Eagles Nest Restaurant in Brewer, Maine

Eagles Nest is a tiny riverside shack in Brewer where locals line up for lobster rolls that overflow the bread and an all-you-can-eat fish fry that reportedly rivals anything in the state. They also run a short menu of comfort food: pot roast, meatloaf, shepherd's pie, and burgers that guests swear are hard to beat. Don't expect fuss. Expect fresh seafood, fast service, and the kind of cozy worn-in feeling that makes you want to stay awhile.

• Lobster rolls overflowing with tender, fresh meat for reasonable price
• All-you-can-eat fish fry with generous pieces of crispy fish
• Staff who anticipate what you need without being asked
• River views from a genuine local spot, not a tourist trap

Start with the lobster roll, which arrives piled so high it's almost comical. The all-you-can-eat fish and chips is a strong play if you're hungry; pieces are sizeable and fried properly. Clam strips are worth a second visit. Coleslaw and fries are solid sides. Burgers are huge and juicy if you want to skip seafood. The Grape Nuts pudding is divisive, so maybe skip it or go in blind.

Compact and cozy, with river views from the windows. It fills up at lunch, so expect a wait and some noise, but it moves fast.

Lobster rolls are the draw. The meat is tender and piled so high it overwhelms the bun. The all-you-can-eat fish fry brings families and road-trippers back twice in one day. If seafood isn't calling, their burgers are enormous and juicy. Sides of fries and coleslaw are both solid. Desserts are homemade but hit or miss, though they'll box them up if you're too full.

Guests rave about the freshness and generosity of the lobster rolls, with one recent visitor saying the meat was 'packed with tender lobster' that tasted like 'a taste of the coast.' Michelle's attentive service gets repeated mentions. One diner returned for clam strips after lunch because the first meal hit so well. A few warn that the house desserts are hit or miss.