Lisa's Restaurant & Lounge — Restaurant in Augusta

Summary: Chowder WAY overpriced, definite regret—but if you order anything else, it’s a great experience. Go for any other food but chowder.

Discussion: The meat of our order was a “grownup grilled cheese” and fried-haddock sandwich. Both arrived with friendly service, piping hot, delicious, and a heaping helping of fries. These were very well-prepared, and worth even the inflated prices of today’s restaurant economy in New England. Get stuff like that here, and you shall not be disappointed! The haddock was crispy but decently thick, and expertly fried. Lettuce, tomato and tartar all were fresh. I ordered regular fries (also good). Now the flip side…

Part of the reason we came to New England was to eat delicious local chowders, and we’ve had a few. On a prior trip, I have had six different bowls down on Cape Cod that blow away anything else anywhere yet on this trip (including here as it turned out). We also like to patronize local restaurants more than chains. We saw Lisa’s on the way from western NH to Acadia and had great vibes.

Those vibes were crushed when we saw the price of the chowder: $36 for one bowl, before tax and tip. That, friends, is insane! I paid much less for comparable quality at two high-end resort-hotel restaurants in VT and NH where people (except us) were dressed to the nines. I was thinking, “Did we get handed the tourist menu?” [A lot of places used to do that, maybe some still do.]. But no, that is their real price. They’re honest and upfront with that much.

Hmmm… now what? We came here in part to try local chowder. But that price, holy moly! What to do? Because it was described in in the menu as “HEAPING” (all caps, no less), we very reluctantly ordered to share. “For this, it had better be a lot, and the best ever”. The chowder was slightly above average, tasty, buttery, with lots of fish and small shrimps, a few scallops, no clams I could find, and a couple small lobster pieces. The fish, scallops and lobster pieces were ideal, the shrimps a little dry and old. Disappointingly, the base also was very thin and watery—definitely more of a runny soup.

“HEAPING?” No! It came in a heavy, wide-brimmed ceramic bowl at least a foot across with about 6-inch-wide but shallow middle part, designed to look like you get much more than you do. In fact, it’s not much larger in volume than a can of Campbells Chunky. It tastes a good deal better, but is thinner and absolutely not worth 36 bucks. Do not bother. Instead order other stuff from the menu and...

I'm so glad this came up. I went here with my Daughter for lunch and I have to say the food it was very good, the price up.on the high side. The service well that's why I'm giving a 2 star rating. Ordering took 3 different people to come over to the table, first we were seated by the owner and we were told that Susan would come over to take care of us well Susan was busy I saw that so some other girl came over still don't know her name other than she the manager because I asked, but asked the normal questions and off she went. Got our drinks and then came back asked as normal if we ready to order and we did. I asked to get the appetizer first and it came in a nice timley manner, and then hehe 3 mins later we had our food. Now I know I eat pretty fast but wow didn't know I had to hoof my food down. But said nothing and mmmmm would you know it it was the last time I saw that girl. Susan was there with our food and was very busy with if I had to guess at least 12 plus party by herself. So this is not on her in anyway, she was lol working unlike the owner that sat just across the room chatting away with other patrons or family doesn't real matter to me, but I was there for at least 45 min and after we were served our food we never were approached again, no how is everything can I get you another soda or anything. So again Susan came back finally to help us out and get us packed up to leave after she caught up on the big group of people that lol had to pay individually of course and tied her up from doing her job to help others in the room ( my daughter and I) . Oh by the way the second girl that took our order was the manager and she herself apparently was to busy to help out Susan that needed help to take care of the customer's (us). So if it wasn't for the good food and Susan a minus 1 star would be in order. Seeing that the owner and the manager had better things to do than to help out Susan and us. Because the prices almost got me up out of my seat. So to sum this up if you want to get all your food fast and then left alone run over and grab a seat and pull out an extra $20 at the ATM. Thanks Lisa's Restaurant we wont be back. PS if the service was better and I felt I was appreciated about being there to spend my hard earned money I would have no problem with the price. Customer service in my opinion is what it's all about. Good food good service I will pay. Oh to eat there for me and my 13 year old daughter for lunch, $40 not...

We tried this place out for the first time and took my fiance's 88 yr. Old mother for a break from being in assisted living ; I entered first and IMEDIATELY wanted to beeline right back out as the place smelled of smoke etc. From the bar area which was not a good first impression at all and people were quite loud . You quickly feel like you're walking into a rough atmosphere getting the sense they cater more to the bar scene rather than a good clean and inviting atmosphere . Surely NOT The place for an elderly lady and she herself was less than impressed but insisted we stay as to not make a scene. The door leading into the dinning room was sticky all over the front and our table edges were as well . The whole decore was just painted in hideous colors of olive green and purple with a very outdated feel Overall. We felt uneasy but went ahead to order and we decided to split some nachos . Mother ordered a wrap sandwich . The nachos were less -than appetizing with burnt chips that we ate around and they used the wrong cheese as while the plate cooled down , the cheese hardened up, so upon scooping some up for your plate you had to take the WHOLE PLATTER as they were glued all together . We have made far better ourselves ! There weren't any guacamole or refried beans ....just a scatter of black olives and onion tops and about 2 Tbl. Of salsa and sour cream . If you want meat you better be prepared as this place surely takes full advantage of the corona virus and their customers wallets , as you'll pay an additional $6.00 and higher JUST FOR ADDING A BIT OF MEAT 😱! Even our waitress admitted it was over the top, giving the excuse (im sure was prompted by the owner to tell customers ) that it was due to shortages etc. From the back ups from the virus . She seemed uncomfortable explaining as I would've as well . poor thing. Upon paying , there seemed to be an unorganized confusion .... no one was at the register and waited several minutes untill being serviced and there was confusion as to which waitress was handling checkouts . So we paid over $30.00 just for two meals and no drinks except water . So we don't plan to ever go back and hope...