The Cork N' Keg Grill — Restaurant in Raymond

Isn't the same as it used to be. I always order the same thing when I go and I feel like they're just cutting corners now. Otherwise food is alright. (Go to bottom for TLDR; I yapped a lot).

Edit as of technically a few months ago, but it is 03/25/2025 as I write this: The Cork N' Keg Grill has gone through a lot of changes over the decade or so that I occasionally visit. I say occasionally not because I don't want to go, but because money has been tight for a long, long, LONG time and different sides of my family who bring me and pay for me (due to me being disabled and I couldn't even afford a full blown trip if we brought our whole household), but because of COVID, the economy, and other issues that make is simply impossible to go to a place to sit down, eat, and talk withy family or friends over a hot meal.

I'm not sure HOW many owners/ managers/ etc this restaurant has gone through, but my guess is around five. If you've ever watched a kitchen nightmares show and saw how Gordon would complain about massive menus or just dishes that were more for shock value than seemingly taste, that's how the food was several years ago.

My decade or more ago experience was amazing. I order the same dish everytime I go (thanks autism). A bacon mac and cheese burger is simply the best thing my mind hones in on whenever I see their menu. Over the years through, when I'd come back from Maine to visit New Hampshire, it became.. lackluster. Not because of the staffing, not because of the cleanliness- but the quality of their food has just simply tanked. They used to have this gorgeous, fat, juicy burger with melted cheese and THEN sticky, gooey, delicious mac and cheese plopped on top of perfectly cooked bacon strips just WAITING to be crunched into..... But after some years of living in the area, and close by for that matter (years before covid hit), their food just looked a little... sad. I always ordered my burger and the fried felt hard to finish, and instead of the gooey cheesy topping I loved, they were just pre-frozen and then deep fried balls of mac and cheese that they'd stack onto the burger. It still had a decent taste but the overall mouthfeel to it was ruined. The mac and cheese was a little dry, I could actually get close to finishing the meal without being so full I'd puke. It just wasn't good Fast forward to about a few months ago, my whole household went again to experience it since we hadn't had it in ages (again, due to COVID and money factors). We got a few orders of wings, my cousin got his chicken finger meal, I got my bacon mac n ' cheeseburger, my nana got a steak, and I can't remember what everyone else got. I think the general consensus was an easy 8/10 on everything. Their steak eggrolls bite things were SO good and definitely something I'd buy two servings of just for myself if i went there with a friend. I love egg rolls from chinese food pleases and the steak instead was warm and cheesy. I never really like how the water tastes but I assume it's from the tap and I always drink from my water bottle which can't be brought in. Everything at the table seemed to enjoy SOMETHING from their meal, but the one thing I noticed from my burger was they took the single dry mac n' cheese bites and turned it into more of a patty. Did I like that it was still within a deep fried crust? No? But was it a LOT cheesier, had more moisture, and actually had a good taste? Yes it did. The batter itself was nice and crispy and I think it kept the burger together in a way, so I might actually just enjoy it a little more more this way. Whether it's the management, the staff, the chefs, whoever is in control of food quality checks, they're doing a LOT better than about 5-8 years ago. I hope to stop by soon for a celebratory drink and eat.

TDLR; Started amazing, management got switched around a lot, food got bad, covid happened, economy sucks, went back, food really wasn't great, went back 3+ years later, menu is much smaller but the food is much better, staff is friendly, and my favorite food item...

Cork N Keg in Raymond, NH for a few bomb beers & a killer burger. Since moving to the area I was told this is one spot worth checking out for the good craft beer selection. They did not disappoint, although not the most deep beer menu I've seen they had a few good options I hadn't had & a great stout to get. The blue cheeseburger I got was so delicious with a big fried mozzarella patty on top of the burger to take it over the top flavor wise. The staff is great with Caroline, Des & Laura all being awesome & super accommodating. I went twice in one week & grabbed another burger, just a bacon cheeseburger, which was good, but that blue cheeseburger won out. 🍻🍻🍔☘

The beers I got were all good, but one definitely stood out. The first pint was ORANGE PEEL INCIDENT Belgian Blonde by Loaded Question Brewing Company which was good & super drinkable. The second pour was the BIG BANG American IPA from Foley Brothers Brewing that was delicious as well. The third beer & probably one of the better stouts I've had recently was AFFOGATO WORLD WIDE STOUT from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, this one f&%ked up my mouth for awhile, it was damn good! All the usual seating options here including hightops, tables, bar & more. It's also connected to a bowling alley if you happen to be in the mood to toss some balls. Highly recommend checking them out, fun little craft beer hidden gem & right off the highway. 🍻🍻🥵💪

BURGERGASM RATING - I TOOK IT IN MY MOUTH DIDN'T I 🍆🍆🍆🍔🍔💦💦💦💤💤🔥🍻🍻

#craftbeer #supportlocal #beerstagram #BeerGoals #untappd #NewHampshire #newengland #newhampshireeats #beer #brewery #brewerylife #bartender #nhbrewed #nhbrewery #food #foodporn...

I wish I could give them a higher rating. Please know though that it is not awful. For having a larger selection of beer, the choices kind of stink. The menu has a variety and truly anyone could find something to eat but yet I still struggle. It you want something greasy and unhealthy though the options are endless. I've never had anything I did not enjoy but have yet to find a meal that had WOWed me. We go here mainly because of convenience and outdoor seating in the summer. But beware if sitting outside. Half their staff smokes cigarettes and park near the outdoor seating, it must be a free condiment. The staff is.. ok... So of the waitress are great and others... Not so much... Not so much at all.... Heard the men's room is pretty cool. The bathroom soap smells delicious (if that counts for anything). It's far from a high class setting but sometimes you just want to be able to sit back and chill - you can definitely do that here. I have never felt rushed or that I have somehow inconvenienced them. Test hostesses are usually young, super sweet and always smiling.

1/11/19 update review. The hostess is awful!! Rude, unaccommodating, and a straight up liar. I'm unsure how you can employ someone like that?! We truly almoy left and would have if it hadn't been for Makayla - Makayla was so pleasant, accommodating, & kind. She truly really was the only reason we stayed. The hostess, who is the first person you meet, needs to go (the blond one). Sad thing is, I'm a regular (weekly) and may not come to sit in lounge area again. Love sitting at...