Where do the locals eat in harbor villages and towns?
Jun 4th, 2011, 01:49 PM
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Where do the locals eat in harbor villages and towns?
Next month my husband and I will be staying in Camden & Bar Harbor. We like to drive to different small towns and villages and was wondering if someone could suggest a few towns that is picturesque, has great lobster meals (nothing fancy), quaint shopping, and perhaps actually see the lobsterman bring in their catch for the day? We're not interested in all the touristy restaurants, the local people know where the food is good and is not expensive!! Thanks for any information that you can share!! Also, are "lobster pounds" a good choice?
Jun 5th, 2011, 08:09 AM
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Well, mostly they eat at home because they can't afford to eat out.
If they are going to eat out, it is mostly going to be breakfast, and that will be early, and it will be in a diner or cafe setting. Ditto lunch. The atmosphere will be the people, and the food is likely to be plain but satisfying. Inquire locally for recommendations.
If you live where there are lobsters, you almost never go to a restaurant to eat them. You catch them or buy them or someone gives them to you, and you cook them at home. Same thing for shellfish, finfish, and game.
The closest thing to eating at home is a lobster pound where you pick out your lobster, and they cook it and bring it and some chowder and butter and maybe cole slaw and crackers to your picnic table.
At the time you are there, you should keep an eye out for church suppers. These are church fundraisers, and they will be filled with locals. Sometimes they are fish or chowder or lobster, sometimes ham and beans. A good likelihood of finding home made pie.
The one wrinkle that might not occur to someone "from away" is that if the supper is advertised for 5 to 7, you want to be there at 5 and you will have to leave by 7. It is not like a restaurant where you come in between 5 and 7 and exect to be served. I am not a Mainiac and had to figure this out the hard way, but church suppers (or American Legion dinners or Firefighters' cookouts or whatever) all seem to work the same here in New England.
If they are going to eat out, it is mostly going to be breakfast, and that will be early, and it will be in a diner or cafe setting. Ditto lunch. The atmosphere will be the people, and the food is likely to be plain but satisfying. Inquire locally for recommendations.
If you live where there are lobsters, you almost never go to a restaurant to eat them. You catch them or buy them or someone gives them to you, and you cook them at home. Same thing for shellfish, finfish, and game.
The closest thing to eating at home is a lobster pound where you pick out your lobster, and they cook it and bring it and some chowder and butter and maybe cole slaw and crackers to your picnic table.
At the time you are there, you should keep an eye out for church suppers. These are church fundraisers, and they will be filled with locals. Sometimes they are fish or chowder or lobster, sometimes ham and beans. A good likelihood of finding home made pie.
The one wrinkle that might not occur to someone "from away" is that if the supper is advertised for 5 to 7, you want to be there at 5 and you will have to leave by 7. It is not like a restaurant where you come in between 5 and 7 and exect to be served. I am not a Mainiac and had to figure this out the hard way, but church suppers (or American Legion dinners or Firefighters' cookouts or whatever) all seem to work the same here in New England.
Jun 6th, 2011, 02:33 AM
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Actually, the supper might really start at 4:30 because of the line. Don't wait until 6:40 because all the good pies will be gone. The local papers will carry information about suppers or you just have to keep on the lookout for a sign outside a Grange Hall or church. Usually only held on Saturdays. We encountered a great lobster cookbout for the benefit of the volunteer fire depart while we were driving around the Rockland area.
We haven't been to Bar Harbor for years. Camden is too pricey for us. Between Ellsworth and Searsport there's a great local restaurant on Rt 1 called Just Barb's (Stockton). I think you'll find the best deals in smaller towns that don't get a lot of tourists. Don't be surprised if you don't find many year round people living in a popular tourist town.
We always look for lobster pounds. Sometimes there's just some picnic tables and nothing else for sale. You have to bring your own cole slaw. You really don't want anything else besides a small bag of chips or a rolls. Just lobster and melted butter and save some room for a piece of pie. There's some websites that discuss the best lobster rolls.
Our favorite budget lunch is to put together our own picnic and the top of Mt Battie in Camden is about the best place to go. An easy dessert is some vanilla yogurt mixed with fresh blueberries you can buy from a truck beside the road or a farmers market (the Dept of Agriculture website should give a listing of farmers markets and I've seen a brochure in tourist info areas). I pack an insulated bag, some plastic bags, etc in our suitcase.
The cheapest steamed lobster will come from a supermarket chain that will steam it (about 20 minutes) but you're on your own for melted butter and nut crackers (bring your own, kitchen utility shears work, too) but might not be as tasty as those coming from a pound with high turnover. Price for lobster at our NH supermarket has been $6.99/lb.
We haven't been to Bar Harbor for years. Camden is too pricey for us. Between Ellsworth and Searsport there's a great local restaurant on Rt 1 called Just Barb's (Stockton). I think you'll find the best deals in smaller towns that don't get a lot of tourists. Don't be surprised if you don't find many year round people living in a popular tourist town.
We always look for lobster pounds. Sometimes there's just some picnic tables and nothing else for sale. You have to bring your own cole slaw. You really don't want anything else besides a small bag of chips or a rolls. Just lobster and melted butter and save some room for a piece of pie. There's some websites that discuss the best lobster rolls.
Our favorite budget lunch is to put together our own picnic and the top of Mt Battie in Camden is about the best place to go. An easy dessert is some vanilla yogurt mixed with fresh blueberries you can buy from a truck beside the road or a farmers market (the Dept of Agriculture website should give a listing of farmers markets and I've seen a brochure in tourist info areas). I pack an insulated bag, some plastic bags, etc in our suitcase.
The cheapest steamed lobster will come from a supermarket chain that will steam it (about 20 minutes) but you're on your own for melted butter and nut crackers (bring your own, kitchen utility shears work, too) but might not be as tasty as those coming from a pound with high turnover. Price for lobster at our NH supermarket has been $6.99/lb.
Jun 6th, 2011, 02:42 AM
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You have some great advice here, and yes, the pounds are a good choice. Look for "lobster in the rough" signs too.
For a fantastic location, try Two Lights, in Scarborough. Do be aware that it could be cool and windy or sunny and hot any time from now to the end of September on the coast of Maine.
For a fantastic location, try Two Lights, in Scarborough. Do be aware that it could be cool and windy or sunny and hot any time from now to the end of September on the coast of Maine.
Jul 12th, 2011, 03:26 AM
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Interesting advice. Although I've heard the term "Lobster in the rough" I can say that living in Maine for 30 years I don't think I've ever seen it on a sign! The Lobster Shack is in Cape Elizabeth, not Scarborough, right outside of Portland. It is a great place, but not really in line with Camden and Bar Harbor. I've heard that there is a good lobster place in Lincolnville, just north of Camden. Belfast is another nice town to visit. It isn't totally 'local' but has a nice center on the water, local food and beautiful traditional homes. A couple of other suggestions, get off Route 1 and drive down the peninsulas: Friendship, Cushing, Owls Head, Port Clyde, Castine, Brooksville, Blue Hill. All are great smaller towns. Forget the white table restaurants with award-winning chefs and just stick with the basic places. All should have good seafood. Much of it will be fried, but you're on vacation! The Trenton Bridge lobster pound suggested above, just before the MDI causeway, is good. Also on MDI, try Mainley Delights, in Bass Harbor. Great food served very casually. BYO beer or wine. Lobster and all types of seafood. The owner and staff are a hoot! Although we live near Portland, we go to MDI for a week every year. We mix up meals at the campground with going out; everything from a breakfast muffin to fairly upscale dinners. Even at the most touristy places down at the BH waterfront, I have never had a bad meal. Some are better than others, but none have been sub-par. Feel free to post more questions.
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