PATTEN, Maine — Those hankering for smoked meats and barbecue have a new eating option for their dining experience thanks to a local couple’s new business venture.
Flatlanders BBQ, located at 51 Main St. in Patten is the brainchild of Christine Parker-England and Wayne England. Featuring a newly-built structure with a half-dozen picnic tables, the couple hopes to bring something different to the Patten area.
“Basically, this is a labor of love,” Parker-England said. “Wayne has always wanted to have a smoked meat business and I used to be in the restaurant industry.”
Their menu features traditional smoked meats that one would come to expect, such as pulled pork, smoked chicken, beef brisket and spare ribs. They also offer lobster rolls, traditional red hotdogs and grilled sausage. Side dishes include macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, cornbread and Parker-England’s “signature string beans,” featuring bacon, garlic and onions.
The couple purchased Bartlett’s Lodge, a motel located on Main Street, in May and needed to acquire the adjacent parcel of land to accommodate the wood boiler which provides heat to the building. After some discussion, they decided to add the takeout eatery on that same parcel.
Wayne England checks on meat he has smoked and grilled for Flatlanders BBQ in Patten on Thursday, Aug. 3. The new eatery is open Friday through Sunday. (Joseph Cyr)
“Everything is smoked first, and some things are finished off on the barbecue,” England said.
For England, the eatery is an opportunity to do something he loves and to showcase his talents around the grill. He has designed his own special blend of seasoning and sauces to provide just the right flavor.
“I have just dabbled with smoking and grilling all my life,” he said. “We figured now was the time to do it.”
On July 26, the first day it opened, Flatlanders BBQ was swarmed with customers as 210 people came out to sample the food.
“We were overwhelmed,” Parker-England said. “We tried to do a soft opening, but word got out. It was wonderful. We wanted to give something to the community. We have some wonderful restaurants in town, but we wanted to offer something different for tourists and locals alike.”
Hands down, pulled pork and beef brisket have been the most popular items thus far, the couple said.
“When we are out, we are out,” England said. “The pulled pork takes about six hours to cook.”
“We pride ourselves on making everything fresh that day,” Parker-England added. “I don’t want anyone to eat something we ourselves wouldn’t eat. Everything is fresh.”
England works fulltime for the Maine Department of Transportation, which limits his availability. Flatlanders is open Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. They also can provide food for private parties.
For more information, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/flatlandersbbqme/ or call 528-1021.
