As the winter season ends (but before the official start of mud season), we here in Maine have pothole season. You may think that you, where ever you are from, also have pothole season, but you are wrong. There is a joke about how the mosquitoes in Maine are the size of small birds (or dinner plates, or moose, depending on who’s telling it) but that’s just silliness to distract from our real over-sized problem. No, I’m not talking about the Bean Boot; I’m talking about potholes. Don’t drink and drive, neighbors. I don’t mean alcohol (although that goes without saying) – I mean hot coffee. If you don’t get burned you will surely get stains. And if you are traveling down Rt. 114 in South Gorham near the intersection of Rt. 22, please bring a helmet. There is a pothole/frost heave from hell that closely resembles a ski jump.
I am in search of the best coffee in the area, btw, so please let me know what you think. Dunkin Donuts (so many spelling issues) is certainly the most accessible, which is a plus, but definitely not the best. Tim Horton’s isn’t bad, but with all the local chains around there is a guilt factor each time I pull into the drive thru. Freaky Bean? Coffee by Design? I may put this to the Chowhounders, but they can be a strident lot, however well-intentioned, well-fed, and well-informed. Still, as I get less sleep and spend more time on the road, it may be worth the risk.
And to continue the food theme – the South Portland Wok Inn got themselves a fancy new sign some time ago, and I’m absolutely infatuated with it. “Good day for soup” is, in particular, my favorite of the evocative sayings they share with Rt. 1. I haven’t yet tried the soup, to be honest, but it’s only March and as we know, there are plenty of good days for soup ahead.
March 10, 2008 at 6:31 am
try the udder place and arabica for coffee and see what you think. there’s definitely no reason to stoop to dunkin donuts in portland!
March 10, 2008 at 8:01 am
@ lizzie – Thanks for the suggestions. I always forget about the Udder Place even though I loved it when I worked in that area. It’s good to be reminded!
March 10, 2008 at 11:35 am
I third the Udder Place, on Stevens Avenue, which surprisingly is something good yet located off the peninsula. As you blog about Portland, I hope that you will not forget that many good things exist off the peninsula and deserve recognition just like the many excellent things that exist downtown.
March 10, 2008 at 1:17 pm
CBD get’s my vote. Followed by Udder Place. I have to wonder if you think Tim Horton’s is even ‘okay’. I think it is nasty stuff.
If your in Biddefors, try the Union House Cafe. They pull a great Cappuccino.
March 16, 2008 at 8:20 pm
I love coffee but haven’t been to a lot of these places, despite living here my entire life. Does breaking new grounds count? I think they have some nice drinks.
I look forward to reading more of the ‘placeblog’ and have added a link to it on my blog.
http://portlandmainedaily.blogspot.com
-Corey
March 17, 2008 at 1:24 pm
@ corey – Thanks for the comment and link. I’ll add yours, also – love your photos.
@DMan – Yes, Tim Horton’s is not great but is, to me, “okay” in relation to Dunkin Donuts. I’ll try the place in Biddeford – thanks for the suggestions!
April 13, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Tim Horton rocks!