Muddy Moose in North Conway, NH - Good Food and Casual Atmosphere
Written: Jul 08 '06 (Updated Nov 05 '09)
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Pros: some very different menu items, nice atmosphere
Cons: none
The Bottom Line: For something a little different in a terrific atmosphere, this restaurant is nice.
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| AliventiAsylum's Full Review: Muddy Moose |
Living in the middle of a touristy area means there are a lot of restaurants for us to visit. This can be a lot of fun, but sometimes it means I have to push to go to someplace different when we’ve found other places we really like. One night last winter we were looking for someplace to eat and most of the other restaurants were already closed. One of the few places “on the strip” we found open was Muddy Moose, so we decided to try it out. Was I ever glad that we did, and we’ve been back a few times since then.
LOCATION & AMBIENCE
The Muddy Moose is located on Route 16 in North Conway, between the Outlet stores and the Conway Scenic Railroad.
The outside of the building has a log-cabin appearance with lots of gables. The interior finds the same log-cabin feel, with knotty pine walls and wooden furniture. A long, polished wood bar goes around the center of the room, and there are stuffed moose heads on the wall along with carved wooden bears. The lighting hanging from the ceiling is made of moose antlers.
The crowd is casual, as I’ve come across in most of the places up here. We can go eat here in jeans and t-shirts or a little more dressed, such as after church. We went here following our Christmas Eve service and felt quite comfortable.
MENU
The menu at Muddy Moose is typical of what I would expect to find in most brewpubs or steakhouses, just with a “wilderness” twist on the names. Potato skins are called Potato Canoes, there’s Slopeside Nachos, The Moose’s Special Ribs, and Wilderness Wings. All of these appetizers are decent and go nice with a mug of beer inside at the bar, or outside on the deck that overlooks the mountains behind Muddy Moose.
The sandwiches here are good and nice to have on an afternoon. To me there was nothing particularly special about them when I had the Mountain Climber’s Steak Sandwich recently. It was good, just not something I would go out of my way for,
The burgers here are good, and I do like the Buffalo Burger served here - 100% buffalo meat from South Dakota. They are grilled to order and taste really good. I haven’t tried the other burgers, but have been told they are good. My husband’s favorite is the Smokey the Burger. Muddy Moose makes their own barbecue sauce which they use on this burger, and it is good!
I have had the barbecue sauce on some of their entrees, which include Muddy Moose Rack of Spare Ribs and Crockett’s Chicken. I’ve had both of these and they are good, although nothing that I feel is totally unique. What was different that I enjoy is the Tim Buck Two which is marinated boneless pork chops grilled with a maple-based glaze. There are “Wilderness” dishes which include venison, buffalo, and wild boar. I have one friend who visits from New York who loves to have the Trapper Dale’s Venison Pasta with venison sausage, mushrooms, scallions, roasted red and yellow peppers tossed with crushed red pepper, white wine and butter in penne pasta. He’s also tried the Wild Boar Marsala which is medallions of wild boar, sauteed with mushrooms, Marsala wine, butter and demi-glace served over penne pasta. He liked it but he really appreciates the venison a lot more and has asked to go back for that. There’s also fish of the fresh-water and ocean varieties if you are so inclined. I haven’t been there yet with anyone who’s tried something from this part of the menu.
A children’s menu is available with typical fare for children: hot dog, pasta, grilled cheese, chicken fingers, burgers. My kids like going here just for the ambience as it’s a fun place for them to see. There’s also a dessert menu, although I haven’t had anything from it - I am usually too full!
The selection of alcohol is good. There are local micro-brews as well as many of the mass-produced beers available.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Our service at Muddy Moose has always been spot-on. I have had no problems with delays in getting my order taken or in getting my check at the end, two of my pet peeves. We've also never had to send anything back, which has been another plus for us.
I like the barbecue better at Yankee Smokehouse, West Ossipee NH, but that’s a bit of a ride from the center of town whereas Muddy Moose is a bit more local. Where we live is central to either one, so it just depends on where we are and what we are looking for as to where we’ll eat. Muddy Moose does have some very different foods for more adventurous people, and their regular fare for those less adventurous is fine. I really enjoy the place as does my family, so we’ll be here in the future. If you’re in the area and looking for a good, casual place to dine, this is something a little different in the menu and the ambience, while at the same time giving more familiar foods to those less adventurous.
Other places to eat in New Hampshire:
Bea's Cafe, Conway NH ~ Cafe Noche, Conway NH ~ Decades Steakhouse, North Conway NH ~ Delaney‘s Hole in the Wall, North Conway NH ~ Harts Turkey Farm, Meredith NH ~ May Kelly's Cottage, North Conway NH ~ Merlino's Steakhouse, North Conway NH ~ Moat Mountain Smokehouse, North Conway NH ~ Peach's Restauran, North Conway NH ~ Red Parka Steakhouse & Pub, Glen NH ~ Yankee Smokehouse, West Ossipee NH
Sites to see in New Hampshire:
Attitash Bear Peak Ski Resort ~ Bretton Woods Ski Resort ~ Canobie Lake Park ~ Cranmore Mountain Ski Resort ~ Franconia Notch State Park ~ Kancamagus Highway ~ King Pine Ski Resort ~ Loon Mountain Ski Resort ~ Madison Boulder Natural Area ~ Mount Washington Cog Railway ~ North Conway, NH ~ Polar Express Event ~ Shawnee Peak, Bridgeton ME ~ Six Gun City ~ Story Land ~ Whale's Tale Waterpark ~ White Lake State Park ~ White Mountain National Forest ~ Wildcat Mountain
Some places to stay in New Hampshire:
Attitash Mountain Village - Bartlett NH ~ Comfort Inn & Suites - North Conway NH ~ Hampton Inn - Concord/Bow NH ~ Yankee Clipper Motel
Books about the area:
Appalachian Mountain Club White Mountain Guide ~ 50 Hikes in the White Mountains
© 2006 Patti Aliventi
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: No
Best Suited For: Friends
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AliventiAsylum
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Member: Patti Aliventi
Location: Mount Washington Valley, New Hampshire
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