Mark’s Score 8.6
I was disappointed when Voodoo closed last February, I loved both their beer and food. However, Voodoo wasn’t even cold in its grave when RAR announced that they were going to open a RAR Chessie’s in the space vacated by Voodoo.
RAR, which stands for ReAle Revival (reflecting their desire to be part of the revitalization of downtown Cambridge), had humble beginnings when two local friends, Chris Brohawn and JT Merryweather started craft brewing in 2013. In 2015 they bought an old pool hall on Popular Street and hired a new head brewer, Randy Mills. Their foray into dining began inauspiciously with illegal steamed hotdogs. The Salisbury location is RAR’s third Chessie’s franchise.
I have known for a while, that RAR was moving into the Voodoo spot. I happened to be at the South Salisbury Shopping Center the Monday after Voodoo had closed. RAR employees were already at the location preparing for the conversion to a Chessie’s. With a scheduled opening in May. I had my doubts they would make the deadline, so I was delighted to hear that they had opened last weekend.
I was happy to hear that RAR would be taking their place. I have made more than one trip, over the years, up to Cambridge for a RAR beer. I usually give a new restaurant a month or two to settle in, before I write a review. But given that RAR is an established brand, I decided to take a chance by visiting Chessie’s on their first weekend.
Both the beer and food menu in Salisbury is a truncated version of Cambridge. Ironically, given that it is a brewer, they handed me a cocktail menu when I sat down. I had to ask for the beer menu. They brew their beer in Cambridge and truck it down to Salisbury. The food menu is small, and it includes the usual pub food. But each day they offer a “Chef’s Favorite” special. On this day it was a kimchi cheese burger. It was the only unusual item on the menu, so I ordered it.
I like RAR beers, but they are not my favorite local brewer. I had asked if they had a Belgian wheat, and the very helpful bartender and restaurant manager discussed the various beers on offer. They recommended the New England hazy IPA, though I am from New England, I had never heard of a hazy IPA, so I ordered it. They were right, I loved the beer. It is my new favorite RAR beer. As for the food, the burger was juicy and flavorful. The fries were crisp and not greasy. I wouldn’t call the food memorable, but I would most certainly order it again.
They spent several months on the redesign, they didn’t change a great deal, but the new look is warmer, less sterile than Voodoo. I enjoyed both their food and beer. I am happy to report that RAR has more than adequately filled Voodoo’s shoes. I’ll definitely be back. Chessie’s is a nice addition to the neighborhood.
What else is there to do in Salisbury?
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