Lobster prices

[AHan]

$5.99 at Market Basket this morning. Didn't buy any and didn't ask if hard-shelled. Down from $6.99 last week (Bellingham location).

[content]

James Hook & Co in Boston has the LARGE lobsters at $6.99/lb when I went by there on Thursday.

[buffet king]

Hannaford Supermarket has 1lb-1.25lb lobsters for $5.49 a pound this week. I bought some lobsters yesterday at Hannaford. I boiled them today and had them with melted butter for lunch. They were hard shell lobsters from Canada. They weren't very large lobsters but they were full of meat.

[tdaaa]

5.99$lb for chixs at shaws this weekend... wife was feeling poorly so I didn't buy, but looked lively in the tank.

[StriperGuy]

This time of year most are had shelled.

[Passadumkeg]

Just got some fresh from one of my students Fri. A mix of soft and hard shell.

[galleygirl]

Indeed. Got a 1.25 from Roche Bros(W.Rox) on Friday; excellent. Got a 1.5 (tho they called it a chick, and it was $5.99 lb) from Shaw's (Peabody) yesterday...

I do kindah miss the salt water when they steam them, but there's less of a chance of overcooking. I think RB did a better job...

[galleygirl]

Had another 1.25 from Roche Bros., Acton location tonight. $6.99lb. Excellent steam job. They're all using those super-microwaves now, that take like 3 minutes to steam a chick. The difference is, I think Roche Bros. puts some water in the bottom of the steaming container. The guy at Shaw's said the directions said to, but they didn't. You can definitely tell the difference. Don't know if this is true for all Shaw's locations....

[PinchOfSalt]

MB in Woburn is still selling lobster at $5.99 as of today. They are hard-shelled, and running 1-1.25 pounds each. My lobster treat is steaming away as I type this... yummmm.

[Gio]

MB Reading has them at 5.99 today and they are hard shell. DH brought home 2 just short of 2 lbs each.. Whoo Hooo!

[Veggo]

You lucky rascal. $14/lb here in FL for Maine bugs, and stone crab season ends in 2 days. I'm staring at a long, hot summer of pimento sandwiches.

[Gio]

Veggo - the lobsters were absolutely sweetly deliciously fantastic! Huge, with the largest tails....... Would that you could have been here! Early dinner. Couldn't wait.
You know.

[Veggo]

And you know I know. But I would have traded mine away for a plate of your lasagna:)

[mcel215]

Thanks Gio,
This weekend is a trip to MB. What I love about how MB's pricing is, they don't do chix, selects, etc. Whatever is in the tank I believe, is the same price. In Woburn,
you just have to get their early!

[Passadumkeg]

Honest question from a downeast hick; what's Market Basket & what is the clostest location north of Beantown off I 95?

[sinned61]

I know they are in Portsmouth ans Seabrook NH.

[Gio]

Market Basket is a family owned chain of supermarkets located throughout NH and MA. Unfortunately, Passa, there are none in Maine at this time. The furthest north from Boston, and closest to you, I've been able to find them is Portsmouth. The chain has an amazingly diverse ethnic and complete "regular" inventory charging much lower prices than any of the local markets. Their annual sales, I have read, reach well over 2 Billion Dollars. They employ 16,000+ people.

Here are the Portsmouth addresses:
Market Basket
1500 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801
[phone]

Market Basket
1465 Woodbury Avenue, Portsmouth, NH 03801
[phone]

[CambridgeFoodie]

Out of curiosity, aside from Shaws and Stop n Shop, is there a lobster seller that you would recommend that does not charge for cooking the lobster? Hook is charging $10 - $15 to cook.

Oh how I miss Fresh Pond Seafood (reasonable prices and they'd cook for free).

[StriperGuy]

Don't even mention Fresh Pond Seafood, sob, I miss them so... One of those "I would have gone there much more often if I had only known how much I would miss them" deals.

[tdaaa]

And the worst part is that the ramshackle, rundown storefront is sitting there mocking me every time I drive by.

[Gio]

I really have no idea. We usually buy fresh lobsters and steam them at home. We buy both from the Reading Market Basket, as mentioned and Twins Seafood in Reading.....
589 Main St
Reading, MA 01867
[phone]

[galleygirl]

All the grocery stores steam them, it seems. For Girlwholovestoeat, they wrap them in aluminum foil, then plastic, and they're still hot enough to eat when you get them home. I actually prefer them luke warm, myself. Steaming is no big deal, it's just waiting for the huge pot of water to boil, first, and they smell while cooking.
Hint #1; put the shells in your freezer til trash day.
If someone else is gonnah do it for free in less than five minutes, I'm all over it.
Hint #2; if the store is having a special, visit the seafood department first and place your order, than do the rest of your shopping in case there's a line.

[thegirlwholovestoeat]

Thanks for all the advice, I think I'll try one tomorrow!

[joebloe]

.

[Gio]

I only just found out that the Reading Market Basket does not charge to steam lobsters.

[Shackles]

Somerville ave in Somerville...just off 93..couple miles

[thegirlwholovestoeat]

This is a little off topic... I have never bought and steamed my own lobster before. Is it typical to have it done at the store? Wouldn't this make the lobster cold by the time you got it home? Is it very hard to steam a lobster yourself at home? Sorry if these are beginner questions, but I am a beginner!

[StriperGuy]

They are better hot out of the pot. It is no big deal to cook at home. Boil large pot of water, submerge lobster. Cook for 10 minutes per pound. Here is a whole site dedicated to lobsters:

http://www.newenglandcooking.com/cook...

[salemmass]

I think most places that sell them steam them. I usually have to wait a while at Market Basket when they're cheap because they are so busy steaming. As to does it get cold, not really. Depends on how close you are to the store though.

[Pegmeister]

I add some white wine and a bay leaf to the boiling water, and don't cover the lobster completely.

[RichardinJP]

To steam - put only 1 inch of water and 1 - 2 Tbs of sea salt in the pot, cover and steam for about 14 minutes (for 1 1/4 pounders).

[Shackles]

if the drive isnt more than a half hour youre good...steam them in beer and a little water...cheapest beer the best! I like Old MIlwaukee or Rolling Rock...sweet...It'll foam up quite a bit at first...add water almost 50/50 and boil beer/water first....add critters and let em steam ...15 mins approx for 1-1 1/2 lb
also...mix melted butter with a splash of champagne and some fresh cracked black pepper
orrrr....just boil em in tap water, crack and eat....any lobster is a treat!

[buffet king]

Johnnie's Foodmaster has lobsters 1-1.25lbs on sale starting today until next Thursday May 21st for $5.99 a pound.

[Johnresa]

I was going to say that...lol. I was going to pick up a couple but got Alaskan King Crab legs from Shaws instead...$8.99 a lb

[shaebones]

Got them right off the docks downeast this weekend for ~ $3.50/lb

[mcel215]

Shae,

Maine? I guess it's worth the drive. ;)

[shaebones]

Maine is ALWAYS worth the drive. Even w/o lobstah. ;).However..tonight for sup we're having lobstah rolls, cole slaw and one my local Maine pals made me homemade apple pie we can have w vanilla ic for dessert. Don't get betta than that!

[mcel215]

I'll be up in Wells a week in July, can you replicate the menu? ;).

[StriperGuy]

downeast = Maine

[Passadumkeg]

downeast = east of Ellsworth
south of Portland= little Boston

[StriperGuy]

Learn something new every day...

[emilief]

Pass= what is your point? Maine is Maine, regardless of what you keep saying over and over and over , , , , , , ,

[Passadumkeg]

Nope, a really big divide among Mainers. I 95 is sometimes called the Volvo
line. Volvos to the south and F-150s to the north. Washington County is one of the poorest counties in the entire United States. When I am in York Beach, Wells, Kittary, etc., I do not feel like I am in Maine it is more akin to the Jersey shore and the food is ever so much more expensive. A tourist may not realize it but Maine is the size of the rest of New England added together; there is Little Boston (southern), Mid-coast, Downeast, The Lakes Region and Skidder Country (western mountains) to name a few. There is a great amount of regionalism within the state and great disparities. That is my point. Sorry if i offend you, but this is a predominant feeling where I live and work. Washing DC is about the same distance to Boston as I am.
Popular bumper sticker: If it's Tourist Season, Why Can't We Shoot Them?
Oh yes, I didn't mention Aroostic Co., the home of The Pototo Blossom Festival, the most northern and largest county in the state, referred to as just "The County".

[StriperGuy]

With the exception of the bumper sticker, ;-) thanks for the info.

[Passadumkeg]

I don't have that sticker on any of our cars and I work the summer as a Registered Maine Guide thanks to tourists. I'm taking out a group from Northeastern U. for a 3 day sea kayak trip this weekend.
The point I was only trying to make is that within Maine the phrase "downeast" basically refers to Washington County with the start being the old "singing bridge" between Hancock and Sullivan. And people up here do refer to southern Maine as Little Boston (with envy and scorn) because of the great differences in per capita wealth and population density. Geographically, Ellsworth is a division between southern deciduous forests and more northern coniferous, poor organic, rocky soil arborial forests; which are perfect for growing blueberries. The proportion of families involved in making their living from the sea is comparatively high. Many families have seasonal incomes. Buy a Christmas wreath from LL Beane and the chances are that my students' families made them.
I asked my students today what the boat price for lobsters is and got the reply $3.50/ lb. and a $.70 premium from the coop, so about $4.20 per lb.

[StriperGuy]

Hmmm, I know some NEU marine biologists myself... They have a decent facility in Nahant, MA.

[Food4Thought]

$6.88/ lb. at Super 88 in South Bay, mostly 1 1/4 lb.

[okra]

$5.99 at Fresh Catch locations Mansfield, etc.

[yummieeee]

Market Basket in Asland has hard shell lobsters for 4.99 a pound starting Sunday may 24th. I don't think i've ever seen them that cheap. I'll be in line Sunday. There open regular hours memorial day.

[mcel215]

I hope Woburn does the same.....thanks!

[gltsoi]

I got two 1.5 pounders from the Market Basket in Woburn on Monday for $5.99 a lb. I didn't want to wait the 30 minutes, so I took them home and steamed them myself. They were quite good.

gltsoi.liveljournal.com

[mcel215]

I never have any place steam lobsters for me, don't trust that they will steam them perfectly. Steaming only takes 12-15 minutes of my time and from the pot to the table is all I need for a great dinner. Maybe a cold beer as well. ;)

[NSDishGal]

If you are ever out near near Marblehead, there is a great guy named Paul Crowell who sells lobsters fresh from the water out of the back of his truck on weekends between 2 and 4 in the afternoon. Super fresh and tasty, his prices are great; usually a dollar or two above what he would make selling them wholesale. He is cash only and sets up down on Front St., just behind The Landing restaurant.

http://www.northshoredish.com/

[9lives]

Thx for that info. I go to Marblehead from time to time. I've bought from these guys...lobsters weren't cheap but good and the local diver scallops were incredible.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/61246842...

$5.99 for chix at Shaws yesterday.

At these prices, I should just buy them. I probably spend more on bait; but I did get a few nice ones this AM..:)

[NSDishGal]

You know, I've bought lobsters at M'head Lobster in the past but but never scallops, but now you've given me the idea...:)

[9lives]

$4/lb for 1 1/4 lb'er on the fish dock in Marblehead..right off the boat. $5.79 at Crosbie's and $8 for larger.

Superb lobster.

[Gio]

Lobsters are 4.99 a pound this week at Market Basket.....

[mcel215]

Thanks Gio, heading to MB this afternoon. ;)

[random amblings]

Bought them Wednesday at the Wellesley MA Shaws for $3.99, and steamed free. Picked them and froze the meat for lobster ravioli at a later date.

[foodperv]

for those who have a pref. hard vs soft shell the marketbaskets are hard

[Gio]

But - Very Sweet!!

[mcel215]

I didn't get to MB until tonight, but they are selling them at 4.99 a pound.

And, I needed a hammer to open the claw. Wow, that hasn't happened in a long time.
But, boy was it ever worth every delicious bite. ;)

[rknrll]

Same...very hard shell and packed full of meat.
MB in Portsmouth had 2-3lbers (had to really get the girl to search for 1.5-1.75) for $4.99/lb, while Hannaford's were priced at $7.50/$8.50/$9.50-ish for chix/1-2/2-3lbers.

[coolhandluke]

Bump...anyone have any recent prices in the Cambridge area?

[caratara]

Yeah, I can almost never find a lobster over 2 lbs that is a reasonable price. There's many times I can do a 1-1.5 pound lobster for $3.99, but I pass because you don't get much meat.

[caratara]

Yeah, I usually pass on a 1-1.5 lb lobster at $3.99 or whatever it is. I'd rather have the larger ones that are more than 2 lbs, even if I end up paying more because you get much more meat. Usually, I can find large ones if I happen to pass by a super walmart at $6 something a pound.

[Infomaniac]

Obviously you should get more meat in a larger lobster, but if you actually knew how much more meat you were getting per pound with a jumbo lobster at $6.00 something vs. a chicken lobster at $4.00, you are paying $2.00 something more a pound for maybe an 1 oz. to 1.5 oz. more meat per pound.
I just bought four 1.5 lb. lobsters at $3.99 which yeilded me approx. 19.5 oz. to average $1.24 p/oz.
If you bought two 3 pound jumbos at $6 something a pound it would yeild around 27 to 30 oz. If you do the math, your paying more money per oz. of meat.

[opinionatedchef]

info- aren't they both giving you lobster meat at about $1.20 oz. ?
$24 for 20 oz and $36 for 30 oz.?? and a lot less nuisance work to get the meat out of the larger lobster-should count for something......

[Infomaniac]

If your paying $5.99 per lb. for jumbo lobster you would be paying $1.20 p/oz. When someone says $6.00 something p/lb they probably mean $6.99 p/lb which mean 30oz. for $42 which comes to $1.40 p/oz.
I actually enjoy cleaning the bugs....I guess it's a nuisance paying less to clean more bugs.

[Stellar D]

I was in Portland Maine this week and the lobster pounds on Commercial St are selling them retail for $3.99/pound! Unbelievable!

[TideTurning]

are restaurants reflecting these cheap prices this summer?

there is a place in salem where the lobster roll is 18 dollars. seems like it should be less with these low prices.

[foodperv]

for a week and a half market basket has had here in lowell an instore special for new shell lobster at 3.99
also someone i work with went 2 weeks ago to markies on hampton beach the cheapest thing on the menu was lobster at 9.99

[chickendhansak]

Foodmaster on Beacon St. in Somerville had 4.99/lb lobsters again this past weekend.

[keencook1]

On the South Shore,at the Quincy Farmers Market (1 vendor Friday afternoon) and the Hingham Farmers Market (2 vendors Saturday morning), you can buy lobster directly from the folks who catch them. Only way to get them any fresher is to catch them yourselves. Prices vary from week to week, but run around $4.50 and up. I'd rather give the money to the lobstermen/women directly for their tasty efforts.

[favorfood]

Are the seasonal lobster price still half off or did they go back up to 19.99 lb?

[Passadumkeg]

They are still $3/ lb off the boat in Maine. So the price should still be low.

[spicymui]

where in maine can we get lobster on the boat??

[Passadumkeg]

You have to know a lobsterman; I teach about 20 of them, sorry.
Welcome to Chowhound.
m

[favorfood]

thats it??? 3 bucks! I didn't even know they fished for lobsyer in Maine this time of year. Some guy must have caughtr a few hundred pounds and flooded the world market . Hence 3 dollars a lb. Should be $8 to $10 a lb of the boat now. The bait is about $4 to catch a lobster.

[favorfood]

I bought some hot dogs for 7.99 a lb.

[favorfood]

this is what lobster should be selling for. fillet mignon use to be typically priced a few months of the year. Summer time a lobster was about twice the cost of farm stand corn. or about a dozen chix for the price of a bushel of clams.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid...