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    Food For Thought

    4.3 (507 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 1 week ago

    Food For Thought Photos

    FOOD FOR THOUGHT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - Food For Thought

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    Reviews With Photos

    Margarita flight... strawberry, passion fruit, mango and og
    Kari Z.

    It could not have been a prettier day we drove there because of all of the great reviews, even a TikTok video and we were not disappointed. We went for it we got the trio of lobster rolls. One was a classic with mayonnaise and melted butter, the next one had a bacon jam on top, which I have to say it was totally my jam and then the last one was the tajin roll... the acid from the lime flavor and the chili was delicious. We then got the brussels sprouts and if we weren't full, we would've gotten another. My husband got a beer from the brewery right there and really liked it. We even got to talk with the brewmaster as he was working away. I got to try the flight of margaritas and for 24 bucks to get two margaritas worth. It was a lot of fun and delish. I look forward to making this a regular stop when heading up the coast .

    Amber J.

    Food For Thought had me rethinking my life choices... like why I don't live closer to Cape Neddick! Classic Gastro Pub food--creative, fun, and comforting. The seasonal cocktails deserve their own fan club. Yum! Add in the quirky, playful vibe and you've got a spot that makes eating here feel like an adventure. 10/10 would happily over indulge here again.

    Grilled Cheese Donut
    Sean C.

    I have been to my share of unique food serving places in my life. I will say this place is definitely up there with "unique" and a flavor of "lost in the woods". I had the opportunity to observe some fantastic guests coming and going while we were here. The clientele was definitely a big part of the entertainment factor. My favorite was the (obviously) entitled woman, her husband, and three children who decided that the handicapped spot was calling her name, instead of someone who may actually need it. They proceeded to have a verbal disagreement in their vehicle where he (appeared) to be telling her not to park there. I assume she's the type who chooses to board first on a Southwest Flight because "I don't have to tell you about my disability HIPPA!" This is the same woman who was asking about gluten free Brussels Sprouts and that "well they used to have them". After that interesting eavesdropping session, I see her eating a lobstah roll. "If the shoe fits", as they say. Anyway. The food was good, reasonable priced (for Maine). The service was okay. They don't have any N/A beers, which is whatever, despite the fact it's becoming more popular. It's not a knock on them, just is what it is. Their kitchen seems to be a mishmash of random things from around town. We ordered "Nashville Hot Tendies". They were well fried, not dry. Definitely not "hot" by any means (spice wise). I didn't expect Indian-restaurant-Level-10-Curry over here, but when given the choice of "Mild" , "Medium", and "Hot", this was less of a mild, and certainly nowhere near a hot. But that's okay because they were still good! Closest I've seen to KFC! The bread they used to soak up the oil was definitely ready to hit my stomach and lube the lines for the evening/morning diarizzy. The donut grilled cheese sure is unique, and there are enough photos of it around. It's weird, but worth the try. Lastly, Flo's Pizza. The waitress/server/service person whatever they choose to be titled these days, took about 10 minutes to describe this thing to me. "It's uh, kind of like, there's a place in town called Flo's, have you been to Flo's? They make hot dogs. Uhm, have you had our pizza before? It's kind of like that, but it has Alfredo sauce and celery". I'm not sure if it's a generational thing, but it seems like anyone under 30 years old, and working in the underpaid customer service industry lacks any sort of social skills, or an understanding in brevity (see: entire review of my rambling). Either way. The pizza had some really really good flavor. I couldn't tell if it was undercooked crust, or nearly transparent due to all of the grease. It was like a BBQ chicken pizza with good hotdog on it. I enjoy! Decent place. Pretty damn good food. I am into the occasional super grease, so I can't complain. After waiting about 15 minutes to have a spoon brought over for the soup (she completely did not acknowledge or seem to understand why a spoon was requested) I ended up getting one from a confused bartender.

    Donut  grilled cheese with tomato bisque
    Liz R.

    Atmosphere was very cool, food was delicious, and the staff were very friendly and pleasant. Will absolutely be back - owner does a great job!!

    April H.

    Overall pretty good lunch. We got here during the brunch menu but I wanted something from the regular menu so I had to wait a bit until they switched the menus over. While waiting my husband ordered the steak and eggs from the brunch menu and we had some drinks. When the time came I had the donut grilled cheese. It was super weird but I am still glad I had it. The food and service good and the outside seating great on a nice day.

    Blueberry and doughnut sundae
    Noah F.

    Went here last weekend for a lunch after a busy afternoon and we really loved it! They only have outside seating so if it's a cold day remember that. Got seated right away and served very quickly. Service was friendly and attentive and the environment of the place is great but definitely more of a warm weather spot. For food we got the lobster roll with fries and the adult happy meal which came with a cheeseburger, chicken nuggets, fries, and a toy! The lobster was overall pretty good but nothing to rave about. The fries that came with it were spectacular though! The burger, nuggets, and fries in the happy meal were very simple and a great replica of a fast food meal but better! It was we got what I was looking for. It also came in this nice little red box. For dessert we got the blueberry and donut sundae. We weren't sure if we wanted dessert but were so glad we did. This was outstanding and the perfect finish to our meal! Overall this place is pretty nice and has some unique and delicious menu options. Though it's overpriced, I believe the food was great overall. Definitely check them out when in town!

    Brussel sprouts
    Kristina B.

    Sad! Seating was all high top and was not comfortable. Did have some shade with umbrellas. The bartender was very nice and helpful but server did not provide friendly or helpful service. Left a lot to be desired. The bathrooms not super clean or private. The menu was overall well organized but the food was just eh and over priced! The crinkle cut fries were not homemade but rather freezer thaw with some spice added. The lobster corn chowder was a highlight. The chicken sammy the bread to meat ratio was off. The cucumbers on it were well pickled. The Brussel sprouts were lack luster. The fried rice with lobster was also fell flat and did not have flavor. Overall, will not be back - I left with a bad taste in my mouth from the service and ambiance!

    Hillary L.

    This place is a fun, delicious, interesting place to find. Upon pulling into the (full) parking lot, the owner was standing watch and helping customers park in unique spots so we could get in. The seating area of the restaurant is entirely outside wrapped around an outdoor bar with canopies/tents protecting you from the elements. It was a crazy busy Sunday after towards the end of the summer and we were fortunate enough to get seats at the bar. I ordered the lobster rangoons and french fries. My husband ordered the brunch smash burger. The food was exactly as you would expect for a gastropub. We didn't try any of the really fun items but saw lots of things such as mixed drinks served in Capri Sun containers, donuts dripping with cheese, etc. definitely unique. The owner also operates a small brewery (Odd by Nature Brewing) and we enjoyed a few different cans we brought home with us. They takeover quite a bit of the taps with their beer.

    Sun sucks. Fantastic!
    Frank K.

    Stumbled upon this fun local joint and meet Mike the Manager who was delightful. I don't like IPAs so he recommended their own brew Sun Sucks, a delicious light lager. My wife ordered me their Cluck n Shuck roll and I was pleasantly surprised and impressed. Expertly executed especially the fried chicken. Lobster and chicken in every bite and not overly seasoned. My wife ordered their blueberry salad and that too was delicious and creative; Maine blueberries with charred romaine and grilled shrimp. Delicious food and beer. Great conversation. Fun playlist. Awesome find. Highly recommended.

    Brunch menu (August 2024)
    Corinna C.

    It was a Saturday morning. It looks like a popular local brunch spot. We were lucky to be able to get a table. They shared a parking lot with the hotel right next door which could be convenient. They ran out of coffee that morning which came a little surprising. Food quality was good. Would definitely recommend.

    Nashville Hot Ramen, Fries, and donut grilled cheese!

    The food was excellent along with the hospitality! Definitely would recommend great outside and inside seating!

    Mon I.

    We ordered take out here twice during our stay. Unfortunately, I had strep throat during our visit so opted for more takeout than dine in. I think it it's important to note that our first evening dining here would have earned this restaurant 5 stars and the second evening 3; we'll chalk it up to who was cooking or maybe they had an off night. The carnitas nacho fries were so tasty and satisfying the first night that we opted for them again the second evening. The mix of flavors, quality and quantity exceeded our expectation. The second night they were not great, the fries were soggy and the shrimp did not taste fresh. The fried rice was good, but felt bland and far less impressive than the other dishes. The children's Mac and cheese was so good that both of us adults were sharing with our daughter and we even tried to order it again the next night, but they were out. The serving was huge!) We just had to try the donut grilled cheese with tomato bisque (plus, I had strep throat so wanted the soothing effect). We were all really surprised, as this strange and unique combo quickly became our favorite! We ordered a Cesar Salad with shrimp, and again the shrimp was off. It was so fishy that you could smell it and did not taste good so we did not eat it.

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    16 days ago

    Ricardo was an amazing server. He was attentive and made the best drinks! Outstanding service. Highly recommend

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    Page 1 of 13

    Ask the Community - Food For Thought

    Are you dog friendly?

    Yes We Are!

    Serving breakfast daily? Hours?

    Hi Jay my wife and I were there 5 days ago love it we talk to you your a nice person. When is your restaurant close during the year?

    Hello. Thank you for the kind words. We close for the year Columbus Day. It is our last day open.

    Does Food for Thought take reservations?

    No, we are a first come, first serve restaurant, so come on in.

    Are dogs welcome?

    Yes

    Do you have inside dining?

    We are an outdoor only restaurant. Hope to see you soon.

    Do they offer any gluten free options?

    Yes they have many gluten free options.

    View All 8 Questions

    Liars Bench Beer Co - Pretzel bites

    Liars Bench Beer Co

    4.7(80 reviews)
    11.6 mi
    $$

    I felt like messages were being sent to me to visit here. The night before, at dinner at a nearby…read morerestaurant with local friends, one of them was drinking a Liar's Bench beer which he let me sample. It wasn't my preferred type of beer, but I found it tasty and refreshing. The next morning at breakfast at a restaurant in town, there were small signs on the table for their beers. So that afternoon, I went to Liar's Bench for lunch. I appreciate the messages the universe had sent me. Apart from a challenge getting parking at lunchtime, with several spots in the lot reserved for nearby Murray's Plumbing, there's much to like about Liar's Bench (and that's no lie). The beer selection is varied enough that I was able to get a very satisfying flight. My local friend had suggested I order whatever was the chef's special of the day (which today was a specialty burger), but we instead opted for the BBQ platter for 2, with a large amount of pulled pork, slaw, potato salad, and Texas toast. We sat at the bar and had great service and conversation. I can see why this is a popular lunch destination. Another bonus for me is that Liar's Bench is the closest brewery to a hotel at which I often stay when I'm in Portsmouth, making this a new destination for me when I'm in the area.

    Small business tucked off a side street near downtown Portsmouth. Don't come here looking for a…read morebeer from the grocery store. They do offer some wines. ciders and N/A options, but their main fair is there stuff on tap. I ordered an all IPA flight (which comes in 4s) [for $10!!!!! Well worth it!] * Young Upstart: 6.6% ABV - a bIt muted for an IPA * Bernuda Tattoo: 6.9% ABV - slight more hoppy than the Y.U * To Vera: 7.5% ABV - fruitier notes as a Hazy WCIPA * Nielsen Schmielsen: 7.7% ABV - as a double, this is quaint As for food, they have a small selection of snacks, sandwiches and "tube meats" and some shareable. the music is good, not mainstream stuff. and the v8be is very neighborhood spot. Come foe the drinks, maybe a snack, but come during the warmer months, as I'm sure the patio opens up and it's a much better scene. Wait staff could be a bit more engaging. Overall, I'd come back to try the food, it's unique to see "tubed meats" on the menu. I'm getting a lot of German influences when. it comes to the menu.

    Photos
    Liars Bench Beer Co - Bar and dining area

    Bar and dining area

    Liars Bench Beer Co - Tokyo Dog - platonic ideal of bar food

    Tokyo Dog - platonic ideal of bar food

    Liars Bench Beer Co - Oktoberfest

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    Oktoberfest

    Batson River Brewing & Distilling - Kennebunk - Watermelon salad & gin drink

    Batson River Brewing & Distilling - Kennebunk

    3.9(274 reviews)
    13.1 mi
    $$

    There are certain places where outstanding food speaks for itself, and certain places where the…read moreatmosphere, service, and vibes really can elevate the overall experience. Batson River is the latter, and we loved our lunch outing in one of the adorable seasonal outdoor ice fishing sheds. We chose a few "handhelds," including the blackened haddock tacos and fried haddock sandwich, both of which are served with a red cabbage slaw. I enjoyed the tacos - the ratio of fish to slaw and aioli, etc. was just right. And the sandwiches are served with a generous amount of crispy French fries. On a weekday in March, many of the local shops and restaurants were closed. It was an unseasonably warm day, and we were happy to stumble upon Batson River for a fun and memorable lunch!

    We had a wonderful experience here. First thing to note - when they say they are dog friendly, they…read moreactually mean it! We had lunch here on Sunday, just after seeing Santa on the boat from the bridge down the street. Highly suggest putting your name in before you want to eat (it was about an hour wait when I put our name in at 11:45). Their reservation system sends you a text when they put your name on the list, and from the link they send you, you can also check your position on the list. They text you when your table is ready. When we arrived with our dog to check in, we were given a couple of seating options in the outside heated deck area. We chose seats looking outside, which were topped with fur warmers, which made them comfortable to sit on. There are plenty of heaters on, which made it nice and cozy. Also, the plethora of Christmas decorations inside and out, made it also feel cozy, and festive. For lunch, I had the blackened fish tacos, which comes with mango pico, red cabbage slaw, chipotle aioli, cotija, on corn tortillas. They were super flavorful, and delicious. I stuck with fries, and they even had sour cream for dipping them. We will absolutely be back to try more of the menu!

    Photos
    Batson River Brewing & Distilling - Kennebunk
    Batson River Brewing & Distilling - Kennebunk - Cajun fries

    Cajun fries

    Batson River Brewing & Distilling - Kennebunk

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    The Black Birch - When I tell you, this is the best grilled cheese sandwich I've ever had, this is the best grilled cheese I've ever had. Tomato soup was

    The Black Birch

    4.6(368 reviews)
    10.1 mi
    $$

    We frequently pass through Kittery, often stopping at Kittery Trading Post and Bob's Clam Hut, but…read moreon this trip we ventured off of Rt. 1 and discovered a little hidden gem...The Black Birch. This quaint gastropub doesn't look like much from the outside, but inside, this seems like a place where locals are regulars and tourists are happy to get a table at this "no reservations" joint. It's dark inside (no photos) and a little cramped. The bartenders are serving double duty mixing and pouring drinks while also playing DJ and spinning vinyl records. And it felt like everyone inside was exactly where they wanted to be at the moment...enjoying each other's company and sharing drinks and food. The menu is about the size you would expect from a small kitchen - a fair number of appetizer dishes meant for sharing, and a handful of entrees, ranging from casual to a bit more refined. The grilled cheese and tomato soup ($19) was made with a hearty artisan bread that hit the spot on a chilly evening. Similarly, the coq au vin ($26) was classic comfort food, with perfectly cooked smashed fingerling potatoes surrounded by a rich, decadent reduction sauce smothering meaty mushrooms and soft pearl onions. Note, the coq au vin did take a long time to prepare, so not the dish to order if you're in a hurry. A couple of not-too-sweet lemon ricotta donuts (with chocolate sauce) was a great way to end the meal.

    Definitely a hidden gem as many others may say. This place had a vibe like no other. We started…read morewith the deviled eggs, recommendation from a local guy we met on the street. Trying to find the place was difficult, however it confirmed it was the right place to go to based on locals we asked about it. Service was wonderful and the record player is a classic to its ambiance. We had the smash burger and fish and chips. Yum! Definitely will come back the next time we are here.

    Photos
    The Black Birch - Record player playing Marvin Gaye

    Record player playing Marvin Gaye

    The Black Birch - Mussels

    Mussels

    The Black Birch

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    Revolution Taproom & Grill - Meditteranean Tasting

    Revolution Taproom & Grill

    4.1(365 reviews)
    19.3 mi
    $$

    Party of 5 at 4pm on a Friday in late March. $6 apps:…read moreHummus was so good Spinach dip was loved by all Fried greenbeans tempura with chili dipping sauce was also really good Wine selections were reasonable. Meals: Burger with the fried egg - would totally get it again Burger with bacon - definitely loved it Flatbread formaggio - really great dough and good serving size The pizza! Out of this world good. Fresh mozzarella. Amazing sauce. Garlic parm crust was so worth it. And the truffle fries. Absolutely awesome. Crème brûlée for a birthday dessert - well liked by all. A flavorful meal. Service: Casey our server was outstanding. The restaurant was clean, tables were comfortable to sit at, we had a great experience. Looking forward to our next visit.

    You MUST try the lo mein with short ribs! The ribs are shredded with a deep flavor to die for. Our…read morefirst visit but not our last! The clam chowder is excellent along with their mixed drinks from the bar. The waitress Casey was very fast friendly and professional. She suggested the rice crispy French toast dessert and for that I tipped her extra. I've been in town for a month's visit and this is the best place I've eaten. And its ambiance is fantastic! You can even eat outside with lights and fire lamps. Plus a live guitarist. It was awesome. Upstairs had a bar and lounge area along two pool tables, a real dart board area along with TVs over the bar area. It's like a one stop shop depending on your mood! This was my best experience to date. You should give this place a try.

    Photos
    Revolution Taproom & Grill - Restaurant

    Restaurant

    Revolution Taproom & Grill - Chicken Katsu Ramen Bowl

    Chicken Katsu Ramen Bowl

    Revolution Taproom & Grill

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    Food For Thought - gastropubs - Updated May 2026

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