Flying Pig Saloon—What Makes It Awesome and Why You Need to Keep Going

At the Flying Pig Saloon in Malvern you won’t find foie gras, truffles or beer floats on the menu—but what you will find are pigs, lots of ‘em, hanging from the ceiling. The decorative swine that adorn the interior and facade of this old-school mainstay are only part of the charm.

It’s easy to see why folks keep going back: a stellar list of draft brews, straightforward menu items with consistent execution and vintage-cellared beers that you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere else. If you love bottle-conditioned ales and the occasional greasy-spoon delight, this is the place.

Owners Steve Iacobucci and Fred Connell opened the Pig in 1999 and have been building their offerings, and their clientele, ever since. When I made a recent trip out to sample some beer and chat with owner Steve on a Thursday night, the restaurant went from a handful of folks at the bar to a bustlingly packed space within an hour. The crowd ran the gamut: young professionals, couples of all ages and families with young children chatted and joked alongside college undergrads and business execs. Needless to say, folks from all walks of life are drawn to the Pig for good reason. The waitstaff are friendly and on point. The food is familiar and yummy including pub favorites like roast beef, crab cakes and a variety of sandwiches and salads. Owner Steve’s personal favorite is the slow-cooked pulled-pork sandwich, served either BBQ or “Italian” style. Regardless of which version you get, it’s hard to go wrong with pork butts that have been attentively roasted for eight hours.

Whether you’re going to the Pig to enjoy a meal or chat over a pint, you’ll feel the love that folks have for this place. “Ninety percent of the pigs in here were brought in by customers,” said Steve, as he recounted the story of how the Pig got its namesake.

It all started with a weathervane in a window. After seeing a pig-adorned weathervane and wanting it for the rooftop of his soon-to-be restaurant, inspiration struck. The image of a pig above the roof gave life to the Flying Pig Saloon, and Steve started bouncing the name off friends. A friend pointed Steve to a weathervane maker where he could get an actual pig with wings, and the deal was sealed. For years, the Flying Pig above the rooftop swayed with the coming and going of the wind until a large storm spelled tragedy for the iconic symbol. When one of Steve’s customers brought in the flattened weathervane from the street it was clear that its rooftop days were over. However, you’ll see that the original Pig still greets visitors just above the doorway as you walk in.

The Pig is a suburban gem, nestled in the township of Malvern, that manages to draw folks from all over. It recalls the small-town American pubs of yore and yet offers a top-notch draft and bottle list at accessible prices. Their mantra is to keep quality and customer service high, and prices low. The ambiance of The Pig is nostalgic and inviting, as are the food and libations. If you love the beers of the world, stellar cajun fries and the warmth of an intimate crowd all having a good time, go here and bring your friends, too.

Find the Flying Pig Saloon at 121 E. King St. in Malvern; phone: (610) 578-9208.

Photo credits: Nathan Greenwood.

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