Joshua's Restaurant & Tavern

10/01/2024

I’m a horrible speaker. My brain sends the thoughts, then my mouth pretty much always screws up getting it out correctly- usually resulting in an incoherent, often offensive, profanity sprinkled mess. Expressing things has always come easier in written form. So when it’s time to say goodbye, no matter how much I try to prepare, it’s inevitably a mumbled ‘thank you’ followed by a quick exit.
123 Maine Street is a building with a ton of character, history, great placement, and at least one ghost. But when it comes down to it- it’s simply a building. Joshua’s is more than that. It’s a cool building that was made special by the people that call it their place. Like the regulars who come after work to unwind, see friends, and raise a glass together. People that along the way have shared their holidays, birthdays, marriages, and successes but also found that sharing their failures, grief of lost loved ones, or simply a bad day at work could be lessened somewhat by the support of their friends.
Perhaps most important of those that call it home is the staff. If I’m brutally honest, Teej and I really aren’t the most savvy restaurateurs. There’s tons of stuff over the decades we could’ve done better. But one thing we absolutely excel at is finding good people. In the hundreds (yes, really- hundreds) of people that have worked here, there’s 14 that left on bad terms (ours or theirs). And while we have so many from years past that were awesome, the staff of these final few years has been simply the best. We saw many young faces added, and much like getting a puppy that rallies the old dog- it added a spark back into us ‘lifers’. So to those in the past, you hold a place in our memories, most often as a friend, and occasionally as a lesson to be learned. To those of the present, you have made the end of this journey incredible. YOU are truly what is Joshua’s and we love you all 🩷 -Cheri

08/28/2024

In reading through all the comments, we saw a lot of things like, ‘I met my significant other there, I had my 21st birthday there, my band played there, I hung there when I was at NASB/Bowdoin, Santa Fund, I worked there, etc.’. At Dani’s suggestion, I was going to try and create a poll, but I’m not that tech savvy. If the mood strikes you, can you comment on your connection to Joshua’s (especially stories of meeting your partner, those are my fave!❤️) bonus points for pics! Thanks, Cheri

08/26/2024

We knew this day would come, but until you say it out loud, it just doesn’t quite seem like reality. As our staff knows, we have made the bittersweet decision to not renew our lease this fall. Joshua’s has had an incredible run, spanning 3+ decades and many embodiments- but we’ve made no secret that our time as the stewards of this particular adventure was coming to an end. Joshua’s final day of business will be September 28th. Both Tj & I are eternally grateful for the meals, tears, cheers, and milestones we’ve gotten to share with you and our amazing coworkers over the years. - Cheri (📸 credit of the staff to Lily)

08/19/2024

08/05/2024

Our final Sunday of the season in the books was perfect. Great vibe with the staff, great customers, and while the weather played the part of ‘indecisive toddler’ (equal parts’I’m going to be awesome & adorable’ then switching to ‘I’m going to make your plans fall apart’) we all persevered. As many of our staff start heading to school, our hours return to Tue-Sat 11-9.

07/10/2024

Holy microburst, Batman! Our umbrellas Mary Poppins’d themselves right down to Riley’s before taking on their new pretzel shapes. Big thanks to all our amazing customers that were so patient when the power went.
(📸Credit: Nichole B.)

06/13/2024

Hi folks, We wanted to reach out to share some news with you. As many of you know, we (T.J. & Cheri) have talked about selling our business. We just celebrated a couple of life milestones last week; our 35th anniversary as Joshua’s (69 years if you include Clare’s Dolphin Restaurant that the family owned prior to Joshua’s) and our daughter Danika just graduated high school, leaving us ‘empty nesters’. We would like to be able to spend more time at our camp, fishing and skiing, spend a little time traveling, and have the freedom to visit Danika, whenever possible. We’ve reached out to our staff to make them aware that the business is now publicly for sale, and they are sticking around; so don’t’ worry!
We hope to find someone that will continue to run the business as Joshua’s. The building owner is supporting our decision. We don’t know how long it will take, but you shouldn’t notice anything different at Joshua’s. (Except we are opening Sundays from 11-8 pm.) We hope that you’ll all continue to drop by to say hello and keep being part of something that is unique and special in Brunswick.
Thanks, Tj, Cheri & Danika.

06/07/2024

Hey! It’s June 7. Did you know we opened as Joshua’s 35 years ago today? From the glasses we’ve raised together and meals we’ve shared- the times we’ve celebrated our joys, or shared a sadness- Thanks to everyone who’s been a part of the memories so far. We’re very blessed in our friends, coworkers, and community. Cheers🩷 -Tj & Cheri

06/05/2024

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, THEATRE SEASON!! MSMT is back in session with a great lineup of shows for our entertainment 🎟️🎭. Two things that go great with your theatre experience are 1. Reservations and 2. Leaving yourself enough time to enjoy your meal before the show. So plan ahead, wherever you decide to eat- Brunswick has such an awesome variety of restaurants we’re blessed to be a part of. So take advantage of this local gem and grab your tickets to a show, Maine State Music Theatre ‘Bringing Broadway to Brunswick’ for over 60 years🩷

04/03/2024

Due to the forecast & parking ban tomorrow 4/4, we will be closed. All staff, stay home, stay safe. See you Friday!

03/29/2024

Oh yay, more rain.
Today’s soup is chicken corn chowder with Andouille sausage.