Derry’s Italian food scene has one clear standout, and it’s On the Corner Grill. 🍝
Owners with roots running Buono Panini in Salem, NH for six years brought their scratch-made Italian cooking to Derry in 2018, and this New Hampshire Italian restaurant hasn’t slowed down since.
Between the homemade sauces, the hand-cut steaks, and a bar pouring creative cocktails, this local favorite has become the kind of restaurant Derry residents recommend before anyone even asks. 🍷
How On the Corner Grill won Derry’s hearts
On the Corner Grill built its following the way most great Italian restaurants in New Hampshire do, by treating comfort food classics with genuine care instead of cutting corners.
The restaurant’s own history traces back to Buono Panini, the beloved Salem sandwich shop the owners ran for six years before bringing their homemade Italian and comfort food concept to Derry.
Regulars consistently point to the Italian Trio as a menu highlight, a sampler plate that lets guests try three classics in one sitting, along with the restaurant’s own specialty dish, Chicken O, a genuinely unique creation not found at most other Italian spots. 🍗
Diners have also praised the Steak and Cheese Egg Rolls, an inventive starter that blends a New England classic sandwich with a crispy, fried presentation.
That mix of tradition and creativity, paired with a full bar and gluten-free options for guests with dietary needs, has made this Derry dining destination a go-to for both weeknight dinners and celebratory nights out.
Food Highlights
- Blackened Scallop Risotto: Jumbo scallops blackened and served over creamy wild mushroom and spinach risotto. 🦪
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Chicken O: Sautéed chicken breast filled with crabmeat stuffing, served over vegetable risotto in a light cream pesto sauce, the restaurant’s own signature specialty. 🦀
- Rigatoni alla Bolognese: Baked rigatoni tossed in a traditional sauce of ground beef, sweet Italian sausage, pancetta, and red wine, topped with mozzarella and basil.
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The OTC: Chicken or veal sautéed with shrimp, diced tomatoes, wild mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and basil in a light tomato sauce, served with julienne vegetables and roasted potatoes.
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Pork Chop Florentine: A fresh-cut, bone-in grilled pork chop served with wild mushroom and spinach risotto, finished with a red wine demi-glaze. 🍖
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Grilled Shrimp Milano: Grilled seasoned shrimp served over wild mushroom and spinach risotto with extra virgin olive oil and garlic.
- Italian Trio: A sampler featuring ricotta-stuffed raviolis, lasagna smothered in alfredo sauce, and breaded chicken parm coated in pink rosa sauce.
- Eggplant Parm with Ziti: Breaded eggplant cutlets baked with marinara and melted mozzarella, served over a bed of ziti — a vegetarian-friendly Italian classic diners have specifically praised. 🍆
Atmosphere
The dining room leans warm and comfortable, with a bar area serving creative seasonal cocktails alongside the Italian menu. 🍸
It’s a family-friendly space with high chairs and table service, making it just as fitting for a weeknight dinner as a celebration.
Overall, the vibe stays approachable and neighborhood-focused, the kind of place that feels like a favorite local secret.
Bottom Line
Visit for the signature Chicken O, homemade Italian classics like the Italian Trio, hand-cut steaks, creative seasonal cocktails, and genuinely inventive comfort food from a longtime local team. 🍝
Address:
418 Island Pond Rd, Derry, NH 03038
📞 (603) 952-4636
🕔 Mon–Wed, 4 PM–9 PM | Thu–Sat, 11:30 AM–10 PM | Sun, 12 PM–8 PM