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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEW ENGLAND STYLE LOBSTER ROLL
It’s not summer in New England without a lobster roll, made by piling heaps of fresh lobster meat into a toasted New England-style hot dog bun. There is a lobstah to love about these shellfish sandwiches, which are synonymous with the region, especially Maine.
While the lobster roll is often associated with Maine, likely because it is typically made with Maine lobster and can be found t seafood shacks throughout the state, the first version was actually made in Connecticut in the 1920s. Many credit the now-shuttered Perry’s restaurant in Milford, Connecticut, as inventing the iconic lobster sandwich with hunks of lobster meat on a buttered grilled bun, served warm drawn butter.
What is a Lobster Roll Made of?
A lobster roll is typically made with lobster knuckle, claw meat, and tail meat. The meat is stuffed on a white split-top roll that resembles a hot dog bun. They are made with the following ingredients:
- Lobster
- New England-style, split-top buns
- Butter
- Mayonnaise
- Lemon juice
Lobster rolls are served either cold or hot. Cold versions are made with mayonnaise and lemon juice and sometimes Old Bay Seasoning or celery. The hot variation is doused with melted butter. These famous lobster sandwiches are commonly served with potato chips, coleslaw, or pickles.
What Does a Lobster Roll Taste Like?
This crave-worthy crustacean-filled sandwich is a New England staple that tastes like summertime on a bun. With the addition of mayonnaise and lemon or warm butter, lobster rolls have a salty, briny flavor with a touch of sweetness.
Lobster is a meaty crustacean that lacks a “fishy” taste if it’s fresh. Fresh lobster has a sweet, light taste and melts in the mouth. The lightness of lobster makes this sandwich a refreshing option for summer. Typically, the lobster meat falls out of the bun as you take a big bite of the hand-held sandwich. Some modern interpretations of lobster rolls include lobster meat drizzled with nutty brown butter.
What Are the 2 Types of Lobster Rolls?
There are two classic types of lobster rolls: Maine lobster rolls and Connecticut lobster rolls:
- Maine lobster rolls are cold lobster rolls made with cooked lobster that is chilled and mixed with mayo.
- Connecticut lobster rolls are hot lobster rolls made with cooked lobster that is drenched in clarified butter. Sometimes, the butter is served on the side for dunking.
Both types of lobster rolls are served on the same kind of grilled split-top bun.
Read More: What is a Lobster Tail Pastry?
Is a Lobster Roll Hot or Cold?
Lobster rolls can be served hot or cold. Both kinds are served on soft and fluffy buns that have been sliced on top, forming a pocket for the lobster meat.
Hot versions are made with warm drawn butter. The warm lobster sandwich variation is called Connecticut lobster rolls. Cold lobster rolls are made with lobster meat that is mixed with a touch of mayonnaise and, oftentimes, salt, pepper, seasoning, lemon, and, sometimes, celery. These simple sandwiches are also known as Maine lobster rolls.
Is the Lobster Cooked in a Lobster Roll?
Yes, the lobster in a lobster roll is cooked. The whole live lobster is dropped into a large pot of salted boiling water. Once fully cooked, the boiled lobster is cracked open and the meat is picked out. Then, the warm lobster meat is stuffed into a roll or the meat is chilled and made into a lobster salad with a touch of mayonnaise for a cold lobster roll.
Most Famous Lobster Rolls
Some of the most shell-abrated lobster rolls are made with fresh-from-the-boat lobster from the wicked coast of Maine.
Named #1 Lobster Roll in Maine: McLoons Lobster Shack
McLoons Lobster Shack is a hidden gem in South Thomaston, Maine. Founded in 2012, the family-run lobster shack is on Spruce Head Island, a privately owned island in Penobscot Bay, Maine. McLoons Lobster Shack makes its signature lobster rolls with sweet lobster meat from lobsters caught just steps from the restaurant.
Authentic Maine Lobster Experience: Hancock Gourmet Lobster Co.
Hancock Gourmet Lobster Co. is “Maine From Scratch.” Topsham, Maine’s Hancock Gourmet Lobster Co. sources its lobster from local lobstermen and the cream and butter used to make the lobster rolls comes from local dairies. One bite of this taste of Maine, and you’ll be hooked.
World-Class Lobster Rolls: Luke’s Lobster
Straight from the Gulf of Maine, Luke’s Lobster is a family-run restaurant making legendary lobster rolls. The Portland, Maine restaurant was started by third generation lobstermen Luke Holden in 2009. Each of Luke’s lobster rolls is made with Luke’s Secret Seasoning and overflowing with fresh, succulent lobster meat.
We’re cray cray for lobster rolls. Seas the day and enjoy the freshest lobster rolls shipping straight from the dock to your door nationwide on Goldbelly!
Read More: Maine Vs Connecticut Lobster Rolls