My First Time in Portland, ME: The Good, The Bad, and The Surprisingly Dirty Restroom

My First Time in Portland, ME: The Good, The Bad, and The Surprisingly Dirty Restroom

Portland feels like Boston’s older, quirkier cousin. When I first arrived, I immediately noticed the similarities—but everything felt a bit more weathered, a bit more vintage, a bit more… old. The architecture, the streets, even the vibe. It’s charming in that way that makes you wonder if the city is stuck in time or if it’s intentionally preserving its character.

Portland: Beautiful Weather, But Overwhelming Crowds

The weather was absolutely perfect—clear skies, comfortable temperature, and the kind of day that makes you want to explore every corner of the city. Unfortunately, the city itself felt a bit chaotic, especially on a Monday during peak summer season.

The narrow streets were packed shoulder-to-shoulder with tourists, cars were honking constantly, and navigating through the crowds felt more stressful than relaxing. But here’s the thing that really caught me off guard: the air kept smelling like burning plastic mixed with something fishy.

I quickly realized why. Because of summer and the bustling seafood markets, there are seafood restaurants lined up one after another throughout the city. The strong smell of fresh (and not-so-fresh) fish seemed to drift from corner to corner as the day went on. Combined with constant construction noise echoing through the streets and the general tourist chaos, it all felt a bit overwhelming for what was supposed to be a leisurely Monday exploration.

Here’s my honest take: If you’re not a seafood lover, I’d honestly reconsider visiting Portland during the summer months. The fish smell—especially in the downtown and market areas—is intense and pervasive. It’s not necessarily bad if you love seafood, but if you don’t, it can be pretty off-putting.

However, if you enjoy browsing through small shops, boutiques, and local stores, Portland is absolutely perfect for you. The downtown area is packed with unique shops, galleries, and interesting finds tucked into those charming (albeit crowded) narrow streets. Just go prepared for crowds and don’t expect a peaceful, relaxing experience during peak season.

Pro tip: If you do visit Portland in summer, go early in the morning before the crowds arrive, or visit during the shoulder seasons (late spring or early fall) for a better experience.

Enter Duckpat: The Restaurant Everyone Kept Recommending

When hunger hit, I remembered that several of my salon clients had recommended a restaurant called Duckpat. Perfect timing. And here’s the best part: no reservation needed, and being Monday, the place wasn’t crowded at all. We walked right in.

We ordered two sandwiches—one beef and one pork (mine). Let me tell you about that pork sandwich first. 



The bread was absolutely crispy on the outside. I mean, genuinely crispy. The pork inside was tender and soft, paired with fresh vegetables that added nice texture. It was good. Really good. But here’s my honest take: I think the beef sandwich would’ve been better. There was something about the beef option that looked more flavorful, more substantial. The pork was delicious, but the beef seemed like it had more personality.

The French Fries That Changed Everything

But the Real Hero of This Meal? The French Fries

I’m not exaggerating when I say these made me happy immediately. I’ve had a lot of French fries in my life—crispy ones, soft ones, mediocre ones. But these were something special. They had this perfect balance of soft on the inside and crispy on the outside, a combination that’s surprisingly rare to find. Most places mess it up.

When I asked our waitress about the secret, she explained that they fry their potatoes twice using duck oil—and that’s the difference. That double-frying technique creates that elusive golden perfection that keeps you coming back for more. The duck oil gives them a richness and depth of flavor that you just don’t get from regular vegetable oil.

These weren’t just a side dish—they were a revelation. The kind of French fries that make you understand why people actually get excited about potatoes. Their food genuinely made my mouth happy. That’s the best compliment I can give.

The Restroom Problem (Okay, We Need to Talk About This)

Here’s where things took a turn.

The restroom was tiny. I mean, TINY. Like, barely-room-to-turn-around tiny. I get it—it’s located in the center of the city, space is limited, restaurants do the best they can. I understand.

But it was also gross. And dirty. Really dirty.  There was no sense that anyone cared about maintaining this space. 

And here’s where my mind went to a dark place: if the restroom looks like this, what does the kitchen look like?

I know, I know. It’s unfair to judge. It’s a nice restaurant with great food. I shouldn’t complain. But I have to be honest with you—dirty restrooms kill my appetite. Instantly. It doesn’t matter how good the food is. When I see a dirty restroom, my brain immediately imagines dirty kitchen practices.  Corners not being cleaned. Food safety concerns.

I finished my meal, but I felt less happy about it than I should have.

The Redemption: Winslow Park


After two hours wandering around Portland’s chaotic streets, we decided to head back to Freeport where our hotel was located. We needed a mental reset from all that city energy.

Then we discovered Winslow Park, which was right near our hotel. Entry was just $3 per person—incredibly reasonable.

And wow. This place was the complete opposite of Portland’s chaotic energy.

The hiking trails were beautiful and well-maintained. There were camping cars and tents scattered throughout, families enjoying the outdoors, a playground for children, and—here’s the best part—a small beach where you could actually swim. There were also a few piers to explore and enjoy the water from a different perspective.

It felt like nature’s way of saying, “Sorry about Portland’s chaos. Here, have some peace.”

The Hotel That Got It Right

We stayed at the Freeport Hotel, and here’s what made it special: they offered free breakfast.


Now, I know free breakfast isn’t revolutionary. A lot of hotels offer it. But there’s something about waking up, not having to rush out to find food, and just having breakfast included that makes the whole experience feel more relaxed and thoughtful.

It’s these little touches that make a hotel memorable. Not just a place to sleep, but a place that actually takes care of you.

The Real Portland Experience

So here’s my takeaway from my first trip to Portland: it’s a city with personality, charm, and amazing food. Duckpat proved that. The French fries alone are worth the trip.

But it’s also a city that’s a bit rough around the edges. Literally—those narrow, dirty corners. And figuratively—that restroom situation.

The real magic? Head to Freeport. Enjoy the peace. Visit Winslow Park. Stay at a hotel that treats you right. And yes, make the drive to Portland for Duckpat’s sandwiches and those incredible French fries.


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