Tracey’s Seafood

The good: outstanding seafood. The 2 for $ 15 lobster rolls were piled high with fresh, succulent meat and flavored perfectly with butter. The fried clams were plump, juicy, and deliciously – yet not overly – battered. Lunch at Tracey’s was the perfect send-​off from Downeast as I headed to the airport to go back to reality.
The not-​so-​good: Tracey’s seems to have a tendency – intentional or not – to charge more than the prices stated on the menu. I ordered a clam roll, priced at $ 10.95, to supplement the lobster rolls, but when I looked at my receipt, I saw that I’d been charged $ 12.95. When I asked the cashier, she quipped that the price just changed in the machine that morning. I responded that the menu said $ 10.95 (with the unspoken expectation that I should be charged the advertised price.) She snapped back with irritation that she hadn’t had time to change the board yet. No apology, no realization that she should have informed me of the price change when I placed my order, and certainly no concept of the ethical lapse the business was committing. My father, who was with me, then remarked that the same thing had happened to him on a previous visit, and the response was equally snippy. So I just don’t grasp Tracey’s approach here. If the mistake is an oversight, there should be an apology and refund to the advertised price. But if this is an intentionally duplicitious tactic of overcharging customers, then Tracey’s may deserve further scrutiny.
I wouldn’t mind paying the higher price – the clams, as I said, were outstanding. But it’s a pity that Tracey’s has a repeatedly dubious record of mislabeling their menu, and a surly staff that refuses to acknowledge the errors. I’ll be back – but I’ll scrutinize my receipt and make sure I pay no more than the advertized price.

Great lobster rolls at a fair price. What more could you ask for? The lobster rolls were nicely buttered, grilled and stuffed with lightly dressed lobster. It’s simple perfection. The girls working the counter at the take-​out window were super friendly.
This place is a not-​so hidden (right on side of Rt 1), but possibly overlooked, gem. Next time, I’ll try their clams to see if they are as good as the lobster rolls. They have some picnic tables outside, and a full service dining room inside. I’d recommend the outdoor option if the weather is nice to keep with the simplicity theme.
As of June 2015, the 2-​for deal on lobster rolls here is 2 for $ 15, which is much better than any other place around. An extra cold winter and increased Chinese demand are supposedly driving up lobster prices over previous years. Thanks a lot, China.

In mid October, we stopped in for 2 for $ 10 lobster rolls and a $ 12 fried clams and were not disappointed. The lobster rolls were smallish, but at this price together they were the biggest ever for $ 10. We have paid more ($ 15 – 18) for one lobster roll with two thirds the total meat in these bargains. The clams were delicious and juicy whole bellies for the most part.

What a find! Well worth the drive from Bar Harbor (or better yet, stop here on the way to or from Schoodic Point). The lobster rolls are bursting with meat and at 2 for 10 (holy crap), you really can’t get any better than this. Also tried the coleslaw and fries which were awesome! If I’m ever back in the area I’ll make a visit to Tracey’s a priority.

Want a true and simple Maine lobster roll at a good price? Go up Rt 1 and Hit Tracey’s. The seasonal seafood roadside stand is typical Maine coast. They catch and process their own lobster so the rolls are fresh. They use the New England style hotdog bun so that the sides can be buttered and grilled.
They typically run 2 for $ specials on these simple lobster rolls and this year (2014) its 2 for $ 10. Lobster stew also got rave reviews from my family. Top it off with a scoop of Gifford’s or a soft serve in a cone with chocolate sprinkles (my favorite).
If the day is too hot or if you want to crack your own lobster, there is a sit down waitressed area inside with A/​C. There is a road just before (if from Ellsworth) that leads to extra parking in the back if it is full in the front. Really nice wait staff. My Nana’s favorite lunch spot!

I was looking at some travel pictures from the summer of 2012 and ran across a photo of my plate of fried clams from Tracy’s. We were headed from the Maritimes back to Illinois and I had a taste for fried clams. We looked at the map and saw that the places we used to go north of Boston would be too far out of our way. I was feeling disappointed when I spotted Tracy’s as I drove by. I did a u-​turn. They were the biggest and best fried clams I ever had. I asked the young waitress if they were local clams and she said, «My grandpa picks ‘em and my grandma shucks ‘em.» I think I’ve eaten in restaurants in all 50 states and 20 foreign countries, and this was my favorite meal ever!‘

Only now getting around to reviewing some of the places we visited this past summer on our Clam Quest 2013. We were seeking the best fried clams in Maine. Lived in Massachusetts for decades and have enjoyed the legendary fried clams of the North Shore towns of Ipswich and Essex, so we know all about the competition from other New England states. Never would have dreamed of stopping at this roadside dive if it hadn’t been for the persuasive recommendation of a trusted local. The place is basically a soft-​serve ice cream joint on Rte. 1 north of Ellsworth with an attached dining room. No frills at all. We ordered a bunch of the usual stuff: I think the wife got clam chowder and the kids got lobster rolls (no complaints). But it was the fried clams that really blew us away! They were expectedly crispy on the outside and piping hot/​melt-​in-​your-​mouth on the inside, with just the slightest hint of salty brine. Really really fresh tasting. I commented to the waitress how great the clams were and she said, «Yeah, they were dug this morning and he just brought them in a couple hours ago!».
The local guy who recommended this place mentioned that the owner was a fisherman/​lobsterman/​wholesaler who supplied many of the neighboring Down East establishments with clams and lobster. It’s not surprising.
Just want to give credit where credit is due: To whomever this mysterious fisherman is (Tracey?) — yours are the best damn fried clams I have ever had, anywhere, at any time. I thank you.

Best lobster roll for under $ 10!
My friend and I got the 2 for $ 10 deal, one regular and one naked. (they’re usually one for $ 6 — still an amazing deal) We were impressed with how much meat were in them. The buns were perfectly toasted and the meat was not overly dressed or salty. We couldn’t believe how cheap but tasty they were. They were also regular size, so not skimping there.
I finished my meal with a scoop of blueberry ice cream. It tasted like yummy berry ice cream with frozen blueberry preserve swirls. Can’t wait to go back next time I’m in the area!
PS. Ignore Google Maps when trying to find this place. Note the street numbers and you’ll be fine.

It was August 25, my 30^th birthday, and we were on the hunt for a simple delicious lobster roll at a fair price. On the drive up Route 1 to my parent’s house in Sullivan we couldn’t find anything under $ 15! When you see signs for lobster at $ 4/​LB, it’s pretty hard to stomach that much of a mark-​up. My folks recommended Tracey’s and sure enough we got rolls at 2 for $ 10 and they were fantastic! These aren’t the overflowing ones that make you think you’re getting a deal, you’d get more in two rolls at Tracey’s than you would in any other joint, and at ²⁄₃ the price! Not to mention the friendly service and beautiful location. If you’re ever Downeast, and want to find a lobster roll, make sure you stop in at Tracey’s. And please, slow down, there’s no reason to be going 80.

I’ve driven around Downeast Maine a lot this summer and really this might be the best lobster roll I’ve had… lots of butter on the roll which is key and not a huge amount of mayo on the lobster, and a lot of claw meat. Service was really slow which keeps it from being a five star, but the lobster roll was really good.

We stopped stopped for lobster rolls and dinner after a 10 hour drive to get to Maine. The lobster dinner was great… 2 medium lobsters with fries and coleslaw for $ 12.95 was a great deal. The lobsters were very meaty, the fries were hot and fresh and the coleslaw had nice flavor without having too much mayo. The lobster rolls were very good, served on toasted rolls with plenty of meat. We’ll be stopping back for sure!

If you go to traceys they double as an ice cream shop try the bloo goo its amazing!

We should’ve known when we saw the sign that said «lobster roll $ 6» that it wasn’t going to be good. But we’re cheap and we couldn’t resist stopping for a $ 6 lobster roll! Although the bun was toasted, there was more mayo than lobster, even though we asked for light mayo. It was okay, but I’d rather pay a little more for a little more lobster. If you go, I recommend getting two!