Erica's Seafood — Restaurant in Harpswell

June 20, 2021 - One of Maine’s best SEAFOOD lunch spots! (Bring CASH, go on a sunny day). Almost perfect . . . 4.90 rating!

Erica’s is owned & operated by Tom Butler ( local lobsterman/fisherman) and Andrea Hunter ( wife) with the help of Erica (their daughter) . . . opened in 2009 as the Live Lobster Shack, then renamed to Erica’s in 2011.

It’s a combo enterprise . . . with a seasonal restaurant open from Memorial Day to Columbus Day, and a live lobster pound/tank selling both live & cooked lobsters located on their own wharf at Potts Harbor in Harpswell, Maine.

Erica’s restaurant only takes CASH! Hey, this is an iconic Maine seafood takeout! Well, they allow folks to eat outside on picnic tables (I think there were about 6 or 7 tables?) As you enjoy fresh scallops, shrimp, clams, lobster, with tasty fries ( liked the dash of vinegar) or the standard hamburgers, chicken, and onion rings, you can’t beat the harbor views on a sunny day! This is my go to “ LUNCH SPOT” for seafood!

P.S. No inside seating, but they have portable toilets! 😎

Suggestions: (for a PERFECT 5 rating)

Add an ATM machine (CASH)

Add more picnic tables with umbrellas ( protection from sun, for some)

Helpful Cooking Hints on Lobster 🦞

Those who cook lobsters, best to steam Add 1.5 inches of water to big pot Stream rack is helpful, not necessary Bring water to boil A. When red, cook 1 - 1.5 soft shell lobsters 12 min.

B. When red, cook 1 - 1.5 hard shell lobsters 15 min.

Some say, pull off antenna, it’s done! Crack it open, dip in...

I got the crab roll. It was ok. The size was small for the price. Our order of onion rings was VERY small too - literally a small handful of onion straws (the thin fried onions you get on a burger in some restaurants) and they were really greasy. (The oil wasn't hot enough.)

My husband's burger was small too (ridiculously big piece of lettuce - I guess to make it look bigger). For $40 (with a couple bucks for the pleasant young lady who brought our food to our car), we should not have left hungry!! (especially us. We're not big eaters!)

Will we return? Nope. Frankly speaking, we're sick and tired of the local eateries overcharging for food (always been the case, but it's to a ridiculous degree now - even at food trailers such as this. It costs the same as if we went to a restaurant!) As Mainers, we feel embarrassed that our (much needed) tourists and locals are so blatantly robbed (while also cutting the portions in half, or less now!). We used to love to treat ourselves to meals out, but there's no joy in it any more. Most of the food establishments seem to be owned by out of staters now, and that's part of the problem. (They don't care how their behavior affects our state.). And, if we have to go home hungry, feeling ripped off, and I have to cook something for us, than why bother??

Note: We were appalled to learn that if you order lobster you have to pay for the melted butter (each). Geesh! That's...

Awesome little takeout place. Food is great and not as expensive as the place next door. If you want an alcoholic beverage you have to bring your own but there is soda machines for the kiddos. The owners are on site and really friendly to talk to. The lobster is always fresh and cooked on the spot for you unless you want one of their delicious lobster rolls and that would have been picked that morning. Motorcycles are encouraged to park on the wharf, which makes a beautiful backdrop for pictures of your ride. Bring cash because they don't take credit or debit cards! There is usually a line but after you order you can either go look at the lobster fisherman unload, gaze at the coastline and all the boats, or sit at your table and take in the scent of the ocean air. Be mindful that there is only outdoor seating and you may want to bring a sweatshirt or light jacket for overcast days and spring and fall evenings. Pets are welcome, just be mindful to clean up after them. Just a short ride from Brunswick and probably one of the best eateries in the area. I would definitely eat here before I wasted my time and money to go to Reds Eats...