Linda Bean’s

This was my first time here. Stopped for a beer as my daughter was shopping with a friend. Ended up staying & buying them lunch due to the great children’s special. The servers were friendly & accommodating (the kids didn’t want raw veggie sticks as a side so they subbed a salad) and the manager was engaged and helped out during the rushes. Good place to stop while the ladies are shopping.

Eh. Lobster roll looked good, but was not good. It lacked seasoning and mayo. The place is a novelty, and we were intrigued by a boat restaurant in the middle of the mall. Only plus was the staff being great, and the fact that you can drink beer in the middle of the mall. Kelp salad wasn’t bad either.

So Maine! So appealing! Hands down worse Lobster Roll ever! We live in Maine and have had many Lobster Rolls in lots of towns and places… Linda Bean? Ouch! Tasteless dry lobster sprinkled with dry spices/​dill on an old roll. AND the clam chowder. a weird base, like mashed potatoes with a few pieces of crushed clam! Nice they have the cute Maine thing going on. no excuse for not having good seafood!

Treated a visitor to what I thought would be a good lobster roll, and I was VERY disappointed! Tiny shreds of lobster meat on stale hot dog bun. A travesty to be called a Maine lobster roll. Would never return, and would never recommend.

This restaurant really was a pleasant surprise in the Portland mall. Located in a model of a boat, right out in the middle of the mall I enjoyed some delicious lobster.
The prices for lobster were very reasonable, especially considering the location. An extremely large lobster roll was 20.00, and a bowl of lobster bisque with chunks of lobster was in the low teens. The bisque had a delicious, unique flavor. The roll was very tasty as well and and the lobster was cooked perfectly. I took my 4 year old son with me, and a grilled cheese was only a couple of dollars for him. He also really enjoyed the lobster touch tank and «eating on a boat».
All in all delicious lobster at a very reasonable price in a very convenient location. I would say it is a great place to take a break from shopping!

Went to Linda Beans for dinner tonight. The food was bad and the service was worse. I had the haddock and it was extremely dry. My co-​worker had Lobster Mac and Cheese — it was heavy and odd tasting. Do not waste your money.

we went for breakfast on our way out of town– it was really great! excellent coffee, and service. I had the plain Maine breakfast with a side of crispy bacon– that was (although a boring choice) really delicious. The eggs were perfectly cooked, and potatoes were wonderful. My husband had the blueberry pancakes that were outstanding! the real maple syrup was amazing. we’d definitely go back.

Surprisingly good seafood for a mall setting. Quick service and the hummus was a good option for my vegetarian friend. If you can’t make it to the harbor this is still decent…

The 2-​star description here on Unilocal sums it up perfectly: Meh, I’ve had better.” I got a lobster roll, and my daughter got the grilled cheese. The lobster roll was disappointing — there was no mayo on it at all, and the lobster, while abundant, seemed like it was still a bit frozen. No lettuce or anything, either. Really, just a toasted roll with plain chunks of almost-​frozen lobster.
The grilled cheese was just that — a plain, nothing-​special grilled cheese sandwich. Both sandwiches came in a paper box, and we would have had to pay an additional $ 5 for their slaw and a bag of chips.
The prices were out of line for the quality of food, in my opinion, and I doubt I will go back. Besides, after reading about Linda Bean as a person, I’;d rather take my money elsewhere.

I have heard so much from so many about Linda Bean’s in the Freeport location and how it had great food and great service. My experience here at the Maine Mall location (located right outside the Starbucks and Sports Authority) was a mixed bag.
The server was very friendly and attentive and helped us navigate through the very small lunch menu with a couple of recommendations.
When we asked for tea they said they were all out. When asked for ice water they stated that the ice machine is broken and not working. Then when they brought the water to the table it had many little «floaties» in the water like the plastic cup it was sitting in had little shavings in the bottom and they floated to the top.
Now for the food. The person I was with had the crab and avacado salad and stated that it was very good simply because of the crab meat that was in large amounts but the salad itself was just so-​so.
My clam chowder was nice and hearty and was delicious. And I also had a BLT on whole wheat bread that was warm and moist and delicious.
So the experience itself was half and half and seemed to have a good attempt on a good experience bt I don’t know if I will hurry back … I will try the more esptablished one in Freeport next time if anything.

Tried a whole Maine lobster today… not bad… not bad at all. I was, however, stunned to learn from my server that their lobsters are microwaved @ Linda Bean’s Maine Lobster Boat Café. I thought lobsters were typically steamed or boiled or even baked. Live and learn, right? Located inside The Maine Mall in Portland near the lower Sports Authority entrance.

I love their turkey blt and chicken grilled cheese, as well as their crab grilled cheese. I’m allergic to lobster but my friend reported that the lobster roll included some great pieces of lobster meat.
I’ve heard that the wine servings are small, but the cups of beer are cold, full and delicious. I love that they offer ME brands so that shoppers from away can try them out. Between the beverages and the people watching, it’s the perfect break spot for someone waiting for their friend, or family member to finish with a shopping spree.
You can buy fresh live lobster to go if you’re on your way up 295 or 95 to a vacation!

A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT!!!
A clever concept to have a Maine boat in a mall serving Maine Lobster and Maine Beer and Wine.
We spent $ 26.00 plus tip and did not even have lobster!!!
To begin with, I ordered the Maine wine. My husband requested water with lemon. He was given a bottle of Maine water fot $ 2.75 which he declined in lieu of free tap water. My wine came in a little plastic cup for $ 9.00.
The «bowel» of clam chowder was really a cup (takeout paper) for $ 7.95. It was average in taste. I craved a salad so I ordered a salad of greens– $ 7.25 in a cardboard takeout box. Nothing special. The kelpilicious slaw sounded interesting. NOT!!! average mayo cole slaw with a few shreds of kelp for $ 2.25– should have been no more than $ 1.50 for the tiny size.
The mall was noisy though a slow time of day. The meal was totally unfulfilling. Service was very good though the boat not busy.
This place is a gimmick. Limited high priced menu. Mediocrity that should (and could) have been much better.
BAD experience.