The Bayou Kitchen

Eat there at least once a week. Good food, chill people. Usually a line on weekends, but if you want a home-​cooked meal try this place.

I always think going out to breakfast is a little weird because I can make most things myself pretty easily. However, I make an exception when I want Eggs Benedict because, well, I just don’t want to make that myself. Bayou Kitchen did not disappoint. The eggs were perfectly cooked and the hollandaise was in perfect proportion. I liked the home fries — very simple, but a great compliment to my eggs. I also tried the jalepeno and cheddar cornbread, which was great. No need to put any more butter on that bad boy!
The coffee was great and the staff was quick to refill my cup. Loved that! I’ll be back!

One of the best breakfasts you will find in Portland. It’s usually very busy especially in the weekends so make sure to go early.
We went this morning and realized I’d not done a review even though we go several times a month. The vibe is diner with a Cajun feel. The coffee is fantastic and they are always coming by to top you off –a very welcome touch. We had our favorite, the Cajun scramble which consists of egg, cheese, crawfish, jalapeños and a side of home fries and jalapeño cornbread. Truly amazing. We were a group today so we also got two specials, the bayou Benedict made with a spicy hollandaise and crawfish and a Nutella stuffed French toast. Both were excellently prepared and tasted wonderful.
Like I mentioned it is usually busy but well worth it and the staff is friendly and attentive. A little off the peninsula but well worth the drive!

Great cajun style breakfasts. Amazing staff.

Chicken and sausage GUMBO ($ 10.25) — (add crawfish for $ 3) Descent gumbo but it can be pretty salty. I personally think it’s a bit pricey for the portion. Comes with 2 pieces of corn bread but you can upgrade to jalapeño or blueberry corn bread for $ 0.75 more.
Classic JAMBALAYA ($ 10.25) — (add crawfish for $ 3) I’m not a fan at all. I usually love jambalaya but this was just plain salty. I hate to say this… but I can definitely make better jambalaya at home.
Special of the day ~ HUEVOS RANCHEROS w/​spinach and brie in between tortillas and topped with salsa and eggs (~$ 14). I had high hopes for this since I love spinach and I love brie but I didn’t like this dish at all. It had a really weird taste/​smell to it that I just can’t pinpoint.
The restaurant itself looks a little run down — I’m not sure if that’s the décor though. There are about 7 tables inside, seating has never been an issue though. There’s street parking which can be hard to find on weekends but if you don’t mind a little walk then you’ll be able to find a space.
I don’t think I’ll come back…

Loved the crayfish omelette. It was so juicy! The grits were also very savory and filling. We also ordered the veggie jambalaya and beans and rice. The beans and rice had more flavor than the jambalaya which was disappointing because we expected much more. They even bake their own biscuits and cornbread. YES FOR BRUNCH!

My friends and I were greeted by welcoming waiter. I ordered the Three Alarm omette. The salsa is a bit bitter, but beside that everything was awesome. The Homies was the best grilled potatoes I’ve ever had. Coffee was freshly brewed. Reasonable price. Will definitely go again.

Stopped in for breakfast and was pleasantly surprised to find that there was indeed a healthy dose of Cajun seasoning with everything I ordered. The jalapeño cornbread was spicy and delicious.
This place is super awkward though. The layout, the staff who are eating a morning snack behind the line in an open kitchen, the way they kick you out of the building after putting your name on the wait list. I get it. Fire codes require you don’t exceed capacity, but this was definitely a first for me. It’s Maine. It’s winter. In fact it’s 3 degrees outside today. Stop the madness.
We figured it must be worth the wait so we ventured out and came back when beckoned. It wasn’t. The food was pretty good but the rest will keep us from coming back.

I wish I could provide a more comprehensive review based on the food, but I didn’t even get that far. When we got there we were told there would be a 20-​minute wait, which on its own would have been fine. But with no designated waiting area inside the restaurant, we were rudely told we would have to stand outside. It’s January in Maine, so … no. So just be prepared for this to happen to you if you go there.

I love you, Bayou Kitchen! It’s Cajun cooking with flair and I love it! A lot of people in town also love it so be prepared for long lines and a long wait during the weekends. It’s so worth the wait though. If you have a small party or it’s just you by yourself, consider sitting at the counter. Those seats seem to turn over quicker and you get the pleasure of watching the cooks work.
The staff always have smiles on their faces and even when the place is slammed, the service from the staff will not change. They are always low key and friendly.
Like I said above, they use a lot of Cajun spices in their cooking and do something magical to their homefries. I don’t want to know, just continue to pile them up on my plate. The menu is loaded with what I would consider to be Louisiana classics including red beans and rice, grits, and jambalaya. They have a lunch menu but I’ve never used it. Breakfast is where it’s at for me.
This past weekend I went in for a later brunch. I think we got there around 11am and the place was busy but we had no trouble getting a table. It was either the late hour, the weird weather or a combination of both that might have kept the crowds away. I always have a hard time deciding. I don’t eat eggs so that cuts the menu down a lot for me. I was torn between the Meat Homie which I’ve had before (and loved!) and the french toast special which sounded really amazing. I ended up going with the french toast special. It was churro french toast made from challah bread and covered with a cream cheese icing. I’m always hesitant about french toast because if the bread gets too soggy, it’s a real downer. This french toast was perfect. Four pieces of challah bread toasted to perfection and dusted with a copious amount of cinnamon and sugar and then drizzled with a cream cheese icing. The icing tasted like the glaze that you usually see on cinnamon buns. Not a soggy piece of toast in sight! I should have taken a picture, but I was ravenous and I’m sure no one wanted to see a picture of an empty plate. I also had a side of homefries and they were as good as ever. Crispy on the outside and coated with a spice that I can’t identify. Super tasty addition to my meal.
We were stuffed when we left and it was well worth the money. I highly recommend Bayou Kitchen if you’re looking for something a little different for brunch/​breakfast.

…Well. This is unfortunate! This is probably the worst food place I’ve been to! With some of the worst customer service I’ve seen. This is a place that I won’t be at soon!
Firstly the exterior isn’t exactly the best! Instead of those nice looking signs That. Well. Other dealers have it’s just a painting of an alligator on a window. Bravo.
Now. I wish that I could give this place a better rating. But I was kicked out right on the spot! The first time I came in. They said I had to wait outside for a seat. But there were plenty of seats that were empty??? Not exactly the best move there. So we waited for a solid 1 – 3 minutes before a party of 6 came in. Of course I was kinda mad at this. So I came back in. Asking why I couldn’t come in. Prompting the worst response that I ever saw– making the excuse of me not being on «the list». And then the waitress saying «Just wait at the Dunkin’ Donuts
Down the street. It’s where you belong.»
I wasn’t. Going to bother. So I just went on out,
Well. This place in not too good. If you like insulting waiters who will kick you out if you’re not worthy or something. Come on in. *sigh…*

I had a lot of build up going into this kitchen. When I worked in Gorham, people would tell me that I was a fool for not going here when I lived so close to it. I had driven by it so often, and it just always looked like a hole in the wall place. I had huevos rancheros, and oh boy was it delicious. They served good portions of delicious food. Their cornbread was buttery and delicious, they had a spicy and sweet gumbo, I don’t think you could go wrong here. They were so friendly here, I will definitely be giving them my business again. They hype was definitely well placed.

Always good for a post-​celebration brunch.
Slightly hidden away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Portland is this breakfast and lunch joint frequented by young and old or tourists and long time regulars alike.
Upon entering, don’t be surprised at how often the BK is packed or if there is a line outside. All the more reason to stand your ground and hold your place in line until the bitter end.
The waitstaff will more than compensate for the time you spent waiting with a smile, some small talk, and superb service.
The menu has enough to keep you coming back to try something new, whether it’s a breakfast burrito loaded with chili, cheese, and sour cream for brunch, or some southern style gumbo.
If you go Saturday or Sunday morning, there is ample street parking on Revere St. You can park in the Walgreens parking lot but at your own risk! :)

Solid breakfast at a great price. The Corn Beef Hash is the must-​try item on the menu. Standard egg fare beyond that. Minimal seating and not great for large groups, so get there early on a Saturday or Sunday brunch. Downside to the menu is certainly the lack of cocktails. Had to jump downtown to get a bloody mary.

Ah! So excited I found the Bayou kitchen as a decent brunch on a Saturday in Portland is not too easy to come by without a huge wait. It’s a bit out of the way but worth it.
Diner-​esque atmosphere with a crocodile on the wall. Neat. Kitchen is open to the bar area and I think that always adds some charm.
Staff was extremely friendly and service was quick.
For breakfast we had iced tea and coffee (good coffee), the gator eggs with mushrooms, swiss cheese and scallions, came with a home made biscuit and really good home fries (they were basically just roasted red potatoes), I got a coffee pancake which tastes like actual coffee was used as the liquid in the batter, not coffee-​cake style, real maple syrup to go with, the huevos rancheros with perfectly cooked over easy eggs and black bean chili and a side of jalapeño cheddar cornbread to go with. I loved it all. I loved that there were so many options for vegetarians. I loved all the hot sauces to choose from. For $ 30 total, a really good deal. We were so stuffed.
The only downside was no benedicts! But even so, the menu was exciting and I can’t wait to go back for more.

I love this place, and it’s often the first place I think of when I’m seeking out brunch options on a weekend. If you like a bit of spice in your breakfast food, then you should to. All food + cajun spices = amazing, but that’s just my own opinion.
Top 5 reasons to like this place:
1. Service. They’re always incredibly friendly. Despite how slammed they can get on a weekend, they’ve always greeted me with patience and a smile.
2. Portions. Most of the dishes I’ve ordered have come with home fries/​grits and biscuit/​flavored corn bread. So many breakfast combinations, it’s like a Choose You’re Own Adventure book where you always win in the end. And feel stuffed.
3. Sugar water. This is the first place I’ve encountered that gives you sugar water to put into your iced coffee instead of granulated sugar. So the sugar actually dissolves and you’re not stuck with a syrupy mess at the bottom of your glass.
4. Chili in omelets. I fell in love with this combination in New Orleans, and now I relive it every time I stop in to the BC. Chili and eggs is a delicious match, and I implore you to just try it if you are making a weird disgusted scowl-​face as you read this.
5. Spice. This place takes everything you love about breakfast and kicks it up a notch with their special herbs and spices. And the myriad of hot sauces lingering on each table.
What’s not to love? Well, two things, but it won’t impact my rating:
1. During the summer, it’s always 150 degrees hotter in the restaurant than outside. The ventilation is a bit poor, and there’s no air conditioning that I know of.
2. The outside wait. During their peak busy times, you’ll need to wait outside the restaurant to be seated. During the 90% of the time when Maine is covered with snow, ice, sleet, mud, rain, etc, that can be a bit problematic. Thankfully you can grab a coffee at Dunkin Donuts or Big Sky — both next door — while you wait, as they’ll take your number and give you a call when your table is ready.
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— Cajun food

Steve A. has been telling me for the past three years about The Bayou Kitchen as drool drips down his cheek, remember the flavors! Let me tell you, it did not disappoint. The small restaurant brings you not only the N’rleans atmosphere but all the bayou food as well. Arriving on a Thursday morning during breakfast, we sat at the bar and received top notch service. Bar service includes view of the kitchen where we chatted with the chefs as they prepared our meals.
Along with coffee and an iced tea (perfectly prepared) we ordered a short stack of custom blueberry pancakes with real Maine syrup ($ 1.75 up charge) and the el verde omelet. I have to preface this review with the fact that Steve A. considers himself somewhat of an omelet chef genius, so the fact that he ordered an omelet is HUGE! The short stack of pancakes (two large ones!) were incredible: fluffy, sweet with tons of fresh blueberry sprinkled in. And God that omelet… Black beans, cheese, and all things right. It’s topped with the most delicious fresh salsa verde that they sell at the store for $ 7 a bottle. The omelet was served with choice of bread– get the corn bread! – and potatoes. We got the home fire potatoes, which are chunks of potatoes covered in cajun seasoning. I heard the potatoes have changed over the years and aren’t are crispy and tasty as the old version, but they still tasted good to me. The whole experience from the open kitchen to the service to food and did I forget to mention the HOT SAUCE COLLECTION?! Was delicious! A definite must visit.

It was difficult for me to decide how to rate this — first time I visited (on a Saturday), we got their early and there were plenty of tables, service was speedy. This past Saturday we went again, this time later, around 10 and the service was painfully slow. We got our water quickly upon sitting down then our waitress was MIA — walked by our table a number of time without even glancing in our direction.
Both times, the food has been good — this past trip I had the Red Eye which was BBQ polish sausage, 2 spicy eggs (any style), plus toast + side of your choice — I highly recommend getting the eggs poached, they were delish. I was kind of surprised I only got one link of sausage (albeit it is all I would eat, but I imagine others would want more). Both times we got 1 custom pancake– banana and chocolate chip and my boyfriend deemed it one of his favorite dishes in Portland right now!

Great combination of funky diner meets serious Cajun favorites. The place is small, so you can have a wait… and the service occasionally can be touch and go… but the food is very good with authentic creole accents.
I’ve had the shrimp with grits and over easy eggs… I added a side of andouille sausage… excellent…lots of shrimp… the grits are great texture and spiced… the slight runny yoke… just excellent
The crawfish omelet was oversized, fluffy, and delicious
I loved the red beans and rice… and I’ve tried the Cajun omelette… all good
I wish they had a liquor license… as this is a great brunch spot… and you just need a craft cocktail with brunch.
Parking on Deering is hit or miss.

I was very impressed with this place. The staff was super friendly and the food could not be beat.
I got a Bayou scramble that was pretty spot on. I also had a few side options (and I’m tempted to come back just to try the other sides). I ended up going with beans & rice and cornbread; my mouth was in southern heaven.
I also tried this place solo, and the staff did their best to socialize with me. Everyone was so darn nice. And there were like 3 different hot sauces to choose from; all of them were amazing.
I recommend coming here. I wish the hours were longer and I wish there was more seating (there can be a wait on weekends), but otherwise, this is one pretty fantastic place.