The Wait... Portland Maine Food scene part 1
Maine is a magical place and Portland Maine is the perfect place to spend you summer nights drinking cold beer and eatting seafood as long as your patient AF! When describing the food scene this was the first city I’ve ever been to where there are few places to make a reservation. The wait on the weekends no matter the time of the day averages 1-2 hours sometimes worse. Even as an early bird diner, thinking I’ll eat at 3:30 and then grab a snack later, I was still stuck with an hour wait. This was a true test of my patience and I thought I had made such strides as a human being in that area of my life, but failed this test miserably.
Once hanger sets in it’s a battle royal between my snappy attitude and my grumbling stomach. Now don’t get me wrong the food scene is on point but there was a moment of complete defeat. As an avid reader of yelp I had to make a hard decision in this town. Wait for hours to go to top rated restaurants or go to lesser known spots and not go into a hanger spiral that could result into a full fledged breakdown. I may seem dramatic, but I take my food seriously and with all the drinking this town has to offer my need for food came on fast!
Now I don’t want to paint a bad picture for you, cause the food here is great and I suggest anyone to explore this amazing citiy! Just warning anyone whose thinking of traveling to this relaxing east coast destination what they are in for and trust me this could help how you plan your trip! I'm going to start my Portland series with quick eats and breakfast spots!
Becky’s
Opening at 4 am and closes around dinner time this is the spot to hit up for breakfast! I like to think it’s where all the fishermen go before they go out to sea. Off of Commercial street near the edge of downtown this is a first come first serve hot spot. The average wait for breakfast on the weekdays was 15-30 minutes for two. If you have a big group I pray for you! Their breakfast menu is traditional and a perfect way to start ones day. I kept it simple with an omelet one day and a basic breakfast the other ( yes we went there twice), but you could totally opt for a lobster omelet if you were ever inclined! A must order are the blueberry pancakes, they were filled with Maine blueberries and were to die for! This coming from someone who doesn’t typically eat sweets for breakfast. Also if you go with the pancake you must get the Maine syrup, it’s an extra charge but totally worth it!
The Holy Donut
Located in downtown Portland off Park Avenue the long line of people is the give away. These potato donuts are delicious, but if possible get there early so you can get them warm the way they are intended to be consumed! If you have never had a potato donut their texture and density are a bit different than a normal yeast donut. The flavor combination are fun, but not so extreme you feel like your in a hipster donut hell. We got a half a dozen and may personal favorites were the blueberry and crumb cake.
Dutch’s
This place is a must for breakfast or lunch since they are only open till 3:00pm. The only place we went to where you order at the counter and seat yourself. Their menu has a fun take on traditional breakfast sandwiches and fair, but also has classics that anyone your traveling with would love! Not to mention they serve cocktails which is always a plus! Again a spot we dined at twice, the first time we split a spicy chicken biscuit and splitting it was a good idea cause there was no way I could have finished it on my own! Round two we ordered the biscuits and gravy plate and the Not-so-traditional breakfast sandwich that consisted of Egg whites, avocado, Chimichurri, and cheddar on your choice of English muffin bagel ect. Again a quality meal without the hour long wait! Located off Preble St in the West Bay Area, it's a bit of a walk from downtown harbor area but a perfect way to work off the calories!
Ten Ten pies
I was able to try Ten Ten Pies on our beer tour and it hit the spot! That may have been because I was a beer and wine flight deep but who knows. Never the less their potato, spinach and feta pie was to die for and I can’t imagine what some of their other options were like! Located outside of the downtown area, this is a perfect treat to grab before a day at the beach, boat trip and clearly before drinking copious amounts of alcohol.
Bam Bam Bakery
If your vegan or gluten sensitive or you just like eating damn good breads and pastries then this is your coffee spot! I don’t judge a desert by its label and thank god cause their breads are amazing! I went with the whoppie pie and it was a game changer. I didn’t know it was gluten free until after the fact! Again Off commercial street close to Becky’s this is a great spot for an afternoon jolt or a quick grab and go breakfast, a major upgrade from Starbucks!
Other Coffee Spots
Higher Grounds - downtown trendy and comfortable, also cute location!
Coffee By Design- small chain I had never been to before a few around town
Bard Coffee- Strong and small coffee but comfortable and downtown
Once hanger sets in it’s a battle royal between my snappy attitude and my grumbling stomach. Now don’t get me wrong the food scene is on point but there was a moment of complete defeat. As an avid reader of yelp I had to make a hard decision in this town. Wait for hours to go to top rated restaurants or go to lesser known spots and not go into a hanger spiral that could result into a full fledged breakdown. I may seem dramatic, but I take my food seriously and with all the drinking this town has to offer my need for food came on fast!
Now I don’t want to paint a bad picture for you, cause the food here is great and I suggest anyone to explore this amazing citiy! Just warning anyone whose thinking of traveling to this relaxing east coast destination what they are in for and trust me this could help how you plan your trip! I'm going to start my Portland series with quick eats and breakfast spots!
Becky’s
Opening at 4 am and closes around dinner time this is the spot to hit up for breakfast! I like to think it’s where all the fishermen go before they go out to sea. Off of Commercial street near the edge of downtown this is a first come first serve hot spot. The average wait for breakfast on the weekdays was 15-30 minutes for two. If you have a big group I pray for you! Their breakfast menu is traditional and a perfect way to start ones day. I kept it simple with an omelet one day and a basic breakfast the other ( yes we went there twice), but you could totally opt for a lobster omelet if you were ever inclined! A must order are the blueberry pancakes, they were filled with Maine blueberries and were to die for! This coming from someone who doesn’t typically eat sweets for breakfast. Also if you go with the pancake you must get the Maine syrup, it’s an extra charge but totally worth it!
The Holy Donut
Located in downtown Portland off Park Avenue the long line of people is the give away. These potato donuts are delicious, but if possible get there early so you can get them warm the way they are intended to be consumed! If you have never had a potato donut their texture and density are a bit different than a normal yeast donut. The flavor combination are fun, but not so extreme you feel like your in a hipster donut hell. We got a half a dozen and may personal favorites were the blueberry and crumb cake.
Dutch’s
This place is a must for breakfast or lunch since they are only open till 3:00pm. The only place we went to where you order at the counter and seat yourself. Their menu has a fun take on traditional breakfast sandwiches and fair, but also has classics that anyone your traveling with would love! Not to mention they serve cocktails which is always a plus! Again a spot we dined at twice, the first time we split a spicy chicken biscuit and splitting it was a good idea cause there was no way I could have finished it on my own! Round two we ordered the biscuits and gravy plate and the Not-so-traditional breakfast sandwich that consisted of Egg whites, avocado, Chimichurri, and cheddar on your choice of English muffin bagel ect. Again a quality meal without the hour long wait! Located off Preble St in the West Bay Area, it's a bit of a walk from downtown harbor area but a perfect way to work off the calories!
Ten Ten pies
I was able to try Ten Ten Pies on our beer tour and it hit the spot! That may have been because I was a beer and wine flight deep but who knows. Never the less their potato, spinach and feta pie was to die for and I can’t imagine what some of their other options were like! Located outside of the downtown area, this is a perfect treat to grab before a day at the beach, boat trip and clearly before drinking copious amounts of alcohol.
Bam Bam Bakery
If your vegan or gluten sensitive or you just like eating damn good breads and pastries then this is your coffee spot! I don’t judge a desert by its label and thank god cause their breads are amazing! I went with the whoppie pie and it was a game changer. I didn’t know it was gluten free until after the fact! Again Off commercial street close to Becky’s this is a great spot for an afternoon jolt or a quick grab and go breakfast, a major upgrade from Starbucks!
Other Coffee Spots
Higher Grounds - downtown trendy and comfortable, also cute location!
Coffee By Design- small chain I had never been to before a few around town
Bard Coffee- Strong and small coffee but comfortable and downtown
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