The Landing
You know spring has truly sprung in Central Maine when you find yourself gathering your family and friends for a trip out to China Lake, and no trip out would be complete without a stop at The Landing restaurant nestled picturesquely at the head of the lake.
All winter long, locals drive by on route 202 in China anxiously waiting to see the opening date posted to front road sign. This year’s opening date will be Friday, April 5, 2024.
When you stop into The Landing, you’re sure to find yourself smiling as you’re transported back to simpler times when roadside takeout stands offered friendly service, and tasty treats at a fair price. As you pull up to red-roofed building, you’ll find families filling the parking lot, and boats tied up to the docks out front, all waiting to enjoying a meal or a refreshing ice cream. This year, thanks to an extremely early ice-out, The Landing‘s docks are already out, and awaiting their first dock-and-dine customers.
Tory and Kim Stark are embarking on their 3rd season as the owners of The Landing. They are a young family with five growing children. Kim is the coordinating force to get all the jobs done and carve out some family time, too. I asked Tory what his job at The Landing was. He said he mainly takes care of the grounds and managing the new IT ordering system, but chuckled and added, “I mostly do whatever Kim tells me to do!”
The Landing is known for several signature recipes. These traditional dishes have been passed down through the years and were included in part of the sale of the business. “One of our top priorities was to preserve the traditions that so many customers return to the lake each summer to experience”, Kim noted regarding changes after the 2022 sale.
The Landing has been known for years for their Chicken Baskets and hand-dipped Onion Rings. It’s the secret coatings and batter recipes that keep customers coming back all summer, and for which the Starks have been sworn to secrecy. Last year alone, The Landing sold around 10,000 Chicken Baskets between April and September!
Another investment was the upgrading of their pizza oven. Now, in addition to other items on the large menu, quicker, fresh dough and gluten free crust options are available with your favorite toppings.
Kim keeps a watchful eye on all aspects of the business. She is the chief “Quality Control Officer.” She coaches the staff to make the perfect milkshake, ice cream cones and dinner entrees. Tory said the whole staff is like an extended family. Some staff come back year after year.
The Landing is blessed with the perfect location. Not only is it lakeside, but it’s just a stone’s throw away from Waterville and Augusta, as well as at the intersection of a busy ATV trail and public boat launch.
Though from the outside The Landing has preserved the quaintness of days gone by, they’ve made the leap into the 21st century in many ways. Customer can take advantage of their on-line ordering and find their daily specials posted to their popular social media pages. Customers can log-on to the website, select a pickup time, and m just walk up to the pickup window to retrieve their foods from a smiling face.
This unique dock-and-dine restaurant is truly a hidden gem. Whether you come by land or lake, car, atv, motorcycle or truck, don’t miss out on one of Maine’s best takeout restaurant and dairy bars. Enjoy amazing food, friendly service and take a moment to experience Maine, “the way life should be”, and still is on beautiful China Lake.
1380 Lakeview Drive, China, ME • (207) 968-2060 • Open Tuesday–Sunday 11AM–8PM • www.TheChinaLanding.com








