Portland Maine Twin Lobster Specials

I'm thinking of heading up to Portland Maine this weekend just for the helluvit depending on the weather. Does anyone of know of any TWIN LOBSTER deals in the Portland area? I'm willing to head as far South as Old Orchard Beach or as far North as Freeport. Thanks in advance!

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Originally posted by wanderingjew

I'm thinking of heading up to Portland Maine this weekend just for the helluvit depending on the weather. Does anyone of know of any TWIN LOBSTER deals in the Portland area? I'm willing to head as far South as Old Orchard Beach or as far North as Freeport. Thanks in advance!

The Ogunquit Lobster Pound Restaurant & Lounge on Rt 1 in Oqunquit has always had very reasonably priced twin lobster dinners on the menu when we have been there. (We normally went in late September).

There always seemed to be quite a few places between Ogunquit and Wells on Route 1 that had twin lobster dinner specials all the time but I do not remember the names. There is aways the Maine Diner for fantastic lobster pie just filled with great lobster meat. Happy hunting!

I don't know of specials. J's Oyster down on the water features really good rustic seafood and is, as I recall, pretty affordable.

WanderingJew, my friend, this is a tough one, but not impossible.
This time of year on the Maine coast, the lobsters are hard shell, and the tourist traffic is way down,due to the weather, which eliminates the "lobster in the rough" experience.
Most places cover their expenses by changing their menu pricing to "market price", in case bad weather and poor harvesting drives up the price-this way they can continue to make a profit.
The Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth http://lobstershack-twolights.com/appears closed for the season-no one answers the phone today. This is a people's choice winner in the local papers.
The local waterfront places, Boone's Restaurant and Demillo's http://www.dimillos.com/floatingrestaurant/map.html will offer classic sit down lobster meals right on Commercial St. (waterfront)in Portland.
Bayley's in Scarborough may only be serving lobster rolls http://www.bayleys.com/.
One of the guaranteed twin lobster special restaurants is the Cascade Inn, on Rt. 1 in Saco, but again, I am not sure about the specials, due to the offseason.http://www.cascade-inn.com/
An alternative suggestion is the Christmas Prelude Celebration in Kennebunkport [url]www.christmasprelude.com[/url]
In this area are many more lobster places that might be open-check out this page: http://www.thefishhousecapeporpoise.com/attractions.htm
The Wayfarer in Cape Porpoise serves homemade roast beef hash and blubery pancakes, and is another local favorite.
Here is an excerpt from the Christmas Prelude schedule:
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Lobster Roll Luncheon, clam chowder, hot dogs, chips, homemade pies and beverages. First Congregational Church, Corner of Arundel Road and North Street
4:30 PM – 8:00 PM – Downeast Lobster Bake. Featuring lobsters, steamers, hamburgers and hotdogs. Washington Hose Fire Company, Route 35, Lower Village
The accomodations in the area may be a bit harder to get because of this festival, however. It is the 23rd year.
If really stuck, the Bull N Claw restaurant is across the street from the Maine Diner in Wells, but mostly services a tour bus crowd. http://www.bullnclaw.com/dinner1/If in that neighborhood, do the Maine Diner instead.
Feel free to email Heather and I if you have any more questions.
DaveM

Freeport area-check out Red's Eats for lobster roll in Wiscasset, and the Haraskeet Inn for lobster dinners in Freeport.
Also the Freeport Cafe and Gritty McDuff's for regular dining.
Forget about anything in the outlet section of Freeport as far as lobster dining is concerned, even the locals recognize that many of the local eateries are tourist traps.
DaveM

Newick's outside of Portsmouth? where are you starting out?

We went to Portland some years ago with another couple. My only request was that I wanted a whole lobster dinner. I was in Maine and I wanted the real thing. We wandered around downtown checking menus for some time and all the fru-fru places only had tails. I wanted to tear the bug apart with my bare hands, juices running down to my elbows.

We ended up at Boone's down on the waterfront. Great atmosphere and great lobster.

Cakes

Thanks so much for all who have responded so far. A BIG THANK YOU to DAVE M for providing those websites. At least I can make some calls now!

dctourist- I'm starting out from Rhode Island- It's only a 2 1/2 hour drive to Portland. . Newicks outside of Portsmouth will be a little too far. I really don't want to go south of Kennebunkport for Dinner on Saturday.

I'm leaving Saturday Morning around 8AM. In fact I plan on stopping at the Maine Diner for Breakfast on the way up. I also plan on going to Gilbert's Chowder house for lunch.

I might go to the Friendship Cafe for Breakfast on Sunday and there is a restaurant in Newburyport Mass I want to stop at called the Gallery and Grille www.galleryandgrille.com for lunch on Sunday on the way back to RI

OK, now that I have more of your schedule, here goes:
1. Be prepared for a wait at the Maine Diner-not a short one-it will be crowded with people who are attending the Christmas Prelude in Kennebunkport. They will give you a disc which will light up when your table is ready. This will allow you to browse through the "Remember the Maine" gift shop next door-check out "Diner Don Sawyer's" watercolor prints of famous Roadfood haunts, including Flo's and other diners.http://www.dinerdon.com .
They may ask you if you want to sit at the counter---it might be faster if you say yes. The outdoor waiting area is heated with overhead propane heaters and wind shielded.
2. Do not be fooled by the signs across the street for the breakfast buffet at The Bull N Claw. The meal will not kill you, but it is a very generic buffet (frozen hash brown patties, etc). The price is designed to cater to tour bus groups and families-this is not home cooking.
3. Do not be afraid to exit the Turnpike at the Wells exit and travel north on Rt. 1-Maine Diner is on right. By using the Kennebunk exit, you must travel south on Rt. 1 http://www.mainediner.com/
4. Area gift shops are Cole's Corner (similar to Cape Cod Crafters) and the Lighthouse Depot (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)[url]www.lighthousedepot.com[/url].
5. Road construction should be limited to north of Kennebunk exit and south of Portland as they complete the expansion of the Turnpike to 3 lanes. You should have 3 lanes solid all the way from Kittery to kennebunk exits with no construction. Use the Kittery rest area with easy access for any last minute info, newspapers, brochures, bathrroms, etc.
6. If you don't need to go outlet shopping, stay in the left lane passing the Kittery exits for the outlets-trust me, traffic will be murder unless the weather is prohibitive.
7. At the opposite end, there is construction as you exit the turnpike in Portland and head toward Commercial St. and the waterfront.
Other ideas:
The old port section is one block up from the waterfront.
Gritty McDuff's Brewpub [url]www.grittys.com[/url]
Three Dollar Dewey's http://www.3dollardeweys.com/
Java is easily obtainable, I would recommend Starbucks, Maine Coffee Roasters, and Breaking New Grounds (same as Portsmouth chain)-all in the Old Port area.
Henry the VIII, for Roast Beef sandwiches in Monument Sq.http://www.portlandphoenix.com/food/dining/documents/03358321.asp
And some fine local brew when you arrive:http://www.portlandphoenix.com/food/other_stories/documents/04256229.asp
Becky's Diner:http://www.beckysdiner.com/Flash/index.html
daveM

Dave M---your a roadfooders treasure!!!!Im saving this info into my "RoadNotes" file right away. Im not even going on this trip and i want to say "Thank you"!! Great posts!

DAVE M. I agree with TIKI. A whole lotta thanks for your input- I've been to Gritty's before and look forward to returning for a good microbrew! I'm tempted to try the roast beef at Henry the VIII, however I'll probably stick to Gilbert's since it's a fantastic old "standby". Again, thanks all.

On a "non food" related note, I look forward to shopping at LL Bean and picking up some winter items, browsing around the Old Port as well as returning to the Portland Head Light. I hope to check out Kennebunkport again too on the way back down to RI.