There isn’t much info online about the history of Young’s Lobster Pound in Belfast, Maine, although an AI-assisted search claimed that it was founded in the 1930s, so take that as you will. It’s clearly a well-established part of the community, however, and most people go to lobster pounds for lobster, not history, so let’s focus on that!
A lobster pound is a restaurant or market on the coast that allows you to pick live lobsters from their fresh catches and prepares them onsite. How is that different from a seafood restaurant, you might ask? In Young’s case, it’s a very no-frills experience: you order at a counter, the inside of the building is rough and functional, and there are picnic tables on the waterfront for you to sit at. There’s also an upstairs seating area in case you prefer indoor seating. Among the crowd of better-prepared visitors, patrons brought their own glasses, tablecloths, and so forth. It’s not necessary, but it does add a bit to the experience.
The seafood itself is the main attraction. Young’s serves typical seafood staples – in addition to lobsters, their menu includes clams, clam chowder, fried haddock, crabs, shrimp, scallops, and oysters, and a few non-seafood dishes also. Prices are a bit high but relatively consistent with other seafood establishments.
Our meal of lobster and shrimp was delicious, and it was a unique experience to visit a place which serves food that can’t be more fresh unless you eat it raw. Though it was a bit empty when we arrived, it filled up quickly with regulars, which is a good sign that it is well-liked in its own community. If you’re traveling up through Maine and looking for fresh seafood, give a lobster pound a try. Young’s Lobster Pound is a great place to stop for food and even though the building itself isn’t much to look at, the view from the shore is fantastic!
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