Thurston’s Lobster Pound, 9 Thurston Rd, Bernard, ME 04612, 207.244.7600
Lobster Roll Grade: A-
Additional Standouts: Best lobster bisque / chowder on the island; Blueberry basil margarita
Tucked down against the edge of the water in the tiny little town of Bernard is a lobster legend – Thurston’s Lobster Pound.
The idyllic location and view made up for the hour long wait
Thurston’s was the inspiration for extending my trip to Mount Desert Island. This mighty little two story boat yard restaurant had come highly recommended, but like many of the restaurants on the island during the summer of 2020, it had extremely limited hours. So when I had learned that Thurston’s wouldn’t be open at all during the original five days we were scheduled to be on the island, I quickly made the decision to fly up with the kids three days earlier than planned. My husband Eric could join us at the end of the week when he finished up his work.
I’m so glad I made that change!
Thurston’s had a long line wrapping down the driveway, around the corner, and into the neighboring streets – and for a good reason! Besides just being extremely short staffed due to the pandemic restrictions, the more important reason for the high demand is because their lobster is that as great as the locals say!
We stood in line for at least an hour, slowly inching our way closer and closer to the entrance. I had come prepared for the long wait with some National Park War playing cards which the kids and I played in line. Unfortunately, other families were not so well prepared.
Leif gives his best pirate stare next to Thurston’s rusty old ship anchor
Be prepared for an hour or longer line. It’s worth the wait!
Not to be outdone, Aras gives his one eyed pirate wink
The Restaurant
Thurston’s had originally been recommended to me for its lobster bake, but in my quest to find the “best lobster roll” of the island (and because I didn’t think I could handle picking a whole lobster with two kids who had just waited an hour in line and no other adult support / supervision), I opted for the roll.
We enjoyed Thurston’s blueberry pie as a sunrise breakfast treat
I also got a lobster chowder, a “red” hot dog for the kids (that wasn’t particularly red this time), a slice of blueberry pie (which we ate for breakfast at Seawall along with the pie from C-Ray), and two drinks – a blueberry basil margarita and the bluemonade (blueberry lemonade).
The lobster “chowder” was what I would actually call a bisque. It was creamy and had no other identifiable food chunks in it, like potatoes, that I would expect of something called “chowder”.
It was truly was to die for!!! In addition to the silky creaminess, it was so very flavorful (is that actual sherry in it I detect like a true bisque?), and it had huge chunks of soft, tender lobster meat in it.
The best lobster “chowder” on the entire island
By the time I sat down to write up my review for Thurston’s later in the week, I was eight lobster chowders / bisques in, and this was hands down the best lobster “chowder” on the island!
The blueberry basil margarita was fun with fresh muddled basil. My five year old had had a day of numerous mood swings ranging from ear shatteringly loud joyousness to Oscar winning dramatic breakdowns. Topping that off with an hour long wait in line, and the margarita was a much needed refreshment. However, I would not order the bluemonade again.
Thurston’s “red” hot dog was decidedly not red
Despite the long wait, the kids cheerfully enjoyed their dinner
The Roll
Of the three rolls I had tried by this third day of our trip, Thurston’s was hands down the best lobster meat, but it was the most disappointing “lobster roll”.
The best lobster meat, yet a disappointing sandwich
The lobster meat was simply delicious and super flavorful. Again, by this time I wrote up my review of Thurston’s, I’d had 8 total lobster rolls and this one remained the most flavorful lobster meat.
That fact made me wish I had been able to go back for the full lobster bake once my husband arrived on the island, but alas Thurston’s had closed for the short tourist season by then.
The reason why the “roll” itself was disappointing had a lot to do with how the sandwich came together (or didn’t come together, as was the problem). Though we ordered a full lobster bake several times throughout the trip, my self-appointed “quest” was to find the best “lobster roll”. And since the majority of the restaurants charged the same price for a “lobster roll” as they charged for the full lobster, I had decided that when ordering the “roll” there needed to be something about sandwich that elevated it beyond just the delicious lobster meat.
In other words, the “roll” has to come together as a full sandwich, and can’t just be delicious lobster meat served on some bread.
After all, I’m from Maryland where spending three hours picking out every microscopic piece of crab meat from an Old Bay covered steamed blue crab feast is our official State past time, so I don’t order a “lobster roll” just because I need someone to pick my seafood for me.
Thurston’s had the absolute best lobster meat of any roll on the island, but the rest of the sandwich was just “parts” that didn’t fully come together. Though it was definitely tossed in some type of mayo sauce, that “sauce” was completely flavorless and added nothing to the sandwich. The meat could have been naked for all intents and purposes, and in fact, had it been naked, it might have made it a better sandwich. Additionally, the bread that it was served on was considerably dry.
The sun sets on a busy day for Thurston’s
Blueberry is the name of the game at Thurston’s bar with the blueberry basil margarita and bluemonade
A stunning sunset view from Thurston’s upper deck
Despite the additional components of the “roll” being less than amazing, I would absolutely jump at the chance to head back to Thurston’s anytime they are open to enjoy more of their amazing and extensive menu of freshly caught delights from the sea.
It’s certainly worth the wait, especially if you catch the stunning sunset while you are there as we did. Just bring something to entertain yourself and be sure to order an extra lobster “chowder” to take home!
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