Showing posts with label New Hampshire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Hampshire. Show all posts
Monday, August 25, 2025
COMFORT FOOD AND TASTY TREATS AT THE COMMON MAN ROADSIDE
Monday, August 25, 2025
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| Apple cider donut whoopie pie |
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| Cuban sandwich |
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| Hooksett, NH location |
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| Turkey Gobbler |
The Common Man Roadside
Various locations in New Hampshire
The Common Man has been a family favorite for hearty food for a long time. Now, hungry drivers can get their fix of The Common Man along with some gas or a six-pack of local beer. The Common Man Roadside locations have been popping up in places like Portsmouth and Hooksett and are the perfect place to stop on the way to the mountains or Story Land or Santa's Village.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are on the menu. There are breakfast sandwiches, veggie and meat skillets and several classic omelets to choose from. For lunch and dinner, there is pizza by the pie or slice, along with deli sandwiches, hot sandwiches, salads, grilled cheese and mac and cheese. I loved their turkey gobbler hot sandwich, which is packed with turkey, stuffing, gravy and honey dijon cranberry dijonnaise on toasted buttered sourdough. Delicious and filling. I can also recommend their Cuban sandwich and try it with their homemade chips.
The star of the show for me was their apple cider donut whoopie pie. The chilled cream with the sweet and cinnamony cider donut make for a fall flavor explosion in your mouth. Crazy good. The Common Man Roadside also has some other exotic whoopies like a S'mores whoopie, peanut butter whoopie and Dubai whoopie. There is also cheesecake, brownies, cinnamon rolls, cookies and cannolis.
Just in case that wasn't enough, they offer an extensive menu of coffees to rival Starbucks. All of this is nestled inside of a convenience store which has a large selection of beer and wine, candy, chilled drinks and New Hampshire souvenirs. Run to The Common Man Roadside when your stomach starts growling the next time you're driving through New Hampshire!
Sunday, October 01, 2023
EATING OUR WAY THROUGH THE BIG E 2023
Sunday, October 01, 2023
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| Thanksgiving sandwich from The Pilgrim in the Massachusetts building. This was amazing, as was their maple and bacon mac & cheese. |
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| The legendary Big E cream puff. I look forward to it all year! |
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| NH Kettle Corn from the New Hampshire building |
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| Fried veggies, Mushrooms, onions, squash, broccoli, pickles with a side of ranch dressing |
The Big is always the place to be in early fall. The rain kept a lot of people away last weekend, but that was not the case this weekend. A near-record 176,498 people were there yesterday. My family was as well, and I had never seen it so packed. I think we'll stick to weekdays from now on because the lines were long. Still, we enjoyed so many of our favorites like their cream puff and some Del's Lemonade. The flavored milkshakes (vanilla, chocolate and strawberry) from the 4-H Milk Booth are always an economical treat at just $2 a cup. We really liked the food from The Pilgram of Agawam in the Massachusetts. You just can't top a Thanksgiving sandwich with fresh turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy.
Thursday, September 07, 2023
COLD BEER AND TASTY COMFORT FOOD ON TAP AT SEA DOG BREWING COMPANY
Thursday, September 07, 2023
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| Open-faced roast turkey dinner |
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| Sea Dog Brewing, North Conway, NH |
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| North Conway, NH |
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| Sea Dog Blue Paw |
All of their beers are on tap. I have always been a fan of their blueberry beer, Sea Dog Blue Paw, so I was quick to put in my order. It has a strong blueberry flavor. Apps include bang bang shrimp, brewhaus pretzel, fried pickles and hummus and country olives. There are also a number of soups including clam chowder and lobster bisque. I wanted something to fill me up after a busy day at Story Land, so I ordered their open-faced roast turkey dinner. It's made up of turkey, stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce. Very good. Other entrees include Cajun chicken pasta, steak tip poutine, a number of burgers, sandwiches and salads, along with lobster. There's also a kids menu with plenty of traditional options for the little ones.
Sea Dog offers a ton of merch for sale including stickers, beer glasses and clothing. They also have a Mug Club where locals have their own beer mug at the bar, along with a bunch of other perks.
Monday, July 24, 2023
THE PIZZA HUT BUFFET IS ALIVE AND WELL!
Monday, July 24, 2023
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| Hot bar with pizza, pasta and bread sticks |
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| The cold salad bar |
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| Pizza Hut in Rochester, NH |
In the 90's, I remember going to our local Pizza Hut for their buffet at lunch. There was a hot bar and a cold salad bar and it was all you can eat for around $4.99. Probably less. I thought the Pizza Hut buffet was long gone, until we made a stop in Rochester, New Hampshire. There it was. A big banner that read, "Buffet is Back." We had to try it out, and let me tell you, it felt like 1994 all over again.
There was the hot bar with pizza slices with a variety of toppings, baked ziti, those famous cheese bread sticks and cinnamon sticks. The cold salad bar was full of veggies like broccoli, cucumbers, cauliflower, along with slices ham, cheese and far too many salad dressings to choose from. All you can eat for $9.99. It's still a great deal. Our kids enjoyed it and so did mom and dad. A taste of unexpected nostalgia just off of the highway in New Hampshire.
Monday, May 31, 2021
FREE SAMPLES ARE BACK!
Monday, May 31, 2021
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| Covid-19 safe samples at Attrezzi |
It's been a long time since we've been able to enjoy free samples at grocery stores and food shops thanks to Covid-19. Attrezzi in Portsmouth, New Hampshire has always lured customers in with its free wine, cheese and bread samples. I was excited to see that they have found a way to still hook their customers up as the pandemic winds down. All of their samples are in small plastic containers with lids. It's a safe way to still enjoy all of their yummy foods. Most importantly, the free wine samples are also back!
Sunday, May 23, 2021
LUNCH WITH A VIEW AT MARTINGALE WHARF IN PORTSMOUTH, NH
Sunday, May 23, 2021
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| Fire pit table with a view! |
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| Crispy chicken club with fries |
Portsmouth, NH
Martingale Wharf offers beautiful views of the water along with tranquil breezes. Eat outside if you can because you'll be treated to quite the seaside show. We saw some seagulls pecking away at some crabs they plucked right out of the water along with two large tugboats stopped traffic as a bridge opened up for them to pull through.
I enjoyed their Crispy Chicken Club for lunch. The chicken breast is served on a potato roll with bacon, lettuce, tomato and a cherry pepper aioli. The fries at Martingale are so good. Upgrade for the truffle fries. You won't be disappointed. Other entrees include a lobster croissant, grilled salmon, seafood scampi, and fried platters like fish & chips and whole belly clams. Martingale offers several large salads to choose from which look amazing judging from the photos they've posted on Instagram. Apps include New England clam chowder, vegetable sushi, baked seafood dip, an artisan cheese board and mussels & fries. Martingale Wharf's bar is packed with beer, wine and there a bunch of ocean-inspired cocktails on their drink menu.
Right now, it would be wise to make reservations even for lunch. There were few tables available when we went on a Thursday afternoon.
Saturday, August 10, 2019
SIZZLIN' SUMMER SPOTS: POCO'S IN PORTSMOUTH, NH
Saturday, August 10, 2019
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| Bow Street Nachos |
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| Poco's has been delighting Portsmouth's visitors since 1982. |
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| Diners can eat outside by the water. |
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| Classic margarita |
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| Fried Haddock Sandwich |
Portsmouth, NH
pocosbowstreetcantina.com
There's nothing like sipping a cocktail by the water on a hot summer day. Poco's Bow Street Cantina in Portsmouth, New Hampshire offers plenty of outdoor seating on their waterfront deck for customers to do just that.
Poco's menu offers a mix of American and Mexican classics along with some New England seafood dishes. Be sure to order one of their massive margaritas. I loved their Classic Margarita, but customers can also build their own selecting their tequila, liqueur, mix and flavor. They also mix many of their own drinks like the fruity "Poco's Punch" and a refreshing "Limonada." Beer fans will enjoy a selection of bottles and rotating brews on tap. They also serve several wines and sangria, including PITCHERS of sangria.
Do yourself a favor and try their famous nachos. Choose from buffalo chicken, veggie and bbq pork nachos or their Bow Street nachos, which come with cheese and pico de gallo. All of the nachos come in half and full-size and are served with salsa and sour cream. The half is plenty for two people. Other apps include quesadillas, fajitas and enchiladas. Poco's also serves cups and bowls of seafood chowder, chili and several salads.
Entrees include pot roast, sweet potato mac & cheese, chicken and waffles and surf & turf. Poco's also serves many seafood dishes like lobster mac & cheese, New England broiled seafood (choose from haddock, shrimp and scallops) and fried seafood dishes. There's also a lobster roll, build your own burger and cauliflower burger. I devoured their fried haddock sandwich, which is served on a toasted bun with a pile of fries.
Poco's is a fun and tasty place to stop while taking in the sights and sounds of beautiful Portsmouth. Grab a drink and pull up a seat by the water while it's still warm out!
Sunday, July 14, 2019
SMUTTYNOSE BREWING COMPANY AND RESTAURANT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Sunday, July 14, 2019
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| Smuttynose is located in Hampton, NH. |
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| Raspberry Lime Rickey sour beer |
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| Blue Cheese Smash burger |
Hampton, New Hampshire
www.smuttynose.com
Smuttynose Brewery has been cranking out craft beer since 1994. You can sample all of it and bring some home at their campus in Hampton, New Hampshire.
Visitors can tour the brewery for free. There's also beer tasting inside of the brewery where you can try all of the classic and latest Smuttynose brews. Stop by their gift shop for Smuttynose beers and swag to bring home. Have some fun playing their pinball machines or go for a game of cornhole (in season).
Don't leave without enjoying a meal at their restaurant. Pull up a chair and listen to live music at their outdoor patio or dine indoors near their bar, which, of course, pours nothing but Smuttynose. Right now, they are brewing a Raspberry Lime Rickey sour beer which is so refreshing.
The food is fantastic. There are salads, burgers and pastas. I loved their Blue Cheese Smash burger, which consists of two patties. The cheese, bacon and onions are all smashed together into the burgers. Appetizers include fried pickles, onion rings, nachos, and a pub pretzel. Want a free meal? Bring your appetite and try "Da S'muttonator." It comes with 4 burgers, 8 slices of bacon, 4 slices of cheese, 4 ounces of pulled pork, onion rings, a fried egg and a pound of french fries. Eat it all in 30 minutes and it's free, plus you'll get a T-shirt and your picture on their wall of fame.
Saturday, July 28, 2018
A VARIETY OF DONUTS & ICED COFFEE AT GOURMET DONUTS
Saturday, July 28, 2018
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| A variety of donuts, muffins and bagels. |
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| One of their dozens of flavors of iced coffee. |
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| Check out their compact Car Visor Menu. |
Several locations in Massachusetts including Westboro & Worcester. Also in Rindge, NH
www.gourmetdonuts.com
Growing tired of the national chain that's on every corner, which offers the same tasteless donuts and coffee? Check out Gourmet Donuts for a large variety of donuts, muffins, iced coffees and bagels. Eat Up New England stopped by their Westboro location today and was wowed by the selection.
The iced coffee menu at Gourmet Donuts is truly impressive. There's every flavor you can think of from banana cream pie and chocolate covered strawberry to mocha mint and maple french toast. They even make up special brews like cookie dough and KitKat. Gourmet Coffee also offers season coffees like Smashing Pumpkin and Vermont Maple Walnut. In the summer, stop by for one of their Del's or Watermelon frozen drinks.
Gourmet Donuts sells a variety of donuts. Classics like chocolate frosted, jelly, honey dip, maple frosted and rainbow sprinkles are available all year, with special donuts around certain holidays.
Eat Up New England enjoyed the chocolate raspberry iced coffee with a chocolate glazed donut. One thing I've never seen before is their Car Visor Menu, which lists all of their products and folds up for tucking away. It's a great idea for repeat customers on the go.
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
BOOZY MILKSHAKES & BIG BURGERS AT BRGR BAR
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
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| "The BRGR" |
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| Thin Mint Adult Milkshake |
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| BRGR Bar in Portsmouth, NH |
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
www.brgr-bar.com
The BRGR Bar in Portsmouth, New Hampshire specializes in burgers that are so BIG, you may need to cut them in half with a knife. This is a family restaurant, but it also has a full bar that makes many adult milkshakes. I loved the thin mint milkshake with brownie bits, rum and peppermint schnapps. Other boozy milkshakes include an apple pie ala mode, "The Oreo Lift" and special Christmas milkshakes around the holidays.
Knowing that the burgers are huge, we skipped on the appetizers like buffalo brussel sprouts and mac, cheese fritters and poutine. I ordered "The BRGR," TWO patties with American cheese, crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion and a special sauce. Fantastic! It came with a pile of fries, which you can substitute out for a salad or tater tots. Also on their menu, a burger called "The Mac Daddy," which is topped with mac & cheese. Or try one of their tuna, turkey or duck burgers. Vegetarians have not been forgotten about. There's a "Just Beet It" burger and an "Earth Burger" made of quinoa.
The BRGR Bar has another location in Portland, Maine with another restaurant opening soon in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Sunday, December 31, 2017
EAT UP NEW ENGLAND'S FAVORITE DISHES OF 2017
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Before the ball drops on 2017, let's take a look back at some of Eat Up New England's favorite dishes of the year. Enjoy the look back and have a safe and happy new year.
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| Hot lobster roll - Dead Eye Dick's - Block Island, RI |
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| Taco Mac - Mr. Mac's in Portsmouth, NH |
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| Fried fluffernutter - Biltmore Bar & Grille in Newton, MA |
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| Baked ziti with meatballs - Panza, The North End, Boston |
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| Pumpkin pancakes platter - Flapjacks in Lincoln, NH |
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| Julia Child's shortbread with raspberry jam - Gaslight in Boston |
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| Local sausage flatbread - North Country General in Jamaica, VT |
Friday, November 17, 2017
BEAR-SIZED BREAKFASTS AT FLAPJACK'S PANCAKE HOUSE IN LINCOLN, NEW HAMPSHIRE
Friday, November 17, 2017
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| Pumpkin pancakes |
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| The line on the weekend is worth the wait! |
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| Flapjack's sells these coffee mugs along with other Flapjack's merchandise. |
Lincoln, New Hampshire
www.flapjacks.biz
Don't let the line outside of Flapjack's discourage you. A hearty New England breakfast at this Lincoln, New Hampshire breakfast spot is worth the wait. My party of four waited for about a half hour on a Sunday in October. Not too bad. Once we were inside, we settled in at their little bar. Yes, they serve alcoholic breakfast drinks like mimosas, but I enjoyed a hot mug of coffee.
Flapjack's takes pride in their pancakes. There are many flavors to choose from like blueberry, chocolate chip and Reese's peanut butter cup. I was excited to try their seasonal pumpkin flapjacks topped with maple butter. AMAZING! They were part of my breakfast platter which came with eggs, bacon, sausage and some fantastic home fries. What a meal!
The menu also consists of breakfast staples like three-egg omelets, eggs benedict and French toast. Go wild with their buffalo chicken omelet or their bacon cheeseburger omelet. Flapjack's is also known for its clam chowder, which customers can take home.
Flapjack's is a wonderful family spot. Kids will love the train that circles its way around the restaurant, along with the fish pond outside. They are open for breakfast, Wednesday-Sunday.
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
THE BIG E: A NEW ENGLAND FALL TRADITION
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
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| Pierogies stuffed with cheese and keilbasa |
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| Draft beer from the Vermont Statehouse |
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| Vermont's Cold Hollow Cider Mill |
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| Vegetable Tempura |
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| Del's Lemonade in the Rhode Island Statehouse |
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| Turkey Legs - A Big E Favorite! |
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| Lobster Roll from the Maine Statehouse |
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| "Blueberry Pie" from the New England Craft Beer Pub |
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| Baked potato from the Connecticut Statehouse |
www.thebige.com
The end of summer is more tolerable for New Englanders every September because we have The Big E! The annual festival in West Springfield, Massachusetts attracts countless vendors and visitors every year. There's a live camel show. There are HUGE pumpkins, gourds that are more than one-thousand pounds. There are carnival rides and endless things for sale. If you're patient enough, you can even see some baby chicks hatch. The main attraction for Eat Up New England and so many others is, of course, THE FOOD.
If you like fried food, you're in lucky, because EVERYTHING is fried at The Big E. There are fried Oreos, fried vegetables, fried jelly beans, and even fried butter! I enjoyed some of the vegetable tempura from one of the vendors. We got a mountain of mixed veggies and ranch dipping sauce for under $10.
The New England statehouse replicas are one of my favorite parts of The Big E. They are models of each state's original statehouse and inside there are foods and items for sale from each state. Eat Up New England started off at the Rhode Island Statehouse, where I sipped on some cold Del's Lemonade. I enjoyed some craft beer in Vermont, a lobster roll in Maine and an incredibly satisfying baked potato at the Connecticut Statehouse.
There are so many drinks, alcoholic and non, at The Big E. The wonderful thing is, you can carry your beer or cocktail around all over the fair. The New England Craft Beer Pub is one of my favorites, selling New England beers like Shipyard Pumpkinhead (with a cinnamon rim) and Vermont's Woodchuck Fall Cider. I LOVED their Blueberry Pie concoction of Sea Dog Blue Paw, pie syrup and a caramel cinnamon sugar rim.
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