Union River Lobster Pot — Restaurant in Ellsworth

Living in the area for nearly 10 years, The Lobster Pot was one of the places I kept putting on my list to try, but being seasonal and almost always busy, it wasn't in the cards in prior years. Great attempt/patience is needed. However, late-ish night in September (with great conscious forethought) worked out for us. My 11yo and I ordered steamed clams, deep fried cheese curds (with lobster dip), a cup of clam chowder, and a side of the fire roasted street corn. We really didn't wait that long - despite multiple questions from my daughter. Once everything arrived, we dug in, and my daughter vocally stated how good the food was multiple times. I was worried she wouldn't like the clam chowder (1st time trying). She loved it all and we ate it all. The street corn was very good, but it doesn't beat my favorite version at Margaritas. The clam chowder was very tasty, the cheese curds were fabulous - crispy/chewy and the dip was good. The clams were... clams, not sure you can get much variety from this cooking process.

The only complaint I had was when I ordered blueberry pie. It came out with a crust - I was looking for the open top and didn't realize it was seasonal. There are TONS of photos on the website of this open blueberry, and I didn't even realize they had two options. The waitress asked if I still wanted the pie. I debated returning it as the pie was one of the deciding factors for being on my bucket list, but the crusted pie was there, and it did look good (with ice cream). It was really good pie! I'm not a huge fan of crusts, but the filling had great blueberry flavor that was not overdone with sugar.

The service was good, the waitress was friendly, there were open parking spaces and tables when we arrived. I'm not sure when we will be back, but the food was a hit and I can see why it's a hot spot...

Short version: food was fine, but I was charged incorrectly and they basically just said “we could give you the food you paid for but our kitchen is closed now”. Also, useful tip: the “Lazy lobster” dish is lobster meat in a shallow bowl of butter. The volume of lobster meat seems less than in the lobster roll my partner ordered, so it probably makes sense to just get a lobster roll (cheaper and more food)

First of all, we ordered, and asked for the dessert to come out first because we were so hungry (45 min wait). They didn’t tell us everything was going to come out at once because it comes out quickly. By the time we got to our warm crisp with ice cream on top, it was cold-ish crisp with a puddle on top, but honestly, not a big deal. The frustrating bit is that I’d asked if I could get a nicer side ($6) instead of the regular side ($4), and the waitress said “that’s fine but it will be an up charge” which is what I expected, so of course I agreed. At every other restaurant I have eaten at, “up charge” means, for example, $2-3 extra for truffle fries instead of regular fries. When I got the bill, she had charged me full price for an extra side. So instead of the two free sides I got with my meal, I got one side and paid in full for a second. Now $6 is not really a big deal, but when I pointed it out, I was taken aback by how condescending she was- “I told you it would be an upcharge, I’m sorry you didn’t understand what I told you.” And that response to what I thought would be a simple fix is why I am writing this review. (I asked if I could at least get the additional side that was included in my meal…but the kitchen was closed)

The food was good enough. Standard seafood shack fare- no more or less. Definitely not worth leaving a...

We usually bring folks who are visiting us in Lamoine to the Union River Lobster Pot, not so much for the quality of the food, which is certainly acceptable in most instances, but for the location, views, uniqueness of the restaurant itself. The outside lobster-boiling facility, located right next to the restaurant's entrance, is fascinating to many of our out-of-state visitors. The Union River rushes by the place on it's way to the Atlantic and provides wonderful photo ops and a relaxing place to sip a glass of wine as you wait for a table. The service is normally decent and the food likewise. You can't go too far wrong with a lobster dinner - even I can boil a lobster and steam some corn. The coleslaw, however, is far better than I can muster and clearly a notch above that found at most restaurants in the area. Deserts feature two styles of fresh, tasty, homemade blueberry pies - open faced and traditional crust - and other goodies from the imagination of the obviously competent chef. The parking issues of years gone by seem to have been resolved with the addition of several new parking niches. The large capacity of the dining areas outstripped the available parking for several years. Families with small children are accommodated graciously. Be warned that the portions are large, perhaps to make up for most entrees being a touch below gourmet level. I imagine it is very difficult to produce exquisite dining experiences with such a high volume of customers passing through. I may be off here, but I think the dining areas seat over 100 people and most folks have to wait for a table. Pricing is reasonable, although a little above most area...