Fishermen’s Grill

Great seafood at market prices. Wait times can be slightly long and they’re cash only! Good vibes but slightly disorganized. Seared scallops, lobster rolls (classic!), and fried shrimp/​clams/​haddock all bring it together to make for a delicious stop in Maine. Make sure you bring plenty of cash!

This place is AMAZING, great find to satisfy the seafood craving. I think I can safely say this place has one of my favorite lobster rolls. So much lobster and so little mayo, it’s great!

Pursuant to Jacky Y’s recommendation, we changed our target destination on our navigation system to make this our first stop in Maine.
Food: I ordered the jumbo lobster roll, jumbo Connecticut roll, and seared scallops. There goes $ 103. Oh, cash only. We were most happy with the seared scallops — they were cooked to perfection! There was one scallop with a bit too much salt, but maybe that was just a one-​off mistake. The lobster roll was huge and contained so much lobster that we were so glad we paid the extra $ 1 for the bread to wrap it in. We were even given a separate container to put lobster in!
Service: there is a line that is not well-​managed. There were two people who cut in front not realizing that there is an actual line. The proprietors here are friendly, but food took quite a while to come out due to the overwhelming number of orders. This place is an example of an establishment that is a victim of its own success.
Décor: it’s really, really warm inside, wish there was air conditioning, but then again, as prior reviews have noted, you don’t come here for the décor. Outdoor seating was full, unfortunately. Parking is difficult, but we parked across the street and walked; no signs of tow trucks anywhere!

Came to this place after hearing a lot of positive word of mouth reviews and also reading the online reviews. I had the lobster roll, clam chowder and fried clams. Everything was delicious, I don’t think that I came up for air for the first few minutes! The food was fresh and everything was seasoned mildly so you get as much of the seafood taste as possible without the seasoning overpowering it. I will definitely have to stop by again the next time I am in town.

The best lobster rolls I have ever had in Maine! Their chowder was amazing as were their scallops! Seared to perfection! Melts in your mouth!

We got here around 11:45am and there was already a line outside waiting for the restaurant to open. The store hours are supposedly 12pm-​4pm but they have a sign out the door, (something to the extent of) «sorry for the inconvenience but we prepare everything fresh and we will open when we are ready for you». We had to wait another 10 minutes before they let anyone in. Not too big of a deal. They weren’t doing combos because of the line. We got the lobster roll and fried clams. They were good, but definitely not the best I’ve ever had. I would say… in my top 5 for lobster rolls and fried clams. The fried clams were nice because of the addition of salt. The staff are also nice!

Hi Mike!
I apologize I just wasn’t impressed with the lobster roll. I found it to be very wet and not great. However I like to be fair and I will give you the benefit of doubt, maybe I just got an «off meal». You say I am wrong so I will give it another try next time I am in the Portland area.

CASH ONLY! If you don’t want to go to the ATM, get cash-​back at Walmart (no limit, unlike smaller stores).
Fishermen’s Grill is a little shack next to Fishermen’s Net across from Mayor Baxter’s Woods in Portland. It’s on the pricey side of meals, but definitely worth the stop if you’re in Portland because of the freshness and huge portion sizes of their food. Hours are quite limited so call before coming to make sure they’re open. Winter hours (still in effect through Memorial Day aka end of May) are way shorter than summer hours so don’t trust Unilocal’s listed hours. Parking is limited in a tiny lot at the back. There are small booths/​tables inside and large covered picnic tables outside for seating.
Ordering is somewhat of an ordeal; everything is priced a la cart but there’s also a full menu with entrees and a specials board that includes things with market pricing that you ask for. Honestly too much math for someone that just wants to eat lunch but whatever floats your boat.
Onto the food:
— We ordered the jumbo lobster roll and pint of seared scallops special at market price, which in mid-​May was $ 54. Not a terrible price for 2 people dining on seafood in Maine, but enough to make you question why you’re spending so much money on one meal…
— Jumbo lobster roll: At 9−10oz of meat, this thing is hefty and enough to make 2 «mini» lobster rolls of 4 oz each. Pay an extra dollar for an extra bun to make two rolls. The meat does come cold. I was actually pretty disappointed at how much tail there was in our meat, would preferred more claw, but overall it was fresh and generously portioned. Mayo was plentiful (almost too much) and too watery for my taste. The buttered buns were excellent and came with some lettuce and tomatoes too. Don’t think I’d get it again.
— Seared scallops: These are incredible. They actually charge extra for seared seafood v. fried versions but it’s worth it. The flavor was incredible with a perfect sear, juicy/​tender meat, and a squeeze of lemon. There was a side of cocktail sauce but it really wasn’t needed. Definitely would re-​order.
— Cole slaw: Very nice version here, cost $ 2 for a large (in retrospect I could have gotten a small portion with fries for $ 3…sigh). Very tangy with crispy cabbage, again too much mayo but it was great for dipping fries in!
— Clam cake slammer: I’ve never had a clam cake before but after having this one… definitely would get it again. Imagine a large hash-​brown patty with a crispy fried crust and insides made of fluffy potato and clam… then put it on a bun with lettuce, tomatoes, and tartar sauce. Yup. Delicious. It was the cheapest item in our meal at $ 6.95 but was quite large since it came with 2 cakes. We actually saved most of it for dinner later and it held up well.
The perfect post lunch activity was a stroll through Baxter Woods across the street. You won’t regret it!
Overall would return and re-​order the scallops and clam cakes. Lobster roll was overhyped and for the asking price definitely wanted more claw meat in it.

Wow. Their lobster roll was really awesome! A bit pricey for a lobster roll but it was definitely worth it for me. There was so much lobster meat and it tasted really fresh. It’s probably one of the best lobster rolls I’ve ever tasted and I’m from Boston!
The fries were good too.
I’ll definitely return the next time I’m in Portland!

One of my favorite finds in Maine so far, on par with Bite into Maine and Eventide (better than Eventide if you compare everything and not just lobster roll). Delicious lobster roll, perfectly cooked scallops (and boy are we picky about this), and crack-​like «chowda.» Downsides are cash only, especially considering the price point* (we spent almost $ 100), limited hours, limited seating, narrow, oddly-​shaped parking lot that is difficult to maneuver with an SUV or truck, and long lines. Luckily we beat the rush this time.
It takes a while to get your food since they are preparing it to order, but because of this the seafood in the chowder does not have time to overcook. The lobster in the lobster roll was perfectly cooked, though we suspect it was premade as it (and the sea of mayo it was The Abyss’ed in) was so deeply and thoroughly cold that it hurt my teeth to bite into it.
The bun of the lobster roll can’t compare to Eventide, but the lobster part was better than Eventide’s, which is ever so slightly overcooked (although their brown butter lobster roll is a warm preparation, so it can’t be submerged into a vat of cold mayo to preserve it at the peak of perfectly cooked-​ness.
The chowder was rich and buttery but also creamy so it wasn’t like drinking a cup of butter like at 3 Buoys. As mentioned above the seafood is added afterwards so the haddock, etc. is not overcooked by the time you dive into it. The clams were the best part, though, so next time I might just get clam chowder instead of seafood. Also, adding $ 3 for lobster didn’t seem to get you much lobster so I would skip it. The lobster rolls give you more than enough to get your lobster fix.
The scallops sauteed in butter were perfectly cooked, pillowy soft, but the herbs and spices it was cooked in were blander than I would have expected. It needed a bit of salt, which is weird because normally I find everything too salty, and none of the other spices’ flavor came through.
We enjoyed taking in the local color streaming in through the door, learning a bit about the restaurant’s history from another patron. We also perused this lobster roll book they had there, reading in its pages information about this place as well as other places we had just been to. We’re going to have to get our own copy someday.
*I guess part of the expense was that we came in the off-​season for lobster. Just be forewarned, you want to hit the ATM, bank, or store that offers cash back with purchase (Target, CVS, Whole Paycheck) before you get here. Oh, they do take local check, which is strange but nice for those of you who can take advantage.
Overall the few complaints I had seem too small to knock off a whole star for, especially retroactively in light of some of the poorer meals we had in Maine (Miyake and Street & Co, we’re lookin’ at you!), so 5 stars it is.

If you can only try one place in Maine to fulfill your seafood craving, this is it. As a nondescript shack on the side of the road, Fishermen’s Grill is easy to miss. But look for Baxter State Park as a landmark, and it’s right across the street. Parking can be found easily in the back of the restaurant or on the side of the road.
Prices vary daily depending on market price for seafood, but they are generally reasonable for the quality and portion size. Must-​haves include the classic lobster roll, which is chuck full of meat on a lightly toasted and buttered bun, and the clam chowder, which also comes with a generous serving of clams and nicely seasoned with dill. I’m also a fan of the fried clam bellies; they have that perfectly crisp exterior yet still retain their juicy seafood flavor. And if you have room in your stomach, please do sample the scallops as well! Seared to perfection, these are tender and large in size. On one instance, the chef was nice enough to give us a few on the house since he made too many!
Of note, there’s only one cashier and one cook who happen to be the same guy, so do be patient because delicious food takes time to prepare. The only drawback is the small seating area (probably about 5 tables inside, some patio seating outdoors). But with food this good, this shouldn’t matter much!

This place is a average at best dive that charges way to much there should be a law against this kind of stuff 80 dollars for a sea food platter come on let’s get real 60 dollars for lobster roll and scallops is high way robbery and everyone should know this walking in and good average people on vacation is who they pray a upon market price means they can charge what ever they want they say lobster is 53 dollars a pound when blocks away at another seafood place it’s 40 so they
Make up the market price and charge 3 to 4 times what it should cost anyone on Unilocal be warned this place is trying to steal from you the customer

Came here two years ago on our first trip to Portland based on Unilocal reviews and made this our first stop on this trip. Beelined it here right from the airport.
The place looks like a dive, but the lobster rolls are huge and the best you will ever have. I get the classic size, Connecticut style, which is hot and served with melted butter. I also tried the clam chowder this time, which you can add on for $ 3, and it was perfection as well. Large chunks of chewy, rich clams. You can’t go wrong except the fact that good seafood is pricey and lobster is at a high now in April. We spent close to $ 80 for two classic tolls and two chowders but we didn’t even care because it was so, so worth it.

Every time we visit Portland, we always stop by this place because the guy who works here can make some seriously delicious seafood. I usually get the combo (2 classic lobster roll & ¼ pint of fried clams or oysters). Last time I went, I also tried his clam chowder and that was super delicious as well. I love his lobster roll because he seasons the lobster meat perfectly and he doesn’t skim out on the portion. I had it for lunch and I was full the entire day. No joke. I also love his fried clams because you can actually taste the clams, not just the batter… In my opinion, this place is 1000x better than other fancy restaurants near downtown Portland. I highly recommend that you give this place a try!

Got the jumbo roll and seared scallops special, with an extra roll. That came out to about $ 60, a little pricey. My favorite part of the meal was the bun — I’m sorry but I’m not a lobster fan so I can’t say I enjoyed the lobster, but my mom commented that the lobster was really fresh and she enjoyed it so that’s that. If I were to come back, I would probably forgo the scallops and maybe try the chowder.
Service was friendly although it was a little bit of a wait considering he was running the whole show from FOH to back of housem.

Amazing fresh and tasty lobster rolls!!! We came here at 3:15 on a Saturday and they had no more scallops. So sad! They looked so yummy! My friend and I split an order of their largest lobster roll, a jumbo roll. They added a dollar, gave us two buttered rolls with lettuce so we could each make our own lobster roll out of the 10 oz pile they provided us. It was amazing! Heavenly! Salty and creamy all at once and super tender. Some of the best lobster roll I’ve ever tasted — no frills, just fresh good food.
We also got a small order of chowder which was good too. I normally think lots of store made chowder is too salty but this one was not. Nice and fresh and creamy without the seafood taste being overpowered by other elements. Well balanced.
Oh and by the way, their sign outside now says they are Fisherman’s Net, no longer Grill even though their certificates and acknowledgements over the years posted on the wall inside call them fisherman’s grill. Just don’t be thrown off. Super nice people too.

Absolutely amazing. Though you’re going to be shelling out stacks of cash, it’s more than worth it. Prices change accordingly with market prices so you can always ask the staff for clarification. Get their jumbo lobster roll – It was gigantic and had nice chunks of perfectly cooked lobster. They don’t dress the lobster with much either which I like since I’m not really a mayo fan. Their seared scallops were also perfection and were so plump and juicy. They were so much better than at any restaurant. Their chowder was also very good and creamy. They receive their seafood daily (unlike most restaurants) so you are truly getting the best quality any day that you come here.
There’s only one or two tables available inside of the tiny shack, but they do have several picnic tables outside. I would recommend coming a little earlier to beat the lunch rush because it got crammed in there very quickly.

You will not get a better value lobster roll anywhere’s else. The lobster rolls at Fishermen’s Grill are HUGE. They are not skimpy when it comes to the lobster in their lobster rolls. There are varying sizes, but each size they stuff the lobster to the max. It’s awesome, as most places are very skimpy with their lobster meat. Their lobster meat tastes exactly how it should: fresh w/​the perfect amount of sweetness. The only minor complaint is that the mayo they used was a little watery. It may have just been an off day or something, so that alone wouldn’t deter me from going back. My husband enjoyed their crispy buffalo chicken sandwich, as he is not a seafood fan. He loved it. The staff are also pretty down-​to-​earth, too. When I went, the owner talked to my husband and I and he seemed like a really nice guy.
Some things to note: This place isn’t really a sit-​down restaurant. It’s very small, with like 2 – 3 tables inside. It’s mostly meant for take-​out, or you can also eat outside on some benches. When I went with my husband, we chose to eat inside and it was fine. Just keep in mind that it’s cramped. Also, they accept CASH ONLY from what I recall, which is a little annoying because who cares cash anymore? Hours are a little strange here. They close when they run out of food, and they don’t always open on time.
Yes, this place looks like a hole in the wall but it’s so worth your visit. You will not get a better value, or a better lobster roll anywhere’s else.

Fishermen’s Grill is a wonderful gem of a find with one of the highest ratings for seafood in Portland. Did not disappoint. A great place for lunch before driving into the city without getting too ridiculously full.
CASH ONLY.
Spent ~$ 60 at this shack. It’s not cheap, but the size of the seafood and the non frills cooking is amazeballs.
Note: scarce indoor seating. Where you order is literally a shack. You’ll be sitting outdoors on picnic tables clustered together next to the road. Buckets on each table provide plastic utensils and paper towels. People park on the side of the road or at the back of the shack.
The excellent:
++Seared scallops– huge chunks seared in a tasty marinated sauce topped with chopped parsley.
++Jumbo 10oz lobster roll special– enough for 2 with crispy hot dog buns.
+Annnd clam chowder only if you have room.

What a cool place. What a cool dude running it.
We came at 7pm on a day they were supposed to close at 8. Door was locked, with a sign that says «We are sold OUT». I was gonna cry. Dude opened the door and said they still had lobster rolls and chowder. LOL WTF else would I need?
Later it turned out he also had slaw and a pint of seared scallops. When we were waiting for our food dude gave us recommendations for cool spots in town.* The food ended up being effing bomb, my favorite being scallops.
* He recommended JP’s Bistro and Red’s in Cape Elizabeth for soft serve.
Bonus TMI: When we were waiting for our food my dad had to use the bathroom. Theirs was non-​functional so dude suggested my dad use the back alley and was about to show my dad his regular «good spot»… My dad didn’t take his advice.