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East Coast Lobster Rolls

People often ask me what I miss about the East Coast, and New York City in particular. I have various answers including friends and family, the perfect everything bagel (West Coast bakers take note: everything bagels include salt!), the cultural diversity of NYC, great Chinese food, the amazing energy, and I would also add this: the ability to get a delicious lobster roll. Seriously, I grew up on these and they simply define summer vacation to me.

Whether in Maine or on the South Fork of Long Island, I’ve had a lot of delicious East Coast lobster rolls. I haven’t been to the Clam Bar in Amagansett in many years, but I can close my eyes and remember it perfectly. A good lobster roll is not as easy to find in Northern California, and I’ve just never been a huge fan of the most well-known local option.  Like a good roast chicken, sometimes the simplest things are hard to find and made well.  But you can make your amazing lobster roll, and you just might surprise yourself with the quality of what you get.

lobster roll

Made in a purist style, my preferred approach to a great lobster roll is simply to add mayonnaise and diced vegetables to fresh lobster, to serve it on a slightly toasted. buttered roll, and to serve it with a side of potato chips.  Though there are, of course, some possible variations, including involving a tangier or spicier aioli, ratcheting up (or down) the vegetables, and wrapping everything in lettuce rather than a roll or bun.

For those who hate the thought of boiling and deshelling lobster, it’s ok to cheat a bit.  Provided you have a good fresh go-to seafood store near you, buy the fresh-cooked half-split lobsters (never use frozen), or if in a real hurry, have them deshell it for you, which saves even more prep time (though it costs you more $$).  I am a big believer in serving things as fresh as possible.  But I am a mom and a realist: sometimes shortcuts are just required.

lobster roll

And for any who are interested, whether you live on the East Coast or are planning on traveling to the area sometime soon, be sure to pick up a lobster roll at one of these amazing places.  You won’t be disappointed.

Long Island: The Lobster Resturant, Clam Bar, The Dock House, Gosmans  Maine: Reds Eats, Bagaduce Lunch, The Clam Shack, Five Islands Lobster Co. New York: Greenpoint Fish & Lobster Company, Grand Banks, Pearl Oyster Bar, The John Dory Oyster Bar, Ed’s Lobster Bar

About the Author

Andrea Potischman

I am a professionally trained NYC chef turned CA mom and food blogger. I post about real food, with doable ingredient lists that are family friendly.

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