“Hey, Rocky, watch me pull a great Maine dining value out of my hat!”

With a Bullwinkle J. Moose-like moose and low-cost dining specials on its front sign, the Mainiax Restaurant on Route 1 restaurant in Wells, Maine, begs the question, “Why are we paying more at other restaurants when the food is just as good, if not better, here?”

The southern Maine coast does have its share of tourist trap restaurants — some with famous names and others that are just flat-out obnoxious — that tend to charge way too much for their selections. Mainiax, on the other hand, stresses good value for the money. On our recent visit, we paid just $50.00 for two adults, three kids and five ravenous appetites.  The highlight was a crispy on the outside and tender on the inside fish and chips dinner for $7.99.  You could not tell the difference between this fish and chips dinner and meals eslewhere that charge almost twice the price.  What a deal!

Lobster dinners and rolls, fried and broiled seafood plates, New England clam chowder, salads, appetizers, steak, chicken and pasta dishes — there’s something here for everyone. Virtually every meal has a relatively inexpensive price tag. Additionally, the kids’ menu also offers life beyond chicken tenders and mac and cheese by offering lobster tails and kids clam chowder. Be sure also to try the “make your s’mores at the table” dessert!

Large in size with pleasant, on-the-ball service, Maniax is really a fantastic, affordable family-style restaurant that is much needed in the area. Apparently, locals and tourists have caught on: the line went out the door as we were leaving the restaurant around 6 p.m.!

Mainiax Restaurant
526 Post Road (Route 1)
Wells, Maine
Tel. (207) 646-0808