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Best Mail-Order Maine Clambakes

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The F&W staff taste-tested several mail-order dinners, all of which are available from Maine seafood shops or lobster boats that sell directly to customers. Here are the four with the sweetest, meatiest, purest-tasting lobsters.The packages were sent to our offices in New York City via Federal Express, and all the lobsters arrived alive, packed in seaweed or paper inside a metal cooker, along with seafood extras like clam chowder.
—R.T.

LOVEMAINELOBSTERS.COM
Two lobsters (between 1 1/4 and 1 1/2 pounds each), two cups of clam chowder and one other side, such as 8 ounces of smoked salmon ($150; 877-991-LOVE).

MAINE LOBSTER DIRECT
Two lobsters (1 1/3 pounds each), a pound of steamers, a pound of mussels (other options available) and 20 ounces of clam chowder or lobster or shrimp bisque ($85; 800-556-2783).

LUCKY CATCH LOBSTER
Two lobsters (between 1 1/4 and 1 1/2 pounds each), a pound of mussels or steamers and two cups of lobster stew ($105; 888-624-6321).

FINESTKIND FISH MARKET
Two lobsters (at least 1 1/2 pounds each) and two pounds of steamers; optional extras—such as clam chowder, crab cakes, oysters and baby Maine shrimp—available (from $135; 800-288-8154).