Lobster Shack

225 Two Lights Road, Cape Elizabeth, ME - (207) 799-1677

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Posted By Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle on 7/11/2008 11:10:00 AM

The food at The Lobster Shack is good, in fact very good, but you can find better along the Maine coast. It's not an undiscovered gem. In fact, there always seems to be a long line at the order counter. And the prices are a little higher than what you'll find further up the coast, more in line with the nearby city of Portland. So why do we think The Lobster Shack is required eating for the visiting Roadfooder?

The Lobster Shack, in Two Lights State Park, has the most stunning setting of any place we've eaten in the state. Outdoor picnic tables sit next to the craggy, rocky shore. The sound of crashing waves is always present. A lighthouse is visible just over the restaurant, and the foghorn periodically sounds. Gulls are perched on the roof of the shack. You'll likely encounter a very brisk seaside breeze. We'd probably visit the Shack if it served McLobster and Mrs. Paul's. But it's much, much better than that.

The whole-bellied clams are crunchy and saline, accompanied by serviceable fries and nice slaw. Lobster stew is always dependable, and a couple of the strange local clam cakes might go well with it. These chewy round discs are a little like clammy pre-fab hash browns. There's a nice selection of pies, cookies, and puddings with which to finish your meal, but we can't resist the chocolate cake sandwich filled with white creme-oid called whoopy pie.

Crunchy clams, whoopie pies, and the crashing surf: how great it is to be back in Maine!

Scorecard

Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip

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"Pretty darn good whole-belly clams are served in abundance on a heavy paper plate."
Michael Stern

"The "Whoopie! Pie" was introduced in 1927 by the Berwick Cake Company in Massachusets. Since then, the coast of Maine has become the place where whoopie pie thrives as the semi-official picnic-table snack and shore dinner dessert. "
Michael Stern

"There is plenty of lobster meat in this rich, milky lobster stew. Pictured is the smaller, appetizer-size serving. For a few dollars more, you get nearly twice as much, making it a satisfying dinner."
Michael Stern

"There is plenty of meat in the Lobster Shack's lobster roll; and note how the mayonnaise is not mixed in, but dolloped on. This is a very nice touch, allowing full appreciation of the large hunks of lobster."
Michael Stern

"The infamous Whoopie Pie, onion rings and lobster roll, as served. Photo by KitschKat."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"Whoopie (or whoopy at The Lobster Shack) pies are a staple snack/dessert in Maine."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"Very nice whole-bellied clams."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"A Downeast favorite: Grape-Nuts pudding."
Michael Stern

"The Lobster Shack is close to Portland, and there is always a long line of customers waiting to place their orders. Note one of the two lights in the background."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"The best thing about the Lobster Shack is its setting. There is no more dramatic place to have a shore dinner than at one of these picnic tables overlooking the water."
Michael Stern

"The Lobster Shack has inside dining, but we always choose to sit outside, the most dramatic setting for a seafood shack in Maine, as far as we're concerned."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle