I would give this restaurant a second chance. I was in a party of 3 and my two companions loved their dinners. We started with pulled pork nachos (ordered at the bar as we had a ~20 minute wait). For me, these were the highlight of the experience. They were delicious and not over the top as some nachos are. While I agree with others that the St Louis ribs were not drenched in sauce, I found them less than appealing both for the limited meat on the ribs and how difficult they were to eat. There was a choice of two rib sauces and the one I tried was okay. (I had high expectations as this is a BBQ place, right?). I'm glad I only ordered the 1/2 lb as I didn't eat them. The corn bread was good, beans were average and the coleslaw was too tangy for my taste. Worth another try cause 2 of the 3 of us liked our dinners. Service was average?
(2)
Justine J.
I popped in here for a client meeting recently, and loved it. The atmosphere was fun and hip -- and busy for a Thursday evening! There's not a ton of parking, but it's worth it. We had a pulled pork pizza and it was delicious. One of the people in our party had some food allergies and the waitress was SO awesome about it -- she took her time explaining things, asked the owner/chefs a few questions for him, and was just as patient and friendly as can be. Awesome drink selections, too.
(5)
Kelly W.
Great meal at Elsmere's on my last night in Portland (visiting from Michigan). Great food, and the staff was friendly...plus my table got a peak into the smoker after dinner- super cool! Loved the spicy BBQ sauce and the black pepper bbq sauce (especially mixed!). Didn't love the baked beans, but the brisket, Mac n cheese, and cornbread were excellent. Wishing I could go back! Definitely have to come back if I'm ever in Portland again.
(4)
Owen W.
Came in for a beer and a sandwich at the bar on a fairly slow Wednesday night. Got the beer and a menu just fine, but I've been waiting 25 minutes and counting for the bartender to stop chatting with friends and come take my order. Not the first time the service has been slow here either. Waited an hour in a party of 4 last time, get seated, put an order in and then 40 minutes later the waitress comes back to say they've run out of 2 entree items... WTF..?!? But no worries, the other 2 orders will be up soon, so at least half the party gets to eat. And at $11-12 per sandwich, the prices aren't great either. Frankly, there are better BBQ options in Portland, although it would be a struggle to find a local restaurant that treats you worse, so if you like being ignored and starved, maybe this is the place for you!
(1)
Jodi H.
The food was excellent. My husband and I shared The Works and everything was very tasty!
(5)
Sarah C.
I've implemented my two strike rule with Elsemere. The first time I went I called ahead to see if they had any meats that aren't cured with sugar, they said the brisket. So my husband and I went, I ordered the brisket.... Waited for 20 minutes just to have our server come back and say they're out of brisket for the night because they've been busy but offered to give me the burnt ends of the brisket. This was basically chopped up fat, and they still charged us the regular price. The second time we went back I ordered the Elsemere salad and had chicken added. I paid 15 dollars for a salad smaller than my palm. The chicken was fatty and cold. The salad wouldn't have been worth the 10 dollars it cost without the chicken. Not good service, not good food. Will not return.
(1)
Jim B.
I understand that tastes in food are subjective. However, once you start writing a few reviews, whether on Yelp, or somewhere else (like your own blog), then you need to take a step and try to move it past mere personal tastes. When it comes to BBQ in Maine (or if you prefer, Barbeque) is one food category that is really lacking. I continue to be amazed when I read reviews about BBQ, in that reviewers gush about places that I try, and then think, "what"? Of greater-Portland's two newest BBQ joints, my wife and I hit Salvage first. I reviewed it and you'll see we both liked it, with a caveat, or two. Elsmere was a disappointment. Even with Salvage opening, knowing there was a BBQ joint in SoPo (a place I love for a variety of reasons) was intriguing. For one thing, even though I don't expect it to rival it's foodie sister across the bridge, a few more decent restaurants wouldn't be a bad thing. The space occupied by Elsmere is great; located in the old Colonial Cleaners at the corner of Elsmere and Cottage Road, the size and set-up works. Not too big, but with enough tables, a good-sized bar, and some outdoor seating, even when busy, the wait isn't interminable. The food (which is why we decided to visit) was disappointing. I say this because I wanted to be wowed. Having read reviews prior, however, I was a bit anxious about trying another BBQ place, only to be let down. While the meat had a nice smoked flavor, my wife's ribs were not the fall-off-the-bone tender that we expect in a restaurant touting its BBQ. The ribs also seemed to be lacking much meat. My brisket was decent, had some decent barking, and I was satisfied. In both cases--the ribs and the brisket--I thought the amounts of meat were skimpy, at least in comparison to other rib places I've frequented. We both liked the mustard sauce. The "red" sauce, which I think the waitress said was a Texas-based sauce, with a peppery kick was just okay. The sides were so-so. We both tried the vinegar-dressed cole slaw. The mix of cabbage and pepper was flavorful, but the chop was too fine for our preference. The vinegar-based dressing was ok, but lacked any "wow" factor, and was even "too vinegary" making me wonder if they just tossed vinegar over the chopped ingredients and added some pepper. The cornbread was dry and came wrapped in tinfoil, so I'm assuming it was supposed to be warm--it wasn't. No butter was supplied, either. I had the baked beans, my wife went with mac and cheese. The beans were tasty, with a ketchup-based (?) sauce that was flavorful. The pinto beans were just the right texture, and this was the best of the sides. The mac and cheese required salting, which meant that it wasn't as flavorful as it should have been out of the oven. The service really was a downer. We were out on the patio and felt like we might have been forgotten, even though there were other diners out there with us. Our server was slow taking our order. Then, when our food finally arrived, we lacked silverware. While I'm not anti-fingers and hands in eating my BBQ, cole slaw and sides like beans require a fork, at a minimum. Since the food was cooling and no waitress was around, my wife went inside and mentioned to the waitress that we lacked forks and knives. The waitress continued talking to her colleague, so my wife grabbed silverware from an empty table so we could eat. When our waitress checked back with us we were nearly finished. No "I'm sorry about the silverware," or making sure our meals were okay. I had a beer at the beginning, prior to receiving our meals. I'd at least have liked being asked before she brought the check. I usually don't want a beer when I'm getting ready to leave. I think I could have given Elsmere a three for the food, barely. However, for food that was so-so, with lousy service, I can't give it more than a two-star review. It's obvious that the owners are trying and have invested in the space. They need to get some things ironed out, however, if you want me to sing your praises. I probably won't be back to give it a second shot.
(2)
Megh R.
Elsmere is quickly becoming a favorite spot. This is primarily because of two things: ease and charm, neither of which have anything to do with food. I say 'ease' because we sit, order, and within ten-fifteen minutes (even on a slamming Saturday night), we have our platter of food in front of us. 'Ease' because a three-meat Mama's plate is the very most perfect portion for two people to share. Particularly, 'ease' because the attitude around the restaurant is just that...even in the kitchen, where the cooks are hurriedly working their tails off, they do so with a sense of ease. I know they are at ease because they talk to us...which brings me to charm. I love sitting at a chef's bar, anywhere I go, but I particularly love it at Elsmere. The cooks are open and receptive to conversation, questions, etc. I have many questions. They are willing to give an extra pickle or two, or even a meat sample. All I have to do is ask. They don't deter questions; they invite them. I hate to sound cheesy, but I kind of feel like part of a family. The food at Elsmere is good. It's possible that the sausage is the best thing they do. I've tried all of the meats and none are disappointing. Brisket is my favorite barbecued meat, and I do wish Elsmere's was more fatty, but I understand that many people are turned off by copious amount of fat hanging from their food. I'm not. I think that I'll request fatty brisket next time and see what happens. The only sides I've tried are the collards and macaroni and cheese, and that's because I'm super loyal to these sides. The collards are simple, and the macaroni and cheese is complex. I wouldn't want it any other way. I look forward to visiting Elsmere more and becoming a regular. I've been very happy with my two visits so far. I anticipate that I will remain happy, and hope that others experience and appreciate the ease and charm as much as me.
(4)
Rainy H.
Recent visit to Elsmere and what a great place. Friendly people. Had a BBQ pork platter with collard greens, beans & rice and cornbread plus a Thai BBQ rib appetizer. Great food and brought home a few ribs for the next day. Great BBQ spot! Definitely recommend this place and will go back again (and again).
(5)
Michelle E.
I don't eat meat and I liked this place. I went there for Sunday lunch with my husband and son. They have a good selection of beers and cocktails. I ordered a Bloody Mary and my husband got an allagash white. The Bloody Mary was flavorful but I like them to have a lot of stuff in them and all it came with was an olive, a lime slice, and a lemon slice. It would have been better with some celery, pickled green beans, and a carrot. Something more. Now for the food. I ordered a black bean burger with pickled cherry peppers and pepper jack cheese. So delicious. I love a good veggie burger! My husband ordered some sort of meat combo plate with sausage and ribs. It came with cornbread and two side dishes. He seemed to enjoy everything because there was very little left. They have two BBQ sauces on the table. I hate BBQ sauce. Next to mayonnaise, it's my least favorite condiment. So I was hesitant when my husband told me to try the mustard BBQ sauce. I tried a tiny squeeze on the greens on my burger. It was so delicious! Tasted like a sweet and tangy honey mustard and I ended up dressing my greens with it. Yum! The service was fine. Our server was pleasant and friendly. The food came out quickly and she checked in with us several times to see how we were doing. I've read the other reviews and I don't think this place deserves three stars, that's a little harsh yelpers. One thing that I've noticed about portland is that everyone seems to be looking for a deal. It's slightly annoying. "Specials" at a restaurant generally mean that they have an abundance of a product that they are looking to get rid of. That's not what I look for at a restaurant. I also don't complain about the cost of drinks. If you want to drink on the cheap, drink at home or hit up a dive bar. This is a business that will only stay in business by making money. They contribute to the economy so don't cheap out and get upset by a $5 beer, it's pathetic. Overall a good experience and we will be back. It's got a good vibe, cool decor, and solid food.
(4)
Zazu S.
We went here tonight on our first visit to South Portland. We ordered ribs and brisket. The ribs were the worst I have ever had anywhere, and I've eaten a lot of ribs in some dive places. There was absolutely NO meat on them. I was scraping the skin off with my teeth. As someone who has worked in the industry, I'm perplexed that any restaurant would serve those ribs. They were AWFUL. Maybe one bite of meat on them total. And the one bite had no flavor. There was nothing fall off the bone about those. The brisket was better, but lacked sauce. The bbq on the table is good so used that to add some flavor. The sides, mac and cheese, collard greens, and corn bread were just plain bland. No flavor in any of it. The kids ate burgers, which were really good. Love their potato chips. We might go back for a burger, but I can't say we'd return for the bbq. I've had way better all around.
(2)
Kate S.
Great bar scene; good cocktails; nice to have a place like this in otherwise relatively vanilla SoPo dining / bar scene. Jury is out on the food, though. So disappointed in the bland corn bread. Brisket nacho special, however, was terrific. Smoked wings are uber smoky and greasy. Baked beans above average; coleslaw pretty good; bbq oysters were .. weird. Not like any other bbq oysters I've had. Will return for the bar; and hope the food improves.
(3)
Denise H.
We are pretty picky when it comes to BBQ, we travel to Tennessee and through out the south on vacation just to get good BBQ. Well Elsmere has by far the best brisket I have ever had, amazing flavor and so tender. The sausage and pulled pork were also just as amazing and equal to the southern BBQ we love. Atmosphere was very relaxed and although we could tell there are a lot of regulars there we didn't feel out of place. Waitstaff was quick and friendly....it was very busy but the wait was not long at all! We cannot wait to go back! Next time its ribs!!
(5)
Autumn P.
Every time we drive by this place, it is packed, even on weeknights! After my husband met one of the owners at work, we decided to give it a try... And we're glad we did! We shared the sampler with pulled chicken, pork, and brisket... It was the best BBQ we've had in some time! The meat was fresh, flavorful, and not too saucy. The atmosphere was industrial and open... Seemed like a nice place to bring a group of friends... Probably not a great spot for kiddos though. The service was average, but overall our first experience was a good one. We are definitely planning to return!
(4)
Melinda I.
Starting with the positives: Upon entrance one first notices the relaxed family atmosphere; Even those at the bar were relaxed while enjoying the soccer game. The seats are huge and can accommodate large parties/families which is nice. Now for critique: After ordering, the food comes out fast, too fast, and this patron was surprised that with such quick service that the medium rare burger ordered came out well done. A well done burger holds little flavor and is a disappointment to get when not ordered.
(2)
Crystal G.
I've had some BBQ here and there, and more recently Maine has had more BBQ places open and I've tried them all. Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill is fantastic! The food is amazing, it's a great neighborhood place with a cool bar and more bar seating at the "kitchen". The only thing I'm not crazy about is the level of noise when the place is full. Maybe more or different decorating would help take care of the noise. The first time I went they had only been open a few days so I had some of the issues other people did, slow service, delays with drinks, etc. The next time I went my friend and I got great service and sat at the bar. It really is good food with good beer and it's a great neighborhood place. South Portland has really become a foodie town!
(4)
Chuck M.
A great up and coming local bar hangout, but the food was a total disappointment. The reviews that gave the food great reviews have never had good BBQ. The meat was smokey but on the bland side. The sides were so so. The two sauces they had to offer were weird tasting, nothing like a regular BBQ sauce. If you live in the area and want to go have a drink in an "interesting" decor, this is your place, but don't bother ordering the food. You will be wasting your money and insulting your taste buds.
(2)
Bramfy B.
This is a 4 when it comes to Maine BBQ - in NYC it'd be a 3 but scarcity becomes a factor in Maine - worthy of another star Good atmosphere and set up - lots of good beers on tap and a few babes for waitresses. Food was your standard hearty BBQ - nothing crazy but just good clean and wholesome I had the tornado - essentially a blend of pulled pork, sausage and brisket on a pretzel bun (great choice of bread) with cole slaw on top of the meat. Pair this with a solid beer and your good Chicken goat cheese quesadilla is great combination for those not willing to get all BBQ sauced up Chili with burned ends is good too - I saved some to go and it was even better then next day. Food comes quick. Be ready to eat ASAP Great neighborhood spot. Too bad Cape Elizabeth town board is full a bunch of retards or we could have a solid establishment like this on our side of town.
Disappointed !! I wanted to like this place but after stopping here the other night. I would say don't bother! Bartender was slow to be pulled away from their conversation with other staff. When they did arrive it was surly at best. I had a choose 2 plate the brisket was over cooked(needed a spoon! ) and the pulled pork was pre-smothered in mustard sauce? Cornbread was very dry.. I needed 4 butters to make it palatable. I would have rather have had a couple of slices of white bread ... At least I could have put my brisket bits on the white bread ! On the bright side?..it is a great place to watch the game ... That is if you enjoy starring into a giant neon sign .
(1)
Andy F.
this place is the "before " in restaurant impossible - food is completely tasteless -
(1)
Lorenzo R.
As I was dining solo, buying some of my barbecue favorites in bulk seemed a good way to try out this new, seemingly very popular new addition to the neighborhood. I called in an order of a half pound each of brisket and house-made sausage. Although noisy in the background (the sound of success?) the order was taken courteously and professionally, and I was greeted cheerfully by the hostess when I arrived to pick up my order, who directed me to "the tall man in the corner". My total was $14.50, a fair, if high end, price for a pound of smoked meats; I gave the tall man a twenty, he reached into his pocket, gave me a fiver, then I stood there for a few awkward moments, and then tall man said to me "you don't need that fifty cents, do you?" In my hundreds of thousands of retail experiences I have never been asked that question before, so I was completely thrown. I remember mumbling "no, I'm all set" and leaving quickly. What a bizarre first Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill experience! The food? It was...okay. The brisket was tender, but seemed to lack much flavor, smoke or otherwise, but the house-made sausage fared much better. It's a sweet sausage with a black pepper bite, and reminded me favorably of the all too brief time recently when the East End's Fresh Approach Market sold smoked versions of their fine sausages.. The BBQ sauces included was one tomato- and one mustard-based, and again just okay. I realize Elsmere is in its infancy and It's still establishing its footing, but as a barbecue fan, I enjoy smoke and think the items I've tried could use a bit more. I'd also like to sample their sides, so I'll likely return, but I'll be sure to use my debit card next time!
(2)
Alyssa D.
Layout is a little strange with raise booths. Food is pretty tasty, brisket nachos were my favorite, also had the ribs and brisket. Brisket was a little dry and I would probably pass the next time.
(3)
Scott M.
Found this little gem out on Cottage Road where the old Cookie Jar Bakery used to be. The restaurant is tucked into an old automotive garage. The barbecue is authentic with all the trappings of good Texas barbecue. We had the brisket which was moist & tender with the right amount of smoke flavor, the pulled pork, & ribs that had a nice bark on them. The sides are just as good, traditional southern coleslaw made with vinegar instead of mayonnaise, giving it a good crunch and letting the vegetables come through. Additionally we had the pinto beans that were seasoned perfectly and the house made potato salad which was delicious. Did I mention cornbread!!! The service is ok not top notch but does not turn you off as the food makes up for it. Our waitress was courteous but a bit mismanaged. We had ordered the oysters that are cooked over flame until they open. However she did put our order in and arrived with our entrees only. Which was a little disappointing as we were looking forward to trying them. Aside from that overall the meal was very good & we look forward to going back.
(3)
Alex C.
As a BBQ fan I was very excited to try Elsmere, but left a touch disappointed. The service was very friendly and the drink I ordered (I think it was called the Rye Rocker, or something like that) was delicious! I decided on the sausage plate with mac and cheese and collard greens. The sausage had good flavor but was sooo dry! Thank goodness for sauce because it was desperately in need of lubrication. The mac and cheese was pretty bland, as was the corn bread, which was only worth eating when slathered in butter. The collards were surprisingly tasty, but the meal as a whole was a bit underwhelming. I'm curious to go back and try the oysters and the brisket and hopefully I'll leave more satisfied next time. At least I know the cocktails are good!
(3)
Jim S.
Had my first meal at Elsmere. Was satisfied with most items. Was not happy with my ribs, what I had been looking forward to. They were very, very dry. Close to unacceptable. Our waitress said that they were having problems with the smoker. Sorry but they should have that sorted out by now. Will go back to give them another chance but not real happy with my first meal.
(2)
Angela S.
Love the outdoor patio and that it's located in a neighborhood. I'm jealous it's not my own neighborhood! The smoke ring on the brisket was really impressive and so so tasty. The homemade sauces were great and the Tornado was crazy good. The pretzel roll is the key! And don't leave without a molasses cookie. They're only a dollar!
(4)
Kelly S.
Called ahead to see what the wait was for a table of 5. Was told maybe 10 mins. Arrived to have a table waiting for us. Great service and really good food. Meat and sauces good and sides all yummy except for marinated coleslaw - didn't care for the jalepeno bite. A little less vinegar and a splash of sugar would have helped. Very cool bar and nice big and comfortable booths. Definitely going back!
(4)
Rachel P.
Decided to check them out with my family Friday night. 15 minute wait for kitchen side bar seats for 3. 15 minute wait for our waitress to bring us menus. 10 more minutes for her to come take our order. The food came within 15 (good!) 2 for 3 on order accuracy - the flub was a cheeseburger and chips and we received NO CHEESE and PICKLES? On the 'up' side, one runner brought us our waters and glass of wine and then our waitress brought us water and a glass of wine - she winced when we told her and shared that she "hated it when they do that" and said the 2nd wine was free. Thanks! Although two glasses of wine on a now growling empty stomach was not good. The good - Black Bean Burger was flavorful. Local beef burger got a thumbs up in taste from our 9 year old. The meh - Pulled Chicken sandwich. I was not impressed with the flavor (very little) on the chicken, though it was very moist. There are two UNMARKED sauces at the table and no one explained what they were. We were adventurous and tried them. Not bad. But would've liked thicker consistency and labels and more choices. The rolls were store bought in plastic and not toasted - no flavor and soggy consistency. For a place touting "local" there MIGHT be just a couple of bakeries nearby (SCRATCH-ROSEMONT) that offer good breads? Would like local salads/veggies to be offered too? Total for 3 was 38.00 before tip - not too bad (but remember, we had a child ordering off kids menu). We will try them again in a month or two when they've ironed out the kinks and maybe read a few of these reviews? Like the growth in SoPo on the food scene and really rooting for these guys to get it right!!! I WOULD grab a drink at the bar there ANY TIME THOUGH. Nice bar.
(2)
Chris E.
Nice atmosphere. Intimate and friendly. I give their bbq 4 stars for texture. they had a perfect bend and snap in their meat. The flavor was a 2 star experience. The smoke wasn't prevalent in the profile, and the general flavor was thin. I tried their ribs, chicken, brisket and sausage. The sausage was the star. good flavor, good smoke and good heat. the chicken was flavorful. the brisket and ribs had very little flavor. Bonus points for pulling the rib membrane though, as a lot of place won't go to the trouble.
(3)
Jennifer B.
Met up with some friends for dinner. Wings are so tasty, crisp, perfectly smoked, loved the sauces bbq honey mustard and regular bbq. Ordered the 3 meat dinner that comes with a choice of 2 sides and corn bread. Hubby and I shared the pulled pork, brisket and sausage. All so delicious but by far the pulled pork and sausage were our favorites! Collard greens tasted authentic to down south for sure. Baked beans were perfectly seasoned. Waitstaff did a great job! Love this place, will definitely go back for more!!
(5)
Caleb P.
Horrible service yesterday. Sat at the bar with my girlfriend to get something to eat because it was more comfortable than sitting at the table. I got asked for my ID and immediately after seeing that i was over 21 I was told I wouldn't be served a drink because they thought I had too much to drink that day. I had literally just came from a wake and wanted to stop in and try out the restaurant because I had never been in there before. Needless to say, I will NEVER go back there and will NEVER recommend anyone going there either. Didnt ask for a drink, I wanted food and the first thing out of the bartenders mouth is I won't serve you? Horrible customer service. Seems to be the reason why it was dead when we went in.
(1)
Carl M.
What do you want when you are visiting Maine for one night? Lobster - no. Non-crustacean seafood - of course not. You want barbecue! Once you realize that, you should definitely hit Elsmere. Great atmosphere although not super quiet. Friendly, efficient wait staff. Genuinely exceptional meat. Yummy. Go!
(5)
Ashley T.
I went to two BBQ places this week. One was Salvage and here. I bought a localvore coupon that was 30 dollars off your bill. I past this place so many times while biking to Cape Elizabeth and I didn't even give it a thought to try it. But I am really happy I did. We ordered two beers, an appetizer, one burger and I had Chicken with two sides and corn bread. The wings we ordered for a starter were delicious and they came out really quick. One small disappointment we had was that our waitress got one of our beers wrong and gave us a shipyard summer instead of the oxbow/bunker collaboration pilsner. It was really loud in the restaurant to I imagine it's easy to mishear. For my sides I ordered mac and cheese and collard greens. The mac and cheese was pretty bland and could have used more salt. The collards were pretty good not as salty which is great. The chicken was pretty good as well You can Definitely have a decent time here.
(3)
Courty C.
Do yourself a favor and do not miss out on Elsmere's. The flavorful, fall off the bone, "pretty pink smoke ring" meat is just what you are looking for when you search "bbq". We enjoyed a fabulous lunch/dinner/supper this Sunday. The location is conveniently in between South Portland and Portland Head Light at Fort Williams. There is a parking lot behind the restaurant, as well as parking across the street at the doctor's office on Sundays. The menu is just what you would expect from a Northern bbq place, options and prices included. Every sauce and meat is delicious, however my favorites were the ribs covered in their mustard based sauce. I was so full from my two meat platter, that I had basically a whole meal to take home as leftovers. My fiance however housed his entire plate. Everything we tried was high quality and flavorful, although the cole slaw based in vinegar and green peppers was not really my fave. The only request to the menu would be some eggy potato salad. Our service was quick, considerate, and pleasant. The restaurant decor is beautiful as well with painted white walls accompanied with industrial looking lighting and a cool behind the bar neon autobody shop sign. Speaking of the bar, the drink list will please anyone in your party with ample local beer selections paired for BBQ as well as creative infused cocktails. There were drink specials as well as an advertised happy hour Tues - Fri. And if you are in the mood for outdoor, there is a patio with umbrellas. They even have homemade desserts, but unfortunately our guts were too busted from the entrees to partake. Here's to hoping we can go back for some nachos and pie next time!
(5)
Patrick C.
Finally made it in to Elsmere BBQ Friday night. It was jam packed full, inside and out. Quite loud even that crowded. Found a seat luckily at the bar, quick friendly service. Though small uncomfortable bar stools. Started with couple grilled oysters, pretty good. Had the special...BBQ Turkey Quesadilla, and a Banded Horn IPA. All in all a solid meal, will have to try the straight out BBQ at some point. Will update review when I do.
(3)
Deni T.
I am a fan of the destination South Portland is becoming. New businesses are popping up and making the "trek" over the bridge to the Old Port less and less necessary for a good dinner and night out. While Elsmere is not new this year, I didn't make it in until the past few months after having it on my list of places to go. Let's just say that as of tonight, I have already eaten here twice this week alone. Parking is on the side and rear of the building and there is a business across the street that allows parking after hours as well as on street parking. Do not park next door where the laundry is. The atmosphere is relaxed and the smoke smell is not overpowering. They have a few booths, seats at the bar (I don't love the seats and lack of foot rails), seats at the "food bar" with a nice view of Momma (the smoker) as well as tables inside and porch tables on the patio. The brisket is the most popular item and if they are going to sell out of something, it will be the brisket. The pulled pork and chicken are as also really good. I have not had the wings but two friends had them and loved them. The oysters are delicious! The smoked sausage link with mustard bbq sauce is a regular for me. My most fav on the menu is the tornado sandwich, three meats, pickled onions and coleslaw on a pretzel bun with a side of chips... I order some beans and add them on to it and use a fork and knife since this is a sloppy delightful mess. They have local brews on tap, Allagash, Banded Horn, etc. as well as bottled beers like Stella. They have a full bar and some house drinks like the Elsmere Lemonade. The staff is friendly and they have nonprofit nights (which I just took advantage of on 5.5.15 for my Diabetes cycling team). Whiskey Wednesdays!
(4)
Christopher L.
People are nuts on here sometimes. I wanted to reads why this place only has 3.5 stars, and someone gave it 1 star because their service was slow. Another because it costs a couple more dollars per sandwich. That's terrible! Now when other people are looking for great BBQ, they are thrown off by ratings that are skewed. Service is slow? Ok, take a star or 2, because it is important. To pricy for you? That's what the dollar sign ratings are for. Really to bad. As far as food quality? Excellent! Burnt end chili nachos had so much tasty toppings we had to eat the left overs with a fork. Someone complained these didn't come with guac. Well, this is a BBQ restaurant, use the amazing BBQ sauces they have on the table. Go to El Rayo for guac. The wings weren't very big, but great quality chicken. Minimum amount of grizzle on the ends. I had the tornado sandwich with pretzel roll. I think it comes with 3 different meats? All so very tender and tasty! I agree that it is a little pricey, but that's only because it comes with a side of potato chips in stead of fries, slaw or mashed pots. But for an added price, I believe you can get all of those sides. All in all, great atmosphere, friendly staff, we had no issues at all with service, and food was great quality. I will return again. PS - I love how Yelp! tells me I wrote the pants off this review. Ha! I feel a little shy right now...
Great BBQ! Laid back atmosphere, good bar, nice service and delicious food. Especially loved the brisket, cornbread, mac n' cheese and all the BBQ sauces you can try. Baked beans were not very good but that is my only complaint. They have a place to sit outside if you wish too and it was easy to find.
(5)
Meli L.
Last night my boyfriend and I dined at Elsmere with another couple. Since it was Cinco, we decided to all have a margarita (not on the menu, but we asked and they accommodated) - drinks were just meh, next time I would go with something on the menu. We started with the burnt ends nachos, they were good, but didn't come with guac or salsa, just sour cream. For my meal, I had the BBQ chicken sandwich and a side of mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was great, the sandwich was just OK. They had 3 sauces on the table to choose from, but would have preferred if they sauced it for you. The atmosphere was laid back, we were sat in a big booth, which was spacious and high off the ground. It was also rather warm inside. All in all, decent meal but wouldn't rush back.
(3)
Alex K.
Tonight my husband and I dined with our friends. We started with the nachos and then I had the pulled pork sandwich with a side of Mac n cheese. We got seated in a big booth which I loved, I thought the atmosphere of elsmere was cool and laid back. Our waitress was fine, but not overly friendly, and didn't seem very knowledgable when we asked about drink options. The nachos seemed plain, they didn't come with any salsa or guacamole, but did have a side of sour cream. The burnt ends on the nachos however were delicious. My pulled pork sandwich was good, but I wish it came with some kind of sauce on it. They have a variety of sauces on the table that you can dress your sandwich with, but sometimes I like when the restaurant takes initiative and makes a sandwich with their suggestion of sauce; ( kind of like when you want your husband to make a choice without asking you first, just take charge and make a decision!!) If I lived in South Portland I think there would be a better chance of me frequenting this establishment, but since I'm a Portland resident I'm not too sure that I'd choose this place over others on the peninsula.
(3)
Bruce R.
A good BBQ meal but nothing you haven't had before. The food was well prepared and tasty, but ultimately uninspired. I had the pulled chicken and sausage and enjoyed both. The sausage in particular was very good. My dining companion had the catfish, which was tasty and perfectly prepared. Really good coleslaw, their recipe is nice and vinegary instead of the gloppy mayonnaise nightmare you often get. They offered two sauces, their house sauce and a black pepper sauce. The house sauce was very good, but we found their black pepper sauce to be rather unpleasant, essentially the equivalent of a mouthful of black pepper with no other discernible flavor. The wait staff was very friendly and the service was great. My biggest complaint was the way the food was served. They serve your meal on a huge platter with all the component in little paper boats. With 4 people at our patio table, we had difficulty fitting all the food on the table. The oversized platters were far bigger than was required to serve the amount of food placed on them. Overall a good meal, but not distinctive in the world of BBQ. Although with the dearth of decent dining in SoPo, this is a nice addition. I did think it a bit pricey for the portion size however. With the growing selection of really good BBQ places in Southern Maine, they need to step it up in the creativity department if they want to hold their own.
(3)
Ryan C.
I was very impressed with Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill! We had the grilled garlic butter oysters, which were by far the highlight of the meal! My wife and I also tried the brisket, smoked sausage, mac-n-cheese and collard greens. The sides were amazing! The mac-n-cheese was very creamy and sharp and the collard greens had a lot of bursting, savory flavor. The bbq was also very good! I took away a star becuase they do not have potato salad, the cole slaw is acidic and they do not have french fries. I will defiantly be back very soon.
(4)
John S.
If Elsmere was humor, it would most certainly be dry. There are rules for different foods. The rule for BBQ is moist, falling apart, tasty meat. At Elsmere, this rule does not seem to apply. Dry, lifeless and bland, the Pulled Pork was disappointing, the Brisket was like Jerky and the Ribs stuck to the bone. Only the Sausage showed signs of moisture...and really, how can you screw up sausage. My MIL gave the Catfish the thumbs up, because I could not read her lips through the smokey decor burning my eyes. Let's talk sides: You can't kill Mac & Cheese, can you? Unless you like zip-less, spice-less cheez-whiz, go with the Collard Greens. At least it wasn't as dry as the meat. I'm not going to kill the drink prices because on the upside, at least they might prevent you from over-drinking and driving. The people are very nice. Norman?
(2)
J L.
Excellent barbecue! We tried tried the ribs, pork and brisket and all were outstanding. The mac n cheese was creamy and cheesy and the other sides excellent as well.
(5)
Emily B.
I am from Alabama, so my BBQ standards are pretty high. I tend to judge BBQ places on their pulled pork, sauces, and sides. This place had 2 options of sauce- golden mustard and hot pepper. I tried the "mustard" (don't worry it's not actually mustardy,) and it was a perfect blend between sweet and savory. The perfect sauce. The meat was tender, the cornbread was sweet and filling, and the beans were exactly what I would expect from a BBQ joint. I can't believe I finally found a BBQ joint near my house! I will definitely be visiting again.
(4)
Ronald D.
Not sure what all the hoopla is about. I was moist with excitement to try this new barbque joint......finally we might be able to enjoy some good smoked meat in Southern Maine?? Guess not. Ribs are smoked then wrapped in foil and kept warm and served as orders come in. Problem is, the bottom of the rack sits in the pooled fat and the underside is slimy and unappetizing when your plate arrives. Ribs need to be finished on the grill to crisp up both sides, but Elsmere clearly does not have the grill space. Smoke tastes odd, too. Perhaps it is the wood combo (maple, oak and peach) or the smoker itself has a problem, but there is a rancid taste to the smokey meat. Sides were all subpar, as well. Draft beer needs to be colder. Cornbread was dry. God, I'm depressed just writing this.
(1)
Becky M.
I was a little skeptical about this place after reading some reviews, but was pleasantly surprised. I considered 4 starts but can't think of a single complaint. I was definitely impressed and will be going back regularly. Four of us went in on a Friday night, the host greeted us immediately and said there would be about a 20 minute wait. We got drinks at the bar which was warm and inviting and had a great cocktail list and beer selection. I noticed a lot of weekly specials too, like whiskey Wednesdays (YES!), happy hours, and vodka oyster shooters. We were seated in just about 20 minutes in a nice comfy booth and service was excellent. I really liked the atmosphere too. Open and clean. Our waitress gave us detailed specials, recommendations, explained sauces, attention to our drinks... And immediately put in our appetizer order. Now for the food, OMG delicious and came out quickly. Had the roasted oysters which were the best oysters I've ever had. They were even willing to split the sauce flavors within the half dozen. I had grilled mahi mahi tacos which came with a choice of side- I got the collard greens (vegetarian!) and corn bread. Everything was so freaking good. I could have eaten a bucket of those collard greens and the corn bread was very light, not dense. Price was completely reasonable $16- for the meal. My friend got pulled pork which he said was delicious and not dry at all. Came out on big pie plates lined in parchment as well like the traditional southern BBQ. Needless to say, can't wait to go again!
(5)
Jay N.
Fantastic St. Louis style ribs. Not your heavily sauced stuff, but slow smoked. Same for the baked beans, a favorite of mine being from the South. Not a mess sticky beans in BBQ, but slow simmered, smokey beans you'd expect over a Texas campfire. The service was the best part however with a sweetheart of a server. Smiling, funny, sharp and attentive. A group of 6, with drinks for everyone, appetizers and full meals came in around $140. Not bad at all and I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Bill M.
Rich tender meats: brisket,pork and ribs were all sampled on this visit. Balanced by well prepared sides:tangy coleslaw, creamy mac and cheese, and cornbread were sampled. Cocktails were well crafted, and remain a better value than on the other side of the Million dollar bridge. What made this visit different than my first three months ago? It's that this BBQ joint has found its groove. Clear signage eliminates the uncertainty of parking. Along the same line there is now one entrance,staffed at all times with a hostess to direct traffic.Service was spot on and friendly and everything on the menu was available Officially my favorite BBQ in the Portland area and a wonderful addition to the neighborhood.
(4)
Simon L.
Hitting this spot after a mediocre second visit to Salvage with a couple buddies, I was singularly unimpressed. The atmosphere on this early Saturday evening was busy and energetic with a fast paced kitchen crew using a huge wood fired grill. A system using multiple kitchen staff and large prepared pans allowed for quick plating of dishes. The brisket was dry and over smoked. It lacked any noticeable flavor component that would warrant a repeat sampling. Low fat content and minimal juiciness did not help the cause. The ribs were on the smaller side and also were not particularly noticeable. I have had worse ribs - Norms East Ender - but not frequently. Tough, sinewy meat had a charred exterior that was difficult to cut through and did not pull away from the bone. Unimpressive sides as well. A loss in my book, maybe with time they'll figure out how to regulate the smoke system better.
(3)
Adria R.
The food was good, but it just wasn't exceptional in any way. I was so hoping for more, and I may be wiling to give it another shot. I did like my catfish meal, but again it was pretty ordinary. My husband had a mixed meats plate, and the sausage stood out as the star. The service was friendly but slow. We waited ten minutes to order drinks, then another 15 before she took our food order, so it was a good 25 minutes before we ordered. The patio was a nice option on a warm summer evening. Sadly the chairs were very uncomfortable, and the small patio tables were really too small for more than two people (we were a group of 4). The large round trays the food was served on didn't fully fit on the table, so it felt like our food was spilling into our laps. We put the condiments on the ground to make more space for food and drinks.
(3)
Malcolm P.
"Amazing" and "Excellent" doesn't even begin to describe this jewel. I love good BBQ but for us New Englanders, it can be tough to find. Well, my search is over. Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill exceeded all expectations from food to service. From the time we entered until the time we left, the staff was friendly and attentive. The atmosphere was fun and the food... without a doubt the best BBQ I have had in a long time. I guarantee you won't leave hungry... unless it is hungry for your next visit!
(5)
Lindsay W.
I would probably give this place 3.5 stars. The service was outstanding. The atmosphere is cool and casual - love the neon sign and the open kitchen concept. And I also hear there are some free old school video games! The food was good - I think it would meet your needs for a bbq dinner, but not exceptional. I think the items that I loved most were the collard greens (who would've thought!), corn bread, and then most definitely the brownie sundae. I had the mahi mahi tacos as my main and they were good, but nothing too special. I would probably recommend for someone else to get the brisket, ribs, or another BBQ standard because they touted those items more and it is a bbq place. My cocktail was nothing special. I got the margarita that was pink - they warned me that it was sweet, which is fine, but it just tasted more sugary and artificial, and not like they used fresh ingredients.
(4)
Andrew J.
I love simple barbecue made with quality meats, and Elsmere's did not disappoint. Friday evening; it was very busy, yet I waited only 15 or 20 minutes for a table - not a hassle at all, considering they offer a FREE PAC-MAN machine! Good beer selection, including new offerings from Banded Horn, which was nice. We sat at the "kitchen bar," right along the open kitchen, face-to-face with the staff (I will recommend requesting this, as it was the warmest seat in the house). They moved efficiently and communicated well, resulting in our food arriving more quickly than I thought it would. I chose the St. Louis style ribs, brisket, and house-made sausage; and the sausage, to me, was the star, with excellent spice and a satisfying snap from the casing. For sides, the mac & cheese and vinegar-based slaw were very good. My daughter chose a pulled pork sandwich topped with mac & cheese, and it was very good (if not messy). Thee were plenty of offerings on the menu, including a veggie burger. An added treat was being taken by one of the owners, Jeremy, to see the smoker - he offered to do so as we chatted at the kitchen bar (he was on the line). Also met the other owner, Adam, in the smoke room. You could sense the pride and excitement in their voices over what they were adding to the local food scene. Our server, Mikayla (sp?), was cheerful and attentive - smiles from everyone we dealt with. Given the good prices and laid-back atmosphere, we will definitely be returning to Elsmere's to sample more of the offerings - especially in the summer when outdoor seating will be available!
(4)
Seeley R.
Too expensive for what you get: so so food and not a lot of it. Disappointing service. Nice bar space though.
(2)
Hannah M.
Love going here - everything is soo good, especially the BBQ chicken. Even when the place is packed the service is quick and it's a fun place to be. May seem a little pricey at first but it's totally worth it for the amount of food you get and how delicious it is. Highly recommend!
(5)
Karen R.
I went to Elsmere BBQ & Woodgrill last night for a fundraising event, and I honestly do not know why I have not been sooner. This lovely establishment has been open for about a year on Cottage Rd. in South Portland. It has a very cool exterior and logo, and the inside is just as hip. Behind the bar is a gigantic neon radiator sign and the open kitchen concept are both very inviting. Our visit occurred on a VERY rainy evening, although that may keep most people at home, this place was packed, yet we quickly got a seat at the bar facing the kitchen. It was cool to see the Elsmere team work together and the real wood grill was really nice since we were soaked! Our waitress was very nice and explained the specials and dishes. We got the Pulled Pork Nachos to start...they were so good, and huge, but we still finished the entire plate. My husband and I both ordered the Elsmere Torpedo Sandwich...this has pulled pork, beef brisket and their house made sausage. I was intrigued by the combination, and the waitress highly recommended, so we gave it a try. It was really great and I highly recommend. to top if off, they have Allagash White on tap... I really recommend checking this place out if you have not already. We are excited to bring our children the next time, as they will also fall in love with this place. The owner is really great and chatted with us for about 10 minutes, the staff is excellent, the food is off the hook, and the ambiance is really perfect for a casual family or friends night out! 5 stars all the way!
(5)
Krystal K.
This place is charming as hell. The food is good, but when I came I REALLY wanted some french fries and guess what? They DO NOT have them, or a fryer.... Which ok, yes it is healthier, but seriously, this is a BBQ place! UGGGG Speaking of food, the menu is very limited, but the drinks are great and the way they serve them is fun. Not sure I will be back, but it was a fun experience and the service was pretty, friendly, and efficient!
(4)
Greg G.
Having experienced great BBQ all over the country, I really was not expecting more than an adequate meal. The BBQ @Ellsmere BBQ and Wood Grill, was some of the best that I have ever had. The collard greens were definitely the best. Like most BBQ restaurants, the atmosphere is very relaxed and comfortable. The service is unbeatable even for a busy Saturday evening. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Lynn K.
OK. A random stop on the way back from the Portland head light house place was packed so that tells you something! There was about an hour wait so we grabbed a seat at the bar - welcomed by a handsome bartender - Jeff :). We ordered the elsmere lemonade Peach infused brandy with homemade lemonade yum Got the pulled pork plate with beans and Mac & cheese .... the Mac and cheese had a smokey flavor that was delish. The pork was tender and I loved the mustard based BBQ sauce ...and well yes Jeff too!!
(5)
Phil L.
Grilled oysters to start our night. Perfect brisket with ribs for one of us. Pulled pork plate for the other. Great vibe in the building tonight. Lively music. Love it here
(4)
Nicole B.
This place has me questioning if I even like BBQ. I came here because I thought I did.. but I left wondering if I'd managed to convince myself over the years that BBQ is something much different than what I just ate. First things first, we are locals and nearly drove right by the place because there wasn't a SINGLE light on outside. Even when we left at quarter 'til 9, it was pitch black. Thank you, smartphone, for illuminating the path to my car for me. I don't know what I would have done without you (probably tripped and fallen on my face, which would have culminated in the perfect ending to this night out). Our service was only okay. It wasn't anything to write home about, but it wasn't horrible either. Just a little slow and inattentive (flagging someone down for a refill is never fun). There wasn't any explanation of the sauces, no specials shared, and very little interaction considering the new-ness of the place. (Come on guys, SELL me on coming back!) As we were waiting for our food, we noticed that the entire place is covered in unfinished wood, with some pieces in the process of transforming into a dark red finish. It made me wonder about ventilation while they're staining. (We just finished staining our closet and let me tell you--it stinks for days.) There is a nice bar area against the kitchen so you can see food being made, which I thought was a little different and fun. We were seated at a 2-top that was abnormally long, so I felt like I was screaming over the noise to talk. It would be nice if they added something to the ceiling to lessen the echo bouncing around, but obviously it's a new business, and they still have a few building improvements to make. I will say that sitting against a window, we could not feel any cool air coming from outside, which made me very happy as I was expecting to have to wear my coat through the meal like I end up doing at older Portland restaurants. Now for the food... I didn't overly enjoy a single piece of my meal here. Well, I take that back---I DID enjoy the dry corn bread, but only because it cleansed my palate. I can't even describe what was wrong; the sauce seemed extremely sweet with a weird tangy aftertaste. The sausage itself was good with a spicy kick, but it just wasn't enough. My husband said his pulled pork tasted dry and unseasoned, and certainly not like it had been marinating for a few hours, let alone days. This place is more along the lines of 2.5 stars, but since Yelp doesn't allow half-stars, I had to go with my gut. Giving it a 3 would mean that we'd potentially come back, but it's not very likely we'll spend money here again, so I had to give it a 2. Sorry Elsmere's.. I wanted to like you.
(2)
Brett F.
I had gone to Salvage on its opening day and it was absolutely terrible (I still need to give it another shot), so I patiently waited until yesterday to try Elsmere. K and I pulled into the small parking lot of the former auto garage around 5 pm. There are maybe 10 tables in the restaurant and a decent sized bar. The highlight behind the bar is a giant glowing neon sign from the old garage. There were several tvs showing sports (soccer?) and a board hung by the ceiling displaying food and drink specials. Old arcade games (pac man!) are in the back. We were impressed by the warm and inviting vibe. The cocktail list is imaginitive, with several house-made infused liquors, including blueberry bourbon. There were about 5 beers on tap. The Maine Beer Company Mo and an Otter Creek were somewhat rare on draft. We both started with homemade pumpkin spiced sangria. They arrived in pint glasses and were absolutely refreshing and delicious. We shared the quaesadilla of the day as an appetizer, which featured brisket and bbq sauce. 3 giant pieces of bbq perfection arrived a few minutes later and we devoured. The menu is split into sandwiches, flatbreads and bbq combo platters. The appetizer was such a tease that K and I both ordered the brisket sandwich. I added a side of mac and cheese while she stuck with the chips. The sandwiches arrived overflowing with meat and stacked with cooked onions on a large roll. The meat didn't have any sauce on it, so I slathered one of the two house made sauces. I had recently traveled to Charlotte and tried the brisket at the much acclaimed Mac's BBQ, but I prefer Elsmere's. It was less dry, tastier, and maybe the expectations were a tad lower. The yelp reviews had me wary for the mac and cheese but I thought it was delicious, and about as good as I've seen for a $3 side. The atmosphere was charming, the food was very, very good and the bartender was friendly and attentive. I'd highly recommend Elsmere and can't wait to go back. The burnt ends Chili and pulled pork flatbread looked amazing. In the meantime I suppose it's time to give Salvage another try...
(5)
Mark E.
My wife and I have been to Elsmere twice now. Both times we left satisfied with the quality of the food and the value we received. That is rare these days. Unique atmosphere. You can sit at the bar overlooking the kitchen, sit inside near or far from the TVs, or weather permitting eat outside on the patio. There is parking out back and across the street after 5pm. The BBQ is very good. The best I've had? No, but it is very good for Maine. IMO better than Bucks. Have not tried Salvage as yet. Only a couple of sauces on the table and they are both good. The sides are varied and the ones I've tried (beans, cornbread, mac & cheese) have been excellent. A word about the service we've had - great! We've had the same server twice, Lauren. She's very friendly, attentive, and fun. Elsmere should consider cloning her. Lauren is a gem! Well worth your money.
(4)
AJ P.
I'm giving this 2 stars, but would like reader to bear in mind that it was their un-official opening and there are still a few kinks that need to be worked out with the menu. I do think it has potential...I'll definitely go back again for a second try, but as of right now, there's a lot of room to grow. Went here with a group of friends - we were very excited to have a new BBQ place around the area. The space is great, lots of tables. The service, for its first night, did a pretty good job - they were accommodating, worked well under pressure. The drinks were great - the Elsmere lemonade was awesome, tasting like summer in glass. As for the meats: - the smoked wings were decent, would have liked a smokier flavor - the pulled pork was okay - the brisket was a little dry, but good (I used to live in Texas, so I have fairly high standards) - the ribs were good, fall off the bone - the sausage was actually the best of all the meats I tried - it had the smokiest flavor of them all As for the sides: - the mac and cheese was really creamy, but very tasty - the BBQ beans, left a lot to be desired in terms of what I like in beans - they were too sweet for my liking. - the cornbread was something to stay away from. It has some weird off taste, almost sour to it. - I wish I would've ordered the collard greens to try them out. As for the sauces - well only 2 sauces. Both of them were too sweet for me and I was kind of disappointed that they didn't have any spicier sauces.
(2)
Captn I.
I've been wanting to try this place for a little while now. As I was sitting down, I realized that I really hadn't heard anything about it, good or bad. Inside, the bar looks cool with the neon. The waitstaff was pleasant. And it smelled smokey and delicious. I was happy to find that they had my favorite BBQ standards, ribs, brisket and sausage with a choice of two sides. I had beans and coleslaw. As I waited for my meal, I started flipping through the latest yelp reviews. I was shocked to see the wide variation. You will either love it or hate it. I actually fell in between. All the meats were cooked properly. Ribs falling off the bone with a gentle tug. Brisket was tender. And the sausage? Well, it came sliced. The first couple bites were juicy but then started to dry out. And then this is where it gets weird for me. Everything has nice pink smoke rings but I can't really taste the smoke. In fact, the ribs and brisket are bland. I don't even know how they managed this. I can see flakes of pepper and spice from their rub but no flavor was coming through. Plus I wasn't getting any caramel flavor or umami from the ribs. They had an odd raw-ish flavor that I equate with meat that has been cooked but not browned. The sauces, mustard and regular BBQ were good and salvaged the flavor disaster. The beans were also tasty but could have been cooked more. I was excited to try the marinated coleslaw but it just missed. There was cornbread too. But that's about all I can say about it, it was there. I guess the cornbread sums up my whole culinary experience at Elsmere, it's there, it exists. But that's about all it does for me.
(3)
Brad S.
We couldn't believe how good the pulled pork burrito was and the Mac and cheese = super tasty. Service was prompt and friendly. They give you three different types of barbecue sauce to choose from, I liked the extra spicy. Also loved the fact that there is a free arcade game to play while you are waiting for a table, as they only take reservations for parties of ten or more. Reasonably priced, portion sizes were reasonable, all around great experience.
(5)
Julie B.
Want an excellent meal in your own neighborhood, served by helpful waitstaff who know how to please? Head on over to Elsmere BBQ where the ribs are amazing (meat falls right off the bone), the sides are delicious and the full bar offers a vast array of excellent concoctions and local brews. If you get the opportunity, opt for seating at the bar facing the wood-fired grill and meet the owner and kitchen staff, all of whom have your best dining interests at heart. The owner himself checked in with us twice for conversation about not only our enjoyment of the food but to find out who we are personally. We live in the neighborhood and Elsmere has become our go-to place for hearty, meaty meals washed down with cold beer on a Friday night. If you want to try a new beer that's on tap at the bar, your waitress will offer to bring you a sample. My husband was over the moon for the new porter being offered, after tasting his sip served in a whiskey jigger. AWESOME food, atmosphere, service and fun! So happy to have such a fantastic local joint to relax and kick back in.
(5)
Justin And Elizabeth L.
As a barbecue joint it is so-so...as a neighborhood hangout it's great. I desperately wanted to like this place and write a glowing review. The food smelled amazing and as I waited to dig in, I thought about all of the good things I was going to say in my Yelp review. Then we started eating and all of my gastronomic dreams were shattered. The positives: Nice decor, full bar, good energy, local, and clean. We were on a mission for meat, so we didn't mess around with appetizers...they looked pretty good and I would go back to try an appetizer with some drinks. I grew up 100 yards down the street, so I'm happy to see another solid addition to the mix of neighborhood businesses. The negatives: The barbecue. I spent 10 years in Kansas CIty, and know a thing or two about barbecue. The brisket was both fatty and dry at the same time...which is a pretty impressive accomplishment. Yes, I know brisket is inherently fatty, but most places trim it a bit before serving. The chunks we got were 1/3 fat. Very unappealing. The pulled pork was especially disappointing. It was served wet in some sort of mystery flavor liquid. It wasn't smoky at all. It tasted like it had been braised in Campbell's chicken noodle soup broth. The sausage was pretty good. I'd definitely get it again. Their per-pound prices for meat were cheaper than Salvage BBQ in Portland, but when one-third of that portion is fat, and what is edible is only so-so in flavor, the lower price isn't such a good deal.
(3)
Michael K.
Ok my expectations were high. Just because my pulled chicken sandwich was un-exciting I felt disappointed. Elsmere is cool looking inside and out. So far for me the food gets a luke warm response. Keep trying and offer more value for the buck. Chips and pickles aren't compelling sides. The dry rub style is probably an acquired taste that at first left me wanting more and the next day actually tasted quite good. For now I'm on the fence, Next time I'm trying the ribs but will wait until next day to eat them. Ha ha.
(2)
Angus R.
The food and atmosphere here are awesome! The group I was with ordered a variety of food and everyone raved about how good it was. The meat is smoked to perfection and not smothered in sauce. Only downside: they are still fairly new an dealing with the influx of customers. On a Friday night we waited over an hour for a table for 4. Once they get the seating sorted out it will get 5 stars for sure.
(4)
Al G.
Ordered the three meat platter with two sides. We got sausage, brisket , and pulled pork with beans and coleslaw. All meats and sides were excellently cooked. There are three sauce choices peppered, fire, and mustard. We liked the mustard the best and the fire didn't really have much heat to speak of. Service was great.
(4)
Janelle E.
Great atmosphere. Must try the oysters!
(4)
Bruce D.
For a place that gets so much chatter and talk, the experience was a let down. We sat at the bar and looked over the drink menu. Some good local taps and a nice selection of liquors round out the offering. There are a few inspired cocktails that are well thought out. Drink prices are a little on the high side, with many beers clocking in at the six or seven dollar level. Happy hour prices soften that however only on select offerings. Food prices were steep and inconsistent with the quality. Great BBQ commands a small premium, given the labor intensive and time consuming prep. This isn't that. The top of the line assorted BBQ platter is over $30. For that much scratch you could be seated at a fine dining restaurant off Fore Street. We each settled on a two item offering and mixed it up, to try various meats. We sampled the chicken, pulled pork and brisket. All were ok but nothing to "write home about." As another respected reviewer writes, pass on the cole slaw. This finely chopped mixture lacked flavor and that great cole slaw consistency. Service was average. Water glasses were not refilled. An idle waiter stood at the end of the bar, drumming his knuckles loudly on a tray. This was an unpleasant distraction from an average meal. To paraphrase the great Obi Wan "This is not the BBQ you're looking for." I like to give places multiple attempts before any less than three star review. That's the Yelp way. Considering steep prices, consistently average reviews and significant improvements to food and service that would be required to lift the star rating here that's a risk I'm not willing to take.
(2)
Megan Q.
My husband and I don't typically have Sunday's off and we BOTH did today. Long story short, we tried to get sandwiches at many different places that were closed Sunday's, decided on Elsmere (we've been wanting to check it out!). It wasn't busy, people were sitting outside. Sunday HAPPY HOUR 1-3 so our shipyard beers were only $3. The meal was awesome and our server was great! I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Paul D.
Okay - I consider myself as a bit of a barbeque snob. I have 2 smokers, read multiple books on it, visited some of the top places in texas. This place is up there. The brisket, is amazing. I've eaten it many times now, and although it can vary sometimes, 90% of the time it's going to be awesome. Smoke ring, great texture, spot on. The pork is good, the sausage is good, the chicken is good, the sides are good. Oh, and the staff are super friendly and the beer selections really good (bring back Smokey and the Banded IPA please). Although the menu selection could be a bit bigger, they do have some interesting specials every time I'm in.
(5)
Christopher B.
I live 1 mile from here. I have been twice. I love the atmosphere. Crowded on a weekend night. I want that. I enjoy seeing all the happy customers eating and chatting. I grew up in Cape Elizabeth so i run into some Capers there because it is so close to Cape. This food is so good. It is in my mind the food is calling me back to go there agin. I like to sit at the bar when I eat. Pulled pork sandwich. Yummy!
(5)
D D.
This is a great place for a big, really cold draft PBR! They have some upscale microbrews too. The food is not James Beard but it is fast and reasonably priced. The staff is friendly and the place has a nice neighborhood feel.
(3)
Denise H.
We are pretty picky when it comes to BBQ, we travel to Tennessee and through out the south on vacation just to get good BBQ. Well Elsmere has by far the best brisket I have ever had, amazing flavor and so tender. The sausage and pulled pork were also just as amazing and equal to the southern BBQ we love. Atmosphere was very relaxed and although we could tell there are a lot of regulars there we didn't feel out of place. Waitstaff was quick and friendly....it was very busy but the wait was not long at all! We cannot wait to go back! Next time its ribs!!
(5)
Autumn P.
Every time we drive by this place, it is packed, even on weeknights! After my husband met one of the owners at work, we decided to give it a try... And we're glad we did! We shared the sampler with pulled chicken, pork, and brisket... It was the best BBQ we've had in some time! The meat was fresh, flavorful, and not too saucy. The atmosphere was industrial and open... Seemed like a nice place to bring a group of friends... Probably not a great spot for kiddos though. The service was average, but overall our first experience was a good one. We are definitely planning to return!
(4)
Melinda I.
Starting with the positives: Upon entrance one first notices the relaxed family atmosphere; Even those at the bar were relaxed while enjoying the soccer game. The seats are huge and can accommodate large parties/families which is nice. Now for critique: After ordering, the food comes out fast, too fast, and this patron was surprised that with such quick service that the medium rare burger ordered came out well done. A well done burger holds little flavor and is a disappointment to get when not ordered.
(2)
Christopher B.
I live 1 mile from here. I have been twice. I love the atmosphere. Crowded on a weekend night. I want that. I enjoy seeing all the happy customers eating and chatting. I grew up in Cape Elizabeth so i run into some Capers there because it is so close to Cape. This food is so good. It is in my mind the food is calling me back to go there agin. I like to sit at the bar when I eat. Pulled pork sandwich. Yummy!
(5)
D D.
This is a great place for a big, really cold draft PBR! They have some upscale microbrews too. The food is not James Beard but it is fast and reasonably priced. The staff is friendly and the place has a nice neighborhood feel.
(3)
Crystal G.
I've had some BBQ here and there, and more recently Maine has had more BBQ places open and I've tried them all. Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill is fantastic! The food is amazing, it's a great neighborhood place with a cool bar and more bar seating at the "kitchen". The only thing I'm not crazy about is the level of noise when the place is full. Maybe more or different decorating would help take care of the noise. The first time I went they had only been open a few days so I had some of the issues other people did, slow service, delays with drinks, etc. The next time I went my friend and I got great service and sat at the bar. It really is good food with good beer and it's a great neighborhood place. South Portland has really become a foodie town!
(4)
Krystal K.
This place is charming as hell. The food is good, but when I came I REALLY wanted some french fries and guess what? They DO NOT have them, or a fryer.... Which ok, yes it is healthier, but seriously, this is a BBQ place! UGGGG Speaking of food, the menu is very limited, but the drinks are great and the way they serve them is fun. Not sure I will be back, but it was a fun experience and the service was pretty, friendly, and efficient!
(4)
Lynn K.
OK. A random stop on the way back from the Portland head light house place was packed so that tells you something! There was about an hour wait so we grabbed a seat at the bar - welcomed by a handsome bartender - Jeff :). We ordered the elsmere lemonade Peach infused brandy with homemade lemonade yum Got the pulled pork plate with beans and Mac & cheese .... the Mac and cheese had a smokey flavor that was delish. The pork was tender and I loved the mustard based BBQ sauce ...and well yes Jeff too!!
(5)
Karen R.
I went to Elsmere BBQ & Woodgrill last night for a fundraising event, and I honestly do not know why I have not been sooner. This lovely establishment has been open for about a year on Cottage Rd. in South Portland. It has a very cool exterior and logo, and the inside is just as hip. Behind the bar is a gigantic neon radiator sign and the open kitchen concept are both very inviting. Our visit occurred on a VERY rainy evening, although that may keep most people at home, this place was packed, yet we quickly got a seat at the bar facing the kitchen. It was cool to see the Elsmere team work together and the real wood grill was really nice since we were soaked! Our waitress was very nice and explained the specials and dishes. We got the Pulled Pork Nachos to start...they were so good, and huge, but we still finished the entire plate. My husband and I both ordered the Elsmere Torpedo Sandwich...this has pulled pork, beef brisket and their house made sausage. I was intrigued by the combination, and the waitress highly recommended, so we gave it a try. It was really great and I highly recommend. to top if off, they have Allagash White on tap... I really recommend checking this place out if you have not already. We are excited to bring our children the next time, as they will also fall in love with this place. The owner is really great and chatted with us for about 10 minutes, the staff is excellent, the food is off the hook, and the ambiance is really perfect for a casual family or friends night out! 5 stars all the way!
(5)
Alex K.
Tonight my husband and I dined with our friends. We started with the nachos and then I had the pulled pork sandwich with a side of Mac n cheese. We got seated in a big booth which I loved, I thought the atmosphere of elsmere was cool and laid back. Our waitress was fine, but not overly friendly, and didn't seem very knowledgable when we asked about drink options. The nachos seemed plain, they didn't come with any salsa or guacamole, but did have a side of sour cream. The burnt ends on the nachos however were delicious. My pulled pork sandwich was good, but I wish it came with some kind of sauce on it. They have a variety of sauces on the table that you can dress your sandwich with, but sometimes I like when the restaurant takes initiative and makes a sandwich with their suggestion of sauce; ( kind of like when you want your husband to make a choice without asking you first, just take charge and make a decision!!) If I lived in South Portland I think there would be a better chance of me frequenting this establishment, but since I'm a Portland resident I'm not too sure that I'd choose this place over others on the peninsula.
(3)
Bruce R.
A good BBQ meal but nothing you haven't had before. The food was well prepared and tasty, but ultimately uninspired. I had the pulled chicken and sausage and enjoyed both. The sausage in particular was very good. My dining companion had the catfish, which was tasty and perfectly prepared. Really good coleslaw, their recipe is nice and vinegary instead of the gloppy mayonnaise nightmare you often get. They offered two sauces, their house sauce and a black pepper sauce. The house sauce was very good, but we found their black pepper sauce to be rather unpleasant, essentially the equivalent of a mouthful of black pepper with no other discernible flavor. The wait staff was very friendly and the service was great. My biggest complaint was the way the food was served. They serve your meal on a huge platter with all the component in little paper boats. With 4 people at our patio table, we had difficulty fitting all the food on the table. The oversized platters were far bigger than was required to serve the amount of food placed on them. Overall a good meal, but not distinctive in the world of BBQ. Although with the dearth of decent dining in SoPo, this is a nice addition. I did think it a bit pricey for the portion size however. With the growing selection of really good BBQ places in Southern Maine, they need to step it up in the creativity department if they want to hold their own.
(3)
Ryan C.
I was very impressed with Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill! We had the grilled garlic butter oysters, which were by far the highlight of the meal! My wife and I also tried the brisket, smoked sausage, mac-n-cheese and collard greens. The sides were amazing! The mac-n-cheese was very creamy and sharp and the collard greens had a lot of bursting, savory flavor. The bbq was also very good! I took away a star becuase they do not have potato salad, the cole slaw is acidic and they do not have french fries. I will defiantly be back very soon.
(4)
Janelle E.
Great atmosphere. Must try the oysters!
(4)
Brett F.
I had gone to Salvage on its opening day and it was absolutely terrible (I still need to give it another shot), so I patiently waited until yesterday to try Elsmere. K and I pulled into the small parking lot of the former auto garage around 5 pm. There are maybe 10 tables in the restaurant and a decent sized bar. The highlight behind the bar is a giant glowing neon sign from the old garage. There were several tvs showing sports (soccer?) and a board hung by the ceiling displaying food and drink specials. Old arcade games (pac man!) are in the back. We were impressed by the warm and inviting vibe. The cocktail list is imaginitive, with several house-made infused liquors, including blueberry bourbon. There were about 5 beers on tap. The Maine Beer Company Mo and an Otter Creek were somewhat rare on draft. We both started with homemade pumpkin spiced sangria. They arrived in pint glasses and were absolutely refreshing and delicious. We shared the quaesadilla of the day as an appetizer, which featured brisket and bbq sauce. 3 giant pieces of bbq perfection arrived a few minutes later and we devoured. The menu is split into sandwiches, flatbreads and bbq combo platters. The appetizer was such a tease that K and I both ordered the brisket sandwich. I added a side of mac and cheese while she stuck with the chips. The sandwiches arrived overflowing with meat and stacked with cooked onions on a large roll. The meat didn't have any sauce on it, so I slathered one of the two house made sauces. I had recently traveled to Charlotte and tried the brisket at the much acclaimed Mac's BBQ, but I prefer Elsmere's. It was less dry, tastier, and maybe the expectations were a tad lower. The yelp reviews had me wary for the mac and cheese but I thought it was delicious, and about as good as I've seen for a $3 side. The atmosphere was charming, the food was very, very good and the bartender was friendly and attentive. I'd highly recommend Elsmere and can't wait to go back. The burnt ends Chili and pulled pork flatbread looked amazing. In the meantime I suppose it's time to give Salvage another try...
(5)
Mark E.
My wife and I have been to Elsmere twice now. Both times we left satisfied with the quality of the food and the value we received. That is rare these days. Unique atmosphere. You can sit at the bar overlooking the kitchen, sit inside near or far from the TVs, or weather permitting eat outside on the patio. There is parking out back and across the street after 5pm. The BBQ is very good. The best I've had? No, but it is very good for Maine. IMO better than Bucks. Have not tried Salvage as yet. Only a couple of sauces on the table and they are both good. The sides are varied and the ones I've tried (beans, cornbread, mac & cheese) have been excellent. A word about the service we've had - great! We've had the same server twice, Lauren. She's very friendly, attentive, and fun. Elsmere should consider cloning her. Lauren is a gem! Well worth your money.
(4)
Phil L.
Grilled oysters to start our night. Perfect brisket with ribs for one of us. Pulled pork plate for the other. Great vibe in the building tonight. Lively music. Love it here
(4)
AJ P.
I'm giving this 2 stars, but would like reader to bear in mind that it was their un-official opening and there are still a few kinks that need to be worked out with the menu. I do think it has potential...I'll definitely go back again for a second try, but as of right now, there's a lot of room to grow. Went here with a group of friends - we were very excited to have a new BBQ place around the area. The space is great, lots of tables. The service, for its first night, did a pretty good job - they were accommodating, worked well under pressure. The drinks were great - the Elsmere lemonade was awesome, tasting like summer in glass. As for the meats: - the smoked wings were decent, would have liked a smokier flavor - the pulled pork was okay - the brisket was a little dry, but good (I used to live in Texas, so I have fairly high standards) - the ribs were good, fall off the bone - the sausage was actually the best of all the meats I tried - it had the smokiest flavor of them all As for the sides: - the mac and cheese was really creamy, but very tasty - the BBQ beans, left a lot to be desired in terms of what I like in beans - they were too sweet for my liking. - the cornbread was something to stay away from. It has some weird off taste, almost sour to it. - I wish I would've ordered the collard greens to try them out. As for the sauces - well only 2 sauces. Both of them were too sweet for me and I was kind of disappointed that they didn't have any spicier sauces.
(2)
Diane H.
I would give this restaurant a second chance. I was in a party of 3 and my two companions loved their dinners. We started with pulled pork nachos (ordered at the bar as we had a ~20 minute wait). For me, these were the highlight of the experience. They were delicious and not over the top as some nachos are. While I agree with others that the St Louis ribs were not drenched in sauce, I found them less than appealing both for the limited meat on the ribs and how difficult they were to eat. There was a choice of two rib sauces and the one I tried was okay. (I had high expectations as this is a BBQ place, right?). I'm glad I only ordered the 1/2 lb as I didn't eat them. The corn bread was good, beans were average and the coleslaw was too tangy for my taste. Worth another try cause 2 of the 3 of us liked our dinners. Service was average?
(2)
Justine J.
I popped in here for a client meeting recently, and loved it. The atmosphere was fun and hip -- and busy for a Thursday evening! There's not a ton of parking, but it's worth it. We had a pulled pork pizza and it was delicious. One of the people in our party had some food allergies and the waitress was SO awesome about it -- she took her time explaining things, asked the owner/chefs a few questions for him, and was just as patient and friendly as can be. Awesome drink selections, too.
(5)
Captn I.
I've been wanting to try this place for a little while now. As I was sitting down, I realized that I really hadn't heard anything about it, good or bad. Inside, the bar looks cool with the neon. The waitstaff was pleasant. And it smelled smokey and delicious. I was happy to find that they had my favorite BBQ standards, ribs, brisket and sausage with a choice of two sides. I had beans and coleslaw. As I waited for my meal, I started flipping through the latest yelp reviews. I was shocked to see the wide variation. You will either love it or hate it. I actually fell in between. All the meats were cooked properly. Ribs falling off the bone with a gentle tug. Brisket was tender. And the sausage? Well, it came sliced. The first couple bites were juicy but then started to dry out. And then this is where it gets weird for me. Everything has nice pink smoke rings but I can't really taste the smoke. In fact, the ribs and brisket are bland. I don't even know how they managed this. I can see flakes of pepper and spice from their rub but no flavor was coming through. Plus I wasn't getting any caramel flavor or umami from the ribs. They had an odd raw-ish flavor that I equate with meat that has been cooked but not browned. The sauces, mustard and regular BBQ were good and salvaged the flavor disaster. The beans were also tasty but could have been cooked more. I was excited to try the marinated coleslaw but it just missed. There was cornbread too. But that's about all I can say about it, it was there. I guess the cornbread sums up my whole culinary experience at Elsmere, it's there, it exists. But that's about all it does for me.
(3)
Brad S.
We couldn't believe how good the pulled pork burrito was and the Mac and cheese = super tasty. Service was prompt and friendly. They give you three different types of barbecue sauce to choose from, I liked the extra spicy. Also loved the fact that there is a free arcade game to play while you are waiting for a table, as they only take reservations for parties of ten or more. Reasonably priced, portion sizes were reasonable, all around great experience.
(5)
Julie B.
Want an excellent meal in your own neighborhood, served by helpful waitstaff who know how to please? Head on over to Elsmere BBQ where the ribs are amazing (meat falls right off the bone), the sides are delicious and the full bar offers a vast array of excellent concoctions and local brews. If you get the opportunity, opt for seating at the bar facing the wood-fired grill and meet the owner and kitchen staff, all of whom have your best dining interests at heart. The owner himself checked in with us twice for conversation about not only our enjoyment of the food but to find out who we are personally. We live in the neighborhood and Elsmere has become our go-to place for hearty, meaty meals washed down with cold beer on a Friday night. If you want to try a new beer that's on tap at the bar, your waitress will offer to bring you a sample. My husband was over the moon for the new porter being offered, after tasting his sip served in a whiskey jigger. AWESOME food, atmosphere, service and fun! So happy to have such a fantastic local joint to relax and kick back in.
(5)
Justin And Elizabeth L.
As a barbecue joint it is so-so...as a neighborhood hangout it's great. I desperately wanted to like this place and write a glowing review. The food smelled amazing and as I waited to dig in, I thought about all of the good things I was going to say in my Yelp review. Then we started eating and all of my gastronomic dreams were shattered. The positives: Nice decor, full bar, good energy, local, and clean. We were on a mission for meat, so we didn't mess around with appetizers...they looked pretty good and I would go back to try an appetizer with some drinks. I grew up 100 yards down the street, so I'm happy to see another solid addition to the mix of neighborhood businesses. The negatives: The barbecue. I spent 10 years in Kansas CIty, and know a thing or two about barbecue. The brisket was both fatty and dry at the same time...which is a pretty impressive accomplishment. Yes, I know brisket is inherently fatty, but most places trim it a bit before serving. The chunks we got were 1/3 fat. Very unappealing. The pulled pork was especially disappointing. It was served wet in some sort of mystery flavor liquid. It wasn't smoky at all. It tasted like it had been braised in Campbell's chicken noodle soup broth. The sausage was pretty good. I'd definitely get it again. Their per-pound prices for meat were cheaper than Salvage BBQ in Portland, but when one-third of that portion is fat, and what is edible is only so-so in flavor, the lower price isn't such a good deal.
(3)
Michael K.
Ok my expectations were high. Just because my pulled chicken sandwich was un-exciting I felt disappointed. Elsmere is cool looking inside and out. So far for me the food gets a luke warm response. Keep trying and offer more value for the buck. Chips and pickles aren't compelling sides. The dry rub style is probably an acquired taste that at first left me wanting more and the next day actually tasted quite good. For now I'm on the fence, Next time I'm trying the ribs but will wait until next day to eat them. Ha ha.
(2)
Angus R.
The food and atmosphere here are awesome! The group I was with ordered a variety of food and everyone raved about how good it was. The meat is smoked to perfection and not smothered in sauce. Only downside: they are still fairly new an dealing with the influx of customers. On a Friday night we waited over an hour for a table for 4. Once they get the seating sorted out it will get 5 stars for sure.
(4)
Al G.
Ordered the three meat platter with two sides. We got sausage, brisket , and pulled pork with beans and coleslaw. All meats and sides were excellently cooked. There are three sauce choices peppered, fire, and mustard. We liked the mustard the best and the fire didn't really have much heat to speak of. Service was great.
(4)
Lorenzo R.
As I was dining solo, buying some of my barbecue favorites in bulk seemed a good way to try out this new, seemingly very popular new addition to the neighborhood. I called in an order of a half pound each of brisket and house-made sausage. Although noisy in the background (the sound of success?) the order was taken courteously and professionally, and I was greeted cheerfully by the hostess when I arrived to pick up my order, who directed me to "the tall man in the corner". My total was $14.50, a fair, if high end, price for a pound of smoked meats; I gave the tall man a twenty, he reached into his pocket, gave me a fiver, then I stood there for a few awkward moments, and then tall man said to me "you don't need that fifty cents, do you?" In my hundreds of thousands of retail experiences I have never been asked that question before, so I was completely thrown. I remember mumbling "no, I'm all set" and leaving quickly. What a bizarre first Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill experience! The food? It was...okay. The brisket was tender, but seemed to lack much flavor, smoke or otherwise, but the house-made sausage fared much better. It's a sweet sausage with a black pepper bite, and reminded me favorably of the all too brief time recently when the East End's Fresh Approach Market sold smoked versions of their fine sausages.. The BBQ sauces included was one tomato- and one mustard-based, and again just okay. I realize Elsmere is in its infancy and It's still establishing its footing, but as a barbecue fan, I enjoy smoke and think the items I've tried could use a bit more. I'd also like to sample their sides, so I'll likely return, but I'll be sure to use my debit card next time!
(2)
Scott M.
Found this little gem out on Cottage Road where the old Cookie Jar Bakery used to be. The restaurant is tucked into an old automotive garage. The barbecue is authentic with all the trappings of good Texas barbecue. We had the brisket which was moist & tender with the right amount of smoke flavor, the pulled pork, & ribs that had a nice bark on them. The sides are just as good, traditional southern coleslaw made with vinegar instead of mayonnaise, giving it a good crunch and letting the vegetables come through. Additionally we had the pinto beans that were seasoned perfectly and the house made potato salad which was delicious. Did I mention cornbread!!! The service is ok not top notch but does not turn you off as the food makes up for it. Our waitress was courteous but a bit mismanaged. We had ordered the oysters that are cooked over flame until they open. However she did put our order in and arrived with our entrees only. Which was a little disappointing as we were looking forward to trying them. Aside from that overall the meal was very good & we look forward to going back.
(3)
Alex C.
As a BBQ fan I was very excited to try Elsmere, but left a touch disappointed. The service was very friendly and the drink I ordered (I think it was called the Rye Rocker, or something like that) was delicious! I decided on the sausage plate with mac and cheese and collard greens. The sausage had good flavor but was sooo dry! Thank goodness for sauce because it was desperately in need of lubrication. The mac and cheese was pretty bland, as was the corn bread, which was only worth eating when slathered in butter. The collards were surprisingly tasty, but the meal as a whole was a bit underwhelming. I'm curious to go back and try the oysters and the brisket and hopefully I'll leave more satisfied next time. At least I know the cocktails are good!
(3)
John S.
If Elsmere was humor, it would most certainly be dry. There are rules for different foods. The rule for BBQ is moist, falling apart, tasty meat. At Elsmere, this rule does not seem to apply. Dry, lifeless and bland, the Pulled Pork was disappointing, the Brisket was like Jerky and the Ribs stuck to the bone. Only the Sausage showed signs of moisture...and really, how can you screw up sausage. My MIL gave the Catfish the thumbs up, because I could not read her lips through the smokey decor burning my eyes. Let's talk sides: You can't kill Mac & Cheese, can you? Unless you like zip-less, spice-less cheez-whiz, go with the Collard Greens. At least it wasn't as dry as the meat. I'm not going to kill the drink prices because on the upside, at least they might prevent you from over-drinking and driving. The people are very nice. Norman?
(2)
J L.
Excellent barbecue! We tried tried the ribs, pork and brisket and all were outstanding. The mac n cheese was creamy and cheesy and the other sides excellent as well.
(5)
Emily B.
I am from Alabama, so my BBQ standards are pretty high. I tend to judge BBQ places on their pulled pork, sauces, and sides. This place had 2 options of sauce- golden mustard and hot pepper. I tried the "mustard" (don't worry it's not actually mustardy,) and it was a perfect blend between sweet and savory. The perfect sauce. The meat was tender, the cornbread was sweet and filling, and the beans were exactly what I would expect from a BBQ joint. I can't believe I finally found a BBQ joint near my house! I will definitely be visiting again.
(4)
Ronald D.
Not sure what all the hoopla is about. I was moist with excitement to try this new barbque joint......finally we might be able to enjoy some good smoked meat in Southern Maine?? Guess not. Ribs are smoked then wrapped in foil and kept warm and served as orders come in. Problem is, the bottom of the rack sits in the pooled fat and the underside is slimy and unappetizing when your plate arrives. Ribs need to be finished on the grill to crisp up both sides, but Elsmere clearly does not have the grill space. Smoke tastes odd, too. Perhaps it is the wood combo (maple, oak and peach) or the smoker itself has a problem, but there is a rancid taste to the smokey meat. Sides were all subpar, as well. Draft beer needs to be colder. Cornbread was dry. God, I'm depressed just writing this.
(1)
Carl M.
What do you want when you are visiting Maine for one night? Lobster - no. Non-crustacean seafood - of course not. You want barbecue! Once you realize that, you should definitely hit Elsmere. Great atmosphere although not super quiet. Friendly, efficient wait staff. Genuinely exceptional meat. Yummy. Go!
(5)
Chuck M.
A great up and coming local bar hangout, but the food was a total disappointment. The reviews that gave the food great reviews have never had good BBQ. The meat was smokey but on the bland side. The sides were so so. The two sauces they had to offer were weird tasting, nothing like a regular BBQ sauce. If you live in the area and want to go have a drink in an "interesting" decor, this is your place, but don't bother ordering the food. You will be wasting your money and insulting your taste buds.
(2)
Bramfy B.
This is a 4 when it comes to Maine BBQ - in NYC it'd be a 3 but scarcity becomes a factor in Maine - worthy of another star Good atmosphere and set up - lots of good beers on tap and a few babes for waitresses. Food was your standard hearty BBQ - nothing crazy but just good clean and wholesome I had the tornado - essentially a blend of pulled pork, sausage and brisket on a pretzel bun (great choice of bread) with cole slaw on top of the meat. Pair this with a solid beer and your good Chicken goat cheese quesadilla is great combination for those not willing to get all BBQ sauced up Chili with burned ends is good too - I saved some to go and it was even better then next day. Food comes quick. Be ready to eat ASAP Great neighborhood spot. Too bad Cape Elizabeth town board is full a bunch of retards or we could have a solid establishment like this on our side of town.
Disappointed !! I wanted to like this place but after stopping here the other night. I would say don't bother! Bartender was slow to be pulled away from their conversation with other staff. When they did arrive it was surly at best. I had a choose 2 plate the brisket was over cooked(needed a spoon! ) and the pulled pork was pre-smothered in mustard sauce? Cornbread was very dry.. I needed 4 butters to make it palatable. I would have rather have had a couple of slices of white bread ... At least I could have put my brisket bits on the white bread ! On the bright side?..it is a great place to watch the game ... That is if you enjoy starring into a giant neon sign .
(1)
Andy F.
this place is the "before " in restaurant impossible - food is completely tasteless -
(1)
Jim S.
Had my first meal at Elsmere. Was satisfied with most items. Was not happy with my ribs, what I had been looking forward to. They were very, very dry. Close to unacceptable. Our waitress said that they were having problems with the smoker. Sorry but they should have that sorted out by now. Will go back to give them another chance but not real happy with my first meal.
(2)
Angela S.
Love the outdoor patio and that it's located in a neighborhood. I'm jealous it's not my own neighborhood! The smoke ring on the brisket was really impressive and so so tasty. The homemade sauces were great and the Tornado was crazy good. The pretzel roll is the key! And don't leave without a molasses cookie. They're only a dollar!
(4)
Kelly S.
Called ahead to see what the wait was for a table of 5. Was told maybe 10 mins. Arrived to have a table waiting for us. Great service and really good food. Meat and sauces good and sides all yummy except for marinated coleslaw - didn't care for the jalepeno bite. A little less vinegar and a splash of sugar would have helped. Very cool bar and nice big and comfortable booths. Definitely going back!
(4)
Alyssa D.
Layout is a little strange with raise booths. Food is pretty tasty, brisket nachos were my favorite, also had the ribs and brisket. Brisket was a little dry and I would probably pass the next time.
(3)
Rachel P.
Decided to check them out with my family Friday night. 15 minute wait for kitchen side bar seats for 3. 15 minute wait for our waitress to bring us menus. 10 more minutes for her to come take our order. The food came within 15 (good!) 2 for 3 on order accuracy - the flub was a cheeseburger and chips and we received NO CHEESE and PICKLES? On the 'up' side, one runner brought us our waters and glass of wine and then our waitress brought us water and a glass of wine - she winced when we told her and shared that she "hated it when they do that" and said the 2nd wine was free. Thanks! Although two glasses of wine on a now growling empty stomach was not good. The good - Black Bean Burger was flavorful. Local beef burger got a thumbs up in taste from our 9 year old. The meh - Pulled Chicken sandwich. I was not impressed with the flavor (very little) on the chicken, though it was very moist. There are two UNMARKED sauces at the table and no one explained what they were. We were adventurous and tried them. Not bad. But would've liked thicker consistency and labels and more choices. The rolls were store bought in plastic and not toasted - no flavor and soggy consistency. For a place touting "local" there MIGHT be just a couple of bakeries nearby (SCRATCH-ROSEMONT) that offer good breads? Would like local salads/veggies to be offered too? Total for 3 was 38.00 before tip - not too bad (but remember, we had a child ordering off kids menu). We will try them again in a month or two when they've ironed out the kinks and maybe read a few of these reviews? Like the growth in SoPo on the food scene and really rooting for these guys to get it right!!! I WOULD grab a drink at the bar there ANY TIME THOUGH. Nice bar.
(2)
Chris E.
Nice atmosphere. Intimate and friendly. I give their bbq 4 stars for texture. they had a perfect bend and snap in their meat. The flavor was a 2 star experience. The smoke wasn't prevalent in the profile, and the general flavor was thin. I tried their ribs, chicken, brisket and sausage. The sausage was the star. good flavor, good smoke and good heat. the chicken was flavorful. the brisket and ribs had very little flavor. Bonus points for pulling the rib membrane though, as a lot of place won't go to the trouble.
(3)
Jennifer B.
Met up with some friends for dinner. Wings are so tasty, crisp, perfectly smoked, loved the sauces bbq honey mustard and regular bbq. Ordered the 3 meat dinner that comes with a choice of 2 sides and corn bread. Hubby and I shared the pulled pork, brisket and sausage. All so delicious but by far the pulled pork and sausage were our favorites! Collard greens tasted authentic to down south for sure. Baked beans were perfectly seasoned. Waitstaff did a great job! Love this place, will definitely go back for more!!
(5)
Kelly W.
Great meal at Elsmere's on my last night in Portland (visiting from Michigan). Great food, and the staff was friendly...plus my table got a peak into the smoker after dinner- super cool! Loved the spicy BBQ sauce and the black pepper bbq sauce (especially mixed!). Didn't love the baked beans, but the brisket, Mac n cheese, and cornbread were excellent. Wishing I could go back! Definitely have to come back if I'm ever in Portland again.
(4)
Courty C.
Do yourself a favor and do not miss out on Elsmere's. The flavorful, fall off the bone, "pretty pink smoke ring" meat is just what you are looking for when you search "bbq". We enjoyed a fabulous lunch/dinner/supper this Sunday. The location is conveniently in between South Portland and Portland Head Light at Fort Williams. There is a parking lot behind the restaurant, as well as parking across the street at the doctor's office on Sundays. The menu is just what you would expect from a Northern bbq place, options and prices included. Every sauce and meat is delicious, however my favorites were the ribs covered in their mustard based sauce. I was so full from my two meat platter, that I had basically a whole meal to take home as leftovers. My fiance however housed his entire plate. Everything we tried was high quality and flavorful, although the cole slaw based in vinegar and green peppers was not really my fave. The only request to the menu would be some eggy potato salad. Our service was quick, considerate, and pleasant. The restaurant decor is beautiful as well with painted white walls accompanied with industrial looking lighting and a cool behind the bar neon autobody shop sign. Speaking of the bar, the drink list will please anyone in your party with ample local beer selections paired for BBQ as well as creative infused cocktails. There were drink specials as well as an advertised happy hour Tues - Fri. And if you are in the mood for outdoor, there is a patio with umbrellas. They even have homemade desserts, but unfortunately our guts were too busted from the entrees to partake. Here's to hoping we can go back for some nachos and pie next time!
(5)
Ashley T.
I went to two BBQ places this week. One was Salvage and here. I bought a localvore coupon that was 30 dollars off your bill. I past this place so many times while biking to Cape Elizabeth and I didn't even give it a thought to try it. But I am really happy I did. We ordered two beers, an appetizer, one burger and I had Chicken with two sides and corn bread. The wings we ordered for a starter were delicious and they came out really quick. One small disappointment we had was that our waitress got one of our beers wrong and gave us a shipyard summer instead of the oxbow/bunker collaboration pilsner. It was really loud in the restaurant to I imagine it's easy to mishear. For my sides I ordered mac and cheese and collard greens. The mac and cheese was pretty bland and could have used more salt. The collards were pretty good not as salty which is great. The chicken was pretty good as well You can Definitely have a decent time here.
(3)
Deni T.
I am a fan of the destination South Portland is becoming. New businesses are popping up and making the "trek" over the bridge to the Old Port less and less necessary for a good dinner and night out. While Elsmere is not new this year, I didn't make it in until the past few months after having it on my list of places to go. Let's just say that as of tonight, I have already eaten here twice this week alone. Parking is on the side and rear of the building and there is a business across the street that allows parking after hours as well as on street parking. Do not park next door where the laundry is. The atmosphere is relaxed and the smoke smell is not overpowering. They have a few booths, seats at the bar (I don't love the seats and lack of foot rails), seats at the "food bar" with a nice view of Momma (the smoker) as well as tables inside and porch tables on the patio. The brisket is the most popular item and if they are going to sell out of something, it will be the brisket. The pulled pork and chicken are as also really good. I have not had the wings but two friends had them and loved them. The oysters are delicious! The smoked sausage link with mustard bbq sauce is a regular for me. My most fav on the menu is the tornado sandwich, three meats, pickled onions and coleslaw on a pretzel bun with a side of chips... I order some beans and add them on to it and use a fork and knife since this is a sloppy delightful mess. They have local brews on tap, Allagash, Banded Horn, etc. as well as bottled beers like Stella. They have a full bar and some house drinks like the Elsmere Lemonade. The staff is friendly and they have nonprofit nights (which I just took advantage of on 5.5.15 for my Diabetes cycling team). Whiskey Wednesdays!
(4)
Christopher L.
People are nuts on here sometimes. I wanted to reads why this place only has 3.5 stars, and someone gave it 1 star because their service was slow. Another because it costs a couple more dollars per sandwich. That's terrible! Now when other people are looking for great BBQ, they are thrown off by ratings that are skewed. Service is slow? Ok, take a star or 2, because it is important. To pricy for you? That's what the dollar sign ratings are for. Really to bad. As far as food quality? Excellent! Burnt end chili nachos had so much tasty toppings we had to eat the left overs with a fork. Someone complained these didn't come with guac. Well, this is a BBQ restaurant, use the amazing BBQ sauces they have on the table. Go to El Rayo for guac. The wings weren't very big, but great quality chicken. Minimum amount of grizzle on the ends. I had the tornado sandwich with pretzel roll. I think it comes with 3 different meats? All so very tender and tasty! I agree that it is a little pricey, but that's only because it comes with a side of potato chips in stead of fries, slaw or mashed pots. But for an added price, I believe you can get all of those sides. All in all, great atmosphere, friendly staff, we had no issues at all with service, and food was great quality. I will return again. PS - I love how Yelp! tells me I wrote the pants off this review. Ha! I feel a little shy right now...
(4)
Patrick C.
Finally made it in to Elsmere BBQ Friday night. It was jam packed full, inside and out. Quite loud even that crowded. Found a seat luckily at the bar, quick friendly service. Though small uncomfortable bar stools. Started with couple grilled oysters, pretty good. Had the special...BBQ Turkey Quesadilla, and a Banded Horn IPA. All in all a solid meal, will have to try the straight out BBQ at some point. Will update review when I do.
Great BBQ! Laid back atmosphere, good bar, nice service and delicious food. Especially loved the brisket, cornbread, mac n' cheese and all the BBQ sauces you can try. Baked beans were not very good but that is my only complaint. They have a place to sit outside if you wish too and it was easy to find.
(5)
Meli L.
Last night my boyfriend and I dined at Elsmere with another couple. Since it was Cinco, we decided to all have a margarita (not on the menu, but we asked and they accommodated) - drinks were just meh, next time I would go with something on the menu. We started with the burnt ends nachos, they were good, but didn't come with guac or salsa, just sour cream. For my meal, I had the BBQ chicken sandwich and a side of mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was great, the sandwich was just OK. They had 3 sauces on the table to choose from, but would have preferred if they sauced it for you. The atmosphere was laid back, we were sat in a big booth, which was spacious and high off the ground. It was also rather warm inside. All in all, decent meal but wouldn't rush back.
(3)
Bruce D.
For a place that gets so much chatter and talk, the experience was a let down. We sat at the bar and looked over the drink menu. Some good local taps and a nice selection of liquors round out the offering. There are a few inspired cocktails that are well thought out. Drink prices are a little on the high side, with many beers clocking in at the six or seven dollar level. Happy hour prices soften that however only on select offerings. Food prices were steep and inconsistent with the quality. Great BBQ commands a small premium, given the labor intensive and time consuming prep. This isn't that. The top of the line assorted BBQ platter is over $30. For that much scratch you could be seated at a fine dining restaurant off Fore Street. We each settled on a two item offering and mixed it up, to try various meats. We sampled the chicken, pulled pork and brisket. All were ok but nothing to "write home about." As another respected reviewer writes, pass on the cole slaw. This finely chopped mixture lacked flavor and that great cole slaw consistency. Service was average. Water glasses were not refilled. An idle waiter stood at the end of the bar, drumming his knuckles loudly on a tray. This was an unpleasant distraction from an average meal. To paraphrase the great Obi Wan "This is not the BBQ you're looking for." I like to give places multiple attempts before any less than three star review. That's the Yelp way. Considering steep prices, consistently average reviews and significant improvements to food and service that would be required to lift the star rating here that's a risk I'm not willing to take.
(2)
Megan Q.
My husband and I don't typically have Sunday's off and we BOTH did today. Long story short, we tried to get sandwiches at many different places that were closed Sunday's, decided on Elsmere (we've been wanting to check it out!). It wasn't busy, people were sitting outside. Sunday HAPPY HOUR 1-3 so our shipyard beers were only $3. The meal was awesome and our server was great! I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Paul D.
Okay - I consider myself as a bit of a barbeque snob. I have 2 smokers, read multiple books on it, visited some of the top places in texas. This place is up there. The brisket, is amazing. I've eaten it many times now, and although it can vary sometimes, 90% of the time it's going to be awesome. Smoke ring, great texture, spot on. The pork is good, the sausage is good, the chicken is good, the sides are good. Oh, and the staff are super friendly and the beer selections really good (bring back Smokey and the Banded IPA please). Although the menu selection could be a bit bigger, they do have some interesting specials every time I'm in.
(5)
Owen W.
Came in for a beer and a sandwich at the bar on a fairly slow Wednesday night. Got the beer and a menu just fine, but I've been waiting 25 minutes and counting for the bartender to stop chatting with friends and come take my order. Not the first time the service has been slow here either. Waited an hour in a party of 4 last time, get seated, put an order in and then 40 minutes later the waitress comes back to say they've run out of 2 entree items... WTF..?!? But no worries, the other 2 orders will be up soon, so at least half the party gets to eat. And at $11-12 per sandwich, the prices aren't great either. Frankly, there are better BBQ options in Portland, although it would be a struggle to find a local restaurant that treats you worse, so if you like being ignored and starved, maybe this is the place for you!
(1)
Jodi H.
The food was excellent. My husband and I shared The Works and everything was very tasty!
(5)
Sarah C.
I've implemented my two strike rule with Elsemere. The first time I went I called ahead to see if they had any meats that aren't cured with sugar, they said the brisket. So my husband and I went, I ordered the brisket.... Waited for 20 minutes just to have our server come back and say they're out of brisket for the night because they've been busy but offered to give me the burnt ends of the brisket. This was basically chopped up fat, and they still charged us the regular price. The second time we went back I ordered the Elsemere salad and had chicken added. I paid 15 dollars for a salad smaller than my palm. The chicken was fatty and cold. The salad wouldn't have been worth the 10 dollars it cost without the chicken. Not good service, not good food. Will not return.
(1)
Jim B.
I understand that tastes in food are subjective. However, once you start writing a few reviews, whether on Yelp, or somewhere else (like your own blog), then you need to take a step and try to move it past mere personal tastes. When it comes to BBQ in Maine (or if you prefer, Barbeque) is one food category that is really lacking. I continue to be amazed when I read reviews about BBQ, in that reviewers gush about places that I try, and then think, "what"? Of greater-Portland's two newest BBQ joints, my wife and I hit Salvage first. I reviewed it and you'll see we both liked it, with a caveat, or two. Elsmere was a disappointment. Even with Salvage opening, knowing there was a BBQ joint in SoPo (a place I love for a variety of reasons) was intriguing. For one thing, even though I don't expect it to rival it's foodie sister across the bridge, a few more decent restaurants wouldn't be a bad thing. The space occupied by Elsmere is great; located in the old Colonial Cleaners at the corner of Elsmere and Cottage Road, the size and set-up works. Not too big, but with enough tables, a good-sized bar, and some outdoor seating, even when busy, the wait isn't interminable. The food (which is why we decided to visit) was disappointing. I say this because I wanted to be wowed. Having read reviews prior, however, I was a bit anxious about trying another BBQ place, only to be let down. While the meat had a nice smoked flavor, my wife's ribs were not the fall-off-the-bone tender that we expect in a restaurant touting its BBQ. The ribs also seemed to be lacking much meat. My brisket was decent, had some decent barking, and I was satisfied. In both cases--the ribs and the brisket--I thought the amounts of meat were skimpy, at least in comparison to other rib places I've frequented. We both liked the mustard sauce. The "red" sauce, which I think the waitress said was a Texas-based sauce, with a peppery kick was just okay. The sides were so-so. We both tried the vinegar-dressed cole slaw. The mix of cabbage and pepper was flavorful, but the chop was too fine for our preference. The vinegar-based dressing was ok, but lacked any "wow" factor, and was even "too vinegary" making me wonder if they just tossed vinegar over the chopped ingredients and added some pepper. The cornbread was dry and came wrapped in tinfoil, so I'm assuming it was supposed to be warm--it wasn't. No butter was supplied, either. I had the baked beans, my wife went with mac and cheese. The beans were tasty, with a ketchup-based (?) sauce that was flavorful. The pinto beans were just the right texture, and this was the best of the sides. The mac and cheese required salting, which meant that it wasn't as flavorful as it should have been out of the oven. The service really was a downer. We were out on the patio and felt like we might have been forgotten, even though there were other diners out there with us. Our server was slow taking our order. Then, when our food finally arrived, we lacked silverware. While I'm not anti-fingers and hands in eating my BBQ, cole slaw and sides like beans require a fork, at a minimum. Since the food was cooling and no waitress was around, my wife went inside and mentioned to the waitress that we lacked forks and knives. The waitress continued talking to her colleague, so my wife grabbed silverware from an empty table so we could eat. When our waitress checked back with us we were nearly finished. No "I'm sorry about the silverware," or making sure our meals were okay. I had a beer at the beginning, prior to receiving our meals. I'd at least have liked being asked before she brought the check. I usually don't want a beer when I'm getting ready to leave. I think I could have given Elsmere a three for the food, barely. However, for food that was so-so, with lousy service, I can't give it more than a two-star review. It's obvious that the owners are trying and have invested in the space. They need to get some things ironed out, however, if you want me to sing your praises. I probably won't be back to give it a second shot.
(2)
Megh R.
Elsmere is quickly becoming a favorite spot. This is primarily because of two things: ease and charm, neither of which have anything to do with food. I say 'ease' because we sit, order, and within ten-fifteen minutes (even on a slamming Saturday night), we have our platter of food in front of us. 'Ease' because a three-meat Mama's plate is the very most perfect portion for two people to share. Particularly, 'ease' because the attitude around the restaurant is just that...even in the kitchen, where the cooks are hurriedly working their tails off, they do so with a sense of ease. I know they are at ease because they talk to us...which brings me to charm. I love sitting at a chef's bar, anywhere I go, but I particularly love it at Elsmere. The cooks are open and receptive to conversation, questions, etc. I have many questions. They are willing to give an extra pickle or two, or even a meat sample. All I have to do is ask. They don't deter questions; they invite them. I hate to sound cheesy, but I kind of feel like part of a family. The food at Elsmere is good. It's possible that the sausage is the best thing they do. I've tried all of the meats and none are disappointing. Brisket is my favorite barbecued meat, and I do wish Elsmere's was more fatty, but I understand that many people are turned off by copious amount of fat hanging from their food. I'm not. I think that I'll request fatty brisket next time and see what happens. The only sides I've tried are the collards and macaroni and cheese, and that's because I'm super loyal to these sides. The collards are simple, and the macaroni and cheese is complex. I wouldn't want it any other way. I look forward to visiting Elsmere more and becoming a regular. I've been very happy with my two visits so far. I anticipate that I will remain happy, and hope that others experience and appreciate the ease and charm as much as me.
(4)
Rainy H.
Recent visit to Elsmere and what a great place. Friendly people. Had a BBQ pork platter with collard greens, beans & rice and cornbread plus a Thai BBQ rib appetizer. Great food and brought home a few ribs for the next day. Great BBQ spot! Definitely recommend this place and will go back again (and again).
(5)
Becky M.
I was a little skeptical about this place after reading some reviews, but was pleasantly surprised. I considered 4 starts but can't think of a single complaint. I was definitely impressed and will be going back regularly. Four of us went in on a Friday night, the host greeted us immediately and said there would be about a 20 minute wait. We got drinks at the bar which was warm and inviting and had a great cocktail list and beer selection. I noticed a lot of weekly specials too, like whiskey Wednesdays (YES!), happy hours, and vodka oyster shooters. We were seated in just about 20 minutes in a nice comfy booth and service was excellent. I really liked the atmosphere too. Open and clean. Our waitress gave us detailed specials, recommendations, explained sauces, attention to our drinks... And immediately put in our appetizer order. Now for the food, OMG delicious and came out quickly. Had the roasted oysters which were the best oysters I've ever had. They were even willing to split the sauce flavors within the half dozen. I had grilled mahi mahi tacos which came with a choice of side- I got the collard greens (vegetarian!) and corn bread. Everything was so freaking good. I could have eaten a bucket of those collard greens and the corn bread was very light, not dense. Price was completely reasonable $16- for the meal. My friend got pulled pork which he said was delicious and not dry at all. Came out on big pie plates lined in parchment as well like the traditional southern BBQ. Needless to say, can't wait to go again!
(5)
Jay N.
Fantastic St. Louis style ribs. Not your heavily sauced stuff, but slow smoked. Same for the baked beans, a favorite of mine being from the South. Not a mess sticky beans in BBQ, but slow simmered, smokey beans you'd expect over a Texas campfire. The service was the best part however with a sweetheart of a server. Smiling, funny, sharp and attentive. A group of 6, with drinks for everyone, appetizers and full meals came in around $140. Not bad at all and I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Michelle E.
I don't eat meat and I liked this place. I went there for Sunday lunch with my husband and son. They have a good selection of beers and cocktails. I ordered a Bloody Mary and my husband got an allagash white. The Bloody Mary was flavorful but I like them to have a lot of stuff in them and all it came with was an olive, a lime slice, and a lemon slice. It would have been better with some celery, pickled green beans, and a carrot. Something more. Now for the food. I ordered a black bean burger with pickled cherry peppers and pepper jack cheese. So delicious. I love a good veggie burger! My husband ordered some sort of meat combo plate with sausage and ribs. It came with cornbread and two side dishes. He seemed to enjoy everything because there was very little left. They have two BBQ sauces on the table. I hate BBQ sauce. Next to mayonnaise, it's my least favorite condiment. So I was hesitant when my husband told me to try the mustard BBQ sauce. I tried a tiny squeeze on the greens on my burger. It was so delicious! Tasted like a sweet and tangy honey mustard and I ended up dressing my greens with it. Yum! The service was fine. Our server was pleasant and friendly. The food came out quickly and she checked in with us several times to see how we were doing. I've read the other reviews and I don't think this place deserves three stars, that's a little harsh yelpers. One thing that I've noticed about portland is that everyone seems to be looking for a deal. It's slightly annoying. "Specials" at a restaurant generally mean that they have an abundance of a product that they are looking to get rid of. That's not what I look for at a restaurant. I also don't complain about the cost of drinks. If you want to drink on the cheap, drink at home or hit up a dive bar. This is a business that will only stay in business by making money. They contribute to the economy so don't cheap out and get upset by a $5 beer, it's pathetic. Overall a good experience and we will be back. It's got a good vibe, cool decor, and solid food.
(4)
Caleb P.
Horrible service yesterday. Sat at the bar with my girlfriend to get something to eat because it was more comfortable than sitting at the table. I got asked for my ID and immediately after seeing that i was over 21 I was told I wouldn't be served a drink because they thought I had too much to drink that day. I had literally just came from a wake and wanted to stop in and try out the restaurant because I had never been in there before. Needless to say, I will NEVER go back there and will NEVER recommend anyone going there either. Didnt ask for a drink, I wanted food and the first thing out of the bartenders mouth is I won't serve you? Horrible customer service. Seems to be the reason why it was dead when we went in.
(1)
Lindsay W.
I would probably give this place 3.5 stars. The service was outstanding. The atmosphere is cool and casual - love the neon sign and the open kitchen concept. And I also hear there are some free old school video games! The food was good - I think it would meet your needs for a bbq dinner, but not exceptional. I think the items that I loved most were the collard greens (who would've thought!), corn bread, and then most definitely the brownie sundae. I had the mahi mahi tacos as my main and they were good, but nothing too special. I would probably recommend for someone else to get the brisket, ribs, or another BBQ standard because they touted those items more and it is a bbq place. My cocktail was nothing special. I got the margarita that was pink - they warned me that it was sweet, which is fine, but it just tasted more sugary and artificial, and not like they used fresh ingredients.
(4)
Andrew J.
I love simple barbecue made with quality meats, and Elsmere's did not disappoint. Friday evening; it was very busy, yet I waited only 15 or 20 minutes for a table - not a hassle at all, considering they offer a FREE PAC-MAN machine! Good beer selection, including new offerings from Banded Horn, which was nice. We sat at the "kitchen bar," right along the open kitchen, face-to-face with the staff (I will recommend requesting this, as it was the warmest seat in the house). They moved efficiently and communicated well, resulting in our food arriving more quickly than I thought it would. I chose the St. Louis style ribs, brisket, and house-made sausage; and the sausage, to me, was the star, with excellent spice and a satisfying snap from the casing. For sides, the mac & cheese and vinegar-based slaw were very good. My daughter chose a pulled pork sandwich topped with mac & cheese, and it was very good (if not messy). Thee were plenty of offerings on the menu, including a veggie burger. An added treat was being taken by one of the owners, Jeremy, to see the smoker - he offered to do so as we chatted at the kitchen bar (he was on the line). Also met the other owner, Adam, in the smoke room. You could sense the pride and excitement in their voices over what they were adding to the local food scene. Our server, Mikayla (sp?), was cheerful and attentive - smiles from everyone we dealt with. Given the good prices and laid-back atmosphere, we will definitely be returning to Elsmere's to sample more of the offerings - especially in the summer when outdoor seating will be available!
(4)
Seeley R.
Too expensive for what you get: so so food and not a lot of it. Disappointing service. Nice bar space though.
(2)
Hannah M.
Love going here - everything is soo good, especially the BBQ chicken. Even when the place is packed the service is quick and it's a fun place to be. May seem a little pricey at first but it's totally worth it for the amount of food you get and how delicious it is. Highly recommend!
(5)
Bill M.
Rich tender meats: brisket,pork and ribs were all sampled on this visit. Balanced by well prepared sides:tangy coleslaw, creamy mac and cheese, and cornbread were sampled. Cocktails were well crafted, and remain a better value than on the other side of the Million dollar bridge. What made this visit different than my first three months ago? It's that this BBQ joint has found its groove. Clear signage eliminates the uncertainty of parking. Along the same line there is now one entrance,staffed at all times with a hostess to direct traffic.Service was spot on and friendly and everything on the menu was available Officially my favorite BBQ in the Portland area and a wonderful addition to the neighborhood.
(4)
Simon L.
Hitting this spot after a mediocre second visit to Salvage with a couple buddies, I was singularly unimpressed. The atmosphere on this early Saturday evening was busy and energetic with a fast paced kitchen crew using a huge wood fired grill. A system using multiple kitchen staff and large prepared pans allowed for quick plating of dishes. The brisket was dry and over smoked. It lacked any noticeable flavor component that would warrant a repeat sampling. Low fat content and minimal juiciness did not help the cause. The ribs were on the smaller side and also were not particularly noticeable. I have had worse ribs - Norms East Ender - but not frequently. Tough, sinewy meat had a charred exterior that was difficult to cut through and did not pull away from the bone. Unimpressive sides as well. A loss in my book, maybe with time they'll figure out how to regulate the smoke system better.
(3)
Adria R.
The food was good, but it just wasn't exceptional in any way. I was so hoping for more, and I may be wiling to give it another shot. I did like my catfish meal, but again it was pretty ordinary. My husband had a mixed meats plate, and the sausage stood out as the star. The service was friendly but slow. We waited ten minutes to order drinks, then another 15 before she took our food order, so it was a good 25 minutes before we ordered. The patio was a nice option on a warm summer evening. Sadly the chairs were very uncomfortable, and the small patio tables were really too small for more than two people (we were a group of 4). The large round trays the food was served on didn't fully fit on the table, so it felt like our food was spilling into our laps. We put the condiments on the ground to make more space for food and drinks.
(3)
Malcolm P.
"Amazing" and "Excellent" doesn't even begin to describe this jewel. I love good BBQ but for us New Englanders, it can be tough to find. Well, my search is over. Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill exceeded all expectations from food to service. From the time we entered until the time we left, the staff was friendly and attentive. The atmosphere was fun and the food... without a doubt the best BBQ I have had in a long time. I guarantee you won't leave hungry... unless it is hungry for your next visit!
(5)
Zazu S.
We went here tonight on our first visit to South Portland. We ordered ribs and brisket. The ribs were the worst I have ever had anywhere, and I've eaten a lot of ribs in some dive places. There was absolutely NO meat on them. I was scraping the skin off with my teeth. As someone who has worked in the industry, I'm perplexed that any restaurant would serve those ribs. They were AWFUL. Maybe one bite of meat on them total. And the one bite had no flavor. There was nothing fall off the bone about those. The brisket was better, but lacked sauce. The bbq on the table is good so used that to add some flavor. The sides, mac and cheese, collard greens, and corn bread were just plain bland. No flavor in any of it. The kids ate burgers, which were really good. Love their potato chips. We might go back for a burger, but I can't say we'd return for the bbq. I've had way better all around.
(2)
Kate S.
Great bar scene; good cocktails; nice to have a place like this in otherwise relatively vanilla SoPo dining / bar scene. Jury is out on the food, though. So disappointed in the bland corn bread. Brisket nacho special, however, was terrific. Smoked wings are uber smoky and greasy. Baked beans above average; coleslaw pretty good; bbq oysters were .. weird. Not like any other bbq oysters I've had. Will return for the bar; and hope the food improves.
(3)
Nicole B.
This place has me questioning if I even like BBQ. I came here because I thought I did.. but I left wondering if I'd managed to convince myself over the years that BBQ is something much different than what I just ate. First things first, we are locals and nearly drove right by the place because there wasn't a SINGLE light on outside. Even when we left at quarter 'til 9, it was pitch black. Thank you, smartphone, for illuminating the path to my car for me. I don't know what I would have done without you (probably tripped and fallen on my face, which would have culminated in the perfect ending to this night out). Our service was only okay. It wasn't anything to write home about, but it wasn't horrible either. Just a little slow and inattentive (flagging someone down for a refill is never fun). There wasn't any explanation of the sauces, no specials shared, and very little interaction considering the new-ness of the place. (Come on guys, SELL me on coming back!) As we were waiting for our food, we noticed that the entire place is covered in unfinished wood, with some pieces in the process of transforming into a dark red finish. It made me wonder about ventilation while they're staining. (We just finished staining our closet and let me tell you--it stinks for days.) There is a nice bar area against the kitchen so you can see food being made, which I thought was a little different and fun. We were seated at a 2-top that was abnormally long, so I felt like I was screaming over the noise to talk. It would be nice if they added something to the ceiling to lessen the echo bouncing around, but obviously it's a new business, and they still have a few building improvements to make. I will say that sitting against a window, we could not feel any cool air coming from outside, which made me very happy as I was expecting to have to wear my coat through the meal like I end up doing at older Portland restaurants. Now for the food... I didn't overly enjoy a single piece of my meal here. Well, I take that back---I DID enjoy the dry corn bread, but only because it cleansed my palate. I can't even describe what was wrong; the sauce seemed extremely sweet with a weird tangy aftertaste. The sausage itself was good with a spicy kick, but it just wasn't enough. My husband said his pulled pork tasted dry and unseasoned, and certainly not like it had been marinating for a few hours, let alone days. This place is more along the lines of 2.5 stars, but since Yelp doesn't allow half-stars, I had to go with my gut. Giving it a 3 would mean that we'd potentially come back, but it's not very likely we'll spend money here again, so I had to give it a 2. Sorry Elsmere's.. I wanted to like you.
(2)
Greg G.
Having experienced great BBQ all over the country, I really was not expecting more than an adequate meal. The BBQ @Ellsmere BBQ and Wood Grill, was some of the best that I have ever had. The collard greens were definitely the best. Like most BBQ restaurants, the atmosphere is very relaxed and comfortable. The service is unbeatable even for a busy Saturday evening. I highly recommend this restaurant.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Diane H.
I would give this restaurant a second chance. I was in a party of 3 and my two companions loved their dinners. We started with pulled pork nachos (ordered at the bar as we had a ~20 minute wait). For me, these were the highlight of the experience. They were delicious and not over the top as some nachos are. While I agree with others that the St Louis ribs were not drenched in sauce, I found them less than appealing both for the limited meat on the ribs and how difficult they were to eat. There was a choice of two rib sauces and the one I tried was okay. (I had high expectations as this is a BBQ place, right?). I'm glad I only ordered the 1/2 lb as I didn't eat them. The corn bread was good, beans were average and the coleslaw was too tangy for my taste. Worth another try cause 2 of the 3 of us liked our dinners. Service was average?
(2)Justine J.
I popped in here for a client meeting recently, and loved it. The atmosphere was fun and hip -- and busy for a Thursday evening! There's not a ton of parking, but it's worth it. We had a pulled pork pizza and it was delicious. One of the people in our party had some food allergies and the waitress was SO awesome about it -- she took her time explaining things, asked the owner/chefs a few questions for him, and was just as patient and friendly as can be. Awesome drink selections, too.
(5)Kelly W.
Great meal at Elsmere's on my last night in Portland (visiting from Michigan). Great food, and the staff was friendly...plus my table got a peak into the smoker after dinner- super cool! Loved the spicy BBQ sauce and the black pepper bbq sauce (especially mixed!). Didn't love the baked beans, but the brisket, Mac n cheese, and cornbread were excellent. Wishing I could go back! Definitely have to come back if I'm ever in Portland again.
(4)Owen W.
Came in for a beer and a sandwich at the bar on a fairly slow Wednesday night. Got the beer and a menu just fine, but I've been waiting 25 minutes and counting for the bartender to stop chatting with friends and come take my order. Not the first time the service has been slow here either. Waited an hour in a party of 4 last time, get seated, put an order in and then 40 minutes later the waitress comes back to say they've run out of 2 entree items... WTF..?!? But no worries, the other 2 orders will be up soon, so at least half the party gets to eat. And at $11-12 per sandwich, the prices aren't great either. Frankly, there are better BBQ options in Portland, although it would be a struggle to find a local restaurant that treats you worse, so if you like being ignored and starved, maybe this is the place for you!
(1)Jodi H.
The food was excellent. My husband and I shared The Works and everything was very tasty!
(5)Sarah C.
I've implemented my two strike rule with Elsemere. The first time I went I called ahead to see if they had any meats that aren't cured with sugar, they said the brisket. So my husband and I went, I ordered the brisket.... Waited for 20 minutes just to have our server come back and say they're out of brisket for the night because they've been busy but offered to give me the burnt ends of the brisket. This was basically chopped up fat, and they still charged us the regular price. The second time we went back I ordered the Elsemere salad and had chicken added. I paid 15 dollars for a salad smaller than my palm. The chicken was fatty and cold. The salad wouldn't have been worth the 10 dollars it cost without the chicken. Not good service, not good food. Will not return.
(1)Jim B.
I understand that tastes in food are subjective. However, once you start writing a few reviews, whether on Yelp, or somewhere else (like your own blog), then you need to take a step and try to move it past mere personal tastes. When it comes to BBQ in Maine (or if you prefer, Barbeque) is one food category that is really lacking. I continue to be amazed when I read reviews about BBQ, in that reviewers gush about places that I try, and then think, "what"? Of greater-Portland's two newest BBQ joints, my wife and I hit Salvage first. I reviewed it and you'll see we both liked it, with a caveat, or two. Elsmere was a disappointment. Even with Salvage opening, knowing there was a BBQ joint in SoPo (a place I love for a variety of reasons) was intriguing. For one thing, even though I don't expect it to rival it's foodie sister across the bridge, a few more decent restaurants wouldn't be a bad thing. The space occupied by Elsmere is great; located in the old Colonial Cleaners at the corner of Elsmere and Cottage Road, the size and set-up works. Not too big, but with enough tables, a good-sized bar, and some outdoor seating, even when busy, the wait isn't interminable. The food (which is why we decided to visit) was disappointing. I say this because I wanted to be wowed. Having read reviews prior, however, I was a bit anxious about trying another BBQ place, only to be let down. While the meat had a nice smoked flavor, my wife's ribs were not the fall-off-the-bone tender that we expect in a restaurant touting its BBQ. The ribs also seemed to be lacking much meat. My brisket was decent, had some decent barking, and I was satisfied. In both cases--the ribs and the brisket--I thought the amounts of meat were skimpy, at least in comparison to other rib places I've frequented. We both liked the mustard sauce. The "red" sauce, which I think the waitress said was a Texas-based sauce, with a peppery kick was just okay. The sides were so-so. We both tried the vinegar-dressed cole slaw. The mix of cabbage and pepper was flavorful, but the chop was too fine for our preference. The vinegar-based dressing was ok, but lacked any "wow" factor, and was even "too vinegary" making me wonder if they just tossed vinegar over the chopped ingredients and added some pepper. The cornbread was dry and came wrapped in tinfoil, so I'm assuming it was supposed to be warm--it wasn't. No butter was supplied, either. I had the baked beans, my wife went with mac and cheese. The beans were tasty, with a ketchup-based (?) sauce that was flavorful. The pinto beans were just the right texture, and this was the best of the sides. The mac and cheese required salting, which meant that it wasn't as flavorful as it should have been out of the oven. The service really was a downer. We were out on the patio and felt like we might have been forgotten, even though there were other diners out there with us. Our server was slow taking our order. Then, when our food finally arrived, we lacked silverware. While I'm not anti-fingers and hands in eating my BBQ, cole slaw and sides like beans require a fork, at a minimum. Since the food was cooling and no waitress was around, my wife went inside and mentioned to the waitress that we lacked forks and knives. The waitress continued talking to her colleague, so my wife grabbed silverware from an empty table so we could eat. When our waitress checked back with us we were nearly finished. No "I'm sorry about the silverware," or making sure our meals were okay. I had a beer at the beginning, prior to receiving our meals. I'd at least have liked being asked before she brought the check. I usually don't want a beer when I'm getting ready to leave. I think I could have given Elsmere a three for the food, barely. However, for food that was so-so, with lousy service, I can't give it more than a two-star review. It's obvious that the owners are trying and have invested in the space. They need to get some things ironed out, however, if you want me to sing your praises. I probably won't be back to give it a second shot.
(2)Megh R.
Elsmere is quickly becoming a favorite spot. This is primarily because of two things: ease and charm, neither of which have anything to do with food. I say 'ease' because we sit, order, and within ten-fifteen minutes (even on a slamming Saturday night), we have our platter of food in front of us. 'Ease' because a three-meat Mama's plate is the very most perfect portion for two people to share. Particularly, 'ease' because the attitude around the restaurant is just that...even in the kitchen, where the cooks are hurriedly working their tails off, they do so with a sense of ease. I know they are at ease because they talk to us...which brings me to charm. I love sitting at a chef's bar, anywhere I go, but I particularly love it at Elsmere. The cooks are open and receptive to conversation, questions, etc. I have many questions. They are willing to give an extra pickle or two, or even a meat sample. All I have to do is ask. They don't deter questions; they invite them. I hate to sound cheesy, but I kind of feel like part of a family. The food at Elsmere is good. It's possible that the sausage is the best thing they do. I've tried all of the meats and none are disappointing. Brisket is my favorite barbecued meat, and I do wish Elsmere's was more fatty, but I understand that many people are turned off by copious amount of fat hanging from their food. I'm not. I think that I'll request fatty brisket next time and see what happens. The only sides I've tried are the collards and macaroni and cheese, and that's because I'm super loyal to these sides. The collards are simple, and the macaroni and cheese is complex. I wouldn't want it any other way. I look forward to visiting Elsmere more and becoming a regular. I've been very happy with my two visits so far. I anticipate that I will remain happy, and hope that others experience and appreciate the ease and charm as much as me.
(4)Rainy H.
Recent visit to Elsmere and what a great place. Friendly people. Had a BBQ pork platter with collard greens, beans & rice and cornbread plus a Thai BBQ rib appetizer. Great food and brought home a few ribs for the next day. Great BBQ spot! Definitely recommend this place and will go back again (and again).
(5)Michelle E.
I don't eat meat and I liked this place. I went there for Sunday lunch with my husband and son. They have a good selection of beers and cocktails. I ordered a Bloody Mary and my husband got an allagash white. The Bloody Mary was flavorful but I like them to have a lot of stuff in them and all it came with was an olive, a lime slice, and a lemon slice. It would have been better with some celery, pickled green beans, and a carrot. Something more. Now for the food. I ordered a black bean burger with pickled cherry peppers and pepper jack cheese. So delicious. I love a good veggie burger! My husband ordered some sort of meat combo plate with sausage and ribs. It came with cornbread and two side dishes. He seemed to enjoy everything because there was very little left. They have two BBQ sauces on the table. I hate BBQ sauce. Next to mayonnaise, it's my least favorite condiment. So I was hesitant when my husband told me to try the mustard BBQ sauce. I tried a tiny squeeze on the greens on my burger. It was so delicious! Tasted like a sweet and tangy honey mustard and I ended up dressing my greens with it. Yum! The service was fine. Our server was pleasant and friendly. The food came out quickly and she checked in with us several times to see how we were doing. I've read the other reviews and I don't think this place deserves three stars, that's a little harsh yelpers. One thing that I've noticed about portland is that everyone seems to be looking for a deal. It's slightly annoying. "Specials" at a restaurant generally mean that they have an abundance of a product that they are looking to get rid of. That's not what I look for at a restaurant. I also don't complain about the cost of drinks. If you want to drink on the cheap, drink at home or hit up a dive bar. This is a business that will only stay in business by making money. They contribute to the economy so don't cheap out and get upset by a $5 beer, it's pathetic. Overall a good experience and we will be back. It's got a good vibe, cool decor, and solid food.
(4)Zazu S.
We went here tonight on our first visit to South Portland. We ordered ribs and brisket. The ribs were the worst I have ever had anywhere, and I've eaten a lot of ribs in some dive places. There was absolutely NO meat on them. I was scraping the skin off with my teeth. As someone who has worked in the industry, I'm perplexed that any restaurant would serve those ribs. They were AWFUL. Maybe one bite of meat on them total. And the one bite had no flavor. There was nothing fall off the bone about those. The brisket was better, but lacked sauce. The bbq on the table is good so used that to add some flavor. The sides, mac and cheese, collard greens, and corn bread were just plain bland. No flavor in any of it. The kids ate burgers, which were really good. Love their potato chips. We might go back for a burger, but I can't say we'd return for the bbq. I've had way better all around.
(2)Kate S.
Great bar scene; good cocktails; nice to have a place like this in otherwise relatively vanilla SoPo dining / bar scene. Jury is out on the food, though. So disappointed in the bland corn bread. Brisket nacho special, however, was terrific. Smoked wings are uber smoky and greasy. Baked beans above average; coleslaw pretty good; bbq oysters were .. weird. Not like any other bbq oysters I've had. Will return for the bar; and hope the food improves.
(3)Denise H.
We are pretty picky when it comes to BBQ, we travel to Tennessee and through out the south on vacation just to get good BBQ. Well Elsmere has by far the best brisket I have ever had, amazing flavor and so tender. The sausage and pulled pork were also just as amazing and equal to the southern BBQ we love. Atmosphere was very relaxed and although we could tell there are a lot of regulars there we didn't feel out of place. Waitstaff was quick and friendly....it was very busy but the wait was not long at all! We cannot wait to go back! Next time its ribs!!
(5)Autumn P.
Every time we drive by this place, it is packed, even on weeknights! After my husband met one of the owners at work, we decided to give it a try... And we're glad we did! We shared the sampler with pulled chicken, pork, and brisket... It was the best BBQ we've had in some time! The meat was fresh, flavorful, and not too saucy. The atmosphere was industrial and open... Seemed like a nice place to bring a group of friends... Probably not a great spot for kiddos though. The service was average, but overall our first experience was a good one. We are definitely planning to return!
(4)Melinda I.
Starting with the positives: Upon entrance one first notices the relaxed family atmosphere; Even those at the bar were relaxed while enjoying the soccer game. The seats are huge and can accommodate large parties/families which is nice. Now for critique: After ordering, the food comes out fast, too fast, and this patron was surprised that with such quick service that the medium rare burger ordered came out well done. A well done burger holds little flavor and is a disappointment to get when not ordered.
(2)Crystal G.
I've had some BBQ here and there, and more recently Maine has had more BBQ places open and I've tried them all. Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill is fantastic! The food is amazing, it's a great neighborhood place with a cool bar and more bar seating at the "kitchen". The only thing I'm not crazy about is the level of noise when the place is full. Maybe more or different decorating would help take care of the noise. The first time I went they had only been open a few days so I had some of the issues other people did, slow service, delays with drinks, etc. The next time I went my friend and I got great service and sat at the bar. It really is good food with good beer and it's a great neighborhood place. South Portland has really become a foodie town!
(4)Chuck M.
A great up and coming local bar hangout, but the food was a total disappointment. The reviews that gave the food great reviews have never had good BBQ. The meat was smokey but on the bland side. The sides were so so. The two sauces they had to offer were weird tasting, nothing like a regular BBQ sauce. If you live in the area and want to go have a drink in an "interesting" decor, this is your place, but don't bother ordering the food. You will be wasting your money and insulting your taste buds.
(2)Bramfy B.
This is a 4 when it comes to Maine BBQ - in NYC it'd be a 3 but scarcity becomes a factor in Maine - worthy of another star Good atmosphere and set up - lots of good beers on tap and a few babes for waitresses. Food was your standard hearty BBQ - nothing crazy but just good clean and wholesome I had the tornado - essentially a blend of pulled pork, sausage and brisket on a pretzel bun (great choice of bread) with cole slaw on top of the meat. Pair this with a solid beer and your good Chicken goat cheese quesadilla is great combination for those not willing to get all BBQ sauced up Chili with burned ends is good too - I saved some to go and it was even better then next day. Food comes quick. Be ready to eat ASAP Great neighborhood spot. Too bad Cape Elizabeth town board is full a bunch of retards or we could have a solid establishment like this on our side of town.
(4)Peggy F.
Good first-time dining experience at Elsmere BBQ late yesterday afternoon. Enjoyed the décor, food was very good, portion sizes were generous (left with a to-go box). My only comment would be to the wait staff. We entered the restaurant and waited and waited, assuming we needed to wait to be seated. Finally had to find someone to ask. Wait person was knowledgeable, but needed to kick it up a notch. Quite absent during our meal. Checked in once near the end to see if we wanted more beverages. Too late by then. We will definitely go back. Hope wait staff become more attentive and not hang out near side of kitchen when they could be checking in with their customers.
(4)Hank T.
Disappointed !! I wanted to like this place but after stopping here the other night. I would say don't bother! Bartender was slow to be pulled away from their conversation with other staff. When they did arrive it was surly at best. I had a choose 2 plate the brisket was over cooked(needed a spoon! ) and the pulled pork was pre-smothered in mustard sauce? Cornbread was very dry.. I needed 4 butters to make it palatable. I would have rather have had a couple of slices of white bread ... At least I could have put my brisket bits on the white bread ! On the bright side?..it is a great place to watch the game ... That is if you enjoy starring into a giant neon sign .
(1)Andy F.
this place is the "before " in restaurant impossible - food is completely tasteless -
(1)Lorenzo R.
As I was dining solo, buying some of my barbecue favorites in bulk seemed a good way to try out this new, seemingly very popular new addition to the neighborhood. I called in an order of a half pound each of brisket and house-made sausage. Although noisy in the background (the sound of success?) the order was taken courteously and professionally, and I was greeted cheerfully by the hostess when I arrived to pick up my order, who directed me to "the tall man in the corner". My total was $14.50, a fair, if high end, price for a pound of smoked meats; I gave the tall man a twenty, he reached into his pocket, gave me a fiver, then I stood there for a few awkward moments, and then tall man said to me "you don't need that fifty cents, do you?" In my hundreds of thousands of retail experiences I have never been asked that question before, so I was completely thrown. I remember mumbling "no, I'm all set" and leaving quickly. What a bizarre first Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill experience! The food? It was...okay. The brisket was tender, but seemed to lack much flavor, smoke or otherwise, but the house-made sausage fared much better. It's a sweet sausage with a black pepper bite, and reminded me favorably of the all too brief time recently when the East End's Fresh Approach Market sold smoked versions of their fine sausages.. The BBQ sauces included was one tomato- and one mustard-based, and again just okay. I realize Elsmere is in its infancy and It's still establishing its footing, but as a barbecue fan, I enjoy smoke and think the items I've tried could use a bit more. I'd also like to sample their sides, so I'll likely return, but I'll be sure to use my debit card next time!
(2)Alyssa D.
Layout is a little strange with raise booths. Food is pretty tasty, brisket nachos were my favorite, also had the ribs and brisket. Brisket was a little dry and I would probably pass the next time.
(3)Scott M.
Found this little gem out on Cottage Road where the old Cookie Jar Bakery used to be. The restaurant is tucked into an old automotive garage. The barbecue is authentic with all the trappings of good Texas barbecue. We had the brisket which was moist & tender with the right amount of smoke flavor, the pulled pork, & ribs that had a nice bark on them. The sides are just as good, traditional southern coleslaw made with vinegar instead of mayonnaise, giving it a good crunch and letting the vegetables come through. Additionally we had the pinto beans that were seasoned perfectly and the house made potato salad which was delicious. Did I mention cornbread!!! The service is ok not top notch but does not turn you off as the food makes up for it. Our waitress was courteous but a bit mismanaged. We had ordered the oysters that are cooked over flame until they open. However she did put our order in and arrived with our entrees only. Which was a little disappointing as we were looking forward to trying them. Aside from that overall the meal was very good & we look forward to going back.
(3)Alex C.
As a BBQ fan I was very excited to try Elsmere, but left a touch disappointed. The service was very friendly and the drink I ordered (I think it was called the Rye Rocker, or something like that) was delicious! I decided on the sausage plate with mac and cheese and collard greens. The sausage had good flavor but was sooo dry! Thank goodness for sauce because it was desperately in need of lubrication. The mac and cheese was pretty bland, as was the corn bread, which was only worth eating when slathered in butter. The collards were surprisingly tasty, but the meal as a whole was a bit underwhelming. I'm curious to go back and try the oysters and the brisket and hopefully I'll leave more satisfied next time. At least I know the cocktails are good!
(3)Jim S.
Had my first meal at Elsmere. Was satisfied with most items. Was not happy with my ribs, what I had been looking forward to. They were very, very dry. Close to unacceptable. Our waitress said that they were having problems with the smoker. Sorry but they should have that sorted out by now. Will go back to give them another chance but not real happy with my first meal.
(2)Angela S.
Love the outdoor patio and that it's located in a neighborhood. I'm jealous it's not my own neighborhood! The smoke ring on the brisket was really impressive and so so tasty. The homemade sauces were great and the Tornado was crazy good. The pretzel roll is the key! And don't leave without a molasses cookie. They're only a dollar!
(4)Kelly S.
Called ahead to see what the wait was for a table of 5. Was told maybe 10 mins. Arrived to have a table waiting for us. Great service and really good food. Meat and sauces good and sides all yummy except for marinated coleslaw - didn't care for the jalepeno bite. A little less vinegar and a splash of sugar would have helped. Very cool bar and nice big and comfortable booths. Definitely going back!
(4)Rachel P.
Decided to check them out with my family Friday night. 15 minute wait for kitchen side bar seats for 3. 15 minute wait for our waitress to bring us menus. 10 more minutes for her to come take our order. The food came within 15 (good!) 2 for 3 on order accuracy - the flub was a cheeseburger and chips and we received NO CHEESE and PICKLES? On the 'up' side, one runner brought us our waters and glass of wine and then our waitress brought us water and a glass of wine - she winced when we told her and shared that she "hated it when they do that" and said the 2nd wine was free. Thanks! Although two glasses of wine on a now growling empty stomach was not good. The good - Black Bean Burger was flavorful. Local beef burger got a thumbs up in taste from our 9 year old. The meh - Pulled Chicken sandwich. I was not impressed with the flavor (very little) on the chicken, though it was very moist. There are two UNMARKED sauces at the table and no one explained what they were. We were adventurous and tried them. Not bad. But would've liked thicker consistency and labels and more choices. The rolls were store bought in plastic and not toasted - no flavor and soggy consistency. For a place touting "local" there MIGHT be just a couple of bakeries nearby (SCRATCH-ROSEMONT) that offer good breads? Would like local salads/veggies to be offered too? Total for 3 was 38.00 before tip - not too bad (but remember, we had a child ordering off kids menu). We will try them again in a month or two when they've ironed out the kinks and maybe read a few of these reviews? Like the growth in SoPo on the food scene and really rooting for these guys to get it right!!! I WOULD grab a drink at the bar there ANY TIME THOUGH. Nice bar.
(2)Chris E.
Nice atmosphere. Intimate and friendly. I give their bbq 4 stars for texture. they had a perfect bend and snap in their meat. The flavor was a 2 star experience. The smoke wasn't prevalent in the profile, and the general flavor was thin. I tried their ribs, chicken, brisket and sausage. The sausage was the star. good flavor, good smoke and good heat. the chicken was flavorful. the brisket and ribs had very little flavor. Bonus points for pulling the rib membrane though, as a lot of place won't go to the trouble.
(3)Jennifer B.
Met up with some friends for dinner. Wings are so tasty, crisp, perfectly smoked, loved the sauces bbq honey mustard and regular bbq. Ordered the 3 meat dinner that comes with a choice of 2 sides and corn bread. Hubby and I shared the pulled pork, brisket and sausage. All so delicious but by far the pulled pork and sausage were our favorites! Collard greens tasted authentic to down south for sure. Baked beans were perfectly seasoned. Waitstaff did a great job! Love this place, will definitely go back for more!!
(5)Caleb P.
Horrible service yesterday. Sat at the bar with my girlfriend to get something to eat because it was more comfortable than sitting at the table. I got asked for my ID and immediately after seeing that i was over 21 I was told I wouldn't be served a drink because they thought I had too much to drink that day. I had literally just came from a wake and wanted to stop in and try out the restaurant because I had never been in there before. Needless to say, I will NEVER go back there and will NEVER recommend anyone going there either. Didnt ask for a drink, I wanted food and the first thing out of the bartenders mouth is I won't serve you? Horrible customer service. Seems to be the reason why it was dead when we went in.
(1)Carl M.
What do you want when you are visiting Maine for one night? Lobster - no. Non-crustacean seafood - of course not. You want barbecue! Once you realize that, you should definitely hit Elsmere. Great atmosphere although not super quiet. Friendly, efficient wait staff. Genuinely exceptional meat. Yummy. Go!
(5)Ashley T.
I went to two BBQ places this week. One was Salvage and here. I bought a localvore coupon that was 30 dollars off your bill. I past this place so many times while biking to Cape Elizabeth and I didn't even give it a thought to try it. But I am really happy I did. We ordered two beers, an appetizer, one burger and I had Chicken with two sides and corn bread. The wings we ordered for a starter were delicious and they came out really quick. One small disappointment we had was that our waitress got one of our beers wrong and gave us a shipyard summer instead of the oxbow/bunker collaboration pilsner. It was really loud in the restaurant to I imagine it's easy to mishear. For my sides I ordered mac and cheese and collard greens. The mac and cheese was pretty bland and could have used more salt. The collards were pretty good not as salty which is great. The chicken was pretty good as well You can Definitely have a decent time here.
(3)Courty C.
Do yourself a favor and do not miss out on Elsmere's. The flavorful, fall off the bone, "pretty pink smoke ring" meat is just what you are looking for when you search "bbq". We enjoyed a fabulous lunch/dinner/supper this Sunday. The location is conveniently in between South Portland and Portland Head Light at Fort Williams. There is a parking lot behind the restaurant, as well as parking across the street at the doctor's office on Sundays. The menu is just what you would expect from a Northern bbq place, options and prices included. Every sauce and meat is delicious, however my favorites were the ribs covered in their mustard based sauce. I was so full from my two meat platter, that I had basically a whole meal to take home as leftovers. My fiance however housed his entire plate. Everything we tried was high quality and flavorful, although the cole slaw based in vinegar and green peppers was not really my fave. The only request to the menu would be some eggy potato salad. Our service was quick, considerate, and pleasant. The restaurant decor is beautiful as well with painted white walls accompanied with industrial looking lighting and a cool behind the bar neon autobody shop sign. Speaking of the bar, the drink list will please anyone in your party with ample local beer selections paired for BBQ as well as creative infused cocktails. There were drink specials as well as an advertised happy hour Tues - Fri. And if you are in the mood for outdoor, there is a patio with umbrellas. They even have homemade desserts, but unfortunately our guts were too busted from the entrees to partake. Here's to hoping we can go back for some nachos and pie next time!
(5)Patrick C.
Finally made it in to Elsmere BBQ Friday night. It was jam packed full, inside and out. Quite loud even that crowded. Found a seat luckily at the bar, quick friendly service. Though small uncomfortable bar stools. Started with couple grilled oysters, pretty good. Had the special...BBQ Turkey Quesadilla, and a Banded Horn IPA. All in all a solid meal, will have to try the straight out BBQ at some point. Will update review when I do.
(3)Deni T.
I am a fan of the destination South Portland is becoming. New businesses are popping up and making the "trek" over the bridge to the Old Port less and less necessary for a good dinner and night out. While Elsmere is not new this year, I didn't make it in until the past few months after having it on my list of places to go. Let's just say that as of tonight, I have already eaten here twice this week alone. Parking is on the side and rear of the building and there is a business across the street that allows parking after hours as well as on street parking. Do not park next door where the laundry is. The atmosphere is relaxed and the smoke smell is not overpowering. They have a few booths, seats at the bar (I don't love the seats and lack of foot rails), seats at the "food bar" with a nice view of Momma (the smoker) as well as tables inside and porch tables on the patio. The brisket is the most popular item and if they are going to sell out of something, it will be the brisket. The pulled pork and chicken are as also really good. I have not had the wings but two friends had them and loved them. The oysters are delicious! The smoked sausage link with mustard bbq sauce is a regular for me. My most fav on the menu is the tornado sandwich, three meats, pickled onions and coleslaw on a pretzel bun with a side of chips... I order some beans and add them on to it and use a fork and knife since this is a sloppy delightful mess. They have local brews on tap, Allagash, Banded Horn, etc. as well as bottled beers like Stella. They have a full bar and some house drinks like the Elsmere Lemonade. The staff is friendly and they have nonprofit nights (which I just took advantage of on 5.5.15 for my Diabetes cycling team). Whiskey Wednesdays!
(4)Christopher L.
People are nuts on here sometimes. I wanted to reads why this place only has 3.5 stars, and someone gave it 1 star because their service was slow. Another because it costs a couple more dollars per sandwich. That's terrible! Now when other people are looking for great BBQ, they are thrown off by ratings that are skewed. Service is slow? Ok, take a star or 2, because it is important. To pricy for you? That's what the dollar sign ratings are for. Really to bad. As far as food quality? Excellent! Burnt end chili nachos had so much tasty toppings we had to eat the left overs with a fork. Someone complained these didn't come with guac. Well, this is a BBQ restaurant, use the amazing BBQ sauces they have on the table. Go to El Rayo for guac. The wings weren't very big, but great quality chicken. Minimum amount of grizzle on the ends. I had the tornado sandwich with pretzel roll. I think it comes with 3 different meats? All so very tender and tasty! I agree that it is a little pricey, but that's only because it comes with a side of potato chips in stead of fries, slaw or mashed pots. But for an added price, I believe you can get all of those sides. All in all, great atmosphere, friendly staff, we had no issues at all with service, and food was great quality. I will return again. PS - I love how Yelp! tells me I wrote the pants off this review. Ha! I feel a little shy right now...
(4)Sarah W.
Had a fantastic post-movie dinner here with family. We four all have various dietary needs (including pescatarian) and everyone was happy with the options and their selection. I think this quality stands out in a BBQ spot. Cal-Mex shrimp tacos were tasty and authentic (corn tortillas, cabbage). I ordered them mostly because our waitress said they were so popular that she was the only server offering them that evening. I believe they are being added to the regular menu. My companions had the Tornado burrito, salmon sandwich, and burger. All were pleased. Our server was remarkably efficient and detail-oriented (picking up on a nearly-empty drink from across the room, for example). And whether that shrimp taco pitch was true or not, she sold me on it and I give her two thumbs up from an entrepreneurial standpoint. Also tried the blood orange Old Fashioned. Delicious little apéritif but I would not order 2 in one visit. Something unique here which I think is brilliant: in the difficult, unclaimed territory between hostess, open kitchen, bar, and dining room they've installed a bar island so you can stand, wait for your table, and have a drink. Being comfortable during a wait can make all the difference (looking your way, Hot Suppa). Next time, going in for some goods from Mama, their Texas-built BBQ. I hope the ambiance/character grows over time. Right now it is hard to pin down a vibe but perhaps I need to increase my familiarity with the South Portland crowd.
(4)Shayna C.
Great BBQ! Laid back atmosphere, good bar, nice service and delicious food. Especially loved the brisket, cornbread, mac n' cheese and all the BBQ sauces you can try. Baked beans were not very good but that is my only complaint. They have a place to sit outside if you wish too and it was easy to find.
(5)Meli L.
Last night my boyfriend and I dined at Elsmere with another couple. Since it was Cinco, we decided to all have a margarita (not on the menu, but we asked and they accommodated) - drinks were just meh, next time I would go with something on the menu. We started with the burnt ends nachos, they were good, but didn't come with guac or salsa, just sour cream. For my meal, I had the BBQ chicken sandwich and a side of mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was great, the sandwich was just OK. They had 3 sauces on the table to choose from, but would have preferred if they sauced it for you. The atmosphere was laid back, we were sat in a big booth, which was spacious and high off the ground. It was also rather warm inside. All in all, decent meal but wouldn't rush back.
(3)Alex K.
Tonight my husband and I dined with our friends. We started with the nachos and then I had the pulled pork sandwich with a side of Mac n cheese. We got seated in a big booth which I loved, I thought the atmosphere of elsmere was cool and laid back. Our waitress was fine, but not overly friendly, and didn't seem very knowledgable when we asked about drink options. The nachos seemed plain, they didn't come with any salsa or guacamole, but did have a side of sour cream. The burnt ends on the nachos however were delicious. My pulled pork sandwich was good, but I wish it came with some kind of sauce on it. They have a variety of sauces on the table that you can dress your sandwich with, but sometimes I like when the restaurant takes initiative and makes a sandwich with their suggestion of sauce; ( kind of like when you want your husband to make a choice without asking you first, just take charge and make a decision!!) If I lived in South Portland I think there would be a better chance of me frequenting this establishment, but since I'm a Portland resident I'm not too sure that I'd choose this place over others on the peninsula.
(3)Bruce R.
A good BBQ meal but nothing you haven't had before. The food was well prepared and tasty, but ultimately uninspired. I had the pulled chicken and sausage and enjoyed both. The sausage in particular was very good. My dining companion had the catfish, which was tasty and perfectly prepared. Really good coleslaw, their recipe is nice and vinegary instead of the gloppy mayonnaise nightmare you often get. They offered two sauces, their house sauce and a black pepper sauce. The house sauce was very good, but we found their black pepper sauce to be rather unpleasant, essentially the equivalent of a mouthful of black pepper with no other discernible flavor. The wait staff was very friendly and the service was great. My biggest complaint was the way the food was served. They serve your meal on a huge platter with all the component in little paper boats. With 4 people at our patio table, we had difficulty fitting all the food on the table. The oversized platters were far bigger than was required to serve the amount of food placed on them. Overall a good meal, but not distinctive in the world of BBQ. Although with the dearth of decent dining in SoPo, this is a nice addition. I did think it a bit pricey for the portion size however. With the growing selection of really good BBQ places in Southern Maine, they need to step it up in the creativity department if they want to hold their own.
(3)Ryan C.
I was very impressed with Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill! We had the grilled garlic butter oysters, which were by far the highlight of the meal! My wife and I also tried the brisket, smoked sausage, mac-n-cheese and collard greens. The sides were amazing! The mac-n-cheese was very creamy and sharp and the collard greens had a lot of bursting, savory flavor. The bbq was also very good! I took away a star becuase they do not have potato salad, the cole slaw is acidic and they do not have french fries. I will defiantly be back very soon.
(4)John S.
If Elsmere was humor, it would most certainly be dry. There are rules for different foods. The rule for BBQ is moist, falling apart, tasty meat. At Elsmere, this rule does not seem to apply. Dry, lifeless and bland, the Pulled Pork was disappointing, the Brisket was like Jerky and the Ribs stuck to the bone. Only the Sausage showed signs of moisture...and really, how can you screw up sausage. My MIL gave the Catfish the thumbs up, because I could not read her lips through the smokey decor burning my eyes. Let's talk sides: You can't kill Mac & Cheese, can you? Unless you like zip-less, spice-less cheez-whiz, go with the Collard Greens. At least it wasn't as dry as the meat. I'm not going to kill the drink prices because on the upside, at least they might prevent you from over-drinking and driving. The people are very nice. Norman?
(2)J L.
Excellent barbecue! We tried tried the ribs, pork and brisket and all were outstanding. The mac n cheese was creamy and cheesy and the other sides excellent as well.
(5)Emily B.
I am from Alabama, so my BBQ standards are pretty high. I tend to judge BBQ places on their pulled pork, sauces, and sides. This place had 2 options of sauce- golden mustard and hot pepper. I tried the "mustard" (don't worry it's not actually mustardy,) and it was a perfect blend between sweet and savory. The perfect sauce. The meat was tender, the cornbread was sweet and filling, and the beans were exactly what I would expect from a BBQ joint. I can't believe I finally found a BBQ joint near my house! I will definitely be visiting again.
(4)Ronald D.
Not sure what all the hoopla is about. I was moist with excitement to try this new barbque joint......finally we might be able to enjoy some good smoked meat in Southern Maine?? Guess not. Ribs are smoked then wrapped in foil and kept warm and served as orders come in. Problem is, the bottom of the rack sits in the pooled fat and the underside is slimy and unappetizing when your plate arrives. Ribs need to be finished on the grill to crisp up both sides, but Elsmere clearly does not have the grill space. Smoke tastes odd, too. Perhaps it is the wood combo (maple, oak and peach) or the smoker itself has a problem, but there is a rancid taste to the smokey meat. Sides were all subpar, as well. Draft beer needs to be colder. Cornbread was dry. God, I'm depressed just writing this.
(1)Becky M.
I was a little skeptical about this place after reading some reviews, but was pleasantly surprised. I considered 4 starts but can't think of a single complaint. I was definitely impressed and will be going back regularly. Four of us went in on a Friday night, the host greeted us immediately and said there would be about a 20 minute wait. We got drinks at the bar which was warm and inviting and had a great cocktail list and beer selection. I noticed a lot of weekly specials too, like whiskey Wednesdays (YES!), happy hours, and vodka oyster shooters. We were seated in just about 20 minutes in a nice comfy booth and service was excellent. I really liked the atmosphere too. Open and clean. Our waitress gave us detailed specials, recommendations, explained sauces, attention to our drinks... And immediately put in our appetizer order. Now for the food, OMG delicious and came out quickly. Had the roasted oysters which were the best oysters I've ever had. They were even willing to split the sauce flavors within the half dozen. I had grilled mahi mahi tacos which came with a choice of side- I got the collard greens (vegetarian!) and corn bread. Everything was so freaking good. I could have eaten a bucket of those collard greens and the corn bread was very light, not dense. Price was completely reasonable $16- for the meal. My friend got pulled pork which he said was delicious and not dry at all. Came out on big pie plates lined in parchment as well like the traditional southern BBQ. Needless to say, can't wait to go again!
(5)Jay N.
Fantastic St. Louis style ribs. Not your heavily sauced stuff, but slow smoked. Same for the baked beans, a favorite of mine being from the South. Not a mess sticky beans in BBQ, but slow simmered, smokey beans you'd expect over a Texas campfire. The service was the best part however with a sweetheart of a server. Smiling, funny, sharp and attentive. A group of 6, with drinks for everyone, appetizers and full meals came in around $140. Not bad at all and I can't wait to go back!
(5)Bill M.
Rich tender meats: brisket,pork and ribs were all sampled on this visit. Balanced by well prepared sides:tangy coleslaw, creamy mac and cheese, and cornbread were sampled. Cocktails were well crafted, and remain a better value than on the other side of the Million dollar bridge. What made this visit different than my first three months ago? It's that this BBQ joint has found its groove. Clear signage eliminates the uncertainty of parking. Along the same line there is now one entrance,staffed at all times with a hostess to direct traffic.Service was spot on and friendly and everything on the menu was available Officially my favorite BBQ in the Portland area and a wonderful addition to the neighborhood.
(4)Simon L.
Hitting this spot after a mediocre second visit to Salvage with a couple buddies, I was singularly unimpressed. The atmosphere on this early Saturday evening was busy and energetic with a fast paced kitchen crew using a huge wood fired grill. A system using multiple kitchen staff and large prepared pans allowed for quick plating of dishes. The brisket was dry and over smoked. It lacked any noticeable flavor component that would warrant a repeat sampling. Low fat content and minimal juiciness did not help the cause. The ribs were on the smaller side and also were not particularly noticeable. I have had worse ribs - Norms East Ender - but not frequently. Tough, sinewy meat had a charred exterior that was difficult to cut through and did not pull away from the bone. Unimpressive sides as well. A loss in my book, maybe with time they'll figure out how to regulate the smoke system better.
(3)Adria R.
The food was good, but it just wasn't exceptional in any way. I was so hoping for more, and I may be wiling to give it another shot. I did like my catfish meal, but again it was pretty ordinary. My husband had a mixed meats plate, and the sausage stood out as the star. The service was friendly but slow. We waited ten minutes to order drinks, then another 15 before she took our food order, so it was a good 25 minutes before we ordered. The patio was a nice option on a warm summer evening. Sadly the chairs were very uncomfortable, and the small patio tables were really too small for more than two people (we were a group of 4). The large round trays the food was served on didn't fully fit on the table, so it felt like our food was spilling into our laps. We put the condiments on the ground to make more space for food and drinks.
(3)Malcolm P.
"Amazing" and "Excellent" doesn't even begin to describe this jewel. I love good BBQ but for us New Englanders, it can be tough to find. Well, my search is over. Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill exceeded all expectations from food to service. From the time we entered until the time we left, the staff was friendly and attentive. The atmosphere was fun and the food... without a doubt the best BBQ I have had in a long time. I guarantee you won't leave hungry... unless it is hungry for your next visit!
(5)Lindsay W.
I would probably give this place 3.5 stars. The service was outstanding. The atmosphere is cool and casual - love the neon sign and the open kitchen concept. And I also hear there are some free old school video games! The food was good - I think it would meet your needs for a bbq dinner, but not exceptional. I think the items that I loved most were the collard greens (who would've thought!), corn bread, and then most definitely the brownie sundae. I had the mahi mahi tacos as my main and they were good, but nothing too special. I would probably recommend for someone else to get the brisket, ribs, or another BBQ standard because they touted those items more and it is a bbq place. My cocktail was nothing special. I got the margarita that was pink - they warned me that it was sweet, which is fine, but it just tasted more sugary and artificial, and not like they used fresh ingredients.
(4)Andrew J.
I love simple barbecue made with quality meats, and Elsmere's did not disappoint. Friday evening; it was very busy, yet I waited only 15 or 20 minutes for a table - not a hassle at all, considering they offer a FREE PAC-MAN machine! Good beer selection, including new offerings from Banded Horn, which was nice. We sat at the "kitchen bar," right along the open kitchen, face-to-face with the staff (I will recommend requesting this, as it was the warmest seat in the house). They moved efficiently and communicated well, resulting in our food arriving more quickly than I thought it would. I chose the St. Louis style ribs, brisket, and house-made sausage; and the sausage, to me, was the star, with excellent spice and a satisfying snap from the casing. For sides, the mac & cheese and vinegar-based slaw were very good. My daughter chose a pulled pork sandwich topped with mac & cheese, and it was very good (if not messy). Thee were plenty of offerings on the menu, including a veggie burger. An added treat was being taken by one of the owners, Jeremy, to see the smoker - he offered to do so as we chatted at the kitchen bar (he was on the line). Also met the other owner, Adam, in the smoke room. You could sense the pride and excitement in their voices over what they were adding to the local food scene. Our server, Mikayla (sp?), was cheerful and attentive - smiles from everyone we dealt with. Given the good prices and laid-back atmosphere, we will definitely be returning to Elsmere's to sample more of the offerings - especially in the summer when outdoor seating will be available!
(4)Seeley R.
Too expensive for what you get: so so food and not a lot of it. Disappointing service. Nice bar space though.
(2)Hannah M.
Love going here - everything is soo good, especially the BBQ chicken. Even when the place is packed the service is quick and it's a fun place to be. May seem a little pricey at first but it's totally worth it for the amount of food you get and how delicious it is. Highly recommend!
(5)Karen R.
I went to Elsmere BBQ & Woodgrill last night for a fundraising event, and I honestly do not know why I have not been sooner. This lovely establishment has been open for about a year on Cottage Rd. in South Portland. It has a very cool exterior and logo, and the inside is just as hip. Behind the bar is a gigantic neon radiator sign and the open kitchen concept are both very inviting. Our visit occurred on a VERY rainy evening, although that may keep most people at home, this place was packed, yet we quickly got a seat at the bar facing the kitchen. It was cool to see the Elsmere team work together and the real wood grill was really nice since we were soaked! Our waitress was very nice and explained the specials and dishes. We got the Pulled Pork Nachos to start...they were so good, and huge, but we still finished the entire plate. My husband and I both ordered the Elsmere Torpedo Sandwich...this has pulled pork, beef brisket and their house made sausage. I was intrigued by the combination, and the waitress highly recommended, so we gave it a try. It was really great and I highly recommend. to top if off, they have Allagash White on tap... I really recommend checking this place out if you have not already. We are excited to bring our children the next time, as they will also fall in love with this place. The owner is really great and chatted with us for about 10 minutes, the staff is excellent, the food is off the hook, and the ambiance is really perfect for a casual family or friends night out! 5 stars all the way!
(5)Krystal K.
This place is charming as hell. The food is good, but when I came I REALLY wanted some french fries and guess what? They DO NOT have them, or a fryer.... Which ok, yes it is healthier, but seriously, this is a BBQ place! UGGGG Speaking of food, the menu is very limited, but the drinks are great and the way they serve them is fun. Not sure I will be back, but it was a fun experience and the service was pretty, friendly, and efficient!
(4)Greg G.
Having experienced great BBQ all over the country, I really was not expecting more than an adequate meal. The BBQ @Ellsmere BBQ and Wood Grill, was some of the best that I have ever had. The collard greens were definitely the best. Like most BBQ restaurants, the atmosphere is very relaxed and comfortable. The service is unbeatable even for a busy Saturday evening. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Lynn K.
OK. A random stop on the way back from the Portland head light house place was packed so that tells you something! There was about an hour wait so we grabbed a seat at the bar - welcomed by a handsome bartender - Jeff :). We ordered the elsmere lemonade Peach infused brandy with homemade lemonade yum Got the pulled pork plate with beans and Mac & cheese .... the Mac and cheese had a smokey flavor that was delish. The pork was tender and I loved the mustard based BBQ sauce ...and well yes Jeff too!!
(5)Phil L.
Grilled oysters to start our night. Perfect brisket with ribs for one of us. Pulled pork plate for the other. Great vibe in the building tonight. Lively music. Love it here
(4)Nicole B.
This place has me questioning if I even like BBQ. I came here because I thought I did.. but I left wondering if I'd managed to convince myself over the years that BBQ is something much different than what I just ate. First things first, we are locals and nearly drove right by the place because there wasn't a SINGLE light on outside. Even when we left at quarter 'til 9, it was pitch black. Thank you, smartphone, for illuminating the path to my car for me. I don't know what I would have done without you (probably tripped and fallen on my face, which would have culminated in the perfect ending to this night out). Our service was only okay. It wasn't anything to write home about, but it wasn't horrible either. Just a little slow and inattentive (flagging someone down for a refill is never fun). There wasn't any explanation of the sauces, no specials shared, and very little interaction considering the new-ness of the place. (Come on guys, SELL me on coming back!) As we were waiting for our food, we noticed that the entire place is covered in unfinished wood, with some pieces in the process of transforming into a dark red finish. It made me wonder about ventilation while they're staining. (We just finished staining our closet and let me tell you--it stinks for days.) There is a nice bar area against the kitchen so you can see food being made, which I thought was a little different and fun. We were seated at a 2-top that was abnormally long, so I felt like I was screaming over the noise to talk. It would be nice if they added something to the ceiling to lessen the echo bouncing around, but obviously it's a new business, and they still have a few building improvements to make. I will say that sitting against a window, we could not feel any cool air coming from outside, which made me very happy as I was expecting to have to wear my coat through the meal like I end up doing at older Portland restaurants. Now for the food... I didn't overly enjoy a single piece of my meal here. Well, I take that back---I DID enjoy the dry corn bread, but only because it cleansed my palate. I can't even describe what was wrong; the sauce seemed extremely sweet with a weird tangy aftertaste. The sausage itself was good with a spicy kick, but it just wasn't enough. My husband said his pulled pork tasted dry and unseasoned, and certainly not like it had been marinating for a few hours, let alone days. This place is more along the lines of 2.5 stars, but since Yelp doesn't allow half-stars, I had to go with my gut. Giving it a 3 would mean that we'd potentially come back, but it's not very likely we'll spend money here again, so I had to give it a 2. Sorry Elsmere's.. I wanted to like you.
(2)Brett F.
I had gone to Salvage on its opening day and it was absolutely terrible (I still need to give it another shot), so I patiently waited until yesterday to try Elsmere. K and I pulled into the small parking lot of the former auto garage around 5 pm. There are maybe 10 tables in the restaurant and a decent sized bar. The highlight behind the bar is a giant glowing neon sign from the old garage. There were several tvs showing sports (soccer?) and a board hung by the ceiling displaying food and drink specials. Old arcade games (pac man!) are in the back. We were impressed by the warm and inviting vibe. The cocktail list is imaginitive, with several house-made infused liquors, including blueberry bourbon. There were about 5 beers on tap. The Maine Beer Company Mo and an Otter Creek were somewhat rare on draft. We both started with homemade pumpkin spiced sangria. They arrived in pint glasses and were absolutely refreshing and delicious. We shared the quaesadilla of the day as an appetizer, which featured brisket and bbq sauce. 3 giant pieces of bbq perfection arrived a few minutes later and we devoured. The menu is split into sandwiches, flatbreads and bbq combo platters. The appetizer was such a tease that K and I both ordered the brisket sandwich. I added a side of mac and cheese while she stuck with the chips. The sandwiches arrived overflowing with meat and stacked with cooked onions on a large roll. The meat didn't have any sauce on it, so I slathered one of the two house made sauces. I had recently traveled to Charlotte and tried the brisket at the much acclaimed Mac's BBQ, but I prefer Elsmere's. It was less dry, tastier, and maybe the expectations were a tad lower. The yelp reviews had me wary for the mac and cheese but I thought it was delicious, and about as good as I've seen for a $3 side. The atmosphere was charming, the food was very, very good and the bartender was friendly and attentive. I'd highly recommend Elsmere and can't wait to go back. The burnt ends Chili and pulled pork flatbread looked amazing. In the meantime I suppose it's time to give Salvage another try...
(5)Mark E.
My wife and I have been to Elsmere twice now. Both times we left satisfied with the quality of the food and the value we received. That is rare these days. Unique atmosphere. You can sit at the bar overlooking the kitchen, sit inside near or far from the TVs, or weather permitting eat outside on the patio. There is parking out back and across the street after 5pm. The BBQ is very good. The best I've had? No, but it is very good for Maine. IMO better than Bucks. Have not tried Salvage as yet. Only a couple of sauces on the table and they are both good. The sides are varied and the ones I've tried (beans, cornbread, mac & cheese) have been excellent. A word about the service we've had - great! We've had the same server twice, Lauren. She's very friendly, attentive, and fun. Elsmere should consider cloning her. Lauren is a gem! Well worth your money.
(4)AJ P.
I'm giving this 2 stars, but would like reader to bear in mind that it was their un-official opening and there are still a few kinks that need to be worked out with the menu. I do think it has potential...I'll definitely go back again for a second try, but as of right now, there's a lot of room to grow. Went here with a group of friends - we were very excited to have a new BBQ place around the area. The space is great, lots of tables. The service, for its first night, did a pretty good job - they were accommodating, worked well under pressure. The drinks were great - the Elsmere lemonade was awesome, tasting like summer in glass. As for the meats: - the smoked wings were decent, would have liked a smokier flavor - the pulled pork was okay - the brisket was a little dry, but good (I used to live in Texas, so I have fairly high standards) - the ribs were good, fall off the bone - the sausage was actually the best of all the meats I tried - it had the smokiest flavor of them all As for the sides: - the mac and cheese was really creamy, but very tasty - the BBQ beans, left a lot to be desired in terms of what I like in beans - they were too sweet for my liking. - the cornbread was something to stay away from. It has some weird off taste, almost sour to it. - I wish I would've ordered the collard greens to try them out. As for the sauces - well only 2 sauces. Both of them were too sweet for me and I was kind of disappointed that they didn't have any spicier sauces.
(2)Captn I.
I've been wanting to try this place for a little while now. As I was sitting down, I realized that I really hadn't heard anything about it, good or bad. Inside, the bar looks cool with the neon. The waitstaff was pleasant. And it smelled smokey and delicious. I was happy to find that they had my favorite BBQ standards, ribs, brisket and sausage with a choice of two sides. I had beans and coleslaw. As I waited for my meal, I started flipping through the latest yelp reviews. I was shocked to see the wide variation. You will either love it or hate it. I actually fell in between. All the meats were cooked properly. Ribs falling off the bone with a gentle tug. Brisket was tender. And the sausage? Well, it came sliced. The first couple bites were juicy but then started to dry out. And then this is where it gets weird for me. Everything has nice pink smoke rings but I can't really taste the smoke. In fact, the ribs and brisket are bland. I don't even know how they managed this. I can see flakes of pepper and spice from their rub but no flavor was coming through. Plus I wasn't getting any caramel flavor or umami from the ribs. They had an odd raw-ish flavor that I equate with meat that has been cooked but not browned. The sauces, mustard and regular BBQ were good and salvaged the flavor disaster. The beans were also tasty but could have been cooked more. I was excited to try the marinated coleslaw but it just missed. There was cornbread too. But that's about all I can say about it, it was there. I guess the cornbread sums up my whole culinary experience at Elsmere, it's there, it exists. But that's about all it does for me.
(3)Brad S.
We couldn't believe how good the pulled pork burrito was and the Mac and cheese = super tasty. Service was prompt and friendly. They give you three different types of barbecue sauce to choose from, I liked the extra spicy. Also loved the fact that there is a free arcade game to play while you are waiting for a table, as they only take reservations for parties of ten or more. Reasonably priced, portion sizes were reasonable, all around great experience.
(5)Julie B.
Want an excellent meal in your own neighborhood, served by helpful waitstaff who know how to please? Head on over to Elsmere BBQ where the ribs are amazing (meat falls right off the bone), the sides are delicious and the full bar offers a vast array of excellent concoctions and local brews. If you get the opportunity, opt for seating at the bar facing the wood-fired grill and meet the owner and kitchen staff, all of whom have your best dining interests at heart. The owner himself checked in with us twice for conversation about not only our enjoyment of the food but to find out who we are personally. We live in the neighborhood and Elsmere has become our go-to place for hearty, meaty meals washed down with cold beer on a Friday night. If you want to try a new beer that's on tap at the bar, your waitress will offer to bring you a sample. My husband was over the moon for the new porter being offered, after tasting his sip served in a whiskey jigger. AWESOME food, atmosphere, service and fun! So happy to have such a fantastic local joint to relax and kick back in.
(5)Justin And Elizabeth L.
As a barbecue joint it is so-so...as a neighborhood hangout it's great. I desperately wanted to like this place and write a glowing review. The food smelled amazing and as I waited to dig in, I thought about all of the good things I was going to say in my Yelp review. Then we started eating and all of my gastronomic dreams were shattered. The positives: Nice decor, full bar, good energy, local, and clean. We were on a mission for meat, so we didn't mess around with appetizers...they looked pretty good and I would go back to try an appetizer with some drinks. I grew up 100 yards down the street, so I'm happy to see another solid addition to the mix of neighborhood businesses. The negatives: The barbecue. I spent 10 years in Kansas CIty, and know a thing or two about barbecue. The brisket was both fatty and dry at the same time...which is a pretty impressive accomplishment. Yes, I know brisket is inherently fatty, but most places trim it a bit before serving. The chunks we got were 1/3 fat. Very unappealing. The pulled pork was especially disappointing. It was served wet in some sort of mystery flavor liquid. It wasn't smoky at all. It tasted like it had been braised in Campbell's chicken noodle soup broth. The sausage was pretty good. I'd definitely get it again. Their per-pound prices for meat were cheaper than Salvage BBQ in Portland, but when one-third of that portion is fat, and what is edible is only so-so in flavor, the lower price isn't such a good deal.
(3)Michael K.
Ok my expectations were high. Just because my pulled chicken sandwich was un-exciting I felt disappointed. Elsmere is cool looking inside and out. So far for me the food gets a luke warm response. Keep trying and offer more value for the buck. Chips and pickles aren't compelling sides. The dry rub style is probably an acquired taste that at first left me wanting more and the next day actually tasted quite good. For now I'm on the fence, Next time I'm trying the ribs but will wait until next day to eat them. Ha ha.
(2)Angus R.
The food and atmosphere here are awesome! The group I was with ordered a variety of food and everyone raved about how good it was. The meat is smoked to perfection and not smothered in sauce. Only downside: they are still fairly new an dealing with the influx of customers. On a Friday night we waited over an hour for a table for 4. Once they get the seating sorted out it will get 5 stars for sure.
(4)Al G.
Ordered the three meat platter with two sides. We got sausage, brisket , and pulled pork with beans and coleslaw. All meats and sides were excellently cooked. There are three sauce choices peppered, fire, and mustard. We liked the mustard the best and the fire didn't really have much heat to speak of. Service was great.
(4)Janelle E.
Great atmosphere. Must try the oysters!
(4)Bruce D.
For a place that gets so much chatter and talk, the experience was a let down. We sat at the bar and looked over the drink menu. Some good local taps and a nice selection of liquors round out the offering. There are a few inspired cocktails that are well thought out. Drink prices are a little on the high side, with many beers clocking in at the six or seven dollar level. Happy hour prices soften that however only on select offerings. Food prices were steep and inconsistent with the quality. Great BBQ commands a small premium, given the labor intensive and time consuming prep. This isn't that. The top of the line assorted BBQ platter is over $30. For that much scratch you could be seated at a fine dining restaurant off Fore Street. We each settled on a two item offering and mixed it up, to try various meats. We sampled the chicken, pulled pork and brisket. All were ok but nothing to "write home about." As another respected reviewer writes, pass on the cole slaw. This finely chopped mixture lacked flavor and that great cole slaw consistency. Service was average. Water glasses were not refilled. An idle waiter stood at the end of the bar, drumming his knuckles loudly on a tray. This was an unpleasant distraction from an average meal. To paraphrase the great Obi Wan "This is not the BBQ you're looking for." I like to give places multiple attempts before any less than three star review. That's the Yelp way. Considering steep prices, consistently average reviews and significant improvements to food and service that would be required to lift the star rating here that's a risk I'm not willing to take.
(2)Megan Q.
My husband and I don't typically have Sunday's off and we BOTH did today. Long story short, we tried to get sandwiches at many different places that were closed Sunday's, decided on Elsmere (we've been wanting to check it out!). It wasn't busy, people were sitting outside. Sunday HAPPY HOUR 1-3 so our shipyard beers were only $3. The meal was awesome and our server was great! I can't wait to go back!
(5)Paul D.
Okay - I consider myself as a bit of a barbeque snob. I have 2 smokers, read multiple books on it, visited some of the top places in texas. This place is up there. The brisket, is amazing. I've eaten it many times now, and although it can vary sometimes, 90% of the time it's going to be awesome. Smoke ring, great texture, spot on. The pork is good, the sausage is good, the chicken is good, the sides are good. Oh, and the staff are super friendly and the beer selections really good (bring back Smokey and the Banded IPA please). Although the menu selection could be a bit bigger, they do have some interesting specials every time I'm in.
(5)Christopher B.
I live 1 mile from here. I have been twice. I love the atmosphere. Crowded on a weekend night. I want that. I enjoy seeing all the happy customers eating and chatting. I grew up in Cape Elizabeth so i run into some Capers there because it is so close to Cape. This food is so good. It is in my mind the food is calling me back to go there agin. I like to sit at the bar when I eat. Pulled pork sandwich. Yummy!
(5)D D.
This is a great place for a big, really cold draft PBR! They have some upscale microbrews too. The food is not James Beard but it is fast and reasonably priced. The staff is friendly and the place has a nice neighborhood feel.
(3)Denise H.
We are pretty picky when it comes to BBQ, we travel to Tennessee and through out the south on vacation just to get good BBQ. Well Elsmere has by far the best brisket I have ever had, amazing flavor and so tender. The sausage and pulled pork were also just as amazing and equal to the southern BBQ we love. Atmosphere was very relaxed and although we could tell there are a lot of regulars there we didn't feel out of place. Waitstaff was quick and friendly....it was very busy but the wait was not long at all! We cannot wait to go back! Next time its ribs!!
(5)Autumn P.
Every time we drive by this place, it is packed, even on weeknights! After my husband met one of the owners at work, we decided to give it a try... And we're glad we did! We shared the sampler with pulled chicken, pork, and brisket... It was the best BBQ we've had in some time! The meat was fresh, flavorful, and not too saucy. The atmosphere was industrial and open... Seemed like a nice place to bring a group of friends... Probably not a great spot for kiddos though. The service was average, but overall our first experience was a good one. We are definitely planning to return!
(4)Melinda I.
Starting with the positives: Upon entrance one first notices the relaxed family atmosphere; Even those at the bar were relaxed while enjoying the soccer game. The seats are huge and can accommodate large parties/families which is nice. Now for critique: After ordering, the food comes out fast, too fast, and this patron was surprised that with such quick service that the medium rare burger ordered came out well done. A well done burger holds little flavor and is a disappointment to get when not ordered.
(2)Christopher B.
I live 1 mile from here. I have been twice. I love the atmosphere. Crowded on a weekend night. I want that. I enjoy seeing all the happy customers eating and chatting. I grew up in Cape Elizabeth so i run into some Capers there because it is so close to Cape. This food is so good. It is in my mind the food is calling me back to go there agin. I like to sit at the bar when I eat. Pulled pork sandwich. Yummy!
(5)D D.
This is a great place for a big, really cold draft PBR! They have some upscale microbrews too. The food is not James Beard but it is fast and reasonably priced. The staff is friendly and the place has a nice neighborhood feel.
(3)Crystal G.
I've had some BBQ here and there, and more recently Maine has had more BBQ places open and I've tried them all. Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill is fantastic! The food is amazing, it's a great neighborhood place with a cool bar and more bar seating at the "kitchen". The only thing I'm not crazy about is the level of noise when the place is full. Maybe more or different decorating would help take care of the noise. The first time I went they had only been open a few days so I had some of the issues other people did, slow service, delays with drinks, etc. The next time I went my friend and I got great service and sat at the bar. It really is good food with good beer and it's a great neighborhood place. South Portland has really become a foodie town!
(4)Krystal K.
This place is charming as hell. The food is good, but when I came I REALLY wanted some french fries and guess what? They DO NOT have them, or a fryer.... Which ok, yes it is healthier, but seriously, this is a BBQ place! UGGGG Speaking of food, the menu is very limited, but the drinks are great and the way they serve them is fun. Not sure I will be back, but it was a fun experience and the service was pretty, friendly, and efficient!
(4)Lynn K.
OK. A random stop on the way back from the Portland head light house place was packed so that tells you something! There was about an hour wait so we grabbed a seat at the bar - welcomed by a handsome bartender - Jeff :). We ordered the elsmere lemonade Peach infused brandy with homemade lemonade yum Got the pulled pork plate with beans and Mac & cheese .... the Mac and cheese had a smokey flavor that was delish. The pork was tender and I loved the mustard based BBQ sauce ...and well yes Jeff too!!
(5)Karen R.
I went to Elsmere BBQ & Woodgrill last night for a fundraising event, and I honestly do not know why I have not been sooner. This lovely establishment has been open for about a year on Cottage Rd. in South Portland. It has a very cool exterior and logo, and the inside is just as hip. Behind the bar is a gigantic neon radiator sign and the open kitchen concept are both very inviting. Our visit occurred on a VERY rainy evening, although that may keep most people at home, this place was packed, yet we quickly got a seat at the bar facing the kitchen. It was cool to see the Elsmere team work together and the real wood grill was really nice since we were soaked! Our waitress was very nice and explained the specials and dishes. We got the Pulled Pork Nachos to start...they were so good, and huge, but we still finished the entire plate. My husband and I both ordered the Elsmere Torpedo Sandwich...this has pulled pork, beef brisket and their house made sausage. I was intrigued by the combination, and the waitress highly recommended, so we gave it a try. It was really great and I highly recommend. to top if off, they have Allagash White on tap... I really recommend checking this place out if you have not already. We are excited to bring our children the next time, as they will also fall in love with this place. The owner is really great and chatted with us for about 10 minutes, the staff is excellent, the food is off the hook, and the ambiance is really perfect for a casual family or friends night out! 5 stars all the way!
(5)Alex K.
Tonight my husband and I dined with our friends. We started with the nachos and then I had the pulled pork sandwich with a side of Mac n cheese. We got seated in a big booth which I loved, I thought the atmosphere of elsmere was cool and laid back. Our waitress was fine, but not overly friendly, and didn't seem very knowledgable when we asked about drink options. The nachos seemed plain, they didn't come with any salsa or guacamole, but did have a side of sour cream. The burnt ends on the nachos however were delicious. My pulled pork sandwich was good, but I wish it came with some kind of sauce on it. They have a variety of sauces on the table that you can dress your sandwich with, but sometimes I like when the restaurant takes initiative and makes a sandwich with their suggestion of sauce; ( kind of like when you want your husband to make a choice without asking you first, just take charge and make a decision!!) If I lived in South Portland I think there would be a better chance of me frequenting this establishment, but since I'm a Portland resident I'm not too sure that I'd choose this place over others on the peninsula.
(3)Bruce R.
A good BBQ meal but nothing you haven't had before. The food was well prepared and tasty, but ultimately uninspired. I had the pulled chicken and sausage and enjoyed both. The sausage in particular was very good. My dining companion had the catfish, which was tasty and perfectly prepared. Really good coleslaw, their recipe is nice and vinegary instead of the gloppy mayonnaise nightmare you often get. They offered two sauces, their house sauce and a black pepper sauce. The house sauce was very good, but we found their black pepper sauce to be rather unpleasant, essentially the equivalent of a mouthful of black pepper with no other discernible flavor. The wait staff was very friendly and the service was great. My biggest complaint was the way the food was served. They serve your meal on a huge platter with all the component in little paper boats. With 4 people at our patio table, we had difficulty fitting all the food on the table. The oversized platters were far bigger than was required to serve the amount of food placed on them. Overall a good meal, but not distinctive in the world of BBQ. Although with the dearth of decent dining in SoPo, this is a nice addition. I did think it a bit pricey for the portion size however. With the growing selection of really good BBQ places in Southern Maine, they need to step it up in the creativity department if they want to hold their own.
(3)Ryan C.
I was very impressed with Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill! We had the grilled garlic butter oysters, which were by far the highlight of the meal! My wife and I also tried the brisket, smoked sausage, mac-n-cheese and collard greens. The sides were amazing! The mac-n-cheese was very creamy and sharp and the collard greens had a lot of bursting, savory flavor. The bbq was also very good! I took away a star becuase they do not have potato salad, the cole slaw is acidic and they do not have french fries. I will defiantly be back very soon.
(4)Janelle E.
Great atmosphere. Must try the oysters!
(4)Brett F.
I had gone to Salvage on its opening day and it was absolutely terrible (I still need to give it another shot), so I patiently waited until yesterday to try Elsmere. K and I pulled into the small parking lot of the former auto garage around 5 pm. There are maybe 10 tables in the restaurant and a decent sized bar. The highlight behind the bar is a giant glowing neon sign from the old garage. There were several tvs showing sports (soccer?) and a board hung by the ceiling displaying food and drink specials. Old arcade games (pac man!) are in the back. We were impressed by the warm and inviting vibe. The cocktail list is imaginitive, with several house-made infused liquors, including blueberry bourbon. There were about 5 beers on tap. The Maine Beer Company Mo and an Otter Creek were somewhat rare on draft. We both started with homemade pumpkin spiced sangria. They arrived in pint glasses and were absolutely refreshing and delicious. We shared the quaesadilla of the day as an appetizer, which featured brisket and bbq sauce. 3 giant pieces of bbq perfection arrived a few minutes later and we devoured. The menu is split into sandwiches, flatbreads and bbq combo platters. The appetizer was such a tease that K and I both ordered the brisket sandwich. I added a side of mac and cheese while she stuck with the chips. The sandwiches arrived overflowing with meat and stacked with cooked onions on a large roll. The meat didn't have any sauce on it, so I slathered one of the two house made sauces. I had recently traveled to Charlotte and tried the brisket at the much acclaimed Mac's BBQ, but I prefer Elsmere's. It was less dry, tastier, and maybe the expectations were a tad lower. The yelp reviews had me wary for the mac and cheese but I thought it was delicious, and about as good as I've seen for a $3 side. The atmosphere was charming, the food was very, very good and the bartender was friendly and attentive. I'd highly recommend Elsmere and can't wait to go back. The burnt ends Chili and pulled pork flatbread looked amazing. In the meantime I suppose it's time to give Salvage another try...
(5)Mark E.
My wife and I have been to Elsmere twice now. Both times we left satisfied with the quality of the food and the value we received. That is rare these days. Unique atmosphere. You can sit at the bar overlooking the kitchen, sit inside near or far from the TVs, or weather permitting eat outside on the patio. There is parking out back and across the street after 5pm. The BBQ is very good. The best I've had? No, but it is very good for Maine. IMO better than Bucks. Have not tried Salvage as yet. Only a couple of sauces on the table and they are both good. The sides are varied and the ones I've tried (beans, cornbread, mac & cheese) have been excellent. A word about the service we've had - great! We've had the same server twice, Lauren. She's very friendly, attentive, and fun. Elsmere should consider cloning her. Lauren is a gem! Well worth your money.
(4)Phil L.
Grilled oysters to start our night. Perfect brisket with ribs for one of us. Pulled pork plate for the other. Great vibe in the building tonight. Lively music. Love it here
(4)AJ P.
I'm giving this 2 stars, but would like reader to bear in mind that it was their un-official opening and there are still a few kinks that need to be worked out with the menu. I do think it has potential...I'll definitely go back again for a second try, but as of right now, there's a lot of room to grow. Went here with a group of friends - we were very excited to have a new BBQ place around the area. The space is great, lots of tables. The service, for its first night, did a pretty good job - they were accommodating, worked well under pressure. The drinks were great - the Elsmere lemonade was awesome, tasting like summer in glass. As for the meats: - the smoked wings were decent, would have liked a smokier flavor - the pulled pork was okay - the brisket was a little dry, but good (I used to live in Texas, so I have fairly high standards) - the ribs were good, fall off the bone - the sausage was actually the best of all the meats I tried - it had the smokiest flavor of them all As for the sides: - the mac and cheese was really creamy, but very tasty - the BBQ beans, left a lot to be desired in terms of what I like in beans - they were too sweet for my liking. - the cornbread was something to stay away from. It has some weird off taste, almost sour to it. - I wish I would've ordered the collard greens to try them out. As for the sauces - well only 2 sauces. Both of them were too sweet for me and I was kind of disappointed that they didn't have any spicier sauces.
(2)Diane H.
I would give this restaurant a second chance. I was in a party of 3 and my two companions loved their dinners. We started with pulled pork nachos (ordered at the bar as we had a ~20 minute wait). For me, these were the highlight of the experience. They were delicious and not over the top as some nachos are. While I agree with others that the St Louis ribs were not drenched in sauce, I found them less than appealing both for the limited meat on the ribs and how difficult they were to eat. There was a choice of two rib sauces and the one I tried was okay. (I had high expectations as this is a BBQ place, right?). I'm glad I only ordered the 1/2 lb as I didn't eat them. The corn bread was good, beans were average and the coleslaw was too tangy for my taste. Worth another try cause 2 of the 3 of us liked our dinners. Service was average?
(2)Justine J.
I popped in here for a client meeting recently, and loved it. The atmosphere was fun and hip -- and busy for a Thursday evening! There's not a ton of parking, but it's worth it. We had a pulled pork pizza and it was delicious. One of the people in our party had some food allergies and the waitress was SO awesome about it -- she took her time explaining things, asked the owner/chefs a few questions for him, and was just as patient and friendly as can be. Awesome drink selections, too.
(5)Captn I.
I've been wanting to try this place for a little while now. As I was sitting down, I realized that I really hadn't heard anything about it, good or bad. Inside, the bar looks cool with the neon. The waitstaff was pleasant. And it smelled smokey and delicious. I was happy to find that they had my favorite BBQ standards, ribs, brisket and sausage with a choice of two sides. I had beans and coleslaw. As I waited for my meal, I started flipping through the latest yelp reviews. I was shocked to see the wide variation. You will either love it or hate it. I actually fell in between. All the meats were cooked properly. Ribs falling off the bone with a gentle tug. Brisket was tender. And the sausage? Well, it came sliced. The first couple bites were juicy but then started to dry out. And then this is where it gets weird for me. Everything has nice pink smoke rings but I can't really taste the smoke. In fact, the ribs and brisket are bland. I don't even know how they managed this. I can see flakes of pepper and spice from their rub but no flavor was coming through. Plus I wasn't getting any caramel flavor or umami from the ribs. They had an odd raw-ish flavor that I equate with meat that has been cooked but not browned. The sauces, mustard and regular BBQ were good and salvaged the flavor disaster. The beans were also tasty but could have been cooked more. I was excited to try the marinated coleslaw but it just missed. There was cornbread too. But that's about all I can say about it, it was there. I guess the cornbread sums up my whole culinary experience at Elsmere, it's there, it exists. But that's about all it does for me.
(3)Brad S.
We couldn't believe how good the pulled pork burrito was and the Mac and cheese = super tasty. Service was prompt and friendly. They give you three different types of barbecue sauce to choose from, I liked the extra spicy. Also loved the fact that there is a free arcade game to play while you are waiting for a table, as they only take reservations for parties of ten or more. Reasonably priced, portion sizes were reasonable, all around great experience.
(5)Julie B.
Want an excellent meal in your own neighborhood, served by helpful waitstaff who know how to please? Head on over to Elsmere BBQ where the ribs are amazing (meat falls right off the bone), the sides are delicious and the full bar offers a vast array of excellent concoctions and local brews. If you get the opportunity, opt for seating at the bar facing the wood-fired grill and meet the owner and kitchen staff, all of whom have your best dining interests at heart. The owner himself checked in with us twice for conversation about not only our enjoyment of the food but to find out who we are personally. We live in the neighborhood and Elsmere has become our go-to place for hearty, meaty meals washed down with cold beer on a Friday night. If you want to try a new beer that's on tap at the bar, your waitress will offer to bring you a sample. My husband was over the moon for the new porter being offered, after tasting his sip served in a whiskey jigger. AWESOME food, atmosphere, service and fun! So happy to have such a fantastic local joint to relax and kick back in.
(5)Justin And Elizabeth L.
As a barbecue joint it is so-so...as a neighborhood hangout it's great. I desperately wanted to like this place and write a glowing review. The food smelled amazing and as I waited to dig in, I thought about all of the good things I was going to say in my Yelp review. Then we started eating and all of my gastronomic dreams were shattered. The positives: Nice decor, full bar, good energy, local, and clean. We were on a mission for meat, so we didn't mess around with appetizers...they looked pretty good and I would go back to try an appetizer with some drinks. I grew up 100 yards down the street, so I'm happy to see another solid addition to the mix of neighborhood businesses. The negatives: The barbecue. I spent 10 years in Kansas CIty, and know a thing or two about barbecue. The brisket was both fatty and dry at the same time...which is a pretty impressive accomplishment. Yes, I know brisket is inherently fatty, but most places trim it a bit before serving. The chunks we got were 1/3 fat. Very unappealing. The pulled pork was especially disappointing. It was served wet in some sort of mystery flavor liquid. It wasn't smoky at all. It tasted like it had been braised in Campbell's chicken noodle soup broth. The sausage was pretty good. I'd definitely get it again. Their per-pound prices for meat were cheaper than Salvage BBQ in Portland, but when one-third of that portion is fat, and what is edible is only so-so in flavor, the lower price isn't such a good deal.
(3)Michael K.
Ok my expectations were high. Just because my pulled chicken sandwich was un-exciting I felt disappointed. Elsmere is cool looking inside and out. So far for me the food gets a luke warm response. Keep trying and offer more value for the buck. Chips and pickles aren't compelling sides. The dry rub style is probably an acquired taste that at first left me wanting more and the next day actually tasted quite good. For now I'm on the fence, Next time I'm trying the ribs but will wait until next day to eat them. Ha ha.
(2)Angus R.
The food and atmosphere here are awesome! The group I was with ordered a variety of food and everyone raved about how good it was. The meat is smoked to perfection and not smothered in sauce. Only downside: they are still fairly new an dealing with the influx of customers. On a Friday night we waited over an hour for a table for 4. Once they get the seating sorted out it will get 5 stars for sure.
(4)Al G.
Ordered the three meat platter with two sides. We got sausage, brisket , and pulled pork with beans and coleslaw. All meats and sides were excellently cooked. There are three sauce choices peppered, fire, and mustard. We liked the mustard the best and the fire didn't really have much heat to speak of. Service was great.
(4)Lorenzo R.
As I was dining solo, buying some of my barbecue favorites in bulk seemed a good way to try out this new, seemingly very popular new addition to the neighborhood. I called in an order of a half pound each of brisket and house-made sausage. Although noisy in the background (the sound of success?) the order was taken courteously and professionally, and I was greeted cheerfully by the hostess when I arrived to pick up my order, who directed me to "the tall man in the corner". My total was $14.50, a fair, if high end, price for a pound of smoked meats; I gave the tall man a twenty, he reached into his pocket, gave me a fiver, then I stood there for a few awkward moments, and then tall man said to me "you don't need that fifty cents, do you?" In my hundreds of thousands of retail experiences I have never been asked that question before, so I was completely thrown. I remember mumbling "no, I'm all set" and leaving quickly. What a bizarre first Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill experience! The food? It was...okay. The brisket was tender, but seemed to lack much flavor, smoke or otherwise, but the house-made sausage fared much better. It's a sweet sausage with a black pepper bite, and reminded me favorably of the all too brief time recently when the East End's Fresh Approach Market sold smoked versions of their fine sausages.. The BBQ sauces included was one tomato- and one mustard-based, and again just okay. I realize Elsmere is in its infancy and It's still establishing its footing, but as a barbecue fan, I enjoy smoke and think the items I've tried could use a bit more. I'd also like to sample their sides, so I'll likely return, but I'll be sure to use my debit card next time!
(2)Scott M.
Found this little gem out on Cottage Road where the old Cookie Jar Bakery used to be. The restaurant is tucked into an old automotive garage. The barbecue is authentic with all the trappings of good Texas barbecue. We had the brisket which was moist & tender with the right amount of smoke flavor, the pulled pork, & ribs that had a nice bark on them. The sides are just as good, traditional southern coleslaw made with vinegar instead of mayonnaise, giving it a good crunch and letting the vegetables come through. Additionally we had the pinto beans that were seasoned perfectly and the house made potato salad which was delicious. Did I mention cornbread!!! The service is ok not top notch but does not turn you off as the food makes up for it. Our waitress was courteous but a bit mismanaged. We had ordered the oysters that are cooked over flame until they open. However she did put our order in and arrived with our entrees only. Which was a little disappointing as we were looking forward to trying them. Aside from that overall the meal was very good & we look forward to going back.
(3)Alex C.
As a BBQ fan I was very excited to try Elsmere, but left a touch disappointed. The service was very friendly and the drink I ordered (I think it was called the Rye Rocker, or something like that) was delicious! I decided on the sausage plate with mac and cheese and collard greens. The sausage had good flavor but was sooo dry! Thank goodness for sauce because it was desperately in need of lubrication. The mac and cheese was pretty bland, as was the corn bread, which was only worth eating when slathered in butter. The collards were surprisingly tasty, but the meal as a whole was a bit underwhelming. I'm curious to go back and try the oysters and the brisket and hopefully I'll leave more satisfied next time. At least I know the cocktails are good!
(3)John S.
If Elsmere was humor, it would most certainly be dry. There are rules for different foods. The rule for BBQ is moist, falling apart, tasty meat. At Elsmere, this rule does not seem to apply. Dry, lifeless and bland, the Pulled Pork was disappointing, the Brisket was like Jerky and the Ribs stuck to the bone. Only the Sausage showed signs of moisture...and really, how can you screw up sausage. My MIL gave the Catfish the thumbs up, because I could not read her lips through the smokey decor burning my eyes. Let's talk sides: You can't kill Mac & Cheese, can you? Unless you like zip-less, spice-less cheez-whiz, go with the Collard Greens. At least it wasn't as dry as the meat. I'm not going to kill the drink prices because on the upside, at least they might prevent you from over-drinking and driving. The people are very nice. Norman?
(2)J L.
Excellent barbecue! We tried tried the ribs, pork and brisket and all were outstanding. The mac n cheese was creamy and cheesy and the other sides excellent as well.
(5)Emily B.
I am from Alabama, so my BBQ standards are pretty high. I tend to judge BBQ places on their pulled pork, sauces, and sides. This place had 2 options of sauce- golden mustard and hot pepper. I tried the "mustard" (don't worry it's not actually mustardy,) and it was a perfect blend between sweet and savory. The perfect sauce. The meat was tender, the cornbread was sweet and filling, and the beans were exactly what I would expect from a BBQ joint. I can't believe I finally found a BBQ joint near my house! I will definitely be visiting again.
(4)Ronald D.
Not sure what all the hoopla is about. I was moist with excitement to try this new barbque joint......finally we might be able to enjoy some good smoked meat in Southern Maine?? Guess not. Ribs are smoked then wrapped in foil and kept warm and served as orders come in. Problem is, the bottom of the rack sits in the pooled fat and the underside is slimy and unappetizing when your plate arrives. Ribs need to be finished on the grill to crisp up both sides, but Elsmere clearly does not have the grill space. Smoke tastes odd, too. Perhaps it is the wood combo (maple, oak and peach) or the smoker itself has a problem, but there is a rancid taste to the smokey meat. Sides were all subpar, as well. Draft beer needs to be colder. Cornbread was dry. God, I'm depressed just writing this.
(1)Carl M.
What do you want when you are visiting Maine for one night? Lobster - no. Non-crustacean seafood - of course not. You want barbecue! Once you realize that, you should definitely hit Elsmere. Great atmosphere although not super quiet. Friendly, efficient wait staff. Genuinely exceptional meat. Yummy. Go!
(5)Chuck M.
A great up and coming local bar hangout, but the food was a total disappointment. The reviews that gave the food great reviews have never had good BBQ. The meat was smokey but on the bland side. The sides were so so. The two sauces they had to offer were weird tasting, nothing like a regular BBQ sauce. If you live in the area and want to go have a drink in an "interesting" decor, this is your place, but don't bother ordering the food. You will be wasting your money and insulting your taste buds.
(2)Bramfy B.
This is a 4 when it comes to Maine BBQ - in NYC it'd be a 3 but scarcity becomes a factor in Maine - worthy of another star Good atmosphere and set up - lots of good beers on tap and a few babes for waitresses. Food was your standard hearty BBQ - nothing crazy but just good clean and wholesome I had the tornado - essentially a blend of pulled pork, sausage and brisket on a pretzel bun (great choice of bread) with cole slaw on top of the meat. Pair this with a solid beer and your good Chicken goat cheese quesadilla is great combination for those not willing to get all BBQ sauced up Chili with burned ends is good too - I saved some to go and it was even better then next day. Food comes quick. Be ready to eat ASAP Great neighborhood spot. Too bad Cape Elizabeth town board is full a bunch of retards or we could have a solid establishment like this on our side of town.
(4)Peggy F.
Good first-time dining experience at Elsmere BBQ late yesterday afternoon. Enjoyed the décor, food was very good, portion sizes were generous (left with a to-go box). My only comment would be to the wait staff. We entered the restaurant and waited and waited, assuming we needed to wait to be seated. Finally had to find someone to ask. Wait person was knowledgeable, but needed to kick it up a notch. Quite absent during our meal. Checked in once near the end to see if we wanted more beverages. Too late by then. We will definitely go back. Hope wait staff become more attentive and not hang out near side of kitchen when they could be checking in with their customers.
(4)Hank T.
Disappointed !! I wanted to like this place but after stopping here the other night. I would say don't bother! Bartender was slow to be pulled away from their conversation with other staff. When they did arrive it was surly at best. I had a choose 2 plate the brisket was over cooked(needed a spoon! ) and the pulled pork was pre-smothered in mustard sauce? Cornbread was very dry.. I needed 4 butters to make it palatable. I would have rather have had a couple of slices of white bread ... At least I could have put my brisket bits on the white bread ! On the bright side?..it is a great place to watch the game ... That is if you enjoy starring into a giant neon sign .
(1)Andy F.
this place is the "before " in restaurant impossible - food is completely tasteless -
(1)Jim S.
Had my first meal at Elsmere. Was satisfied with most items. Was not happy with my ribs, what I had been looking forward to. They were very, very dry. Close to unacceptable. Our waitress said that they were having problems with the smoker. Sorry but they should have that sorted out by now. Will go back to give them another chance but not real happy with my first meal.
(2)Angela S.
Love the outdoor patio and that it's located in a neighborhood. I'm jealous it's not my own neighborhood! The smoke ring on the brisket was really impressive and so so tasty. The homemade sauces were great and the Tornado was crazy good. The pretzel roll is the key! And don't leave without a molasses cookie. They're only a dollar!
(4)Kelly S.
Called ahead to see what the wait was for a table of 5. Was told maybe 10 mins. Arrived to have a table waiting for us. Great service and really good food. Meat and sauces good and sides all yummy except for marinated coleslaw - didn't care for the jalepeno bite. A little less vinegar and a splash of sugar would have helped. Very cool bar and nice big and comfortable booths. Definitely going back!
(4)Alyssa D.
Layout is a little strange with raise booths. Food is pretty tasty, brisket nachos were my favorite, also had the ribs and brisket. Brisket was a little dry and I would probably pass the next time.
(3)Rachel P.
Decided to check them out with my family Friday night. 15 minute wait for kitchen side bar seats for 3. 15 minute wait for our waitress to bring us menus. 10 more minutes for her to come take our order. The food came within 15 (good!) 2 for 3 on order accuracy - the flub was a cheeseburger and chips and we received NO CHEESE and PICKLES? On the 'up' side, one runner brought us our waters and glass of wine and then our waitress brought us water and a glass of wine - she winced when we told her and shared that she "hated it when they do that" and said the 2nd wine was free. Thanks! Although two glasses of wine on a now growling empty stomach was not good. The good - Black Bean Burger was flavorful. Local beef burger got a thumbs up in taste from our 9 year old. The meh - Pulled Chicken sandwich. I was not impressed with the flavor (very little) on the chicken, though it was very moist. There are two UNMARKED sauces at the table and no one explained what they were. We were adventurous and tried them. Not bad. But would've liked thicker consistency and labels and more choices. The rolls were store bought in plastic and not toasted - no flavor and soggy consistency. For a place touting "local" there MIGHT be just a couple of bakeries nearby (SCRATCH-ROSEMONT) that offer good breads? Would like local salads/veggies to be offered too? Total for 3 was 38.00 before tip - not too bad (but remember, we had a child ordering off kids menu). We will try them again in a month or two when they've ironed out the kinks and maybe read a few of these reviews? Like the growth in SoPo on the food scene and really rooting for these guys to get it right!!! I WOULD grab a drink at the bar there ANY TIME THOUGH. Nice bar.
(2)Chris E.
Nice atmosphere. Intimate and friendly. I give their bbq 4 stars for texture. they had a perfect bend and snap in their meat. The flavor was a 2 star experience. The smoke wasn't prevalent in the profile, and the general flavor was thin. I tried their ribs, chicken, brisket and sausage. The sausage was the star. good flavor, good smoke and good heat. the chicken was flavorful. the brisket and ribs had very little flavor. Bonus points for pulling the rib membrane though, as a lot of place won't go to the trouble.
(3)Jennifer B.
Met up with some friends for dinner. Wings are so tasty, crisp, perfectly smoked, loved the sauces bbq honey mustard and regular bbq. Ordered the 3 meat dinner that comes with a choice of 2 sides and corn bread. Hubby and I shared the pulled pork, brisket and sausage. All so delicious but by far the pulled pork and sausage were our favorites! Collard greens tasted authentic to down south for sure. Baked beans were perfectly seasoned. Waitstaff did a great job! Love this place, will definitely go back for more!!
(5)Kelly W.
Great meal at Elsmere's on my last night in Portland (visiting from Michigan). Great food, and the staff was friendly...plus my table got a peak into the smoker after dinner- super cool! Loved the spicy BBQ sauce and the black pepper bbq sauce (especially mixed!). Didn't love the baked beans, but the brisket, Mac n cheese, and cornbread were excellent. Wishing I could go back! Definitely have to come back if I'm ever in Portland again.
(4)Courty C.
Do yourself a favor and do not miss out on Elsmere's. The flavorful, fall off the bone, "pretty pink smoke ring" meat is just what you are looking for when you search "bbq". We enjoyed a fabulous lunch/dinner/supper this Sunday. The location is conveniently in between South Portland and Portland Head Light at Fort Williams. There is a parking lot behind the restaurant, as well as parking across the street at the doctor's office on Sundays. The menu is just what you would expect from a Northern bbq place, options and prices included. Every sauce and meat is delicious, however my favorites were the ribs covered in their mustard based sauce. I was so full from my two meat platter, that I had basically a whole meal to take home as leftovers. My fiance however housed his entire plate. Everything we tried was high quality and flavorful, although the cole slaw based in vinegar and green peppers was not really my fave. The only request to the menu would be some eggy potato salad. Our service was quick, considerate, and pleasant. The restaurant decor is beautiful as well with painted white walls accompanied with industrial looking lighting and a cool behind the bar neon autobody shop sign. Speaking of the bar, the drink list will please anyone in your party with ample local beer selections paired for BBQ as well as creative infused cocktails. There were drink specials as well as an advertised happy hour Tues - Fri. And if you are in the mood for outdoor, there is a patio with umbrellas. They even have homemade desserts, but unfortunately our guts were too busted from the entrees to partake. Here's to hoping we can go back for some nachos and pie next time!
(5)Ashley T.
I went to two BBQ places this week. One was Salvage and here. I bought a localvore coupon that was 30 dollars off your bill. I past this place so many times while biking to Cape Elizabeth and I didn't even give it a thought to try it. But I am really happy I did. We ordered two beers, an appetizer, one burger and I had Chicken with two sides and corn bread. The wings we ordered for a starter were delicious and they came out really quick. One small disappointment we had was that our waitress got one of our beers wrong and gave us a shipyard summer instead of the oxbow/bunker collaboration pilsner. It was really loud in the restaurant to I imagine it's easy to mishear. For my sides I ordered mac and cheese and collard greens. The mac and cheese was pretty bland and could have used more salt. The collards were pretty good not as salty which is great. The chicken was pretty good as well You can Definitely have a decent time here.
(3)Deni T.
I am a fan of the destination South Portland is becoming. New businesses are popping up and making the "trek" over the bridge to the Old Port less and less necessary for a good dinner and night out. While Elsmere is not new this year, I didn't make it in until the past few months after having it on my list of places to go. Let's just say that as of tonight, I have already eaten here twice this week alone. Parking is on the side and rear of the building and there is a business across the street that allows parking after hours as well as on street parking. Do not park next door where the laundry is. The atmosphere is relaxed and the smoke smell is not overpowering. They have a few booths, seats at the bar (I don't love the seats and lack of foot rails), seats at the "food bar" with a nice view of Momma (the smoker) as well as tables inside and porch tables on the patio. The brisket is the most popular item and if they are going to sell out of something, it will be the brisket. The pulled pork and chicken are as also really good. I have not had the wings but two friends had them and loved them. The oysters are delicious! The smoked sausage link with mustard bbq sauce is a regular for me. My most fav on the menu is the tornado sandwich, three meats, pickled onions and coleslaw on a pretzel bun with a side of chips... I order some beans and add them on to it and use a fork and knife since this is a sloppy delightful mess. They have local brews on tap, Allagash, Banded Horn, etc. as well as bottled beers like Stella. They have a full bar and some house drinks like the Elsmere Lemonade. The staff is friendly and they have nonprofit nights (which I just took advantage of on 5.5.15 for my Diabetes cycling team). Whiskey Wednesdays!
(4)Christopher L.
People are nuts on here sometimes. I wanted to reads why this place only has 3.5 stars, and someone gave it 1 star because their service was slow. Another because it costs a couple more dollars per sandwich. That's terrible! Now when other people are looking for great BBQ, they are thrown off by ratings that are skewed. Service is slow? Ok, take a star or 2, because it is important. To pricy for you? That's what the dollar sign ratings are for. Really to bad. As far as food quality? Excellent! Burnt end chili nachos had so much tasty toppings we had to eat the left overs with a fork. Someone complained these didn't come with guac. Well, this is a BBQ restaurant, use the amazing BBQ sauces they have on the table. Go to El Rayo for guac. The wings weren't very big, but great quality chicken. Minimum amount of grizzle on the ends. I had the tornado sandwich with pretzel roll. I think it comes with 3 different meats? All so very tender and tasty! I agree that it is a little pricey, but that's only because it comes with a side of potato chips in stead of fries, slaw or mashed pots. But for an added price, I believe you can get all of those sides. All in all, great atmosphere, friendly staff, we had no issues at all with service, and food was great quality. I will return again. PS - I love how Yelp! tells me I wrote the pants off this review. Ha! I feel a little shy right now...
(4)Patrick C.
Finally made it in to Elsmere BBQ Friday night. It was jam packed full, inside and out. Quite loud even that crowded. Found a seat luckily at the bar, quick friendly service. Though small uncomfortable bar stools. Started with couple grilled oysters, pretty good. Had the special...BBQ Turkey Quesadilla, and a Banded Horn IPA. All in all a solid meal, will have to try the straight out BBQ at some point. Will update review when I do.
(3)Sarah W.
Had a fantastic post-movie dinner here with family. We four all have various dietary needs (including pescatarian) and everyone was happy with the options and their selection. I think this quality stands out in a BBQ spot. Cal-Mex shrimp tacos were tasty and authentic (corn tortillas, cabbage). I ordered them mostly because our waitress said they were so popular that she was the only server offering them that evening. I believe they are being added to the regular menu. My companions had the Tornado burrito, salmon sandwich, and burger. All were pleased. Our server was remarkably efficient and detail-oriented (picking up on a nearly-empty drink from across the room, for example). And whether that shrimp taco pitch was true or not, she sold me on it and I give her two thumbs up from an entrepreneurial standpoint. Also tried the blood orange Old Fashioned. Delicious little apéritif but I would not order 2 in one visit. Something unique here which I think is brilliant: in the difficult, unclaimed territory between hostess, open kitchen, bar, and dining room they've installed a bar island so you can stand, wait for your table, and have a drink. Being comfortable during a wait can make all the difference (looking your way, Hot Suppa). Next time, going in for some goods from Mama, their Texas-built BBQ. I hope the ambiance/character grows over time. Right now it is hard to pin down a vibe but perhaps I need to increase my familiarity with the South Portland crowd.
(4)Shayna C.
Great BBQ! Laid back atmosphere, good bar, nice service and delicious food. Especially loved the brisket, cornbread, mac n' cheese and all the BBQ sauces you can try. Baked beans were not very good but that is my only complaint. They have a place to sit outside if you wish too and it was easy to find.
(5)Meli L.
Last night my boyfriend and I dined at Elsmere with another couple. Since it was Cinco, we decided to all have a margarita (not on the menu, but we asked and they accommodated) - drinks were just meh, next time I would go with something on the menu. We started with the burnt ends nachos, they were good, but didn't come with guac or salsa, just sour cream. For my meal, I had the BBQ chicken sandwich and a side of mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was great, the sandwich was just OK. They had 3 sauces on the table to choose from, but would have preferred if they sauced it for you. The atmosphere was laid back, we were sat in a big booth, which was spacious and high off the ground. It was also rather warm inside. All in all, decent meal but wouldn't rush back.
(3)Bruce D.
For a place that gets so much chatter and talk, the experience was a let down. We sat at the bar and looked over the drink menu. Some good local taps and a nice selection of liquors round out the offering. There are a few inspired cocktails that are well thought out. Drink prices are a little on the high side, with many beers clocking in at the six or seven dollar level. Happy hour prices soften that however only on select offerings. Food prices were steep and inconsistent with the quality. Great BBQ commands a small premium, given the labor intensive and time consuming prep. This isn't that. The top of the line assorted BBQ platter is over $30. For that much scratch you could be seated at a fine dining restaurant off Fore Street. We each settled on a two item offering and mixed it up, to try various meats. We sampled the chicken, pulled pork and brisket. All were ok but nothing to "write home about." As another respected reviewer writes, pass on the cole slaw. This finely chopped mixture lacked flavor and that great cole slaw consistency. Service was average. Water glasses were not refilled. An idle waiter stood at the end of the bar, drumming his knuckles loudly on a tray. This was an unpleasant distraction from an average meal. To paraphrase the great Obi Wan "This is not the BBQ you're looking for." I like to give places multiple attempts before any less than three star review. That's the Yelp way. Considering steep prices, consistently average reviews and significant improvements to food and service that would be required to lift the star rating here that's a risk I'm not willing to take.
(2)Megan Q.
My husband and I don't typically have Sunday's off and we BOTH did today. Long story short, we tried to get sandwiches at many different places that were closed Sunday's, decided on Elsmere (we've been wanting to check it out!). It wasn't busy, people were sitting outside. Sunday HAPPY HOUR 1-3 so our shipyard beers were only $3. The meal was awesome and our server was great! I can't wait to go back!
(5)Paul D.
Okay - I consider myself as a bit of a barbeque snob. I have 2 smokers, read multiple books on it, visited some of the top places in texas. This place is up there. The brisket, is amazing. I've eaten it many times now, and although it can vary sometimes, 90% of the time it's going to be awesome. Smoke ring, great texture, spot on. The pork is good, the sausage is good, the chicken is good, the sides are good. Oh, and the staff are super friendly and the beer selections really good (bring back Smokey and the Banded IPA please). Although the menu selection could be a bit bigger, they do have some interesting specials every time I'm in.
(5)Owen W.
Came in for a beer and a sandwich at the bar on a fairly slow Wednesday night. Got the beer and a menu just fine, but I've been waiting 25 minutes and counting for the bartender to stop chatting with friends and come take my order. Not the first time the service has been slow here either. Waited an hour in a party of 4 last time, get seated, put an order in and then 40 minutes later the waitress comes back to say they've run out of 2 entree items... WTF..?!? But no worries, the other 2 orders will be up soon, so at least half the party gets to eat. And at $11-12 per sandwich, the prices aren't great either. Frankly, there are better BBQ options in Portland, although it would be a struggle to find a local restaurant that treats you worse, so if you like being ignored and starved, maybe this is the place for you!
(1)Jodi H.
The food was excellent. My husband and I shared The Works and everything was very tasty!
(5)Sarah C.
I've implemented my two strike rule with Elsemere. The first time I went I called ahead to see if they had any meats that aren't cured with sugar, they said the brisket. So my husband and I went, I ordered the brisket.... Waited for 20 minutes just to have our server come back and say they're out of brisket for the night because they've been busy but offered to give me the burnt ends of the brisket. This was basically chopped up fat, and they still charged us the regular price. The second time we went back I ordered the Elsemere salad and had chicken added. I paid 15 dollars for a salad smaller than my palm. The chicken was fatty and cold. The salad wouldn't have been worth the 10 dollars it cost without the chicken. Not good service, not good food. Will not return.
(1)Jim B.
I understand that tastes in food are subjective. However, once you start writing a few reviews, whether on Yelp, or somewhere else (like your own blog), then you need to take a step and try to move it past mere personal tastes. When it comes to BBQ in Maine (or if you prefer, Barbeque) is one food category that is really lacking. I continue to be amazed when I read reviews about BBQ, in that reviewers gush about places that I try, and then think, "what"? Of greater-Portland's two newest BBQ joints, my wife and I hit Salvage first. I reviewed it and you'll see we both liked it, with a caveat, or two. Elsmere was a disappointment. Even with Salvage opening, knowing there was a BBQ joint in SoPo (a place I love for a variety of reasons) was intriguing. For one thing, even though I don't expect it to rival it's foodie sister across the bridge, a few more decent restaurants wouldn't be a bad thing. The space occupied by Elsmere is great; located in the old Colonial Cleaners at the corner of Elsmere and Cottage Road, the size and set-up works. Not too big, but with enough tables, a good-sized bar, and some outdoor seating, even when busy, the wait isn't interminable. The food (which is why we decided to visit) was disappointing. I say this because I wanted to be wowed. Having read reviews prior, however, I was a bit anxious about trying another BBQ place, only to be let down. While the meat had a nice smoked flavor, my wife's ribs were not the fall-off-the-bone tender that we expect in a restaurant touting its BBQ. The ribs also seemed to be lacking much meat. My brisket was decent, had some decent barking, and I was satisfied. In both cases--the ribs and the brisket--I thought the amounts of meat were skimpy, at least in comparison to other rib places I've frequented. We both liked the mustard sauce. The "red" sauce, which I think the waitress said was a Texas-based sauce, with a peppery kick was just okay. The sides were so-so. We both tried the vinegar-dressed cole slaw. The mix of cabbage and pepper was flavorful, but the chop was too fine for our preference. The vinegar-based dressing was ok, but lacked any "wow" factor, and was even "too vinegary" making me wonder if they just tossed vinegar over the chopped ingredients and added some pepper. The cornbread was dry and came wrapped in tinfoil, so I'm assuming it was supposed to be warm--it wasn't. No butter was supplied, either. I had the baked beans, my wife went with mac and cheese. The beans were tasty, with a ketchup-based (?) sauce that was flavorful. The pinto beans were just the right texture, and this was the best of the sides. The mac and cheese required salting, which meant that it wasn't as flavorful as it should have been out of the oven. The service really was a downer. We were out on the patio and felt like we might have been forgotten, even though there were other diners out there with us. Our server was slow taking our order. Then, when our food finally arrived, we lacked silverware. While I'm not anti-fingers and hands in eating my BBQ, cole slaw and sides like beans require a fork, at a minimum. Since the food was cooling and no waitress was around, my wife went inside and mentioned to the waitress that we lacked forks and knives. The waitress continued talking to her colleague, so my wife grabbed silverware from an empty table so we could eat. When our waitress checked back with us we were nearly finished. No "I'm sorry about the silverware," or making sure our meals were okay. I had a beer at the beginning, prior to receiving our meals. I'd at least have liked being asked before she brought the check. I usually don't want a beer when I'm getting ready to leave. I think I could have given Elsmere a three for the food, barely. However, for food that was so-so, with lousy service, I can't give it more than a two-star review. It's obvious that the owners are trying and have invested in the space. They need to get some things ironed out, however, if you want me to sing your praises. I probably won't be back to give it a second shot.
(2)Megh R.
Elsmere is quickly becoming a favorite spot. This is primarily because of two things: ease and charm, neither of which have anything to do with food. I say 'ease' because we sit, order, and within ten-fifteen minutes (even on a slamming Saturday night), we have our platter of food in front of us. 'Ease' because a three-meat Mama's plate is the very most perfect portion for two people to share. Particularly, 'ease' because the attitude around the restaurant is just that...even in the kitchen, where the cooks are hurriedly working their tails off, they do so with a sense of ease. I know they are at ease because they talk to us...which brings me to charm. I love sitting at a chef's bar, anywhere I go, but I particularly love it at Elsmere. The cooks are open and receptive to conversation, questions, etc. I have many questions. They are willing to give an extra pickle or two, or even a meat sample. All I have to do is ask. They don't deter questions; they invite them. I hate to sound cheesy, but I kind of feel like part of a family. The food at Elsmere is good. It's possible that the sausage is the best thing they do. I've tried all of the meats and none are disappointing. Brisket is my favorite barbecued meat, and I do wish Elsmere's was more fatty, but I understand that many people are turned off by copious amount of fat hanging from their food. I'm not. I think that I'll request fatty brisket next time and see what happens. The only sides I've tried are the collards and macaroni and cheese, and that's because I'm super loyal to these sides. The collards are simple, and the macaroni and cheese is complex. I wouldn't want it any other way. I look forward to visiting Elsmere more and becoming a regular. I've been very happy with my two visits so far. I anticipate that I will remain happy, and hope that others experience and appreciate the ease and charm as much as me.
(4)Rainy H.
Recent visit to Elsmere and what a great place. Friendly people. Had a BBQ pork platter with collard greens, beans & rice and cornbread plus a Thai BBQ rib appetizer. Great food and brought home a few ribs for the next day. Great BBQ spot! Definitely recommend this place and will go back again (and again).
(5)Becky M.
I was a little skeptical about this place after reading some reviews, but was pleasantly surprised. I considered 4 starts but can't think of a single complaint. I was definitely impressed and will be going back regularly. Four of us went in on a Friday night, the host greeted us immediately and said there would be about a 20 minute wait. We got drinks at the bar which was warm and inviting and had a great cocktail list and beer selection. I noticed a lot of weekly specials too, like whiskey Wednesdays (YES!), happy hours, and vodka oyster shooters. We were seated in just about 20 minutes in a nice comfy booth and service was excellent. I really liked the atmosphere too. Open and clean. Our waitress gave us detailed specials, recommendations, explained sauces, attention to our drinks... And immediately put in our appetizer order. Now for the food, OMG delicious and came out quickly. Had the roasted oysters which were the best oysters I've ever had. They were even willing to split the sauce flavors within the half dozen. I had grilled mahi mahi tacos which came with a choice of side- I got the collard greens (vegetarian!) and corn bread. Everything was so freaking good. I could have eaten a bucket of those collard greens and the corn bread was very light, not dense. Price was completely reasonable $16- for the meal. My friend got pulled pork which he said was delicious and not dry at all. Came out on big pie plates lined in parchment as well like the traditional southern BBQ. Needless to say, can't wait to go again!
(5)Jay N.
Fantastic St. Louis style ribs. Not your heavily sauced stuff, but slow smoked. Same for the baked beans, a favorite of mine being from the South. Not a mess sticky beans in BBQ, but slow simmered, smokey beans you'd expect over a Texas campfire. The service was the best part however with a sweetheart of a server. Smiling, funny, sharp and attentive. A group of 6, with drinks for everyone, appetizers and full meals came in around $140. Not bad at all and I can't wait to go back!
(5)Michelle E.
I don't eat meat and I liked this place. I went there for Sunday lunch with my husband and son. They have a good selection of beers and cocktails. I ordered a Bloody Mary and my husband got an allagash white. The Bloody Mary was flavorful but I like them to have a lot of stuff in them and all it came with was an olive, a lime slice, and a lemon slice. It would have been better with some celery, pickled green beans, and a carrot. Something more. Now for the food. I ordered a black bean burger with pickled cherry peppers and pepper jack cheese. So delicious. I love a good veggie burger! My husband ordered some sort of meat combo plate with sausage and ribs. It came with cornbread and two side dishes. He seemed to enjoy everything because there was very little left. They have two BBQ sauces on the table. I hate BBQ sauce. Next to mayonnaise, it's my least favorite condiment. So I was hesitant when my husband told me to try the mustard BBQ sauce. I tried a tiny squeeze on the greens on my burger. It was so delicious! Tasted like a sweet and tangy honey mustard and I ended up dressing my greens with it. Yum! The service was fine. Our server was pleasant and friendly. The food came out quickly and she checked in with us several times to see how we were doing. I've read the other reviews and I don't think this place deserves three stars, that's a little harsh yelpers. One thing that I've noticed about portland is that everyone seems to be looking for a deal. It's slightly annoying. "Specials" at a restaurant generally mean that they have an abundance of a product that they are looking to get rid of. That's not what I look for at a restaurant. I also don't complain about the cost of drinks. If you want to drink on the cheap, drink at home or hit up a dive bar. This is a business that will only stay in business by making money. They contribute to the economy so don't cheap out and get upset by a $5 beer, it's pathetic. Overall a good experience and we will be back. It's got a good vibe, cool decor, and solid food.
(4)Caleb P.
Horrible service yesterday. Sat at the bar with my girlfriend to get something to eat because it was more comfortable than sitting at the table. I got asked for my ID and immediately after seeing that i was over 21 I was told I wouldn't be served a drink because they thought I had too much to drink that day. I had literally just came from a wake and wanted to stop in and try out the restaurant because I had never been in there before. Needless to say, I will NEVER go back there and will NEVER recommend anyone going there either. Didnt ask for a drink, I wanted food and the first thing out of the bartenders mouth is I won't serve you? Horrible customer service. Seems to be the reason why it was dead when we went in.
(1)Lindsay W.
I would probably give this place 3.5 stars. The service was outstanding. The atmosphere is cool and casual - love the neon sign and the open kitchen concept. And I also hear there are some free old school video games! The food was good - I think it would meet your needs for a bbq dinner, but not exceptional. I think the items that I loved most were the collard greens (who would've thought!), corn bread, and then most definitely the brownie sundae. I had the mahi mahi tacos as my main and they were good, but nothing too special. I would probably recommend for someone else to get the brisket, ribs, or another BBQ standard because they touted those items more and it is a bbq place. My cocktail was nothing special. I got the margarita that was pink - they warned me that it was sweet, which is fine, but it just tasted more sugary and artificial, and not like they used fresh ingredients.
(4)Andrew J.
I love simple barbecue made with quality meats, and Elsmere's did not disappoint. Friday evening; it was very busy, yet I waited only 15 or 20 minutes for a table - not a hassle at all, considering they offer a FREE PAC-MAN machine! Good beer selection, including new offerings from Banded Horn, which was nice. We sat at the "kitchen bar," right along the open kitchen, face-to-face with the staff (I will recommend requesting this, as it was the warmest seat in the house). They moved efficiently and communicated well, resulting in our food arriving more quickly than I thought it would. I chose the St. Louis style ribs, brisket, and house-made sausage; and the sausage, to me, was the star, with excellent spice and a satisfying snap from the casing. For sides, the mac & cheese and vinegar-based slaw were very good. My daughter chose a pulled pork sandwich topped with mac & cheese, and it was very good (if not messy). Thee were plenty of offerings on the menu, including a veggie burger. An added treat was being taken by one of the owners, Jeremy, to see the smoker - he offered to do so as we chatted at the kitchen bar (he was on the line). Also met the other owner, Adam, in the smoke room. You could sense the pride and excitement in their voices over what they were adding to the local food scene. Our server, Mikayla (sp?), was cheerful and attentive - smiles from everyone we dealt with. Given the good prices and laid-back atmosphere, we will definitely be returning to Elsmere's to sample more of the offerings - especially in the summer when outdoor seating will be available!
(4)Seeley R.
Too expensive for what you get: so so food and not a lot of it. Disappointing service. Nice bar space though.
(2)Hannah M.
Love going here - everything is soo good, especially the BBQ chicken. Even when the place is packed the service is quick and it's a fun place to be. May seem a little pricey at first but it's totally worth it for the amount of food you get and how delicious it is. Highly recommend!
(5)Bill M.
Rich tender meats: brisket,pork and ribs were all sampled on this visit. Balanced by well prepared sides:tangy coleslaw, creamy mac and cheese, and cornbread were sampled. Cocktails were well crafted, and remain a better value than on the other side of the Million dollar bridge. What made this visit different than my first three months ago? It's that this BBQ joint has found its groove. Clear signage eliminates the uncertainty of parking. Along the same line there is now one entrance,staffed at all times with a hostess to direct traffic.Service was spot on and friendly and everything on the menu was available Officially my favorite BBQ in the Portland area and a wonderful addition to the neighborhood.
(4)Simon L.
Hitting this spot after a mediocre second visit to Salvage with a couple buddies, I was singularly unimpressed. The atmosphere on this early Saturday evening was busy and energetic with a fast paced kitchen crew using a huge wood fired grill. A system using multiple kitchen staff and large prepared pans allowed for quick plating of dishes. The brisket was dry and over smoked. It lacked any noticeable flavor component that would warrant a repeat sampling. Low fat content and minimal juiciness did not help the cause. The ribs were on the smaller side and also were not particularly noticeable. I have had worse ribs - Norms East Ender - but not frequently. Tough, sinewy meat had a charred exterior that was difficult to cut through and did not pull away from the bone. Unimpressive sides as well. A loss in my book, maybe with time they'll figure out how to regulate the smoke system better.
(3)Adria R.
The food was good, but it just wasn't exceptional in any way. I was so hoping for more, and I may be wiling to give it another shot. I did like my catfish meal, but again it was pretty ordinary. My husband had a mixed meats plate, and the sausage stood out as the star. The service was friendly but slow. We waited ten minutes to order drinks, then another 15 before she took our food order, so it was a good 25 minutes before we ordered. The patio was a nice option on a warm summer evening. Sadly the chairs were very uncomfortable, and the small patio tables were really too small for more than two people (we were a group of 4). The large round trays the food was served on didn't fully fit on the table, so it felt like our food was spilling into our laps. We put the condiments on the ground to make more space for food and drinks.
(3)Malcolm P.
"Amazing" and "Excellent" doesn't even begin to describe this jewel. I love good BBQ but for us New Englanders, it can be tough to find. Well, my search is over. Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill exceeded all expectations from food to service. From the time we entered until the time we left, the staff was friendly and attentive. The atmosphere was fun and the food... without a doubt the best BBQ I have had in a long time. I guarantee you won't leave hungry... unless it is hungry for your next visit!
(5)Zazu S.
We went here tonight on our first visit to South Portland. We ordered ribs and brisket. The ribs were the worst I have ever had anywhere, and I've eaten a lot of ribs in some dive places. There was absolutely NO meat on them. I was scraping the skin off with my teeth. As someone who has worked in the industry, I'm perplexed that any restaurant would serve those ribs. They were AWFUL. Maybe one bite of meat on them total. And the one bite had no flavor. There was nothing fall off the bone about those. The brisket was better, but lacked sauce. The bbq on the table is good so used that to add some flavor. The sides, mac and cheese, collard greens, and corn bread were just plain bland. No flavor in any of it. The kids ate burgers, which were really good. Love their potato chips. We might go back for a burger, but I can't say we'd return for the bbq. I've had way better all around.
(2)Kate S.
Great bar scene; good cocktails; nice to have a place like this in otherwise relatively vanilla SoPo dining / bar scene. Jury is out on the food, though. So disappointed in the bland corn bread. Brisket nacho special, however, was terrific. Smoked wings are uber smoky and greasy. Baked beans above average; coleslaw pretty good; bbq oysters were .. weird. Not like any other bbq oysters I've had. Will return for the bar; and hope the food improves.
(3)Nicole B.
This place has me questioning if I even like BBQ. I came here because I thought I did.. but I left wondering if I'd managed to convince myself over the years that BBQ is something much different than what I just ate. First things first, we are locals and nearly drove right by the place because there wasn't a SINGLE light on outside. Even when we left at quarter 'til 9, it was pitch black. Thank you, smartphone, for illuminating the path to my car for me. I don't know what I would have done without you (probably tripped and fallen on my face, which would have culminated in the perfect ending to this night out). Our service was only okay. It wasn't anything to write home about, but it wasn't horrible either. Just a little slow and inattentive (flagging someone down for a refill is never fun). There wasn't any explanation of the sauces, no specials shared, and very little interaction considering the new-ness of the place. (Come on guys, SELL me on coming back!) As we were waiting for our food, we noticed that the entire place is covered in unfinished wood, with some pieces in the process of transforming into a dark red finish. It made me wonder about ventilation while they're staining. (We just finished staining our closet and let me tell you--it stinks for days.) There is a nice bar area against the kitchen so you can see food being made, which I thought was a little different and fun. We were seated at a 2-top that was abnormally long, so I felt like I was screaming over the noise to talk. It would be nice if they added something to the ceiling to lessen the echo bouncing around, but obviously it's a new business, and they still have a few building improvements to make. I will say that sitting against a window, we could not feel any cool air coming from outside, which made me very happy as I was expecting to have to wear my coat through the meal like I end up doing at older Portland restaurants. Now for the food... I didn't overly enjoy a single piece of my meal here. Well, I take that back---I DID enjoy the dry corn bread, but only because it cleansed my palate. I can't even describe what was wrong; the sauce seemed extremely sweet with a weird tangy aftertaste. The sausage itself was good with a spicy kick, but it just wasn't enough. My husband said his pulled pork tasted dry and unseasoned, and certainly not like it had been marinating for a few hours, let alone days. This place is more along the lines of 2.5 stars, but since Yelp doesn't allow half-stars, I had to go with my gut. Giving it a 3 would mean that we'd potentially come back, but it's not very likely we'll spend money here again, so I had to give it a 2. Sorry Elsmere's.. I wanted to like you.
(2)Greg G.
Having experienced great BBQ all over the country, I really was not expecting more than an adequate meal. The BBQ @Ellsmere BBQ and Wood Grill, was some of the best that I have ever had. The collard greens were definitely the best. Like most BBQ restaurants, the atmosphere is very relaxed and comfortable. The service is unbeatable even for a busy Saturday evening. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)