Our twisty-turny day in Maine
We had one goal: donuts. Everything else just… happened.
G and I went to Portland, Maine.
(For six hours. Because we make excellent decisions.)
Had we ever been to Maine? No.
Had we ever been on a train? Also no.
Did we have a plan? Kind of.
We had one goal: donuts.
Not even a normal donut—a potato donut.
This felt like a good decision at the time.
Now? I have thoughts.
We had a plan. A very simple, very focused plan: get the donut.
But as it turns out, once you’re in Portland, Maine—with chowder, lobster rolls, and the smell of fried things everywhere—you can’t just have one goal.
And that’s how our very calm donut trip turned into a full-blown food situation.
We took the subway in Boston to North Station for Amtrak train. I love the Boston subway; it makes me feel like I know what I’m doing (I don’t, but still).
We got to the station, boarded the train, found seats, sat down…
…and then immediately realized we were going backwards.
Surely, I thought, they will turn the train around.
They did not.
We rode backwards for the entire 2½-hour trip.
Fun fact I learned the hard way: train seats face both directions.
Another fun fact: I still cannot tell which is which.
Because on the way home…
I picked backwards seats again.
Honestly though? The ride was easy, calm, and kind of lovely.
Anxiety: low.
G and I on the train, fully expecting it to turn around at any moment.
(It did not.)
Portland, Maine is exactly what you think Maine feels like; it didn’t disappoint us!
Water and brick buildings.
A little bit industrial and a lot charming.
What we did not see: lighthouses.
The weather?
In one day we had: hot, windy, rainy, cold… and snow. From Tampa, where it is just hot; this felt so strange and wonderful.
Anxiety: low
A street! Brick buildings! And a hill- oh my!
It felt unreal that I was actually in Maine, casually staring at the Atlantic Ocean like that’s something I do all the time.
DuckFat was our first stop.
We got lost finding it. Naturally.
But we made it- and I’m so glad we did.
It’s small. Like… cozy bordering on “don’t move your elbows” small.
We waited about 15 minutes, which felt fair.
Everyone was incredibly kind- especially our waitress, Hannah.
And then… I knocked half of G’s Cuban sandwich onto the floor.
Just casually. Like that’s something I do.
Before I could even think about it, Hannah had the kitchen remake it. No charge. No drama. Just kindness.
The food? So good.
The space? Tiny but charming.
Anxiety: medium (mostly sandwich-related).
Belgian Frites: Hand Cut & Twice Fried in Duck Fat With Your Choice of Dipping Sauce.. Large $13 and Small $9.
Flight of All Five Sauces: Truffle Ketchupm Garlic Mayo, Atomic Horseradish Mayo, Thai Chili Mayo and Rotating Special Fry Sauce (I can’t remember what ours was!)… $5.
The fries were the best thing we ate on our grand adventure. Crispy, salty, and perfect little vehicles for all the sauces. I would go back to Portland just for the fries.
Sea Salted Duck Fat Caramel: made with local gelato by Gelato Fiasco… $12.
The milkshake was dangerously good. I loved the caramel sauce (yes, you can buy it separately—tempting). It was so much—G and I didn’t finish it, which honestly never happens. And the coffee was fresh, strong, and exactly what I needed.
House Smoked Brisket Chili: cornbread croutons, sour cream, chives… $8/ $12.
This was a specials menu moment, and it did not disappoint. I love a good chili, and this one delivered- it truly fulfilled my chili dreams. I ordered the bowl, which was… ambitious. It was huge. Next time (and there will be a next time), I’m getting the cup.
House Smoked Pulled Pork Cubano: soppressata, dill pickles, gruyere, dijon… $19.
This picture is only half the sandwich- taken post-dropping incident. G and I had mixed feelings about the Cuban. Honestly, it felt a little wrong ordering one in Portland when we live in the birthplace of Cubans. It was just okay… surprisingly not very flavorful. And for $19 with no sides? That felt like a lot. We wouldn’t order it again.
Next up: The Holy Donut.
The reason for the trip.
The moment of truth… the potato donut.
We timed it perfectly-no line when we got there.
We timed it poorly- selection was limited.
And then… the twist.
We didn’t love them.
I know. I KNOW.
We traveled five hours round trip for potato donuts and they were just… fine.
The chocolate one was fresh, so it wasn’t a freshness issue.
They were just… blah.
Would I go back?
Maybe.
Anxiety: medium.
Maple Bacon: Salty bacon with a sweet maple glaze: a bacon and pancake breakfast in donut form… $5. Dark Chocolate Sea Salt: sprinkle of sea salt makes the flavors of the choloate dough and vanilla glaze pop… $4.75.
These donuts were good… just not great. I was fully expecting a knock-your-socks-off moment, and it didn’t quite happen. Would I try them again? Yes. Would I travel five hours for them? Absolutely not. (And yes, I took a bite before the picture- I couldn’t wait.)
Our holy grail—what we came to Portland for!
Final mission: lobster roll.
Neither of us had ever had one, which feels wrong in Maine.
We chose Gilbert’s Chowder House because we are not fancy people, and it looked comfortable.
Excellent decision.
The clam chowder? Hot. Creamy. So good I briefly considered licking the bowl (I showed restraint… barely).
The lobster roll was extremely delicious.
We felt relaxed, comfortable, and very much like ourselves there.
Anxiety: low.
Specials: ½ Crabmelt and small Clam Chowder. Served with Kettle Chips and Pickle…$25.95.
I absolutely loved the chowder. The crab melt… not so much- but that was on me. I didn’t realize a crab melt is basically a grilled cheese with crab, and I can’t eat grilled cheese. I ended up picking out the crab, which was actually very flavorful.
Maine Lobster Roll served with chips and pickle… $26.95.
The one and only lobster roll. It was good. It had lobster. It was on a hot dog bun. We didn’t really know what it was supposed to taste like… so, success. And most importantly- it didn’t make us sick.
Blueberry Pie with Whipped Cream, made in house… $10.95.
Fun fact: G and I did not know Maine is known for blueberries. This was a very pleasant (and delicious) surprise.
And just like that… our six-hour Maine adventure was over.
Was it quick? Yes.
Was it slightly chaotic? Also yes.
Would I do it again?
Absolutely.
Next time though… I’m staying longer.
And maybe-just maybe-figuring out how to sit facing forward on a train.
