Shannon's Unshelled

Fantastic fish and lobster "shack." All batter is gluten-free, meaning that the fried fish, lobster, fries, onion rings, etc., are all gluten-free, and gluten-free buns are available for those who would prefer to have their seafood in roll form rather than basket. The menu is short but the food is excellent - if you want a gluten-free version of the Maine classics, Shannon's is the place to go. Shannon's has moved to a new location in Boothbay, but the set-up is very similar to the old Boothbay Harbor location, with all-outdoor seating and tabletop firepits available for warmth (and s'mores in wintertime).

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free space in the kitchen
• Dedicated gluten-free fryer

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for takeout
• Offers delivery

I have celiac so there's no room for error. The staff was extremely helpful and kind. They were very knowledgeable about celiac and cross contamination. Almost the entire menu is gluten free. We ate here twice during our week's stay. Two delicious meals and no issues whatsoever.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Offers outdoor seating

Hands down THE BEST shrimp and lobster roll ever. Super fresh, everything beyond expectation. Staff super nice and knowledgeable. Can’t wait to go back!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Yummy lobster roll, blueberry slaw and French fries. Nice little dining shack with outdoor picnic tables on the East Boothbay village green.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Gluten Free bun for lobster roll! Helpful staff…

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Ultra fresh Gluten Free fried seafood, WWWHHHAAAATTTT! Absolutely fantastic! I grew up on the North Shore (north of Boston) and work in Gloucester, Massachusetts (the “Gorton’s Fisherman) so I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy great seafood before I HAD to go Gluten free. Shannon’s evidently uses ONLY Gluten Free batter for any fried food so I had no worries going there. This is absolutely the best I’ve ever had. Don’t mean to lay it on thick but if you love fried seafood or fresh lobster rolls this place is worth the trip! Only the hot dog rolls have gluten but they’re looking for an acceptable option!

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— Yes, the establishment is dedicated gluten-free

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free fryer
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Dog friendly
• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good with other allergies
• Offers delivery
• Offers online ordering
• Offers outdoor seating

Really delicious, menu claimed all batter gluten free. I had a GF lobster roll that was delicious. I would have also gotten fried pickles but I was too full!

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

We found Shannon’s Unshelled last year via the Find Me GF app while visiting Boothbay Harbor. We ate there three times in five days last year. They have switched locations since then so be sure to plug them into Google Maps before you head over. Food is outstanding!! We ate lobster rolls, onion rings, pickle fries, blueberry soda, and root beer. All the batter is gluten free, which for us is wonderful, but even my husband who does not have Celiac LOVES their batter! 😋 Fries are also safe to eat. We are back in Boothbay, and after a six hour drive to get here, we immediately went to Shannon’s. We arrived Friday and in less than a week we have already been twice. We will surely be back again before we leave town. Never once felt sick!!!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Food is delicious! Normally I am just happy to have something safe to eat, but today I got to eat safely as well as enjoying fantastic food. Fried clams are some of the best I’ve ever had and the lobster fries are TO DIE FOR!!! I will definitely be back - thank you!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Amazing food and most is gluten free! I was so pleased to learn (and confirmed today) that no gluten goes into their fryers. I never get to share food with my husband and today I got to share onion rings! Had a lobster roll with a GF bun and tried onion rings, chicken tenders, French fries and fried pickles. All were delicious and no reaction whatsoever (I am very sensitive to cross contamination). The service was incredible too. The only thing is that they do have gluten buns in their kitchen which are stored next to the dryers, though I did confirm they have a safe space to toast GF rolls. Will go back!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free fryer
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Dog friendly
• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Offers outdoor seating

Spoke to the owner. No gluten goes into the fryer. All coatings on the fish is gf. BUT there’s a chance of cross contamination due to gluten buns on the premises. I had the lobster roll & fries. The fries were excellent, hot & crispy. Unfortunately their GF bun is Udi’s. They usually crumble after 2 bites. But they said that Udi’s are the only ones they can get from their supplier. The lobster was top notch. Definitely skip the bun. I had no issues after eating there.

It’s hard to say if this is celiac safe. They said that nothing containing gluten goes in the fryer and the batter is obviously GF - however their kitchen is very tiny and does contain bread and buns so the chances of crumbs flying around were high. That said their grill was broken the day I came and the only thing going was the fryer. I had fish and chips and it was delicious. I also feel fine (2 days after eating here)

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free fryer
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Amazing food and staff was so kind!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Dog friendly
• Good for dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Offers outdoor seating

Shannon's was one of the few places I've found in Maine to get my fried seafood fix! They have a dedicated fryer. I got fried clams - they were incredibly fresh, sincerely the best fried clams I've ever eaten. Staff was knowledgeable about gf options and steered me away from the seaweed salad they typically provide with most meals. This is an amazing spot and well worth a detour to Boothbay Harbor!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Good for lunch

I wanted to eat here. The guy working there said “not if you have celiac” because pcross contamination is inevitable. It’s just a small shop. Bravo for being so honest!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free fryer
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much/None

Our trip to Boothbay Harbor was not planned, and not somewhere where I thought I would ever be eating again. Here in Maine, we LIKE our seafood deep fried! Imagine having grown up as a child from generations of fishermen to being diagnosed as Celiac with an allergy to dairy! So there we were in Bby Harbor, looking up how far out of the way we would have to drive to eat when I discovered that it was just a quick jaunt up the street! I get excited when I find a place with dedicated fryers....well, here they make it simple...all their batter is GF! I had a Haddock Basket! Others of you will be there for lobster...which they have GF rolls as well. And the service, well, I watched them handle some pretty lame questions without batting an eyelash! Quick, friendly, and delicious!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Offers outdoor seating

Was quite excited to be able to try the lobster roll I’ve heard so much about and never could because GF. Had the lobster roll on a GF bun with French fries, came with coleslaw too. The roll was a little dry though. My non-gf hubby had the lobster corn chowder, they were out of the seafood chowder he originally ordered. He said it was pretty good but nothing fancy. There is limited seating and we had to wait for a picnic table to open, saw many strangers having to share tables which made me think of COVID. Overall I would recommend, but might not have stopped if it was on a busier day.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Average

Dedicated GF fryer and batter - I had the lobster roll on a GF bun with fries. My husband ordered the fried lobster which was also delicious. Nice to have GF batter for fried foods! More expensive than we anticipated though for lobster

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free fryer
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

I was so excited to get GF Maine seafood and I was not disappointed! Everything fried is GF!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free space in the kitchen
• Dedicated gluten-free fryer
• Other dedicated kitchen equipment (oven, toaster, pots, pans, utensils, etc.)
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

If you don’t mind paying exorbitant tourist prices, you’ll have a good meal. But, $40 for a lobster roll seems like gouging 🤷🏻‍♀

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Absolutely phenomenal shrimp basket!! My first time ever having fried shrimp as a celiac. 10/10 recommend this place!!! Nearly everything on the menu is gluten free but it isn’t marked. Spoke with the cashier to confirm.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Amazing gem! Everything was gluten free. Such good chicken tenders, fries and, of course, the lobster roll!! Very familiar with celiac and there was no issue because everything was gluten free!

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— Yes, the establishment is dedicated gluten-free

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

It was so nice to order and not worry about my meal. Shrimp and scallop baskets were yummy!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

This year we were pleasantly surprised to find that all items on the menu could be made gluten free. All the things that were put in the fryer were gluten free (as was all the batter). The staff was very knowledgeable about gluten free needs and able to explain well what their process was. The only things on the menu that contained gluten were items in which bread buns were used, and these could easily be made gluten free. The food was excellent and we all had a good time at this establishment.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Completely dedicated gluten-free kitchen
• Dedicated gluten-free space in the kitchen
• Dedicated gluten-free fryer
• Other dedicated kitchen equipment (oven, toaster, pots, pans, utensils, etc.)
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked
• Food comes out flagged or marked gluten-free

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Offers outdoor seating

Very disappointed. Did not have gluten free buns. Went out of my way to try this place as it had positive ratings on this app. No gluten free buns or knowledgeable staff. Don’t waste your time or money here

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Poor

It was my husband’s first time ever having a lobster roll and it was great! He has celiac and is very sensitive - had no reaction. Note that they do not advertise that they offer gluten free on their menu online or even on their sign there. I asked if they had a gluten free lobster rollwhen I went to order and without hesitation, they said yes! I told them they really should advertise this more because we didn’t find anywhere else in the area that offered a gluten-free lobster roll.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

One of the staff is GF, so they’re knowledgeable. Hard to find GF lobster rolls and they have them.