Karen's Bun 'n Bowl — Restaurant in Alton

Our new “go to” place in Alton! As we will be moving to Alton Bay, NH soon, we began our search for our ‘go to’ places around town for breakfast, lunch and dinner around town and the surrounding area. We recently discovered Bun & Bowl and we have chosen it as our best selection for salads, sandwiches, paninis and chowder(!). This is a locally owned family restaurant and the food here is incredible. The salads are freshly made and my wife’s fav is Ceasar with grilled chicken. It is great, freshly mixed greens, real grated parm(!), crispy croutons and warm, freshly grilled chicken. This top notch salad is always freshly prepared, generously portioned and simply delish! Being partial to paninis, to date I have eaten the Italian & Reuben versions which are ‘to die for’! The Italian is freshly sliced Italian meats of your choice, generously layered with your choice of fresh veggies and a garlic aioli sauce (you can choose others) and lightly grilled on a sourdough bread that is chewy, hardy and just great. The Reuben version is fresh, thinly-sliced corned beef, real delish cheese of your choice served on a hardy swirled rye bread. I love the garlic aioli so asked for that but don’t be shy making an alternate choice as they have several all homemade recipes that we are considering. Top notch paninis that could almost make two meals (if they weren’t so delish to eat in one seating)! Finally, the chowder! Creamy, homemade base, great consistency and full of clams, fresh cubed potatoes and a nice gentle taste especially on a cold New England afternoon. Not from a can, thank goodness! Although we are still working our way through the menu, we do not expect to be disappointed! Nice family, confirm COVID-open hours before you go and check it out! We rate 5 stars on the basis of truly homemade, unique tastes, fresh ingredients, generous portions, nice local people and simply delicious. You won’t...

Been here multiple times, I'm aware that the place is looking for help. I call and order in for food more than a half an hour before close. As soon as I walk in the door I'm immediately "greeted" with, "we're closed". I work in food service every day and never once have I said that to a customer that walks in before we're actually closed. (Or even after) Now granted there was a mistake made. She wasn't aware there was another order. Fine, honest mistake. I peek inside my bag to double check as my hesitancy to a fully correct order grows from that lovely greeting. Again, I completely honest mistake. They forgot my side of coleslaw. This review would not be up if these two things were my whole experience. It was getting home to surprise my parents with their favorite dish from this place. And when they open it up there's no rice inside their Mexican RICE BOWL. At this point I wish they just said we're not taking orders at this point because spending 45 bucks, and still giving you guys a tip for the service I didn't get is a little upsetting. I just got out of college. I don't have a lot of money. Tried to call back before their official close time to inform them of their mistake, but of course no answer. I'm not saying don't go here. Make great food, and in all my other experiences are friendly. But don't here within an hour of their...

On a Thursday at 4:15 they had 8 different hot soups on the menu! At my first visit I had tried the French Onion. It was delicious. This time I chose the Butternut Squash. It was even better, truly homemade...nutty but sweet and thick with a few small soft bits of squash. We tried the steak bomb and it was one of the best we have ever had. They also had several home made baked goods, including huge coconut macaroons. Will definitely return to this hidden gem. Open 11 am to 7pm everyday...