A cold but sunny Sunday afternoon was the perfect excuse to get out of the house for a drive in New Hampshire’s Western White Mountains (where we live and work). We ended up in Plymouth, a college town with a picture-postcard Main Street and town common.
We stopped for an early dinner at one of the town’s many restaurants – and an old favorite. The Lucky Dog Tavern & Grill is a laid-back, quirky pub-style restaurant on Main Street that offers an extensive food and beverage menu. The funky-shaped restaurant (it used to be a car dealership) is fitted out with comfortable booths and tables made of dark-polished wood, along with a small bar. Downstairs there’s a large lounge that gets hopping at night, offering pool, games and live music, including an open-mic night on Wednesdays.
The Lucky Dog has something for everyone: good-sized sandwiches, burgers and paninis; vegetarian specials; chicken, pork, seafood and beef entrees; pastas; a huge selection of appetizers; soups and chili; many sides; and decently executed Mexican specialties such as quesadillas and burritos. There are always daily specials, and a small salad bar with fresh items and serve-yourself bread and cheese. This variety makes the Lucky Dog a great place for families, couples and groups of friends, because one can put together a meal to satisfy almost any appetite in the party – from light-eating vegetarians to ravenous snowboarders. (There’s also a good children’s menu.)
The food was very well-prepared – even better than we had remembered from our last visit – and a cut above traditional pub fare. Our meals were served with efficiency and a smile by our energetic server.
We both had chicken quesadillas: juicy grilled chicken, fresh vegetables and cheese in a flour tortilla, grilled and topped with dollops of rich red salsa and sour cream. It was just enough for an early dinner.
Not surprisingly, the Lucky Dog has an extensive list of imported and domestic beers (including some locally brewed beers), as well as fancy cocktails and hot drinks. An Irish coffee, made with Jameson Irish Whiskey and the house coffee (Citavo), was a work of art, served in a tall glass and topped with a pile of real whipped cream. The wine-by-the-glass list is unimaginative but serviceable (it’s a college town), and you get a good pour.
We stopped for an early dinner at one of the town’s many restaurants – and an old favorite. The Lucky Dog Tavern & Grill is a laid-back, quirky pub-style restaurant on Main Street that offers an extensive food and beverage menu. The funky-shaped restaurant (it used to be a car dealership) is fitted out with comfortable booths and tables made of dark-polished wood, along with a small bar. Downstairs there’s a large lounge that gets hopping at night, offering pool, games and live music, including an open-mic night on Wednesdays.
The Lucky Dog has something for everyone: good-sized sandwiches, burgers and paninis; vegetarian specials; chicken, pork, seafood and beef entrees; pastas; a huge selection of appetizers; soups and chili; many sides; and decently executed Mexican specialties such as quesadillas and burritos. There are always daily specials, and a small salad bar with fresh items and serve-yourself bread and cheese. This variety makes the Lucky Dog a great place for families, couples and groups of friends, because one can put together a meal to satisfy almost any appetite in the party – from light-eating vegetarians to ravenous snowboarders. (There’s also a good children’s menu.)
The food was very well-prepared – even better than we had remembered from our last visit – and a cut above traditional pub fare. Our meals were served with efficiency and a smile by our energetic server.
We both had chicken quesadillas: juicy grilled chicken, fresh vegetables and cheese in a flour tortilla, grilled and topped with dollops of rich red salsa and sour cream. It was just enough for an early dinner.
Not surprisingly, the Lucky Dog has an extensive list of imported and domestic beers (including some locally brewed beers), as well as fancy cocktails and hot drinks. An Irish coffee, made with Jameson Irish Whiskey and the house coffee (Citavo), was a work of art, served in a tall glass and topped with a pile of real whipped cream. The wine-by-the-glass list is unimaginative but serviceable (it’s a college town), and you get a good pour.
If you like desserts, this is the place for you. We tried the harvest bread pudding ($4.95), which was also served with real whipped cream and was big enough for two. Other choices included key lime pie, ice cream, and a hot fudge sundae.
The Lucky Dog is not inexpensive: we paid around $48 for our entrees, two drinks, coffee and desserts. But it delivers good value.
On past visits, we enjoyed the pastas and other Mexican specialties, and the Psycho Chicken and pork sandwiches. The Lucky Dog does chicken and beef dishes particularly well.
If you are coming or going from skiing in Waterville Valley or parts north, the Lucky Dog is a quick jaunt off Route 93. After your meal, take a stroll down Main Street in this charming town before jumping back on Route 93.
Open for dinner seven days a week and for lunch Friday-Sunday (but be sure to double-check hours, because they change seasonally).
The Fussy Diner's verdict: One-and-a-Half Forks Up and a big woof. A good, dependable and enjoyable place.
I lovvvve the food here! Awwwesome!
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