Elsmere BBQ & Wood Grill (! Please visit us on Cottage Ave.!)

We happened to go by the restaurant on our way to Portland Head Light. On our way home, we decided to stop and were so glad that we did! Neither of us wanted anything too heavy, so were a little hesitant about BBQ. We did not need to worry! This BBQ is simply plated, lightly sauced and was SO delicious! Not the over sauced, salty gut bomb that so many places offer. Our sandwiches came on homemade brioche rolls that were light as feathers. Delicious bbq chicken and brisket, along with perfectly pickled onions. The sauce is on the table for you to add as you like it. Excellent late lunch!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Okay, so New England is not the place to go to get great BBQ. And we are from great BBQ country. That said, this was not bad. The brisket was a little bit dry, and the ribs were tender, but not super flavorful. However, if you are in the mood for BBQ, this place will fill the need. The wait staff was friendly, though it took a while to get our food. And the atmosphere definitely feels like a BBQ place.

I had been craving ribs. They did not disappoint!

So good

Build your own nachos were delicious!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great options for gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great brisket!!!! Will be back!!!

Very good food... Best cornbread !!!!

We just had a wonderful dinner ,the place is a quaint small restaurant, the staff got us seated fairly quickly, the drinks were good,the brisket was moist,the sausage had great flavor,nachos were good .

Best salmon salad, great staff!

While waiting for takeout we ordered pineapple juice and a rum punch. Both were terrible. At home we tried the cole slaw (worse we'd ever had) and corn bread (excellent). The quesadilla was average. Do yourself a favor and go elsewhere.

Low key, very good food , well selected beer choice , excellent service , what more do you want.., will come back for more ! Thanks

Sunday night at 7pm-we were told the kitchen is closed because they are “out of everything”. We live in the area and many local places have closed so have limited options. I planned my whole day around this dinner and am very disappointed.

What a difference a location makes… love the South Portland location but this one is a BIG NO. Worst brisket I have ever had & the ribs had so much gristle & super dry & lacked flavor they weren’t worth the trouble of eating them. I had the exact same meal at the different locations one week from another. The two meals could not have been any different. I will NOT be coming back to the Portland location ever again. It is South Portland only for me & I suggest for you too. Service was good & I want to point that out. But food wise this place is not good.

The food was fantastic! I had the tornado burrito and it was so much that I couldn’t even eat it all! The max and cheese was to die for! The waiter wasn’t super friendly but the food made up for it.