Fishermen's Grill, Forest Ave. Portland

[Bob W]

Hit this little place yesterday with brothers Orson W. and Lurker W. Simply outstanding. Lobster rolls packed with fresh, sweet meat. Fried clams that were "dug outta the mud yesterday in Friendship [ME]."

This is a tiny place at 849 Forest Ave that is attached to the Fishermen's Net fishmarket. A few tables inside. A bit off the beaten path for out-of-towners, but it's really just a short ride from the Old Port area. Well worth it. A classic Chowhound joint.

Go!

[mainemal]

Thanks for the tip: go by there often, and am right now hankering for some clams. Batter or crumb?

[Bob W]

Batter! We got a quart and it was a nice big pile of clams.

We noticed several asian restaurants in the neighborhood. Not that we get up to Portland a lot, but for general info have you tried any of them?

[mainemal]

I don't have much first hand experience, but people speak highly of Thanh Thanh, the Vietnamese one, and the Asian bistro one also seems liked.

[the_MU]

I didn't know Fisherman's Net served prepared food. For that sort of thing I like Susan's, about a half-mile past there, very much. Across the street, kitty-corner from Susan's, is a sleeper of a place called Po'boys and Pickles, which serves large and tasty sandwiches and things, as per the name.

There are 2 Vietnamese places near there, right across the st. from each other. I like the menu at Thanh Thanh better, but I've been to Saigon once and it seems ok.

Sengchai Thai is next to the Asian market across the street from Thanh Thanh, and is one of the better Thai places in Portland. There's another one closer to Fisherman's Net, I think it's called Bangkok(???) but we always go to Sengchai.

Yep, we're creatures of habit.

[Bob W]

the_MU: it's funny, Adam Richman gives Fishermens Grill a really nice writeup in the lobster roll chapter in his book (which I read at BJ's but didn't buy and had forgotten about but the place has a copy on the counter so I reread it while waiting for our food) but the place really seems to be flying under the radar, I guess due to its tiny size and funny location set back from the street. I would also call it a sleeper. I found three reviews on Yelp, which is a small number, but all were glowing and detailed enough that I gave them some credibility. A home run.

[the_MU]

Adam Richman, huh? What's his book called? I only know him from his gluttony show on Food Network.

Fisherman's Net has been an absolute standby for buying seafood in Portland. BTW I did know that the Windham location of Fisherman's Net has a nice outdoor deck and a restaurant, just not the Forest Ave one. One year my family rented a camp in Casco and we bought something like 10 giant hardshell lobsters from the Windham shop for a big bash. They were spectacular.

[Bob W]

The book is called America the Edible. It looks like a mixed bag, but I think you'll enjoy the lobster roll chapter, in which Adam drags his girlfriend all over the Portland area (including up 302 towards Windham) in search of great lobster rolls.

Where in Casco was your family's camp? I spent four years at camp on Pleasant Lake. When I drove out there last year to see what the camp looked like, I was amazed how many places you could get lobster rolls at on 302.

Here's a pic of our lobster rolls. Note: these were the "medium" lobster rolls ($17). There was a smaller one for $13 and a bigger one for $22.

[Bob W]

Here's the pic!

http://gallery.me.com/nojsllew1/10003...

[the_MU]

Nice. I am admiring those fried clams in the right-hand corner. I think lobster rolls are ok -- and those look nice -- but they always seem like cheating to me. :) "Me tear bug limb from limb." I only have lobster every couple of years, when my family is visiting from elsewhere.

I can't remember exactly where the place in Casco was -- we only had it for a week and it was like eight years ago. Pleasant Lake sounds familiar, but that might be because I live near a similarly- named one, Pleasant Pond (Peacock Beach FTW).

It is amazing how built up 302 is now.

[Bob W]

Here's a better look at the fried clams! They were excellent. Homemade tartar sauce, of course.

My bug tour will be taking me to New Orleans in two weeks -- looking forward to piles of crawfish, aka mudbugs. 8<D

[mainemal]

OK, so I followed up on the hype, and have to agree: the fried clams are outstanding, and a HUGE portion for the price. Lightly and crisply battered, large full bellies, very fresh. Slaw pretty good: red and green cabbage, I think, not too finely sliced. Fries only OK; would be a major improvement to go with fresh potatoes, but can't ask for everything!

[Passadumkeg]

The big question, how much? I live in downeast Maine and the further south we drive the more expensive seafood costs. Supply and demand, I guess.I know that I'm spoiled when I can get lobster rolls 2 for $12 and a lobster dinner for $7.95 (last years prices) at Tracey in Sullivean, Me. (Where is that???)
Thanks for the tip, we usually hit Susan's Fish and Chips further out Forest ave., but will happily try Fisherman's Grill, next time passing through.

[Niblet]

I'd make that my desktop wallpaper but it would be bad for my figure.