Ken's Place in Scarborough, Maine

Ken's Place is a window-order seafood shack a few minutes inland from the beach in Scarborough. Locals steer visitors here for the real deal: fried clams, lobster and crabmeat rolls, chowder, and a raw bar. It's dive-bar casual, counter-service, and fast. Prices lean toward the Maine standard for seafood.

• House-made tartar sauce that highlights pickle and quality.
• Lobster and crabmeat rolls that earn return trips.
• Food arrives fast, even on busy afternoons.
• Generous portions of fried shrimp and fish.

Start with a lobster roll or crabmeat roll. The fried clams and fried shrimp are generous; the fish and chips is solid. Chowder shows up on repeat visits, though consistency varies. Order the house-made tartar sauce, not bottled. Coleslaw is made in-house and lightly dressed if you want a side.

Bare-bones counter service, order-at-the-window setup. Food comes out fast enough that you won't wait long once called.

Fish, clams, and shrimp are fried without apology. The lobster and crabmeat rolls are the headliners, though the chowder draws repeat visits. Ken's makes their own tartar sauce in-house, which guests praise for letting the pickle shine through. It's the sort of spot where you go for food, not scenery.

Guests highlight the speed, the freshness, and that house-made tartar sauce. A few mention the chowder as a reason to return, though one visitor noted the broth varies batch to batch. Locals recommend it as authentic Maine seafood without pretense.