Roundabout Diner

I can’t believe it has taken me so long to review the Roundabout Diner in Portsmouth N.H.  It is one of our favorite places to go anytime of the day or night! The Roundabout is located at 580 US Highway 1 bypass, Portsmouth traffic circle in Portsmouth NH. They are open 7 days a week starting at 5:30 am. One of the things I love about the Roundabout is that they serve breakfast all day and with breakfast being my favorite meal, I know I can go here and get a delicious breakfast anytime. On the day my friend Rosalie and I went it was in fact breakfast time, so that is what I am reviewing today!

Because I have been there many times and know the portions are huge, I ordered a short stack of banana walnut pancakes with a side of maple sausage. The pancakes for me are about as perfect as it gets! They are soft, fluffy pancakes filled with bananas and walnuts drizzled with real maple syrup! This is the best way to start the day.    BUT, that’s not all, the maple sausages are best sausages around! No joke! First off, they are huge, second they are locally sourced in Vermont, but most importantly they are tender, sweet with the maple,  and down right delicious!  I have actually bought a case of these sausage’s from them when we were expecting out of town guests.

My friend Rosalie had the Mediterranian omelette with hash browns and a grilled English muffin with a side of the maple sausage as well! Rosalie’s portion was huge and just as tasty and filling as my breakfast.  The Roundabout Diner’s menu is absolutely gigantic!  They have everything you would expect at a diner and more! They even have blue star specials Sunday through Thursday!   Sunday’s you can get all you can eat ribs for just $14.99.  Did I mention the diner is brought to you by the same people that brought you Muddy River Market Place, as well as the Chill Catering Company! If you know anything about Muddy River you know the ribs there are crazy good,  mouthwatering and tender!

I should also mention that the Roundabout Diner has won several awards  ncluding one from the Phantom Gourmet for their BBQ, so not only is breakfast terrific but you will not be disappointed in their lunch or dinner plates either!  I can’t possibly list everything on the menu but the breakfast variety alone is amazing. The pancakes ,with a number of add on’s is a great place to start. You can add Maine blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas, brown sugar, walnuts, granola, strawberries or shredded coconut! Great variety!  They have French toast, lots of omelettes and some terrific looking specials including Monte Cristo, steak and eggs, breakfast bowls and oatmeal

Are you wondering about eggs benedict? Or “Ben’s Addiction” as they are called on the menu. They have a great variety including the classic benedict, portobello benedict, pulled pork and even a salmon cake benedict! I have had the classic benedict here a number of times and it’s perfectly cooked everytime!  I also love the full list of breakfast sides you can order, including the maple sausage, eggs, short stack of pancakes, grilled cornbread, bagel and cream cheese, sugar cured bacon, applewood ham as well as baked beans to just name a few!

If you are thinking about having lunch or dinner? You will love the variety for that as well. They have some great hand crafted appetizers like the bleu cheese chips for $9.99. The chips are house made with blue cheese, cheddar cheese and scallions served with ranch and blue cheese dressing! How about truffle fries, chili cheese fries, sweet potato fries? They have all of that too! Soups and salads are not in a short supply either. Clam chowder, chili and vegetable soup will satisfy you on a cold New England day. The choice of salads is phenomenal with the classic’s Caesar, House, Asian, and  spinach.  You can also add grilled chicken, pulled pork, salmon, tuna and sirloin. If you are looking for sandwiches and burgers there is no surprise that you have plenty to choose from! Corned beef Ruben, salmon cake, BLT, Cuban, hot turkey,  meatloaf, pulled pork, grilled cheese and lobster roll are just a few sandwiches that can be had. Classic burger, mushroom onion and Swiss, black and blue along with the chili cheese burger are also some filling tasty options!

As with many diners you can also get some retro classics such as chicken pot pie, fish and chips, chicken tenders and a New England favorite…the lobster mac and cheese. The Roundabout also offers several signature entrees to choose from grilled salmon, sirloin steak, turkey dinner, country fried chicken, pulled pork and turkey meatloaf. Earlier I mentioned their number of breakfast sides…well the lunch sides are no different, lots to pick from!  Fries, beans, mashed potatoes, slaw, sweet potato fries and onion rings to just name a few. I should also mention they have plenty of kids meal portions!

It is hard to imagine dessert after their large portions and so much to pick from but you will love their house made desserts just as much as everything else on the menu! What is not to love about wild Maine blueberry pie or how about the banana cream pie that was featured on the Phantom Gourmet?!  Maybe ice cream on a hot summer day, sundae’s, brownie sundae’s, banana splits, frappe’s, malts and floats!  The Roundabout Diner is a favorite of our family and a true NH gem!

Enjoy!