So I know a clam hut isn’t a bakery but still… My husband would not stop talking about the lunch he ate at Bob’s Clam Hut in Kittery, Maine until I shared about it on the blog.
I spent every summer of my childhood on a boat, eating every kind of seafood imaginable and much to my parents and husband’s displeasure, I have had enough seafood to last a lifetime except for maybe 2 pieces of salmon a year. The novelty of eating any sort of seafood even on a cute a picnic table, is totally lost on me. But for my seafood loving husband, well now, that’s a totally different story. Apparently he’s on a mission to find the best seafood shack in New England. And lucky me, I get to tag along. 😉
You want to know a cool secret though? Seafood shacks all serve fries and some of them even serve ice cream {Bob’s does!} so date day {even when it’s his turn to choose} will still be a ton of fun.
Bob’s Clam Hut in Kittery, Maine opened in 1956 in the backyard of Bob’s parents’ home {can you believe that!}. Bob would cook the clams and his mother would make the pies they sold for dessert. People LOVED IT! The menu eventually grew to include clam chowder, lobster stew and rolls, and other favorites.
The current owner, Michael Landgarten who bought the place over 30 years ago still follows Bob’s original recipes, including Bob’s famous tartar sauce. I must admit, I did sneak a few bites of the HH’s coleslaw and sampled his tarter sauce, and they were both spot on.
The Kittery Outlets now surround Bob’s Clam Hut on the busy US Route 1 but there is ample parking and Bob’s truly is a Maine hot spot. It’s even open year round so you don’t have to wait until summer to get your fix.
Bob’s Clam Hut has even been featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and the reviews on Trip Advisor are crazy good too. The HH ordered the clam strip dinner for $17.95 and said that without a doubt, he’d be back and next time, he was going to try the lobster roll.
So if you ever make your way to Kittery, Maine be sure and check out Bob’s Clam Hut! It’s a winner.
~Mavis
Bob’s Clam Hut
315 US Route 1 Kittery, Maine
Kelly says
Take your husband to some of the seafood places around Wells Maine and further up the coast. They are way better than Bob’s. If he’s into lobster rolls try some places in the Wiscasset area.
Although Bob’s is ok, it’s become too touristy because of its location next to the outlets. Welcome to Maine!
Indio says
Oh yeah on wiscasset, the prettiest little village in ME. Reds Eats is famous there. Always a line.
Nancy says
The plant that you asked about is a Peony.
TICK REPELLENT
Take an empty spray bottle and fill it
9/10 of the way with regular
Listerine mouthwash.
Top off the other 10% with
water.
Mix and spray this mixture onto your dog’s fur (and your clothing) for a
quick solution to this problem.
Libby says
Chauncey Creek in Kittery Point is in a beautiful and calm spot for getting a lobster or clam fix. Built on floating docks right on the water in a pretty cove and only 4-5 minutes off Route 1.
Essex, MA is the epicenter for the best clam shacks in New England.
Lions, and tigers, and ……. bears – not sure if you are composting, but most of my friends who live on acreage in northern NE don’t compost as it attracts bears. It’s worth asking your neighbors what they do.
Dawn says
We live in the western mountains of Maine, and lots of people around here compost. You have to be careful to follow the rules of composting–no meat, oils, bread. etc. etc. Not to say that it couldn’t happen, but in 20+ years of composting, I’ve never once had an issue or even heard of one. Bears bother people’s birdfeeders in the spring on a regular basis around here, but many, many people have a compost bin/pile with no problems.
Cindi says
I’m in Colorado in bear country and I compost too. Only one time have I had a young bear sniff around the compost. I shooed him away, then sprinkled the pile with ammonia. Bears hate the smell of ammonia and he never came back — and I have had no other trouble. So I wouldn’t let bears put you off composting. (We do have to bring in our bird feeders in the summer months, though.)
Carolina says
I have lived in this area since 1990 and am getting such a kick out of your reviews of local haunts. Check out When Pigs Fly Bakery and Restaurant a little father north on Route 1, on the other side of the street from Bob’s. They have LOTS of breads to sample before you buy. They have an interesting back story also. I think they are way better than Dave’s Killer Bread that you bought back in Washington State. Would love to know what you think! And I agree that Chauncey Creek in Kittery Point is a quieter spot to enjoy seafood, as another reader stated.
Mrs. C. says
ROcoco Ice Cream is based 8n Kennebunkport and it is fantastic. It looks like that is the ice cream that Bob’s serves.
Sluggy says
Tell HH to try a full belly clam dinner, not a clam strip dinner. Much better.
Daria says
This is SO true!!
Susan says
Yes!! Full belly clam dinner!! My most favorite eat in the world!!!
There is a place in Auburn, MA – Ronnie’s – that has been there for at least 60 years. Mom & Pop place …the owners used to live right next door.
And Dresser Hill in Charlton, MA ….YUM!!!
MEM says
Thinking the same!
Martha Buchanan says
I was going to say that also. Strips just aren’t clams 🙂
Lisa Rostocki says
Totally agree, a true New Englander would eat whole belly clams and nothing else :)! I miss Bob’s Clam Hut. Now that I am Florida I just don’t get any seafood like I did up north. Mavis don’t forget to go to Lago’s in Rye,NH. Great ice cream and HUGE portions so don’t order the large!
Carolina says
…and Lago’s is easy to find, right on the right, as you go south on Route 1. Another great place is Cow Licks in Dover, NH
Carrie says
I am planning a trip to Maine this summer. I love reading everyone’s advice on restaurants. Thanks!
Daria says
Born & bred Mainer here – grew up in Portland, now live in Augusta. Ken’s in Scarborough is pretty awesome, the Clambake is not bad. We also like the Weathervane in Kittery – great deals (and great chowder) – unfortunately they closed the locations convenient to us up here. In Portland, try DiMillo’s – great Italian food and seafood. Gilbert’s Chowder House has great clams, and great chowder. Susan’s Fish and Chips is decent. The A1 Diner in Gardiner makes excellent everything, and their clams are no exception – the Liberal Cup in Hallowell also makes a great fried clam. Red’s Eats in Wiscasset is legendary – but you want to go before the tourist season kicks into high gear.
Have fun on your journey. Maine has no shortage of great places to eat.
Lisa H. says
I’ve tried a few lobster rolls in the years we’ve lived on the East Coast, and the best one I’ve ever tasted was from the Bite Into Maine food truck parked near the Portland Head Lighthouse. Their Picnic Style roll was divinely delicious and the lobster grilled cheese sandwich looked even better. Who needs great views of a lighthouse when you’ve got a beautiful lobster roll in front of you?!
Nancy says
I can TOTALLY relate to your fish-averse nature! My family spent summers cottaging here in Canada and my father LOVED to fish! We ate pickerel, cat fish, perch, and anything else that happened to jump on the line. We ate fish for lunch (think pickerel, mayo and lemon juice on bread – like tuna, only pickerel!). We ate fish for dinner – almost always fried in butter. And, there was always some smelly catch (I know fresh fish is not supposed to smell – but excuse me – it does!) ready to be fileted. I used to hope, beyond hope each night when my father went out fishing that he would NOT return victorious. Unfortunately, he knew all the good fishing spots. Only now, at aged 60+ am I trying to eat fish again. My husband, who is a fish lover, is ecstatic!
Sue R says
I LOVE Bob’s! I have gone there since I was born, and I’m 53! I remember when it was just a shack and there were no outlets, just the Trading Post. So many great places to eat between Kittery and Kennebunk. Try Congdons Donuts in Wells, ME sometime for breakfast.
Mavis Butterfield says
I’ll put it on our list. Thanks Sue R.
Helen in Meridian says
Today on ABC’s The Chew, they said there is a lobster shortage this year. That places the used to sell lobster rolls cheap, like $5 are now having to ask $40. This is like the raise in price of Vanilla over the last 2 years.
Mavis Butterfield says
Yikes! I think I’ve seen them for around $20 – $25 lately. Sounds like the HH better hurry up and try one. Thanks for the heads up Helen.
Yankeegal says
I agree with those that recommend a drive up rt 1/ coastal Maine for seafood. Too many good places to list. Also hopefully a trip to Acadia and Bar Harbor for you in the future. I have lived here for 26 years and we still go up there at least once a year. Jordon’s Pond lobster roll is fabulous too!
E in Upstate NY says
Ooo ooo, do Bar Harbor bars still exist? Moved away from Bangor many years ago, but still have wonderful memories of them. They made both the ice cream and the cookies on the premises. Family rule, no eating Bar Harbor bars in the car – way too messy. Used to buy a dozen at the end of the season [they were a seasonal business back then] to meter out till they opened again the spring.
Inquiring mind would like to know. Unfortunately haven’t been back since we left.
Valérie says
I love Bob’s Clam Hut! Whenever we drive to Maine we stop there. We share a lobster roll and an order of fried clams.
Lisa says
We were in Kennebunkport about 20 years ago and ask the locals where to get the best lobster, they sent us to Nunan’s Lobster Shack, and it was awesome! I am pretty sure it’s still around. It was off the beaten path and felt very New England at the time. You should check it out! I love Maine!!!
Michele says
Yes Nunan’s in Cape Porpoise is very much still here! And the blueberry pie is perfection
Carrie says
Mavis, you must visit Strawbery Banke. Those words are spelled correctly…from the 1600s! It is a collection of 32 homes and 10 gardens in Portsmouth., NH. When I was a child we went there in the early 60’s and “Urban Renewal” was all the rage. Buildings that had stood for 300 years were deteriorate but standing. Somehow a community effort started to save everything they could. It’s been 55 years since my first visit and it is a major “historical save”! Look up http://www.strawberybanke.org. I will be back here near Tacoma jealous of your move!…ha!
S says
Ooh, I second Strawbery Banke. A wonderful place to visit!
Michele says
Ocean Roll is a restored food truck located on Rt 1 north in Kennebunk, just past Hannaford. Fantastic lobster rolls, chowder etc. locally owned and operated and they get everything from their fish market The Lobster Company, in Arundel.
Harry says
At Bobs Clam Hut try the WHOLE BELLY CLAM DINNER. for me nothing else will do.
Mavis Butterfield says
It’s on his list!