The Junction Restaurant

WinnisquamZ · 06-22-2025, 07:13 PM

Stopped in for a few drinks tonight. Drinks and food looked decent. Was loud as many of the new restaurants are in this area. Prices were as expected except for one.
$2 for “on the rocks”.
I refuse to pay for ice in my drink. This line item wasn’t identified on any menu or bar note. Didn’t know until the bill came. With that said. It’s a hard pass.

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Resident 2B · 06-22-2025, 08:29 PM

So $2 for ice in a mixed drink? Ridiculous! Things are getting crazier in many places, but this takes the cake.

Descant · 06-23-2025, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinnisquamZ

Stopped in for a few drinks tonight. Drinks and food looked decent. Was loud as many of the new restaurants are in this area. Prices were as expected except for one.
$2 for “on the rocks”.
I refuse to pay for ice in my drink. This line item wasn’t identified on any menu or bar note. Didn’t know until the bill came. With that said. It’s a hard pass.

I've never seen it on a menu but it is not uncommon, in my experience, for an upcharge for my "Scotch rocks" because it is a larger serving. More and more, there is an offering of four types of ice for Scotch. If you order "neat" with ice on the side, you will likely get a single pour.

WinnisquamZ · 06-23-2025, 10:04 AM

Does one get charged for ice in soda or tab water? No. Then why would someone get charged at the bar for ice? Nothing but a money grab. And in all my travels I have never had different pours when on the rocks. Single or double

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camp guy · 06-23-2025, 11:03 AM

This posting finally sent me "over the edge" when it comes to food, service, and present-day technology. Here's the deal: Over the course of time, things things change, sometimes quietly, sometimes almost unnoticed. In the days of the internet, ordering, particularly take-out food products, has risen to a new level, one not known before, and perhaps, one not destined for greatness. Some restaurants have managed their computer systems so that they keep track of your order history allowing them to anticipate your order based on the first few words you say when you are calling the "on-line ordering number". Some of this technology is the direct result of AI and seems to take the whole customer service concept to a whole new level. Let me explain the evolution. First, the customer calls in an order "to go" and plans to pay with a credit card. The order arrives at your house, you eat it, enjoy it, and the deal is done. The next time you order, the "computer" answers your call, greets you, and politely takes your order, accepts your credit card payment, and shortly the order arrives at your house, you eat it, enjoy it, and the deal is done. The next time you order, order number 3, the "computer" answers your call, greets you, and politely takes your order, accepts your credit card payment, and the deal is (so you think) done. About an hour and a half later you receive an in-coming message on your computer telling you the meal was delicious, thank you very much, and "we" look forward to serving you again, soon.

LoveLakeLife · 06-23-2025, 11:03 PM

If the ice charge isn’t on the menu, you don’t have to pay it.

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WinnisquamZ · Yesterday, 04:16 AM

Correct.

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JayR · Yesterday, 07:52 AM

Everyone has jars of pennies, right? So, when ambushed with this kind of cheap arrogant upcharge, maybe everyone should pay for it with pennies. Staff counting them and wasting minutes would eat up the two dollars real fast.

Restaurants, work all your costs into your costs! We hate $29 for mid-level entrees ... but we hate more to have a $27 mid-level entree and then this type of add-on charge!!

Major · Yesterday, 09:36 AM

Been there twice. We think it is a great addition to the Lakes Region food scene. The food was very good, and the drinks great. (They know how to make a Cosmo which isn't a given around here.) I had the chicken sandwich the first time and the cheeseburger the second. Both excellent. The appetizers are great too. Calamari and shrimp, grazing board, seafood chowder all very good.

The service was excellent, especially the first time with Devon.

Regarding price, I have this conversation with my dad all the time. It's an expensive world! We go out to eat to have an enjoyable time either together or with friends. If you want to save money, eat at home. BTW, they charged me $2.00 for blue cheese olives that went with my dirty vodka martini. I wasn't psyched but it is what it is.

WinterHarborGuy · Yesterday, 10:26 AM

Not taking sides...but usually a "standard pour" is 1.5 ounces of whiskey (for example). A "rocks pour" is usually 2 ounces. So you are paying for the bigger pour of alcohol, not for the ice.

I believe if you get a standard pour and ask for rocks on the side, there is no charge.

Give it a google.

thinkxingu · Yesterday, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayR

Restaurants, work all your costs into your costs! We hate $29 for mid-level entrees ... but we hate more to have a $27 mid-level entree and then this type of add-on charge!!

THIS x 100.

I just paid $8.50 for an apple fritter in Oak Bluff, but it was huge and awesome. No problem paying that...for the perfect blend of size and quality.

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06-22-2025, 07:13 PM	#1
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2,074 Thanks: 212 Thanked 665 Times in 439 Posts	The Junction Restaurant Stopped in for a few drinks tonight. Drinks and food looked decent. Was loud as many of the new restaurants are in this area. Prices were as expected except for one. $2 for “on the rocks”. I refuse to pay for ice in my drink. This line item wasn’t identified on any menu or bar note. Didn’t know until the bill came. With that said. It’s a hard pass. Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

06-23-2025, 11:03 AM	#5
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,190 Thanks: 301 Thanked 527 Times in 294 Posts	The Junction Restaurant - charging for ice! This posting finally sent me "over the edge" when it comes to food, service, and present-day technology. Here's the deal: Over the course of time, things things change, sometimes quietly, sometimes almost unnoticed. In the days of the internet, ordering, particularly take-out food products, has risen to a new level, one not known before, and perhaps, one not destined for greatness. Some restaurants have managed their computer systems so that they keep track of your order history allowing them to anticipate your order based on the first few words you say when you are calling the "on-line ordering number". Some of this technology is the direct result of AI and seems to take the whole customer service concept to a whole new level. Let me explain the evolution. First, the customer calls in an order "to go" and plans to pay with a credit card. The order arrives at your house, you eat it, enjoy it, and the deal is done. The next time you order, the "computer" answers your call, greets you, and politely takes your order, accepts your credit card payment, and shortly the order arrives at your house, you eat it, enjoy it, and the deal is done. The next time you order, order number 3, the "computer" answers your call, greets you, and politely takes your order, accepts your credit card payment, and the deal is (so you think) done. About an hour and a half later you receive an in-coming message on your computer telling you the meal was delicious, thank you very much, and "we" look forward to serving you again, soon.

Yesterday, 07:52 AM	#8
JayR Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Westwood, MA and sometimes Gilford, NH Posts: 61 Thanks: 22 Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts	Everyone has jars of pennies, right? So, when ambushed with this kind of cheap arrogant upcharge, maybe everyone should pay for it with pennies. Staff counting them and wasting minutes would eat up the two dollars real fast. Restaurants, work all your costs into your costs! We hate $29 for mid-level entrees ... but we hate more to have a $27 mid-level entree and then this type of add-on charge!! __________________ Jay R. (Westwood, MA) "Faithfully losing the ice-out contest since 1975"

Yesterday, 09:36 AM	#9
Major Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Laconia Posts: 1,082 Thanks: 446 Thanked 1,020 Times in 426 Posts	The Junction Been there twice. We think it is a great addition to the Lakes Region food scene. The food was very good, and the drinks great. (They know how to make a Cosmo which isn't a given around here.) I had the chicken sandwich the first time and the cheeseburger the second. Both excellent. The appetizers are great too. Calamari and shrimp, grazing board, seafood chowder all very good. The service was excellent, especially the first time with Devon. Regarding price, I have this conversation with my dad all the time. It's an expensive world! We go out to eat to have an enjoyable time either together or with friends. If you want to save money, eat at home. BTW, they charged me $2.00 for blue cheese olives that went with my dirty vodka martini. I wasn't psyched but it is what it is.

06-22-2025, 08:29 PM	#2
Resident 2B Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Shore, MA Posts: 1,358 Thanks: 994 Thanked 314 Times in 164 Posts	So $2 for ice in a mixed drink? Ridiculous! Things are getting crazier in many places, but this takes the cake.

The Following User Says Thank You to Resident 2B For This Useful Post:
Biggd (06-23-2025)

06-23-2025, 10:04 AM	#4
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2,074 Thanks: 212 Thanked 665 Times in 439 Posts	Does one get charged for ice in soda or tab water? No. Then why would someone get charged at the bar for ice? Nothing but a money grab. And in all my travels I have never had different pours when on the rocks. Single or double Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to WinnisquamZ For This Useful Post:
Biggd (06-23-2025), BillTex (Yesterday)

06-23-2025, 11:03 PM	#6
LoveLakeLife Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 623 Thanks: 96 Thanked 225 Times in 147 Posts	If the ice charge isn’t on the menu, you don’t have to pay it. Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Yesterday, 04:16 AM	#7
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2,074 Thanks: 212 Thanked 665 Times in 439 Posts	Correct. Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Yesterday, 10:26 AM	#10
WinterHarborGuy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 90 Thanks: 22 Thanked 47 Times in 29 Posts	Not taking sides...but usually a "standard pour" is 1.5 ounces of whiskey (for example). A "rocks pour" is usually 2 ounces. So you are paying for the bigger pour of alcohol, not for the ice. I believe if you get a standard pour and ask for rocks on the side, there is no charge. Give it a google.