The Muddy River Smokehouse is leaving its restaurant location in Eliot, Maine, after eight years, to become the Roundabout Diner and Lounge in the former Bickfords building off the Portsmouth traffic circle. 

The catering side of the business is expanding and the current location presented challenges, according to a press release. “We have decided to move as a unique opportunity has come along,” the release reads.

The Roundabout Diner and Lounge will be a 1950s style retro diner featuring American classics, Muddy River barbeque and some healthy, organic and natural menu items. The plan is to open at 5:30 a.m. seven days a week and serve until 10 p.m. Breakfast will be available all day. The restaurant will have 200 seats and a lounge area. It is expected to open this spring.

The catering business will continue to offer Muddy River barbeque and lobster bakes, but also have a 90-seat function room at the diner and a 150-seat room as part of the Best Western Hotel.

“It’s a great convenient location when just looking to do a pickup instead of a fully catered affair,” the press release says.

The Eliot restaurant’s full menu will be available until the end of January, then serve brick oven pizza only through February.

The Muddy River on Congress Street in downtown Portsmouth is owned separately and not affiliated with the new venture.