Red's Eats
Wiscasset, Maine
by Diane Neal
September 5, 2011
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| Diane waiting in line...she is the last one on the far right side |
BEST LOBSTAH
EVAH!!!
And I mean it. Finding Red’s Eats
in Wiscasset, Maine was one of the happiest accidents,
serendipitous events and surprises I think we may have had in our travels.
During a work trip to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Mr. Neal and I decided to have him fly up to
meet me before the weekend and then do a long weekend visiting Bar Harbor over Labor Day. Previously we had driven to
Bar Harbor from New York City in 1998 for Labor Day
weekend.
On our drive from
Portsmouth to Bar
Harbor we took highway 1 rather than the I-95. Highway 1
passes through Wiscasset, Maine near Montsweag Bay. Cute little town, funky stores. And
Red’s. At the time we didn’t realize what Red’s Eats was. Highway 1 goes right
by it and here is the impression: “Hey, why is there a craaazy long line of
people in front of that shack on the corner?” and let me tell you—it was a long
line. My guess was at least an hour long to go get something and then eat it on
a patio next to this shack on the street corner we passed on the way out of
town. “Shack” is a little bit of an exaggeration. Not sure what you call it.
I guess really it is just a roadside kitchen only food stand. So we drive by
completely clueless and thing maybe we will stop and check out whatever they are
selling in the way back because whatever it is, it must be
awesome.
Three days later we are chugging back
on Highway 1 towards the airport in Portland, Maine.
We budgeted time to stop at the food stand and wait in the line to eat whatever
it is people are eating there. At some point we had coincidentally looked up
lobster rolls on the Google machine and saw some post somewhere about a place
called Red’s Eats.
I should probably also back up a bit and note that I had spent pretty much the entire weekend eating lobster or food with lobster in it. I love lobster. Of course I would want a good lobster roll on the way out. My only concern? I hate mayo and I think lobster salad which is common to most lobster rolls is fairly nasty business. It was with great pleasure that I read a review of Red’s and learned they just give you a toasted roll full of lobster and a side of either butter or mayo. The end. You don’t want to add anything then don’t. Perfect.
By the time we got to Wiscasset we
totally lucked out. The line didn’t stretch all the back to the bridge over the
highway, but just to the parking lot in front of the bridge. Yay! We hop out
of the car and start our wait. In full noon day sun at about 85 degrees. Not
the worst conditions, but you know, toasty. An hour later it is our
turn to order.
20 minutes later we have fries and 2 of the biggest, baddest
lobster rolls you have ever seen. I read that you get the equivalent of the meat from a whole
1.5 pound lobster in the roll, but I daresay it might have been more than that. Lobster
was busting out of this thing. Poured some butter over it all and launch into
my roll. The combo of sweet (and super fresh) lobster meat and crunchy toasted
roll with the warm butter—I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Probably one
of the best things I have ever eaten in my life.
I’m sure it helps to have your
food stand 20 paces from the bay where the local lobstermen have traps. And
yes, I ate every bite of that roll. Mystery solved about the long lines as
well. I think we lucked out with an hour wait. But would I wait longer?
Hellz yes I would! If I ever get anywhere within striking distance of that
place again—you know where to find me. Red’s Eats. Thank you
Wiscasset!
