NY Times Says Maine Lobster Shack Serves One of the Best Desserts in The Country

Just how far would you be willing to travel for a bite of food that experts say is some of the best you'll find anywhere in the United States.

It's a fair question.

Driving long distances through Maine just to find that perfect bite has become a summer mission for many who visit the state frequently.

Four or five-hour drives are inconsequential as long as the payoff is incredible views, cozy comfort and a memorable meal.

So if long distances mean nothing to you, there's a small little shack that sits on the coast of an island in South Thomaston, Maine, that the New York Times has fallen in love with.

NY Times Says McLoon's Lobster Shack in South Thomaston, Maine, Has an Elite Dessert

The NY Times closed out 2025 with a year-end list about desserts. It was titled "The 14 Best Restaurant Desserts We Ate Across The U.S. in 2025".

One Maine restaurant made the list and surprisingly it was a lobster shack. McLoon's is known for their lobster rolls but it's their signature dessert, blueberry bread pudding, that put the spotlight back on the tiny restaurant again.

The dessert is exactly what it says it is, a classic bread pudding recipe with the addition of Maine blueberries. The NY Times believes it's worth the trip alone.

McLoon's in South Thomaston, Maine, Had Already Been Featured By The NY Times

It's pretty rare for any restaurant to get love for a single signature item on their menu from the NY Times but McLoon's Lobster Shack in South Thomaston, Maine, did it twice in one year.

According to the Midcoast Villager, McLoon's was featured in the summer of 2025 by the NY Times thanks to the small shack's signature lobster rolls.

As the NY Times explained in their article, there wasn't one particular ingredient or item that stands out with McLoon's lobster rolls, it's that there's absolutely nothing to complain about.

McLoon's will open again for their 2026 season in May.