The restaurant was established in 1982 by Tony DiMillo (1933–1999), who reused the name of his previous business, a lobster restaurant located on the opposite side of Commercial Street. DiMillo's Lobster House opened in 1965.[2][3][5] DiMillo's slogan, "The clams you eat here today slept last night in Casco Bay", was kept.[3]
Two menus from DiMillo's are included in a collection of menus held at the Portland Public Library. One is from 1982 and one is from 1989. According to the 1982 menu, that year a complete shore dinner cost $18.95, a lobster roll was $4.75, and spaghetti with plain sauce was $3.25.[6]
As part of a renovation in 2015, the restaurant's tables were made in Millinocket from reclaimed river logs.[7] The DiMillo family also owns the marina that surrounds the vessel.[2]
Management
Steve DiMillo is the restaurant manager,[7] a role he shares with three of his eight siblings: brothers Dan and Johnny and twin sister Stephanie Quattrucci.[5] Arlene DiMillo, widow of Tony,[8] was the company's president until her retirement in 2015.[7]
As of 2022, Melissa Bouchard is the head chef at the restaurant,[9] which has a seating capacity of around 550.[8] Bouchard began working in the DiMillo's kitchen in 1998.[7]
Chris DiMillo manages the yacht sales operation.[5]
