Lobster Rolls in Maine

My Brother is going up to Maine for a few days tot attend a convention/seminar this week. Anybody in Maine or New Hampshire know of any good Lobster Rolls or Seafodd Restaurants?
 
Email me at Fygar778xlax@Yahoo.com

Although I'm not a huge lobster roll fan, the best I've had to date is at Red's Eats in Wiscasset. Be prepared to wait on line with all the other tourists. There won't be a local in sight. Most of the locals don't even eat lobster and if they do, it's usually at home.

Unfortunately, a lot of the lobster shacks that serve great lobster rolls (my personal favorite is Five Islands Lobster in Georgetown) are  still closed for the season.
 
Your brother might find a place or two in Ogunquit or thereabouts.  I believe the Maine Diner  in Wells is open year-round, and serves both hot and cold lobster rolls.  I've only been there once, but enjoyed it very much.
 
Suggest you do a search of the Restaurant database on this site, and you should find a few options. 

Reds and Five Island are both outstanding & worth their drive, although Five Island is seasonal.  The Lobster Pound in Lincolnville is another favorite, being a year round full service restaurant.  Maine dinner is very good, but they are better for blueberry pancakes than seafood.  Of course, Maine is a fairly large state, so you may want to narrow your preferred area.

 Reds is not open for the season yet, but up Rt 1 N from there across the bridge is the "Sea Basket" , I just read in my Lincoln County News that they will be opening Wed-Sun 11a-8p. 
Their lobster roll is a bit different from typical Maine lobster rolls, but still really good.  Maine shrimp season is winding down, they serve some tasty ones!

Enjoy

Bob's Clam Hut in Kittery has a pretty tasty lobster roll.

Is it true that MacDonald's serves them in Maine?

plb


Is it true that MacDonald's serves them in Maine?

I don't know about Maine, but I remember seeing them at McDonald's in Connecticut some 11 or 12 years ago.
 

McLobster:

Never had a bad lobster roll until last week at the Sea Basket in Wiscasset, ME.  It was served on a crusty roll - similar to a Portuguese roll.  How can anyone serve a lobster roll on anything by a buttered/toasted New England roll?

However, I did have two excellent crab meat rolls during that rip - one at the Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth and one in Boothbay Harbor (along with the best raspberry Pie I've ever had).  Unfortunately, I don't recall the name of the place, but it was before & on the opposite side of the street from the Tugboat Inn - about a block east - with pine seats / decor, facing the bay from across the street (southwest of the library).  

mjambro


Unfortunately, I don't recall the name of the place, but it was before & on the opposite side of the street from the Tugboat Inn - about a block east - with pine seats / decor, facing the bay from across the street (southwest of the library).  

 

http://www.kalers.com/

 

 

 

 

mjambro


Never had a bad lobster roll until last week at the Sea Basket in Wiscasset, ME.  It was served on a crusty roll - similar to a Portuguese roll.  How can anyone serve a lobster roll on anything by a buttered/toasted New England roll? 

 
Was there anything wrong with the roll itself other than its choice for a lobster roll?  I'm not so hidebound by tradition so I could eat such a sandwich if both the lobster and the roll were good.  Wondering because Sea Basket tends to get favorable reviews.

The lobster portion was fine, but half a lobster roll is the roll.   It was like having an excellent burger served on Wonder bread - some things just don't go well together.

At $15, it was a bit over priced (with a small bag of chips), especially considering I had to toss the roll.  My wife had their fried shrimp served with fries ( everything is fried, except the lobster roll).   Shrimp was OK & fries were a typically frozen item.  IMO, nothing special.   Their haddock chowder, however, was quite excellent.
  
Next time, it's back to Five Island Lobster Company (where we had originally planned to go) or Red's (both highly recommended).    Although not in the same area (about an hour apart), but as a comparison, we found Sea Basket to pale in comparison with the Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth (similar sea food shack).

I'll take a Lobster Roll at Reds over  Five Island. I tried the Lobster Roll at Five Island last year and was disappointed - HOWEVER- I'll take One Lobster fresh out of the shell at Market Price at Five Island over 5 Free Lobster Rolls at Red's any day of the week....

WJ,

I'm with you. While we've absolutely loved the lobster rolls at Red's on the many occasions we've had them, my wife and I now usually wait until we get to Belfast and go to Young's for 3 lb'ers.

The Clam Shack in Kennebunkport is our favorite - but we regret not driving up a little further to try Red's.   

Eat up! 

Not in Maine and not cold but in Ct.at the Clam Castle in Branford.
Had one on a hot toasted roll with melted butter last week
The Rhode Island stye clam chowder and birch beer went just right with it

With a much shorter wait, and an equally good lobster roll, the place directly across from Red's is a good bet. I can't recall the name, but it's a family-run al fresco spot, right on the water with parking right there. Worth a try and welcome when you don't want to wait in the Red's line.

But do they have real lobster rolls or just those cold thingies with lobster salad?

But stanpnepa, doesn't the Clam Shack serve its lobster rolls on hamburger buns? It's been several years since I've been there, but I remember being unimpressed at that time.  The lobster portion was scanty, too.
 
And I'm with Mr. Hoffman -- lobster salad rolls just aren't as good as the Connecticut style rolls, with chunks of lobster meat on a toasted roll with drawn butter on the side.
 
I'm hoping to be back in Connecticut during the second-to-last week in July, and can't wait. 
 
 

While not quite Maine, I had a most excellent lobster roll from Latitudes at Wentworth-by-the-Sea in New Castle, NH two weekends ago.  Perfect roll, bountiful meat, not too much mayo, and the sides were actually decent as well:



It was somewhat pricey ($19), but considering  that it had at least 50% more meat than most of the $13-$14 rolls I see around here, and was better quality, I was happy.

kaszeta-
What a gorgeous photo!  And I would have no problem paying $19.00 for that lobster roll.

I wouldn't pay two cents for it. Lobster salad on a bun?

Michael Hoffman


I wouldn't pay two cents for it. Lobster salad on a bun?

 That definitely wasn't lobster salad on my sandwich.  Chunks of lobster meat, a very slight bit of mayo, and a hint of salt and pepper.  Not the normal "shredded lobster with lots of mayo, onion, and celery" lobster salad that most places pass off. 

How about this unusual version of the lobster roll I was served at Abbott's Lobster in the Rough just a few days ago?

Unusual is the right word.

buffetbuster


How about this unusual version of the lobster roll I was served at Abbott's Lobster in the Rough just a few days ago?

Yeah, I've seen a few places serve up "rolls" on hamburger buns like this.  That just seems wrong to me.

buffetbuster,    what is holding the lobster together on that lobster roll?

kaszeta


While not quite Maine, I had a most excellent lobster roll from Latitudes at Wentworth-by-the-Sea in New Castle, NH two weekends ago.  Perfect roll, bountiful meat, not too much mayo, and the sides were actually decent as well:



It was somewhat pricey ($19), but considering  that it had at least 50% more meat than most of the $13-$14 rolls I see around here, and was better quality, I was happy.

I think I would like a tad more mayo mixed with mine. Even still it looks like heaven to me.

Being I've lived in a lot of places, Maine being one, now I just visit a lot.... There are a few places that stand out to me there... One being "Cook's Lobster House" on Route 24, in Bailey's Island, ME. Their calamari and lobster are superb, the atmosphere is perfect with all around water view. They are a bit pricey but every bit worth it.

The other place is "Anna's Water's Edge Restaurant" in Sebasco Estates, ME. It's a bit small, it is a cottage and a bit out of the way but beautiful location and worth the trip, prices are reasonable. Everything I've had was great.

Now if you want a place that is full of appearance, the "Taste of Maine" on route 1 in Woolwich, ME. They are more for show in my opinion but they do have some good things to chose from but it can be hit or miss, they do have the largest Lobster Roll in the world there... Their pasta and shrimp are delicious but you pay for the big atmosphere.

Now if you come to North Carolina it is much harder to find good seafood!!! On the coast, the "Outer Banks Brewing Station" in Kill Devil Hills, NC has a unique atmosphere (fine dining and the club scene after hours) Their service was excellent and the food and beverages uniquely splendid.
 
"Dirty Dick's Crab House" is a fun place to eat at and the food is great, the price is high on average for the area but the service is the best entertainment, a place you don't mind paying for the show, there are 3 locations scattered throughout the Outer Banks! But there is a place away from the coast that fully delivers as well!!!

If you are in the Triad Area of NC, try "The Seafood Shack" in Thomasville, NC. Their seafood is the freshest you can get inland, due to the owner's perfectionistic ways of wanting the best seafood possible. Everything is great but it is busy, so prepare to wait but with a friendly staff and worth it when you eat the food! You will feel like you are at the coast once you step in.

One last Seafood place to mention is going down to the Dirty south... if you are ever in the area of Thibodaux, LA‎ this quaint little place right around Raceland, LA is easy to remember its called "That Place", it might not look like much from the outside but it packs a big punch with the food and mix of new orleans tradition with coastal seafood. It is very affordable and if you never can decide on which place to go to eat at, just go to "That Place". You'll always be satisfied. Their hours are short but just come when their open. ha ha.

There are many other restaurants to die for that I have been to but those are the ones that are mainly Seafood oriented.