Custom Deluxe

Boy, am I lucky to have this restaurant near my house! I’ve been here with my boyfriend twice so far — first time was on Valentine’s Day, where they offered a prix fixe menu (price was more than reasonable, especially for multiple courses), and the second time was on a random Tuesday night. It is definitely one of my favorite restaurants — along with Boda, Central Provisions, and The North Point in Portland.
From my two visits here, I’ve become obsessed with their tomato soup, aviator’s salad, and «chicken & egg». You might be thinking «gee, it’s just tomato soup — how good can it be?» — well, I’m here to tell you that it’s probably one of the best tomato soups you’ll ever have. It’s creamy, velvety, a little cheesy, and has just the right amount of kick. The aviator salad is basically a Caesar salad, except it has farro (pearls of wheat) and a tad sweeter than traditional Caesar salad — absolutely delicious! The «Chicken & Egg» is one of the best comfort foods I’ve ever had. I just want to eat a huge bowl of it by myself, while I lounge on my couch with my pajamas on. For real. So what’s in this «Chicken & Egg»? Grilled chicken on top of buttered sticky rice with mushroom aioli, runny egg, peas, and pea shoots. It’s eggy, a little charred taste from the chicken, mushy from the sticky rice and peas, lemony and woodsy from the aioli, and an added crispy texture from the pea shoots – YUM! If you’re looking to get the «Chicken & Egg», you better go now – seriously, because their menu changes. Another thing that you’ll find out when you go here is that their portions are not what you might expect from a new and hip restaurant. The portions are filling, so after eating here, you won’t feel the need to stop at a fast food joint on the way home! They also offer a great variety of local beers and wine – another plus in my book!
The ambiance, décor, and service were great as well. The restaurant is small, but has a very warm and romantic feel, and has a southern and a little vintage style type of décor. Megan (one of the owners) served my boyfriend and I both times we went. She was super friendly, attentive, but laid back as well, and very down-​to-​earth. She had a little bit of a southern accent, which honestly made me feel even more comfortable and cozy inside!
If you’re in the area or wherever you are (it’s worth the drive), JUST GO. I know I’ll be going again.

Custom Deluxe started serving weekend brunch recently, I went on the first day and it was awesome. This is only going to get better over time so try to get there before the area is overrun with hungry vacationers!

Was up here with a couple buddies, decided to grab a nice bite. Best place in town looked to be Custom Deluxe, we were excited!
We were not really dressed up which I was worried about, but we were assured that we were fine. I believe it was one of the owners that we spoke to, she definitely made us feel at home.
What a great space! Very warm but simple. I decided to take the horse by the reigns and ordered the Pork buns for an appetizer, because my buddies aren’t super duper foodies.
They were fantastic! So tender– perfect amount of sauce, crunchy slaw, etc. they were a huge hit. They even accommodated us by making an order of pork buns with 3 buns, instead of the regular 2 per order since we were a party of 3. That is really, really nice of them to do on a busy Saturday night with the restaurant full. Especially for 3 out of towners, not 3 regulars.
We were eyeballing the 72 oz Tomahawk steak but decided to use a little restraint. My buddies both ordered the «pig slayer» which was a burger with a pork patty, pickles, and special sauce. I believe it came with fries. One of my buddies finished his in 4 bites, it was that good. The other took more bites but was equally happy with his meal.
I got the «bean supper» which I had read about online. Such a satisfying meal, we had been outside all day and it wasn’t super cold but you know how it is when it gets into your bones. Well the bean supper cured all that. It was unctuous and filling and warming, yet at the same time the sushi rice somehow made it kind of lighter somehow so I didn’t feel overwhelmingly full afterwards. The fusion in the dish is seamless, the flavors and textures blending beautifully with the tender pork, perfectly sweet and savory beans, delicious sushi rice and the richness of the aioli on the bottom.
For dessert we got the sweet corn cakes with 5 spice ice cream I think, it was really good and again simple which honestly is a nice change of pace from yet another molten lava cake or ubiquitous chocolate torte.
Our waitress was very attentive and helpful and friendly even though the restaurant was full and she was busy, even took time to explain things to us as we were obviously from out of town and not familiar with the the menu.
After the meal my buddies kept talking about it for the whole 2−½hr drive home. I couldn’t wait to tell my wife about this awesome dish I had with baked beans and sushi rice.
We have to go back up to Biddeford this weekend, and we are looking forward to coming back to this establishment.

Amazing! It’s five-​star gourmet down-​home cookin’. We tried the penne Bolognese and the New England dinner, and both were wonderful. Don’t miss the maple mousse and yeast donut with applesauce, either. It’s very imaginstive food for a reasonable price. Worth seeking out!

Do you live in central York county, thinking of going to Applebee’s? Then you’d best come here instead. For just a little more you will get a TRUE gourmet meal. What’s more, they do amazing takes on traditional New England fare. The baked bean dinner hits tradition on the head, adding Dashi rice and ailoi for a truly phenomenal experience.
For dessert a yeast doughnut served with bacon and maple mousse, on a layer of exquisite applesauce. Wow!
Run don’t walk! Gourmet dining at casual prices.

If you haven’t tried Custom Deluxe and your thinking about going then go with your instinct and go for it! We had a 35 minute wait on a Friday night and went next door to Banded Horn brewery while we waited. They take your phone number and will text u when your table is ready. All the food is fresh and very flavorful from the ribs appetizer, the brisket entrée and the dessert specials. You really can’t go wrong with any of the menu choices! Seating is limited so have some patience. The only suggestion I would make for the restaurant is to carry a broader selection of your smaller local microbreweries like Funky Bow, Foundation, or maybe some Maine Beer Company!

We were looking forward to eating here, and I think there’s tremendous potential, but it’s not quite there yet.
Straight off, the tables in the front get the full blast of cold air when people open the door. Literally, the door is right by those tables. There is a small partition, the owners could extend the wall to the ceiling, or better yet, get a heavy curtain that could be removed in summer. The curtain thing works for good restaurants in Quebec.
The brisket and the ribs were delicious. Quite small portions of those, though. The ‘simple pasta’ and the baked beans were much, much too imbued with black pepper. I like pepper, but it shouldn’t dominate the dish. And the pasta — why, why? Pasta and cheese is supposed to be a comfort food, if you get the pasta and the baked beans there is just no relief from the pepper. The beans come in a cute little Le Creuset beanpot, that’s a plus, but honestly, give the palate a break. The bread we were served was that Boston Brown Bread that is steamed in a can. I like that stuff, but let’s be honest, it doesn’t taste home-​made.
The relaxed aura of the owners running this restaurant is fantastic. I like the rock music, it feels expressive of them.
I’ll go back there in the summer, probably. Just to see.

Great spot created, owned, and run by a young couple who are so friendly, wonderful chefs, and have created a wonderful restaurant. Can’t wait to return!

I really want to keep this place to myself but I will be nice since it’s Christmas — here’s your review. Amazing food, drink, and service. Eagerly looking forward to our next visit.
My fiancé and enjoyed a most lovely meal late last night. The space is intimate and inviting, with its tin ceiling and candlelight. The dinner menu had a few solid starter, main, and side choices. We shared the pork ribs appetizer which were deep fried and seasoned subtly yet perfectly. They were topped with a slaw of fennel, apple, sliced almonds, and melted cheese curd. As we sipped our beers, we were also presented with some delicious house made brown bread and butter. Shortly after finishing the ribs and bread, our mains came out — the special of the night: pork tourtière with yorkshire pudding and the simple pasta. The simple pasta was anything but simple tasting, as it reminded me of the cacio e pepe dish I sometimes make at home — house made spaghetti coated with a buttery combination of grated cheese and coarse black pepper. It was topped with a coddled egg that I quickly mixed in to make the sauce even richer. My fiancé enjoyed his tourtière as well as his side of baked beans that came in a cute little ceramic bean pot. Man were those beans good!
Oh but we couldn’t end there, could we? No. The fried to order doughnut was calling our name. We split it. Covered in sprinkles of cheddar, pepper, and a frozen maple cream, it was dreamy. The dough itself was yeasty but dense, kind of like fried dough in the shape of a doughnut. I was beyond stuffed. Too stuffed to finish my last bite of doughnut. I may have cried out of remorse for not being able to finish.
The owners chatted with us a bit as we bluntly sang their praises in between bites. Amen to them deciding to open this restaurant in Biddeford vs any other place. Everything was good! Literally every. freakin. thing. The beers, the bread, the starter, the mains, the side, the dessert. I feel like a perverted food weirdo who may have enjoyed themselves too much here.

Ambiance was nice and the staff were very nice. The food was mediocre and over priced. The chef has potential to make amazing food, but needs to serve fresher ingredients. We were served moo shy pasta in a very small bowl and over peppered. We were also served canned bread

Wow they have a very unique place with phenomenal food. I thought the theme was BBQ but it’s kind of an eclectic mix.
I was told they change the menu often so now I can’t wait to go back.

We live locally and are thrilled with this little gem.
We’ve had the brisket which is nicely seasoned and tender, the mussels and seasoned fries are substantial, also great. Don’t overlook the chicken soup with homemade pasta and a fresh egg. It’s a meal! Our only negative was that the soup has not been hot. I ordered again though and asked them to be sure it was nice and hot, it was, and again delicious. The Simple Pasta is far from Simple. It’s killer! Well worth the calories. A great blend of creamy cheeses and lots of black pepper. Again, homemade pasta that is hearty and just down home goodness.
Keep in mind that these guys love cooking with black pepper. We happen to love it but it may be a bit much for some tastes.
The restaurant is small but welcoming. The owners are genuine! A great Southern Gal and a great guy from New England. Perfect pair. If you catch them when things slow down they hang out and chat. They have lots of tales to tell about where they’ve been and why they are now in Biddeford.
We’re just glad they came!

Amazing service and delicious comfort food. There are not many tables so there might be a wait. The wait is worth it. I recommend the baked beans. They are spicy but are tremendously flavorful. The fries are perfect.

Great food, I tried the ribs and fries and they both amazing. Prices are very reasonable and the wine I had was great. It’s chef owned and very promising. I would easily say their food would compete anywhere in Portland but they have cheaper prices being located in Biddeford. I can’t wait to get back and try everything else on the menu!

What an incredibly welcome addition to the fledgling downtown area of Biddeford. The menu is small, but diverse and eclectic enough to capture the diner’s imagination. The emphasis is on comfort food with a modern twist. The brisket was juicy and tender; the mussels plump and flavorful. A succotash side served in a small lidded crock was creative and felt endless, in a good way. The service was attentive with a touch of charming southern hospitality. They had just received a liquor license on our visit, so not much in the way of choices there at that time but I imagine that has since improved.

Amazing food! I’m so happy Custom Deluxe opened in downtown Biddo, it’s much needed. I went with 4 other diners and none had a bad experience, which is a feat in itself! It starts off with yummy bread from Rileys, can’t go wrong with that. A couple of us had the Simple Pasta, anything w a soft egg on top is top notch in my book. Others had the brisket, which was perfection not to mention the potatoes that came with the dish, heaven. We split every side that was on the menu. the pomme frites, succotash & grain salad … all delicious. We welcome you with open arms, Custom Deluxe. I will be dining with you often. Stop in & support this fabulous restaurant you will not be disappointed! Bön Appetit!
(The pics do not match the review because I took these pics on 3÷1÷16 & the review is from ¹⁰⁄₁₅.)

Amazeballs.
No exclamation.
Just a calm, cool, «amazeballs».
I’d heard a lot about Custom Deluxe from friends, and now I know why.
Because…
… amazeballs.
Presentation, flavor, love. (I know… sounds like a book title… and it should be… about this restaurant).
There are only two places in this country (and possibly the world) that have the greatest chicken sandwiches. One is R+D Kitchen in Santa Monica; the other is Custom Deluxe.
How good is it? Good enough to get in a car in Boston, and drive 1 ½ hours to Biddeford, Maine, and marvel at just plain amazeball-​ness.
And it doesn’t stop there. Pomme frites that gently crunch the way kitkat bars do… but SOOOO much better.
Soup that is constructed and presented like you’re royalty. Seriously. The last time I was this impressed by presentation and taste was at the Mandarin in BOTH London and Hong Kong, which is one of the best compliments I can give to any restaurant. But you don’t have to fly across the world to sample edible royalty…
…
… just come to Custom Deluxe.
Love LOVE the couple that opened the restaurant. You can FEEL the love in the food.
Amazeballs.
That is all.

So good! Love to see awesome spots like this popping up in Biddo! Delicious, price is right and a cute little spot. Definitely recommend!

Blown away by the whole experience! The food surpassed 95% of the cuisine offered here in Portland. Service was impeccable. Cannot wait to make the trip down for more.

Me and my crew went there again the other day, and this time we were with some roofers, who I think were on something because they had bear-​hunger! So everyone got the «Mexican coke» to celebrate! We ordered literally every single item on the menu, so I can speak to every aspect of the restaurant, and that is something that happens not very often in one’s life. This time, the mussels had no grit, so that mistake got fixed. The brisket they serve is shockingly reminiscent of viande fumee, for which you have to drive to Montréal to enjoy, normally. Lots of cinnamon flavor, moist, tender, divinely prepared. I did not care for their «chicken soup», the noodles were too heavy, and too numerous, for the broth. They had this appetizer on special called Street Corn or Alley Corn, something like that, little coblets of corn covered in amazing spices, I could have had a dozen if three had not been so filling!
This place is definitely on a learning curve, a lot of the dishes are a little bit off, and a lot too salty. But they are in downtown Biddeford, and that means they are one of the best restaurants in town just by opening their doors to the public. That, like the Palace Diner, like Banded Horn, like Biscuits & Co, is all good news for this depressed, depressing city that «rises where the river falls». You can see, and Custom Deluxe is another data point, it is indeed rising again.