Lobster Rolls

I can't believe that we are this far into summer without comments on this thread. We waited pehaps a half hour for a mid afternoon table at the Maine Diner yesterday, but as many of you know it was worth it. We all tested the other's food. Everything was great. The reason for my post is that the Maine Diner interestingly does not try to define the lobster roll. They list both the hot and the cold, and explain each very well. The customer decides what to order. From my experience, people like it both ways.

My God! It's August and I have not had my Maine lobster yet!

WHAT AM I THINKING?!?!

ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Scorereader

My God! It's August and I have not had my Maine lobster yet!

WHAT AM I THINKING?!?!

ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!!!

Great!

I've only had a couple of chances at lobster rolls, but I took the advice of an old "Goodfood -Roadfood" review from years ago, and stopped at Abbott's on the CT Shore, several years ago when I was back there.

"Al the Mayor" is right on, in my view. The roll at Abbott's consists warm lobster with melted butter on a toasted bun. I believe they use either 1/3rd or or 1/4th lb. of lobster. This isn't a salad roll.

It would be hard to imagine a lobster roll better than that.

As someone living in Ohio, a long drive from my native Connecticut, I have to make my own lobster rolls. Fortunately, I can buy New England-style split-top buns here. A lobster roll is a simple thing, and anyone can make one. Steam a bug and get the meat out. Melt butter in a sauce pan -- clarify it if you wish -- cut up the lobster meat and add it to the melted butter to warm. Meanwhile, brush the bun with some of the melted butter (I just do the outside because it's going to be filled with buttery lobster) and grill each side till toasted. Then fill up the bun with enough lobster so that you can bareley hold it all inside. That's it. Really simple. Oh, and then you eat it.

If you cannot get the split-top buns there's an easy way to fix side-cut buns so that they are like the other. Typically, a side-cut bun has one side thicker than the other. Make a cut in the thicker side and widen the opening by removing the portion of the bun between the new cut and the original one. Then, using a serrated blade remove the outer portion of the thick side. This will leave you with a bun that has two flat sides. Then, just butter both sides and toast them.

Over the weekend, we were in Ogunquit ME to see a play at The Booth Theater www.boothproductions.com .I had hoped to hit the nearby Maine Diner www.mainediner.com during the trip, but the lines were too long. The Booth Theater is at the Betty Doon Motel right on the town square in Ogunquit, and nearby was The Rose Cove Cafe. The place is very small but the sign in the window, "voted number 1 lobster roll in York County" caught my eye. I don't know who voted, but I do know that the competition is stiff up there. I ordered the cold lobster roll, but could have had the hot buttered one for a dollar more. Like The Maine Diner, they give you a choice. Either way, it comes on a fresh baked, home made roll rather than the split top. Mine was excellent, and the man at the next table who had the hot buttered version seemed to enjoy his too. The Rose Cove Cafe also has excellent home made fudge. The make your own sundae bar is nice, but uses regular commercial ice cream.

I'm from Los Angeles, I'm probably the furthest point in the US from New England. So most people here haven't even heard of a lobster roll. I just got back from a road trip in New England and I've had the first four lobster rolls in my life. So here are the top four lobster rolls I've ever had (understanding that these are the only four I've had).

1) Red's Eats (Wiscasset, ME)
2) Cindy's (Freeport, ME)
3) The Clam Shack (Kennebunkport, ME)*
4) The Clam Box (Ipswitch, MA)

All of them were cold. The one from Red's Eats and Clam Shack was with butter, the other two with mayo.

Being Los Angeles, we need to "haute cuisine" everything. There's a joker making a lobster roll made with a brioche, for $22, no less. I haven't eaten it, but I hear it's smaller than anything you can find in New England.

*this was served on a round bun, not a hotdog bun, what's up with that?

quote:

Originally posted by paranoid123


*this was served on a round bun, not a hotdog bun, what's up with that?

The Rose Cove Cafe that I mentioned it the post above yours uses a round bun too, or actually half a bun filled like a pita pocket (but def not pita bread) I suppose the "classic" is a split top hot dog bun grilled in butter, but there are as many variations as there are creative lobster shack owners. The Bull n Claw www.bullnclaw.com across the street from The Maine Diner www.mainediner.com serves a lobster roll on a long bun, "big enough for two" that I have never tried, but it looks nice in the picture. Howards, in W. Brookfield Massachusetts www.browsethebrookfields.biz/howards/howards.htm serves the classic cold roll on a split top that is considered by some to be the best. Three of my favorites, the afore mentioned Rose Cove, Ronnie's in Auburn Mass, and Scales in Millbury Mass don't have web sites. A Google search for them only directs you back to this forum.

Kathy,

You might want to go to the East End of Long Island and stop at The Lobster Roll )Affectionately known as LUNCH) on NY 27 in Napeague, between Amagansett and Montauk. The Lobster Rolls are a bit pricey, but they are so good. Warning: It will be CROWDED during the average summer weekend, and if you see that big crowd, ten go to the Clam Shack, about 300 north from the Lobster Roll. Good food there, and some decent clam chowder- both New England AND Manhattan!!!

Best lobster roll is in Wiscasset Maine. Red's Eats. BEST IN THE WORLD. Over 1 whole lobster in each roll with hot butter in a Nissan's roll. Incredible.

Who knows when Red's opens this year?

JP's Pub

166 Milk St
Westborough, MA 01581

Phone: 508-366-0627
Right in a strip mall on Route 9 just east of Worcester and Shrewsbury.
HUGE Lobster Roll...
I always made the trip when I lived in Marlborough to get one there.
Year round!

To re-open this topic

I will check out JP's it is kind of near me

I have found a very nice lobster roll at "Joe Fish" on Rt 125 in North Andover, MA, we went there because a friend of ours owns the place and I loved it. The first time we went there I did not like it at all, but this winter we re-visited and I crave the lobster roll now.

An aside, I just read in my Lincoln County News that Red's opened April 17 for the season, I hope I can make it up there before the crowds line up for the summer

Cheers
KB

I've got to take issue with the statement on page 2 that Red's Eats is for tourists and the locals avoid it. I've been to Red's in May and I've been to Red's in late September/early October. The lines aren't as long as the prime tourist months, but there still are lines come lunchtime. And a lot of the people in line are locals. Sure, as Red's fame has spread, there are more tourists than locals. And locals probably avoid the place in July and August when the waits are long, but it is not a tourist trap. The quality is still top notch and the prices are a good value for what they prepare.

Red's also happens to serve my favorite lobster roll, bar none.

I am from the south and dont know what a Lobster Roll is. Please tell me what it is.

quote:

Originally posted by sr4au

I am from the south and dont know what a Lobster Roll is. Please tell me what it is.

Two kinds, hot & cold. Hot is lobster meat and melted butter in a grilled New England style (i.e., split on top) hot dog roll. Cold is a lobster salad with mayo and usually celery & onion. Also served on a dog roll. Nunan's, in Noank CT does a great hot roll, but uses a hamburger roll. Must be a Connecticut version.

Is this ground Lobster or the meat from the tail to make the Lobster Roll?

It is useually large chunks of a mixture of claw/knuckels and chopped tails. I have never seen it ground or shreadded, but then again I don't eat the bugs. Chow Jim

Thank You for your help. I may have to try it while we are here.

quote:

Originally posted by sr4au

Thank You for your help. I may have to try it while we are here.

Yes - you started another thread looking for reasonably-priced lobster, and a good lobster roll is an excellent way to get your taste for less than the price of a full lobster dinner (and easier to eat, too!)

The lobster roll, from The Clambox, on the Roadfood opening page today looks great. I am sorry to say that I have never had one there, because we always go for the clams. This summer for sure....

I agree tmiles. That is a mouthwatering photo. I'm not sure if a New England trip is in the cards for me this year, but that lobster roll is acting as a temptress.

I wanted to jump through my screen and attack that lobster roll and that heaping pile of fried clams! I've eaten at the Clam Box at least 100 times, maybe more. I love that place!!!!

How much does the lobster roll cost at the Clambox?

quote:

Originally posted by holdem

How much does the lobster roll cost at the Clambox?

if you have to ask, you can't afford it.

($14.25)
http://www.ipswichma.com/clambox/menu.htm

quote:

Originally posted by Scorereader

quote:

Originally posted by holdem

How much does the lobster roll cost at the Clambox?

if you have to ask, you can't afford it.

($14.25)
http://www.ipswichma.com/clambox/menu.htm

That sounds like an average price for a lobster roll.

You guys have to try Bun N' Burger in Stratford for an awesome lobster roll! Butter and lemon are on the side and it is served on a New England roll. lobster is sweet and tender, and you get about 6-7 ounces in there. I think it is priced at 14.75 or so.

I had an excellent lobster roll at Abbott's in Noank (Mystic),CT this weekend. It was wonderful !

When in NYC, Pearl Oyster Bar (recipe enclosed too):

http://www.npr.org/programs/wesun/features/2003/jun/lobster/#lobster

If you are in mid-coast Maine, try the brand new little restaurant just a 1/2 mi north of Wiscasset, called Coveside Kitchen. They do a knuckle sandwich (lobster knuckle meat on a roll) that is really decent. Skip the fries - even though they are handcut, they are soggy and not worth eating. But their Maine Shrimp Roll is super - hand-breaded in the lightest dusting of flour - big portions - I couldn't eat it all. (And if you want a really cheap lobster dinner, this is the place - TEN DOLLARS gets you a lobster, a dozen steamers and corn!! If you want a twin lobster dinner, I think it's $18.95.)

Also in Wiscasset - the Sea Basket is low key, not a fancy place, and has really good lobster rolls, good clam rolls, and the best lobster stew I've ever had - rich and creamy with plenty of lobster meat.

Right now lobster is pretty cheap along the coast - about $6/lb - so you can find lots of reasonably priced lobster dinners and lobster rolls. Soft-shell lobster season is in, so the lobster is sweeter, a lot of people think it's better than regular lobster.

Pulse
I have been eyeing that Coveside place, the knuckle roll sounds good, the knuckles are my favorite part of the lobster, I will go in there next trip up, thanks for the tip!
As an aside, we introduced my daughter's Scottish boyfriend to Maine lobster this weekend, I am not too sure it was a hit, he liked the taste but disliked the shells (we got hard shelled) and would not let me help him. Needless to say, some bloodly fingers were involved...
I agrree on the Sea Basket, fresh, good food, have you tried the place on the wharf across from Reds?

While in Maine, we had several lobster rolls, including one at the Cod End Restaurant on the municpal dock in Tennant's Harbor. Beautiful setting. The lobster roll was OK (a little too much mayo for my taste).

I will try to find it on-line, but while we were in Maine, the Portland paper did a story on the best places for lobster rolls.

Boston Magazine July 2006 has a "Lobster Blowout" section with top 20 lobster rolls within Boston's limits. Not all were Roadfood, but B&G Oysters were the favorite, SkipJack's is mentioned as a keeper and Neptune Oyster looks good too
Unfortuantely, I have never been to any of the places mentioned, I need to get out more....

Neptune Oyster is a fairly new spot in the North End on Salem St. Nice freindly and somewhat small. I haven't had the lobster roll but seen it served and it looked very good {I don't eat lobster} the clam chowder was very good and the raw bar was great. It's an ideal spot if you are dinning alone or with another person but not very codusive to large parties. It's two thumbs up on that spot. Chow Jim

So many New Englanders have forsaken the Mud Season and moved to Southwest Florida that some of the finest Lobster Rolls are found here. Try Steamers between Port Charlotte and Englewood, south of Sarasota. Maybe not on the menu but they have them and they are great!

OK, found my copy of the Portland Press-Herald from June 28, 2006. Here are the eight places they highlighted in central/southern Maine for lobster rolls:

Bob's Seafood, Windham (won the 2005 title for "Maine's Best Lobster Roll from the Maine Lobster Promotion Council)
The Good Table, Cape Elizabeth
Miss Brunswick Diner, Brunswick
The Lobster Station Restaurant, South Portland
Nunan's Lobster Hut, Cape Porpoise
Harraseeket's, South Freeport
Two Lights Lobster Shack, Cape Elizabeth
Red's Eats, Wiscasset

flying into logan airport boston aug 25th going to kittery maine thru sept 3rd. any great clam or lobster shacks on the drive up .

To keep this ever-worthy subject alive and in view, I'd like to report that I had a really terrific hot buttered lobster roll yesterday at a place called Sam the Clam Pub and Grub in Plantsville, Ct. Large roll packed with claw meat and lots of knuckles, etc. Delicious! I don't know if this was unusual or not for the place as I,ve only been there a couple of times and always had fried food which is also great (whole bellies).
Kind of pricey at $16.95 but it did include a load of curly fries and an insipid cup of cole slaw. Definitely not a dressup place and you can't wear your colors according to to the sign but the service was good and everybody was friendly.

Aarrgghh!! I live in NYC now and haven't had a lobster roll in a while, although I hear Pearl Oyster Bar and Mary's Fish Camp make pretty decent renditions. I used to go and pitch my tent on my aunt's lawn in New Harbor, ME (nor far from Red's Eats in Wiscasset) and she would get fresh lobsters from a boat in the morning. We would have lobsters, steamers, corn on the cob, salt potatoes for dinner (with drawn butter, of course) and then I'd eat cold lobster rolls (with mayo and celery, salt and pepper) for breakfast for 3 days. Such memories!

Shoot-here in the midwest I would get on my knees for a lobster roll .....

I know everyone goes to Essex, but try Yankee Lobster on Northern Ave. in Boston.

ok-Just looking for recommendantion-please forget the east shore snobbery.......

annpeeples,
yer adorable, lady
don't you ever change

Hubby and I are going to the North End tonight for our anniversary. No specific plans, but I've wanted to try Neptune Oyster. If we do, I'll send a report card.

quote:

Originally posted by billyboy

Aarrgghh!! I live in NYC now and haven't had a lobster roll in a while, although I hear Pearl Oyster Bar and Mary's Fish Camp make pretty decent renditions. I used to go and pitch my tent on my aunt's lawn in New Harbor, ME (nor far from Red's Eats in Wiscasset) and she would get fresh lobsters from a boat in the morning. We would have lobsters, steamers, corn on the cob, salt potatoes for dinner (with drawn butter, of course) and then I'd eat cold lobster rolls (with mayo and celery, salt and pepper) for breakfast for 3 days. Such memories!

Billyboy, I spend summers on Pemaquid Pont! My family goes way back there summering and I have tried to continue with my kids. Where in New haba where you?
KB

Hey KB, I was right on Pemaquid Point just down the road from the restaurant that is there on Capt. James Road. I can't remember the name of it, but my aunt used to hostess there.

I think it was the Bradley Inn.