Aug 16 2007
Uncle Don’s Spurwink Country Kitchen
After showing His mom and dad Prout’s Neck (and our dream house–see the header image at the top of New2Maine.com) and Higgins Beach, we were traveling up Rte. 77 toward Fort Williams and the Portland Head Light. It was 1:00 PM by this time, and lunch was definitely in order. Having heard about the Spurwink Country Kitchen from a few locals on previous trips north, She and I decided it would be nice to grab a bite there.
According to the waitress, Uncle Don had just recently acquired and re-opened the Country Kitchen. We had heard it was only a seasonal restaurant, so we hadn’t thought it odd that it was closed in February, the last time we drove by. Anyway, we were warmly greeted and told that Uncle Don’s had the best pies around. We were seated in a very simple, but pleasant, dining room and given a few minutes to look over the menu. Uncle Don’s menu is quite seafood-heavy, but there are some options for the non-fish-eaters in your party.
We started with the soups–dad had the New England clam chowder, and mom and I had the the cream of tomato with basil soup. She shared a few spoonfuls of mine, and everyone agreed that the soups were very good. She and dad each had the fish sandwich and raved about them. I had a very good cheeseburger, though it was only a cheeseburger and not exactly the best lunch I’ve ever eaten. The fries were good though. Mom had a chef’s salad. Everyone was pleased with their lunches and we were glad we stopped in.
The waitress came by and asked if we planned on trying some of Uncle Don’s famous pies. We asked for the list of varieties available and, not planning on eating dessert right there, thought we might take a pie home for after dinner. We were informed that the pies are not sold as a whole, and at $5.95 a slice, it would cost us more than $40 to get a whole one. That, of course, sealed that deal. Unless it’s made of gold, I can’t possibly imagine a pie worth upwards of $40. I guess we’ll have to wait until we go back for dinner and then split a slice to see whether they’re really the best pies around. For that price, they’d better be.
Aside from the absurd dessert prices, Uncle Don’s Spurwink Country Kitchen was a winner. Good, fresh seafood and a pleasant atmosphere, with enough other options to fill up a non-seafood-eating diner. That section of Maine, Rte. 77 between Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth, is also quite pretty, so I’d recommend taking the drive out there, whether you plan to eat at Uncle Don’s or not. We’ll certainly go back again. I just don’t know about those pies…
your loss on the pie…$5.95 does seem a bit absurd but if they’re the same homemade pies that I had there before they closed, they could possibly be the best pie you’ve ever had! Be sure to dish out the $6 next time!
Look on my facebook, and you’ll see some shots of Uncle Don’s fantastic blueberry pie which was the winner of” the best blueberry pie” search done by my friends and me. Great fried oysters, too!
I do not remember the exact price of the pies my husband and I ordered but I remember thinking these desserts were cheaper than what we pay in Montreal. The pies are out of this world!!! Home made and big pieces. We had coconut cream and strawberry rhubarb — yum!!! Try the pies next time for sure.
One of the memoriable highlights of our trip to Portland was the wonderful dinner at Uncle Don’s…probably
the most friendly place we have ever eaten with excellent fare and reasonable prices and a chance to buy Don’s
receipe book.
Bill and Jean Eveleth
Quechee VT
He was a chef at a boarding school I attended at the age of 16/17 and now I am 43 years old and I think he could charge $10 a slice and I know it would not be unreasonable. I live on the west coast now however knowing he has his own place I will plan on visiting next time I make it east. He uses fresh ingredients and care of the product he produces and you can’t put a price tag on quality. Thank you Uncle Don for the good eats.
Bob Van de Water is going to visit Uncle Don’s on 07/23/2010
I can;t tell if the Douglas in the prior posting is anyone I know – but I was a director at Landmark North in Beverly Mass from 1971 to 1982 and If Landmark is where you went to school I hope, Doug, that you are well !