Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier

Bored staff, gritty clams and a pathetic lobster roll on a cold burger bun? News flash to Chauncey… lobster rolls come on a warm butter toasted hot dog bun !!!
Lobsters were soft shells, but they did not inform or charge differently. French fries were cold.
The food runner hung around for a tip on the entire check for bringing out our lunch on a plastic tray after we got all of our own food and beverages? At least let me finish my meal and wash my hands before hitting me up to sign the check !
This place was great when I was 10 years old, but they now charge almost the same as having a better meal (and partially cracked lobster) in many other FULL SERVICE local lobster joints.
This place takes lobster in the «rough» to another level.

Ambiance is a ten, maybe a ten and a half? Amazing views by the water… kitchsy cool picnic tables painted in beach apropos colors… which will TIP OVER if you try to sit on the same side as your friend/​mom/​partner/​brother/​cousin. So don’t!
BYOB is great. No frills, but this place has the basics covered. Not much for non-​seafoodies but… you’re in Maine! At a place that’s dockside! What did you want?
Tried clam chowder in a bread bowl – YUM! Crab roll was good, not great. In a hamburger bun which was a little turnoff – we just removed whatever bread wasn’t necessary to transfer the food to our mouths. Corn was a good, cheap side… we were traveling and didn’t have any other sides at hand… though we did have wine handy, haha!
They have a liberal policy about BYO too – it’s BYO anything that they don’t sell there! Pretty cool.
Cost us $ 30 for lunch for two, including a split dessert – bourbon pecan pie. Perfect experience and just enough for us after a long morning exploring over at Fort Foster, which is just down the road.
Only sadness is that they’re no longer dog friendly except for service animals… state regs, not theirs.
If we’re in the area, I’d def go back.

Mostly about the ambiance ! Picture perfect location and it will test your GPS just to find the place but definitely worth the effort. Place your order and select a seat under the awning or on the deck. Our Chowdah was there before we even sat down. Perfectly prepared Lobster Roll with generous amount of meat that absolutely melts in your mouth! Also had the Fish Bites which made the perfect lunch !
Prices are fare and BYOB or Wine helps not break the bank !!

Wonderful Maine experience. Exactly the way one wants to eat Lobster on a dock. The staff are incredibly friendly, and they explain how their whole process works. One tiny warning for physically disabled diners: the dock is a the bottom of a serious of ramps, and the ramps are too steep for a wheelchair.

Chauncey’s was recommended to me by a co-​worker several years ago. It soon became an annual tradition to make the trip to this great little spot at least once a summer. Chauncey’s offers all outdoor seating set upon a long pier. Half of the picnic tables on the pier are undercover to accommodate for all types of weather. The restaurant is set on the beautiful Chauncey Creek river and can be accessed by car or boat. Chauncey’s is a very unique restaurant with a BYOB policy. My friends and I pack a Chauncey’s «kit» complete with a tablecloth, lantern, wine and beer, and some snacks which are not sold at the lobster pier. We usually bring chips and dip or cheese and crackers. As long as there is not a high demand for tables, the restaurant does not mind if you linger awhile. We usually start with our snacks and then enjoy a few rounds of clam chowder, steamers, and then finally the lobsters. Chauncey’s can get busy on summer weekends, but we find arriving late afternoon for dinner is best.
The one drawback is the minimal amount of non-​shellfish choices on the menu. I have brought a few friends to Chauncey’s that are not seafood fans or shellfish lovers rendering them without too many options. I wish the menu offered fish and chips or some other fried seafood platters. There are chicken dishes, hot dogs, or pizza for the land lubbers. Oh, and of course fries and onion rings. Orders are placed at the window and servers bring the food to your table. Be sure to take note of your table number so they can find you once the food is ready. The servers are also very helpful when it comes to clearing trash from the tables as you finish.
Chauncey’s offers a peaceful setting with beautiful views. It is a very low-​key and casual setting with a limited menu. The key to enjoying Chauncey’s to its fullest is by enhancing the dining experience to fit your liking and therefore making the visit a little more special and unique. A bottle of wine, candlelight, lobster, and the amazing view sounds like a perfect evening to me. It certainly is a great place for a romantic date or to hang with large groups of family and friends. We look forward to our annual Chauncey’s trip and plan to keep returning for many years to come.

My family and I drove into Maine just for an authentic Maine seafood experience. So happy we chose this place.
Heavenly chowder
Gorgeous views
Amazing service all the way to the parking lot

UPDATE I went today because we were in Kittery and got hungry. I changed my game plan this time and ordered a 1 ½ lb lobster for myself and one for my mom. Ordered fries well done and chowder. It was fantastic. I got a parking spot right away and there was a kid who helped me get into the spot and back out. Thank goodness they has someone do that now. Although the price per lb was quite high at 17.99 per lb, the lobster was really good. Also no need for butter. The chowder was chock full of clams but it did need some pepper. It still was very good. My mom liked her lobster as well. I do wish they would serve the food all at one time… the chowder came at one point, then the fries and then later the lobster… cant they coordinate?
The staff was super friendly and helpful.
I am concerned though now about the inconsistency/​consistency of their food. I sure hope it stays as good as my visit today and doesnt move back to a 3 star place as it was during my last visit.
I am taking a star though off because I think it is overpriced comparatively to the other lobster places I have gone to this week (as in price per pound) that were on par quality wise with Chauncey (like 5 Islands and Estes).

Very fresh BYOB seafood place. Location along channel was great to watch boats go buy.
Lobster, corn on the cob, cole slaw were all delicious.
Definitely check this place out!

It’s been a family tradition to try to make it to Chauncey Creek for lobsters at least once a summer every year. We love it here.
We usually bring our appetizers, drinks and dessert and enjoy some oysters, shrimp, clams and of course lobsters. It’s a unique experience.

Went with my mom and son for lunch. Mom had a lobster roll and loved it. Son had chili and I tried some we both thought it was great. He loved his popcorn shrimp and I thought the chicken tender plate was good. Onion rings and fries both awesome! Beautiful spot on the river. Pic nick tables under canopies or open air. Very clean bathrooms. Staff was awesome!

View definitely 5 stars, food a 2. We (a friend and I) visited on a Friday afternoon around 2:30 pm and knew in advance it was BYOB but had read in reviews that you could bring your own sides as well so we made a stop at Philbrick’s Fresh Market before coming here. We decided on the lobster roll and coconut shrimp. We also had 2 dogs with us and were hoping to have them sit with us as we dined but upon arrival there was a sign at the top of the ramp leading to the ordering window/​seating that said No Dogs Allowed (think it’s a ME ordinance) so we asked to take our orders «to go». It took about 10 minutes for our orders to ready and they were packed to go. On second thought, we decided to stay and brought our sides down. The ramp leading down in to the ordering/​eating area is very steep and may be tough to maneuver for anyone who may be elderly or have difficulties walking. The lobster roll came served on a hamburger bun with a side of chips. The coconut shrimp with fries. The lobster was very fresh and very lightly seasoned albeit small for the price $ 18.95. The coconut shrimp was OK, nothing to rave about the my friend thought the fries were great, me, they tasted as if they were fried in old oil (a little on the heavy side and a residual taste as if the oil had been used to fry something else). Glad we tried it but would probably not go out of the way to return. Perhaps we didn’t order some of their specialties, confused by the high ratings on the food.

A few friends and I decided to welcome summer by taking an impromptu trip to Maine. They had gone to Chauncey’s the previous summer and loved it so much they said we «had» to make a stop there for lunch. So off we went!
I initially ordered a lobster roll, half dozen oysters on the half shell, and a cup of chowder. The lobster roll was okay and a bit skimpy for the price ($ 17.95+tax). The chowder was tasty but the oysters were the stand out. I liked it enough to get a second order. Okay, I’ll be real; the skimpiness of the lobster «roll» was disappointing to say the least. I thought, «well, hopefully the flavor makes up for skimpiness.» It was okay, but not nearly $ 20 worth of lobster «roll.»
I think one of my friends called it a sort of lobster sandwich. I was sold a bill of goods! Hoodwinked!!!
My friends each ordered a 1 ½ lb steamed lobster and shared a plate of steamers. Those were decidedly very tasty.
Overall, it was a nice, casual experience. We watched kayakers and paddle boaters pass by as we ate and enjoyed the sunny day. I would go back for the oysters, steamed lobster, and chowder. The lobster roll cost nearly as much as a steamed lobster and just wasn’t worth it.
There’s plenty of parking but does get pretty busy around lunch time. There is also a $ 10 minimum for credit card charges. If you’re ordering steamed lobster, you can place your entire order on the lobster side. Otherwise, you have to place your order at the window.

A bit phantom gourmet overrated, but I really enjoyed the view, the friendly vibe, and the yummy lobsters and mussels. Cole slaw was good but tiny portion. And baked beans a solid B. I think they should increase the portion size of the Cole slaw, throw in a baked potato, and lower the price per pound from $ 18 to $ 12. Then it’d get my five stars!

It’s got such a solid reputation, and the setting is tremendous. BYOB is a great selling point, though you need to know/​remember to BYOB in advance! However, the price is really high for what it is. Lobster price today is $ 17.99 /​lb, so a chick will run you $ 22.50! That’s not twin lobsters folks. I decided to go for a lobster roll instead for $ 17.95.
They serve their rolls on a cold supermarket hamburger bun. Not toasted, or buttered. The meat was all tail.
A review I read mentions that the lobster is all imported from Nova Scotia. I looked at some of the lobster crates, and indeed they are from across the border. I’m not quite sure why we are on the coast of Maine eating Canadian lobster, especially if it’s for these prices.
Last thing I am gonna rip is the non-​seafood. My kids ordered chicken fingers (good enough), but the «pizza» is one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever tasted. It resembles a Strawberry shortcake with ketchup and melted American cheese.
Anyway, the ambiance is great. The creek is beautiful, and the ordering process works really well.

My friends and I come here every year around the end of the summer. The view is amazing, the food is good and it’s BYOB. How could it get any better than that? It IS a bit overpriced. We usually bring our own drinks, our own chips and everyone makes a dish/​appetizer so we don’t end up paying for the $ 4 potato chips that look extremely enticing. Last year I ordered a lobster but to me, it’s too much work for too little meat… so this year I ordered a lobster roll. It was SO worth it with lots&lots of meat for $ 15.95 (it comes with a side of a pickle and potato chips).
The day we went, there was a huge thunderstorm and the staff was adequately prepared. They started to cover the sides of the tent and the thunderstorm hit us about 20 minutes later — it was perfect timing. All this said, the reason I give them 4 stars and not 5 is because we went as a huge group and ordered a lot of food… they started to bring out things we didn’t order and brought us doubles of things… we realized, after the fact, that they charged us for all the mistakes that they made with our orders…
we learned our lesson — if you go as a big group, split up the orders between tables or 2 – 4 people/​bill. Although disappointing, we always have such a great time here that it’s (slightly) forgivable.

One of New England’s more enjoyable provisions is the ability to cross so many state boundaries in such little time. Perhaps its the fact that I’m from Los Angeles and getting out just out of the city alone can take just too long, but either way, Maine provides a stark contrast to the weathers you put up with out West.
The first thing you notice is how genuinely green everything is; the area lacks SoCal’s green-​brown domesticated death desert feel where wildlife takes on a dry yellow shade; instead, plants glow in their greenness, a clear indication that the locals nor God take steps in conserving water here.
The second thing you notice: people are so damn nice here. Perhaps its the air or a simple oneness with nature; even its proximity to Canada. But expect rather a friendly smile from everyone you run into, a cool respect, and a genuine willingness to help. Amazing.
You walk on down and into a fresh view of a stream or river (we Californians don’t know the difference between the various bodies of water), and lobsters are available for the picking. Weight is how you order; an order of clamcakes was added out of curiosity.
The seating is largely cafeteria style in furnishings and utensils, probably appropriate for an outdoor waterfront in Maine. I wouldn’t call the pricing particularly cheap though the season perhaps dictates that; food comes out again on cafeteria trays, but you somehow don’t mind.
As for the food, it comes out delightfully (yet expectedly) fresh. Perhaps that’s helped by that crisp Maine air, a rare taste living in LA, but it (the food) does taste clean. One downside to the temperature was that our melted butter did end up congealing, a nice picture of what might be going on in your body, though that was no matter — we hardly needed nor touched that during the meal. One small tip: it’s significantly harder to crack through a 1.5lb lobster than a 1.25lb one. Surprise?
The clamcake was unique — a first for me yet nice and delicious. I wish they weren’t a limited time item. Unlike crabcakes the differing properties and delicate balance of its separate ingredients don’t hold the piece together; here we see something more compressed and breaded to completion.
Mussels. I typically only like mussels for their accompanying delicious broth, but at Chauncy Creek, I liked the mussels themselves. Delicious, and I suppose that’s a complement in itself.
I want to reiterate here how kind the people running this shop are, and I’m sure living and working in such a relaxing environmental view does help. Though its a bit far of a drive from any major city, it’s a leisurely one, and I can imagine very well how crowded this place could become during a nice day, especially during lobster season.

We came here in 2009 based on BIL’s suggestion. We were total novices and only brought our starbucks with us. Who knew you could bring a whole meal? Would be great if we got a group of friends together. Anyways, we got lobster, clam chowder, two rounds of oysters (cuz we couldn’t get enough) and I think a side of potato salad. What better way to spend a lunch date with coffee, seafood and a beautiful view of the creek right by us.

Lobster– was good and fresh, of course. You pick it, they cook it and you sit there along the river (if after 7pm like when we went) and get eaten up by mosquitoes. Bring bug spray in the evening!
Total wait time for the food to come out was just under 1 hour, which was rather ridiculous.
So was the price. I mean this is Maine. Shouldn’t lobster be cheaper?
Two 1 ¼ lb. lobsters and 2 tiny cups of cole slaw and 1 ear of corn — close to 50 bucks.
Sort of a tourist trap with too-​high prices is my opinion.
Wish the lobster had more meat on it but perhaps a 1 ¼ lobster just isn’t very meaty.
Cole slaw was pure mayonnaise and pretty bad.
Corn was very fresh and sweet.
Next day I was told about the $ 5.99/lb lobster place where you pick ‘em and they cook it at a market. Think that is more like it in Maine.

This is a very nice tourist trap.
One star for the setting — right on Chauncey Creek.
One star for my kid’s boiled lobster, which was very good.
One-​half star for my other kid’s fish bites, which were ok.
ZERO stars for the tasteless lobster and crab rolls, served on tasteless, ungrilled hamburger buns. Lob roll $ 15.95, crab roll $ 10.95. Not at all worth it.
So 2.5 rounded down to 2.
If you go, go for the view and get a lobster. Save your lobster roll jones for a better place (like The Lobster Shack in Ogunquit, review forthcoming).

I agree with some of the few Unilocalers below that sometimes Unilocal really can be misleading. Unfortunately, this is one of those places.
Lets dive right into the food. When I’m in Maine, I want fantastic, out of this world lobsters and lobster rolls. Here, you get over-​priced mediocre lobster and even less appealing lobster rolls. 15.99 a pound for a lobster in Maine is A LOT!.. go anywhere else and it’s going to be cheaper and just the same if not better quality… try 5– island lobster.
The lobster roll sucks! I’ve had better in NYC and DC… There is no flavor to it and the bun is like the cheapest white hamburger bread imaginable. the kind that makes you feel like you have cotton mouth afterwords. I couldn’t believe it! and neither could the other 15 people in my party. We saw the lady mix it and it looked like she put sauce in it but it really has no flavor. The crab roll is a bit better.
Setting/​service:
Setting is nice, can’t complain. It’s right by the lake and there is a lot of room to move around and enjoy the view. We came on fourth of july so the canon went off every hour which was kind of neat.
Service is kind of weird. it’s a bunch of teenagers who have «summer job/​don’t care» attitudes so they just kind of stare and stand. The older staff members are definitely more inviting and polite.