Among the earliest locations, the South Portland Howard Johnson's Restaurant was opened in about 1937. After its long life as a HoJo's, the Restaurant housed several other eateries. It was a Tony Roma's during the early 2000s but then closed. For a brief period of time an eatery called the Yankee Grill occupied the former HoJo's but was uncessful and short-lived. Reportedly the Village Cafe, a landmark in the Portland area since 1936, moved into the stately old Restaurant.

The adjacent Howard Johnson hotel is not authentic--do not be tricked by its proximity to the Restaurant!