The Red Arrow Diner, 61 Lowell Street, Manchester, NH 03101. www.redarrowdiner.com
The Red Arrow gets 5 out of 5 Coffee Cups.
The Red Arrow is truly a unique experience in both food and atmosphere. The Red Arrow is a local landmark and has been in existence since 1922. Today, it is rated as one of the Top Ten Diners in America as rated by the newspaper USA Today.
This rather interesting achievement is well deserved but one has to ask, with literally thousands of diners across the country, how could the Red Arrow come out on top as one of the best?
They keep one thing in mind. You are the ONLY reason they are in business. I know that may sound a little hokey, but we are talking good old fashioned diners here. So hokey is the name of the game.
Do you step back in time when you enter the Red Arrow? No, not really. It is a rather modern diner with a somewhat modern look about it. Sorry you won't get the feel of being back in the 30's or 40's or 50's at this place. But you will see splashes of nostalgia on the walls and behind the main counter.
Oh, this is a true diner here folks. There is limited seating. In fact there are only 5 table booths in the whole joint. Most people when they come to the Red Arrow, plop their behinds at the counter. Yep there is more seating at the counter than at the tables.
OK, so lets break this down:
Coffee: Although not on the caliber of say a Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts, it is still full of flavor and good enough to drink straight up black. Score: 1 CUP
Food: Generous portions and some unique specials allow you to get your moneys worth here. It is full of flavor and they don't use fake ingredients either. Score: 1 CUP
Service: The ladies (sorry no waiters here) are bright, fast, friendly and a little fiesty. Just the way a dinner should be. You can tell that these people enjoy their job and their little eatery. And when the staff is happy, they make and serve happy food. Happy food is delicious food. Score: 1 CUP
Cleanliness: This place is very clean. Even the very tiny bathroom in the back is clean. You would be hard pressed to find cleaner digs anywhere else. Not to mention, in order to get to the bathroom you actually have to pass by the kitchen. And yes the kitchen is very clean as well. So you know you are getting clean food and service here. Everything is out in the open for you to see. Score: 1 CUP
Atmosphere: Friendly, fast service. Clean surroundings. Great conversations with the staff and customers. They even play music outside the eatery for those who have to wait for a seat. This place is always abuzz with activity no matter what time of day. Oh yea, they are open 24/7. Score: 1 CUP
Once you dine at this establishment you will understand how it came to be that they were named one of the top 10 Diners in America. By the way, it must be a New England thing because New England is home to 4 of the top 10. More than any other region in the nation. Want some good old fashioned food? Then New England is the place to get it and the Red Arrow is one of the best places in New England.
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