Wilson County Barbecue — Restaurant in Portland

My review might start off sounding negative but it does turn out positive in other ways. This is a more unique place with excellent food!

This place is not your standard sit-down, waited on restaurant. Essentially, you walk in to place your order, hopefully know what you want (not to hold up the line), then hope to find a place to sit. Very different concept that wasn't my style but I can understand if others enjoy it. The lady that took our order did mention that it can be 'cutthroat' to find a place to sit, whether a group of 2 or a large party. I was there shortly after opening on a Sunday in January & it was already busy. Must be a hot spot! I can tell by other reviews.

Few things to note, to prepare NEW CUSTOMERS: If you've never been here before, it feels pressured to order. Be prepared to pay at the ordering stage. There are laminated menus that you can take to a table then go back to order if you need more time. You fetch your own drinks & meals when ready (status provided via text). Silverware is already on the table, along with bottles of sauces & brown paper towels on a roll. There are clearly marked places to clear your food, leave the tray(s), silverware, etc. when done eating.

SERVICE & FOOD: My husband's full rack of ribs was going to take 5 minutes longer to cook vs. my order of a chicken sandwich. The lady that took our order brought out an appetizer plate of ribs to hold him over until it was completed so he wasn't sitting there empty handed. They were right back out with his full rack of ribs. Which, by the way, was sooooo good! The side of smoked beans & mac & cheese were great.

BATHROOMS: Easy to find, super clean, smell nice. Women's bathroom has 5 or 6 stalls. Option to use paper to dry hands or air.

SUGGESTIONS: Wet naps at the tables for people to clean up from ribs / hand-held food. Silverware that is wrapped. A way for a customer to wipe their own table to 'assist' with the turnover of tables as people wait for a place to eat.

SO much food that we took it home. I'd love to say more but my review would get too long. We won't likely be back, but know that the food is up to par. Super chill staff & some of the nicest we've...

Settling down for a meal at Wilson County Barbecue in Portland, Maine, feels akin to embarking on a tragic culinary journey into a land where flavors go to die, and texture seems to be an alien concept. It's a testament to how food shouldn't be, a masterclass in mediocrity that leaves a disappointing taste in your mouth, quite literally.

Let's begin with the chicken, an unfortunate poultry specimen that has had all traces of succulence mercilessly wrung from it. Each bite is a dry, woeful affair that is about as satisfying as chewing on sun-bleached driftwood.

And then there are the beans. Oh, the beans. I don’t know what recipe they’ve followed, but they should lose it. They're so far from being palatable, you'd be forgiven for thinking they're a bold experiment in challenging the human taste bud's threshold for the unpleasant. Nasty is an understatement; they're an affront to legumes worldwide.

Then come the biscuits, which seem to take a perverse pride in their absolute lack of moisture. They're a far cry from the fluffy, golden delights one might expect. Instead, they're dry, soulless entities that seem more fitting as a makeshift hockey puck than an edible side.

As for the pulled pork, it bears little resemblance to the tender, juicy marvel that good barbecue can offer. It's a mess of stringy, tasteless meat that's about as appealing as a rainy day at a beach. It's not just gross; it’s an atrocity in the realm of barbecue, an insult to the very essence of slow-cooked meat.

Wilson County Barbecue is a somber study in culinary disappointment. It's a place where potential goes to fizzle out, where expectations are built up only to be dashed by the reality of lackluster food. I wouldn't wish this barbecue experience on my worst enemy. It's less a meal and more a test of endurance for your palate. Proceed...

I’ve been here a few times. Love the atmosphere & the people & some (not all) of the food. First off, the hushpuppies are amazing!!! By far my favorite thing. Second fave is the fried shrimp. It’s awesome! Large meaty shrimp, cooked to perfection. The chicken sandwich is very very good! Chicken & waffles yummy!! The pulled pork is ok although hubby said it was rather tough. Pulled pork should be tender, not tough. Today I had the fried chicken, I’d been wanting to try this for a while & had high hopes. It was a big letdown I’m sorry to say. I probably should’ve sent it back cuz as soon as I picked it up it looked very dark & quite dry. Dry is an understatement! Wow, I had to go get some ranch & soak it in that or it would be like sawdust. (breast meat) the thigh was better, dark meat is just more moist naturally. I will never order it again. I thought that maybe that’s just how they cook it, then I see someone walking by with the same meal I got with golden delicious looking, perfectly cooked fried chicken! That really irritated me as I knew mine was just a very overcooked batch. So in all $71. & we had overcooked dry chicken, tough pork & a good chicken sandwich & fantastic hushpuppies. Not a great deal. However in the past I’ve had the shrimp, twice & it is fantastic! The bbq dusted fries are really good as well. The cheese grits are terrible. Loaded with onion! I will be back as I like the atmosphere, outside seating with fire pits & lighting & the people there r super nice! Just a review to let others know what’s good & not so good. I personally don’t like spending $ & getting subpar food. I’m not very good about speaking up though…. I will stick to what I know is good here! I didn’t think to take a pic of my meal b4 I started eating. This is what I had left. U can see in the pic how incredibly dry...