Get Your Lobster Rolls in Here

The state of Maine has VACATIONLAND blazoned on its license plate. There are many reasons for this. One is Acadia, the coastal region surrounding the sublimely beautiful National Park. Another is the lobster.

So with no further ado, I propose a fitting guide to the best darn lobster rolls Acadia has to offer:

** The Most Atmospheric **

Beal's Lobster Pound,
Southwest Harbor, ME

What: A collection of weathered, clapboard buildings slung out over the harbor. Beal's is a working dock that, in addition to more prosaic items like diesel fuel, provides fresh lobster (hard and soft shell), local fish (including scallops, yum) and, of course, their to-die-for lobster rolls.

Seating: Outdoor picnic tables with cheerful tablecloths

View: Lots of boats in a very busy harbor

What Else to Spring for: A Beal's Lobster Pound "onesie" for your favorite 6-18-month-old.

Special Bonus: The very hot, Serbian (huh?) staff

** The Most Heart-felt **

Great Cranberry Island General Store,
Great Cranberry Island, ME

What: A small but remarkably well stocked General Store on the biggest of the Cranberry Isles. They even have the Times (OK, it's sometimes a day late). They also have a number of salty white-haired ladies holding court from their rocking chairs.

Seating: Chairs and benches on the tiny covered deck are usually occupied by locals fishing for gossip. Best bet is to take your treats across to the town dock and stretch out on the warm wood planks.

View: Brightly colored lobster buoys bobbing in the harbor. The ferry coming and going. Sailboats in the distance. An osprey.

What Else to Spring for: A crab roll, if they have them. The crab has most likely been picked the night before by the wives of the Island fishermen. Lobster traps inevitably end up trapping a few of the critters in addition to their intended prey

Special Bonus: High likely hood of Island flavor: strong accents, ruddy faces, drunken tirades..

** The Most Chummy **

What: A loft-like restaurant run by two escaped New Yorkers, Dan and Cynthia Lief. The Dock, as it is known to locals, is the loud and loopy center of Islesford's social life.

Seating: Opt for one of the front tables that looks out over the harbor. Or jump into the thick of it and sit at the bar.

View. If you're lucky, a tremendous sunset.

What Else to Spring for: Fresh lobsters to take home from the Islesford Co-op on the neighboring dock. They provide all the lobster for the restaurant.

Special Bonus: Martha sightings. The Princess of Perfection often motors over from her mansion on the mainland.

** The Most Ancient **

The Docksider,
Northeast Harbor, ME

What: An old-school greasy spoon serving perfect Maine fast food.

Seating: Three out-door picnic tables. If those are taken, get your order to go.

View: Nada. But that's OK.

What Else to Spring For: Anything involving ice cream. Consult the board above the take-out window for the day's flavors. "Moose-tracks" is a fave.

Special Bonus: You are steps away from the beautiful Rockefeller Carriage Trails. A perfect way to walk off your lunch.

Posted by Hillary in Maine on 07/Sep/2006

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