What Is A Lobster Shack?

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I was just thinking about the term lobster shack. What does it really mean? Is it a remnant from glorious days past, or just a term for a building of sorts that happens to front the bay or ocean where lobster are caught? Here we go to find out first hand.

This is the Maine Office of Tourism: Maine lobster (is any other kind half as good?) is the starring item on menus at sophisticated restaurants throughout the state, as well as at rough-hewn shanties with picnic tables set along the coast. To many people, it just isn’t summer without a trip to a lobster shack and a casual meal outside overlooking the sea. To sample a local favorite, ask for the lobster “shore dinner,” which usually includes at least red potatoes and corn-on-the-cob, boiled in the same salty water as your lobster and embellished with even more melted butter.

Maine seafood has attained true cult status. This is partly because of the special properties of the Gulf of Maine, whose deep, cold waters help insure quality and freshness. It is also thanks to the efforts of a large cadre of devoted fishermen and lobsterers trying hard to harvest the sea’s bounty safely and wisely.

Maine takes pride in its status as one of the leading producers of farm raised marine seafood in the country. The state’s fresh, healthy farm raised clams, oysters, mussels, bay scallops, Atlantic salmon, and steelhead trout comprise its thriving aquaculture industry. These Maine products are exported to national and international markets and represent valuable assets to the state’s economy and its innovative equity—the industry is constantly developing new methods to further the seafood farming industry and preserve its beautiful, clean waters. Most shellfish farms are family-owned and operated companies, and Maine also has an aquaculture company that grows seaweed.

I plan to get my fill of lobster while we are here. It is one of my favorite seafoods, though most always on the pricey side back in California. We did find a place in Redwood City that flies in fresh Maine lobster daily, called Old Port Lobster Shack. But $20 for a lobster roll is hard on the old pocketbook.

Most Maine lobster is harvested in the Fall, October and November, primarily. There will be copious amounts of lobster and lobster fests along the coast. Maine lobster is Homarus Americanus. Rock lobster, spiny lobster, slipper lobster, Caribbean lobster are merely wannabes, riding on the fame of the authentic Maine lobster, Homarus americanus. Their most distinctive feature is the 5 sets of legs, including the large, meat filled front claws.

Female lobsters with visible eggs cannot be harvested. When the females are released by the fisherman, the tail is notched to identify her as a good breeder. This protects her for life. Quite sustainable, I say. The size limit is 3 1/4" carapace to 5" carapace. This protects the larger, healthy breeding stock. The total number of traps are controlled by the State. The traps found by Cosmo Kramer were closely regulated, resulting in his arrest for lobster poaching.

So, we arrived in Portland yesterday afternoon, took a rest, and headed out for lobster down in the old port area. The area is on Long Wharf, and is full of old time lobster shacks and fish houses. We picked Gilbert's, since it is simple, and has no table cloths or sommelier.

Sheri had the lobster roll, and I had the boiled lobster with fresh corn on the cob and fries. Wow. It was just about the sweetest and tastiest lobster I have ever had. And it was only $20. We will be back again tonight, I am sure. Make that, we are sure. The double tail (2 lobster) is only $10 more.

The heck with cholesterol for a few days, doc!

We will also save LL Bean for today as well. And the forecast is sunny and clear today. I can't wait!

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