Vote for the best Lobster Pound..

Among these 4 lobster pound places on Mount Desert Island, which one do you think is best? Why?

- Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound

- Abel%26#39;s Lobster Pound

- Beal%26#39;s Lobster Pier

- Thurston%26#39;s Lobster Pound

And are prices similar among these places?

Vote for the best Lobster Pound..

To paraphrase Gertrude Stein (and a regular contributor to these forums): a lobster is a lobster is a lobster.

It would take someone with rare talent (and not a little malevolence) to screw up a boiled or steamed lobster.

The prices will vary---not so much with regard to dear old Homarus americanus as to the other amenities that go with it, i.e., plastic utentsils and paper plates versus decent cutlery and china plates; sitting outside at a picnic table versus inside at a table with some linen; whether side dishes are included in the price or are a la carte, etc. (Not so much different than Boston restaurants, capice?)

Among those you list, Abel%26#39;s may be the most upscale (apparently, it%26#39;s the favorite of Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins when they are on the island). The other three are pretty much equal save in a bit of ambience---Thurston%26#39;s may be the most authentic ';downeast'; but I%26#39;ve never heard bad reports about any of them.

Wherever you end up (unless it%26#39;s the Post Office or the Police Station), the lobster will be good.

Vote for the best Lobster Pound..

I%26#39;ve been to all four and think Thurston%26#39;s and Trenton Bridge beat the other two hands down on ambiance/experience. When I have guests I take them to one of those two.

If I%26#39;m already on the island, I%26#39;m apt to pick Thurstons so as not to drive off island. They have a killer view even from ';inside.'; If the weather is even halfway decent, you%26#39;re in for a nice sunset.

But many of my trips to or from Acadia start or end with a lobster salad sandwich at Trenton Bridge on my way in or out My car turns here on habit. :) TB is very obviously family-run (with the same friendly faces year after year). Despite serving thousands of customers, they recognize me. I almost don%26#39;t have to say anything as Josette (at the register) will ask ';lobster salad sandwich?';

Beals if you have kids because of it%26#39;s proximity to the aquarium. You can also throw in a lure from the dock and catch a lot of fish if they%26#39;re running. Kids love that! Thurstons if you want a more authentic experience. Trenton Bridge is wonderful but it%26#39;s off the island; we stop there on our way in/out. Abel%26#39;s is too expensive and contrived but the lobster is good.