Mulligan’s bar and restaurant, a longtime Biddeford institution, has closed its kitchen, with the owner citing high food costs. 

Though owner Joe DeLois emphasized that the bar remains open, he wrote in a lengthy social media post Saturday that increasing costs in recent years have made kitchen operations financially unsustainable.

“When I bought Mulligan’s in 2017, all the prices for our food were $5.95,” DeLois wrote. “Before Covid shut us down we were able to make ends meet at that price.” 

Located in a former mill building and known for its affordable food and drinks, Mulligan’s has been a popular destination in downtown Biddeford since 1997.

But the pandemic forced Mulligan’s to raise prices because of a reduction in food supply deliveries, DeLois said, and the restaurant hasn’t been able to bounce back.

At the same time, Mulligan’s employees asked for — and received — “very large” increases in pay, DeLois said.

“It was necessary to pay them, not only because they were very good and loyal, but because they deserved it,” he said. 

According to DeLois, the kitchen “realistically” should have closed three years ago, but his affection for Mulligan’s, its workers and its customers kept him optimistic and delaying “the inevitable.” 

“I hoped we could turn a corner,” DeLois said. “Unfortunately, we could not.” 

Shaylyn Cadorette, a Biddeford native who now lives in Massachusetts, said she frequented Mulligan’s years ago when she was pregnant, too tired to cook, and needed an inexpensive and nourishing dinner.

“I think my kid might be 10% Mulligan’s rice pilaf,” she laughed. “I still crave it sometimes.” 

Cadorette has returned to Mulligan’s many times since and even took her now 10-year-old son there last St. Patrick’s Day.

“I’m glad he got to experience a place that was such an institution in Biddeford,” Cadorette said. “A lot of great memories were made over those old wooden booths and pool tables.” 

In his social media post, DeLois asked Biddeford residents to “remember how good it was” and to forgive him for having to take this step.

“Thank you for all your years of support,” DeLois wrote. “I wish Mulligan’s could’ve stayed open the way it used to be, too.” 

The bar at Mulligan’s remains open and will also offer limited food options, including pizza and sandwiches.

“The memories might be hazy, but it was a vibe,” Cadorette said. “It’s a little piece of my hometown I could never forget.”