Hart’s Turkey Farm

Offering holiday tradition year-round

Hart’s Turkey Farm, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, is an integral part of the community of Meredith. This family-run restaurant has been a major draw for Meredith, and no visit to the lovely lake town is complete without a visit to this iconic symbol of hospitality.

In the late ’40s, brothers Russ and Larry Hart, along with their wives, moved to New Hampshire from New Jersey and began raising turkeys, chickens, vegetables and fruits that they sold from a truck. They soon opened a 12-seat eatery, which gradually expanded into the nearly 500-seat restaurant of today, located just below the junction of Rtes. 104 and 3.

The Hart philosophy —“If you want it done right, do it yourself” — is evident in the quality of their classic turkey dinner, popular not only at Thanksgiving, but year-round. Most everything is made on the premises — the carrot relish, salad dressings, whipped potatoes, soups and rich chowders (made from homemade stock) and, of course, tender roasted turkey and the premium ice cream. At holiday time, hundreds of meals are ordered for take-out, so best to phone ahead. Hart’s also affords us an easy option to satisfy our craving year-round. The traditional dinner is something we all love, but are seldom up to creating more than once a year. Turkey plates are available in three sizes, up to the jumbo with more than a pound of turkey ($22.95). A variety of turkey versions of traditional sandwiches are also offered, everything from a turkey meatball sub to a turkey Reuben to the traditional Gobbler, embedded with cranberry, stuffing and mayo.

Turkey apps include turkey nuggets, turkey croquettes and turkey pot stickers. The turkey tempura is served with duck sauce, hot mustard and cranberry sauce. The cranberry also accompanies the sautéed turkey livers smothered with onions and mushrooms for a twist on an old classic.

The Tavern offers a full-service bar, and Thursday Trivia Night is a local institution. The gift shop is a popular stop, and you don’t want to miss Grandma Mae Hart’s collection of turkey platters decorating the walls. The bakery offers all the traditional desserts and special orders with advance notice.

Over the years, the Hart family has been very generous to the community as well as providing employment for so many people in the area.  Every Thanksgiving, they offer the Mae Hart Thanksgiving Dinner at the Meredith Community Center for all those who are alone on the holiday or unable to manage the preparation of the annual feast. Hart’s Turkey Farm is a local institution and not to be missed. As the locals say, “See you at Hart’s.”