Accordingly, the city of Saco has been steadfastly following in the footsteps of her sister city across the river, Biddeford, in regards to urban revival and renewal…albeit at a slower pace.
But with each passing year, Saco adds another dining spot or two to the roster, as if making up for lost time in this amicable sibling rivalry.
Map Of Saco Restaurants
The map below shows the locations of every restaurant mentioned in this post:
Run of the Mill
This tavern-style eatery is on the Saco River, just over the bridge from Biddeford, and if you chance to go in the spring after the winter thaw, be prepared to have the roaring falls as a soundtrack to your meal (you’re that close).
With its warm, comfortable vibe and extensive pub menu, Run of the Mill is a solid choice for delicious comfort food in a bustling, family-friendly atmosphere.
And if you are a beer person, you’ll have to try a sampler of their house-brewed lagers, ales, porters, and stouts; they have a roster of 30 different beers on rotation at all times.
Location: 100 Main St, Saco, ME 04072
Website: Run of the Mill
The Deli & Company
Just up the hill from Run of the Mill, this cute little spot has some indoor seating in their urban-industrial-style sandwich shop. Open for breakfast and lunch only, the menu at The Deli & Company features salads, burritos, and both cold and hot sandwiches or wraps—and you can even have any cold sandwich prepared as a salad.
They can also do Keto and gluten-free versions of pretty much every item, and not only do they make all of their own sauces, dressings, sausage, soups, and English muffins, but they roast their own chicken and beef for sandwiches and smoke their own meats (sheesh, these guys mean business).
Location: 110 Main St #1204, Saco, ME 04072
Website: The Deli & Company
Pacifico
A bit further up the hill from The Deli & Company, this chic hotspot is like an oasis of Latin culinary magic, plopped down into a mill alongside the rushing waters of the Saco River.
You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into Havana when walking through Pacifico’s doors; leafy palm fronds at every turn, rattan chairs and leather settees, cerulean walls reflected in high-gloss woodwork and spotless mirrors…the ideal atmosphere to be surrounded with when enjoying their creative Latin American cuisine.
And while not extensive, the menu is a careful curation of thoughtful recipes, each abundant with Pacifico’s obvious passion for Latin flavors.
Location: 120 Main St Suite 254, Saco, ME 04072
Website: Pacifico
Traditions Italian Ristorante
Cozy booths, glowing woodwork, warm lighting, and the irresistible aromas of fresh bread, garlicky tomato sauce, and char-broiled meats and seafood inundate your senses when you walk through the unassuming entrance to Traditions, just a tenth of a mile up the road from Pacifico and situated at the southern end of the busy downtown swath of Main Street.
True to its name, the menu at Traditions is packed top to bottom with homestyle Italian comfort food; believe me when I say that this is the place to come when you are craving a gargantuan serving of something saucy, cheesy, or pasta-y.
Their parmigiana meals (chicken, veal, or eggplant) are beyond description, and they have several original dishes (like the Salsa Gustusa—shrimp, scallops, and haddock sautéed in herby olive oil with green onions and black olives in marinara sauce) that fully utilize the local seafood bounty.
Location: 162 Main St, Saco, ME 04072
Website: Traditions Italian Ristorante
Jin Sushi and Ramen
Just around the corner from Traditions and the bustling activity of Main Street is a little nest of retail shops and eateries known as Pepperell Square. Your first dining option—Jin Sushi and Ramen—is in the building immediately on your right…and don’t blink, because you’ll miss it.
And while their in-house dining hours are limited (lunch is take-out only) their dinner menu is for both dine-in and take-out…and I recommend eating there (for some reason, sushi just seems to taste better when you eat out). The list of Jin’s ramen and rice bowl offerings isn’t plentiful, but those few choices are divine—fresh, flavorful, and fantastic.
Location: 15 Pepperell Square, Saco, ME 04072
Website: Jin Sushi and Ramen
The New Moon
This bright spot (literally—it’s painted sunshine yellow) on the corner is right next door to Jin’s and is open for breakfast, lunch, (and dinner, Thursday through Saturday only).
The ambiance is casual, comfortable, and cozy, and the menu has familiar favorites like French Onion Soup, Chicken Marsala, and Baked Haddock on offer, in addition to a full bar and friendly service.
This is the kind of place where you walk in knowing exactly what to expect—and never walk out hungry or disappointed. The New Moon offers take-out and curbside pickup, and they have outdoor seating when the season/weather is right.
Location: 17 Pepperell Square, Saco, ME 04072
Website: The New Moon
Quiero Café
Quiero is owned by the same gastronomic geniuses that run Pacifico, and is located diagonally across the road from New Moon—and while everything on their small-yet-delightful menu is full of Latin American deliciousness, my favorites are the empanadas. This is Cubano street food at its very best, and I could seriously eat these little pockets of flavorful joy morning, noon, and night.
Quiero also offers hot drinks and a limited beer, wine, and cocktail menu in their rustic, snug eatery, and seating is limited—but you can always bring your goods home to enjoy if you don’t snag a table.
Location: 8 Pepperell Square, Saco, ME 04072
Website: Quiero Café
Rapid Ray’s
If you leave Quiero and take a right, you’ll end up at the door to Rapid Ray’s, right on the corner when you hit Main Street. Serving the Saco area for over 67 years, Ray’s is a sure-fire cure for the late-night hangries—at least if you’re craving something like a cheeseburger, hot dog, clam cake, or poutine.
Self-touted as “Maine’s Original fast-food take-out” establishment, this historic landmark is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (until 11:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays), and has been family-owned and run since Ray Camire started the business in 1953 out of an old truck. The menu is short, simple, and beats any chain restaurant’s fast food hands-down, every time.
Location: 189 Main St, Saco, ME 04072
Website: Rapid Ray’s
Golden Rooster
A block and a half north of Ray’s and on the other side of Main Street, The Golden Rooster is another establishment you could easily miss if not looking for it.
With their large, family-style menu, homey atmosphere, and full bar, this diner-ish restaurant provides large portions of delicious comfort food at affordable prices—a hard combination to come by, these days.
Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the Rooster has been around since 1985, with a commensurate, faithful following.
Location: 236 Main St, Saco, ME 04072
Website: Golden Rooster
Ricetta’s
Using their handmade brick ovens and only the freshest ingredients, the folks at Ricetta’s make everything from scratch and locally source all their seafood and most of their meats (specialty items are imported from Italy).
Their menu is just the right size—a little of everything—and full of classic Italian favorites like Linguine Carbonara, Stuffed Shells, and Cheese Ravioli…although there are a couple of dishes with creative twists I’m jonesing to try, like their Roasted Farro Bowl (farro and brown rice with roasted butternut squash, kale, pepitas, goat cheese, and cinnamon Dijon vinaigrette, with a protein add-on option) or the Ricetta Burger (Angus beef, mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, red onion, roasted garlic aioli, and pickled sweet peppers on brioche).
Location: 512 Main St, Saco, ME 04072
Website: Ricetta’s
Lucky Loggers
This honest-to-goodness family restaurant is a few blocks northwest of Main Street, but their gigantic breakfast and lunch (dinner on Fridays only) menu is worth the extra minute or so of travel time.
Located on the site of the old Deering Lumber Company sawmill, the interior of this local gem reflects its historic roots: The mural, photographs, and lumberjack tools that adorn the walls, as well as the construction itself (the pine paneling was original, virgin Deering lumber).
Location: 4 Scamman St #17, Saco, ME 04072
Website: Lucky Loggers
As usual, I’m out of space and still have much to say…so here are a few extras for you to mull over. The CIA Café is a great breakfast/lunch spot with locally-roasted coffee—and you can peruse locally-handcrafted gift items while you’re at it.
Looking for dessert? The Saco Scoop offers made-in-Maine Shaker Pond Ice cream (with dairy-free and gluten-free options, as well).
And for date night, Otto has a location attached to the movie theater on Route 1 on the auto mile—because what’s better than pizza and a movie?
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