Karen's Hideaway in Boothbay, Maine

Karen's Hideaway sits tucked back off the road in Boothbay, easy to miss but worth the U-turn. It's a no-frills operation, closer to a food trailer than a sit-down restaurant, but locals and visitors alike know to stop here for lobster rolls loaded with meat and fried seafood that doesn't apologize for being simple. The owner, Karen, works the counter and remembers faces. Don't expect fancy; expect fresh.

• Lobster rolls stuffed with meat, not filler.
• Fried scallops and haddock that actually taste fresh.
• Karen runs the show and treats regulars right.
• No tourist trap markup or pretense.

The lobster rolls come in small and big boy sizes, both packed with meat. Get the fried seafood combo if you're feeding a group. Scallops are a standout. And if someone doesn't eat seafood, the burger holds its own.

It's a stripped-down operation with a counter-order setup and casual outdoor seating. Don't come expecting ambiance; come expecting speed and no pretense.

Guests consistently praise the lobster rolls as loaded with meat and the fried seafood as fresh and generously portioned. One recent visitor called the scallops so good they "melt in your mouth like butter." People mention Karen by name and note the friendly locals who hang around.