Run of the Mill's pub fare way better than average

It's hard to believe the Run of the Mill Public House and Brewery in Saco has been open just a year and a half. It seems anyone you ask from Biddeford, Saco and the Kennebunks has been there.

It's an easy sell in a cool, refurbished old mill that's full of character, good food, hops and people.

The restaurant seats 130 in the three big rooms and 60 around the bar, "including in all the little nooks," said manager Bill Kiely.

Yet by 7 p.m. on weekends there can be a waiting list, which grows during summer.

The music scene has been growing at Run of the Mill as well, with an open microphone night on Tuesday night and better-known bands playing on Thursdays.

There's definitely an unusual spirit at Run of the Mill, where they hold a "Restaurant Appreciation" night on Tuesdays with discounts for restaurant workers and "Things We Don't Make Night" every Wednesday.

The latter features pub fare the restaurant doesn't normally make but people want. The wait staff pays attention to what people ask for, and then the kitchen staff gives that a go.

"We've done nachos and sweet potato fries a lot. We did egg rolls once; they came out great. For an English pub to do eggs rolls that well, I was really impressed," Kiely said.

The brew pub makes 23 different beers throughout the year with fun names like Achtung Oktoberfest, Alewife Ale, Mudflap Springbock, Sow Your Oats Stout and Tented Kilt Scottish Ale.

We often go for appetizers here because they're as filling as the sandwiches, and always good. The spinach artichoke dip ($7.50) is creamy and fresh, and the chicken quesadilla ($8.50) is a tasty Mexican meal in itself.

The sandwiches are all satisfying, but our favorites are the blackened blue chicken wrap ($7.75) with diced cajun-spiced chicken breast, blue cheese crumbles, tomatoes and greens wrapped in a sun-dried tomato tortilla, and the veggie burger ($6.75), made right with potatoes, lentils and black beans.

There are loads of dishes at Run of the Mill meant for the really hungry, like the very popular fish and chips ($8) or the bangers and smash ($8.75), which is British sausage and garlic mashed potatoes with veggies and gravy.

The summer offers outdoor seating beside the Saco River, but we prefer the winter, when the pub is warm and the cheer mighty.

The Features staff of the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram anonymously samples meals for about $7.

Run of the Mill Public House and Brewery