Those of us who love lobster rolls have more options these day. When we first moved to Boston, we quickly learned that if you saw the words "lobster roll" on a menu, it was most likely a "lobster salad roll" with mayonnaise and perhaps fillers.
Here's a photo of a lobster salad roll from Mark H. Anbinder's Flickr photostream. (Used under this creative commons license.)
This looks like a good version with crisp lettuce and little filler. For those who love mayo and don't mind the fillers, there are dozens of great versions of this around the area. But, it is a "lobster salad roll" not a "lobster roll" to those of us who grew up around the Southern Rhode Island or Connecticut seacoast.
Think for a moment. If a menu reads "chicken sandwich," would you expect it to be a "chicken salad sandwich?"
Where to Find Lobster Rolls!
The question of where to get a Hot Buttered Lobster Roll came up on the Boston Trip Advisor Forum recently. That will give you some recommendations from other Boston sources.
Here's where we enjoy lobster rolls – hot or cold but all with no mayo or fillers. (We do welcome a nicely buttered and grilled roll and a bit of drawn butter on the side.)
Neptune Oyster's Hot Buttered Lobster Roll broke the mold for Bostonians. Suddenly, we had a place to go for a great lobster roll. Other places caught on and today we have many great options.
Jake's Seafood in Hull has always given us the same lobster roll we knew and loved from Rhode Island seafood shacks. Jake's menu reads, "Our classic! A full 1/4lb. of freshly picked lobster meat on a traditional hotdog bun (toasted with butter upon request), served with mayo on the side."
Belle Isle Seafood in Winthrop is another place where we can ask for our lobster roll our way. You can also order it with mixed lobster meat or lobster tail meat.
The Lobster Pool in Rockport provides a great lobster roll or lobster salad roll, your choice, with a fantastic view of the Atlantic Ocean crashing on the rocky shore.
James Hook & Company has lobster salad rolls ready to go in their case on busy days. But, they will be happy to make a lobster roll for you if you ask. They'll even toast the roll on request and provide a side of butter. We love to take their lobster rolls to a table on the harbor walk along the Fort Point channel.
Row 34, over in Fort Point, serves their lobster roll with slaw and homemade chips. (We opted out of the slaw.)
As more places add lobster rolls to their menus, we'll check them out. Let us know if you have a place you think we should try.
We can't recommend any lobster roll or lobster salad roll that uses frozen lobster in whole or in part. Some places who serve lobster salad rolls have said they could make a lobster roll and when it arrives, it is made with frozen lobster. Why would a seaside shop have frozen lobster on hand? It may be that they use all or a percentage of frozen lobster in their lobster salad.
Fillers like celery or a bed of lettuce in the roll are another way to cut the cost of the roll and perhaps offer it at a low price.
Summer is a great time to enjoy a trip to the shore and this New England specialty. Let us know your favorite lobster rolls and lobster salad rolls.
We have full posts on each of these places. Here are the links.
Jake's Seafood: Ocean Craving Satisfied with Lobster Roll Bonus!
Daytrip to the Lobster Pool in Rockport, MA
Neptune Oyster Lobster Roll – A best bite!
Belle Isle: Lobster Rolls at the Reservation
Row 34 Restaurant: Our First Look
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino and Lobster Salad Roll from Mark H. Anbinder's Flickr photostream. (Used under this creative commons license.)
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