What does Peppercorn’s Grille and Tavern in Worcester do well? The answer is a delicious paradox that somehow includes “Everything” and “It’s a mystery.”
Let’s start with the “everything.” Peppercorn’s has a wide-ranging menu that focuses on classic comfort foods executed at a high level. They crush the basics, from pizza and burgers to chicken parm and pot roast. But there are also brilliantly executed flourishes, such as the beef brisket grilled cheese and pistachio haddock.
The “mystery” is my favorite element at Peppercorn’s. On certain nights, the restaurant features a rotating mystery menu item for adventurous guests who want to leave their dinner fate in the hands of the chef.
Oh, there’s one more important element: beer. In addition to being an impressively well-rounded restaurant, Peppercorn’s also has an underrated brewery under the same roof.
Did I mention this restaurant does everything?
A Smash Burger from Peppercorn’s Grille & Tavern on Park Ave. in Worcester.(Nick O’Malley, MassLive)
Mass. Hidden Gems: Peppercorn’s in Worcester
There are some people who will think I’m crazy for calling Peppercorn’s a hidden gem. For 28 years, it’s been a culinary mainstay on Park Avenue, a prime destination for students at nearby Clark University to bring their parents for a nice dinner when they visit.
It’s a spot that has a steady pipeline of loyal regulars in the know. But when I hear folks talk about coming to Worcester for dinner, it’s not a destination I hear mentioned enough.
So, how has Peppercorn’s thrived as a neighborhood institution that keeps customers coming back for more? For owner Tom Oliveri, the name of the game is consistency and hospitality.
That means, if a customer orders their favorite dish, it’s got to taste the same on a Tuesday in May as it does on a Friday in December.
That consistency is key for customers who want to know exactly what they’re going to get. But for others, the opposite is true.
That’s where the secret menu comes in.
On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Peppercorn’s offers the “Hand of the Chef.” It’s an off-menu item that changes depending on what executive chef Marcos Ferreira has whipped up that night.
The first time I ordered the “Hand of the Chef,” I got a brilliantly cooked pork tenderloin wrapped in prosciutto, served with asparagus and a sauce that I could not identify but ate all of.
If the hand of the chef were here right now, I’d give it a high five.
“I’m not just saying this because he’s my chef — he’s the best in the city, hands down,” Oliveri says.
To be clear, the staff will let you know what the mystery item is, especially if you have dietary restrictions. But the real fun is going out on a limb, being adventurous and not knowing what you’ll get.
Oliveri says Ferreira will play around with some pork, duck and fish. He’ll take some chicken and jazz it up. There are even some vegetarian specials.
You never know what you’re going to get. But whatever it is, it’s probably going to be good.
“I don’t think in all the years he’s been doing it, we’ve ever had a disappointed customer,” Oliveri says. No one said, ‘Oh, this is not what I expected.’ But then again, those going into it kind of know – you don’t know what you’re getting.”
The Crispy Chicken Fontina from Peppercorn’s Grille & Tavern on Park Ave. in Worcester.(Nick O’Malley, MassLive)
What’s good on the menu?
The bulk of the Peppercorn’s menu is based around the classic American entree — a protein, a carb and, sometimes, a veggie.
Other restaurants may have flashier items across the menu. But Peppercorn’s is a good reminder that, when you do the classics just right, they’re hard to beat.
We’ve got to start with the No. 1 seller: the Crispy Chicken Fontina. It’s a crispy chicken cutlet smothered in prosciutto and fontina cheese served with a slick mountain of oil & garlic linguini. It’s a delicious, salty, garlic-y spin on chicken parmesan that takes red sauce out of the equation.
If you’re looking for something on the lighter side, go for the Pistachio Haddock. It’s not a combination that I would have anticipated enjoying. But rarely have I ever had something that managed to be so A) delicious, B) filling) and C) light and healthy enough that I didn’t feel like I needed to take a nap after.
Outside of the normal entrees, I highly recommend the pizza and burgers.
Peppercorn’s has a killer pepperoni pizza that is chewy, cheesy and surprisingly light with big pops of flavor in every bite.
The Smash Burger is a relatively new addition to the menu, but has quickly rocketed to “fan favorite” status. It’s a burger that really nails the little touches, including a well-toasted bun and grilled onions that taste like they’ve been caramelizing for hours.
A look around Double Down Brewing Company in Worcester.(Nick O’Malley, MassLive)
The restaurant with a brewery incubator on the side
When you visit Peppercorn’s, the first thing you’ll probably notice is a big sign for Double Down Brewing Company and lots of outdoor spots to sit and enjoy a beer.
Don’t worry, you’re in the right spot.
Double Down is physically part of the Peppercorn’s building, with a door leading between the two. But it’s technically a separate business.
It’s the latest in a line of breweries that have operated in the space attached to Peppercorn’s. It was here that Wormtown Brewery first opened. After Wormtown moved out in 2015, Flying Dreams took over until leaving in 2020. A year after, Double Down set up shop and has been thriving ever since.
Operated by industry veterans with a passion for making great beer, I rank Double Down as one of the state’s most underrated breweries.
The shared space makes for a unique partnership. Double Down supplies the brews for most of Peppercorn’s 12 beer taps. Meanwhile, the restaurant makes for an amazing food-and-beer destination.
In MassLive’s profile on the brewery last year, Double Down founder Christian McMahon hailed Peppercorn’s as the best food you’ll find at any brewery in Massachusetts
“If you’d ranked the best brewery taproom food, this would be No. 1 … If you put it up against anyone else, literally, this is the best menu and some of the best execution of food you could possibly have as a brewery,” he said.
A look around Peppercorn’s Grille & Tavern on Park Ave. in Worcester.(Nick O’Malley, MassLive)
What to know when visiting Peppercorn’s
If you’re planning to visit, the big thing to know is that the main entrance is in the back of the building (as shown in the picture above). It’s the one with the long ramp facing the parking lot — opposite from the Park Avenue side.
There’s also an entrance to Double Down Brewing to the left. That’s technically only for the brewery. But if you accidentally go that way, there’s a door that leads from the brewery into the restaurant itself.
Note: Beer from Double Down is available to order inside Peppercorn’s. However, the Double Down taproom only has a limited menu. If you want to order off the full menu, you need to go into Peppercorn’s.
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What’s the address? — 455 Park Ave., Worcester, MA, United States, Massachusetts
What’s the parking situation? — Peppercorn’s has its own large parking lot behind the restaurant with plenty of spaces.
When are they open? — Here are the listed business hours at the time of writing.
Monday: ClosedTuesday: 11:30 – 9 p.m.Wednesday: 11:30 – 9 p.m.Thursday: 11:30 – 9 p.m.Friday: 11:30 – 9 p.m.Saturday: Noon – 9:30 p.m.Sunday: Noon – 8 p.m.
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Mass. Hidden Gems is a series highlighting restaurants and other businesses across the Bay State that we think deserve more attention. You can check out the rest of the series here.
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