The East Ender offers new American food with bold New England flavors specializing in slow smoked BBQ. Chef Mitchell Gerow appreciates the philosophy of nose to tale cooking. He sources products from local farmers and purveyors. Quality local ingredients allow East Ender to create a menu from scratch and present it in an approachable and affordable way. Seriously good food in a seriously casual environment. A neighborhood meeting place to enjoy house cocktails, craft-beers, and wine that caters to the cuisine. Our menu offers seasonal snacks, salads, sandwiches, entrees and desserts.

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37 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Outstanding) 4 / 5

(37 Reviews)

Rating Breakdown 37 reviews

5 stars

(8)

4 stars

(22)

3 stars

(7)

2 stars

(0)

1 star

(0)

Food

(Outstanding) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 4.2 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

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Diners classify this restaurant as:

neighborhood gem(27)
fit for foodies(20)
good for groups(13)

great for lunch(7)
kid-friendly(7)
special occasion(7)

East Ender Reviews List

Review 1 for East Ender

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Best meat in town

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/12/2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Our entrees were outstanding -- really the best meat I've eaten! You can tell that it's local and it's fresh. We enjoyed the veggies too!"

Dined on 5/12/2013

Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem

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Review 2 for East Ender

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

great spot and time

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/12/2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"we had a wonderful mother's day brunch with great food, service, table location and overall a terrific experience. would go back often!!"

Dined on 5/12/2013

Special Features: great for brunch, kid-friendly, late-night find, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, special occasion

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Review 3 for East Ender

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Food Good, Very Loud

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/11/2013

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Our meals were good, there was some interesting twists to standard BBQ. Our waiter was very attentive. It was very noisy."

Dined on 5/11/2013

Special Features: good for groups, great for lunch

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Review 4 for East Ender

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

East Ender a Must

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/08/2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Easily an eater's city, Portland is home to many great restaurants. Living amiably next to the popular Duck Fat, The East Ender holds its own. Great service paired with solid cocktails and incredible food makes for a great dining experience. Chef-Owner Mitchell Gerow has put together an interesting and eclectic menu of home-style favorites and strong high-end dining dishes. Highlights include but are far from limited to deviled eggs that change garnish daily an incredible line up of house-made charcuterie. Nothing on the menu comes in a package, it's all in house. If you need something special, just ask for Mitch or Meg. they'll take good care of you."

Dined on 5/08/2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, great for brunch, late-night find, neighborhood gem, hot spot, great for lunch

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Review 5 for East Ender

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Good but not great........

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/04/2013

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"This was our first time at the East Ender although we had eaten there previously as another restaurant. The room and setting was clean although quite noisy-we were upstairs.
Our service was excellent...timely and pleasant without being overbearing. We enjoyed the appetizers (deep fried broccoli and craab cakes) withour tasty cocktatils.
Altthough three of us felt that the entrees were sufficient in size the other member of our party felt shortchagned. Although his beek brisket hasd good flavor and presentation the portion was skimpy. Not sure why and did not ask. The Lamb Swedish Meatballs had good flavor and the homemade noodles added to the taste.
We would return and hope that portions are ample for each person."

Dined on 5/04/2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem

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Review 6 for East Ender

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Great choice!

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/04/2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Had a wonderful experience at East Ender. Will 100% be back. I had the burger- which sounds simple but was FULL of amazing flavor!! Not to mention the salt and vinegar fries which I will dream about until I have them again...
The other menu item I suggest is a must have is the nachos which are topped with large pieces of lobster :) amazing!"

Dined on 5/04/2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion

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Review 7 for East Ender

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Great Place!

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/19/2013

2008

Dined on 04/19/2013

2008

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Matt and his staff did a great job. The food is excellent as usual and the specials are always amazing. Love the locally sourced and in-house made dishes. This is a Don't Miss restaurant."

Dined on 04/19/2013

2008

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem

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Review 8 for East Ender

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

nice neighborhood place

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/24/2013

2007

Dined on 03/24/2013

2007

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"East Ender is a nice spot for a casual dinner. The menu is limited, especially is you don't want fried food, but it is tasty. The atmosphere and service make it worth going."

Dined on 03/24/2013

2007

Special Features: neighborhood gem

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Review 9 for East Ender

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Lobster roll and spicy mussels....d

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/21/2013

2005

Dined on 03/21/2013

2005

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Lobster roll and spicy mussels....delicious and creative lunch! cute little place!"

Dined on 03/21/2013

2005

Special Features: fit for foodies, great for lunch

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Review 10 for East Ender

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Comfort food prepared with

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/22/2013

2008

Dined on 03/22/2013

2008

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Comfort food prepared with panache. Locally sourced and meats smoked/cured in-house. Inventive combinations. Both upstairs and down have great but different vibes. Our favorite East End restaurant."

Dined on 03/22/2013

2008

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem

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Review 11 for East Ender

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

We had an enjoyable dinner

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/09/2013

2011

Dined on 03/09/2013

2011

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"We had an enjoyable dinner at East Ender. Started with an order of Broccoli Fritters ($9) which were outstanding. My wife ordered the Hanger steak ($20) and I had the famed East Ender burger ($12). Both entrees were quite tasty, although I found the burger to be a little salty. Beer menu was respectable, with local maine breweries well represented. Overall we enjoyed our experience and would return, at the very least to share an order of those delicious broccoli fritters!"

Dined on 03/09/2013

2011

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem

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Review 12 for East Ender

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

thought the food was pretty

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/23/2013

2013

Dined on 02/23/2013

2013

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"thought the food was pretty salty-not bad tasting, but not great. loved the atmosphere and the service"

Dined on 02/23/2013

2013

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Review 13 for East Ender

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Great food--cozy spot

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/16/2013

2006

Dined on 02/16/2013

2006

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Food was delicious. It was a cozy atmosphere--a little cramped but not too bad."

Dined on 02/16/2013

2006

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic

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Review 14 for East Ender

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

We had an amazing Valentines

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/14/2013

2013

Dined on 02/14/2013

2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"We had an amazing Valentines day meal. Great food, cooked perfectly, with very appropriate courses. Fun environment, extremely friendly staff, and we were able to see the chef come out and present our perfectly cooked Lamb Wellington. We would definitely come back and encourage others to as well."

Dined on 02/14/2013

2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion

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Review 15 for East Ender

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Always fantastic!

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/14/2013

2010

Dined on 02/14/2013

2010

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

"This was our third time at the East Ender. Once again, the food and the service were absolutely outstanding! The staff is knowlegdeable, kind, and courteous. We love having dinner upstairs. The East Ender is warm, cozy, and inviting.... It is the perfect setting for their excellent menu choices. Looking forward to the next time."

Dined on 02/14/2013

2010

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion

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Review 16 for East Ender

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Pub setting with poor service

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/09/2013

2011

Dined on 02/09/2013

2011

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Pub setting with poor service but good food. Do not expect more than one fork here."

Dined on 02/09/2013

2011

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Review 17 for East Ender

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Really great restaurant. Innovative

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 01/29/2013

2013

Dined on 01/29/2013

2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Really great restaurant. Innovative menu, lots of selections and variation, HUGE portions, great beer and wine list, and a fine martini. Wait staff was lovely. Great neighborhood joint! A couple of things: Crab cakes were lukewarm, and the hangar steak with the bourbon bacon sauce was way too salty (cooked perfectly though). The salad was superb (arugula and stilton, poached pears). Mac and cheese with sausage and fried onions on top was overkill for me but others loved it (: Will definitely go back again!"

Dined on 01/29/2013

2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem

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Ratings-Only Reviews for East Ender

Based on the average of (20) ratings-only reviews

Overall