Becky's Diner in Portland, Maine: Thanksgiving, Lobster Style

Thanksgiving is two weeks away, and most of us are already planning the turkey. Becky's Diner on the Portland waterfront has a different idea. Every November, this Maine favorite brings the local catch to the holiday table, stuffing lobsters instead of birds.

The story of Becky's

Becky Rand raised six kids and spent years working in kitchens and dining rooms around Greater Portland before she opened a place of her own. Becky's Diner opened on March 13, 1991, at the head of Hobson's Wharf on Commercial Street. Her plan was simple: an early-morning spot with good food at fair prices.

The location was the whole point. The wharf was zoned for fishing businesses, and Becky made the case that the people working the boats, on hours nobody else keeps, needed somewhere to eat before and after a shift. The city made an exception, and fishermen and lobstermen have been pulling up to the counter ever since, elbow to elbow with dockworkers, locals and tourists. A dinner menu followed in 1995, and a 2007 renovation turned the original cinder block building into the two-story diner you see today.

Becky's is still a family operation. Becky still works at the diner every day, alongside her sons, daughters, nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Along the way it has collected plenty of press: Gourmet magazine called it "diner heaven," Jan and Michael Stern gave it a Roadfood review, and Eater named it one of the classic restaurants every Mainer must try. Read the rest of Becky's story on the diner's website.

When Guy visited

Guy stopped at Becky's for "A Triple D Thanksgiving," a 2010 holiday special where he tracked down three very different Thanksgiving dinners. At Becky's, stuffed turkey and stuffed lobster are both holiday traditions. The segment shows the Becky's crew making their sausage stuffing, with Stephanie Rand cooking in the kitchen. Food Network's listing for the diner also highlights stuffed lobster, lobster rolls, fried clams and blueberry cake.

Watch the clip: Becky's Diner Sausage Stuffing

Read Food Network's official write-up on its Becky's Diner page, then catch more episodes on Food Network's Triple D page.

What to order

Breakfast is the main event, and it starts at 5 a.m. Go for the Maine wild blueberry pancakes, a blueberry or corn muffin, or the homemade corned beef hash. If you want to go big, the lobster omelette comes loaded with fresh Maine lobster meat.

Later in the day, it's all about the water: a lobster roll, a whole belly Maine clam platter, clam cakes, haddock chowder or a broiled haddock dinner. For a Thanksgiving-week meal in the Becky's spirit, order the baked stuffed lobster with seafood stuffing. Lobster dishes are market price. Save room for homemade pie or cake. Desserts are baked fresh, so the lineup changes day to day.

Plan your visit

Becky's Diner is at 390 Commercial Street in Portland, Maine, right on the working waterfront. It's open seven days a week, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Heads up for the holidays: Becky's is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, and open until noon on Christmas Eve, so plan your lobster fix for the days around the holiday. Hours can change, so check Becky's Diner's website or call (207) 773-7070 before you go.

The neighborhood

Becky's sits on Commercial Street, the waterfront road that runs through Portland's Old Port. Rebuilt in brick after the Great Fire of 1866, the Old Port is all cobblestones, working wharves and ferries heading out to the Casco Bay islands. Come for breakfast, then walk the wharves.

Support your local diner

Places like Becky's are why we made the Support Your Local Diner Tee. Wear it to your next booth visit, or give one to the diner regular on your holiday list.

Every Thursday, Local Diner of the Week features a spot from Guy's travels on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. See every pick.