Want to try a camel burger? Restaurant at Poland Spring Resort to stay open all year, with some unusual offerings
Mel’s Hilltop Opens Year‑Round, Serving Wild Game and Camel Burgers
Poland, Maine – The Poland Spring Resort has broken with a half‑century tradition of shutting its dining room for the winter. The resort’s new owner, Cyndi Robbins, hired Executive Chef Robert Gushue last year to keep the 19th‑hole restaurant open all year. The result is a menu that ranges from wild‑game burgers to camel patty, and a schedule that now welcomes both golfers and local diners from Monday through Sunday.
A Menu That Keeps People Talking
Gushue, who has been experimenting with unusual ingredients, says the secret to the restaurant’s success is “putting things out to see what they like.” The current offerings include a wild‑game burger, a smash burger, rabbit, venison, lamb, and a surprisingly popular camel burger. “People loved it,” Gushue told staff, noting that camel is legal, leaner than beef, and high in protein. In addition, the kitchen has turned classic dishes into more affordable versions, such as a pork blanquette—braised pork shoulder with mushrooms, pearl onions, and French green beans over white rice—replacing the traditional veal.
The chef is also planning a new winter‑themed plate: pork shank in a Hungarian goulash served with dumplings. “Trying to do like winter stuff,” he said. Patrons can also sample Bavarian pretzel charcuterie and other seasonal specials posted on Mel’s Facebook page.
Opening Times and Weekend Attractions
Mel’s Hilltop now serves guests from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. with extended hours on weekends. Robbins, who first opened the restaurant on a Monday in the winter, says the timing was strategic. “Some nights we had to turn people away,” she recalled, acknowledging that demand sometimes outpaced capacity. The restaurant’s popularity has prompted plans to extend its hours to Thursday through Monday, and possibly add Tuesday or Wednesday into the mix.
The restaurant’s location above the pro shop on the Poland Spring Golf Course also offers panoramic views of the changing leaves, making it a popular stop for golfers and off‑course visitors alike.
Community Events and Snowmobile Trail
In addition to culinary experiments, the restaurant has become an entertainment hub. Robbins introduced game nights last winter, run by local resident Tyla Davis—known in the area as the “Queen of Games.” The nights were so well attended that the restaurant had to turn away guests. The event’s success has cemented Mel’s as a social venue in addition to a dining destination.
The resort has also partnered with the Poland Sno Travelers Snowmobile Club to extend a snowmobile trail directly to the restaurant, weather permitting. Last winter, up to 25 sleds lined up outside Mel’s on some evenings. Nordic skiing on the groomed golf‑course trails remains free and open to the public, further adding to the winter appeal.
Breaking the Old “Non‑Guest” Rule
Historically, the resort’s policy had kept non‑guests out. Robbins notes that this changed when she and her partner, Mel Robbins, bought the property in 1982. The decision to keep Mel’s open year‑round reflects a broader effort to make the resort accessible to the wider community. “The experiment was well received by customers,” Robbins said. “Opening in the winter offered an alternative to dining and entertainment beyond Poland and Oxford to Auburn and Lewiston.”
Looking Ahead
The restaurant is already planning a shift in operating days and will continue to showcase its rotating menu. Guests can follow updates on Mel’s Facebook page for specials and schedule changes. With its eclectic food choices, community events, and winter‑friendly amenities, Mel’s Hilltop has positioned itself as a new cornerstone of the Poland Spring Resort experience.
