Like thousands before me I have just returned from a drive along Route 1, Maine and my annual pursuit of the definitive lobster roll. And I've found it - the lobster roll by which all others shall be judged. Tried one on the way up and confirmed my find on my return trip. The purveyor - The Cape Porpise Lobster Company, Cape Porpise, Maine, the next town above Kennebunkport. Toasted and buttered old fashioned hot dog roll. Overflowing with chunks of just cooked tail meat as opposed from the less expensive combination of frozend and thawed claw and knuckle. Just enough mayonaise to moisten but not overpower. No lettuce. No filler. Best I've had. Still haven't decided whose clams are best - those from the Clam Shack at the bridge/entrance to Kennebunkport or the fried clams from Woodmen's of Essex (Mass) where the fried clam was invented. But haven't found any better than these. For lobster stew - The Sea Basket Restaurant on Route 1 in Wiscasset. Rich, deep lobster flavored broth, lots of lobster. But keep away from Deer Island and especially from Stonington. Only one place in town to buy t-shirts, maybe 2 or 3 places sell post cards. More working fisherman than tourists. Nothing much to do but kick back and relax. Stick to the crowds in Boothbay Harbor for an up-beat, fun-filled vacation. If you do make it to Stonington though, the fish chowder at the Bayside is as good as you'll find anywhere in Maine.
Maine
Of lobster rolls, fried clams and such
For fried clams in Ipswich try Farnham's just up the road from Woodman's. Less touristy at any rate. But the fried clams and onion rings were damn good. Those bellies were just bursting with the juicy taste of the sea. I just pity people whose only experience with fried clams is clam strips (i.e., no bellies) at Red Lobster. How can you not like a place where the old yankee woman at the counter, in response to my health nut brother's question "do you have anything here that isn't fried?," proudly proclaims "nope! everything we have here is deep-fat fried!" Of course, when our food came out, that brother at as much as the rest of us.
IMHO best lobster roll = Billy's Chowder House in Wells, Maine. Better fried clams at The Village Inn in Essex, Mass. I think Woodman's are too greasy. Chuck Demas Needham, Mass.
The Line House in York Maine - Rte 1, has great lobster rolls & fried clams and it's not too " touristy"- just good food.They have alot for the non-seafood lovers too.