Came here bc it was next door to our inn and so happy we did! Dark cozy atmosphere and friendly staff. We had local beers, fried mozzarella ( delish!!), lobster bisque ( mmmm) , I got the blackened salmon and husband got the Dogfish burger ( both SO GOOD!!!) good for small to medium size groups not great for kids
(5)
jason b.
Stayed at the Inn @ St. John this weekend which is next door to Dogfish. The gf and i had lunch on friday and dinner on Saturday because we were both sick and it was close. Wow, what a find. Super friendly waitstaff and very good food. I had the haddock sandwich and the gf had the portobello pita. Both were excellent. Saturday night i had the ballgame and she had the tomato caprese baguette. Once again it was delicous. Although i was a little tipsy from drinking most of the day and woke up with sweet potato frie crumbs in bed. :) The highlight of both meals however were the (house made?) pickles. It may sound weird that a pickle stole the show but i could eat an entire plate of them. Keep up the good work Dogfish. I will be back soon.
(5)
Keith G.
Loved the Dogfish!! Not being familiar with area decided to check it out after reading positive reviews on Yelp. Sure am glad we did!!!! Fun, friendly, funky atmosphere. Tables were full so my friend and I ordered dinner at the bar. Her grilled chicken & Gouda was wonderful, sweet potato fries just as good. My artichoke & shrimp 'po boy was sensational. Hand cut fried chips excellent & the pickle so sour it's most likely illegal in 48 states. Great selection of micro brews on tap, Arrogant Bastard lives up to it's name. Fun group of people at the bar, lotta laughs and suggestions on things we should check out while in town. Do yourself a favor, check out Dogfish Cafe, you'll be glad you did.
(5)
Peter K.
What we enjoy most about the Dogfish Cafe is the variety of menu options. Salads, sandwiches and dinner selections. This visit it was the salmon salad and haddock sandwich. Also enjoy the nice, but limited draft beer selection. Always have something interesting to try. Small seating area mean you have to be there early or be lucky.
(4)
Chris C.
I've been here twice, and the burgers are solid. They serve chips alongside the burgers. This place is a good choice to grab a beer and/or a meal during the day. They offer brunch on Sundays with a reduced menu.
(3)
Sarah G.
Excellent food - I've never eaten in the restaurant, but they provide the perfect takeout meal when you feel like staying in your room, watching Flavor of Love, and drinking yummy local beer at the Inn at St. John next door. Very good sandwiches and fries and the molten-y chocolate cake we had a year or two ago was outstanding.
(4)
Melanie B.
dogfish is hands down my favourite restaurant in portland. it's casual enough in the day for you to bring along your schoolbooks and a study buddy, but doubles as a high class dining establishment worthy of drinks and friends. i've had many a good dining experience at dogfish. their daily menu stays the same (try the california turkey club with homemade chips, mmmm) but the night menu is on a chalk board -- i've never seen it exactly the same, and it includes season items (the butternut squash ravoli was to die for). their bar has a good selection of wine and microbrews; this place reminds me of the epitome of the way i want to think of maine, and of portland (because mostly maine is just a boring, boring place to have grown up). portland high society and regular old mainers alike go to this place. the fact that it's on the corner of st. john's and congress sort of helps deter any ambivalent customers --it's like a secret!! the best secret in portland! but wait... i've said too much!
(5)
Kristy W.
This place was great! I followed the advice of fellow yelpers and we went here while being snowed in at the Inn at St. John. At first we thought it was closed, but as we ate it really began filling up! Crazy Maine people driving in the snow- but after eating here I totally get why! I got the haddock sandwich which was to die for! It was so light, and the breaded coating was just perfect! It came with their homemade potato chips and cole slaw- which were just as good! I couldn't stop eating the cole slaw, it was different but good! My boyfriend got "The" dogfish burger, which looked aaaaawesome! It was huge! And he loved every bite! He choose the sweet potato fries, and they were also wicked good! They also had a good local beer selection, but this seemed to be the standard up there. This is a definite go-to place!! (And don't be sketched out by the outside, it is beautiful inside!)
(5)
Jack S.
Haddock sandwich was one of the best I have ever had. Fish taco was an interesting variation that did not quite work for me, the flour taco shell was with crispy wrap and the filling wasn't as hot as I expected. Strong beer selection. Limited space is well used, nice decor, comfortable location for a Seadogs meetup. For decades, this was a landmark variety store called Merdeks. Hard to believe the change.
(4)
Rachel E.
Great food, good service, good atmosphere, good selection, big portions. A little pricey for me, but definitely worth it. First of all, the salt and vinegar calamari has got to be the best calamari I've ever had. It. Is. So. Good. The sandwiches are also amazing. I had the cubano and my boyfriend got the turkey cobb. Both were awesome. Definitely worth trying. The fries weren't bad but weren't anything amazing either, but it's nice that the sweet potato option wasn't extra. The waitress was also quite nice. We didn't get any drinks though, so I can't comment on that. I loved the decor myself and the bathrooms were nice and clean. Definitely worth visiting for lunch if you are ready to eat a lot of delicious food.
(4)
Peter B.
A group of us went to the Dogfish Cafe for lunch today. We chose the air conditioned room over the deck as it was hot. The dining room is small and combined with the bar. It's a laid back casual atmosphere with friendly staff. The menu is very small, but the food is good. I ordered a turkey cobb salad that had a load of turkey, bacon, blue cheese, spring mix, a boiled egg, and dried cranberries. I got the dressing on the side which was a good choice as one of my comrades got it over the salad and it was pretty drenched. The others had a shrimp kebob topped salad and a blackened chicken sandwich. Both were well reviewed. The shrimp were large- not Maine shrimp- and probably farm raised in Asia (meaning in an environmentally unfriendly way and then shipped half way around the world). The blackened chicken sandwich was large and spicy enough. The Dogfish Cafe is a good place for lunch and fun at night when the open-mic is going on. It is relatively slow so don't go expecting a quick meal.
(3)
Barbara M.
Husband had the turkey club .. he said it was awesome. Real turkey! I had the burger and it was very good. Great fries. Nice, cute atmosphere. The food took a bit longer to prepare than I expected given it was a weekend afternoon and we were the one of only three tables eating. Still, an enjoyable meal.
(4)
Brenda G.
What a great place. Small, cozy and local. The polenta fries are to die for! Service was pleasant as well. The place fills up fast........Fish and chips, chili, salads and burgers are all wonderful. Prices are reasonable and portions are great! We will be back
(4)
Asya P.
What a lovely surprise in one of the less busy parts of town! Six of us went out to dinner on a Friday night and had a great time. 5 minute wait while they set up a table next to a booth for us (don't come here with a bigger group)! We tried the calamari appetizer- best I've had in years. Deep fried smaller pieces and baby squids in a delicious salty/vinegary breading. No dip required to enjoy, very tender, not greasy. We tried lots of different sandwiches on the menu with fish and meat and everyone was very happy. Excellent fries. Everything is so clearly made in-house and very fresh. Sandwiches and tacos were constructed really well, very easy to eat- it drives me nuts if I have to eat my sandwich with a fork because it all falls apart! Small but carefully chose beer selection on tap- something for everyone, and wine and mixed drinks as well, though we didn't try them. Everything was pretty darn healthy (for bar type food) and we felt great the next day. There were some specials on the menu that looked awesome if you were planning to come for a "nicer" dinner, rather than a beer/sandwich/fries affair. The desserts are very inconsistent in size- we had the Tiramisu and were in heaven, our other friends were less impressed, but they took theirs to go, so I don't know how good it was. Great bartender, great waitress, other patrons were nice. There is parking in the back, and the layout of the place keeps it from getting overcrowded. It looks divey, but they are meticulously clean. Very comfortable temperature inside. I am giving 5 stars for what it is - an unpretentious dinner&drinks spot that nails everything they do at the level that they are aiming for. We will be back here!
(5)
Andrew J.
Have only been there once but had a great experience. Slow for a Saturday, we had no trouble parking on-site & sitting right down. The place is really laid-back & simply decorated. Our server greeted us right away. My daughter & I started with a cup of chili, and it was plenty to share as an appetizer. I could see a bowl of this being a satisfying meal. They have off-menu children's items; a grilled cheese and chicken fingers. Her grilled cheese was really tasty & large for being a child's meal. I could see my wife ordering this - it was crispy and kind-of sophisticated, given that it was on what seemed to have been ciabatta bread. I took advantage of the French Dip; an offering I don't see much in Portland. The beef was tender, the caramelized onions were on point, and the au jus was thicker & richer than I've ever had, which was awesome. Almost a sauce rather than a broth. Very tasty. I asked about their dinner menu, and the server brought over a specials board. All looked great - seasonal squash lasagna jumped out at me. I could see coming here with the wife and/or friends for dinner and lingering a while over drinks. The only drawback was the limited tap list, but this was only a minor issue as I was with my daughter (not a bunch of my degenerate friends). Essentially a non-issue. I'll be trying them for dinner soon, and will report back at that time!
(4)
Kirk A.
This place holds a special lore for me. I've been flying into Portland and catching the Greyhound to Lewiston and eventually little Dixfield to visit my parents for years. My first time here I got my bus ticket and had to wait a bit so I wandered over here for the best fish sandwhich ever and a local beer. I never miss it. It's like an oasis. Friendly people and real good food. There aren't enough stars for it.
(5)
Heawon K.
After a failed attempt at eating Chinese food in Maine, my family and I decided to eat at this restaurant. I can admit I was a bit skeptical before walking into the dogfish cafe, but I'm glad we gave this place a shot. I started off with a Maine root bear- one of my faves! For my entree I ordered the fish tacos, my sister the haddock sandwich and my mother the steak salad. We received our orders about 10 minutes into placing them- which was a plus since we wanted to tour a bit of downtown portland. The portions were huge! And by huge, I'm talking about bigger than Cheesecake factory portions haha. The fish tacos were good-- there was an ample amount of fish, tomatoes, and avocado. I think the real winner out of the three dishes was the haddock fish, but rightfully so, after all we are in Maine. The fish had a perfect crisp to it. The food was delicious, the service wonderful, and the decor, simple yet beautiful.
(5)
David M.
Wow, what great food , big portions and very reasonable prices... The decor is very cool and eclectic, nice and cozy place. I had the haddock sandwich, so fresh and crisp and not greasy at all. The fries were also yummy and grease free. Would highly recommend this little place.
(5)
Paul L.
Cozy as a mofo and the wings are the best that I have had yet in Portland. Small but tasty draft selection.
(5)
Jake K.
Closed..... Bummer!
(1)
M L.
Best grilled cheese I've ever had. EVER. I also had the portobello sandwich and it was delicious, big, and very fresh. My entire group enjoyed their meals (salmon blueberry salad, haddock sandwich, steak salad) at the cafe and definitely a place that we will visit again. Definitely recommend if you visit Portland, ME! Reason for 4 stars is that we didn't get our credit card back with the receipt so we left without it. We eventually realized the missing card and went back for it that night but just save the trip by making sure they give the card back!
(4)
Anna H.
Awesome little place for lunch! The salads are nice and big, perfect for a good healthy lunch. The wait staff is very friendly. There is also a nice parking lot on the side of the building that makes parking super easy. Definitely will be back here!
(5)
Bill S.
We Love this place- they have a great staff & they deliver great, fast, & attentive service!- the menu has something for everyone, and the food is of course amazing! -let's not forget the drink menu... :-)
(5)
Doug P.
Had the rueben. It's was well done. I really like the hand cut fries. Great little lunch spot in my home state. Server was pleasant and very attentive. My brother and his wife had the French dip, and the cubano. Both done well. Simple food done well.
(5)
Shelly R.
My last night in Portland and I stopped here for dinner and brew. Great atmosphere, super staff and amazing food. I had blackened salmon sandwich with a Belgium white... Oh yeah! You won't be disappointed here!
(5)
Steff D.
The Dogfish Cafe has two locations: one on Free Street and one "in the sketchy part of Portland.... y'know, near St. John Street" (which is how many locals see this particular location). Unfortunately, because of its proximity to a less than desirable neighborhood and it's very awkward location on the corner of two incredibly busy streets, I believe it's often overlooked. Until recently, I was one of those people that NEVER would have considered going to The Dogfish Cafe. But I had the opportunity (read: I was forced) to check it out one Friday night near closing time. Here's what I've been foolishly missing out on: They have parking! They have a patio! They have a local (loving, oriented) staff! They have gluten-free beer that's actually good! And they have some of the best desserts in the city! Wasn't expecting that last one, were you? If you've ever watched any reality cooking show than you know that desserts are generally contestants weak points. Unless that's your speciality or focus, I think it's safe to assume that's true for most restaurants too. But the tiramisu here? The plate-sized serving of tiramisu? It's SO. DARN. SEXY. I was afraid the ladyfingers would be too soggy or too crunchy, but the textures and flavors were perfectly balanced (I could have done with a bit more espresso taste, but more of that would mean soggier ladyfingers... I know, I know... I can't have it all!). I would absolutely come back here again for a wedge of this seriously sinful stuff. Also, the chocolate covered strawberries (which I think were a Valentine's Day special) were ginormous, fresh, sweet, and pumped full of grand marnier. The perfect thing to indulge on, really (a plate full of those alone and you'll be feeling seriously warm and fuzzy inside). PRO TIP: This Dogfish was recently purchased by new owners. From what I know, it seems like they're in the process of finding... gently segueing into... a new identity. There will be no abrupt name or menu changes, but gradual ones (the desserts being one of them - one of the new owners hand-makes them every day as opposed to serving frozen Sysco options). In my opinion, the biggest thing this "Dogfish" needs is some help with their menu. The offerings (which is not the current owners fault) seem generic, heavy, and moderately off-putting if you're a vegetarian (although that fried mozzarella ball has my name written all over it!), even more so for vegans. My hope for them - as they're finding their place in this food and drink saturated city - is that they create some unique options (and cocktails) that will inspire and encourage people to come out of their way for what could be a really great spot in a getting-less-sketchy-every-day-thanks-to-all-the-new-businesses part of Portlandtown.
Completely unexpected hidden gem that we discovered through yelp. When I arrived with my parents, we thought it might be a bit too "bar"-y, but the food and friendly service was beyond expectation. The fried haddock sandwich, portabello sandwich, and grilled cheese were my favorites. If you're in Portland for lunch/brunch, definitely check this place out! Highly recommended.
(5)
Judi O.
Went in for a late afternoon meal yesterday as my friend had recently been there and said how good the fish tacos were. She asked if we could sit at a booth away from the door it was 4'oclock, I guess they have a rule no two tops at the booths, the waiter then asked the bartender who was also the owner and he proceeded to carry on about how if he let us then the next 2 would want a booth and so on, then said Denny's had booths! I wished we had just left as there are so many great places to eat in Portland with much friendlier atmospheres. We stayed fish tacos were not as good as past, the waiter was nice. The best was not one other person walked into that restaurant the whole time we were there which was about one hour! I will NOT step foot in there again, there was no need for the owners rude comment!!
(1)
Mary M.
My partner and I ate here for lunch for the first time this weekend, and everything was great! The service was great, the ambience (think neighborhood bar--casual and relaxed) was great, and the food was great. I got wings (my go-to pub food and my initial measurement of a restaurant's quality) and they did not disappoint. They were not too hot, not overly breaded. My partner got the Dogfish Burger and it stole the show. It was about 8 inches tall. The patty was juicy and cooked to a perfect medium-rare and the egg on top had a perfect loose yolk. We'll definitely go there again.
(5)
Dillon S.
The Dogfish Cafe was around the corner from where my family stayed on our recent vacation to Portland, so it was a convenient choice for a late dinner (around 9:00 for us) several times over the course of the week we were there. What appeared to be a shabby hole in the wall turned out to be a source of quick, delicious takeout for us. The flank steak Caesar salad and the regular Caesar salad were both great, along with the calamari, smoked gouda chicken sandwich (this was my sister's favorite), the Cuban, and the dogfish burger (the favorite of my dad and i). Great food at this place, so don't judge this book by its cover.
(5)
Melissa B.
My boyfriend and I chanced on this place while looking to kill time before a roller derby bout. We had intended to go to the Chinese place next door, but unimpressed by the menu, we came here, and I'm so glad we did! We sat at the bar and ordered some beers (I like to come to places like this to try something new/local; this time I had the Allagash White) and looked over the menu. The menu isn't huge, but it's got some quality items on it. Because we were looking for something light, we both ordered off the starter menu. I got the grilled cheese. OH MY GOD. It was amazing! Four melty, gooey cheeses on asiago bread that was toasted perfectly. I paired it with the soup special, which was a zesty tomato (the soup I would say was just okay, I think it might have had chipotle in it and I just don't care for spicy). The sandwich comes with a locally-made sour mustard pickle. My boyfriend got the calamari which was cooked perfectly and topped with onions and parmesan, which was delicious. He also had a plate of hand-cut fries and they were actually pretty good (I'm fussy about fries) and nice and crispy. Dogfish Cafe is exactly the type of dining experience I look for when I come to Portland. I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Hope M.
I stumbled upon this place with my mother the other day when we were visiting someone at the hospital. This was among a handful of places recommended by the nursing staff, so we strolled down to check it out. It's pretty unassuming from the outside, and we weren't sure what to expect. First, the service is great - relaxed, just friendly enough, without being overly attentive. We started with some coffee, which was surprisingly good. I had a turkey cobb salad, sans bacon, and it was delicious. The cranberry/blue cheese combination was awesome, and it was perfectly dressed. My mother had the curried chicken salad, and she raved about the seasoning and crispness of the veggies. I might have stolen a couple of her fries, which were also pretty tasty. Maybe it was the contrast with the stressful hospital experience, but we had such an enjoyable lunch here. We plan on visiting again soon.
(4)
Joshua C.
I am happy to report that we have reconnected with our old friend. What an improvement! Better food, better service. Yay! Dogfish is back on my list of go to places.
(4)
Jason B.
You want to open up a small restaurant and attract a crowd in a part of town not considered to be a "destination spot" and be successful? You need to take a class from the Dogfish Cafe. Eclectically decorated, this place has a warm, inviting vibe that makes you comfortable as soon as you walk in the door. The young, friendly staff adds to that feel - Eric behind the bar gives you the 100-watt smile freely - he always seems to be in a good mood. They have a little corner full of puzzles and games for those, unlike us, who don't come equipped with a deck of cards, a yahtzee game and a portable scrabble set. But onto the food: we came here twice on our trip to Portland, that's how good the food was. Their chicken sandwich was perfect for a lunch bite, and we agreed that their fried calamari was among the best, if not THE best we'd ever had, but the jewel in the crown of our visit was their braised short rib special on Sunday night. I'm not going to gush over it verbally. If you know what great braised short ribs are taste like, then just suffice it to say that every quality they're supposed to have, these had. Paired with generous pours of a great chianti - you can't do much better. Everything about this place works, and works great.
(5)
Zachary B.
I already had a bad experience at the dogfish across town, but it was a slow Monday night, so I thought I'd give it a try. Embarrassing, would be the way I'd describe it. The only girl at the bar was obviously an employee on her night off, and also obviously dating the bartender. I ordered a beer and asked for a menu, which was extremely limited, but the bartender never once came back to answer any questions I might have had. I suppose he was too busy taking care of his co-worker/girlfriend. Its actually sad, cause the kitchen staff was staring out into the bar area, like lost sheep, looking for something to do. I finished my beer, payed my check, and left. Whatever guy owns the Dogfish brand, better get on top of things, cause from what I can see, he has no clue.
(1)
Alison F.
"I never want this veggie burger to end." And, "Hold on, shhhh, I'm enjoying my last bite." Yeah. Everything on the menu looks good, but the way they make that veggie burger is just amazing that I never order anything else. It tastes like the earth in the best possible way. Also, it comes with avocado. I love avocado.
(4)
Lisa B.
On our way to a family reunion, we drove through Portland. Upon landing we were urged by a family member to stop for lunch at Dogfish. Coming from Los Angeles, I'd never heard of a Lobster Roll. I guess they're big there. Considering the locale, makes sense. I'm not big on cold lobster with mayo, so I got the "Ball Game" black forest ham grilled and piled high on a soft pretzel roll. It was pretty damned good. I tasted the Lobster Roll....eh. Was not my thing. The service was friendly...almost eerily friendly. But hey, I've spent most of my life in NYC and Los Angeles. Worth a stop if you're driving through.
(3)
Amy M.
The Dogfish burger is my favorite burger in Portland!! This is one of my favorite places to bring a family member or friend for a casual dinner. Away from the bustle and parking nightmare of the old port, with good beers and good food.
(4)
Ellen G.
Overall my experience here was just okay. We came for a late-ish (sat down at 8:15) dinner on a Saturday night. We sat outside on the back deck which would have been perfect except by the time our food came the sun had set and there were tons of mosquitos (given the time of year I guess you could say we should have known and not sat out there, but they could have had citronella torches or something. Our server was bad. He seemed to have no personality, which, on it's own isn't that bad, but he also brought out our dinner before clearing all our plates from the 2 appetizers we ordered. There was basically no room on the table, but instead of putting our dinner down on one of the 3 empty neighboring tables, he just tried to squeeze everything in, and at one point asked if one of us could just lift up the appetizer plate and hold it while the server placed the dinner plate down. It was weird. The food was also only okay. We got two apps, pan fried brussel sprouts (a special) and the calamari. The brussel sprouts were delicious, but they were served sitting in about half an inch of soy sauce...so the ones on top were great but it just seemed strange/unappetizing to serve them like that. Whoever was in the kitchen either has no clue when it comes to presentation or the regular chef was out sick for the night (along with the normal wait-staff). The calamari was actually under flavored. Everyone in my party agreed that the dish either needed more seasoning or should have come with a dipping sauce. Then came the dinners. One person's fish "tacos" (which actually just ends up being served as a wrap) were tasty but leaking tons of sauce and making a huge mess. My salmon sandwich was a little bland. The salmon by itself was delicious, but the sauce and toppings it came with (lettuce, onion, cucumber) did not compliment it well. Another person in my party got a ceasar salad as a meal and I got a side Caesar. The entree Caesar looked great, but my side Ceasar was about 70% romain hearts, 30% remain lettuce. It could just be me, but that's not an ideal ratio. It was like they put all leafy tettuce on my friend's entree salad and didn't have any left for mine. Also the fries were overdone. The only real positive I have is the price. I think the prices are very reasonable. Overall, not a great experience. If your business is serving food, I expect that what the kitchen produces is high quality, something the head chef would be proud of. I suspect whoever is in charge wouldn't have been proud of the presentation/taste/quality of some of the dishes brought to my table, not to mention the service. I think this place has potential, but given my experience I'd recommend you try one of Portland's other establishments before you come here, unless you knew the owner would be there to make sure you had a quality experience. But personally I'd rather not go to a place where I have to cross my fingers and hope this wasn't going to be an "off night".
(2)
Barbara S.
Ate here my first night in Portland at the recommendation of the front desk at the Inn where I was staying right next door. Speciality cocktail was very good, gourmet grilled cheese was fantastic. Something on the menu for everyone, large selection of craft beers and ales. Would definitely return.
(4)
Cid B.
Dogfish Cafe is a decent, casual restaurant with good burgers, salads, and above average sweet potato fries. The only issue I have (I live in the neighborhood so I come here often enough) is their policy of not letting two people sit in a booth- EVER! Even at off peak hours in mid-week when no one is in the restaurant! The tables for two are not as comfortable. It's ridiculous!!
(3)
Mel H.
Lunch @Noon on a Thursday. Practically empty so easy parking out back and a quick table seating. I had the chicken Gouda sandwich with sweet potato fries: not overly impressed. Total lack of chicken on it, rather lacking in flavor. My lunch partner had a portabella sandwich which looked much better - surprisingly the mushroom was chopped up with cheese, red peppers and some mustard (vs burger like porta). Ok place but not a blow away must try.
(3)
AJ P.
I was kind of scared to come here after seeing the outside, thinking it was just a dive bar. But once you enter, you realize it's actually a pretty nice restaurant. Good beer selection and good wine selection. The food is awesome. The lobster roll was different but good, with a hint of tarragon. The dogfish burger was huge, bu you can never go wrong if you add bacon and onion rings.
(4)
Christy R.
We scoured reviews to find a place to stop on our way to Sugarloaf this past weekend and came across Dogfish Cafe. The parking lot and restaurant are small, but we were able to find a seat at the bar. They feature a nice selection of local beers, and the employees were very friendly. We started with the Salt & Vinegar Calamari. The vinegar was a nice touch and the calamari were not overly fried. We also had the Veggie Burger and Mahi Mahi Fish Taco with sweet potato fries. The grilled black bean veggie burger had a nice crunch and had large slices of avocado. The fish taco was a single taco, but a large taco...the size of a burrito. The fish was nicely grilled, and the mango salsa and chipotle ranch dressing were a nice combination. We were very happy with our dinner, and were happy we found a nice place to stop along the way! Not sure when we'll be back up that way, but I recommend stopping in for dinner if you're in the area.
(4)
Colin R.
Good beer selection, eclectic crowd and music. But the real reason to go is the Dogfish burger, which may be the best in town, at least the best I can think of right now. I've only been to the Free St. location, which has a nice back terrace, to get away from the music, when thats not what I'm looking for.
(4)
Katie W.
Fantastic experience! Called our order in as we were in a rush-friendly, intelligent staff were really helpful and speedy. Having never been we ordered from the menu online-everything was delicious-portabello sandwich, fish taco and sweet potato fries were spot on-fresh and devoured completely. Pickles are especially good. Wine and beer selection are great will definitely be back to try some of the cocktails we read about but didn't have time to try. Loved the atmosphere, fair prices, good parking. We'll return!!
(5)
Justin H.
Darn good burgers, and the homemade chips are worth making the trip on their own. For some reason I have a hard time ordering here - the menu is never very exciting, and nothing sounds remarkable. That makes the entres seem kind of overpriced. Then again, maybe I'm just not a huge fan of Americana. So I was really surprised the last time we went there. The seafood pasta toss had some of the most perfectly prepared seafood I've ever had - succulent, juicy scallops and melt-in-your-mouth mussels. Dynamite job. We got there a little late, and though the waitress was ber friendly and chipper (I am always impressed by bubbly staff - that amount of friendliness is a true gift), we felt a little awkward and rushed since it seemed like we were the last ones out and they were closing down. The place has a decent Tap selection, and a solid wine list.
My wife and I had gone to and enjoyed lunch at Dogfish for many years. Recently, a strange thing happened to us when there for lunch. We were with my business partner and his wife and when my turn to order I ordered the Caesar salad with the "add grilled salmon" option. I mentioned to the waitperson that I like the anchovies, clearly listed as one of the ingredients in their description of the salad (and NOT, as I have been told in some eateries, just "in the dressing"). She told me that there would be an additional charge for the anchovies (only)IF one had added the option of grilled salmon or chicken. I couldn't quite understand why any restaurant would have such a policy, but more importantly, I pointed out that if that WAS the policy, I would expect it to be noted in the menu. She said she would check with the manager. When she returned she told us they had to stick with the policy. She also told us they were planning to change the menu. I didn't think debating the point would accomplish anything, but I did (try to) point out that I considered future menu changes totally irrelevant to current customers. Anyway, all four of us have eaten in many (good) restaurants in many cities around the country and the experience was unusual enough to turn us off to the Dogfish. Hopefully for the owner(s) this was a poor management fluke but Portland has so very many other good places we will not risk another visit.
(1)
Mike F.
There are a few culinary "have to dos" in Portland; Fore Street's spit-roasted pork, Otto's pizza, and The Dogfish Cafe's California Turkey Club. I have tried, on several occasions, to replicate this sandwich at home using the best ingredients I could buy, and yet, no dice. The bacon is smoky and thick and the ciabatta makes grown men cry. The management does a good job of keeping only happy people on staff and the kitchen is quick with turning out consistent, solid "upscale pub-ish" cuisine. All around one of the great Portland choices.
(5)
Donald S.
Has been one of my favorite spots in Portland for a long time. Always good, and probably one of the best burgers around. To start, the popcorn shrimp (with caper aioli) and the salt and vinegar calamari are great. I pretty much always have a burger. Caldwell farms beef...as good as it gets. The Dogfish burger, 8oz topped with bacon, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, caramelized onion and mushroom, with chipotle ranch and BBQ sauce is about a foot tall and so delicious if you can figure out how to eat it. I love just about everything on the menu. Reasonably priced, service is great, and relaxing. I wish it were a little brighter in there though...I guess if that's my only complaint, then it's a good place.
(5)
Matt S.
solid breakfast, lunch, and dinner place. first went on my first trip to portland since leaving new england. solid venison chili, fish n' chips, and beer selection (allagash witte for $3.95! it's six bucks in boston and at least seven in chicago!). the fiance and I were overjoyed to find that the sunday brunch is as fantastic as the dinner. if you love (and are not allergic to) shellfish, I strongly recommend the curry coconut PEI mussels. best I've ever had (even if I hadn't been spending the past year plus in seafood wasteland of chicago, where long john silver's counts as great fish). would have them every day if I could.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Coat Check : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
L M.
Came here bc it was next door to our inn and so happy we did! Dark cozy atmosphere and friendly staff. We had local beers, fried mozzarella ( delish!!), lobster bisque ( mmmm) , I got the blackened salmon and husband got the Dogfish burger ( both SO GOOD!!!) good for small to medium size groups not great for kids
(5)jason b.
Stayed at the Inn @ St. John this weekend which is next door to Dogfish. The gf and i had lunch on friday and dinner on Saturday because we were both sick and it was close. Wow, what a find. Super friendly waitstaff and very good food. I had the haddock sandwich and the gf had the portobello pita. Both were excellent. Saturday night i had the ballgame and she had the tomato caprese baguette. Once again it was delicous. Although i was a little tipsy from drinking most of the day and woke up with sweet potato frie crumbs in bed. :) The highlight of both meals however were the (house made?) pickles. It may sound weird that a pickle stole the show but i could eat an entire plate of them. Keep up the good work Dogfish. I will be back soon.
(5)Keith G.
Loved the Dogfish!! Not being familiar with area decided to check it out after reading positive reviews on Yelp. Sure am glad we did!!!! Fun, friendly, funky atmosphere. Tables were full so my friend and I ordered dinner at the bar. Her grilled chicken & Gouda was wonderful, sweet potato fries just as good. My artichoke & shrimp 'po boy was sensational. Hand cut fried chips excellent & the pickle so sour it's most likely illegal in 48 states. Great selection of micro brews on tap, Arrogant Bastard lives up to it's name. Fun group of people at the bar, lotta laughs and suggestions on things we should check out while in town. Do yourself a favor, check out Dogfish Cafe, you'll be glad you did.
(5)Peter K.
What we enjoy most about the Dogfish Cafe is the variety of menu options. Salads, sandwiches and dinner selections. This visit it was the salmon salad and haddock sandwich. Also enjoy the nice, but limited draft beer selection. Always have something interesting to try. Small seating area mean you have to be there early or be lucky.
(4)Chris C.
I've been here twice, and the burgers are solid. They serve chips alongside the burgers. This place is a good choice to grab a beer and/or a meal during the day. They offer brunch on Sundays with a reduced menu.
(3)Sarah G.
Excellent food - I've never eaten in the restaurant, but they provide the perfect takeout meal when you feel like staying in your room, watching Flavor of Love, and drinking yummy local beer at the Inn at St. John next door. Very good sandwiches and fries and the molten-y chocolate cake we had a year or two ago was outstanding.
(4)Melanie B.
dogfish is hands down my favourite restaurant in portland. it's casual enough in the day for you to bring along your schoolbooks and a study buddy, but doubles as a high class dining establishment worthy of drinks and friends. i've had many a good dining experience at dogfish. their daily menu stays the same (try the california turkey club with homemade chips, mmmm) but the night menu is on a chalk board -- i've never seen it exactly the same, and it includes season items (the butternut squash ravoli was to die for). their bar has a good selection of wine and microbrews; this place reminds me of the epitome of the way i want to think of maine, and of portland (because mostly maine is just a boring, boring place to have grown up). portland high society and regular old mainers alike go to this place. the fact that it's on the corner of st. john's and congress sort of helps deter any ambivalent customers --it's like a secret!! the best secret in portland! but wait... i've said too much!
(5)Kristy W.
This place was great! I followed the advice of fellow yelpers and we went here while being snowed in at the Inn at St. John. At first we thought it was closed, but as we ate it really began filling up! Crazy Maine people driving in the snow- but after eating here I totally get why! I got the haddock sandwich which was to die for! It was so light, and the breaded coating was just perfect! It came with their homemade potato chips and cole slaw- which were just as good! I couldn't stop eating the cole slaw, it was different but good! My boyfriend got "The" dogfish burger, which looked aaaaawesome! It was huge! And he loved every bite! He choose the sweet potato fries, and they were also wicked good! They also had a good local beer selection, but this seemed to be the standard up there. This is a definite go-to place!! (And don't be sketched out by the outside, it is beautiful inside!)
(5)Jack S.
Haddock sandwich was one of the best I have ever had. Fish taco was an interesting variation that did not quite work for me, the flour taco shell was with crispy wrap and the filling wasn't as hot as I expected. Strong beer selection. Limited space is well used, nice decor, comfortable location for a Seadogs meetup. For decades, this was a landmark variety store called Merdeks. Hard to believe the change.
(4)Rachel E.
Great food, good service, good atmosphere, good selection, big portions. A little pricey for me, but definitely worth it. First of all, the salt and vinegar calamari has got to be the best calamari I've ever had. It. Is. So. Good. The sandwiches are also amazing. I had the cubano and my boyfriend got the turkey cobb. Both were awesome. Definitely worth trying. The fries weren't bad but weren't anything amazing either, but it's nice that the sweet potato option wasn't extra. The waitress was also quite nice. We didn't get any drinks though, so I can't comment on that. I loved the decor myself and the bathrooms were nice and clean. Definitely worth visiting for lunch if you are ready to eat a lot of delicious food.
(4)Peter B.
A group of us went to the Dogfish Cafe for lunch today. We chose the air conditioned room over the deck as it was hot. The dining room is small and combined with the bar. It's a laid back casual atmosphere with friendly staff. The menu is very small, but the food is good. I ordered a turkey cobb salad that had a load of turkey, bacon, blue cheese, spring mix, a boiled egg, and dried cranberries. I got the dressing on the side which was a good choice as one of my comrades got it over the salad and it was pretty drenched. The others had a shrimp kebob topped salad and a blackened chicken sandwich. Both were well reviewed. The shrimp were large- not Maine shrimp- and probably farm raised in Asia (meaning in an environmentally unfriendly way and then shipped half way around the world). The blackened chicken sandwich was large and spicy enough. The Dogfish Cafe is a good place for lunch and fun at night when the open-mic is going on. It is relatively slow so don't go expecting a quick meal.
(3)Barbara M.
Husband had the turkey club .. he said it was awesome. Real turkey! I had the burger and it was very good. Great fries. Nice, cute atmosphere. The food took a bit longer to prepare than I expected given it was a weekend afternoon and we were the one of only three tables eating. Still, an enjoyable meal.
(4)Brenda G.
What a great place. Small, cozy and local. The polenta fries are to die for! Service was pleasant as well. The place fills up fast........Fish and chips, chili, salads and burgers are all wonderful. Prices are reasonable and portions are great! We will be back
(4)Asya P.
What a lovely surprise in one of the less busy parts of town! Six of us went out to dinner on a Friday night and had a great time. 5 minute wait while they set up a table next to a booth for us (don't come here with a bigger group)! We tried the calamari appetizer- best I've had in years. Deep fried smaller pieces and baby squids in a delicious salty/vinegary breading. No dip required to enjoy, very tender, not greasy. We tried lots of different sandwiches on the menu with fish and meat and everyone was very happy. Excellent fries. Everything is so clearly made in-house and very fresh. Sandwiches and tacos were constructed really well, very easy to eat- it drives me nuts if I have to eat my sandwich with a fork because it all falls apart! Small but carefully chose beer selection on tap- something for everyone, and wine and mixed drinks as well, though we didn't try them. Everything was pretty darn healthy (for bar type food) and we felt great the next day. There were some specials on the menu that looked awesome if you were planning to come for a "nicer" dinner, rather than a beer/sandwich/fries affair. The desserts are very inconsistent in size- we had the Tiramisu and were in heaven, our other friends were less impressed, but they took theirs to go, so I don't know how good it was. Great bartender, great waitress, other patrons were nice. There is parking in the back, and the layout of the place keeps it from getting overcrowded. It looks divey, but they are meticulously clean. Very comfortable temperature inside. I am giving 5 stars for what it is - an unpretentious dinner&drinks spot that nails everything they do at the level that they are aiming for. We will be back here!
(5)Andrew J.
Have only been there once but had a great experience. Slow for a Saturday, we had no trouble parking on-site & sitting right down. The place is really laid-back & simply decorated. Our server greeted us right away. My daughter & I started with a cup of chili, and it was plenty to share as an appetizer. I could see a bowl of this being a satisfying meal. They have off-menu children's items; a grilled cheese and chicken fingers. Her grilled cheese was really tasty & large for being a child's meal. I could see my wife ordering this - it was crispy and kind-of sophisticated, given that it was on what seemed to have been ciabatta bread. I took advantage of the French Dip; an offering I don't see much in Portland. The beef was tender, the caramelized onions were on point, and the au jus was thicker & richer than I've ever had, which was awesome. Almost a sauce rather than a broth. Very tasty. I asked about their dinner menu, and the server brought over a specials board. All looked great - seasonal squash lasagna jumped out at me. I could see coming here with the wife and/or friends for dinner and lingering a while over drinks. The only drawback was the limited tap list, but this was only a minor issue as I was with my daughter (not a bunch of my degenerate friends). Essentially a non-issue. I'll be trying them for dinner soon, and will report back at that time!
(4)Kirk A.
This place holds a special lore for me. I've been flying into Portland and catching the Greyhound to Lewiston and eventually little Dixfield to visit my parents for years. My first time here I got my bus ticket and had to wait a bit so I wandered over here for the best fish sandwhich ever and a local beer. I never miss it. It's like an oasis. Friendly people and real good food. There aren't enough stars for it.
(5)Heawon K.
After a failed attempt at eating Chinese food in Maine, my family and I decided to eat at this restaurant. I can admit I was a bit skeptical before walking into the dogfish cafe, but I'm glad we gave this place a shot. I started off with a Maine root bear- one of my faves! For my entree I ordered the fish tacos, my sister the haddock sandwich and my mother the steak salad. We received our orders about 10 minutes into placing them- which was a plus since we wanted to tour a bit of downtown portland. The portions were huge! And by huge, I'm talking about bigger than Cheesecake factory portions haha. The fish tacos were good-- there was an ample amount of fish, tomatoes, and avocado. I think the real winner out of the three dishes was the haddock fish, but rightfully so, after all we are in Maine. The fish had a perfect crisp to it. The food was delicious, the service wonderful, and the decor, simple yet beautiful.
(5)David M.
Wow, what great food , big portions and very reasonable prices... The decor is very cool and eclectic, nice and cozy place. I had the haddock sandwich, so fresh and crisp and not greasy at all. The fries were also yummy and grease free. Would highly recommend this little place.
(5)Paul L.
Cozy as a mofo and the wings are the best that I have had yet in Portland. Small but tasty draft selection.
(5)Jake K.
Closed..... Bummer!
(1)M L.
Best grilled cheese I've ever had. EVER. I also had the portobello sandwich and it was delicious, big, and very fresh. My entire group enjoyed their meals (salmon blueberry salad, haddock sandwich, steak salad) at the cafe and definitely a place that we will visit again. Definitely recommend if you visit Portland, ME! Reason for 4 stars is that we didn't get our credit card back with the receipt so we left without it. We eventually realized the missing card and went back for it that night but just save the trip by making sure they give the card back!
(4)Anna H.
Awesome little place for lunch! The salads are nice and big, perfect for a good healthy lunch. The wait staff is very friendly. There is also a nice parking lot on the side of the building that makes parking super easy. Definitely will be back here!
(5)Bill S.
We Love this place- they have a great staff & they deliver great, fast, & attentive service!- the menu has something for everyone, and the food is of course amazing! -let's not forget the drink menu... :-)
(5)Doug P.
Had the rueben. It's was well done. I really like the hand cut fries. Great little lunch spot in my home state. Server was pleasant and very attentive. My brother and his wife had the French dip, and the cubano. Both done well. Simple food done well.
(5)Shelly R.
My last night in Portland and I stopped here for dinner and brew. Great atmosphere, super staff and amazing food. I had blackened salmon sandwich with a Belgium white... Oh yeah! You won't be disappointed here!
(5)Steff D.
The Dogfish Cafe has two locations: one on Free Street and one "in the sketchy part of Portland.... y'know, near St. John Street" (which is how many locals see this particular location). Unfortunately, because of its proximity to a less than desirable neighborhood and it's very awkward location on the corner of two incredibly busy streets, I believe it's often overlooked. Until recently, I was one of those people that NEVER would have considered going to The Dogfish Cafe. But I had the opportunity (read: I was forced) to check it out one Friday night near closing time. Here's what I've been foolishly missing out on: They have parking! They have a patio! They have a local (loving, oriented) staff! They have gluten-free beer that's actually good! And they have some of the best desserts in the city! Wasn't expecting that last one, were you? If you've ever watched any reality cooking show than you know that desserts are generally contestants weak points. Unless that's your speciality or focus, I think it's safe to assume that's true for most restaurants too. But the tiramisu here? The plate-sized serving of tiramisu? It's SO. DARN. SEXY. I was afraid the ladyfingers would be too soggy or too crunchy, but the textures and flavors were perfectly balanced (I could have done with a bit more espresso taste, but more of that would mean soggier ladyfingers... I know, I know... I can't have it all!). I would absolutely come back here again for a wedge of this seriously sinful stuff. Also, the chocolate covered strawberries (which I think were a Valentine's Day special) were ginormous, fresh, sweet, and pumped full of grand marnier. The perfect thing to indulge on, really (a plate full of those alone and you'll be feeling seriously warm and fuzzy inside). PRO TIP: This Dogfish was recently purchased by new owners. From what I know, it seems like they're in the process of finding... gently segueing into... a new identity. There will be no abrupt name or menu changes, but gradual ones (the desserts being one of them - one of the new owners hand-makes them every day as opposed to serving frozen Sysco options). In my opinion, the biggest thing this "Dogfish" needs is some help with their menu. The offerings (which is not the current owners fault) seem generic, heavy, and moderately off-putting if you're a vegetarian (although that fried mozzarella ball has my name written all over it!), even more so for vegans. My hope for them - as they're finding their place in this food and drink saturated city - is that they create some unique options (and cocktails) that will inspire and encourage people to come out of their way for what could be a really great spot in a getting-less-sketchy-every-day-thanks-to-all-the-new-businesses part of Portlandtown.
(4)Mike S.
The better of the two! The only thing disappointing was that the two Dogfish cafés were so different in taste. The food, was no disappointment! A quaint, hip place with fantastic food. It had been a few months ago that I last went but am looking forward to another visit. Good beer and wine selection too!
(4)John Y.
Completely unexpected hidden gem that we discovered through yelp. When I arrived with my parents, we thought it might be a bit too "bar"-y, but the food and friendly service was beyond expectation. The fried haddock sandwich, portabello sandwich, and grilled cheese were my favorites. If you're in Portland for lunch/brunch, definitely check this place out! Highly recommended.
(5)Judi O.
Went in for a late afternoon meal yesterday as my friend had recently been there and said how good the fish tacos were. She asked if we could sit at a booth away from the door it was 4'oclock, I guess they have a rule no two tops at the booths, the waiter then asked the bartender who was also the owner and he proceeded to carry on about how if he let us then the next 2 would want a booth and so on, then said Denny's had booths! I wished we had just left as there are so many great places to eat in Portland with much friendlier atmospheres. We stayed fish tacos were not as good as past, the waiter was nice. The best was not one other person walked into that restaurant the whole time we were there which was about one hour! I will NOT step foot in there again, there was no need for the owners rude comment!!
(1)Mary M.
My partner and I ate here for lunch for the first time this weekend, and everything was great! The service was great, the ambience (think neighborhood bar--casual and relaxed) was great, and the food was great. I got wings (my go-to pub food and my initial measurement of a restaurant's quality) and they did not disappoint. They were not too hot, not overly breaded. My partner got the Dogfish Burger and it stole the show. It was about 8 inches tall. The patty was juicy and cooked to a perfect medium-rare and the egg on top had a perfect loose yolk. We'll definitely go there again.
(5)Dillon S.
The Dogfish Cafe was around the corner from where my family stayed on our recent vacation to Portland, so it was a convenient choice for a late dinner (around 9:00 for us) several times over the course of the week we were there. What appeared to be a shabby hole in the wall turned out to be a source of quick, delicious takeout for us. The flank steak Caesar salad and the regular Caesar salad were both great, along with the calamari, smoked gouda chicken sandwich (this was my sister's favorite), the Cuban, and the dogfish burger (the favorite of my dad and i). Great food at this place, so don't judge this book by its cover.
(5)Melissa B.
My boyfriend and I chanced on this place while looking to kill time before a roller derby bout. We had intended to go to the Chinese place next door, but unimpressed by the menu, we came here, and I'm so glad we did! We sat at the bar and ordered some beers (I like to come to places like this to try something new/local; this time I had the Allagash White) and looked over the menu. The menu isn't huge, but it's got some quality items on it. Because we were looking for something light, we both ordered off the starter menu. I got the grilled cheese. OH MY GOD. It was amazing! Four melty, gooey cheeses on asiago bread that was toasted perfectly. I paired it with the soup special, which was a zesty tomato (the soup I would say was just okay, I think it might have had chipotle in it and I just don't care for spicy). The sandwich comes with a locally-made sour mustard pickle. My boyfriend got the calamari which was cooked perfectly and topped with onions and parmesan, which was delicious. He also had a plate of hand-cut fries and they were actually pretty good (I'm fussy about fries) and nice and crispy. Dogfish Cafe is exactly the type of dining experience I look for when I come to Portland. I'll definitely be back!
(5)Hope M.
I stumbled upon this place with my mother the other day when we were visiting someone at the hospital. This was among a handful of places recommended by the nursing staff, so we strolled down to check it out. It's pretty unassuming from the outside, and we weren't sure what to expect. First, the service is great - relaxed, just friendly enough, without being overly attentive. We started with some coffee, which was surprisingly good. I had a turkey cobb salad, sans bacon, and it was delicious. The cranberry/blue cheese combination was awesome, and it was perfectly dressed. My mother had the curried chicken salad, and she raved about the seasoning and crispness of the veggies. I might have stolen a couple of her fries, which were also pretty tasty. Maybe it was the contrast with the stressful hospital experience, but we had such an enjoyable lunch here. We plan on visiting again soon.
(4)Joshua C.
I am happy to report that we have reconnected with our old friend. What an improvement! Better food, better service. Yay! Dogfish is back on my list of go to places.
(4)Jason B.
You want to open up a small restaurant and attract a crowd in a part of town not considered to be a "destination spot" and be successful? You need to take a class from the Dogfish Cafe. Eclectically decorated, this place has a warm, inviting vibe that makes you comfortable as soon as you walk in the door. The young, friendly staff adds to that feel - Eric behind the bar gives you the 100-watt smile freely - he always seems to be in a good mood. They have a little corner full of puzzles and games for those, unlike us, who don't come equipped with a deck of cards, a yahtzee game and a portable scrabble set. But onto the food: we came here twice on our trip to Portland, that's how good the food was. Their chicken sandwich was perfect for a lunch bite, and we agreed that their fried calamari was among the best, if not THE best we'd ever had, but the jewel in the crown of our visit was their braised short rib special on Sunday night. I'm not going to gush over it verbally. If you know what great braised short ribs are taste like, then just suffice it to say that every quality they're supposed to have, these had. Paired with generous pours of a great chianti - you can't do much better. Everything about this place works, and works great.
(5)Zachary B.
I already had a bad experience at the dogfish across town, but it was a slow Monday night, so I thought I'd give it a try. Embarrassing, would be the way I'd describe it. The only girl at the bar was obviously an employee on her night off, and also obviously dating the bartender. I ordered a beer and asked for a menu, which was extremely limited, but the bartender never once came back to answer any questions I might have had. I suppose he was too busy taking care of his co-worker/girlfriend. Its actually sad, cause the kitchen staff was staring out into the bar area, like lost sheep, looking for something to do. I finished my beer, payed my check, and left. Whatever guy owns the Dogfish brand, better get on top of things, cause from what I can see, he has no clue.
(1)Alison F.
"I never want this veggie burger to end." And, "Hold on, shhhh, I'm enjoying my last bite." Yeah. Everything on the menu looks good, but the way they make that veggie burger is just amazing that I never order anything else. It tastes like the earth in the best possible way. Also, it comes with avocado. I love avocado.
(4)Lisa B.
On our way to a family reunion, we drove through Portland. Upon landing we were urged by a family member to stop for lunch at Dogfish. Coming from Los Angeles, I'd never heard of a Lobster Roll. I guess they're big there. Considering the locale, makes sense. I'm not big on cold lobster with mayo, so I got the "Ball Game" black forest ham grilled and piled high on a soft pretzel roll. It was pretty damned good. I tasted the Lobster Roll....eh. Was not my thing. The service was friendly...almost eerily friendly. But hey, I've spent most of my life in NYC and Los Angeles. Worth a stop if you're driving through.
(3)Amy M.
The Dogfish burger is my favorite burger in Portland!! This is one of my favorite places to bring a family member or friend for a casual dinner. Away from the bustle and parking nightmare of the old port, with good beers and good food.
(4)Ellen G.
Overall my experience here was just okay. We came for a late-ish (sat down at 8:15) dinner on a Saturday night. We sat outside on the back deck which would have been perfect except by the time our food came the sun had set and there were tons of mosquitos (given the time of year I guess you could say we should have known and not sat out there, but they could have had citronella torches or something. Our server was bad. He seemed to have no personality, which, on it's own isn't that bad, but he also brought out our dinner before clearing all our plates from the 2 appetizers we ordered. There was basically no room on the table, but instead of putting our dinner down on one of the 3 empty neighboring tables, he just tried to squeeze everything in, and at one point asked if one of us could just lift up the appetizer plate and hold it while the server placed the dinner plate down. It was weird. The food was also only okay. We got two apps, pan fried brussel sprouts (a special) and the calamari. The brussel sprouts were delicious, but they were served sitting in about half an inch of soy sauce...so the ones on top were great but it just seemed strange/unappetizing to serve them like that. Whoever was in the kitchen either has no clue when it comes to presentation or the regular chef was out sick for the night (along with the normal wait-staff). The calamari was actually under flavored. Everyone in my party agreed that the dish either needed more seasoning or should have come with a dipping sauce. Then came the dinners. One person's fish "tacos" (which actually just ends up being served as a wrap) were tasty but leaking tons of sauce and making a huge mess. My salmon sandwich was a little bland. The salmon by itself was delicious, but the sauce and toppings it came with (lettuce, onion, cucumber) did not compliment it well. Another person in my party got a ceasar salad as a meal and I got a side Caesar. The entree Caesar looked great, but my side Ceasar was about 70% romain hearts, 30% remain lettuce. It could just be me, but that's not an ideal ratio. It was like they put all leafy tettuce on my friend's entree salad and didn't have any left for mine. Also the fries were overdone. The only real positive I have is the price. I think the prices are very reasonable. Overall, not a great experience. If your business is serving food, I expect that what the kitchen produces is high quality, something the head chef would be proud of. I suspect whoever is in charge wouldn't have been proud of the presentation/taste/quality of some of the dishes brought to my table, not to mention the service. I think this place has potential, but given my experience I'd recommend you try one of Portland's other establishments before you come here, unless you knew the owner would be there to make sure you had a quality experience. But personally I'd rather not go to a place where I have to cross my fingers and hope this wasn't going to be an "off night".
(2)Barbara S.
Ate here my first night in Portland at the recommendation of the front desk at the Inn where I was staying right next door. Speciality cocktail was very good, gourmet grilled cheese was fantastic. Something on the menu for everyone, large selection of craft beers and ales. Would definitely return.
(4)Cid B.
Dogfish Cafe is a decent, casual restaurant with good burgers, salads, and above average sweet potato fries. The only issue I have (I live in the neighborhood so I come here often enough) is their policy of not letting two people sit in a booth- EVER! Even at off peak hours in mid-week when no one is in the restaurant! The tables for two are not as comfortable. It's ridiculous!!
(3)Mel H.
Lunch @Noon on a Thursday. Practically empty so easy parking out back and a quick table seating. I had the chicken Gouda sandwich with sweet potato fries: not overly impressed. Total lack of chicken on it, rather lacking in flavor. My lunch partner had a portabella sandwich which looked much better - surprisingly the mushroom was chopped up with cheese, red peppers and some mustard (vs burger like porta). Ok place but not a blow away must try.
(3)AJ P.
I was kind of scared to come here after seeing the outside, thinking it was just a dive bar. But once you enter, you realize it's actually a pretty nice restaurant. Good beer selection and good wine selection. The food is awesome. The lobster roll was different but good, with a hint of tarragon. The dogfish burger was huge, bu you can never go wrong if you add bacon and onion rings.
(4)Christy R.
We scoured reviews to find a place to stop on our way to Sugarloaf this past weekend and came across Dogfish Cafe. The parking lot and restaurant are small, but we were able to find a seat at the bar. They feature a nice selection of local beers, and the employees were very friendly. We started with the Salt & Vinegar Calamari. The vinegar was a nice touch and the calamari were not overly fried. We also had the Veggie Burger and Mahi Mahi Fish Taco with sweet potato fries. The grilled black bean veggie burger had a nice crunch and had large slices of avocado. The fish taco was a single taco, but a large taco...the size of a burrito. The fish was nicely grilled, and the mango salsa and chipotle ranch dressing were a nice combination. We were very happy with our dinner, and were happy we found a nice place to stop along the way! Not sure when we'll be back up that way, but I recommend stopping in for dinner if you're in the area.
(4)Colin R.
Good beer selection, eclectic crowd and music. But the real reason to go is the Dogfish burger, which may be the best in town, at least the best I can think of right now. I've only been to the Free St. location, which has a nice back terrace, to get away from the music, when thats not what I'm looking for.
(4)Katie W.
Fantastic experience! Called our order in as we were in a rush-friendly, intelligent staff were really helpful and speedy. Having never been we ordered from the menu online-everything was delicious-portabello sandwich, fish taco and sweet potato fries were spot on-fresh and devoured completely. Pickles are especially good. Wine and beer selection are great will definitely be back to try some of the cocktails we read about but didn't have time to try. Loved the atmosphere, fair prices, good parking. We'll return!!
(5)Justin H.
Darn good burgers, and the homemade chips are worth making the trip on their own. For some reason I have a hard time ordering here - the menu is never very exciting, and nothing sounds remarkable. That makes the entres seem kind of overpriced. Then again, maybe I'm just not a huge fan of Americana. So I was really surprised the last time we went there. The seafood pasta toss had some of the most perfectly prepared seafood I've ever had - succulent, juicy scallops and melt-in-your-mouth mussels. Dynamite job. We got there a little late, and though the waitress was ber friendly and chipper (I am always impressed by bubbly staff - that amount of friendliness is a true gift), we felt a little awkward and rushed since it seemed like we were the last ones out and they were closing down. The place has a decent Tap selection, and a solid wine list.
(4)Cindy C.
My husband and I actually did take out for dinner from the Dogfish café. We shared the Dogfish burger (8 oz, with an onion ring, bacon, tomato, mesclun mix, and bbq sauce). It was a mouthwatering burger. You had to open your mouth very wide to take a bite but that bite had so much going on with it. The tasty burger itself, the vegetables, and the crisp bacon and onion rings, and the spicy bbq sauce. It was a delight. I also ordered a half rack of ribs, which got better the more I ate them. I wish the meat was more tender, I really don't like having to rip the meat off, I prefer it to fall off the bone by itself, but the bbq sauce was really tangy and spicy and kind of addictive. I also enjoyed the cole slaw, it was wonderfully crispy with red and green cabbage and some carrots slices thrown in.
(5)Barry A.
My wife and I had gone to and enjoyed lunch at Dogfish for many years. Recently, a strange thing happened to us when there for lunch. We were with my business partner and his wife and when my turn to order I ordered the Caesar salad with the "add grilled salmon" option. I mentioned to the waitperson that I like the anchovies, clearly listed as one of the ingredients in their description of the salad (and NOT, as I have been told in some eateries, just "in the dressing"). She told me that there would be an additional charge for the anchovies (only)IF one had added the option of grilled salmon or chicken. I couldn't quite understand why any restaurant would have such a policy, but more importantly, I pointed out that if that WAS the policy, I would expect it to be noted in the menu. She said she would check with the manager. When she returned she told us they had to stick with the policy. She also told us they were planning to change the menu. I didn't think debating the point would accomplish anything, but I did (try to) point out that I considered future menu changes totally irrelevant to current customers. Anyway, all four of us have eaten in many (good) restaurants in many cities around the country and the experience was unusual enough to turn us off to the Dogfish. Hopefully for the owner(s) this was a poor management fluke but Portland has so very many other good places we will not risk another visit.
(1)Mike F.
There are a few culinary "have to dos" in Portland; Fore Street's spit-roasted pork, Otto's pizza, and The Dogfish Cafe's California Turkey Club. I have tried, on several occasions, to replicate this sandwich at home using the best ingredients I could buy, and yet, no dice. The bacon is smoky and thick and the ciabatta makes grown men cry. The management does a good job of keeping only happy people on staff and the kitchen is quick with turning out consistent, solid "upscale pub-ish" cuisine. All around one of the great Portland choices.
(5)Donald S.
Has been one of my favorite spots in Portland for a long time. Always good, and probably one of the best burgers around. To start, the popcorn shrimp (with caper aioli) and the salt and vinegar calamari are great. I pretty much always have a burger. Caldwell farms beef...as good as it gets. The Dogfish burger, 8oz topped with bacon, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, caramelized onion and mushroom, with chipotle ranch and BBQ sauce is about a foot tall and so delicious if you can figure out how to eat it. I love just about everything on the menu. Reasonably priced, service is great, and relaxing. I wish it were a little brighter in there though...I guess if that's my only complaint, then it's a good place.
(5)Matt S.
solid breakfast, lunch, and dinner place. first went on my first trip to portland since leaving new england. solid venison chili, fish n' chips, and beer selection (allagash witte for $3.95! it's six bucks in boston and at least seven in chicago!). the fiance and I were overjoyed to find that the sunday brunch is as fantastic as the dinner. if you love (and are not allergic to) shellfish, I strongly recommend the curry coconut PEI mussels. best I've ever had (even if I hadn't been spending the past year plus in seafood wasteland of chicago, where long john silver's counts as great fish). would have them every day if I could.
(5)