I drive I-95 from NH border to Exit 63 regularly at off hours. Is there anything remotely interesting open late along this stretch? A non-chain burger joint or an old-fashioned 24 diner? Or are the only options the turnpike rest areas?
I feel like there must be at least 1-2 places interesting (ie not Dunks or a gas station C-store) in the greater Portland area open late. No?
> non-chain burger joint
> non-chain
No, and...
> an old-fashioned 24-hour diner
...no. Maine doesn't have stuff that's open 24 hours aside from convenience stores, unfortunately. And the rest plazas, of course.
Closest non-chain burger joint I can think of is Elevation Burger, they were good when I ate there a couple days ago. But they don't stay open into the wee hours of the night.
I’m pretty sure this state shuts down after 8pm for anything outside of Portland. Maybe BK at the rest stops but couldn’t tell ya post covid.
Also elevation burger is a chain.
No.
LLBean is about the only thing we have that's open 24/7 and that's not exactly on that path
I just figured folks who don’t work 9-5 might have options other than Circle K, Big Apple, Cumbys etc. Guess not.
You can take care of a lot of needs at C-stores but something local and non corporate is usually better
Rapid Rays in Saco is open til 11 most nights. Old style burger stand, no seating, about 5-8 min off the turnpike. Unfortunately there isn’t much open past 10-11 around here.
An old joke, the Maine Turnpike breakfast was a coke and a devil dog.
Came here to say this! Great burger, fries, clam cakes, onion rings etc. No indoor seating, used to be able to stand and eat at the railings pre-Covid but I think that’s gone by the wayside. They won’t take phone orders so if you’re not there by closing at 11 you’re S.O.L.
Is it? News to me, I thought it wasn't.
I know you're looking for local and better, but the BK at Exit 48 is open 24/7 and at least it's cheaper than the Turnpike versions.
When i was a kid, Cole Farms was open 5 Am to midnight, but that whole sentence is heartbreaking.
This article addresses the issue:
https://wcyy.com/is-there-really-only-one-247-restaurant-left-in-maine/
I’m not sure this is correct as of now. I think the BKs on the turnpike are back at 24/7 now.
It mentioned those
It left out Gray , Cumberland, West Gardiner. Now they are all 24hr BK. In peak Covid they were not.
> clam cakes
I’ve been awake about 10 minutes and read this as clam shakes, the gagging was audible
One thing I miss about traveling for work is the availability of 24/7 everything
When I was at the shop in St. Louis (apples to oranges to our whole state) I could get out at 3am, swing by Walmart and buy my lunch stuff for the week then have my choice of like 3 diners, a gaggle of Waffle Houses, Taco Bell or Chinese. The Chinese place was the farthest out if my way at a whopping 10 minutes.
That being said I’ll take our complete lack of traffic over the creature comforts of a large metro area. Getting on the highway there was an exercise in hoping and praying you didn’t die lol
I hear ya. I worked a job that was usually 6am till at least 5-6 pm. I quit last year and feel a lot better because my diet doesn't consist of gas station pizza or burgers twice a day. Sorry, no suggestions tho. Unless you like to eat firearms. Then go to Kittery Trading Post
Always wonder why people don't open more of these. Nobody can resist. Must be impossible to make any money.
“Clam Frappe” A special Downeast treat, but only for folks from away! 🤣🤢
If you get off at exit 48 Westbrook/ Portland, I'm pretty sure Tasty Fried Chicken (next to JoAnn Fabric) is open until midnight if not later? If you are willing to venture further downtown, there's a few spot open until 1 or 2.
When I was a kid Cole Farms was run by a molester...
Is it good? I'm always on the lookout for good fried chicken
Thank you so much! This is the perfect recommendation. The I 95 trip is part of a 4 hr trip that I make often at off-peak hours and I need something to break up the monotony, and also make it seem a little more exciting or special or fun than just a rest area, and also make me feel like I’m not just putting more money in the pockets of “The Man. “
Boda on Congress Street in Portland is open until 11:30 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Rick's cabaret is open till about 1am
I'm aware of this. :(
Very first sentence on their promotional material even says as much.
To be fair I was probably in middle school when that news came out.
We didn't go to Cole Farms a lot but I remember liking it...
Tasty used to be open til 2am daily but now I think it's Thurs Fri Sat. They close earlier (midnight?) on other days. It's hit or miss (both the food & the service) but usually good. I suppose late at night you might get some fries that have been sitting for awhile or something like that. It's run by a family from Afghanistan I think, the chicken kabobs are really good. Avoid the chk nuggets, those are just from the freezer. The fried chicken and the kabobs are cooked-to-order, so call ahead if you don't have 10 mins to spare.
Yep, tasty is open til 3. Chicken is awesome there but the lamb and rice platter is where it's at!
Yup, guys who own it are all ex-Afghani Army Commandos. Awesome food, great people.
The Gray one you can sneak in the back door via route 100 as well.
It closes at 8pm weekdays, but if you have a chance, stop at the A-1 Diner in Gardiner. Take Exit 102 on I-95 head 3 miles east on Hwy 126. The food is worth it.
I think Mainers are all in bed by 8 pm lol
I will never forget landing one time at the jetport after 6 pm on a Sunday and this fellow passenger could not grasp WHY Starbucks was closed!
linuxdragons t1_j4o4l4i wrote
Greater Portland? Open 24/7? Do you like LL Bean, bud?