Rodick's Takeout in Southwest Harbor, Maine

Rodick's has been slinging fresh seafood since 1929 from a shingled shack that feels like it belongs on a postcard. You'll find hikers, families, and locals ordering whole lobster dinners, belly clam sandwiches, and fried clam rolls at picnic tables under umbrellas. It's takeout only, but the setting on the edge of Acadia and the quality of the food make you want to stay a while.

• Whole lobster dinners at fair prices, meat tender and juicy.
• Fried clams and clam rolls praised as the best around.
• Homemade ice cream, especially blueberry soft serve.
• Large, fresh seafood portions; been here since 1929.

The lobster roll comes loaded with meat and sits at a mid-range price point. The fried clam roll is a close rival, slightly cheaper and equally crispy. A whole lobster dinner with cornbread and coleslaw is a steal for the size. The fried clam sandwich, haddock sandwich, and crab melt round out the menu. Get a doughboy (a fried pastry) and pair it with a bowl of their blueberry soft serve.

Casual outdoor setup with picnic tables under umbrellas and a buoy-lined interior. Busy on weekends and post-hike afternoons, but the space spreads you out enough that it doesn't feel cramped.

Rodick's draws a mix of trail-weary hikers refueling between climbs, families stopping in after Acadia adventures, and people making the trip specifically for the lobster. The staff will walk you through how to crack a whole lobster if you've never done it. There's a mini golf course in the same lot if you want to kill an hour post-meal.

Guests rave about the freshness and portion sizes, and several mention it's some of the best seafood they've had in years. One recent visitor said the fried clams were the best they'd had in forever. Service is consistently noted as friendly and helpful, though a few orders have gotten mixed up in the kitchen during busy hours.