Fairway's Lobster Roll - a report

[MB fka MB]

It ain't bad! In fact, it's pretty darn good for $8.99. It's mostly body meat, with some recognizable bits of knuckles, perhaps. Mayo dressing a bit of celery. On a grilled hot dog roll - it's dense and probably a potato or egg roll. It comes with potato chips and mixed greens with a few cherry tomatoes. Satisfying for a lobster roll craving, but not the luxurious big chunks of meat that you would get from a high end seafood place (at 3x the price).

[brooklynfoodgal]

Hey,

Just went to Jordan's 2 weeks ago, looking forward to a lobster roll.
was very disappointed with having to squeeze out the mayo from a packet, that is ridiculous. I wouldn't tell people to go there for a lobster roll.

i havent tried the other places mentioned, but fairway and mary will be on my list!

[BillyBob]

just had one yesterday. as discussed good meat, right ratio of mayo, etc. agree with the comment that the quality on the weekend is uneven. but sitting there outside in the sunshine next to the water with a view of the statue of liberty..... nice experience

[psnative]

Sorry you were disappointed about the mayo packet but at least 2 comments above state that you get mayo in the packet. Personally I like the idea of controlling the amount of mayo but I know that it is not to everyone's liking.

[jinx]

Just had the lobster roll at Jordan's on the way home from the beach. Still the same price as last summer--$14.95, $16.95 with fries. The fries are nice crispy steak fries and are good. The lobster roll is as described...a full 1/4 lb of meat, mix of claw and tail, and yes, completely dry. I ended up mixing in tartar sauce instead of plain mayo and it was pretty darn good, especially for the money, but I do prefer a really creamy mayo and a bit of celery for crunch. I'm really hoping that Red Hook Lobster Pound will get their permit soon, although we may try to make it to the Brooklyn Flea to try one in the meantime.

[deciantis]

i think that fairway's lob roll is a good deal-- at home they are $18 each in the summer, minimum.
the quality is inconsistent though-- sometimes it is really mayonnaisey and sometimes it is PERFECT. i work nearby so i hit fairway for lunch a lot, and i have found that on weekends the roll is sub par. during the week, when it's less busy, is the time to get a good one w/ big chunks.

[chezfredo]

Splurged for the Lobster Roll at Brooklyn Fish Camp on Saturday and it was divine (mostly tail). Best I've had outside of Maine. And the fries were amazing. Pricey, though. Will give Fairway a try. Thanks for the report.

[jinx]

Just what are they charging this summer for the lobster roll at Fish Camp? Last summer it was $26 I think...I splurged just once...

[chezfredo]

$33 ... ouch. They say market price, so maybe it fluctuates a bit. It's damn good though, especially with a Brooklyn Pale Ale.

[jinx]

oh man, ouch is right! It is awesome but that is really painful....oh well, as they say you can't take it with you (the money, I mean...!)

[Tay]

Granted you can't take it with you, but paying $33 or even $26 for what is essentially a sandwich? That's enough to buy a full on lobster dinner with app and dessert! You can get a lot more for your money by continuing the search for a more reasonably priced lobster roll. If enough people just refused to pay that much they'd have to lower the price... :-}

[comiendosiempre]

Wow! $8.99 for a lobster roll?? In New York? And its real lobster?
That is a bargain. I gotta get there. I really need a lobster roll fix.

I went to buy some cooked and cleaned lobster meat recently at a fish market in the City and they wanted about $65 per pound. Ouch. Needless to say I ate shrimp that night . . . .

[MB fka MB]

fwiw, it's certainly lobster from a can or bucket, no one is picking the lobsters out back. but the flavor was good and compared to other "budget" lobster rolls, it was good. truth be told, I don't think it's worth making it a destination, but worth it if you're in the area.

[jinx]

funny, each time I've had it its been all claw meat, which is what's been (slightly) unsatisfying. No body meat at all. Still, I am not complaining for $8.99! It semi-satisfies a lobster roll craving, but for the real deal it doesn't compare to say, Fish Camp (albeit at 3x the price, of course.) Eating outside on the dock there helps add to the experience.

[psnative]

You want an excellent lobster roll? If you have a car go to Jordan's Lobster Dock in Sheepshead Bay. These are the ingredients: 1/4 pound of Maine lobster meat, hot dog bun, packets of mayo. The lobster is not even mixed with the mayo so you see what meat you are getting. It is too big to eat with your hands and you need a fork. Plus you control the amount of mayo you want. $14.95. In fact I am going there on Tuesday. 3165 Harkness Avenue across from the movie theater.

[scooter]

The Jordan's roll is indeed a decent price, but I don't think one with "dry" lobster and an ungrilled bun qualifies as "excellent." Squeezing out mayo from a little packet is pretty damned depressing, IMO.

[tracyk]

is there outdoor seating where you could bring a dog?

[scooter]

At Jordan's, I believe so, yes. There are tables set up outside that are essentially unmonitored, so I doubt they'd mind or even notice a dog. You'd need one person who could go in and order, though, because it's counter service.

At Fairway, I'm not sure. The cafe is an enclosed area that connects to an open promenade. You can certainly walk your dog on the promenade and there are a few benches there you can sit on. I don't know if they'd let you come into the cafe. Again, you'd need somebody to go inside and order.

[Peter]

If you're ok leaving your dog tied up outside for 5 minutes while you pop through the door to order, you'd be fine. The counter is JUST inside the back doors. With some neck-craning, you'd be able to see the dog pretty much the whole time.

Peter
http://www.FlashlightWorthyBooks.com
Books so good, they'll keep you up past your bedtime. ;)

[BigGuy]

I like the 3 for $10.99 special at Stop and Shop in Glendale, Queens.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/320111

[Jack_]

I saw these in the sale flier but wrote it off as not passably being any good at that price, or they just lobster roll sliders?

description please! What's i nit besides lobster? Mayo, Celery? Onion? on a hot dog bun?

[acemdin]

I have sometimes gotten claw meat. I think its luck of the draw.

[Larry Brooks]

Agreed 100%.

If only the whole store was as good as those lobster rolls.