Pat's Pizza in Maine

There are a lot of Pat's Pizza restaurants throughout
Maine. Usually, the lovely wife and I try to avoid chains, but 1) we
weren't that hungry 2) it was late and 3) we make an exception for
mini-chains, which this clearly is.

We went to the patsy's in Windham on Route 302 (844 Roosevet Trl(207) 892-1700). The service was fast and friendly and if you like tv you will not be dissapointed. We even
has a little flat screen at our booth. It was even possible to change the channel. Not suprisingly, everyone was watching the Red Sox game but us (we watched tennis).

As for the food: well it was inexpensive and edible. Safe and dull.
Not great. But not bad either. There is a wide variety of pizzas
which are a little overcheesed and have crusts that are a bit too
cakey for my liking. But you are in Maine. You should have eaten
lobster and clams (again). And, if you were with your kids, and not
just visiting them at camp, you would definitely be back.

Greetings from Kittery Point Maine: Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier

If you start the drive from New York City to Maine somewhat early in the morning, you can pass over the Piscataqua Bridge on I95 between New Hampshire and Maine by about lunch. And, that being the case, you should make a bee line for a nearby lobster place. Luckily for you, the Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier is to be found in Kittery Point, a short drive from exit 2 on I95 once you get into Maine (16 Chauncey Creek Road, Kittery Point, ME 03905: 207-439-1030).

Chauncey Creek is located on the creek itself. It consists of several small buildings (one to cook lobsters and the other two seemingly to cook everything else they serve). There are many tables overlooking the creek. They are covered, and if you go in winter, there is a heated area. The lobsters and steamers were quite tasty. They are the only place I have ever been that sells lobster rolls on a round bun. The only thing they don't sell that I like is fried clams. However, if there is something that you want that they don't have, you can feel free to bring it in. This includes beer, wine, and for that matter, fried clams. They are pretty cool about all of that stuff.

Getting up at 6:30 to make the drive north is hard. Stopping at Chauncey's 5 minutes after you get over the bridge reminds you why its worth it.

Greetings From Naples, Maine: The Lakeside Dairy Bar

Ice cream in Maine.  Two great things that go great together.  And if you're in the Lake District, along route 302, its defintely worth your while to stop at The Lakeside Dairy Bar (on route 302 in Naples, telephone (207) 693-3090.  Its on your right side past the Marina as you drive from Portland).  The Lakeside Dairy Bar has all of the usual "Dairy Barn" style ice cream treats, only better.  There is a blizzard equivalent, which I had with soft serve vanilla and Andes Candies.  The lovely wife had cherry chip and coffee in a cup, both of which she enjoyed.  It was a long line, and we chatted with several people, many who have been coming back for years.  If you're in the Lake District for sleep away camp visiting weekend, its clearly worth a stop at the Lakeside Dairy Bar.

Greetings From Maine: Cindy's

I am back from visiting day, our annual pilgrimage to Maine to visit Boy#1 at camp. Last time we flew, which wasn't so great. This time we drove, which wasn't much better, but at least we were able to stop at many places along the way. Although I am still deciding, I think I will also drive when I go to pick him up at "Father's Weekend (sexists!) with boy #2. After all, a multitude of eateries await.

Today, I am going to write about Cindy's, which is located at 174 Yarmouth Road (Route 1), just north of Exit 17 from Interstate 295. You can call 207-865-1635 to see if they are open. It took us less than five minutes to get there from LL Bean. I can't find it on Google Maps! If you can, let me know. Cindy's, as you can see from the picture, is a roadside series of shacks and some picnic tables. Lots of kitsch stuff, too. Its cool.

Cindy's is know for their fried clams. And rightly so. The lovely wife and agree that these are some of the best (if not the best) fried clams we have ever eaten. I had fish and chips, which was cheap and remarkably good, too. Onion rings were great. They bake their own desserts, and the whoopie pie WAS the best I have ever had as well.

We arrived early for lunch, avoiding the crowds. They cook by the order, so be prepared to wait. Its also worth going to chat with Bob Pottle, who owns the place, and gives a little touch of Maine with every word out of his mouth.

There is a clam lovers web site (who knew!) that also has nothing but good things to say about Cindy's. They have some nice photos as well.

Maine Lobster Houses: Kennebec Tavern

After visiting boy #1 at camp Saturday, we had a late plane back to NYC on Sunday. This left us with plenty of time to explore Maine. We decided to go to the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath. Its actually sort of fun. However, after finishing up our extensive visit, we were hungry! We also had to get to the airport (so we could suffer the eventual 90 minute delay on time), and needed to find a place to eat fast. Fortunately, we found the friendly folk at the Kennebec Tavern, located at 118 Commercial Street in Bath ((207) 442-9636).

The Kennebec is located right on the eponymous river: there are multiple outdoor seats with excellent views. Although there is a brunch menu, we had more typical fare, lobster rolls, a burger (boy #2 being done with seafood for the moment), and a mess of fried everything (my diet will start soon!). The service was extremely friendly, and they were able to get us out of the restaurant fast so we could get to the airport on time and wait for our delayed plane! The lobster roll was fresh, and there was the right amount of mayo. The fried food was all good, and the burger perfectly fine. A notable surprise was that the french fries were quite tasty.

Going to Bath is worthwhile if you enjoy learning more about ships, the shipping industry, and lobstering. The museum is quite large, and there is a lot to see. When you're done, you can't beat a riverside lunch at the Kennebec.

Greetings From Maine: Cook's Lobster House

After visiting day, we said goodbye to boy #1 and headed off with boy #2 to get something to eat. Visiting weekend for camp in Maine is the single busiest tourist weekend of the year, and we knew that we were going to have to drive a bit if we wanted to get a seat at a decent place. The Lovely Wife had read about Cook's Lobster House (207-833-2818), and was excited by the fact that it was surrounded by water on three sides. She also liked the fact that it promised a water view from every seat. I liked the fact that it was so far from most of the camps that few would venture there. They also didn't take reservations, which could only help us.

Cook's is located on Bailey Island, which is about 13 miles south of the US 1 exit for Cook's Corner (are there enough Cook's to spoil the broth?? ha. ha.) Its a slow, but pretty drive. When you cross a cribstone bridge (looks like large horizontal slabs stacked up on their sides), you are almost there. Follow the signs!

We came late in the day, and had to wait about 20 minutes to eat. They have a pretty typical menu. I would recommend some variation on a whole steamed lobster and steamers. The steamers were the best we had this particular trip to Maine. We also tried a broiled seafood platter (with the lemon sauce, at the recommendation of our server), which was rather good. For children, there is a very reasonable $15.00 lobster and steamer dinner. The kid gets a cull (one claw ), but you save a bundle. They also have some land food, but you are not going to this tiny finger island in Maine to eat a burger. So don't.

Cook's is moderately difficult to get to, and if its entirely full, its a long drive back to go somewhere else. Having said that, it was a great place to eat and the view is in fact as spectacular as billed. Go late in the day, have a beer while you wait, and look out at the water. Its worth it.

Greetings From Maine: Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster

Greetings from Maine! We just finished visiting Boy #1 in camp, and right now I am sitting in the airplane yet again, waiting to take off. We were number 49 to take off going, and they have delayed us for an hour on a Sunday afternoon because of "volume" in NYC. Next year we drive. Except for getting to and leaving part, Maine is a great place to visit. The lovely wife, boy #2 and I have had to opportunity to drive around, trying lobster places in a variety of places. Today I will write about the first one of these: The Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster in South Freeport. (Main St.-So. Freeport, ME. (207-865-4888).

In general, Freeport doesn’t do it for me. I don’t like to shop, and the one thing that we really wanted, a Transformers “Optimus Prime” action figure, was nowhere to be seen. Having said that, the Harraseeket Inn, the hotel we stayed at, was lovely. For me, the real Harraseeket action is about four miles from the hotel, at the Haraseeket Lunch and Lobster. This Haraseeket is full of excellent steamers, tasty lobsters, and an assortment of fried goodness, including fresh belly clams. They also have some of the best desserts available at a lobster shack. The lovely wife really liked the apple pie. The lemon meringue pie is good, and quite huge.

Some things to remember when you go: first is that the place is cash only, although they do have an ATM if you are short of cash. Second of all, there are two lines: one for steamed food and one for everything else. The lines can be really long a nice summer day, and tag teaming helps. If the weather is really terrible, its much quicker and there is indoor and under canopy seating. There is an express line for drinks and dessert, so you can always get that later. Seats are hard to come by when the place is busy. Finally, you can try calling your order in and then picking it up. I don't promise that will always work, but its worth a try.