Portland, Maine’s Hidden Seafood Bomb 🦞

Let’s emphasize first: this is Portland, MAINE❗️Not the one in Oregon～ Tucked away at 33 Wharf St, this little spot has been my secret “seafood treasure” for half a year—just 50 meters from the dock. Every dawn, lobsters go straight from fishing boats to the kitchen, with seawater still glistening on their shells. No exaggeration: driving 2 hours from Boston for it, the first bite of the lobster roll left me thinking only one thing: this trip was worth licking even the bread crumbs～ 🌊 A “Seafood Shack” by the Dock, Fresh Enough to Taste the Waves Walking in, a salty sea breeze hits you full in the face—old pine tables, polished to a shine, with faint brown spots from lobster juice; yellowed fishing boat photos nailed to the walls; an old radio in the corner playing Maine folk songs; a (chef) in a rubber apron standing behind the counter, left hand holding a lobster’s back, right hand slicing the shell with a knife “crack”—snow-white meat pops out, still glistening with seawater beads, making your mouth water. The signature lobster roll is the absolute star: made with Maine soft-shell lobsters (thin-shelled, tender meat with natural sweetness). The chef hand-picks them, keeping the roe’s aroma, then tucks the meat into a buttery, crispy-toasted roll—the edges of the bread are amber and crackly, “crunching” when bitten. Butter fragrance mixes with lobster sweetness, sprinkled with a pinch of sea salt and fresh black pepper—no sauce needed. Meat overflows from the roll, every bite a mix of springy lobster and crispy bread, fresh like a wave in your mouth. The buttery scent lingers on your fingers all afternoon🦞 The oyster platter is a must too: all fished that day from the Gulf of Maine, (carrying) a briny seaweed aroma (a sign of freshness!), with a bit of sand on the shells. Pick the largest one, squeeze half a lemon, “slurp” it in—first a cold, silky texture, then a faint metallic finish, like swallowing a sip of crisp seawater. The brininess wraps around freshness; pair with a local IPA, one oyster one sip, feeling like you’re sitting on the dock soaking up the sun. 🍴 The Menu’s as Short as a Note, but Every Dish is a “Seafood Knockout” The menu’s just one A4 sheet, but no duds: Fried scallops: Coated in a thin batter, fried to glass-like crispness. Bite into ping-pong-sized scallops, springy enough to bounce in your mouth. Dip in tartar sauce—so fresh you squint; Lobster chowder: Thick enough to stand a spoon in, with big chunks of lobster meat (not scraps!). Creamy richness mixed with roe depth. By the end, you must wipe the bowl clean with bread to do it justice; Blueberry pie for dessert: Made with wild Maine blueberries, perfectly tart, crust crispy to crumbs. Served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream—cool creaminess balances the seafood’s richness, a gentle end to this “sea feast.” 🌟 Why Fear It Going Viral? Because It’s Tiny! No being dramatic—it’s really small: only 8 tables, the largest fitting 4 people. No phone reservations, just line up early (aim for 11 AM when it opens, or wait 1+ hours). Last time, I heard a guy at the next table say, “Came from New York just for this lobster roll”—instant panic: if too many people find out, there won’t even be standing room to wait… But honestly, this “fisherman-style authenticity” is rare: lobsters priced by size (a medium roll ~$30, 1/3 cheaper than Boston). The chef (smiles) hefts a lobster: “Today’s batch is fatter than yesterday—slipped in extra claw meat”; no fancy plating, the lobster roll wrapped in (parchment paper), but “freshness” is done to perfection. After all, a spot 50 meters from the sea doesn’t need gimmicks. If you’re near Boston, a 2-hour drive for this fresh-picked lobster will show you what “an oasis in a food desert” means—sea breeze, lobster aroma, chef’s laughter mixing together: that’s the real taste of Portland, Maine. 📍 33 Wharf St, Portland, ME (look for the little blue door with a “Fresh Catch” wooden sign) Promise me—don’t share this too much… I still want a table next time #SeafoodHeaven #LobsterRoll #MaineFood #PortlandME #HiddenTreasure