Got a seat at the bar, had been sat for about ten mins by the time they asked what I would like for a drink- and the guy never bothered getting me my drink. He just walked off and then served someone else. I had to ask for a menu also, and ask someone else again for a drink. The food was awful. I ordered the chicken tenders and it was one of those meals that make you feel yuk and I felt yuk just looking at it. Was just a plate piled high of fried food- a plate of brown food. Whilst the fries were nice, a bit of green on the plate would have gone down a treat.
(1)Matt P.
Always a great time at the vtav!
(5)Casey A.
Had dinner here and it was amazing. Very busy place. Offers both outdoor and inside seating which is great! Food was delicious and brought out in a timely manner. The only issue I had was the bathroom. There was a LONG wait because one of the stalls was broken and one of the sinks were broken. A huge crack in the sink! Besides that everything was perfect. Highly recommended food.
(4)Nana T.
After a lovely day spent wandering around Salem, we planned to eat here--we even called ahead to ask if they made reservations and, when they said yes, we made them for 6pm. We wanted patio seating, to accommodate our dogs. When we arrived there was a long line and we asked if we could skip the line since we'd made reservations--and were told we hadn't made reservations, they didn't take reservations; the manager even suggested we were lying even though we had definitely called ahead and even left a name and number. So, can't review the food. Service: terrible. Not a good impression to give a hungry out-of-towner. If they didn't take reservations, they should have said so over the phone.
(1)Samantha R.
Was just OK. waitress was not the best. a couple behind us had sent thier food back twice before they just said please just take it off the bill. We ordered the cheese and crackers for an appitizer... it was about a 1/4 cup of spreadable cheese with a handful of wheat thin crackers, it was very awkward but it was fun and i did enjoy that. I got the teriyaki chicken over white rice. my food was not that good and i would not get it again. Dan got the southwest burrito and he did enjoy his meal, but for the prices for the food, i have had wayyy better food and quality and service for less before. will not return
(1)alice s.
My cousin and I went to the Village Tavern during the Essex Street Fair on Saturday. We sat at a high top near the bar. The food was really good. I liked the atmosphere of the restaurant. The menu is a newspaper so that was really cool. However the service was terrible! We were there ten mins before our server greeted us. She wasn't even the one to deliver our food and she never came over to ask how everything was. My cousin needed some water so he asked the bartender and the bartender refused to give it to him and told us to ask our waitress. We would have if she came by! The bus boy was nice enough to get us a water. We finished our meal and the waitress never came by with a bill so we asked the bartender if he could give us one, he was rude and said "that's what your waitress is for" so that's when my cousin spoke up and told the bartender that we only saw our waitress when she took our order and that though the food was good, the service has been awful. The bartender apologized. I will go back because I did enjoy the food, but hopefully we have better service.
(3)Bill G.
Went there late Sunday afternoon. Ordered the Pulled Pork dinner. I have had apps with more meat than I got with this meal. Portion size was the size of a small ice cream scoop. Should have known by the absence of people ordering food there, that this was not the place to have a meal. Small crowd there most of them drinking, the few ordering food were ordering apps.
(1)Nicholas K.
If you're into gross american food this is your place. Heart disease central, you'll find meat in every option on the menu. I am not one to ever settle for a salad at a restaurant, however I did here. The house salad I believe I got. Lettuce, onions, tomatoes, cucumber. 8.99. Bullshit. Beer selection was good. They allow dogs and were nice in general. It's 2014 and you're located in a super touristy location, get some vegan food on your menu.
(2)Nicole M.
Come for the Mug Club stay for the food! This is a hidden little gem with awesome food and a great beer list. Their BBQ is awesome and unexpected, their burger list is unique (try the burger topped with cream cheese and jalapenos!), and their Mug Club is very cool. Check it out. I've only had 1 "iffy" experience, when a friend order a ($9) appetizer of onion rings and what came out looked like a side order. The waitress brought out more, but it was literally too little too late.
(5)Dave H.
Being from the south, anytime I am in New England and I see BBQ on the menu I am always intrigued. Quite often I am let down. This place is no exception. Why even bother? Just don't think the BBQ concept is conceivable in this cold climate. With good BBQ you can claim all the hours of smoking you want, but the sauce is KEY. Without a good sauce you are just serving pre-jerky. It seems to me that the concept in New England for BBQ sauce is to take a typical sweet sauce from St. Louis and mix it with the disgusting clear vinegar substance they serve in the Carolinas and call it "Tangy" I beg you good people of Village Tavern. Take 1000 dollars, fly to Texas and go to the Salt Lick or similar BBQ house of legend and spend just a few minutes learning about a good sauce. Oh, and stop cutting cornbread muffins in half then putting it on a griddle for a few seconds and only serving that half with the platter. It is not chic or tasty. The location is great however...
(2)Chad C.
There's a menu item at this establishment called the Salem Fire Burger. An homage to the Salem fire of 1914, it is topped with ghost chili oil. I'm a fan of spicy food and was giving serious consideration to making this hot hamburger a part of my lunch. I asked the waitress about its relative heat -- do people often return it to the kitchen? Do people cry while eating it? I wanted to get a sense of what I'd be up against. After all, this contains the essence hottest pepper I'm the world. The kitchen has total control of the burger's heat based on how much oil they apply. The waitress said that she constantly has wives yelling at her whose husbands ordered the fire burger & then were unable to eat it. Alright, now we're talking. I order it. After one bite I can tell this burger is a sham. Yes, it has some ghost chili oil on it. There's some heat. But it isn't even spicy enough for me to take some extra sips of my beer. Such a let down. Be it known that I'm not a chili chaser. I like spicy foods, am a Southerner, enjoy Indian cuisine and so on. But it isn't hot. And that made me oh so sad.
(3)Alexis G.
I'm shocked that this place has so many negative reviews. Oh, well. You can't please everyone, can you? I've been here twice and I plan on returning each time I'm in Salem. Their oysters are delicious, the atmosphere is enjoyable, and the staff is always super friendly and kind. They're not too distant and not too overbearing; The perfect balance. None of my friends who joined us seem to have a problem with this place, either. It's great. Maybe some of you have your standards set a little too high? Being a customer doesn't mean that you are owed the sun and the moon.
(5)Paula K.
We stumbled into this place on our way back to the parking garage. We had been walking all day and it was nice to collapse into a the booths inside. The decor seemed very confused with a sort of dining room/sports bar/ basement rec room framed vinyl album sort of thing going on. It didn't ruin the experience at all, but did lead to some fun and funny conversation between me and my husband. The waitress was attentive, the nachos lacked cheese, but was good overall. The burger was good and made from scratch the fries were also very good and appeared to be home made. Cost was decent as well.
(4)Mallory S.
I came to Village Tavern with low expectations; expecting it to be busy, have new/unexperienced staff, and a hodge podge menu. Maybe this is why my experience was enjoyable overall? Yes - the menu is a mess. Too many items. No coherent restaurant theme/speciality/etc. I don't mind the newspaper look though - it's kind of fun. Yes - they are overwhelmed by the October crowds as they have only been open one week, so give them a little slack. Our service was efficient and friendly. Our food - simple brisket sandwiches - were just fine and the fries were good. Beers on tap were great and the outside seating was appreciated. Hopefully those heat lamps can get us through November. Nothing really wow'd me enough to come back. I wish this restaurant provided Salem with something more interesting. It is close to home so maybe it will be a good place to grab a drink every now and then. Food was good, but not something I would go out of my way to have again.
(3)Narcissus A.
best.nachos.in .salem ! that's all! go for the nachos!
(5)Josh A.
This seems to be a place to drink, not to eat. I have the three kinds of BBQ (ribs, brisket, and wings) and I was NOT impressed. The wings were kind of dry, the ribs were eh, and the brisket looked a bit like cat food dumped on my plate. It wasn't what I was expecting. We also ordered the "cheese & crackers" and it was basically triscuits with EZ cheese squeezed into a bowl. If I drank, I would certainly come here for some after work or late night drinks. I hear they have live music sometimes, which I'm sure adds to the feeling.
(3)Mark W.
Me and some of my coworkers from my office decided to go out for drinks after work so we checked out this new bar in downtown downtown Salem. First off on a Wednesday evening the place was really quiet they have a very large bar but a very small menu. When we ordered the drinks they came out fine and tasted fine but for some reason there was a large amount of fruit flies all over the restaurant and our drinks. So we decide or just appetizers and waitress seem to get very upset that we were not having dinner. Once we got the appetizing add them beating really fast we decided to just pack up and go down to another bar in Salem we would definitely not go there again as a department
(1)Bex A.
The one place when I visited the East Coast that I was very disappointed, it was very somewhat busy from the festival, but it was 10 mins before they acknowledged as we waited patiently seated at the bar, my sandwich came out before the oysters which I was still waiting for as I wrote this, which took roughly 20 mins after our food and were tiny. Only thing ok was the beer and the waitress was friendly.
(1)Mike K.
This is one of my favorite places in the area. I'm a bit surprised to see some negative reviews here because I've always had a good experience. I usually go on Saturday nights and the crowd is manageable, little to no wait. The menu is big with something for everyone. As a vegetarian I usually get the veggie burger, although I've been meaning to try some other items like the mac 'n' cheese. I enjoy the salads too. My friend usually gets the hamburger with bacon, which he says is good. I have to rave about the fries. Unlike so many other places, they actually taste like they're made from fresh cut potatoes, not a bag from the freezer. They're definitely a must-try item. The atmosphere is a normal neighborhood pub/restaurant. The decor is clean and comfortable with old-school touches (old album covers and photos on the wall). Definitely a good addition to the Salem restaurant scene, and I hope they stick around for a while!
(5)Bill M.
Went to the Bluegrass night it was awesome. Got there early to grab something to eat. The bartender was knowledgeable and they had a great beer menu. Had the bread bowl chowder, it was creamy a bit of bacon lots of clams, just the way I like it. then got the Brisket sandwich which was tender seasoned great awesome sandwich. Then the music started and it was such a great night. I haven't gotten to one of the best parts yet, they have shuffleboard. Blue grass was a lot of fun, I had some Kentucky bourbon beers that the bartender recommended and gave me a taste it had a great flavor. Overall I would recommend the experience to anyone in the area. Came back on a Saturday during the day, great little three piece berkley kid band, had a great large salad with grilled chicken and watched the derby. Lot of fun.
(5)Chris M.
Awful. Just plain awful. Decided on this place on a whim while with my husband during a weekend getaway in Salem to celebrate our anniversary, back around Halloween. We were seated in a back corner and then seemingly forgotten. The place was clearly busy, as we saw several of the waitstaff hurry back and forth past us. However, we sat for 20 minutes without so much as someone bringing us water. I was livid at this point, already feeling overwhelmed by the Salem crowds and parking space nightmare we encountered earlier in the day (this was our very first time in Salem). Finally, a bartender came over and asked if we had been served. Had she not come over at that point, I was ready to walk out. I wish I could remember her name, because she was the ONLY staff member who assisted us that evening - and she wasn't even a waitress! She kindly took our drink and food orders, and the wait for the food was fine. However, my meal did not come as described. It was missing elements, and the kitchen provided substitutions that no one alerted me to. A gentleman (not the kind bartender) brought our food but took a bit of an attitude when I brought these oversights to his attention. I'm not sure, but I suspected he might have been a manager because he then went over to chastise the bartender as though it were her fault -which it was not. This poor girl was only picking up the slack where someone else clearly failed. They also barely had any of the beers they advertised, which is rather unacceptable for a "tavern." The food was mediocre at best, and overpriced for what you got. They also omitted my salad dressing, so eating a dry salad was less than enjoyable. Once we finished our meal, we noticed a crowd was gathering in the front end of the restaurant, and waitresses were scurrying to bus tables. Come to find out a live band was getting ready to play, and the place took on more of a club-type atmosphere. Thankfully we were on our way out. When it came time to pay the tab, we DID NOT leave a tip on the bill. However, because the sweet bartender had been so awesome to us, my husband decided to order a beer on a separate tab and then give her a handsome cash tip, which she greatly deserved. In my opinion, this place is a dump. There are so many other options in the area, so save your time, money, and aggravation. Better yet, go to Passage to India instead (where we had an AMAZING meal the next day). This place is only deserving of one star because of that awesome bartender who salvaged an otherwise horrible experience. That girl deserves a raise.
(1)Holly H.
Horrible service. Food wasn't great. Left unhappy.
(2)Megan L.
My husband and I recently relocated back to Massachusetts to care for my father, we were stumped on places to go to meet people and that held that relaxed/home sort of feel. When we moved to downtown salem we found the village tavern on a Thursday night and we were hooked and thrilled to find such a diverse group of patrons, menu, and friendly staff. We finally made friends in this home style, fun, relaxed environment. This place has become our weekly go to, the staff knows us by name, the drinks are cheap, the food is always good and they continue to put up with our shenanigans which is always a plus! Even in the month of October when finding a place to grab a beer and quick appetizer seemed impossible the staff at the tavern always made us, the local the priority which I thought was fantastic! Myself and my husband always recommend the tavern to friends looking for good food, drinks, and stellar service.
(5)Joe M.
I chose the Village Tavern to host a special function for a group of friends. It was fantastic. Despite being busy, we had the side room/bar to ourselves with our own bartender. The appetizers were really delicious -- I recommend the stuffed spud skins. The staff was very nice and accommodating and I'm glad we chose this venue for our event. We'll be back for sure!
(5)Joyce G.
Let me preface this by saying that I am extreeeemely patient, always open to second (and third) chances, and understanding of the myriad of unforeseen mishaps that can occur during service at dining establishments. My best friend is a chef who once fainted during service. Back of the house dropped everything. Things happen. When service or food is horrible, what saves a restaurant from a dismal rating is the undeniable tastiness of its memorable fare OR exceptional quality of service, respectively. It was an early Sunday evening and a few of us in our group were craving raw oysters. We were strolling around the area and we stumbled upon the Village Tavern. We entered and were greeted by a live band. But no one else. For a very long time. The eight of us stood in the area between the oyster bar and tavern bar - perfectly visible to the entire restaurant - begging for attention from the one waiter who looked at us several times and the one waitress at the oyster bar who also looked up from her shucking several times...but did nothing, said nothing. The waitress eventually, after a very long time - I think most people would have already left - asked us for the number of people in our party and said she would be with us in a moment. Tick tock, tickety tock...about five more minutes passed and just when we were about to leave, the waiter seats us in the oyster bar. Finally! Oh, look...cute menus that look like newspapers. I appreciate that quirk. We ordered: a couple of beers, potato skins, fried pickles, a veggie burger, a grilled chicken sandwich, two beef brisket sandwiches, and a NY sirloin. Funny that no one ordered oysters. N liked the veggie burger and whoever tried the fried pickles (including myself) enjoyed them...which were served about 30 minutes after we placed our orders and 30 minutes before we started to receive our entrees. Unfortunately, a veggie burger and tasty fried pickles cannot carry the weight of a dish that my friend deemed disgusting, sad soggy fries all around, boring, fatty brisket, a cold-to-the-touch bun when the brisket is supposed to be on "grilled sourdough bread," an undercooked steak, overall sub-par food, and nearly non-existent service. Note: My friend and I ordered beef brisket sandwiches. Although I didn't find it disgusting like she did, it was certainly fatty, and the chunks of beef that weren't fatty were flavorless. I was starving, so I ate some of it and the top half of the cold bun, as well as some of the soggy fries. Our waiter was friendly and SEEMED to be working hard because he looked flustered the couple times he came by our table within the HOUR that we were waiting for our entrees. (Yes, we didn't leave.) Here's the thing.... We were the only people seated in the oyster bar. There were people in the tavern bar who were being served by the bartender. And there were only a few guests in the dining parlor, so what gives? Here was the problem - COMMUNICATION. Communication is the key to any relationship, yes? It was not until the end of our horrible dining experience that we were told that their chef accidentally cut himself bad enough that they had to call in another chef. Pretty important situation. Why not inform us of the situation at the beginning?! If the chef cuts himself again, if you're understaffed, whatever the case may be, here's what you tell the guests - within a reasonable amount of time once they enter your establishment: Welcome to the Village Tavern. Just to let you know, [INSERT THE APPLICABLE UNFORESEEN MISHAP HERE]. We would be happy to serve you, but service will be slower than usual due to this unforeseen mishap. If your guests opt to stay, be sure to check in with them once in a while during their long wait time. Even though it's not something you normally do, perhaps you can offer them bread and butter. If anything, COMMUNICATE with your guests. Otherwise, they will walk out on you...just like the people who came in and ordered before us...which you discovered as you finally brought out their dishes. You lost money with the party before us. You lost money with our party because my friend refused to pay for her disgusting meal and you ended up giving us a 50% discount on our total bill. Was the severe lack of communication worth it? Was your waitstaff overworked? Did guests leave satisfied? Were you satisfied as an establishment? We give credit to the manager on duty for not charging us for my friend's inedible meal and for giving us a 50% discount. We understand the mishaps and how that affects overall service and we appreciate the discount gesture (even though my other friend had to have a detailed discussion with him about our experience), but in the end, the food was just not worth anyone's time or effort. If you want a good veggie burger, fried pickles and a 22 oz beer served by friendly, possibly overworked staff in a casual venue near the PEM, Village Tavern is an option for you. Otherwise, I leave you with this: No.
(1)Jeremy S.
I was randomly walking down Essex Street on a Thursday night, and saw this place/heard the music playing. Decided to stop in for a drink, ended up staying for a few. I had great service the entire time I was there, good enough that my coaster didn't stay empty. Although I didn't have any, they offered free nachos from 9-930 on Thursday nights. Didn't partake in food, but they had enough options to have me curious. Will definitely be going back there for some more drinks and fun. PM me for more details.
(5)Shaun C.
Stay away from the beef brisket sandwich. The beef and the BBQ sauce where ok, but the bun is two slices of white bread toasted, and there was a huge lack of beef. Fries where good but the lack of brisket defiantly left me hungry. Stick to the steak tips I had them last time I was there and they where actually pretty good. It would have given two stars if it wasn't for the entertainment. Peter Mercier runs a open mic night every Tuesday and he nails it. Some good local talent, Peter himself is a fantastic singer and he makes sure everybody is having a good time.
(3)Jamie P.
The menu at Village Tavern has no clear direction. Village wants to be an oyster bar, sports bar, BBQ joint and a Mexican restaurant. They would be better served doing 1 or 2 things really well rather than trying to be everything for everyone. When I went in for a drink with friends I ordered a Guinness and and they served it in a frozen Woodchuck cider pint glass. No self-respecting bar can have Guinness paraphernalia on the walls and then serve it in frozen glass. I did have a pretty good pulled pork sandwich, which is why I'm giving it 2 stars.
(2)Geoff M.
Stopped in to watch the Red Sox home opener on a random Monday afternoon. Enjoyed the Slumbrew on draft. Good call. Had the smoked bbg wings, and an order of the nachos with chili. Both were good pub grub. Disappointed that the pulled pork was being smoked and wasn't available, and that a self-proclaimed oyster bar was offering fried oysters, but the raw oysters weren't available that day. Service was good and friendly. Decor is pub. I'll try the place again.
(3)Joeli G.
This place knows how to make a burger! We come and play shuffleboard, have some beers and burgers.. Always a good time.
(4)Ryan J.
I find it funny that this place is asking for votes for Best of Boston North Shore. I just moved to the pedestrian walkway area of Salem and thought I'd give them a try - I will not go back. I didn't get to try their fried pickles (that I had heard were awesome) because I stood at the host stand for 7 minutes (on a slow night) and was passed by 2 (drunk or stoned) servers and a manager - without acknowledgement. I even picked up a menu to give them a hint, yet I was still ignored. I chuckled and walked to a PACKED Lobster Shanty and was well taken care of... Immediately! No, I will not vote for you, you are no where near the Best of Boston North Shore. P.s. I run a well established restaurant in Boston's Back Bay so I try not to be that critical of other establishments but let me give you some advice: Run your restaurant like an establishment (not a fun house), be choosy of who you hire to be ambassadors of your restaurant (not people that aren't guest friendly) and treat each guest as though they are just that - a GUEST in your restaurant. I also recently went to 62 on the wharf, they treated me like royalty - they were PACKED and I spent 220.00 on me and my guests. You've got a lot of competition in this area, you should try them out sometime - and take lots of notes.
(1)K R.
I'm a little surprised by the reviews. My boyfriend and I had a really great night there. It was a little busy since we went during busy season in Salem. We had a lot of fun and the waitress was really sweet and cute. The food was pretty good- I'd love to get my hands on their chowder recipe. We also had oysters and we were chatting with the waitress and she said that they were from a local company which is pretty cool. Steak tips were great! The location was fun- after dinner we did a little bar hopping with friends. It was in the middle of all the fun Salem activities. I would def. go next time I'm on the north shore.
(4)Jessica F.
I have visited this cozy establishment quite a bit over the past few months and love it! It's a fantastic place to relax with friends and family. Love singing along to the live bands and the staff is inviting and eager to please guests. My favorite item is the buffalo oyster appetizer which I can't find anywhere else! Very happy customer who will be returning again and again to this charming spot!
(5)Matthew P.
So the food was mediocre at best which in itself isn't a reason to give it one star. The one star is because we were seated inside and 25 minutes later we had to ask if we were ever going to get served. When we finally got a waiter he wasn't very good. Got the order wrong and then didn't care. I've had bad experiences but this May be the one place I refuse to ever give another shot.
(1)Karina M.
We had a very good food portions. Service otherwise is not that good. The hostess that day was not good groomed, no good customer service. But it was a nice place to visit. Good price too. We were hungry and Salem is a small town to find something to eat, specially if you are not from the area.
(3)John C.
Great internal atmosphere and even better outdoor sitting. The food has been very good, and very nice waitstaff. This is on its way to being our neighborhood haunt.
(4)Michael D.
I wrote a review of the Village Tavern about 10 months ago where I gave it 2 stars with a few criticizing remarks that made me decide to not give this restaurant another shot. However, I received a message from the owner who implored me to give them another shot due to some of the changes he made after reading my review. Impressed with the response, I decided they've earned it and who knows, it's been almost a year since my last visit so maybe things have gotten better. So, me and my girlfriend went on a Friday night in October with all the crowds and for the most part things were better from our last visit. My biggest complaint the last time was the service and it didn't start off well when we walked in. When we arrived there were about 2-3 couples in front of us. There were 2 hostesses at the front who greeted us and we told them 2 for dinner and they informed us it would be about a 10-15 minute wait. We then asked them if we needed to give them our name to be added to the wait list and they said no they would remember and one of the girls oddly replied, "We don't take names. Not in October." This remark struck my girlfriend as her being rude. I found the remark confusing. October in Salem is THE busiest month for businesses and crowds of people were beginning to follow us into the restaurant. If there is ever a reason to take names for a wait list to be seated, it should be in October. Of course, we were correct. The hostesses forgot who came in first and kept asking the 3 couples who was first. Because more people were showing up they started making number tickets on the fly and handing them out in order. For some reason a party of 5 got the number 3 1/2. Figure that one out. They really need to take names for a wait list. We were not very optimistic about visiting this place again but fortunately, it did get better. An observation I made in my previous review was the beer list. On the menu they had craft beer and listed under it was your typical, everyday Budweiser, Coors, Miller, etc. that in no way was craft. The owner said he reviewed the wording of the menu and took off the "craft" so as to not be misleading. Well, he can go ahead and put that back on because the beer menu was a HUGE upgrade! Great selection, great variety, had a few local breweries on there. I was thoroughly impressed with it. I ordered the beef brisket platter and my girlfriend ordered the brisket sandwich. When our food came out my girlfriend noticed there was hardly any BBQ sauce on her sandwich. It looked as if there was 1 little splash of BBQ sauce on the bun and that was it, none on the beef itself. Our server, Dalton, who was really attentive and friendly,brought us extra BBQ sauce so it was an easy fix. My meal was enjoyable but still felt the food was mediocre. The fries, which were a complaint in my previous review, tasted so much better. They were thick, had a nice little seasoning to it and were cooked well. The owner had made changes and improvements from my last review and I was really happy to see those changes put in place. I'm not a big fan of the food, I still think it's middle of the road as far as quality goes but because of the changes made to the beer menu and the great size of the bar area itself, I will be revisiting this restaurant for drinks in the future. If Yelp allowed for 1/2 stars I would give this place 3 1/2.
(3)Nancy M.
Great lunch after a morning of moving. The chili was meaty with a perfect "kick" at the end. Along side of a giant green salad brimming with fresh, local produce it was the perfect lunch. My husband loved his beef brisket sandwich and I could not stop stealing the delicious side order of fries that came with the sandwich. For dessert we shared the flour-less chocolate torte with vanilla ice cream and raspberry sauce. I loved it so much because it was like eating a hot fudge sundae without the pressure to finish it fast before the hot fudge melts the ice cream. A $40 lunch is usually more than we spend on quick bite out, but the food and the service - sweet, helpful waitstaff - were worth it. We'll be back!
(4)Tenisha G.
I really feel bad giving a bad review for a place just starting out but i was so disappointed. My boyfriend and I went in last night to grab some food to go. We got a platter that came with potato skins with pulled pork, nachos, tenders and wings. We asked for bbq tenders and buffalo wings for the order. I don't know if they felt they had to rush since we came in to sit and wait for it, but the whole order was wrong. The 2 potato skins didn't come with pulled pork on them (even though I'm pretty sure that's what the menu said they were suppose to have on them), the 2 tenders were an extremely weird, gross black color and had a strange taste to them, not buffalo OR bbq. The 2 wings we BBQ and probably the worst wings I've ever had. The nachos were eh. The worst part of all of this was this meal costed $18.00. SUCH A WASTE! I only gave the place two stars because everyone was so friendly there. I'd probably try the food again just because the place is new and might need a few weeks to get it's act together,
(2)Max L.
I'm honestly a little confused by the low number of stars for the Village Tavern. This is a great spot in Salem that seems to get forgotten when everyone automatically heads to Rockafella's, O'Neill's, and Murphy's. Granted I haven't experienced the bar at night other than open mic nights on Tuesdays (which are great and put on by a great dude, by the way). That said, Village Tavern's patio is easily the best in Salem. Perfect spot to grab lunch or to sit and have a few beers. Went here on a Sunday for lunch and they had some good live acoustic music that was perfect for background and not overpowering. Service was friendly and quick, especially with a decent sized crowd there. I had hoped for a little more out of the pulled pork, but it's certainly good. A little on the salty side I guess. The menu has enough to set it apart from other similar "pub" menus - oysters, BBQ, fresh seafood, etc. Good beer selection and very decent prices too. For two people eating a full meal and a beer each, we managed a $23 bill. I will absolutely go back here. I'm excited to try the other stuff on the menu.
(5)Gina B.
Came here today with my boyfriend and a couple friends after wandering Salem on the most perfect fall day. Sat outside, had great service, the only thing keeping this from being a 5 star review was that there was sediment in my boyfriend's and another friend's beers (possibly from a dirty tap line?). The fried pickles are the best I've had since leaving Texas and the burgers were amazing. Definitely will come back another time to try the Bloody Mary which looked yummy.
(4)Meredith M.
It saddens me to write this as I was so excited about a new bar/ restaurant opening in my 'hood. On Saturday night I had a few girlfriends visiting the area and I thought it would be fun to try out this much anticipated new restaurant in the Pedestrian Mall. The patio looked cozy and inviting with heat lamps and cushioned chairs. My first impression caused me a little concern. While there were 3 girls behind the hostess stand they seemed confused and nervous about seating a table of 4 outside for drinks and appetizers. Maybe it was the fact that we didn't order dinner? Perhaps she was trying to figure out which waitress to assign to the table? (It seemed like they had a TON of help staff.) One of the girls was also complaining about a previous table/ customer and the tip. -- inappropriate when you are the first thing a potential new customer sees/hears. Anyway, we get seated. And the menu is set up like a newspaper. Fine, but there is a LOT on the menu. It's a little distracting and overwhelming and really causes you to wonder what this place is all about. Is it a BBQ place? Oyster bar? Pub? Dive? Therein lies the problem with Village Tavern. If they made all of these things wonderfully, I'd say "go for it, you rock!" But there was nothing really good about anything we ordered. We started with a bottle of wine for the table. The waitress brought over an open bottle of wine and left it on the table with 3 glasses. It seemed like she truly didn't know that was inappropriate bottle service. If we are going to pay double what the bottle would cost over at Bunghole Liquors, we should at least get proper service. We waited for a few minutes thinking she would come back and pour for us, but she did not. FYI proper service is to 1) Open the bottle at the table 2) Let the person who ordered take a sip and make sure it's good 3) pour a serving to each person at the table 4) come back periodically and refill glasses Maybe this only happens at every other restaurant I've ever been to... I haven't even started with the food...sigh. (Note: as other reviews mentioned, items we initially ordered were no longer available...) We ordered 3 Apps and shared around. Thank GOD we did not order a full meal or we would have been beyond disappointed. We got some kind of wings that came with a BBQ sauce. (These were not terrible and actually warm and had some good pieces of meat on them. However they needed/ should have provided more sauce on the side. And there were only 4 wings so we each got one little wing.) These get 1 star. Then we ordered the something Yum Yum, described to us as similar to an Awesome Blossom. When this plate of cold withering fried onions showed up, we had to say something. It was like someone had ordered an Awesome Blossom an hour earlier and this is what they left on their plate when they were full. (The waitress kindly took it back and had them make another one. This one she said they made from scratch and she watched pull out of the fryer.) - Nice, but why wasn't the first one made from scratch? Still, one star here for her service and the fact they took that item off the bill. When it came back it was much improved but still not great. Then, the last app we got was a serving of fried oysters. Just thinking about the taste of these makes me a little sick to my stomach. It tasted like they dropped frozen oysters into a fryer and fried no only the oysters but the melted water. They were bland, really chewy and slightly watery. We were so hungry and had waited so long that we needed something to go with our empty bottle of wine at this point. So we ate them. Needless to say we were thrilled to leave this place and go somewhere else nearby for dinner. I would not recommend this place to friends until management seriously revamps the menu and training of servers/ cooks. Please, call that show Bar Rescue ASAP before it gets worse!
(2)Dosia S.
I have eaten here twice without actually eating in the locale itself. The first time I was here was in early September, when it was still warm outside and after a day of walking around checking out the shops in the area, I decided I was craving a really good, hearty meal and would not mind eating one by myself for once. I sat outside on the patio, and my waitress was very friendly. I got the steak tips cooked medium, which came with delicious mashed potatoes and coleslaw. I am a steak-lover and was very pleased with the dish. The second time I decided to get food from Village Tavern was when I had a random craving for none other than steak tips, and since I was in the area again, I was happy to remember a good place to find them in. I ordered them to-go, and they were just as delicious the second time as they were the first. The only negative comment I have about the service during my second experience was that the person who eventually came out with my food assumed I was tipping them. The host at the front desk area was very friendly and upon telling him my order, he went to go get it for me. In the meantime, another staff member-perhaps a manager of some sort because he was wearing a button-down shirt instead of a "work uniform" type of outfit-asked me if I was the person waiting for the steak tips. I said yes, and that someone had just gone to go get my food, and when the original person helping me came back with my order, this second man took it from his hands and delivered it to me. He then gave me my receipt, and told me my total was $21.24 (I'm guessing on the cents, it was somewhere around there). This exchange was not done behind the counter, he simply stood next to me. All I had on me was cash, so I gave him a $20 and a $5 for a total of $25, obviously expecting change. He swiftly took the money, said thank you, and walked away, what looked like pocketing the money. I did not have time to respond or say anything. I walked away bothered, but shrugging, because I had a good day and I figured that I would give the person the benefit of the doubt and not worry about where that extra money went and whether it was deserved or not at that time. (Although these days, every penny for me counts, and ordering food from a restaurant is something I really treat myself to rarely). Do not get me wrong-I understand how hard people in the restaurant business work-I have experience and I have seen people in different positions have to deal with rude and ridiculously selfish customers, and in general I do believe most restaurant staff deserve a higher pay...I also used to be someone who always tipped on take-out orders (until friends and family members who accompanied me while getting food brought attention to the fact that the people in most restaurants who are handing me my food are usually not the ones who are doing anything to prepare it-they are simply handing me a bag with food in it). I have since stopped, because although I like to be generous, I also often get take-out for the very reason that it comes out to cost less than dining in, or getting delivery. This specific individual's actions were surprising to me because it is, in general, proper etiquette to tell a customer a.) what their change is or at least b.) whether they want their change back in the first place. This incidence was improper, in my opinion, but it is certainly not going to stop me from ordering from the restaurant again. In fact, I am curious to see what other delicious items they might have on the menu!
(4)Stephanie M.
I usually don't like writing bad reviews, especially since this place is still new. But I live right down the street and if this place were up to par, I would be a regular. I can only hope that they shake off their "growing pains" if that's what their problems are stemming from, because they won't last otherwise. I went with a friend (who also lives super close by) for a couple appetizers and some drinks. It was on a Sunday, the Pats game was coming to a close, the place was absolutely NOT busy and there were waitstaff practically falling over each other, so a shortage of staff wasn't the problem. To make a long story short, the food was terrible (nachos=SUPER salty, gross cheese potato skins= very greasy and overcooked, no dipping sauce of any kind) The cocktails were awful and took forever (seems like maybe they should stick with beer and wine and make it simple). Although the server was very sweet, she was super slow. Now, that may have been because the bar and the kitchen were slow, but either way, it seems like there was little communication between the three. Unless something changes, the BeerWorks and Tavern in the Square have nothing to fear from this newcomer.
(1)Liv R.
Like the other Yelpers, I worried about posting a review, but I hope to post a better one in the future, should I return. Our first visit to the Village Tavern was a disaster, though. Granted our time there already had two major strikes against it; they just opened, and it was October. The good points: Their location is great for people watching and convenient to walking downtown. Our server was very friendly. The menu was varied. They have really cool torch-like outdoor heaters and plenty of outdoor seating. The negative points: The menu is so broad, I'm not really sure what they're good at. It seems like a catch-all tourist spot. Their menus are all also printed on newsprint, which may seem cool, but it means they're wasting menus every day, as opposed to reusable menu binders. Our of our party of five, only one person's order was correct when it was served. After waiting over an hour for our food to be delivered, we finally had to ask for bread to be served to the table (while other tables were being served it as they sat down) for our hungry kids. Of the food that was served correctly, all of our "roasted" vegetables were raw--not cold, not under-cooked--raw. We had bowls of raw, cold carrots, yellow squash, zucchini, broccoli, and red onion. When we asked if this was how they were normally served, or if the kitchen was backed up enough to send out raw food, the waiter did offer to take them back if we preferred ours cooked. I said I would take them home and cook them myself. All of our other food was rather banal or over-cooked. When we got our bill, there were other items that we didn't order listed. After finishing our meal, we did call over the manager and tell him about our experience. We said we understood that they were new and that October is a super busy time in Salem, but we hoped none of the other people present that night were locals, because they probably wouldn't come back. We'll probably try the restaurant again once they've been around longer--if they stay around. The manager was very nice and did reduce our bill quite a bit, but it was not a good first impression.
(2)Vin L.
Early September and I stopped by the Village Tavern again for a few beers and some nachos. Live music on the patio was nice, and I had great time catching up with my friends. Food was great and the beer was nice and cold. What a selection! I am a fan for sure.
(4)James R.
As a Salem townie, I'm always excited to see new establishments opening their doors. The Village Tavern location is a great one - right next to the fountain and with a great view of the Marine Hall. I've thought for years that Essex St would be better served by more nightlife and fewer knick-nack shops (a la Church St, Burlington VT). Last Saturday night my fiancee and I made our first visit to Village Tavern. They had a well staffed, but inexperienced hostess station. I'm sure in a few more busy shifts they'll iron out. We were seated in the bar area at a high-top table, which was quite acceptable. Our waitress arrived promptly and took our drink order, although we were told that the bar was entirely out of draft beer. Strange, and unfortunate for a bar to run out of beer at 8 pm on a Saturday night in tourist season. The menu is big, and a little all over the place. Confused, we opted for an appetizer. We ordered two absolut/sodas and BBQ chicken wings at 7:45. At 8:10 our drinks arrived, but lacked carbonation, citrus and straws. At least now we really understood why there was no beer - no CO2. So no beer and no soda. We sipped our watered down vodka and waited another 15 minutes. The menu said they were smoked for 6 hours, so maybe we were just waiting for a batch to finish? We inquired with the waitress, who produced them almost immediately, though it had now been an unacceptably long time since placing the order. The wings were okay, but definitely not great. I suspect they use 'liquid smoke', and based on my itching neck (allergic reaction), maybe even MSG? Oh, and why are the wing tips attached? Please shape up, Village Tavern! I want you to succeed!
(1)Jeff W.
I'm not one to judge a newly opened restaurant too harshly but this one inspired me. While I usually go to Yelp for all things food, I went to this restaurant on a whim and because I had a hankering for some raw oysters. The good news is the oysters were delicious. The bad news is everything else wasn't. I ordered a steak medium rare and the missus ordered pork chops. The steak was decently cooked while the pork chops tasted like they were on the verge of going bad. The sides we ordered, chili and macaroni cheese, both had the consistency of buffet food sitting out for too long In addition, when we received our check, we noticed that we were charged extra for side items that supposedly came with our meal. We brought this up with our waitress and she informed us that certain sides are considered "signature items" and thus would cost extra. Since when is macaroni and cheese considered a premium side?!? Nowhere on the menu was this stated (all sides were grouped together) and the waitress never bothered to inform us while we were making our order. She even got a little defensive and said that it was on the menu so we handed it to her. Lo and behold, she couldn't find it either. As a side note, we went on a Friday and a DJ came on at 9pm to play music. The restaurant can't seem to decide whether it's a club or a restaurant. Depending on where you sit, you may not be able to hear yourself think. Thankfully the waitress was nice enough to move us. Pros Excellent location to everything downtown Heated lamps for outside seating Excellent oysters Waitress was generally nice until the problem with the check Cons Entrees ranged from o-k to bad Hidden charges for certain side items Loud music depending on where you sit In short, there are way too great restaurants in the Salem area to warrant stopping in this place. Maybe in a year or so the restaurant will work out the kinks and find its identity, but for now I would avoid.
(1)Joe B.
We visited this place last October and had the to be expected horrible experience but felt like there was potential and were willing to come back after the kinks got fixed.. On a whim today I was reading the current reviews and noted that the review that my dinner partner and myself had left back then are now gone. When businesses pay to join Yelp and then start deleting their bad reviews, I get suspicious. The BEST thing to do would be to publicly reply to each one of those negative reviews, LEARN FROM THEM, and move on. No one really sets out to keep your business from succeeding, your lack of responsiveness to an outpouring of negative specific feedback is the reason your business will fail, I LOVED the chowder and have been craving it on every cool day.. But you need to listen to your customers a little... Your vision may be off a little.
(1)Kevin M.
Was here Halloween nite with my fiance and had a great time. It was very busy but bartenders were still very attentive. One of them was even able to get us 2 seats right in front of the t.v. Great beer list too. We both started the "muggers club". So we will be back often. We have to finish all the beers on the menu to get a personalized 25 oz. mug to use when we're there. Love it!!!
(5)Mike C.
Had Monday off for the Sox opener. Decided to take a walk downtown and check out the The Village Tavern...Great TVs for games at the bar...Good comfortable bar with plenty of drafts on tap..Bartender was friendly and helpful with the menu....Decided on the Beef Brisket sandwich (Cooked in the Smoker)...One of the best sandwiches I have had in a long time! Can't wait to go back.
(4)Elana H.
I really enjoyed this place. The food was good and they serve real craft beer on tap. Oh and discount deals with Cinema Salem too.
(4)Josh J.
The village tavern has by far the best burgers in town. A half pound of black angus beef served with a heaping mound of steak fries. Its a nice quiet atmosphere. Usually there is a small band playing quietly in the corner. The portions are massive. Im not a nacho guy, but my friends have told me the nachos are to die for. You simply have to try it out for yourself.
(5)Christy C.
While here on vacation we stopped in for a late lunch. I had the fried pickles.....AMAZING! The service was wonderful and I would definitely recommend it!
(4)Vicki F.
This was an excellent experience! The food was fantastic, the staff was friendly & very knowledgeable about the area. We were looking for place to have lunch while visiting the area. Couldn't have picked a better place to eat.
(5)Kellie S.
My favorite part of this place is the outside seating and Yappy hour(bring your dogs for happy hour) Love bringing my dog here! Food is decent drinks are good ( careful if you order a rum and coke, ours came with 151!). Nachos are huge and the cheese sauce on them is soooo good. Always a live band. Sunday brunch was good as well as the jazz band.
(4)Corey W.
went here with my boyfriend for dinner and loved it! amazing food and drinks and the staff is very nice and friendly! they have a huge bar with local beers and awesome bartenders... I have found my self coming here a lot! I suggest the buffalo wings, nachos, and the chowder is my fav! and for meals everything is good! I love the patio, especially during October... also if you like entertainment there's something happening every night... this is defiantly my fav spot!
(5)Zach D.
Several improvements made to food, as well as staff. Food came out nice & hot, The Birsket was to die for! Love the fact my cheese was melted on my sandwich this time. They are headed in the right direction for sure now! I would like to see different DJs however. I would hops word goes out further soon. I would also like to see more room to dance after hours if possible. Maybe more Special Effects Lights, attract a younger a crowd perhaps. They are beginning to really define exactly what kind of restaurant they are. It seems the growing pains are beginning to diminish. I would also like to see other additional items able to be requested at the bar. Perhaps some things ghat are not on the menu such as a cotton candy martini perhaps.
(5)Dr. Juan H.
I came here again for lunch with my niece. The chowder was excellent and the outdoor seating area last Monday with that warm weather wasthe perfect setting to eat. The waitress was attentive and helpful with suggestions for my niece who really liked the Mac and cheese.
(5)Jen N.
I'm only giving this 1 star because I can't give it 0. The employee (who was not our waitress) who brought out our food, took it to another table. When it did get to our table, my husband's meal was not what he ordered, so we had to wait for the correct order to come out. My burger was also missing the toppings it was supposed to come with. I ordered it med-well. It was half cooked. Literally. Half of the burger was raw. My husband's brisket was cold, extremely fatty, and not what one would expect for bbq brisket (it was thick cut with a little sauce drizzled on top). Despite having the wrong food brought to the table and having to wait for it be corrected and my burger not being cooked, the server never offered anything to make up for it....and we were charged for the more expensive meal they mistakingly brought us in the first place. DISAPPOINTMENT. We will never go back or recommend this place.
(1)Jeff L.
Meh...Less than advertised...Not an interesting beer selection with the exception of Slumbrew which I had and is phenomenal...BBQ ribs were horribly dry...Wifey's mac and cheese looked good but was dried out and tasteless...Bartender was great but she was alone and overworked. May go back for the music but won't expect much. Can park in garage and they validate, which is good. An ok place to watch a game, but that's it. Given the quality of the food, I don't know if I'd try an oyster.
(2)Bonnie W.
We went this past saturday Oct. 6th being Biz Baz weekend they were busy, we really liked how the hostess suggested the bar for us when we hesitated about the 1/2 hour wait . when we got to the bar the bartender Scottie greated us and introduced himself and shook our hands making us feel welcomed. I ordered the teryaki tips and my husband ordered the ultimate philly cheese steak sandwich, the tips rocked loved loved the glaze(do not change this), my husband really liked his sandwich too but could tell it was done before mine cause the cheese was cool but was still very good. we will go back there in a second , knowing they just opened and will have kinks to work out I think they will succeed once they do iron them all out.
(4)Ryan A.
My wife chose the Village Tavern for 8 of us to have dinner and watch the Bruins game on my birthday. She was able to make a reservation and they were even nice enough to make sure that we got a table with a good view of the TV's. When we first got there I was pretty psyched because I like the look of the place, the beer selection, the food selection and they have a shuffleboard table (oddly enough, no one else in Salem has one). But my excitement did not last.... The food in general gets a 1.5 out of 5. The jumbo smokehouse BBQ wings were fantastic and the 2 people that had the pulled pork burritos said that they were good. Personally, I had the BBQ combo 2 and it was terrible. The pulled pork was clearly chipped, not pulled and it was drowned in a ketchup-like BBQ sauce, gross. The brisket was super dry and very tough. Neither meat was very flavorful. 2 other people in the party had the brisket as well and felt the same way. The beer selection was pretty good, but definitely pales in comparison to some of the other bars in Salem (Tavern in the Square, Rockafella, etc.). I also thought the beer was slightly overpriced. 22oz microbrew for $8 is more expensive than Beerworks right around the corner. 2 of our party members were drinking hard liquor and I am told that the drinks were very stiff and that is never a bad thing. The service wasn't terrible but there was definitely room for improvement. 4 members of my party, including myself, were waitstaff at one time or another and a cardinal sin is to let 8 people who are watching a hockey game have to chase you for more beers. There were 2 times that we had to send a search party for our waitress, once for more beers as there were multiple empty glasses on the table and thirsty Bruins fans, and then again when we wanted our check. PROS: Good atmosphere (even when the band came on you could still hold a conversation at the bar) Good beer selection Lots of menu choices Friendly service (After the hockey game we left our table and headed to the bar for shuffleboard and beers....bartenders were very friendly and attentive despite being busy) Shuffleboard table! CONS: Service needs improvement The food is pretty bad...if you want to be Salem's spot for BBQ food, get your act together on the pulled pork front. Beers are a little pricey I really wanted to love this place when we first walked in. I left there wondering if I will ever make it back. I would say that this place is still good for having beers, appetizers and watching a game, but for dinner, I would definitely find somewhere else to go.
(2)Dan G.
I have been to the Village Tavern quite a few times because I keep wanting it to get better.... it does NOT. The atmosphere is really nice, however and is probably why i gave it so many chances. The service was on different levels. One time I went and it was plain awful. Had to wait forever to get an order and it seemed like the bartender picked favorites. All the male bartenders need to take a course on bar tending or something here. The two female bartenders I have encountered here are actually great though and should be kept. The food has been god awful each time. The wings are okay, the pulled pork is probably the worst I have had, the oysters worst I have had, the clam chowder was clearly from a can, and if it wasn't should be taken off the menu. The burger was actually okay. The food is the absolute WORST thing about this place. Whoever is saying this food is fantastic has not been to many of the other great places around Salem and the North Shore or knows what good food is. The only reason this place got 2 stars is because it carries itself very well. It has the potential to be a five star restaurant if it get better employees and a whole new kitchen staff. I think this place is only moderately busy because its easy access and there is always room to come in when the good places are too packed. They need more draft beer selections as well. They get decent music there though which is another reason to bump them up to two stars.
(2)Lisa J.
I think the Village Tavern's menu is varied enough to provide a less trendy, but viable alternative to the "something-for-everyone" Beer Works menu, and I'm hoping with time, they'll work out their newly opened restaurant kinks. That said, at Saturday at 7pm-ish they'd run out of a handful of items on the menu, and our server indicated it had been very busy all day. Our food's arrival wasn't delayed, though its quality, presentation, and volume did not live up to our expectations, let alone those set by the menu. Based on our experience, we had the impression they were running out of numerous other items as well, as our appetizer, one of our entrees, and one of our drink orders was missing ingredients based on their menu descriptions, and in one case, inadequate substitutions had been made that were noticeable enough to cause us to ask if we'd been delivered the wrong order. The serving size of one of our items was 50% smaller than its menu description. Both house side salads we ordered were well appointed, appropriately-sized, and quite fresh. While our server was competent and pleasant, her expression was that of someone who been addressing numerous ongoing unsolvable problems and was expecting more to arise. Based on the quality, presentation, and volume of what we were served, and as well, our server's dignified air of resignation, I have to wonder if because of dwindling food, they had been fielding numerous complaints. The interior ambiance had a more family restaurant vibe than I expected from a "tavern", and I wonder if this might be improved by turning the overhead recessed lighting down a notch, which was imparting a somewhat cafeteria feel. I rated my experience a 2, based on the less-than-mediocre food, but in all fairness, as this new establishment gains a better handle over time of its business volume, inventory, and prep needs, any food quality, quantity, and presentation problems should resolve themselves. All new restaurants have start-up problems, and we intend to watch this restaurant's reviews as they get their feet under them, and may venture back in mid-November, after the Halloween craziness has passed.
(2)Ed F.
My girlfriend and I make an annual trip up to Salem every year in October to see the beautiful town of Salem in all it's glory during the busiest time of the year. We have gone to the other big named restaurants in the area and when I heard that there was an oyster bar, we beelined for the Village Tavern as quickly as possible. The place was packed and in order to get somewhere to sit we decided since the bar area had a handful of seats open we would sit at the bar and eat. We got there and sat down at 1:40 pm and watched the two (or three?) bartenders scramble about the bar pouring mostly beers at a snails pace. After being ignored for more than 15 minutes I told my girlfriend that by 2:00 pm if we didn't see menus or were asked what we'd like then we'd leave. There was a group of people next to us at the bar that waited an hour for appetizers and a small gathering of college kids that got so fed up with waiting for 10 minutes without seeing a menu (like us) and walked out. Literally at 1:59 the bartender looked at us and asked if we would like something to drink. I ordered a pumpkin beer and my girlfriend ordered a Sam-Octoberfest. I was pleasently surprised to find that they dipped the rip of my glass into vanilla/cream cheese icing and coated it with sweet pumpkin spices which enhanced the flavor of the beer. We figured since we would have to wait for a very long time to get an entree we would stick to appetizers. I got 1/2 dozen oysters and New England Clam Chowder and she got the Nachos. The oysters and the beer were the only good thing that we got. The New England Clam Chowder tasted more like bacon and potato soup with absolutely no flavor of clam chowder - I figured going to new england I would get a great cup of chowder - this was not the case. The Nachos were absolutely horrendous! DO NOT GET THE NACHOS The nachos were bland and the chips were burnt on the outside - something I would normally overlook if the nachos themselves were actually good since it means they were put into an over rather than a microwave. The nachos consisted of cheap cheese blend topped over nacho chips with some onions and tomatoes. The chips under the top layer were naked/had barely any cheese on them and after about 4 minutes at the bar the cheese was cold and dismal. The salsa was extremely watery and tasteless. Why do they not put cheese sauce or something on the nachos to enhance the flavor - I'd get a better nacho dish at a crappy Taco Bell rather than this place. Since the food was so bad I wanted to wash it down with another beer - except the bartender dropped the check off WITH THE FOOD and we have yet seen him to see if we wanted a refill. The only quick service we got was when we paid - they were oh so happy to get the people out that they could care less about making them want to stay. In all the time we waited - the fastest the bartender moved was when he dropped the check to us - and brought us back the change. Oh well, his loss considering I probably would've stayed to have another beer. If I could leave a 0 I would, but the only saving graces for this places' horrible service, crappy food, and over priced beer is that the beer was in fact cold, the little twist to the pumpkin beer was nice, and that the oysters were fresh and the cocktail sauce was good. I will never return to this place again in our travles back to Salem, and hope that someone knocks some sense into management and the kitchen staff/chef so they can make some worthwile food to make people want to come back since the location is so ideal.
(1)Stephanie H.
I have been here numerous times since opening weekend at the end of September 2012. I have sat at the bar for drinks/apps, sat in the dining room for dinner or lunch (and drinks where appropriate) and lastly went in this morning for brunch that they recently started. Food can be hit or miss but personally had more hits than misses. I have heard friends had not so great service and/or food. But overall decent. I keep going back so they are doing something right! The first time I was there opening weekend the food was eh. I think they were trying to open to fast for October in Salem and staffed well (maybe to well) so employees were standing around with not enough to do. Burgers there are good. The southern pulled pork dishes that i have had have been hit or miss. The breakfast today was decent. I got the 3 egg omlette. It was huge! I am tlaking the size of my head huge. Stuffed with lots of meat and veggies and came with home fries and toast (not buttered- pet peeve of mine) and 2 slices of bacon (or you can get ham). For the amount of food you get the prices overall are decent.
(3)Suzy B.
We ate here because of the outdoor seating. My husband and I ordered chicken salads, the kids had burgers. My daughter actually said the burger was tough. The chicken had no flavor and the dressing was kinda bad, like out of a bottle. Service was slow and the bill seemed too expensive for what we had. Not good.
(2)Ana R.
We loved the Village Burger. Only reason for not giving 5 stars is the clam chowder has celery in it!
(4)Carly F.
stumbled upon this place walking through salem. bartender very helpful. fried pickles are amazing. we had the beef brisket sandwich and beef brisket Rueben, both of which were smoked. they were delicious and reasonably priced. great for local bar fare while strolling through town.
(4)Carl H.
A nice option in Salem. Still not my favorite place in town but solid
(4)Jessica S.
Live entertainment every day, awesome bar, likable staff...what else do you want? Granted, this isn't the Ritz of all restaurants, but if you want to grab a bite to eat while enjoying some music in a relaxed and tavern-y environment, then this is your spot!
(5)Kimberly M.
Absolutely amazing! Finally a restaurant on the mall - beats looking at traffic like the other choices around here. We have enjoyed their outdoor heated patio twice this week and the food was outstanding. Their chili with shredded beef is as good as it gets. This is the first time I've enjoyed real guacamole on nachos since moving here from California. Burgers were juicy, grilled onions - perfect! Our server Abby was friendly, food arrived fast, drinks filled - excellent service. They offer a wider variety of food than you will find anywhere around here. I personally am tired of chowder, pizza and just what exactly is a steak tip anyway?
(5)Brian C.
Where do I begin. OK it's new, I get it, still not an excuse for a 2 hour horror lunch. Menu is confusing and overwhelming. This restaurant doesn't know what it wants to be,a little of everything I guess which screams tourist trap. I ordered the brisket Reuben and as it turns out they were out of the brisket. disappointed the opted for the pulled pork,which was not very "pulled" and more like pedestrian crock pot version that was cold and totally underwhelming. My buddy ordered a chicken sandwich and soup to start. The soup never came , sandwich arrived without the advertised lettuce, tomato and onion. When he told waitress it was supposed to come with aforementioned accoutrements she replied, "No it's not". Ohhhkayyy... Points for having what looked like hand cut fries, but all points deducted for the flimsy undercooked spuds that could have used a whole lot more time in the fryer. My friends daughter got a kids meal grilled cheese which came with apples slices as a substitute for the fries which he felt was a nice option. The ice cream arrived as part of the kids meal but unfortunately since she is 2, she had some difficulty using the soup spoon that was provided.Upon asking for a teaspoon,, we were told that they were on backorder. I can only surmise that the spoons must be on the same truck as the brisket. Clearly this place opened a good 3-4 weeks to early. When we kindly spoke to part-time manager/bartender on staff about the long wait and issues, she diverted all attention to my friends daughter to basically change the subject and not listen to us. She then so graciously took the grilled cheese kids meal off the bill, instead of any of our meals or even our round of beers. I wonder why... I see other reviewers repeat that they were out of certain foods they wanted to order, like the brisket when I was there. Funny how they had plenty of t-shirts,mugs,pints and whatever other swag for tourists. For those of you living in the North Shore, consider yourselves warned, this establishment is not meant for us.
(1)albert r.
We have a friend that just started working here so we went over Monday. First we waited an hour for a table half the place was empty. We ordered drinks. Ok but overpriced on poor mixes being used. Wife got a coffee drink it was cold and no whipped cream. We ordered after 40 minutes we asked how much longer. In the mean time we ask for a grilled cheeses for the baby to tide him over. It was cold and burnt. 1 hour into waiting we grab the waitress she says the order is not even close to being started. Frustrating part is no one gave a damn if we would out un happy. I think they were just happy to see us go with out a hassle. This place is terrible and the owners should be ashamed of them selfs and so should the crew. Not even a sorry what can we do to make it right...nothing...so in the end they suck and they deserve to go under.
(1)Alicia D.
HATE to give a bad review, but when food is inedible, I just feel I have to send that out there, in hopes something will change. Husband and I ventured out en route to the Thai place next to the cinema, but then we remarked that we had not given Village Tavern a try yet. We have dined at EVERY restaurant in Salem, so why leave this one out? Decor was a little weird, unfortunately I'm not a decorator, or I could suggest solutions, but it was too open and there was blonde wood everywhere. It seemed to lack "flow". I maybe better just shut up about decor because I'm babbling, but let's just say it did not work. Our waitress was lovely (hence the extra star). The menu lacked an identity; when you serve "everything", it's hard to tell what the place actually excels at, maybe barbeque? I also had a problem with the flimsy paper menu--ours were slightly stained which is pretty gross. It was getting a used place mat. I hope they are only using these menus until they decide what they are all about--then commit and get some laminated ones. So, not vegetarian friendly, please note that. There was very little for a veggie minded diner to choose from, so I got the clam chowder and the veggie quesadilla. I found the chowder completely inedible due to the high salt content! I slid it over to the hubby, who did eat it but admitted that it was extremely salty and not to his liking. The quesadilla was just OK, a little burnt around the tortilla, unspectacular but OK. I don't remember what the husband got, but I do recall that as we were leaving he said he felt bad that the place was not up to par. I might give it a try again, giving it some time to work stuff out in the kitchen but yah, we did leave a little sad for them. It would be nice to have a wonderful restaurant in that spot!
(2)Rita R.
Saddens me also to write this review. Here are the positives - staff is trying, just need training and esperience. Love the patio and the cool gas heaters. Like the different areas for seating, but what do you do to accomodate a group of 10 inside? Recommendations: Bus boys - dont put the tub ob dirty dishes on the table when you are cleaning up while poeple are finishing their drinks. Menu - scale it back, make fresh burgers not pre-made patties, change the breading on the chicken tenders - what is that awful blend? sage? way too spicy for kids. Quality of chicken on sandwich was not good. Salad seemed fresh - slice chicken when ordered on top. Decor - boring, After halloween, maybe look into hiring a desiger to come in for some ideas. Good luck Village Tavern.
(2)Charlie S.
I always try to give new restaurants a month or two before I give them a try to let them work out the kinks. I visited Village Tavern in December, giving them about two months. It was a Thursday night (normally fairly busy in Salem) and the weather was decent. To put the review simply, I found myself unimpressed and disappointed. I had read their website touting the "Largest Bar in Salem", "North Shore's Best Smoked BBQ" and "14 Custom Draft Beers" and had pretty high hopes for the experience. Smoke BBQ and beer are easily two of my favorite things, so how could this go wrong? For a Thursday night the place was fairly deserted, so I expected the best from the staff. However that sadly was not the case. When I first arrived the bar was unattended and a staff member clearly not familiar with it attempted to pour my beer. After about five minutes luckily the bar tender returned and started the beer from scratch. Unfortunately he was "called away" and left the bar unattended again, leaving us with empty glasses. A waiter tried to cover, but was clearly untrained (when another customer was served a cracked glass the waiter poured the beer into a new glass instead of pouring a fresh one). This apparently lead into a shift change, and the new bar tender was more interested in openly discussing his social life and complaining about other employees with his friend sitting at the bar then serving the customers (again empty glasses). I ordered a combination plate in order to get a good cross section of the BBQ offerings. Having been told by the bar tender (the first one) that it was their "pride and joy" my hopes were running pretty high. Dinner started strong with a wonderful, warm, and tasty loaf of honey oat bread. The ribs were not cutting it however. They were tiny, only about 2 1/2 inches long, and burnt. There was more char on them than meat, and the meat that was left was dry. The chicken was also not up to par. The portion I was served had very little meat on it, however it was juicy and had a nice flavor. Rounding out the meats was the brisket. I was impressed, it was tender and juicy however could have used more flavor. On top of the meats was a sauce that seemed really haphazardly squirted out of a bottle on top. Unimpressive, I would much more preferred to have it evenly spread on the meats (the brisket defiantly needed it). Finishing off the plate were some thick cut steak fries, which were solidly mediocre, and a delicious serving of corn bread (sadly the best thing on the plate). Now the nail in the coffin for this place was the beer selection. Touting "14 Custom Draft Beers" would imply a strong selection of craft or local brews. The reality is 10 standard brews (sorry guys but there is nothing "custom" about Harpoon or Sam in a Boston bar anymore) and 4 "craft" selections that were not listed anywhere. Either drop the confusing "custom" tag or build out your selection. I will say the design of the restaurant is very pleasant. An open floor plan with large windows looking out at the fountain, walking mall, and museum from the bar area. The bar is a large "U" shape with comfortable stools and plenty of TVs. The only real detracting factor was the fairly tacky space heaters spread around. Although it may be the "Largest Bar in Salem", the Village Tavern falls drastically short of being the "North Shore's Best Smoked BBQ" and misleadingly uses the "Custom Beer" line. The staff needs some serious help, and the food needs to step up or shut up. Overall, I'm not impressed right now, but I do hope they get the message and improve because the space was nice and the niche could use to be filled.
(2)J C.
This was probably one of the worst dining experiences I've ever had. The restaurant was packed, don't get me wrong, but there also seemed to be an adequate amount of staff on to handle the lunch rush. Came here for lunch this past weekend, we were seated right away and our server, Courtney, immediately greeted us. That was the best part of the entire dining experience. It took around 20 minutes to get our drinks. Another 15 minutes to get a glass for the beer I ordered. Well over an hour for our food, which arrived cold and missing sides it was supposed to come with. I had ordered another beer within the 60 minute wait for our food which I never received--but of course it was put on the bill, with the server simply saying "Oh, I thought I gave it to you." She was very unapologetic, and clearly not weeded since she kept stopping to chat with the women seated next to us. I saw at least 3 or 4 other servers handling the outside area, so I'm assuming the sections aren't that big. I realize the food taking legitimately AN HOUR is not her fault, but our drinks taking 20 minutes each time, and one time not even getting the drink I ordered is. I feel bad leaving a terrible review like this, but I've never received such bad service in my life and I'm a little less forgiving considering the amount of staff I saw working that day. What should have been a 45 minute lunch turned into a 90 minute lunch that was extremely unenjoyable. We should have just went to Wendy's. I will not be returning.
(1)Lisa R.
I just got back from lunch at the Village Tavern, and while the food didn't knock our socks off, it was perfectly decent and a pleasant meal overall. We were greeted right away and taken to a table outside, as we requested. The server was polite and attentive -- he showed up at all the right times, offered to refill our water glasses, took my boyfriend's plate away when he finished, asked if I was done (which I wasn't quite) and came back for my plate in a few minutes. I had the mac and cheese w/ broccoli, which exceeded my expectations (it was baked with buttery breadcrumbs, the broccoli was cooked but still a little crisp -not mushy at all-, and green onions on top, with a creamy cheese sauce) and my bf had a burger, which was a pretty good burger, cooked just slightly under well-done (he asked for well done). We live nearby, and this will probably be one of our middle-of-the-road places, when we don't want to splurge for a favorite place, but still want to have a decent meal for $20-$25 total for the 2 of us.
(4)Cathy L.
I wish I had read the reviews here before going with friends last night. Friendly waitress but not very knowledgeable. Ordered a mojito only to learn they were out of mint. It was about 6:45 p.m. Don't remember what I ended up ordering but it came in a plain glass with no garnish and looked like a glass of flat ginger ale. My friend's parmesan peppercorn dressing had a very weird taste - between a chemical and a dirty sponge. I thought she was exaggerating until I tasted it. The steak tips in my salad weren't grilled and weren't cooked medium well like I requested - they were too red for me. The herb vinaigrette dressing was delicious, tho. I do not enjoy saying negative things about a place but the above coupled with annoying fruit flies that we had to swat while we ate propelled me to write. It's a great location and I love casual tavern/pubs and feel that it's a welcome addition to Salem. But the owners need to not cut corners and give their customers better quality food and drink - there are too many alternatives close by.
(2)Ziqiu Z.
good service and live music earn the restaurant an extra star otherwise the food was just average the vintage menu looked interesting tho
(4)