November 03, 2010
For devoted regulars and drive-by tourists: Gritty McDuff's, Freeport
Fall is the perfect time of year to hit Freeport for the outlet stores, some leaf peeping and ending your day with dinner and homemade brews at Gritty McDuff's Brew Pub and Restaurant.
With locations in Freeport, Portland and Lewiston/Auburn, founders Ed Stebbins and Richard Pfeffer created Gritty McDuff's with the goal of English-style pubs that the entire family could enjoy.
The Freeport restaurant boasts two large dining rooms with loads of long tables, plenty of room at the bar, a huge outdoor deck and a playground and Crooked House for the little ones.
They have a huge children's menu and plenty of food to satisfy your palette too. I was craving the Pub mac and cheese ($5.99 for half order, 7.99 for full) with blackened chicken (add 2.99.) I had to be talked into the fried jalapenos but it added a spicy kick and went well with the cornbread.
Add Shepherd's Pie ($8.99) to their awesome list of comfort food or try a number of salads, the Chicken Stacker sandwich, Ale-braised Kielbasa ($10.99,) fish and chips or one of their daily specials offered to mix things up. Follow up with some Black Fly Stout Cake or Cranberry Apple Crisp for dessert.
With so many hand crafted beers- it's hard to choose one to drink. They have Sampler's at each location and brew seasonal selections as well. It's too late to try the summer favorite, Vacationland and the Halloween Ale is moving out in time for their Christmas Ale, but never fear- Best Bitter, Best Brown Ale, Black Fly Stout, Scottish Ale, the Original Pub Style and the 21 I.P.A. are available year round.
My brother-in-law requests a mini keg of Gritty's Best Brown for Christmas every year. It's not hard to find because so many places carry Gritty's and they have their own retail stores inside each restaurant. You can get 6 packs, 12 packs, 22 oz bottles, 5 liter mini-kegs, 1/4 and 1/2 barrels.
Lots of places have mug clubs but Gritty's is one of the originals and highly sought after- they often have a waiting list to get on it! Members pay $75 annually and they get their own mug at their preferred location, a card to use VIP mugs at other locations and earned points to be redeemed on food, $2 mug club beers on Wednesday and Sundays and best of all- always get 21 ounces for the price of a pint!
Gritty's in Freeport is a large restaurant with a small hometown feel that is frequented by devoted regulars, drive-by tourists and families stopping by. No matter who's in the building, you'll see folks there for the same reason- fantastic brews, good food at more than honest prices and a truly welcoming, comfortable atmosphere.
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