official website of UCLA, United Clam Lovers of America
CINDY's, Freeport Maine
Best Fried Clams we've ever
tasted are the caramel-colored
whole-belly crunchies served at
Cindy's, a terrific seafood stand
a little south of Freeport, Maine.
Their other specialties include steamers, scrumptious fried
mushrooms, lobster rolls, home-made cookies, chowder, onion
rings, fried fish, and more. Serious eaters sometimes merit
free samples. If you go there hungry, you'll leave there happy.
If you go there very hungry, you'll leave there very happy.

Hours are 11 AM to 7 PM Sunday through Friday (closed on
Saturday). The address is 174 Yarmouth Road (Route 1), just
north of Exit 17 from Interstate 295. You can call
207-865-1635.  When summer ends, the food stops flowing,
and host Bob Pottle and family switch gears to sell Halloween
and Christmas items.
Freeport, Maine is best known as
the home of L. L. Bean, and a
growing number of outlet stores.

On a shopping trip in the summer
of 2003, we decided to take a
slightly slower drive back to our
hotel in Portland, and instead of
getting right on Interstate 295, we
went south on Route 1, and  
made a wonderful discovery -
Cindy's seafood stand.

The sign said CLOSED and we
drove past, but one of the kids
said she saw a light on, so I made
a quick U-turn and pulled into the
driveway.

I didn't know if business had been
slow that day, or if owner Bob
Pottle and his crew were just
taking pity on famished clam
fanatics; but they were extremely
gracious, staying late to make us
some magnificent munchies. The
food was so good, we drove back
for lunch the following day.

Cooking whole-belly clams is a
delicate process. If they are
undercooked, they can be really
disgusting, with soggy dough
falling off. If they are cooked too
long, they become rocks or ashes.

Bob has perfected the art. His
clams are crunchy on the outside,
juicy on the inside, with the best
batter I've ever tasted (also used
on mushrooms and onion rings).

Clam chowder is heavenly.
Lobsters, either whole or in
chunks on a roll, are fresh and
flavorful. Depending or market
conditions, you might find a big
bargain.

I got some neat stuff at L.L. Bean;
but the next time I went to
Freeport, it was for clams,
mushrooms and onion rings, not
fishing rods, moccasins and back
packs.
▲Cindy's is more than a restaurant. It's also kind of a museum and
amusement park. There's lots to keep you busy while your food is being
prepared. Here's Bob caught in his own tourist trap. You can get trapped,
too. The display on the right shows souvenir T-shirts, mugs and more...so
you can leave with more than a smile and a full belly.
▲Cindy's has high culinary
standards. If your standards are
lower, Golden Arches are not far.
▲Bob's bakery is in a house
trailer next to the main building.
His cookies and cakes are superb.
▲If you see these friendly folks on
the road to L. L. Bean's, STOP!
▲Take some cole slaw home or
back to your motel or campsite.
▲When you gotta go, you gotta
go. Cindy's "facilities" are basic,
but clean.
▲Here's famous chef Frank N. Stein, who showed up at Cindy's in
September 2004 to help sell pumpkins and sing for visitors.
▲Here's Frank in the Summer
of 2006, in his official
WeLoveClams.com T-shirt.
You can have one, too.
CLICK.
Here's long-time clam fan Jennifer
Fremont with chef/owner/guru Bob Pottle.
Here's proud proprietor Bob Pottle▲ standing in front of Cindy's. The food
stand has been open since 1980 and is named in honor of Bob's daughter.
The signs don't mention the SUPERB fried clams and steamers, but it's not a
secret anymore. Bob has very high standards. If he can't get perfect clams,
he doesn't buy any. Bob is justifiably proud of his cooking, and if he senses
that you're a serious eater, he'll probably offer you samples of some of the
items you haven't ordered. Be sure to ask about the "little magic house."
WeLoveClams.com                   Michael N. Marcus, Clam Master
▲Don't confuse Cindy's with a fast-food joint. Everything is cooked to order,
and worth waiting for. Lemonade and iced tea are self-serve. Double-dipping
is not allowed.
▲You'll never confuse Cindy's with Disney World, but the Maine Mickey Mouse
is always smiling, and the lines are shorter.
▲If you want to eat, have cash in your pocket.
▲There are plenty of picnic tables, and plenty of smiles. The onion rings
behind the Pepsi cup were dee-licious!
▲ Cindy's attracts a lot of famous visitors. You never know who'll show up.
▲Although the purple convertible passed Cindy's seafood van, nobody
surpasses Cindy's seafood.
▲Clam Master Michael tries out the new
Photo Opportunity at Cindy's in 2006.