Spinneys Oceanfront Restaurant — Restaurant in Phippsburg

Stopped in on our way back from the beach for drinks, ice cream, chicken tenders and fries. Couldn't find parking at first as it's clear people use the Spinney's lot to access the beach or Fort Popham (figured this out as soon as we got inside and saw the place nearly empty, despite a full parking lot). I let my husband, and 3 kids out to head in and I drove around trying to find a place to park. By the time I got inside, they had already ordered at the to-go counter and paid for it (thinking they would have to bring it home since I was outside unable to park). We asked the young server there (who was working her tail off, as no one else was working at the to-go counter-- very understaffed) if we could sit in the EMPTY dining room since we had finally found parking . And when I say empty, I mean NO ONE WAS IN THE DINING ROOM. There were some people sitting outside on the patio--maybe three tables-- but every single table inside was empty. She said yes and we headed over to have a seat. I wouldn't have asked if it was busy in there. Soon, a very nervous hostess came over looking scared out of her eyes and said we couldn't sit there, that only dine-in folks could sit down. I said, fine, we'll order drinks from her. She again looked super uncomfortable . In the meantime, the first server brought our food out. We had two chicken tender baskets and fries, and 5 ice creams (we tipped her 15% for her trouble). Then the hostess returned with 5 drinks-- we paid for those at the table. All in all we paid well over $50 but as soon as the hostess saw our take out, she really got freaked out and said the owner has a rule and we couldn't eat there. Keep in mind, there is still NOT ONE PERSON IN THE RESTAURANT. I asked her to send the owner over, thinking she was probably over-reacting-- surely the owner would be happy for a family fo 5 to sit down when the restaurant was empty anyway-- but when he arrived, he was rude beyond measure and just kept saying "It's the rule!" I tried to say we would be happy to tip the hostess and that the restaurant was empty anyway-- did he really expect us to stand on the sidewalk and eat when there were so many tables available? Basically, he did want us to do that. He was coarse, rude and argumentative. I've NEVER had an owner of a restaurant be so uninterested in the comfort of his patrons, or even have an interest in our ever returning. When I told him we wouldn't, he said that was fine with him. He is one of those people on a power trip who likes to make other people feel small-- he is definitely in the wrong business. Now I know why his hostess looked so uncomfortable-- she was scared out of her mind that she was going to be fired any minute. And she probably will be. Restaurant owners are supposed to be about hospitality and should be eager to make their patrons feel welcomed and comfortable. He did exactly the opposite. A really horrible experience and an awful example for my children to witness. They had not seen an adult behave as he did or speak to a customer that way. I guess he feels like he doesn't have to be polite or accommodating. He just depends on the tourists but lots of people return to the Popham area every summer for a week (as we do) and he would do well to appeal to these possible return customers. I will NEVER return to Spinney's. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't last -- it really shouldn't. Save yourself the aggravation and go...

I just ate an order I got to go from Spinney's and I was VERY impressed with the quality of the food. The reasons I didn't give them 5 stars are explained below:

1)The New England Clam Chowder was excellent, but the 12 oz. container it came in was not even half full. I figure the person who put the order together must have thought it was a 16 oz. container, and didn't judge the 1/2 mark very well for the "cup" I ordered (versus a bowl). Or maybe with shrinkflation kicking in, a cup is now only 6 oz.

2. I went back and forth with the two people taking the order about whether the fries that the first person mentioned were included in the lobster roll price or would be a surcharge. The second person informed me that they had run out of fries, but could give me onion rings instead. Once again, I asked if they would be an added charge to the lobster roll. He said it was an extra charge, so I said that I did NOT want to order them if they were extra. When I opened the container I found they had given me the onion rings anyway. They were very good, and the portion was just right, but I probably paid extra for them because the bill total was quite a shock. More on that later.

3. The lobster roll was also very good, with lots of claw meat and simple mayo-based dressing that didn't compete with the subtle sweet lobster flavor. The roll was good but was NOT buttered and toasted as promised in the description, and it was the biggest I have ever seen. I ate only 1/4 of it. Way too much bread, but good quality.

4. The blueberry pie was also very good. It was a generous serving with a very flaky crust that wasn't at all soggy on the bottom, which is quite a feat.

The total for these three items came to just under $50, which seems outrageous. That being said, I guess that's what lobster prices are right now, and inflation is still rampant.

I have to give these folks some slack as well, regarding the communication issues I mentioned above. This was only their third day open for the summer season, and they were slammed with business due to the gorgeous weather this Memorial Day weekend.

The person who gave me my order and took my payment was very kind and accommodating, since he did not have a bag to place my order in. I am handicapped with a cane, and so only have one available arm to carry anything. The tower of boxes my food came in wasn't something I could manage. He carried it out to my car for me and took my payment there on his mobile credit card device. I know he was under a lot of time stress, but he was patient and didn't put any pressure on me to hurry.

That gesture was very much appreciated.

I would definitely recommend Spinney's under it's new ownership. The food is better than ever, and they will likely work through any service glitches with a...

Have come here for years and happy to see what Chris has done over the last couple of them. However, a few things seem to be slipping through the cracks.

The service we have received in recent weeks has been terrible from the same server twice. I even mentioned something to the “manager” (not Chris) last time and she rolled her eyes at me. That experience was reviewed on Yelp a few weeks ago.

Regardless, we always return. I’ve been back twice now since that time and tonight was terrible, too. Same server and still unpleasant and un attentive. Had low expectations for her so moved on to what I expected to be the typical nice and relaxing local work night time.

The ice filling my $12+ cocktail has risen in recent weeks leaving a few sips of an actual beverage. I get the ice trick but this was beyond acceptable for the cost. The fish tacos (that has been my go to all summer) seems to have crumbles of fish rather than an adequate and even generous about of fish like they did weeks ago.

Our coleslaw cup looked like it was snagged out of a fridge that had been prepped in the same cup days ago. Same with the tarter sauce. They could have at least mixed it around a little to make it look like it was just spooned in the cup to get rid of the coating on the top from sitting in the fridge.

Chris- you have it in you! Don’t let poor service, bad server attitudes, and prep shortcuts be what people remember. As far as bringing it to your attention in person, I could have as you suggest to everyone else. The thing about reviews though is to let others know experiences and should know what to expect even when it’s not...