New Brunch Cafe in Portland, Maine, Sets Grand Opening Date

It can be so hard to say goodbye but that's just what people have had to do with Samuel's Bar and Grille.

The small dive was an icon of the Morrill's Corner neighborhood for decades. Samuel's said goodbye to its location, its neighborhood and its name and is set to begin a new chapter as the North Deering Tavern soon.

The space Samuel's leaves behind won't be vacant for long. And what is replacing Samuel's will feel all too familiar to longtime Portlanders.

Mandy and Matt's Cafe Will Replace Samuel's in Portland, Maine

According to Portland Food Map, a new brunch cafe called Mandy and Matt's is set to replace Samuel's Bar and Grill at Morrill's Corner. That in itself is great news for brunch lovers. But the story behind how the cafe came to be deserves a little attention.

Mandy is the daughter of Kathy, the woman the beloved brunch cafe Kathy and Dave's that existed in Portland for more than two decades. Kathy and Dave's (later Maelily and Ryleigh's) closed several years ago for a myriad of reasons, including the health of Kathy. Sadly, Kathy passed away in 2021.

Now, Mandy is ready to carry on her family legacy with her own cafe.

Some of the Kathy and Dave's Favorites Will Be Back at Mandy and Matt's

People piled into Kathy and Dave's for the family atmosphere, friendly service and terrific food, including their signature muffins.

Mandy and Matt's plans to reintroduce those family muffin recipes to customers at their new cafe. The rest of the menu will include many of the brunch staples we've all come to know and love over the years.

Renovations to the old Samuel's went smoother than expected and Mandy and Matt's has announced their grand opening for Monday, April 21.