The Thirsty Pig
37 Exchange St, Portland, ME, 04101
The Thirsty Pig Menu
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Address :
37 Exchange St
Portland, ME, 04101 - Phone (207) 773-2469
- Website https://www.thirstypigportland.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Fri, Sat, Sun
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Nicole M.
We loved this place. We got the sausage sampler platter and ours included: chicken satay, blueberry chicken, Caribbean chicken, chorizo and Korean bulgogi. I shared it with my husband, and it was enough (with the pickles and bread) to keep us until we went for milkshakes. The sampler was excellent and just improved as we went down the board. I loved that it included selections we would never have made, and we loved those too. We discussed going back to the Thirsty Pig for the remainder of the nights we were in Portland. Bonus, they have a nice, but small, beer selection, and there are boxes of Trivial Pursuit cards to distract you from the impulse to buy a second sampler.
(5)Stephanie M.
I judged this book by its cover & am really glad I did so. This was one of my favorite places I ate while in Portland. Honestly, how could it get any better than local beer, house made sausages, and board / card games to play while you drink? It couldn't! Cannot wait to come back next time I'm in Portland.
(5)Dawn T.
The Thirsty Pig is one of my favorite casual places in this city. The proprietress is the most impressive part of this business, followed by the beer list and the menu. Outdoor seating and bands with no cover round out the reasons why I love this joint. Thank you Allison.
(5)Bill T.
A highlight of my trip to Portland! My friends and I stopped in here while waiting for dinner reservations. They had a nice beer selection and the bartender was super friendly. Also, the other patrons were nice as I had a great conversation with a lovely couple at the bar. We sat on the back deck and had our beers and asked each other Trivial Pursuit questions. It was a great experience...laid back, relaxed and fun. I think a lot of bars aspire to have this fun type of atmosphere, but get this place a hammer because The Thirsty Pig nails it.
(4)Angela S.
Wandered in on a quiet, snowy weekday and so glad I did. Funky and cozy atmosphere with The Goonies playing on the bar TV. House made sausages and a few other options. Vegan, chicken, and international choices to mix it up. We got the pretzel bite appetizer with two condiments which were super tasty. Tons of beer choices and the staff was really knowledgeable about what they were serving and even talking to each other about what new options they were rotating in.
(5)lauren j.
I made the mistake of going here primarily to try the sausages, with the craft beer as the secondary goal. The food is not that great. We got the buffalo chicken dip, and it was in the top-10 of most awful food I've ever had. It was cold, not buffalo-y at all, and tasted gross. We got two sausages and they were just okay--the BBQ chicken was too drenched in sauce and the casing on the sausage was really hard to bite. It too was an odd temperature that didn't seem quite right. The buns were awesome though, but that doesn't make it worth eating there. I really, really wished we had eaten somewhere else. So if you're thinking about going here just to eat, don't. I'm sure it's a fun bar though, so I gave it 3 stars because I admit that this in part was a failure in judgment because this is first and foremost a bar.
(3)Samantha J.
This place was amazing. I was visiting Portland for the weekend, and came here to have lunch. The hot dogs were delicious. I wish they had more of a beer selection, but the hard cider I had was yummy. I plan on visiting Portland again in the warmer seasons, and plan on coming back to The Thirsty Pig.
(4)Anna D.
Great outdoor patio when it's nice out and fantastic buffalo chicken dip!
(4)DD W.
interesting place and lots of intersting choices for pork and beer. Oh and they have games too, because lets be honest bars can be boring!
(4)Christopher B.
Fantastic sausage with some interesting flavors. If it wasn't lunch and I didn't have to stare at a computer afterward, I would have gotten the platter! Great local beer selection on tap.
(5)Jason B.
I would like to write a more cogent review of The Thirsty Pig, but alas. We were in town for the Harvest on the Harbor festival (food and wine under a massive tent) and post-event bar hopping was a thing. We got here before the kitchen closed, but we spent too long dickering over the menu, and the kitchen closed. Totally our fault. They were super nice to us, and treated us kindly even though we were a little schnackered. We watched the Sox lose game 3 of the World Series, and they bought us a sympathy round. :( I like these folks a lot.
(4)Michael T.
Thirsty? Yes! Great beer selection. Go with a Peeper, how can you lose. Hungry? Yes! Great sausage with carmies...expertly camelized carmies...what could be better? Josh and Zack were as friendly as could be. Great lunch stop in the old port!
(4)Jeremy N.
This bar/restaurant is in a great location on Exchange street. They also have a cool outside deck area which you don't see at a lot of places right in the Old Port. A big plus in my book. I don't know if I would call this a full restaurant because they really only do sausages. The beer selection is pretty good. I tried the Lithuanian sausage and liked it a lot. I couldn't say whether it is authentic or not. I'll have to bring some of my Lithuanian friends there and get their expert opinions. I thought it was really good though. I will definitely try some of the other selections next time.
(4)Sarah K.
My family and I end up here pretty darn often when we're walking around the Old Port, so I really want to give them four or five stars, but simply being kid-friendly is not reason enough. They have solid food and a great tap list, but I always feel like we've paid too much for what we get. Everything is just a bit...unpredictable. Once, the buffalo dip was cold and bland, but the previous time it was gloriously flavorful and bubbly hot. The Lithuanian sausage (my husband's favorite) is sometimes juicy, flavorful, and served with perfect garnish, and other times we send it back to the kitchen. The beer is always excellent, and their cole slaw and beans pretty much rock my toddler's socks off, but between the fairly high prices for medium-small portions and the occasional just-not-good meal, we don't tend to make this our destination unless we're already right there.
(3)Liz K.
This place is great! I dropped in for a couple of hours with my family, and we loved that it wasn't too packed on a Friday evening, and had a fantastic happy hour ($2.50 shipyard drafts) and outdoor seating. The crowd seemed to be late-20s, mostly groups of friends/coworkers. There are a bunch of board games you can borrow, including several ancient trivial pursuit decks, on the bookshelf.
(4)Michelle Y.
After a day of shopping and eating, my boyfriend and I wanted to try out a local bar. Buskers looked pretty crowded for a rainy weekday so we checked it out. They had a happy hour deal. 3 Shipyard drafts on tap for $2.50. One of the taps was done, so I tried the pumpkin beer. I didn't enjoy it but for the price it was worth a shot. They have a ton of board games which helps pass the time.
(3)Damien S.
Dogs with a snap, hogs lugging kegs, smokey sides and something called the Pickletizer? Don't even unlock the door; I'm already inside. Seriously, we snuck in pre-opening. Accidentally, of course, but the siren call of housemade sausages ranging from Thai Chili pork to Lithuanian Kielbasa (including the ever-elusive Buffalo Chicken sassitch) proved to be overwhelming, as we ignored door locks and business times to perch eagerly at the storefront booth. It's a bar, and bars have beers and TVs and free peanuts (well, used to have peanuts - they proved to be too effective of a loss leader) and wiener wizards wielding grinder cranks in one hand and draft taps in the other. House blends in a sandwich will run $8 a pop including a side (4 avail: S&V chips, slaw, oniony bacon baked beans or sautéed squash for you out-of-place veggies), or $5 naked and topped. Or for a $5 lunch, check this hack: the $6 Dog Basket is two pups on buttered, toasted rolls, topped with pretty much anything but their housemade four-sausage chili and cheese. Bring someone you can trust with your second dog, order a pair of $2 fountain soda and BAM! cheap date. They'll even split the cole slaw between two paper ramekins if your coy ways have you giggling at the thought of eating from the same basket. Teehee, teehee, teeheeheehee. Order the Pickletizer. It's just a $3 plate of mustard pickle chips covered in hot relish. And a $3 plate of hot relish-covered pickle chips is what most of us need in our lives.
(4)Shane L.
This is a great "hole in the wall" kinda place. Selection of beers are great and they change them out all of the time targeting local brews. We drank Allagash Black on draft and it was delicious. They also have home made sausages that we did not partake in but it smelled amazing. Service was friendly and owner sounds passionate about beer. Nice little place.
(4)Daniella L.
More like THE FILTHY PIG... I met a friend here for drinks and intended to stay for a bit to eat. Needless to say we didn't order food because we were GROSSED OUT by how dirty it was! We sat at the bar; the wine was ok, the bartender service was alright, nothing to write home about, but the dark atmosphere and the filth was a no-go for us. We will not be back.
(1)Lauren P.
This place has just the right amount of quirk for me to love it. Seems like a good place for a group or a casual date. 1) You order at the front by the kitchen. There's a short list menu and no formal drink menu. Beers change frequently, so you order by the chalkboard list of draft beer and bottles. Pretty big variety in terms of beers. 2) The food is good. Not amazing, but not terrible. Two folks in our group got the chicken dip and the quesadilla. I tried a little of both and liked them. If we'd come here for dinner I would have tried a chicken sausage. 3) THEY HAVE GAMES! I love it when bars have board games. 4) Big outdoor seating area, which was really nice to have. The weather was perfect for it late at night. 5) It wasn't too busy when we first got there, but picked up and it seemed to have a good late night crowd. 6) Single stall bathrooms -- so be prepared for a line if it gets busy.
(4)Jason N.
Great local beers on draft, excellent sausages i wont bring my child here again just because she didnt like the low lights. This is an awesome place to have a brew with friends though i will be back.
(4)Emily L.
I was so excited looking at all the sausages on the menu. While they were pretty good, they were so tiny for the price. We left feeling a little hungry still. The décor inside was pretty cool though! Lots of stuff to look at.
(3)Betsy G.
Great food and service. Five of us ordered several things and no one wanted to share it was so good. We are from Georgia and the waiter even spoke Massachusetts accent for us.
(5)Danielle B.
Went here for lunch and a quick drink. The poor bartender wasn't only waiting on bar customers, but bussing tables, and waiting on tables. Took 15 before we ordered a drink , to only find out that mine was flat. Tried to order lunch but she was so busy she couldn't get to us. Waited and waited for the tab but just landed up throwing a few dollars on the table for the non flat beer. Based on this experience would never return.
(1)Bruce D.
I'm really a fan. Very Maine, very good! Blueberry Chicken Sausage, Bacon Baked Beans and an Allagash Porter. Do I really need to say more? Also, I had some amazing peach beer that wasn't too sweet and the Pig is the only place I can find it. The atmosphere here is always chill and friendly; very pub-style and down-home. On top of all that, they have one of the best outdoor seating areas in the Old Port - a hot commodity here! Pair that with some fair service and a few friends and you've got a winner! The menu is full of smaller items, mostly things like sausages and kielbasa, but sides like Baked Beans (a Maine tradition) and other things (that I can't remember now because I always get the baked beans) and low prices on the menu translate to "worth it"!
(4)Bryan D.
This is a good bar with great sausages and hot dogs. Its not what I would consider a full restaurant, more of a bar with takeout type food that they'll bring over to your table when its ready.
(4)Kelly O.
One of my go-to lunch spots in Portland. Love the house-made sausages- great quality and variety, and really cheap to boot-, and they always have a great local beer tap rotation. It's basically counter service, so you can hang out at your own pace, and the music (90s alternative) and movies (Total Recall) they play just add to the chill, casual atmosphere. I always make a trip here when I'm in town.
(4)Eric R.
My family was scrambling around int he rain looking for a place to duck into and we stumbled in here. As the name implies, you get pork, pork and more pork here. No service at your seat... they have signs that tell you what to do. Kid at the register looked bored and impatient with my order. I think he made up the price as it was an exact amount (rounded up, I think). They got the order wrong, so I had to go up and get it fixed. Scary looking cook, covered in tats. Not sure if this place could possible pass a heath code inspection. This might be normal for the Northeast, and Portland, but we're from the South and it wasn't what we are used to in regards to hospitality. I'd say pass.
(1)Rick K.
Well described in prior reviews as a "solid" stop in Portland. In for lunch after a 1/2 day charter out of Portland and we caught it at a very quiet time (about 2PM). Ended up using the public parking garage about 2 blocks away rather than exhausting ourselves trying to find a spot mid-day during the week (I think it was $6 so well worth it). Neat concept (we Yelped before stopping so we knew) and it was just what we were looking for after 5 hours at sea. Started with the soft pretzels and as is one of my favorite things to do, ordered the chili with it to dip the pretzels into. Chili dog for me, same for my boys; and the Lithuanian Kielbasa for Big John. All were devoured quickly at a nice outdoor table in the back. Had a nice brown ale with it and we were on our way quickly. This is a simple one - if you like sausage, dogs and craft beer make it a stop. If not, then keep on trucking.
(4)Michelle P.
I use to go here more often, when I still worked in-town, and I do miss the happy hour Shipyard pitcher of beer. I however recently went here on a Friday night & I have to say, it is a pretty great place still. Indoor/Outdoor seating, live music, great staff, awesome beer, and even a vegan option to eat! I eat fish from time to time but never land animals. So a place with a giant pig as the sign is usually not going to draw me in. However, they have a fantastic vegan hot dog! It is really good! And what made it better was that when I ordered, they made sure I understood that it was going to be cooked on a grill that is contaminated by meat, which allowed me to decide if I wanted it still. That was very considerate of the staff to check with me. A friend told me they have since started to cook them away from the meat, not sure if that is the case or not. Also, order the pickletizer! YUM. I think is a great place to meet some pals for a drink and a snack. I have never had the meat part of the menu, but everyone always seems to love it.
(4)Kimberly K.
What a Clever concept - microbrews and home made hot dogs and sauages with anything but the kitchen sink to add as a topping -oh and BTW you can have Doritos with your dog! Sat down at the bar - ordered the Chili Dog and the hot dog was not salty with no fillers. Watched the guy ( bartender/hotdog guy) grill my hotdog and topped it off with chilli was full of ground beef with a sweet tomato sauce. A handfull of fresh grated Cheddar and chooped sweet onions were added as a topper. Yummy! Lots of local brews from Maine - I wish I could stop by for their Happy Hour after work but I'm back in Philly- BUMMMER. Can't wait to the part 2 trip to Portland - such a great vibe there!
(4)Galen F.
Great selection of interesting sausages. The place has an aire of authenticity though it may just be spray on awesome. Decent beer selection as well. I definitely wasn't bummed about being here, but there's some really amazing places in Portland, this one was just very good.
(3)Bobby F.
Good beer and love the sausages!
(4)chris t.
Not sure why there's so many 4 and 5 stars reviews. Went here on our latest trip and have to say it is one of the most disappointing meal we had have. The sausages were overpriced and mediocre. Fiancee ordered the vegan sausage, we knew not to expect any vegan food to be amazing but the texture of the sausage was just plain mushy and unappealing. Also, the side of housemade chip was also very disappointing. First, we only got a small handful of chips not worth the upcharge for sides. Second, the chips were burnt, overly salted and greasy.
(2)Shamus A.
Fantastic service! Bartender James is quick with a joke and the beers... Though as a Giants fan, he's in the wrong town! Food is quick and delicious... BBQ baked beans, sausage links, and great happy hour specials. This is a new place that seems destined to be a neighborhood favorite!
(4)TJ S.
If you are stoned and want an awesome hot dog and free peanuts to-go, go here. Ridiculous service, overcooked sausages, and contrary to popular opinion not a great beer selection. Double-park, put in your order, drive around for 15 minutes looking for a spot, double-park, go in, wait another five minutes for your hot dogs, done. The hot dogs are awesome, but then again there's all that other stuff. I would describe the clientele and decor as Barnapplebees (Except for the pork map on the wall = awesome). PS - I've heard from multiple people that their credit cards numbers have been abused after they're paid with their CC here. Pay cash for yer dogs!
(2)Lizzie M.
I had no idea it took that long to cook a sausage! We were the only people in the restaurant and it took more than 25 minutes to get our processed meat to the table. I found them a tad overpriced and the meat to be overcooked. The woman rolling the sausage back and forth on the grill looked like she was stoned, we won't be back.
(2)Benjamin C.
Stopped in for some sausage! Tried the chili (excellent), chorizo with baked beans, and apple chicken. The sausages were very good. The bread they were served in was spectacular. Not a bad price for what you get. Cozy atmosphere and outside dining. I'd go again.
(4)Eliza M.
Not a bad place at all.... right in the thick of it on Exchange Street, you'll need to find yourself some pah-kin. My husband and I went in because we knew they were carrying the new cider made in Maine. Loved the free peanuts, although the service was a little slow. Note - I didn't try the food this time, but will go back for the homemade sausages. Yum yum! They smelled good (as did my hair and clothes when I left...)
(3)Judy L.
Very interesting concept and the pictures looked amazing. We ordered a sampler that included 1/2 sticks of 3 different varieties. The sampler included Hot Italian, L-something-somethiing kielbasa, and Chicken Apple. They were not as greasy or heart-clogging as I expected them to be. The sausages all tasted rather interesting and were flavorful. It's a decent joint. Nice beer selection.
(3)Kimberly H.
i hate to put a review like this up, especially since this is a locally owned bar and the sausages are delicious and the beer selection is one of the best i've seen...however... went there one night, the bartender had a beer that was incorrectly poured, and the full glass sat behind the bar. she was handing out samples of the beer by placing her ungloved hand into the glass and scooping up some of the beer into a paper sample cup and handing it out. That isn't the worse part...i witnessed a customer ordering the beer, that was incorrectly poured. SHE TOPPED OFF the existing glass w/ remnants of the poured beer and handed to the customer and charged for it! disgusting my boyfriend and i had already ordered dinner, and i was debating if i wanted my sausage or not...well, i eventually went with "no thank you" and this is why (as if I needed another reason after witnessing the atrocities above...) I order the apple/cheddar sausage (or something like it, i can't pull up their menu rn, so i'm going on my memory) it was served to me w/ FETA cheese on top...i saw the bartender put the cheese on w/ her ungloved hand...it should also be noted that the cook had been out for a ciggy before he cooked our meal, not sure if he washed his hands in between.....anyway,she brings it over, and i ask why is there feta i/o cheddar...and she says oh, we're out of cheddar...it's just so stupid to bring a customer something they didn't order and pass it off like it's the real thing...so, i told them, no thanks, i don't want it at all....she sets it over in the sandwich board area...the cook decided he would eat it right there in front me. for real, i have met allison and she seems like a hands on owner, but she wasn't around this night....i really miss the thirsty pig, but my experience there is scarred now, pretty sure i wont' be back
(1)Christine P.
We stumbled upon this place while out shopping and exploring downtown. What a nice little find. Quiet street, great outdoor seating, and good live music. Great way to chill out on a Sunday afternoon at the end of our Maine Vacation.
(4)Brian A.
I had been casing this place for some time now waiting for the right time to bust in. Been twice in the past month and it was good each time. First visit I came with a friend and we tried their sausage sampler. 6 homemade sausages for $30 seemed a little steep but each one of them was great in their own way. Standouts were the Thai chili and the garlic chicken but they were all tasty. We both left satisfied in a meat induced coma. The next visit I got the Thai chili ala cart. It does not come with a bun but came with some tasty salt & vinegar chips and some house made mustard pickles. Very good. Happy hour (M-F, 4-7pm) is great here too. Shipyard Chamberlain drafts for $2.50? That shit is criminal! I think they also have some deals on food items during their happy hour as well. Daily specials are displayed up above the counter where you order. The service is kinda strange here as in there is really no table service and I don't believe they have a sign up that tells you to seat yourself. You have to be proactive here and find someone to get your food and drinks for you which is fine with me. Solid Old Port option if you like meat and beer. I like the trivial pursuit questions at each table as well. Nice touch. I'll be back.
(4)Timothy R.
This is a perfect local dive with good service, good beer and great sausages. I did like the beer selection with a lot of local and regional options. The sausages are changed regularly so there are various flavors for all palates. My daughters even opted for the sausage platter that came with 6 flavors and toppings. They were good. I wished a couple were spicier but they were still good and the toppings well paired. I would certainly go back to enjoy some brews and sausages. If you want a chicken sandwich, go somewhere else!
(4)Andrew K.
Realized that I have never reviewed this place! A fair amount of time has passed since I was last out on the east coast, but this place still deserves some more love. Great, relaxing little bar with a good selection of tasty beers local to the area. I didn't get a chance to try any food when I was here, which is the only thing really stopping me from giving this place a 5 (Gotta try it to have an opinion, of course!). The service was easily a 5 though - Some of the best I've had at a bar anywhere - Some friendly folks here that made this west-coaster feel right at home! One of these days, I'll be back in Maine. And the first place I'm going for a beer will be the Thirsty Pig!
(4)Ryan S.
Very Portland. Great selection of local beers. And they had trivial pursuit and dominos on the tables! Good mix of locals and tourists. Staff was welcoming to us as tourists and weren't snobby as they could be given the coolness of the place.
(5)Gregory P.
I love the look of this place. It has dark wood ever everywhere with dim lighting giving it this classy feel but it's not hoity toity at all. I went there with my girlfriend to grab a few drinks and we sat out on there patio which is a floor above the street giving you a great view without pedestrians getting in the way. It was a Saturday night and given how beautiful it was outside that night we were surprised how dead it was. So we picked the best table and drank and talked. Eventually more and more people came but never overcrowded. Definitely a great place to grab a few drinks with friends or take a date when you just want to talk and have a good time with drinks.
(4)Rebecca W.
This place is hidden gem. I love the fact that they use morse's pickles, which are my absolute favorite. If you haven't had the chance to try one, you are missing out. They also serve some great maine beers, such as allagash. The sausages are all made in house and are served on a bun, in a salad or without a bun. I can't wait to try all the flavors of sauasage and all the exciting toppings, but I could only fit a couple in my belly. I tried the thai chili and keilbasa. They each come with one side. The potao salad was delicious, packed with delightful flavor. They have wonderful outdoor seating in the back or cozy seating inside. Don't forget there is no waitstaff, so order at the counter.
(5)Cindy T.
I was really excited about this place because I love casual restaurants and board games but this place was such a disappointment. We ordered the pretzel bites, which was $5 for 6 sad half-inch, burnt pieces of "pretzel" (more like a chopped up biscuit). This was one of the biggest ripoffs I've ever encountered at a restaurant. The server just plopped down our food with a sour face and never said one word to us. The outdoor patio smelled like stinky socks. The rest of the food (sausage and a hot dog) was decent and would have merited 3 stars but with everything else, we would never go back. There are far too many great restaurants with wonderful service nearby to bother.
(1)Clint B.
I came here last Wednesday with the legendary community director Steff D. of the Yelp Elite Community, and we had a blast. Anyways, this is a pretty solid place. We came right after opening for the day, so we were the only two here for the majority of the visit. When you first come to this place, you grab a menu, order, pay, and take a seat (at least that's what we did). This place has a great offering of a variety of different sausages, including a vegan sausage. I had a Blueberry Chicken Sausage which was unlike anything I have had in the past. The Thirsty Pig also boasts a good selection of different local and regional brews. Two beers ($6) and two sausage sandwiches with sides ($10) came to $32 before tip and tax. Service seemed a little slow, finding parking can be a pain (per usual in downtown Portland), and I would not recommend coming here if you skipped a few meals and you're super hungry (as it could get pretty expensive). But overall, this is a solid place in the Old Port to grab some lunch.
(4)Carrianne C.
This place is fun! Serving sausages, hot dogs, and plenty of beer, how could it not be? Fun toppings/flavors like..... Thai chili! Jalapenos! Bacon-wrapped! Even a veggie dog! There are board games on the tables, an easy method of ordering, and its not particularly expensive. Check it out.
(4)James D.
Since the first time I came here, I continue to return. Every time I get the chorizo sausage and one more different item. Today it was a regular dog with mustard and Chili. The Chili is sausage based, rather than the usual hamburger. It's fantastic. A vinegar taste the matches the yellow mustard I requested perfectly. The staff is great. And the craft beer selection is among the best in Portland . Don't you ever change Thirsty Pig! You're doing everything right!!
(5)Chay L.
Really great food. Love the atmosphere. Total one of a kind joint for this area. I wish I knew the culture of no waiters/bussers in Portland. It helps to know you serve yourself in these joints The only problem is that Portland is generally overrun by seagulls, who crap including the outside deck. You cant walk three feet in old port without seeing seagull crap... that includes all the outside decks in old port. I was a little suprised.
(4)Jim B.
Here for #PortlandBeerWeek. Nice idea, although it seems again like much ado about beer in Portland. I guess we already know that Portland suffers from an abundance of riches in that area, right? The beer hall across the street was jam-packed with hipsters seeking a Bill Murray sighting, so I was in and back out the door. I hate hanging out by myself in crowds of clique-y people. The Thirsty Pig was perfect--less crowded--more than enough beer for my tastes, and the acoustic blues being performed by Frank Fotusky, (doing his best Jorma Kaukonen imitation), was a nice bonus. This guy can definitely play. The gentleman to my left was visiting Portland from Delaware, so I got to play tour guide, answering his questions about Portland, including some tips for food options and a bit of beer history. Do I get a bonus check from the Convention & Visitors Bureau? I could see the Pig being a place for me to get beyond my aversion to drinking in the middle of the afternoon. Those who know of my transition from full-time nine-to-fiver sitting in a cubicle for Whitey the Man, to freelancer about town, know that I struggle with having an adult beverage in the middle of the afternoon. I mean, am I going to fire myself? I'll continue to work on that irrational fear and places like the Thirsty Pig might be able to assist me. The menu looked interesting if you have a hankering for dogs, sausages, and pretzels. I do like those options, but on this visit, I was bent on beer. Good selection on tap. I went with one by Banded Horn (from Biddeford) and Rising Tide's Zephyr. Both went down well and that's all there is to my Wednesday night, #PortlandBeerWeek adventure. And sorry--no Bill Murray sightings for me to report.
(4)Tommy L.
I love the thirsty pig! Every time I'm in Portland I make sure to chow down on their selection of sausages and beer. It's perfect for those with kids. Super informal, with games inside and a huge courtyard with bean bags to keep everyone entertained. All the food was good but really loved the chorizo, hot Italian, and Thai chicken. Throw in 2.50 shipyards for happy hour and a super friendly staff - boom! What else can you ask for?
(4)Kelly R.
Belly up to the bar here and you're greeted with a nice little selection of microbrews and standards with some tasty food offerings to compliment them if you choose. The best part, the sausages are house made and chock fully of tasty and indulgent love! My husband and I popped in while we meandered about Portland on a lazy weekend. Just before ducking in here, it had started to rain and the bar filled up quick. We sampled some sausages; the Thai chili and Lithuanian. He had his with a salad and I had mine with the crostini. They were flavorful and delicious, hitting the spot and jiving well with our ME draughts of choice. The bar was eclectic and relaxed and the bartender was polite and attentive. We will be back for sure and are looking forward to it! Great relaxed atmosphere for a beer and some great sausage, so take a chance and give them a try, you won't be disappointed!
(4)Cheryl J.
Just, Wow. The food is super fresh and all made in house with quality ingredients. The beer selection was top notch. It was easy to sit, the bartenders were friendly and the service was fast. Loved the house-made spicy relish, the sour pickles, the cartoons on the TV, the live music. Really high quality and affordable, I'll be going back next time I'm in Maine.
(5)Mike S.
The sausage was good but nothing extraordinary. There were great ideas for different sausages and the presentation was quite fun but the flavors were a bit understated. I think they need to try to make the flavors pop more and add some more spice. On the positive is the beer selection! Bissell Brothers on tap is always awesome and the other taps usually have some awesomeness. The back deck is always fun for a group but irritating when people are smoking even when they aren't suppose to be. I was disappointed that they ran out of gas for the heaters and had to move inside. Good place to go with some friends for a snack and beer, thats for sure
(3)Reed O.
Great food great atmosphere trivial pursuit order from bar...love this place.....chili ok as awesome!
(5)Susan L.
Went here with my husband and two children. We each ordered a different type of sausage and they were all fantastic. I loved the blueberry chicken sausage. All house made. Paired it with some craft beers and it was a nice evening! Casual atmosphere. Live music several evenings.
(4)Jessica C.
Went mid afternoon for a beer and cidah and it wasn't busy at all just a couple of groups so we were able to sit outside. I would assume if it is later on in the evening they would seat you themselves but we just walked outside and sat after ordering at the bar. They had an extensive beer and cidah menu on tap. There was a group on the terrace that had a barrel of beer on their table if everyone could decide which one to agree on, looks like it would be fun. The sausage list was amazing and the bartender recommended the popular ones to us. It.was.delicious! The pineapple salsa on top of ours was really good and we gobbled it up quickly.cod that came with were a little stale but the pickle that came with was the best I've ever had (literally). Loved the atmosphere and even though parking is metered it was only two dollars for the max. Definitely go if you are in the area!
(4)Lina M.
Delicious food! I got the pulled pork quesadilla and it was very tasty, well seasoned and yummy. Great outdoor sitting area and good beer. What else can you ask for?
(4)Angela J.
Good beer. Good Sausage. Outdoor seating. Enough said. A bit disappointing that the sides are regular Lay's Potato chips. Lessened my rating for lack of originality. The sausage however is great!
(3)Allison B.
Great ambiance, a beautiful back deck, an extensive microbrew selection, and delicious food. This place has it all! I'm in love with the Caesar Sausage. So yummy.
(5)Sage L.
Not a ideal fan of house made sausages but I commend them for being a staple. Nightlife here is not ideal if you're looking to sit down and have a quiet drink. Djing is out place with heavy electronic on rotation. A great place however for local beer and house made sausages. Besides the absence of a quiet setting definitely a great place to yell across the table with friends. Get cozy. Plus there is oddly placed surfer movie playing on the TV.
(3)Steff D.
The first two times I ever came to The Thirsty Pig, I left almost immediately. Both times, the patrons themselves were rude and oblivious (ex: I was intentionally kicked in the shin by some drunk girl because she thought I was trying to sit down at her friend's table), and the staff ignored us entirely for long enough that we knew it was blatant and not just an accident. Having had similar experiences back-to-back left a bad enough taste in my mouth that I was all set ever coming back (and, as another reviewer mentioned, as a vegetarian the giant pig sign outside wasn't exactly a turn on). The next few times I came to The Thirsty Pig was entirely different experiences. Maybe I found the sweet spot of when to come (which is 11am to about 4pm)? Maybe they've just had enough time to settle into their (pig) skin on Exchange St? I don't know, but the beers were big and cold; and, the staff was abundantly thoughtful (recently handing us both glasses of water the moment we walked in because of how hot it was outside), funny, interested in taking care of us, and real. I went for lunch recently with a friend and told the girl behind the counter that I was a vegetarian. She immediately ordered for me (not something I'm usually a huge fan of, but when you're at a sausage-based restaurant, I don't mind if the staff takes that sort of initiative - it shows they've dealt with "my kind" before and know exactly what to order us to be safe) - the vegan sausage and the side salad with balsamic dressing. My counterpart got the blueberry-chicken sausage and the cole slaw. I did think it was a little odd that the order took quite a while to get out to us given that we were the only people in the place. Once we had our food, though, we dug in - I was impressed that the vegan sausage didn't "taste vegan" (like earth, cardboard, tangy, slimy, chewy, or anything else you might associate with stereotypical meatless meat products). It was spicy and flavorful - though I think the addition of caramelized onions and mustard certainly help that out (good thinking on The Thirsty Pig's part for creating the combination of flavors). The bread was a little thick for my personal liking, so I abandoned it to just eat the sausage alone. The salad was just that - a salad (of mixed greens, carrots, cukes, and onions) - but on such a hot day, it was the perfect side. I left the restaurant not feeling bloated from having eaten too much, but just the right-amount-of-full. Still, it's hard for me to think I'll come back here too often as the options for the herbivores are limited (vegan sausage and a soy hotdog, I believe). I do like the beer/ciders they have on draft, though (and the price); and, I'm a HUGE fan of their outdoor patio space (might be one of my favorites in the city, but every time it's crowded, it's crowded with the "cool" people of Portland, a circle of which I don't quite belong to yet), too.
(3)Michael B.
Really really good! And good beer's on tap! I want to try more but so far just pulled pork and it was very good.
(4)John A.
This is where you need to go before a night of boozing and partying in Portland. The Thirsty Pig serves up great home made sausages and other things in buns at an affordable price. They also offer a great selection of both draft and bottled beer including some of the swanky Allagash beers. Think FV13 and Merveilleux. The waitstaff was young and chill and the whole place had a relaxed vibe. Definitely the place to go and fill up before a big night on the town.
(4)Sarah S.
I really wanted to like the Thirsty Pig. Really, I did. The things that made me not like t, however- started right away. Husband and I ordered same beer- separately. His came in a glass literally half the size of mine. Ordered buffaloe chicken dip- would NOT recommend. Barely warm, and we were given a measly amount of bread to use it as a dip. Sides are too small and nothing real good. Tried sausage sampler platter- and all the sausages were crumbly and dry. Lastly- we had to get all of our own napkins, plates, and silverware. "Waitress" didn't bring them to us. Left disappointed and still hungry.
(2)Miriam L.
On a chilly (dreaded) sunny day in Portland, Maine, sausages and beer were what looked good. A new joint, The Thirsty Pig was intriguing in a dive-bar-meets-hipster-hangout way, but not being Brooklyn, this locale was far less Urban Outfitters and far more funky young types. In case it isn't obvious, sausages are The Thirsty Pig's specialty. All reasonably priced and all made in-house, it was hard to pick just one tubular meat to sample. The first pig - I mean PICK - was the chicken, apple and sage sausage. Sadly, it seemed to be everyone else's preferred banger that day, so the Greek Chicken was selected instead. And what a delightful sausage! In fact, I don't think I knew that encased meat could be so light, so juicy and so non-encased-tasting. This was no mere sausage: it was a work of art in a vague tube form. Barely greasy and not at all tough and gristly, the Greek spicing shone through the delectable chicken meat. With a fabulous beer list, genuinely friendly vibe, I can't wait to head back and sample more of the goods.
(5)William S.
Terrible service. Waited for ten minuets and was the only one in there. Nobody ever came over. Very disappointed.
(1)Traci K.
This place is a delight. My two favorite things - beer and sausages together! Forever! Delicious. The beer specials are crazy affordable. Being from the Puritancal-Rex known as Massachusetts, we don't have Happy Hour. We don't have drink specials. It's sad. We moseyed into the Thirsty Pig on a Friday early evening and were offered $2.50 Shipyard drafts. $2.50 for a beer. Hah. This is what the rest of the country gets to enjoy. We had a couple beers a piece and two tasty encassed meats. I had a sausage with onions and BBQ sauce. (BBQ Banger, maybe?) it was pretty dang good. The fella had a sausage with kraut and mustard. Also tasty. We both had the coleslaw which was peppered with poppyseeds and not too mayonaisey. Yum. Best part? Free peanuts! A wall of lovely peanuts for the taking. A note on the peanut wall contraption: easier to pull out the drawer rather than wrestling with the dispenser. Service was lovely. Beers are great. Sausages - top notch. Yay!
(4)Price D.
Lithuanian with the slaw and an Allagash saison. In town for a job interview. This place is extraordinary. The sausage is hearty and the kraut brought some nice acidity. There is no substitute for great mustard either which was not lacking here. The slaw is great, not too vinegary. just right. A real standout were the pickle chips. I wish I could take a bucket of them home. The Allagash deserves it's own review but matched perfect. Overall a great spot to get a quick lunch and I would definitely come back.
(5)Ryan C.
I love the beer and sausages, but I can never figure out whether i am suppossed to order at the bar or my table because it seems to be different every time... awkward. I definately notice a difference in the atmosphere and service when the owner is there, its a much tighter ship when she is bustling about. I like to have a few beers at Novare and then head here to feed before things go downhill! Prices are reasonable and the food is perfect in that type of situation. Nice deck too.
(3)Joseluis A.
someone told me about the big easy blues club monday nights for live funk jams so i really wanted to check that out. it was too early for that so i saw the thirsty pig across the street and gave it a shot. im so glad i did. monday night football means football bingo at the thirsty pig. even though i like football, i cant really say i follow much. i joined the game anyways, who cares? the bartender was a super nice guy. he asks what i wanted to drink. "something awesome and local" i said. he tells me they only carry local and awesome. thats a good start. im an ipa guy so i told him this. he introduced me to lunch ipa by maine brewing company. hell yeah. big bottle too so theres one, two, three beers i drank. i dont wanna say i was drunk (not yet), but i was definitely not sober so i knew i had to get something to eat so i ask for a menu. sausage links, thats what they do. hence the name the thirsty pig. now it all makes sense man. i truly dig this place and ive been running my mouth about it ever since.
(5)Gary B.
Stopped in for a beer and was charged $12 for 2 MAYBE 6oz beers .. Pour more beer for a lower price and I would of stayed for food ..
(2)Ryan H.
Great selection of local taps. Was hopeful for a better vibe...but it was Monday so what can ya do.
(3)Jay H.
The best happy hour in all the land. $2.50 Shipyard draught and free peanuts! 4-7pm. It does not seem to ever be claustrophobia-inducing crowded.
(5)Paul S.
One of my absolutely favorite places in Portland! We were traveling the East Coast for our honeymoon and ran into this place for a beer in between shopping. The owner obviously nailed the concept - craft beer and pork products! Ah, how I love Portland. A few beers and a tray of complementary peanuts later, we decided our evening of shopping could wait until the next day - and it was time to order dinner. Their sausages are all made in-house. The menu has a nice variety. We had an excellent meal (even tried their Lobster Roll which was good too). Very chill spot with some excellent food. Highly recommended!
(4)Kelley K.
I never thought I'd describe a sausage as sublime. But the buffalo chicken sausage at The Thirsty Pig is sublime. Homemade sausage (all the sausages are), served on a grilled, buttered hot dog bun with blue cheese. It's like wings without the mess! Despite the fact that I really don't like chicken sausage, the buffalo chicken sausage came highly recommended. And it was amazing. I can't wait to get back to the Thirsty Pig. Speaking of buffalo, the buffalo chicken dip is also amazing. I think the owners must have first-hand knowledge of upstate NY! On another visit I tried the Lithuanian kielbasa. Now, I'm part Polish and was raised on Polish butcher shop kielbasa. No grocery store/Hillshire Farm for this girl. If it's not from a butcher -- preferably a Polish butcher -- I don't bother. What else should you try? The beer. All (ok, maybe mostly) craft beer; the ones I tried were also local. A perfect place for the craft beer afficionado and the gourmand. Looking for the gastropub of your dreams? I'm still dreaming of it. Might even drive up to Portland just for another visit!
(5)Beth W.
Funky and unpretentious, just like their menu of housemade sausages. Cozy atmosphere and a staff that treats you're a local, just pull up a stool and some peanuts. We had kids in tow and this place had more fun stuff to do than most obnoxiously "kid themed" restaurants, we wanted to play too! Wish we were local for the Tuesday night crafts displayed on the walls, I can see myself there w/a few girl friends for a midweek stressbuster! I think what I liked best was the straightforward menu, all the links looked to be slightly updated classics, but no weird over-foody ingredients were in them, just honest, fresh and delish...mmm mmm greek chicken sausage!
(5)Jane O.
Great local beer on tap. Staff was helpful in guiding beer choices. Sausages were good too (all they have for food, pretty much, is sausages). You order at the bar, so it is a casual place but fantastic for what it is.
(5)Zulu Q.
This place was a pleasant surprise for us. We hauled up to Maine at impossible-o-clock in the morning for an assignment that ended at lunchtime. Now, said assignment gifted us six free lobster tails, and that should've been satisfactory for me. However, I don't get up to Maine everyday, but damned if I eat anything but lobster when I'm up there. So, even though this is a sausagefest, (as in the actual sausage, not "raining men," sad), it does have a lobster roll. I may be used to Boston prices, but I found the $15.50 to be a reasonable price. They also dress it to your liking...which means that this condimentphobe got it plain. And it was amazing. It comes in that weird-shaped bun that I associate with Fenway Franks. It also comes with two sides. I didn't eat the potato chips, but the beans were good. My friend did like her sausage, whichever it was. They had a sandwich board sign outside the restaurant that advertised pulled pork sandwiches. To my friends' disappointment, the pulled pork wasn't quite ready yet. (To be fair, you really do want that to cook for a long time. It sucks otherwise). The menu lists draft beers, but they were out of half the beers listed. However, they did have other taps open. When one of us (not me) couldn't decide what to order, the server gladly brought samples in paper condiment cups. Additionally (and maybe this is because I'm used to Boston prices), I found the $4.50/pint price reasonable. Our server was sweet. She also felt so bad about the unavailable pulled pork that she threw in the whoopie pie for free.
(4)Mel H.
If you want to Exchange money for food in this area, and don't want seafood, then your options are limited. Especially when it's about 20 outside and you don't want to keep walking around! I return a Yelp suggestion for the Thirsty Pig with a review ... A lazy, cold Tuesday afternoon at lunchtime. 4 people walk into a Thirsty Pig - thirsty, hungry, cold. Sausage is the menu. Not on tap is the bartender's reply. Mmkay. Let us explore further ... First, I think whoever wrote the menu on chalk pig had a heavy pour of some IPA :) or just never passed 3rd grade spelling -- TIP: Ask the bartender what's on tap -- menu not to be trusted but the local selection was great. Can you say Blueberry Smashed? Not berry floaters in some beer, but actually juiced in there somehow - Magic! Sausages were great (even a veg one for the late 5th wheel), staff was super friendly, hold-you-over-peanuts were a nice touch (but do you throw the shells on the floor??). Nothing fancy, but it will fill your tummy, whet your whistle and warm your toes.
(3)Aaron C.
The BEST sausages around and a Great beer selection too! Knowledgeable and friendly staff rounds it all out.
(5)Clarida M.
This place is really cute! It has a pretty cool scene and the bar and "kitchen" are all in the same area. The menu is limited, but it goes with the ambience. It's full with yummy subs, dips, etc. I really enjoyed watching the bartender and cook do their thing. Service was friendly and the place was busy. One thing that stood out was the shelves full of games for people to grab and play. Honey and I played some trivial pursuit (which I lost), while we waited for our snacks. I got the buffalo chicken dip and honey got the pretzel. The chicken dip was delish. I normally would have liked more buffalo sauce, but there was something about the dip - it really didn't need it. It was yummy! And the warm baguette they serve with the dip was just the right touch. mmmmmm. We will be back here on our next visit to Portland.
(4)Beth R.
Dog friendly deck, veggie hotdog options and beer in the heart of the Old Port. What's not to like?
(3)Heidi F.
We wandered into the Thirsty Pig after finding it on Yelp under happy hour specials and walking distance to our hotel on a very cold night. As soon as we arrived we got really bad news about a family member and our moods turned somber quickly. The bartender (woman) immediately picked up on our change in demander, was attentive, and noticed our iphone was dying during our frequent calls to family. She offered to charge the phone for us which we greatly appreciated and checked up with us to make sure we had everything we needed as we ordered food and drinks. We really appreciated the gesture and will be back when we're back in town.
(5)Aaron S.
Awesome pub in Portland!
(5)Ross M.
This place is fantastic! Great choice of local brews, a very tasty food menu an Awesome deck to enjoy a chilly beer on. This place is right in the middle of the Old Port......No need to go anyplace else!
(5)Craig D.
If you are craving a Super Pretzel that tastes like it was nuked into rubber and an uninspired sausage/hotdog on a simple bun then go for it. Otherwise I hope you are thirsty, because the only thing this place has going for it is the beer selection.
(2)Bro H.
Nice patio, good beer selection/prices, decent (but not amazing) sausage at a reasonable price. Not bad at all.
(4)Kris Z.
We found this place while wandering the streets of portland during vacation. Excellent homemade sausage with a great selection of local brews. They had very friendly service in a low key atmosphere. It was the perfect place to chill out and have a beer.
(5)Jess S.
As a 26-year-old new mom (and professional beer judge) I was so thrilled to find a place that welcomed my 3-month-old with open arms (after being denied entrance to Novare Res) and had an awesome atmosphere and beer selection. Their Maine beer options were varied but well-curated. There was lots to like (though, I only tried bits of a few drinks--ah, lactation....) and they served their cask ESB warmish (finally!), just as it should be. Not only that, but their spicy italian sausage was easily the best sausage of my life. The pickle on top (cabbage, carrot, onion) was tangy and delicious. I loved it. I've had a lot of sausage in my life. This was just so perfect. The atmosphere in there is lively and friendly. Highly recommend.
(5)N K.
Stick your snout in some great micro brews and even better homemade sausages. Four of us visited Portland this past weekend and ate here on all three days! This leased location on Exchange Street was formerly a Linda Bean's Perfect Maine Lobster Cafe, and although you can still find Lobster rolls and clam chowder on the Thirsty Pig menu, don't forget the sausages. Ordering three times over three days we were able to sample most of the sausages on the menu. We liked the atmosphere and owner James who made everyone feel welcome. The prices are decent and nothing is better than having a great local brew one on Pig's back deck while enjoying an incredible fall weekend in Portland.
(5)ZEEBRA W.
FREE PEANUTS! They come down like jellybeans in those long tubes. Service is great, I think the lady who served us was a little tipsy by the end of her shift but still got our drinks down. I was introduced to SeaDog's Blueberry Smashed....3 in the afternoon. It looked extra bright when I walked outside, the world was moving faster than I was. But that's just me, not everyone is the same. This place is so comfortable I had to come back twice in one day. Peanuts were stil l free then too! Wish I didnt live across the country or I'd come every weekend.
(5)Brian C.
A nice place for an afternoon beer on the patio, if you can handle the awful music being played. They do $2.50 Shipyard drafts during happy hour, which is as fine a deal as any you'll find around the Old Port I suspect.
(4)Lindsay L.
Pros: nice atmosphere, good beer list on tap, back patio Cons: mediocre sausage, tough casing, oversalted Cole slaw.
(3)L J.
So I was walking around on a dreary, overcast Tuesday in Portland when I dropped in for a beer. Off the bat, the bartender put some peanuts in front of me and gave me a rundown of the beer selection. Let's focus on the beer selection for a minute-- they've got a wide range of local brews on tap that'll quench your thirst. She poured out a sample or two, and I went with a pint of Maine Logger Lager. After another round and some good conversation with the menu infront of me, I decided to purchase a Sweet Italian Sausage. It came with caramelized onions, peppers, and a side of baked beans (or slaw), and the sausage was immediately satisfying (that's what she said). You can't talk about sausage with a female bar tender without making a joke, but all jokes aside this place is awesome. It's clean, but old-fashioned. Big, but cozy. Inexpensive, but quality. They've got bar seating, booths, tables inside and out-- PLUS the music choice on the stereo was tastefully low volume bluegrass. When you get out of work, bring your crew and head over to this place. If you don't work, head over on your bike and hit up the Happy Hour drinks. If you don't like beer, or sausage, or new experiences-- check out this place just the same, and see if you can re-think your life. For me, this place is golden. I'll be back for sure.
(5)Erin T.
Sausage and beer... it doesn't get better. Definitely one of our go to spots in Portland!
(4)Erin O.
Stopped in for a couple of a la carte sausages on a trip; one with blueberries and one kielbasa. Both were pretty righteous, and the fact that everything is local (if not in-house) is something that appealed to me greatly. Logistics didn't work out for beer-drinking, but hopefully I can make it back someday to try that out as well. Also, their signage is too cool. Go check it out.
(5)Joseph Anthony A.
"she was one big fat thirsty pig!".. excellent..all around.. two toothbrushes up!.. ccj styles.. i'll be back with my dirty whiite biitch!.. you 'all..best be 'poppin!'...
(5)Michael B.
Spicy sausage!! Yup delic and $2 pumpkin heads ... Great times
(5)Susie Q.
This review is for a place that has a great atmosphere. Laid back, patio out back and friendly service. I don't mind the small menu but beware, it is a limited. They do have a tofu- sausage (I THINK) for vegetarians. Otherwise, it's just a nice little spot with decent priced beer and sausages. And the sausages are pretty tasty too. I definitely recommend!
(4)Adrienne N.
We loved this place! Beer, hot dogs, and homemade sausage - what's not to love?! The service was great, the food delicious, and the beer cold.
(5)Win F.
Stopped for lunch. Homemade sausages - had the BBQ Banger. Tasty and meaty - no filler here. Also, a nice selection of local beer.
(4)Abigail W.
The atmosphere is relaxed and informal, the staff is super friendly. The perfect place to go to lay back and just hang out. They have a really good selection of local cider and beer. All in all, you have to check it out!
(5)Steve C.
Check it out! Maine beers on draft. Fair prices. Unpretentious. House made sausage varieties. We were across the street at Navari Res and were a little overwhelmed by excessive prices and a bit of a little too hip scenario and clientele. Don't get me wrong... If you want Belgians Navari is it. But for an easy going environment, knowledgable bar staff, and Maine beers the Pig is it. Heck, they're almost adjacent... Try both.
(4)Nick F.
This place rocks very friendly, down to earth atmosphere. Great food as well. Would recommend this place to anyone that wants to have a good time. Great local beers too
(5)Stephen W.
Outstanding atmosphere and service ad well as very good food and beer. Buffalo chicken dip was exceptional.
(5)Kiki L.
We had just found out that we would have to wait for another 3 hours to catch our bus to Bangor that afternoon, so what better than to ride into town and try to find a good place to kill some time? Obviously, the Thirsty Pig had to be it because I love pigs...especially thirsty ones. How very quaint. But seriously, having a drink and some chowdah on the back patio the Thirsty Pig sports couldn't have sounded any better on a hot summer's day. Though we were looking for small bites, I wanted my husband to have fun trying some "Maine" food--we ordered one of their hand-crafted sausages with baked beans, blueberry beers and clam chowder. All fresh and tasty though I feel like the portions could've been bigger for the price ($6 for a small cup of chowder and some crackers and $8 for one sausage and small cup of beans...huh). The atmosphere is best for a casual college crowd--lots of young professionals on a late afternoon lunch break or kids on summer vacation hanging out with some brews with friends. There is quite a nice indoor sitting area with rustic bar booths and then a back patio that overlooks a not-very-picturesque alley but which also gives you a good view of shops across the way and lets the ocean breeze cool you while you sip. The menu is limited but the beer selection is not--all your local favorites, especially from Portland breweries which is really nice to see since Portland has a good strong brewery scene. The Thirsty Pig also offers local craft sodas which I will have to try next time. All in all, a fun casual place with decent food, but nothing to make it stand out from the crowd when compared to any of the other multiple spots like this in Portland.
(3)Tammy K.
Came here for a drink and sat at the bar. Had a beer and listened to the singer. (Just ok) granted, it was a Wednesday around 7pm. Looks like a nice patio. Lots of trivia pursuit options to play while drinking your beer. Good people watching. Nice friendly workers.
(3)Javier M.
Really good. Exactly what I was looking for. A local place close to everything but without the tourist crowd, where you can enjoy the local brews while bantering with the guys across the bar and your fellow patrons. And if you want to see their head explode, ask for a hot dog with a chorizo sausage. It's worth doing it just for the laughs. But it's really really good too
(5)Tyler L.
The Thirsty Pig doesn't have the most friendly bartenders in the world, but the dog friendly outdoor patio is great and the local craft beer selection on tap is pretty great. The lower patio allows dogs and has several nice tables and benches. The beer menu is not huge, but has some good Portland and Maine brews on it. The service was surly and it took a while to order. No service outside so unfortunately you have to go in to order.
(3)Matt C.
Any place that plays Frank Zappa on the stereo gets an instant 5-stars. While we're on the subject, this is a great place to grab a couple kind brews and slam down some grub. Great beers on tap, oh yeaaahhh. Big time, big time.
(5)A+M M.
I mean, you don't want the crazy people walking around the street right outside of the joint, the boring and self-conscious looking crowd or the extremely underwhelming live performers to influence your experience, but how does it not? Honestly, the staff was great. A didn't like the wine much, and I didn't really enjoy my beer, but I feel like it was more of an atmosphere problem than anything. There was some sort of weird quasi-event going on in the "backyard" area that was a little distracting because no one looked like they were having fun, and the musicians -- well, it kind of sounded like the were warming up for a full hour. Or maybe they have ADD. Or maybe they were just practicing for a real show that was going to happen in a few months, I don't know (see A's face below for an accurate depiction of how the place feels). It just didn't grab me. Don't know what to say. Sorry?
(2)Connor P.
I guess this review would be for the bar portion only as i have only tried one of their hot dogs. This is also an early evening review as I know it picks up towards the evening. I would consider this bar to be one of my favorites for an after-work beer on Friday. It's a little small of a joint but they have their deck open in the spring/summer which makes it quite a bit larger...and who doesn't like a deck!? I'm always impressed with the beer selection that they have on tap considering they only have 8(?) rotational taps, but they are always filled with great local Maine brews. You can also get tall-boy cans and other beers if that's your style. Shipyards are $2.50 after work. I'm not sure the exact details of their happy hour but I am always ok with getting 2 Shipyards for $5. The atmosphere is more of a local atmosphere than most bars around Portland. It's not surprising to see the same people in there from previous times. Bar tenders have always been attentive and friendly. From 5-7PM I've never had a problem ordering a beer or finding a spot to sit/stand.
(4)Erica K.
I wish I had more time to eat here, but on our way out of the city, my partner and I stopped here for a quick bite to eat. We got the Greek sausage with pickled onions and while my partner liked the pickled onions, I did not. Mostly because I am not too into sour but he loved them!!! The Greek sausage was perfect, juicy and delicious. We split it but I wish we had ordered more. Next time we are in Portland, we will have to come back!
(4)Bea L.
Not a huge fan of the veggie dog. Im sure some ppl love it. Too much cardamom for my taste. I also got the complete wrong topping but was so hungry I ate half of it before I realized and by then I wasn't going to return it. The chicken dip was okay. Chicken was a little dry but the flavors were there. Was expecting some dip beyond just a bowl of simmered pulled chicken. Liked the atmosphere. Good beers on tap.
(3)Melissa B.
House made sausage and local beer with a casual atmosphere. Hit this place twice during my visit and it was fantastic. Recommended for a quick bite.
(4)Annie E.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! My family isn't super into cities or places like this, but they absolutely loved it. It's eclectic and the food is bangin'. I got the buffalo chicken quesadilla, and my parents ordered the pulled pork bbq and Lithuanian sausage. We were all swapping plates and sharing the whole time. The logo design is incredible, the beer selection is good and worth a try, and SIT OUTSIDE if you can. The place is clean and the staff is incredibly friendly. They'll also give you recipes for their food if you ask. The only things I noticed was that the service was a little slow and the water wasn't cold. Besides that, it's incredible. You have to visit if you're in Portland.
(5)Celeste M.
Over the past couple of weeks The Thirsty Pig has turned into my go-to spot for drinks, snacks and board games. Yes. Board Games. This place is set-up so that whatever vibe you're looking for, it's there. Divey, rustic, order-at-the-bar service? Check. DJ on the weekends up front if your in the mood to shake-it? Check. Outdoor deck for people watching complete with corn-hole and a projected movie? Check. Also, have I mentioned boardgames for those of us that like to bring our cometitive side out at a bar? Mucho check. They have a rotating draft list and killer sausages. I like it a little spicy, so I go for the chicago dog loaded with those sweet but hot little sport peppers. It's a great spot to start or even end your night!
(4)