Lobster roll recommendations

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:None of the lobster rolls I've had in this area compare to those you get in Maine. Just...not...enough...lobster. And lobster tail doesn't count. It has to be claws and knuckles only. If you're ever in mid-coast Maine go to Shaw's in New Harbor. Oh my, you'll be in heaven.

Red's Eats in Wiscasset. Done and done.

Native Mainer here. Definitely Red's Eats, but locally the best I've had was at Hank's (and I'm picky)[/quote

Red's Eats is definitely good for those visiting coastal Maine, but still hyped. If I'm hungry and passing there and there's no line, Red's is worth a stop. But my Maine relatives shake their heads in total wonder at those who will stand in a line 30+ deep along Route 1 on an August afternoon.

BTW, lobster rolls are definitely high margin products for the vendors this summer. I've seen lobster rolls as high as $14-$18 even in Maine recently which is a rip off when you consider that the floor has fallen out of lobster prices -- retail is $3.25 to $3.50 a pound this August for shedders, which is what they use for lobster rolls).

[Anonymous]

Red's Eats is definitely good for those visiting coastal Maine, but still hyped. If I'm hungry and passing there and there's no line, Red's is worth a stop. But my Maine relatives shake their heads in total wonder at those who will stand in a line 30+ deep along Route 1 on an August afternoon.

BTW, lobster rolls are definitely high margin products for the vendors this summer. I've seen lobster rolls as high as $14-$18 even in Maine recently which is a rip off when you consider that the floor has fallen out of lobster prices -- retail is $3.25 to $3.50 a pound this August for shedders, which is what they use for lobster rolls).

I have never, ever, driven by Red's Eats and never seen a line (as long as it's open). And I agree with the sentiment - they're great, but not worth the wait.

[Anonymous]

What about making them at home? What would you dress the meat with? Mayo and what else? Is there a special type of roll anybody recommends?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about making them at home? What would you dress the meat with? Mayo and what else? Is there a special type of roll anybody recommends?

As far as bread is concerned, use the cheapest hot dog or hamburger rolls you can find. Butter them up and grill them like you would a grilled cheese.

For the salad, add mayo (or miracle whip) and anything else that sounds good to you - think tuna - onion, celery. Everyone makes it differently.

[Anonymous]

Red hook lobster pound (food truck)
Kinkaids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about making them at home? What would you dress the meat with? Mayo and what else? Is there a special type of roll anybody recommends?

As far as bread is concerned, use the cheapest hot dog or hamburger rolls you can find. Butter them up and grill them like you would a grilled cheese.

For the salad, add mayo (or miracle whip) and anything else that sounds good to you - think tuna - onion, celery. Everyone makes it differently.

If you're from New England it's mayo only in Maine and butter only in Rhode Island. Each roll should be bursting with meat - no less than 8 ounces for sure (and that's the problem with Freddies. I think they must use 4 or 5 oz. max and that just doesn't cut it). Top split hot dog rolls grilled with butter are the bread. Kinda hard to find top split hot dog rolls although Pepperidge Farms makes them but I think they have high fructose corn syrup.

[Anonymous]

I'm from Maine and would never recommend Red's Eats in Wiscasset. A classic Maine lobster is as the pp stated above. A hot dog bun (preferably JJ Nissan brand) toasted with butter and filled with lobster and mayo. Nothing else. Call me a snob but I will not eat lobster outside the state of Maine. The best places are Shaw's in New Harbor or Miller's lobster on the St. George peninsula.

[Anonymous]

I tried Luke's in Bethesda and wasn't impressed. The lobster was fresh, sure, but lacked any flavor whatsoever. The sandwich cost more than $15 for something that sits in the palm of my hand. Too expensive onsideing that lobster is cheap right now...so where are the savings? Unfortunately, Luke's isn't going to last. As it is, everytime I pass by the place there is usually only one soul eating there if at all. Red hook lobster tuk seems better.

[Anonymous]

The hot dog buns have to have the crust sliced off on both the inside and out - and have to be grilled.

Fish Net, Blue Hill, Maine - hands down the best lobster roll anywhere.

[Anonymous]

As long as we're talking Maine... Clam shack in kennebunkport

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm from Maine and would never recommend Red's Eats in Wiscasset. A classic Maine lobster is as the pp stated above. A hot dog bun (preferably JJ Nissan brand) toasted with butter and filled with lobster and mayo. Nothing else. Call me a snob but I will not eat lobster outside the state of Maine. The best places are Shaw's in New Harbor or Miller's lobster on the St. George peninsula.

Yes! Shaw's. I'm heading there next week when I take my daughter to Colby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The hot dog buns have to have the crust sliced off on both the inside and out - and have to be grilled.

Fish Net, Blue Hill, Maine - hands down the best lobster roll anywhere.

They don't have to have the crust sliced off. You just have to use a top split hot dog roll available in New England. Yum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Coastal Flats in NoVA does a pretty decent one. (I grew up in MA.)

Same restaurant group, but Carlyle in shirlington has a great one, when they don't run out of it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The hot dog buns have to have the crust sliced off on both the inside and out - and have to be grilled.

Fish Net, Blue Hill, Maine - hands down the best lobster roll anywhere.

They don't have to have the crust sliced off. You just have to use a top split hot dog roll available in New England. Yum.

Yes. I have never, ever understood why the top load hot dog bun didn't become the norm nationwide. They are superior in every way, for evert kind of meat, to a standard hot dog bun.

To the PP who said, "throw anything in, like tuna salad" - I'm surprised a bolt of lightning didn't strike you down on the spot. Proper lobster rolls are made with mayo - just a touch, to hold it together - nothing else.

Red's Eats is unconventional since the mayo is served on the side, but they do have the loaded to overflowing thing down.

At the end of the day, though, when in Maine I don't waste time finding the best lobster roll - because the ones you get from the little roadside shack in wherevertown are pretty darn good.

[Anonymous]

I just got back from maine.... Aarrggghhh.. Miss it already. There is an over abundance of lobster this season and the prices arecheap... At least up there!!!