Cribstone Lobster Roll: Morse's Cribstone Grill

The season for lobster rolls is sadly winding down and soon many on my list of places to try will be closed for the winter despite the unseasonably warm weather we've been having this October. I'm starting to feel as sense of urgency as I try to make it an even 30 lobster rolls for 2017. I need just three more!

For years, we made trips to the Bailey Island to visit Cook's Lobster House and every time, we drove right past Morse's Cribstone Grill. We talked about it, wondered about it but never stopped there until a few years ago. Now, this family-owned place that sits right on the water just across the famous (and world's only) Cribstone Bridge, is an annual pilgrimage. The people, the views, and the food have never disappointed us. And the desserts are some of my favorites!

Lobster Roll -- Fresh Maine lobster meat cooked and picked in house, mixed with a light amount of mayo and served in a butter & grilled Maine hot dog bun. Served with chips and a pickle.

Let's just get it out in the open right now... this lobster roll is fantastic! I can honestly say I have no complaints. It's traditional, it's stuffed, it's tasty, it's perfect. If this one turns out to be my final of the season, I'll be pleased to end on such a high note. (Although I'm not entirely ready to say goodbye to the crustacean crusade just yet!)

Morse's serves their lobster roll the right way – on a traditional New England split top roll that is perfectly buttered and grilled. I know, I know... I was just talking about that cheesy taco crisp shell that I claimed to want everything served in, but when it comes down to a traditional lobster roll, I can't deny that this is the preferred way.

The roll was stuffed full of beautifully cooked lobster meat. It was fantastically salty with just a touch of mayonnaise – it makes my mouth water just writing about it. I'm not claiming it's the most lobster you'll get, but there was enough to make the sides of the roll bulge and damn, it was so flavorful!

And the price is right too! For $16 you get the lobster roll with chips and a pickle. I added a side of coleslaw (which was just average and I probably didn't need)... but then finished off the evening with one of their amazing desserts - strawberry shortcake in a jar! *slurp* I've also heard from a pretty reliable source that they have some of the best blueberry pie around.

As far as I know, they're closing October 9th but definitely put this one on your list for next summer.

High Rollin' Lobster Roll: The Highroller Lobster Co.

From the moment I saw this video after approximately 4,731,842 people sent it to me on Facebook, I've been obsessed with getting my paws on this magically cheesy creation from The Highroller Lobster Co. If you're not familiar with these folks, they operate a food cart in Portland and can be found most days at the corner of Commercial and Pearl Streets in the Old Port. I finally tracked them down at the Beer Meets Wood beer festival.

I've internally struggled with the offerings from Highroller because their traditional lobster roll is served on freshly baked brioche and I don't think I need to remind anyone how I feel about brioche. And, well, the cheesy lobster taco crisp isn't technically a lobster roll... but it would have to do. Just watching that video of how they construct the thing makes your mouth water and your brain short-circuit all at the same time.

The cheese taco crisp is completely off its rocker but it also contains four of my all-time favorite foods – lobster (duh), cheese, bacon, and avocado. Combine these ingredients and it's my equivalent of heaven. First, they take cheese and pile it on the grill, add some bacon pieces to it and fry that baby up. Once cooked, they make it into its taco shell shape, add some lettuce (I'm letting it go this time because it's a taco), lobster, avocado and two sauces of your choice (I picked lobster ghee and lime mayo.) When they first hand the thing to you, you're not quite sure how the hell to eat it.

My first few bites were just the shell because oh my god, crispy fried CHEESE! But then I decided to just dive in. I couldn't imagine how all these flavors were going to work together – especially since I've spent basically the entire summer preaching traditional lobster/bun/light mayo/butter/no lettuce. I'm here to tell you that this was one of the most delicious things I've stuffed into my face hole. I can't compare it to any of the other lobster rolls because it's in a delightful, cheesy class all by itself.

The only somewhat negative comment I could make is that the lobster was just a bit wet but it was still tasty. The price was average – $17 (+$1 for avocado, +$1 for bacon) – and I'm ok with that considering the labor that goes into producing this masterpiece. I've also decided that I want all my meals served in a cheesy bacon taco crisp.

I'm guessing time is running out on their season with the cool weather right around the corner so I suggest you get your butt downtown to see them. You might also find them at Bissell Brothers on a Saturday and if you follow them on Facebook or Instagram, they'll tell you exactly where they're going to be! I may need to get one more before the season ends!