My boyfriend and I live in NY but want to drive up the coast in search of the best lobster roll. I know some places are seasonal and we're too late for those places but we still want to go this month or next. Are there any suggestions for lobster rolls up the coast from NY through Cape Cod and Boston up to Maine)?
Thanks!
iamtheresa
Oct 09, 2009 10:11AM
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North of Boston there is Bob Lobster in Newburyport/Plum Island. They're open year 'round, but the only "dining" room they have off the store is not heated (little space heater helps some...I hunker down in my jacket). Most of the good places on the Cape are closed by now (or will be after this weekend). Not sure if Kelly's in Revere is open...they are well-tauted on the boards.
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You'll find a lot of posts on this.. and I think the rolls change a bit - CT rolls are hot with butter, whereas Maine rolls are cold and often have some mayo.
But up by me, when I can I've hit Belle Isle Seafood near East Boston, and Red's Eats up in Wiscasset, and Young's Lobster Pound near Belfast, ME and been happy... but there are many other options as well...
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That is a lot of ground to cover, with many a good lobster roll. Here in the New Haven area,
Lenny & Joe's in Madison (95 off of the Hammomasett Beach exit 60?) or The Glenwood Drive In, Hamden RT 15 off exit 61, go right about a mile are your best bets
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Every time I go to New Bedford I get the lobster roll at Freestones. Big chunks of lobster a little mayo, celery, on a toast hot dog roll with fries. I've never been dissappointed.
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I had the lobster roll at Freestones this past summer based on a rec on this board that described it exactly as you have. Big chunks of lobster, etc. I was surprised by the glowing review as I worked in New Bedford for 10 years and Freestones was always considered a place to get mediocre food in a nice old building. The Lobster roll I received, and the others I saw being served, were all shredded and chopped lobster meat, dry with no flavor, on a crummy hogie roll. Not a single chunk in the whole sandwich.The fries were greasy, soggy and none too hot. $16.99 if I remember correctly. There are so many places that will be open that do a great job.Why go to one of the worst? As has been said, however, most of the best places on the Cape will close soon.
Oh, and the person who was so effusive in his praise of Freestone's lobster roll? Turns out he was later outed as the lobster supplier for the restaurant! HA!
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Unfortunately the Hitching Post in Charlestown, RI on RT 1 is closed for the season now, but from mid may to Columbus day serves up a Connecticut style lob roll(warm buttered bun) with 3 claws per roll!!!! for 13$ definitely check this out next summer
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Once the seasonal "shacks" close the options are definitely more limited.
Falmouth Sea Grill (Falmouth, ME) offers good version on their lunch/bar menu. Nice views of Casco Bay (especially upstairs).
Broad Arrow Tavern, inside Harraseekett Inn (Freeport, ME) will offer lobster rolls year round.
Linda Bean (descendant of LL Bean) has two places in Freeport for you to indulge.
57 Main St, Freeport, ME 04032
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As I've posted before re. Linda Bean's "perfect" maine lobster roll: if you're ok with miracle whip, then you should like it.
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Wow, Shooley. You're certainly anti-miracle whip. What gives?
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I'm with Shooley, as I've openly voiced on other posts. Miracle Whip is SOOOOO sweet (2-3x the sugar as regular mayo). It just overpowers things, IMO. The lobster sandwich at Chauncy Creek Lobster Pound (Kittery, ME) is loaded with it...awful!
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Ewwww, so am I. Miracle Whip is awful, sweet & disgusting. It should never be allowed to soil perfectly good lobster meat.
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Ok, Armychow, next time I see you, you'll get double Miracle Whip on your ham sandwich!
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"Miracle Whip will not tone it down!" The bad taste, that is. So inferior to good mayonnaise...
OTOH, I wouldn't let them put a good mayo on my lobster.
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I am so thankful you mentioned the miracle whip thing because it never occurred to me that someone would do that to lobster. Shameful.
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One of the best I've ever had was at the Matunuck Oyster Bar in Rhode Island.
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We were in Cape Cod two weeks ago and shared a terrific lobster roll at the Raw Bar in Hyannis (next to the Hy-Line). Huge chunks of lobster, very little mayo and no filler. My only suggestion would be to toast and butter the roll.
Some on this board do not agree with me on this, so take it with a grain of salt and enjoy!
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Awesome - thanks for the suggestions!
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My wife swears by the lobster roll at Lenny & Joes Fish Tale in Westbrook.
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There is a cart near Nellie Greene's restaurant in Branford, CT. Everyone has told me that the lobster rolls there are great. They also have grilled clams.
There is another place in Clinton, CT. called Lobster Landing which has great lobster rolls. I can vouch for that one.
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