Here's what I love about winter lobster roll excursions: no traffic, no tourists, no problem. Wells, Maine would normally be a bustling summer town filled to the brim with out-of-staters and we missed all of it. We even had time to drive along the beach and saw maybe three other cars. Ahhhh... winter in Maine... the best time for the locals to venture out!
Billy's Chowder House is on Mile Road in Wells, smack dab in the middle of the Rachel Carson Wildlife Preserve, with water views on both sides. Their website claims the fried seafood is to die for and the lobster rolls are so good they're famous. So naturally, Billy's was a must on this lobster roll adventure.
Billy's Famous Lobster Roll
nothing beats our signature lobster roll... a hot dog roll grilled on both sides then loaded with lobster meat and mixed with mayonnaise - served with fries and a pickle
Junior: $17.99 | Jumbo: $25.99
I initially tossed aside the menu and immediately declared I would be having the Jumbo. But then I got to perusing and saw they had lobster stew. Lobster stew is my second favorite way to consume this crustacean and before As the Lobster Rolls, winter was when my lobster obsession switched from sandwich to stew. Now don't get me wrong... I totally could've have put away both the Jumbo roll AND the cup of stew but my wallet had a different idea.
Reluctantly, I ordered the Junior – which basically is just a standard size lobster roll. And let me tell you, after taking my first bite, I was kicking my own ass for not ordering the big boy. Damn, that lobster roll was amazing. That shellfish was tender and tasty. The meat to mayo ratio, perfect. And the bun was browned flawlessly. The fries were pretty good too... even though I really didn't give two craps about anything else on my plate.
Wondering about the lobster stew? It was pretty good. Not the best I've ever had but it held it's own. I also got a taste of that fried seafood that people die for... no joke, best fried scallops I've eaten probably ever.
If you're in the market for an afternoon outing, I highly recommend the trip to Wells. Kill three birds with one stone - Billy's for lunch, Hidden Cove Brewing for a flight, and top it off with some famous doughnuts at Congdon's for dessert!
