Puritan Backroom Reviews

The Puritan Backroom’s story is legendary in Manchester’s dining scene. This iconic institution at 245 Hooksett Road in Manchester, New Hampshire, made history by inventing the chicken tender – a creation by Arthur Pappas and Louis Canotas that changed American casual dining forever. The restaurant’s 794 reviews and 3.6-star rating show its status as a favorite spot for food lovers.

This Manchester landmark draws huge crowds daily. Customers often wait 45 minutes for a table, and the waiting list starts filling up by 5pm. The restaurant’s fame attracts celebrities too – Adam Sandler makes it a point to stop by whenever he’s back in Manchester. Their signature chicken tenders have got 314 reviews, but that’s not all. Guests can enjoy full bar service or grab takeout to eat at home. The Greek salad has earned 83 reviews, and the portions are big enough to feed “two or three hungry people” per order. The Puritan Backroom remains a true New Hampshire dining destination that brings in locals and tourists alike.

A Local’s First Impression of Puritan Backroom

A visit to the Puritan Backroom feels like stepping into Manchester’s living history. My exploration of New England eateries shows this place stands out from typical chain restaurants.

The story behind the name

The Puritan Backroom’s name carries rich historical roots in Manchester. Arthur Pappas and Louis Canotas started the Puritan Confectionary Company in 1917. The business grew beyond its original ice cream parlor beginnings. The name “Backroom” came naturally in the 1940s after the owners added a function room behind the main space.

The Puritan name reflects New England values of simplicity and quality. These Greek immigrants built their success on family recipes and a steadfast dedication to fresh ingredients and generous portions. The simple ice cream shop turned into a full-service restaurant while staying true to its founding principles.

Family remains the heart of the Puritan Backroom. Now in its fourth generation of management, the restaurant honors its Greek-American roots. You can see this dedication to family tradition in everything from the recipes to the warm atmosphere that fills this Manchester establishment.

Why locals keep coming back

Manchester residents don’t just eat at the Puritan Backroom – they build lifelong bonds with it. Consistency is the biggest reason locals return to this Hooksett Road institution. A visit here, whether for special occasions or casual dinners, guarantees generous portions, familiar tastes, and reliable quality.

The menu offers choices that please everyone. While chicken tenders might steal the spotlight, locals love the variety that ranges from Greek specialties to American comfort food. Many Manchester families have their favorite dishes they’ve enjoyed for decades.

The sense of community at the Puritan Back Room brings regulars back again and again. This Manchester spot has become part of local life, unlike chain restaurants that look similar everywhere. Birthday parties, family dinners after games, and casual meetups with friends happen here regularly.

Value adds to the restaurant’s lasting popularity. Despite its legendary status, Puritan Backroom’s takeout and dine-in prices stay reasonable, especially given their generous servings. Many Manchester families see it as an affordable treat that delivers quality and experience.

Nostalgia brings locals through these doors repeatedly. Generations of Manchester residents grew up eating those famous chicken tenders and ice cream. The Puritan Backroom has been part of countless family milestones over its century-plus history. Each visit brings back memories that keep the parking lot full and the waiting list long.

The Chicken Tender Legacy

A Greek-American restaurateur at the Puritan Backroom changed the culinary world forever in 1974 by solving a common kitchen dilemma. This spark of resourcefulness launched what became one of America’s most beloved food items.

How Puritan Backroom invented the chicken tender

The chicken tender’s story began more by accident than design. Charlie Pappas’s family had expanded their business with a large sit-down restaurant behind their original shop in 1974. A kitchen conundrum emerged when a fry cook asked Charlie about small chicken pieces he couldn’t use – the tenderloin. These were the pectoralis minor muscles that arrange the vertebrae and aren’t used to walk or flap wings, which makes them exceptionally tender.

These tenderloins used to be sold attached to the breast. The pieces often came loose if someone cut up the bird before cooking. Charlie Pappas found a way to prepare them as a standalone dish instead of throwing away these premium cuts.

Charlie’s preparation method turned out surprisingly different for a Greek-owned New England establishment. He created a special marinade using pineapple juice and paired the tenders with what the Puritan calls “duck sauce” – a thinnish, yellowish, sweetish liquid that drew inspiration in part from the orange condiment served with egg rolls at Chinese restaurants.

Different styles: regular, coconut, buffalo, spicy

The Puritan Backroom restaurant in Manchester NH now serves their legendary tenders in four distinctive styles:

• Original tenders – The classic recipe featuring their signature pineapple juice marinade and delicate breading that’s “somewhere between a crunch and a crisp, but more of a crunch than a crisp”
• Buffalo tenders – The original recipe drenched in Buffalo-wing sauce
• Coconut tenders – A sweeter variation with coconut-crusted breading
• Spicy tenders – Featuring a kicked-up breading with additional seasonings

The restaurant also serves broiled tenders prepared in their “Special Sauce” – Charlie Pappas’s proprietary recipe from 1974 that blends soy, olive oil, lemon, and spices.

Guests who can’t decide can try the Chicken Tender Appetizer Sampler from the takeout menu, which includes three of each variety. This gives them a chance to taste all tender options.

What makes them stand out

The “Manchester chicken tender” style from the Puritan Backroom is different from typical chicken tenders. The marinade makes it special – a blend of pineapple juice and sugar with other proprietary ingredients. This creates a subtle sweetness and helps make the meat tender.

The breading isn’t heavy or thick like chain restaurant versions. It strikes the perfect balance that enhances the chicken’s flavor without overpowering it.

The duck sauce plays a key role in creating an authentic experience. Both the Puritan Backroom restaurant and Goldenrod serve their versions of this sauce in Manchester, though Puritan’s sauce is thinner. This light, sweet-tangy condiment brings out the tender’s natural flavors perfectly.

These tenders have become incredibly popular. The Puritan Backroom’s kitchen fries about four tons of tenders in a typical week – going up to five tons during busy times. Many customers get takeout orders, sometimes buying buckets with up to 150 tenders.

The success comes from both taste and practicality. Terrence O’Keefe of WATT Global Media said it best: “Some of the popularity of the tender is that it is whole-muscle white meat that doesn’t have to be cut or portioned, and when cooked it makes a great hand-held item”. The Puritan Backroom’s creation changed casual dining forever – from box to batter to deep fryer to table in minutes.

Beyond Tenders: What Else is on the Menu?

Puritan Backroom serves more than just their famous tenders. The menu caters to everyone – from seafood lovers to dessert fans. You’re missing out on decades of culinary tradition if you stick to just chicken at this Manchester landmark.

Greek salad and other starters

The Greek salad at Puritan Backroom is a customer favorite. It comes with a generous chunk of tangy feta cheese and a tasty vinaigrette that sets up your meal perfectly. You can get it in small ($6.75) or large ($10.75) portions, and reviewers often call it a must-try dish.

The restaurant’s starter menu goes way beyond the Greek salad. You’ll find stuffed mushroom caps ($10.75), scallops wrapped in bacon ($16.50), and fried feta ($10.75). The nachos come two ways – classic style with melted cheese and salsa, or loaded “Backroom Nachos” packed with onions, peppers, tomatoes, jalapeños, olives, hamburg, and melted cheese.

Seafood, beef, and vegetarian options

Seafood lovers will feel right at home here. The kitchen serves fresh North Atlantic haddock ($28.00) fried or broiled. The Atlantic salmon filet ($28.00) tastes great either broiled or chargrilled.

Meat lovers can choose between an 8 oz. Black Angus filet mignon ($39.00) and a 12 oz. Black Angus sirloin ($29.00). Both come with your choice of sides. The beef tenderloin kabob ($30.00) is another tasty option.

Vegetarians have great choices too. The Greek Macaroni & Cheese ($19.00) combines Gruyère cheese, spinach, shallots, scallions, a touch of cinnamon, bread crumbs, and feta cheese. There’s also a hearty vegetable lasagna ($17.50) that comes with garlic bread.

Homemade ice cream and desserts

The restaurant’s homemade ice cream ranks just behind their chicken tenders in popularity. With over 30 flavors ranging from classic vanilla to creative mixes like Almond Coconut Chip and Charlie’s Chocolate Factory, the ice cream alone makes the trip worthwhile.

Their special flavors include Baklava (vanilla and cinnamon ice cream with honey, walnuts, and baklava pieces) and Cherry Seinfeld (black cherry ice cream with black cherries and chocolate chips). Adults might enjoy the Mudslide – coffee and Baileys flavored ice cream with a fudge swirl.

The dessert menu features classic Greek baklava ($4.75), rice pudding ($4.75), and several pies including coconut cream ($6.00) and lemon meringue ($5.50). The ultimate treat is their Mudd Pie – coffee ice cream on an Oreo crust topped with hot fudge, whipped cream, mixed nuts, and a cherry ($9.00).

The Dining Experience: Atmosphere and Service

The Puritan Backroom has earned its place as a Manchester landmark that keeps diners coming back for generations. This restaurant perfectly balances cozy familiarity with special occasion dining, which explains its lasting appeal.

Inside the restaurant: bar, booths, and crowd

The restaurant gives off a “well-to-do bourgeois” vibe that feels both upscale and welcoming. Guests will spot a lively bar area right away, complete with TVs mounted overhead – perfect to catch the game while waiting. The dining areas feature comfortable plush upholstered booths and banquettes, while thick rugs add warmth throughout the space. You could call it “classy casual” – refined enough for celebrations yet relaxed for regular meals.

The noise stays at just the right level for conversation while creating that energetic buzz you’d expect from a favorite local spot. Families love how the restaurant welcomes both large groups and kids, making it ideal for multi-generational gatherings.

Wait times and how to beat them

New visitors should expect to wait for a table. A wait-list forms even by 5pm. Most people wait about 45 minutes during busy times, though sometimes you might get lucky with a 35-minute wait.

Smart locals head to the bar for drinks while their table gets ready. You might wait less if you visit during off-peak hours or weekdays. The restaurant welcomes guests from 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM on weekdays and stays open until 10:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.

Service quality and staff friendliness

The Puritan Backroom’s service shines even during its busiest times. People often describe the staff as “professional and attentive”. The waitresses make time to take care of every guest properly, despite their busy schedules. Regular customers praise their servers for being friendly, sweet and professional all at once.

Takeout, Accessibility, and Practical Tips

Convenience matters almost as much as the food itself to Manchester locals and visitors at Puritan Backroom. The restaurant’s amenities make it more than just a place famous for its legendary chicken tenders.

Puritan Backroom takeout experience

Puritan Backroom’s dedicated takeout counter serves customers daily from 10:00am to 9:00pm. The counter provides a quick alternative to the packed dining room, and customers should call ahead to get faster service. Orders during peak times require a $25.00 minimum purchase. The pickup process is simple – drive in from Hooksett Road and stay in your car. A Puritan employee will bring your order right to your vehicle. This contactless system will give a convenient experience without compromising the quality that makes Puritan Backroom restaurant in Manchester, NH a local favorite.

Wheelchair accessibility and family-friendliness

The restaurant provides wheelchair-available entrances, seating, toilets, and parking areas. Puritan Backroom’s reputation as a family-friendly spot makes it perfect for multi-generational gatherings. Diners of all ages can enjoy the comfort of its spacious layout.

Parking and peak hours

The establishment offers free parking with plenty of spaces in their dedicated lot. Reservations aren’t usually needed, but customers should expect longer wait times during busy meal hours. Regular customers suggest arriving before 5pm to avoid the growing waiting list.

Summing all up

The Puritan Backroom is a New Hampshire gem that goes way beyond its famous chicken tenders. These signature tenders have earned their spot in American culinary history, and the restaurant brings so much more to the table. Not many places can say they created a dish that became popular nationwide while keeping their quality and tradition alive through four generations of family ownership.

People from Manchester know exactly what makes this Hooksett Road spot special. Every dish, from their perfect Greek salad to their homemade ice cream, shows their dedication to quality and heritage. The welcoming atmosphere hits the sweet spot between relaxed dining and special occasions, which keeps families coming back year after year.

New customers might stop by for the famous chicken tenders, but they’ll definitely return for everything else. Big portions, fair prices, and great service leave lasting memories beyond just the food. You can also grab takeout if you don’t want to wait 45 minutes during busy times.

The Puritan Backroom stands out because it knows how to grow while staying true to its roots. Starting as a small ice cream parlor, it grew into a Manchester landmark without losing what made it special. The fourth generation of family owners still honors their Greek-American heritage and quality standards that Arthur Pappas and Louis Canotas started back in 1917.

Food lovers looking for real New England experiences should put the Puritan Backroom at the top of their list. It’s something rare in today’s restaurant scene – a true local spot that shaped American food culture while staying authentic. Their chicken tenders changed casual dining forever, but this Manchester restaurant’s spirit reaches far beyond just one great dish.

Here are some FAQs about the Puritan Backroom reviews:

What are people saying about Puritan Backroom?

Recent Puritan Backroom reviews consistently praise the restaurant’s famous chicken tenders and generous portions. Many Puritan Backroom restaurant reviews highlight the casual, family-friendly atmosphere and reasonable prices. Customers frequently mention the nostalgic diner feel in their Puritan Backroom reviews, noting it’s been a local favorite for generations.

Is Puritan Backroom worth visiting?

According to numerous Puritan Backroom restaurant reviews, it’s absolutely worth visiting for their signature dishes and old-school charm. Puritan Backroom reviews particularly recommend trying their award-winning chicken tenders and homemade ice cream. First-time visitors in Puritan Backroom reviews often say they understand why it’s been a Manchester institution since 1917.

What is Puritan Backroom known for?

Puritan Backroom reviews overwhelmingly identify their hand-breaded chicken tenders as the must-try menu item. Many Puritan Backroom restaurant reviews also rave about their extensive ice cream menu and classic American comfort food. As noted in countless Puritan Backroom reviews, their combination of quality food and retro atmosphere creates a unique dining experience.

How is the service at Puritan Backroom?

Most Puritan Backroom restaurant reviews describe the service as friendly and efficient, especially considering how busy they get. While some Puritan Backroom reviews mention occasional waits during peak hours, customers generally report the staff handles crowds well. The consistent quality of service comes up frequently in positive Puritan Backroom reviews.

What’s the atmosphere like at Puritan Backroom?

Puritan Backroom reviews paint a picture of a classic, no-frills New England diner with comfortable booths and vintage decor. Many Puritan Backroom restaurant reviews appreciate the unpretentious, family-oriented vibe that hasn’t changed much over the years. The nostalgic atmosphere is a recurring theme in Puritan Backroom reviews from both locals and visitors.

Does Puritan Backroom take reservations?

According to recent Puritan Backroom restaurant reviews, they typically don’t accept reservations due to their first-come, first-served policy. Several Puritan Backroom reviews suggest going during off-peak hours if you want to avoid waiting for a table. Despite this, most Puritan Backroom reviews agree the food is worth any potential wait time.

Is Puritan Backroom good for families?

Absolutely – Puritan Backroom reviews consistently mention it as an excellent family dining option. Many Puritan Backroom restaurant reviews highlight the kid-friendly menu and casual environment perfect for families. The reasonable prices noted in Puritan Backroom reviews make it especially appealing for family meals.

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