Ogunquit Lobster Pound, Review

The World is my Lobster

                                           -Henry J. Tillman

When family comes to town, Mike and I usually like to get out of the B&B and enjoy one of the many fine restaurants that Ogunquit has to offer.

One particular restaurant is nestled in tall pines up on US Route One, just north of the village centre, with plenty of parking, is the Ogunquit Lobster Pound. The Ogunquit Lobster Pound serves some of the best lobsters, steamers and seafood along the Maine coast for 80 years.

Owned and operated by the Hancock family for 65 years, the Pound prepares lobster the traditional way: they use use seawater to steam the clams and lobsters. The estuary seawater is pumped directly into the lobster tanks. The salt water in the tanks keeps the lobsters healthy, and in their natural environment.  Patron's pick their lobster from the outside seawater tank, then the live lobster is boiled in the outside vats. Preparers then cut, score and crack the lobsters, which makes it easier for dinning patrons to enjoy ( and less messy).

The food at the Ogunquit Lobster Pound is delicious, but its also the dining  experience that truly makes the meal memorable. Clams are placed in nets and dropped into the steam vats. I have always enjoyed steamers, but I am truly impressed with these clams. The steam clams were perfect size, fresh and free of sand. I have personally gone clamming in the Ogunquit river estuary, and it is not easy, so I really do appreciate good steamed clams! Harvesting shellfish is an arduous task. But harvesting shellfish that is free of sand and debris, that is truly a miracle!

The best thing to do at the Ogunquit Lobster Pound is to get some Steamers, to share as an appetizer, then get different meals that you can share....I had a yearning  for fried seafood, so I got the Pound Combo which is basically a two different types of seafood with french fries or onion rings. My platter came with big bellied clams and huge scallops! My sister, got the boiled lobster of course!

The Pound is a large restaurant with lots of character and different types of seating arrangements. You can dine outside amongst the pines or inside. Locals like myself prefer to sit in the lounge side of the restaurant. Its a bit quieter, and there are television screens with sports tuned in......

The Details:

Ogunquit Lobster Pound

504 Main Street

Ogunquit, ME 03907

207 646 2056

http://www.ogunquitlobsterpound.com

Located  .7 miles north  of the village centre ( 1.2 km) on US Route One ( Main Street). There is plenty of parking and reservations are accepted. Menu is varied with array of local fresh seafood, steaks, seasonal vegetables and even a Gluten Free menu!  Full bar. Servers are attentive and knowledgeable , many return year after year. Open every day during the season at 4:30pm.

Many locals, and well heeled tourists choose to sit in the lounge side. There are comfortable booths as wells as "captain's chairs" in the lounge side.