Cundy's Harbor Lobster Roll: Holbrook's Lobster Wharf + Grille

Just another summer evening and a drive up to the Mid Coast. That seems to be our go-to activity in these weird, germy times. My biggest fear is that I'm going to leave my house and forget my mask. Our destination: Cundy's Harbor... or Cundy's Hahbah, depending on where you're from. I guess I say the latter. 

There's really not much happening in this Harpswell neighborhood unless you're a lobsterman or a local. Regardless, I'll never take for granted being able to hop in the car to drive a coastal route or just find a spot to stare out at the ocean. I would seriously sell a kidney to be able to afford to live on the coast with its cool ocean breezes and sticky salt air. To be woken up by the squawking seagulls rather than the neighbor's obnoxiously loud chickens.

Ok... that's enough dreaming for one afternoon. Let's get down to the good stuff. We stumbled upon Holbrook's Lobster  Wharf + Grille on our drive and just in the nick of time as the "hangries" were starting to set in (that's the last time I forget to eat my post-work snack!) My first thought was that this place was completely adorbs. Pots and baskets of flowers littered every surface and there was ample outdoor seating along the wharf. We picked out a spot at the very end overlooking the water where we were entertained by a seal on the hunt for his dinner.

Lobster Roll: $18.99

I'll start with the high points of the lobster roll. This thing was delicious - the best tasting lobster I've had all summer. I'm guessing that crustacean went from trap to table to my trap all in the span of about 30 minutes. I haven't had lobster that tasted that salty and fresh in a long time. It made my heart and my taste buds wicked happy! The roll wasn't overly stuffed, but the meat in it was top quality and flavor. If it was mixed with any mayo, it was not easily detected. The roll was nicely toasted and served its purpose of holding all that beautiful lobster together while not contributing a whole lot to the overall flavor. 

As usual, the low points of the experience make me sound like a picky asshole. Would you believe me if I said I was trying to be better about that? No? Me neither. 

The price was the first thing that irked me. I found $18.99 to be high for just the lobster roll. No chips, no coleslaw, no pickle... nothing included at all. I didn't even get a plate to put it on. It just came in its little ol' cardboard holder. That's what happens when two people order two meals and there's one tray of food. I splurged an extra $2.99 for a small side of rather tasty potato salad. And if you're going to charge nineteen bucks for a lonely lobster roll, at least fill the bun until it's threatening to burst.

But seriously, if you're in the area, swing in for a bite. I also think this joint might be a BYOB establishment... or the people sitting near us may have just smuggled in the booze illegally. Next time I'll show up prepared!

Tenants Harbor Lobster Roll: The Happy Clam

I recently celebrated my 50th birthday by doing what we do best... going on an adventure up the Maine coast. Hopping in the car to explore new places seems to be our go-to activity in this pandemically-challenged world. We caught the car ferry to Islesboro and toured the island... hiked a few short, scenic trails, and then searched for a bite to eat. If you've ever been to Islesboro, you'll know that there is little sustenance to be found on the tiny island. So back on the ferry and on a serious hunt for food!

Not too far away in Tenants Harbor, we stumbled onto a little hole in the wall joint called The Happy Clam. My first thought was maybe we've made a mistake and there had to be someplace better just down the road. But we donned our masks, grabbed the vat of hand sanitizer, and got ourselves a table. Neither one of us had high hopes for the food but hunger got the best of us. This pub-style restaurant interestingly serves both German cuisine and local seafood.

Lucky for me, The Happy Clam offered a lobster roll. Well, Happy Birthday to me! It was a simple order, Lobster Roll with Fries and Cole Slaw for $19.99. Ok, I'll bite.

The lobster roll came on a nicely toasted bun with a pretty substantial amount of chilled lobster lightly bathed in butter. The meat was presented in bite-sized pieces which is a mark in the plus column because we all know how much I hate the dismantling of a perfectly good roll because one big chunk of lobster pulls all the rest of the lobster out of the bun. I know... you're probably thinking to yourself, who the hell complains about big pieces of lobster. That would be me. I don't enjoy having to gnaw off bites of my sandwich.

Guess what? That lobster roll was delicious! The meat tasted fresh and sweet and if you don't love butter, you might be a serial killer. I think I love butter more than I should but it was my birthday so I was going to eat all the butter. The fries were thin cut and crispy perfection. The only thing that would've made my dining experience better was if maybe one million degrees out. Outside dining does have its drawbacks. Sometimes I really hate summer.

Would I send someone to The Happy Clam just for the lobster roll? Probably not. But if you're in the area and are looking for some good food, I wouldn't hesitate to swing by. Although I have no idea what the inside looks like!

Kennebunkport Lobster Roll #3: The Clam Shack

I read a lot of "Best Of" lists when it comes to lobster rolls - always looking for the one that got away. Sometimes I agree with the list maker and sometimes I wonder if they were on crack when they ate the lobster roll and sometimes I wonder if they actually ate the damn thing. The Clam Shack in Kennebunkport shows up on those lists. A lot. I've been trying to get down there for years to try their offering, but Kennebunkport can be daunting to locals on a summer Saturday with its swarms of tourists – but because of our current situation, I figured I'd give it a shot.

The Clam Shack is 100% on board with all the COVID-19 safety precautions. There are many requests to wear masks any time you're not at your table – so many signs that not wearing a mask is (like the tourists in front of me in line) just friggin' barbaric. I watched the staff carefully sanitize each socially distant picnic table after each party left so I felt super safe!

The Clam Shack sits on the Kennebunk side of the bridge overlooking the Kennebunk River right in the middle of all the action. It's hard to miss. It's a true shack so you order at the window and the masked/gloved staff member delivers the food to your table. I ordered the Lobster Roll Lunch Box for $23.95 which includes the lobster roll, pickle slices, coleslaw, and fries. I was excited about this roll despite it not being served on the traditional split top roll – I am a traditionalist, after all.

The Clam Shack has an entire page on their website dedicated to their lobster roll:

NO FRILLS, BUT WORTH ALL THE FUSS  

Our lobster roll is an award-winning take on the classic New England sandwich. It's become a rock star in the Maine seafood scene, receiving culinary accolades from major food publications to national television shows. The Clam Shack roll crushes the competition because of our commitment to using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and never compromising on quality.

So the good news... the lobster meat was delicious. Boiling the bugs in fresh seawater makes the meat so incredibly salty and delightfully sweet. I have a hard time believing there are lobster shacks out there that don't prepare the meat in this way. Also, when ordering, they'll ask if you'd like mayo, butter, or both. Pick both. Definitely pick both. It's mildly life-altering. I only wish there was more of it on my plate.

And the bad news... as much as I wanted to be on board with the hamburger/bulky-style roll, I found it to be too distracting. Because only the inside of the bun is grilled, you miss out on the crunch of buttery, toasted goodness that the New England style roll provides. The "Reilly Roll," locally made in Biddeford, was also just bready and sweet enough to overpower the amount of lobster meat on the sandwich. If they piled up the lobster meat a little more, I think the bun may have worked a little better.

I really wanted to love this sandwich, but my feelings were mixed. For me, a lobster roll is all about the lobster and how it's prepared and how it tastes – not the bread. A nice traditional hot dog roll is not an overpowering flavor and if it's buttered and grilled perfectly, the only real taste it brings to the lobster is butter. And I'm not sure there's anything that pairs with lobster better than butter. 

In the end, while the bun didn't work for me, the lobster did so if you don't mind a bready lobster roll, you may love this one. I'm curious if others feel this way or I'm just too picky about my bread!

Bailey Island Lobster Roll: Cook's Lobster & Ale House

Amidst a pandemic, there's not much lobster roll exploring going on for me. The state of Maine was buttoned up pretty tightly up until about a month ago, and the thought of curbside pickup doesn't lend itself to experiencing the atmosphere of the lobster roll establishment - a very important part of the review. Oh, and I've kind of become an anxious shut-in as a result of COVID-19 which also doesn't help my situation.

So last week the restaurants started opening up in the more populated counties and we took advantage of the loosening restrictions to head up to Cook's Lobster & Ale House on Bailey Island. Still not quite ready to test the inside dining scene, we found a nice sunny but slightly chilly spot on their deck overlooking Harpswell Sound.

It's been years since we've been to Cook's. The last time wasn't good. At all. But after hearing from a few folks that the food has improved, we decided to give them another chance. And as many times as I've been to this establishment, surprisingly, I've never had their lobster roll!

The lobster roll comes two ways and both include chips, coleslaw, and a pickle - the Traditional, lightly folded with mayo for $20.00 (Does anyone else hear Moira Rose yelling, "Fold in the cheese!") It also comes as Hot Buttered, lobster sauteed in hot drawn butter, also for $20.00. You could also get the Jumbo version of either of these rolls for $36.00 (OOOF!) I found the $20 price tag to be a bit steep considering the size of the lobster roll - but then again, everything on the menu seemed a tad pricey.

The meal was pleasantly presented in a metal tray and even the lobster roll was dressed in its Sunday best with a frock of frilly lettuce. Honestly, I'm done complaining about the lettuce as long as it isn't obviously used as bun filler and is easily removed without compromising the state of the lobster meat. I need to concede to the fact that lettuce is a universally acceptable lobster roll garnish.

So... the lobster roll was just... meh. Edible, but not very exciting. Most of its meh-ness comes from the ineptness of the person responsible for grilling my hot dog bun. The bun was clearly buttered on both sides but then appeared to have just been waved over a candle instead of actually grilled on the stove. The lobster meat was cooked adequately with the right amount of mayo, but there was nothing extra special about its flavor. And for $20, the amount of meat felt skimpy.

Cook's is a cool spot and now would be the time to go with the reduction in tourist traffic. The beer list was decent and the view is solid. But be prepared to drop some dough on your dinner this summer. Also, does an above-average view even out a merely average meal?

Penobscot Bay Lobster Roll: Young's Lobster Pound

One afternoon we found ourselves, along with some out-of-town guests, wandering around the cool little town of Belfast. It's not a place I've ever spent any time so when the question of where to go to lunch came up, I immediately jumped on Yelp. Young's Lobster pound has 4.5 stars so that sealed the deal. We had no idea what our trip to Young's would bring.

First impressions of this dining establishment are not what I would call inviting. It's a large metal warehouse (hence lobster pound) with a very poorly managed ordering area. The place was packed when we arrived and it seemed like there was no rhyme or reason to how the ordering worked - where to order, where to pick up, where to pay.

Once we finally ordered our food, the young man helping us says, "14,002." I said, "Excuse me?" He said the number again and I told him I had no idea what that number meant. He said it was our order number. Um, ok - so you just pulled that number out of your ass? This experience was not getting off on the right foot and I had worries that our guests were going to be in for a good ol' fashioned dining disaster.

Lobster Roll with Chips & Pickle: $20.95

Once we ordered, we headed out back to the outside dining area which was basically a cement pier on the waterfront with a shit ton of picnic tables and not an umbrella in sight. Luckily we found the one table with at least one side in the shade for our non-sun lovers. (There is an indoor upstairs eating area if the blazing sunshine isn't for you!)

I've eaten a LOT of lobster rolls in my lifetime so I generally have a vision of what it should look like. So when this lobster roll came out on a hamburger bun, my head almost exploded. This is not supposed to happen. Who ARE these people who would serve me my lobster roll on a sesame seed HAMBURGER BUN?? I was appalled. I was confused. I did not have a good feeling about this whole experience.

Let's deconstruct the sandwich. The bun was toasted on the inside. There was lettuce. There was mayo on the bun. There was a boatload of lobster - both claws and tail.

There's so much here that doesn't fit my perception of the ideal lobster roll. But I'm here to tell you people that looks can be deceiving and this lobster roll was absolutely delicious. DELICIOUS! The meat was cooked perfectly and it was sweet and salty. The mayo wasn't mixed in - just spread on the bun like a regular sandwich would be. And I didn't hate the lettuce - probably because I didn't feel like it was used as filler.

It all just worked. And despite the weirdness of the experience overall - I wouldn't hesitate to visit this place again. This time more prepared with booze (it's BYOB) like everyone else had with them! Believe the Yelp, my friends, this place is worth every star!

PS. I was told by one of my group that the crab roll was the best he'd ever had.

This Lobster Roll Sits on a Throne of Lies: Scarborough Fish & Lobster

The title for this blog post just came tumbling out of my head when I was thinking back to the feelings I had about this lobster roll. My plan was to change it but as time passed, I just figured it was appropriate. Maybe the next person won't get duped like I did.

The lie starts before you even get in the door of Scarborough Fish & Lobster on Route 1 in Scarborough. There's a folding roadside sign boasting "Maine's Best Lobsta Roll." Now I've had a lot of lobster rolls around this state and I'm not sure I can even say there's a best. I have favorites for different reasons – but honestly, I have yet to encounter the perfect lobster roll experience. Don't make claims you can't stand behind.

The order is simple – Lobster Roll - $13. I'm 99% sure this is the second cheapest lobster roll I've reviewed on this blog after the Patch's Variety disaster of 2018. As I sat at a semi-dirty picnic table amongst several steaming lobster pots, I wondered what the hell I had gotten myself into. I desperately hoped to be pleasantly surprised.

The lobster roll was delivered to the table and at first glance, I was impressed with the presentation. The full claws sticking out each end of the roll was an adorable touch, but that's where my praise screeches to a whiplash-inducing stop. As I inspected the status of the hot dog bun, I noticed I was given an end roll – so it's like getting a sandwich using the part of the bread that almost every single person will reach past for the good slices. Was I being targeted? Did I snub someone in the kitchen? To add insult to injury, it was over toasted and not buttered – not a good start.

Could the lobster be this roll's only semi saving grace? The answer to that question would be not a chance. It was tasteless. It was sad. It was a complete waste of my time. So much so that I don't even want to waste any more time writing about this disaster. Over and out on this one.

Sorry, Scarborough Fish & Lobster... I had high hopes for this quirky little seafood shack.

Kennebunk Food Truck Lobster Roll: The Ocean Roll

Stationed on the corner of Route 1 and Ross Road in Kennebunk sits a food truck called The Ocean Roll. I had never heard of this joint until just this year – and evidently, this thing has been in operation for quite some time. So naturally, I had to do a little research. According to their website, they are the oldest food truck in the USA – originally it was a Boyertown Multi-Alloy Merchantman built onto a 1961 International Harvestor chassis. Almost one of a kind when new, this relic of the Cold War was commissioned by Maine Civil Defense as a Mobile Feeding Unit to service emergencies. This restored vintage food truck has just 11,000 original miles.

After having a few people tell me about it this year, I felt a little shame that I didn't have this food truck on my growing list of places to test out. I'm glad I made the trip south because it might be the most adorable food truck on the planet (despite its location bordering the bustling Route 1 where sometimes the cars are so loud, you can barely hear them call your name for your order.) But I get it... it's a high traffic spot and I'm not there for the view. I'm there for the grub!

So I ordered the Lobster Roll for $15.50. Good price for the peak of summer in southern Maine. I also requested a little side of butter to add to really spice 'er up (I know, crazy, right?)! I will mention that I was quite disappointed and made a bit of childish fuss when they asked if I wanted celery. GAH... gross. No. Throw it all away! Celery is the devil.

Upon receiving the above mentioned celery-less lobster roll, I gave it my usual once over. The traditional split-top hot dog roll was buttered and grilled to my specifications. The lobster wasn't busting out of the roll but it was tasty. The nice mixture of both claw and tail meat was lightly dressed with mayo and there wasn't a speck of stupid lettuce to be found. Oh and it comes with some tasty cole slaw too. Overall, The Ocean Roll puts forth a solid lobster roll that won't break the bank, y'all... go get one.

Corea Lobster Roll: Lunch on the Wharf

So much fun has happened in the past couple of days that I'm not even sure where to begin. I realize this isn't a blog about my life so I won't go on and on about how we spent the night at Gull Cottage at the Prospect Harbor Lighthouse and how our bedroom looked right out at the lighthouse and how the sound of the waves crashing outside the window was the best sound in the world. But I do plan to go on and on about the lobster roll I had in the neighboring village of Corea.

Lunch on the Wharf is located, well, on the wharf in the quaint little fishing harbor of Corea located not far from Acadia National Park's Schoodic Peninsula. When you arrive at this place, the first thing you notice that it's essentially a food stand that smells delicious! The menu is pretty diverse but simple with offerings for both the lobster lover and someone in the market for a hot dog.

Lobster Roll with mayo........... $19.95

I placed my order, took my number and secured a table on the large wharf overlooking some serious Maine scenery. The presentation of this lobster roll is nothing to write home about. It comes in its little cardboard holder with a bag of chips. Simple, no-frills. Just the way I like it. And also... a very important tip if you decide to head up here for lunch (it's not open for dinner), it's BYOB. I will say that an Orono Brewing Fruitful pairs quite nicely with lobster!

I'd like to say something really clever about this roll but the only thing that keeps coming to mind is, "Holy shit." It wasn't biggest and it wasn't overflowing with lobster meat, but holy shit, this thing was absolutely delicious. Sometimes I think it's harder to write about the good ones because what else can I say except, well, holy shit? It gave me very little to grumble about.

It checked all the boxes... Perfectly buttered and grilled traditional split-top bun ✔ Loads of lobster meat with with a nice mix of tail, knuckle and claw meat in nice bit sized pieces ✔ Sweet and salty lobster so fresh you know it was probably caught that morning and surely steamed in ocean water ✔ Lightly dressed with mayo with a little butter on top which is absolute perfection ✔  No additional crap like lettuce or celery ✔ Great views of the harbor ✔

If I have to be my usual critical, difficult self and voice one complaint, it would be for the $19.95 price. But lately, that seems to be the going rate just about everywhere. I need to get over that. Ok, I'm over it.

Fort Popham Lobster Roll: Spinney's Oceanfront Restaurant

When someone says to you on a hot, sunny July 4th weekend, "Hey, let's go up to Popham Beach!" The correct answer is no freaking way! That place gets crowded on a non-holiday weekend so you can imagine the number of bodies sunning themselves on this particular day. With the State Park full, we parked in the lot at the old Percy's location and made our way to the small strip of beach at the mouth of the Kennebec River – a popular spot for striper fishing and our main purpose for the trip.

The advantage of this part of the beach is its close proximity to Spinney's Oceanfront Restaurant that sits just steps from the sand, and I had my eye on a lunchtime lobster roll. Spinney's is a cute place with both indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the beach, and a takeout counter popular for ice cream. After waiting my turn in the stifling, unairconditioned space, I placed my order to go.

Lobster Roll (4 oz, 100% meat)...... $19.95

100% meat? What the hell else would be in there? This statement confused me. 100% meat tells me they're not adding stupid things like lettuce. Liars. I don't see the purpose of that one flimsy piece of lettuce except to keep my lobster from falling out of the bottom of the bun should it break in half. I appreciate the concern but I'd rather take my chances.

So about that bun. There are two types of hot dog rolls. The traditional, New England style split top roll and the wrong one. Can you guess which one this lobster roll was in? The beauty of the split top roll is the ability to butter and grill the outside of the bun to golden brown deliciousness. My lobster roll came in the incorrect roll – complete with it's puffy, ungrillable sides and sadly toasted inside. My disappointment continued to build.

This lobster roll had one final chance to redeem itself before I fed it to the seagulls – the 100% meat. I can confirm, it was definitely all lobster and it was tasty. The well-prepared mix of claw and tail meat was salty, fresh and lightly dressed with mayo.  Four ounces isn't a ton of meat for twenty bucks – even if it IS 100% – but that seems to be the norm these days any place that isn't on  Route 1 in Wiscasset.

The day was filled with half wins. Tasty lobster in the wrong roll. A couple of stripers on the hook but sadly none long enough to eat. A crowded beach yet we didn't murder anyone. If you happen to be up that way, I'd give Spinney's a try. Maybe you won't mind the puffy hot dog roll...

Webhannet Drive Lobster Roll: Wells Beach Lobster Pound

Oh man... Memorial Day Weekend... the official start of summer. And naturally, the official start of lobster roll season! Mainers have been struggling with the will to live this spring with below normal temperatures and buckets of rain, but the holiday weekend gave us a jolt of sunshine and warm temps for three consecutive days (with only a little rain mixed in for good measure, or to keep us on our toes.) I was heading out of town for a couple days so I felt the need to kick the weekend off with a lobster roll.

My destination: Wells Beach Lobster Pound. It was 72° when I left my house and I had grand visions of grabbing my roll and sitting on the retaining wall overlooking the water in front of the lobster pound. But as usual with this time of year, the ocean water temperature was so much colder than the air, keeping the temp a chilly 58° at the coast. Whatever, the view was still nice and it wasn't snowing so I call that a win.

I ordered my lobster roll the only way it comes - Lobster Roll - $16.99.

I was pleased with the initial appearance of my lobster roll.
Traditional split top roll... ✔
Acceptable amount of lobster meat... ✔
No stupid lettuce... ✔
Light mayo... ✔

The roll was toasted but not buttered and grilled. I never quite understand this approach since, for me, the state of the bread component is crucial. Of course, toasting is better than nothing but definitely second to buttery, grilled deliciousness.

Dressed with just a touch of mayo, the lobster meat tasted so oceany, it was clearly cooked in sea water. And the saltiness of the lobster made the mayo taste almost seasoned – I was so confused I actually had to back into the lobster pound to ask about it. Don't get me wrong, I really liked it. There's just something about being able to taste the ocean in a lobster roll that makes me so happy. I'm not saying it was perfect, but I definitely didn't want to throw it on the ground so that's a plus.

For you traitors non-lobster-roll-lovers, there's a bunch of other stuff on their menu - fried and otherwise. Also, I love a place that has those big, shallow lobster tanks so you can gawk at all the future lobster rolls crawling all over each other. There was one dude in that tank with a claw the size of my fist. It's not the most quaint looking place, but there's a pretty view and good lobster rolls... so if you're down that way, give it a try.

Kennebunkport #2 Lobster Roll: The Boathouse

Procrastination: the action of delaying or postponing something. 

I am a master of procrastination. Mostly it occurs when I'm not exactly excited about doing something and in this case, I have very little love for the lobster roll you're about the read about. This is by far a record for the longest delay in posting a review - I ate this lobster roll on December 6, 2018 – over FIVE months ago! I'm not saying I've gone this long without actually consuming a lobster roll, but over the winter I tend to frequent proven establishments like Bite Into Maine.

So back to the roll at hand. Last December, our holiday luncheon for work took place at The Boathouse in Kennebunkport, Maine. The Boathouse is a waterfront hotel and restaurant located on the banks of the Kennebunk River. It's a bright and sunny spot with super views. I honestly wouldn't mind going back and trying something else on the menu because, you guessed it, I wasn't impressed with their lobster roll.

The Lobster Roll
Mayo, lemon, chive, New England roll
$28

Like many I've disliked, at first glance, it looked so yummy. Lettuce-less and full of lightly mayo'd lobster, I happily dove in. And unhappily forced myself to finish... The main problem with this lobster roll was the temperature of the meat – it was ICE cold. So cold that it gave the lobster a slimy texture that did not work for me.

I honestly never in my life thought I would have complaints on the temperature of lobster meat. It didn't necessarily taste frozen, but it appeared that were keeping the crustacean on ice... lots and lots of ice. When I think back, I kind of roll my eyes at myself because holy crap, am I that much of a lobster snob that I need to have it at an optimum temperature to not bitch and whine about it? I was so distracted by it that I didn't even really grumble about the bready roll which I also sort of hated.

Also, can we just talk about the price? You've got to be pretty full of yourself to charge $28 for a mediocre lobster roll. Geez, even Red's Eats doesn't charge that much and if you've been there, you know what I'm talking 'bout. I now direct my eye-rolling at the person who sets the pricing on this menu. It was a rare occasion that I would've been happy for a "Market Price" tag.

Now that spring is here, expect to see more here on the blog. And hopefully, I'll have some kick-ass lobster rolls this season that blow my socks off! As per usual, if you have a favorite I should add to my list, let me know!

Cornish Lobster Roll: Bay Haven Lobster Pound

I don't know what's wrong with me. Maybe I've had too many lobster rolls. Maybe I've had too many sub-par lobster rolls. Whatever it is, it's starting to get me down. I'm in need of a winning streak – and every time I have a less than stellar lobster roll, I have to go somewhere I know I'm going to always get a good one – like a cleanse.

You might think... how hard could it be? Cook the lobster, pick the lobster, put picked lobster on a grilled hot dog roll and voila, it's done. Well, I can attest that the lobster roll is a complicated friggin' art form. It's not as easy as it looks and not everyone can do it. Case in point - Bay Haven Lobster Pound in Cornish, Maine.

I know what you're thinking – it's my own damn fault for traveling to Cornish for a lobster roll – but we've heard things about this restaurant from many people. The food supposedly good and plentiful. Plentiful, yes... good, well, that's debatable. I had high hopes for this roll because it was only $14. Practically free!

But alas, as soon as it arrived in front of me I knew it was going to be a dud. That piece of lettuce was wedged in there so tightly, there was no removing it without dismantling the entire roll. And while the lobster didn't taste bad exactly, the pieces were too big and chewy and we all know how I feel about having to gnaw off bites of my lobster like a damn wolverine. The only thing they got right was the toasted bun.

In addition to the lobster roll, I also gave their lobster stew a try. This is my second favorite lobster dish to try everywhere I go. The standard is high considering I haven't found anyone to even come close to the deliciousness of a piping hot bowl of DiMillo's lobster stew. And Bay Haven fell short. The broth was bland, lacking the buttery goodness of the stew champion. The lobster was almost all claw meat and tasted slightly overdone.

All in all, the trip to Cornish was pretty disappointing. The other members of my party weren't overly impressed with their meals either. Oh well... you win some, you lose some. Just seems like I've been on the losing end quite a bit this year.

Bernard Lobster Roll: Thurston's Lobster Pound

It's a raw and crummy day so let's reminisce about nicer weather back in September when I was lucky enough to dine at Thurston's Lobster Pound in Bernard, Maine. If you're not familiar with Bernard, it's just south of Acadia National Park on the opposite side of Bass Harbor.

We had never heard of Thurston's and it was definitely not on our radar for someplace to eat during this trip. But in our search for sustenance, this one kept popping up on the interwebs so what the hell... What the hell, indeed! When we pulled into the parking lot at 5:30pm, there was already a line way out the door. I think that's a sign of good food so we didn't mind waiting.

While we waited outside, it was fun to see the employees pop out to the back steamer and throw in numbered bags filled with lobster and steamers and corn. But I already had my eye on the lobster roll. Weird, right? I ordered the Jumbo Lobster Roll for $24.49 – filled to the brim with our famously fresh, handpicked lobster meat. We lightly toss those claws, tails, and knuckles with mayo and pile them on a grilled bun with a bed of lettuce. No fancy stuff necessary. Available in two sizes. (Don't forget a fork for the big one.)

At first glance, I was a little disappointed in the roll vs. lobster ratio (and I definitely wasn't going to need that fork.) The roll looked gigantic and it seemed that maybe there could've been just a little more meat – I'm a fan of the overflowing lobster roll. I also don't appreciate it when the ends of the bun are naked. And the lettuce (ugh)... at least that was easy enough to pluck out.

When I finally took a bite, I was surprisingly pleased. The meat was sweet, salty and tender, with bite-sized pieces, very little mayo and a nicely toasted bun. It came with chips too. I do think it could have been more "jumbo" then it was.

All in all, this was a pretty cool place right on Bass Harbor. (They also serve wine and beer.) But if you're interested in giving it a try, you'll have to wait until the spring – they're now closed for the winter. Maybe if I wasn't a lazy asshole, I could've gotten the review written before the snow fell.

Stonington Lobster Roll: Stonecutters Kitchen

Geez, I almost forgot about writing about my most recent lobster rolls... which at this point, were a month ago. But that's what happens to my brain in October when the Red Sox are pounding their way through postseason opponents... I forget things.

In September, we took a trip up to the beautiful boat building burg of Brooklin, Maine. It's one of those peninsulas that I had never been to so we made the most of the surrounding areas like Deer Isle, Stonington, and Blue Hill. It's an absolutely magnificent area and if the internet was a tad more reliable, I could see myself living up there.

I had already picked our lunch spot for the first day – a little place in Penobscot called Bagaduce Lunch. I've read about it on "best lobster roll" lists and heard it was really good. Guess what? It was closed. I nearly murdered everyone in the car! So then I thought we could go to the Stonington Ice Cream Company – another place recommended for their lobster rolls – but I was overruled due to their limited menu. Dumb. 😡😡😡

Alas... we ended up at a place on the water called Stonecutters Kitchen & Harbor View Store. It's a restaurant and convenience store all rolled into one. I ordered the lobster roll. Surprise, surprise. I got The Classic Lobster Roll served with chips and a pickle for Market Price which was just a mere $14. At first glance, I found it mildly disappointing. It appeared small and skimpy. But I will say it tasted pretty good – I just needed two of them. Maybe three. The meat was sweet and tender, tossed lightly with mayo, and the bun was toasted nicely. Other than the size, it was a pretty ok roll.

I'm not going to rush back to this restaurant but I would love to go back to Deer Isle and Stonington again to try some of the other lobster rolls this place has to offer. I'm guessing I'm missing out on some real tasty secrets!

Harpswell Neck Lobster Roll: Estes Lobster House

Harpswell, Maine is one of those towns I just love to explore but don't get there enough. Seems that whenever we find ourselves up that way, we always hang a left and head to Orrs Island – pulled by the promises of great food (especially the lobster rolls) and amazing desserts at Morse's Cribstone Grill.

So this one Saturday, my lobster roll hunting co-pilot for the day suggested we explore some of the hidden gems of Harpswell – and who am I to turn down that kind of adventure? I would love to tell you all about those hidden gems, but then the secret would be out and, well, if you don't know about them already then you'll just have to use your imagination. But you know... exploring off-the-beaten-path beaches really works up an appetite!

Estes Lobster House is a place I've probably passed a dozen times in various trips to this part of the state but never stopped. It's literally on a strip of Harpswell Neck Road that might be 100 feet from water on one side to water on the other side. It's a great location with a spectacular view and it's been around since 1947! The restaurant is situated so that if you're sitting outside on the patio in the evening, you'll (hopefully) be treated to a stunning sunset.

Estes has been on my mental list of places to try a lobster roll so I figured, hell, I'm already here... let's give it a shot. The menu describes their offering... Fresh Lobster Roll - Hand-picked lobster meat lightly mixed with mayo on a toasted oversized roll.
(Comes with fries OR coleslaw) $20.99

The first red flag was "toasted oversized roll." This scared me just a tiny bit because, to me, that phrase just screams "brioche!" And just because I had ONE good experience with the brioche style roll, I'm not all in (or even really partially in) on these doughy monsters. Strike one... this thing was so bready and giant, I wanted to cry. Just look at the picture and tell me you don't think that is just waaaay too much bread.

Ok... next step... let's see how the lobster tastes. It was lightly dressed with mayo so that's nice and the lobster tasted pretty good. Unfortunately, there just wasn't enough of it to overtake the bread. And as I got to the end, there were some pieces of my lobster that tasted a slightly slimy which made me gag just a little. Maybe that was a result of the heavy ratio of claw meat in the roll? I dunno... it was weird.  The coleslaw was great though...

A part of me wants to go back to Estes to try some fried seafood or something else on their menu. It's such a cool spot and the place is like a complete throwback inside... something tells me that they need another chance to impress me. So don't shun it just because the lobster roll wasn't great!

Peaks Island Lobster Roll: The Inn On Peaks Island

One recent sweltering Sunday, we found ourselves trying to beat the heat by heading out into Casco Bay. We boarded a packed car ferry and set sail for Peaks Island where we rented bikes and rode around the island for an hour. (FYI: It wasn't much cooler than the mainland.) You know what riding bikes does (besides making me feel incredibly old and out of shape)? It works up an appetite!

We decided on The Inn On Peaks Island for lunch and were happy to have a table inside out of the heat. It's not a bad little place although the beer selection leaves a little to be desired. I was excited to see they had a lobster roll special, and despite my tendency to steer clear of lobster rolls that aren't a regular menu item, I ordered it! I mean how hard is it to construct a lobster roll? You'd be surprised how easy it is for a place to suck at it.

The Inn on Peaks sucks at a lobster roll. I didn't even need to taste it to come to that conclusion. For $18, I expect a little more than a fistful of lobster on my bread. I also expect that if you're going to jip me on said lobster, why don't you at least try to spread it out to cover the whole hot dog bun so it looks like... well, not like the picture. When it arrived in front of me, I almost asked the waiter if he was serious. But I'm pretty sure he was since he didn't apologize for it or offer to bring more lobster.

And that's not even the whole story. If you've been a loyal reader of this blog, you know I like my buns buttery and toasted. This one was the opposite of that. One side looked like it may have brushed against a hot surface at some point, but the other side was basically cold. I was confused. Was the kitchen staff drunk? Suffering from heat stroke? Eating hallucinogenics? Pissed off about life in general? Whatever is going on in your life, I think you should take a certain amount of pride in building a respectable lobster roll in Maine. This one was clearly made by a four-year-old with a broken arm and an attitude problem.

The only one tiny little bright spot in this experience was the taste of that tiny blob of lobster. It was lightly dressed with an herbed mayo and the meat tasted fresh and tender. It had real potential. The meat is half the battle – once you've perfected that, the rest is gravy.

Disappointed, we headed back to the dock to wait for the ferry home where we were entertained by Reggae Sunday amateurs that were so drunk by 2:30 in the afternoon, they needed to be escorted home. Nothing like standing in line to board the boat, wondering if you're out of the splatter zone in case they hurl.

West Commercial Lobster Roll: Clam Digger Restaurant

Every once in a while something sneaks up on you and surprises the shit out of you when you least expect it. And that's what happened the day I visited the newly dubbed Clam Digger Seafood Restaurant at the west end of Commercial Street on the outskirts of Portland's famed Old Port. You see... I drive by this establishment five mornings a week on my way to work. For the last million years or so, it has been a little run down shack called Benny's and as uninviting as it has always looked, I had this deep urge to try their lobster roll.

Over the past several months, I noticed some changes happening at the old Benny's – some improvements, some new picnic tables with nice umbrella's, some sprucing up of the old shack – and lastly, a new sign calling the upgrade Clam Digger. I was intrigued, to say the least. So one sunny lunchtime, I grabbed my favorite lunch buddy and headed on down to investigate.

Naturally, I ordered the lobster roll. Duh. The prices were reasonable for downtown Portland - the lobster roll alone was $19.99 and I upgraded with fries and coleslaw for an extra couple bucks. The next time I go back, I'll know that I don't even remotely need the fries and coleslaw – it was just too much food! (My lunch date didn't even finish her lobster roll! *insert surprised face emoji here*

Remember that thing I said about things sneaking up on you and surprising you? When I got my lobster roll, three things stuck out to me – things I generally despise when it comes to my lobster roll – the dreaded brioche roll, lettuce and big giant chunks of lobster. My hopes dimmed... I really wanted this place to be awesome.

So let's discuss...

First, the roll. The brioche... wasn't half bad. It actually didn't taste as briochey as I've had in the past and it was buttered up and grilled delightfully – I actually liked the damn thing. Yeah, I'm surprised too.

Second, the lettuce. A big leafy piece of lettuce was gently placed in the side so it was easily plucked out without dismantling the whole damn roll. Yay for garnishy lettuce!

And third, the big lobster chunks. This lobster was cooked to near perfection. Each chuck easily bit through without pulling a big piece off and into my lap. I was impressed. My only complaint would be the claw piece where the tip tasted a bit chalky but I'm not going slam them too hard for that. I've found that to be pretty common.

While I was eating this roll, I noticed that the mayo was applied directly to the roll and not mixed in with the lobster – something I'd never experienced but kinda liked. I also noticed that because of the amount of lobster in this thing, the beefier brioche roll was welcomed to hold it all together. Overall, I was quite pleased with the experience. The fries and cole slaw were tasty too... just too much!

According to the folks who waited on us, they hope to soon expand the business to include lobster bakes and live music at some point down the road. I'm glad someone is finally putting that place to good use and I hope people give them a shot! If you do... let me know what you thought.

Mile Road Lobster Roll: Billy's Chowder House

It all started innocently with a relative sharing a link to Billy's Chowder House to my Facebook page, complete with a yummy looking lobster roll. This then morphed into, "hey, let's meet there for lunch!" I mean really... did anyone think I could see a photo of a yummy lobster roll and not want to eat said lobster roll? So we did meet for lunch and it was fun and it was delicious! All four generations represented that afternoon enjoyed delicious meals, great company, and sparkling conversation.

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!

Kennebunkport Prelude Lobster Roll: Alisson's Restaurant & Pub

For the past few years, I've been trying to get down to see the Nubble Lighthouse in York all lit up for Christmas. Stuff happens and life gets in the way and I would always end up missing the window. But the stars aligned this holiday season and we found a Sunday evening to venture down south to see the lighthouse... and apparently so did every other human in the state. With a layer of fresh snow beckoning, the place was packed with hopeful photographers eager to get that perfect shot.

Lighthouses make me happy. Lighthouses decked in white lights make me downright giddy. So despite the cold weather and frigid wind, we hung out and snapped pics as the sky continued to darken. And behind us, the sky turned a brilliant orange as the sun disappeared. And then I was hungry.

We headed up Route 1 passing through quaint coastal town after quaint coastal town brilliantly decorated for the holidays. It was a lovely drive that found us making the right hand turn and heading into a quiet Kennebunkport to find a place to grab some dinner. We ended up at Alisson's Restaurant & Pub where a lively crowd had gathered and football graced every television screen.

After careful review of the menu, I settled on the Famous Maine lobster Roll. Duh. Mounds of Maine lobster lightly mixed with mayo in a grilled roll, served with french fries, coleslaw or deviled-egg potato salad for $19.95. When my meal arrived, I was quite pleased to see it served in a jumbo hot dog bun (that could've been toasted just a tad more) with a respectable amount of lobster meat. But that's where my pleasure ended. Sadly the potato salad was the best part of my dinner.

I'm not exactly sure what the problem was. The lobster meat didn't taste that great. It definitely wasn't a case of too much mayo or frozen lobster meat. It just tasted off. Well... not off enough that I didn't finish the sandwich, but it was definitely not making any headlines for me. I know there was fresh lobster available since I watched my husband devour the twin lobster special. (Or maybe the fresh lobster was reserved just for that special.) Dunno... it was a real head scratcher for me.

Newly Year-round Lobster Rolls: Bite Into Maine & Highroller Lobster Co.

When I began this lobster roll noshing adventure, it was my goal to only write one review per establishment. That was before the food truck/cart folks started opening brick and mortar operations and completely throwing my plan off its rocker. And when some of your favorite seasonal lobster rolls are now available year-round, that calls for a celebration... and a blog post.

As you may remember, Bite Into Maine was one of my favorite lobster rolls from last summer. With food trucks at Portland Head Light and Allagash Brewing, they've made the top of numerous lobster roll lists. When I heard they were opening a small place on Route 1 in Scarborough, I might have done my best Michael Flatley performance. (Hint: I probably looked more like a toddler standing on hot coals.)

Their spot on Route 1 is diminutive. With about enough seating for maybe a dozen diners, this location definitely lacks the capacity to handle summer crowds. Luckily they're not planning on giving up the food trucks anytime soon. The menu for the Scarbrough location has a few additions like Lobster Grilled Cheese ($11.95) and a Lobster BLT ($11.95). But they also stay true to the lobster rolls offered at the two food truck locations. During this visit, I decided to switch up my order and got the Maine Style with light mayonnaise and fresh chives ($17.95). As expected, it was friggin' delicious!

Now if that wasn't exciting enough for you, Highroller Lobster Co. has also graduated from food cart to a full blown restaurant on Exchange Street in Portland. The thought of being able to stuff that taco cheese crisp lobster roll thingy in my pie hole whenever I feel like it makes me ridiculously happy. (Cue more spazzy dancing.) And for that reason, I was excitedly there for lunch on the day they opened. It's a cool place. Lots of red and white with a big wooden lobster and a lot of amazing neon. Oh and a pretty killer and ever evolving beer list.

I thought about trying something different on that opening day menu. A traditional lobster roll perhaps? Maybe a Lobby Pop? It was tempting, but each time I read the menu description of that damn Lobster Cheese Crisp Taco ($17), I just couldn't pull the trigger on anything else. I mean it's cheese, it's lobster, it's avocado... it's ridiculous and delicious.

So go forth and be free of the seasonal and weather dependent food truck/cart and eat your lobster rolls or tacos or pops in rain, sleet or snow!