Hey there! Long time no posts. We're not done, just hibernating during the long, cold, Maine winter.

We got hungry, though, and left the cave to scavenge for food. Thankfully, we didn't have to look very far. We found a delicious meal at State Lunch in Maine's capital city--Augusta.

Location & Atmosphere

State Lunch is located in the happening and historic downtown. Located on Water Street along the Kennebec River, State Lunch has a rather unassuming facade.

We parked on an adjacent road and walked about a quarter mile to the restaurant. As we approached, the only hint we were heading to the right spot was the tiled green sign behind a window and above an awning.

Honestly, the front of the building is quite sharp with its black exterior and slightly tinted windows.

As we entered, we were greeted with a low-key atmosphere. Despite being at about half capacity, the patrons were remarkably quiet.

We were promptly seated without any wait time despite it being 11:45 when we arrived.

The muted paint and textures mixed with stainless steel and rustic wood gave the impression of a hip and modern establishment. Meanwhile the colored lights and dramatic fixtures helped reassure a welcoming atmosphere.

Service

We were seated at a pub height table and our waitress gave us our menus. We've been here several times, but it's always fun because their menu is rarely the same.

Scanning the options on their seasonal menu, I saw several choices for one of their most popular offerings: ramen. I was keen to try one or two, but then I saw it; the Smash Burger.

6oz. smash beef patty, cheddar & american cheeses, “special sauce” pickles, onion, lettuce and tomato served on a sesame seeded bun. Served with house fries or salad.

Emily ordered the SL Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup.

Provolone & cheddar cheeses, bacon, fried kale and roasted tomato sandwich with a cream & tomato soup.

One of the things I appreciate about State Lunch is the fact they give you a pitcher of water along with a glass. This lets me refill my water at will and it goes a long way towards my experience at a restaurant.

Our waitress was nice. She seemed like she was having fun and was attentive while not being too doting.

Food

First up, lemme just say that I tried Emily's Grilled Cheese and it was incredible. The cheese was gooey and delicious, the kale added some welcome texture, and the bacon contributed a salty, savory goodness. I don't think it's ever occurred to me add bacon to a grilled cheese, but just one bite had me convinced.

My Smash Burger was everything I want in a burger. It tasted fresh off the grill, with a charbroiled crispiness around the edges.

The contrast of American and mild cheddar cheese was a surprising, welcome, and savory choice. The bun was toasted and tasted buttered.

The rest of the fixings added dimension and complemented the meal well. But I want to bring attention to the "special sauce" pickles. I'm not sure how else I can describe it besides finely chunked pickles that made up a sort-of relish. Perhaps it was relish-adjacent? Whatever it was, it was awesome.

Finally, the fries were remarkable. I've had them a few times. They're similar in cut to a McDonald's fry (in my opinion, that's a good thing), but they're crunchier and well-seasoned with both parmesan cheese and parsely. Served with both ketchup and a garlic aioli, the fries are a consistent (and delectable) throughline across my many visits to State Lunch.

Conclusion

We had a great lunch at State Lunch (hey, that rhymed) and we'll definitely be going back!