Beal’s Lobster Pier

A longtime Roadfood favorite, Beal’s is a no-frills lobster pound on a working Southwest Harbor pier. If we’re not mistaken, it has changed piers over the years. Beal’s seems a bit more “permanent” than we remember it. Place your lobster order inside, then head outside to find a table and wait for your number to be called. There are outdoor stands to buy things like chowder and ice cream. A couple of soda machines provide drinks. Beal’s is no secret, and you’ll be joined by many other travelling lobster hounds. The service, such as it is, can be a bit harried, but the lobsters are unimpeachable. They come with shell cracked, but if the cracker-person didn’t do a thorough job you’ll have to work, because lobster crackers are not provided, even when asked for. After lunch, go through the back doors and take a stroll on the pier (and try not to get in the dock workers’ way).