State Lunch in Augusta, Maine

State Lunch is a bar-anchored spot in Augusta that swings for the fences with its food and drinks. The smash burgers, noodle bowls, and cocktails are what pull people in, though the kitchen's execution can be uneven. It's become a reason to make the trip to Maine's capital instead of just Portland.

• Smash burgers and noodle bowls that justify the drive.
• Cocktails are a genuine draw, well-made and thoughtful.
• Service staff treat guests like regulars from hello.
• Quiet enough for conversation, bar energy without noise.

Start with the Kung Pao Brussels sprouts if they're on. Get the smash burger (perfectly cooked, filling), crispy fries, and a generous plate of wings. A salmon bowl is also worth trying. Cocktails are worth ordering twice.

Gastropub bones with a solid bar. Casual and low-key, background noise stays at conversational level even when it's busy.

The kitchen does burgers, bowls, and bar snacks well when it's firing on all cylinders. Stick to what they nail: smash burgers, fries, wings, and cocktails. The ramen has its detractors, and some dishes land softer than others on any given night.

Visitors rave about the smash burgers and the cocktails, calling both outstanding and perfectly executed. Staff get consistent praise for being welcoming and attentive. One recent visitor said they'd "go an hour out of the way" to come back. Fair warning: the ramen gets mixed reviews and doesn't rank among the kitchen's strengths.