Tell Penny someone will be serving real Maine lobster rolls on Newbury Street and she'll plan an entire weekend around eating them. My, but it was a delicious weekend with lobster rolls for lunch both Saturday and Sunday. We nearly went back a second time on Saturday, but Penny managed to rein in her lobster lust.
Over the weekend, a pop-up shop on the corner of Newbury and Dartmouth Streets included a visit from Luke's Lobster of New York City – and a few other fortunate places. This crew has taken their Maine background, along with smart business sense, and created a company with one simple concept. They make fresh, chilled lobster rolls the way folks in Maine have enjoyed them for generations. (They also make crab and shrimp rolls.)
This is a LOBSTER ROLL not a "lobster salad roll." Luke's menu says your lobster will be, "...served chilled atop a buttered and toasted New England-style, split-top bun with a swipe of mayo, a sprinkle of lemon butter and a dash of our secret spices." We love the next line, "Tell us if you'd like your roll WITHOUT mayo, butter or spices."
We opted for no mayo but with the butter and seasoning.
It was a dream roll. The lobster was sweet, rich, and tasted like Maine. (Perhaps it was cooked Penny's favorite way, in seawater.)
The lemon cut the butter making it lighter, and the seasoning was applied with a careful hand. This combo will be our Luke's choice each time we are where we can order one.
Luke's has also thought about the roll delivery system. "Did we wanted ours in hand or bagged to go?" they asked. We had them packaged to take to the park. Inside our brown carry bag were two white containers.
These cradled our treasure and delivered it perky and upright to our dining spot on a park bench.
For ease of eating, they provided one of those little cardboard trays that are used to serve hot dogs in other places and lobster rolls in Maine. (That's Ed in the photo tasting just the lobster for his first bite.)
Thanks to Lisa DeCanio over at BostInno for alerting us to this happening. Here's her piece with more information on the event and Luke's Lobster including the tantalizing thought that they might one day pop up in a more permanent Boston location.
And, here is a bit more background including the source of that great lobster from our former editor at Serious Eats. Good job, as always, Erin!
Hey guys, we'll even be happy to take a food truck or more pop-ups until you settle on a spot.
By the way, we have reported our Lobster Roll Chronicles since 2008.
Here are a few more places we recommend:
Jakes Seafood, Lobster Roll Chronicles
No Mayo Lobster Roll from James Hook & Company
Neptune Oyster Lobster Roll - A Best Bite!
Ocean Craving Satisfied with Lobster Roll Bonus!
Belle Isle Seafood Lobster Rolls
Bubala's Lobster Roll- Lobster Roll Chronicles
Lunch at the Bristol Lounge Is a Special Treat
Farmers' Market Lobster Rolls: Lobster Roll Chronicles
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And, you can buy those hot dog trays from Amazon in cardboard or plastic! Nice for BBQs or homemade lobster rolls.
Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino
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