Mercy Tavern Replaces In a Pig’s Eye in Salem

A new era begins for a longstanding Salem restaurant as the neighborhood says goodbye to In a Pig’s Eye and welcomes Mercy Tavern in its place. The new restaurant opens Friday, April 7, according to Boston Restaurant Talk, and it will honor the occasion with an evening of blues music.

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The 148 Derby St. restaurant opens for lunch at 11:30 a.m., and the “Blues Jam” kicks off at 4 p.m., according to posts on the restaurant’s Facebook page. A familiar face in the Salem restaurant world took over the In a Pig’s Eye space in October after an announcement that the restaurant would close: Pat Schultz, the former owner of Howling Wolf Taqueria, kept the restaurant running under the original name until December, when he shut it down to prepare for the transition into Mercy Tavern, as previously reported.

The food at Mercy Tavern leans towards a gastropub style with both international and New England comfort food. There are “small bites” such as hand-cut prosciutto, roasted cauliflower, and roasted red pepper crostini; appetizers such as French onion soup and pork skewers; and entrees that range from spaghetti and meatballs to fried chicken, a Cuban sandwich, burgers, and pan-roasted steak. Mercy Tavern also has 12 draft lines and a cocktail list.

Mercy Tavern is open seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. and offers Sunday brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with live music at the restaurant each week.

• All In a Pig’s Eye Coverage on Eater [EBOS]
• In a Pig's Eye in Salem to Be Replaced by Mercy Tavern [BRT]