Volume CXXXI, Number 23 April 26, 2002 f

Pizza place pleases patrons
KERRY ELSON AND LAUREN McKEE
STAFF WRITERS

The Foodies had thought the Brunswick restaurant scene was static. Only a few places have stealthily evaded evaluation, namely: Rosita's, Richard's, The Kitchen, and Thai Dish. Let's just say they're approaching the Brunswick bevy alphabetically. They pondered visiting one of the above when, to their great surprise, Maine Street Pizza grew onto the scene like a savory sea monkey. They pounced at the opportunity to review a newly opened establishment-just like real restaurant reviewers!

Maine Street Pizza is located across from Pickard Theater on Maine Street. The pizzeria is new to the Brunswick restaurant scene. (Nancy Van Dyke, Bowdoin Orient)

This corner cafe has one table and a small window bar that overlooks a busy intersection, a perfect set up if you like to be an exhibitionist while devouring your pie. The foodies delicately bit their pieces, dabbing lips with paper napkins for the benefit of pedestrians. The place is clean, most likely because it hasn't been open long enough to accumulate dust bunnies and tomato sauce stains. Patrons can choose between pizza and hot and cold subs; a Sharpie has nixed the once offered calzones and salads. Perhaps the owners want to gain confidence with one doughy dish before attempting to conquer another.

The Foodies ordered an 11-inch veggie pizza, while their Foodie Friend opted for a pre-made slice of plain cheese. The Foodies were touched by the owners' largesse: they gave the Foodie Friend a second slice free, as the first lacked a sufficient amount of cheese. The Foodies then approached the bar and waited for their pie to arrive from the oven, at which point they would retrieve it. The wait was not long, and the broccoli was as crisp as the non-canned green peppers. The mushrooms may have been shady, but when compared to standard pizza legumes, the status of said fungi did not appall.

The foodies also appreciated the texture of the cheese, which did not ooze oil as many inferior mozzerellas might. Although lacking the satisfaction of salt, the crust maintained a hearty chewiness beneath the laden toppings.

And like the pizza, prices are light. Three toppings and 30.25 square inches only demand six dollars. Maine Street Pizza's plain 11-inch pizza is less than four dollars. After a long night, $1.50 for a piece serves quite nicely. You know you've been there. Polar points could ease the burden of hiding three quarters in your pants.

Perhaps the foodies will see you tapering off from weekend festivities and supporting a Brunswick enterprise. In a world of Domino's, Pizza Hut, and suspicious cheese, the hamlet of Brunswick has a humble suggestion.
Three out of four polar bears