Tucked into a historic building on Derby Street that spent thirty years as a beloved neighborhood joint before its 2017 reinvention, Mercy Tavern has quietly become one of Salem’s most-loved comfort food spots.
Owner Patrick Schultz, who also runs Howling Wolf nearby, transformed the old In a Pig’s Eye space into a gastropub built on locally sourced, farm-to-fork ingredients.
Nearly a decade later, this cozy tavern still feels like a well-kept secret hiding in plain sight. 🍺
How Mercy Tavern won Salem’s hearts
Patrick Schultz did not stumble onto the Derby Street space by accident.
He had loved the building and had been coming there for over 20 years before he ever owned it, first as the founder of Howling Wolf and later as the new owner of In a Pig’s Eye, the thirty-year-old restaurant that previously occupied the address before closing in 2015.
After a four-month renovation and a pair of back-to-back soft openings, Mercy Tavern officially opened on April 7, 2017, to considerable local fanfare.
Schultz built the menu around a farm-to-fork philosophy, sourcing ingredients locally while keeping the format loose enough to shift with the seasons. 😋
What keeps Salem locals coming back, though, is less about any single dish and more about the tavern’s easy, unpretentious personality.
The space doubles as a genuine neighborhood hangout, with 12 rotating taps and live music that turns weekend nights into something closer to a house party than a typical dinner service.
Because Mercy Tavern never markets itself as a destination restaurant, it flies under the radar for visitors who stick to Salem’s famous historic sites, which is exactly what makes stumbling onto it feel like discovering a secret. 🎶
Food Highlights
- Mercy Burger: Double beef patties cooked medium and topped with bacon onion jam, melted American cheese, lettuce, and garlic aioli.
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Mercy Lobster Roll: Fresh lobster meat piled onto a toasted brioche roll with roasted corn, caramelized shallots, and a smoky bacon aioli. 🦞
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House Fried Ribs: A half rack of flash-fried baby back ribs finished fall-off-the-bone tender, tossed in Carolina gold or classic BBQ sauce, and served with house pickles, cornbread, and potato salad.
- Baked Mac ‘N Cheese: Rigatoni baked with caramelized onions, cheddar jack cheese, and toasted bread crumbs, with the option to add chorizo or bacon. 🧀
- Havarti Grilled Cheese: Melted Havarti cheese with avocado, garlic aioli, and a perfectly fried egg, with the option to add bacon jam.
- Baja Chicken Wrap: Grilled chicken rolled up with bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and a smoky chipotle aioli.
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Fish Tacos: Coconut-fried haddock wrapped in a flour tortilla with sour cream, pico de gallo, pickled jalapenos, and sweet bacon jam. 🌮
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Fish & Chips: Coconut-fried haddock paired with house garlic fries, tartar sauce, and a crunchy coleslaw.
Atmosphere
Mercy Tavern channels the feel of a classic neighborhood gastropub rather than a polished tourist stop, with a cozy, unfussy dining room that fits Salem’s historic Derby Street setting.
Twelve rotating beer taps and a chalkboard-worthy cocktail list keep the bar buzzing, while live music on weekends turns the space into a genuine local hangout.
The vibe stays casual and welcoming, equally suited to a quick burger or a full sit-down dinner. It is the kind of spot where regulars and staff seem to know each other by name. ✨
Bottom Line
Visit Mercy Tavern for the fall-off-the-bone house-fried ribs, coconut-fried haddock two different ways, a lobster roll piled high with fresh meat, weekend live music, and the rare chance to enjoy a genuine Salem neighborhood spot most visitors walk right past.
Address:
148 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970
📞 (978) 741-4436
🕔 Open daily, hours vary by day (weekends until 1 AM)