Made with buckwheat flour, ployes (pronounced "ploy," rhyming with boy) are a traditional Acadian flatbread that has been enjoyed in northern Maine for generations. Unlike a typical pancake, a ploye is thin, light, and cooked on only one side, creating a soft, airy texture with tiny bubbles across the top. They can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just about any time you are hungry, and are often served warm with butter, rolled up, or paired alongside hearty dishes like stews, baked beans, or creamed chicken. Around Aroostook, ployes are much more than just a meal. They are a cherished part of Acadian culture and a family tradition that continues to bring people together around the table, connecting each generation to the rich heritage of The County.

In 2026, 1,737 voters from Maine and beyond shared their favorite Aroostook businesses as part of the Best of Aroostook Awards. Here are the 2026 winners of Best Ployes, as voted on by you!

With 114 votes, the award for Best Ployes in Aroostook goes to...

Dolly's Restaurant

Located in Frenchville, Maine, Dolly's Restaurant earned a decisive victory in the 2026 Best Ployes category.

Dolly's is known for hearty, homemade meals and traditional Acadian flavors, making it a natural place to enjoy one of the foods most closely connected to the St. John Valley. With 114 votes, Dolly's received more than five times as many votes as the second-place finisher. It is a legendary restaurant on the St. John Valley/Fish River National Scenic Byway for is fun homestyle menu loaded with Acadian recipes. The atmosphere for dining in that of a lively diner!

If you are looking for a taste of Acadian cooking in the St. John Valley, Dolly's is a great place to start.

2026 Winners of Best Ployes

1st) Dolly's Restaurant

Dolly's Restaurant in Frenchville, Maine, was the clear favorite in this year's Best Ployes voting.

Ployes are a staple of Acadian cooking in the St. John Valley, and Dolly's offers visitors a chance to enjoy this local tradition alongside a hearty meal. Whether you grew up eating ployes or are trying them for the first time, they are a delicious way to get a taste of the region's Acadian heritage.

With 114 votes, Dolly's Restaurant earned first place in the 2026 Best Ployes category.

2nd) Bouchard Family Farms

Bouchard Family Farms of Fort Kent, Maine is a longtime Aroostook producer known for its connection to traditional Acadian food and the ingredients that make many local recipes possible. For generations, the Bouchard family has produced buckwheat flour, the essential ingredient in traditional ployes. Their packaged ploye mixes have helped bring a taste of Aroostook's Acadian food traditions to kitchens throughout New England and far beyond.

Ployes are one of the foods that tell the story of the St. John Valley. They are simple, delicious, and deeply connected to the families and traditions of the region. Bouchard Family Farms is a natural fit for this category and was recognized as the 2026 Best Ployes second-place winner.

3rd) Lakeview Restaurant

After winning Best Poutine in Aroostook for the second year in a row, Lakeview Restaurant in St. Agatha, Maine, also earned third place in the 2026 Best Ployes category.

Lakeview has become a favorite place to enjoy hearty food in the St. John Valley, where Acadian traditions remain an important part of the region's culture and food. Its strong showing in both the Best Poutine and Best Ployes categories shows just how much voters appreciate the restaurant's comfort food.

2026 Honorable Mentions

Listed in order of popularity among voters:

• Inn of Acadia - Madawaska, Maine
• Salted Butter Farm - Sherman, Maine
• Swamp Buck Restaurant and Lounge - Fort Kent, Maine
• The Slice and Hook Bar - Island Falls, Maine
• Two Rivers Lunch - Allagash, Maine
• Brenda's Restaurant - Sherman, Maine
• Chez Helen - Madawaska, Maine
• Richie's Pizza - Caribou, Maine
• Rock's Diner - Fort Kent, Maine
• Rodney's at 436 Main - Presque Isle, Maine

“Best Ployes” is one of the 11 categories recognized through the Best of Aroostook Awards. To see the winners across all categories, visit the 2026 Best of Aroostook Awards winners page.

Aroostook County Tourism created a 17-question survey that was completed by 1,737 participants from January through March 2026. Votes with similar spellings or common typos were combined and tabulated. The top three businesses in each category were recognized as winners, while other businesses receiving two or more votes were recognized as honorable mentions. The Best of Aroostook Awards are a fun way to recognize the places that make Aroostook special, and no prizes are awarded.

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