Happy holiday weekend, all! The work week commandeered a bit more of my time than expected (got to pay those bills, bills, bills) so the final installment of my Maine vacation got a wee bit delayed (it's travel-related, so that's apropos, no?) If you missed the first two vacays posts you can catch up here and here.
I was about four days into my trip when I realized that I was on the cusp of missing out on a critical Maine staple – lobster. Our family plans for the remainder of my stay didn't include seafood, so I took matters into my own hands by making a solo day trip to Kennebunkport, Maine. And it was exactly what I wanted and needed to end my time off jussssttttt right.
Kennebunkport is about a half hour drive from the Gannon Camp. The town's Lower Village is a highly trafficked area featuring a mix of artisan and touristy shops and, of course, lots and lots of restaurants with something I was desperately seeking…lobster. It's an area that is near and dear to my heart due to the amount of time I've spent there over the years with my family.
My afternoon of Eat, Shop, Love included…
I've been to Federal Jacks countless times. It's the birthplace of Shipyard Ale and has gorgeous views of the Kennebunk River. Some of my favorite K-Port memories include having lunch with my Mom outside on the restaurant's upper deck. She would have the Chinese chicken salad, and my nosh choice was typically the grilled crab and Havarti cheese sandwich (soooooooo good.) They also have absolutely stellar lobster bisque which they serve with chunks of lobster.
Guess what I had?
As you can imagine eating nearly an entire bowl of bisque was quite filling, so before getting the next round of lobster, I took my time to walk it off with a little shopping. I do tend to be a Kennebunk creature of habit, so I mostly went into the shops I know and love but checked out a few new ones along the way.
I usually correlate an “emporium” with cheap trinkets and t-shirts. That's not the case with the Docksquare Emporium. This little shop has super cute home goods – many Maine-themed. I wasn't in the market for a notepad but couldn't resist the rotary phone with “call me old-fashioned.” Puns FTW!
My mother LOVES black licorice Scottie Dogs. They aren't the most common candy, but I pressed my luck and went into the Sugar Shack to check. And you know what…no whammies! The shop had an entire black licorice section, so I brought a bunch of (edible) dogs home.
My family has never been one steeped in tradition. One memory that I have that always, always brings a smile to my face is Christmas Eve Day shopping with my Dad. From my mid-teens to mid-twenties, my father and I would take off to different areas on the Maine coast to find the perfect gift for my Mom. Abacus is in the heart of the Lower Village featuring unique jewelry and uncommon “objets de art.” I would carefully scour their glass cases for something that screamed “Mom.” Usually, a few pieces would make their presence known and we would walk out with nicely wrapped trinkets to put under the tree.
Hey, Dad! Now that you and Mom will be in Florida to snowbird let's go Christmas Eve Day shopping again. That's a non-tradition that needs to become a tradition. Again.
About an hour into my shopping, I could tell that I was ready for my second and final round of lobster. Enter…The Clam Shack. From the street, I could see that the line was nearly thirty people long. Typically, I have zero interest in waiting for anything. In this day and age, I succumb easily to instant gratification with my patience level being at an all-time low. But with The Clam Shack…it's either wait just like everyone else or miss out on something special. I chose the latter. And boy…was it worth it…
My trip home to Maine went by so incredibly fast. And it was everything that I wanted it to be – quality time spent with friends and my parents. And excellent eats. I'll see you soon, Maine!
What do you think about a lobster roll that is NOT served in a hot dog bun? Do you think it's still a “roll” or would you just call it a “sandwich”? I'm bread agnostic when it comes to a lobster roll.
Work Hard. Play Hard. Drink Chard.
Laurie
Great post
Butter, sacrilege. Lobster rolls have mayonnaise, and a top-split hot dog roll, grilled with butter. Skip the veggies. 🙂
Purist!!!! 😘
I love lobster, but like the commenter above said lobster and mayo. Way more lobster than mayo.
Mmm…that sounds so good. I am looking at my chili in disdain at the moment. I like chili but have a hankering for a lobster roll now.
I have never had a lobster roll before, in fact until I saw this post I wasn’t even really sure what it was lol. I would not know what to think about it whether it did come out on a hot dog roll or regular bread, I need to explore my food options a bit more LOL.
Ohhhh!!!! A lobster roll from Maine is total yum! I have had a few in Florida but they aren’t the same. However…I saw your pumpkin pancake recipe. Your food options sound great to me!
I’m afraid the only hot dog roll that I know is the regular kind. Am I missing half my life if I don’t get to try this? Do let me know. 😛
You are not missing half of your life at all! However, if you do try a lobster roll (with mayo or butter?) and feel that half of your life is missing, please let me know!
Lobster is so great. It looks so good. You just made me think what if I were there.
I actually never had a lobster roll. Even if yours came into a bun, I still think it looks delicious. I love lobster but it’s so, so expensive in England, where I live.
I love lobster but it is very expensive away from the ocean. This sandwich looks so good.
Even by the ocean, lobster can be very expensive. It’s a good thing I don’t live close to Maine. 😀
Oh yum, I’m hungry now. Though I admit, I do not like lobster. My husband is a fan though, but I’d avoid a lobster roll and go for a burger!
Gosh…we must have just missed you! Got to Bar Harbor today! Rats!
Lobster rolls are EVERYTHING! I had one on our last vacation and it was the best thing I ever ate.
Hahahaha! I love lobster so much that I have them on my pj pants. They say “Pinch Me. I’m Dreaming.”
Love, love, love lobster. The best lobster I have ever had was in Haiti. This time of the year in CT there are lots of Lobster festivals.
Ohhhh…how did they prepare the lobster in Haiti? I am imagining eating lobster with my feet in the warm sand…
Wow, this is a perfect location for the perfect Lobster rolls have mayonnaise. I can imagine eating this with a glass of Chardonnay, heaven! PERFECT!
Hahaha!! Another reader that loves lobster rolls with mayo! And Chardonnay with lobster was quite lovely!
It’s good to see an actual foodie who not just eats to take instagram pictures but for the goddamn love for eating. Absolutely loved this post!
Your comment made my day! I freaking love food. Love it!!! 😍😍😍
And I love genuinety in anything that a person does. Adds authenticity to when they speak about it 🙂
I have never had a lobster roll before. But I’m hungry now by seeing this. Thanks for sharing
Damn, you’re really out there living your best life. Don’t know about the lobster roll, but I’m sure having a glass of that Chardonnay now.
I lived in Maryland for two years, and I never tried lobster or crab cakes. My husband thought I was crazy, and I’m regretting it now that my tastes are a little bit more mature. I wish I had been more adventurous.
Yum! 2 years ago we took a cross country vacation to the Maine Lobster Festival in Rockport. It was AMAZING!!!! Life changing lobster! And we stopped at the Clam Box too! So delicious!
Oh wow!!!! What did you see and have at the Festival!!?? That must have been a deliciously great time!!!
I’ve always wanted to go to Kennebunkport!! What a fun time you had!
Kennebunkport is wonderful! I hope you make it someday. I enjoy the drive into the Lower Village. There are so many cute homes with carriage houses. It’s a picturesque town!
What a great time you had. This is a lovely place. I’ve never had lobster, here in our place, lobster is a meal served in 5-star hotels haha
That was one of the benefits of Maine – the access to lobster. My allergy to snow keeps me from living there year-round. 😀
Wow! That looks amazing!!! I’ve always wanted to go up to Maine but haven’t made it up there yet. Lobster rolls and bisque are my absolute fav!
Mmm…I want to get some lobster bisque for breakfast now. Mmm…
Ha, you made me laugh with your lobster talk. My oldest son is always on a hunt for good lobster too. 🙂
It’s not the easiest to find! But when I go home to Maine? Lobster game on!!
I love Lobster, giving me dinner ideas for the weekend!
What a cute little ‘shack’ on the water! lol I’ve never had it either way… can you believe that?!
The shack is the cutest, little shack I ever did see! I didn’t start eating lobster until I was 20 so I believe it!!! 😀
Believe it or not I have never had Lobster in my life! !! I think I have to rectify that. It still sound very different to me because although we eat a lot of Seafood in Italy, we never put it in a roll or a sandwich!
I read “Italy” and instantly swooned. Believe it or not, I have never been but I want to go so badly. My dream is to take a cook’s tour of Tuscany!!!
I love eating lobsters only if my mon amour will removed its shell. 😀
Haven’t tired the lobster roll, but sounds delicious since you are desperately looking for it 😀
I don’t like removing lobster shells, either! I am not a fan of prune-y fingers due to food. How weird am I? 😀
I would love to visit Maine!
Hi Lisa! I absolutely recommend it! I am not a fan of winter so I love going home between May and November. 😀