Brick House Soups in Ellsworth, Maine

Brick House Soups is a small, laid-back place in Ellsworth that does exactly what its name says: makes soups from scratch, every day. The menu also includes sandwiches, breakfast items, and seasonal specials. Locals and travelers alike keep showing up for the lobster bisque, Cajun fried potatoes, and variations on the grilled cheese that feel both comforting and inventive.

• Lobster bisque with genuinely generous portions
• Sriracha chicken melt and candied jalapeño specials
• Chicken Tikka Masala Soup rivals big-city versions
• Breakfast done right, every morning

Start with the lobster bisque; it's silky and worth the trip on its own. The sriracha chicken melt is a standout, and if they have the candied jalapeño version, order it. The Lobster on Brick Buoy is what it sounds like: fresh lobster on toast, best paired with a cup of bisque. Try the Cajun fried potatoes as a side. For breakfast, the Brick House sandwich comes with pumpernickel bagel, egg, and just enough bacon. The Chicken Tikka Masala Soup hits differently on a cold morning.

Cozy, laid-back, and genuinely warm. It's the kind of room where staff know your name and mean it when they ask how you're doing.

What sets Brick House apart isn't just the food. One guest described showing up with hungry, frightened kids during a family crisis and being offered delivery to the hospital, despite it being outside their normal service area. That's the measure of the place.

Guests describe homemade soups that taste like they've been simmering all day and sandwiches that surprise you with their care. One recent visitor said they wanted to lick the bowl but didn't want the looks. The staff earns constant praise for being friendly and helpful, and the prices feel fair for what lands on the plate.