New England: A Huge New Market Basket Is Opening, What You Need To Know

A popular New England grocery chain is taking it to the next level and is about to become even more popular. This week Market Basket will open a new 80,000 square-foot store.

It will be located at 169 Topsham Fair Mall Road in Topsham, Maine. Market Basket, which is based out of Tewksbury, is now up to 90 stores in the region. The first store was in Lowell back in 1917. This new spot is scheduled to open its doors on Friday, June 14.

It will contain all of the usual components you would find in most Market Basket stores. This includes selling over 50,000 items. In addition, it "also features a butcher’s market, kitchen and café, including seating for people to eat at the store," the Portland Press Herald said.

Arthur T. Demoulas, Market Basket’s CEO, spoke of how this will impact the local Maine community saying, “This is a great opportunity for Market Basket to provide additional shopping options to the community, in addition to approximately 300 new jobs for new and existing associates to build successful careers."

If you've never been to a Market Basket, you are in for a real treat. You may also be in for running into a lot of like-minded people who are there for the great value. Typically, there is a small café section towards the front. Most serve coffee, soft-serve ice cream, and bagged fresh popcorn. This trifecta makes for quite a pleasant aroma as you begin your grocery shopping experience. It gives folks a pleasant and inviting start to what many consider to be a chore having to go food shopping.

In addition to the great pricing, the Market Basket serves hot and fresh food at the front of each store. You can find rotisserie chicken, soups, and pre-made meals. In addition, there is often a sandwich ordering station with chicken wing and meat platter options.

I can say from first-hand experience, the Market Basket is the go-to grocery store. My family will actually drive past two other big name grocery stores to get to the nearest Market Basket. In other words, it's further away and less convenient in terms of drive time, but the value is that much greater.

Here are some of my can't miss items that are prime examples. Similar to the style of Trader Joe's, in the seafood section you can find frozen fish filets. I pick up the frozen flounder. This serves two people easily and depending up the size (weight is by pound) this will cost you under $8.

Like most kids, my children love snacks. The one in particular that they all agree upon is popcorn. The giant bags of fresh popped movie theatre style popcorn serves as not only a snack to bring to school, but the snack they grab upon coming home from school.

Lastly, my young daughter calls their orange chicken with mashed potatoes one of her favorite meals. This is served in the ready-made area. A generous portion lasts her a lunch, with enough left over to then have for dinner.

Throughout New England, I've recently noticed the tag of  "Nashville" has been applied to many chicken sandwiches. No matter if I am in a local pub or tavern, barbeque establishment, or really a restaurant of any kind, this menu item is everywhere. Here, I've highlighted four great places to get a tasty Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich in Massachusetts today.

First, what exactly does this term refer to? "Nashville chicken's signature heat comes from a spice blend that usually includes cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and other secret ingredients," Main Bird Hot Chicken explains.

So, in short, we are talking about a piece of buttermilk fried chicken sandwiched between a bun (typically, brioche). However, it needs to have the aforementioned spice rub. Then, add in some slaw or pickles to take the sandwich to the next level.

Although it appears to be more on-trend and ubiquitous now in Massachusetts, Mashed explained this style has a history going back over 75 years. In their 2021 story that specifically profiled the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, they say, "This fiery brand of fowl, which originated at a Tennessee institution with a royal name, marries a southern classic with a hit of tongue-tingling heat."

Mashed explains that a historical Nashville establishment named Prince's Hot Chicken can be pointed to for serving up one of the first memorable of these spicy fried chicken sandwiches.

The Massachusetts establishments that have mastered the craft of this sandwich have a few things in common. First, they don't overdo it with the toppings. That can take away from the mixed spice flavor. Next, they pair the sandwich with a side, but not one that takes the attention of the main act. Lastly, they include an option to make it unique. That can be a spicy mayo, ketchup aioli, or fried pickles.

Here are four great places in Massachusetts you need to know about, to get a great Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich.

I'll start with the most recent one I've had. The Buckley Kitchen keeps it perfectly basic. There's a significant crunch, but the chicken is not overly fried. The only challenge is whether you pick the seasoned fries or homemade tater tots to pair with it. The Buckley also has an extensive beer and wine list. The Maine Lunch IPA sounded the part, as a pint that would pair perfectly with their Nashville Hot, and it did not disappoint.

This restaurant now has two locations for you to pick from to grab their mouth-watering Nashville Hot. You have to search for it on the menu. The Buttermilk Fried Chicken "House Special" comes with the option to add Nashville Hot. Then, if you have room, throw in a baked mac and cheese to share, and thank me later for a meal you will be burning to return for. Buttermilk & Bourbon has two restaurant locations in Massachusetts. There's the Boston spot, at 160 Comm. Ave. Then, in Watertown, you can find this establishment in the Arsenal Mall (100 Arsenal Yard Blvd.) Both are open seven days per week.

This establishment is only about two years old, but they have already made quite a name for themselves. Flanders Field not only serves an authentic Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, they also have 100 beers on tap. Each of them is served in the glass or mug that it is meant to pair with. Furthermore, Flanders Field often holds beer pairing events where they take you through some of their items on tap and what they pair well with in the given the season.  They describe their style as, "Farm fresh, locally sourced, in-house prepared food with a Northern European and American influence."

There's a Nashville Hot all over the menu at Lily P's. The "Lower Broadway" is the most traditional Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich item. However, there's also the "Hot N' Honey" which simply adds black pepper honey to the party. Then, you can order your tenders, fried chicken pieces or an entire bucket in a Nashville style. Equally as interesting here, is that Lily P's is also well known for their Oysters. They offer traditional Wellfleet Oysters, or a Roasted and Fried style. Lastly, while you are waiting for your main course, grab their cheddar popcorn app to hold you over.  The only catch here is that in late September they will not be open on the weekends.