Puritan Backroom Draws Crowds for Chicken and Mudslides

The public consensus

Puritan Backroom Restaurant carries a 4.5 Google rating from more than 5,200 reviews, giving its reputation unusual weight among Manchester restaurants. The available feedback describes a large, bustling operation with broad appeal rather than a quiet or contemporary dining room. It is particularly associated with chicken, generous portions and a steady stream of customers.

The overall pattern is favorable, though not uniformly glowing. Some diners consider the food good rather than exceptional, while others single out particular items as memorable. That distinction matters here: Puritan Backroom appears strongest when diners order the specialties that repeatedly attract praise instead of treating the menu as the main draw.

Chicken leads the ordering strategy

Chicken tenders are the clearest recommendation in the public reviews. Diners mention regular and coconut versions, as well as a chicken tender sampler. Coconut tenders receive especially enthusiastic feedback, making them the most compelling first order based on the available comments. One review bluntly advises visitors to come for the chicken, even while offering a more measured assessment of the rest of the food.

Mudslides are another recurring order. Reviewers mention them alongside full meals and as a particular highlight of the experience. Other named dishes include a buffalo wrap, club sandwich, corn chowder, Greek salad, French onion soup and pepperoni pizza, but those appear less consistently in the sample. Warm rolls and pita bread brought to the table were appreciated as an extra touch.

The ice cream window also draws customers and serves notably large portions, according to one reviewer. Taste appears more subjective there. That diner found the butter pecan relatively unsweet and light on pecan flavor, suggesting that size may impress more reliably than every flavor.

Service and atmosphere

Service trends positive. Diners describe staff as friendly, attentive, personable and efficient, with one lunchtime visit noting especially fast service despite a busy dining room. The restaurant’s energy seems to be part of its identity. Reviews describe substantial crowds at lunch and on weekends, but also show that the operation can keep service moving once guests are seated.

The room itself is large and described by one customer as a little dated, though still attractive. Those seeking polished modern design may find the setting old-fashioned. Those who prefer a busy, established family-restaurant feel are more likely to see the atmosphere as comfortable and familiar.

Timing the visit

Waits are the main caution. One Saturday party was quoted about 45 minutes and left, while another waited roughly 30 minutes in the late afternoon. In both cases, the quoted or experienced wait was clear and organized. A separate Friday evening visit resulted in immediate seating, so timing appears variable rather than predictably difficult.

Puritan Backroom is best approached as a popular Manchester standby with a few obvious signature orders. The substantial rating volume supports its consistency, while the reviews point to a straightforward plan: allow extra time on busy weekends, start with the chicken tenders and consider a mudslide.