Restaurant Reviews
 

Thanks to everyone on the forum for their personal experiences and critiques of the many restaurants now available in the lakes region. The reviews not only help in choosing a particular restaurant, but also highlight the many new or lesser-known establishments. Eveyone has different standards in what they expect in their dinning experience, whether the occasion calls for fast food or a formal sit down. The reviews help, especially if there are multiple posts that agree with the review. The best thing for the patrons, is the plethora of restaurants to choose from. I am most familar with the Paugus Bay area, and can remember back in the 50's and 60's there were only few choices. The ones that come to mind are Hart's (when the live turkeys were kept in pens outside the resraurant), the Windmill (now closed for many years), and the Boulevard Drive Inn (now a real estate office). My family would say, " What this area needs are a few more good restaurants." Now there are so many restaurants and so little time. Hope some of you can add to the list of old restaurants and what they are today.:liplick:

Melody's Kitchen
 

Twenty years ago we used to love the calzones at Melody's Kitchen in Meredith. We were devastated when it closed. There was also a great sandwich place where Karen and Barry's is now located.

How about the lake shore diner where burger king is now ?

mg2107, that's a good one! forgot about that one. It was located next to the Ice House. Did that same diner get moved down the street and be the current Paugus Diner? Nothing like a old diner for good food, good price and the built in character.

Mmmm
 

How about Captains Table? I think it was on Paugus Bay. There used to be a large container out front near the entrance loaded with live trout that you could feed. I think the Corvette bldg is there now?

I had a graduation dinner date at the Wakatatina restaurant in Meredith.......bet you can't guess what year!

Bil-O-Fare
 

Does anyone remember this little place? It was the best hamburger/hot dog/vanilla frappe/Ice Cream place in the world. It was located on the right at the bottom of Wharf Rd. in Melvin Village. It was owned and run by Priscilla & Burgess Hodges with help from a cast of many locals in the late 1950's into the 1960's. Seating was all outside under the blue corrugated fiberglass roof looking out onto Melvin Bay.

It was there for several years and then the business was sold and moved onto the property of what is now known as the Pine View Motel where it also functioned as a restaurant/ice cream place for a few years. Then, the building was turned into an efficiency apartment and is still there today.

Graduation dinner
 

McDude I'm sure will come up with more than just the date :laugh:

Oh Yes, the Wakatatina on the hill between the Weirs and Hart's. It had a great buffett, then went down hill changed into an oriental restaurant,that went out of business and is now a place that sell docks etc. SAMIAM, I don't know you but I will guess a graduation from high school to be 1965.:confused:

Probably have a picture of Samiam and Ben Franklin going over old time:D .

Bil-O-Fare
 

I agree with it being one of the best. We tried to be there for opening and closing and lots in between. I had custom banana split formula that she kept listed for when I came in. Started with just the ice creams and added the hot dogs and hamburgers after a couple of years if I recall correctly.
Sure do miss that place.
SCG, thanks for the memory.:) :) :)

Remember.....
 

The year is 2015 and the conversation goes like this....."Do you remember when there was only that one McDonalds over in Meredith and now there's one in every village?" "Yup, and now there are 24 Starbucks......I can remember when there were none!!":laugh:

1967
 

I'm figuring 1967 for McDude's graduation from highscrewl.:D

Extinct Restaurants
 

-The Coliseum Restaurant shaped like a big cheese located where JB Scoops Rt 3 Meredith
-The Studio Cafe Meredith
-Gandy Dancer Salon Weirs
-Nashville North Weirs
-Smitty's out on Rt 104 New Hampton
-Thea's out on Rt 104 New Hampton
-For Every Seasons Meredith
-The Meredith Station Meredith
-Jade Island Meredith/Weirs
-Chases Meredith
-Franken Sundae Meredith
-Romano's Rt 104 New Hampton
-RJ's Rt 104 New Hampton
-Summerfields-Laconia
-B. Mae Denny's Gilford
-Club 106 now a church Laconia/Loudon
-Wagon Wheel-Bristol
-Mill Stream-Bristol
-Pasquany Inn-Bristol
-Dick Burhoe's Coverd Bridge-Campton
-The White Hat-Holderness
-Sweet Water Inn-Moultonboro
-The Smoke House Meredith (Formerly Meredith Station)
-The Mills Falls Restaurant Meredith
-C Brothers 3 Meredith
-The Windmill Winnisquam

Restaurants still in Business after 20+ Years!!
 

Harts Meredith
Mames Meredith
The Wood Shed Moultonboro
Georges Meredith
The Mug Meredith
The Manor Holderness
Rossi's Italian Ristorante Rt 104 New Hampton
The Homestead Bristol
Christmas Island Weirs
Oriental Gardens Weirs
Bonanza Laconia
CJ Avery's Laconia (may be closed, not sure)
Rigioni's Galley Laconia (May be closed, not sure)
Top of the Town Winnisquam
The Margate Weirs/Gilford

More Extinct Restaurants
 

Longwood Farms Center Harbor
Chequers Villa Tamworth
Chequers Harbor Center Harbor
Melanie's Kitchen Meredith
Elvio's Pizza Center Harbor & Weirs
Roman's Pizza Weirs Beach
Crossroads Weirs Beach
Nothing Fancy Weirs Beach
Great Escape Restaurant & Lounge Weirs Beach
Chef Jeff at Gunstock Inn
King's Chinese Restaurant Weirs Beach and Downtown Laconia

OLD HUBBARD ROAD... All I can say is WOW! That's quite a list. Many are no longer in business. A few have survived. I would like to know what some are today. Is CJ Avery's on the way out? They are tucked in a side street across the RR tracks in Lakeport. Pretty good pot roast and usually not much of a wait.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...wakitatina.jpg
here's another one for you.....how about the Hickory Stick Farm in Belmont?
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...tickfarmd2.JPG
Close!.....1970!

PS ....and don't forget Dot's Diner in New Durham.

mcdude, great pictures. Yes I can see it now 1970, mcdude and date in the tepee lounge. :look:

Old Hubbard Rd
 

How about Week's Dairy Bar in Laconia - home of the banana splits "Mount Washington" and the "Sissy Splits"

McDude
 

I do remember Hickory Stick Farms. They were a very popular place. I never made it there. Their specialty was Duck.

Wakitatina was before my time. I think they disappeared in the late 70's???

There are so many restaurants that have come and gone. What ever happened to Quan King of Jade Island and King Chinese restaurants. She use to greet people in these really fancy Oriental dresses. She was very nice.

Hockey Puck
 

Let's see:
The Longwood Farms in Centre Harbor was Chequers Harbor and is now Canoe.
Smitty's in New Hampton is now a furniture place
RJ's in New Hampton is now a Auto/Recreation place
Chases is now the Chase House Hotel and shops
Meredith Station a Volvo dealership
For Every Seasons is Karen & Barry's
Rigiones Galley is now The Galley
The Windmill is now a car dealership
The Crossroads has been leveled
The White Hat looks like little shops now.
The Original C Brothers is now a sub shop.
The Mills Fall Restaurant is now Guiseppes


Nashville North,Summerfields,Loves Sweetwater Inn,Gandy Dancer Salon & Meredith Station all burnt to the ground.

New Durham restaurants
 

Good Grief, McDude! I'm Class of '70 also, and we're still alive and kicking. :laugh:

I was going to mention Dot's and another New Durham eatery: Foxy Johnny's. Alton Bay had the Myrtle Ann (now Dockside) and Karen's Kitchen (now a real estate office).

Thanks OLD HUBBARD, from your list, it sure looks like the lakes region, at least in the past, is tough on restaurants. Now with the community becoming more of a year round population it may be a bit easier, but there is more compertion for the same dollars.
JANET, yes, the banana splits at WEEKS. I tried to finish a "Mount Washington" when I was about 12, needless to say I failed.

Couple of more extinctions
 

Hi all,

A couple more for the defunct list:

Crabby Dave's - Now a real estate office
Victorian House - Empty, I beleive

Jetskier:cool:

Hockeypuck...close guess...it was (gulp) 1959. Old Hubbard.....I bow to your incredible memory.What a trip back in time as I remember patronizing nearly all of them over the years.I humbly add these 3 in Moultonborough....
The Stonhearth Tavern
The Chowder Barn
Beggars Banquet
McDude,as usual you are the senior historian,thanks for the pics.

ah, an old personal favorite a little away from the lake:

Salvatore's Italian Restaurant, Tilton, now Eurasion Auto.

Does anyone remember the Edgewater Restaurant in either Gilford or West Alton? If so, where was it located? (not to be confused with Edgewood on Rt. 28 near the Alton traffic circle).

Places I Remember
 

I cant go too far back since I am 26 but I have 3 places

1. B Mae's- I used to stay there when I was young and the breakfast buffet was awesome and the food was great then it went to Wade and Malloy's and then Gilford Steakhouse which both arent close to what Bmae's was.

2. Frankenberry in Meredith or Laconia < I cant remember> - I am not sure was is there now but this place was great for making your own Sundae.

3. C.H.O.P < Colonial House Of Pancakes>- Great for the M&M pancakes and the food was alway good there. This is where Nadia's is today.

Oh yuh,Seaplane...the place used to have to have some of the hottest bands around.There were lines to get in the lounge.....never ate there though

Do you remember:
 

The Windmill Restaurant on Paugus Bay
Keller's Ice Cream Stand on Weirs Blvd.
Maurice's in Moultonboro
The Howard Johnson's in the Weirs

no one has mentioned the recently defunct Coe House

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...ancoehouse.jpg

Interestingly enough.....their web site is still up and running
http://www.coehouse.com/main.html

Mcdude it is strange since when i went by the Coe House in October and looked in it was like they could have opened that night. tables are set for dinner

heres another one
 

What about the Road kill cafe. it was where Shaws is now. right on the boarder of gilford and laconia...

This thread has gone way beyond what I expected. The forum has some real historians that love to eat out. It is amazing how many eateries have gone out of business, even the ones that appear to be our favorites.

I have a Road Kill Cafe T-Shirt! It was either in, or nearby, the old fruitstand called the "Golden Banana" or the "Big Banana" or something like that. (Not to be confused with the strip joint on Rt. 1 in Mass with a similar name:D ) ....across the street was an old plaza, now torn down and being newly developed, that had a Jackston Star Market, State Liquor Store and a K-Mart. Surely many of you have been there!

More Dead Soliders
 

How about Father John's Pub and Cioni's (both in the same building in Wolfeboro at different times). Then there was the L N A (L N & A???) ranch in Wolfeboro that my folks used to go dancing at in the 1970s. Also, Pop's donuts in Wolfeboro was a great eatery until its demise when Dunkin Donuts moved into town ten plus years ago.

McDude, being a longtime northshore dweller and having many ties to that area, I must sadly report that the Golden Bananna in Peabody, that you refrenced above, is no longer among the many fine establishments operating along RTE 1.

That would be the Allen A ranch, and dancing goes back to the 20's and 30's.

http://www.lwa.org/gallery/albums/Postcards/acr.jpg
http://www.lwa.org/gallery/albums/Postcards/ack.jpg

A few more defunct Wolfeboro establishments......Love's Quay is now 51 Mill Street. The restaurant in the barn on Rt. 28 heading towards Ossipee...what was the name of it? (The Bittersweet something or other?)Recently it was resurrected as Grille 28 but I don't think it met with much success. ...and let's not forget Bailey's!
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3nm2c/s...g.w560h436.jpg

.....and I hear that THE CIDER PRESS has been sold. The new owner plans to refurbish the place and add some more creative dishes to the menu.

Another old timer still open
 

Don't forget Sawyers in Gilford

Long Before Canoe Was Canoe
 

Does anyone remember when there was a banana boat shaped "thingy" in the parking lot where Canoe is now?

And I think they served ice cream out of it. Is this a boyhood dream or was there really such a place?

I remember the Windmill too-they had great dough boys.

That's the place Samiam. I just cannot remember where it was located. Mention of The Gandy Dancer in Weirs also brought back some fine college memories. We used to bounce from there to Brickyard Mtn. lounge to Christmas Island lounge having a great old time...

Hockeypuck
 

I remember my Dad challenging my Aunt to finish a "Mount Washington" banana split one Sunday night at Week's Dairy Bar before the fireworks at the Weirs. She finished it being the stubborn woman she was but laid in the back seat of the car through the entire fireworks show. The family still laughs about how green she looked!

Janet,don't forget the "Awful-Awful".......if you finished one by yourself ,you'd get your name on plaque. I remember the ad......"Awful big,awful good"

NO!!!!!

A much-older-then-me birdy chimmed in these:

Isabelle's red shanty near the Laconia - Belmont town line on route 3 that I think is a real estate office now. also back in the 1950s and early 1960s there was a resturant where Shaws is now in Gilford. It was a red building and I think the name was the "Red Barn" but I'm not sure. after they went out of business it became the "Big Banana" (fruits and veggies store). grammy also thinks it was the "Red Barn". Then there was Denauw"s resturant. that is now where the Galley is and the Sportsman Den in Gilford on the same side of the road as the new CVS that is the building that Jon;'s roast beef is in.
Arlberg across from Gunstock
Pappy's sandwich shop at the Busy Corner, best steak subs ever. building has been torn down.
Bill's Diner, downtown Laconia, torn down for urban renewal

Red Hill Inn
 

I don't believe that anyone has mentioned the Red Hill Inn which we enjoyed for approximately a dozen years or more from the late 80's until about four years ago.

Sorry to beat this thread to death but I must reply to Josh. Josh....you have a mind like a steel trap....I built the "Banana Boat" in the parking lot when I owned Longwood Farms Restaurant back in the 70's.I think Dick Flynn removed it when he bought me out in 1979.
You must be the only person in America that remembers it:D

Are you talking about the Big Banana that was located where Shaws is at the corner of Weirs Blvd and Union Ave by the cemetary?

That's the place! McD

Best Salad Bar & Steaks
 

We really miss B Mae Denny's in Gilford when we come up to visit in the summer. We had not been up for about 5 years then brought our kids up and it was gone. It was a very sad day:emb:
Does anyone know what happened to them. It was always busy.

I miss it too
 

Lafyette Hotels bought the Hotel and the resturant changed hands 2 times since but I also miss that place alot it was great.

Flashback time...
 

Oh my...flashback to the late 70's and early-mid 80's. What is now CJ Avery's was the Schooner, and when we would come up the the lake, Dad would insist on going to the Schooner. Great food, great staff, Roland and his wife were the greatest cook and hostess team. Our kids were preteen, and then just barely teenagers. "Don't eat so many crackers, you won't be able to eat your supper." and Roland would come out and take the kids back in to the kitchen and FEED THEM back there. He was worse than grandpa ever thought of being.:D

there was a couple who used to come there all the time, and they had a dog, black lab I think, that would sit behind the steering wheel while the owners were in the restaurant. the car had a remote starter (first I had ever seen), and they would start the car up while people were standing there looking at the dock behind the steering wheel. :laugh:

Samiam...
 

Wow...I guess I do have a good memory. If the Banana Boat was removed in 1979, that would've made me only six.

Isn't it funny how certain memories just stay with us forever, no matter how much time passes?

I loved that place. My brother and I always got the biggest kick out of it. Thanks for responding...at least now I know I'm not insane...well maybe just a little bit.

Samiam
 

The "Awful, Awful" was one of my favorites. All the kids would share one as it was so big.

Does anyone remember the restaurant on rte.11? The building is still there. I think it was a fish restaurant.:)

Foxy Johnny's
 

The Allen A!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Waterbaby...
 

I remember Foxy's...great, enormous steaks (although as a six year old I'm sure a lot of things seemed enormous).

And I've been to Meredith Station. Does anyone remember when it was called the Depot even before that?

I remember we came up one February, walked the mile across the lake to the cottage, shoveled snow for a rink on the ice, skated for a few hours, then walked back across to go out to eat at the Depot.

My brother and I fell asleep at the table and my mom couldn't stop laughing. I also remember it as the first time I tried escargot...mmm, mmm good. I've loved it ever since.

It's still there, and for sale if you want it! :)

But it's been closed for several years.

Which town??
 

There are a lot of restaurants on Rte. 11 coming from Rochester all the way to Laconia. Which place are you referring to?

Wasn't that the Bittersweet?

Great thread, brings back a lot of memories. I can still taste the indian pudding at B Maes

GH I think you are referring to Dot"s Lunch in New Durham. They used to have the best Fried Clams ever.

Sorry, I forgot to say the restaurant was in Gilford. Maybe that is Rte. 11A or B. It is across the street from Gilford Marina. Also what happen to Gretchens in Gilford?

Time flys...

The Gilford Marina has been the Mountain View Yacht Club for some time and the eatery of which you reference was the Cherrystone, if memory serves me correctly.

anyone remember the Double Decker in laconia

I believe that restaurant was Cherrystones, and went out of business a few years ago.

Gretchens went out of business, and Townsend Tavern opened in the same location. They have since closed, and it is now the Lyon's Den. They are still open (Wed - Sun, lunch and dinner.).

How about Bud's Pub on rt 25 in Moultonborough? I believe it became the original site of the Village Kitchen. I have a vague memory of going there back in the 70's.

thanks for the memories
 

What a wonderful way to spend some time on a frigid Central afternoon. This thread has been one big enjoyable "feast".

But, I was puzzled.....I thought Summerfield's was right next to Dairy Queen on Union Ave. and that building's still there?

Ah............I rember the Depot VERY well.....:coolsm: (that's me, incognito...)

Summerfields
 

Summerfields was right next to Dairy Queen although the barn that Summerfields was located in burned to the ground. Funny how so many once very successful restaurants end up catching fire once someone comes in and paid too much money to buy the business then it accidentaly burns to the ground.....

I can't believe you all forgot this one
 

How can we have all these posts without a mention of Jerry's Shore Diner? It was located at the south end of Paugus Bay on the water on Rt 11. It was just south of the old ice house. It was famous for it's foot long hot dogs, and it's short order cook nicknamed Spider. He was truly amazing as he prepared multiple orders at light speed. We used to go there just to see him. It was quite a show. Through the 50's and early 60's it was THE place to go for a late night snack, or after Irwin's Wiinipesaukee Gardens on Tuesday nights.

Dick B.

I think mg2107 mentioned the Shore Diner in post dated 12/04/06, but thanks for adding Jerry's name to the diner. Keep em coming.

We still had a $50 gift certificate to Summerfields when it burned. Guess that shows us if you get a gc, use it as soon as possible, don't procrastinate.

Old Wolfeboro Restaurants
 

A place called The Pirates Den used to be located at the end of Lake Street where they used to play Dixieland music. That building is now condos.

Also, Garwoods, which is in business today, was previously known as The (new) Pirates Den and Aw Shucks. And...I think it had one or two prior names that I can't think of.

Then, of course, there's The Dockside Grill & Dairy Bar, previously known as PJ's and most prominently Bailey's Dockside.

It was also known as Rumors.

Mast landing across the street was White's restaurant. Great place for breakfast and lunch. Went to Brewster for one year (no college wanted me:rolleye1: ) and it was a Saturday Morning ritual to walk downtown for a cup of coffee and an English Muffin. Mrs. Edwards worked there and her son went to Brewster then (still public high school for Wolfeboro at that time) and she always had a cheerful good morning to the "boys".

Allen A
 

Now you can see OLD BOATS at what was part of the Allen A

How's bout KARL's
 

Karl's was on the corner of 3 and 11 by the Weirs Bridge with a Big Cow on the sign.

Oh ya,
 

remember the "Time Out" pub on Union Ave? I had HEARD it called the "Slime Out" but of course not by me....

Then there's St. Pierre's on Church St. in Laconia.....what is that now?

Sandy Point
 

Please add Sandy Point to the 20+ years and still open. Oh how I would love a Baked Stuffed Lobsta...:liplick:

I remember Spider well,Dickie B . We used to order a western sandwich just to see him work.He'd chop the ham,onion and peppers in a flash,open the bread drawer with his foot and KICK the bottom of the drawer causing the loaf of bread to fly up and he caught it in mid air.While all this was happening,he'd spin around and light a butt for anyone at the counter.
Just for your info....Spider is an expert clock repairman.He has that shop on Union Ave in Lakeport with all the giant clock gears on the lawn.I brought him an antique clock and he did a great job for light money.

Karl's
 

Pirate's Den
 

a cow on the sign? I think that's a lot of bull.....

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...m/20Karl_s.jpg

Time camera?
 

Alright, now I'm convinced. McDude is either from the future or an alien! He has some sort of camera that allows him to photograph scenes from the past at will. He sets the date and he or the camera travels back in time and takes the picture. All he has to do is imagine the location, and poof!, he's got a .jpg of the past. I know it, I know it! I'm calling homeland security tomorrow.:laugh:

You are on to something...I see a Delorean flying off Alton Mt on a regular basis, usually about an hour before McDude posts a new picture.

Well excuse me!
 

I did not get intimate with the critter! The only place to eat near Karl's now has a plane stuck to the roof.

There was another place called the Alberg or something like that now I think it is a ski shop. Its near Gun Stock.

McDude has a photographic memory.... and a USB port in his ear to download the images to his laptop. ;)

OK mcdude, hows about you take your camera back to Karls location during last bike week, when the "ladies" were there.

Come to think of it, I really don't miss Karls all that much now.....:D

Jerry's Shore Diner
 

Hi Dick,

Yes, who could forget Jerry's Shore Diner and Spider. He was amazing with the speed that he demonstrated cooking all the food orders on the grille. That was THE place to go for a late night Hot Dog or Burger. My dad liked the Tripe that they served at the diner. Not too many places have that on the menu. The Diner sat exactly where Burger King sits now on Paugus Bay.

karl's
 

karl's was nothing to write home about the food was meh at best and I went there once back in the late 1990s and I never cared for it and never went back. I did go to Road Kill Cafe a few times in Laconia the food was good but the sound effects and the gimmickery got annoying after a few times

Karl's
 

Back in the late 1950's and 1960's, Karl's was known to the local's as a place where the Touists stopped and ate, primarily due to it's great loaction at the junction of Rtes. 11-B and 3. It was not known for it's cuisine. It was a popular place for the college coeds to work at in the Summer for they got a lot tips there from the touristas.

something new
 

Thats something new I learned because I was not around back then in the 1960's I was born in 1980 so I did not know about that. Thanks for the info Carguy!

karls to crossroads
 

After Karls became Crossroads they did feature a nice prime rib buffet.

Thanks a lot!
 

Sure rub it in, born in 1980. As a coworker used to tell the youngsters "I have socks older than that" ...and further more a METS fan. DO YOU REMEMBER 86?

Karl's..........
 

Well, my German FIL loved the food there, said it was as close as he could get to the food he ate in Germany........ he was by no means a slouch, either gastronomically or in any other matter, but it's all irrelevant anyway, Karl's is long gone and my FIL will be gone three years come this Saturday. RIP, Dad!

Correction.
 

Yes I do remember 1986 and yes the Mets have not won since , I thought last year was the year but oh well lol. I did realize I wrote write wrong it was supposed to be write not right. Also I am not a big fan of German food maybe thats why I did not like it much. We had spaghetti and the sauce was not good it was watery.

Oh no Mr Bill not 1986
 

Aaargh .... 1986 .... World Series .... Red Sox vs Mets .... Bill Buckner ... must drink heavily now ! Aaargh :eek:

Dang it, all those years of my counseling out the window........:emb: :emb:

Half Moon Restaurant & Jeans Cafe
 

I came across this thread and was surprised to see in the list of extinct restaurants no mention of the Half Moon Restaurant. Doesn't anyone remember the Half Moon Restaurant, at the center of Weirs Beach? It existed for almost 50 years, from the mid-30's through the early 80's. Here's a link to the history of the Half Moon, including the restaurant:

http://www.weirsbeach.com/halfmoon/motel/history.html

Also, does anyone remember Jeans Cafe? It was around for probably 30 years, from the 50's to the early 80's. Later it was Elvios's Pizza, then Mike's NY Pizza. Here is a link to more info about Jean's Cafe:

http://www.weirsbeach.com/topten/rea...tml#station40s

Hey, Bill Buckner felt horrible about that
 

I heard he tried to commit suicide by jumping in front of a train... but it went through his legs..:laugh::laugh:

The folks at Pasquany Inn will be surprised that they are no longer there. We had a very nice dinner at Christmas time and the last time I drove past it was open.

Another that is gone is the Arlberg. As I recall it was on the road up to Gunstock