Harbor Burger Shack is the latest restaurant concept from First Serve Hospitality Group, Maine’s restaurant collective. Its portfolio includes eateries such as Mabel’s Lobster Claw, Bob’s Clam Hut, The Maine Catch, Robert’s Maine Grill & Raw Bar, Spruce Creek Pizza, and H.B. Provisions. Located on Route 1 in Kittery, Maine’s oldest town, Harbor Burger Shack is poised to excite the Kittery’s dining scene, welcoming locals and tourists alike to gather and enjoy fresh, simple, high-quality versions of the classics in a retro setting. Nestled in the heart of Kittery’s vibrant town center, it is within walking distance of the Kittery Premium Outlets.
The concept is inspired by roadside diners of the 1950s who offered simple food like hamburgers, hot dogs, shakes, and fries, but made with premium ingredients and brought into the millennium. The 4,500-square-foot space will include seating for up to 90 people and a country store filled with souvenirs, local artisan gifts, retro candies, whoopie pies, a vintage “popcorn truck”, and a cotton candy machine.
Marking the entry to the restaurant is an authentic 1932 firetruck, staying true to the retro aesthetic interior, with teal blue walls, flag red and white tiles, and mustard yellow hanging lights. Vintage advertising posters of American cartoons and brands, along with original neon signs, add to the nostalgic atmosphere. The space has high ceilings, upcycled exposed wood beams, and a large fireplace with the Harbor Burger Shack mascot proudly displayed above the mantel. There is a large open kitchen with a long white marble ordering counter and a suspended backlit menu board that displays a playful selection of burgers, hot dogs, chicken and fish sandwiches, fries, sides, and shakes.
The menu highlights Burgers crafted from a signature blend of premium Angus beef, including chuck, brisket, and short rib. The selection of quarter-pound burgers range from classic to inventive, like the Classic Harbor Burger, topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and the house signature, Wicked Harbor Sauce; Aye Aye Smokehouse Bacon burger, loaded with crispy bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and finished with Moxie BBQ sauce; and Back From the Beach, a unique twist on a sloppy joe-style burger with ground beef, onion, tomato sauce, and a creamy cheese sauce. All the sauces are made in-house, and meat blends are sourced from a local butcher; brioche buns breads are also sourced locally.
In the seafood section, Beyond the Hahbah, options include the Surf and Turf Burger, a combination of a juicy beef patty and a crispy crab cake topped with lettuce, tomato, and wicked harbor sauce, and the Fried Fish Burger, a crispy fried Haddock fillet on a bed of lettuce, tomato, and onion drizzled with a zesty paprika remoulade.
The hot dogs, or Hot Diggity Dogs are made with all-beef franks. Hahbah Dogs are served on a brioche bun topped with mustard and ketchup, and the Cheesy Chili Dog is smothered in house-made chili and cheese sauce with diced onions.
Cluck Cluck, the chicken sandwich selections, are served grilled or fried. Standouts are the Crispy Chicken Sandwich, fried to golden brown and served with tomato, onion, and pickle and topped with Harbor Burger Shack’s Wicked Harbor Sauce, and the Farm Chicken Sandwich with Grilled chicken, tomato, onion, pickle, and Wicked Harbor Sauce.
Fries & Sides, the perfect accompaniment to the burgers and dogs, consist of classic crinkle-cut fries, Loaded Fries with bacon bits, cheese sauce, and ranch drizzle, Fried Pickle Chips, Sweet Potato Tots, and Chili Cheese Fries with chili, cheese sauce, and bacon bits.
Milk Shakes: Harbor Burger Shack offers a variety of classic and creative shakes, including timeless favorites like Vanilla, Chocolate, and Strawberry. In the playful Shake section, Shack the Cereal is a vanilla shake with cinnamon toast crumble, confetti sprinkles, butterscotch drizzle, and a Rice Krispy treat square; Chocolate Whoopie Pie, chocolate shake topped with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, chips and a whoopie pie; and Strawberry Shortcake, a strawberry shake topped with whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles, and garnished with a strawberry shortcake ice cream stick.
Beverages: Classic Coke Products (Coke, Sprite, etc.) and Tractor Lemonade will be available.
Harbor Burger Shake is available for takeout and delivery, via online order and DoorDash.
Harbor Burger Shack is located at 335 US Route 1, Kittery, ME 03904. Hours of operation are Monday to Sunday: 11 AM – 9 PM.
