I stumbled upon this cafe, in my own home town of Merrimack one morning. Being a coffee connoisseur, I was still in search of a place that was authentic with great coffee. I fell in love HotRize Bagel Shop and Cafe right away.
Let's face it, going out for a cup of Joe has unfortunately become as sterile and cookie cutter as going to a fast food joint. The taste of coffee and food served at your usual cafe caters to food for the masses. Your typical coffee shop has nothing short of plastic or duplicatable tables, booths and counters. The art work and decor leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination and the service is commonplace at best.
Let me say that Hot Rize is different. It is in a small one story building, of classic New England exterior with a farmer's porch and great parking. There are so many spaces that allow you to pull right up to the front of the builidng, for someone who needs a coffee fix this is the perfect scenario. The beautiful painted sign, with dancing bears, was a bit worn and tethered. Not long ago the sign for Hot Rize Bagels came down and is still has yet to be replaced. Maybe they don't really need one, because on a daily basis, I see a massive amount of customers pour in. Seems the best kept secret is out.
Authentic decor made of wood floors, furniture and countertops, a few cigar chairs looking out the window in a quiet corner, interesting art work and a library of books, paints the setting for this quaint and serene corner in Merrimack. Service with a smile, colorful personalities, and the lost art of remembering your name are a few of the character traits you will find.
You will not find apathy or snobbery here, I think the service staff is far too busy giving great customer service, making fresh bagels and lunches and serving coffee that is some of the best on earth.
"The coffee we serve at Hot Rize isn't listed on the NASDAQ - it comes from the region's premiere family owned micro-roasters - prepared by hand in small batches, the beans are delivered to Hot Rize just hours after the roasting process."
Once you have tasted the coffee and you will know this to be true. Once heard a Gen Y'er tell his girlfriend that the coffee was like "crack." Well there you have it.
They remain an independent establishment and I hope they will never resemble the likes of the corporates, the franchises or the chains. I much prefer to be in a place that feels original, has heart and was built on a dream. Isn't that the type of place we all want to be? This is what so much of New Hampshire used to look like, and is fading away fast.
HotRize Bagel Cafe is at 634 Daniel Webster Hwy, Merrimack, NH, 603-424-3367. They can be found at www.Hotrizecafe.com. We have been in business since 1993. HotRize hours of operation are 6am to 2:30pm M-F and 7am to 3pm Saturday and Sunday.
This review is an independent review and is not a paid endorsement of any kind. As a local blogger, I enjoy getting the word out about great NH places to visit, shop, dine or attend. I am a local Realtor, Lisa Waller-Gage with RE/MAX Properties in Nashua, NH. I have sold hundreds of homes in Southern New Hampshire. I love New Hampshire. If you wish to buy or sell a home in the Greater Nashua area, I love to help people. Email me at [email protected] or call me at 603-589-8800 x 2312. Or you can visit my website at www.LiveinNH.com. I promise to provide you with excellent service from today until the day you close on your new New Hampshire home. Stay posted and subscribe to my blog www.GreatFindsNH.com for more journal and video blogs about great finds in New Hampshire.