The Great Lost Bear in Portland, Maine

The Great Lost Bear is Portland's go-to for beer nerds and hungry locals alike. They've got over 70 taps rotating with microbrewery features, and the kitchen backs up the beer list with solid American food. The vibe is lodge-like, casual, and packed on weekends. Come for the beer selection, stay because the portions are genuinely large.

• Wings come in a 2-pound serving, generously seasoned.
• PB & J Bird sandwich with unexpected spice balance.
• 70+ rotating taps with weekly microbrewery events.
• Massive portions across burgers, melts, and fried sides.

The wings are a signature move, served salt-and-vinegar style with real full wings, not flats. The PB & J Bird sandwich catches people off guard but delivers heat and peanut butter in the right measure. Their take on fries is more of a flat potato slab, substantial and worth trying. Burgers and melts round out the classics, though ask for extra sauce on the latter.

Cabin-lodge energy, wood-heavy and dimly lit. Loud on weekend nights and midday Saturdays when the patio fills up.

It's the kind of place where a Guinness poured into a mason jar feels like the point, and where folks who flew into Maine on a whim end up calling it a win. You'll find regulars, first-timers, and people who came in just because it showed up in their phone search.

Guests rave about the wing portions and the PB & J Bird as standout sandwiches. One recent visitor called it "one of the best chicken sandwiches I've ever had," while another found the whole experience clean, efficient, and a perfect introduction to Portland eating. The main hiccup: service delays during peak afternoon hours.