Finny’s offers great food on Cape Sable Island

Leslie Nickerson, the proprietor of Finny’s on Route 330 in Clark’s Harbour, NS, is one of five siblings who grew up on Cape Sable Island—a place that she still calls home.

She has always enjoyed cooking and had worked in local restaurants for several years but always dreamed of having a food truck. When the opportunity came along, Leslie took a leap of faith with support from her family and bought a food wagon. Her original plan was to attend local events in the community and serve seafood and burgers; a plan that was playing out nicely until 2020 when COVID-19 came along and Leslie found herself stationary. She did not let that stop her. The food truck is now located across from the West Head Wharf in Clark’s Harbour—a quick trip across the Cape Sable Island causeway from Barrington Passage—and offers take outs to locals and tourists alike.

Up until July of 2020 the original name was Route 330 Mobile for the highway number. However, Leslie says that since they sell a lot of seafood, she decided to change the name slightly, so it became Finny’s on Route 330. They still say “Route 330” when people call in their orders and their sign says they serve “Hook’n good food.”

There are several popular dishes that always sell out quickly on the days that they’re open. The Donair Poutine (nicknamed Big Much Chucka) is a big seller; the Seastar Ringer burger is their most popular burger; of course their fresh seafood is popular with everyone. They also serve a regular battered fish but also offer a “Beaver Dam” style which is a puffy batter like a beer batter and is always in demand.

One of Leslie’s passions is creating new burgers. You can choose a Donair Burger, a Big Dill burger for the dill pickle aficionados, or that popular Seastar burger topped with onion rings. Last year she introduced the Big Finn burger, which features deep fried haddock, onion rings, bacon, cheese and tartar sauce on a bun.

If you’re not a fan of burgers, you can opt for a Philly Cheesesteak, several chicken dishes as well as fish or donair tacos, a salad plate and an extensive list of sides and extras.

Like many other restaurant operators in rural areas Leslie said that getting supplies can be a bit of a challenge but the support from the local community has been amazing.

Finny’s Route 330 is open Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 7pm and is located on Main Street in Clark’s Harbour on Cape Sable Island, (across from the West Head wharf). The food truck is seasonal; operating from May until October and their phone number is 902-745-0930. Visit the Facebook Group Route 330 Takeout Finny’s for a full menu and for any changes to open hours.