Chicken restaurants

Puritan Backroom Restaurant

A 22-seat kitchen run by Eleni & Yassine, serving the dishes their grandmothers argued about on Tuesday nights in Kreuzberg.

245 Hooksett Rd, Manchester, NH 03104, United States $20–30
4.5
5,045 notes from regulars
01 The story, in three paragraphs

Why everyone keeps coming back.

Located in the heart of Manchester, New Hampshire, Puritan Backroom Restaurant is a beloved destination for those craving classic American cuisine with a special spotlight on expertly crafted chicken dishes. Renowned as the birthplace of the iconic chicken tenders, Puritan Backroom invites guests to savor generations of culinary tradition paired with an inviting, old-school ambiance.

Step inside and you’re greeted by a warm, nostalgic atmosphere—a clean, well-kept space that whispers stories of decades past through its vintage decor while pulsating with the lively energy of a bustling local favorite. Whether you're settling in for a casual lunch or a comfortable dinner, the vibe feels welcoming and relaxed, complemented by attentive, courteous staff who serve with a smile and genuine hospitality.

The menu reads like a tribute to comforting American classics, boasting an impressive variety of sandwiches and club sandwiches that delight every palate. Imagine biting into the richly layered Turkey Club or the perfectly toasted Grilled Ham and Cheese packed with Swiss cheese that melts just right. For chicken lovers, the Fried Chicken Sandwich and Grilled Chicken Sandwich offer juicy, flavorful options that only enhance Puritan’s stellar reputation.

Of course, the spotlight is on their famous chicken tenders—tender, crispy, and utterly addictive. From traditional to more unique flavors like the highly praised coconut tenders, these chicken bites are served with a variety of housemade sauces that add a perfectly balanced touch of zestiness or sweetness. Patrons regularly rave about the generous portions, with leftovers being a common story after satisfying helpings.

Beyond chicken, the menu carries comforting classics such as Tuna Melt, Roast Beef, Corned Beef sandwiches, and even kid-friendly dishes like the creamy Mac and Cheese or classic Spaghetti with Meatballs, making it a family-friendly stop any time of day.

Drinks are certainly not an afterthought here either—the bar keeps the cocktails flowing with enthusiasm. Customer favorites like the indulgent peanut butter cup mudslide encapsulate the playful yet quality-driven approach Puritan Backroom takes with its beverage offerings.

Overall, dining at Puritan Backroom isn’t just about the incredible food—it’s about experiencing a piece of local history in a setting where efficiency meets genuine care, and where every bite tells a story. Whether you're a local or passing through, this is a must-visit spot for anyone looking to enjoy hearty American favorites done extraordinarily well.

Contact Information:
245 Hooksett Rd, Manchester, NH 03104, United States
Phone: +1 603-669-6890

03 Notes from regulars

5,045 notes — the real pulse of the room.

4.5
Based on 5,045 verified notes
5 3,585
4 958
3 305
2 137
1 196
All Chicken Tenders Quick Seating Coconut Chicken Tenders Large Portions Duck Sauce Greek Salad Clam Chowder Prime Rib Chicken Cordon Bleu Haddock
Joseph Finn.
2 month ago
We experienced nothing but A+ food, service, and atmosphere. The restaurant was very clean, and had a great old school aesthetic. The staff was super quick with bussing tables, and the bar was pumping out drinks with alacrity. Our server was so kind, had great manners, and even provided some light conversation. The menu had great variety and the prices were reasonable. The bread and butter was unique, as we got two biscuits and two flatbreads. The whipped butter was creamy, salty, and spreadable. The French onion soup was GREAT. I will warn you though, the broth has a very peppery and beefy depth of rich flavor. I personally love this, but some prefer a sweeter broth. The cheese was a nice blend, super stretchy, and not overly chewy. The bread crouton was super unique, where it soaked up the broth nicely, and never got too soggy to the point where it would disintegrate. It maintained its shape and still had a hint of bite when consumed. The chicken fingers lived up to the expectation. They were lightly breaded, but crunchy. The batter was slightly sweet and the chicken was tender white meat. The signature duck sauce was very unique, and had a sweet lemon taste. The honey mustard was BOMB, I definitely recommend it. The fries had a crisp shell and a super soft and mash potato-like texture on the inside. They did need salt though. The brownie sundae was a massive portion! Share this with 2-3 people. You can choose what ice cream flavor you want, and we did golden oreos since we wanted a vanilla contrast to the chocolate fudge brownie. The brownie was warm, cakey, and delicious. There were chocolate chips and some kind of nuts in there. The ice cream is definitely made in-house, was so creamy, fresh, and simply outstanding. Overall, the Puritan Backroom is a new hampshire staple and is a must-try for anyone that comes to Manchester. We went on a Monday so no wait to sit, but I hear on weekends it's super crowded! Be prepared to wait.
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Joe Parisi.
2 month ago
First time at the Puritan Backroom. I had tried takeout before but wanted the full experience. Waited about 30 minutes at 4:15 pm on a Saturday but it was organized and was the wait time they gave me. Ordered a mudslide, chicken tender sampler, Greek salad, French onion soup and a pepperoni pizza. Those coconut tenders are a top chicken tender on earth. Everything was great and the service couldn't have been better. Overall a great experience can't wait to come back.
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Lady Cahill.
3 month ago
Local to the area Will recommend Will return Decided it was about time to try the chicken tenders the famous chicken tenders. I ordered online and drove to pick up. It was very easy convenient and fast. When I got there, the order was ready and it was very hot and it had all of the stuff that I ordered properly in regards to the four different flavors of sauces I didn’t add any flavoring to my chicken tenders. The portion size is perfect for two hungry adults and even at that we had a leftovers for the next day. Without any sauce, the breading on the tender is not a breading so to speak it’s almost like a powdered rub not saying that’s a bad thing just for people with textures and wondering if they’re breaded The meat was very juicy very tender size of the tenders were great and there’s this sweet taste to them. I’m not sure what it was, but that was good and I didn’t alter the flavor or the taste at all by adding any salt because I didn’t need to. price forget about price this was a great price for the amount of food you received and for the quality of the tenders
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Paola Gutierrez.
3 month ago
I had to come try the “original” chicken tenders since I tend to order tenders if they’re on a menu! I picked the coconut since you don’t often see them offered at restaurants here. It’s a lot of tenders (I had leftovers) and the duck sauce complements them well. Not the best I’ve had but definitely up there! And of course had to get the hat. The service was good but the place gets really busy. I got there around opening and I heard it was an hour wait for a table by the time I left. I’ll definitely come back and try some of their other tender varieties (and other menu items)!
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Grant Dotson.
3 month ago
So I walked into the takeout area expecting the birthplace of the chicken tendie and was confused. I quickly got pointed in the correct direction and really enjoyed the actual restaurant and very friendly staff. I came for the tenders and chowder and left quite satiated and stuffed. Got a peanut butter cup mudslide and to my surprise, it has alcohol. All in all, a nice dinner!
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Shelle Butler.
3 month ago
1st time it was GREAT party of 7 ladies we all enjoyed reasonably priced, drinks delish! food quantity & quality fantastic we will all be back Happy Customers
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D. D. (DonDon).
4 month ago
Driving in from Massachusetts we decided to find a restaurant that had great reviews and wasn't over the top fancy which usually entailed small amounts, higher prices and expensive furniture! The moment we stepped into the Puritan Backroom, it was immediately welcoming with a down home atmosphere. After looking at the expansive menu we made our choices and have them to our server, Katie, who was about as sweet and professional as one could possibly hope for in a server. The food was no disappointment. In fact, it was fantastic. This will be our new restaurant when we come to Manchester for certain.
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Kari Emmons.
5 month ago
We stopped in here on a whim today. The restaurant is large. It's a little dated but still pretty. It was bustling on a Friday at lunchtime. The staff was so friendly and our waitress Sarah was super nice. The food was really good. Fast service too. We got a buffalo wrap, a club and corn chowder. There were fresh warm rolls and pita bread on the table, a nice touch. We will be back!
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04 When to visit & how to find us

Hours & the door on Bergmannstraße.

Opening hours
Monday 11:00 AM - 09:30 PM
Tuesday 11:00 AM - 09:30 PM
Wednesday (today) 11:00 AM - 09:30 PM
Thursday 12:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Friday 11:00 AM - 10:30 PM
Saturday 11:00 AM - 10:30 PM
Sunday 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Finding the door

245 Hooksett Rd, Manchester, NH 03104, United States

05 What makes this place friendly

The details you usually have to call and ask.

Service options
  • Onsite services
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in
  • No Delivery
Highlights
  • Fast service
  • Great beer selection
  • Great cocktails
  • Great coffee
  • Great dessert
  • Great wine list
  • Serves local specialty
Popular for
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Solo dining
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom
  • Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
  • Alcohol
  • Beer
  • Cocktails
  • Coffee
  • Comfort food
  • Hard liquor
  • Healthy options
  • Late-night food
  • Private dining room
  • Quick bite
  • Small plates
  • Wine
Dining options
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Catering
  • Counter service
  • Dessert
  • Seating
  • Table service
Amenities
  • Bar onsite
  • Restroom
  • Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
  • Casual
  • Cozy
  • Historic
  • Trendy
Crowd
  • College students
  • Family-friendly
  • Groups
  • Tourists
Planning
  • Accepts reservations
  • Usually a wait
Payments
  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments
Children
  • Good for kids
  • Has changing table(s)
  • High chairs
  • Kids' menu
Parking
  • Free parking lot
  • Free street parking
  • Paid parking lot
  • Paid street parking
  • Parking
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