Posted on

Top 10 Restaurants in Portland, ME

Restaurants in Portland, ME

When you visit Portland, Maine, you want to make sure you hit all the famous restaurants before you go. You might not have time to check the reviews before stopping to eat, so here are the top 10 restaurants in Portland, ME.

You may notice we included Portland, ME food trucks on this list. These are a great alternative to sit down style restaurants, perfect for when you are short on time or don’t want to be surrounded by many people.

  1. Flatbread Company

Everyone loves to eat pizza. When you visit the Flatbread Company, you can expect great pizza while overlooking Casco Bay. The atmosphere and food are perfect.

There are a handful of seating options to fit the needs of their guests. You can sit in their spacious dining room and enjoy your food in the air conditioning. However, you will want to sit out by the dock if the weather is nice. It is the ideal place to eat flatbread pizza while gazing over the water.

  1. Boda

Boda is the go-to place in Portland, Maine, for cocktails and Thai food. This exquisite restaurant features a wide variety of Thai dishes, including quail eggs, spicy wings, pad thai, and more.

Another great thing about Boda is that they are open late, so you can get their delicious food until 1 a.m. Whether you need to eat a quick lunch or want to enjoy a meal after a night out, Boda is the place to go.

  1. The Back Bay Grill

The Back Bay Grill may be the perfect spot to go for a fancy evening out. This high-end restaurant is well known for its hand-rolled pasta and fantastic seafood dishes. Pop open a bottle of wine and enjoy an elegant dinner in low lighting for your next anniversary dinner in Portland, Maine.

  1. Solo Italiano

Solo Italiano is one of the most beloved restaurants in Portland, ME to get Italian food. The menu here changes daily, but you will not be disappointed with the chef’s choices. Salads, pasta, or seafood, whatever you are craving, you can find at Solo Italiano.

Another significant aspect of visiting this restaurant is the wine list. They have an extensive array of all their best wines ready for their guests. Whether you’re in the mood for a glass of red or white wine, the staff at Solo Italiano can answer all of your questions and provide an excellent pairing.

  1. Rose Foods

The bagels from Rose Foods are top of the line. You can’t visit Portland without making a stop and trying one of these bagels.

There are six different bagels available every day. There are always five classic flavors and one specialty that rotates out. You can order a dozen bagels to take home or choose from 11 handcrafted sandwiches for a fantastic breakfast.

  1. Salvage BBQ

Not everyone is a massive fan of seafood, and that’s okay. Just because Portland, Maine is known for its lobster doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit. Stopping at Salvage BBQ is a must when you’re in town.

This restaurant serves up classic barbecue and plenty of hearty sides to go with your meal. They have trivia on Wednesdays, along with live music every Friday and Saturday. Come for the food or the environment; either way, you won’t be disappointed.

  1. The Holy Donut

The restaurant name is fitting, considering the Holy Donut produces some of the best donuts on the East Coast. There are two locations in Portland, so you’re never far from these sweet treats. The donuts are slightly denser than your typical donut, but delicious regardless.

  1. Bite into Maine

Bite into Maine has two locations in Portland, and they almost always have a line. Here you can get six different types of lobster rolls that are all under $20. Bite into Maine has a food truck next to the lighthouse at Cape Elizabeth, and it is worth the drive. You can order your food and explore Cape Elizabeth while enjoying your delicious lobster roll.

  1. Artemisia Cafe

Artemisia Cafe is one of the top brunch restaurants in Portland, ME. You can find all of your classic brunch foods on the menu and feel at home in the environment. This little spot is beautiful to visit, and it opens a bit earlier than most places in Portland, so you don’t have to wait until 11 a.m. to get brunch.

  1. Oxbow Blending and Bottling

Before you leave Portland, make sure to visit Oxbow Blending and Blotting. They have one location in Portland, with another about 10 miles away. You can find events often, but you’ll want to check it out either way. They have tons of brew and wine to try, as well as all your typical bar foods. The restaurant even has an art gallery that you can look through before you leave.

Posted on

Meet Sébastien Idée of Seb’s Pizzas

Sébastien Idée of Seb’s Pizzas

An interview with Sébastien Idée, owner and operator of Seb’s Pizzas.

Location: Denver, CO

Sébastien Idée

There are so many reasons to love Sébastien with Seb’s Pizzas. Besides being incredibly friendly and having that oh so charming French accent, he is an absolute pro food truck operator. We know when we recommend him for an event that the client will be more than happy with his service, his staff, and the quality of his food. Wood fired pizzas are always a crowd pleaser, and even more so when you layer on his fresh ingredients, gourmet approach, and French appeal.

Read on to hear more about his love of food and what it’s like to run Seb’s Pizzas.

We live for food:

What’s your favorite sandwich?

A French style tuna sandwich

What’s your favorite guilty pleasure food?

Foie gras

Your must read cookbook or food blog?

Larousse de la Cuisine

If you were on chopped and given pickled onions and pork belly, what would you make?

Creole pizza

What’s your favorite food memory?

Catering a 6 dish wedding for 250 people

A look into the life of a food truck owner:

Seb's Signature Dish

What is your truck’s signature dish?

The Potato pizza: creme fraiche, roasted potatoes, bacon, onions, French Brie and parsley

What is your most memorable review / comment on your food?

Trip Advisor award for the best Boulder pizza

What’s the best part of running a food truck?

Providing culinary joy to my customers

What is your favorite part of using Truckster?

Catering leads

View Seb’s Pizzas on Truckster to find his upcoming events or book him for catering: https://gotruckster.com/food-truck/sebs-pizzas

Posted on

5 Best Places to Eat in Boise, Idaho

Best Places to Eat in Boise Idaho

As Idaho’s cultural capital, Boise has no shortage of culinary choices, from tacos featuring Idaho spuds and chorizo to quinoa burgers and Nutella panna cotta. The Treasure Valley also has a thriving food truck community that offers alternatives to sit-down and take-out fare, as well as a Food Truck Rally in Boise (check out our Boise Food Trucks page for all events).
But even though we at Truckster love the food truck movement, we’re also foodies at heart who can’t resist cluing others in on a great meal. Here are our picks for the best restaurants in Boise, Idaho.

Richard’s Restaurant & Bar

Chef and owner Richard Langston has been feeding Boise residents and visitors for more than 25 years, showcasing locally sourced ingredients and natural flavors. His specialties are Italian-style Northwestern fare such as grilled octopus with pork belly, parchment-cooked black cod with broccolini, grilled quail, and potato gnocchi with beets, gorgonzola, and toasted walnuts. Wines on the award-winning wine list include those from Idaho’s burgeoning wine industry, as well as selections from Italy, Spain, France, California, Oregon, and Washington. Save room for desserts such as tiramisu cheesecake or the gluten-free orange cardamom chocolate flourless cake with pistachio crumble. (500 S. Capitol Blvd.)

Fork

Located in the landmark Boise City National Bank Building, Fork pledges to be “Loyal to Local,” sourcing key ingredients from ranchers, farmers, distillers, brewers, bakers, producers, and cheese makers around Boise and the Northwest. That commitment extends to the comfortable yet relaxed dining room, which uses recycled materials and reclaimed Idaho barn wood for the glasses and tables. Menu favorites include asparagus “fries,” cast-iron seared lamb lollipops with green chimichurri sauce, grilled Mahi Mahi tacos, Idaho rainbow trout, a slow-smoked brisket sandwich, and buttermilk fried chicken with balsamic-infused maple syrup and a cheddar waffle. (199 N. 8th St.)

Bardenay Restaurant and Distillery

America’s first restaurant distillery, Bardenay is located on the Basque Block, part of the Old Boise Historic District. It specializes in producing amber rum and ginger rum and has a menu bursting with variety, such as the panzanella bruschetta salad with champagne vinaigrette, flash-fried Pacific cod and chips, and a cider-brined pork chop. Cap off a meal with carrot cake featuring Bardenay Ginger Rum raisins or molten chocolate Bundt cake, then raise a toast with a local pale ale or a signature cocktail like the Huckleberry Lemon Drop pouch made with Bardenay Lemon Vodka and Idaho huckleberry puree. (610 W. Grove St.)

Bar Gernika Basque Pub and Eatery

Another Basque Block staple, the Bar Gernika Basque Pub and Eatery has combined authentic Basque cuisine with sandwiches, Basque wines, and desserts for roughly 20 years. Choices include solomo (marinated pork tenderloin with pimientos on a French baguette), chorizo (Basque pork sausage), slices of roasted lamb leg with grilled onions and mushrooms, and lamb stew complete with potatoes, onions, and green peppers. Don’t forget the croquettas, house-cut fries, Basque peppers, or rice pudding on the side. (202 S. Capitol Blvd.)

Saint Lawrence Gridiron

A few steps from the Idaho State Capitol Building, Saint Lawrence Gridiron is a former food truck that’s settled into a brick-and-mortar location, delivering bold Southern flavors and humor from a giant smoker on the front patio. Don’t miss the brisket platter with buttermilk biscuit and “various picklery;” the “Requisite Veggie Dish” of rotating grains, herbs, and seasonal vegetables; or shrimp served with stone-ground grits, sausage, and tomato gravy. Want a smaller bite? Opt for the “Dirty Bird,” a fried chicken sandwich with Louisiana spices, chili oil, white BBQ sauce, and house slaw. Also serves brunch. (705 W. Bannock St.)

Posted on

Best Places to Grab a Bite to Eat in Portland

Best Places To Grab A Bite To Eat In Portland Oregon

Portland, Oregon has a rich food scene that serves dishes from cultures around the globe. You can find original Asian, Italian, and other cuisines just like grandma makes them. Traditional favorites with modern twists are also popular.

Whichever you prefer, your food adventure in Portland won’t be complete without grabbing a bite at these best places to eat.

Toro Bravo

Spanish restaurants aren’t that common and eating at Toro Bravo will make you ask why not. The food is mostly traditional Spanish cuisine with a unique twist from the chef that takes the flavors to new heights.

Each dish delivers bold, drool-worthy flavors and, judging by the never-ending line at the restaurant, Toro Bravo is clearly doing everything right. Make sure to try out the exceptional Sangria and Spanish Tapas.

Food Carts and Trucks

Portland is one of the few places in the US where you can find five-star cuisine being served as street food. There are Portland food carts & trucks aplenty, serving remarkable cuisine at low prices. If you have a favorite food truck that’s always changing locations, you can easily track them down with apps like Truckster.

One of the most popular Portland food carts is Nong’s. It serves authentic Thai cuisine and people gravitate towards its specialty: Khao Man Gai. Khao Man Gai is poached chicken with a comforting soup, jasmine rice, and a sauce that goes POW in your mouth.

Tasty n Sons

The restaurant’s chef uses his travel experiences around the world to create dishes that sing. Eating here is almost like traveling around the world without leaving your seat. The menu has Moroccan chicken, shrimp tostadas, fried catfish bites, and more delectable dishes from various continents to amaze you.

Tasty n Alder

There’s nothing more American than a big juicy steak. Tasty n Alder makes perfect steaks and serves them to you at perfect prices, especially when you visit during happy hour.

The restaurant uses only quality meat cuts and heightens the flavor with its perfected recipe. The restaurant also has a nice ambiance and a fine selection of drinks for fantastic lunches and dinners.

Grassa Northwest Portland

Those who love Italian have to stop over at Grassa for its handmade pastas. One of the restaurant’s most popular dishes is its Cacio e Pepe. Its other popular dish has a strong American influence—pork belly mac and cheese.

You get big portions of food at affordable prices. Also, the restaurant is comfortable, service is quick, and you can eat there at any time of the day without having to dress upscale. It’s perfetto!

Tusk

Ever had Middle-Eastern food? The flavor depth will blow you away. The chefs at Tusk do a great job with a wide selection of Middle-Eastern cuisine that you can pair with drinks from the restaurant’s artistic cocktail menu.

The food is a bit pricey but worthwhile just for the restaurant’s ambiance and delicious dishes.

Afuri

Afuri is a popular Tokyo ramen chain with branches in Portland. Here, you’ll get various authentic ramen, sushi, tsukune, and other traditional Japanese dishes. The restaurant may be in the US, but customers are served with the same level of care, thoughtfulness, and hospitality that you can only find in a true Japanese restaurant.

Hat Yai

Hat Yai offers Thai food with a special Malaysian twist. The restaurant’s fried chicken with sticky rice is exceptional. But if you want to try something different from the usual fare, you can’t go wrong with the Malay-style curry and roti.

Pine Street Market

If you want one location where you can taste food from all over the world, drop in at Pine Street Market. It’s an open space that sets your stomach growling with aromas from the several restaurants within.

The best part about this location is you don’t have to choose where to eat. Simply try food from various places by hopping from one stall to the next. Just make sure you don’t skip Marukin Ramen.

Ready for your Portland food adventure? Be sure to bring a big appetite.

Posted on

Tasty Places to Eat in Austin, Texas

Tasty Places To Eat In Austin

Austin is famous for its barbecue, but the city has far more to offer foodies than beautifully grilled meat. Whether you are hankering for Italian, Mediterranean, Asian, or anything else, you can find it here. You’ll find some of these options in a restaurant, others right on your street from the back of a food cart.

Let’s take a look at some of the tastiest places to pig out in Austin.

Din Ho Chinese BBQ

If you are a fan of Chinese, specifically Cantonese food, you have to check this spot out. It’s been around for over two decades and its fans still love the quality of its menu and service. Some of the restaurant’s popular sellers include its Peking duck and steamed buns, Singapore style rice noodles, salt and pepper squid, won ton soup, orange beef, and sautéed snow pea leaves.

Three Little Pigs

In Austin, the best food isn’t always found in a brick and mortar restaurant. The Three Little Pigs is proof of this with its unique twist on comfort food. Some of the biggest sellers at this meals-on-wheels are its bacon-wrapped meatloaf and Asian fried chicken.

Unlike many Austin food trucks, finding the Three Little Pigs is easy since you can always find the truck at the same spot behind the Aristocrat Lounge.

Franklin Barbecue

Hungry for an authentic Texan barbecue? Franklin Barbecue is the grill to feast at.

The only complaint about this barbecue joint is how long the lines can get. But considering how good the food at the end of the line is, it’s worth the wait.

The joint’s most popular dish is the brisket. It’s tender, moist, and, most importantly, packed with flavor. But Franklin Barbecue doesn’t stop there. You can also get pork ribs that are crisp on the outside yet tender enough to fall off the bone.

If you are a fan of sandwiches, you can’t go wrong with the Tipsy Texan and its chopped beef and sausage filling topped with coleslaw. You’ll make a mess while eating it, but you’ll love every bit of it.

Kreyol Korner Caribbean Cuisine

Caribbean Cuisine is something you probably didn’t think you could find in the city, but the local food truck scene is happy to prove you wrong.

The specialty of Kreyol Korner is Haitian dishes. Its biggest sellers are stewed red snapper, fried pork shoulders, stuffed plantain cups, and jerk chicken wings. You can also get special creations that merge American cuisine with Haitian flavors, like its burgers made with plantain buns and nachos.

Tâm Deli & Cafe

Vietnamese food, when cooked right, is super flavorful. That’s why people come to Tâm’s–they know it’s one of the best places in Austin for authentic Vietnamese. The Vietnamese ham, pâté, and roasted chicken combination sandwich are simply sublime.

There are several other items on the menu that are worth trying, but make sure not to overlook the bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls). They’re fantastic.

Garbo’s Lobster Truck

If not for apps like Truckster, finding Garbo’s roaming food trucks would be a pain in the neck. With the app, you can easily hunt down this moving lobster master chef, regardless of where he’s hiding out in Austin.

The truck offers various lobster recipes with fresh Maine lobsters. Don’t hesitate to try out the Northeastern-style sandwiches with butter and a lobster-rich center.

The Backspace

If you’re in the mood for hot and fresh Neapolitan pies, the Backspace on 6th Street is the spot. While the pizzas aren’t the biggest, they make up for quantity with quality. Regardless of the type of toppings you choose, we guarantee your pizza will be awesome.

Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew

A completely casual barbecue joint where the food is far from casual. Be it the pork rib, turkey, or beef, the barbecue is awesome. Everything is grilled to perfection and tastes even better than it looks and smells. If you like it sweet and spicy with a nice cold brew to wash it down, Stiles Switch is where you need to be.

Posted on

10 Best Places to Eat in Colorado Springs

Best Places To Eat Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs, Colorado, is an unexpected, yet delightful, culinary destination. The local chefs effectuate a delicate balance of traditional fodder and cutting-edge cuisine.

This city’s eating establishments include everything from fancy traditional restaurants to contemporary alternatives led by visionary new chefs, unusual decadent desserts, and some fabulous food trucks! You would be hard-pressed to run out of incredible places to enjoy scrumptious snacks or meals in this special place.

Our top “can’t-miss” recommendations for your next visit to Colorado Springs include:

Piglatin Cocina

This one began as a food truck and now has a brick-and-mortar location. It specializes in pork-fusion Latin American Dishes that feature jalapeños, plantain, and arepa sliders. Even though they currently serve in an indoor restaurant, they didn’t abandon their food-truck roots: Your food is still served in simple cardboard containers.

The Pepper Tree

With fantastic city views and food shows served to tables in mobile carts and flambeed right in front of you, this is a dining experience you don’t want to miss. This restaurant offers traditional favorites, including its signature Pepper Steak. More than just a restaurant, the Pepper Tree is considered a Colorado Springs institution.

Shuga’s

In addition to having an attractive eclectic decor, multicultural and truly global menu options, and a quaint patio to lounge on, Shuga’s also invites guests to stay for Cinemaholix. This film club is as lovely as the Brazilian Spicy Shrimp Soup. You don’t want to miss this stop, either!

Mountain Shadows Restaurant

Mountain Shadows is the place to visit for the best breakfast of a lifetime. This is a family-run operation that serves the best (and biggest) cinnamon rolls, as well as some incredible hash browns with mouthwatering green chili. Forget the diet. You’re on vacation!

503W

If cocktails are more your speed, you’ll want to stop by 503W, because this place has some excellent craft ones. Order a side of Asian-fusion offerings and have the night of your life.

Lake Terrace Dining Room at The Broadmoor

The Lake Terrace Dining Room at the acclaimed Broadmoor Hotel is famous for its delectable Bananas Foster. The menu is extensive, but whatever you order, finish it with these legendary dessert bananas, which are the true local star. If you can visit on a Sunday, you’ll get a chance to enjoy the exquisite brunch experience.

Moxie

Moxie is perfect for vegans and plant-based eaters. The menu varies with the seasons, but the flavor doesn’t. Anything you order is 100% plant-based and delicious!

Now, here you will some of the best food trucks in Colorado Springs and the country, so no list of food recommendations would be complete without them. Hunt them down with the Truckster App for the full culinary experience that Colorado Springs has to offer:

  • Dvine Ice Cream – Stop at Dvine for the best gourmet and most indulgent ice cream around. Try the premium wine flavors – including Champagne Vanilla, Peach Crisp with Riesling, Mint Chip with Pinot Grigio, and Dark Chocolate Brownie with Sangiovese – for the ultimate mix of creamy texture and spectacular flavor.
  • Sando San Food Truck – At Sando’s, you’ll get delicious, unique Japanese sandwiches and sushi. Request unusual combinations, and the chef will be happy to accommodate you.
  • Sapo Guapo Tacos Food Truck – If you’re a taco-lover, this is the truck to visit. The Korean BBQ tacos are highly rated and recommended by many regular customers. Yum!