Fact: nobody heads north for authentic barbecue. Nevertheless, Mainers are known for their resourcefulness, and the south doesn't have a monopoly on smoked meats. If you find yourself surrounded by Yankees but craving pulled pork, brisket, and ribs, here are twelve spots that will help.
Order food up front, get a beer from the excellent and extensive draft list, and seat yourself at one of the large picnic tables. This is the perfect Portland restaurant for large groups, with a communal feel and large trays of expertly smoked meat. The sides and pies are worth saving room for — just don't bring any vegetarians, as they're likely to go hungry here.
Don't miss the brisket, which tends to sell out first at this South Portland destination. Better yet, order the Tornado Sandwich, which has three types of meat including the brisket, with coleslaw and pickled onions, all served on a pretzel roll.
A local chain with locations in Freeport and Windham, Buck's has an extensive menu to satisfy fans of many southern styles. Not in the mood for catfish? Stick to the tender ribs.
An Alabama-style, Colorado-based chain, Moe's now has restaurants in Bangor and South Portland. But friendly local franchisee Dewey Hasbrouck insists Moe's makes its food from scratch daily, and the pulled pork in particular gets rave reviews from fans.
Try the pulled pork, which the restaurant calls "the only thing you really need to live a happy life." Have it with jalapeño cornbread, which the Boston Globeonce called "the perfect companion to, well, everything."
A roadside trailer — no frills, just good, slow-cooked food. For something a little different, try the Pork Sundae: "a slab of cornbread, piled with NC Pulled Pork and topped with BBQ sauce, beans, cole slaw, pickles & smoked cashews," the menu explains.
It's hard to go wrong at Riverfront, one of the top options in Maine's capital city. Try the pulled pork, chicken, or brisket atop grilled cornbread, or go for Memphis rub ribs. Pickled onion rings complement any of the smoked meats.
Truly a special place off the beaten path, Spring Creek got some well-deserved recognition on the Maine episode of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations. Fans can't say enough good about the Texas-style smoky and spicy meats available here, especially at unusually low prices. Just don't forget to call ahead to check on availability and hours.
One of three locations (the others are in Bar Harbor, including one connected to Atlantic Brewing Company), this spot offers simple, succulent meats that can be doctored up with housemade sauces. Better still, the sides stand up to the mains, the veggie burger is more than an afterthought, and there's live music most days of the week on a dedicated stage.
This “boutique barbecue” restaurant brings smoked meats to an up-and-coming section of Portland’s East End. The daily specials include smoked ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and chicken and sell out early. If it's gone, don't despair as there’s plenty of smoked meats on the regular menu, from the brisket chili to the beef tongue and cheek tacos.
The smell of smoked meat lures people to Gingeralla's BarBQ in Castine. Pitmaster Eric Gingerella prepares ribs, chicken, pulled pork, brisket, and even sweet potatoes in his smoker and serves them with generous portions of comfort food sides.
Barbecue fans love the meat served at this biker bar with a vigorous live music scene. Fans of regional barbecue styles will love the variety of sauce on hand from Carolina style to Kansas City’s sweet sauce. Don’t miss the highly desired but limited quantities of burnt ends.
Order food up front, get a beer from the excellent and extensive draft list, and seat yourself at one of the large picnic tables. This is the perfect Portland restaurant for large groups, with a communal feel and large trays of expertly smoked meat. The sides and pies are worth saving room for — just don't bring any vegetarians, as they're likely to go hungry here.
Don't miss the brisket, which tends to sell out first at this South Portland destination. Better yet, order the Tornado Sandwich, which has three types of meat including the brisket, with coleslaw and pickled onions, all served on a pretzel roll.
A local chain with locations in Freeport and Windham, Buck's has an extensive menu to satisfy fans of many southern styles. Not in the mood for catfish? Stick to the tender ribs.
An Alabama-style, Colorado-based chain, Moe's now has restaurants in Bangor and South Portland. But friendly local franchisee Dewey Hasbrouck insists Moe's makes its food from scratch daily, and the pulled pork in particular gets rave reviews from fans.
Try the pulled pork, which the restaurant calls "the only thing you really need to live a happy life." Have it with jalapeño cornbread, which the Boston Globeonce called "the perfect companion to, well, everything."
A roadside trailer — no frills, just good, slow-cooked food. For something a little different, try the Pork Sundae: "a slab of cornbread, piled with NC Pulled Pork and topped with BBQ sauce, beans, cole slaw, pickles & smoked cashews," the menu explains.
It's hard to go wrong at Riverfront, one of the top options in Maine's capital city. Try the pulled pork, chicken, or brisket atop grilled cornbread, or go for Memphis rub ribs. Pickled onion rings complement any of the smoked meats.
Truly a special place off the beaten path, Spring Creek got some well-deserved recognition on the Maine episode of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations. Fans can't say enough good about the Texas-style smoky and spicy meats available here, especially at unusually low prices. Just don't forget to call ahead to check on availability and hours.
One of three locations (the others are in Bar Harbor, including one connected to Atlantic Brewing Company), this spot offers simple, succulent meats that can be doctored up with housemade sauces. Better still, the sides stand up to the mains, the veggie burger is more than an afterthought, and there's live music most days of the week on a dedicated stage.
This “boutique barbecue” restaurant brings smoked meats to an up-and-coming section of Portland’s East End. The daily specials include smoked ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and chicken and sell out early. If it's gone, don't despair as there’s plenty of smoked meats on the regular menu, from the brisket chili to the beef tongue and cheek tacos.
The smell of smoked meat lures people to Gingeralla's BarBQ in Castine. Pitmaster Eric Gingerella prepares ribs, chicken, pulled pork, brisket, and even sweet potatoes in his smoker and serves them with generous portions of comfort food sides.
Barbecue fans love the meat served at this biker bar with a vigorous live music scene. Fans of regional barbecue styles will love the variety of sauce on hand from Carolina style to Kansas City’s sweet sauce. Don’t miss the highly desired but limited quantities of burnt ends.
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