Bagaduce Lunch celebrates 80 years
The fish shack has been family-owned and operated since 1946
Taken in 1956, this is the first known photo of Bagaduce Lunch. Photo courtesy of Bagaduce Lunch.
May 4, 2026
By Jessi Hardy
PENOBSCOT–Bagaduce Lunch is celebrating 80 years in business and four generations of family ownership. Recognized with the James Beard America's Classic Award in 2008, the beloved roadside eatery has built a loyal following for its haddock sandwiches, onion rings, lobster rolls, fried clams, ice cream, and more.
Sidney and Bernice Snow first opened the roadside fish shack in 1946, and it has been a family affair since. In 1967, Snow's daughter, Vangie, and her husband James Peasley, took over. These days, Judy Astbury, daughter of Vangie and James Peasley, runs the business with her husband Mike and their children, Sarah Duffy and family, and Abby Astbury and her partner Alec Jordan.
Judy Astbury is grateful the business has been in her family for generations.
“It's great that it's been here for 80 years,” Judy Astbury said.
With its iconic red-and-white exterior, Bagaduce Lunch—voted one of Maine’s top 10 lobster shacks in 2019—sits along the road at Frank’s Flat, overlooking the scenic Brooksville Reversing Falls and the Bagaduce River.
Abby Astbury has worked at the takeout since she was a child and understands the importance the place holds–for her family and for customers. Astbury said the eatery’s main building was rebuilt in 2010 and is bigger than it originally was, but she thinks her great-grandparents would be happy with the changes.
“I think they would be really proud that it's still here and to see how it has grown over the years,” Astbury said. “It would be my dream to take over some day but I don't know what [my parents’] plans are for the future.
For the time being, it’s business as usual at Bagaduce Lunch. The restaurant opens on May 14. No special plans for an 80th anniversary celebration have been announced.