Yes. Red's Eats is mentioned in a Maine thread or two that's around here.

I should have know better than to try to slip one by the members of LTH.......for shame.

I Do It Daily wrote:

Yes. Red's Eats is mentioned in a Maine thread or two that's around here.

I should have know better than to try to slip one by the members of LTH.......for shame.

There's a Red's lobster roll photo (and others) over here.

Best,
Michael

Finally tried the Lobster Roll at Shaw's, horrible! Waste of 20 bucks, not enough meat and the bread/bun was too thick and overpowered any lobster that was inside.... I think I have officially given up on finding a decent new england style Lobster Roll in chicagoland, I guess I'll just have to plan an east coast vacation instead!

I just got back from Boston and had a Lobster Roll at B & G Oysters. It was my first lobster roll, so I can't say if it was authentic, but it was delicious. A nice, eggy bun, a VERY generous heaping of lobster lightly tossed in some sort of dressing, some vinegar based coleslaw on the side. Maybe it was the beer, maybe it was the half dozen fresh oysters I had just consumed, but damn if I won't go back there for lunch next time I'm in Boston.

I know Cathy 2 mentioned that you can buy unsplit rolls at Woodman's but does anyone know of any other stores in the NW burbs to buy them?

Anyone try the lobster roll at GT Fish or Fish Bar?

http://timeoutchicago.com/restaurants-b ... comparison

Tried it at Fish Bar on Friday. While the bun was right and the portion a good size, I felt it was really sabotaged by the curry mayo. Lobster is so delicate and should be allowed to speak for itself with just the lightest bit of citrus and mayo; while I love curry mayo in other applications, this was disappointing.

I had a lobster roll sandwich at Glenn's Diner a few weeks ago and I enjoyed it. I really did not care that it was out of its element. I was hungry it sounded appealing and it tasted good.

What do you mean that it was out of its element?

annak wrote:Tried it at Fish Bar on Friday. While the bun was right and the portion a good size, I felt it was really sabotaged by the curry mayo. Lobster is so delicate and should be allowed to speak for itself with just the lightest bit of citrus and mayo; while I love curry mayo in other applications, this was disappointing.

I posted this morning in the Fish Bar thread about my enjoyment of the lobster roll, and I'll respectfully disagree with annak here. I felt like I was getting good lobster flavor in every bite.

I also enjoyed the lobster roll at Fish Bar last night, and I thought it was a wonderful rendition. I did not find the curry overwhelming at all, and each bite had big chunks of lobster in it. It was so good, I had an urge to pick another lobster roll up from Burhop's, only to find it doesn't quite measure up to Fish Bar. Both are still good, with using big buttered and toasted sliced brioche instead of a typical hot dog bun.

Somethings just do not travel well and I'm afraid a lobster roll is one of them.
Besides not being able to get the traditional slab sided buns (Toasted in butter) that fit in a paper sleeve, the lobster needs to be fresh picked and the seasoning minimal. I don't know if many chefs in the Midwest have a actually had a lobster roll in Maine or maybe they just decide to do their own thing because who would know what the roll is supposed to be like in the Midwest?-Dick

This week, not having had a lobster roll since my last trip to New England, I had two. One on Monday at G T Fish and Oyster, and the second yesterday at Lalali Bakery and Cafe in Westmont

The edge goes to Westmont.
Lobster roll! by yooperann, on Flickr

Neither would stand a chance in New England, but I wasn't sorry I tried the Westmont roll and might even do it again. ( G & T had lots of lovely seafood, but the lobster roll was totally nondescript). Instead of using a local bun of any kind, the folks at Lalali take a large thick slice of a good white bread (challah, maybe) and butter it and then fold it around the lobster. Not over-seasoned. Lots of chunky Maine lobster, as you can see. Served with a variety of sides and salads. I can recommend the clam chowder as well.

Lalali Bakery and Cafe
20 North Cass Avenue
Westmont, IL 60559-1602
(630) 971-2233
Open Monday through Saturday, 7 to 7.

The capital grill has a lobster roll on it's lunch menu, has anyone tried it? Not a bad deal for 15.00 with a side and soup/salad.


http://www.thecapitalgrille.com/plates/Menu-lunch.asp

I'm sorry, this isn't fair since I'm writing from Boston, but we like our lobster rolls chunky, lightly kissed with mayo (or you can get it warm with butter which is Connecticut style) and served on a crappy hot dog bun. Better places will butter and grill the bun. The point is the lobster, plain and simple.

Here's a picture of my first lobster roll of the season, from Kelly's -- a local institution known for the roast beef sandwiches but also putting out a great lobster roll. With a bag of Utz chips and an Arnold Palmer, or just straight up iced tea, it's a ritual that I am very happy to revert to several times during the summer.



As noted upthread, Neptune Oyster and B&G in Boston both do respectable lobster rolls.

porklet wrote:

At first glance, I thought, "Wha?? Are those tomato wedges on that lobster roll?" But then I realized they were big chunks of lobster meat. Then I felt a little embarrassed. Then I felt nothing but seething jealousy. And then utter soul-crushing disappointment for living in landlocked Central Illinois. There you have it, my own version of the five stages of grief over a lobster roll experienced in about 30 seconds.

Also Glenn's Diner has lobster roll on the menu. It seemed good to me but I've never had a lobster roll in New England.

"At first glance, I thought, "Wha?? Are those tomato wedges on that lobster roll?" But then I realized they were big chunks of lobster meat. Then I felt a little embarrassed. Then I felt nothing but seething jealousy. And then utter soul-crushing disappointment for living in landlocked Central Illinois. There you have it, my own version of the five stages of grief over a lobster roll experienced in about 30 seconds."


Fantastic! I hope you didn't skip the important step of "bargaining" ie: "well, flights to Boston aren't THAT expensive" and "hey, given the price of lobster here, it's actually a DEAL to fly to Boston" and so on....

Freshness aside, I can't comprehend why no establishment in the Chicagoland area can create a faithful copycat of an authentic east coast lobster roll as pictured above, just chunks of lobster meat, slight mayo and a simple bun. Is it really that hard?!? And dont reply with the notion of but that's what makes traveling/visiting other cities worthwhile and fun, etc, I would love to be able to eat that every week without it costing 20 dollars and or the lobster roll taking creative liberties on a sandwich that is best prepared simply.

Yes, if only we had access to fresh (live, even) lobsters in Illinois. It will never happen.

I personally like a little finely chopped onion and celery in the mix and pepper and dash of season salt. As long as the lobster is fresh and not bad (we know it will never be sea side fresh here in Chicago........what's not to like. Lobster of any kind is one of my favorite foods. When I really like something I have a hard time not coming to the party if it is featured. Here is the excerpt from Glenn's menu...not twenty bucks there.

LOBSTER ROLL THAT ATE MONTROSE AVE
...cool lobster salad...warm French bread...bring your own
hot dog bun if you must...mayo, red onions, celery,
chopped lobster...talk to me after your first bite...uh...yea,
real lobster …………………..…………………….…….$15.99

JeffB wrote:Yes, if only we had access to fresh (live, even) lobsters in Illinois. It will never happen.

What are those things I always used to see swimming around in the tank at Red Lobster? Mostly dead lobsters?

I've had the lobster roll at Glenn's. It is, like probably many of the "lobster rolls" in Chicago, an enjoyable sandwich. But it's not a lobster roll in any authentic sense.

I guess we need to know the current price of a live lobster in Chicago. I would use one 1.5 pounder for a stuffed roll. Then you can chew on the little feeties.

I don't think it was ever mentioned on this thread when they started to offer them but Frank's 'n Dawgs offers a lobster roll on Friday's and Saturday's if they don't run out Friday. I tried one today since my first thought the first time I ate at Frank's when they opened was how good their buns are, ala the great lobster shacks of New England. It was good but were not in New England here with the sound of waves in our ears and the smell of the ocean in the air, so it cant be great.


Lobster Roll from Frank's 'n Dawgs

Just comparing it in size to the pic up above from Kelly's in MA makes Frank's look mediocre. The bun was great, 1/4 sweet lobster meat (more underneath the claw) and not much else except some celery that I tasted which was nice and a side of slaw with capers and carrots. Good but pricey ($17.95), then again it's real Maine lobster, they buy them live.


The insides

Frank's 'n Dawgs
1863 N Clybourn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614-4901
(312) 281-5187

chicago fails....yet, if you are in new york.

luke's lobster on 7th street near 1st ave does a great lobster roll. they have multiple locations around the city.

toasted bun warm. lobster cold. meat dressed lightly with lemon butter. drop of mayo, near the bun.

vinegar chips and sodas.

fantastic.

"Unsplit rolls can be purchased at least at Woodman's. "

I did pick up a package, toasted all three sides in butter until golden brown as appropriate and served with fresh cooked, shelled and cooled Maine lobsters acquired from H Mart (on sale last week for $5.99/#) (summer lobster but still very good) with a little QP mayo and just a little finely chopped celery. A very good imitation and certainly better than I suspect I could get in any Chicago restaurant and certainly better that the product pictured in the Thread without a toasted bun.
But the top slice buns at Woodman's are not fluffy enough but do soften under frying but are not quite same and because the paper sleeves are not available, it is hard to stuff the lobster meat in the bun and then not have the meat fall out, well it's actually impossible.
Stick to Lobster Shacks on the East Coast or make you own, is my opinion.-Dick
BTW, a few years ago I did purchase from King Arthur Flour a mold that supposedly allowed you to make you own flat sided buns. Never could get the correct density of finished product but it may still be available from King Arthur if anyone else would care to try!
http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/ite ... og-bun-pan

I wouldn't mind trying this one:

teatpuller wrote:I guess we need to know the current price of a live lobster in Chicago. I would use one 1.5 pounder for a stuffed roll. Then you can chew on the little feeties.

I've been buying live lobster for $8.95lb on a consistent basis from Super H Mart in Niles and Sea Food Market on Argyle.

I used to frequent Supreme Lobster in Villa Park but their prices have gone north of $12.50lb and the service level has dropped well below acceptable. If you do go to Supreme, at least get the 10% coupon from their website. You must bring the coupon in person as they will not accept an electronic copy on one's phone.

New England Seafood Company Fish Market
3341 N Lincoln Ave
(773) 871-3474

Had this lobster roll today. It's good. Only complaint is that they almost went too light on the mayonnaise. Good hot dog type bun, real good lobster. Decent portion for $19 with a bag of sea salt and vinegar Cape Cod chips. I'd rank it behind Fish Bar's roll and above Shaw's (don't get me wrong, I still love Shaw's lobster roll also).