Over the years we’ve given you ideas for tons of different road trips. From Maine’s coolest natural wonders to our state’s most unique lighthouses, it turns out there’s quite a bit to see here in Maine! We love to sightsee, but there’s nothing like making your way through the state to sample the food that helped put us on the culinary map. If that’s the type of road trip you’re looking for, read on! We’ve put together an epic road trip that leads to some of the best BBQ in Maine, and will help you love living here even more.
Get the Google Map and start planning your trip!
Google Maps
- Salvage BBQ & Smokehouse, Portland
irenecerutti / TripAdvisor Salvage BBQ, 919 Congress St, Portland, ME 04102, USA
Salvage BBQ & Smokehouse / Facebook While not entirely a true hole-in-the-wall, we felt Salvage was worth including because it’s plain ole delicious. Stop in, step up to the counter, and load up on meat and sides. If you’re lucky you’ll be there on “worst” trivia night! Salvage BBQ, 919 Congress St, Portland, ME 04102, USA
- Smokin’ Good BBQ, Bethel
Mark Elliott/GoogleMaps
Tina Weber / Google There’s nothing like BBQ that’s served out of a truck, giving off the rustic vibes that it should. That’s exactly what you’ll find at Smokin’ Good, which has basically been around forever. This is pit-style ‘cue at its most delicious. Order the ribs. Trust us! 212 Mayville Rd, Bethel, ME 04217, USA
- The Shed, Rangeley
The Shed / Google The Shed, 2647 Main St, Rangeley, ME 04970, USA
The Shed / Facebook One of the most beloved restaurants in the Rangeley area, the Shed is a BBQ joint that doubles as a community center. Enjoy live music, great food, and fun year-round. The Shed, 2647 Main St, Rangeley, ME 04970, USA
- Spring Creek BBQ, Monson
Jeff Grove / Google Spring Creek Bar-B-Q, 26 Greenville Rd, Monson, ME 04464, USA
seth mclain / Google This Texas-style BBQ spot used to be a bit more off-the-radar. Then Anthony Bourdain showed up and people began to realize just how great the food in Maine really is! Grab yourself a plate of something meaty and you’ll definitely be making plans to come back to Spring Creek for more. Spring Creek Bar-B-Q, 26 Greenville Rd, Monson, ME 04464, USA
- Mr. Ribs Barbeque & Grill, Damariscotta
B F H / TripAdvisor Mr Ribs BBQ, 603 Main St, Damariscotta, ME 04543, USA
Neal B / TripAdvisor Some of the most authentic BBQ in Maine can be found at this tiny, unexpected stop on your BBQ road trip through Maine! Things here aren’t fancy, but that’s just the way we like it.
Editor’s Note: Since the original publication of this article, Mr. Ribs has closed its doors. For another delicious barbecue option in Damariscotta, Gators Deep South is a must-stop!
- Riverfront Barbeque & Grille, Augusta
Josh Tovar / Google Riverfront Barbeque & Grille, 300 Water St, Augusta, ME 04330, USA
Charlene Hill / Google Next up is a spot that has a little more structure than some of the trucks you’ve enjoyed along the way. Riverfront Barbeque comes complete with walls and a roof! Plus the food is fantastic. Enjoy southern BBQ including Memphis dry rub ribs, pulled pork, and beef brisket. Riverfront Barbeque & Grille, 300 Water St, Augusta, ME 04330, USA
- Elsmere BBQ, South Portland
Sandra Brochu / Google
john deola / Google And thus concludes the best BBQ road trip you’ve ever taken! Or, maybe the only one you’ve ever taken. Either way, you’ll be happy that the last stop is Elsmere. The Texas-style BBQ here is made using “mama,” the state-of-the-art smoker found here. Once you’ve gobbled up your last delicious bite, head on home from a weekend filled with the best food in the state. 448 Cottage Rd, South Portland, ME 04106, USA
Of course, these aren’t the only delicious BBQ restaurants in Maine, but we think this road trip is a pretty good place to start! Do you have any favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurants or BBQ hidden gems that we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments!
Google Maps
irenecerutti / TripAdvisor
Salvage BBQ, 919 Congress St, Portland, ME 04102, USA
Salvage BBQ & Smokehouse / Facebook
While not entirely a true hole-in-the-wall, we felt Salvage was worth including because it’s plain ole delicious. Stop in, step up to the counter, and load up on meat and sides. If you’re lucky you’ll be there on “worst” trivia night!
Mark Elliott/GoogleMaps
Tina Weber / Google
There’s nothing like BBQ that’s served out of a truck, giving off the rustic vibes that it should. That’s exactly what you’ll find at Smokin’ Good, which has basically been around forever. This is pit-style ‘cue at its most delicious. Order the ribs. Trust us!
212 Mayville Rd, Bethel, ME 04217, USA
The Shed / Google
The Shed, 2647 Main St, Rangeley, ME 04970, USA
The Shed / Facebook
One of the most beloved restaurants in the Rangeley area, the Shed is a BBQ joint that doubles as a community center. Enjoy live music, great food, and fun year-round.
Jeff Grove / Google
Spring Creek Bar-B-Q, 26 Greenville Rd, Monson, ME 04464, USA
seth mclain / Google
This Texas-style BBQ spot used to be a bit more off-the-radar. Then Anthony Bourdain showed up and people began to realize just how great the food in Maine really is! Grab yourself a plate of something meaty and you’ll definitely be making plans to come back to Spring Creek for more.
B F H / TripAdvisor
Mr Ribs BBQ, 603 Main St, Damariscotta, ME 04543, USA
Neal B / TripAdvisor
Some of the most authentic BBQ in Maine can be found at this tiny, unexpected stop on your BBQ road trip through Maine! Things here aren’t fancy, but that’s just the way we like it.
Editor’s Note: Since the original publication of this article, Mr. Ribs has closed its doors. For another delicious barbecue option in Damariscotta, Gators Deep South is a must-stop!
Josh Tovar / Google
Riverfront Barbeque & Grille, 300 Water St, Augusta, ME 04330, USA
Charlene Hill / Google
Next up is a spot that has a little more structure than some of the trucks you’ve enjoyed along the way. Riverfront Barbeque comes complete with walls and a roof! Plus the food is fantastic. Enjoy southern BBQ including Memphis dry rub ribs, pulled pork, and beef brisket.
Sandra Brochu / Google
john deola / Google
And thus concludes the best BBQ road trip you’ve ever taken! Or, maybe the only one you’ve ever taken. Either way, you’ll be happy that the last stop is Elsmere. The Texas-style BBQ here is made using “mama,” the state-of-the-art smoker found here. Once you’ve gobbled up your last delicious bite, head on home from a weekend filled with the best food in the state.
448 Cottage Rd, South Portland, ME 04106, USA
Now that you’ve enjoyed some of the best BBQ in Maine, it might be time for dessert. This mouthwatering ice cream trail in Maine is the sweetest adventure in the state.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best BBQ in Maine & Related Info February 07, 2023 Jennifer What is the most famous restaurant in Maine? Maine’s dining scene may not be as world-renowned as some, but the state’s most iconic food sure is! That said, Maine offers far more to the culinary world than just lobster, and many of its restaurants have earned major accolades for their farm-to-table freshness, wildly creative dishes, and legendary specialties. Here are just a few of Maine’s most famous popular restaurants:
A1 Diner, Gardiner Bite into Maine, Portland Central Provisions, Portland Clam Shack, Kennebunk DiMillo’s on the Water, Portland Earth at Hidden Pond, Kennebunkport Fore Street Restaurant, Portland Lost Kitchen, Freedom Eventide Oyster Co., Portland Moody’s Diner, Waldoboro Palace Diner, Biddeford Red’s Eats, Wiscasset The Well at Jordan’s Farm, Cape Elizabeth
What is the oldest restaurant in Maine? Waco Diner (1924) is typically considered to be the oldest restaurant in Maine; however, The Palace Diner (1927) is often given the same title. Some other historic, long-standing restaurants and bars include:
Amato’s, Portland Amigos, Portland Anania’s, Portland Brunswick Diner, Brunswick Jameson Tavern, Freeport Ken’s Seafood, Scarborough Lib’s Dairy Treats, Portland Luiggi’s Pizzeria, Lewiston Mathew’s Pub, Portland Sam’s Italian, Lewiston Simone’s Hot Dog Stand, Lewiston
What is the most unique restaurant in Maine? Quirky, themed, and uber-creative restaurants aren’t out of the norm in the Pine Tree State. Check out Grace in Portland for some heavenly dishes served up in a beautifully renovated church. Or, for a modern take on the iconic digs of the 50s, check out Blast From the Past Too Diner in Scarborough - one of a few retro restaurants around the state.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best BBQ in Maine & Related Info
February 07, 2023
Jennifer
What is the most famous restaurant in Maine? Maine’s dining scene may not be as world-renowned as some, but the state’s most iconic food sure is! That said, Maine offers far more to the culinary world than just lobster, and many of its restaurants have earned major accolades for their farm-to-table freshness, wildly creative dishes, and legendary specialties. Here are just a few of Maine’s most famous popular restaurants:
A1 Diner, Gardiner Bite into Maine, Portland Central Provisions, Portland Clam Shack, Kennebunk DiMillo’s on the Water, Portland Earth at Hidden Pond, Kennebunkport Fore Street Restaurant, Portland Lost Kitchen, Freedom Eventide Oyster Co., Portland Moody’s Diner, Waldoboro Palace Diner, Biddeford Red’s Eats, Wiscasset The Well at Jordan’s Farm, Cape Elizabeth
What is the oldest restaurant in Maine? Waco Diner (1924) is typically considered to be the oldest restaurant in Maine; however, The Palace Diner (1927) is often given the same title. Some other historic, long-standing restaurants and bars include:
Amato’s, Portland Amigos, Portland Anania’s, Portland Brunswick Diner, Brunswick Jameson Tavern, Freeport Ken’s Seafood, Scarborough Lib’s Dairy Treats, Portland Luiggi’s Pizzeria, Lewiston Mathew’s Pub, Portland Sam’s Italian, Lewiston Simone’s Hot Dog Stand, Lewiston
What is the most unique restaurant in Maine? Quirky, themed, and uber-creative restaurants aren’t out of the norm in the Pine Tree State. Check out Grace in Portland for some heavenly dishes served up in a beautifully renovated church. Or, for a modern take on the iconic digs of the 50s, check out Blast From the Past Too Diner in Scarborough - one of a few retro restaurants around the state.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Maine’s dining scene may not be as world-renowned as some, but the state’s most iconic food sure is! That said, Maine offers far more to the culinary world than just lobster, and many of its restaurants have earned major accolades for their farm-to-table freshness, wildly creative dishes, and legendary specialties. Here are just a few of Maine’s most famous popular restaurants:
- A1 Diner, Gardiner
- Bite into Maine, Portland
- Central Provisions, Portland
- Clam Shack, Kennebunk
- DiMillo’s on the Water, Portland
- Earth at Hidden Pond, Kennebunkport
- Fore Street Restaurant, Portland
- Lost Kitchen, Freedom
- Eventide Oyster Co., Portland
- Moody’s Diner, Waldoboro
- Palace Diner, Biddeford
- Red’s Eats, Wiscasset
- The Well at Jordan’s Farm, Cape Elizabeth
What is the oldest restaurant in Maine?
Waco Diner (1924) is typically considered to be the oldest restaurant in Maine; however, The Palace Diner (1927) is often given the same title. Some other historic, long-standing restaurants and bars include:
- Amato’s, Portland
- Amigos, Portland
- Anania’s, Portland
- Brunswick Diner, Brunswick
- Jameson Tavern, Freeport
- Ken’s Seafood, Scarborough
- Lib’s Dairy Treats, Portland
- Luiggi’s Pizzeria, Lewiston
- Mathew’s Pub, Portland
- Sam’s Italian, Lewiston
- Simone’s Hot Dog Stand, Lewiston
What is the most unique restaurant in Maine?
Quirky, themed, and uber-creative restaurants aren’t out of the norm in the Pine Tree State. Check out Grace in Portland for some heavenly dishes served up in a beautifully renovated church. Or, for a modern take on the iconic digs of the 50s, check out Blast From the Past Too Diner in Scarborough - one of a few retro restaurants around the state.
