Munchies Road Trip! - (Bath, Yarmouth, Freeport)
- Ali Farrell
- Feb 23
- 4 min read
Bill Does Bath (and beyond): Old Friends, New Trucks, and Maine Spirit
When you haven’t seen some of your best friends of 30 years for a few months, you don’t just send a text—you fix the situation with a road trip. On a recent Thursday night, I hopped in my new pickup (huge shoutout to Chuck Christie for the new Munchies Mobile!) to play chauffeur and head north to collect my "passenger princess" in Bath before meeting up with life-long friends Sean and Sarah Cronin in Freeport.
Stop 1: The Warmth of Bath | Byrnes’ Irish Pub
(This was a quick pop-in today - FULL review to come!!!)'
I might have arrived in Bath a little early—whether that was intentional or a happy accident is between me and the speedometer. I needed a spot to kill some time and found exactly what I was looking for at Byrnes’ Irish Pub.
The Vibe & History:
This place is a labor of love founded by Joe and Pam Byrnes. Joe, a retired Navy Master Chief, opened the doors on St. Patrick’s Day in 2008, and it’s been a family affair ever since, with their children Maggie and Patrick, now helping run the show. Even as a newcomer in a room full of regulars "hugging it out" upon arrival, I felt completely welcomed. Jess, the bartender, is a true veteran; she greeted me with a genuine smile despite having no clue who I was. The energy here is exactly what you want for a "regular hang."
Hornitos? Yes!
Booths? Yes
The Food: While the menu looked great (especially those "Leprechaun Balls" and the Guinness onion gravy), I had dinner plans and reluctantly held off. We’ll be back to eat soon!
Location: 38 Centre St, Bath, ME 04530
Hours:
Wednesday & Thursday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday & Saturday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Monday & Tuesday: Closed
Stop 2: The Pitstop | Bingas Wingas (Yarmouth/Falmouth)
After snatching up Rachel Williams, we meandered toward Freeport. We were still a bit early, and with a touch of pre-reunion nerves in the air, we decided a quick stop at Bingas Wingas was in order.
The Vibe & History:
A Maine staple for years, Bingas has a long history of bouncing back—from fires to ownership shifts—under the guidance of founders like Alec Altman and J.D. Way. They’ve been crushing the wing scene since the early 2000s and remain a "must-visit" for anyone who loves BBQ and an extensive sauce list.
The Chili:
We broke down and got a cup of the Steak Tip Chili because the smells were driving us crazy. It was fantastic—big chunks of steak throughout and perfectly spicy. I almost always have to doctor my chili with hot sauce; not this time. It was a home run.
Location: 907 US-1, Yarmouth, ME 04096
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM, Sunday: Closed
The Main Event: Freeport | The King's Head Pub (Formerly Jameson Tavern)
For the big reunion with the Cronins, we wanted a place with character and history. We landed at The King's Pub, the newly minted second location for the team behind Portland's beloved King’s Head, which recently took over the legendary Jameson Tavern space.
The History:
This isn't just a restaurant; it’s a landmark. Established around 1779 and operating as a tavern since 1801, this building is famously known as the "Birthplace of Maine." Old records indicate it was in the northeast corner of the second floor where commissioners met to sign the final papers separating Maine from the "Mass-holes" down south in 1820. The decor is exactly what you’d expect from a 200-year-old establishment—think massive beams, original hardwood floors, and a cozy fireplace. (Though, we did wish they had some of that history printed on the menu for us to geeks to read!)
The Food Review:
We settled into a solid two hours of food and "appropriate and very inappropriate" conversations (Interested in the science behind Kegels, anyone?).
Appetizers:
We split the Bang Bang Shrimp, which was a solid choice (and Sean loved saying the name), and the Mussels. We ordered the mussels "spicy" per the menu’s suggestion, but the heat was nowhere to be found. They were tasty enough, but we were a tad heartbroken that they lacked that promised kick.
The Royale with Cheese: I went with this polished version of the iconic Big Mac. It was well put together and a solid B+ burger.
Chicken Caesar Salad: Sarah went with this classic. It was fine, but a bit safe—she could have been a bit more adventurous, but we still love her!
Chicken Jambalaya: Rachel’s choice had excellent spice, but it was incredibly dry, making it difficult to get down. A bit more moisture and it would have been a winner.
Fish and Chips: Sean’s dish featured impressive pieces of fish and an excellent batter. It’s a go-to choice here, though it was missing a final bit of "polish" and refinement to make it truly elite.
The Drinks: Along with some well-poured Guinness, I had a Mezcal Tequila cocktail that was incredible. I love what’s happening in the tequila scene right now, and this creative mix definitely hit the spot.
The Verdict:
Hornitos: Yes.
Booths: No, but very cozy seating.
Service: Solid and friendly. We were able to settle into our own pace and never felt neglected.
Location: 115 Main St, Freeport, ME 04032
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday & Saturday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Final Thoughts
Between the welcoming spirit at Byrnes, the heat of the chili at Bingas, and the centuries of history at The King's Pub, it was the perfect backdrop to reconnect. Maine history is great, but 30 years of friendship is pretty damn cool, too.
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