The Lowcountry may be known for its fresh peel-and-eat shrimp and locally-caught crab, but when I find myself back on the sandy shores of Kiawah Island just outside Charleston, South Carolina, my ideal beach-day meal hails from waters much farther north. Maine Line’s seafood truck, located on Johns Island’s Betsy Kerrison Parkway since 2015, has become a beloved fixture of my beach trips.
A True Maine Experience
Run by Maine-born friends and business partners Jacob Bichrest and Chuck Buser, Maine Line offers lobster caught from the waters of Harpswell, Maine—a family business that delivers fresh seafood to the Lowcountry multiple times a week. Over the years, the truck has moved locations, but its menu has remained consistently delicious, with everything from fish tacos to fried shrimp. For the non-seafood lovers, there are even cheeseburgers and chicken tenders.
The Perfect Lobster Roll
However, for me, there’s only one item worth ordering: the signature lobster roll. Served in a thick, split-top bun, the lobster meat is tender and perfectly complemented by just the right amount of mayo (or warm butter, if that’s your preference). The roll is accompanied by crunchy potato chips, making it simple yet decadent. Every bite is an embodiment of beachside perfection.
Why It’s My Go-To Beach Meal
Charleston may be known for its culinary scene, full of creative and upscale restaurants, but when I’m on the beach with saltwater in my hair and sand between my toes, nothing compares to the joy of a Maine Line lobster roll. Whether I’m enjoying it at one of their umbrella-shaded picnic tables or in the passenger seat of my mom’s car with the windows rolled down, this meal is the epitome of coastal comfort. They say money can’t buy happiness, but this lobster roll comes pretty close.
