It’s a huge disappointment to go out to eat and leave hungry because your meal was stingy in portion or flavor, even worse if you’ve been drinking. That isn’t a problem at Sidelines Grille in downtown Lewiston.
Sidelines is a bar and grill specializing in beefy American fare since opening in January 2013. Flat-screened TVs featuring sports line the walls. Opening at 11 a.m., it’s dark and quiet in the afternoon when the adjacent Boomtown American Saloon is dormant and workadays unwind in the casual atmosphere. At night hearty food quells the half-cocked hungry.
Carnivores will happily find a savory selection. Sidelines’ popular version of the BLT, the Wimbledon, comes with six strips of apple basted bacon, lettuce and tomato with honey mustard and mayo on Texas toast ($7.95). The same bacon is on the Black & Bleu, a blackened, charbroiled, ground beef sirloin with blue cheese butter, caramelized onions and roasted garlic aioli ($9.95).
Hefty burgers range from the quarter-pound cheesy All American ($5.95) to the half-pound Canyon with that apple bacon, aged sharp cheddar, caramelized onions and chipotle aioli ($9.95). Fries come with ketchup or their version of fry sauce, which hints at pineapple.
Lewiston’s favorite meal, Bite Size Steak, is in the entrees, served with an apple cider au jus ($9.95/$14.95). Breaded Pan Fried Oysters come with homemade tartar sauce ($12.95) as do the hearty Fish Tacos ($6.95).
If you desire more of that bacon it’s on the Loaded Fries ($7.95) topped with three cheese, green onions and served with salsa and sour cream. Get chipotle beef chili for $1 more. If you are in need of vegetables there’s some lettuce in the salads ($7.95-$9.95), which come in Caesar, Cobb or Taco.
Pizza, hot wings, barbecue, sliders, steamer clams — the variety goes on.
Sidelines is kid friendly until 8 p.m. when the bar scene picks up. The kids menu is for ages 12 and younger and selections ($3.95-$5.95) come with fries or sliced fruit.
Sidelines Grille, 514 Main St., Lewiston, (208) 790-0085
