Political junkies live for the New Hampshire primary, and this year’s primary, held on Feb. 9, will mark the 100th anniversary. Primary peepers travel to the Granite State with high hopes of meeting some of the presidential candidates — many of whom hang in New Hampshire in the weeks, months, and days leading up to the primary, although some only hang in framed photographs on the walls.
Here are some spots to get a glimpse of a campaigning candidate, and maybe you’ll even get an autograph, a selfie, or a short chat. You can count on a good meal.
Red Arrow Diner, Manchester
“We are very excited about the primary,’’ says Amanda Wihby, the Red Arrow Diner’s chief operations officer. “The regulars have been through this before. . . . Most of them enjoy it, a few of them don’t like giving up their seat, but all in all everyone gets along just fine.’’
Red Arrow even renamed some of its menu items for the occasion: “Healthcare.gov’’ (a hamburger patty, fried mac ‘n cheese, cheese sauce and — instead of buns — two grilled cheese sandwiches); “Beans, Toast, Coffee, or Tea Party’’ (homemade baked beans, choice of toast, and bottomless cups of coffee or tea); “The Pork Barrel’’ (a slice of pork pie topped with a dropped egg and hollandaise); “Government Grits-Lock’’ (chicken fried steak with grits and hash browns and topped with sausage gravy); and “The Bi-Porkisan Plate’’ (two eggs, two sausage links, two slices of bacon, two French toast slices, pan fries, and toast).
The diner has hooked up with SiriusXM for a two-day event Feb. 8 and 9, as a broadcast home for all primary- related news and activity. www.redarrowdiner.com
Lindy’s Diner, Keene
Legend has it that if a presidential candidate doesn’t visit Lindy’s Diner, he or she will not win the New Hampshire primary.
“Every presidential candidate since Ronald Regan that has won has visited Lindy’s before they were elected,’’ says co-owner Chuck Criss. “Obama visited before his first run for president. Hillary and Romney did not.’’ As of mid-January, “Trump, Hillary, or Sanders have not visited Lindy’s ever,’’ says Criss. “Kasich stopped by twice this campaign and had clam chowder.’’
The menu at Lindy’s is typical diner fare. Standouts include the New England clam chowder, mac and cheese, and Salisbury steak, and breakfast is served all day. “Most of the time, they hardly eat, they are on a mission to win voters,’’ says Criss.
“Election years are our busiest years, dollar-wise, in any restaurant I have worked at in New Hampshire,’’ says Criss. “I have been here since 1972.’’ www.lindysdiner.com
Puritan Backroom, Manchester
This institution has been the place to see and be seen ever since the restaurant opened in 1917. So it’s not surprising that presidential candidates elect to swing by.
“We won’t be doing anything special for the primary, just rolling out the welcome mat and being good hosts for the Republicans and Democrats running for president,’’ says co-owner Chris Pappas.
The menu is a melting pot: Fried Feta and Tzatziki (a nod to the owner’s Greek heritage), lobster pie and lobster rolls; and French onion soup, too. But it’s the chicken tenders that people rave about. The restaurant sells several thousand pounds of them each week. www.puritanbackroom.com
Airport Diner, Manchester
Many candidates make a pit stop at this popular diner near the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. The Tilt ’n Diner in Tilton and The 104 Diner in New Hampton, owned by the same folks, are also popular stomping grounds for the candidates.
“We’ve been busy at all of our diners with candidates making stops all summer, fall, and now winter, leading up to the New Hampshire Primary,’’ says Erica Auciello Murphy, director of communications and community relations for The Common Man restaurants in New Hampshire.
In addition to dishing out classic diner grub like eggs, waffles, pancakes, and French toast (breakfast is served all day), the diner also serves specials like shepherd’s pie, New England pot roast, all-you-can-eat fish fry, and American chop suey. www.thecman.com
The Old Salt and Lamie’s Inn, Hampton
This restaurant and inn in Hampton has been on candidates’ radar screens since Thanksgiving of 1963, when President Eisenhower and the first lady spent two nights. They were visiting their grandson David, who was a student at nearby Phillips Exeter Academy. The Eisenhower Room is named in their honor, and the restaurant has framed photos of Eisenhower, as well as other notable politicians, hanging on the walls.
More recently, Mitt Romney made a pit stop here to talk to local voters during the last election cycle, and The Old Salt recently hosted a town hall forum with Marco Rubio. The menu has no hidden agenda. You’ll find burgers, clams, fish specials, and steaks, and the Sunday breakfast buffet is especially popular. www.oldsaltnh.com
By Laurie Wilson | Globe correspondent
Laurie Wilson can be reached at laurieheather@yahoo.com.
