Financial Tips to Do Better

Your stomach is growling, your eyes are tired, and the thought of spending the next hour in the kitchen has you pouting. Well, we've got your back - we asked Atlantic employees about some of their favorite places to eat in Maine.

There's always going to be nights when it's too hot to cook or when you just don't have the energy. So if you're going to eat out or grab takeout, let's skip the fast food joints and support a local business in Maine!

Portland

There's a reason Portland is often considered one of the food capitals of America. We attract all kinds of world-renowned chefs, cooks, and culinary delights. We could spend hours poring over every street of Portland to marvel at the food on display, but we'll keep it to a few of our staff's faves.

• Smoked. Fried chicken, smoked meats, smash burgers, and other delicious treats. Like all great Portland spots, there's live music every single week. Enjoy the atmosphere but stay for the poutine that leaves your mouth watering before you've taken a single bite.
• "Yosaku in Portland is my personal favorite! They have the best sushi in Maine!"
• Luna Rooftop Bar in the Old Port mixes artisanal drinks, shareable plates, and a wonderful view of the water or the stars above.
• Yardie Ting in Portland for the best Jamaican food. Maine is a cultural cuisine melting pot; you just have to take advantage of it.
• Taj Indian Cuisine is on constant rotation. (Some teams in the office love to find any excuse to order from here.)
• "Food is my favorite. Sichuan Kitchen never disappoints - get the Zhong Dumplings and Yu-Xiang Eggplant."
• The Highroller Lobster Co. has lobster roll flights. Have we gone too far, or not nearly far enough? You decide with a mouth full of seafood.
• "I loveeeeee Crunchy Poke!"

MORE MAINE EATS

Portland isn't the ONLY food hotspot in Maine. Our beautiful state is full of local businesses that help make Maine's culture unique. If your stomach isn't growling yet, hopefully these other staff favorites will end up at the top of your MUST VISIT list.

• Long Reach Kitchen, Bath: Located at the Bath Country Club, has great food, fresh air, wonderful craft drinks, and you can sit on the covered porch and watch golfers miss their balls (or send them spinning into the sandpit).
• Krista' Restaurant, Cornish: Krista’s is something special, but I'll let them put it in their own words: "We feel that going out for a meal is more than just what's on the plate… it’s the river off the back dining room, the hibiscus blooming on the patio, the funky women’s room, the little toy soldier hanging in a plant, the groovy green doors, and obviously, it's one-armed Godzilla keeping watch… but mostly, it’s a staff that understands our mission."
• Ken’s Seafood, Scarborough: It’s easy to call Ken’s a staff favorite. They’re currently in their 98^th season, and a few Atlantic employees even worked at Ken’s growing up. Even if they haven't hit 100 years yet, I'd still call them a Maine institution.
• The Bait Shed, Scarborough: Looking for a cool location? The Bait Shed is 1-of-1, with its first iteration opening in 1915, selling lobsters right out of Bayley's kitchen window.
• Hoss & Mary’s, Saco: Some people run down the street chasing the ice cream truck, and some people chase after food trucks like Hoss & Mary's. Often in Saco or Shapleigh, peddling creative delights, there's nothing like their tasty grub on the go!
• Bandaloop, Arundel: "We recently tried Bandaloop in Arundel and it's AMAZING! Really great selection for people who have issues with gluten or prefer vegetarian meals."
• That Place, Ogunquit: “All the food is delicious, but the fried chicken sandwich is to die for!"

Home Sweet Home

The temptation to be lazy, or just get out of the house for dinner, is an alluring one, but you also need to strive for a healthy balance. If you're getting food delivered to your house every night, or leaving tips all across town, you're going to burn through your affordable spending funds QUICK. All things in moderation! Developing unhealthy financial habits can have long-term effects on your life. If you need guidance on what to watch out for, read our recent Financial Tip to Do Better: 8 Reliable Tips to Weed Out Bad Financial Habits.

Even when you don't have the desire, you should cook at home. Put together a few easy cheat meals that you enjoy and can cook in half an hour. Meal prep to save money and cook in a big batch. I'll spend an hour one night a week cooking an elaborate, delicious, healthy meal and have leftovers for dinner on days when I'm commuting to and from the office. Ready to commit to grocery shopping, but worried about overspending? Check out our Financial Tip to Do Better: How to Save Money on Groceries!

It’s healthier and better for your budget!

TLDR:

Atlantic staff have shared their favorite restaurant picks across Maine for those nights when dining out or grabbing takeout is a must. While these spots are tempting, remember to balance dining out with home-cooked meals to maintain healthy financial habits and save on costs. Meal prep and simple dishes can help keep your budget and health on track.

We’re Here to Help!

It's important to be mindful of your recurring expenses, and sometimes, eating out should be considered a treat. We love highlighting local businesses and boosting our community, but always remember to keep your spending in mind.

If you need help dealing with overwhelming debt or organizing your finances, we're happy to help. Please stop by any of our convenient branch locations or call 800-834-0432 to speak with a team member today.

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The Atlantic Financial Tips to Do Better strives to deliver informative, relevant, and sometimes fun financial information. If you enjoyed this article, please forward it to a friend.

Each individual's financial situation is unique, and readers are encouraged to contact the Credit Union when seeking financial advice on the products and services discussed. This article is for educational purposes only; the authors assume no legal responsibility for the completeness or accuracy of the contents.