The Travelin Maine(rs), George and Linda Smith of Mount Vernon, have spent their lifetimes enjoying all that Maine has to offer. Now they’ll tell you all about it — their favorite inns, restaurants, trips, activities, experiences, and travel books and websites — in their own personal style. They’ll be offering anecdotes, tips and all the details you need. So join them in exploring, experiencing and enjoying the great state of Maine.

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Bangor is an impressive and vibrant city, with a gorgeous riverfront, many good restaurants and lots to do. This year we expanded beyond our traditional “go-to” eatery — Sea Dog Brewing Co. — to try other restaurants, including Geaghan’s Pub. And when we travel in Maine, we always look for lodging from Bangor’s Lafayette family. They offer a range of accommodations featuring great service, plenty of amenities and real comfort.

Linda

It’s nice to have “go-to” dining places when we are in or simply passing through Bangor. This year Geaghan’s Pub joined our list.

We first ate there when we were in Bangor for the summer folk festival, a spectacular event. On a late Saturday morning of that festival weekend, the restaurant wasn’t very busy. We had a quick lunch and were on our way, satisfied but not terribly impressed.

I am so glad we returned, because our second visit was terrific. A month later — returning from a wedding in Northport — we were in need of supper on a Sunday so we gave Geaghan’s another try.
Well, it turns out that there are two sides (literally) to Geaghan’s Pub. The left side (as you enter), where we first dined, had a very different feel than the right side where we found the traditional Irish pub — Irish in every way from food to decorations. Families and smaller parties packed the restaurant and there was even a group of women celebrating a shower of some kind.

The Buffalo wings were pretty tempting with a choice of mild, wild or ouch! sauce. I agonized over the original wings verses the boneless. Our waiter convinced me that the boneless were a signature dish and very popular.

I went wild and immediately knew why they sell 40,000 pounds of wings a year! The wings came with great blue cheese dipping sauce and celery sticks. A half-pound platter ($6.99) was perfect, but one could order a one-pound or party platter.

I tried — and shared — their perfect, thin onion rings that were not at all greasy. If you need more food, order a roll (huge and delicious) for just 25 cents.

Geaghan’s Pub has created a unique pub menu of burgers, creative varieties of sandwiches, baskets of fried food, whole dinners and even breakfasts. Have one of their five varieties of “melts,” a lobster roll, Reuben or a pizza (after 4 p.m.).

Desserts are made from scratch using their parents’ recipes. George and I split a Bailey’s Irish Cream pie. It was light and fluffy on a chocolate crumb crust. It’s certainly big enough to split, and if you like coffee you’ll love this! That pie will be a snack some day when we are in the area, for sure.

George

I became a Geaghan’s regular when I first sipped their MacGeoghegan Irish Red, brewed in collaboration with Black Bear Brewery. When we visited in September, they were completing construction of their own small brewery at the back of the restaurant.

I immediately noted their weekly Beervana event, at which they introduce one new beer for customers to rate and write about. The customer comments were very funny and in some cases, ribald.
I had their Celtic ribs and Colcannon (red onions and cabbage), very reasonably priced at $10.99, including baked beans and fresh dinner roll.  A connoisseur of beans, I can report these were very good, with a generous portion served in a pot. I loved the Colcannon, too. The ribs were very meaty and delicious, and come from a top-secret supplier our server didn’t dare identify after discovering we were writing about our experience!

As I consumed this tasty meal, I noticed a bit of Irish wisdom on the wall over the door: “Molann an obair an feur— Who keeps his tongue keeps his friend.” Now they tell me! After 22 years of writing a weekly newspaper column!

Continuing in the footsteps of their father John Geaghan, who established the restaurant in 1975, the Geaghan brothers — with help from their Mom — provide bountiful and tasty meals, a great selection of libations, super service, a convivial atmosphere and very reasonable prices. Our bill with drinks and dessert totaled $42.95.

Half-way through the meal, I looked over and Lin was covered in blue cheese sauce — and still smiling. It was a multiple-napkin meal.

As we tucked into the dessert, Lin said, “I can’t imagine eating a whole piece of this.” I was actually thinking of ordering another helping!

Fireside Inn — George

When we visit an area for activities that are going to take up most of our time, we look for an inexpensive small hotel room. Why pay for a fancy room when you’ll only sleep in it?

Bangor’s Fireside Inn seemed to be just the place. It’s an old hotel with typically small rooms,  inexpensive and within walking distance of the folk festival where we’d spend all of our time. We expected little more than a clean room and comfortable bed.

We got that at the Fireside, but the room surprised us. They’ve taken the old square room of the original hotel and constructed a corner wall featuring a beautiful work of art and a gas fireplace. The room included a huge flatscreen TV, fridge, microwave, iron and ironing board, and lots of outlets (key for the Travelin’ Maine(rs) who carry computers everywhere and write on the road). I even found the local newspaper under my door in the morning.

Linda had an amazing experience when she made her way downstairs for coffee and the continental breakfast. A maid noticed her exiting our room, got her some yogurt from the staff fridge and accompanied her back to the room to open it for her because her arms were full of coffee and toasted English muffins!

Visit George’s website: www.george
smithmaine.com for travel tips, book reviews, outdoor news and more.