The Coach House Restaurant — Restaurant in Brewer

TLDR: A local “Governor’s” style restaurant, good food, great wait staff, slightly expensive, and odd seating placement.

We recently visited the Coach House for a hot lunch on a cold day. There was plenty of parking and the property was styled tastefully. The inside felt cozy and was complete with decorations and artwork from young diners of the past. This is one of the few places where you pay your bill at the front counter as you leave, though the layout of the booths and entryway makes it easy for someone without integrity to simply walk out. The restaurant also appears to be the hangout spot for all the elderly locals, as there were few people below the age of fifty.

Due to the high volume of hungry folk, we were seated in the very back corner of the restaurant, which felt awkward because the booth was practically in the staff area. Within ten feet of our table, and in unobstructed view, I witnessed: a trash can being regularly used for cleaning off plates, the leaking soda machine with a container on the floor catching water, the staff talking about going to the doctor for their foot, and the various supplies and workstations that otherwise took away from a casual dining experience. It also felt awkward to have staff constantly hovering around us to go about their behind-the-scenes work.

I apologize for not catching her name, but our waitress was excellent and the staff had a good attitude. She was very helpful and thorough when we ordered, so we got exactly what we wanted. She was quick to refill our drinks, and having the soda machine within reaching distance sped up the refill process. She checked in on us, made sure we had everything we needed, and was very efficient.

The food was good, and the menu is a boiled down version of Gov’s, but it has some pros and cons. The prices are on the expensive side, but the portion size made up for it. I rarely have leftovers, but I did with this visit. My SO’s wrap was giant and it could’ve been eaten for two meals, not including the two sides. My chicken had a nice flour-based coating on it, but it was cooked a little long. I liked it, but some people may not like it cooked until it’s medium/dark brown. Additionally, I ordered double fries for my two sides, but I got the same amount of fries as my SO, who got one side of fries and one side of coleslaw. They were also room temp, but they were fresh enough. The fries were probably cooked first and waited on the chicken. We’re in Maine, so the food might be considered bland to flatlanders. I always have low expectation for flavor, so I wasn’t disappointed. The quality of our dishes was never in question.

The Coach House provided a good meal. The staff were friendly and on top of their game, the portion sizes were large, and the food was good enough to visit again. We’ve heard good things about their breakfast lineup, so we’ll have to try that in the future. Being seated in the staff area was not optimal and it felt like we were intruding on the staff, but the food and waitress made up for it. We’ll be back, but hopefully we get better seats. Keep up the good work!

Best...

First, let me say that as a restaurant owner myself for many years I was appalled by the experience yesterday. At the Coach House. Having eaten at this restaurant for over 40 years i generally have been satisfied with the food and service. The last few visits however, have not been as pleasant. Frequently, stopping in by myself I will sit at the counter to keep tables free for larger parties. No customer enjoys sitting listening the staff conversations that are about each other and generally negative in nature. I sadly have witnessed this many times and don’t understand why the owners would allow their staff engaged in these conversations without addressing it and having them taken the conversations to a more private area. So let me relate the most recent two visits and what I experienced as they both involve the same waitress named Kathy. Yesterday, arriving alone in the mid afternoon I was greeted by a pleasant young woman who got me a menu and drink. After returning from the bathroom I inquired of her whether she would be my waitress to which she said no that Kathy would be waiting on me. I let her know that I knew what I was having so she offered to take the order to help her coworker. A moment later she checked back to ensure she had everything correct. Then minutes later I clearly heard the waitress Kathy declaring she didn’t have time for “this”as the young woman must have accidentally entered something wrong into the computer. The young lady trying to help looked worriedly at me as waitress Kathy kept going on about customers at the counter and how busy she was. I got up walked towards the cashier and turned to Kathy and said cancel the order, I’m leaving and you don’t have to be quite so rude. To which she began to loudly proclaim she wasn’t being rude. Well, I don’t know exactly what you would call your behavior towards her co-worker who had been trying her best to help, but it certainly wasn’t called for and the fact that she was being so loud people could have heard had the restaurant been busy. I’m glad I left as Kathy was the same server who had waited on a friend and I, two weeks previously. On that visit we waited a long time to order, never were asked it the food was ok, and we had to request she add an additional side dish. After eating ,we gave up on waiting any longer for our guest check and simply went to the cashier and paid our bill. I can understand if a restaurant is busy that a serviced might become frustrated, but on both occasions - mid afternoon on a Saturday, the lunch crowd long gone there were few tables. Perhaps, longevity entitles an employee like Kathy to treat her coworkers this way, but no customer wants to hear negativity in a loud harsh tone when they choose to dine in a restaurant. After 40 years I think it’s time to find a new stopping place for lunch when in Brewer. Sadly, a place that was always known for good food, quick efficient and exceptional service...

⭐️ (1 star)

Important Warning: Beware of Bad Shellfish!

My recent visit to Coach House Brewer in Maine was marred by a highly concerning experience with their fried scallops. As I eagerly tucked into the dish, I immediately noticed a distinct and off-putting taste that reminded me of chemicals - almost like windex!

It pains me to say that some of the scallops I had ordered seemed to have gone bad, and the taste was a clear indicator of potential contamination. Bad shellfish can pose serious health risks, leading to foodborne illnesses that can make people seriously sick. The thought of consuming unsafe seafood is deeply unsettling, and it's something no customer should ever encounter at a reputable establishment.

I immediately notified the staff about the issue, and they were apologetic, offering to replace the dish. However, it's essential for a restaurant to have rigorous quality control measures in place to prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place. Serving shellfish that has clearly spoiled is not only a culinary disappointment but also a significant health hazard.

It's crucial for Coach House Brewer to take this matter seriously and address it urgently to protect the well-being of their patrons. Ensuring that all seafood, especially shellfish, is sourced, handled, and prepared with the utmost care is non-negotiable when running a restaurant. Neglecting these vital safety measures could lead to disastrous consequences for customers' health and the restaurant's reputation.

In conclusion, my experience with Coach House Brewer's fried scallops was not only disappointing but deeply concerning due to the potential health risks associated with bad shellfish. I hope they take immediate action to prevent such incidents in the future, as the well-being of their customers should always be their top priority. Until they can guarantee the safety and quality of their seafood dishes, I advise diners to approach their shellfish offerings with...