Local Flavor: bar and restaurant pairings in Biddeford and Old Orchard Beach

There are some places that are great to grab a meal, and some that are nice to get a drink. When a restaurant that serves great food and a bar that serves good cocktails or craft beer get together, you’ve got the best of both worlds – a perfect pairing.

Mick’s Sports Bar and Salty Moose

The two brothers, who have worked together in the excavation business for 30 years, decided to embark on another business venture and opened Mick’s Sports Bar at 420 Elm St. (Route One) in March. The brothers spent the winter renovating the building with attention to detail such as the counter tops made using reclaimed wood from local mills.

At a recent ribbon cutting ceremony, the bar was full of locals and the vibe was friendly. Mick’s is open Tuesday through Thursday noon to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday noon to 11 p.m. and for brunch on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is outdoor seating and cornhole.

Happy hour specials run from 2 to 5 p.m. every day – perfect for those early risers who don’t have a nine to five work schedule. There is also a featured cocktail menu including a Heated Bloody Mary garnished with a grilled jalapeno pepper, blue cheese stuffed olive and cocktail onions; and a watermelon cooler with fresh watermelon puree.

If you’re hungry, go to the back of the bar and order from The Salty Moose. The local food truck is now has a kitchen at Mick’s, putting a fresh spin on comfort food. The smash burger features Pineland Farms beef and is served on a house made pretzel bun. Other items include and buttermilk chicken sandwiches and popcorn chicken with Maine maple mustard sauce and smoked Gouda macaroni and cheese.

Definitive Brewing Company and High Tides Food Bar

If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown Old Orchard Beach, hang left at the bottom of Old Orchard Street and take a three-minute walk to 28 East Grand Ave. Here Definitive Brewing Company and High Tides Food Bar have come together with a laid-back seasonal outdoor beer garden and eatery.

“It’s a very chill vibe,” said Kim Verreault, who runs High Tides Food Bar with her husband John.

One of the signature items at High Tides Food Bar is their sliders, made with house made Hawaiian, ranch or maple barbecue sauce or Denny Mike’s sweet and spice barbecue sauce. The house made maple barbecue sauce is particularly popular ,said Verreault.

“Some people like it so much that they ask for it on the side for their burger and to dip their French fries,” she said.

Other menu items include macaroni and cheese bowls with buffalo chicken or pulled pork and poutine with pulled pork or buffalo chicken. There is also specialty popcorn in several flavors including cinnamon and sugar, salt and vinegar and cheddar cheese.

“When we crafted the menu, we chose items that would pair well with beer,” said Verreault.

Definitive Brewing opened the beer garden earlier this month, serving a range of beers, including IPA, sour ale, real fruit seltzer, Kolsch style ale and stout. All are brewed at Definitive Brewing’s production facility in Portland. If you want to have beer and dessert, you can opt for the Radiant Days soft serve ice cream, made with a sour fruited ale with mandarin, orange and raspberry notes.

And don’t let the term beer garden steer you away if you have kids- it’s very family friendly, said Verreault. Many families appreciate the relaxed setting with canopied picnic tables and corn hole games. There is also live music on some nights.

Liz Gotthelf is the publisher of Saco Bay News. She also loves to eat – and support local businesses. If you have any local restaurant or food news, she’d love to hear from you. Send her an email at [email protected].