Lobster Prices

[jmb79rd]

Anyone know of any good lobster prices this week around the metrowest area?

[krisa20]

Is $5.99 still the going price per pound for lobsters at Market Basket? Does anyone know if the Somerville MB has lobsters? That's the closest one to me.

Finally, what's the difference between the soft and hard shells, is it a big difference?

Thanks!

[galleygirl]

Somerville MB doesn't have lobster....Many past discussions on hard vs. soft on the board....
I agree with the others tho, the less time it spends in the cage before it hits the store, the better...And faster turnover means less time in the tanks in the store, which makes for better flavor, too.

[krisa20]

Thanks, so where is the closest MB w/ lobster, Chelsea? Any idea what the going price per pound is right now?

[ac106]

Is this new? I have gotten lobsters at Somerville MB many times in the past. They dont have a display tank of the floor. You have to order at the deli....

[galleygirl]

Ahh, I didn't know that. I happened to be there for the first time last week, looking for lobstahs, and not only didn't see a display tank, but didn't even see a fish dept., just a case of shrink-wrapped fish...Has it always been like that?

[emannths]

Yeah, unless their tank broke, the Somerville MB has lobsters. They usually skew small, and sometimes run out (heh, what doesn't at the Somerville MB?), so the earlier you go the better, and unless you want 1lb, ask for the biggest they have.

[StriperGuy]

Hard is firmer and too my taste more flavorful.

Soft can be a bit watery and lower lobster meat to shell ratio. In general hard wins thought others may feel differently and definitely a source of some debate/discussion.

[treb]

There are a few lobster wholesalers, that sell to the public, on E. Main in Gloucesta, been 4.99 for just over a week. Hope to see 3.99 soon.

[StriperGuy]

Do they ever have BIG ones 3pound+ and up 5 even, for reasonable $?

[treb]

Yes, I'm going back this wknd and will post again.

[Fishegg]

This weeks flyer, starts Sunday, says MB has them for $4.99.

[StriperGuy]

YESSSS

[Gio]

Dittoooo.....

[krisa20]

That's great! Though, I was looking at the online MB fliers and didn't see it there...

[okra]

That's 'cuz the online ad is for the current week - look at the bottom for the dates (it ends on the 23rd).

http://mydemoulas.com

I know some people like the larger bugs, but ... I cooked lots and lots of lobsters for years, and the bigger they are, the harder they are to cook well so the meat doesn't toughen.

[bakerboyz]

Any cheap prices for lobster today?

[katzzz]

Just bought some lively 1-1/4 pounders at Alive and Kicking in Cambridge for $6.95/lb. One-and-a-half pounders were $8.95/lb. and 2 pounders were a couple buck more than that (don't remember the exact price). Haven't eaten 'em yet, but dinner time approaches!

[okra]

Yesterday I got some chix at Market Basket for $4.99/lb - soft shells all.

Person in front of me was asking for larger sized, and there were none, so....

[emannths]

Yeah, MB has them for $4.99/lb this week. When they're not on sale, they're usually $5.99 or occasionally $6.99/lb. My experience at the Somerville location has been that the selection of sizes skews small--I usually ask for the largest they have, and I don't think I've ever gotten one larger than 1.6lbs or so (though I only buy them a few times a year). But when lobsters and 41/50 frozen shrimp are the same price per lb, how can you go wrong?

[jmb79rd]

Thank you everyone!! Looks like its off to Market Basket!!

[Bellachefa]

For me, equally important to price, is turnover, how long they are in the tanks at the store and how long they are in the tanks if they are bought from a lobsterman's coop. I always ask when the lobsters came in and always ask for a lively buggah, as the ones that have been in the tank too long get sluggish and loose their sweetness.

[emannths]

$5.99/lb at Market Basket through Saturday.

[StriperGuy]

We don't even bother shopping around, MB routinely has close to the best prices on lobsters year round. And they'll cook em for ya if you want.

[Pegmeister]

Can't go wrong with Market Basket, just remember most often they have soft shells, at least that's been my experience. Hannafords & Roche Bros., lobsters are at $11.99 and $12.99 right now. I have a friend that lobsters for a living and he says they're just not crawling so prices will be high until they do.

[LStaff]

I bought lobsters at MB in early July last year and they were hard shells. Just have to ask I guess?

This time of the year, they should mostly be hard shells, no?

[StriperGuy]

Uhhhh, not really true. Biology alone contradicts your statement.

The only time softshells are plentiful anywhere is really July-August.

MB beats just about everyone on the price/quality ratio 10 months out of the year, and even in the summer they often have hard shells. But knock yourself out if you like paying 2X as much.

If you call and ask, they will tell you if they have hard or soft shells. Heck, I remember one hound saying they called the local MB a couple of mornings a week to ask them to hold 4-6 of the bigger (2# or so) ones.

Bought 6 hardshells from MB a month ago (cooked) to make lobster ravioli out of. They were beautiful bugs. I shucked em and my SO made the ravioli. Yum.

[Pegmeister]

I think you may have misunderstood my post. I'm agreeing that MB has some of he best prices around and I am quick to frequent them. It has been "my experience" that most times I've shopped there they have been soft shells. I'm apt to pick up lobsters on my way to NH from June til September, and I have had times that they have been hard shells. That said, I have no problem with soft shells. The rest of the year I get my lobster from my friends and my clams from the diggers. Grew up around it.

[ipsofatso]

4/$25 @ Lynch Lobster, Beverly. Over the bridge. hard right, 100 yards down on the L.

[Pegmeister]

Nice!! I also hope everyone understands that I was only posting the Hannaford/Roche bros prices for information.

[StriperGuy]

Whoops sorry. Misunderstood.

[bagelman01]

Striper, that hound is me. The Deli seafood manager in the Satdium Plaza Tewksbury story (Sean) is always happy to hold the largest in the delivery for me and steam them and have them ready for me at 5:30 for my trip home.

[StriperGuy]

You rule bagelman! Nice idea. Gonna score some bugs later this summer (on the cape right now) and gonna use your routine fo sho.

[bagelman01]

We were in our place on the Cape last week, stopped in the Market Basket in New Bedford on the way and had them steam some lobsters. They were still nice and warm when we arrived in Hyannis. Ate them on the deck, wife and I hate to cook or go out the night we arrive, tired after working and then a 3.5 hour drive.