Great food. Ordered the egg and steak. Nice big chunks of beef cooked to perfection. It was tender and delicious. Also ordered the fried pickles. They were good. Needed more ranch however. Busy spot. Might have to wait. read more

Third Alarm Diner - Steak and a lot of it!!!! - Diners Near Me - Sanford, Maine

Best Breakfast In Town the waitresses are hit or miss but most of them are okay some are clearly better than others (especially for such a small venue) and they are kinda VERY stingy with the creamers for the coffee that's my biggest complaint all the food is usually great and consistent and the service for the most part is the same definitely a Sanford Favorite read more

Third Alarm Diner - #2 - Diners Near Me - Sanford, Maine

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This is our go to breakfast as a local it's always delicious it's always consistent and the service is always great I give them 10 out of 5 stars lol you gotta come here and try it! And yes it's better than Mel's Rasberry Patch read more

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Haven't been here in a few years and was near by and wanted something for lunch. When I tell you it was beyond worth it, I mean it. The smokehouse burger was absolutely fantastic! Not to mention the all day breakfast if you're looking for that. Highly recommend, and I'll be back again. read more

Third Alarm Diner - Smokehouse burger - Diners Near Me - Sanford, Maine

My husband and myself went to the restaurant on 7/24/26 and we were seated right away. Then the trouble stared first we ordered out beverages mine a creamsicle from adult menu she left brought my husbands drink and looked at me and said would you like something else because it takes me so long to make it!!! Then we ordered our food. Three more tables were seated and staff disappeared. I noticed That those tables got served before us! Hubby asked where our food was and why people who arrived after us got there food first, she said sorry we had a 30 top show up and it got crazy. 20 min. after that we were getting up to leave it came out she then asked if we wanted it to go. I asked for the check, left the food on the table and left a $1.00 tip and left!!!! We will never go back!!!! read more

My 1st time at the Third Alarm impressed me. I love the atmosphere (local firefighters theme), my breakfast was great, the server was prompt and friendly. Their menu selection is substantial being they offer breakfast, lunch and dinner! Oh yeah, you can also have a bloody mary or mimosa with your breakfast if you want. If you're there for lunch or dinner it can be a beer or wine. I will definitely stop by to check out a lunch & dinner. Only my 1st time but I can tell that this is a solid diner you can count on for a good affordable meal and friendly local hospitality. read more

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I mean, it is one of the cheapest lobster mac & cheese I've come across. They do use real lobster so that's a plus. Is this the quality of the sauce. It doesn't have that much flavor. I need a stronger punt of cheddar cheese or Parmesan. it is a very small diner, but it was full when I got in there so that must mean something they're doing is correct I wouldn't get this mac & cheese again but I would try something else on the menu and it does come with a bread roll so that's nice. read more

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Cute little diner! Staff was super nice too. My breakfast was delish. Nice fluffy pancake. Home fries were boring (and a surprise upsell, sneaky!!). I should've have specified a hard cook on my egg in my sandwich but it was tasty anyhow. Turkey open face was good! Cole slaw excellent. Beans were good, maybe homemade? read more

Third Alarm Diner - Diners Near Me - Sanford, Maine

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Great food at a very reasonable price. Fries were soft inside and crispy on the outside. Burger was juicy and a good amount of meat. Tomato and lettuce was fresh and crispy. Bacon was well grilled read more

Third Alarm Diner - Inside dining area - Diners Near Me - Sanford, Maine

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Stopped at this cool little diner for breakfast while taking the long way home from Maine. Service was exceptional and food delicious! Highly recommended! I can't wait to return! read more

It is exactly what it looks like so anyone expecting more should seek breakfast in Paris, France. Are the staff members moody? No -- just young, and they make up for their inexperience with lots of positive energy and enthusiasm. read more

Hot, fresh food and fast service.This trip, I had a mushroom Swiss burger and I will absolutely order it again! And, as always, onion rings are a must! read more

Third Alarm Diner - You know you want it - Diners Near Me - Sanford, Maine

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Third Alarm Diner is a gem in Sandford. The food is homemade and delicious and don't even get my husband started on the pies! Service is friendly and helpful. It's a regular stop for us! read more

Third Alarm Diner - Lobster roll and French fries - Diners Near Me - Sanford, Maine

Great little diner for a simple tasty dinner. Had breakfast for dinner which was great and someone else had a great Rueben sammich. Would come again. read more

A childhood and Sanford staple, 100% 5* everything about it is awsome and the severs dont having having a short chat sometimes read more

Food is amazing, been here numerous amount of times, service is always fast with great employee vibes. The inside of the restaurant is small but very welcoming. 10/10 read more

This small restaurant is a gem, even though you can barely turn around in it! The food is the yummiest, breakfast is the best! One negative, it's very noisy. Good waitresses keep you fed, and the wait time is not a problem. Parking is a problem, so wear comfortable footwear read more

Love this neighborhood breakfast place. Good fast service with a hard working staff. Portions and food all very good!

We have always loved Third Alarm, we would go a lot. For some reason the past three times there was longer wait times and the food was good however not as good as it used to be to be. read more

SEVEN WORDS: EASY EATS, SMALL BUT COZY HOMESTYLE DINER. . The diner is specifically that: a small corner shop has been thoutfully redesigned to maximize both seating and overall comfort. If you glance at the photos, it seems cramped, but the aisles are plenty wide enough for both patron and qai t ers. It also seems like a table was probably removed at some point JUST to get a little more elbow room. . So, we settled ourselves in for a late breakfast. I ordered the Tanker Truck, a standard full breakfast with a little bit of everything: Two Eggs, Three Sausage Links, a couple of heaps of Home Fries, a piece of French Toast, and also some sliced Wheat Toast. . The plate was a standard Blue Plate Size, but it was heaped with goodness; the two types of toast each had their own ates, so there was plenty to eat. . The eggs and both toasts were standard fare. The sausage was a little milder that I was used to, with no spices nor oats in the stuffing for filler - and it had an almost sweet t aste. The Home Fries Co sister of a standard and regular crop. They were grilled to a crisp but not at all burnt. The inside was soft but not cu.bersome with a starchy taste like so man t others. That was also a nice touch. . My wife ordered the Texas Poach and it inuded two Poached Eggs laid on top of some hot and mmelty American cheese and a bed of the same Home Fries, although this but thus bunch had a crunching bite. Also, there was a pinch of Hot Sauce, but just to give the Eggs a little extra kick o help them over the top. . After I've said all this, it might be hardtop see why I only gave this 4 out of 5 Stars... . It was a really good meal with good value and very good service. . But that's just it - it could easily be any readers fa oriented spot. Then again, it could just as easily be overlooked until that person who lways eats here suggests it. . So, it flies just below the radar. A very strong 4 out of 5. read more

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Very small diner. VERY BUSY PLACE. Some had to wait for a table but was worth it. Very friendly staff, hard working. Meal was great!

Three alarms, FIVE STARS BABY! I half expected something gimmicky remembering the radio advertisements but Third Alarm stands on business with fire diner fare. The burgers are top tier and the Mudslide milkshake with booze in it slapped. Cajun fries ++ read more

Stopped in at this place for breakfast before our journey back home to Rhode Island. Was a decent basic breakfast nothing out of this world to report. I had the eggs Benedict and my eggs were runny even though I asked for poached hard. My guy had the Reuben sandwich which he said was just fine. Decor is a little outdated and it is tiny and cramped inside. A diner is a diner and you will leave smelling like breakfast. Service was OK. Nothing out of this world to report, like I said previously. read more

Third Alarm Diner has amazing decor. The restaurant is a bit small for my taste. The food was good here. The price was ok. The employees did a good job. I could come back for another breakfast however I prefer a larger venue therefore I had to remove a star for the size alone. read more

Great meal! We had a pastrami sandwich on rye with Cajun fries and a patty melt with onion rings. Bloody Marys were decent but small for the price. Service was good. Definitely recommend getting here early and eating outside in their newly opened patio. Great people watching! read more

If you've ever been to Sanford Maine than you've probably taken the Carl J. Broggi highway (109 and 202). Well that's my great uncle and my dad has his namesake. So I found myself in Sanford doing some research on family history and man did I get hungry. With a few family members, I spotted this diner just down the road from the house where my great Grandfather was born. From the outside it doesn't look like much, but the vertical sign has a weird draw to it, making you walk in. We walked in and we're seated by Kayla (daughter in law of the owner). Some patrons immediately recommended the lobster Mac and cheese and as they got served I knew they were right. When we travel we try lots of things and share, and man was this ALL amazing. CHILI: heart chili with black beans and lots of ground beef. Served with cheddar cheese this is a great appetizer in the middle of July, can't imagine on a cold day. Lobster Eggs Benedict: I cannot believe how much lobster was underneath the Hollandaise! Cooked to perfection and served on top of some bread this dish is a must if you're going for breakfast! Haddock Sandwich (grilled): great tasting haddock on a toasted bun served with home made tartar sauce and lettuce. I was really stuck between this and the whole clam roll but this did not disappoint! Lobster Mac and Cheese: while everything was good, YOU MUST EAT THE LOBSTER MAC AND CHEESE! I've never had anything like it. Tons of lobster, al dente pasta, and the perfect amount of cheese! A MUST HAVE Pies: these aren't all home made and very day to day. We had the triple berry pie with a scoop of ice cream and the lemon pie! Both outstanding but GET THE LEMON PIE! Amazing. The owner came out and greeted us. Everything was amazing to include the decaf coffee! IF YOU ARE IN SANFORD EAT HERE read more

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This place is great. My friend and I loved it from the moment we walked in. It's a very nice diner, immaculately clean, and with great service. The menu is varied and reasonably priced. I got the fried clam dinner. I liked that it was available in two sizes. Everything about it was great. Even the dinner roll was a cut above your standard dinner roll. The waitress said the coleslaw was really good and I agree. The fried clams were excellent. I got homemade onion rings instead of French fries and they were excellent. Like any great diner, they had a wonderful selection of pies. I got the coconut cream and it was great. The coconut custard was really good and the homemade whipped cream was delicious. My friend raved about her chicken salad sandwich. I highly recommend this place if you are looking for really good diner food in Sanford. read more

Mediocre at best. The prices are cheap because the food is cheaply prepared. It's loud and crowded. Quite honestly do yourself a favor and go home and cook for yourself it will be much better. I wouldn't feed my dog their food, I wouldn't want my dog to get sick. I have eaten here and each time the food was nasty, I was hoping it was that the cook had a bad day but no, every single time it's crap. I will no longer give them the benefit of the doubt. Not kid friendly at all with the crowd this place attracts. Foul mouth and very loud and boisterous. So if you are looking for good food cheap, go to the grocery store buy some food and cook it yourself. I do not recommend EVER!!!!! read more

Always enjoy my meal! They could have better service but I see flaws in their ability to perform. I.e. like tiny workspace and slightly understaffed. read more

Good food and a nice variety on the menu. Small place but seating is comfortable. Super staff full of smiles. Quick service and friendly. Really need to come back and try the adult milkshakes! read more

Been there many times, never had a bad meal or botched order. Not a lot of seating in the winter, but summer has great patio tables outside. This may be the only diner that has been able to pull off all meals perfectly, while also serving delicious adult beverages! read more

Although I have been a local resident my entire life, it wasn't until this year that I went and dined at the Third Alarm Diner. On both occasions I have had items from their breakfast menu. And both times the food was wonderful. First time here I had a breakfast sandwich with a side of fried home fries. Very delicious, and both had that down home Mom and Pop diner quality. The sandwich was good size and full of flavor. The fried home fries were so tasty. Great crispy texture, soft potato inner. Second occasion I had a meat lover's omelette, fried home fries and white toast. The omelette was hands down one of the best I've had in a very long time. It was filled with toppings! They don't skimp! Again the home fries were delicious, and the toast was good too. Overall both meals there have been great. I see why so many talk about this place! The negatives, there's only a few. The restaurant is tiny. Very compact. You feel kinda crammed in. And on the last visit there were flies flying around and crawling on tables. Enough that I had to swat them multiple times while trying to eat my food. read more

grumpy servers waited 10 minutes to order while they walked past me several times. I politely said I was ready and she got defensive which is her usual mo. just lost a couple of regulars. read more

When you come in the wait staff should acknowledge you and get you seated not ignore you. Just a hole in the wall place. Come in one door (Front) and they basically will ignore you. Come in the side door and they will sit you down regardless of who or how many are waiting up front. When they finally realize you are there they tell you they will clean off the table next to you in a minute - minutes go by and they do the setup and cleanup as well. So you wait and wait - they do the coffee machine and get everything else done while you are still there waiting. Finally you turn to leave - I looked back and the wait staff is now watching and realizing that we are leaving, not saying anything. Must have realized that they left us standing while others were being seated. We watched two couples get seated, and their orders taken while not before us. Meanwhile we were still waiting around by the messy tables. Dismissive wait staff. Not coming back. Moral of the story - use the side entrance instead of the front (main) door and maybe you'll get some attention. I wouldn't return even if they paid me. read more

Good food at great prices. Small and comfortable, the diner that makes you feel at home. All the comfort foods you remember. My sister from RI always wants to go here for dinner when she visits read more

The good and service are consistent and I find I crave a few items regularly! Take out has been good as well

I had Saturday breakfast at the Third Alarm Diner in Downtown Sanford around noon. This place has character in the classic diner car atmosphere with a long lunch counter with stools and booths along the front windows and the far corner. The place is decorated with fire memorabilia and framed photos of local fire departments and past structure fires. The menu offers typical American diner fare for breakfast and lunch including the standard eggs, omelets, pancakes, sandwiches, burgers, grilled items, and comfort dishes. The prices here are pretty reasonable, under $10. They do charge for some extras such as cheese and onions in the home fries. Daily specials and desserts are also offered. I was offered coffee ($1.49) as I sat down. The coffee was really good and on the strong side. I had a Western Breakfast Sandwich ($3.49) on an English muffin and a side of home fries ($1.79). The food was out in a timely manner. The food itself tasted pretty good, but lots of oil and butter were used. The home fries were small fresh cut potato cubes grilled and covered in oil. The breakfast sandwich had a soft scrambled egg with green peppers, onions, and ham on a grilled very buttery English muffin. That was just enough food for me. The service was good and prompt, I was given a refill on the coffee during breakfast. Overall 3.7 stars. FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sanford-ME/Third-alarm-diner/276269892975 read more

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I am making this post not because I am unhappy with the quality of the food but the lack of attention to detail. I often order pancakes and request extra syrup. Multiple times I've only received one syrup which is nowhere near the amount of syrup I need for TWO pancakes. So today when I ordered I emphasized that fact that I only get 1 syrup when I ask for two. So I was told by the lady over the phone that she will personally give me two syrups herself. Me being the excited customer that I am took her word which was a catastrophic mistake. Upon getting back to work with my food I noticed that not only was there not two things of syrup, but no syrup at all. Dry pancakes is what I received. Very unhappy with my lunch today. Food is good but this experience rubbed me the wrong way to say the least. read more

Third Alarm Diner - Dry cakes - Diners Near Me - Sanford, Maine

Service was good. Girls were very nice. Had to wait a couple minutes to order. Food was ok not the best but it was eatable. Not many places in town so have to take the good and bad. read more

This is a great place to go if you want breakfast for dinner. Menu is large and food is good. The restaurant has a diner style atmosphere. Great place to go when we all want something different to eat. I would recommend their daily specials. They are usually home cook meals like meatloaf, turkey dinner etc. I also like their patty melts. read more