There’s a new restaurant in town, and guests are welcomed to eat, drink and watch sports games as of Wednesday, December 17. 

Sam Walker’s American Tavern, which has the capacity to seat up to 400 people, is now open in Vinnin Square, at 450 Paradise Road. The new restaurant replaces the spaces where Bertucci’s and Olympia Sports used to occupy. The comfort food restaurant features 29 televisions, a wide-ranging menu, and both alcoholic and zero-proof mocktails in a comfortable, lively setting.

The Swampscott location marks the restaurant’s second site, following its original Woburn location, which opened in 2021. It is Maverick Hospitality’s group’s seventh overall restaurant, with other big names like Lucy’s American Tavern, the Bowery Bar, Cityside American Tavern, Chubbs Taco and Tequila Bar, and Layla’s American Tavern.

“This is very exciting. It is our first second location of any of our brands,” Kate Langill, director of marketing with Maverick Hospitality. “We’ve really built up the Sam Walker’s brand in the Woburn community and that is our new plan. We’re very excited to spread our Sam Walker’s wings.”

Langill said that the Swampscott community continues the same type of business ideals for Sam Walker’s.

“We feel so supported by our community. And we try to do the same for them, immersing ourselves in what matters to our community,” Langill said. “It really feels like a tight knight community. It seems like there’s always something going on, something to celebrate…It just felt like a good fit for the things we value.”

Sam Walker’s has already started that initiative to get involved with the community. Over the summer, before the restaurant opened, the group sponsored a Swampscott Recreation Department movie night. 

One of the restaurant’s first community initiatives is its “cocktail for a cause,” which will remain on the menu for about six months, according to Langill. For every purchased “Late Check Out,” which is made of spring44 vodka, ginger liqueur, cranberry syrup, lime and blood orange beer, $2 will be donated to Anchor Food Pantry and its mission to provide nutritious food and support to individuals and families within the community. 

Over the past few days, Sam Walker’s has also hosted family and friend nights to invite people from the community to try out the food, while allowing the staff a bit of a practice run before the grand opening.

“It’s nice to start meeting new clientele and people,” said Paige McGlynn, general manager. 

McGlynn shared that she was able to train at the Woburn location with the new Swampscott head chef, along with some of the other staff members. She said the training has helped ensure the team is “very much set up for success.”

Executive Chef Billy Craig has worked up a delicious variety for his menu, which is similar to the Woburn location, Langill said.

Beyond the cocktail for a cause, there’s “PJ’s ‘XL’ Espresso Martini,” which Jen Warren described as “massive” and a “prized possession.” There are other twists to well-known drinks, like a “Banana Bread Old-Fashioned,” which is a mix of bourbon, giffard banane liqueur, brown sugar syrup, aztec chocolate bitter, black walnut bitters and bruleed banana chips. “Bear With Me, Honey,” a gin drink with blackberry liqueur and honey syrup, comes in a little bear-shaped glass. 

“All of our cocktails are house infused, fresh juice and syrups. Everything is very thoughtfully curated, very fresh, very colorful,” Langill said. “We give so much thought to not only the flavor profiles but garnishes. They’re beautiful drinks.”

Sam Walker’s also offers 20 beers on tap. Cocktails and drink options also change seasonally, Langill said. 

There’s also zero proof mocktail options like “Not Your Average Spritz,” which comes with DHOs bittersweet aperitif, apple cider, simple syrup and seltzer. “Catch My Drift” is a blackberry-sage lemonade with seltzer, and the “Faux Mule” has blood orange ginger beer, cranberry syrup, apple cider and lime. 

The new Sam Walker’s location has two bars: the main one and what is called Walker Bar, which will be used for event space in a few months. 

Key menu items on the food side include the loaded guacamole, which includes street corn esquites. McGlynn noted that the “Fatman’s Fried Pickles” pay homage to Bernell “Fatman” Austin who was the first to fry the dills at his drive-in in Arkansas. There are also Memphis wings that are dry rubbed and come with barbecue sauce.

The group said their sandwiches are often the most popular, such as the crowd-pleasing “Short Rib Grilled Cheese,” which not only comes on griddled sourdough but also includes short rib au jus and pickled red onions. Warren also called out the “very yummy burgers,” which include a branding of the name “Walker’s” on the top bun.

The pizzas became permanent menu items at all Sam Walker’s locations as of Wednesday. The 12-inch pies vary from the “OG Classic” with just mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce; to “The ‘Roni,” with pepperoni, mozzarella, whipped ricotta and hot honey; and even the “Truffle ‘Shroomie,” which has mushrooms, truffle oil, mozzarella, whipped ricotta, shaved pecorino and chives.

“This is delicious stuff,” McGlynn said. “This is good food.”

On the weekends, Sam Walker’s also offers brunch, which includes some of the main menu items as well as additions like “Cinnabon Pancakes,” which McGlynn said she’s “not even joking, they are a huge stack.” Langill said she loves the “Framer’s Market Brunch Bowl,” which comes with over-easy eggs, home fries, sweet potato, brussels sprouts, onion, bacon and spicy maple aioli. 

There’s also special brunch drinks like a “Cinnamon Toast Crunch Iced Coffee,” and a mimosa tower that comes with 88 oz of bubbles for at least three guests to share.

“We often describe our food as modern American taverns fare, elegant comfort food,” Langill said. “It’s a great place to watch a game, and eat. We’ll take care of you.”

Beyond food, Sam Walker’s is taking a new approach to the traditional sports-bar television setup. On football Sundays, and sometimes Monday nights, the restaurant has velcro helmets that will be attached to televisions so that guests know exactly which game will be on, “instead of running around to find someone to change the channel,” McGlynn said. 

The garage doors at the front of the space will open in the summer too, providing even more space and access to a patio.

The overall vibe of the restaurant is enhanced by one of the owner’s mothers, Trish, who helps care for the plants, decorates for the holidays and pitches in to make sure the space looks welcoming.

Sam Walker’s is open:

• Monday through Thursday: 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for lunch; 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. for dinner; and the bar will be open until midnight
• Friday: 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for lunch; 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. for dinner; and the bar will be open until 1:00 a.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for brunch; 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. for dinner; and the bar will be open until 1:00 a.m.
• Sunday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch; 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. for dinner; and the bar will be open until midnight

On Sunday, December 21, Sam Walker’s will host an ugly sweater brunch, where guests are encouraged to dress to the theme.