Very good pub food, and a nice selection of quirky, lesser-known beers, all of which is reasonably-priced.
Getting a seat can be an issue occasionally, given the small size of the seating area. If you sit on the bar side, the one bartender that is always there when I go on Wednesday nights is very friendly and has never made a mistake on any of our orders, which is impressive, because he doesn't even need to write any of it down. He's just that good. Sometimes the service can be a little slow on the other, non-bar side, but not enough to ruin the experience.
The portions are good, often leaving me with leftovers to take home, and for the love of God, try the sweet potato fries.
Overall, this is my go-to pub spot in Salem. It's not as "touristy" as parts of Salem can be. If you're looking for some hearty pub food and a craft beer, The Old Spot is a good choice.
After driving by since it opened, we finally went in for the first time when everywhere else around town had long waits. Got a piganator, highly reccomend that sandwich of pure masculine carnivority (if its even a word?) thing was absolutely delish! MMM PORK. The fish and chips were pretty dang good as well. I'd reccomend it!
Review Source:Wow this place was great. Â Wonderful cozy atmosphere and delicious food, what's not to love? Â PLUS the pig-themed menu was absolutely fantastic. Â I would totally suggest the piganator sandwich. Â Smoked Ham, slow roasted pork, pork lox, bacon, cheddar cheese, Â swiss cheese, pepperjack, onions, and creamy mustard on an open faced sandwich. Â It's amazing. Â Two thumbs way up.
Review Source:The beer list is good and the atmosphere is small but cozy: two hallmarks of a great pub.
The fried fontina appetizer was good enough to fight over with my dinner dates. The spicy brown mustard served with the warm pretzel rods cleared out my nose in one bite!
I had the cream of mushroom soup and the warm mushroom salad for my dinner because I couldn't decide on which one to order. They were both great and chocked full of hearty mushrooms.
For dessert I ordered the chocolate cake and it came to the table draped in chocolate and caramel sauce and fresh whipped cream. You're not going to head any complaints from from me on this.
The Old Spot is small but cozy and the food is really good.
It's a small restaurant/bar, so be prepared for that. But I keep going back because their steak tips are, hands down, the best around. HOWEVER, they recently changed their menu and have added "fluff" to the tips plate that I RECOMMEND YOU GO WITHOUT. The tips now come drizzled in roasted peppers. Scratch that stuff. It doesn't need anything. Just what it's marinated in, and maybe some salt and pepper. TRUST ME. And the potatoes used to be straight-up mashed garlic, but now they add bacon and top it with melted shredded cheddar. Again, scratch that. Just get 'em plain. Potatoes and steak should be just plain potatoes and steak -- nothing more! Old Spot, if you read this, PLEASE put the item back on your menu the way it used to be and the way it's meant to be, no fluff, no additions. (Luckily, these are minor things that you can simply ask your server to modify...and they are still delicious!!)
Review Source:This place is very cool. While the bar is way too small for my personal liking, the restaurant is pretty small too. Lots of places in Salem seem small though. I came here with husband and two friends twice. The first time was to the bar, which was very crowded for a Saturday afternoon. I did like their beer selection, and tried Scythe & Sickle and Wasachusett Blueberry, both of which I really liked. Seating is scarce in the bar, so we didn't stay long. I should also point out that they are strict about bar people staying in the bar, and restaurant people seated in the restaurant area. Only one restroom, which is too few for my liking. Parking can be found during the week, but we visited in October, their peak tourist time, so parking was much harder to come by.
The second time we visited was much quieter, and we had lunch. We ordered a bunch of things and shared. Pork shoulder was very good, and by far the fave. The fish and chips were very good as well, but the second favorite was actually the meat pie.
All in all, a great local hangout, good food, good beer selection. I'd be happy to visit again, if I ever visited the area again.
Food = excellent. Service = SLOW SLOW SLOW. Had to ask to have our table bussed. Waitstaff was inexplicably slow on a Saturday afternoon, and we had to flag someone down for almost everything we needed. On the way out, waitress gave us crap about having 4 separate credit cards even though we took the time to write the amounts out individually for each card. "we're on dial-up" was her reasoning. "not good service" is my reasoning for 3 stars.
Review Source:This bar is styled in the same vein as an English Pub. Â You walk through the front door right into the bar area which has quite few tables in it to compensate for the extremely minuscule bar that has about 4 chairs. Â There are two televisions in the bar area: 1 facing at the bar and 1 facing the tables in the bar area. Â This place isn't a place you would make a point in visiting to watch a sports game. Â
The restaurant side is also pretty small but for me doesn't feel claustrophobic. Â The seats are mostly made up of a padded bench that runs along the wall and chairs on the other side of the tables. Â The benches are comfortable to sit on but at times can be a pain because there are so many pillows on the benches.
The food is great and the serving sizes are decent. Â For appetizers, I had the Sweet Potato Sizzler but had it with regular fries and it was delicious. Â The buffalo tenders are very good as well and are really good portions, about six tenders come in the order. Â As far as meals go, the cheeseburger is a great way to go. Â Good size beef patties and a healthy side of fries. Â The haddock sandwich was great also! Â
Establishments in Salem are often known for their beer menu and The Old Spot does have a decent beer menu. Â If you're looking for any beers on the menu that'll blow you away and make your mouth water, you might be let down here. Â They don't usually have those kinds of beers the way Gulu Gulu Cafe does but on occasion The Old Spot does have something exciting. Â In the past, they had Founders Breakfast Stout on draft and cans of Heady Topper, so every now and then there is something to rave about but you should keep expectations low.
Last but certainly not least, the service is usually pretty good. Â Every Wednesday night is trivia night and the waitress can take a while to get to you for refills or for drink orders but there's usually a lot going on. Â Any other night the service has been great and the staff has always been very friendly, helpful and when it comes to the beer menu, very knowledgeable. Â
The prices may be a little on the high side but not too bad.
Overall the ambiance of the place was cool and relax. Food was pretty good too.
PROS
My friend ordered the squash curry soup and they were in love. If you love curry, this is the thing to get as an appetizer. I got the onion soup which was delicious and fresh tasting.
My friends had th fish and chips (liked very much ) and I order the deluxe burger ( burger was fine but the fries were more tasty esp with the special dip you get).
CONS
My other friend got the chicken salad which she barely ate since the chicken was overcooked and dry.
Overall, I deaf recommend this place.
I went here on a whim while visiting Salem, and I must say I was impressed. Â The atmosphere was cozy; the service was prompt; the beer selection was on the better side of varied with some eclectic and seasonal picks; and the food was great. Â We got their sweet potato fries with sour cream, cheese, green onions, and some other stuff on top. Â What stuck out to me was that they didn't skimp on a thing, and that made all the difference in the world to me because the sour cream makes it for me.
As far as beer goes, we got some kind of banana bread ale and one other one I can't remember right now, but both were very good.
Yay! You'll read above that I was kind of anti-Old Spot but I'm reformed! Some friends forced me to head here a month ago... and forced me to eat the fish and chips. Maybe my review in 2008 came at the hands of other owners, or maybe they were just working out the kinks. Whatever the case, we indulged in some serious deliciousness .
Review Source:This place gets 2 stars due to the fact that the food is great, and is lacking the rest due to the awful service.
The customer service leaves much to be desired. Upon arriving there this past Saturday, we sat at a table and waited 30 minutes before a waitress came over to clean the previous patron's plates for off of the table for us. And, this was after we got up and approached a waitress explaining that nobody had come over yet. After waiting at least 30 more minutes, we were asked what we would like to drink, and our orders were taken. Once our food arrived, the waitress did not come over once to check on us. And, when we wanted to split the bill on more than one credit card, the waitresses response after she huffed and puffed was "Well, we are on dial up internet, so it's going to be a bit... can you just use one card??" We waited at least 15 minutes more for that to go through.
I would not suggest going here if you plan on spending the day in Salem to do anything other than sitting, waiting for your food to arrive to the table.
Came here with m wife, son, and his girlfriend. I went with the pulled pork sandwich. Great choice on my part. Food was great. We also went with boneless buffalo fingers. That also was good. Wife went with the salad with steak. She loved it. Son had fish and chips, he liked it. Lastly, his girlfriend went with the BLT, she also liked it. Food was cooked perfect. All around, food and service was great!!! Def. will be back when we're in the area again.
Review Source:I've been tempted to enter, but thus far have simply passed. Something about the name and the image? Strange. The Old Spot. I was raised with PETA, so this obviously influences how I feel about the images and the contents of various restaurants. I give The Old Spot 1-Star for adding one vegetarian-friendly item per menu category - such as the Crispy Fried Green Beans with Horseradish Creme Fraiche under the Appetizer heading; the Spicy Black Bean Veggie Burger Red Pepper Relish, Cheddar LTO, Fries in the Sandwiches section; and the Grilled Portobellos in the Entrees section. This is a slight attempt to cater to vegans and vegetarians, but the sign on the business, coupled with the name, will undoubtedly keep most vegan/vegetarians away. We can get similar vegetarian/salad options at Tavern on the Green. Sounds, at least, a bit more inviting.
Review Source:Old Spot is pubby, but in a nice way. Â They try, which is refreshing, but it's a hole in the wall that serves beer at heart. Â My review is not relative to their competition, for which they would get 5 stars. Â No, I am saying that if I consider them against every other pub I've been to, they are pretty good, but not amazing.
The service was wonderful.
One of the more decent places in salem to have food and a good beer. When I lived around here i'd go twice a week. The one thing I wish they did was change up some of the stuff on the menu more.. I was getting a little sick of the usual stuff on there.
Wish they had room for outdoor seating.
I saunter in out of the rain, put my cape on a hook and take a seat in my old spot in the dining room of the old spot. (Though my first time there.)
Heard good things about this joint, ordered from the late night menu.
Waitress brought our beers over DOUBLE time.
My Labatt Blue was as cold and empty and refreshing as canada, hell its a Labatt Blue what did you expect.
Slow roasted pork sandwich with sweet potato fries came out. Said hey this looks pretty good, took a bite.
Suddenly, something in my loins tingled. Was I about to lose my virginity?... To a sandwich? Had I already lost it? Was time reversing?
All I can see..blinding white. Nude angels caressing my chin, coaxing my jaw to fall open; Angels face.. made up of pork, french kissing my exposed taste buds. I feel violated, but at home.
My friend snaps me out of it, asks me why my face is flushed. I say those Canadians make one hell of a beer...
5 stars for that sandwich. Needed a cigarette after, and I don't smoke.
Favorite local night spot. A smaller establishment with dim lighting that creates an intimate environment coupled an attentive wait staff makes this a great place to relax with friends. More expensive than some other restaurants but not over top and definitely worth the price.
The Old Spot emulates a classic English pub and the dishes reflect this, with one of the best burgers in town. The bar is expansive with drinks that cater to any budget; ranging from $2 Rolling Rocks in a can to high end martinis and top shelf scotch. Last time I went I coupled the delicious soft pretzels stick appetizer with an ice cold beer and was very content.
It is not a large establishment yet they still have couple TVs, dart board, and a good amount of seating. Every Wednesday they do trivia which is a blast, but expect it to be packed. You will generally run into a pretty even mix of locals and college students.
The Old Spot, you are fabby-fun, your waitstaff is brilliant and your prices are fine, but please stop touting yourself as a British-style pub just because you serve Wells Banana Bread Beer and have pictures of George Best and The Beatles on the wall. You need a makeover, innit.
Please look up dishes like Toad in the Hole, Bangers and Mash, Cornish Pasties, Mushy Peas, Mince Pies, Spotted Dick, Chicken Tikka Masala and Treacle Pudding. Or, failing that, just go to JD Wetherspoons' website and copy the whole menu.
I mean, you don't even have Bisto. What kind of fresh hell is this?
Bathroom review: please ensure that your loos are stocked with hand soap. Especially as, if you're not stocking it with loo roll either, people will probably need that soap that much more. This way, I will stay and drink more.
And start stocking more cider. Strongbow is for chavs.
I really want to like this place. Â It's walking distance from our house, it's Irish, it's cozy...if only the food was good. Â It's OK at best...I'd be happy with good. Â
We have tried this place at least 6 times since it opened hoping that it will get better with time. Â I feel like Brendan Crocker sold out with this menu. Â It's right on tourist alley and they probably make enough from foot traffic wandering in that they don't seem to care about quality, flavor, or temperature. Â
They used to have great pasties...an Irish meat pie that were really good. Â At least when they first opened they tried to have more traditional items that were tasty even when served luke warm. Â They took the pasties off the menu...probably because that was more a local favorite than a tourist order. Â They also had a great clam chowder that had bacon and a drizzle of peppery oil on the top. Â Very good and usually only needed to be sent back once for re-heating. Â That too is gone. Â
Today I tried the black bean veggie burger because others on yelp have said that it's good. Â It was OK. Â It was not fresh. Â I got it with onion rings and my hubby had sweet potato fries. Â Both tasted like fish and were mushy. Â We were there at 1:00 so that was not enough time for them to have served enough fish and chips to taint everything in the kitchen. Â So the oil is probably not fresh either. Â
The only redemption of the meal was the draft beer and the soft pretzels appetizer. Â But the dipping sauce sucks so just ask for some french's mustard. Â This is what I mean...Brendan Crocker is talented enough to make a good dipping sauce but instead it's a very bland bacon, onion, mustard mix that has no flavor. Â Put some heart it in Man! Â Use some dijon and maybe some actual bacon...perhaps a dab of horseradish. Â
I won't even bother with the service as it doesn't matter if the Queen Mum is serving me with the finest silver...the food just doesn't make par.
So, after years of trying to love this place...I'm out.
The nicest thing about the Old Spot: Â no witches, warlocks, pirates, palm readers, or tourist schlock. No cutise-pie names on the menu, it is not a chain, and is not a glorified McDonald's. Just some cute little piggies on the menu. It is a simple place to get simple, decent food and a cold beer.
We've been to Old Spot a couple of times. As an avowed lover of all things pork, my husband has stuck to their pulled pork sandwich. I've had a salad ad one of their pressed sandwiches. Again, simple and tasty. Service has always been friendly and efficient. As members of Peabody Essex Museum, we head to Salem several times a year to enjoy the museum; the old Spot is a short walk from the front doors of the museum. Good food and no witches equals a hearty thumbs up in my book.
I was in Salem this past weekend for my first time ever. I was with my boyfriend and we were meeting my biological father and his wife for a day of adventure in Salem in October. As the night fell we wanted to grab a beer and some food, so we stopped in at The Old Spot.
The hostess told us there was a 45 minute wait, as to be expected as it is Salem in October. We relocated ourselves to the bar for drinks, but before any of our beers were even in our hands the hostess came to us and told us she was ready to seat us. 45 minutes to under 5 minutes? Things were looking good.
We were sat in the dimmly lit cramped dinning room with our moderatly cold beers already in tow. The waitress greeted us and asked if we wanted to start with an appetizer. My fathers wife being none the wiser stated to her "I think we are all going to slit a few appetizers" The waitress become stand offiish and quite awkwardly replied "Oh, I don't think you can sit here if you aren't ordering a meal ... because we are on a wait?" The waitress reaffirmed her statement after speaking to who I assume was a manager in the back.
NEVER in my life have I been UNSEATED at a restruant. Wheter we were ordering appetizers or their most exspensive menu item, it should not matter.Customers are customers. They continued to tell us they had to "unseat" us due to their 45 minute wait however, we were seated in under five minutes.
Once again we relocated to the small bar, with our now luke warm beers. We finsihed them as quick as possible and made the decision to go elsewhere. I suggested Salem Beer Works as I have heard many great things about.
It's too bad for the Old Spot and the waitress. My father was in an extremely generous mood that night and we would have easily racked up $100 tab with appetizers and beer.
I was not really sure what to expect in this place, but it was really cozy & cute, & I would go back in a heartbeat. Â It is small inside - we chose the restaurant area, but the area looked nice too. Â It was a little loud inside - we got there aroud 8 on a Friday night, Â and it was busy, then it died down for a while, then it got busy again as we were leaving after 10.
I had the fish & chips which were good, but there were only two pieces of fish. Â Would rather have some more fish & less fries. Â My friend loved her scallop special, and we split a bottle of wine. Â We also had the chocolate cake dessert - was not expecting it to be great, at a pub, but it was tasty. Â The menu is limited, though. Â Our server was extremely friendly, and did not bother us much throughout the meal. Â she checked in with us, but it was not constant, and we were not rushed to leave. Â It is a nice spot, so check it out!
I love this place. Excellent beer on tape (La Chouffe, Anchor Steam) and other great selections by bottle (Dupont Saison.) Â Better than pub-grub grade food, but plenty of the standard greasy selections. The sweet potato fries were very good.
The atmosphere is relaxed, and comfortable, a notch above your typical bar but definitely not pretentious. Great place to watch the game and still be able to have a good conversation.
The Old Spot is a warm and charming little place with a decently priced menu full of comfort food. The beer list is also pretty impressive with all sorts of imports and crafts to select from. I like it for a night where you want to get together with a few close friends, splurge on a few decadent apps and have some good conversation (because you can actually hear each other talk!). The bar is small but there are tables and banquets you can snag if you get there at a reasonable hour.
If you do go for dinner may I recommend some apps? The hog wings may scare you off by name, but they are divine. Don't ask questions - just eat them! The curry chips are also a treat.
And, for those having last call at the Old Spot, they do have a really good late night menu!
I love The Old Spot! It is my favorite restaurant in Salem. We bring all of our friends here when they come to visit.
I took friends there yesterday after canoeing all day on the Ipswich River. Needless to say, we were exhausted and hungry. I had the pork chop special, which came with a granny smith apple coulis and cheddar mashed potatoes - excellent. My husband had the tortilla pie for the first time. He liked it but said it wasn't very spicy (he likes stuff extremely spicy, so for normal people, that might be a good thing). My two friends got a Reuben and the roasted pork sammie, which is one of my favorites - roasted pork, dijonaise, pickles, and Swiss! My friends were delighted with the food and it really hit the spot after a long day out in nature.
A slow-roasted pork sandwiche on grilled marbled rye with a generous side of crunchy sweet potato fries. Â Clam chowder with thyme, bacon and chipotle oil. Â Tender pork sausages with yorkshire pudding and onion gravy on top. Â All washed down with some fisherman's ale on tap. Â
You can thank me later.
A nice cozy place with a pub menu and also full dinner options and nightly dinner specials. The drinks were good, service was good - and the special salmon with chipotle sauce was great.
I didn't order dessert, but since 3 of the 6 people at my table ordered the lemon squares, I ended up having some - yum. Lots of really surprisingly good fresh berries (for this time of year) on the plates, too.
And, being mature and cultured adults, we got loads of uproarious jollies, drawing sidelong glances from other patrons, just out of there being Spotted Dick on the menu. . .
Definitely a place to visit again.
I've lived within walking distance of The Old Spot for a few years now, and hadn't been in until the last couple weeks. I went in originally because a friend mentioned that they had a great bacon cheeseburger on their bar menu. She was absolutely correct. The burger was tasty and the fries, sorry chips, were crunchy and hot like I like them. French onion soup was good, the clam chowder had a spicy oil on top and was different, Â but in a good way.
Just a week or two later we returned for dinner. We decided to try some of the more traditional Brit food and went for the meat pie. The memory of the gravy makes my mouth water.
I'd give The Old Spot five stars except for a few things. Megan got the bread pudding the last time we were there and it clearly had been microwaved, and just wasn't that good. The atmosphere is nice and the location is great, but the benches that make up a portion of the dining room seating are uncomfortable.
They serve that particular blueberry beer here, which I found amazing.
Other than that, I wasn't too impressed. It's a cute little place, with lots of dark hard wood, and nice people watching. Yet, my onion soup had green onions on it (not too great) and was lacking any real flavor. Â The service though was great. They have a wonderful bunch of friendly people working, and that kinda makes up for the unremarkable lunch I had.
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