Pat's Pizza Orono

Cool place. Its similar to Boston South Shore Style Bar pizza. The place has old vibes, in a good way. The food is consistent, whether take out or dine in. Only downside is they staple the pizza together. Got to be a better way then using staples. Workers are always friendly in person pr on the phone. Food is good, and never usually wait to be seated. Been going for years.

So here's a Maine adventure, locate the original Pats Pizza in Orono. Then stop in and and enjoy going back in time. Its not often in all my years that I have come across red counter stools (remember those Boomers?) and a counter top so worn from the amount of people sitting there waiting for a great meal. I ordered a pepperoni pizza and it was... good. But they have a full menu so help yourself! But what I liked the most at this business? THE HELP!!! Man its nice to have a group ofpeople who like to chat while you wait. That to me was the icing on the cake. So if you're ever up that way, stop in and indulge.

I've only gotten the fried pickles so I'm not sure about the rest of the food but they are killer! They use spears instead of chips, and the breading they use is phenomenal. Honestly some of the best fried pickles I've ever had. I walked in when it was super busy, ordered the pickles, and was out in less than 10 minutes! Now I wouldnt tell you to expect that every time, especially with more food than that, but the service is incredible there. Very friendly, even with a tonnn going on. Will definitely be back to try different food!

I used to eat here often while attending UMaine. The place hasn't changed much and that's what most alumni want. Still love their pizza!

Wow! This pizza place, established in 1931, is fantastic! We opted for just a basic pizza with half pepperoni and half Canadian Bacon. I have eaten very good pizza in the past, and this was definitely equal to the best I've had. The cheese bread sticks were also great. The chocolate ice cream was very good. The butterscotch Sunday was awesome. I highly recommend a visit and will definitely be back if I'm ever in the area again.

We were so disappointed in quality of the food! It was disgusting! Pizza was horrible, steak and cheese sub had no flavor. Not worth the $80 we spent. The small pizzas came on 2 paper plates stapled together. We will never go back!!!! I dont how this restaurant has been around so long with food that bad!!!!the people were very nice but I can get better pizza at a gas station!

My parents used to go here in college in the early 60's. They said it's just as good now. Now I bring my kids here and we all LOVE Pat's Pizza!! Not sure If it's still closed but we miss the downstairs bar area .

I could give a review of when my father used to bring me, every other Sunday morning when they served breakfast and the juke boxes at the booths still worked. I still remember Pat, at the bar smoking a cigar, and would hop off his stool to come say hello to my dad and me. Bruce was an amazing person and friend as well. A truly great person. I have gone multiple times recently and they have not missed a beat. Still my favorite pizza ever.

The pizza is still soooo good! Fond memories from my UMaine days. Our server was helpful and took good care of us. We appreciated they were willing to let us sit in the back room when our original seat was below the air-conditioning units and quite chilly. Thank you for another lovely lunch, Pat's!

I tastes just like it did when I was in college. I love the imaginative pizzas. A must taste place when you stop off in Orono.

Awesome place. Great bar pie. Has personality. Cant describe it just feels legit. The ovens and place are so old, full of character. Even in crazy rushes (before hockey games or any weekend) they are well staffed and fast. Prices are great. Seriously an OG restaurant. Is very maine and feels like home. I hope they reopen the taproom in basement.

As a UMaine Alumni, visiting one of my favorite college hangouts, I was excited to have some Pat's Pizza. We were seated promptly, and our server was prompt , friendly and attentive. I had a nice cold Baxter Beer with an ice cold class and enjoyed it. The Greek salad was fresh and the pizza was delicious, just like I remember it. However once we received our food we noticed hundreds of fruit flies swarming the table . We ended up swatting flies away from our food. As we walked out of the restaurant we noticed that flies were lining the walls along the booth seating throughout the restaurant. So food and service was good but the manager needs to clean the restaurant and resolve the fly issues. Looked like fruit flies. Definitely does not meet food service codes and regulations.

Place was really cool with a very nostalgic offering. The server was very nice and quick. The food, onion rings, pizza and fries was very flavorful and savory! I really enjoyed the food and it was a great value!! Very Fun place!!!

Home to the original and the pizza is the same as it has been since 1931. No need to embellish on previous reviews but I do have one small gripe: No Draft Beer? Just cans or bottles!?! Can't get a pitcher with my pepperoni? $4.75 is pretty steep for a Bud Light. Oh well that's progress for ya.

We are regulars because we like the service, family ambience and pizza. Our favorite pizza is the Chicken Jubilee with Greek olives and pineapple added. I am not crazy about their pasta sauce however. I have tried the spaghetti meal and the eggplant casserole meal but can't endorse them. There is usually no waiting to be seated but during the end of year holiday season there were a couple weeks when things were incredibly busy and there was a wait time but not more than 15 minutes.

The staff was friendly. The pepperoni pizza was greasy but tasted fine. It's average at best, but good if you want pizza. Hand cut fries were excellent. Root beer float was decent. Asked for coffee ice cream in it. Got vanilla. Then was told it was coffee. It wasn't coffee, unless the coffee tastes like vanilla. Cool, old school interior. Fair prices. Go and see for yourself.

Went with a friend who is working in Bangor for a few months, he had been several times and I trusted his decision. Monday night around 6:30pm and it was busy!!! We parked in back, so I had a good look at what everyone was eating before we found one of the last available tables. He suggested we share a large pizza, it sounded good to me and after driving 4 hours and having nothing but an apple since the night before, I would have eaten anything. He ordered the Buffalo Chicken, it's not what I would have chosen but I figured it would be fine. Better than "fine".... it was delicious!! He had his with ranch dressing, but I was happy with it as it was. Good flavor, spicy but not too much and after three slices I was happy. Corey was our server, he checked in on us several times, made sure we had everything that we needed and thanked us when we left. Pat's has several locations, I will definitely go in any of the other towns if I wind up there!

Totally overlooked by people my age here. Great pizza and an awesome atmosphere. OHOP is a name they know so thats what they get when drunk and can get it delivered. I remember coming to Pats as a kid in Bethel near Sunday River as a kid. The pizza is still better at pats. Don't give costa your money, he owns enough in Orono. Go pats

Excellent pizza - got the recommendation from 2 of the employees at Hotel Ursa - food did not disappoint!!!

First time in Maine and everyone said I had to try Pat's Pizza. Also said if I didn't like it I had to walk back to Va Beach. Needless to say I have a ride home. Love it. see ya again tomorrow before we return home.

Visiting Maine, 1st time, from Washington State. Our co-worker-friend, (longtime local) brought of here, as this is a lifelong favorite pizzeria of his. DID NOT DISAPPOINT Oh my... Fresh, savory sauce, amazing dough & fabulous service. This will be a destination for us to return to!

Okay, this is my experience. Ordered a delivery and it was totally screwed up, so that was disappointing, but when I called the manager was great and gave me a refund for my portion of the order and told me to just stop by and I could get product. Felt it was totally reasonable. But then I went to the restaurant. I just cannot bring myself to eat from a place so worn down and dirty. Every surface I made contact with was either sticky or oily. Hubby and I stood near the end of the counter and waited. There was only one couple seated and truly no one upfront was working...one person was on their phone and a couple were laughing and goofing around. The longer I stood there the more I was gagged out by the place. Finally I said let's go and that was that. I give it two stars because my spouse liked his pizza...I am just glad I didn't eat any. Your call on how badly you want pizza regardless of how clean the kitchen is where it was cooked. Good luck.

I read that Pat's opened in 1931. This was obvious when I walked in and the entire place looked like it hadn't been cleaned since the Great Depression.The kitchen, which was supposed to be in view as some sort of quaint "charm," made me feel sick, knowing that was where my food was being prepared. Every single pot and pan was covered with burnt food, reused over and over like a filthy relic. The pizzeria dripped grease, oil, and grime. The food itself was fine, but that's besides the point. There was a mistake with my order and they treated it as an inconvenience, giving me a hard time giving me what I paid for. The cashier said nothing to me when I paid, only putting his hand out to collect money like an ungrateful vagrant. A complete lack of customer service, not even acknowledging a paying customer is wild. Is Orono used to this terrible service? This place is a joke, seriously. Unprofessional, gross, disappointing.

Pizza was excellent and our server was wonderful even though she was very busy. HOWEVER. if you are in a wheelchair the ramp is extremely dangerous an not ada accessible. It is a danger. I fell out of my wheelchair after a great meal. That is the only reason for my poor review

Best pizza I've ever had!! First time I've ever had pickles on pizza! Game changer for sure! Had a mushroom, jalapeño and pickle pizza that was so amazing! Crust was perfect, (I like thin crust) toppings were fresh and sauce was yummy! It's going to be hard to find another pizza this good!

If you want real pizza go to Pizza Regina North end Boston it's a long way but worth every bite!!!

Got a large cheese pizza, it was definitely pretty greasy. The cheese was pretty good, had a nice texture. Sauce was really good, had a nice balance of sweetness and acidity. Crust was doughy but not chewy. I'm more familiar with Greek style and Neapolitan, this was definitely different. Fast service, was ready in 10min as they promised. Pretty good overall, would try again.

I grew up eating here and am addicted to the pizza. I ate here for a decade before I knew they had a menu. I like the Bimbo burger too, it is so tasty with extra fried. This is a local diner environment with a more formal dinning room, or go to the tap room in the basement for a pitcher of beer and sports. We celebrate everything here because it is so homey and comfortable. It is some real Americans. No fine dinning, but if your hungry breakfast, lunch, or dinner will be served. (Breakfast is great with Texas toast, trust me) BTW the pie is really good.

Best pizza. Been coming here for decades. Love personal size pizza extra crispy. Any flavor.

Was able have pizza last weekend when we visited the Maine campus for Homecoming. Same nice thin crispy crust made witha Pat's machine.

I looked at the map. It's the one near the UMaine campus. I looked at the photos. I remember the old school ceiling. Yep, this was it ... the downtown Orono (and possibly original location) for Pat's Pizza, an institution in the cluster of towns around Orono, Maine and which include Bangor. Before I looked at the distribution of ratings, I knew what I'd be giving Pat's Pizza. It would be a 3 stars. However, it's a very strong 3 stars. I wonder how much of the upper end ratings are influenced by local bias toward an outfit that's an institution. I'm being a realist and am not trying to be a jerk. As for the food at Pat's, it was definitely pretty good. I had a small individual sized pizza and a drink, along with some bread sticks to dip into a tomato based sauce, presumably marinara. It made for a nice lunch on a beautiful New England autumn day. The issue was that this little pizza, although very fairly priced and satisfyingly filling, had a crust that tasted a little bit overcooked and thus slightly dried out. Maybe this was an isolated situation, but it was my only experience eating here. Please pay a little more attention to the crust because it's probably the biggest factor in the enjoyment of a pizza. This eatery is cool without being "too cool for school" (it's walkable to UMaine). I like eateries and businesses in small Northeastern towns which have addresses with 1 or 2 digits. That adds to the charm. The ceiling, of which I've seen shiny (faux) copper renditions, adds to the ambiance, as do the jukeboxes at the table. I don't recall if they were in working order. With a counter area with bar stools and some big guys in plaid flannel shirts sitting there, I wasn't exactly going to load it up with dance music to test the jukebox ... and the patience of the big guys in plaid flannel shirts sitting there. The server was friendly, perhaps because she was not dealing with unruly UMaine students, and my lunch arrived quickly. I really wanted to give this place, Pat's Pizza, 4 stars. They seem like cool people and probably listen to people weighing in on social media. I remember thinking, "If only the pizza crust could be moister and chewier ..." I could eat a small pizza, a small salad or a cup of soup, and a non-alcoholic beverage almost every day for lunch, although I don't, and these people have the goods. I live far away but I'd sure love to come back someday to savor the pleasant old school vibe of the store and a small pizza that's a tad better, not to mention the incredible beauty of this area close "enough" to Acadia National Park.

The pizza is great at the Original Pats! The service is very friendly and even when they are busy they still get the food out fast and hot! Thank you Pats

This a great landmark for Orono! Great food, comfy, downtown earth atmosphere. Original seating, open cooking. What more does one need!

We met the owner Bruce, at Yama's (next door to Pat's) and he told he'd been in business for 91 years. We promised to check it out the following day. The next day, we had a graduation at U Maine. My wife and I stopped by to grab a bunch of pizzas for the family. Bruce was in there making pizzas and we grabbed 5 or 6 different pies. Everyone ( from Boston ) raved about it! Please go see Bruce at Pat's Pizza. I wish we lived closer!

Kind of weird that Pat's in Lincoln Maine still has their huge Trump/Pence sign up that covers a third of the building. It's May 18. Election is over. I got a pizza there once. It was good. There are other places to go to get pizza. I wonder about businesses that are so emphatic about politics.

I've been away for two years. We paid $55 for three pizzas yesterday. Strike one. Who are you letting make the dough, now? It's no longer that crispy cracker crust that's been so dependable all these years. It was chewy, tough, and bread-like. Like amateur homemade dough with all purpose flour. Something has gone wrong. Either haven't noticed or you did it on purpose trying to save money. Either way, none of your customers have said anything and that's sad. I assure you, something has gone wrong with your dough.

I love Pats! The staff here is kind and very attentive. Food is always great, and comes out in a short amount of time. Music is always great, not too loud. Although, it is busy at times but to me, that's not a big deal. A local favorite!

Fantastic thin crust pizza that is an Orono (amongst other places in Maine) institution. I go for the "all meat" while my UMaine student daughter swears by the "deja vu" which is pesto-based and has lite cheese. It is a must go place if you are in Orono.

Being in business for many years means they are financially successful. Being in one building cooking greasy food for many years means there is an odor in the place that is not able to be removed. I stopped in for lunch Friday September 20 2019 and had spaghetti and meatballs. The spaghetti apparently is pre-cooked and it seems like it was reheated in the microwave possibly. It was rubbery in texture and stuck together. The meatballs were good. I don't think they were made on site. They were two perfectly round and equal sized. If they were made on site they were quite good. To be fair I should probably have tried the pizza. It's kind of like ordering a hamburger at a Chinese restaurant.

Food was good, but disappointed that it's no longer a full running restaurant. Sad that no one wants to work anymore.

I was pleasantly surprised by Pat's! It was my first time here and we got a to go order. Pro-tip: if you're sharing with a friend and typically like to eat 2-3 slices of pizza, you'll definitely want to upgrade your size above the 9 inch. I made the mistake of thinking it would feed me and my boyfriend after a long hike but it's really more of personal pan pizza. Pizza was still great and they didn't skimp on any toppings. Will definitely be going back in the future.

A good piece of history for Pat's Pizza chain, since this is the original one. The pros of this place is the staff is friendly upstairs (see about downstairs in the cons) and there is plenty of seating. The menu has plenty to offer with everything from appetizers, salads, pasta dishes, pizzas, calzones, sandwiches, wraps, and dessert. Basically what you'd expect from a pizza place so don't worry everyone will find something that appeals to them on the menu. The service is pretty good as long as you eat upstairs. They also have an alright selection of beers available to go along with your meal. The cons of this place is that a large majority of the floors are extremely dirty so don't think about the 30 second rule here. If you dine in the basement with the bar and TVs be ready to possible wait awhile for service. The times I have eaten down there, the staff has not been that attentive or they have seemed understaffed and overwhelmed by the amount of people. The food is okay but nothing to rave about and just about dish can be found made better in the Orono/Bangor area. Pizza is lacking in amount of toppings and flavor. If you are looking to eat where Pat's Pizza began then this is the place. Great place of nostalgia for alumni of University of Maine or locals. If you and your college buddies want to have a few drinks and some pizza in downtown Orono at a decent price then come here but don't expect to be blown away by service or quality.

Great pizza and very friendly staff...would highly recommend. Added bonus they have GF options.

The original. Stopped by last night while visiting for a training on campus. Even after all these years since my college days., still get the same feelings. It's a college pub and a required stop anytime I come to campus. Usual is double dough mushroom, but Tuesday night was free breadsticks. They were pretty good. I was impressed. Thanks for the walk down memory lane!

Unique variety of speciality pizzas. Friendly staff. Locally owned and operated which is just something I love to support. Very very busy at dinner time though which might be annoying to some people.

Orono Pats pizza is the BEST pizza around! Famous for its taco pizza it's a must try!!

Haven't been in 10 years and I was NOT disappointed!! We ordered 2 pizzas, and some pasta and we were all very happy with our meals!! Also our server, Shelley aka Kelcie, was amazing! She was super fun and joined right in with our table's fun. Can't wait to go back!

We ate at the one in Orono. We get it. This place has deep roots in this community. That being said here we go. Their red wine is a rose. Think Gallo. I ordered the Calzone. This is not a Calzone. It is a pizza folded over. There was no ricotta! The ingredients were fresh. The sauce was good but not great. Velvet had the vegie pizza. The dough is rolled out on a tortilla machine so not hand tossed. The oven is a conveyor belt type like Pizza Hut. Disappointed

I'm sorry to be a jerk on this one. I come from the pizza belt. We've heard over and over this is the best pizza, OMG its so good!, etc etc. It's just ... not. It's thin and the cheese is sparse. The sauce is missing like...salt? I think salt was the thing we noted. I get that it's a thing here, and if you're a hungry college kid, it's probably great, but if you're a pizza connoisseur, this is probably not a stop you need to make.

Whether you're visiting Orono for the first time or the last time, you have to try Pat's Pizza at least once! Pat's is a New England institution, and the Orono location on Mill St. is its original. Pat's Pizza boasts a secret ingredient and ~80 years of traditional pizza-making into a family business. Try a slice of "Big Pat's" for a burger-like taste, or the Margherita pizza just to say you tasted an icon in itself! The quality of the pizza, however, rivals other local pizza joints. The shop prefers not to let their dough rise, resulting in a thin, crunchy pizza crust, but I'm a thick crust kinda gal myself. Pat's isn't the cleanest establishment, but the staff works hard to make an fun, family-friendly experience for the customer. Old fashioned everything - from the turnstile jukebox catalogues in the booths to the bottled grape soda - Pat's is a relic worth seeing for yourself.

Okay so when I first moved to Bangor, ME ... I was told that I have to go to Pat's Pizza to try their pies and really good food. So, a few buddies and I meandered over to the downstairs section to watch the game and grab a few wobbly pops and some zas. We were sadly dissapointed. Let me describe the experience for you: Pizza was overly greasy where it made the crust soggy and non firm at all (I like a little grease and some plaibility of the crust but this was BAD NEWS the crust even seperated in my buds hands it was so greasy. The service was some of the worst we have ever had. This guy that was working there was rude and really did not want to be there. He never came back to our table and checked on us and actually threw the food when he delivered it. The tables were not cleaned, just had a shimmer of grease from the previous patrons before us where I could have grabbed a credit card and scraped off some sludge. Lastly the place was not that crowded and when we asked if we could watch the Patriots game (Red Sox were on) the guy said .. yeah I am watching the Sox. Really? Not even a gesture of putting it on the other TV for us? If you want to go to a bar/pizza joint in the middle of a college community (UMaine Orono). Of if you want some late night grub after a night of drinking then go there because you will be feeling good and not being critical like this yelper. Sorry Pat's you did not live up to your reputation.

I'd heard about Pats Pizza and was super excited to try it. Yuck! Not a fan. The restaurant is smelly and feels dirty and greasy.Everything about the pizza was terrible! The sauce had no flavor, the crust was tasteless too and the cheese was nondescript. They do not have a clue how to make Italian food. Don't believe this place would survive outside of Maine. Skip it!!

Locals rave as Pat's having the best pizza in the area, and it is good. The plain pizza is tasty, and not a bad deal at $5 for a 9" version. I've had the veggie pizza with onions, mushrooms, olives and green peppers - the toppings were generous in portion, but a little too much for my liking. Best bet is to come on Tuesday, where you get free breadsticks (which was pizza dough folded in half and filled with cheese) with any purchase of pizza. Carb fest, yes!

I've grown up going to Pat's Pizza and the Orono location (the flagship shop) has a great atmosphere. It hasn't changed in years and maintains a old-timey feel while still being modern and up to date. I just wish the mini jukeboxes at each table still worked, they're such an interesting piece of history. The last time I visited Pat's in Orono, a local news station was there doing a story on the history of Pat's and it was cool to see the workers and managers talk about the restaurant. They all seem to recognize their customers, so it's obvious that a lot of people have an intense dedication to the pizza and the place is a local hub for all kinds of people. I would definitely recommend the Buffalo Chicken Pizza. It's not too spicy; it's just enough to keep your tastebuds interesting. Sometimes the sauce isn't as thick as I would like it to be, but other than that the pizza is great.

Best pizza in the state! But SADLY they have hired some of the rudest unprofessional staff u have ever seen. Thier newest cash out person rudely throws money into peoples hands and should be fired immediately. 30 year customer the original pat would be rolling in his grave if he saw the people you have been hiring. Shame on you.

We arrived to eat in during the evening rush and chose a table directly across the work station where the pizzas are assembled. With a line of people backed up to the door for take out and not an empty table in the place there was a 45 minute wait to receive our order, so we happily passed the time watching the crew work together and are more appreciative of the hard work that goes in to every pizza and meal that is served at Pat's Pizza. A man taking telephone orders Two men making the dough and placing the dough in well-seasoned pizza pans One person ladling that delicious sauce on the pizza dough One person adding cheese One person adding toppings and placing in the oven One person removing the piping hot pizzas from the oven, placing them on plates or in boxes before slicing them The person running the cash register And the owner of Pat's Pizza working in the line as well. The waitresses are friendly and among the best I've come across. We tend to get take-out, but my husband and I were both happy to have eaten in the restaurant tonight. Pat's Pizza in Orono (the original) has been around for longer than I can recall, and their food has never disappointed.

I grew up in the Bangor area but have lived it big cosmopolitan cities most of my life. It's fair to say I'm a foodie. Pats-- the Orono Pats --makes the best pizza I've ever eaten. The crust is thin, its cooked until the bottom is perfectly crispy, the sauce is tasty and the toppings are high quality. If you have been to one of the many other locations but not the original Pat's in Orono, you should withhold judgement until you eat at the original Pat's in Orono. I personally find that the other Pats locations fall short due to soggier crust bottoms, because, I think, their ovens are different. I'm not certain but I suspect the other locations can't achieve the bottom crispness without scorching the top. Another tip: I find that the smaller 9" size at Pat's tends to get a more ideal "bottom crisp" than the 14" size. There is nothing like a 9" orono Pat's pizza. It's the only must-have food for me when I return home to Maine, other than a lobster roll.