Portland Trip Nov 2-4

This for me too.

 

Me too. ALWAYS the first stop on Industrial way. It is a must stop. I also usually hit Geary's when on Industrial way. Not spectacular, but the are the Original East Coast Microbrewery, I like to pay respect to the Old school....

Also if you like Seafood, DO NOT SKIP Eventide Oyster Company. You may have to wait but it is well worth it. You can put your name in and they will text when your table is ready (or seat at the bar). I usually put my name in and walk around the corner to Sebago and grab a beer while i wait..

 

They were an absolute clusterf--- when I was there. Line out the door, people skipping in line, nobody at the hostess stand for 5+ minutes, nobody getting put on a waiting list, nothing. Could not have been more shoddily run.

And maybe that's anomalous, but it ensured that I not even bother trying again the next few nights.

 

Sounds like a bad experience, understandable you wouldn't go back. Can't blame you. My experience has been much different. Always have to wait but never more then 1/2 hour and everything has been excellent. I go every time I go to Portland. Maybe I just get lucky.....I am sure these posts will keep the OP away though..haha..oh well.

 

Yeah I mean, I guess 'forget Eventide' was a bit strong, and it was only one experience on one night, I should have just said, "you can get dope seafood in a ton of places in walking distance, don't stress if you can't get in there."

 

I'm heading to Portland Friday night on my way up to Acadia for the weekend. I was planning on hitting up Central Provisions since I've never been and heard the food was awesome. For anyone that is familiar, is this a possibility or will there be a crazy wait?

 

Give your cell phone number to the host and they'll text you when your table is ready. Head to Mash Tun or Hunt and Alpine Club for a drink while you wait. I've been to Central Provisions twice and thought it was very good. They do everything well: food, beer, cocktails, sake, service.

 

Sit downstairs at the bar at Central Provisions - much faster when busy.

 

Much appreciated. Cheers!

 

I'm with you. Eventide is tasty food, but super overpriced tourist-hyped fare IMO. A 3-bite crab roll is like 18 bucks--no thanks. Go to The Shop for oysters, Highroller for lobster rolls. Some of my favorite seafood comes from food trucks--the sushi at Mr. Tuna and lobster rolls from Bite Into Maine are great. And I've never had bad seafood at any decent place in town.

 

Yeah the Bite Into Maine lobster roll is exceptional.

 

Agree with pretty much everything else said. For Bissell their website will list what is being released on Friday and Saturday. I'd go at 11 for just cans on either of those days to make sure you get something. Follow Bissell on Instagram and you will know what's left over at the end of the day. If you have a free hour schedule a tour at Allagash. Its free and you get 4 tasters during the tour. They don't brew on Saturday and Sunday so it will be quieter during the tour (I forget whether they brew on Friday). We really enjoyed the tour. You do need to schedule it ahead of time if you want to be sure to get in, it might not be as busy given the season but I wouldn't take a chance. The two must sees in my opinion are Industrial way and Oxbow.

Just looked at Bissell's schedule. Forget cans on Friday, its Substance. They'll have that on Saturday as well. Go early on Saturday its the first Swish release of the season. You'll get both Substance and Swish (maybe some extra leftovers from the week if you are lucky). Who knows how crazy it will be but I'd get there by 10:30 at least, maybe a bit earlier. I'd guess they will sell out on Saturday since its the first Swish of the season and Swish is one of their top sellers. You can't get any tasters until after 12 or unless the line dies down early. There are 3 Holy Donut locations. One downtown, one a little outside and one in Scarborough. I'd go to the one a little outside of downtown and then bring the donuts and coffee and wait at Bissell if I were you to save some time. Either that or get the donuts on the way in Friday in Scarborough for Saturday morning and sleep in a bit.

So I'd say hit Bissell on the way in Friday night before you check in. Taste some of their beers and maybe even grab some cans if they are there still. Then check into the hotel and hit more breweries and dinner. Plan on getting Swish cans Saturday morning at Bissell and then head over to Industrial Way. Schedule an Allagash tour maybe after noon. There will be food trucks at several breweries there so you can eat lunch. Then you can head back into downtown Portland for dinner and more breweries. Do some sightseeing on Sunday and maybe more breweries.

[EDIT: Just realized you are going on Nov 2-4. Swish is released this Saturday. They don't have the can releases up for that weekend yet. Depending on the release you might still want to do the Friday early visit to Bissell for tasters and Saturday morning cans.

 

Great advice from everyone. The only thing I'll add is don't rush to get to every brewery. There are too many, especially on a short stay. Pick 3-4 definites and a couple of maybes. You may find a brewery you really like and decide to stay for several hours and have to sacrifice another. No big deal in the scheme of things.

Oh, and try Terlingua if you like BBQ. Right across from Oxbow.

 

I’ve long accepted I have different drinking tastes than the masses. My only two spots necessary are Allagash and Oxbow. If I want a hoppy beer, I’ll find Patina or Substance or whatever on tap.

Good beer is literally on tap everywhere, is my point. Don’t feel the need to go to a dozen places.

 

This is 100% true with only a few days in Portland. You can’t possibly do it all and have the time to enjoy it all. Pick your places and give yourself time to enjoy.

 

Not that it'll be difficult but -- enjoy!!

 

Decompress Monday.

 

Solid game plan, although I'd say you're cheating yourself a bit by being in one of the better food cities in the country and having one of your meals at Novare Res. If you're going to be in the Oxbow area Friday night, I'd grab some Duckfat fries from the counter there as a snack and then Vietnamese food a few doors down at Cong Tu Bot.

 

I mean, that grilled cheese is really just an app, it's not gonna stop anyone from eating a meal anywhere else. But I'd still say it's a can't-miss thing to eat in Portland.