Loco Taco Now Open

| Posted in Openings

Loco Taco (instagram) opened for business today. The “fusion taqueria” is located at 849 Forest Ave. The menu at Loco Taco includes tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos with a range of fillings/toppings like chicken tikka masala, Greek doner and falafel. Also available are enchiladas, fajita wraps, fajita bowls and a Southwest style salad as well as desserts like chocolate baklava, wedding cookies and churros cheesecake.

The restaurant has a couple tables indoors and a deck off the front side of the building with four picnic tables. Loco Taco will be open daily noon to 9 pm.

Looking Back at April 2010, 2015 and 2020

| Posted in History

The Portland Food Map archive  provides a chronicle of the past 17 years of the Portland restaurant scene. While a lot of the reporting here is about what’s happening now and coming next, we thought it would be interesting to take a look back each month at the news from 5, 10 and 15 years ago.

Here’s some notable news from April 2010, 2015 and 2020:

  • 2010 – Mr. Sandwich & Mrs. Muffin opened for business in Bramhall Square, Kamasouptra opened in the Public Market House, and Cranberry Island Kitchen opened on Danforth Street.
  • Portland Food Map published a chronology/list of food businesses that at the time had been in business 20 years or more. The article has occasionally been updated since then.
  • 2015 – The Honey Paw opened for business on Middle Street, and MK Kitchen opened in Gorham.
  • The May issue (which came out in late April) of Bon Appétit features Tandem Bakery in their article Will Fly for Food which highlights 29 locations worldwide “to get lost and fed”.
  • 2020 – There was a fire at Walker’s Maine in Cape Neddick.
  • A new organization called Cooking for Community got underway. It worked with restaurants to buy local food from farms and fisheries to provide meals to those in need. Initially Cooking for Community worked with Chaval and Little Giant to prepare 450 meals for Catholic Charities of Maine, Wayside Food Programs, Amistad and Preble Street.
  • Ramona’s launched on April 17th.
  • ‪A growing number of restaurants started selling groceries.
  • State regulations were revised to allow restaurants to sell takeout cocktails. 20+ establishments immediately set-up to go cocktail options.
  • Governor Mills set June 1st as the date when restaurants could re-open.

Benny’s to Open May 14th

| Posted in Under Construction

Chef/owner Josh Sobel has announced he’ll be launching his new restaurant Benny’s  (instagram) on Wednesday, May 14th. Benny’s is located at 545 Congress Street and will be open for lunch and dinner. Here are some details on the menu shared in a press release today,

Benny’s dinner menu starting at 4:00pm will feature house-made Soft Pretzel Garlic Knots, a nod to the iconic flavors of Philadelphia, alongside other appetizers like Stuffed Peppers, Ramona’s Meatballs, Seafood Cocktail and Salads. A full classics pasta menu including Rigatoni Alla Vodka, Spaghetti & Meatballs, Linguine & Clams, Fettuccine Bolognese and more will accompany choices of entrée Chicken or Eggplant Parmesans, sandwiches and sides. All entrees are $16 – $25; kids menu items, $10.

For lunch (from 11:00am) which will start later in May, expect offerings like an array of hearty Ramona-style hoagies, a variety of crispy chicken cutlet sandwiches, and a cheesesteaks menu (all $16-$18), or smaller Kaiser roll sandwiches ($10).

Benny’s will be open Wednesday through Sunday, initially just for dinner but soon after adding lunch hours when they’ll be open 11 am – 10 pm.

Upcoming Food & Dining Events

| Posted in Events

All Week – Maine Seaweed Week is taking place.

Monday – Chaval is holding 4-course dinner featuring with Spanish winemaker Raul Perez. Chef Nikhil Naiker from Nimki in Providence will be at Bar Futo for a collaboration dinner. Chef Amadeus Florendo will be holding an edition of his Pulutan Filipino pop-up series at the East Ender.

Saturday – Chef Tara Canaday from Pot + Pan Kitchen will be teaching a cake decorating workshop.

Sunday – Chaval will be holding their annual Star Wars May the Fourth Dinner.

May 8 – Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson will be the guest of honor at the next Nina June author dinner. The multi-course dinner includes oysters from Deer Isle, mussels from Blue Hill and eel from American Unagi.

May 9 – Botanically Curious is hosting the first of a monthly Curious Mocktail series in collaboration with Elevate Mushrooms.

May 10/11 – The Taste of Nations Food Festival is taking place. Vendors will include Amira Cuisine, Battambang Bistro, Cambodia’s Best, Eduardo’s Brazilian Grill One, Flores Restaurant, Gunnar’s Icelandic Hot Dogs, Hellenic Kitchen, La Gallera, Niyat Catering, Yardie Ting, and Young Nonna. Tickets are now available.

May 11 – The 2025 edition of Cider Feast is taking place.

May 15 – Mrs Gee Free Living and Sur Lie are collaborating on a gluten-free dinner.

May 17 – The Maine Wild Wine Fest is taking place in Freeport. Camden Famous is cohosting a Spring Market featuring 20 bakers, restaurants and other food producers.

May 30 – June 1 – The Maine Fungi Fest is taking place.

June 13/14 – The Rockport Donut Festival is taking place.

June 26-28 – The Holy Trinity Greek Festival is taking place.

June 28 – The Wavy Days beer festival is taking place.

June 28/29 – The Maine Oyster Festival is taking place in Freeport.

September 14 – The Maine Cheese Festival is taking place in Pittsfield.

September 19-21 – The Common Ground Country Fair is taking place in Unity.

October 12 – The Maine Open Creamery Day is taking place.

Planning a wedding, holding a business event, or hosting visitors from away? Our printed guides are a great resource to help your guests explore the Maine restaurant scene.
25-packs of the Portland and Midcoast pocket guides are now available on our online store.

Delicious Musings on The Jewel Box

| Posted in People

Delicious Musings has published an article about The Jewel Box and interview with owner Nathaniel Meiklejohn.

Velvety cushions line the front window bench. The aesthetic is a thoughtful blend of history and romance, with hints of punk and modern tech—less curated than conjured. Victorian frames meet party lights. It doesn’t feel like it’s trying. It just is: timeless, a little mysterious, and utterly inviting—and encourages you to be too.

While you’re on author Sharon Kitchen’s substack you might also read about her visit to a bean supper in Sabattus and a conversation with Tandem co-owner Will Pratt about the books he’s been reading.

Portland’s Baking Soul

| Posted in Reviews

The May issue of Food & Wine includes an article about Portland area bakeries.

Portland, a town of just 69,000, is now home to a dozen or so destination-worthy bakeries, many leaning on only-in-New-England local flavors and Maine-grown, house-milled grains. Despite recent national acclaim, Portland’s bakery landscape has held tight to its soul.

The article highlights Zu Bakery, Night Moves, Mari, Belleville, Bread & Friends, Norimoto Bakery and Siblings.

Maine Food & Dining News: Lewiston, Skowhegan, Kingfield, Camden, Phillips, Hallowell, Scarborough, Wells

| Posted in Maine

New food and dining developments are taking place all across Maine. Here are some recent updates to keep you in the know:

  • Bene’s Beef (instagram) is bringing North Shore roast beef sandwiches and tallow French fries to Lewiston. Chef/owner TJ Castiello is from the Boston area. He has leased the former El Pochos location at 990 Lisbon Street and hopes to launch Bene’s sometime in June. El Pochos relocated last year to the space in town formerly occupied by Boba.
  • The Millers Table in Skowhegan will be launching a new 125-seat restaurant called The Biergarten (instagram) at the new Spinning Mill development. Chef Erik Levine will be serving a menu inspired by traditional German dishes like bratwurst and schnitzel prepared with locally sourced ingredients. The bar program will offer craft beers, cocktails and mocktails. A specific date hasn’t been set yet but they’re hoping to launch The Biergarten in late May.
  • The new Kingfield coffee shop we wrote about back in January, Marmee Dearest Espresso (instagram) is set to open on May 7th. the 20-seat cafe will serve brewed coffee and espresso-based drinks as well as locally made baked goods. Rhodes plans to feature coffee from roasteries in New England and Canada and from woman-owned roasteries. Her house coffee is roasted by Tern Coffee Roasters which is launching its own retail coffee shop in Brunswick. Marmee Dearest will be open Wednesday through Saturday, 8:30 am – 2 pm, and is located at 256 Main Street.
  • Bold Journey has published an interview with Joanna Spinks, the owner of First Fig in Camden.
  • The Rangeley Highlander has published an article about Clifford’s Donut Stop (facebook, instagram) in Phillips. The self serve donut kiosk (left photo above from last October) was launched last June by Tiffany and Chris Otteng and Rosemarie Jenau. It’s located at 2427 Rangeley Rd, and open Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 am.
  • The Kennebec Journal has a report on a new bagel cafe/pizzeria called Lately’s that’s under construction on Water Street in Hallowell (right photo). Owner Ryan Ellis hopes to launch Lately’s next month with plans to initially be open Thursday through Sunday, 8 am – 10 pm.
  • The Maine Scoop Company plans to hold the grand opening of their Pine Point ice cream shop on May 15th. The Maine Scoop is taking the place of Bayley’s Ice Cream on Pine Point Road.
  • The Portsmouth Herald has published an article about the new generation that’s taken over management of Congdon’s Donuts in Wells.

For a statewide guide to eating and drinking see the Maine Food Map—a growing list of coffee shops, bars, restaurants, bakeries, cafes, plus other food and dining businesses in all of Maine’s 16 counties.

Zero Bar & Grille on Riverside

| Posted in Under Construction

Olivia True has leased the 155 Riverside Street property formerly occupied by Volcano where she plans to open Zero Bar & Grille (website, facebook). True had previously worked at 155 Riverside for 4 years when it was known as Seasons Bar & Grille.

The menu is still under development but if the draft one supplied with the liquor license application is a guide the restaurant will serve an approachable menu of pub food. Zero will have a full liquor license serving beer, wine and spirits, and will be hosting bands and DJs, karaoke nights, comedians, dances and other events. Pool tables and darts will be available.

The business is named in honor of True’s dog. The adjacent Ramada Inn is a pet friendly hotel and Zero will offer a “doggie bag” of  fresh grilled chicken, green beans, carrots and rice with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the local shelter of the month. True also anticipates hold pet friendly events in Zero’s event room.

Watch for Zero to launch sometime by the end of June.

Mandy & Matt’s Cafe Has Opened

| Posted in Openings

Mandy & Matt’s Cafe (facebook, instagram) opened for business on Monday. The cafe is located at 1160 Forest Ave in the building formerly occupied by Samuel’s. Mandy & Matt’s is open daily 6 am – 2 pm with lunch served 11 am – 2 pm.

Owners Amanda and Matt Lebel have made some renovations to dining room and its decorations. The overall layout with a bar on the right and table seating in the rest of the room remains the same. The menu includes a wide range of classic breakfast and lunch fare like pancakes, eggs, oatmeal, with cold and hot sandwiches for lunch. You can see all three pages of the menu on the Mandy & Matt’s Facebook page: page 1, page 2, and page 3. Shown here are blueberry pancakes with grilled ham and home fries, and a pastrami reuben on marble rye with fries.

Samuel’s owner Sam Minervino recently closed Samuel’s and is in the process of launching the North Deering Tavern at 1349 Washington Ave in the former Parker’s building in Allen’s Corner.

Upcoming Food & Dining Events

| Posted in Events

Friday – May 4 – Maine Seaweed Week is taking place. The program includes a one day seaweed festival at GMRI on the 26th.

Saturday – SeaFest will be taking place in Westbrook. The 2nd Annual Chowderfest is taking place.

Sunday – Salty Water Pasta will be holding a pop-up at Coveside Coffee, and Seconds Bakery will be holding a pop-up at Lay Day Roasters.

April 28 – Chaval is holding 4-course dinner featuring with Spanish winemaker Raul Perez. Chef Nikhil Naiker from Nimki in Providence will be at Bar Futo for a collaboration dinner. Chef Amadeus Florendo will be holding an edition of his Pulutan Filipino pop-up series at the East Ender.

May 3 – Chef Tara Canaday from Pot + Pan Kitchen will be teaching a cake decorating workshop.

May 4 – Chaval will be holding their annual Star Wars May the Fourth Dinner.

May 9 – Botanically Curious is hosting the first of a monthly Curious Mocktail series in collaboration with Elevate Mushrooms.

May 10/11 – The Taste of Nations Food Festival is taking place. Vendors will include Amira Cuisine, Battambang Bistro, Cambodia’s Best, Eduardo’s Brazilian Grill One, Flores Restaurant, Gunnar’s Icelandic Hot Dogs, Hellenic Kitchen, La Gallera, Niyat Catering, Yardie Ting, and Young Nonna. Tickets are now available.

May 11 – The 2025 edition of Cider Feast is taking place.

May 17 – The Maine Wild Wine Fest is taking place in Freeport. Camden Famous is cohosting a Spring Market featuring 20 bakers, restaurants and other food producers.

May 30 – June 1 – The Maine Fungi Fest is taking place.

June 13/14 – The Rockport Donut Festival is taking place.

June 26-28 – The Holy Trinity Greek Festival is taking place.

June 28 – The Wavy Days beer festival is taking place.

June 28/29 – The Maine Oyster Festival is taking place in Freeport.

September 14 – The Maine Cheese Festival is taking place in Pittsfield.

September 19-21 – The Common Ground Country Fair is taking place in Unity.

October 12 – The Maine Open Creamery Day is taking place.

Planning a wedding, holding a business event, or hosting visitors from away? Our printed guides are a great resource to help your guests explore the Maine restaurant scene.
25-packs of the Portland and Midcoast pocket guides are now available on our online store.