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.

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!