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Becky's

390 Commercial St., Portland, ME - (207) 773-7070
Posted By Karin Hagan on 11/13/2007 11:08:00 PM
Becky's looks like a nothing place somewhere between the tourists' Old Port section and the shipping and fishing area. Like so many of the best places, it doesn't look like you'd really want to go there. But you do. It's where the locals eat, and we know why. Huge slabs of real meatloaf with real mashed potatoes covered with gravy anyone would be proud to serve. Good coffee and decaf. Their breakfasts are beyond generous. Pancakes are perfection, and they use really good bacon. Order a fruit bowl at Becky's, and don't order anything else unless you're seriously hungry. It's fresh fruit, cut when your order goes in, and it's as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate. The only thing we haven't liked was the oatmeal. They use an Irish cut, and that's just not our preference.

This is a diner that takes real pride in serving the best all the time. Be prepared to wait a bit on a weekend or in high season. And if you get one of the tables instead of a booth and there's a line? Offer to share -- we did, and met some really nice people. Heck! Invite a couple of waiting people to share your booth.

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Scorecard

3 - Overall: Excellent - Worth a Detour
Overall: Excellent - Worth a Detour
Rate this place
The fruit bowl with yogurt and granola is a shockingly salubrious diner dish. Becky said that her food suppliers are always trying to convince her to switch to canned fruit cocktail and avoid the fuss and labor of actually cutting pieces of fruit. She declines because, she said, the canned stuff 'all tastes like grapefruit juice.' In Becky's fruit cocktail, each fruit tastes like what it is.
"The fruit bowl with yogurt and granola is a shockingly salubrious diner dish. Becky said that her food suppliers are always trying to convince her to switch to canned fruit cocktail and avoid the fuss and labor of actually cutting pieces of fruit. She declines because, she said, the canned stuff 'all tastes like grapefruit juice.' In Becky's fruit cocktail, each fruit tastes like what it is."
Michael Stern





Split and grilled with plenty of butter is the best way to enjoy Becky's excellent muffins. This one, of course, is the Maine classic, blueberry.
"Split and grilled with plenty of butter is the best way to enjoy Becky's excellent muffins. This one, of course, is the Maine classic, blueberry."
Michael Stern


Becky's always has about a half-dozen cakes for dessert. One of the best, and a flavor unique to Maine, is Whoopie Pie Cake, which is a chocolate & cream sensation.
"Becky's always has about a half-dozen cakes for dessert. One of the best, and a flavor unique to Maine, is Whoopie Pie Cake, which is a chocolate & cream sensation. "
Michael Stern


You won't be seeing this pot roast supper on the cover of a glamorous cooking magazine. It is rather homely. But ooo-eee, is it ever good. The pot roast is fallapart tender, the potatoes are full-flavored, the carrots are al dente, and the onions have plenty of snap. In some ways this is a classic Yankee image of the time-honored boiled dinner.
"You won't be seeing this pot roast supper on the cover of a glamorous cooking magazine. It is rather homely. But ooo-eee, is it ever good. The pot roast is fallapart tender, the potatoes are full-flavored, the carrots are al dente, and the onions have plenty of snap. In some ways this is a classic Yankee image of the time-honored boiled dinner."
Michael Stern


Here's a cup of haddock chowder. It is ridiculously full of sweet fish, tender hunks of potato and lots of bacon. You really can eat it with a fork.
"Here's a cup of haddock chowder. It is ridiculously full of sweet fish, tender hunks of potato and lots of bacon. You really can eat it with a fork."
Michael Stern


A close view of the peanut butter and bacon sandwich only hints at how rich and satisfying it is. This one is made on thick slices of Italian toast, the only way to go! In the background are Becky's excellent homefries.
"A close view of the peanut butter and bacon sandwich only hints at how rich and satisfying it is. This one is made on thick slices of Italian toast, the only way to go! In the background are Becky's excellent homefries."
Michael Stern


Thanksgiving supper can be had 363 days a year at Becky's, where turkeys are roasted daily.
"Thanksgiving supper can be had 363 days a year at Becky's, where turkeys are roasted daily."
Michael Stern


A mighty, mighty meal, the titanic omelet costs three dollars more than any other omelet, but it contains all three breakfast meats, plus cheese, onions, and peppers. That's Italian toast on top and homefries in the background.
"A mighty, mighty meal, the titanic omelet costs three dollars more than any other omelet, but it contains all three breakfast meats, plus cheese, onions, and peppers. That's Italian toast on top and homefries in the background."
Michael Stern


A view of Becky's early in the breakfast hour. This photo was taken in 2005, before the diner expanded.
"A view of Becky's early in the breakfast hour. This photo was taken in 2005, before the diner expanded."
Michael Stern


What Roadfood traveler could not love a diner that is open from 4am to 9pm every day of the year except Christmas and Thanksgiving?
"What Roadfood traveler could not love a diner that is open from 4am to 9pm every day of the year except Christmas and Thanksgiving?"
Michael Stern


Becky's on Hobson's Wharf: serving Portland early birds since 1991
"Becky's on Hobson's Wharf: serving Portland early birds since 1991"
Michael Stern



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