We were on a quest to find one of the best lobster rolls in Maine. Roughly a two hour ride north from Boston, Cape Elizabeth is just outside the small town of Portland, Maine. And Portland was just named “Foodiest Small Town in America 2009” in Bon Appetit’s October 2009 issue, hitting the newsstands near you (if you live in the U.S.) just about now… Long before this current article on Portland, we had already kept notes on lobster rolls in Maine, with articles like this one in the New York Times about lobster rolls, and this other one in Travel & Leisure on a similar topic. The Boston Globe weighed in with this article on the best lobster shack in Maine… Obviously, there is much debate about who makes “the best” lobster roll… All we knew for sure was that the drive would be well worth the effort…
But before I describe our lunch, let me describe the fantastic setting. Right on the water’s edge, near one of the large lighthouses that dot the Maine coastline, The Lobster Shack at Two Lights has one of those quintessential New England settings… Waves were crashing onto the rocky shore, ducks and seagulls were bobbing in the cold ocean, a strong breeze was blowing and the sound of foghorns from the shore were blaring…
It was after labor day, so the summer was officially over and the crowds had thinned, and a late lunch at this shack meant minimal lines. Older folks were aplenty, sitting on benches facing the ocean, taking in some sun (despite the 60F official temperature that felt like 45F with the brisk breeze!).
Believe it or not, there was a time I would grudgingly swim in the Atlantic Ocean with say 50F water temperature, and NOT freeze to death. I don’t think I would do that today, but I do love to watch the ocean from terra firma, it has a very calming effect. :)
We had driven two hours to get to the Lobster Shack at Two Lights, and we were surprised to see that they were actually celebrating their 40th anniversary! They were even giving away bags as a gift for clients!
Despite the late hour (after 1:30pm), there was still a line of folks waiting to get their fill of lobster and other seafood specialties…
The red picnic tables outdoors were the perfect setting, albeit a bit cold.
But please, do NOT feed the seagulls, they implore… Up next, our lunch selections.
30 Responses
Greetings MM!!! The view looks nice!!! You must be jetlagged! Would you be able to write an article about american barbeque by any chance?
fantastic view! ah, the sea… can be both calming and dreadful. can’t wait for the mouth-watering menu. enjoy the vacation.
lobster thermidor?
Wow! I’m excited to read this series of posts. I always look forward to MM’s travels :))
I look forward to the next post!
just an interesting fact i read about lobsters and the environment. too much lobster fishing has left the sea urchins without its natural predator. these sea urchins are now increasing in population and are destroying the kelp forests. as a result humpback whales migrating from mexico, together with their newborns, have become vulnerable to killer whale attacks. they have no kelp forests to use as hiding places.
i think we should ease up on the lobster love.
a picturesque view indeed!
Chiqui, Why don’t you just eat more sea urchins?
Sister……hehehehe….the same thought came to mind. Let’s all eat more sea urchins!!!
MM, when you mentioned you will be busy the next 2 days, I was thinking you were on your way back….hahahaha…turns out you were busy eating lobster rolls…hahahaha
Woah! im excited for the next post!
Bitin ang post! :P Was sooo looking forward to food pron…I’m now eagerly awaiting your next post. ;-)
MM, you’re in the northeast? If you are interested in oysters as well, Island Creek oysters (supplier of Thomas Keller) has an oyster festival on Sep. 12 at Duxbury Beach, MA. =) Link here: https://www.islandcreekfoundation.org/enjoy/festival/icof09
btw, can’t wait to see your lobster roll post…
nice photo along the shoreline… we’re waiting for the next posts
patienly waiting for the next post on lobsters and lobster rolls…nice photos, mm.
MM you’re back in my neighborhood! enjoy! it’s getting a bit breezy. i bet you had very good lobsters–and sea urchins??
Sunshine and blue sky! Very envious. Feels like it’s been raining forever in Manila and I’m getting cabin fever…
Wow nice!
Too bad their summer is over, still very warm here in the Yay Area, beautiful though!
Hi Everyone, yes we are in the Boston area. And chrisb, OMG, if I had known about the island creek event I would have purchased tickets online but they are already SOLD OUT! They will have some at the door but it’s a huge risk and one would have to get there really early to secure slots… but I WANT to go! Chiqui, I agree that overfishing or overeating any animal or vegetable or fruit is bad… However, I think people need to focus on slower population growth as the first step to having sustainable resources. We only have one kid, less than replacement for Mrs. MM and myself, so we consume far less food than other families. :) Besides, demand for lobsters seems to be down and supplies up, as the prices of Maine and other lobsters are REALLY down… just $4.99 a pound in neighborhood groceries, down from highs of $8-9 in the past. Once the world gets a grip of population growth, then food supplies can and will stabilize.
WOW for the ocean views! can’t wait for your lobster roll (haven’t seen nor eaten one) and food posts on your lunch :D
Reme, sorry, i am nowhere near American barbecue country… :)
hello MM, are you there only for a couple of days? i live here in rhode island. would have hooked up with you for eyeball. the pictures look beautiful. since you lived in the area before, you would have been to ogunquit and york. just relaxing to be near the ocean di ba? kahit maginaw. good thing the Teen could take a few days off from school. have fun!!
psyschomom, the Teen was not with us to this particular trip to Maine. But it’s a good reason to bring her someday as she likes lobster rolls. It’s a rather quick trip with hectic schedule on family business so I only occasionally find an excuse to take a side trip/diversion for food’s sake.
Hey! Are you dropping by the DC/MD/VA area (maybe Bobby Van’s?) :)
Enjoy, enjoy, MM! We look forward to your next postings.
I follow your blog and I live in Boston. If you’re still in Cape
Cod, you must try Baxter’s!!! It’s just the best, the freshest its gonna get! JFK was a regular. Are you staying in Boston? Have you had a cannoli at Mike’s Pastry yet? Can’t leave Boston without having one as well as the Boston Creme Pie at the Omni Parker Hotel. Have fun and Welcome to Boston! Let me know if you need anything.
Maine & lobsters! And clams & oysters! Now it’s turning colder, all at their best? Have you been to a New England clambake? Not that great though! If you are going to Mt. Desert Island in ME, try any of those roadside stands – where they dunk your choice of lobsters, clams, mussels,etc. & corn cob – all tied up in a net – into barrels of boiling water/broth & they just give you plastic plates & you eat w your hands at wooden tables! The best!
food+travel+learning, that’s why i follow this blog ;P looking forward to the coming posts
Lovely…I can fill the wind and the nipping cold…
Sorry…feel the wind…