The Back Burner Restaurant

My son wanted to try the back burner restaurant out today. It had been year's since we went last and the food was terrible. Now, under new ownership, all I can say is wow. The food and drinks were delicious and we sat on the back deck enjoying our meal and listening to the delightful sounds of singer, songwriter Carlos Olmeda. We will definitely be back as often as possible, cudos to Cody, Kara and their entire staff.

this is my favorite restaurant, when I drive thru lower Maine ... The service is so friendly and helpful, the food is great, so flavorful and fresh, especially the smoked meats like the brisket. I can't even begin to compliment the desserts. U just have to see for yourself. I've been visiting here for the past couple of years and is still consistent every visit. 👍

Hidden gem! Found this place about ~20 minutes away while staying in Conway - decided to give it a try. The back porch’s ambience was A+ on a moderately warm Summer. Got the Cowboy brisket - A+. Nice prices. Will definitely be back!

We went on a Friday night before 6pm and were seated in a reasonable amount of time but it went downhill from there, didn't receive our meals until 7:30 and when it did arrive no Silverware, finally get the waitress attention and we received just forks, have to wait for the waitress again, excuse me but we also would like knifes please. The food was good but the portions were a bit small for the prices that they charge. Being the only game in town they must think they gotcha. All I can say is that we tried them and if something was going on for the service to be this bad they should have let us know, maybe this isn't the norm but I won't be going back anytime soon.

My boyfriend and I live and town and were very fond of back burner and became pretty regular customers at least once a month. We've been more into take-out recently so our last two visits have been take-out. The 1st one they failed to ring in our food so when we arrived we waited 20 minutes while they started cooking our food. Things happen, we moved on. Fast forward to our most recent order made 4/17/2025. Ordered two dinners, both the exact meals- simple. Was told to come 5 minutes before close. We show up at 7:55pm. We can see our boxes labeled with our name across the bar. Three employees including the bar tender asked if we needed service as we walked in We said "yes, that's my take-out I'd like to pay for it". Unbelievably each employee just walked away without helping. At almost 15 minutes of standing there looking at our take-out boxes, the bartender said "we're busy right now". We then asked for the owner as the manager was just as rude and incompetent as his staff, so, we pointed to the owner sitting at the bar we called him over. The owner handed us our cold food, apologized for the wicked incompetence and pathetic service given from the staff and we were on our way. So unfortunate for a small business to lose loyal in-town customers due to lack of common sense and etiquette they should be providing. 0 stars.

Delicious food and the cornbread with maple butter was phenomenal

What a Great atmosphere! There was a few people there when we arrived not to busy our server was absolutely amazing ( found out he was the owner) the food and drinks were so good! Definitely will be going back!

Great food, not great service I usually never write reviews, but tonight i felt i had to. We were in the mood for smoked meat and BBQ and from previous experience we decided to come here. The food was delicious and our server started out friendly but then turned around very fast. We arrived around 7 and the restaurant closes at 8! I think we were her only table, but we had an hour before the kitchen was closing and we already kinda knew what we wanted. We ordered an app and two entres. The app came, it was delicious but the server was nowhere to be found to check on us, i was like maybe she's doing sidework or something and didn't think much of it. The entrees came, both delicious as well! We were missing the coleslaw on the briscet dish, but again, the server was nowhere to be found. She never checked how everything was, at all! All of the sudden around 7:45 she was aggressively sweeping the booths behind us 🤷‍♂️. She came few minutes later to ask if we need boxes, but not ask me if i want one more drink even tho the restaurant is open till 8 and there were two people at the bar as well, but she asked my bf if he is done with his half full margarita so she can grab the glass 🤷‍♂️. It was not even 8 when we ordered dessert and she acted like she was offended by that as well! Anyway, we paid our bill and on the way out i think the owner said thanks for choosing us, which i am not sure we will again. I work in the industry as well and have never treated and rushed my tables like that. I get it, it's not summer yet, slow nights still and we all want to go home early. But that doesn't mean you need to rush your tables out if the door when they have't been there even for 40 minutes and the restaurant is still open. We didn't show up 10 minutes before closing, we were there an hour before that! If you want to be in the service industry, you should be able to provide service to your customers, especially when you excpect a tip for that as well(which we still did). Anyway, great food, but the server needs to be friendlier as well.

I've been wanting to try this restaurant for like 2 years. They have odd hours so it's hard to hit it just right. Well today we did. It was a Sunday after all and their hours on Sundays 12-8, they are 12-9 on Friday and Saturdays and are 4-9 on Wednesday and Thursday. Definitely worth it. I will say that the food did take quite a while to come to the table, which was a bit shocking as it wasn't that busy, but well worth the wait. The food was delicious. I had a brisket pot pie with a sweet and savory gravy and my fiancé had the bbq platter- both were very very good. We also had their pull apart ciabatta bread with maple butter- oh.my.god... so good. The place was all cozy warm l cottage vibes and the decor to match. It was a very cute place, with great service and wonderful food. I am so glad we were finally able to swing through! Check them out for sure !!!

My boyfriend and I go to the back burner a lot! The staff and owner are great! It looks small but is very spacious. Food is hearty and delicious! They do have Trivia on Tuesday or Thursday. You would have to call to find out. It really is a great place! Check it out.

I must say, compared to the same restaurant a few years back is a great change. We had the pork belly chicharrón and the portions were very small. The staff was wonderful but as I said portions should have been a little better.

It was a busy evening and the short staffed staff was everywhere taking care of customers. Our waitress was outstanding and the food was really good.

I thought this spot was pretty good. Service is kinda sketchy- we felt bad/guilty about being there the whole time- but I know they're popular and it's hard to deal with tons of people! The food was awesome. Great nachos, bf got steak tips, they had good beer on draft. Friendly patrons, actually good fresh jalapeños on the nachos- good. Major downfall was the bathroom- toilet paper fail. Just unfortunate. Maybe I hit them on a bad night? Who knows. Great food! Pee elsewhere!

Food is amazing! Service is great! Fun little spot that most of the time you forget about it it's always a delight to go eat there!!

Good food simple and delicious. It is a bit hard to find but well worth the effort. We have never been disappointed in the last 7 years.

Ended this beautiful day with a great early dinner. We haven't been here in a few months. The food was amazing as always. Best fried pickles. Rick had their famous fish and chips. They are lightly battered and amazing fries. I opted for a the blackened chicken with sun dried tomatoes and a cream sauce. Pasta was cooked to perfection. The chicken was not overly spiced and was extremely tender. Food here is always delicious and consistent delicious.

Cozy place with a big bar and comfy booths and table seating. Our table of 4 tried the BBQ brisket, ribs, mac and cheese, baked beans, and wings. The ribs were a little tough, the beans were excellent, and everything else was good. The service was efficient and pleasant.

The food was delicious and served hot and the cocktails were very good as well. Interesting appetizer of stuffing balls. Enough to share at the table of 4. HaddocA very nice rustic atmosphere and an outside seating area. There was live music outside when I was there. The staff was friendly and efficient. This wasn't my first time going recently. After the first time, I didn't hesitate to return to this little hidden gem in a small town.

My family and I came here for a late lunch on a Sunday. We were staying nearby and wanted a casual place to eat. It wasn't too busy. It has a plain interior with a small bar right when you walk in and seating surrounding it. All of our entree's were really good. The Fire of 47 Burger had nice melted cheese and the right amount of kick from the jalapeños. The beer list consisted of great local brews. The service was friendly and very accommodating. I would definitely come back.

My husband had the day off today and we wanted to do something relaxing without having to deal with July 4th weekend crowds, so we did some antiquing in the Cornish area followed by lunch at the Back Burner. We both ordered the Reuben, but since they don't currently offer gluten-free bread I ordered mine without it, unsure how that would turn out. It was FANTASTIC! I had a plate full of homemade corned beef, purple cabbage sauerkraut which had hints of sweetness and very tasty melted Swiss on top. Also on my plate were delicious hand cut french fries done just right. I didn't miss having bread. My husband loved his, too, and liked that his bread had gone through a sandwich press. All of that for only $10 a plate! Service is quick, friendly and the inside is still charming as can be and very clean.

Wonderful small restaurant off the beaten path, their food is standard pub fare but made with love, great comfort food. I've been here a few times and I must say it's pretty awesome - would suggest as it's one of the better places to eat in a fairly wide swath. Update: After eating here numerous times, I cant in good faith say that this place is all that great. There's a few things on the menu that are good, but after the 3rd time of ordering a beer and it being flat, and another 3rd time ordering pick up and having the order be wrong has turned me off from ordering here. Also, a few of the specials have made me sick - the ribs never have the tips cut off so having to take the cartilage out myself creates a really messy experience. Hit or miss, stopped going before the pandemic due to a few bad experiences. I feel like it's a better experience for stiff drinks on a hot day with some of the music and events they host.

I loved this place! I can't believe I didn't know it existed just 20 minutes away. It wasn't very busy, it was a Wednesday, so we got right in and the service was great. She did all the right things - got the drinks timely, took the order, checked in after a couple bites, what seems like the normal thing but is so hardly ever the case lately. The food was really good. The house salad is amazing! Mixed greens, candied pecans, dried cranberries, apples, OMG I lived it, and the dressing was really good, it was a champagne shallot vinaigrette I think, so different and yummy. You can get a smaller or larger version of the salads. They also had an all you can eat fried haddock with fries and coleslaw, which was really good, and the portion was so good at the beginning we didn't ask for more. It was a litl noisy in the bar area, but it was just what seemed like regulars having a good time, which I think is a good sign Everyone was friendly too, we will definitely be going back.

Very nice place to enjoy some stick to your bones delicious food and drinks! Very friendly staff and owners who want you to enjoy your experience there. I noticed a gazebo out back which must be a nice place to enjoy when the weather permits. Loved my breakfast burrito & Bloody Maria! Will definitely come back when I'm in the area!

I recently discovered this restaurant and am highly impressed. So much so that I've returned several times. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming. The "pay it forward" board on the wall is a nice touch and really expresses the heart of this place. Prices are reasonable, food has been very good and portions are decent. I loved the Homemade Mac and Cheese, and the fish tacos are to die for. This place has a great selection of draft beer, many of them locally sourced. I would strongly recommend Tiffany, the server who waited on me several times. She has been professional, prompt and super personable, such an asset to this establishment!

We were heading to NH and there were no real options. We found this place on Yelp and gave it a try. It was a neat place and the food was great. I had the fish and chips. Nice fish and a large serving with good chips. My son had a burger which he said was great. Friendly service and reasonable prices. Glad we stopped!

Great place tucked away in Brownfield. Solid beer selection with local brews on tap. Had the Mac burner burger cooked perfectly with a side of Parmesan fries. Friendly service, good food, and comfortable setting. The only reason I don't give them five stars is a bit of a limited menu.

I love this place. Terrific staff and food is always terrific. Great selection of beers too!

Great little spot!! After reading reviews decided to give it a try. Didn't have high expectations, but just walking in, I knew I was wrong. Very large bar to the left with restaurant seating on the left and rear. Not very loud and very clean! Rustic cabin decor, a real gem! With 15 taps, we got a beer from a local brewery. My wife ordered the Steak tips with mashed potatoes and green bean Almaden. had the NY strip topped withGorgonzola and Portobello with green beans and the veggie medley. Food was perfectly prepared, tasted great, quick to the table despite being very busy. Summary: Very good food, attentive and friendly staff. Large enough menu for any palate but small enough to control quality. We will be back..... often! Only con is the proximity of the bar, some unsavory language from patrons could be heard, good thing my wife and I are former sailors. If you have kids, just sit in the rear.

Loved it! First off, we arrived at 8:37pm and noticed the sign our front saying they closed at 9pm... So we went in and asked if the kitchen was still open, the bartender said "it sure is, until 9pm" with a smile. Our waitress was great, very friendly and relaxed, didn't make us feel rushed at all. Our dinner was great, I had the Sheppards Pie, it was delicious. My fiance had the ribs and said while not a good as mine(i make some damn fine ribs!) that they were very good. It was just after 9:30 when we finished our dinner, but our waitress still asked if we had room for dessert or wanted another drink. That kind of service alone would make me dine here again... And we absolutely will next time we are in the area.

It's been awhile, and we were so thankful for stopping back in. We had the stuff shells special. Absolutely delcious. Cold crisp salad and wonderful banana bread. The chicken finger appy was basic but better than most. The service is always top notch. And you can't beat the price. Walking out the door I notice everyone at the bar had the stuff shells.

First time dinner out at the Back Burner and the last time! Friends made reservations for Friday night, as we were pulling in the parking lot was completely full. Usually that's a good indication it's a better than average restaurant. Other members of our party were already there, and as we walked in the door we were quickly seated. After being seated we all greeted one another and continued our conversation at the table as we waited to be served. The waitress was fairly decent. As she greeted us she was very soft spoken and it was difficult to understand what she was saying. We placed our drink order along with an order for appetizers. Drinks arrived and after some time the appetizers showed up. The appetizers had no presentation just food tossed on a plate and brought out to the table. The appetizers didn't look at all appetizing but the wings were decent and the sriracha cheese balls tasty. I'm surprised they didn't roll off the plate before they made it to the table. We placed our order for the main meal and continued on with our conversation. The food arrived and for me it was very disappointing. I ordered Fred's home made meatloaf. There's nothing special about Fred's meatloaf. The secret ingredient needs to remain a secret, the flavor was over powering. The portion was so small I wondered if they added all the extra gravy to hydrate the meatloaf. I opted for the fries instead of the mashed potatoes and I had all of twelve fries on the plate. This meal was over before it even started. That plate should never have left the kitchen looking like that. I can guarantee you it wasn't the first and it's not their last. The Back Burner is under new management, and if their game plan doesn't change soon then their best option is to close up shop now. There are restaurants in the area which make the Back Burner look like child's play. If you choose to eat here, don't say you weren't WARNED!

We had a great brunch here, he had breakfast and I had lunch. Everything was very fresh and tasty. Staff was friendly as was the owner, he even recommended good places to eat closer to where we are staying. Order your hash browns 'well'...so crispy! A 'hidden' gem!!

Good solid food, but I didn't like the vibe I got from the waitress or from ownership. I found the waitress to be quite rude, and didn't really get the warm and fuzzies from the owner either. Steak tips were pretty good, admittedly. Overpriced for the decidedly remote location. Would not return.

This used to be our favorite place to go every Saturday night. The whole family would meet up and we were going here every Saturday for about 2 years, we got to know all of the wait staff, cooks, and even the owners. That was until the new owners took over... Brian McGrath (the new owner) is definitely not only an awful owner, but an equally awful person. He kicked my family out before we even sat at a table because we were "distracting the wait staff" and also because my husband is a police officer. Supposedly, my husband had pulled Brian over for speeding one time, and that was good enough reason to kick us out. After he made a huge scene, some of the wait staff and the cooks actually quit to back us up. I am very upset with the direction this place is headed, guess we'll have to find a new family friendly place to visit.

Let's start with the bad, the lobster roll is sad. That could be much much better. Now for the good... great food and staff. They have done great with covid precautions which I respect. Their menu has a good variety plus specials. Cocktails, beer and dessert. Music outside sometimes. They do a lot for the community too.

Loved this place!! We found our new post hiking spot! Delicious food, adorable atmosphere, fantastic beers! Our waitress was wonderful! Can't say enough! Wish we could come back tonight! Thank you Back Burner!

These guys go above and beyond to provide a knock-out dining experience, even with all the COVID challenges. Kudos! If you're in the Brownfield area, don't miss it!

What a hidden gem! This is such a great place, I'm so glad I found it! The food is excellent, the staff is friendly and service is prompt. The back yard is so cool, live music on Sundays! When traveling in the area I would definitely put this on your places not to miss!!

We stopped at the Back Burner for a late lunch on the way back to Standish from No. Conway and we were pleasantly surprised at how good everything was. Both food and drinks were reasonably priced and delicious. The side of onion rings were delicious as well. Luncheon size of fish and chips were comparable to dinner size in most restaurants and the pastrami was overflowing the bun. Can't wait to go back and try the dinner menu.

This was gross. I can't even. So disappointed. Expected so much greatness after reading the other reviews, only to feel like we were back in our bad college dining hall again.

Awesome place! Cozy cabin feel, friendly staff! I had the pulled pork and onion rings and both were real good! Few local beers on tap! I'd recommend this place in a heartbeat! I'll be back on my travels again!

Been there three times in the past six months. Service is relaxed (kinda slow) unless you sit at the bar. Twice, our server forgot to bring out our order, we had to ask for it. This last time she forgot to put in our order. We left after waiting a half hour for the server to even acknowledge we were sitting at a booth. Place had two other customers at the bar. Food quality is good (when you get it). Atmosphere good (lots of locals). Prices fair (a little high for a remote diner). Service needs a tune up.

Way better than we could have imagined for off the beaten path. Great food and great prices. We will be back! Steak, ribs, seafood, pasta across our group of 6 and everyone was raving about their meal.

I made reservations for 9 of us that were at my home for a painting workshop. The staff was friendly and very helpful.

First time here... baked stuff shrimp was good, but not jumbo. Chicken piccata had no taste but very lemony.. lettuce in salad was brown.

Absolutely amazing food! Never disappointed when my boyfriend and I come here. The food is always fresh and delicious and the staff is extremely helpful and welcoming. They have a really nice patio that's dog friendly so we were able to bring our pup which was cool. They have lots of local beers on tap and the homemade cheesecake is to die for! Definitely try them out!

Loved it..Food was great , service was great. I will defiantly go back again with family and friends.

I once posted a scathing review of this restaurant which I felt applied at the time. However, since then I have returned to the restaurant many times and I feel the situation has changed and therefore my review should change. Over the past year or so since my review I have found that the restaurant has improved its image, its service and its approach to the customer. When I go, people are smiling and having fun, the food is reasonably priced and reasonably good. I plan to go back in the future and I hope others will try it as well. The steak tips are particularly good, as is the meatloaf. There are some regular waitresses who are unfailingly cheerful and sweet and the service is good. I hope you will give it a try.

My husband Nick and I have been going to The Back Burner for years. We especially love to go there on a Thursday evening for Trivia. The staff are friendly and the service is great. The owners Doug and Kate can be seen there regularly helping out and making sure that things are running smoothly. They have a full bar and a great selection of beer on tap. One of my favorite sandwiches to order is the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, the spice is just right and I always eat every bite. My husband Nick loves comfort food, so he usually will order a Turkey or Roast beef dinner complete with all the fixings. I definitely recommend checking this place out, you won't be disappointed.

Decent food, decent prices. The wait staff is friendly and attentive. The complimentary bread they bring to the table is quite good-- corn bread, banana bread, Italian. My only complaint is that as a vegetarian I'm very limited as to what I can eat here.

The food is ok. The service is just so slow. It's oddly slow. Crowd is friendly. I suspect the regulars get the best service. Place is well lit.

Went to the Back Burner for our first time tonight. My wife had a pulled pork sandwich and I had fish and chips. We got some bread first - good, but not warmed. Our meals were reasonably priced, decent sized servings, and good quality. My wife had room for desert, and that too was good. Our waitperson was attentive, also did a good job throughout. My only complaint (if you can call it that) was that there was no free refill on my iced coffee. Overall, we left full and happy with our first experience. We'll be back.

it started with a breakfast of eggs benedict that was the worst. tried to talk with owner only to inform them but it was after the fact so at that point it became my fault. really?!

We come to Brownfield to get away from the city. We love the woods and outdoor life. The Back Burner Restaurant fits the culture of Maine. Rustic knotty pine interior with a local clientele. Waitress was friendly and made good suggestions. Local clientele was friendly and shared conversation. The food was just what I wanted not gourmet just plain American classics with a little flare. Portions were great and the place was super clean. It was a nice ending to a long day. We love supporting the small American made business. It is the foundation of our country. We will be returning on our next trip. Try them out you won't be disappointed!

WE LOVE THE BACK BURNER RESTAURANT!! It is a family oriented establishment that makes everyone who enters their doors feel welcome. I must agree fully with Diane H, and Mac A. 's reviews. They serve excellent food at reasonable prices. Their management and staff are friendly and hard working and always on top of their game. I would recommend anyone traveling through our cozy town of Brownfield to stop by and have lunch or dinner you will enjoy the food, the people and the atmosphere. As for Jay B's review, after reading all his posted reviews that consist of mostly one and two stars, I must say there is definitely a common denominator there. Some people should just stay home and serve themselves.

Back Burner is a great place to unwind, Great service, outstanding food with Daily specials! Bartenders are the best! Kate and Doug along with their great staff have made thew Back Burner truly a success story! We have been going to the Back Burner from day one and always have a great time! Thank you for an outstanding experience every time! Mark & Gail

Joyce and I have had the pleasure of eating here six to eight times. it has always been great. Wait service is friendly and attentive. The food is awesome. The price is cheap. I strongly recommend you take the trip to one of the areas best kept secrets.