The red A-frame proclaiming lobsters is an
icon on Route 302 in Raymond. Fishermens Catch is known for its lobster rolls,
but also has a fresh seafood market in the same building. Open from Mother’s
Day to Columbus Day, Fishermens Catch serves typical Maine seafood like fried
clams, steamers, mussels and of course, lobster and lobster rolls.
Owner Bill Coppersmith, Jr. grew up in
the seafood business. He lobstered in Portland, worked in the
industry during
high school before going to college for one semester to major in business
administration. He decided he wanted to work in a business, not just learn
about business. He established the restaurant in 2009. Working at Fishermens
Catch for 14 and 15 hour days, 7 days a week, has taught him more than he could
have learned in school.
Lobster rolls are the biggest seller at Fishermens
Catch. “We stuff them heavy with all fresh, never frozen meat. We grill the
roll. There’s no complicated method,” Coppersmith said. The lobster rolls were
named one of the best lobster rolls by Down East Magazine two years ago;
something Coppersmith takes pride in mentioning. In a weekend, it is not
unusual for them to make between 500 and 600 lobster rolls.
 |
| Coppersmith and his family |
“We give them quantity and quality and
that’s what they’re looking for,” said Coppersmith. “What you see for prices is
what you get. There’s no bait and switch.” They also don’t use tricks like
putting egg whites in the roll or using imitation crab meat. “We take the
tricks out of the equation,” he added. “People work hard for their vacation.
They worked hard for their money and we want to give them something good.”
The restaurant has indoor and outdoor
seating, all lobster friendly, with an eye toward extreme cleanliness,
according to Coppersmith. “We slave over trying to keep this place clean,” he
said.
For all the land-lovers, Fishermens
Catch also serves chicken fingers and chicken sandwiches.
Quality food is the mission of the 12 employees
at Fishermens Catch. There is no typical fishy smell inside the building, which
is a bonus for some.
“Raymond has the most amount of
shorefront,” said Coppersmith. His location is perfect to catch summer people
traveling up Routes 302, 85 and 121. He hooks people from all area lakes and
ponds.
“We see repeat customers, friendly
faces. Some we might see every night. Or we see them at lunch then see them at
dinner,” he said. One group bought Fishermens Catch T-shirts and it’s become a
tradition to wear them to dinner, all 12 of them.
Fishermens Catch provides all of the
lobsters for the area summer camps and Point Sebago for their lobster bakes.
They can cook 400 to 500 lobsters at a time in specialty pots Coppersmith had
made.
When looking for steamed lobsters, it is
recommended that customers order ahead Thursday through Sunday, as it’s a busy
time.
Coppersmith offers the Maine experience
of a lobster bake, fresh seafood and more within a 50 mile radius of Raymond.
Lobster bakes are great for: rehearsal dinners, birthday parties, anniversaries
or to celebrate summer in Maine. From Cape Elizabeth to Frye Island and
anywhere in between, Fishermens Catch will provide all of the fixings for a
down east lobster bake. The minimum size is 30 people.
“Four hundred is the biggest we’ve done,
but the sky’s the limit,” said Coppersmith.
For those who don’t get enough lobsters
on vacation, live hard shelled lobsters can be shipped next day air.
In the fish market, most of the items
are from the Gulf of Maine including lobster meat, scallops, Maine caught
halibut, tuna, and swordfish. Additional items are big shrimp from the Gulf of
Mexico and Alaskan sock-eye salmon. Items are fresh daily from local fishermen.
With the biggest tank system in the lakes region, the capacity to have on hand
and cook large quantities is massive, Coppersmith said. “It sets us apart.
Don’t call around. We can do it,” he said. “I like cooking the lobsters - being
on the back deck at 140 degrees out there. The owner is out back cooking the
lobsters, so you know we’re doing it right.” The lobsters are steamed, unlike
at most lobster pounds. On average they steam 1,000 lobsters a day.
Coppersmith is married and is the father
to a 6-year-old son, Eli, and a 4-year-old daughter, Haddie. His wife, Whitney,
makes the homemade seafood chowder and the homemade tartar sauce.
Fishermens Catch is open 9 a.m. to 9
p.m. seven days a week. They have live music every other Saturday in the
summer.
For more information or to order ahead,
visit www.fishermenscatchraymond.com,
find them on Facebook, or call 207-655-2244.
No comments:
Post a Comment