It was our last day in Provincetown and we wanted to grab a bite to eat before packing up and taking off. With no real plan as to where to go, we simply drove from our hotel to the center of town and went exploring. As good fortune would have it, we found The Squealing Pig!
Open year-round, The Squealing Pig is a small, casual, bustling gastropub located on Commercial Street. One of three different locations in Massachusetts, the Ptown eatery feels like a good old Irish pub that happens to have terrific food. The lunchtime crowd seemed to be mostly locals and the staff were all friendly and attentive. Big windows looked out onto Commercial and flooded the place with warm daylight. Bentwood bistro chairs and polished wooden tables gave the place a homey, rustic feel and the largish hardwood bar highlighted a great selection of top shelf liquors and a wide assortment of draught and bottled beers. And while the place had a quaint, seaside vibe, they were all decked out for Halloween with cobwebs, skeletons and witches everywhere, which was quite charming!
One of the servers led us to a table at the back and we studied the menu, which was surprisingly extensive. From salads, burgers and traditional pub starters like calamari and quesadillas, to hearty breakfast dishes and seasonal entrees like Shepherd’s Pie or the Braised Sirloin Guinness Stew, there was much from which to choose.
Although Scott elected not to start with an adult libation, I began with an excellent Bloody Mary. Served in a pint glass and garnished with three enormous olives and a lime, it had all the classic flavors you expect in this brunch staple. The balance of vodka, tomato, horseradish, Tabasco and Worcestershire sauces provided a spicy bite, yet it had an underlying smoothness. One of the best I’ve had in a long time!
Being that it was late October, the day was a bit chilly, so I decided to start with their Smoky Seafood Chowder. The type of seafood used changes on a daily basis and this day, they were using haddock, a firm, yet
tender and flaky white fish similar to cod. A superb chowder, it was creamy, yet not too thick, with hearty chunks of smoked haddock, potatoes and the traditional mirepoix of veggies. I thought I detected a touch of white wine, which, along with the smokiness of the fish, gave the soup a lovely depth of flavor. Served with crispy, fluffy toasted country white bread on the side, it was so warming and delicious, Scott decided to order a bowl of his own!
We followed up our excellent chowder with a couple of the Squealing Pig’s signature sandwiches. Scott ordered one of the Toasties – the Cubano. Their take on a classic Cuban sandwich, it was made with slow cooked pork,
Black Forest ham, Swiss cheese and a jalapeño relish. The savory pork paired nicely with the smoky, mildly salty ham, the Swiss cheese added a deeper, nuttier note and the slaw gave it a fresh, spicy bite, which countered the richness of the pork and cheese. Toasted lightly on the outside and served with French fries, it was a real lunchtime treat. I chose the Smoked Salmon Avocado Sandwich. Imagine the best elements of a loaded bagel with lox – luscious smoked salmon, fresh tomato, red onion and salty capers – but add sliced avocado and stack it all on a soft, buttery brioche roll and it was the perfect
brunch sandwich. The salmon was salty and smoky, with a wonderful unctuous quality that was balanced nicely by the tang of the tomato, the sweet pungency of the onion and the cool creaminess of the avocado. The classic, mouthwatering flavors lingered on my palate and stayed with me in the most delightful way.
The Squealing Pig was an unexpected find and a welcome surprise. I hadn’t intended to write a review – we simply wanted to have a nice lunch. Although I didn’t take notes, as I usually do when reviewing a restaurant, I was so taken with the place that I called on memory and tried as best I could to give readers a few yummy details. As much as I look forward to my next visit to Provincetown, I also look forward to sampling more of the tasty offerings at this year-round gem!
The Squealing Pig – 335 Commercial Street – (508)487-5804 – Click here for more
