Where to Find the Best Chicken Wings in Maine: The Great Lost Bear

Americans may not see eye to eye on many issues, but some things unite them across all divides.

One such example is the iconic chicken wing, a true heavyweight in the world of food.

America's Love for Chicken Wings

Who doesn't love devouring a perfectly fried, smoked, or grilled wing? Perhaps it's drenched in sauce or perfectly dry-seasoned. Maybe it's a buffalo wing or Thai chili. The versatility is endless with this wondrous dish.

Plus, it's the absolute perfect food to consume during football games. I don't exactly know what it is, but wings and football are just the most wonderful kindred spirits.

With the popularity of wings continuing to grow, it's no surprise to see more and more articles dedicated to this beloved poultry snack. One such article comes from the folks over at LoveFood, who decided to compile a list featuring one wing restaurant from each state. It's a celebration of chicken wing perfection.

Maine's Best Restaurant for Chicken Wings

Maine's pick was a home run. This restaurant serves incredible wings and so much more. The menu is vast, the beer selection is second to none, and the ambiance is among the best in the state. Maine's selection is Portland's The Great Lost Bear.

The Great Lost Bear (or just "The Bear") has been a Portland staple since it opened in 1979. The funky spot on Forest Ave is a welcoming place for all kinds of people, including families.

The Bear is also known for playing a major role in the rise of craft beer's popularity. It was the original craft beer bar in Portland and continues to support local brewers with its extensive beer menu and brewer nights.

READ MORE: Top 20 Portland, Maine, Restaurants Recommended on TripAdvisor

But The Bear is much more than just beer. The food menu is legendary. Burgers, sandwiches, giant salads, and delicious nachos are just some of the highlights at this iconic joint. However, it’s the massive chicken wings that steal the show.

The Great Lost Bear's Delicious Chicken Wings

The Bear's wings are not cut. They are enormous, pterodactyl-sized wings that are perfectly fried and sauced. The crunchy texture is exactly what you look for in a wing, and the buffalo sauce is just right. The Bear also offers "dirty" wings, which are fried, sauced, and then fried again. Eating them is quite possibly an out-of-body experience.

But don't just take my word for it. Here is an excerpt from LoveFood's article on why the Great Lost Bear came in the top spot for Maine wing superiority.

you can't go wrong with the classic Buffalo. Wings are served whole instead of jointed, cooked until crunchy, and coated in a sweet and mildly spicy sauce. The serving is huge and comes with blue cheese dip. If that’s not enough of a reason to visit, there are Maine-brewed beers and excellent customer service.

Whether it's your standard buffalo or one of their many creative sauces, you can never go wrong with the behemoth wings at The Great Lost Bear.

Congrats to The Bear on this great honor. It's also wonderful to see another small Maine business get the recognition it deserves.