Maine Food Groups, July 18th

Everyone I know learned about the standard food pyramid in elementary school. If you’ve forgotten, it showed bread, grains, and carbs at the bottom, then veggies, fruit, protein, and fats. Well I’m about to give that triangle a bit of a spin.

On a recent trip to Maine I discovered that my northern neighbors have their own set of categories. And I sampled all of them. Doesn’t this already remind you of Will Ferrell doing his hilarious Buddy The Elf scene in the movie Elf where he explains that the four main food groups at the North Pole are candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup! Hilarious. And watching him eat that pasta with a boatload of M&M’s, marshmallows, maple syrup, and crushed Pop Tarts? Don’t even get me started. (He really ate that by the way. That was not stunt food.)

Anyway, the folks in Maine really like their calories and I couldn’t wait to blend in like a local. I arrived via turbo prop plane from Boston into tiny Knox County Regional Airport– population ME. (Ha!) The experience was scary, thrilling, and amazing all at the same time– the 10-seater mini bird did not disappoint!

After the short flight mostly over water, I grabbed my rental car and drove the seven miles to the tip of South Thomaston to sample the LOBSTER ROLL at the famous McLoons “Lobstah” Shack.

I’m not sure that last picture needs much of a description? Have you ever seen bigger chunks of meat on a lobster roll in your life? The warm toasty bun had a swipe of mayo but they provide a side of melted buttah so that you can dip to your heart’s content. Slaw, chips, and a salty pickle are the standard sides. Hello, summer!

Later in the day I was craving a cool frozen dessert. People from these parts are serious about their homemade ICE CREAM— obviously these people are my people. There is even something called The Maine Ice Cream Trail that lists must-try spots from Kennebunkport all the way through Bar Harbor. So the first night after my work responsibilities wrapped, I popped over to Dorman’s Dairy Dream located right on Route 1. Dorman’s closes at 8pm during peak season although I have no idea why, but it was a gentle reminder that I was far from The Big City… even further from Kansas. So I lined up at 7:30pm to ensure my spot.

Thank goodness it took me a while to hit the counter because the flavors all seemed to call my name. I was deciding between the Coconut Chip and the Peanut Butter when I noticed not one but three local flavors of Raspberry. And the four people ahead of me ALL ordered a Raspberry something or other.

So I went native and got a small cup of the Raspberry Chip with a dollop of hot fudge and whip. Amazing!!! Sweet, creamy and the chips were regal. Also the small sundae was like a NYC version of an XL so I barely finished the cup. (I said barely but duh, I did. 😊) And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the prices– just over $5 for a sundae? At home you can’t even get a single scoop for that. This was truly ice cream paradise.

The next day I had two major stops planned on my food fantasy tour. One was for an early morning pick me up and the other was for lunch. I worked up an appetite visiting the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse just off the Samoset Resort property. The path of rocks to get there is strangely similar to a challenge from the series Squid Game! Yikes.

After my heart rate returned to normal, I scheduled a few conference calls (Oh, riiiight– this is a work trip.) checked my email and grabbed the keys. I jumped back into the car and went to town (literally and figuratively).

I buzzed onto Main Street to visit Ruckus Donuts in downtown Rockland. Their hours are 7:30am-Sold Out and they close Tuesdays and Wednesdays so they encourage all patrons to order ahead online and schedule their pickups for the next day. They convinced me I needed to follow protocol so I ordered the night before. I got me a Raspberry Crumble Donut and a Classic. I was tempted to try the Homer because, well, I love a place with a Simpsons sense of humor but this round I passed. Doh!

For the RCD, Ruckus starts with local organic raspberries and creates a glaze which gets spiked by buttery lemon shortbread crumbles. These DONUTS are light, fresh, and superb!

And their bestseller, aka the original “Ruckus,” is a classic raised n’ glazed buttermilk brioche donut that tops everyone’s donut list…. including mine. Pickup was quick and easy. But almost immediately I could feel those few bites of each sending me into a carb coma.

After some networking, pool socializing, and a 15-minute power nap to recover from my donut delirium, I rallied and hit up Wasses just off Main Street for their legendary HOT DOGS. What started as a roadside trailer back in 1972 has become so popular that the sign out front boasts “Over FIVE Million Sold.” With the promise of consistently good dogs and crinkly fries on the brain, I lined up to order two with “everything” meaning fried onions, mustard, and relish.

I would love to give you a detailed description of how good they were, but I inhaled them so quickly that I barely remember. (I can already hear my Mother saying, “Jennifer! You actually ate hot dogs for lunch?” Yes, Mom. I most certainly did! 😀 ) If pressed, I would have to say very squishy buns, salty snap, great toppings, fast service, and ummm… yeah, that about sums it up.

And the lovely picnic table seating enabled me to throw some shade (in a good way) at my meal and then skooch on over to the sunny table to catch some rays until I had to hightail it back to the hotel to catch the afternoon events.

I had time for only one other off campus quest and I picked a late lunch at Claws on Route 1 the next day. Claws boasts winning a numbah of prestigious lobster awards so I was tasked to sample their best. I ordered their LOBSTER ROLL, the ARTICHOKE & CRABBY DIP, an ear of CORN, and their homemade STRAWBERRY LEMONADE. You place your order at the counter and they give you a plastic lobster with a number on it so a server can deliver your tray. The view alone was heaven.

I sat overlooking the bay sipping my spectacular drink thinking how lucky am I to be here?! My food arrived quickly and the plate was impressive. I have to say that I liked the McLoons lobster roll better because they offered the melted butter on the side.

However, the warm crabby dip was divine and that might have been the best ear of corn I’ve ever had in my life! The self-peel was a challenge while the steam wafted from the husk but the effort was worth the reward once those sweet niblets cooled.

I’ve been to Maine before but never experienced a foodieventure like this. Say what you will about our friends whose accent creates words like “Lobstah” and “The Vinyuhd,” but I for one can totally appreciate their friendly, welcoming attitude and their exceptional flavor profiles. I’ll be forever grateful that I went Mainstream.