Nothing says summer like biting into a perfect lobster roll – that heavenly combo of sweet meat and buttery goodness. From Maine to California, chefs put their own spin on this classic seafood sandwich.
Some lobster rolls are universally praised while others cause heated debates among seafood lovers. Let’s dive into America’s lobster roll scene – the undisputed champions and the controversial contenders!
1. Red’s Eats (Wiscasset, Maine)
The granddaddy of all lobster rolls! This tiny roadside shack serves up what many consider the gold standard. Their monster-sized roll overflows with more than a whole lobster’s worth of meat.
Barely dressed with just a swipe of mayo or melted butter (your choice), Red’s lets the sweet lobster flavor shine through. Expect long lines – sometimes over an hour – but devotees swear it’s worth every minute.
2. Neptune Oyster (Boston, Massachusetts)
Bostonians buzz about this North End gem for good reason. Neptune offers two perfect versions: the cold Maine-style with mayo or the hot Connecticut-style drenched in clarified butter.
Served on a brioche roll rather than the traditional split-top, this upscale twist sparks passionate debates. The perfectly toasted, slightly sweet bread cradles a generous portion of claw and knuckle meat that’s worth every penny of its premium price.
3. Eventide Oyster Co. (Portland, Maine)
Breaking all the rules in the best way possible! Eventide’s brown butter lobster roll reimagines the classic with warm meat bathed in nutty brown butter stuffed into a steamed Asian-style bun. Small but mighty, this unique creation delivers an intense flavor punch.
Maine purists might raise eyebrows at the non-traditional approach, but food critics nationwide have fallen hard for this innovative twist that balances tradition with culinary creativity.
4. Abbott’s Lobster In The Rough (Noank, Connecticut)
Connecticut-style perfection since 1947! Abbott’s hot lobster roll comes on a toasted hamburger bun – heresy to some, but magic to others. The quarter-pound version satisfies most appetites, but true lobster lovers go for the OMG (with 10 ounces of meat) or the OMFG (a full pound).
The warm, butter-soaked chunks showcase the sweetness that makes Connecticut rolls distinctive. Waterfront picnic tables complete the quintessential New England experience.
5. Woodman’s Of Essex (Essex, Massachusetts)
A century of seafood expertise shows in every bite at this North Shore institution. Their classic cold roll features perfectly chilled meat with just enough mayo to bind it together – never drowning the delicate flavor.
What makes Woodman’s special is their consistency. While fancy restaurants experiment with exotic additions, Woodman’s sticks to what works: simple, fresh ingredients.
6. Cousin’s Maine Lobster (Food Trucks Nationwide)
From Shark Tank to street food stardom! These bright blue trucks bring authentic Maine lobster rolls to cities across America. Cousin’s offers both Maine and Connecticut styles using genuine Maine lobster.
The meat arrives fresh, never frozen, even in landlocked states thousands of miles from the ocean. Their consistency across locations has won over skeptics who doubted food truck quality.
7. The Clam Shack (Kennebunkport, Maine)
Winner of multiple lobster roll competitions, The Clam Shack does things differently. Instead of the standard split-top bun, they serve their lobster on a round, locally-baked roll that’s somehow both pillowy and sturdy.
The real genius? They offer a combo of both butter AND mayo – a little dollop of each. Fresh-picked meat comes from lobsters boiled in ocean water piped directly from the adjacent Kennebunk River.
8. Bite Into Maine (Cape Elizabeth, Maine)
Picture this: munching on a perfect lobster roll while lighthouse views and crashing waves provide the soundtrack. That’s the Bite Into Maine experience at Fort Williams Park. What started as a food truck now offers six different styles, from the traditional Maine (mayo) and Connecticut (butter) to creative versions like curry, chipotle, and wasabi.
Purists might scoff, but these bold variations have earned a devoted following among adventurous eaters looking beyond the classics.
9. Lobster Landing (Clinton, Connecticut)
Hot, buttery heaven in a humble shack! This unassuming spot on the Connecticut shoreline serves what many consider the state’s finest hot lobster roll. Quarter-pound of claw and knuckle meat gets a generous butter bath before landing on a toasted sub roll.
What makes it special? The meat-to-bun ratio is perfect – enough bread to hold it together but never overwhelming the star attraction.
10. Luke’s Lobster (Multiple Locations)
Controversial? You bet. Luke’s rapid expansion from NYC to international locations makes purists suspicious, but their commitment to sustainable Maine lobster remains impressive. Their signature style features chilled meat with minimal mayo, a swipe of butter, and a secret seasoning blend on a split-top bun.
Some critics claim the rolls lack the generosity of mom-and-pop shops, while defenders appreciate the consistent quality and traceability of their seafood supply chain.
11. Hinoki & The Bird (Los Angeles, California)
West Coast rebellion in roll form! This upscale LA restaurant created a lobster roll that divides opinion like no other. The meat gets tossed with green curry aioli and Thai basil before nestling in a jet-black charcoal bun. East Coast traditionalists practically foam at the mouth over this creation.
Is it even a lobster roll anymore? Defenders argue it’s a delicious evolution that respects the spirit while embracing California’s Asian fusion influences.
12. The Ordinary (Charleston, South Carolina)
Southern charm meets New England tradition! This Charleston seafood hall raises eyebrows with its lobster roll featuring brown butter hollandaise instead of plain butter or mayo.
Served on a house-made brioche bun with a hint of lemon, it’s a divisive creation. Some praise the creamy, complex flavor profile as an elevation of the form. Others consider it unnecessarily fussy.
13. Smack Shack (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Landlocked lobster that sparks debate! This Minneapolis hotspot began as a food truck before expanding into a full restaurant serving Connecticut-style rolls with a Midwestern twist.
Their signature move? Poaching the lobster in butter rather than just drizzling it on top. Some find this technique creates an unbeatable richness, while critics argue it overwhelms the delicate meat.
14. Mary’s Fish Camp (New York, New York)
NYC’s answer to the lobster roll debate! Mary’s West Village institution serves a polarizing creation that’s either brilliant or blasphemous, depending who you ask. The meat gets a generous mayo coating plus – controversially – chopped celery and scallions.
Served on a toasted, buttered Pepperidge Farm top-split, it’s massive enough to require two hands.
15. Acadia House Provisions (Stonington, Maine)
Chef Ryan McCaskey’s upscale approach to the Maine classic raises eyebrows and expectations. The lobster gets poached in beurre monté (a rich butter emulsion) before being chilled and dressed with crème fraîche, chives, and lemon.
Served on a brioche bun with house-made salt and vinegar chips, it’s undeniably delicious but controversial. Traditionalists question whether such fancy treatment honors or obscures the lobster’s natural flavor.
16. Son Of A Gun (Los Angeles, California)
West Coast controversy in miniature form! This LA hotspot serves a tiny lobster roll that costs as much as full-sized East Coast versions, sparking heated value debates.
The mini brioche bun comes loaded with celery, aioli, and lemon – flavors that either enhance or mask the lobster, depending on your perspective. Defenders call it a perfect two-bite indulgence that captures the essence of lobster rolls. Critics see it as style over substance and an example of LA’s food scene pretensions.
17. Bob’s Clam Hut (Kittery, Maine)
Old-school simplicity that divides modern palates! This Maine institution since 1956 serves a no-frills roll that some find refreshingly authentic and others consider underwhelming. The debate centers on portion size – Bob’s serves a more modest amount of lightly-dressed meat compared to Instagram-famous competitors.
Yet many locals defend this approach as representing the true everyday Maine roll before social media demanded photogenic excess.
18. Lobster Bar Sea Grille (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
Florida luxury or unnecessary excess? This upscale seafood restaurant serves what might be America’s most controversial lobster roll – the $32 “Lobster Roll Royale.” Warm Maine lobster gets tossed with cognac-infused lobster butter and truffle aioli before landing on a gold-dusted brioche bun.
Even the garnish is over-the-top: crispy pancetta and micro greens.