By
Lorraine Glowczak
Known
as the pub with a twist, School Street Pub and Grill located at 29 School
Street in Gorham lives up to its motto. On the surface, it may appear to serve
the typical pub fare, but unlike most pub and grills, the menu not only
contains signature food options – much of the choices are made to order and
from scratch.
Owner,
Matt Troiano takes pride in their high-quality and reasonably priced menu
options. “Everything is made from scratch here,” he began. “For example, the
breading on our chicken tenders is made right here in the kitchen. They do not
come frozen with breading already on them to be thrown quickly in the fryer. We
pride ourselves to take the time to do it right.”
This
family-friendly pub and grill is in the center of the quaint and quiet town of
Gorham. Into its third year as the town’s go to pub, Troiano became owner approximately
eight months ago. “I’ve been here since School Street Pub opened its door,”
Troiano said. “I was the bar manager and when the previous owner was ready to sell,
he approached me – and I couldn’t refuse.”
Troiano,
who is originally from New York, has been in the hospitality business since his
college years. He attended Champlain College in Burlington, VT and while
working on his degree in pre-law, he worked his way through college by being
employed at various restaurants.
In
2010, Troiano moved to Portland and continued working in the hospitality
industry, working his way up to manager positions. When School Street Pub was
available for purchase, he was ready to take the next step.
 |
| Owner, Matt Troiano |
Although
a local family-friendly pub favorite, Troiano would like to see more people
from out of town enjoy everything they have to offer. It’s starting to happen.
“I received a review online from a Portland couple who visited us recently,”
Troiano began. “The review stated that it was not only nice to get out of the
hustle and bustle of downtown Portland but that they had enjoyed the atmosphere
and the food, too – which was of the same quality they would find in Portland.
The 20-minute drive was worth it, they said in the review.”
With
menu options from pan roasted shrimp and scallops with wilted greens and garlic
mashed potatoes and pan-seared steak tips prepared as ordered to chicken wings,
poutine, mussels, deep-friend Brussel sprouts and pub nachos, - all made with
fresh ingredients and from scratch - everyone’s preferences can be met.
“We also
have a few vegetarian options,” Troiano said. “A favorite is the ‘Beyond’
burger. I have to convince people that it is vegetarian because it is so hardy.”
As the menu states, the “Beyond” burger is “certified vegan, no soy, no gluten,
no GMO – no joke!”
And
there’s more. “They offer live music on Friday and Saturday nights
with no cover charge so if you feel like dancing, this is a fun locale to do
so,” Adams said. Plus, there is music bingo on Wednesday nights, pub trivia on
Tuesday nights and on the second Saturday of every month is comedy night.
Last but not least, a pub is not a pub without
adult beverage options. School Street Pub and Grill offers 16 local and
domestic brews on tap as well as the usual variety of liquor options with one
popular signature drink that has become the local favorite – the Dirty Pickle
Martini – made with the brine from the house made pickles – no preservatives
and no food coloring.
Whether
you live in Portland, Windham, Raymond or other Lake Region communities, be
sure to check out this local favorite destination in the quiet town of Gorham.
The drive will be worth it as you experience the pub with a twist.
Hours
for the School Street Pub and Grill are Tuesday through Thursday, 3 p.m. to 11
p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For
more information, peruse their website at www.schoolstreetpubandgrill.com/or call at 207-222-8090.
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