Ahhh, enjoy the fresh scent of pine trees and salt air. We must be in Maine. For this visit to Downeast, we’re sampling three Maine local favorites: lobster, red snappers, and whoopie pies.
Lobster-
When you’re in Maine, you simply must have a lobster. As a kid, we took a week-long vacation to Maine, and I had a lobster every other night. Between lobster pounds, specialty seafood restaurants, family-friendly establishments, and fine dining, lobster is everywhere in Maine. I’d recommend digging in at an authentic Maine lobster hut. Eat outdoors for an authentic lobster experience. Although I love a good lobster roll, there’s nothing like cracking the shells yourself.
Try it at Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster in Freeport.
Red Snapper-
Surprisingly, this red snapper is not a fish. Instead, it’s Maine’s state hot dog. They glow in a stunning red from the dye used. Their natural casing gives it a distinct “snap” when bitten into. The red snapper is such a Maine staple that the minor league baseball team, the Portland Sea Dogs, has used the moniker “red snapper” for one of their “what if” nights, using a team name that could have been. Another one of the “what if” names is our next local Maine favorite.
Try it at Day’s Crabmeat and Lobster in Yarmouth.
Whoopie Pie-
Cream filling between two fluffy, moist cakes shaped like a UFO, and you have a whoopie pie. Although the store-bought variety can be too sweet, with the right kind of frosting, these can be just right. At Wicked Whoopies, a whole variety of whoopie pie styles are available. On a recent trip to Orono, Hotel Ursa, located on the campus of the University of Maine, gave out complimentary whoopie pies filled with blue frosting in homage to the school’s colors.
Try it at Wicked Whoopies in Freeport.
Maine local favorites include an array of seafood, but most predominantly, lobster. Combine that with a red snapper for a quick bite and a whoopie pie for dessert, and it’s the ideal Maine dining experience. Enjoy!
