Dire Wolf Tavern
Can’t decide what to eat?
Maybe you want something comforting like Mac and Cheese, or a plate of poutine.
Or you might be in the mood for sushi, or hungry for Chicken Parm.
Maybe you just need a great Burger.
Well, whatever craving you’re looking to satisfy, it will be fed at Dire Wolf Tavern.
Located in downtown Salem Massachusetts, Dire Wolf Tavern is a casual laid-back spot that feels a bit like an old Western saloon; with exposed brick, lots of unique art. and a large 40-seat bar at the center of it all.
Devon Cormier - GM, Dire Wolf Tavern: “It’s tavern-esque but a little more elevated. The lighting in here is really golden. So I like to say it's like Golden Hour.”
General Manager Devon Cormier oversees the spot, and for her, working here is a homecoming.
Devon Cormier - GM, Dire Wolf Tavern: “I'm from Salem. So I was really excited to come back and work in my hometown.”
She’s at home here, and the team at Dire Wolf takes great care to make customers feel that way too, from the second they sit down.
Devon Cormier - GM, Dire Wolf Tavern: “We try to be an inclusive space for people and provide comfort which is our main goal, and one way that we achieve that is by our bartenders, remembering people's names or what they drink when they come in, you know, just kind of looking at them and sliding their favorite cocktail over.”
As for your favorite food, there’s a pretty good chance it’s on the menu here.
Devon Cormier - GM, Dire Wolf Tavern: “If you're not really sure what kind of food you want, we have a lot of options. So it's really easy when deciding where to eat because we have something for everybody.”
Starting with appetizers, you can’t go wrong with the Crispy Chicken Bites served with buffalo and ranch for dipping, or an internationally approved plate of Poutine with house cut fries, pan gravy, and cheese curds.
Devon Cormier - GM, Dire Wolf Tavern: “Being in Salem, we get a lot of tourists and we get some Canadians over here and they approve of our poutine.”
But if Devon is settling in for a snack, she’s going for the Pan Crisped Gyoza.
Devon Cormier - GM, Dire Wolf Tavern: “The Gyoza I eat that every single day. I never get sick of it. It’s spicy and it has kimchi inside which makes it a little bit different compared to traditional gyoza, and we put the red pepper chili flakes, and we pan sear them instead of frying them like a lot of restaurants do. So that's my favorite part that they're a pan seared because it gives them a nice crunch.”
Dire Wolf also offers an unexpectedly delicious sushi menu, with options like the Harvest Roll made with fried sweet potato, avocado, carrots, and mixed greens; and the Olympic Roll filled with tuna, avocado, and cucumber, and topped with tempura flakes and torched tuna.
Devon Cormier - GM, Dire Wolf Tavern: “That’s my favorite part about that roll, because when they torch it with the sauces on it, it really adds a nice smoky flavor to it.”
When it comes to entrees at Dire Wolf, you better be hungry like the wolf, because the dishes coming out of the kitchen are hearty. Like the Three Cheese Mac and Cheese made with cavatappi pasta, topped with ritz cracker crumbs, and served in cast iron crock.
Devon Cormier - GM, Dire Wolf Tavern: “It comes out piping hot and it's one of those dishes when you drop it down you have to tell people to be careful. When you take a bite, it's a comfort food bomb in your mouth.”
For some Italian-American comfort food, check out the oddly named Obnoxious Chicken Parm.
Devon Cormier - GM, Dire Wolf Tavern: “It’s funny when they put that on the menu, everyone's like, ‘Really? We're calling it Obnoxious Chicken Parm.’ And now it's something that everybody comes here for.”
Folks also come for the Steak Tips marinated in IBC Root Beer.
Devon Cormier - GM, Dire Wolf Tavern: “With the steak tips, we were trying to be a little different with what our marinade would be. And we buy glass bottles of the root beer and we marinate it in house and we've been getting a lot of really good feedback on it. It's not as sweet as you would think. But it really tenderizes it having the root beer in there.”
Handheld options here include a double patty Smashburger piled high with crispy bacon and melted cheddar, on a toasted brioche bun; and the marvelously messy Brisket Melt, with swiss, mustard aioli, and chili fried onions on ciabatta. But a word of warning: only order this sandwich if you don’t have any plans.
Devon Cormier - GM, Dire Wolf Tavern: “That is actually a sandwich that I don't let the staff get while they're working because it puts you into a food coma. So it's an after work meal.”
As for after dinner, nothing is more nostalgic than a Banana Split.
Devon Cormier - GM, Dire Wolf Tavern: “So not only do we have a Banana Split, but our Banana Split is crème bruleed. So we put some sugar on the banana, torch it, and then you put the Richardson's ice cream. I love it.”
If you prefer to end your meal with a drink, Dire Wolf’s bar mixes up plenty of inventive options. Or you can head downstairs to the restaurant’s sister speakeasy; Hallowed Ground, where craft cocktails are served in subterranean space with an old-school lounge vibe.
Devon Cormier - GM, Dire Wolf Tavern: “We like to say it's a place you can start your night or end your night. They have some upscale cocktails down there. And the bar manager primarily works down there and he's been in this building for years. So he has a really good have an understanding of what people in Salem are looking for.”
And no matter what you’re looking for, from drinks to food to a welcoming attitude, your hunt ends at Dire Wolf Tavern.
Devon Cormier - GM, Dire Wolf Tavern: “You’re out with the guys, you’re out with your family, or you're on a date. There really is something for everybody whether you want some sushi, a burger, brisket, or you just want dessert, you can come here for that.”
