Size isn’t everything. In a world of corporate-designed fast food mega-chains, it’s nice to find a one-shot spot you can almost get your arms around. This one is a true hide-away and, if it’s open when you arrive, you can afford lunch for the whole family.

Rye Harborside
Rye Harbor
Rye, NH
(603) 964-6314
odd hours, seasonal

Tucked at the back of Rye Harbor is a take out where everything on the menu is under four dollars. It’s open only when the touring boats are operating, but the food is good and fast and cost efficient. Before heading to the Isles of Shoals, we got a breakfast sandwich on an English muffin that blows the doors off MacDonald’s.

Our servers, although we could barely see them inside the little hut, were polite and friendly. The lunch far includes burgers, fries, grilled cheese (under $2), tuna, ham or turkey sandwich or a classic BLT. You can get chowder here or a lobster role just up the row of little shops where the tour boat operators operate.

Sue Reynolds, Captain of the Uncle Oscar has been seen managing the Rye Harborside at times. The mini-eatery is privately run by the owners of the Granite State tour boat company, but located on NH state land. The harbor is just a stone’s throw from Rye Harbor State Park.

Seasonal visitors can grab a quick meal and a cup of coffee before embarking on a lobster boat tour, fishing trip, whale watch or sight-seeing journey. The little souvenir shacks are true Yankee inventions, and there’s a great picnic area near by. For those with more time and bigger wallets, Saunders at Rye Harbor is just a stone’s throw away.

Directions
From I-93:
To Route 101 east to I-95 to exit 5 to 1 By-Pass south to Route 1 south to 1A south. You will see Rye Harbor State Park of the left.

From I-95:
Take exit 5 to 1 By-Pass south to Route 1 south to 1A south. You will see Rye Harbor State Park on the left.

Photos by J. Dennis Robinson.
Penny Gourmet (sm) is a regular feature of SeacoastNH.com.