“Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got.

Taking a break from all your worries sure would help a lot.

Wouldn’t you like to get away? Sometimes you want to go . . .

Where everybody knows your name.”

As Buddy Taylor floats around his pub — appropriately named Buddy T’s — he stops at almost every table and chats it up with the customers. Over the years, many of Buddy’s customers have become friends, resulting in much hand-shaking or hugging as he keeps an eye on things. If he doesn’t already know their names, he soon will. Which is why I keep humming that theme song from “Cheers.

“It’s a very welcoming place,” Taylor laughingly admits. Acknowledging “people sometimes look at the outside and think I’m a bar,” he said he has to clarify often that Buddy T’s is also “a restaurant and pub.”

Located at the Marketplace Mall at 675 Main St. in Lewiston, he features a full menu ranging from appetizers and burgers to complete meals. “People just need to get past the doors to find out,” noting as an example one recent customer who came in five times in three weeks once he discovered the food.

Lunch specials at Buddy T’s are a big draw for $4. Because they get a lot of regulars, he said he tries to change the menu often. You can select either a home-cooked meal (such as chicken casserole or beef pot pie) or the soup and sandwich combo, featuring a cup of either his well-known fish chowder (a well-guarded recipe) or fresh French onion soup — and your choice of crabmeat, tuna or chicken salad. If you don’t order one of the specials, ask for a lunch card instead — after five stamps, your sixth meal (up to a value of $6.50) will be free.

All of Buddy T’s soups are made from scratch, he said, along with their hand-cut fries and most of their salad dressings. Although he’s keeping the fish chowder recipe under wraps, he did share with readers the recipe for his equally loved lobster stew and the honey-mustard salad dressing that customers love.////

Tuesday night features his two-for-$14 meal deals. Highlights from last week’s menu of five items included a Philly steak sub with French fries, a simple baked lemon-pepper haddock and sweet Italian chicken stir fry with rice. Kids are welcome to accompany you, too, with seven items on Buddy T’s menu for young folks, ranging in price from $3.50 to $4.95.

One of his most popular items, Taylor said, is the Buddy T’s Mud Sub. “It’s a nice shaved steak sandwich,” he said — seasoned with garlic and topped with melted mozzarella, served on a steak sub roll for $6.95. Taylor said the sandwich is in honor of “a gentleman that I admired who took me under his wing and taught me a lot.”

Another item in demand is the Crispy Chicken Salad — “especially the buffalo style” — for $7.50. The menu also regularly offers taco, Caesar, Cobb and chef salads. “Plus,” he added, “people really like our fried foods. People rave about our fish and chips,” noting his cooks prepare the beer batter from scratch.

And speaking of his staff, Taylor is quick to appreciate them and their contributions, humbly pointing out that Buddy T’s success has been largely due to their hard work and loyalty.

With 30 years of bartending experience under his belt, Taylor still enjoys offering a good mixed drink. He mentioned his Long Island iced teas, as well as their house specialty, “Jungle Juice,” which he described as fruity, red and tropical.

With two dartboards and two pool tables, you can easily add a little sporting action to your evening out. Along with half-price appetizers on Monday nights, Buddy T’s hosts a few dart league competitions. On Wednesday evenings, you can cue up while you munch on 50-cent wings. Other appetizers include nachos, shrimp cocktail, quesadillas and steamers.

Just remember to introduce yourself . . . so everyone can remember your name!

Buddy T’s

675 Main St.

Lewiston

Phone: 753-1446

Website: www.buddyts.com

Hours:

Sunday through Tuesday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Wednesday through Saturday: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

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