Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier in Kittery Point, Maine

I love traveling and exploring different parts of the world, learning about cultures and experiencing the uniqueness and beauty of a given place. Traveling expands your mind and changes your worldview. Mark Twain once said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”

I’ve been lucky to have many occasions to travel of late. My mother-in-law got married this past weekend, so Corey and I flew to Maine to witness and celebrate this momentous occasion. After the ceremony, we all went to Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier—a popular local seafood restaurant that’s known for serving fresh boiled lobster.

Man Holding Lobster from the Live Lobster Tanks at Chauncey Creek

Close-Up of the Live Lobsters

Maine has a maritime culture, with much of its economy based on the lobster industry. This restaurant embraces that culture with a nautical theme. Brightly colored picnic tables overlook Chauncey Creek, and fishing nets and buoys hang from the ceiling. There‘s even a dock in front of the restaurant for those arriving via boat (which one couple did while we were there). A sign made from an old wooden board humorously reinforces the lobster culture:

Sign at Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier

Steamed Mussels at Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier

Boiled Lobster with Melted Butter at Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier

A Close-Up of the Beautifully Cooked Lobster

Lobster Beware!

The simple menu centers on fresh seafood. We ordered steamed mussels, coconut shrimp with fries, corn on the cob, and four two-pound lobsters. You have to get the boiled lobster—order from inside a small shack, where they have live lobster tanks. Select the lobster size you want, and they’ll bring it to you freshly boiled. They also provide lobster bibs, napkins, crackers, moist towelettes, and silverware. Note that it’s a casual BYOB joint, not a typical full-service restaurant. You can bring tablecloths, glasses, beer or wine, or anything else that you want.  They deliver the food to your table, and you get to work removing the steaming hot lobster meat.

The Seating Area at Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier

The View from Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier

Info about visiting Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier:

Address:
16 Chauncey Creek Road
Kittery Point, ME 03905

Phone: 207-439-1030

Chauncey Creek is open seasonally from Mother’s Day through Columbus Day.
Mother’s Day through Labor Day – Open every day 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Closed the Tuesday after Labor Day
Post-Labor Day through Columbus Day – Open Tuesday through Sunday
11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Casual attire, BYOB establishment. They do not split checks (so if you’re going in a large group, plan accordingly). Lobster prices vary seasonally; expect to pay an upcharge compared to grocery stores in Maine (we paid ~$15/lb, compared to ~$6/lb in stores). The view, fun atmosphere, and convenience make the extra cost worth it.

Chauncey Creek is a fun place to eat that features an unpretentious atmosphere and lobster fresh from the sea. If you want to experience Maine local color and some seriously delicious seafood, try Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier. You won’t be disappointed!

If you’re craving lobster and can’t get to Maine in the near future, here’s a French recipe for Lobster Thermidor—a very different cooking style from the lobster at Chauncey Creek, but good nonetheless.  Also, because the cooked lobster meat is combined with cheese, wine, and breadcrumbs, the lobsters need not be straight from the sea.

If you have any lobster recipes or restaurant recommendations, let me know in the comments.

If you want to read a fictional book about the lobster community in Maine, I highly recommend The Ghost Trap by K. Stephens. I really like that the book shows us a side of Maine rarely seen. It’s about a community of lobstermen who risk their lives and souls everyday on the formidable sea. It shows the struggle, fear, and stress of relying on the bounties of the sea for survival, but more importantly it explores the nature of man and the psychological cloaks and motivations one uses to get by. It’s a tragic story of love and loyalty, humor and sadness, and friends and family.

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