Lobster Prices!!!

I know I saw a thread recently about high lobster prices but I just came from my local Shop Rite, in Hillsdale,NJ, and the price was 16.99 a pound! I don't think I've ever seen it that high. What is the reason?

I think it has something to do with global warming.

Lobsters usually migrate off shore during the winter months and return in the warmer months. They have not yet returned to inshore waters. Also, our canadian neighbors are shipping more to Europe, where they get better prices.

This never woulda happened if we had elected Al Gore...

Although the prices are still high, they seem to be comeing down a bit.
Wholesale- $8.75 for chicks and $14 for 2 to 3 pounders.
I expect they will remain high untill the canners replenish their stocks.
Chow Jim

A fellow snowplower of mine who is a Maine lobster
fisherman in the summer. He informs me that there is
no lobster fishing in the winter because lobsters
hibernate and bury themselves in the seabed during
winter.

I ask where do then do they get fresh lobsters in the winter?
He replys that they are caught in the summer then kept
in live pens all winter and then sold when ordered.

Thus the high prices.............

Is this true or is the guy pulling my leg?......geo

I wouldn't call it pulling your leg. What it is is a flat-out lie!

Oh Michael...lie is such a strong word...true... but lets's say BS, crap or prevarication. Surely along the same lines Exxon has stored oil that now has a greater value...now gas costs $3 a gallon. Not all their fault...when was the last refinery built on US soil?

Hey, when the subject is lobster I become emotional. Now, as to when the last oil refinery was built on U.S. soil, well, it's been a while. It was 1976 when the last oil refinery was built in the United States. The nutcases have blocked the building of any new ones.

My local Shop-Rite always has lobsters for sale for Father's Day. I hope this year won't be any different. (They are usualyy around 6.99 a pound.)

quote:

Originally posted by BarbaraCt

My local Shop-Rite always has lobsters for sale for Father's Day. I hope this year won't be any different. (They are usualyy around 6.99 a pound.)

I received an advertising flyer in the mail today from one of the local supermarkets advertising lobsters at $10.95 a pound. The other day I saw them there at $16.95 per pound. These prices, by the way, are for 1 1/4-pounders.

Hey, speaking as a nutcase, . . .um, well, you're right.

Speaking as a lobster lover, prices should go down in the summer--more fishermen out, maybe more areas open for fishing. By the way, anyone tried canned lobster? what's your take?

Of course the prices go down in the summer but who wants to eat soft-shells from Boston Harbor? If you're a lobster lover, you'll pay the price for hard-shells and enjoy, no matter what the price.

Most canned lobster comes from Canada and is tough and dry. Sorry.

WM had 1.25 pounders for 24.00 a lb yesterday. WOW!

MikeS.

When I lived in Maine, prices for all lobsters went down in the summer. Supply and demand, probably.

The reason for lobster being so high right now are two things: high fuel costs and bad weather. The northeast just had several bad storms and the lobstermen were not able to go out. Plus, some storms damaged their traps. And yes, they lobster year round in Maine. I know, I grew up there.

I hate to admit this but as Southern boy I prefer blue crab to lobster. A pound of cleaned blue crab is on sale for $10 at Harris Teeter this week. Crab cakes, crab salad and gumbo are all on the menu...AND it is from Virginia...another state that stood fast against the assualt from the aggression of the north in the War of Northern Agression just those few years ago.

BTW lobster is usually of poor quality in the South, IMHO, but only 12-14 bucks a pound this week. I can buy two or three pounds of local shrimp that were netted in the last two days for what it would cost me for a lobster caught two weeks ago.

I eat lobster daily when in Boston and north of there but not more than once a year in the South. I still remember a sweet little old lady recommending a steak and lobster house just outside of Peabody, MA. as the largest steakhouse in America. She said "order the lobster bake w/ NO bread crumbs...they put in more lobster!" She was right.

Oh yeah I remember that skirmish. The war started and ended there.
That steakhouse you are refering to is The Hilltop in Saugus Ma. rt#1 south. Unfortunately it's not even close to what it once was. I drive by there often and I'm just waiting for the For Sale to be posted on the cows.
Chow Jim

As I recall it started when a bunch of nut case drunks started firing cannons on Fort Sumpter in the Charleston harbor and it ended in Virginia. The person who gave the order to fire on Sumpter later took his own life rather than live under Union rule. Sorry I watch so much PBS and read too much Shelby Foote.

However lobster is still only $12 a pound at the local stores in NC. Can't comment on the quality as the cleaned blue crab from Virginia is on sale for $10 a pound. Crab salad, crab omlets on Sunday and gumbo...BTW it will be in the eighties tomorrow...living in the South...such a b***h.

Just got back from Downeast Maine yesterday and the lobstermen are still getting around $9 LB. for the critters.
I noticed last week at the Dinnerhorn was the lobster pie was $23.95, as opposed to the usual $19.
Still good, though...

Jimeats, my kids and I have been visiting Salem a couple of times a year for the past couple of years. The last time we stayed at the Hampton Inn on Rout 1 in Peabody. It's next to the Wendy's. Very nice place. I'm sure we'll use it again. But, could you clue me in to some good eats up and down that highway and not too far off. My kids love Peabody House of Pizza on Lowell. I would love to hear your or anyone's input as we seem to keep going back. Thanks in advance.

About 5 miles from Peabody is a place called Dubes, on Jefferson Avenue in Salem. The ABSOLUTE BEST seafood/onion rings on the North Shore. Check it out, I promise that you'll be amazed with the quality/quantity & value. My wife and I frequently drive there for lunch on Saturdays (125 miles one way, 250 miles round trip), and we think it's worth the drive.

quote:

Originally posted by lleechef

Of course the prices go down in the summer but who wants to eat soft-shells from Boston Harbor? If you're a lobster lover, you'll pay the price for hard-shells and enjoy, no matter what the price.

Most canned lobster comes from Canada and is tough and dry. Sorry.

Once more, words of truth from Lleechef. Even those cheaper soft-skinned Summer babies at the Maine lobster festivals don't hold a candle to the offshore and cold weather hard-shells.

My In-laws are headed in from Arizona for an eight-day Memorial Day weekend, so we'll be checking out the seafood, mostly South of Boston. If we don't get to the North Shore (and you know, you can't get there from here) we'll probably do fried clams and scallops at the Bubbling Brook, or at Red Wing if there's a Nor'Easter like the one headed our way now.

One trip we've promised them is Newport. It's about the only destination, or hell-hole, my Father-in-Law hasn't visited in New England, and it should impress his last Wife. Any suggestions on a good lobster roll, or any decent and not outrageously priced (they're both semi-retired clerics) seafood in the area?

Jim - I'm sure you know this, but the Hilltop in Braintree went down last year. There was a big auction for the fiberglass cows. They sold well. I'm sure the zoning in Sharon wouldn't permit it, but if the giant Saguaro in Saugus went on sale I'd be really tempted.

I've heard good things about Evelyn's Drive -In in Tiverton. Haven't been there, but a friend raves about their clams.
I'm not sure about distance, but it's Rhode Island, how far can it be?

agnesrob, I have a few ideas for that area.

Start your day with breakfast at the Family Rest. on Lowell St. Peobody.

3eggs, choice of meats, home fries, 3 pancakes and coffee and toast all for $5.95

When visiting Salem be sure to visit Salem Willows Americas oldest ammusement park. Not much there but history. A beautifull setting worth the visit alone. Also there they have a chinese take out window that offers a chop sewy sandwich, cheap, you have to try one.
Dube's is a good choice for seafood in Salem. I've been known to darken their doorway on many occasion over the years.

On rt.114 in Middleton, 5min. north on rt.1, there is Richardsons dairy. Great Ice cream they also have a very nice miniture golf corse, batting cages, cows to pat for the kids and so on.
Also on 114 Sal's just pizza. Good pies, very large and cheap.
Much better than any of those House of Pizza {every city and town has one} house of pizzas are usualy all Greek and can be expensive for what you get.

You also may want to check the prices at the Sheraton Ferncroft Danvers on rt.1. They have just built an indoor water park for guests only, the kids would love it. It's just 3 miles north of where your staying now.
Contact me if you need further info.
Lobster prices have also started to receed, still higher than I've seen in some time, but trickeling down. No matter how you look at it your still going to pay a premium price for the crustations with the climb in gas prices.
Cost more to fish them, transport them, and more for you to go get them.
It's an indulgeness that can be tolerated at times. Chow Jim

quote:

Originally posted by mollydingle

I've heard good things about Evelyn's Drive -In in Tiverton. Haven't been there, but a friend raves about their clams.
I'm not sure about distance, but it's Rhode Island, how far can it be?

Fascinating, isn't it. Growing up I could drive north, south, east or west and be out of the state in less than 40 minutes, but it often took half the day to drive to any destination within the state.

Not to mention the time travel involved: in the space of an hour you can go back 5, 6, even 7 decades.

I've heard good things about Evelyn's, too, and hadn't thought of it. I'll look into it. Thanks!

Thanks Jimeats and Davetoo. I can't wait to get back up there.

The guy at Safeway in Arlington gave me 1-1/4 pounders for $12.99/lb this weekend. Regular price was $16.99. That is definately the most I've ever paid for a live lobster at a grocery store.
They were wonderful, so I can't complain too much.
The menu: Lobsters, salt potatoes, corn on the cob.

Total non-issue for me.

As I've mentioned before, I work at a very upscale East Coast resort that serves lobster 2-3 times a week. I have full access to the kitchen, which brings my total all-I-can-eat lobster costs to...$0.00 (with the blessings of management).

Don't be haters, y'all.

You BUM

We're not fans of Richardson's ice cream but on Rte. 28 in N. Reading there is a place called "Mad Maggie's" that has awesome homemade stuff.

When I saw only $10.99/lb at Shop Rite yesterday I had to buy one. I got a nice 1.6lb lobster. It was delicious! I made two beautiful lobster rolls.

Here's an interesting take on lobster prices:

http://www.nhregister.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18491038&BRD=1281&PAG=461&dept_id=517514&rfi=6