I like fast food joints.

That's not to say I'm a fast food junkie, but I'm not above stopping at a McDonald's or a fast food takeout stand whenever I'm hungry.

Is it possible to be a fast food joint snob? If it is, then I guess I'd have to admit to being one. I have been a lifelong fan of McDonald's — or at least since the time I had my first hamburger and fries at one in Saco. My mother and I had been shopping for back-to-school clothes in Portland. I know I've told you that before, but a lot of you reading this are old and getting forgetful.

And you younger readers probably couldn’t have cared less about my first McDonald’s experience, so you’ve forgotten because it wasn’t worth retaining.

But try to retain this: That first time was REALLY exciting. My mother was excited because the hamburger was so cheap (guess that’s where I get that) and I was excited because we rarely ate out in those days. Getting a meal ANYWHERE besides the dining room table was a treat.

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I still get excited when I go to a McDonald's. Fond memories? Or the fries, that haven't changed since day one, and they're still the best fries ever. Hot, crispy and salty. Of course I always add extra salt, just in case.

I've never been a fan of Burger King or Wendy's. They don't have Big Macs, and their fries aren't McDonald's fries.

Since McDonald's made its debut a lot of other fast food chains have come to Maine — too many to list here.

Then there are the privately owned one-of-a-kind takeout food joints. Wasses Hot Dogs is in a class by itself, being privately owned, but with four stands. Keith Wass took over the original stand in Rockland in 1973 and still runs it. Wass is a perfectionist. His hot dogs are cooked to a certain color, and the rolls are steamed to perfection. Wasses was my first hot dog stand experience. My mother, who grew up in Thomaston, had been going there since she was a kid, and it’s still our favorite lunch spot in Rockland. There’s a McDonald’s right up the street form Wasses, but Wasses usually wins out.

As of a year ago June we have a Wasses in Damariscotta. Lucky us.

There are a few good fast food joints in the Boothbay area. I'm sorry to say I haven't been to all of them, but I’ve heard good things about most. Bet's I’ve been to. Suffice it to say that if fried haddock was healthy and non-fattening I'd eat lunch there twice a week. Maybe three times. And if she served alcohol I'd go for dinner.

Then there's Dunton's Doghouse – a veritable treasure chest of wicked good sandwiches and fried foods.

Wannawaf is another hot dog joint. But not just any hot dog joint. Anya’s hot dogs are kind of gourmet. And you can get a fresh crispy warm waffle with ice cream and some ridiculously yummy toppings for dessert.

Shannon's Unshelled is known for her great lobster rolls, though I’ve not had one. 

On Route 27 there are a couple of stands that I have yet to stop at, because I’m usually on my way home from work when I pass them, and they don’t serve manhattans. Or wine. And there’s plenty of that stuff at home in Edgecomb.

Karen's Hideaway is just a few minutes from town and I’ve heard she serves the best burger around. I stopped by yesterday, and the lobster rolls looked pretty good too. Really good actually. And a little further from town is Tracy’s Maine Menu. I hear good things about her crabmeat rolls, among other things. Crust, also on Route 27, is selling their wood-fired pizzas from the lawn in front of Phil’s Lobster Rolls.

In Newcastle, Que Rico! is known for its authentic Mexican food. I have eaten there a few times. Just go.

Sully’s Extraordinary Dogs, across the street from Que Rico! has been selling hot dogs for nine years. Afraid I can’t vouch for them, but a friend tells me they’re wicked good — Hummel’s. And the owner, Jim Erskine, keeps a large jar for money that goes to the local food pantry.

A little further up the road, in Damariscotta, is a takeout joint called Cook’s Corner. I’ve been there, and I’m telling you — just go there too!

I would be remiss to not mention Red's. A lot of locals don't do Red's because of the lines. But those people are standing in line for a reason. I had a Red’s lobster roll last summer and it really was well worth the wait. Chock-full of lobster, I’m pretty sure there were two whole tails in there.

There’s a new joint on Route One in Wiscasset. It's called Twisted Iron Grille. I’ve driven by it a few times and thought it looked kind of scary so I didn’t stop. Wrong. I got an email from a friend, who one might consider a foodie, a few nights ago. He said, “You need to go to Twisted Iron Grille. For the food, the great owner, and a story.” I went. I ate. I interviewed the great chef, Travis Benner. You can read the story on our website soon.

Meanwhile check out their Facebook page.

And don’t hesitate to email me with glowing compliments: suzithayer@boothbayregister.com.

See ya next week.

I’m not a chef. I lay no claim to being an authority on food or cooking. I’m a good cook, and a lover of good food. And I know how to spell and put a sentence together. This column is simply meant to be fun, and hopefully inspiring. So to anyone reading this whose hackles are raised because you know more about the subject of food than I, relax. I believe you.