After our recent article featuring west-coasters eating Maine foods for the first time, we felt it only proper to give some attention to the foods included. The reactions of the participants may have been dramatic (our chowder isn’t THAT strange) but it really highlighted how unique Maine delicacies can be. So, in honor of our great state’s culinary traditions, here are 10 iconic foods in Maine that we know you’ll love. Or, at least tolerate. After all, we do have a few weird Maine foods…
- Maine Corn Chowder
Heather Joan / Flickr Maine’s corn chowder is primarily for summer days, but it’s thick and comforting enough to keep you warm in the winter. Except, you’re going to need fresh corn for this so make sure you’re cooking it up while it’s in season.
- Whoopie Pies
Jennifer Boyer / Flickr Because, when you’re in the only state that has an “official state treat,” you better try and love that official state treat!
- Moxie
Peter Dutton / Flickr Perhaps the most debated of all Maine delicacies, you either love the medicinal drink or hate it. If you grew up in Maine it was never far from your childhood, though it’s been made significantly sweeter in modern times. We’re not sure if that’s an improvement or a detriment.
- Blueberry Pie
Abby / Flickr The best Maine blueberry pie is made with wild blueberries, which means its only really in season for a portion of the year. But, if you happen to visit during the off-season, go for it anyway. Frozen authentic Maine blueberries are better than no blueberries!
- Fiddleheads
Dana Moos / Flickr As a side or sauteed and served up on their own, these wild-growing plants are the quintessential Maine find. In the summer, you’ll be tempted to pull over to the side of the road to get some fresh ones for dinner. Go with the urge! It’s worth it.
- Maine Baked Beans
Drew Dies/ Flickr Yes, they’re different than what you eat in Boston. For one thing, you’ll find Maine baked beans to be much less sweet than what you’re used to.
- Brown Bread
amanda / Flickr Ideally, it should be steamed in a can and served with some Maine baked beans. Then, and only then, will you be eating like a real Mainer.
- Lobstah
Natalie Maynor / Flickr You knew we couldn’t leave this off the list. No matter how you choose to serve it up, Maine lobster is as Vacationland as you can get! We’re partial to this method - lay them out on the beach, get a pot and boil those suckers over an open fire. Then, watch the sunset.
- Lobstah Rolls
Stephen Ritchie / Flickr Even though lobster is already on the list, no article promising iconic Maine foods would be complete without a photo of a lobster roll. So, here you go!
- …ANY seafood, really.
The Red Barn It’s not all lobster and laughter here in Maine. Don’t forget that Maine is a great place to eat your weight in fried scallops, clams and haddock!
Some of these weird Maine foods may seem odd to outsiders but they are perfect for us and we are proud of them. What do you consider to be the most iconic Maine food? Is there anything you absolutely will NOT try? Let us know on Facebook!
Heather Joan / Flickr
Maine’s corn chowder is primarily for summer days, but it’s thick and comforting enough to keep you warm in the winter. Except, you’re going to need fresh corn for this so make sure you’re cooking it up while it’s in season.
Jennifer Boyer / Flickr
Because, when you’re in the only state that has an “official state treat,” you better try and love that official state treat!
Peter Dutton / Flickr
Perhaps the most debated of all Maine delicacies, you either love the medicinal drink or hate it. If you grew up in Maine it was never far from your childhood, though it’s been made significantly sweeter in modern times. We’re not sure if that’s an improvement or a detriment.
Abby / Flickr
The best Maine blueberry pie is made with wild blueberries, which means its only really in season for a portion of the year. But, if you happen to visit during the off-season, go for it anyway. Frozen authentic Maine blueberries are better than no blueberries!
Dana Moos / Flickr
As a side or sauteed and served up on their own, these wild-growing plants are the quintessential Maine find. In the summer, you’ll be tempted to pull over to the side of the road to get some fresh ones for dinner. Go with the urge! It’s worth it.
Drew Dies/ Flickr
Yes, they’re different than what you eat in Boston. For one thing, you’ll find Maine baked beans to be much less sweet than what you’re used to.
amanda / Flickr
Ideally, it should be steamed in a can and served with some Maine baked beans. Then, and only then, will you be eating like a real Mainer.
Natalie Maynor / Flickr
You knew we couldn’t leave this off the list. No matter how you choose to serve it up, Maine lobster is as Vacationland as you can get! We’re partial to this method - lay them out on the beach, get a pot and boil those suckers over an open fire. Then, watch the sunset.
Stephen Ritchie / Flickr
Even though lobster is already on the list, no article promising iconic Maine foods would be complete without a photo of a lobster roll. So, here you go!
The Red Barn
It’s not all lobster and laughter here in Maine. Don’t forget that Maine is a great place to eat your weight in fried scallops, clams and haddock!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Weird Maine Foods July 14, 2022 Chris Dodge What are some other weird Maine foods to try? We have a few odd foods, we will admit it. Moxie by itself has practically split our state in half over the highly debated taste. Whether you like it or not Moxie is a classic Maine drink and we own it. For some other odd choices to try check out our first recommendation. A similar article but with a few different options. Snow with maple syrup?! Yeah, it’s a Maine thing. Another Maine classic is a fluffernutter sandwich. It may seem odd to others, but the perfect combination of peanut butter and fluff smooshed between two slices of bread is like a childhood dream. Becky’s Diner in Portland also offers a variation of this classic treat with their fluffernutter french toast. Of course, no BBQ is every complete until someone brings a pack of red hotdogs. These “red snappers” are not fish, although they share the same name, they are hot dogs and they are a Maine staple. What are some other foods that are not as weird but Maine made famous? The United Kingdom might be responsible for Shepherds Pie but here in New England, we made it perfect. You can get it somewhere else but it’s never the same as your mother’s perfected recipe well spending some time as a family around the table. Humpy Dumpy Chips actually come from Canada but we high-jacked them and sell them everywhere. If you haven’t tried All Dressed chips then you are missing out. Check out these Maine food festivals. They have everything from whoopie pies to clam bakes, they have blueberry pie to red hotdogs. You will want to visit these amazing festivals. Then here are a few more classic menu items, you can even make some of these dishes at home.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Weird Maine Foods
July 14, 2022
Chris Dodge
What are some other weird Maine foods to try? We have a few odd foods, we will admit it. Moxie by itself has practically split our state in half over the highly debated taste. Whether you like it or not Moxie is a classic Maine drink and we own it. For some other odd choices to try check out our first recommendation. A similar article but with a few different options. Snow with maple syrup?! Yeah, it’s a Maine thing. Another Maine classic is a fluffernutter sandwich. It may seem odd to others, but the perfect combination of peanut butter and fluff smooshed between two slices of bread is like a childhood dream. Becky’s Diner in Portland also offers a variation of this classic treat with their fluffernutter french toast. Of course, no BBQ is every complete until someone brings a pack of red hotdogs. These “red snappers” are not fish, although they share the same name, they are hot dogs and they are a Maine staple. What are some other foods that are not as weird but Maine made famous? The United Kingdom might be responsible for Shepherds Pie but here in New England, we made it perfect. You can get it somewhere else but it’s never the same as your mother’s perfected recipe well spending some time as a family around the table. Humpy Dumpy Chips actually come from Canada but we high-jacked them and sell them everywhere. If you haven’t tried All Dressed chips then you are missing out. Check out these Maine food festivals. They have everything from whoopie pies to clam bakes, they have blueberry pie to red hotdogs. You will want to visit these amazing festivals. Then here are a few more classic menu items, you can even make some of these dishes at home.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
We have a few odd foods, we will admit it. Moxie by itself has practically split our state in half over the highly debated taste. Whether you like it or not Moxie is a classic Maine drink and we own it. For some other odd choices to try check out our first recommendation. A similar article but with a few different options. Snow with maple syrup?! Yeah, it’s a Maine thing. Another Maine classic is a fluffernutter sandwich. It may seem odd to others, but the perfect combination of peanut butter and fluff smooshed between two slices of bread is like a childhood dream. Becky’s Diner in Portland also offers a variation of this classic treat with their fluffernutter french toast. Of course, no BBQ is every complete until someone brings a pack of red hotdogs. These “red snappers” are not fish, although they share the same name, they are hot dogs and they are a Maine staple.
What are some other foods that are not as weird but Maine made famous?
The United Kingdom might be responsible for Shepherds Pie but here in New England, we made it perfect. You can get it somewhere else but it’s never the same as your mother’s perfected recipe well spending some time as a family around the table. Humpy Dumpy Chips actually come from Canada but we high-jacked them and sell them everywhere. If you haven’t tried All Dressed chips then you are missing out. Check out these Maine food festivals. They have everything from whoopie pies to clam bakes, they have blueberry pie to red hotdogs. You will want to visit these amazing festivals. Then here are a few more classic menu items, you can even make some of these dishes at home.
