Summer means the Dry Dock is in full swing.

Never the patient type, I don't get to visit the two decks at the Dry Dock too often in the Summer. Certainly a spot for tourists this time of year, the wait is twenty minutes long, at least. Totally worth it if you have the time, large picnic tables, loads of flowering, hanging plants and views of the boats really add to the ambiance of any meal.

However, the place has plenty to offer inside too.

Bright and sunny, with two floors to choose from, the Dry Dock can accommodate you, your family and all of your friends with casual service and a reasonably priced food and drink menu.

Upon seating myself in the bar area, I was offered their famous shrimp Bloody Mary ($5.75) by our perky waitress Eileen. "No thanks and gross," was my answer, but apparently folks absolutely love this drink.

On draft? They serve Miller Lite ($2.80 for domestics), Geary's Pale, Allagash White, Long Trail, Stella Artois, Newcastle Brown, Bass, Guinness, Bud Light, Shipyard Summer. Going with a Shipyard Export ($4), per usual, my friend was slightly depressed they didn't carry cider, but bounced back upon hearing they do have Mimosa's ($5.75.) If a bottled bear is more your style, try a Michelob Ultra, Michelob Light, Rolling Rock, Coors Light, Shipyard Export, Sam Adams, Becks, Heineken, Amstel Light, Budweiser, Corona or Corona Light (all ranging from $2.80 to $3.50.)

There is a full bar on both floors, serving all of your hard liquor favorites, as well as many wine choices, by the glass or bottle. A Terra Andina chardonnay or a J. Lohr Cypress merlot runs $6.25.

Catering to families and tourists this time of year, there is a children's menu and plenty of seafood dishes for lunch or dinner. Peel and eat shrimp ($7.50 for a small order) or clam chowder ($3.75) seem like standard choices. Dry Dock serves non-seafood items like buffalo wings ($8.50,) turkey or roast beef sandwiches and plenty of salads to choose from. They also have entrees and the fried scallop dinner is $19.95. A little insider information goes a long way and Eileen told me that the fried haddock sandwich ($9.95) and the filet mignon sandwich ($16.95) are the best things on the menu.

Since the Dry Dock is considered a restaurant and a tavern, knowing the patrons is important. It is totally family friendly, largely mixed with regulars off the nearby islands, fisherman and business folk. Tourists walk in frequently and no one bats an eye or makes newcomers feel out of place. While you might personally want to avoid walking in after the boat lets off the kids from Reggae Sunday, the rest of the week is fair game.

My idea for this week - you go early and grab me a spot on the deck. I'll meet you there.

Amber Olesen is a freelance writer.