Go Fork Yourself: My Favorite Lobster Rolls, Portland, Maine Dining, the Most Underrated East Coast Food City
Also this week: Meat is BACK and what you should eat in Maine beyond lobster rolls.
Keep scrolling for the Go Fork Yourself video, my list of great lobster rolls and dining recommendations for Portland. There’s no paywall!
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Hello everyone! Welcome back to Maine Week on Spilled Milk. Before we get into blueberries, whoopie pies and lobster rolls, I need to talk about something that’s been on my mind: What’s going on with CLEAR?! More on that in the video…
Today I’m answering questions about Maine, but next week I’ll be talking about the Midwest, so direct message questions or ask them in the comments section below. Need a Chicago pizza recommendation? Curious about the dining scene in Minneapolis? Ask away!
You can also email questions to spilledmilk@andrewzimmern.com. There’s no paywall on today’s post, but typically only paid subscribers get to watch the GFY videos. Join the party and upgrade your subscription today!
Let’s get to your questions.
Links
Wall Street Journal article about the American obsession with protein.
New York Times story about the pivot back to meat.
Tasting Table article on the disputed history of whoopie pies.
Hot vs. cold lobster rolls: Is one superior?
8:00: Sala:
What foods other than lobster rolls should be on my Maine food bucket list?
11:00: Grant:
What's the most underrated food city on the East Coast?
12:10: Douglass:
Why do you peel the parsnips but not the carrots in the pot roast recipe video?
12:36: June:
Is a whoopie pie a cake or a cookie?
12:42: Thom:
How do you prefer your lobster roll? Maine style or Connecticut style?
14:09: Amelia:
Can you share the brand of your matte black plates? I see them on Wild Game Kitchen, too.
14:50: Kaylor:
How many lobster rolls did you eat on the lobster roll crawl and which one was your favorite?
16:10: Matthew:
Where should I eat in Portland, Maine?
Lobster Rolls in Maine: A Short Guide
There are about 20 others I could have listed here, and I am always on the hunt for a new place I haven’t heard about. Keep me posted!
These are not in order of preference either—although the top two are in my top five for sure. ALL OF THESE PLACES are recommended.
1. McLoons Lobster Shack – South Thomaston
On Spruce Head Island, McLoons offers the perfect setting with picnic tables overlooking the harbor. Their lobster rolls are generous and absurdly good. Top marks.
2. Red's Eats – Wiscasset
A legendary spot serving overstuffed lobster rolls. The lines are long, but the reward is a roll that's both abundant and delicious. And butter drenched. Don’t sleep on the other menu items either, I love Red’s.
3. The Clam Shack – Kennebunkport
Near the Kennebunk River, The Clam Shack offers a choice of butter or mayo. A great spot.
4. Highroller Lobster Co. – Portland
A modern twist on the classic, Highroller allows you to customize your roll with various sauces. Some work, others don’t, but I love the “roll your own” vibe.
5. Eventide Oyster Co. – Portland
Eventide reinvented the lobster roll by serving small beauties on steamed bao buns with brown butter vinaigrette. It's a must-try in Portland and one of my fave restaurants in all of New England.
6. Bite Into Maine – Cape Elizabeth
A food truck at Fort Williams Park, offering rolls cold with mayo or hot with butter, right near the Portland Head Light.
7. The Lobster Shack at Two Lights – Cape Elizabeth
Near Two Lights State Park, there are stunning ocean views alongside classic lobster rolls, available with butter or mayo.
8. Five Islands Lobster Co. – Georgetown
On a working pier, Five Islands serves up lobster rolls with meat that was swimming earlier that day. The harbor views are as enticing as the food. One of my happy places. I love all the food here, from lobster in the rough to steamers and more. A must go.
9. Thurston's Lobster Pound – Bernard
On Mount Desert Island, Thurston's overlooks Bass Harbor. Their lobster rolls are a testament to simplicity and minimal dressing—and highly recommended.
10. Bagaduce Lunch – Penobscot
A James Beard Award-winning establishment as an American Classic, Bagaduce Lunch has been serving lobster rolls since 1946. Great food and timelessness you can’t recreate.
11. Fox's Lobster House – York
Right at the iconic Nubble Lighthouse, Fox's offers lobster rolls are packed with fresh meat and worth the trip.
12. Bob's Clam Hut – Kittery
A staple since 1956, Bob's is renowned for both its fried clams and lobster rolls. The rolls are straightforward and not too big, which I like because I eat a whole one with a bucketload of fried clams. I love Bob’s.
13. Cape Pier Chowder House – Kennebunkport
Located on a working fishing pier, you get lobster rolls with a nice dose of authenticity. The lobster is the star of the show.
14. Pine Tree Seafood & Produce – Scarborough
A hidden gem, Pine Tree serves up killer lobster rolls. Casual and straightforward.
15. Nubb's Lobster Shack at Cliff House – Cape Neddick
Part of the Cliff House resort, Nubb's is a bougier lobster roll experience. Enjoy your roll on the terrace with panoramic ocean views. Pretty damn great.
16. Day’s Crabmeat & Lobster – Yarmouth
Located just north of Portland in Yarmouth, Day’s Crabmeat & Lobster is a classic roadside seafood shack that’s a true Maine experience. I love the outdoor red picnic tables, providing a charming setting to enjoy your meal. It's a convenient stop for travelers heading along Route 1.
Note: For the most current information on hours and availability, please check each establishment's official website or contact them directly before planning your visit.
Portland Only
Here are some OTHER picks if you are just stopping in Portland for a day or so.
A waterfront restaurant, Twelve presents a refined lobster roll featuring warm buttered lobster on a croissant-ish roll.
A staple since 1977, J’s offers a traditional lobster roll experience with unadorned lobster meat on a grilled bun, accompanied by the rustic charm of Portland's working waterfront.
A classic waterfront diner, Becky’s serves generous lobster rolls with freshly shucked meat, offering both mayo and butter options. It's a favorite among locals for its authentic Maine diner experience.
Located on Custom House Wharf, the Porthole is a Portland classic of a seafood diner. I like the steamers, chowder and other menu items and some love their lobster roll. I like mine bigger and without lettuce, but you can always ask them to leave the crispy stuff off your roll.
bit cross really you mentioned the Bagaduce
I've had the same experience with Clear lately. Some airports give the Clear line a dedicated TSA agent while some make Clear share an agent with part of the TSA Pre-Check line. Sadly, our mutual home airport of MSP is one of the latter. When I went through MSP this past Friday, the TSA Pre-Check line had two dedicated agents PLUS half the capacity of the shared agent, whereas Clear only had half the capacity of the shared agent. So for every two people making it through Clear, five were making it through TSA Pre-Check. What I'm not sure of is whether this set up is a TSA decision or an airport decision. But if it's an airport decision it begs the question of why they bother to offer the Clear service in the first place.