A True Maine Diner
Sure, the Maine Diner offers breakfast all day (which is very popular, judging by the plates of pancakes, waffles, and eggs I saw streaming out of the kitchen), and they have the diner standards such as sandwiches and chicken pot pie, but, the real draw here, at least for tourists, is the seafood.

The seafood chowder is billed as having won the best chowder award in the Ogunquit Chowderfest, and it is deserving of the accolades. This is a thin-style chowder, not overly thickened with potatoes, but rich with cream and plenty of seafood, including shrimp and lobster claw meat. At $4.25 a cup, it's not cheap, but rather a worthy indulgence.

Lobster rolls are offered in two styles. They have the normal Maine-style cold lobster roll, which is lobster salad on a toasted bun. Their hot lobster roll (the "Dale Arnold") offers chunks of hot fresh knuckle and claw meat, served on a grilled roll, with drawn butter on the side (no mayo). While this type of roll can be found in Southern New England, it is not at all common up here. Their rendition is excellent, with a generous portion of perfectly cooked lobster overflowing the bun.

Service was a bit rushed, but that was to be expected, since the restaurant was full, and there was a line waiting for tables. All in all, they did a good job of keeping up, including prompt refills of my water glass.    [08 Sep 2004 18:24:31]

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Recommended Dishes: Seafood chowder, hot lobster roll

     ­Anonymous   

A Great Diner
I consider this a 'great' restaurant because it does what it sets out to do so very well. The menu is varied, including such typical diner fare as meatloaf, mac and cheese and burgers. But they also serve fabulous (though pricey) Shecrab soup and clam chowder (It's Maine, after all!) as well as some of the tastiest seafood around.
Something for everybody at moderate prices, this popular place may have you standing in line for a while, but it is well worth the wait.    [03 Jul 2005 06:40:29]

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Recommended Dishes: Seafood platter, meatloaf

     ­Richard   

The finer diner
Don't be discouraged by the long lines waiting to eat at the Maine Diner. Your patience will be amply rewarded by some of the best regional cuisine Maine has to offer. Yes, there are bigger restaurants with nicer views (the Diner resides on commercial Route 1), but the Maine Diner beats them hands-down almost every time with its out-of-this world clam chowder, lobster pie, clam cake plate, fresh fried clams, yellow fin tuna steak and "Phantom Platter," an assortment of some of the Phantom Gourmet's (of New England Cable News) favorite items: a cup of seafood chowder, an eight oz. sirloin steak, two baked shrimp, five oz. of baked scallops and homemade onion rings. Don't forget to leave room for the memorable blueberry pie, traditionally a Maine favorite. The Maine Diner also features an exceptionally pleasant and professional waitstaff. Along with the legendary Shawmut Diner in New Bedford, Mass., and the Tilt'n Diner in Tilton, N.H., the Maine Diner is our top diner choice in New England, as well as a number one pick for Maine cuisine.    [14 Apr 2006 00:34:52]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Lobster pie, fried clams

     ­Eric H., http://www.visitingnewengland.com -- VisitingNewEngland.com