Bowdoin Town Store

Whatever you do, do not buy gas from this store! The new owner is skimming money from the gas pumps. I paid $ 10 in gas and they stopped the pump early and they would not have given me my money back had I not noticed what was up. The pump numbers are covered by a piece of paper and you have to check the other side of the pump to see how much gas you actually got. Seriously bad business practice and the owner laughed at me when I came in to complain. I will never go back to this store. They also made it so you have to spend more than $ 5 to be able to use a debit or credit card on your purchases… so good luck getting coffee in the morning if you don’t have any cash on you.

This review is for the fried chicken only.
A few weeks ago, my wife and I needed a lunch option on Route 125 in Bowdoin, between Route 201 and the Burrough Road. She is from away (New Jersey) — no help. I went to elementary school down the road, but somehow I didn’t remember this part of Bowdoin as a gastronomic hub. So I was no help either. Just as my wife’s eyebrows had reached full arch, we saw a sign above the Bowdoin Country Store reading «MOISTURIZED FRIED CHICKEN.» I can conjure a number of things that should be done to fried chicken — basting, brining, and frying are three. Moisturizing is not one of the things. But this moisturized fried chicken came backed with a brand name, «Chester’s.» We figured that if a large corporation, which Chester’s must be (they have a logo!) permits its fried chicken to be moisturized, it must totally be a thing.
I left my wife in the car and hastened inside. As I remembered from my days at Bowdoin Central School, there is not much to say about the interior of the Bowdoin Country Store except that it’s dimly lit and prominently sells Hostess CupCakes. I waited for the gentleman in front of me to purchase three loose cans of beer from a six-​pack.
My turn arrived.
I approached the cashier with not a little trepidation and inquired, as casually as possible, «I’d like to try the fried chicken?» The cashier paused for a moment, looked at the loose-​beer-​can man, then back at me. She then looked me directly in the eye and stated, «What?»
My mind raced. I started to wonder if I was the first person ever to order Chester’s moisturized fried chicken at the Bowdoin Country Store.
Still trying to seem casual, I offered «the uh, the fried chicken?»
The cashier grunted a little and motioned behind her at a lady with an apron standing by a fry-​o-​lator. My eyes met hers, and I walked toward the fry-​o-​lator.
It was then that I caught sight of the chicken. This chicken was sitting behind some glass on paper towels. Breasts, thighs, and wings. In short, the chicken looked very, very good. The breading looked just right. This was no «convenience store» chicken. I did not know how much of the chicken’s look to attribute to the moisturization process, but I wanted some.
I asked the fry-​o-​lator lady for some chicken. She said «ok,» and loaded some chicken into a Chester’s box.
We took it home. It was truly delicious. I mean that. The breast was a little dry but chicken breasts always are, and anyone who says otherwise is not approaching the issue with an open mind.
FIN

This place is exactly what it seems, and quaint little county store. After living in Bowdoin the last few years I have come to rely on this store alot. They may not have the greatest selection of anything, but they do carry the basics. Having to have to drive to topsham or lisbon for a gallon of milk or some cheese, starts to annoy you when you think of the wasted gas, and there prices are compareible. Alot of my family are hunters and swing by this store for a quick bite, they all say its very good, however I have never ate there. I know they have subs, chester fried chicken, and pizza and they look and smell good.
My only negitive I have about this place is they have 2 gas pumps and their price for gas seem to be the highest around, and I do understand about overheas, but gas is one thing I never get there.