Restaurants that Remain a Value

[thinkxingu]

As I've posted in the past, The Bob House has been one of my favorite restaurants, but when we visited a few weeks ago after a bit of a gap I was surprised to see how much the prices have increased. One of my favorites, the seafood platter, is now $39, something like $10—or 30%—higher than last year. With tax and tip, that one plate alone is over $50, and with the other increases, our family's bill is way over $100 even when ordering cheaply. It's still a great place, but we just can't afford it like we once could.

Since then, we've visited three restaurants we don't typically frequent, and I was impressed to see that all have done a very good job of keeping prices low and quality high.

Please add to this list, if you can.

Jake's Seafood and Grill (Ossipee): after returning the boat to MVM yesterday, we thought we'd take a drive to Yankee Smokehouse but remembered we'd wanted to try this place but it was closed when tried the first time. $90 total bill for three included a seafood platter rivaling Pop's (not quite, but very close), sodas, clam chowder, and two desserts (that were AWESOME). Totally recommend this place if you're in the area.

Buckey's: I've written about my recent experiences on the Buckey's thread; $27 or so for a full rack of ribs that leaves ME with leftovers is pretty sweet.

Route 104 Diner: the surprise of this weekend. The turkey dinner for $14 is a steal, and everything we got (except the bread pudding) was awesome. The only problem here is that so much sounds so good and is so inexpensive that we were wayyyy overstuffed...AND had leftovers.

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[mcdude]

Right up there in the category of value (quality and quantity) would be Farmer's Kitchen in Farmington. https://farmerskitchen-nh.com/

[phoenix]

Agree on Bob House. Over the summer their prices have gone up 20% on the items i usually get. With summer over we will see if they drop them

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by phoenix

Agree on Bob House. Over the summer their prices have gone up 20% on the items i usually get. With summer over we will see if they drop them

Where have you been going instead, or are you just absorbing the increases?

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[tummyman]

Village Kitchen is still a very good value. And with Seth / Anna (they have been there all along!!) the new owners, we are happy to help them sustain and grow this business. We have been the last two weekends now that they are open for dinners Thursday-Saturday.

[Slickcraft]

Johnson's in New Durham:
http://www.johnsonsseafoodandsteak.com/node/9

405 Pub & Grill:
https://www.405pubandgrill.com/

Alan

[SAMIAM]

Originally Posted by tummyman

Village Kitchen is still a very good value. And with Seth / Anna (they have been there all along!!) the new owners, we are happy to help them sustain and grow this business. We have been the last two weekends now that they are open for dinners Thursday-Saturday.

I think Seth is only charging $12 for his turkey dinner.Not sure what night it runs but thats a good value

[BroadHopper]

My take on this? Lakeside across from Walmart, T-Bones/CJ in Laconia, Village Kitchen in Moultonboro. Outstanding values for 'comfort food'.

[phoenix]

I am now gone for the winter but ate twice before i left at lemon grass. Great food at reasonable prices. And the entire meal is creative. No plain green beans

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

My take on this? Lakeside across from Walmart, T-Bones/CJ in Laconia, Village Kitchen in Moultonboro. Outstanding values for 'comfort food'.

Agree on the Lakeside, our go to breakfast stop (today included) and lunch on occasion. Also agree on T-Bones/CJ if you take advantage of their Paybacks. Also 25% off for Vets on Tuesday.

Alan

[MeredithMan]

....haven't been there in probably 2 or 3 years, but Rossi's was always very good for no-frills Italian. Not much atmosphere, but huge portions, good food, and reasonable prices.

[WinnisquamZ]

Goto value is the Union Dinner. Difficult to get that way this season due to all the construction. Never disappointed


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[joey2665]

Originally Posted by WinnisquamZ

Goto value is the Union Dinner. Difficult to get that way this season due to all the construction. Never disappointed


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Absolutely agree. Unfortuneately with the condos close to completion across the street it will be very difficult to get in there in season. Great for Rose, stinks for us.

[ishoot308]

We like Patrick’s a lot! Good food at a fair price and always good service! They are probably one of the busiest restaurants in the Lakes Region and have been for quite some time so they are doing something right!

Two thumbs up!

Dan

[bellamaria]

Originally Posted by MeredithMan

....haven't been there in probably 2 or 3 years, but Rossi's was always very good for no-frills Italian. Not much atmosphere, but huge portions, good food, and reasonable prices.

LOVE Rossi’s in New Hampton! They are still there serving up the best classics and delicious pizza Wednesday thru Sunday starting at 4:00. And Margo is still there working her tail off, tending to her friends who come to dine.

[Taz]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

As I've posted in the past, The Bob House has been one of my favorite restaurants, but when we visited a few weeks ago after a bit of a gap I was surprised to see how much the prices have increased. One of my favorites, the seafood platter, is now $39, something like $10—or 30%—higher than last year. With tax and tip, that one plate alone is over $50, and with the other increases, our family's bill is way over $100 even when ordering cheaply. It's still a great place, but we just can't afford it like we once could.

Since then, we've visited three restaurants we don't typically frequent, and I was impressed to see that all have done a very good job of keeping prices low and quality high.

Please add to this list, if you can.

Jake's Seafood and Grill (Ossipee): after returning the boat to MVM yesterday, we thought we'd take a drive to Yankee Smokehouse but remembered we'd wanted to try this place but it was closed when tried the first time. $90 total bill for three included a seafood platter rivaling Pop's (not quite, but very close), sodas, clam chowder, and two desserts (that were AWESOME). Totally recommend this place if you're in the area.

Buckey's: I've written about my recent experiences on the Buckey's thread; $27 or so for a full rack of ribs that leaves ME with leftovers is pretty sweet.

Route 104 Diner: the surprise of this weekend. The turkey dinner for $14 is a steal, and everything we got (except the bread pudding) was awesome. The only problem here is that so much sounds so good and is so inexpensive that we were wayyyy overstuffed...AND had leftovers.

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Jake's has always been good. Started eating there in the early 90's. Unfortunately, it's not on my way to N. Conway anymore after moving.

My go to for breakfast is Sunshine and Pa's in Meredith. Great breakfast at a good value and great service.

[garysanfran]

I'm surprised to not see George's Diner in Meredith mentioned.

[jbolty]

I have not been in too long but have always like George's Sea Food in Plymouth. The opposite of fancy but always good and affordable.

[Janet]

We also like Jake's but really really miss Jena's Lobster Quest that was on Rt 16 in Ossipee. They had the best clam chowder and fried clam bellies in the area. So sorry it closed.

[mcdude]

Originally Posted by Janet

We also like Jake's but really really miss Jena's Lobster Quest that was on Rt 16 in Ossipee. They had the best clam chowder and fried clam bellies in the area. So sorry it closed.

A new fish market has opened at that location to rave reviews. Here's the link https://www.thefishmarketmarblehead.com/ossipee

[Janet]

Originally Posted by mcdude

A new fish market has opened at that location to rave reviews. Here's the link https://www.thefishmarketmarblehead.com/ossipee

Thanks for the info mcdude. Will definitely give it a try when we return next summer.

[mcdude]

I just noticed this on line. Thought it might be of some interest to those not living on the Walmart side of the lake

[thinkxingu]

Scallops and bacon for $2 a pop?! I'd buy them things like candy!

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[thinkxingu]

I just wanted to update this:

I visited the Bob House last week after a long hiatus because of the pricing but was pleasant surprised to find that, at least what I ordered—the seafood platter—had come back down to regular price...and it remained excellent.

Also, we visited Jake's a couple days ago, and it was awesome as well. My only complaint was that there were only two fried Oreos in the fried Oreos dessert. We're really digging Jake's.

Cheers!

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[FlyingScot]

Agree the VK is still great and a great value.

Please help with intel on Buckey's--we've been staying away because we need to keep the saturated fat low, and it appears they have nothing in the way of grilled fish on their online menu.

Is that correct? Thanks

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

Agree the VK is still great and a great value.

Please help with intel on Buckey's--we've been staying away because we need to keep the saturated fat low, and it appears they have nothing in the way of grilled fish on their online menu.

Is that correct? Thanks

That's probably correct—it's straight up bar food. It's good tasting and value bar food, though, so if you're ever able to fill the gap with ribs or tips or a solid burger, give it a go!

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[thinkxingu]

Buckey's, Jake's, and 104 Dinner still remain values, but I'll add George's—that place always feels like a bargain, and the food is constantly good.

Anywhere else to add?

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[BroadHopper]

There is a small restaurant across the road from Gilford Walmart. Lakeside I believe, has been consistent value since opening several years ago. The menu contains mostly 'comfort' food but excellent quality. They had whole belly clams as a special one day. It was delicious!

[ghfromaltonbay]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

There is a small restaurant across the road from Gilford Walmart. Lakeside I believe, has been consistent value since opening several years ago. The menu contains mostly 'comfort' food but excellent quality. They had whole belly clams as a special one day. It was delicious!

I totally agree with Broadhopper. The restaurant is open for all 3 meals daily, and you can order the breakfast menu till mid afternoon. This restaurant has 2 "sister" locations: The Eggshell in Belmont (breakfast & lunch) and the restaurant on Route 28 on the Epsom Circle which is the original location.

[NH.Solar]

My favorite is the Italian Farmhouse, but then anything owned and run by Alex Ray is going to be at worst, fairly good. I don't think the restaurants outside of the Lakes region however are as good as what we enjoy. Plus there is the Flying Monkey in Plymouth for shows. We are very lucky that Alex lives and thrives so well here!

[8gv]

Ditto on that.

[phoenix]

And still riding the unicycle in the 4th parade

[rsmlp]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

That's probably correct—it's straight up bar food. It's good tasting and value bar food, though, so if you're ever able to fill the gap with ribs or tips or a solid burger, give it a go!

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Not true. They have roasted chicken that is certainly heart healthy.

[Shreddy]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Buckey's, Jake's, and 104 Dinner still remain values, but I'll add George's—that place always feels like a bargain, and the food is constantly good.

Anywhere else to add?

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Overlook Tavern at Birch Hill Country Club in Moultonborough. It's open to the public and has very scenic views and great food

[gillygirl]

Originally Posted by Shreddy

Overlook Tavern at Birch Hill Country Club in Moultonborough. It's open to the public and has very scenic views and great food

My sister and I stopped by a couple of weeks ago. We thought it was fantastic.


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[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by rsmlp

Not true. They have roasted chicken that is certainly heart healthy.

Heart patient here. I have not been to Buckey's in a couple of years, but if their roast chicken includes dark meat and/or skin, it is not heart healthy, although still better for you than their delicious steak tips. Their turkey tips are heart healthy (but those smashed potatoes, not so much)

[Heaven]

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

Johnson's in New Durham:
http://www.johnsonsseafoodandsteak.com/node/9

405 Pub & Grill:
https://www.405pubandgrill.com/

Alan

I have sworn off of Johnsons, went with a family group about three years ago and it was truly horrid. It had been a regular place for us for a couple of decades, , , no more.

[pondguy]

It was the best when it was Dot's Lunch back years ago.

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by Heaven

I have sworn off of Johnsons, went with a family group about three years ago and it was truly horrid. It had been a regular place for us for a couple of decades, , , no more.

Three years is a long time for one bad experience in over decades of good times.

I would give it one more try and see if things are back to what you remember or at least close to it.

We go to Johnson's on occasion and enjoy their selections. Good food and good service. We do tend to go into the Tavern, only because the dining room has always been so loud (for years).

Give it a try.

Dave

[Slickcraft]

Experiences vary but as UP says don't let one bad visit negate 2 decades of being a regular.

Johnson's is a regular stop for us, had lunch there today. I had the local fried shrimp and J had the salmon tips. Both were very good. We both enjoy craft beer so 36 on tap is a plus for us.

Alan

[GusMan]

Haven't been there yet this year.. but are frequent customers over the last few years (we have a seasonal camper over in Milton NH).

Tavern is definitely the place to sit... much more fun and pub like than the dining room. Service is usually excellent. Craft beer list is great and every changing.

Haven't tried all of the menu, but have several favorites. I HAVE to get steamers here... always pristine and sweet. Fried seafood is very solid here... seafood platters.. whole belly clams.. and especially haddock.

Not cheap, but good seafood never is.

Cheers!7

[GusMan]

While thinking about value restaurant.. a bit removed from Winnie proper..

I have to give a shout out to the Poor Peoples Pub in Sanbornville. Tourist Trap? Yeah, maybe... I've been going there 20+ years and it's a great place for great pub grub for more than reasonable prices.

Great Lobster rolls ($$$ like everywhere else) and great sandwiches ..like the steak bomb, meatball sub, club sandwiches and others. Keep in mind..
No fryolator.. so chicken/fries are baked/broiled. The Friday daily special entree is usually a most delicious baked stuffed haddock that is a steal at $18.

Bonuses... Beer is cheap .. not a craft beer haven and no liquor.. but most of the servers have been there forever and are great.

Oh and pretty cool merch!

Cheers!

[bigdog]

I use to go to Kingswood Country Club in Wolfeboro, they had great food at reasonable prices. Haven't been there yet this summer, but thought I'd give them a shout !

Anyone go here recently, that can report back here ?

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by bigdog

I use to go to Kingswood Country Club in Wolfeboro, they had great food at reasonable prices. Haven't been there yet this summer, but thought I'd give them a shout !

Anyone go here recently, that can report back here ?

I've heard they're doing a good job—supposedly slightly higher-end food, though, so we've continued hitting Buckey's when in that area because it's in our budget and closer.

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[tis]

We have been three times this summer and it's still very reasonable. It has been taken over by the club instead of leasing it out. The chef is the former chef from downtown grill.