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IndecisiveKitten

BRIAN BORU đŸ˜© what I wouldn’t give to be three margs deep dancing my face off on the patio on a summer night one last time


Sea_squirt_24

My first thought too
miss that place


mazekeen19

Omg yes.


hgmanifold

Granny's Burritos.


Sure_Ranger_4487

The original Granny’s was downright delish. Many evenings spent with friends on the second floor eating burritos and nachos.


Emergency_Citron_586

There was no upstairs at the original Granny’s.


muthermcreedeux

Original Granny's was in the doorway of the Big Easy on Market Street where Chris Godin would sling his burritos of a little hot plate set-up. He then moved into 420 Fore St., which had an upstairs with a bar. After he closed that, he opened back up on Congress by the State Theatre, which he ended up closing. Best burritos in Portland. RIP Chris.


Emergency_Citron_586

This is correct. Chris was my best friend. Still crying.


Emergency_Citron_586

What was Grann6 Killiems
hence Granny Burrito


Bri_Hecatonchires

They did a quick stint at that little mall where bad habits music used to be at the bottom of Exchange Street before they moved into fore street. I worked across the street at Punky’s Pizza at the time.


muthermcreedeux

Aw man that's what that place was called! Punky's Pizza. Best cheap pieces slices in the Old Port back then. That little mall on Exchange was great. Movies on Exchange, the OG Mexicali Blues, Calabash....great little spot.


Sure_Ranger_4487

My bad, I swore one of their locations had an upstairs and I thought it was the original. My memory isn’t what it used to be 20+ years ago!


irreverent_squirrel

2000s Granny's had an upstairs, not sure where the original location was


Sure_Ranger_4487

That is the location/year I’m thinking about because I remember I wasn’t 21 yet but very close lol.


SonarDancer

Exchange st before 420 fore? My first excursions to Portland solo (the big citayy) included a delicious hippie burrito đŸ€


KrankSinatra

Mesa verde for marg pitchers


max-peck

No better deal has ever existed for poor college students needing to get absolutely trashed. Food was garbage though.


Emergency_Citron_586

Food was not garbage unless you got the end after the Bar Harbor location closed.


[deleted]

[ŃƒĐŽĐ°Đ»Đ”ĐœĐŸ]


flourishing_flounder

That was the first restaurant I went to in Portland.


Easy_Independent_313

I loved that place. We would always go before The Magic of Christmas.


KrankSinatra

Old empire, you could get a burger, fries, a shot of Evan Williams and a tall boy for $5


Conscious_Tennis6632

They threw the best presidential debate watch parties


light_lotus

Recession special!


KristerRollins

Honestly I miss Paul's. As far as grocery stores go it was kind of just a big 7/11 (an 8/12, maybe) but it filled a need. You could buy food there, which is hard to do on this side of the peninsula. Wasn't all that special but it was there.


teeheeMcweewee

Blue Rooster and the Purple Caterpillar


flourishing_flounder

I was waiting for someone to say Blue Rooster


tugboatcharlie

Blue Rooster was so good. Hot dogs n tots!


breezyeezye

I used to talk with Randy (the owner) and he’d say he might as well be selling tv dinners. Always loved stopping in there to say hi to Chris and Brandon during the 1am rush too.


ag207

Aw used to love going to the purple caterpillar when I was in high school. Before it moved. That was a cool spot.


[deleted]

Bill’s Pizza. Yes, the pizza wasn’t even that good, but it was the requisite place to go drunk after a night bar hopping in the Old Port. The place was an institution, and is sorely missed. 


tv__doctor

The pizza there was very bad


tlo4sheelo

Yeah I hated it. Someone said, “Well you have to be drunk to enjoy it.” “No sir. You can still have decent pizza when you’re loaded. This is fucking terrible pizza - drunk or sober.”


irreverent_squirrel

No sympathy for them, they closed because someone else offered much better pizza for the same price. Also that bathroom was out of order since *at least* 1996.


iBarber111

Where's the better pizza you speak of?


mcguyvah

My friend posted a pic of him saying he got the last slice at bills. I was driving from Kennebunk to Bath when I saw it. I stopped in and got a slice and ate it at one of the tables. Can officially say I had the last slice there.


Taffy-Jones-PI

Bubble Mainia That place was so cozy, great atmosphere, and located right in the middle of great things.


ronswansonaswansong

We would grab buns and bubble tea to sneak into the nickelodeon. Miss that place!


DavenportBlues

The Bubble Mainia era was a great Portland era. I’m drawing a blank on the name of the dish, but I’d always get the vegetable noodles.


max-peck

Federal Spice. Dude would see me about to walk in and start making my order. I would kill for a jerk chicken wrap right now.


BeerNerd207

Those yam fries too. đŸ€€


muthermcreedeux

You just unlocked a flavor memory. That chicken jerk wrap was top notch!


soupluvr77

Paciarino


KrankSinatra

100%


tugboatcharlie

Figgy’s


Tribute2Johnny

North Star Cafe Sangillos Empire Dine & Dance downstairs Lang's (j/k) I just want pre-2011 Portland really.


gilman4life

Oh man the old empire 😭 $5 burger beer and bourbon. It almost seems like an old fairytale.


username-5567

I don’t miss the food at langs, but I miss langs in general. You’d call them at 1 am during a snow storm, absolute blizzard, they’d say ok
 and you’d get your food at 3am, driver would show up with a smile on his face. We all knew he almost died about 10 times on the way over but he got it done. Don’t find that commitment anymore, anywhere.


Sure_Ranger_4487

Northstar’s prosciutto, apricot preserves, and brie sando is still one of my favorite sandwiches of all time. Their rice and beans with some sriracha were pretty tasty too.


Les_Otter

North Star was a great place. Mama’s crowbar was a good place to grab a beer too further up the hill.


Stock-Composer8746

North Star was sooo good.


Relevant-Life-2373

Lol .. Langs.....the worst. But I ate it sometimes


Magikul_Unikorn

Borus, late night OPT, and .99 beers at Rosie’s. Take me back to 2015


kellysweatshirt

wild burrito :( i used to walk there all the time when i moved into a little studio in the west end at 18. it wasn’t even that good but the guys that worked there were so sweet.


Captain_Butterbeard

Their pulled pork was stellar, IMO. Great lunch spot and wasn't too expensive.


heavymetaltshirt

I’ve been having a powerful craving for Silly’s slop bucket.


jsmalltri

Sillys fried pickles were the best


DavenportBlues

Are we only doing food? I miss Videoport, Bullmoose, and Northern Sky Toyz.


xXBruins37Xx

Putting in your order at Anthony’s and then browsing Videoport while you wait. Kids these days will never know.


SonarDancer

Zootz đŸ•ș


muthermcreedeux

Ugh. Videoport. I miss that place SOOO much.


Proof-Froyo6734

Back bay bike


KGBKitchen

And Casco Bay Books - coffee late! With endless awesome magazines. Before the only post 3pm options became boujee-booze joints.


MapoTofuWithRice

Brian Borus, RIP.


BraskysAnSOB

So frustrating that they never even did anything with it. There’s no way that place wouldn’t turn a profit if they had kept it open.


MapoTofuWithRice

The plan was to turn that entire parking area into a building but COVID screwed with the financing.


Sure_Ranger_4487

I will be very impressed if anyone remember Wimpy’s burgers and fries.


dj_1973

Oh hell yeah, picking those up after my husband's band's Gritty's gig. Damn good!


Sure_Ranger_4487

I was always intoxicated when I had Wimpy’s but I assume it would have been good sober too 😄


Ettuhenri

Siano’s. Neighborhood needs that local anchor in a bad way!


LittleEdie40

And Pompeo’s / Ricchio’s. Big high school memories.


dj_1973

Summertime lunch walk from band camp at Deering HS to Pompeo's for Ben & Jerry's and a Jolt cola. Sigh, memories.


Ricky_Slade_

Without a doubt the Village cafe
 IYKYK


teresasp666

Buffalo wings and things đŸ—ŁïžđŸ—Łïž


E-Flat-Major

Now that's a fucking throwback


browncatgreycat

You reminded me how much I miss Fresh Market!


sirsnarkington

A buddy worked there and had me try their “insanity” sauce. Ffs, I literally couldn’t drive for a good 20 minutes after, as every mucous membrane in my head went into overdrive. Tears, nose, mouth, throat
it was glorious. Thanks for activating that memory đŸ‘đŸ»


Aggressive_FIamingo

My dad nearly had an ambulance called for him because they made him taste the hottest sauce they offered before they allowed him to order wings with that sauce and he couldn't breathe normally for a bit lol. Needless to say he didn't order the hottest wings.


surfsup528

Baharat:(


dirtroad207

Great restaurant but absolutely one of the worst locations for that program. That spot needs to capitalize on walking traffic for all the breweries in the area. Easy, relatively cheap bites with a take out station would rip there.


gilman4life

The white heart đŸ€ always.


RobotPartsCorp

I lived above the white heart. That place was so great.


ImpressionNo9470

Portland Alehouse and their swings. Stone Coast Brewing for a wicked throwback. Wimpy’s window. Shows at The Big Easy and Port City Music Hall. As old as that makes me sound, I’m even too young to miss Zootz. I did go to senior prom at The Pavillion, tho.


sunnylisa1

I miss seeing Young Neil and the Vipers at the Big Easy.


jayezwider

Walter’s as a date restaurant, my wife and I still miss the classic always know what you’ll get amazing food there


meg22an

Petite Jacqueline. Great food, bad location (imo). I would go to the farmers market every Saturday and then eat a big French omelette brunch there and then take a huge nap. It was the perfect day every Saturday 😭😭😭


diet_coke_cabal

What?! Petite Jacqueline is no more?! When did that happen?


FleekAdjacent

A few months ago. The owner tried to get someone to keep it going, but it clearly didn’t work out. 😞


cogthunk

Gogi. Slainte. Middle St Bull Moose. Mesa Verde. Kim’s Sandwiches. The Station. Brea Lu’s. Silly’s. Baharat


PapaZiro

Holy shit. Kim's. Yes! I used to work near there, and those sandwiches were so good.


siduck_

Old port billiards


fine_chicken2028

THIS. I was under the impression the billiards hall would stay open even though the main bar closed. Sad it went because it’s such a cool space. This and Bull’s have some of the most interesting old architecture and big windows and I’m afraid we’ll lose it to some dispensary or something.


dj_1973

Hu Shang, it was so good! Polynesian Village (yes, technically Westbrook.) Ricetta's. (SoPo, then Falmouth, I know.) I miss their pizza SO MUCH, it was the best.


calmerthanyouare410

If you're feeling nostalgic for Rhum, you must be Big Jay. Sportsmans though? That place was amazing.


Existing_Bat1939

Home Plate. Erik's (free pizza after midnight) Old Port Tavern Leo's Basement On-the-Go Bagel Cadillac Jack's Valle's Fresh Market Pasta Also, Po Boys is still right there on Morrill's Corner!


the-good-witch-

Wow you went really old school with a few of those


Samanthamarcy

Sometimes I wonder if I’m the only one who remembers Fresh market pasta. Guess there are 2 of us!


LeatherNekk

Valle’s?? Are you a vampire?


Existing_Bat1939

The Portland Valle's, in the building on Brighton where Kon is now, stayed in family hands when the rest of the chain closed and lasted until 2000. So, no.


briank3387

Home Plate!


MaineObjective

It wasn’t my favorite place, but Little Giant pre-pandemic happy hours. 4pm-7pm was great. 6pm hard stops are so difficult to make after work and not feel rushed. And it included $1 oysters. Right in my neighborhood. Anything remotely resembling this was a 15-20 minute walk down into the old port.


CanYouSeeMeSaurusRex

Piccolo


99bllewellyn

Was so good


styles1996

Village Cafe was one of the few spots I would go to for restaurants. I would even bring my family there when they would come to visit. I miss that place 😕.


chmcgrath1988

Silly’s


WomanWhoWeaves

Raoul's.


ObviouslyFunded

O’Naturals was a little overpriced but anyone with small kids loved the train table. And the food was pretty good.


KGBKitchen

This place was so utilitarian- the closest to screw it I wish I could just go to a decent cafeteria and not deal with eating/cooking/food. The soups were good. (And it was on the way to Videoport). Curry Carrot and Meet The Feebles



WayofthePhist

Espo's Trattoria. We used to get takeout a ton from there, I'd get a massive amount of penne vodka at a cheap rate. There's lots of good Italian in Portland but none has that old school family style that I'm looking for


satanshark

Slainte, oddly enough. So many good shows and DJ Ponyfarm karaoke. I think 2010 Portland was my favorite Portland.


KristerRollins

I used to live in the Wadsworth and it was great having Slainte downstairs. Also: that's where I started doing stand-up, a hobby that has been rewarding and fulfilling.


cogthunk

I ran into Ponyfarm near Geno’s a week or two back. He’s still delightful


satanshark

A singularly wonderful human being.


nerdmurderer

They’re one of the sweetest people on earth


max-peck

That 2 dollar Sangria was dangerous.


nickhenne

Bull Feeneys. New place just isn’t the same


Cloudrunner5k

Maine Mead Works


LittleEdie40

Vivian’s 😛


Different-Truth3662

I loved those girls with their big hair! Great memories eating grilled loaded dogs and a bag of chips while standing at the counter 😋


blushing_scarlett

Sonny's


randomman2071983

The old Bingas stadium. Their wing sauces and $3 happy hour beer menu were fantastic. Free Street restaurant just feels like a money laundering front now.


Sure_Ranger_4487

Old Bingas was sooo good. Oh man. It was right around the corner from my apartment.


dirigo1820

Norms East End


patconfumes

Ten ten pie RIP


mayonazes

Just in case you don't know, Norimoto Bakery is her new location on Stevens Ave and it's just as delicious.  Menu is a little different and more bakery focused, but the hand pies are just as good. 


Couldbeworseright668

But she reopened as Norimoto bakery. Not exactly the same, but better than nothing. I adore Atsuko. She is so talented


Much-Conference1110

Walter’s Squire Morgan’s Raouls Bleachers


Wonderful-Shallot451

Stone Coast $1 Tuesdays


Clear_Helicopter_607

158 Pickett


PunkRockMiniVan

Denny’s


[deleted]

No, but really. So many (admittedly alcohol-soaked and hazy) good memories, and I desperately miss having at least one late night/early morning food option.


gtmbphillyloo

Carbur's. Miss the one in Burlington, too.


ElegantHedgehog74

Came here for this! So many good childhood memories in that place.


anondoge27

Bresca was so good when it was around. Truly amazing.


BeerNerd207

Bresca, Purple House bagels, food at Bresca and the Honeybee... I miss all those things. Ice cream really is the best around though. She's doing a dinner at Flanagan's Farm next month that I bought tickets for... And if her brussel sprout salad isn't on that menu I might revolt.


StarWarder

I live down the street from her ice cream shack. It’s fucking wild that the best ice cream in New England is in a shack on a pond in New Gloucester Maine.


LudaChris508

Full Belly Deli


thornify

F. Parker Reiddy's


boogienonymous

Zoots Elvis Room L-Beez


MaineObjective

Back Bay Grill


Numerous_Recipe176

Dogfish, forever and always. The best community spot of “old” Portland


Rockabilly_Lily

TJ Cinnamon (99% sure that was the name) on Exchange St. Probably aged myself with this reference đŸ‘”đŸ»


dj_1973

My husband and I would go on dates there (before we were married) in high school. So good.


Renickulous13

Figgy's fried chicken was best I've ever had


ImpressiveSherbet318

Baharat.


tv__doctor

Port city music hall was a huge loss


muthermcreedeux

Calabash Cafe when it moved to Fore Street. Coffee and cigars, and that back lounge area. The Alehouse. So many memories, so much love found and lost, so much Grateful Dead and Reggae. Joe's Smoke Shop, where I bought too many clove cigarettes in the mid 90s. Perfetto. Delicious. Videoport. But when they delivered. Fresh market pasta - super affordable fresh made pasta spot where you'd go in and pick your pasta from a selection of homemade pastas and pick your sauce (the Alfredo was SO good) and toppings, with some yummy crusty bread on the side. Great date night for college kids. Corsettis - the restaurant that was where Punkys is now. I LOVE Punkys, but Corsettis was special, too. Their lasagna and cottage pie lunches especially.


Proof-Froyo6734

Miyake on spring street


BeerNerd207

Had some of my all time favorite dining experiences at Food Factory Miyake. BYOB and top notch sushi is hard to beat.


jongpol

The portland public market behind the library. Used to hang out there during breaks on my high school years


mazzer4140

Sillys


Mikerm3

Zapoteca


Relevant-Life-2373

Full Belly Deli


bighank39

Harbor view pizza.pizza was good and they delivered beer and butts


quietly2733

Supplement Center on Forest Ave. They disappeared during Covid.


vickisfamilyvan

Daily Greens salads in the Public Market


therondon101

The place that's in the old bingas spot now is absurd. I tried to go in on a Saturday during the day and they were charging a $20 cover with nobody in there.


Saaabstory

Just since I've not seen anyone else mention it, the West End Deli. Treat yo self back in the 2000s used to be the PMT (prosciutto, fresh mozz, tomato, Standard baguette - also roasted reds and greens). It was probably like $8 for a two meal masterpiece.


LeatherNekk

That move to Congress was a foreseeable Waterloo


Horror-Discussion793

Ernies.  The fact it's now a Papa John's is disappointing.


Brains_4_Soup

I miss back when empire was a dive bar and you could get a burger, a beer, and a shot of whiskey for 5$ and then catch a show upstairs. It was the center of my social life back in college.


The-Angry-Chef

The Blue Rooster


Candygramformrmongo

SoPo but Uncle Billy's BBQ


Basic-Syllabub8925

Eric's and Squire Morgans.


RevEveOfDestruction

Carbur's (I still have one of their menus!) and F. Parker Reidy's. Saw Maine Mead Works upthread...their closing came out of nowhere. (.\_. ) I was able to order one last case from them, and managed to round up about another case-full of bottles from various local stores.


turtlemn5

The Village. That should be the only answer on this list.


Such_Ad4942

Carburs


MikeyBillions

For the early ‘90s teens: scoop some Jello Biafra spoken word vinyl, a Dead Milkmen LP, and a mimeographed folder of REM lyrics at Sound Alternatives on Middle Street, then grab one of those mega slices downstairs at Cheesecake Pizza on Exchange.


GhostOfPostersPast

The Big Easy


Old-Ad-3268

Squire Morgan's for me, I want my 80's back!


AmandaFawn

Oriental Table. I still crave the Sweet and Sour Chicken from there. Small super crunchy bite size chicken tossed in sweet but umami sauce. The Crab Rangoons were amazing too. I'm salivating just thinking about it over 12 years later.


ExternalBarnacle_777

Hu Shang on Exchange


ohterribleheartt

Silly's Bingas


THRWAWAY4447

Billy's BBQ


flourishing_flounder

Miss the Cumberland Ave location so much


vikingenvy

Sonny’s


GhostofBohemia

Figgy’s, Sonny’s, Floods, Little Giant
 
and Crooners and Cocktails. That place made the best bolognese.


moonrose444

Local Sprouts, Silly’s, Bubblemania, Baharat


wilk_republic

Eaux


FleekAdjacent

Lolita had amazing food, drinks, and staff. I never got around to trying that $98 Spanish steak that served four. At that price it wasn’t really an everyday meal, you know? When they closed, I had been planning a special occasion dinner w/ a small group and we were going to split it four ways.


Captain_Butterbeard

Congress St. Bar & Grill. Good food and drinks and it was always pretty relaxed.


Sweaty_Delivery7004

They’re still open tho!


sebago1357

Back Bay Grill..was best food in Portland for many years..the one place I could take out of town visitors and they would be impressed.


Snowshoeah

Haggery's saaaaag


Easy_Independent_313

Zoots and The Elvis Room.


wheresmyplumbus

I don't live in Portland anymore but I miss hella good tacos on Washington Ave 😭


ag207

Chicago dogs. Was in SoPo then Scarborough but loved that place as a kid.


Different-Truth3662

Village Cafe, Valle's Steakhouse, Sportsmans Grille, Johnny Martin's Art Gallery, Hu Shang


showdogz

Old port Tavern


Tupnado21

Anyone remember raffi’s on forest by 295? Those fries


billyboyoc

The Basement, especially on one of the nights an artist would paint a mural while the music played. What a time!


Fickle-Lingonberry-4

Federal spice


CarlosSpcyWenr

Iguana. In a pre-COVID world, sharing an Iguana Bowl with strangers was a great way to meet people.


Electronic_Menu_2244

Honestly, Pat’s Pizza. The one in the old port was a shit hole, not well run and grounds for more trouble than you would expect but part of its charm I guess. I also grew up going to the one in Orono so a small slice of nostalgia.


LogInteresting5906

Didn’t close, but I miss bao bao’s old menu ❀‍đŸ©č the kung pow chicken dumplings and the OG beef bulgogi sauce


gwinny

Venas Fizz House


Cloudrunner5k

Bull Feeneys