BEYOND THE PLATE WITH CAROL
If you’ve spent any time in downtown Manchester, chances are you’ve heard of The Crown Tavern.
And if you’ve been?
You already know—it’s one of those places people don’t just try once.
They come back.
That’s exactly what stood out to me sitting down with Zack Graham on Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast.
Because what he and his team have created isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an experience that makes people want to return again and again.
“If you don’t feel welcome, none of the rest of it hits the same way.”
It starts with the feeling
When you walk into The Crown Tavern, there’s an immediate feeling you get.
You’re welcomed.
You’re noticed.
You’re comfortable.
And sitting down with Zack Graham on Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast, it became very clear—that feeling is not accidental.
It’s intentional.
Because great hospitality always is.
Finding the right path
Zack didn’t grow up thinking he would end up managing a restaurant.
Like a lot of people, his path wasn’t straight.
He started young, working in different roles, moving from bussing tables to serving to bartending—all while pursuing something completely different in school.
But during COVID, like so many people, he had a moment to step back and ask:
What do I actually want?
And the answer was hospitality.
More than just a restaurant
What I love about The Crown is that it’s more than just a place to eat.
It’s a place to gather.
To stay a while.
To enjoy the experience—not just the meal.
And that starts with the space itself.
Warm.
Inviting.
A little vintage, but still polished.
Details that make it feel thoughtful, without ever feeling overdone.
And then you step outside—and it becomes something else entirely.
A space people want to stay in
The outdoor dining area at The Crown is something special.
Right in the middle of downtown, but it feels tucked away.
Relaxed.
Comfortable.
A place where you can sit, have a drink, share food, and just enjoy being there.
And on Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast, you could hear how important that is to Zack.
Because it’s not just about turning tables.
It’s about creating a space people want to be in.
Food that keeps people coming back
Of course, the food matters too.
And The Crown does that part really well.
The menu has something for everyone—but still feels elevated.
Burgers.
Pizza.
Salads.
Sandwiches.
Full dinners.
And everything has that extra level of care that makes it stand out.
I had to mention the pep and honey pizza—because I love it, especially with ricotta.
It’s one of those dishes you think about after you leave.
And honestly, that’s what you want.
Food people remember.
Leadership that builds culture
One of the things that really stood out to me was how Zack leads his team.
Because running a restaurant isn’t just about operations.
It’s about people.
He talked about communication.
About pre-shift meetings.
About creating an environment where people feel comfortable learning, making mistakes, and growing.
And that matters.
Because when a team feels supported, it shows.
Guests feel it.
Every single time.
It all comes back to people
There’s a reason places like The Crown work.
It’s not just the food.
It’s not just the space.
It’s the people behind it.
The consistency.
The care.
The attention to detail.
And that’s what keeps people coming back.
A growing story
It was exciting to hear that there’s more ahead too.
New ideas.
A food truck in the works.
More ways to bring what people love about The Crown to even more places.
And if everything else is any indication, it’s going to be done the right way.
Final thoughts
This episode of Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast really reinforced something I’ve believed for a long time.
People don’t just come back for food.
They come back for how a place makes them feel.
And when you get that part right?
Everything else follows.
🎧 Listen to Episode 14 of Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast
Watch and listen to my full conversation with Zack Graham and hear what it really takes to create a restaurant people return to again and again.
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ABOUT CAROL ERICKSON
Carol Erickson has owned Red Arrow Diner since 1987 -- four locations across New Hampshire, open 24/7. She started Beyond the Plate to tell the real stories behind the people who make New England's food and hospitality scene what it is. Not just what's on the menu. What's behind it.
Red Arrow Diner: redarrowdiner.com | @redarrow24diner