Fairground Cafe

Rude & not friendly. Waitress had little to no knowledge of food. Waitresses response to my question regarding food, «I don’t know, it’s not my job.»

Dinner was VERY disappointing. The prime rib was mediocre, and I was rather appalled that it was served with nasty dried out instant potatoes!!! The dinner roll may well have been from last week, and dipping it in the jelly like gravy didn’t help. The best part of the meal was the pickled beets, because honestly if you screw up opening a jar you may as well close your doors. It’s also not very comforting when the chef runs out to the grocery store in the middle of the dinner rush. Won’t be going here again, not with all the options nearby.

Good food for breakfast, lunch or dinner. A loyal following of locals and from other towns. We’ve gone a few times, and will be back again.

First time I went there the fried haddock plate — delicious, crispy, fresh.
Second time I went there the fried haddock was a one star. The breading was wet and falling away from the fish, the fish was wet and tasteless, the string beans tasted like they’d been sitting in a pan of water all day. Could not finish the meal.
Let’s see what a third visit will entail.

Such a great home made, home style place. Soups, breakfast, burgers and husband’s favorite liver and onions. Love coming here when I get back from travel, so welcoming.

After living in Topsham for six years, I figured it was about time I check out this place that I have walked past more times than I can count when shopping in the Topsham Fair Mall.
The atmosphere was a spacious which is deceiving from the outside. When we went, it was decorated for Christmas with their year around circus themed memorabilia on the wall. Also deceiving is that there is a bar in here. I was not expecting that given the name, what they are known for, and their hours (Sunday is the only day open past 3:30pm).
Our waitress was prompt, polite, and patient with my husband’s dietary needs. The food came out within 15 minutes and this is with a fairly full room of people. Impressive. My husband got the veggie burritos with home fries and I got eggs benedict with hash browns. My husband stated that his burrito was ok, nothing earth shattering, but worthy of eating.
My meal on the other hand was a bit off. To begin with, as the waitress put our meals down and then noted out loud that my hash browns didn’t look very cooked. She asked if I wanted them sent back. Although this was very polite, I would have rather the cooking staff notice this before both meals were sent out. My husband would refuse to eat if my meal was not ready, so instead of letting my husband’s food go cold I said it was ok. I figured at least the main part would be good. Unfortunately, the sauce was almost bitter and barely luke warm. I ended up scraping most of it off.
I understand this is not high quality dining, but if you can’t execute a good hollandaise sauce, then don’t bother putting it on the menu. If your cooking crew can’t notice that they are sending out raw hash browns then time for a cooking review class. Maybe I hit it on the wrong day and maybe it’s their lunches that I need to try out to be won over. Until then, this place disappointed me.

If I had to describe the fairgrounds in one sentence it would be, simple food done well. The food comes quick. They don’t have amazing food but it is worth it considering the price.

I usually look for busy places because usually that means the food and the service will be good. However, I was very disappointed today with Fairground Café. We went for a late breakfast and the wait was only about 5 minutes or so, not bad. However both of our meals were served incorrectly. This is no reflection on the server though. Even though she was very busy, the service was good. When it was time to leave, the hostess was too busy helping to clear tables to help seat incoming guests or check out the guests that were ready to pay. There was a huge bottle neck there. It took much longer to pay than it did to be seated. Fortunately, our server saw us waiting to pay (almost 10 minutes!) and she took time from her busy schedule to check us out. They need better (or more) kitchen staff and more organization out front. Either more staff or more efficient staff would be an improvement. The food was ok… and would have been better if served correctly. Even so, it was nothing special.

Best place for breakfast in the area! I can’t speak to other meals because I haven’t had any (and probably won’t since I love breakfast and I’d eat it anytime of day). They have awesome french toast, my favorite! Service is good, and meals are reasonably priced!

Topsham Fairground Café
Two Words: Comfort Food!
Another gem that my mom introduced me to. Toward the end of her life, she had a very short list of restaurants she would go to and this was in the top 5 in this area.
This place is consistent when it comes to breakfast food and service, both are very good.
The staff is welcoming and quick. They have a casual way about them that puts you at ease and makes it seem like you are at their house for a meal.
I usually go around 9am on Saturdays when I am in the area and haven’t had to wait more than a couple of minutes for them to clean off a booth table. After a table leaves, they typically have it cleaned and set within 5 minutes or less.
The place is a quite large for a breakfast all day type of place and can accommodate large groups and there is a room in the back for private parties that are 20 or more. Overall very accommodating place.
Some of my favorite foods:
Grilled blueberry muffin — buttery crisp and moist — YUM
Bacon — crispy, just the way I like it
Blueberry pancakes — a large serving that is difficult to finish for most people, not me, but most people :)
French Toast
Corned Beef — my naughty treat — tender and crisp on the edges
Homefries — great flavor and a little greasy — no need for kethup on mine.
Any omelet — hold the onions, they can be a bit harsh.
Lunch/​Dinner — I have had dinner once here, it was ok. This is not a go-​to place for seafood. I had a fried scallops and fried haddock the flavor was ok, but the batter coating was a bit soggy and fell right off, so I was left eating coating and then the fish… both were good, just wish it was together
Overall — One of my favorite menu breakfast places in the area. I will definitely continue be a regular here.

Great place for breakfast on the weekend. Never too crowded and the food is great. The staff is always really friendly too!

This little place, located in an unassuming Maine strip mall, doesn’t say much at first glance, but boy did it make for a good meal.
Easily got a table around 9:30 AM on a Saturday morning. No wait. It was a little bit before a waitress got to our table and then she informed us that they were short two line cooks that morning and she apologized in advance for what would presumably be slow service.
The coffee came out quickly and refills walked by every so often. It was a solid cup of diner Joe.
I ordered the hash omelet with their gluten-​free toast. It was one of the best omelets I have ever had. The eggs were fluffy, they weren’t overcooked and dry, they were almost like the perfect scrambled egg in omelet form. The hash was good. The food required zero additional salt or pepper. Whatever GF bread brand they use is awesome — very tasty.
I passed on the sides (choice of hash brown or homefries) so I can’t speak to those, but based on what I did eat, I assume they are tasty as well.

Been there multiple times food is undercooked &dry wouldn’t recommend to any one which is sad because it use to be good

Food = American Diner, Hearty portions, Thrifty Prices.
Atmosphere = Carnival/​Circus, with booths, tables, and a separate banquet room. Great for large groups.
Service = Staff are kind and helpful. Always ready to refill your coffee.
Overall = A solid spot for breakfast or lunch. Try the breakfast burrito.

If you like your food not seasoned, no flavor, lacks creativity, don’t care for good hospitality — then this is the place for you!
–OR–
If you prefer everything you eat out of a can and can call it «home cooked» then you are golden.

Solid restaurant spot just off I-​95 if you are heading north/​south, or in the Topsham-​Brunswick area and want a hearty, no frills breakfast or lunch.
Used to come here years ago in my pre-​Yelp days. A friend suggested it and glad I made it back.
They have chicken-​fried steak, which in Maine is always a plus. Not sure I know of another place that has it. Very good version, and the gravy came on the side, which I liked.
Their hash browns are not tater tot variety, but are shredded, which is also a plus.
Service not overly energetic on a morning that was slow, but I hadn’t seen my buddy in awhile, so we made the best of it. Food made up for it, however.

This place always has wonderful service. The staff are friendly knowledgeable attentive and engaging. I have been here multiple times and always have delicious well prepared flavorful food. The fried seafood is comparable to stopping by a maine pier. Everything is fried to perfection and the fries are perfect. The portions are large and filling. The sandwhiches are always a winner with options such as an open face sandwhich topped with a thanksgiving dinner. Breakfast is phenomenal with fluffy pancakes and omlettes with fillings such as steak and cheese. This is always a must stop when in topsham.

This place is great, service is always friendly and I never seemed rushed. I have had both breakfast and lunch here and I have to admit I’m stuck on one meal for lunch, their hot turkey sandwich. For the price, it’s so much food and good quality. I’ve recommended this place to a few others and always get positive feedback. So if you’re in the area stop by and I’m sure you’ll agree. It’s a couple stores down from the Hannaford at the Fairground Mall.

Love this place always been happy with the service and food and prices. Reminds me of the old dinner food selection.

Great family atmosphere! Food is tasty and live music tonight. Staff is great always checking the table. Best of all breakfast all day! Btw they have a military discount! Hooray!