Thatcher's Restaurant and Sports Pub: A Review

Thatcher's Restaurant and Sports Pub at 35 Foden Road in South Portland, Maine, is a Maine-owned restaurant with additional locations in Gorham, Westbrook, and Windham, Maine. The Foden Road facility is large, with a seating capacity of 250. The large dining area is flanked on one side by a full bar, has a piano close to the entrance, and a stage where either a band or a DJ provides music on the weekends. There are 5 huge screens on the wall , a number of flat screen televisions above the bar, and a Wii; Thatcher's is obviously about food and fun.

The menu is extensive and includes appetizers like potato skins, or bacon wrapped scallops, burgers, sandwiches, and full meals. There are also salads and wraps for when you want something lighter. The bar stocks a wide assortment of local and nationally brewed beers, wines, and your favorite mixed drinks. For those with a limited budget, a $6.99 meal special is available each day.

When we visited, Hubby went for the meatloaf special. This included a slice of delicious meatloaf topped with beef gravy, with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables for side dishes. All of that was only $6.99 and the serving was generous, too. The lightly seasoned meatloaf tasted homemade and the mashed potatoes were real'"no instant potatoes used here!

I ordered the Taco Salad in an edible bowl and was treated to a huge puffed taco shell lined with fresh, crispy lettuce and filled with a robust, red kidney bean chili, topped with chopped tomatoes, diced onions, and shredded cheddar cheese. A small container of salsa and another of sour cream were served on the side. The price was $8.99, and the serving was more than I could finish. The dish was spiced just right: Hot to the taste, but not so much so as to cause one to break into a sweat and reach frantically for a cold drink.

According to their website, Thatcher's will host parties and functions and has special group platters of appetizers, salads, pizza, or lasagna priced from $25 to $80, depending on your selection and the size of your group. With the large screens on the walls, I could see this Pub as a great place to have your Super Bowl Party, or watch the NBA Playoffs!