Sea Salt Lobster in Saco, ME: Back in the Saddle Again!

Dear loyal readers... well hello again! After a bit of a lobster roll reviewing hiatus (2+ years... yikes), I'm back! I'm definitely not saying I haven't had a lobster roll in over two years, but of the three I ate in the summer of 2021, only one really warranted a review so I'll be going back to Erika's Seafood in Harpswell to get a do-over of what I remember to be a phenomenal roll. And we all remember the lobster prices during the summer of 2022 - I think I may have had only one last year. You honestly can’t be any more disappointed in me than I already am in me.

The new and improved lobster roll reviewer in me has decided to let go of many of my pet peeves in 2023 and just eat the damn lobster roll as it is served to me. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll order some of those not-so-traditional types and see what happens. So give me lettuce if you must… but just know, I still draw a hard line at celery. Celery will never belong in a lobster roll. NEVER.

On Saturday, I headed down to Sea Salt Lobster on Route 1 in Saco for lunch. Sea Salt opened in 2015 and according to the website, they're a modern take on Maine's Lobster Shack. The menu offers tastes ranging from traditional lobster and crab rolls to fried seafood options to burgers.

Sea Salt offers five different lobster rolls - each served with a choice of fries or house-made seasoned potato chips and cole slaw. Market Price was $30. We all know how I feel about “Market Price” but it’s become so common lately, it’s hard to fault a place for doing it.

Saco: Mixed with mayo with iceberg lettuce

OOB: Warm mixed with butter

Town Line: Mixed with mayo topped with melted butter served with iceberg lettuce

Biddeford Pool: Mixed with mayo, bacon, lettuce and tomato

Kennebunkport: Mixed with cilantro lime aioli with red pepper pickled cabbage, Pico de Gallo, and cajun

I ordered the Town Line because if you offer me mayo AND butter, I’m going to pick that option every single time! It was pretty damn decadent. The buttery, perfect grill on the New England-style hot dog roll immediately made my mouth water. And yes, there was lettuce, but not a ton and it was shredded and did not act as a filler. The lobster was prepared well and tossed in mayo and then doused in more butter. If there’s enough butter present so it’s basically running down my arm as I eat the roll, that is a good day! I went with the house-made chips which were delicious, and my lunch date said the fries were great too!

Sea Salt is a cute little restaurant with a good selection of beer, wine, and cocktails and a great spot for lunch or dinner. Next time I might have to try the Biddeford Pool because, well, BACON! 

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!

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?

Birch Harbor Lobster Roll: The Pickled Wrinkle

Most people think of Bar Harbor or Southwest Harbor or Mt. Desert Island when they think of Acadia National Park, but we recently found ourselves in the Winter Harbor neck of the Acadia area on the Schoodic Peninsula which is also part of the park. More specifically, we journeyed to Gouldsboro, the home of Birch Harbor – wow, there are a lot of harbors in play here! And Birch Harbor is the home of a restaurant called The Pickled Wrinkle. Yeah... you read that right.

You're probably asking yourself the same thing we did – what the hell is a pickled wrinkle? Well, according to the sign on our table, people must ask this question 5,467,389 times per day because it's thoroughly explained.

Wrinkles are large carnivorous sea snails also known as whelks. They are pickled and referred to locally as pickled wrinkles. Unlike periwinkles, which inhabit tidal zones, wrinkles are larger and inhabit areas below the tide line. Lobster fishermen find wrinkles in traps they haul from the ocean floor. In tough times, wrinkles helped to feed hungry Maine families. Pickling was a great way to preserve the protein-packed morsels. Nowadays, wrinkles are a Downeast Maine delicacy.

Your next question probably will be, did I actually try the pickled wrinkle? Sadly my answer is no. I'm sorry to say that I'm just not that adventurous with my cuisine. But this isn't a snail blog so I guess I'm ok!

I normally don't eat lobster rolls that aren't a regular menu item. If it's on the specials board, it's most likely off my list. Honestly, I could kick myself for my ordering choices, but I clearly was on a mission to eat a bunch of lobster rolls while on my mini vacation. This one was just....... meh. Edible but not fantastic.

Bready is the first adjective that comes to mind. Every time a lobster roll shows up in front of me swaddled in a brioche roll, I want to bash my head against the table. Over and over and over again. I'm not saying that I haven't had a couple brioche rolls that I actually liked, but the probability of me hating it is always very high. Thumbs down on this bready beast.

The lobster had no distinguishing taste. It wasn't sweet, it wasn't salty, it was just, well, meh. I feel like the mayo it was mixed with was its most prominent flavor. Overall, this lobster roll served only to fill my belly so I didn't starve to death on the way home. For that purpose only, it succeeded. I can't even remember how much the damn thing cost, that's how small of a connection I had with it.

The highlights of the experience? The restaurant itself was pretty cool and I probably would've been happier with something non-lobster. No stupid lettuce and the tater tots were amazing. More restaurants should consider serving tots over fries. Who doesn't love this perfect potato package? Oh, and I got a t-shirt too because they were pretty awesome!

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...

Portland Pier Lobster Roll: Luke's Lobster

If there was a lobster roll that topped my list to try this summer, it was Luke's Lobster lobster roll. The new location has been the talk of the town since the announcement last winter, with the 60 Portland Pier location marking Luke's first full-service and largest restaurant of his 40 global locations.

Not familiar with Luke Holden? He's a Cape Elizabeth native with lobster in his blood. A 25-year-old investment banker living in NYC, he was homesick for Maine and a good 'ol traditional lobster roll. And God knows you can't get anything even close to that in the Big Apple. Those big city folk try too hard to dress that shit up with too much mayo and lettuce and celery (oh, the horror!) and fancy bread. So what the hell... Luke just decided to make his own. His first lobster shack opened in the East Village in 2009 and he charged $14 per roll, while others were charging an arm and a couple legs – typical NYC... I could go on but I won't so Google him, he seems like a really interesting and clearly super smart guy.

So on to the task at hand. It was a Friday and a beautiful day in downtown Portland so I grabbed a couple coworkers and headed down to the Pier excited for my first Luke's experience... Damn. No expense was spared in the construction of this restaurant. The location at the end of the pier offers spectacular views of Casco Bay in just about every direction. Part of me was slightly disappointed that we couldn't get a seat on the (somewhat smallish) deck; while the other part of me was relieved not to have to fight off any thieving seagulls.

We were seated immediately – something I'm sure doesn't happen during the dinner rush – in a very bright, window-filled dining room with killer views. (Here's my official plea for Luke's to please please please offer reservations for dinner!) I didn't really peruse the entire menu once I found my choices for lobster rolls so I really have no idea what else they offer.

Lobster Roll: Classic or Jumbo - $20/$26
Claw and knuckle meat lightly dressed with mayo and butter (or something like that)

I went with the Jumbo. Because I'm a pig and I want ALL the lobster.

Much to my dismay, the presentation of my lobster roll did not make a great first impression – just laying there all splayed out in its little basket. The lobster looked shiny and a little weird. But I refused to make any snap judgments because this was Luke's and how the hell could someone be this successful making sucky lobster rolls.

Guess what? This lobster roll did not suck. It was pretty far from sucking.

The traditional split top roll that is so crucial to my happiness was buttered and toasted. Yay. The lobster meat was claws and knuckles, which if cooked properly can be just as enjoyable as a lobster roll with tail meat included – look at me evolving! And yes, every bite of that lobster was so sweet and delicious, I didn't want it to end. My mouth waters just writing this blog post. The combination of light mayo AND melted butter is now my new favorite thing in the world and needs to happen on every future lobster roll I eat. There was no stupid lettuce or anything else that could be construed as needless filler. It comes with chips and a pickle too!

If I had one complaint – and you knew it was coming – I'd say it was the price. The lobster roll in the photo was $26. I'm familiar with what $26 can get me and it's a lot more lobster than this. See the obnoxiously overflowing roll at Red's Eats in Wiscasset (although that pile of lobster also comes with a painful hour plus wait in line.) So yeah... add more lobster to the jumbo and I'll be less whiny.

Overall, I'll recommend this place in a heartbeat. The location, the food, the atmosphere – all top notch. It's a touch expensive but then again Portland IS a foodie town!

Fore Street Lobster Roll: Maine Lobster Shack

The Maine Lobster Shack opened last summer on Fore Street in Portland, a few doors down from the Five Guys (or for you old folks like me, where the Blue Moon used to be!!) I've been wanting to try it since I first heard about it but could never seem to get my lazy ass in gear – until a few days ago when I finally made it! I walked in at lunchtime and immediately got nervous at the lack of other customers. Ohhhhh crap... what had I gotten myself (and my lunch companions) into? I'm hoping it's just a lack of knowledge causing the emptiness.

The first thing I noticed was the beer list because that's usually my first order of business. They get extra points for having a sour on tap - Oxbow's Moon Rocks - which was delicious, by the way!

And then I started in on the menu. They offer three different Lobster Rolls:

Maine Lobster Roll - $19
Lobster meat mixed with mayo, a hint of celery, lemon, salt & pepper.
"Hint of celery" – WTF? I almost got up and walked out.

Brown Butter Lobster Roll - $19
Warm lobster meat w/ brown butter.
No way – I've been burned by the promises of brown butter before so unless your restaurant name begins with Even and ends in Tide, cut the shit.

Umami Lobster Roll - $21
Lobster meat, smoked oyster kewpie, crispy shallots, lemon zest.
I'm sorry, come again? Kewpie? WHAT THE HELL IS KEWPIE? All I could picture was little creepy doll heads staring up at me from my plate. Pass.

I decided to go with the Maine Lobster Roll and in an unprecedented move since I started blogging about lobster rolls, I asked them to leave that evil celery off. Normally, I'd just grin and bear it and then completely chastise them for it, but I just friggin' hate celery. So I told the waitress that putting celery on a lobster roll is sacrilege and to tell whoever was making these rolls they should never put celery on them... ever. If you take a look at their website, it actually says "Welcome to the Way Rolls Should Be" which made me roll my eyes so far back into my head, I'm pretty sure I saw my brain. Celery is for amateurs.

The celery incident caused dread to fill every crevice of my soul as I wondered if this thing could possibly be any good... And then it arrived. I inspected the roll – possibly brioche but buttered and grilled to my standards. The lobster meat was plentiful, although all claws and knuckles which sometimes isn't a good thing. If you don't cook those lobsters right, the tips of the claws get all chalky tasting which can seriously torpedo a perfectly good sandwich. As for the dressing, light mayo, chives and a dusting of lemon zest rounded out this Maine Lobster Roll.

I squeezed my eyes shut and dove in, not sure what to expect. On the outside, it looked like a tasty offering. And guess what? It WAS! The brioche roll was not overpowering and the amount of lobster was enough to offset any breadiness. The lobster was properly cooked and flavorful with no chalky claw tips (bonus!) The dressings were subtle and the addition of the lemon zest was an enjoyable surprise.

Honestly, if you're looking for a really good, traditional lobster roll in Portland's Old Port, this is the best one I've had so far! (For those of you who are rolling your eyes because I didn't say it was Eventide, I said "traditional.") Give 'em a try... the fries are good too!

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!

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!

#1 Beer Bar in the World Lobster Roll: Ebenezer's Pub

One does not generally visit a pub once named by Beer Advocate as the #1 Beer Bar in the World for a lobster roll. And I didn't either. I just happened to stumble upon one by mistake in my quest to imbibe in some tasty beer. I'm not sure anyone goes to Ebenezer's Restaurant and Pub in Lovell, Maine for anything other than their ridiculous beer list. And I can attest... it was RIDIC! Double-sided tap list of some serious stuff you can't get anywhere 'round here. As well as a buttload of cans and bottles that we didn't even get into.

First, let's get through the beer. Had I not been driving and had someone designated to cart my drunk ass around, I could've stayed at this place for hours and hours sampling the sours they had to offer. Although it would've most certainly drained my bank account because this stuff is not cheap. I opted for the Alvinne/Lauger ICH BIN EIN BERLINER FRAMBOOS - Raspberry Berliner Weiss. A collaboration beer brewed with rye, wheat, aged in oak with raspberries for a year. That damn glass of beer was $15! Worth it though.

When I finally made it to the menu, I was surprised and intrigued to find a lobster roll. A lobster roll that claimed to be made with the meat of a WHOLE LOBSTER. Before Red's in Wiscasset, I would've found this to be exciting... now I just expect that's the minimum that's going to be on a roll. There is indeed a whole lobster on this roll and you can tell because they keep all the parts whole. The giant lobster parts were tossed with mayo and served on a traditional toasted roll with a little bit of lettuce on the bottom. They give you a choice of either fries or coleslaw and charge you $24.95.

I think you might know where I'm going with this. If you even know me a little, you can guess that while I was happy to be served a lobster roll with the meat of a whole lobster, I would very much prefer that the lobster is not in GIANT CHUNKS! I had to reassemble that damn roll about a dozen times while eating it because those big pieces just don't like to stay in their bun. Lucky for them, the lobster itself didn't suck because I would've made me very angry. The lettuce was stupid and the mayo just a touch heavy, but overall it tasted pretty good. The slaw was tasty too!

To finish off my visit to Ebenezer's, and because it was my birthday, I also enjoyed a traditional Belgian waffle with chocolate sauce and ice cream. If you get just one thing to eat at this joint, get the waffle. It was glorious! But definitely try lots of beer. Beer is good.

Yarmouth Brewery Lobster Roll: Brickyard Hollow

These days you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a cool new local craft brewery in Maine. For us beer lovers, that's a good thing! Brickyard Hollow in Yarmouth opened their doors in late June and if the traffic is consistent with what I saw the night I was there, they're doing a booming business. It helps if you're brewing good beer AND serving good food! 

On the night I dined at the Hollow, I felt lucky to find myself two seats at the bar because it was packed. The atmosphere is neat – just like most breweries nowadays – with both indoor and outdoor seating options. The beer selection isn't the largest, but they're still new and I'm sure will continue to add more options – I tried the Kolsh and then opted for a guest tap - Banded Brewing's Wicked Bueno (if you care!)

As usual, I was excited to see a lobster roll on the menu and as usual, I couldn't resist. Plus the waiter assured me there was a lot of lobster in the roll – more than at his other job at Diamond's Edge. (Note to self: Don't order the lobster roll at Diamond's Edge.) Even though I was skeptical at the brioche roll and the price tag of "Market Price," I pulled the trigger. 

Lobster Roll

Maine lobster roll, lettuce, mayonnaise, brioche bun, french fries ~ Market Price

If I could make an angry face emoji in a blog post, I totally would because FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, would you just put a damn price on the menu! It was $19 by the way... 😡 (oh wait, I can.)

Overall the roll was pretty tasty. The lobster was fresh, cooked well and flavorful. The light mayo coupled with a squeeze of lemon made for a tasty treat. While I had a good brioche experience recently at The Clam Digger, this one left me feeling over breaded. The base of the roll was thick and overpowering. PLUS... not only did they add the dreaded lettuce, but it was shredded and that shit is impossible to remove without deconstructing the whole damn roll. 

The lobster roll came with just fries and a pickle. The fries were absolutely delicious! They were like steak fries but thinner and cooked well done – so almost like a combination between a fry and a chip. I'd go back for the fries alone! And pickles are useless. Don't even bother putting it on my plate.

Check out Brickyard Hollow – if even just for the beer. But I hear the other food is pretty good too!

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.

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!

Cribstone Lobster Roll: Morse's Cribstone Grill

The season for lobster rolls is sadly winding down and soon many on my list of places to try will be closed for the winter despite the unseasonably warm weather we've been having this October. I'm starting to feel as sense of urgency as I try to make it an even 30 lobster rolls for 2017. I need just three more!

For years, we made trips to the Bailey Island to visit Cook's Lobster House and every time, we drove right past Morse's Cribstone Grill. We talked about it, wondered about it but never stopped there until a few years ago. Now, this family-owned place that sits right on the water just across the famous (and world's only) Cribstone Bridge, is an annual pilgrimage. The people, the views, and the food have never disappointed us. And the desserts are some of my favorites!

Lobster Roll -- Fresh Maine lobster meat cooked and picked in house, mixed with a light amount of mayo and served in a butter & grilled Maine hot dog bun. Served with chips and a pickle.

Let's just get it out in the open right now... this lobster roll is fantastic! I can honestly say I have no complaints. It's traditional, it's stuffed, it's tasty, it's perfect. If this one turns out to be my final of the season, I'll be pleased to end on such a high note. (Although I'm not entirely ready to say goodbye to the crustacean crusade just yet!)

Morse's serves their lobster roll the right way – on a traditional New England split top roll that is perfectly buttered and grilled. I know, I know... I was just talking about that cheesy taco crisp shell that I claimed to want everything served in, but when it comes down to a traditional lobster roll, I can't deny that this is the preferred way.

The roll was stuffed full of beautifully cooked lobster meat. It was fantastically salty with just a touch of mayonnaise – it makes my mouth water just writing about it. I'm not claiming it's the most lobster you'll get, but there was enough to make the sides of the roll bulge and damn, it was so flavorful!

And the price is right too! For $16 you get the lobster roll with chips and a pickle. I added a side of coleslaw (which was just average and I probably didn't need)... but then finished off the evening with one of their amazing desserts - strawberry shortcake in a jar! *slurp* I've also heard from a pretty reliable source that they have some of the best blueberry pie around.

As far as I know, they're closing October 9th but definitely put this one on your list for next summer.

Pine Point Lobster Roll: The Bait Shed

Bayley's Lobster Pound in Pine Point has been my go-to place for lobster rolls for over twenty-five years... basically, since I figured out I actually really liked lobster back in my early twenties. There was nothing better than stopping into the pound on my way to the beach to get one for lunch. The price was always so reasonable, the lobster roll huge. It's what summer is all about!

One summer, picnic tables appeared on the dock... order your roll and head out to sit on the dock overlooking the Scarborough River. And in 2012, they added a full-service bar and wait staff and The Bait Shed was born. A lot fancier than what I was used to, but I'm not afraid of change. It does get packed in the summer with its limited number of tables, but I always thought it was worth the wait.

This summer, I didn't visit The Bait Shed until after Labor Day. We decided to make a trip one gorgeous Wednesday afternoon in a really cool convertible! The low humidity, cooler temps and bright blue sky made it the perfect day for such a spot. And the Travel Channel just happened to be there filming an episode of Food Paradise so that was pretty cool.

Lobster Roll
house slaw • chips • pickle

While I'm usually a traditionalist when it comes to lobster rolls, I've always been a fan of the larger, more sub-like roll that The Bait Shed uses. Back in the day, you didn't get the option to have it toasted like they do now and it was still delish! However, this time I was slightly disheartened when my roll arrived in front of me. The bread to lobster ratio was lopsided making the roll look big and bready. It was very upsetting – we all know how I feel about high bread, low lobster content.

Our chariot for the day: 1941 Ford Super Deluxe

I stared down at a lobster roll that I have used as my standard for so long and felt a range of emotions highlighted by sadness. The lobster meat looked sparse in the oversized roll. But despite the insufficient amount, the lobster was some of the best tasting meat I've had all summer. The light mayonnaise didn't mask the natural flavors of the lobster – sweet and salty and delicious. If that lobster hadn't been as tasty as I've always remembered it to be, I probably would've burst into tears right there at the table.

The lobster roll comes with chips, cole slaw, and a pickle and has a very reasonable $17 price tag. There's a full bar and the Jones Creek lemonade is quite tasty and comes with your own collectible glass. The beer selection is fair but don't expect a wide range of craft brews. And on a nice day, you really can't beat the spot!

Award Winning Lobster Roll: Eventide Oyster Co.

I've hit a lot of restaurants in Portland's Old Port this summer and have been generally disappointed in the quality of the lobster rolls I've sampled. And then I went to Eventide. A fairly small restaurant on Middle Street in Portland, Eventide Oyster Co. is one of the busiest and best restaurants in town. Not that awards factor much into my decision on what restaurant to go to, but some may be impressed by their recent James Beard Award in the Best Chef: Northeast category.

If you've been following this blog regularly, you might have noticed that I'm a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to lobster rolls. Although every once in a while I've been known to step out of my comfort zone, take a walk on the wild side, and eat a lobster roll that doesn't look or taste like anything else I've had all summer. And that, my friends, is what you'll find at Eventide....

Eventide Brown Butter Lobster Roll

Eventide made brown butter cool before anyone even knew what brown butter was. Some have tried to mimic the mouth watering brown butter flavor... *cough* Foreside Tavern *cough*... and have failed miserably. I even set aside my recent declaration of "no more warm lobster" for this lobster roll and I don't regret it one bit.

The first thing you'll notice is the size. And that's probably my one (and only) complaint about the thing... when the server set the roll down in front of me, I immediately thought I could probably eat three or four of them. Seriously... why do you think there are two in the picture? They're too small to eat just one! But I'm willing to let the size issue go because that lobster roll is so amazing, you just want to hold it close and never let it go.

I'm even willing to overlook the fact that the bun is not a traditional New England split to roll. Nope, this fancy place serves their crustacean in a homemade steamed Asian-style bun. The first time I ordered one, I was convinced it was going to taste like crap. I was woefully wrong. Maybe it's because it's so different from the norm and that makes it okay... and intriguing... and a little bit adventurous. I can attest, it does not taste like crap!

And did I mention those miniature steamed buns are stuffed full of lobster which has been skillfully sauteed in the brown butter? I have no idea what else they add to the mixture and honestly, I don't care... because it's so decadent and delicious! The price is $15 for one lobster roll (no accoutrements included) and whoever can go there and just eat one is a bigger person than me.

If you read this blog post and decide you must go immediately, be prepared to wait. It's not a big place and there's usually a wait and when you do finally get a seat, you're most likely going to sitting right next to some stranger. They do take reservations but only for parties of six or more. Oh, and they have a pretty good beer list too!

Route One Lobster Roll: Day's Crabmeat & Lobster

Tucked along Route 1 in Yarmouth, Day's Crabmeat and Lobster sits on the banks of the Cousins River. I've driven by this place a gazillion times but this was the first time I actually stopped – having heard good things about their offerings. This particular Sunday, I had taken the dog over to Wolfe's Neck State Park for a little adventuring and was in desperate need of some sustenance so I swung in to see if they lived up to the hype.

Day's is a takeout window with outdoor seating out back that overlooks the river. It's not a bad little spot for being right on Route 1. I knew this was going to be a tricky feat to pull off with the leash of a less than agreeable bloodhound in one hand and my food in the other, but I was up for the challenge and I was hungry. The order is simple...

Day's Famous Lobster Roll.... market price
Day's fresh picked lobster, cut up and served on a grilled roll, with our without mayo and pickle.

The day I was there the market price was $14.99 which isn't a bad price at all! Once I got my roll and lemonade, the dog and I headed out back to find a picnic table away from the other diners so she wouldn't be tempted to make any unwanted visits to neighboring tables. I got all situated and ready to eat my lunch and realized I forgot my phone in the car and I needed to take a picture of this damn thing. So sadly, I ended up just eating in the car. Not very exciting for me or the dog.

Overall this lobster roll was okay... not fantastic, but not completely terrible. The traditional split top bun was nicely grilled and there was a good amount of lobster stuffed into it, but there was just too much mayo. The person who took my order never asked "with or without" mayo as it stated on the menu... I most certainly would've left the mayo off this one. Shame on me for not saying I didn't want the mayo. There were a few pieces of lobster that were a bit big and slightly too tough to easily bite through. But the price was right!

I'm not ruling Day's out for another visit. It's a cool little place and conveniently located and I'd really like to try it with no mayo... I think the amount of mayo on this roll was just too distracting. I think the next time I'll also visit sans dog.

Sheepscot Bay Lobster Roll: Five Islands Lobster Company

One of my favorite off the beaten path spots along the coast is Five Islands Lobster Co. in Georgetown. As you drive into Five Islands, at first you think, holy crap, am I driving down someone's driveway? But then you come up on the huge working lobster wharf and a sea of picnic tables and you think, holy Maine! Five Islands sits on Sheepscot Bay just as it opens up to the Gulf of Maine and is known as the "prettiest harbor in Maine." I would have to agree... it's pretty damn scenic.

There's not much better than sitting only feet from where your lobster is plucked from the ocean knowing that it hasn't been languishing in a tank for a few days. Not only can you get a lobster roll, but they serve up good old cooked (in salt water) lobsters and fresh locally dug steamer clams. On the day I was there, it was late afternoon and the third stop on a lobster roll filled day. It was fun to watch out-of-towners navigate the intricacies of extracting the meat from the reddened shell or how exactly to tackle those bewildering steamed clams. You almost want to just help them before they starve to death!

Lobster Roll
Freshest in Maine! We pick our own lobster meat daily, add just a touch of mayonnaise and serve it on a buttered grilled hot dog bun with lettuce.

Big Boy Lobster Roll
When you can't get enough, make it a Big Boy! We stuff twice the amount of lobster meat into a homemade potato roll for twice the fun!

Most of you would've guessed I went for the Big Boy – not this time (mostly because I was afraid of the potato roll)! This regular lobster roll was pretty good and definitely fresh. I enjoyed the briny flavor of a lobster picked directly from the ocean and cooked perfectly in salt water. While there wasn't a boat load of meat in this roll, the flavor of the lobster was delicious and the light mayonnaise was not overwhelming. Heck, I wasn't even sure mine had any mayo. And then there was that useless piece of lettuce that served no purpose at all and I'm just going to ignore. I really loved the salty lobster, but overall I think the rest of the sandwich could be improved.

The bun was weakly grilled – not buttery or golden brown. Since it says they serve it on a buttered grilled hot dog bun, I'm wondering if the butterer was asleep on the job that day. Five Islands charges $19 and serves the lobster roll with chips. You can pay extra for fries or onion rings but after three lobster rolls in one day, I was fine with the tiny pile of ruffled potato chips. The price wasn't too bad although, for a few dollars less, I'd go back to McLoon's every time!

Seating at Five Islands is plentiful but I found the picnic tables to be a little dirty and sticky. Like maybe they didn't have that one person who went out and wiped them down a few times during the day. Or maybe that person was sleeping on the job too. Also, if it's a hot day, there's not much for relief from the sun since there aren't many tables with umbrellas. They don't serve alcohol but you're welcome to BYOB!

I would still definitely give this one a thumbs up and say it's worth the short drive to Georgetown if only for that quintessential Maine view and the beauty of Sheepscot Bay. You could even swing in for some takeout and dine on the beach at Reid State Park just ten minutes away!

Perfect Lobster Roll Heaven: McLoon's Lobstah Shack

I think if I had to pick my favorite spot of the summer so far, it's McLoon's Lobstah Shack on Spruce Head Island in South Thomaston. When you hit the end of Island Road, you're treated to one of the most beautiful little spots – we were definitely blown away by this view. The family owned McLoon's is a small shack with a takeout window with the area's oldest working lobster wharf just next door. So you know these salt water critters have got to be the freshest!

The day we visited was picture perfect with a nice breeze and low humidity and thankfully McLoon's wasn't overly crowded. There's no actual indoor seating but they do have a tented area along with a selection of picnic tables with umbrellas and some without. We snagged the best spot they had to offer... a lone picnic table with an umbrella just to the right of the shack about as close to the water as they'll let you get. It's one of the few times I've found it acceptable to sit on the same side of the table as my fellow diner. But that view... there was no way you could sit with your back to it!

On this particular afternoon, McLoon's was the second of three lobster roll stops. When I told this to the girl who waited on me, she assured me theirs would be the best. The order here is simple...

Fresh Lobster Roll – A generous portion of sweet and tender tail and claw meat in a perfectly grilled roll with your choice of mayo or warm butter (or both!) Served with coleslaw, potato chips, and pickle

This lobster roll was definitely nothing fancy or flashy – just good ol' fashioned deliciousness. The bun was buttered and toasted to a golden brown. Seriously, that bread couldn't have been more perfectly prepared. I hadn't even taken a bite yet but could already tell I had something special in front of me.

McLoon's doesn't lie in their description of the lobster. While there wasn't the obscene amount of lobster like Red's, it was definitely a generous portion and it was sweet and fresh and just friggin' delicious! The roll comes with light mayo or butter or both and for the first time, I opted for both. My taste buds and I were both completely happy with that choice. The price is one of the lowest I've paid this year and for $16 you not only get one of the best lobster rolls you'll eat but cole slaw, chips and a pickle too!

And in case you're interested, McLoon's is a BYOB joint so don't forget your cooler. I asked earlier in the season if the view makes a lobster roll taste better. Not that this one needed any help, but it certainly didn't hurt... and man it sure does make it hard to leave that spot! Especially with a cooler of good beer sitting at the best table they have to offer.

Depending on traffic, McLoon's is an hour and forty minutes to two hours from Portland and makes for an excellent day trip up the coast. If you're crazy like me... make a couple lobster roll stops on your road trip! They're kind of like Chinese food and after you eat one, you're hungry for another an hour later.