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First announced in August, Dutch's opens its doors on Preble Street today, in the enormous former location of Down Home Cookin'. Owners Lucy and Ian Dutch are not trying to be "a traditional sit down or sub shop," according to a recent preview in the Bangor Daily News; they will make breakfast and lunch from scratch and try to offer a great value.
This echoes sentiments expressed by Malcolm Bedell in his recent interview about why he thinks Rockland needs a sandwich food truck: He learned "pretty quickly how few options there are for lunch, once you rule out full-service, sit-down restaurants," and also wants to make delicious things at an "affordable" price. (With 10 days left and $10,000 remaining to his Kickstarter goal, it remains to be seen whether Rockland is on board with the notion.)
Portland Food Map shared Dutch's sandwich menu as well as photos from a Knack Factory shoot last week, and recommends the brioche cinnamon bun.
With Arcadia and Slab as neighbors, Dutch's is in good (and heavily foot-trafficked) company. And it never hurts to have another solid take-out breakfast or lunch option in the neighborhood, especially one making a crispy chicken sandwich and its own bread in-house.
28 Preble Street, Portland, (207) 761-2900, website. Open Tuesday - Saturday 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. to start.