Smoked Windham — Restaurant in Windham

We were long-time patrons and lovers of Binga's and were excited/nervous to give Smoked a go. Some things were the same, others better, and a few were, sadly, as I suspected, worse. So the following will be instructive, as I really want to see it succeed.

The same: Atmosphere is great-- maybe even slightly improved vs. before. If you liked to hang out before, you'll like it now. Same great staff, beer, etc. Also, like before, the salad game is on-point. For a meat place, Smoked has very nice salads. Mac and Cheese seems unaltered, as well. Lastly, the same great corn muffins which are definitely not low calorie, but are life-altering.

Better: the fried Cauliflower is homemade and divine. Also, the new baked beans are magnificent. They match up to just about any other baked beans I've had at a BBQ place. The new side salad is also wonderful (and a good replacement for my previously-beloved cucumber/tomato/onion salad)

Worse: The new sauce list is good, but definitely cannot compare to what was before. And while I clearly didn't have every new sauce and I'm sure I'll find some new ones to love, I will definitely miss some of the old sauces.

Probably more importantly to their name, I will just be blunt (this is the instructive part)-- if you're gonna be named "Smoked," you gotta have better BBQ. Based on the previous pulled pork at Binga's, which was not particularly great, I was worried if they'd be able to pull off a shift to BBQ. My fears were confirmed with the Ribs, which were perfectly serviceable if made by mom in the oven, but do not stand up against any of the local BBQ joints. Too reliant on sauce (over-sauced, I'd say) and with no discernible smoke or rub flavor, they just don't do the name justice. If the name on the sign was "Sauced," I'd probably be less critical, but this should improve. I will give the burnt ends a try and hope to find they're more like the excellent smoked wings.

For me, I always got smoked wings (which I assume are still amazing), tenders, and a Cucumber Salad. I have no fear I'll be able to piece together a similar meal with the new sauces and Side Salad and be perfectly content. My wife will be even happier with the new Fried Cauliflower, so that's a win (Happy Wife, Happy Life). But the fact that I won't be always wrestling "Wings or BBQ" speaks to a needed...

We used to frequent this place because of its extensive gluten-free options and the use of a separate fryer. However, during our recent visit, we were informed that they no longer maintain a separate fryer and instead prepare gluten-free dishes using gluten-free ingredients. It's important to note that once gluten-free items are fried in a non-dedicated fryer, they can no longer be considered gluten-free. I recommend updating the menu to reflect this change, indicating that the options are gluten-sensitive rather than gluten-free. This change is disappointing, as it limits the choices for individuals with gluten intolerance to primarily salads.

We had been informed on several occasions that there was a separate fryer, which is why we chose to dine here. This was the first time someone told us otherwise. While I understand that achieving 100% gluten-free is difficult, I trusted your establishment based on the previous information about the separate fryer.

Allergies are not always obvious, but labeling something as gluten-free should mean it is truly gluten-free. The term "gluten-sensitive" would have been more accurate. If this had been clarified in our earlier visits, I would have made different choices. Despite this, the Caesar salad, minus the croutons, was delicious. However, telling someone their allergy is cured due to misinformation is insulting and shows a lack of seriousness about their health concerns. I understand that our decision not to return won't impact your business, and I...

🍽️ Food Review: Smoked Windham - 106 Main St, Windham, ME 04062

🌟 Appetizers:

Fried Cauliflower Bites - Imagine gluten-free, hand-breaded cauliflower tossed in house-made buffalo sauce. Absolutely divine! 😋 Huge portions for just $9. A definite bang for your buck! 🌶️👌 Rating: 9/10

🔥 Burnt Ends (GF) - These slow-smoked, 16-hour wonders are like caramelized pieces of heaven. Whether you choose pork or another option, they are sweet, melt-in-your-mouth delightful, and utterly addicting! 🐖💖 Rating: 9/10

🌟 Main Dishes:

🍗 Chicken Wings with Sauce Flight - A culinary adventure! For just $5, the sauce flight lets you try four different sauces: blueberry chipotle, Thai chili, buffalo parmesan, and hot and tangy BBQ. Wings were crispy and perfectly cooked. I want to come back and try even more of their sauces!! 🌶️🔥👍 Rating: 10/10

🍔 Ultimate Smoked Burger - This burger is a masterpiece. Two smash burgers, one with onions and one with bacon, layered with cheddar, BBQ pulled pork, and Hot N’ Tangy BBQ sauce. Messy but worth every bite! 🍔💥 Rating: 9/10

🥪 Mini Pulled Pork Sandwiches - A treat for meat lovers! Packed with flavor and just the right size for an indulgent snack. 🍖👍 Rating: 9/10

🌟 Overall:

🍴 Food: 9/10 🌲 Ambiance: 6/10 - They offer outdoor seating which is great for a sunny day! ☀️🪑 💰 Affordability: 9/10 - Great value for the quality and quantity of food.

Definitely a must-visit for barbecue enthusiasts. The sauce flight alone is worth...