The Montsweag Restaurant — Restaurant in Woolwich

We gave the restaurant a second try a few weeks ago. I drive by every day on my way to and from work and there are always lots of cars parked out front. I really really wanted to enjoy our second meal here after our first disappointing meal about 6 months ago. With all the cars always there I figured it had to have improved. Needless to say it hasn't gotten any better and we will not be going back. Food is blah at best. There were three of us for dinner we ordered two burgers and the steak sandwich. All three were presented on a piece of wood with this metal basket with a giant handle that took up most of the "plate" making it very difficult to eat. Steak sandwich was cold and lacked flavor. Burger was ok but not very well seasoned. Kitchen messed up the order putting the wrong cheese on one of the burgers. Waitress should have caught the mistake but did not. We ordered the burgers cooked to two different temperatures and the waitress got them backwards even after specifically asking when the food was brought out. Bottom bun on the burger was soggy making it unenjoyable to pick up but nearly impossible to fork and knife it with our previously mentioned "plate". My wife was half done trying to eat her burger and the waitress came over and put her hands on the "plate" as if to take it away and then asked if she was done. WRONG WRONG! Not how your supposed to do that. You don't put your hands on the plate then ask if the person is done. There is just something about this place doesn't fit that I can't explain. I think they're trying too hard. Fancy plates that are impossible to eat off. Giant heavy plates for saucers under the soup bowls. Fancy shaped silverware that looks out of place. Odd little block of wood to hold the bill with a little credit card slot and spot for a pen. I could go on but you get the idea. Each thing on it's own not a big deal but add it all up and you end up with a bunch of pieces that don't fit together which make you feel uncomfortable the entire time your trying to relax and enjoy yourself. It's really too bad because the area could use a nice simple restaurant where you can go and have a drink or two and a nice meal. My father in law is the easiest person to get a long with and never complains about a restaurant and even he was dissatisfied and made several negative remarks about our dinner. My wife and I love going out to restaurants and don't mind paying for good service and nice food but from now one we will drive the extra few minutes to Bath, Brunswick or...

Update 2/19/20:

I attended a moderate sized gathering here yesterday; a post-holiday get together sponsored by my wife's employer. We arrived within 5 minutes of the 6pm scheduled time to find cold, congealed nachos and only slightly warmer chicken wings set out as appetizers.

My meal was even less appetizing. Advertised as a "Prime Rib Sandwich," the meat was dry, leathery and room-temperature. The brioche bun it was served on was not remotely fresh, having sat out for an extended period. The french fries were a tiny bit better, which isn't saying much. Had I not been in the company of over a dozen other people, I would have sent it back, but everyone else was eating and I was starving.

I strongly suspect that the execution of the sandwich as originally prepared would have offered an excellent meal, and that the issue with mine was caused by it sitting for an extended period while the rest of the party's meals were prepared.

That said, the venue itself is lovely. Plenty of parking; the space we were provided was nicely appointed with a large fireplace, attractive furnishings, and plentiful seating. The kids in attendance were offered multiple entertainment options. It's unfortunate that my experience with the food was so unsatisfying. Perhaps I would have fared better in a small party ... but I can't recommend this place for larger gatherings.

Original Review:

A significant upgrade from the biker bar it once was, the new owners have some good solid offerings and have improved the interior nicely. The food was good but not great. The haddock sandwich is light on fish, although the onion rings (available for a modest up charge) are very good. Beer selection is decent and prices aren't terrible. Interestingly, not a single chocolate selection on the dessert menu...

Aug. 9, 2020 . . . located on rt. #1 between Wiscasset & Bath, Maine , an appealing building with 1939 emblem easily seen from the road, and plentiful restaurant parking. This is our 2nd time dining here at the Montsweag Restaurant. Couldn't find much about the origin of the Montsweag family name, earliest records mention the Montsweag family dating back to the 1840's in the Woolwich area. There was mention of family businesses that included orchards, and grain and feed operations . . .owned by Washington D.C. lawyer Charles Henry Butler until the early 1900's. The photo of a old stone chimney is reported to be of a Montsweag family farm, then became a Tea Room Restaurant owned by Bob & Jolene Allen in the 1930's. Then the Sewall family converted the old barn into the Montsweag Restaurant at its current location in 1939. Over the years it's been modified under different owners, the menu's modifications continue to improve up to this year.

Back to Aug. and our pit stop for lunch! With the covid era, the tables are 6 feet apart, as we walked past the bar area, and entered a well lit glass seating area with bushes, flowers, and white lights strung around the room. Our waitress was quick with our drink order, and food menu's. Their appetizers are good (from a previous visit) which included fish tacos, perfectly cooked blended beef burger with all the trimmings, a haddock sandwich with sweet potato fries, pizza styled flatbread . . . All were delicious!

This time, only a snack . . . We ordered the thin onion rings! Crispy and excellent! Perfect with a cold beer!

So we'll be back for another meal, when we...