You're My Lobster...Roll
I couldn't help but sneak a Friends reference in. It was right there. Sorry, not sorry. Although this post is all about eating lobster and not finding your lobster (AKA your soulmate, for those non-Friends fans). But perhaps you could eat lobster rolls with your lobster? I know I do!
In general, I am not really a huge fan of seafood. The majority of seafood is just too "fishy" for me and I can't get behind the consistency of most of it. However, there are a handful of things in the category that I love and lobster happens to be one of them. Of course it is also one of the most expensive types of seafood you can get. Leave it to the cheap girl to like the most expensive style of "sandwich" out there.
Because of the costs, I don't get Lobster Rolls all too often and so when I do, I am always looking for the best of the best. The below are all places that I think fit the bill and I would be happy to pay the price for time and time again.
My goal is to double this list by this time next year, so please feel free to send me your suggestions!
DJ's Clam Shack
Location: Long Island, NY (Wantagh, Stony Brook, Huntington and East Northport)
Their original location is in Key West, FL and they were featured on Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" before expanding into Long Island.
When I first got word that they were coming to Wantagh, I was surprised but extremely excited. I have now been there and ordered from them more times than I can even count. I love that they give you the option of either a hot or a cold lobster roll, which is not something you can choose at all restaurants. They are not cheap on the amount of lobster they give you either and the buttered roll that they serve it on is to die for.
Their Lobster Rolls are so delicious that I can easily understand why they received such high praise and acclaim. We did a Lobster Roll taste test this past summer and DJ's Clam Shack was at the top of my list. They also have fried scallop rolls as a daily special sometimes and those are absolutely amazing as well.
New Wave Seafood
Location: Wantagh, NY
We lived in Wantagh for over 7 years before we realized that this was more than just a fish market. We constantly walked right past it and never even thought that we could get one of the best Lobster Rolls from them. When we eventually realized what we had been missing, Craig's brother Tyler suggested we include it in a Lobster Roll taste test.
I ordered the Warm Lobster Roll (tossed in butter) and this was probably the most substantial roll out of the bunch. It was huge and extremely filling. The other option they offered was a Twin Lobster Roll, which was cold and mixed with celery and mayo and served side-by-side on two smaller buns.
The flavor of both their lobster rolls could not be beat and they ended up as the favorite for half of the group that did the taste test.
Burger & Lobster
Location: New York, NY (Flatiron and Bryant Park)
Craig and I hit up Burger & Lobster on Halloween 2021 after spending the day drinking and at the Halloween parade. This might have effected our opinion of the Lobster Roll, so take that for what it is. Since the restaurant is called Burger & Lobster, we decided to order one burger and one lobster and share them between us.
We went with the cold Lobster Roll and we enjoyed it, but thought it was a little small for the price we paid - especially compared to how much lobster we've gotten on the rolls out in Long Island. Of course since the restaurant is located in Manhattan, the price is understandable and we would still recommend it.
Ed's Lobster Bar
Location: New York, NY (Grand St. and Lafayette St.)
Lobster is what they specialize in at this restaurant and they definitely do it right. There were so many unique lobster-focused menu items that it was almost hard for us to commit to just getting a Lobster Roll. We compromised and agreed on three dishes that we could split between us, including their "signature" roll.
As much as we enjoyed the Lobster Roll, it was outshone by the Lobster Ramen and the House Fried Rice made with lobster and shrimp. The roll was tasty for sure, but it was small and would not have been filling on its own in my opinion. To be clear, I would go back and order it again in a heartbeat, but would still feel compelled to order something else "on the side" as well.
Lazy Lobster
Location: Massapequa Park, NY
Craig and I were originally going to just order one Lobster Roll to share, but we couldn't decided between the Traditional Lobster Roll (cold) and the Connecticut Lobster Roll (hot). Of course that meant we ended up ordering one of each - and we were extremely happy we did. The Traditional Roll was made with mayo and celery and Craig felt like it had a little bit of a smokey taste to it. The Connecticut Roll was covered in warm tarragon citrus butter. They were both serve inside a toasted butter roll with a "pocket" for the lobster and they were very generous with the amount of Lobster they piled into each roll. We absolutely loved them and practically inhaled them.
If you check this place out, I would also make a plug for ordering the sweet potato tater tots on the side. They were the perfect compliment to the rolls and extremely delicious. It is a cute little place with about four tables inside. If you do decide to dine-in, they have alcoholic beverages and non-fish options as well.
BONUS: Bite into Maine
Location: Portland, Maine
How can you go to Maine and not get a Lobster Roll? The answer is you can't. Or you shouldn't at least.
We went to Portland for a weekend just after things started opening back up after Covid, so we were still a little leery about sitting inside bars and restaurants. As such, all the activities we planned were outdoors including the 5 Lighthouse Bike Tour we booked through Summer Feet. I can't say enough good things about our experience on that tour, so if you are ever in Portland I would check it out.
That being said, the bike adventure included a stop at Bite into Maine's lobster food truck located in Fort Williams Park. We got lucky because as part of the tour, the guides got to skip the VERY long line and we got our food super quickly. This was the first cold Lobster Roll I ever had and it was absolutely incredible.
Looking at their Instagram today, I see that they offer a Lobster Roll Flight that includes mini versions of the three different styles of rolls they serve (Maine, CT and Picnic Style). We are going back to Portland in October and I can't wait to hit up this company again. Sorry Craig, you'll have to get your own flight - I won't be sharing!
BONUS: The "Order Something Else" Suggestion
Now that I have pointed you to some of the best lobster rolls, I unfortunately have to warn you against ordering the rolls at Jordan Lobster Farm in Island Park. In general, the restaurant is great and the seafood and lobster have always been tasty and extremely fresh. However, the Lobster Rolls specifically were very expensive and left a lot to be desired.
The roll they served it on was literally a toasted hot dog bun. It could not support the weight of the lobster on top and fell apart almost immediately. The Connecticut Lobster Roll barely had butter on it and we had to ask for extra on the side. The Maine Lobster Roll was covered in too much watery mayo, which overpowered the lobster taste. They also cut the celery up in chunks that were too large in my opinion and put lettuce on it, which I don't think was necessary at all and detracted from the overall taste.
All that being said, they gave us a substantial amount of lobster and it was very fresh. I personally would suggest ordering something else off the menu when you go to Jordan's. The lobster mac and cheese and the scallops were delicious in the past.
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