High Octane Saloon

thinkxingu · 08-03-2021, 08:04 PM

Tonight was the most bipolar dining experience I've ever had. I stopped at the High Octane Saloon, the newish version of the Broken Spoke, and, when I got there, waited about five minutes before going to a barmaid if I could sit anywhere. She said yes, so I went to a table and sat...for ten minutes. Eventually, I went back to the bar and asked if it was indeed a restaurant and was met with...disinterest and a "sure, I'll get to ya."

Eventually, a wrinkled sheet of paper was tossed at me with a "here's the menu." I ordered chicken fingers, sweet potato fries (not realizing the chick fingers came with fries), sweet Thai chili wings, and fried mozzarella triangles. I enjoy variety but clearly got carried away.

The food was PERFECT bar food and my God is it a good value: $.50 wings, $8 fingers/fries and mozzarella wedges, $5 sweet potato fries.

Somewhere in the middle, a second waitress started connecting with me, and she was great—kind, funny, attentive—and it became a tale of two personalities.

I'm totally gonna come back, but I hope to get the good people and service next time because this place could be a big hit with my wife and kids (non-motorcycle-event times, of course).

If you're looking for very good bar food, check this place out.

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Winilyme · 08-03-2021, 08:23 PM

Sounds like Waitress #1 needs a bit more octane in her fuel.

joey2665 · 08-03-2021, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Tonight was the most bipolar dining experience I've ever had. I stopped at the High Octane Saloon, the newish version of the Broken Spoke, and, when I got there, waited about five minutes before going to a barmaid if I could sit anywhere. She said yes, so I went to a table and sat...for ten minutes. Eventually, I went back to the bar and asked if it was indeed a restaurant and was met with...disinterest and a "sure, I'll get to ya."

Eventually, a wrinkled sheet of paper was tossed at me with a "here's the menu." I ordered chicken fingers, sweet potato fries (not realizing the chick fingers came with fries), sweet Thai chili wings, and fried mozzarella triangles. I enjoy variety but clearly got carried away.

The food was PERFECT bar food and my God is it a good value: $.50 wings, $8 fingers/fries and mozzarella wedges, $5 sweet potato fries.

Somewhere in the middle, a second waitress started connecting with me, and she was great—kind, funny, attentive—and it became a tale of two personalities.

I'm totally gonna come back, but I hope to get the good people and service next time because this place could be a big hit with my wife and kids (non-motorcycle-event times, of course).

If you're looking for very good bar food, check this place out.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I’ve been there and I agree it is good bar food with great atmosphere but I do find the staff a little lackadaisical and maybe more attentive to the regulars.

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thinkxingu · 08-16-2021, 06:19 AM

Went again last night when dear wife said she wanted "comfort bar food."

We got the same waitress, in a much better mood—maybe she remembered my tip, maybe she was having a better day.

They were out of A LOT of what we had gone there for: onion rings, chicken fingers, sweet potato fries...which forced us to choose to leave or try other stuff, so we went with the latter.

Loaded fries, pulled pork sandwich, macaroni and cheese bites, and tater tots were new tries added to mozzarella sticks and wings. Again, all were awesome.

My only real issue with the place—other than the hardcore biker thing with swearing and having to walk The Gauntlet to get in—is that their soda materials don't seem to be kept cold so the ice melts quickly, watering everything down. Not a huge deal, but weird (not as weird as The Gauntlet, but still).

Enjoy!

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Biggd · 08-16-2021, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Went again last night when dear wife said she wanted "comfort bar food."

We got the same waitress, in a much better mood—maybe she remembered my tip, maybe she was having a better day.

They were out of A LOT of what we had gone there for: onion rings, chicken fingers, sweet potato fries...which forced us to choose to leave or try other stuff, so we went with the latter.

Loaded fries, pulled pork sandwich, macaroni and cheese bites, and tater tots were new tries added to mozzarella sticks and wings. Again, all were awesome.

My only real issue with the place—other than the hardcore biker thing with swearing and having to walk The Gauntlet to get in—is that their soda materials don't seem to be kept cold so the ice melts quickly, watering everything down. Not a huge deal, but weird (not as weird as The Gauntlet, but still).

Enjoy!

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Next time you need to dress for the occasion, leather jacket and boots, and maybe get a stick on tat.

BroadHopper · 08-16-2021, 09:51 AM

Got plenty of attention with a Peter Makris memorial T.

thinkxingu · 08-17-2022, 01:12 PM

Place is weird—seems like family time before 6 and then Hedonism II after!

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Mr. V · 08-17-2022, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Place is weird—seems like family time before 6 and then Hedonism II after!

Oh?

How so?

thinkxingu · 08-17-2022, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. V

Oh?

How so?

See the photo? They were playing Daniel Tiger on the TVs today, and it was all families except for two guys at the bar.

Every other time we've been there has been later in the day, when it's been all "biker dudes/dudettes."

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John Mercier · 08-17-2022, 06:00 PM

Just adjusting to a new market.

thinkxingu · 08-17-2022, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Mercier

Just adjusting to a new market.

Definitely possible, but I think it's pretty cool—we definitely enjoyed it!

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joey2665 · 08-17-2022, 07:37 PM

Wait til they build the condos across the street by Sun Valley. Definitely be more family type patrons.

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John Mercier · 08-17-2022, 07:43 PM

To expand your operation, you need to go after a market that you don't serve currently, or provide some dynamic new item that will increase the ticket for each customer.

Why have the place nearly empty, when you can make small adjustments and bring in a new crowd.

08-16-2021, 09:51 AM	#6
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,572 Thanks: 3,209 Thanked 1,101 Times in 793 Posts	Got plenty of attention with a Peter Makris memorial T. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

08-03-2021, 08:04 PM	#1
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,229 Thanks: 1,171 Thanked 2,055 Times in 1,275 Posts	High Octane Saloon Tonight was the most bipolar dining experience I've ever had. I stopped at the High Octane Saloon, the newish version of the Broken Spoke, and, when I got there, waited about five minutes before going to a barmaid if I could sit anywhere. She said yes, so I went to a table and sat...for ten minutes. Eventually, I went back to the bar and asked if it was indeed a restaurant and was met with...disinterest and a "sure, I'll get to ya." Eventually, a wrinkled sheet of paper was tossed at me with a "here's the menu." I ordered chicken fingers, sweet potato fries (not realizing the chick fingers came with fries), sweet Thai chili wings, and fried mozzarella triangles. I enjoy variety but clearly got carried away. The food was PERFECT bar food and my God is it a good value: $.50 wings, $8 fingers/fries and mozzarella wedges, $5 sweet potato fries. Somewhere in the middle, a second waitress started connecting with me, and she was great—kind, funny, attentive—and it became a tale of two personalities. I'm totally gonna come back, but I hope to get the good people and service next time because this place could be a big hit with my wife and kids (non-motorcycle-event times, of course). If you're looking for very good bar food, check this place out. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

08-03-2021, 08:23 PM	#2
Winilyme Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Ice in = CT / Ice out = Winnipesaukee Posts: 490 Thanks: 132 Thanked 293 Times in 157 Posts	Sounds like Waitress #1 needs a bit more octane in her fuel.

The Following User Says Thank You to Winilyme For This Useful Post:
Biggd (08-04-2021)

08-16-2021, 06:19 AM	#4
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,229 Thanks: 1,171 Thanked 2,055 Times in 1,275 Posts	Went again last night when dear wife said she wanted "comfort bar food." We got the same waitress, in a much better mood—maybe she remembered my tip, maybe she was having a better day. They were out of A LOT of what we had gone there for: onion rings, chicken fingers, sweet potato fries...which forced us to choose to leave or try other stuff, so we went with the latter. Loaded fries, pulled pork sandwich, macaroni and cheese bites, and tater tots were new tries added to mozzarella sticks and wings. Again, all were awesome. My only real issue with the place—other than the hardcore biker thing with swearing and having to walk The Gauntlet to get in—is that their soda materials don't seem to be kept cold so the ice melts quickly, watering everything down. Not a huge deal, but weird (not as weird as The Gauntlet, but still). Enjoy! Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

The Following User Says Thank You to thinkxingu For This Useful Post:
puremaple (08-18-2022)

The Following User Says Thank You to BroadHopper For This Useful Post:
Biggd (08-16-2021)

08-17-2022, 01:12 PM	#7
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,229 Thanks: 1,171 Thanked 2,055 Times in 1,275 Posts	Place is weird—seems like family time before 6 and then Hedonism II after! Sent from my SM-G990U1 using Tapatalk

08-17-2022, 06:00 PM	#10
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,369 Thanks: 3 Thanked 594 Times in 490 Posts	Just adjusting to a new market.

08-17-2022, 07:37 PM	#12
joey2665 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Meredith Bay & LI, NY Posts: 3,222 Thanks: 1,219 Thanked 1,009 Times in 649 Posts	Wait til they build the condos across the street by Sun Valley. Definitely be more family type patrons. Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

08-17-2022, 07:43 PM	#13
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,369 Thanks: 3 Thanked 594 Times in 490 Posts	To expand your operation, you need to go after a market that you don't serve currently, or provide some dynamic new item that will increase the ticket for each customer. Why have the place nearly empty, when you can make small adjustments and bring in a new crowd.