Heading up to the Old Orchard Beach area for a week, and I was curious if there's any good beer bars, nice bottle shops, etc. in the area. We'll do a day or two in Portland, so the bars there, breweries and Bier Cellar -- as mentioned in other threads -- are on my list. But I haven't heard too much about Old Orchard, and the search only turned up a thread from 2012. It looked like Jimmy the Greek's was the place to go back then and Run of the Mill brewpub in Saco. Is that still the best advice or is there something new that I'm missing?? Thanks in advance.
Stop in York, Off the exit take a left at the lights and go to Anthonys up the road half a mile on the right. Great food and a pretty good bottle selection by the owner. Will have all the MBC offerings if you're into that.
I'll be going to OOB in a few weeks as well. Timely thread that interests me. Any info is appreciated.
OOB proper is somewhat limited, but you're right next door to Saco and Biddeford. In Saco, you've got Run of the Mill, which is just OK. In Biddeford, you've got Banded Horn, which has a cool tasting room and some great brews (Brewer/Owner used to be a head brewer at Sixpoint I think) and right up the street you have Elements - a low key coffee & beer place with the best tap & bottle list in town. While you're in Biddeford, check out the Palace Diner - fantastic food in an old rail car diner - yes, the cheeseburger is ~$15, and yes, it's totally worth it (plus they usually have Rising Tide and Lagunitas bottles). For a bottle shop, check out Madden's in Saco - not quite as good as Bier Cellar, but they get a lot of the same stuff, and stuff that sells out in hours in Portland might last a day or 3 in Saco.
Oak Hill Beverage in Scarborough (neighboring town to OOB) is your best bet for local bottle shops. Solid selection, and they are not as picked over as the Portland shops so you can occasionally find a few gems there. Just minutes down the road is Lois Natural Foods. Smaller, but very very well curated selection. Madden Beverage in Saco is another option. I've never been, but have heard good things. I know they have received limited releases in the past of stuff like BCBS and KBS. Jimmy's and Run of the Mill are by far your best bar/ restaurant options for craft unless something new has opened up in the last 6 months. OOB still has a long way to go for quality beer options on tap.
This issue is craft beer will never dominate a seasonal area as a money make for a bar/store in the area. Bud light and tourists always will. It's the way it is, but is getting a little better....slowly
Madden's in Saco is legit. Its right off of the I-95 on the way in to OOB. Jimmy the Greek's is also good, they had Bissel Brothers and Oxbow on draft a few weeks ago when I was there. A new place opened in Scarborough, called Pine Point Grille that is supposed to have some decent craft offerings. I haven't been yet. Avoid eating or drinking anywhere on the main strip (Old Orchard St) of OOB... overpriced and terrible.
Original Pier Fries (but you already knew this) and Hoss and Mary's are legit food options in/around the square. The later is a greasy sandwich shop with some creative offerings and picnic tables. The line can get long, but moves quickly and is worth the wait.
As far as food in OOB - I'm also hearing good things about Butcher Burger. I haven't been down yet - I try to avoid the strip this time of year.
There's one exception. Big Daddy's is right off the main drag. Looks a little dive-y from the outside, but their food is really amazing. They usually have a couple of local drafts on tap as well. I go up to OOB reasonably often and I almost always have lunch there.
Was in OOB last summer and we ended up at Big Daddy's a few times. It's a horrible name but I swear it was the only "real" ie no greasy, with vegetables type of food, in OOB. I remember the food more than the beer but they had options other than Bud. Try it out.
I have been going to Pine Point, next door to OOB for 51 years - and must say that any trip to OOB is not complete without some Lisa's Pizza - Not Bills' - but Lisa's! Preferably eaten after coiffing beers - right on the corner of Grand Ave - you can't miss it. Enjoy!
