Seeking a Lobster Roll In Lower Manhattan

[Fydeaux]

My wife and I are returning to NYC in May for the first time in about 4 & a half years. On our last trip, I had a lobster roll at The Lobster Place in the Chelsea Market and loved it, and I would like to try more on this trip. We will be staying in the heart of The Village and I am looking for recommendations within walking distance (Qualifier: I am willing to walk a LONG way.)

Can you please tell me where you find your favourite and share why it is your favourite? As I said, the one I had at The Lobster Place was delicious, but I dont necessarily need one just like it; if there are differing styles, I'd like to experience them.

Many thanks.

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The Lobster Place
252 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014

[Miss Rennie]

Luke's just keeps getting better. Now they have not only some very tasty chowders and bisques, but grilled lobster half-tails, 3 for 15 bucks. I have learned to order the lobster roll with mayo only (very little) and not the butter (lemony) or seasoning (weirdly metallic). They're happy to do it your way.

[ps22]

Mary's Fish Camp is still my favorite, closely followed by Pearl Oyster and Mermaid Inn in east village. I haven't been to Luke's or Ed's though yet. Ditch Plains also has one that people like, but I don't consider it as good as the ones listed above.

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Pearl Oyster Bar
18 Cornelia St, New York, NY 10014

Mary's Fish Camp
64 Charles St, New York, NY 10014

Mermaid Inn
96 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003

Ditch Plains
29 Bedford St, New York, NY 10014

[CMG920]

Luke's has a great lobster roll. Still thinking about it two weeks later. I personally love The Mermaid Inn as well because it's served on a butter brioche bun rather than a hot dog roll. Not too much mayo and delicious. Served with Old Bay Fries.

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Mermaid Inn
96 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003

[tekno]

Also agree on Luke's. In fact, i had delivery from there tonight for the 2nd time this week! i also suggest trying their new england clam chowder...amazing. Mermaid Inn is great too. If you find yourself in mid-town and are willing to spend a little extra dough, Oceana has a great lobster roll as well.

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Mermaid Inn
96 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003

Oceana
120 W 49th St, New York, NY 10020

[Fydeaux]

A couple of places have been recommended by friends; does anyone have opinions of BLT Fish or City Crab?

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BLT Fish
21 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011

[lexismore]

Overall, the food at both BLT Fish and City Crab is nowhere near as good as the food at Pearl's, Mary's, or Luke's.

I found the lobster roll at BLT Fish to be particularly disappointing.

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BLT Fish
21 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011

[yorkvillian]

Nobody mentioned Bongo, i was at the one on the westrside highway on friday night and had a fantastic Lobster Roll there. Not one of the more popular ones in town, but they do a great job!

[Fydeaux]

Thank you all for all the suggestions. It looks like I'll be checking out Luke's for certain, and I'll try to hit Mary's and Pearl too.

[EV_Eats]

Luke's is by far the best in my opinion. Mermaid Inn ain't too shabby either, but use Luke's as a benchmark.
____
http://www.eveats.com

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Mermaid Inn
96 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003

[edwardspk]

It depends largely on whether you want mayo in your lobster roll or not. Luke's is pretty much pure lobster and butter. But my personal preference is Pearl. Not only because I like the lobster roll the best, but also for the amazing fried oysters and gorgeous clam chowder. There's just more on the menu I like at Pearl than the other places.

[stuartlafonda]

Pearl and Mary's are both great and have been for many years. Consistency is important, particularly when you only have one shot.. Do not go to Ed"s. I was there last week for lunch for the first time in quite a while and the lobster roll was not good. The roll contained tail meat almost exclusively and was very tough and stringy. Fries and pickles were good and the clam chowder was great, but the lobster roll was sub par.

[dietndesire]

Still Pearl's Oyster.

[RGR]

Thumbs way up for the lobster roll at Pearl's. They don't take reservations, so the best time to get a table without much of a wait, if any, is late lunch.

Photos of the lobster roll at Pearl's can be viewed here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391...

[ChefJune]

What's all that "stuff" on top of the sandwich, and what role does it play?

[thew]

lettuce and some french fry spill over

[boccalupo]

I second Luke's. Mostly a take out place, with a few stools and counteres.

The three main places to get lobster roll in a more sit down (but still casual) environment are Pearl Oyster Bar, Mary's Fish Camp and Ed's Lobster Bar. If your wallet permits, try them all and see which one you like best. The first two are in the Village and Ed's is in Soho.

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Pearl Oyster Bar
18 Cornelia St, New York, NY 10014

Ed's Lobster Bar
222 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012

Mary's Fish Camp
64 Charles St, New York, NY 10014

[thew]

+1 on pearl

[lexismore]

I love both Pearl's and Mary's, with a slight preference for Pearl's. I find the Lobster Place to be ok, but not nearly as good as either. All are pretty heavy on the mayonnaise.

I haven't been to Luke's yet, but I've heard (and it was mentioned on this thread) they're great if you're looking for less mayo.

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The Lobster Place
252 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014

[Jess321]

I know that the price changes since it's based on the market value of the lobster, but how much is the average lobster roll at Pearl's? Or any of the places listed I guess! Just so I have an idea.

[small h]

Luke's menu is online:

http://www.lukeslobster.com/menu/

I don't think the price varies.

[thew]

i seem to recall either 26 or 28, but that's off the top of my head and i dont swear to it

[RGR]

Checking my Flickr photo, I see we paid $27 (at the end of last June).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391...

[MinhLikesFood]

I'm a fan of Luke's Lobster: http://www.lukeslobster.com/ 7th b/w 1st and A. They don't use too much mayo and toast the bread perfectly. It's also pretty cheap compared to the Mary's and Pearl's, but it is a bit on the smaller side too. I find myself eating 1 and 1/2 normally.

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Luke's Lobster
93 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009

[PhishFoodie]

also +1 for Luke's . And Ed's .

[gloriousfood]

+2 for Luke's.