Linda Bean's Perfect Maine Lobster Roll

Critic's Review

Linda Bean's is Closed. Gary Rack has taken the space; it's not clear if he'll be expanding Rack's Fish House or opening a new restaurant. Whatever is it, expect overpriced, mediocre food.

******

Linda Bean's is a chain restaurant with its roots in Maine, which is where the best Lobsters come from.

This place is what I call "semi serve"; you have to wait on line to place your order, and then you can either take-out or sit at a table and they'll bring your food over. These places always provide a conundrum for me; I really don't want to tip if I have to wait on line but the kids who work here are working for tips. If they just plop the food down I probably won't tip; but if I ask for a bunch of stuff I probably would.

You can eat at the counter or at a table on the sidewalk. It's certainly not a fancy restaurant but its a prime spot for people watching.

The food gets mixed reviews from people I know. The biggest complaints from New Englanders is that the rolls aren't toasted and the dill that they sprinkle on; or that they primarily use crab claw meat instead of tail meat.

It's a pricey lunch for $15.50 with chips and slaw; but you could spend a whole lot more across the street at the office. If you're craving lobster you could do worse; if you're down form Minnesota on a warm fall weekend you might just think you're in heaven.