Maine-style barbecue. I never knew this was a thing, but it makes so much sense. Fat and protein do wonders for the body and soul when you've put in a full day of skiing and/or it's 10 degrees F or less out. Not to mention there's plenty of maple wood to be had in Maine for smoking. I don't have much of a basis of comparison to other Maine-style bbq places, but what I tried of the The Rack's bbq was excellent by any standard. I'm not sure I detect a huge difference from, say, Eastern South Carolina style 'cue. In fact, the sauce that my ribs (half rack of ribs with mac 'n' cheese, baked beans, coleslaw and cornbread; $38) came with would feel right at home in Eastern SC: vinegary with a touch of heat. The ribs had a wonderful layer of bark and were moist, but not fatty. They were not heavily seasoned or salted, which many of those in the know prefer since the quality of the meat can shine through. It did, here. Of course I didn't snap a photo of my meal -- I was so excited to eat, I forgot! -- but it came with a generous portion of mac 'n' cheese (pleasantly cheesy, but undersalted by our standards), baked beans (very vinegary, made with onions that could've been cooked to a softer consistency, but were enjoyable in their own right), a mayonnaise-y coleslaw (fair), and a tiny square of cornbread. The cornbread was southern style to my surprise and delight, not the fluffy, sweet, cake-like version usually passed off as cornbread in the north. I loved the slightly spicy, slightly sweet pickles that accompanied, as well. The Pardner had the kimchi beef short rib (shredded beef short rib in a kimchi beef broth served over seared sticky rice with chef's vegetable of the day, pickled carrots and daikon, hoisin bbq sauce, Korean bbq sauce, fried garlic, scallions and cilantro; $38). He mostly enjoyed the dish, but I found the texture of the seared sticky rice too hard and chewy, personally. There was more sweetness and less spice in the bowl than I personally prefer and would expect from the name. The vegetable of our day was broccoli, cooked crisp. One of my progeny had the smoked brisket sando ($26). I didn't try the sandwich, since it was inhaled in seconds, but I deduce it was good. The fries I snagged were crispy on the outside, tender on the inside -- great! The other progeny had a L'il Rippers (children's menu) grilled cheese with fries ($12). She enjoyed it, but evidently not as much as my mac 'n' cheese, ribs, and cornbread, which she heavily poached. There are many good local beers on tap, from clean taps based on what we tried. There's a hand-written menu in the back room by the pool table, which listed $5 specials. This restaurant, partly owned by Olympic snowboarder Scott Wescott (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seth_Wescott), is clearly very popular. (There was a 20 minute wait on a Friday evening, even on the dregs of the Sugarloaf ski season.) I think it probably draws Carrabassett Valley Academy students, families, and staff, given that this well-known ski and snowboard school is just a short walk away. Customers are a great mix of teenagers and young adults, old people, families, Mainers and tourists -- and everyone seems to have a good time. The pool table, dart boards, and arcade are fun for kids of all ages. We were given a compostable (non-waxed) cardboard box for leftovers. Appreciate the planet-friendly approach. The bartender in the back room was great -- so nice and helpful. Wait staff were nice, but no-nonsense in that extremely competent Mainer sort of way. It's easy to see why The Rack is popular. read more

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The Rack has always been the best Apres Ski bar in the east, serving up amazing live music and drinks that will have you struggling to make first chair. But in the past 2-3 years, their food game has gotten a complete make-over for the better. Our family's go-to is the Mexican Corn Street Nachos, add chicken, but recently we branched out more and let me tell you...it has not disappointed! Most recently, I had the Hot Pastrami Reuben (but had them remove the spicy components because #heartburn) and WOW, that was one of the best reubens I've ever had. not only that, but the pastrami itself was some of the best tasting pastrami ever. So juicy, flavorful, and not overly fatty. The BBQ is also phenominal. Maybe the post-skiing hunger and good beer selection makes me biased but hey....it really is good! read more

The food was fine, but below average. The service was pretty slow, and took about 30 minutes to get our food. The only thing that bumps this review up to 2.5 stars is the arcade, which had air hockey and a racing game that were pretty good, also there was a band that was good. Other than that, not a great experience. I think they could do better. I mean, if you're the only restaurant around here, come on. Up your game! Really the only place we could go, but will definitely try to find a different place. Don't recommend. read more

The Rack BBQ - My food - Barbeque Near Me - Carrabassett Valley, Maine

The Rack is a must visit restaurant when at Sugarloaf. While the parking lot is often full, there is plenty of space at the bar or in the backroom. The food has been getting better over the years. We got a wide variety of food from BBQ, Tacos, and Curry, they have something for everyone. We often get pizza from here and it is always good. The place is decorated with ski and snowboard equipment including one of the owner's gear from his boardercross career. The staff is friendly and efficient, we had a great experience and looking forward to coming back. read more

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Very cool concept nice location good atmosphere. Then the food came. The ribs were so dry you could not chew them even with all the bbq sauce they bought with meal. The pork and brisket were lack luster at the most! The kielbasa was the savior of the meal. The server ask if the food was ok and told them it was very dry. They said they would take a few bucks off the bill. Well they took a few bucks off? To my surprise the bill was very expensive. Very close to the hotel we were staying you think they would have great bbq since it's in their name. Would not go back. read more

I don't even know where to start. The venue initially offered a sense of local acceptance as it has a great vibe. The entrance gives you a sign that is a place to remember for the rest of your life. The waiting time was minimal, and the greeting was outstanding. The bar area was filled with live music, and people were enjoying a great afternoon. Now, when it comes to the service and the food, well, this is where amnesia kicks in. After getting a good recommendation, I decided to try this place. I am going to be as accurate as possible so that you understand my point of view. Ordering the food took an arm and a leg. Menu took longer than usual. Since the menu looked long, it was dediced to get a platter. Oh boy, was that a mistake. The BBQ was undercooked and definitely would have been a two star had not been for the set-up. I dont particularly enjoy this, but undercooked BBQ is totally unacceptable. The mac and cheese on the platter was good, but when I ordered it on the side, it was not so good. The coleslaw was totally untouched. The chicken and the sausage were acceptable, and it made the platter bearable. There was an appetizer of shrimp ceviche. While this was a desirable plate... OMG, how can you mess Ceviche up? There are basic ingredients in a ceviche, but one is not an acidic taste. Although the combination of items was a mixology of ingredients, there was one that became new to me which was a Peruvian sweet hot pepper that was very small in nature, but it did not solve the problem of the overall taste. Finally, there were the baked beans. Another disappointment and it was an untouched item as a spoon was lacking, but the taste was too sweet and lacked the BBQ taste. On my final note, the service. While very courteous, the service is by far the most crucial experience of a first-time visitor. The one rule you never violate is to sit at a table while taking guests' orders. During the waiting period, no drinks were brought. In fact, the drinks arrived after the food came. Also, the items were asked several times, and some were not even brought in the end, such as napkins, which are a must at any BBQ place. One of the guests asked for a spoon three times and lime for the ceviche. I noticed that the spoons were near us, and for some reason, the waitress took the entire time we were there to bring us a spoon for the baked beans. She brought it to us as we were ready to ask for the check. She could have easily taken two minutes of her time to bring it to us and resolve it immediately. I am not sure how many times we called her, and she pretended not to hear us. Lastly, when we gave the waitress our card to pay for the dinner, she walked around with our card for over 10 minutes while taking and bringing orders to other tables. The venue may offer a great selection of plates, but this small experience makes me wonder about the rest of the plates. Truly, the experience was a 2.5-star if not 2. Anyway, this was the experience this time around. I hope you take this info into consideration. Nevertheless, your experience may be totally different from mine. read more

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The food here is very good. They also have a cool fire pit. It's also the only game in town so if you don't like if you have to just go home. I went here with my 25 to 27 year old friends. They repeated asked us if we're 21 and checked IDs multiple times with different people. We spent $800+ at dinner and then after dinner, they come and threaten to kick you out if you don't pay cover for their goofy cover band. So then they charge you between $10-20 per person just to stay in the bar that you already have been in for 2+ hours. After spending literally $800. They also called the cops on my 25 year old friend and accused him of using a fake ID. This place is amateur hour. Will not be coming back. Absolute goon show. read more

Super fun place to come with the whole family. Decent food, good drinks, excellent vibes.

The Rack is the go-to Apres spot for Sugarloafers. Every time I am up skiing I always make sure to stop by the Rack either for some drinks or for dinner. I don't always get food but when I do I generally enjoy it, especially compares to food near the base lodge of Sugarloaf. You may not expect much but the pizza and BBQ are both killer late night foods and paired really well with many of their fantastic beer options. The interior makes for one of the coolest ski bars I have ever visited. You will find tons of retro ski stuff on the walls as well as some local nods. Interestingly enough there are also some surfboard and Surfing items which I found both cool and weird. The service can be hit or miss but you have to keep an open mind. The place is huge and it is one of the few late places in a small mountain town. The employees are always nice and helpful but tends to suffer most when its busy so best know ahead of time what you want to drink and eat. There is a shuttle that you can call that will pick you up and drop you off at the mountain, I highly recommend using this service as the parking lot fills up fast. read more

On New Year's Eve, we were told that they did not take reservations and we should arrive before 6 pm. Great advice! We were seated right away. Our waiter was very nice and as attentive as he could be as thin as he was stretched. My husband enjoyed his pizza, the pulled pork was very good, and the Cole Slaw I could not put down. I could not figure out why it was different, but I would order just that! The downside of serving Bar-B-Q on a tray is that it cools down too fast. The Mac & Cheese was better when I heated it up the next day. I don't care for beans, and my husband liked them, but he wished they were not so hot. The only downside was that there was no substantial separation between the bar area and the dining room, and it was karaoke night. For the first hour we were there, it was hard to hold a conversation. We will go back when in the area! read more

The Rack BBQ - Pulled Pork Dinner - Barbeque Near Me - Carrabassett Valley, Maine

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A must hit après-ski in Sugarloaf for a reason. The ambiance was rustic and charming, but also lively thanks to the live music. After a long day on the slopes, we were lucky to get a spot at the bar and enjoy some draft beers and nachos while enjoying the live music. Afterwards, we sat in the dining room for dinner. We tried the BBQ platter with a half rack of smoked ribs. The BBQ and sides were very tasty, it was the perfect amount to split amongst two. Four stars because it thought the dining room ambiance was just OK, definitely recommend the bar and outdoor areas especially when there is live music! read more

The Rack BBQ - BBQ Platter - Half Rack Smoked Ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Carrabassett Valley, Maine

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Absolutely the best Reuben I have every had. Bartenders are busting their ass to make sure everyone has a beverage and hot food. Stop in and see Heather and the team for cold drinks and amazing food options after skiing Sugarloaf read more

The Rack BBQ - Menu page 1 - Barbeque Near Me - Carrabassett Valley, Maine

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I am not a skier myself but this self-proclaimed skier bar is just what I might have imagined one to be. A place to eat, drink, and hang. In this case, a friend and I did just that but after a lengthy summer hike from Mount Abraham to the slopes of Sugarloaf. Opting to have dinner in the 6 o'clock range to appease our rumbling tummies, we had no problem securing a table indoors (outdoor seating on this pleasant-weather day would have been delayed). We waited a short bit for the waitress whose first message was that they were short-staffed and she was super busy. Fair... but it does make one question if they should stay or chance a drive somewhere else. Opting to stay, the wait was not terrible overall. This was eased by quick delivery of some Maine brews from the bar. The BBQ was quite tasty. I opted for a Smoked Kielbasa BBQ Platter with cornbread, coleslaw, mashed potatoes and baked beans. I chose a Hoisin BBQ sauce which paired nicely. Appetizer was a hearty bowl of Pickle Fries (delicious!). The kielbasa was delectable and exactly what I was hoping for. The sides... not so much. Cornbread was incredibly dry, the coleslaw was flavorless, and the mashed potatoes mediocre. So I filled up on sausage and pickles but was overall content with doing just that. As the meal drew on, the volume and patronage increased tenfold. A band started playing outdoors and lines at the bar turned endless. I was happy to have arrived when I did. If I pulled up to the parking lot seeing what I did when we were leaving, I would have turned right back around. I very much likened it to a Boston bar after work hours on a Friday evening. Young crowd. People vying for space at the outdoor tables. Plates were a bit more expensive that I would have liked (based on what I received) but was to be expected with its proximity to Sugarloaf. Glad to have arrived at a somewhat earlier hour as the later atmosphere was a bit too high-energy for my post-hike self. read more

The atmosphere is cool, typical ski bar vibe. No complaints there. The food and service leave alot to be desired. After a long day on the mountain I look forward to a nice nourishing meal. BBQ it is! However this is not real BBQ, it's hardly even edible. I've been here several times since there aren't many dining options near Sugarloaf. The quality of the food is really poor, the bbq is definetly not "smoked" the same day. In fact I doubt this is house made BBQ, it tastes like pre-made ribs you'd buy at the grocery store and heated up. The fixings are not homemade and taste bland and totally not fresh. The wings were smoked and ok. Beer selection pretty good, but it's not hard to serve a decent beer, no sympathy from me there. The service is horrible, they probably don't have alot of people to hire around here. It's unfortunate because the concept and location is killer, they just totally drop the ball when it comes to everything else. read more

We ordered takeout for dinner...quick, accurate and delicious. Healthy potions go bbq and tuna. Right at the entrance to sugarbush. We were all full and happy. Even had leftovers which were good too. read more

SO packed had to wait 3 hours to get food on a Sunday and my burger was burnt. The rack is shit

Open mic night was the theme tonight and it seemed to be very popular as there were a lot of ppl, but sadly not enough help. Loved the ambiance- the open mic was outside and so many ppl brought their dogs and were able to eat at their tables with their well behaved pooches. We had to wait quite a bit for a hostess to appear...we wound up just walking inside to see if anybody could help us, but the hostess eventually came out and she was very nice but looked super busy. Our waitress was the same way- super friendly but looked overwhelmed. From what we could see, there possibly were only 2 waitstaff during the busy dinner time and open mic event. That said, our food was super yummy! I ordered the Falafel burger with the slaw and tzatziki on the side. I don't like my sandwiches to be drenched in condiments so that was super awesome they were able to accommodate me. The sweet potato fries were delicious. Not sure why they put the burger on top of them though...made most of them soft and only the ones on the sides were crispy. Still delicious though, but would've been even better if they were all on the side! The burger (falafel patty) came out piping hot and was fantastic. Hubby got a burger topped with pulled pork and bacon (couldn't get any good photos as we both attacked all that pulled pork pouring off his burger) and it was a huge serving and mouth watering! My SIL got the margherita pizza and it was a big pizza for one person! She really enjoyed it! My BIL got the brisket burger and devoured his plate too! The meal was delicious with generous servings and great staff. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars was because that great staff needs some more support so the customers won't have to wait so long for their meal and for the check. But otherwise, great place- highly recommend! read more

The Rack BBQ - Falafel burger! - Barbeque Near Me - Carrabassett Valley, Maine

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This place is super chill. Feels like your cool uncle converted a barn into a 4 floor party house that eventually evolved into a full restaurant with a stage for live music, an arcade, and TVs and bar games everywhere. 4 stars just because their ribs were kinda lame. I got a platter with mac&cheese, coke slaw, and ribs. Coming from the Midwest my ribs standards are pretty high....but there ribs were dry, rough, and hard to eat. Their BBQ sauce I got with the ribs were OK but not great. Service was good and fun. Our server had some personality and definitely made it fun. My friends burger looked amazing and the fries were solid. read more

After seeing less than 4 stars for this place we were slightly apprehensive, but with each bite I said I'd give the baked beans a 5, I'd give the Mac n cheese a 5, the brisket a 5, the ribs a 5, pow wow sauce a 5 and our server Mike a 5! It was all so yummy! Evidently they have a newer guy on the smoker and he's awesome. Enjoy! read more

Serving portions are HUGE. Good grub, live music and a happening place. Ribs meaty, all the fixing are included, not the cheapest, but you really almost get 2 meals out of it if you don't pig out. read more

This place should not be in business. I got engaged at Sugarloaf Mountain last night and went to the Rack for drinks and bites to celebrate with 6 people. Not only could the waiter have cared less (was if anything rude about the engagement) we were repeatedly brought the wrong drinks/had drinks forgotten. As if that wasn't bad enough, the six of us shared a plate of nachos where the chips were burnt black and inedible while the cheese was not melted. The waiter honest to god said "yikes, we wouldn't eat those" when placing them down and asked if we wanted them remade which we said yes to, but he simply walked away? The chicken parm special and wings were also ordered. The chicken parm was served cold and without cheese and the wings were so soggy, then fall apart when you picked one up. Nothing was remotely edible. As the gift that keeps on giving, that night all 6 of us had explosive diarrhea and had to fight over the bathroom in our small air bnb, and two of us, including my fiancé, spent the next day also throwing up. F this place. read more

I have been to the Rack dozens of times and have always thoroughly enjoyed myself - food, drink, atmosphere, bands, staff, all are A+ quality! The last time that I was there (Summer 2020) the manager/part owner was chatting with us and actually took our food order. I asked if they happened to have anchovies for a Caesar salad and he wasn't sure but would check. He literally left the restaurant and ran to the local market to buy anchovies for my Caesar salad. I was shocked! That right there is customer service!!! I honestly cannot visit the valley without stopping at The Rack. Highly recommend! Customer Service at it's Finest!!! read more

The Rack BBQ - Cheers by the firepit! - Barbeque Near Me - Carrabassett Valley, Maine

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Hit or miss, the atmosphere is always good. I have been to The Rack A few times over several hiking trips. As you know, if you are reading this review, this area is just beautiful and lovely. I have been when it is quieter and have sat inside the ski lodge-esque bar and ordered food with great service and a delightful chicken honey bourbon BBQ plate with delish sides. The bartender had some nice infused simple syrups you could use your imagination to make your own clever cocktail concoctions, if that is your thing (checking the box over here). On the last time I went , it was clearly the busy time and we sat outside. The service didn't seem as great, and I received what ended up being burnt boneless chicken breast instead of the 1/2 chicken was on the menu. I really dislike burnt barbecue sauce and overcooked chicken, which is a feat I can pull off at home. I can now see why some of the reviews might be all over the place. If I had known there was a substitute, I probably would have ordered something else. When I asked for more barbecue sauce (trying to salvage the burnt meal) the waitress apologized that they had substituted on the menu. The price per meal is not cheap, and you really want the quality you pay for. Here's to hoping that you make it here on one of the good days, it's worth it. Drop me a comment if you came here and had some thing really good! read more

The Rack BBQ - Bourbon bbq - Barbeque Near Me - Carrabassett Valley, Maine

I went here for my 21st birthday and had a blast! My only complaint is that I didn't get carded haha. Anyways, the ribs were excellent, and the white nitro cream ale was as well! I'll definitely be back :) read more

The Rack BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Carrabassett Valley, Maine

If you go, ask for Wren. She is an absolute delight. Took care of us 2 nights in a row and put up with our shit with a smile under her mask. Wings were great, pizza too. Couldn't have asked for a better experience. Give Wren a raise. read more

Thought it would be good. I have been going to sugarloaf for years and have never had a worse meal. I waited for 1:30 for a brisket sandwich that was undercooked and full of fatty meat. I also was surprised when I found a foot long hair in my food. The Cole slaw was dry and the fries were over cooked. All in all I rate the service and food 2/10. Terrible experience and will never go back! read more

With limited options around Sugarloaf, and most closing fairly early, there is one place you can go to grab a semi-late dinner. The Rack's kitchen closes at 10 PM, but I'd advise coming earlier as they might turn you away if you come a few minutes before 10 PM. After 10 PM, it turns into a quasi nightclub with live band, cheap drinks and a good time. There is a $5 cover charge to enter as well. That was exactly what happened to us when we came at 9:55 PM on a Saturday night, which we decided to return the following night. Our party of 4 came on a Sunday night around 6 PM and were fortunate enough to be seated promptly near the bar area as there was a live band playing there. If you have larger parties, I'd advise coming around this time, as 7 PM seemed to be the time where a wait for to be seated in the dining area began. The decor is very rustic, with wood trimmings, giving you the impression that you are in a barn or countryside ambiance. There is also a basement area with arcade systems and a foosball table. Bathrooms are also located downstairs but be warned that they can get very dirty. The two men's urinals were filled with everyone's urine and would not flush. We heard good things about the wings, so to start we ordered Wings (5 for $7.99) with the Sweet Pow Pow Sauce, touted as a sweet and spicy sauce. We were told they were running out of wings and said only orders of 5 were available, so we ordered that just so that we can try it. But luckily that we did, because I was somewhat disappointed in the wings. They didn't have that crispy skin, erring on the ever so slightly slimy side. And the flavor were only on the skin of the chicken, which my guess was that it wasn't marinaded long enough. Subtlety sweet and spicy on the outside with a juicy inside, but I still only found them to be average run-of-the-mill wings that I wouldn't think twice about. For dinner, I ordered the Beef Brisket Sandwich ($9.95) made in the same Sweet Pow Pow BBQ Sauce. A average serving of brisket was served on the bun, along with sweet potato fries, 4 thin pickle slices, and a small container of slaw. The brisket was tender and moist, and the sweet and spicy flavors were a lot more pronounced, making for one tasty sandwich. It wasn't very filling, but it was just the right amount that I didn't find myself full. But of course I had to try other people's dishes, which I also tried the Pulled Pork Sandwich ($8.95) also made in the Sweet Pow Pow BBQ Sauce. It was just as tender and tasty as the Beef Brisket Sandwich, and I could just as well say that either are good choices with none edging over the other. I also tried The Rack's Ribs, their signature dish, slow roasted in-house with spiced rub. The meat pulled off cleanly from the bone, but it didn't have the moist and juicy texture that one should come to expect when eating ribs. It bordered on slightly dry. The spice rub was very tasty, but it didn't result in a very enjoyable rib. After we finished our meal, we headed to bar area so we could listen to the live band, which played country-like music. Everyone was having a good time, dancing and drinking. A few other random people came up to us in their jovial attitudes to say hello and give us a cheers. It's a great place to have a drink and listen to the music. And if you're not into country music, there is a large screen above the stage where a sports game is being aired. We also found the same drinks that we ordered at the dining room to be cheaper. Three drafts and a bottle of apple cider was only $15. Although the website says it closes at 12 AM, we were told they stay open until around 3 AM. The Rack definitely serves up some decent food that we all enjoyed. Add that to a live band and cheap drinks at the bar area, and one might have a darn good time. It's one place I actually look forward to returning to when looking for a place to eat at in the Sugarloaf ski area. If coming in the warmer months, there is also an outdoor area in the front of the restaurant that I imagine could be quite fun as well. read more

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3.5 stars This place is clearly a landmark at "The Loaf". It's a really cool building with games downstairs, nice big bar, stage live music. Definitely "apres ski". You can get complimentary shuttle from The Loaf to here so you don't have to drive. I think this is a better place to have a beer or two post ski, then move on to somewhere else. Not really worth making "a night of it"... We had a couple minuses... The service was painfully slow. I can get over that, they seemed understaffed, overwhelmed etc... But should get improved upon. The real downer was the food quality. NTG... Not That Good. I had the pizza (tried to play it safe), and my friend had the BBQ chicken. Both dishes were very average. And looking at the other stuff that was brought out; what other people were having I think my summary could go across the board. Good for a beer or two. Cool atmosphere. Skip the dinner. read more

The service was slow as they were extremely busy. The place is large and our waiter had lots of tables. But the Ribs were fall-off-the- bone delicious. The BBQ chicken wings were also great. A friend had the steak tips and said they were very tender. read more

What an absolute gem. The atmosphere is everything you want a ski bar to be. We played endless games of I Spy with my 6 yo. The food was much better than I expected / it needs to be. Highlights were the Mexican Street Corn nachos and the brisket and ribs. Pro tip if you have kids.. if you need to wait for a table, there's a whole arcade down on the Lower level by the restrooms. The Rack without question will be part of all future visits to Sugarloaf. read more

Great barbecue, burgers, and pizza. Ribs were legit. Wait can be long, but fun for kids, and drinks are good. Solid beer selection. Great family and friends place. read more

This is your perfect after skiing dinner and drinks. Such a cool feel and really great staff. The place just feels woodsy and cozy, love it there. It's a BBQ joint, good selection on the menu and good food. It's not fancy but it's just what's needed when you get off the slopes! read more

The waitress was not willing to substitute fries for mac and cheese. She claimed it was restaurant policy. The mac and cheese lacked flavor. The baked beans got all the seasoning. They were way over-seasoned. The brisket was very fatty. Kitchen didn't trim the fat. Waitress did not refill my soda or offer refills. She was very slow bringing the bill. I was excited to try their BBQ but my experience was disappointing. I probably won't go back. read more

I have always had a really good time at night here with friends. They have excellent local beers on tap and there is usually some good entertainment on the weekends/holidays. They have an arcade in the basement too. I never ate here until a few weeks ago and I must say that I was very impressed. My prime rib was cooked to a perfect medium/medium rare and the horseradish dipping sauce was pretty killer. My potatoes were bangin' and had just the right amount of garlic and salt & pepper. ........... and my dinner roll was surprisingly soft and fresh. I will not be eating at The Widowmaker on my next trip up to Sugarloaf. read more

The Rack BBQ - Boom !!! Prime Rib! - Barbeque Near Me - Carrabassett Valley, Maine

After 5 years, decided to be open & give the Rack a another try. Greeted by a great kid and CHase doing trivia night. It took 20 minutes to get a beer @ our table. Waitress had No Clue , of Soup of the Day...Really? The kid our hostess was able to finally answer the Soup of the Day. Food finally camee after 1/2 hour of sucking down a beer. This waitress could have cared less. Hubby ordered burger and Roll was cold(outoffridgecold)and fries & OR too Chase time to watch your staff & stream line your service. trivia should Not be your Prioty! We We Won't Be Back...it Suckedd read more

If you like gasoline flavored ribs... give this place a try. 2nd time visiting Sugarloaf, 1st time we tried The Rack. We figured that BBQ would be their specialty... it's not. Husband and I shared rack of ribs that literally tasted like lighter fluid had been poured on them, then flash grilled. Terrible. Waitress was great. Atmosphere was great. Game room in basement was great for our kids. Made the mistake of going back last night we were in town. BIG MISTAKE. Lots of places were full so we called and they stated over the phone that there was no wait. 5 minutes later when we arrived...It was 40 minute wait time? Then we all ordered pizza because we were scared of the BBQ. They said it would be 20 minutes. 1 hour passed and we didn't see our terrible waitress the entire time. When she did finally come to our table, I was angry (of course) and asked when our pizza might arrive since an entire hour had passed with no explanation! My 3 yr old was very hungry not too mention the rest of us. Pizza arrived well after an hour passed. Waitress acted irritated every time we asked her for anything. Wait, what?? Don't expect tasty food. Enjoy the atmosphere and beer. Let the kids enjoy the game room:) keep your fingers crossed about the service..it's hit or biggest miss ever. read more

Went here when we were unable to locate 45 North. Glad we couldn't find it. Our hotel recommended it as the place to get the local "vibe" This is clearly the local "Cheers". Regulars have their own mugs and there's a visible list of people who need to clean up their tabs dating to last month. There appear to be live events (music/trivia/etc.) every night but check the calendar on the website. It was open mic night and we heard two decent acoustic guitarists. Food was solid. I had the maple steak. Decent, but not sure if I'd order it again. Lady had the brisket sammich. Good stuff. Don't leave without trying the sweet potato fries. We will be back. read more

The Rack BBQ - Jack Torrance in bottle caps. I think the moose has glaucoma. - Barbeque Near Me - Carrabassett Valley, Maine

Super fun with different floors. My law school trip went to the the Rack on Friday night and then to Widowmaker on Saturday. We had so much fun at the Rack the night before that we all decided to leave Widowmaker to go back for a second night. The band playing was really great and the bartenders were all friendly and quick. At some point in the night, I drunkenly lost my wallet but only realized the next day (already back in MA). I called them and they had found my wallet and MAILED IT TO ME FOR FREE, despite my offering to pay. The person I spoke to on the phone was super nice and organized. This is probably my favorite bar ever. read more

Rather unimpressed. We watched them seat larger tables that arrived after us, ahead of us. Then when we complained the put us in the worst table that was near the door that was constantly open and in the flow of traffic. The table was too small for our party of 6. It took 30 minutes to take a simple order. Again tables seated after us had orders taken ahead of us (same waitress). 2 hours and no food. The food is average at best. I will know better next time. read more

Menu showed promise and we were excited to try the ribs. Nice selection of beers and wait staff were prompt. House salad was nice. Sadly the ribs were way over cooked and dry to the point that they could not be saved by the bbq sauce. We won't be going again. read more