Twice a year, we visit Maine, and dinner at Ore Nell BBQ in Biddeford is always a must. We're never disappointed--and tonight was no exception! They have an excellent selection of local craft beers. I enjoyed an Austin Street Pale Ale from Portland, and we shared three dinner specials: brisket teriyaki tacos, goat cheese and beet salad, and 10 incredible chicken wings. We finished with their delicious chocolate cake. The vibe is fun, the service is friendly (thank you, Paris!), and the prices are right on point. We're already looking forward to our next visit! read more

Visited for my husband's birthday and we had a great experience. It was low key on a Saturday sometime between 12-1, with mostly quiet older couples. Tennis and ships in Boston Harbor were on the 2 screens and music like My Girls by Animal Collective playing. As a millennial, I appreciated the ambiance. I was pumped to realize they share a parking lot with Palace Diner and Sacred Profane, so I knew where to go and didn't have to pay for parking! We had the Frito pie appetizer which was very good. I love all my food extremely hot, because I take a while to eat, so I do think the Frito pie could have been bubbling, especially since it was served in a baby cast iron skillet. To drink I had what was essentially a margarita, which was solid. My husband had a maple bourbon cocktail and enjoyed it. For our main, we shared the tray for 2, which was more than we could eat, at least after the Frito pie. I liked the brisket, ribs, and Mac and cheese the most. The cole slaw needs more flavor/sauce but feels like a healthy slaw as is. The service was OK. There was 1 waiter for the whole place and he had 6 tables at one point. He was very friendly and offered suggestions. We will return because my husband wants to try a sandwich. I'm not sure what I will get, but the menu has a lot of really good options, including vegetarian barbecue options like tofu and seitan, so there's something for everyone. read more

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Went for dinner on Wednesday night. They are closed Monday and Tuesday. The parking lot is small but there is a public lot across from them if theirs is full. We made a reservation since we had not been there before but it was not needed, there were plenty of tables available. We had the Barbecue for 2 that had ribs, brisket, pulled pork and three sides. We had coleslaw, potato salad and Mac and cheese. The table has two kinds of sauce. We liked them both. The meats have a dry spice rub so we used both of the sauces that were on the table. They were both delicious. The service was great and we enjoyed our dinner. We'll go back again. read more

Ore Nells North - Barbecue for 2 - American Near Me - Biddeford, Maine

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Great, friendly staff. Enjoyed the 'cue - yes, the authentic taste of Texas, too. They love the pickles here, so if you're not a big fan let them know (but my wife pronounced them "great"). Worth another trip to try more. read more

We ordered takeout and it was fine though it did not blow our minds. The BBQ was a little dry, the chicken sandwich was very wet soaking through the bun - wish there were more pickles, the jalapeno poppers were excellent and the cornbread though a bit soggy was also tasty. We didn't eat in the restaurant but they have a very nice outside seating area and the inside looks very nice and clean too. Everyone was friendly, if you're into BBQ give it a try - in person, perhaps avoid the takeout. read more

I am giving this place 4 stars based on what I believe will be better than what i experienced. We didn't taste enough to really give it a good enough rating. The place is nice looking and has a great feel. The service was friendly and quick. We started with the jalapeño cornbread. It was amazing. Would definitely go back for that alone. Next we got fried loaded baked potatoes. I got brisket with mine. I didn't love the sauce but it was ok. The brisket was good and tender. The potato was a good idea but the execution fails. It's just to hard to try to eat a big chunk of potato with toppings. It didn't taste bad. The jalapeño bacon was so good on top. We finished with dessert the molten cake was good but messy and the banana pudding was ok but could use more banana. Overall this place is decent and I think worth the try. I just can't vouch for any of the sides. read more

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Stopped by for take out! Never disappointed. We grabbed food and stopped by one of our local breweries to meet with the kids and grandkids. Quick and easy ordering online. Be prepared to grab your own plastic wear. Quick local stop took care of that. Food is excellent! read more

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This is a difficult review for me, as I do appreciate Ore Nells and have been several times. Overall I would say the food is decent, and reasonably priced with a good selection. (They even offer vegan options, which is interesting as a BBQ joint). Today I stopped in for lunch and got the BBQ for 2 with the Mac n cheese, Cole slaw and the cashew queso with chips. The meat was a little dry, but not so bad it was off putting and I was surprisingly impressed with the cashew queso. However, there is one thing that really ruined this experience for me; customer service. Our waiter seemed nice enough, but he was simply too concerned watching a soccer game behind the bar to refill my soda. Silly I know, had the place been packed I would have just drank the awful cup of Biddeford city water he brought over when we got there. But to simply ignore us after bringing the food? Beyond annoyed. read more

Ore Nells North - American Near Me - Biddeford, Maine

This restaurant is perhaps the best local BBQ near Saco and Biddeford. Came the second time to enjoy the experience, although the difference is that I decided not to get alcohol. Regardless, the food was amazing with their spicy and BBQ sauces. The staff was excellent with their service and provisions given. Like giving silverware before the food comes, very friendly, and they were very informative about their menu and specials. The atmosphere and ambiance were very comforting and rustic, almost close to resembling a full Texas BBQ. Another plus is that they change their specials daily, meaning new and interesting items to offer, such as wings, salads, cocktails, etc. Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 read more

While in Biddeford and Saco we checked out several restaurants for a late lunch, one in Saco that was a breakfast and lunch place sat us down and then said they were only serving breakfast, weird! Others were tiny and had long waits, so lucky we found Ore Nells. Great service from the host that sat us and the waitress and really great food. The portions were not huge like many bbq place, the portions were just the right size. I usually don't like hot/spicy bbq sauce, but I did here. The food was really, really good and to my surprise, the sweet tea was also awesome!! I was not expecting a sweet tea done well so far up north. If we are in area again, we would eat here again. read more

Our household is split on Ore Nell's! I enjoyed the food and the overall vibe of the restaurant, but my husband wasn't as impressed -- he prefers some of the other barbecue options in town. We went for dinner on a Friday night and found plenty of open seats. The atmosphere was refreshingly unpretentious, with cozy booths that made us feel tucked away and relaxed. Service started strong but fizzled out as the night went on. Our server stopped coming by for water refills, forgot the bread we ordered, and never followed up on my second drink request. Now, the food. This is where the divide really shows. I enjoyed the barbecue (minus the sides), but my husband didn't feel the same way. We ordered the barbecue for two, which comes with a little bit of everything, and added the half chicken -- it was way too much food! The meats were solid overall, with good flavor and texture, though the pork was a bit bland for my taste. Unfortunately, the sides were a big miss. The macaroni was underwhelming, and the collard greens were only saved by the sprinkle of paprika on top. The potato salad was the best of the bunch but still nothing remarkable. On the bright side, the cocktails were great; well-made and reasonably priced. The cornbread special we had as an appetizer was also really good. I would still go back, but there's definitely room for improvement. read more

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Good bbq many options. We did take out. They didn't have any plastic ware but 7-11 across the street does. Friendly staff. Solid food options read more

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Everything was delicious but the specials were just that. The cornbread was crazy good and the Brussels were very tasty. Highly enjoyed the jalapeño sausage as well. Legitimate heat. read more

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Very good bbq! We got the bbq for two - brisket was excellent, pulled pork delicious & the ribs were falling of the bone. Great sides too! Best part, this was half the price of our usual local bbq place (smoke - knbnk). We'll be back! read more

Best collard greens in Maine bar none!!! Also the cheddar jalapeño cornbread is a must!

Found a relatively new place in Biddeford Maine. They have been open for just a little more now for two years it is a place to hit for the best BBq in the state. The owner is from Texas so the business knows what they are doing. There are two places right now the other is in Kittery Maine which I was told was a very nice place right on the water. I will be at that place next year when we get up here for the summer. But to get back to this restaurant it has a western type atmosphere with plenty of seating. We were met by the hostess with a smile and seated without any wait. Not to be out done by the server who was very courteous and she made sure the food and drinks came out in a timely manner. Ore Nell's has the best cornbread I have ever eaten and the bbq is amazing. This is definitely a bbq place on our radar and should be on yours when in the area. read more

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Nice BBQ, although I still prefer Smoke. People were nice and we got a nice table. It's almost like a sports bar. They told us they're from outside of Houston, Sugarland. Parking can get busy but there's some good street parking available. read more

Ore Nells North - 1/2 lb brisket. - American Near Me - Biddeford, Maine

New spot in Biddeford, this place was great! My group ordered a variety of items and they were all delicious. The banana pudding Service was great and quick for takeout. We got everything we ordered. Looking forward to dining in here! The inside is dark which is nice for eating messy bbq lol. Definitely recommend trying this place. read more

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Best thing we had was the appetizer. Brisket was dry, pulled pork was watery. Best meat was the ribs. But not much flavor.

What went well? Everything! From the moment we walked through the door last Sunday we were treated like honored guests. It was very obvious to see that everyone who works there loves their job. Onto the food part: my brisket was so tender I did not need a knife to cut it. Ore Nells does a Sunday brunch so naturally my nearest and dearest got the brisket omelette. It's been 4 days and he is still raving about how great his omelette was. If you're a Frito Pie lover please please please check out Ore Nells, because their version of Frito Pie is to die for! It's life changing. (slight exaggeration on my part) But it is really really tasty. The service was outstanding and the ambiance inviting and relaxed. read more

My husband and I are in Maine for vacation this week and wanted something different for supper. He found this facility online and we were so glad he did! The food was absolutely amazing. He got the 1/2 rack of ribs, Mac and cheese and fries. I got 1/2 lb pulled pork, Mac and cheese and cornbread. The cornbread was out of this world... the bbq sauce was put on the side which was nice so you could add as much or as little as you wanted. The building was so cute and had a great vibe when you walked in. The service was great, hostess was very friendly. Highly recommend! read more

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We went for the first time, we were greeted with big smiles, I think there was one waitress working so it took a bit of time to seated, but she was very friendly and served us well. As for the food, we had a mix reviews as my wife wasn't impressed. However, I enjoyed the food I had ribs, the only bad part they weren't hot as I am sure they were premade but very tender the way smoked meat should be. I am an avider smoker as I own multiple ones, and you know you have good smoked meat when you don't need BBQ sauce to enhance the taste. I think Ore Nell's is an excellence selection for Biddeford. read more

This was the best meal I've had in years. And... plot twist... it was entirely vegan. When I found out that Ore Nell's had started a collab with Xolo Kitchen (a company that assists restaurants with how to make an accessible and exciting vegan menu without compromising quality, quantity, or flavor) I made it a point to visit. To be totally honest, Ore Nell's was never on my radar before that. Why would they be? BBQ places are not herbivore friendly; which is a shame, because they could be. This felt too good to be true, so I didn't go in with high expectations. And now? I haven't stopped talking about them since! What we had: + 1/2 pound of BBQ seitan ribs ($9.50 per 1/4 lb): I genuinely can't remember the last time I ate something that tasted like this or had a texture like this! It was sticky on the outside, tender on the inside, and so much more succulent and chewy (in a good way) than I was expecting. I am SO GLAD my partner and I each got our own order! Note: all their proteins come with pickles and onions. + macaroni and cheese with cashew queso (large, $8): this was my partner's favorite side! He loved how creamy and stick-to-your-ribs thick it was. + potato salad (large, $7): this was my favorite side! I loved how it tasted like/felt like I was eating something a grandmother brought to a potluck. + cole slaw (large, $7): this side added some brightness to an otherwise pretty heavy meal, so if you love cabbage and mayo, you can't go wrong! + pinto beans (large, $7): so hearty, so smoky, so rich, these are absolutely a must have! - collard greens (small, $5): not for us, and that's okay! + fries ($7): since we're being candid here, we got the fries to use as a vessel for both types of BBQ sauce on the table, and 11/10 would do it again. + house sweet tea ($2): I don't think I've had sweet tea like this since spending time in the South with friends. We even got complimentary refills, but I'm not sure if this is standard practice. With so many other flavor profiles, the sugary sweetness of this helps balance everything out. ^ all of this for around $65; I don't think I've eaten THIS much (seriously, look at the photos) for THIS price in a long time! Their vegan options felt intentional, and not at all like an afterthought. Ordering was so easy too. The incredibly friendly and welcoming staff went out of their way *multiple times* to repeat that what we got was vegan. I never doubted once that I accidentally got the wrong thing; and, I never thought I'd feel so reassured or confident dining out... especially at a BBQ restaurant of all places. Standing ovation, Ore Nell's (and Xolo, you too). You're doing something incredibly special here. Please don't change a thing! read more

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I was really happy to learn that Ore Nells brought a second location to Biddeford after having a fantastic meal at their Kittery location! This is a great addition to the growing food scene in Biddo. The interior is well laid out and very comfortable. Luckily, we came in at lunchtime because we've heard it's really busy at dinner service. We ordered Barbeque For Two, which gives you perfect portions of brisket and pulled pork as well as four ribs. Plus three sides (we chose the Mac n cheese, collard greens, and fries). This is Texas style barbecue, tender and smokey. The meat was perfectly cooked; the ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender! Our server was really attentive and cheerful! She tempted us with some great sounding desserts, but we were full. Next time! read more

Ore Nells North - Barbecue For Two! - American Near Me - Biddeford, Maine

Just got back from dinner here, it was my first time to Ore Nell's. I got the vegan BBQ seitan ribs and vegan mac and cheese. Sweet tea for a drink. Ummm it was awesome, I can't wait to come back! Thank you so much Ore Nell's for having really solid vegan options, I love you for that. read more

Nice people, nice place. But, too expensive and not enough ... The platter ($27) had soggy coleslaw. excellent fries and very good brisket and ribs--but small portions and served room temp. They should have included corn bread or biscuits. (corn bread would have been an additional $7.00). The coffee was very weak. ($3.00). We are seniors and I doubt that many in Biddeford's senior demographic will make this a regular. read more

Easy to find just a bit past Palace dinner, this stylish new space, with plenty of parking makes fantastic Texas BBQ. Meaty ribs with plenty of dry rub,a wonderful bark and very tender. Delicious pickles,and sides. Combined with plump crispy andouille sausage, out of this world brisket , and a delightful hobo pie, and you and your loved one will have a feast to remember. if you order the medium or larger sizes, you will also probably plenty of delicious leftovers. Take note they are new, reservations and expanded hours should be available soon! Ps. Friendly welcoming service. read more

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Best barbecue in New England!!! Will certainly be back monthly, this place is worth the find. Lovely bar and seating inside, hoping there is outdoor seating this summer. Quick service and friendly people running the place. 100% would recommend the jalapeño corn bread. read more

So I am going to do my best with this review. I love barbecue. I was excited that there was another bbq place and that it close to home. They were very busy. Good sign. So this made me more excited. Inside is quaint. Staff was wonderful! Food was just eh. We ordered a variety of food to get a sampling. Cole slaw, just didn't like it, not sure why it was red in color and it seemed to be missing something. Cornbread, was halved corn jalapeño muffins, not fully cooked but they were yummy! Mac and cheese, again something was missing, it just had no flavor. Collards, my husband said they were good. The loaded fried baked potato... I had high hopes. Mine was not fully cooked. Mid potato was very hard not soft and fluffy . The toppings jalapeño bacon and cheese was good. Brisket was served cold. 1/2 rack ribs my husband approved, I thought dry and salty. I ordered 1/2 chicken. I expected it to be served just as described. It was chopped and it was drowning in sauce. I would have preferred to add my own sauce. On the trays there were pickles, I do not believe to be homemade and just raw onions on the tray. Not pickled, clearly did not understand the purpose of them on plate. The desserts, funnel cake was over fried, very hard and crunchy. It was served with with a dollop of whip cream. Freshly made but it was just heavy cream. There was no sugar, vanilla no sweetness at all. Which my husband quickly figured out that was why the banana pudding tasted off. The pudding itself was delicious but it was layered with the same whip cream that was lacking sweetness. We did inform the waitress to let the kitchen know so no one else would have their dessert served in the same way. I will go back, they have been open just a short time and I am chalking this up to the newness and working out the kinks! read more

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Another gem in Biddeford. Another gem in Biddeford. The smell as soon as you walk in sets the stage for a delicious meal. We shared a 1/2 pound of brisket, a large potato salad, and a large cole slaw. Note: we should have ordered the small size for the size as the portion was more than ample. The brisket was perfect. The tangy sauce added to the taste. Good selection of beer. Finished with the flourless chocolate torte. The servers were friendly and helpful. Will definitely add Ore Nell's to our list of places to return. read more

This was by for the best barbecue restaurant I've ever had in Maine. They had some great root beer and the best barbecue sandwich I've ever had. read more

We only went for drinks, but the food looked and smelled great. Looking forward to going back when in town again. Server and staff were wonderful, friendly, and welcoming. Drinks were delicious. read more

Ore Nells North - American Near Me - Biddeford, Maine

Great happy hour! The happy hour menu doesn't seem to be online anywhere but it was 4-6, likely M-F, and it's a great way to try some food specials, while also getting deals on drinks. We ordered the de arbol wings and the kale salad, the latter we know from the Kittery Ore Nells, and both were excellent and discounted. I took advantage of the $2 off drafts (also wine) and got some higher end IPA pints that would have been $9 for $7. They also had some $10 drink specials and cheaper options as well. I'm a sucker for their jalapeno cornbread muffins and the brisket continues to be some of the best in the state. The potato salad was good, but very crumbly. I absolutely love that they do nightly/weekly specials. I follow them on Instagram and every single special sounds amazing. It's also nice that you can go here and entirely skip the BBQ if you want. The ambiance leaves a little to be desired in my opinion, but they did an admirable job considering it was basically a house of pizza before. I love the Kittery location because it's beautiful inside and set outside on the water; here I almost wish they would lean into what they have and make it more like a sports bar... kind of reminds me of a Pats Pizza inside. So happy it's in the Biddo. read more

The service was outstanding, the ribs and brisket were good but the pulled pork was dry. We got the potato salad, coleslaw.l, and pinto beans as a side but they were horrible. I got the margarita and it was fantastic. read more

Ore Nells North - BBQ for two with 2 sides - American Near Me - Biddeford, Maine

Food was delicious! Our table tried the brisket and pulled pork; it didn't disappoint (and this comes from a southern who was imported to Maine)! Service was friendly and quick. Staff was very kind and welcoming. Ambiance was similar to what you'd get in the south, minus the sweat from the humidity give it a try if you like bbq (or wanna try)! read more

Finding good BBQ is a tough task in Maine, better options are available now than in the past though. Just tough when some of the southern states do it so well! Ore Nells North location in Biddeford is a very solid option. The spot is quite limited in seating from the looks of it so I could imagine long waits may happen during summer. The menu is quite small but honestly they have almost all that you would expect from a BBQ joint along with some specials. They had a decent draft list as well as some tasty sounding cocktails. This time in we decided to give some of their mocktails a try which was a nice surprise to see on the menu to have that cocktail like experience without the booze. A trend I expect to see more places offer on their menus. Food wise my fiancée got their 1/2 pound of brisket which was extremely tender and delicious with some of their sauces on it. I got their Frito Pie which was also tasty but wished the portion was bigger. Then for an added treat I got their banana pudding and my fiancée got their funnel cake. Once again the portion size of the banana pudding was a little smaller than I expected and the funnel cake just didn't hit the mark for me. Overall this is a very solid spot and I look forward to returning to give more of their menu a try. read more

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We have eaten at the Portsmouth location several times, the food and service have always been top tier. Trying the Biddeford location for the first time, the experience was just as good if not better. Possibly the best restaurant in Maine. read more

Stopped in Ore Nells on a trip to Maine and boy it did not disappoint!!! Our waiter Evan was attentive and helpful we asked for suggestions and he mentioned the cornbread which is a must and OMG it was delicious!!! We ordered 2 Bloody Mary's as it was Sunday Brunch one with burnt ends and the other with jalapeño sugared bacon we had no problem devouring those either. I ordered the Kale salad Very tasty and my husband ordered 2 proteins ribs and brisket. Rib meat fell off the bone and the brisket was moist-probably one of the better briskets I've tried. Sides were great as well. Definitely a stop when I visit Maine! read more

Thank you for the vegan options, they were DELICIOUS! And my meat-eating companions adored their food said it was the best. Your coleslaw was the best we had all ever had. And your pickles are as good as Amato's! That's saying a lot. read more

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Now open in the old Louis Pizza location, Ore Nell's BBQ adds another location! The Texas BBQ adds additional variety to the every growing food culture in Biddeford! We went with the Family Cookout and cornbread special appetizer. Feeds 4-6 and gives you a sampling of everything. The ribs, Mac n cheese, cornbread, and brisket were standouts! The ribs had a black crusty coating, fell off the bone, and melted in your mouth! Drink selection includes sacred profane right next door and other delicious mixed drinks. read more

Ore Nells North - Grand Opening - American Near Me - Biddeford, Maine

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