I have been going to Governor's Restaurant before I even knew what a governor was, even before the restaurant had toy train chugging along the tracks above the diner's heads... even before the wooden statue of the fat gov mascot got a split down the middle from the brutal Maine winters. In those days (the 80's) the chicken nuggets were battered at the restaurant with a great flour and spice mixture, and fried so that they were crunchy on the outside and steamy hot and moist on the inside. They used little packet tubs of Ken's Sweet and Sour Sauce. They were the best!! A thick chocolate milkshake for a drink and crinkly soft french fries (my FAV) on the side. I'm surprised I was never an obese child....I'm sitting here at my job in Boston thinking about that yummy food,... I just remembered the yeasty rolls. Oh those are sooo good. They're the only thing they haven't changed. This was before Wadeleigh's was taken over and the replaced, there was still penny candy in jars to select and heat on the way back to the trailer park, walking up the hill past the cemetery in the breakdown lane with my beloved babysitter and 2nd mother.(Because Old Town has no pedestrians, there are no sidewalks in that area) The missing star is because the chicken nuggets changed at some point when I was in high school. They taste like pre-made frozen nuggets. Oh and also, there is a particular cashier, the head cashier I believe, who is so delightful and friendly. Her sister works there as well is equally sweethearted. :)
(4)
adrian z.
I had the Chicken Parm for lunch... While not upper-crust restaurant quality, it was far above a national chain's similar offering. Sauce, overall taste, and presentation were very good. Aside from the nice tempting presentation of a wide range of pies and other desserts when you walk in the door, the staff was excellent, very warm, funny, and efficient. The above-average food and over-the-top service calls for a four-star + rating...
(4)
Marc-Andre B.
Great family restaurant Lot of lobster in the lobster stew And you can't miss the bakery !!!
(4)
Melodie C.
Governor's is one of ..... no make that my absolute favorite breakfast spot in Maine. I always make it a point to stop in at least once when I'm in town. I get the same thing every time: 3 egg veggie omelet with home fries. Back in the day, they were running a special where they had sweet potato home fries. I miss those! But I'll settle for the regular home fries. It is a bakery as well, so be forewarned. You walk right into a wall of pies, cakes, cupcakes, fudge and whoopie pies as soon as you walk out the door. Somehow I always wind up taking goodies with me.
(5)
Tim S.
We stopped here after dropping off our son at collage at UMO. As soon as you walk through the door your met by display cases full of bakery goods. Cookies, cakes and pies that look amazing. And they were. It wasn't crowded when we went but this place looks like it could seat 300 people. We were greeted and seated quickly. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive. I order the Rubin, a favorite of mine especially in diners. The wife ordered her usual the turkey club. And my daughter had a grilled cheese. Not much to complain about really other than the model train that passed over our heads. It was," oh look!" Cute for the first two laps but even my daughter commented on how annoying it became after 20 laps around the room. That aside, this place serves classic comfort food that had me eating way more than I should because you can't stop! It tastes too damn good! And then dessert. Oh My god. Chocolate peanut butter cake and peanut butter cream pie. I thought they would have to roll me out the door! And then you have to walk by the bakery displays on the way out! A great sales tactic but I resisted. I know we'll be back....lol. By the way, the bathrooms were amazingly clean. I mean like new clean. Nice job. I would love to check this place out for breakfast! As Arnold from the terminator would say, "I'll be back!" For more pie! Lol!
(5)
Tony W.
Maybe I'm a softy, but I give this place 5 stars, mostly for nostalgia. I've been coming to Governor's for decades now, and I can't help but associate it with family - it was our go-to place whenever we were all coming through Orono. I remember the food (mostly breakfast) being much better and less expensive, but that could just be one of my many hazy recollection from the '90s - set to the soundtrack of Sister Hazel and Third Eye Blind. In a rural wasteland of strip malls and chain restaurants, this is an oasis of home cooked comfort food. Highlights: Their breakfast buffet on the weekends is a reasonable $8. Obviously the more you eat, the better the deal. The rest of their breakfasts are even better. All their baked goods are...good to great. I always drool over the pie and cake carousel as we walk past it on the way to our table. The no-bake peanut butter sandwiches are my favorite, but so are the whoopie pies, the peanut butter ice cream sandwiches, etc. there's something sweet for everyone. The 'Federal Deficit'. This ice cream monstrosity has almost everything in their kitchen in it: menu.governorsrestaurant… I think when you're done you get a certificate of completion and a free Blood Glucose Monitor for your inevitable early-onset type II diabetes. I'm shocked Man vs. Food hasn't come knocking for this challenge. Seriously though - this is a good place to come for a slice of dessert. The burgers are decent too - each one named after a Maine governor. This would be only motivation to run for office. Check in on the daily specials. This month (October 2014) they've had deep discounts on new specials each day, but they typically have a set Sun-Sat daily special. Definitely caters to the locals, some of whom base their weekly eating patterns around certain daily specials offered throughout the week. Overall, great family dining experience! Make sure to take a picture of yourself next to the Governor's statue outside the entrance when you leave!
(5)
Linh N.
The best part of coming here for breakfast would be to do their breakfast buffet for around $8. They don't have a lot but the options they have can fill you up within 2 rounds of walking. The waitresses were extremely kind, but they do have a short memory span. Service was quick, we got our water and coffee within 3 minutes of ordering and our waitress came by regularly to take the empty plates away. The variety of breakfast food included home fries, sausage, ham, bacon, scramble eggs, scramble eggs w/ sausage, biscuit and gravy, potato pancakes, corn beef hash, breakfast fried burrito, fruits, yogurt and some pastries. This is a great place for a continental breakfast that's inexpensive and quite good.
(3)
John D.
Great American eatery the food is awesome . My kids can always find multipal options on there menu they love . We use it like family gathering as far back as I can remember . With family size of my moms they can accommodate good crowd. I always get a steak and it's cooked to perfection , there breakfast are off the hook, the food is served in a timely manner by a staff that is helpful and cheerful . The train in the ceiling is a big hit with my little guy . The icing on the cake is there desserts, we hit bakery as the last stop before heading back across the boarder. Stock up on the goodies for the trip. You won't find better restaurant in Maine food , staff and cleanliness top shelf .
(5)
Monica L.
I stopped here for breakfast and had a "homemade" cinnamon roll. It was good, but not so good that I'd order it again.
(3)
Jon E.
Governor's is one the Bangor areas most known restaurants. I have never really found the fascination hype that many people feel for this place. I have always found the food to be very mediocre. I hadn't eaten there in years, and revisited. Much more of the same mediocrity. I ordered the "Philly" Cheesesteak. There was nothing "Philly" about it, which I had expected actually. There wasn't much steak on it, and I found once I had eaten everything on my plate, I was looking at my friends plates for more to eat. This seems to happen every time I eat there. The sandwich bread was homemade though which tasted good. Highs: On site made breads, and desserts. May not be the best, but they are made there. Breakfast Buffet in the morning. Lows: Food lacks inspiration. Portion sizes normal/small in a place that prides itself on big portion diner food. Mediocre service(in my experience) Not a bad place really, not that great.
(3)
Cody M.
Good food, nice waiters, great family environment!
(3)
Tiffany L.
Local icon. Typical diner with good food. They can be a slow as far a food delivery to table but they are busy and yum.
(3)
Jenna M.
If you like pie, you'll like Governor's. I had to take a star off because they no longer make strawberry creme pie and that was my favorite.
(4)
Lance L.
we love governors and go about twice a month, they have the best home made style comfort food, and the desserts are by far the best you can get at a restaurant.
(4)
Laura L.
Two unhealthy for my taste. The pasta is no good and the few things that are good (i.e. garlic bread, mashed potatoes) did not remotely fill me up. Deserts were disappointing -- the rice crispy treat I bought was way sweeter than necessary and sort of stale-tasting.
(2)
Sean W.
This is my daughter's favorite place to eat. I have been going here since I was a kid. The food is decent, good prices, and a very good staff.
(4)
Jeff H.
a reliable breakfast place. When we were doing consulting work in Bangor, my boss used to say "as long as the rental car will get me to the hotel, the job site and Governors, I'll be ok."
(3)
Matt R.
Yeah, this isn't nearly as good as I remember it was. Even my parents (who are old) said only old people eat there, and THEY don't even eat there. There's nothing wrong with the food here, but it's pretty basic. It's pretty much just a cafe with more tables and waitresses. The booths are really bench-like and not very comfortable. I remember it was more fun, back in the day, when they had the fish tank in there. You get good in pretty big portions, which is nice. But it's kinda bland. The best items are the sandwiches and burgers. I love those buns for the burgers. But don't try to convince yourself that this is anything good to be expected. I will probably skip this place the next time I'm in town and try something else. There isn't a single item here, you can't get somewhere else, that is just as good. Greater Orono area landmark? Yes. But certainly not due to the quality of food. Everything seems a lot less good than it was 10 years ago, perhaps my taste buds have grown up. Plus it has to have one of the dullest themes in the world: Maine Governors. Wow. That sounds as exciting as my 8th grade history class. I'd knock this to two stars, if it weren't for the nostalgia. I remember root beer floats and red hot dogs as a kid. Their pizza is pretty scary though, if you try their Italian selections.
(3)
Michael D.
Governor's is not really my cup of tea, but, I don't think I am their target customer. The dinner food is pretty standard greasy spoon fair: burgers, fish and chips, meatloaf, etc. My mom, who is a greasy spoon expert, loved the fried haddock and fries. As a vegetarian who tends toward healthier food in general, I would not recommend eating there. But, for what it is and for the area in general, Governor's is a place you should probably eat once. There is at least one vegetarian item on the menu (a grilled cheese sandwich) and the desserts, though tremendously fatty, are a glutton's dream.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Cassandra M.
I have been going to Governor's Restaurant before I even knew what a governor was, even before the restaurant had toy train chugging along the tracks above the diner's heads... even before the wooden statue of the fat gov mascot got a split down the middle from the brutal Maine winters. In those days (the 80's) the chicken nuggets were battered at the restaurant with a great flour and spice mixture, and fried so that they were crunchy on the outside and steamy hot and moist on the inside. They used little packet tubs of Ken's Sweet and Sour Sauce. They were the best!! A thick chocolate milkshake for a drink and crinkly soft french fries (my FAV) on the side. I'm surprised I was never an obese child....I'm sitting here at my job in Boston thinking about that yummy food,... I just remembered the yeasty rolls. Oh those are sooo good. They're the only thing they haven't changed. This was before Wadeleigh's was taken over and the replaced, there was still penny candy in jars to select and heat on the way back to the trailer park, walking up the hill past the cemetery in the breakdown lane with my beloved babysitter and 2nd mother.(Because Old Town has no pedestrians, there are no sidewalks in that area) The missing star is because the chicken nuggets changed at some point when I was in high school. They taste like pre-made frozen nuggets. Oh and also, there is a particular cashier, the head cashier I believe, who is so delightful and friendly. Her sister works there as well is equally sweethearted. :)
(4)adrian z.
I had the Chicken Parm for lunch... While not upper-crust restaurant quality, it was far above a national chain's similar offering. Sauce, overall taste, and presentation were very good. Aside from the nice tempting presentation of a wide range of pies and other desserts when you walk in the door, the staff was excellent, very warm, funny, and efficient. The above-average food and over-the-top service calls for a four-star + rating...
(4)Marc-Andre B.
Great family restaurant Lot of lobster in the lobster stew And you can't miss the bakery !!!
(4)Melodie C.
Governor's is one of ..... no make that my absolute favorite breakfast spot in Maine. I always make it a point to stop in at least once when I'm in town. I get the same thing every time: 3 egg veggie omelet with home fries. Back in the day, they were running a special where they had sweet potato home fries. I miss those! But I'll settle for the regular home fries. It is a bakery as well, so be forewarned. You walk right into a wall of pies, cakes, cupcakes, fudge and whoopie pies as soon as you walk out the door. Somehow I always wind up taking goodies with me.
(5)Tim S.
We stopped here after dropping off our son at collage at UMO. As soon as you walk through the door your met by display cases full of bakery goods. Cookies, cakes and pies that look amazing. And they were. It wasn't crowded when we went but this place looks like it could seat 300 people. We were greeted and seated quickly. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive. I order the Rubin, a favorite of mine especially in diners. The wife ordered her usual the turkey club. And my daughter had a grilled cheese. Not much to complain about really other than the model train that passed over our heads. It was," oh look!" Cute for the first two laps but even my daughter commented on how annoying it became after 20 laps around the room. That aside, this place serves classic comfort food that had me eating way more than I should because you can't stop! It tastes too damn good! And then dessert. Oh My god. Chocolate peanut butter cake and peanut butter cream pie. I thought they would have to roll me out the door! And then you have to walk by the bakery displays on the way out! A great sales tactic but I resisted. I know we'll be back....lol. By the way, the bathrooms were amazingly clean. I mean like new clean. Nice job. I would love to check this place out for breakfast! As Arnold from the terminator would say, "I'll be back!" For more pie! Lol!
(5)Tony W.
Maybe I'm a softy, but I give this place 5 stars, mostly for nostalgia. I've been coming to Governor's for decades now, and I can't help but associate it with family - it was our go-to place whenever we were all coming through Orono. I remember the food (mostly breakfast) being much better and less expensive, but that could just be one of my many hazy recollection from the '90s - set to the soundtrack of Sister Hazel and Third Eye Blind. In a rural wasteland of strip malls and chain restaurants, this is an oasis of home cooked comfort food. Highlights: Their breakfast buffet on the weekends is a reasonable $8. Obviously the more you eat, the better the deal. The rest of their breakfasts are even better. All their baked goods are...good to great. I always drool over the pie and cake carousel as we walk past it on the way to our table. The no-bake peanut butter sandwiches are my favorite, but so are the whoopie pies, the peanut butter ice cream sandwiches, etc. there's something sweet for everyone. The 'Federal Deficit'. This ice cream monstrosity has almost everything in their kitchen in it: menu.governorsrestaurant… I think when you're done you get a certificate of completion and a free Blood Glucose Monitor for your inevitable early-onset type II diabetes. I'm shocked Man vs. Food hasn't come knocking for this challenge. Seriously though - this is a good place to come for a slice of dessert. The burgers are decent too - each one named after a Maine governor. This would be only motivation to run for office. Check in on the daily specials. This month (October 2014) they've had deep discounts on new specials each day, but they typically have a set Sun-Sat daily special. Definitely caters to the locals, some of whom base their weekly eating patterns around certain daily specials offered throughout the week. Overall, great family dining experience! Make sure to take a picture of yourself next to the Governor's statue outside the entrance when you leave!
(5)Linh N.
The best part of coming here for breakfast would be to do their breakfast buffet for around $8. They don't have a lot but the options they have can fill you up within 2 rounds of walking. The waitresses were extremely kind, but they do have a short memory span. Service was quick, we got our water and coffee within 3 minutes of ordering and our waitress came by regularly to take the empty plates away. The variety of breakfast food included home fries, sausage, ham, bacon, scramble eggs, scramble eggs w/ sausage, biscuit and gravy, potato pancakes, corn beef hash, breakfast fried burrito, fruits, yogurt and some pastries. This is a great place for a continental breakfast that's inexpensive and quite good.
(3)John D.
Great American eatery the food is awesome . My kids can always find multipal options on there menu they love . We use it like family gathering as far back as I can remember . With family size of my moms they can accommodate good crowd. I always get a steak and it's cooked to perfection , there breakfast are off the hook, the food is served in a timely manner by a staff that is helpful and cheerful . The train in the ceiling is a big hit with my little guy . The icing on the cake is there desserts, we hit bakery as the last stop before heading back across the boarder. Stock up on the goodies for the trip. You won't find better restaurant in Maine food , staff and cleanliness top shelf .
(5)Monica L.
I stopped here for breakfast and had a "homemade" cinnamon roll. It was good, but not so good that I'd order it again.
(3)Jon E.
Governor's is one the Bangor areas most known restaurants. I have never really found the fascination hype that many people feel for this place. I have always found the food to be very mediocre. I hadn't eaten there in years, and revisited. Much more of the same mediocrity. I ordered the "Philly" Cheesesteak. There was nothing "Philly" about it, which I had expected actually. There wasn't much steak on it, and I found once I had eaten everything on my plate, I was looking at my friends plates for more to eat. This seems to happen every time I eat there. The sandwich bread was homemade though which tasted good. Highs: On site made breads, and desserts. May not be the best, but they are made there. Breakfast Buffet in the morning. Lows: Food lacks inspiration. Portion sizes normal/small in a place that prides itself on big portion diner food. Mediocre service(in my experience) Not a bad place really, not that great.
(3)Cody M.
Good food, nice waiters, great family environment!
(3)Tiffany L.
Local icon. Typical diner with good food. They can be a slow as far a food delivery to table but they are busy and yum.
(3)Jenna M.
If you like pie, you'll like Governor's. I had to take a star off because they no longer make strawberry creme pie and that was my favorite.
(4)Lance L.
we love governors and go about twice a month, they have the best home made style comfort food, and the desserts are by far the best you can get at a restaurant.
(4)Laura L.
Two unhealthy for my taste. The pasta is no good and the few things that are good (i.e. garlic bread, mashed potatoes) did not remotely fill me up. Deserts were disappointing -- the rice crispy treat I bought was way sweeter than necessary and sort of stale-tasting.
(2)Sean W.
This is my daughter's favorite place to eat. I have been going here since I was a kid. The food is decent, good prices, and a very good staff.
(4)Jeff H.
a reliable breakfast place. When we were doing consulting work in Bangor, my boss used to say "as long as the rental car will get me to the hotel, the job site and Governors, I'll be ok."
(3)Matt R.
Yeah, this isn't nearly as good as I remember it was. Even my parents (who are old) said only old people eat there, and THEY don't even eat there. There's nothing wrong with the food here, but it's pretty basic. It's pretty much just a cafe with more tables and waitresses. The booths are really bench-like and not very comfortable. I remember it was more fun, back in the day, when they had the fish tank in there. You get good in pretty big portions, which is nice. But it's kinda bland. The best items are the sandwiches and burgers. I love those buns for the burgers. But don't try to convince yourself that this is anything good to be expected. I will probably skip this place the next time I'm in town and try something else. There isn't a single item here, you can't get somewhere else, that is just as good. Greater Orono area landmark? Yes. But certainly not due to the quality of food. Everything seems a lot less good than it was 10 years ago, perhaps my taste buds have grown up. Plus it has to have one of the dullest themes in the world: Maine Governors. Wow. That sounds as exciting as my 8th grade history class. I'd knock this to two stars, if it weren't for the nostalgia. I remember root beer floats and red hot dogs as a kid. Their pizza is pretty scary though, if you try their Italian selections.
(3)Michael D.
Governor's is not really my cup of tea, but, I don't think I am their target customer. The dinner food is pretty standard greasy spoon fair: burgers, fish and chips, meatloaf, etc. My mom, who is a greasy spoon expert, loved the fried haddock and fries. As a vegetarian who tends toward healthier food in general, I would not recommend eating there. But, for what it is and for the area in general, Governor's is a place you should probably eat once. There is at least one vegetarian item on the menu (a grilled cheese sandwich) and the desserts, though tremendously fatty, are a glutton's dream.
(3)