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tasted are the caramel-colored
whole-belly crunchies served at
Cindy's, a terrific seafood stand
a little south of Freeport, Maine.
lobster rolls, home-made cookies, chowder, onion rings, fried
fish, and more. Serious eaters sometimes merit free samples.
If you go there hungry, you'll leave there happy. If you go
there very hungry, you'll leave there very happy.
Hours are 11 AM to 7 PM Sunday through Friday (closed on
Saturday). The address is 174 Yarmouth Road (Route 1), just
north of Exit 17 from Interstate 295. You can call
207-865-1635. When summer ends, the food stops flowing,
and host Bob Pottle and family switch gears to sell Halloween
and Christmas items.
the home of L. L. Bean, and a
growing number of outlet stores.
On a shopping trip in the summer
of 2003, we decided to take a
slightly slower drive back to our
hotel in Portland, and instead of
getting right on Interstate 295, we
went south on Route 1, and
made a wonderful discovery -
Cindy's seafood stand.
The sign said CLOSED and we
drove past, but one of the kids
said she saw a light on, so I made
a quick U-turn and pulled into the
driveway.
I didn't know if business had been
slow that day, or if owner Bob
Pottle and his crew were just
taking pity on famished clam
fanatics; but they were extremely
gracious, staying late to make us
some magnificent munchies. The
food was so good, we drove back
for lunch the following day.
Cooking whole-belly clams is a
delicate process. If they are
undercooked, they can be really
disgusting, with soggy dough
falling off. If they are cooked too
long, they become rocks or ashes.
Bob has perfected the art. His
clams are crunchy on the outside,
juicy on the inside, with the best
batter I've ever tasted (also used
on mushrooms and onion rings).
Clam chowder is heavenly.
Lobsters, either whole or in
chunks on a roll, are fresh and
flavorful. Depending or market
conditions, you might find a big
bargain.
I got some neat stuff at L.L. Bean;
but the next time I went to
Freeport, it was for clams,
mushrooms and onion rings, not
fishing rods, moccasins and back
packs.
amusement park. There's lots to keep you busy while your food is being
prepared. Here's Bob caught in his own tourist trap. You can get trapped,
too. The display on the right shows souvenir T-shirts, mugs and more...so
you can leave with more than a smile and a full belly.
standards. If your standards are
lower, Golden Arches are not far.
trailer next to the main building.
His cookies and cakes are superb.
the road to L. L. Bean's, STOP!
back to your motel or campsite.
go. Cindy's "facilities" are basic,
but clean.
September 2004 to help sell pumpkins and sing for visitors.
of 2006, in his official
WeLoveClams.com T-shirt.
You can have one, too.
CLICK.
Fremont with chef/owner/guru Bob Pottle.
