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J's Oyster
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 11:30 pm
Sat 11:30 am - 11:30 pm
Sun 12 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Dive-y, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
237 reviews for J's Oyster
Review Highlights
"The lobster roll was simple and simply wonderful."
(in 77 reviews)
"Succulent, perfectly done and no frills great seafood."
(in 18 reviews)
"Can't beat their price - bakers dozen for $11."
(in 11 reviews)
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237 reviews in English
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Review from Tammy T.
Claremont, CA
2/9/2012 12 photos
Go here for some amazing seafood! I was here on a day trip to Maine and couldn't leave without trying some local, fresh cuisine. There was a considerable wait since we had a group of 5. It was particularly awkward too because this one lady sat at a 5-person table for about an hour sipping on iced tea and talking on the phone. Eventually the servers asked if she would consider moving to a single-seating area.
Before J's Oyster, I actually didn't like oysters at all--I found them slimey and flavorless. The oysters at J's though are absolutely delicious. I went from avoiding oysters to asking more. I think it's a true testament to the freshness of the ingredients they have in Maine as well as specifically at J's Oyster. We also ordered the lobster cocktail and steamed clams served in a metal bucket. Both were delicious and the clams were particularly fun to eat. I'd never had them before and our server was more than happy to give us a quick tutorial. For the entrees we split amongst the group shrimp scampi, lobster rolls, and more. The entrees were tasty as well. I just recommend focusing on ordering seafood dishes and nothing with too much sauce which can cover up the fresh taste.
Overall I had a great time at J's Oyster. The seafood was great and it was exactly what I was looking for in Maine--a delicious lunch with a view of the water and lots of laughter tossing clam shells into buckets. -
Review from Chris C.
Boston, MA
1/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
Not the most glamorous of places, but with many such places (the great Vietnamese place in the strip mall) there is often some local favorite cred about places like this,. and it appears to be no different here.
The decor is definitely lacking, but the location right on the pier can't be beat, and the food is fresh and good.
We both went for the classic combo of clam chowder and a lobster roll.
The chowder is fairly thin (for those of you who have a preference as i do for thicker chowder) but full of flavor. The broth was well-seasoned without being overwhelmed by any one spice, and it was the right mix of potato, celery and lots and lots of clams. It's the best chowder I've had in Maine for sure. (Spanky's in Hyannis still is the best in New England!)
The lobster rolls are very simply done - no mayo (it's served on the side) just lots of fresh, sweet Lobster with most of a couple claws sticking out. They definitely don't' skimp on the lobster meat, and it's all served on a grilled hot dog bun with a side of chips and coleslaw. Just what you would expect, nothing more.
The service was friendly and efficient - although the chowder and lobster rolls came out right one top of one another, likely because it was a slow Sunday. The pacing could have been better, but it wasn't a big deal. -
Review from Chris G.
Updated - 1/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
I received this message from the owner within a day of writing my review:
"Chris,
Thank you for taking the time to review us. I'm sorry if you were not more impressed by our lobster roll. Unlike some of our competitors, we prefer to let the fresh lobster speak for itself on the roll and not add too many seasonings that cloud the lobster's taste. Of course, we understand that everyone has different tastes. We'd love to welcome you back again; I know we can serve you a great meal.
Cindy Brown"
Well, any owner who cares enough to want to address my concers about their establishment gets an "A-Ok" from me. I will give J's another chance this fall when I return to Maine.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/18/2012
The lobster roll was good, just not fantastic. I was expecting much more when a local told me this… Read more »
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Review from Matt G.
1/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
First impressions regardless of being a top recommended place from locals will leave you thinking....really? Eat here? Should I get a tetnis shot first?
This place is one of those gems. They serve fresh seafood, straight from the boat that pulls into Portland that day. I went in just for drinks and got talking with a few people and how this place operates straight off relationships with local fisherman. Nothing commercial about this place.
I was here in January...snow and cold. But this place is set up to have outside area for summer time right at the water and appears to be cool. -
Review from Jessie C.
Bordentown, NJ
1/21/2012
I loved the lobster and clams!! Best ever!
The service wasn't the best, but the food made up for it! It's a little hard to find bc it's off the main street area. -
Review from Jonathan W.
Back Bay, Boston, MA
1/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
To me, this is how all seafood is meant to be consumed. Focus on the food. No fancy dishes, just let the best seafood around speak for itself. Our waitress was great, kept out beers full and our bellies happy. You should be proud of yourselves,, I'll be back to Portland just to stop by J's. Cheers.
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Review from Mike S.
Madison, WI
12/28/2011
First night in Maine and I wanted me some delicious seafood so I asked my native-Portland colleagues where to go...their first response was J's Oyster. So we decided to check the place out on this uncharacteristically warm November night. Situated just off the main drag on a pier in the Old Port, the place is a bit nondescript except for the large sign. The place was packed with what seemed like mostly locals. It's an ultra casual no-frills type of place. The atmosphere made me feel like I was back in Wisconsin at some supper club or something...except for the simple fact that we were looking out over the harbor!
I tried the mussels and had the lobster roll for dinner... both super fresh. The lightly buttered roll with lump lobster meat was as good or better than any of the rolls I've had in Boston and other places I've been. The service was fairly good. Expect to wait at least a little while for a table. I would certainly come back here when visiting next time and would consider bellying up to the bar for drinks and food. -
Review from Bill R.
Aptos, CA
1/25/2012
On the water in Portland, Great local joint. Best Steamer's on Planet Earth. Big, Juicy, Sweet and super clean. I have been going here for years but it is always special when I go back every Thanksgiving week on my annual return to New England from California.
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Review from Patrick K.
Pacifica, CA
12/25/2011
What an old dive, I love it!! J's seems to be frequented by mostly locals and not too many tourists; which is nice! This place serves great steamers and seafood. Try the chowder and a large bucket of steamers, you can't go wrong! The beer selection is good here too!
I just read the review by Kathy Z. below, who gave J's one star, she is a effin' moron! Why would a person go to Maine and order frozen King Crab from Alaska? It's goddamn Maine! You order local lobster, clams or fish! Rant Done!!! -
Review from Carol C.
11/11/2011
Freshest Whole Lobster we had on our trip to Maine. I absolutely love this place!!! Everyone was so happy and friendly and the lobster...
First of all I checked Yelp reviews real well before choosing this place. It's very casual with a large bar in the center with tables around 2 sides and outside. Also it has a large clientele of regular locals which we observed having a great time around the bar while waiting in line for a table. While waiting we observed a large majority of the clientele ordering the whole lobster and steamers. So that is what we ordered when we were seated and then the fun began :) .
We received some bread and butter. Then came the masterpiece. The most beautiful huge whole bright red cooked lobster with about a dozen steamers. Your place mat has full instructions on how to eat the lobster step by step even the green stuff that is considered a delicacy. I forget now what the green stuff is but it's delicious and it's not the poop. You're given all the secret tips to enjoy every edible part. The lobster was so fresh and sweet that I wanted to eat every bit of it.
The steamers were ok but some of mine had too much mud in them and made my rinse water bowl dirty quick. I found out later that you can order the lobster without the steamers for $5.00 less.
Our waitress was very friendly but forgot my coleslaw and brought it afterwards. Which was ok because I was busy enjoying the sweet lobster. I could eat their whole lobsters everyday if I lived there. All the food they were serving looked awesome and the portions all looked large. Full bar and icy cold beer. Yum
Highly recommend to other tourists and locals. -
Review from Darcy R.
11/22/2011
We had no idea about this place, we were just interested in getting a drink and maybe some oysters if it looked alright. It's definitely not a fancy place, reminds me of a Wisconsin bar...just on the East Coast.
Bellied up to the bar and joined the locals who were more than happy to chat with us. The bartender, Sandy, was very friendly and really made us feel welcome. She had tips for Portland including taking a mail run tour of the nearby islands.
Ordered a beer and then felt like a shot of some whiskey that the guy down the bar was drinking. Well, I didn't get a shot...I got a snifter full. It took me forever to drink it!
After being there for a bit I was able to see what others were ordering and it seemed like steamers were the way to go. Or pissers, as our bartender called them (really they're PEI's). Then I got a taste of the lobster bisque (you can taste the heavy cream and the sherry finish) and also sampled some raw scallop. That scallop was PHENOMENAL. Extremely sweet.
Even if you don't order a lobster, go look at the lobster steamers since this is one of the few places that still uses them. They look like little front loading washing machines, I thought they were pretty cool.
I would certainly go back, especially since the locals can turn you on to other places in the city that are worthwhile. These are real people so if you're looking for a local experience, come here. -
Review from Critic E.
Fallbrook, CA
Updated - 12/7/2011
J's is a local hang out, and I can sure see why. I'm from out of town but when I'm anywhere near Portland I have to head to J's. I belly up to the bar and start by ordering a beer and a dozen oysters, when I finish them I order another beer and a dozen more oysters and so it goes until I've polished off 4 to 5 dozen oysters.
It's only takes a minute to serve you once you order the oysters as they are already shucked sitting on ice. The bartender just has to go to the big table covered with ice and grab a dozen oysters, a few cut lemons, hot sauce etc and your set up with another dozen.
Now I'm talking dozens only because they are so good and are kept ice cold.
Now comes my only complaint. Where I come from anywhere you order up oysters they serve sourdough bread with a huge gob of butter. There is nothing better than some cold fresh oysters, a chunk of sourdough and of course an ice old beer.
So only because they do not serve bread, only crackers, I give it 4 stars. The no bread thing is standard for the east coast when serving up oysters on the half shell. Having said that, J's should at least have a good sourdough on hand and ask if you would like some. Even at an extra cost would be fine with me. J's does not charge much for his oysters so paying extra for a nice chunk of bread would make the day.
J's is oyster heaven1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/1/2010
Ate 32 Blue Point Oysters on the half shell with a cup of Claim Chowder. Delicious is all I can… Read more »
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Review from Felix Y.
Chula Vista, CA
12/28/2011
Best seafood!!!
Found this place by accident first time going to Maine. Was going to just pick up a random restaurant, drove into the paid parking next to it and saw that they have free parking, so go around and give this place a try. First time we went we had 4 people, each order the lobster meal. It was cooked to perfection. We ordered a large bucket of clam, it was way too much for 4 of us with the meal and oyster to begin with and the meal actually already come with the clam, so that was stupid on us. Oyster was good, I figure their name has to have a good reputation. Some were kinda small.
Second time we went, we had about 11 people, we order 2 lobsters each. And I guess that messed it up. It wasn't as good as the first time. They are still good, they are still the best that my friends have ever gotten. But since the 4 of us had that amazing experience the first time, we could definitely tell it was different. Still I enjoyed it very much.
Especially during the summer go early. Get there before 5 or you are going to have to wait a long time. -
Review from Kathy Z.
Somerville, MA
10/11/2011
Don't really understand why people give this place so many 5 stars!!!
Here's why I don't recommend going:
I was there this Columbus weekend. Got there early and seated but waited for 20 mins until someone came and ask me to order. I asked several waiters during that 20 minutes, all they were saying is "I'm not your server!" That's unacceptable! The worse thing is during my lunch time, our server just showed up twice to fill the lemonade. I didn't even know where she was.
Then the food.
I ordered king crab with several other friends. The sizes were just soooo different. Mine were huge but some of my friends' were just too small. If it wasn't the case that we ordered the same food, we couldn't know. Then we asked the server and compared the sizes in front of her, she ended up giving us half-price. By the way, the taste can only be rated as average.
The whole experience is just disappointing!! It's all about waiting waiting, but no good food.
I won't go there again. -
Review from Angel S.
Long Island, NY
In the charming, dimly-lit, cobblestone streets of Portland, Maine, there is no doubt that the culinary landscape is ruled by the almighty lobster. If you don't know that just by its reputation, you'll quickly catch on as soon as you take a quick glace around the pier.
A newbie like myself could be easily confused by the wealth of options, with every establishment claiming to have the best lobster in the country. So after asking a number of locals for their insight on tourist traps and legit spots, we ventured to J's Oyster after folks we polled agreed that this is the spot worth checking out.
A word of caution, however, there is nothing fancy about this place. It's dark, loud, cramped, and quite the dive. But this local staple certainly serves damn good FOB-ulous lobster (clams too).
The lobster had that fresh off the ocean feel and the taste was so smooth that using butter would have only ruined the experience. The clams were also good, though you have to watch out for the sand. They're pretty darn fresh after all, and nothing that a quick dip into the clam broth cant fix.
The king crab legs were a little disappointing. They were scrawny, not quite the ginomous legs I had in mind, plus it was a bit bland. Butter helps. It shouldn't have to, in my opinion, but it does.
Overall, J's is a solid spot. I recommend the lobster dinner with the steamers, served with a pound and quarter lobster with a baker's dozen steamers and an ear of corn...then a nice stroll around downtown Portland to cap the night off. Delicious and memorable. -
Review from Traci K.
11/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
I think we got the wrong thing. Being called J's Oysters we got some...but maybe we shouldn't have. Picked from the ice box display of already shucked beauties, the oysters were tasty - but gritty. Very gritty. And not briney. It was a little disconcerting.
The lobster roll on the other hand was really good. Huge chunks of lobster squeezed into a toasted hot dog roll. Mayo on the side in a packet. Yum.
The clam chowder was ok. It would have been good if it hadn't been lukewarm.
Loved the divey atmosphere and I can see why people would like it, but it wasn't tops for us. -
Review from Daniel O.
10/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
J's Oyster is a tiny oyster bar located off the main harbor strip in Portland, Maine. The bar was filled with locals, a perfect place for us to gorge on seafood. Oh, and apparently my culinary hero Mr. Bourdain gave this place the thumbs up!
We chose a table on their patio which is situated right on the harbour. The patio is covered and on the particular day we were there it was super cool. We were cold.
Our server was........colourful. Not super friendly but good at her job, prompt, quick, short with her answers. Probably really sick of serving tourists who tip poorly.
We started with drinks, I had Sam Adams Autumn Ale, Mark had spiced rum & ginger.
Also ordered a baker's dozen of oysters ($11.50), raw/nude with cocktail sauce and horseradish. Had to be the freshest oysters I have ever had, so good. And so cheap, in Toronto (my hometown) oysters range from $2-$4 each.
Seeing that this was the first time we found a seafood restaurant on our entire East Coast trip, I opted to order a full lobster (market price, at time of review it was $24). Lobster was boiled and came with a dozen mussels and corn on the cob. The lobster was delicious, super fresh, melt-in-you-mouth even. The shell was much softer than I am use to. The mussels were also very good as was the corn. Mark ordered the lobster roll ($12.50), which was good, a bit dry (we are use to the lobster salad style with mayo). Bread was super fresh and the roll contained a ton of succulent lobster meat.
J's Oyster is super no frills, super local and definitely should be on your list to try when in Portland. -
Review from Don K.
Bethlehem, PA
12/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
J's was the first stop on the Portland food tour. The raw scallops were HUGE and buttery! J's was crowded so seemed like the lobster would be equally massive and delicious. It was now, sorry I really wanted to love this place but it was average.
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Review from Monica-Tezla V.
Brooklyn, NY
12/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
okay so i ate here 3 times in a 24hr period!
*nothing is fried
*this is a low key, local kind of place
the food literally comes from the boats that are docked right outside
I had lobster twice- nothing short of amazing
then i tried this mixed seafood dish, holy moly so so so good
and awesome beer on tap
If you are ever in Portland you MUST eat here -
Review from Caesar R.
Brooklyn, NY
9/30/2011
Total Tourist Trap, but you are still going to walk away having had a great time and a great meal and mingle with the locals. So forgive any negative connotation the tourist trap may conjure up.
We had arrived and the entrance way was packed. Don't let this be a deterrent either. We squeezed our way up to the bar to put our name in with waitress. Then we hung out outside for a little bit to see if the bar would open up. Luckily it did and after about 3 minutes, two seats opened up and one was quickly taken by another tourist, so I stood next to my wife at the bar. Eventually we grabbed two seats next to each other as others were accommodating to get us side by side. We cancelled our name on the table list and wound up just eating at the bar which is first come first serve. But be patient, there was only one waitress for the entire bar who looked like she needed a break 4 hours ago. She was super friendly given how hard she was working.
We shared a bakers dozen of the oysters. They could have been a little colder, but still nice and fresh. Then we split the lobster dinner and the lobster roll. The lobster meat was sweet and delicious on the buttery toasted roll and served with some chips. Not too fancy, but really you don't need fancy with a lobster roll. The lobster dinner with the steamers is just your perfect prototypical Maine meal. 1 1/4 lb lobster with 15 steamers and an ear of corn, complete with drawn butter. Just darn delicious.
Washed down with a light beer we were both happy. They do have a full bar and wines by the glass as well. Bottled beers and tap selection are some local seasonal brews as well as the standard bar choices.
Spent a lot of time chatting with the people to the left and right of us as well, which made for a great experience. It is a really fun and friendly place, definitely worth a visit while in Portland. -
Review from Cynthia G.
Los Angeles, CA
Got a tip from a local recommending this place and advising us to stay away from the touristy floating restaurant, so we went to check it out. They open at 11:30 AM and there was a line. We got seated right away and sat outside to enjoy the view and take in the salty air.
The service was prompt and they had a no frills menu full of seafood options. We started with a 1/2 dozen oysters which were super fresh and served just the way I like with horseradish & cocktail sauce. Next we each had a cup of soup (hubby had seafood chowder and I had clam chowder). Hubby's soup was better than mine. Both soups were in a very thin broth and mine had a layer of oil sitting on top. Our main courses were lobster roll & chips and lobster salad plate. The roll was a little on the small side and the chips weren't homemade. The salad plate had cole slaw with poppy seeds (pretty good), potato salad (undercooked with a sweet mayo dressing) and the salad consisted of tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots & onions. The lobster was cooked well and tasted really fresh. I had a local beer which was crisp with a slight citrus finish that complemented the meal.
If you are a tourist and only have a few days in Portland, skip J's. Don't waste the calories when there are so many other yummy choices around.
FYI: no fried seafood & kinda on the spendy side
Oh yeah, they have an old school cig vending machine by the restrooms. -
Review from Chad W.
10/16/2011
While visiting Maine this weekend, we went on a search for lobster rolls. If you're reading this, you're probably searching for the same thing. We read way too many reviews, and ended up at J's. I don't regret my decision. I only ended up trying two different rolls, and J's was far superior.
Regarding people complaining about service...really? It's a fisherman's bar/restaurant, and the service is exactly what I'd expect. We sat at the bar, the service was slow, and that's okay. At the end of the day, I got my beers, my food, and even a smile from the bartender.
The lobster roll was really good. Solid buttered hot dog bun, lined with a piece of leaf lettuce, with a nice pile of perfectly cooked lobster. It was $12.50 as of 10/11; came with a pickle slice & chips.
We also got a large bucket of clams for $18.50; it was at least 50 clams, probably more; these came with 4 bowls of broth & 4 cups of drawn butter, & our bartender showed us the correct technique.
We also had a dozen oysters. They were fresh & tasted well, but were pretty sloppily shucked, complete with mud & broken shell; they're also "pre-shucked" and sitting on ice, so most of the oyster "liquor" is lost. I definitely wouldn't come here just for the oysters. -
Review from lyndsey F.
Portland, ME
9/16/2011
I have a gazillion hesitations about moving from Philadelphia to Portland.
The first one being noone wears high heels in Portland unless they are made out of vegan organic leather and look like a mix between a librarian and a witch...This is neither here nor there, but I felt I needed to air this grievance.
However, one thing I am quickly realizing is that the food in Portland rivals the food in Philadelphia.
*okay, this is a blatant lie, but I'm trying*
But here's what: 15 Oysters from the ocean that this dock is floating on for $12?
I think I can get used to it.
xoxo -
Review from Christina N.
Brooklyn, NY
9/14/2011
Terrible choice. I'm sure if I actually watched the No Reservation episode (instead of reading about it online), we would have thought twice about stopping. We also should have known better when the inside of the restaurant looked dirty.
I'm probably just a picky NYer for wanting my food clean but the sand in the steamers were really a turn off. The lobster roll was good... I guess.
Conclusion: My expectations were WAY too high for this place. If you're looking for some average seafood in a tourist trap then this is your restaurant. -
Review from Jeff L.
Another "As seen on Bourdain" off the map.
Serious no nonsense place for great seafood. We arrived at 4:45 for dinner and was lucky to be seated within a few minutes. Jasmine at the bar noticed that we were waiting with my two kids and brought them some crackers and water immediately. That is something that only parents can really appreciate. Service: A for Awesome
lets get to the business of this review.... the food.
four adults two kids... we polished off:
three dozen raw oysters
two chowders
crab roll
lobster roll
lobster dinner
couple of chowders
couple of salads
mac n cheese
crabby janice
steam clams
Everything was DELICIOUS.
Star of the night had to be the steam clams and the worlds best clam chowder ever.
Wow! is this what a clam chowder is suppose to taste like? this thick gooey goodness with gigantic pieces of fresh clams like I never had...
so depressing, now that I've reached the pinnacle of chowders, nothing will ever be the same again... -
Review from Heidi L.
Boston, MA
9/9/2011
If I were to write a review for food only, J's would easily get a 4 star review. My 1 star goes directly to their service.
We've been to J's TWICE (why-oh-why). First time food was great, service was no good. Second time food was still great, service was mediocre until I signed the check with my credit card.
Our first time experience....4 of us were waiting for seats and for about 15 mins, no one acknowledged us at all. The servers just walked right by us without saying anything (That's pretty amazing come to think about it. How could you not look at someone, no eye contact, when you walk pass them so many times?). I didn't mind the waiting part, just wanted to know if we'd ever get to eat...OH WELL, strike 1 for me.
Finally we got to sit down. We ordered 3 glasses of water, 1 coke and 1 beer. The waiter forgot about the coke and the beer. When she first brought us the water, I thought she would bring us the coke and beer later. So we waited until we finished a dozen of oysters and half the steamers. Coke and beer were still in the fridge I guess. That would've been fine if she hadn't said, with some unknown attitude, "oh so you want a coke?" when I tried to remind her my order. I thought I was talking to a Queen and had to kneel down and beg for my drink. -- Second strike!
Halfway our meal, we added an order of chowder. With the coke experience, I had a feeling that we'd never get to try it. Bravo to my psychic ability, we got no chowder in the stomach but "clam chowder" was clearly written on the bill! Strike THREE!
At this point, I was certain I would never go back again. But reality is a b*tch so....I blame it on Anthony Bourdain.
Long story short, food was great and service was okay. It was the same server again and this time she was cheery! (hooray!) She did not forget our orders and even gave us free chips!! Everything was fine until we got the check, gave her the credit card, and signed the bill. There were people waiting for tables so I didn't think much and quickly calculated the tips and out the door.
What . A . Big . Mistake ! ! !
Yes it was part of my fault that I did not calculate the total myself albeit I did count the number of items on the check. That's what I normally do anyways...Apparently she did write down the correct items and the corresponding prices, but she gave us a wrong total! I was charged with an extra $70! Other than "idiot", I cannot think of a word to describe myself. (I did wonder if the chips cost me $70......)
Really, it would have been fine if they corrected it quickly and gave us a credit on the card. We called them a few times. The first couple times, they said they were busy and told us to call at another time. Fine. So we called again and they told us to ask for the accountant who was not there at the time. FINE. We called AGAIN and finally got someone to listen to us and promised to look into it....Well, it's been a week and we have not heard anything.
Lesson learned. From now on, I will let people wait for my table for as long as it takes to do my calculation!
(I will update if I hear from J's in the next couple weeks) -
Review from David L.
Athens, GA
11/2/2011
While visiting Portland we asked the locals the best place to get lobster and was directed to J's. We were warned that it wasn't fancy but good value for the food. The guidance was correct.
J's is located on the piers of Portland and parking was a little tight. We were there for a late lunch mid-week and were able to find a place after some tight negotiating.
Our friend was right, J's was full of local "color" when we arrived and you could tell most of the folks at the bar knew each other well or were well on the way to becoming fast friends. We were greeted with a "sit wherever you like" and found a table in the corner with a good view of the bar. Seeing as my favorite places at home have newspaper on the table and holes in the middle to throw your shells, I was right at home with the decor. I'd rather have a homey feel and fresh seafood than white table cloths.
Our server arrived soon after, was friendly and got our drink orders. Luckily they have four local craft beers on tap among the regular fizzy yellow stuff so I was able to get my pint of Allagash White (unfortunately served in a shaker glass but at least it wasn't frosted) to enjoy while deciding on food.
We settled on sharing a bowl of New England Clam Chowder and the Lobster Steamed Dinner (I mean you kind of have to don't you?) the chowder arrived in a big bowl with two spoons (it's always nice when you don't have to ask) and was full of chucks of potatoes and clams). It had the right amount of cracked pepper to give it that bite but could have been a little hotter. We added a pack of oyster crackers and finished the bowl quickly.
When the steamed platter arrived it had a dozen clams, a smallish lobster and an ear of corn. Our server made sure we knew how to attack both the clams and the lobster and then left us to our devices. The clams where meaty but you had to get around all the mud and grit. I know this is how they are served here but I would have liked them to be a little better cleaned. The flavor was good but not excellent.
The lobster was a little small but had an excellent flavor. The claw meat was a small bite but didn't need a butter bath. The tail was easy to pull apart and share and was perfectly cooked. The legs didn't really provide any meat but had a good flavor. I just wish it had been a little bigger since we were sharing.
The ear of corn was mealy but I guess it is a little late in the season. It rated more like feed corn than what I'm used to (then again, almost anything less than Silver Queen is subpar, in my opinion).
Would I go back? Sure, especially with a group of friends. It's the kind of place that a group could knock back a few beers and have some fun. Just set your expectations accordingly beforehand. -
Review from Clifford B.
Nashua, NH
8/13/2011
So disappointing. I was looking forward to eating at J's Oyster, for the first time, all week. The location is convenient to the Old Port, and outdoor seating is available. Rather than waiting 45 minutes for outdoor seating, we chose immediate seating inside. The bar was very full, and we got the last table... so, this place has a following. No problem, yet.
Here's where the problem begins. The baker's dozen of raw oysters... small, dry, gummy, and almost tasteless. What little taste there was, was not enjoyable. I almost never use condiments on my raw oysters... but these... yuck; broke down and used cocktail sauce. Not good. A clue that the oysters may not have been recently shucked was how quickly they were delivered to the table once we placed the order... less than 3 minutes. No joke. Also, the oysters were not properly shucked... had to use the J's provided weak plastic red oyster fork to battle the oyster out of the shell - not fun. Also, the oyster shells were filthy and piled in such a way that they sat on the oysters to be eaten. Not enjoyable at all.
The other appetizer was crabbed stuff mushrooms. Okay, but nothing to brag about.
The lobster roll was average; the lobster seemed a bit dry, like it had been sitting around for awhile. My daughter's haddock sandwich was decent.
There it is. I wanted to write great things about J's after a superb meal... but the meal was sad. I'm unlikely to return to J's Oyster.
Lastly, there are so many 4 and 5 star reviews of J's on Yelp. Clearly, I must have eaten at the wrong J's or these favorable reviewers don't know good seafood. Yelp is usually reliable as a tool to find great places to eat... but not in this case. Something fishy is going on here. Perhaps the HAARP and mind-control.
AFTERTHOUGHT:
Bourdain liked this place for the Maine steamers... just read his notes on his website. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing? I might have to try J's one more time... dunno. We'll see. Nah... no we won't. -
Review from Sam F.
Cambridge, MA
9/17/2011
Oysters and lobster rolls oh my. I just had the best lobster roll of my life! Large pieces of fresh lobster meat on a warm toasted bun. I love a place that spends its money on the food, and not the decor. Tuesday at 11:30am (opening time) and it's already flooded with locals and tourists such that half the tables are full when we're leaving.
P.S. I came back here the next day for another lobster roll. -
Review from Kim L.
Washington, DC
10/15/2011
We went to this place based on a recommendation from a friend who grew up in Portland. I was expecting something great and it wasn't at all. First the wait staff is cranky and appear generally unhappy. The food was crappy. My husband ordered the clam chowder. It has lots of clams but not taste. It really tasted like water with a splash of milk for color with clams and potatotes. The clams in it were ok but not great tasting. The best I can say about the soup is it was hot.
We also ordered the oysters rockfeller. The was a ton of spinach and it left me looking for the oyster, bacon and cheese. I found the oysters but never found the bacon or the cheese. They were pretty bad and I could have gotten a lot of spinach at the grocery store for what I paid for it here.
Now the real crime!! We ordered lobster rolls. How can you screw up lobster? Well J's found a way. The lobster was rubbery, not seasoned at all ( not that I want a ton because I want to taste the lobster but a little would have been good) and the worst part the bun was SOOOOO burnt that it was inedible.It was pretty bad and because the wait staff was so "friendly" I was scared to say anything. It was bad, bad, bad!! Go to the Fisherman's Grill. It is better priced and the food 100% better. -
Review from Bertha F.
Portland, ME
8/12/2011
Where does one begin? Let's start with the food. ABSOLUTELY THE FRESHEST SEAFOOD in Maine, or anywhere for that matter. Their raw scallop cocktail is "to die for" (pardon the expression). One word of caution: they don't do fried food, which can be kind of a letdown for some traditionalists. Now for the atmosphere: not fancy but you couldn't ask for anything more traditionally "Down East."
I really love this place; it's one of the reasons I live in Portland (Maine not Oregon!). -
Review from James G.
Chicago, IL
8/20/2011
I was really looking forward to this place after reading good things about it in national publications, but was extremely dissappointed.
Parking is difficult unless Demillo's (next door) lets you park (they didn't when I went). Seating is hard to come by. I can let those slide, but the food wasn't that great. We asked for french fries at some point and the waitress said in a very snotty manner, "we don't fry food here".
That was one of many issues we had with the service. I'm not the type that ever really complains about service, but this place really bothered me. We literally had to ask for one beer 3 times before it was brought to us. We went with a toddler and asked for a hot dog as soon as we got there for him, but it didn't come until we had already eaten our food (an hour later). The waitress had a terrible attitude throughout and verbally snapped at my mom. She charged us 18% gratuity (even though there were 5 of us) knowing she probably wouldn't have gotten much of a tip.
People rave about the seafood, but none of us were that excited about what we had. Pretty bland. There are a lot better seafood dining experiences to be had in the Old Port. -
Review from Matt N.
Fairfax, VA
12/5/2011 2 photos
I had a great time! Awesome fresh mussels & Chesapeake oysters, friendly staff & it's pet friendly! They have a nice patio! Lobster soup was a Lil rich 4 me other than that everything was fantastic!!
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Review from Scott V.
7/23/2011
Portland is known as a foodie destination, but I love this place because it doesn't try to be pretentious. It's just what it is. An old, independent, local American-style bar with solid, unadorned seafood. It's got that 70s wood paneling that looks crappy, but the place is actually clean and homey.
This is the second time I've eaten here, after learning about it on Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations. I'm not embarrassed that this is how I learned about it, because well, it's awesome, if you accept it for what it is. Some of the wait staff look gruff, and you think, "They're going to hate me, because I'm not a local." But, they're actually very friendly. They have a clear system of taking names for tables, and you're free to sit at the bar and order a drink while you're waiting. I don't recommend standing between the wall and the bar near the front door. There's about two feet of space, and you'll quickly get annoyed sucking your belly in as people squeeze by you. It's a bar. Get a drink, even if it's a soda - they don't mind (my wife and sister didn't order alcohol, and the bartender didn't bat an eyelash.)
I got a beer and steamers (a bucket of steamed clams.) I think the clams here are just right - not overcooked, but not slimy either. They come with some hot water from steaming the clams (I presume) in soup cups, for you to wash the grit off the clam once you remove it from the shell, and then you dip it in the little cups of hot butter. Great. Truly great. My wife and sister ordered a salad and a burger, and they said those were just fine too. Definitely come here if you want good quality seafood without any of the bells and whistles. -
Review from Cammie T.
Cape Elizabeth, ME
1/15/2012
I love this place. Yes, it looks like a dive but the food is amazing. It is truly a local hangout. Every time someone visits me in Maine I take them here. I have eaten here numerous times and I've never had a bad experience. If you want fresh local seafood and want to hang out with true Mainers, this is the place to go! I recommend the raw seafood sampler, yum!
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Review from Jenni S.
Leesburg, VA
10/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yeah, there's a lot of lore surrounding this little place, but it's no lie: the food is damned good.
Everything we had was delicious, though it took awhile for it to arrive (their kitchen is tiny, and it's a popular joint). So I'd recommend not going during peak hours, and having a cup of chowdah with a lobster roll.
Fresh, delicious, and still making me hungry. -
Review from Erin R.
6/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
My friend who lives in Maine told me I had to try J's at some point during my Memorial Day Weekend stay. When a local tells you to try something, you know it's going to be good. J's did not disappoint!
The layout is a bit awkward. We went pretty early (around 5) for dinner and it was still completely packed! We had to wait a few minutes for them to clear off a table, but they got us seated and took our orders quickly. I got a half a dozen raw oysters and a bowl of chowder. Boyfriend ordered the lobster roll (his first one!). The oysters were fantastic and more than reasonably priced. The chowder was also very good, but I tend to like my New England clam chowder slightly thicker than it's served here. Boyfriend said his lobster roll was okay, but he isn't really a big lobster enthusiast. I had a bite of his lobster roll and thought it was spectacular! I made a trade proposal, but he declined. Oh well... yet another reason to return to Portland! We never did get a chance to go to that Seadogs game... -
Review from Jennifer M.
NJ
6/6/2011 3 photos
We were in Portland for 60 hours for MDW and ate here twice over the span of the weekend, that's how awesome this place is.
Like people have said, it's your no frills oyster spot in Portland. It doesn't get any better than $12 for a baker's dozen of oysters, $7 for half a dozen.
It really doesn't get any better than J's.
We did try their lobster and crab roll our first time round, and i must say it was good. The cheap enriched white bread toasted with butter and then the cool chunks of lobster meat really hit the spot after our 6 hour drive up to Maine.
Cheap but good eats...that's all people every really want, right?Listed in: Portland, ME
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Review from WINONA K.
Brooklyn, NY
9/22/2011
It was raining. We just left the museum and we were hungry (Maine vacation = only eating Mainey food when we're out and about, no pizza, thai, burritos). We had seen J's and passed it up the day before because it was busy and kind of like a bar. They were, however, one of the few places that had raw oysters and we were hankering for bivalve action.
When we came in from the rain, the wait for lunch was 30 minutes - but we could have a beer - so no worries. We got very excited watching the lobster dinners come out of the big steamer units, but were disheartened to see the oysters pre-shucked on the bed of ice...Hmmm.
Would they have lost their juice?
We were seated at the bar (as requested) and ordered our dozen oysters and the raw bar mix of scallops, lobster, crab, and oysters. Yes, the Virginia oysters lacked their liquor, but they were juicy and delicious nonetheless - the shells so thick you could tell they were from rough waters. The fish chowder was perfect - much less creamy and thick than others and surprisingly light. My Husband had the lobster dinner with steamers and corn. The corn was so sweet! Holy moley! Like corn from Massachusetts in August, Fan-frickin-tastic!! The lobster and steamers left the man in a state of bliss - best of the trip. We'll be back.
I had the seafood casserole, which was rich and filled with whole lobster claws, scallops, and shrimp. No Cream (yay!) just seafood yumminess,
We were really skeptical about this place but it turned out to be real find. We talked to a bunch of nice locals and the staff was busy, but very kind and cool. Can't wait to go back. -
Review from Dor Z.
Cambridge, MA
8/28/2011
Ohhhhhhhh I was so torn between giving J's 3 or 4 stars. Three because of service, but 4 because of how delicious everything was. Let me explain.
I didn't realize this had been featured on No Reservations until after we had eaten. We went around 2:30 on a Thursday and the place was PACKED! We put our names down and opted for the first available seating (they have both inside or outside tables). Unfortunately it was raining, so waiting was ridiculously inconvenient. The interior is designed around a long, horseshoe-shaped bar. It's very narrow inside so if you stood around you would inevitably be blocking the wait staff. There was no seating except a couple of unsheltered benches outside, and that's not an option on a wet day. The waiters were very busy and rushed around us, occasionally telling us "Oh you can't be here" when we tried to shuffle out of their way. I felt more like a huge nuissance than a welcome customer. Seriously though, when you don't give people a place to wait at a popular establishment, what do you expect??
The food, on the other hand, was to die for. Their lobster stew is just SO SCRUMPTIOUS!! It's super creamy, loaded with lobster, and the oyster crackers add the perfect crunch for texture. The bucket of steamers was plentiful and the butter flowed freely. We also got lobster (of course), which tasted very fresh and meaty. Unfortunately the waitress didn't explain that the lobster came as a dinner, which meant it included even more steamers. I wish she had clarified that because we ended up getting too much food - we wouldn't have gotten the bucket of steamers if we had known. I would have ordered oysters instead, but based on previous reviews I'm glad I didn't.
Our bill totaled to a little over $70. My mom thought the experience was a little touristy and 'meh', but the food made up for that. It is also situated on the pier, so the view is a huge plus. Nevertheless I decided to give J's 3 stars because I don't think I would really come back. Sorry guys.
