Portsmouth Restaurant Tips by BruceDunning Top 5 Page for this destination

Geno's Chowder & Other FAre: Chowder & SAndwiches

The restaurant was like going back in time over 40 years ago. Geno & Annette started in 1964. She is still there behind the counter and cooking chowder at age 70 (?) , but the daughter took over most activity. They feature lobster rolls and cjhwder. The chowder was mostly a waterty base and flavor medicore. They all come in a paper cup. They have a cup for 4, a bowl (about 6 oz for $6, and large for $8. Lobster rolls were pricey; but heh there is lobster in there, I guess. Small was $8-9, medium of $12 was around 7 oz, and large for 16 oz was $18.
The whole place inside may hold 20 people and in good weather they have a canopy for another 20-30. it is small and nothing chnaged since starting.

Favorite Dish: I am not sure if there really was a favorite. Many of the locals ordered a toasted cheese sandwich because it was least expensive on menu. There are not many items that go over $7-8 in costs. Most purchasers were not wanting to spend the amounts for the specialties, in my opinion.

Address: On S. Mill and Mecantile Streets

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: South of Strawbury BAnk and nearly across form WEntworth HOuse off Marcy St on Mechanic St. Past Pierce island

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 2

Theme: Seafood

TJ's: Just Good-Simple VAlue Food/Drink

They have a more or less local crowd that frequent the place. The food was reasonable and the drinks were one of the better values in town; I only tried two places. They also have a little game room in back

Favorite Dish: Burgers are a good choice, but the tacos chips are also a good sized plates

Address: On State ST by Pennhallow corner

Comparison: least expensive

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Seaview Lobster Co.: Go to the Source for Cheap/good lobster

Lobster pound. This is the way to go to keep costs down and get better flavor lobster. It comes right from the boats, and does not set in a refrigerator at a restaurant before devouring. I found that the best one is the SEaview Lobster, because the price was better, and the location easier to find, and the owner friendly and been in the business for 50 years. They used to trap lobster, and now ship around the world (Japan, Europe, etc) a crate at a time.
Price is only $5 a pound. Two pounds gets you about one pound of meat, after the torso throwaway. By the way the lobster was fabulous and the only way to go. It had been 30 years since I did this, and enjoyed as much now; in the motel and dipped in clarified butter.

Favorite Dish: Duh-I got the tails only and it was precooked that day. WONDERFUL with butter dip.

Address: 93 Government STreet, Kittery

Comparison: least expensive

Directions: Go into Kittery, and follow signs, just before you get to downtown of Kittery. Watch closely for the address, because the buildings are "hidden" from the street, and down at the water line. It is on 103. Follow the street numbers on Government Street.

Other Contact: TAlk to Tom or Ken Flanigan

Phone: 207-439-5399

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 5

Theme: Seafood

Website: http://seaviewlobster.com

Warren's Lobster House: Food for the Masses

The restaurant got a reputation some years ago and has not changed since. The facility feels stale, and the food is medicore at best. They have a very large crowd that shows up every night and no reservations are taken. So the best time to show up is before 5:30PM. Waits after that are about 45 minutes to 1+ hours. It is not worth the wait, believe me.
I think most people come for a lite meal, due to price and the quality is not worth spending a lot of lobster. Salad bar was good.

Favorite Dish: I tried the lobster tails with lobster and stuffing. The lobster may have amounted to about 10 ounces and the stuffing was tasteless, as well as the lobster was rubbery; probably due to precooking or overcooking. For the price of $40, it was a waste of money. The salad bar is the way to go, and just order that. It seemed most people came here and got a $10-14 fish plate and then Loaded up on the salad bar.

Address: 11 Water ST in Kittery Maine

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Take the bridge across from Portsmouth and look to your right just across the bridge. There it is.

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 2

Theme: Seafood

Website: http://www.lobsterhouse.com/

British Pub: British Fare

The restaurant/pub is above an office building and take the stairs two flights. Up there they have a bar, an area for pool and darts. The seating is for food, presumeabley.

Favorite Dish: I did not eat here, but the food of people at the place seemed to have a lot to eat and the quality was acceptable. Nothing great, but basic bar food. They have from appetizers for $5-8 to full meals up to $20. The average is around $15 plus drinks.

Address: 178 Fleet STreet

Comparison: about average

Directions: Just before intersection of Hanover ST.

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Pub/Brewery

Gilley's Diner: Old Time Diner

The food was okay, but the reason for showing up is the fact that this place has been in business since 1912. It is in a lot surrounded by buildings. Apparently no one was ever to get them to move, and unable to force the matter. The trailer with extension looks like it may still be from 1912. Prices are a great deal. The hotdog was $2.85. The burgers were $3-4 and fries $1 and pop $1.

Favorite Dish: I had a hotdog and kraut. It was good and what you would expect from a diner that is fast service. The burgers looked liked they were good and fried on a griddle. The fires came from the back room and appeared crisp and decent serving. Overall the bean and two dogs are the tradition per the customers. Every mix of people come here to eat, for price and ambiance.

Address: 175 Fleet St

Comparison: least expensive

Directions: On Fleet Street by Hanover intersection, jut to the west of Congress St.

Phone: 603-431-6343

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: Diner

Rosa Restaurante: Rosa is Italiano

The quality of food was good and plentiful. Staff was attentive to the needs of the customer. They have a variety of foods to choose from, with Italian being the main stay. The owner is hands on type and friendly.

Favorite Dish: I had braciola and it was very good. The flank steak meat was a bit chewy, but that is flank. The stuffing of pesto with green olive and oil base. They also have a reasonably priced pizza for around $9. The range of prices are $8-20, all give a fair amount of food for the value and good quality. The owner has been there for 14 years and takes pride in good service and quality.

Comparison: less expensive than average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Italian

Seaview and Others: Comparable Lobster Pounds

The Seaview if the best of the three in the local area of Portsmouth. Number one, the Flanigan's are friendly and the spot is easier to find. I went to the Sanders Fish Store and lobster pound at the south end of town. It is too commercialized and costs more. The Taylor Lobster Co was impossible for me to find on Hwy 236, and I went back and forth 3 times before giving up. Signage is lacking.
Either way Seaview is the place at $5 a pound, which is cheaper and location is better.

Address: 93 Government Road

Comparison: least expensive

Directions: From Portsmouth take #103 to the town of Kittery. Follow the numbers of Government and look to turn into a lot because the buildings are down by the water.

Phone: 207-439-1599

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Seafood

Website: http://seaviewlobster.com