The Junction Restaurant

WinnisquamZ · 06-22-2025, 08:13 PM

Stopped in for a few drinks tonight. Drinks and food looked decent. Was loud as many of the new restaurants are in this area. Prices were as expected except for one.
$2 for “on the rocks”.
I refuse to pay for ice in my drink. This line item wasn’t identified on any menu or bar note. Didn’t know until the bill came. With that said. It’s a hard pass.

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Resident 2B · 06-22-2025, 09:29 PM

So $2 for ice in a mixed drink? Ridiculous! Things are getting crazier in many places, but this takes the cake.

Descant · 06-23-2025, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinnisquamZ

Stopped in for a few drinks tonight. Drinks and food looked decent. Was loud as many of the new restaurants are in this area. Prices were as expected except for one.
$2 for “on the rocks”.
I refuse to pay for ice in my drink. This line item wasn’t identified on any menu or bar note. Didn’t know until the bill came. With that said. It’s a hard pass.

I've never seen it on a menu but it is not uncommon, in my experience, for an upcharge for my "Scotch rocks" because it is a larger serving. More and more, there is an offering of four types of ice for Scotch. If you order "neat" with ice on the side, you will likely get a single pour.

WinnisquamZ · 06-23-2025, 11:04 AM

Does one get charged for ice in soda or tab water? No. Then why would someone get charged at the bar for ice? Nothing but a money grab. And in all my travels I have never had different pours when on the rocks. Single or double

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camp guy · 06-23-2025, 12:03 PM

This posting finally sent me "over the edge" when it comes to food, service, and present-day technology. Here's the deal: Over the course of time, things things change, sometimes quietly, sometimes almost unnoticed. In the days of the internet, ordering, particularly take-out food products, has risen to a new level, one not known before, and perhaps, one not destined for greatness. Some restaurants have managed their computer systems so that they keep track of your order history allowing them to anticipate your order based on the first few words you say when you are calling the "on-line ordering number". Some of this technology is the direct result of AI and seems to take the whole customer service concept to a whole new level. Let me explain the evolution. First, the customer calls in an order "to go" and plans to pay with a credit card. The order arrives at your house, you eat it, enjoy it, and the deal is done. The next time you order, the "computer" answers your call, greets you, and politely takes your order, accepts your credit card payment, and shortly the order arrives at your house, you eat it, enjoy it, and the deal is done. The next time you order, order number 3, the "computer" answers your call, greets you, and politely takes your order, accepts your credit card payment, and the deal is (so you think) done. About an hour and a half later you receive an in-coming message on your computer telling you the meal was delicious, thank you very much, and "we" look forward to serving you again, soon.

LoveLakeLife · 06-24-2025, 12:03 AM

If the ice charge isn’t on the menu, you don’t have to pay it.

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WinnisquamZ · 06-24-2025, 05:16 AM

Correct.

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JayR · 06-24-2025, 08:52 AM

Everyone has jars of pennies, right? So, when ambushed with this kind of cheap arrogant upcharge, maybe everyone should pay for it with pennies. Staff counting them and wasting minutes would eat up the two dollars real fast.

Restaurants, work all your costs into your costs! We hate $29 for mid-level entrees ... but we hate more to have a $27 mid-level entree and then this type of add-on charge!!

Major · 06-24-2025, 10:36 AM

Been there twice. We think it is a great addition to the Lakes Region food scene. The food was very good, and the drinks great. (They know how to make a Cosmo which isn't a given around here.) I had the chicken sandwich the first time and the cheeseburger the second. Both excellent. The appetizers are great too. Calamari and shrimp, grazing board, seafood chowder all very good.

The service was excellent, especially the first time with Devon.

Regarding price, I have this conversation with my dad all the time. It's an expensive world! We go out to eat to have an enjoyable time either together or with friends. If you want to save money, eat at home. BTW, they charged me $2.00 for blue cheese olives that went with my dirty vodka martini. I wasn't psyched but it is what it is.

WinterHarborGuy · 06-24-2025, 11:26 AM

Not taking sides...but usually a "standard pour" is 1.5 ounces of whiskey (for example). A "rocks pour" is usually 2 ounces. So you are paying for the bigger pour of alcohol, not for the ice.

I believe if you get a standard pour and ask for rocks on the side, there is no charge.

Give it a google.

thinkxingu · 06-24-2025, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayR

Restaurants, work all your costs into your costs! We hate $29 for mid-level entrees ... but we hate more to have a $27 mid-level entree and then this type of add-on charge!!

THIS x 100.

I just paid $8.50 for an apple fritter in Oak Bluff, but it was huge and awesome. No problem paying that...for the perfect blend of size and quality.

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thinkxingu · Yesterday, 10:33 AM

Saw this on Facebook today and remembered this post—the cost for Macallan and "neat"/no ice charge (edited to add that the Macallan cost was on the Woodshed menu prices thread, not this one).

Also, went to The Smokehouse in Chelmsford the other day—there are locations in Woburn, Somerville, etc.—and there was a "voluntary" 3% "kitchen charge" to "support the hard-working kitchen staff members." Isn't that what, like, pay should do?!

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fatlazyless · Yesterday, 01:40 PM

No 8.5% NH tax, no 15% server tip, and no 3% kitchen charge .... www.shopmarketbasket.com/weekly-flyer ...... this week thru Sunday, Sept 7, porterhouse or t-bone steaks at 7.99/lb, save $5/lb from regular price.

Sometimes at Market Basket the shopping cart in front of me at the check-out cashier will be totally loaded with high quality, high price items that total out at $375 or something and I always ask if they are buying for some local restaurant somewhere but they always refuse to answer me. ......

Like, hey there, where's all this food going, r u buying for a restaurant!

gravy boat · Today, 08:07 AM

We rarely dine out anymore. Since May 1 we were out twice for dinner and both times we split the meal. If we go out again it will be breakfast or lunch.

Too bad they’re aren’t happy hours here. Myrtle Beach has hundreds of them and you can get a few meals and a few drinks for cheap…drinks $4, certain food items for half price but still full size. One place we frequent has early bird prime rib with mashed and veg of day for under $20.

06-22-2025, 08:13 PM	#1
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2,101 Thanks: 214 Thanked 674 Times in 447 Posts	The Junction Restaurant Stopped in for a few drinks tonight. Drinks and food looked decent. Was loud as many of the new restaurants are in this area. Prices were as expected except for one. $2 for “on the rocks”. I refuse to pay for ice in my drink. This line item wasn’t identified on any menu or bar note. Didn’t know until the bill came. With that said. It’s a hard pass. Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

06-23-2025, 12:03 PM	#5
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,194 Thanks: 303 Thanked 529 Times in 296 Posts	The Junction Restaurant - charging for ice! This posting finally sent me "over the edge" when it comes to food, service, and present-day technology. Here's the deal: Over the course of time, things things change, sometimes quietly, sometimes almost unnoticed. In the days of the internet, ordering, particularly take-out food products, has risen to a new level, one not known before, and perhaps, one not destined for greatness. Some restaurants have managed their computer systems so that they keep track of your order history allowing them to anticipate your order based on the first few words you say when you are calling the "on-line ordering number". Some of this technology is the direct result of AI and seems to take the whole customer service concept to a whole new level. Let me explain the evolution. First, the customer calls in an order "to go" and plans to pay with a credit card. The order arrives at your house, you eat it, enjoy it, and the deal is done. The next time you order, the "computer" answers your call, greets you, and politely takes your order, accepts your credit card payment, and shortly the order arrives at your house, you eat it, enjoy it, and the deal is done. The next time you order, order number 3, the "computer" answers your call, greets you, and politely takes your order, accepts your credit card payment, and the deal is (so you think) done. About an hour and a half later you receive an in-coming message on your computer telling you the meal was delicious, thank you very much, and "we" look forward to serving you again, soon.

06-24-2025, 08:52 AM	#8
JayR Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Westwood, MA and sometimes Gilford, NH Posts: 63 Thanks: 23 Thanked 22 Times in 13 Posts	Everyone has jars of pennies, right? So, when ambushed with this kind of cheap arrogant upcharge, maybe everyone should pay for it with pennies. Staff counting them and wasting minutes would eat up the two dollars real fast. Restaurants, work all your costs into your costs! We hate $29 for mid-level entrees ... but we hate more to have a $27 mid-level entree and then this type of add-on charge!! __________________ Jay R. (Westwood, MA) "Faithfully losing the ice-out contest since 1975"

06-24-2025, 10:36 AM	#9
Major Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Laconia Posts: 1,087 Thanks: 446 Thanked 1,021 Times in 427 Posts	The Junction Been there twice. We think it is a great addition to the Lakes Region food scene. The food was very good, and the drinks great. (They know how to make a Cosmo which isn't a given around here.) I had the chicken sandwich the first time and the cheeseburger the second. Both excellent. The appetizers are great too. Calamari and shrimp, grazing board, seafood chowder all very good. The service was excellent, especially the first time with Devon. Regarding price, I have this conversation with my dad all the time. It's an expensive world! We go out to eat to have an enjoyable time either together or with friends. If you want to save money, eat at home. BTW, they charged me $2.00 for blue cheese olives that went with my dirty vodka martini. I wasn't psyched but it is what it is.

Yesterday, 01:40 PM	#13
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,834 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 302 Thanked 1,033 Times in 752 Posts	No 8.5% NH tax, no 15% server tip, and no 3% kitchen charge .... www.shopmarketbasket.com/weekly-flyer ...... this week thru Sunday, Sept 7, porterhouse or t-bone steaks at 7.99/lb, save $5/lb from regular price. Sometimes at Market Basket the shopping cart in front of me at the check-out cashier will be totally loaded with high quality, high price items that total out at $375 or something and I always ask if they are buying for some local restaurant somewhere but they always refuse to answer me. ...... Like, hey there, where's all this food going, r u buying for a restaurant! __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake! Last edited by fatlazyless; Today at 09:35 AM. Reason: oops, wrong day!

06-22-2025, 09:29 PM	#2
Resident 2B Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Shore, MA Posts: 1,358 Thanks: 996 Thanked 314 Times in 164 Posts	So $2 for ice in a mixed drink? Ridiculous! Things are getting crazier in many places, but this takes the cake.

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Biggd (06-23-2025)

06-23-2025, 11:04 AM	#4
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2,101 Thanks: 214 Thanked 674 Times in 447 Posts	Does one get charged for ice in soda or tab water? No. Then why would someone get charged at the bar for ice? Nothing but a money grab. And in all my travels I have never had different pours when on the rocks. Single or double Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to WinnisquamZ For This Useful Post:
Biggd (06-23-2025), BillTex (06-24-2025)

06-24-2025, 12:03 AM	#6
LoveLakeLife Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 632 Thanks: 100 Thanked 226 Times in 148 Posts	If the ice charge isn’t on the menu, you don’t have to pay it. Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

06-24-2025, 05:16 AM	#7
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2,101 Thanks: 214 Thanked 674 Times in 447 Posts	Correct. Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

06-24-2025, 11:26 AM	#10
WinterHarborGuy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 96 Thanks: 24 Thanked 51 Times in 32 Posts	Not taking sides...but usually a "standard pour" is 1.5 ounces of whiskey (for example). A "rocks pour" is usually 2 ounces. So you are paying for the bigger pour of alcohol, not for the ice. I believe if you get a standard pour and ask for rocks on the side, there is no charge. Give it a google.

The Following User Says Thank You to WinterHarborGuy For This Useful Post:
secondcurve (07-03-2025)

Yesterday, 10:33 AM	#12
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,383 Thanks: 1,179 Thanked 2,119 Times in 1,311 Posts	Saw this on Facebook today and remembered this post—the cost for Macallan and "neat"/no ice charge (edited to add that the Macallan cost was on the Woodshed menu prices thread, not this one). Also, went to The Smokehouse in Chelmsford the other day—there are locations in Woburn, Somerville, etc.—and there was a "voluntary" 3% "kitchen charge" to "support the hard-working kitchen staff members." Isn't that what, like, pay should do?! Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

Today, 08:07 AM	#14
gravy boat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Gilford year round, West Alton summers Posts: 596 Thanks: 601 Thanked 203 Times in 102 Posts	Too expensive up here We rarely dine out anymore. Since May 1 we were out twice for dinner and both times we split the meal. If we go out again it will be breakfast or lunch. Too bad they’re aren’t happy hours here. Myrtle Beach has hundreds of them and you can get a few meals and a few drinks for cheap…drinks $4, certain food items for half price but still full size. One place we frequent has early bird prime rib with mashed and veg of day for under $20.