While Federal Jack’s Brewpub and The Ramp at Pier 77 both bill themselves as pubs catering to sports fanatics, the similarities stop there. Read on to see how they stack up.
Federal Jack’s Brew Pub sits on prime real estate in Lower Village Kennebunk, right on the river overlooking a marina. It’s second floor location could be a deterrent to some, but an elevator distinguishes it from most places in town. And it is huge. I mean huge. Their dish slide is larger than the entire kitchen at the Maine Stay. During the summertime Federal Jack’s operates five separate serving areas – the main dining room, the bar, the pool room, the outdoor decks, and a smaller dining room.
In contrast, The Ramp barely has five tables! Okay, that may be an exaggeration, but it is much smaller and is actually one of the smallest eateries in town. Granted, it’s big sister, Pier 77 (upstairs and closed for the winter) compensates for its small size. The low ceilings and water level location in Cape Porpoise make it a much more intimate spot, and little space between tables ensures you’ll be friendly with your neighbors by the end of the night. And for its small size, the Ramp offers a surprisingly diverse menu, especially during the warmer months when patrons can choose to dine off Pier 77’s menu.
Just like it’s floor plan, the menu at Fed’s is astoundingly large. But your best bets are standard American pub fare – burgers and fried food. Their chowder is good, as are their salads, desserts, and daily $10 special, but skip the fancy stuff – Fed’s is best for basics.
The Ramp, however, has a phenomenal chef, so don’t hesitate to order the unusual here – it’s all (and always) good. For the chowdah connoisseurs out there – their’s is of the potato-y variety.
Federal Jack’s beckons sports fans because of its plethora of widescreen TVs, long hours (they’re open until 12:30 a.m. daily), and beer brewed on site, while The Ramp brings out the fan in all of us with its vintage athletic memorabilia and the soft glow of two small TVs.
So here’s the final breakdown:
- Late-night service: Fed’s
- Cuisine: The Ramp
- Prime sports viewing: Fed’s
- Atmosphere for the non-sport viewer: The Ramp
- Location: Fed’s
- Ocean Views: The Ramp
These two eateries are staples for the Maine Stay and all of Kennebunkport, but serve entirely different needs. So come to Kennebunkport and the Maine Stay Inn to decide for yourself!
