The Main Street Station, 105 Main Street, Plymouth, New Hampshire
This joint was called Fracher's Diner until 2001. It is what you would know as a "real" diner. Real in the sense that it has the real diner building. Its called a Worcester Streamliner and it was built in 1946. The name Fracher's is still located prominently on the exterior. They also added additional seating and a bigger kitchen to the back of this "rail car."
Yankee Magazine once named this place the best diner in New Hampshire. Now me being a diner connoisseur, I would not rate it as being the number 1 diner in New Hampshire. Maybe it could be the number 1 diner in Plymouth, but in New Hampshire? It is far from that rating.
Don't get me wrong, it is a wonderful place on the main drag in Plymouth. In fact it is right on the Downtown oval. You will love how unique it is located next to nothing but old brick buildings.
Of course you would also love the fact that this is the home of Plymouth State College. Although when I asked if college students often come in here, their answer was "we are here more for the locals but students come in but not a lot of them." So much for being the best diner in New Hampshire.
But, this place does have good food, although as far as diners go, it is a little on the pricey side. If you want a full breakfast or lunch, you can expect to spend over $10 bucks per person and for dinner, expect over $13 bucks. Now that is a bit pricey for a diner. But the town is very, well its very New England. In the summer when the college is out, it is one sleepy town. But don't be fooled, it is the main town in the area so people from the even smaller towns come to Plymouth for "supplies".
OK, lets break this down:
Coffee: Typical diner coffee here. It's not mudd but its not Starbucks either. The very interesting thing is that the cup the coffee is served in does not keep the coffee hot for long. If you are a sipper, you will find that your coffee for some reason gets cold a little bit faster than usual. But otherwise it is good enough for a second and third cup but other diners have had better coffee.
Score: 1 CUP
Food: The "vitals" are fair here. Some of the portions are of good size while others are on the small to tiny side. The bread for instance (toast) is rather small and makes you wonder if they make it themselves in mini loaf pans. It is made from scratch so there will be a bit of a wait for your food even if the diner is empty. But you have to ask is it really worth the wait for such a price and flavor that is less than exceptional? Yes and no depending on how hungry you are. But it is your best bet as far as diners go, in the area
Score: 1/2 CUP
Service: The wait staff makes up a little for the less than stellar food and the above average price. Friendly and talkative. Knowledge of the local area is exceptional and if you are a traveler, you can get very useful information from the staff.
Score: 1 CUP
Cleanliness: It is nearly spotless. Very clean and there is very little of the typical diner clutter. Yes, things are well used but those things are neat, orderly, clean and in good repair. You will find yourself relaxing very comfortably in this diner. Even the exterior is rather clean, neat and sharp.
Score: 1 CUP
Atmosphere: Diner decor is the style here. Not overly done but it does bring you back to a time when things were a little slower and simpler. You find that you are comfortable and you may hang around a little longer than you intended. The decor is warm, inviting and says "stay awhile and look around."
Score: 1 CUP
Total: 4 1/2 CUPS
Friday, December 19, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The Fillin' Station Whately MA
The Fillin' Station
1 State Road (Routes 5 & 10), Whately, MA
The first thing you may notice about the Fillin' Station is that it is also a truck stop. It is often said, if you want to find the best inexpensive places to eat, look for all the big rigs in the parking lot.
The Fillin' Station is a truck stop. It even has a shower (even though you have to pay for it) for you to get all clean. The lot is always full at night with trucks from all over the country. But don't worry, there is plenty of parking for much smaller vehicles right up in front of the diner.
The diner is a bit of a throw back in style. It mimicks what we think diners looked like back in the 50's and 60's. Lots of chrome, a couple of old gas pumps on the front lawn and some real down home cooking being pumped from the kitchen.
Of course you can also get your car filled up at the Fillin' Station, but the gas is not the big attraction. That is saved for the diner itself.
The diner is located right off Interstate 91 in Whately, MA. It is open 24/7 so you don't have to worry about the time you pull in to get a good meal. It is easy off and easy on. There is not much else to see in the surrounding area so you won't really miss much if you come late at night. Although, Yankee Candle factory and factory store is about a 10 minute drive from the diner should you be in the mood to get scented candles after a hearty meal.
OK so lets break this down:
Coffee: Typical diner coffee here. It's not mudd but its not Starbucks either. It is bottomless so you can get your fill. As far as diner coffee goes, it is some of the best out there. And it beats most gas station java hands down. You can get your fix of cafine with some flavor.
Score: 1 CUP
Food: Now this is what you go to a diner for. The food is decent. The portions are average. The breakfast and lunch as with most diners, is your best bet and your best value. This is a truck stop after all so the food has to be good enough to eat but it wont win any awords with food critiques. You will leave full and satisfied.
Score: 1 CUP
Service: This is where this diner slips just a little bit. The service is not consistant and if you chose to dine in the early morning hours then you may find yourself waiting a little bit for your food. Sometimes you have to promt the staff for a fill up of your coffee.
Score: 1/2 CUP
Cleanliness: This is a truck stop so you are not going to find this to be spotless. The bathrooms are also not the cleanest in town. But I don't think you catch anything from using the facilities. The diner itself is generaly clean but again not spotless. The kitchen is also clean and you will feel confident eating here although you wont be so comfortable as to linger longer than you need to.
Score: 1/2 CUP
Atmosphere: Again, this is a truck stop with good food and reasonable prices. It has some interesting decor from a time and era gone by. There is usually no bar crowd here so late night dining will be quiet and enjoyable. There really is not view to speak of unless you like highway and big trucks. If that is the case then you will be delighted with the view. Check out some of the old gas pumps they have on display. It is a nice place to rest, eat and relax for a few before getting back on the highway to your destination.
Score: 1 CUP
Total score: 4 out of 5 CUPS
1 State Road (Routes 5 & 10), Whately, MA
The first thing you may notice about the Fillin' Station is that it is also a truck stop. It is often said, if you want to find the best inexpensive places to eat, look for all the big rigs in the parking lot.
The Fillin' Station is a truck stop. It even has a shower (even though you have to pay for it) for you to get all clean. The lot is always full at night with trucks from all over the country. But don't worry, there is plenty of parking for much smaller vehicles right up in front of the diner.
The diner is a bit of a throw back in style. It mimicks what we think diners looked like back in the 50's and 60's. Lots of chrome, a couple of old gas pumps on the front lawn and some real down home cooking being pumped from the kitchen.
Of course you can also get your car filled up at the Fillin' Station, but the gas is not the big attraction. That is saved for the diner itself.
The diner is located right off Interstate 91 in Whately, MA. It is open 24/7 so you don't have to worry about the time you pull in to get a good meal. It is easy off and easy on. There is not much else to see in the surrounding area so you won't really miss much if you come late at night. Although, Yankee Candle factory and factory store is about a 10 minute drive from the diner should you be in the mood to get scented candles after a hearty meal.
OK so lets break this down:
Coffee: Typical diner coffee here. It's not mudd but its not Starbucks either. It is bottomless so you can get your fill. As far as diner coffee goes, it is some of the best out there. And it beats most gas station java hands down. You can get your fix of cafine with some flavor.
Score: 1 CUP
Food: Now this is what you go to a diner for. The food is decent. The portions are average. The breakfast and lunch as with most diners, is your best bet and your best value. This is a truck stop after all so the food has to be good enough to eat but it wont win any awords with food critiques. You will leave full and satisfied.
Score: 1 CUP
Service: This is where this diner slips just a little bit. The service is not consistant and if you chose to dine in the early morning hours then you may find yourself waiting a little bit for your food. Sometimes you have to promt the staff for a fill up of your coffee.
Score: 1/2 CUP
Cleanliness: This is a truck stop so you are not going to find this to be spotless. The bathrooms are also not the cleanest in town. But I don't think you catch anything from using the facilities. The diner itself is generaly clean but again not spotless. The kitchen is also clean and you will feel confident eating here although you wont be so comfortable as to linger longer than you need to.
Score: 1/2 CUP
Atmosphere: Again, this is a truck stop with good food and reasonable prices. It has some interesting decor from a time and era gone by. There is usually no bar crowd here so late night dining will be quiet and enjoyable. There really is not view to speak of unless you like highway and big trucks. If that is the case then you will be delighted with the view. Check out some of the old gas pumps they have on display. It is a nice place to rest, eat and relax for a few before getting back on the highway to your destination.
Score: 1 CUP
Total score: 4 out of 5 CUPS
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Lindy's Diner Keene NH
Lindy's Diner 19 Gilbo Ave Keene, NH 03431.
The setting is a very quiet and very quaint New England town. Lindy's is right off Main Street in historic and record setting downtown Keene. Record setting because Keene is known for basically two things. One is that it has the widest Main Street in the USA. I don't know how they measured that but there you are.
Secondly, and this is where you may know Keene from, is it once held the Guinness Book Of World Records for the most lit Jack-O-Lanterns in one place. This is a record Keene pretty much invented with its annual Pumpkin Festival in late October. They broke there own record some 7 times. From what I understand, Boston, MA now holds that title. It was a source of Pride.
Keene was also one of the two main shooting spots for the movie Jumanji staring Robin Williams. So you see a lot has gone on in this small but quiet New England town. Too bad all that good stuff really doesn't rub off on Lindy's Diner.
Don't get me wrong, the service is excellent. But when you visit Keene, and you see the quaint shops that line Maine Street and you see all the wonderful independent eateries that dot the landscape, you would expect more from this diner.
Sadly, this is not the case. But lets break it down:
Coffee: You would think with New England being the coffee capitol outside of Seattle that Lindy's would learn how to brew and keep a good tasting cup of coffee. Well it is good when they don't let it sit too long and it burns. A huge no-no for coffee lovers. You may have to ask for a fresh brewed cup because these Yankees don't let anything go to waste.
Score: 1/2 CUP
Food: Average portions but a little on the pricey side for diner fare. Frankly there are other eateries in town that offer better diner fare food at lower prices.
Score: 1/2 CUP
Service: This is where this diner does shine. The staff is very friendly and the owner is often the one serving up the vittles. She has a pleasant New England charm about her and the rest of her staff take the cue from her. You will enjoy your stay there.
Score: 1 CUP
Cleanliness: Although not spotless, the joint is clean. You won't have to take a can of disinfectant to the bathroom with you. Tables are bussed quickly and usually without all the chatter and clanging that you sometimes get in a diner.
Score: 1 CUP
Atmosphere: The town, the people of the town, and the old style of this diner give it a full thumbs up. Although you cannot view the downtown strip from the diner, it is not even a half block away so you can walk off that food with a brisk walk up and down Main Street. The decor of this diner is typical New England diner. That is a good and fun thing. During warm months, you can dine on the patio and after you finish eating, you can grab an ice cream cone at the ice cream stand located right there on the patio.
Score: 1 CUP
Although there are better places to eat in town that are not diners, it would be sad for you to visit this small town and not experience an old standby like Lindy's. Just eat breakfast there and save the lunch or diner for another eatery in town.
Pu
Total score: 4 out of 5 cups.
The setting is a very quiet and very quaint New England town. Lindy's is right off Main Street in historic and record setting downtown Keene. Record setting because Keene is known for basically two things. One is that it has the widest Main Street in the USA. I don't know how they measured that but there you are.
Secondly, and this is where you may know Keene from, is it once held the Guinness Book Of World Records for the most lit Jack-O-Lanterns in one place. This is a record Keene pretty much invented with its annual Pumpkin Festival in late October. They broke there own record some 7 times. From what I understand, Boston, MA now holds that title. It was a source of Pride.
Keene was also one of the two main shooting spots for the movie Jumanji staring Robin Williams. So you see a lot has gone on in this small but quiet New England town. Too bad all that good stuff really doesn't rub off on Lindy's Diner.
Don't get me wrong, the service is excellent. But when you visit Keene, and you see the quaint shops that line Maine Street and you see all the wonderful independent eateries that dot the landscape, you would expect more from this diner.
Sadly, this is not the case. But lets break it down:
Coffee: You would think with New England being the coffee capitol outside of Seattle that Lindy's would learn how to brew and keep a good tasting cup of coffee. Well it is good when they don't let it sit too long and it burns. A huge no-no for coffee lovers. You may have to ask for a fresh brewed cup because these Yankees don't let anything go to waste.
Score: 1/2 CUP
Food: Average portions but a little on the pricey side for diner fare. Frankly there are other eateries in town that offer better diner fare food at lower prices.
Score: 1/2 CUP
Service: This is where this diner does shine. The staff is very friendly and the owner is often the one serving up the vittles. She has a pleasant New England charm about her and the rest of her staff take the cue from her. You will enjoy your stay there.
Score: 1 CUP
Cleanliness: Although not spotless, the joint is clean. You won't have to take a can of disinfectant to the bathroom with you. Tables are bussed quickly and usually without all the chatter and clanging that you sometimes get in a diner.
Score: 1 CUP
Atmosphere: The town, the people of the town, and the old style of this diner give it a full thumbs up. Although you cannot view the downtown strip from the diner, it is not even a half block away so you can walk off that food with a brisk walk up and down Main Street. The decor of this diner is typical New England diner. That is a good and fun thing. During warm months, you can dine on the patio and after you finish eating, you can grab an ice cream cone at the ice cream stand located right there on the patio.
Score: 1 CUP
Although there are better places to eat in town that are not diners, it would be sad for you to visit this small town and not experience an old standby like Lindy's. Just eat breakfast there and save the lunch or diner for another eatery in town.
Pu
Total score: 4 out of 5 cups.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Gold Roc Diner, West Hartford, CT
The Gold Roc Diner, 61 Kane St. West Hartford, CT 06119 is located right off I84. You can see the diner from the highway so you really can't miss it.
This is a 24 hour diner so it doesn't really matter when you are hungry and need to fill your tummy. The Gold Roc is more like a restaurant since it is not the size of most diners. It is bigger.
And good thing it is bigger than your average diner. It is usually full especially after 1 AM on a week end. That is when the diner fills to overflowing with the bar crowd from Hartford and surrounding areas.
You can get dinner or lunch or breakfast anytime of the day or night. The portions are generous. Although this place is not cheap in price, its also not expensive. But if you want bear minimum pricing then the Gold Roc is not your joint. However, if you want good food at fair prices then the Gold Roc is your joint.
Of course when you finish your dinner, lunch or breakfast, you want to make sure you have desert. Everything taste homemade and those portions are also generous.
The staff is friendly, and there are plenty on hand who can speak Spanish well so if you or someone in your party need to communicate in Spanish, you will be taken well care of.
OK, so lets break this down:
Coffee: Typical diner coffee here. Nothing special. But not bad to drink either. Its also a bottomless cup so you can get your money's worth out of the coffee
Score: 1/2 CUP
Food: Generous portions but as with the coffee, it is typical diner fare. Nothing overly special but it is good and cooked to your liking.
Score: 1 CUP
Service: The wait staff is usually promt but during the busy time of 2 AM, they often seem slow. The cooks sometimes fall far behind so it is best to savor this diner during off peak hours.
Score: 1/2 CUP
Cleanliness: Very clean during normal business hours. You can use the bathroom without needing to use a can of disinfectant. You won't find the floor littered with food or napkins. So you will be confident that all areas out of sight are also clean and up to snuff.
Score: 1 CUP
Atmosphere: This changes often through out the day. During the day and evening, it is more of a family afare. After normal hours and early morning hours the place is more for the after bar or party crowd. During the week, after hours can see you dining with truckers and those you would deem a bit rough around the edges. You may also feel like you are sitting in an updated Denny's instead of an indipendant diner. But it is comfortable and the experience is worth the trip no matter what time of day or night you stop in to eat.
Score: 1 CUP
Total score: 4 out of 5 cups.
This is a 24 hour diner so it doesn't really matter when you are hungry and need to fill your tummy. The Gold Roc is more like a restaurant since it is not the size of most diners. It is bigger.
And good thing it is bigger than your average diner. It is usually full especially after 1 AM on a week end. That is when the diner fills to overflowing with the bar crowd from Hartford and surrounding areas.
You can get dinner or lunch or breakfast anytime of the day or night. The portions are generous. Although this place is not cheap in price, its also not expensive. But if you want bear minimum pricing then the Gold Roc is not your joint. However, if you want good food at fair prices then the Gold Roc is your joint.
Of course when you finish your dinner, lunch or breakfast, you want to make sure you have desert. Everything taste homemade and those portions are also generous.
The staff is friendly, and there are plenty on hand who can speak Spanish well so if you or someone in your party need to communicate in Spanish, you will be taken well care of.
OK, so lets break this down:
Coffee: Typical diner coffee here. Nothing special. But not bad to drink either. Its also a bottomless cup so you can get your money's worth out of the coffee
Score: 1/2 CUP
Food: Generous portions but as with the coffee, it is typical diner fare. Nothing overly special but it is good and cooked to your liking.
Score: 1 CUP
Service: The wait staff is usually promt but during the busy time of 2 AM, they often seem slow. The cooks sometimes fall far behind so it is best to savor this diner during off peak hours.
Score: 1/2 CUP
Cleanliness: Very clean during normal business hours. You can use the bathroom without needing to use a can of disinfectant. You won't find the floor littered with food or napkins. So you will be confident that all areas out of sight are also clean and up to snuff.
Score: 1 CUP
Atmosphere: This changes often through out the day. During the day and evening, it is more of a family afare. After normal hours and early morning hours the place is more for the after bar or party crowd. During the week, after hours can see you dining with truckers and those you would deem a bit rough around the edges. You may also feel like you are sitting in an updated Denny's instead of an indipendant diner. But it is comfortable and the experience is worth the trip no matter what time of day or night you stop in to eat.
Score: 1 CUP
Total score: 4 out of 5 cups.
Monday, December 1, 2008
The Red Arrow, Manchester NH
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.
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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