Portland Pier Lobster Roll: Luke's Lobster

If there was a lobster roll that topped my list to try this summer, it was Luke's Lobster lobster roll. The new location has been the talk of the town since the announcement last winter, with the 60 Portland Pier location marking Luke's first full-service and largest restaurant of his 40 global locations.

Not familiar with Luke Holden? He's a Cape Elizabeth native with lobster in his blood. A 25-year-old investment banker living in NYC, he was homesick for Maine and a good 'ol traditional lobster roll. And God knows you can't get anything even close to that in the Big Apple. Those big city folk try too hard to dress that shit up with too much mayo and lettuce and celery (oh, the horror!) and fancy bread. So what the hell... Luke just decided to make his own. His first lobster shack opened in the East Village in 2009 and he charged $14 per roll, while others were charging an arm and a couple legs – typical NYC... I could go on but I won't so Google him, he seems like a really interesting and clearly super smart guy.

So on to the task at hand. It was a Friday and a beautiful day in downtown Portland so I grabbed a couple coworkers and headed down to the Pier excited for my first Luke's experience... Damn. No expense was spared in the construction of this restaurant. The location at the end of the pier offers spectacular views of Casco Bay in just about every direction. Part of me was slightly disappointed that we couldn't get a seat on the (somewhat smallish) deck; while the other part of me was relieved not to have to fight off any thieving seagulls.

We were seated immediately – something I'm sure doesn't happen during the dinner rush – in a very bright, window-filled dining room with killer views. (Here's my official plea for Luke's to please please please offer reservations for dinner!) I didn't really peruse the entire menu once I found my choices for lobster rolls so I really have no idea what else they offer.

Lobster Roll: Classic or Jumbo - $20/$26
Claw and knuckle meat lightly dressed with mayo and butter (or something like that)

I went with the Jumbo. Because I'm a pig and I want ALL the lobster.

Much to my dismay, the presentation of my lobster roll did not make a great first impression – just laying there all splayed out in its little basket. The lobster looked shiny and a little weird. But I refused to make any snap judgments because this was Luke's and how the hell could someone be this successful making sucky lobster rolls.

Guess what? This lobster roll did not suck. It was pretty far from sucking.

The traditional split top roll that is so crucial to my happiness was buttered and toasted. Yay. The lobster meat was claws and knuckles, which if cooked properly can be just as enjoyable as a lobster roll with tail meat included – look at me evolving! And yes, every bite of that lobster was so sweet and delicious, I didn't want it to end. My mouth waters just writing this blog post. The combination of light mayo AND melted butter is now my new favorite thing in the world and needs to happen on every future lobster roll I eat. There was no stupid lettuce or anything else that could be construed as needless filler. It comes with chips and a pickle too!

If I had one complaint – and you knew it was coming – I'd say it was the price. The lobster roll in the photo was $26. I'm familiar with what $26 can get me and it's a lot more lobster than this. See the obnoxiously overflowing roll at Red's Eats in Wiscasset (although that pile of lobster also comes with a painful hour plus wait in line.) So yeah... add more lobster to the jumbo and I'll be less whiny.

Overall, I'll recommend this place in a heartbeat. The location, the food, the atmosphere – all top notch. It's a touch expensive but then again Portland IS a foodie town!

Fore Street Lobster Roll: Maine Lobster Shack

The Maine Lobster Shack opened last summer on Fore Street in Portland, a few doors down from the Five Guys (or for you old folks like me, where the Blue Moon used to be!!) I've been wanting to try it since I first heard about it but could never seem to get my lazy ass in gear – until a few days ago when I finally made it! I walked in at lunchtime and immediately got nervous at the lack of other customers. Ohhhhh crap... what had I gotten myself (and my lunch companions) into? I'm hoping it's just a lack of knowledge causing the emptiness.

The first thing I noticed was the beer list because that's usually my first order of business. They get extra points for having a sour on tap - Oxbow's Moon Rocks - which was delicious, by the way!

And then I started in on the menu. They offer three different Lobster Rolls:

Maine Lobster Roll - $19
Lobster meat mixed with mayo, a hint of celery, lemon, salt & pepper.
"Hint of celery" – WTF? I almost got up and walked out.

Brown Butter Lobster Roll - $19
Warm lobster meat w/ brown butter.
No way – I've been burned by the promises of brown butter before so unless your restaurant name begins with Even and ends in Tide, cut the shit.

Umami Lobster Roll - $21
Lobster meat, smoked oyster kewpie, crispy shallots, lemon zest.
I'm sorry, come again? Kewpie? WHAT THE HELL IS KEWPIE? All I could picture was little creepy doll heads staring up at me from my plate. Pass.

I decided to go with the Maine Lobster Roll and in an unprecedented move since I started blogging about lobster rolls, I asked them to leave that evil celery off. Normally, I'd just grin and bear it and then completely chastise them for it, but I just friggin' hate celery. So I told the waitress that putting celery on a lobster roll is sacrilege and to tell whoever was making these rolls they should never put celery on them... ever. If you take a look at their website, it actually says "Welcome to the Way Rolls Should Be" which made me roll my eyes so far back into my head, I'm pretty sure I saw my brain. Celery is for amateurs.

The celery incident caused dread to fill every crevice of my soul as I wondered if this thing could possibly be any good... And then it arrived. I inspected the roll – possibly brioche but buttered and grilled to my standards. The lobster meat was plentiful, although all claws and knuckles which sometimes isn't a good thing. If you don't cook those lobsters right, the tips of the claws get all chalky tasting which can seriously torpedo a perfectly good sandwich. As for the dressing, light mayo, chives and a dusting of lemon zest rounded out this Maine Lobster Roll.

I squeezed my eyes shut and dove in, not sure what to expect. On the outside, it looked like a tasty offering. And guess what? It WAS! The brioche roll was not overpowering and the amount of lobster was enough to offset any breadiness. The lobster was properly cooked and flavorful with no chalky claw tips (bonus!) The dressings were subtle and the addition of the lemon zest was an enjoyable surprise.

Honestly, if you're looking for a really good, traditional lobster roll in Portland's Old Port, this is the best one I've had so far! (For those of you who are rolling your eyes because I didn't say it was Eventide, I said "traditional.") Give 'em a try... the fries are good too!

West Commercial Lobster Roll: Clam Digger Restaurant

Every once in a while something sneaks up on you and surprises the shit out of you when you least expect it. And that's what happened the day I visited the newly dubbed Clam Digger Seafood Restaurant at the west end of Commercial Street on the outskirts of Portland's famed Old Port. You see... I drive by this establishment five mornings a week on my way to work. For the last million years or so, it has been a little run down shack called Benny's and as uninviting as it has always looked, I had this deep urge to try their lobster roll.

Over the past several months, I noticed some changes happening at the old Benny's – some improvements, some new picnic tables with nice umbrella's, some sprucing up of the old shack – and lastly, a new sign calling the upgrade Clam Digger. I was intrigued, to say the least. So one sunny lunchtime, I grabbed my favorite lunch buddy and headed on down to investigate.

Naturally, I ordered the lobster roll. Duh. The prices were reasonable for downtown Portland - the lobster roll alone was $19.99 and I upgraded with fries and coleslaw for an extra couple bucks. The next time I go back, I'll know that I don't even remotely need the fries and coleslaw – it was just too much food! (My lunch date didn't even finish her lobster roll! *insert surprised face emoji here*

Remember that thing I said about things sneaking up on you and surprising you? When I got my lobster roll, three things stuck out to me – things I generally despise when it comes to my lobster roll – the dreaded brioche roll, lettuce and big giant chunks of lobster. My hopes dimmed... I really wanted this place to be awesome.

So let's discuss...

First, the roll. The brioche... wasn't half bad. It actually didn't taste as briochey as I've had in the past and it was buttered up and grilled delightfully – I actually liked the damn thing. Yeah, I'm surprised too.

Second, the lettuce. A big leafy piece of lettuce was gently placed in the side so it was easily plucked out without dismantling the whole damn roll. Yay for garnishy lettuce!

And third, the big lobster chunks. This lobster was cooked to near perfection. Each chuck easily bit through without pulling a big piece off and into my lap. I was impressed. My only complaint would be the claw piece where the tip tasted a bit chalky but I'm not going slam them too hard for that. I've found that to be pretty common.

While I was eating this roll, I noticed that the mayo was applied directly to the roll and not mixed in with the lobster – something I'd never experienced but kinda liked. I also noticed that because of the amount of lobster in this thing, the beefier brioche roll was welcomed to hold it all together. Overall, I was quite pleased with the experience. The fries and cole slaw were tasty too... just too much!

According to the folks who waited on us, they hope to soon expand the business to include lobster bakes and live music at some point down the road. I'm glad someone is finally putting that place to good use and I hope people give them a shot! If you do... let me know what you thought.

Newly Year-round Lobster Rolls: Bite Into Maine & Highroller Lobster Co.

When I began this lobster roll noshing adventure, it was my goal to only write one review per establishment. That was before the food truck/cart folks started opening brick and mortar operations and completely throwing my plan off its rocker. And when some of your favorite seasonal lobster rolls are now available year-round, that calls for a celebration... and a blog post.

As you may remember, Bite Into Maine was one of my favorite lobster rolls from last summer. With food trucks at Portland Head Light and Allagash Brewing, they've made the top of numerous lobster roll lists. When I heard they were opening a small place on Route 1 in Scarborough, I might have done my best Michael Flatley performance. (Hint: I probably looked more like a toddler standing on hot coals.)

Their spot on Route 1 is diminutive. With about enough seating for maybe a dozen diners, this location definitely lacks the capacity to handle summer crowds. Luckily they're not planning on giving up the food trucks anytime soon. The menu for the Scarbrough location has a few additions like Lobster Grilled Cheese ($11.95) and a Lobster BLT ($11.95). But they also stay true to the lobster rolls offered at the two food truck locations. During this visit, I decided to switch up my order and got the Maine Style with light mayonnaise and fresh chives ($17.95). As expected, it was friggin' delicious!

Now if that wasn't exciting enough for you, Highroller Lobster Co. has also graduated from food cart to a full blown restaurant on Exchange Street in Portland. The thought of being able to stuff that taco cheese crisp lobster roll thingy in my pie hole whenever I feel like it makes me ridiculously happy. (Cue more spazzy dancing.) And for that reason, I was excitedly there for lunch on the day they opened. It's a cool place. Lots of red and white with a big wooden lobster and a lot of amazing neon. Oh and a pretty killer and ever evolving beer list.

I thought about trying something different on that opening day menu. A traditional lobster roll perhaps? Maybe a Lobby Pop? It was tempting, but each time I read the menu description of that damn Lobster Cheese Crisp Taco ($17), I just couldn't pull the trigger on anything else. I mean it's cheese, it's lobster, it's avocado... it's ridiculous and delicious.

So go forth and be free of the seasonal and weather dependent food truck/cart and eat your lobster rolls or tacos or pops in rain, sleet or snow!

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!

Award Winning Lobster Roll: Eventide Oyster Co.

I've hit a lot of restaurants in Portland's Old Port this summer and have been generally disappointed in the quality of the lobster rolls I've sampled. And then I went to Eventide. A fairly small restaurant on Middle Street in Portland, Eventide Oyster Co. is one of the busiest and best restaurants in town. Not that awards factor much into my decision on what restaurant to go to, but some may be impressed by their recent James Beard Award in the Best Chef: Northeast category.

If you've been following this blog regularly, you might have noticed that I'm a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to lobster rolls. Although every once in a while I've been known to step out of my comfort zone, take a walk on the wild side, and eat a lobster roll that doesn't look or taste like anything else I've had all summer. And that, my friends, is what you'll find at Eventide....

Eventide Brown Butter Lobster Roll

Eventide made brown butter cool before anyone even knew what brown butter was. Some have tried to mimic the mouth watering brown butter flavor... *cough* Foreside Tavern *cough*... and have failed miserably. I even set aside my recent declaration of "no more warm lobster" for this lobster roll and I don't regret it one bit.

The first thing you'll notice is the size. And that's probably my one (and only) complaint about the thing... when the server set the roll down in front of me, I immediately thought I could probably eat three or four of them. Seriously... why do you think there are two in the picture? They're too small to eat just one! But I'm willing to let the size issue go because that lobster roll is so amazing, you just want to hold it close and never let it go.

I'm even willing to overlook the fact that the bun is not a traditional New England split to roll. Nope, this fancy place serves their crustacean in a homemade steamed Asian-style bun. The first time I ordered one, I was convinced it was going to taste like crap. I was woefully wrong. Maybe it's because it's so different from the norm and that makes it okay... and intriguing... and a little bit adventurous. I can attest, it does not taste like crap!

And did I mention those miniature steamed buns are stuffed full of lobster which has been skillfully sauteed in the brown butter? I have no idea what else they add to the mixture and honestly, I don't care... because it's so decadent and delicious! The price is $15 for one lobster roll (no accoutrements included) and whoever can go there and just eat one is a bigger person than me.

If you read this blog post and decide you must go immediately, be prepared to wait. It's not a big place and there's usually a wait and when you do finally get a seat, you're most likely going to sitting right next to some stranger. They do take reservations but only for parties of six or more. Oh, and they have a pretty good beer list too!

Ocean Avenue Lobster Roll: Linda Kate Lobster & Seafood

For the past year or so, I passed a building on my way home from work on Ocean Avenue in Portland that was under construction. Having grown up in that area, I'm always interested in what goes on so I kept a close eye, wondering what it would be. And then one day the sign went up and "Linda Kate Lobster" was revealed as the business setting up shop. But I still had no idea what it was all about... Well turns out, Linda Kate Lobster is a local family-owned and operated seafood harvester and wholesaler.

So fast forward to one super rainy Friday – I escaped from the office early to take the afternoon off and found myself parked in their lot wondering how fast I needed to run to not get completely soaked on my way into their storefront. I had heard they dished out a pretty good lobster roll and I was hungry so I had to stop and give it a try!

They serve their lobster roll two ways, both on brioche rolls:

Mainer - mayo and shredded lettuce - $15
Simple - served warm with butter - $16

I picked the Mainer which I deemed the lesser of two evils. I've been burned a few times by warmed lobster so I decided I disliked lettuce less. It came with some weird pickles but no other accoutrements at the price listed above. This place is strictly take out so I can tell you about the view – it was of my bloodhound staring at me, drooling over my vittles while I dined.

Let's start from the bottom up. I should know by now that no matter what condition a brioche roll is served in, I'm going to hate it every single time. Sure this one was toasted nicely and it looked like your average split to roll but it was SO doughy. The bottom piece of the roll - you know, the piece that keeps the roll standing up tall - was possibly the thicker than the height of the rest of the roll. Too much bread!! *insert frustrated emoji face here*

And I know I said I wasn't going to complain about lettuce anymore but most lettuce-happy places tend to use full pieces of greenery which are easy to remove from the sandwich with little to no rebuilding necessary. This lobster roll had shredded lettuce and a lot of it – so much that I would've starved to death by the time I picked it all out of the damn thing.

There appeared to be a fair amount of lightly mayo'd lobster at first glance, but once I started to inspect the roll closer and push the lobster around with my fork, I realized the bun to meat ratio was quite lopsided. I can't think of much worse than biting into a lobster roll and tasting mostly bread and that's exactly what happened. Even the lobster I did taste wasn't that memorable.

I was saddened my my less than stellar experience with this place... mostly because I drive by it often and could see it becoming a regular stop. I would highly recommend they rethink their bread choice and maybe slop on a few more pieces of lobster.  Oh well... lunch and learn, I guess.

Hollywood Lobster Roll: Cousins Maine Lobster

One day this spring, a strange black food truck showed up on Spring Street in Portland just below my office. I was accustomed to seeing various food trucks in this area, but this particular one was new to me. Then I took a closer squint at the thing and realized it was a Cousins Maine Lobster truck. I've heard of this company – mainly from its Shark Tank fame – but they were definitely new to the area... which seems odd to me since they're called Cousins MAINE Lobster. I'm sure you've heard the story... two cousins with Maine ties start this company in California in 2011, got a deal on Shark Tank, franchised the business and now have over a dozen trucks across the country.

So of course, I've been wanting to try this lobster roll since that day I saw it parked outside my office. And just my luck, the few times it's been there, I've had other plans for lunch. So when I spotted the familiar black truck at the Maine Brewer's Guild Summer Session beer festival, I was on that thing like a hobo on a hot dog.

They offer two choices for the lobster roll fans:

Maine Lobster Roll - $16.99
Maine lobster, served chilled, with a touch of mayo.
Served on a New England style roll.

Connecticut Lobster Roll - $16.99
Maine lobster, served warm, with butter and lemon.
Served on a New England style roll.

I picked the Maine-style lobster roll and it was definitely better than I expected. The meat tasted fresh and it came with light mayo. The mayo wasn't actually mixed with the lobster but squirted into the bun first with the lobster meat placed on top. At this point, I'm over the Connecticut style roll - I do love hot butter with my lobster roll, but that crustacean needs to be cold (which I've probably already said about a million times.)

The traditional New England split top roll was a tiny bit over toasted but I'll take that any day over an under toasted one. And there wasn't a ton of lobster meat piled in the roll... which normally would bug me, but since I was about two hours into an afternoon beer festival and eating from my lap, I was happy I wasn't constantly trying to corral lobster meat into its bun.

My first annoyance was with the price. $16.99 is generally not a bad price for a lobster roll but I went to their website and every one of their trucks around the country (that actually had pricing on their online menu) was LESS than the Maine truck. Now maybe I'm completely off base here but wouldn't you think that Maine lobster in MAINE would cost less and therefore the lobster roll prices would be less? I'm so confused by why my lobster roll was $16.99 and the one in Los Angeles is $15.50!

The other thing that annoyed me was the design of truck itself. It's plastered with Shark Tank crap and pictures of celebrities eating these lobster rolls. Here's a little hint... it's like the guy who thinks he needs to take the prostitute out to dinner. Mainers know lobster. We know lobster rolls. We don't need to be lured or wowed into buying a lobster roll just because a famous person liked it.

Having a picture of Ryan Seacrest on the truck isn't going to improve the taste – if anything we just find it tacky. Plus we're not fooled into thinking these celebrities actually ate at this particular truck. Maybe it's necessary for Phoenix or Dallas where they probably barely know where Maine is... but we're seasoned professionals up here. Don't insult us with pictures of your fancy friends.

So overall... good lobster roll, questionable price, tacky presentation. Just close your eyes when you order.

The Nor'easter Lobster Roll: Boone's Fish House & Oyster Room

This post is waaaaay overdue and my apologies for being such a slacker. But it's getting really hard to get excited about writing a review on a bad lobster roll. And I seem to be on a current streak of sub par rolls. It's a tiny bit depressing.

This particular roll depressed me because overall I love Boone's Fish House & Oyster Room... I think most of their food is delicious and the location is on point. Their top deck on a beautiful sunny day is a spot I could park myself for a whole afternoon. (But don't forget your sunscreen because there's not an umbrella to be found!)

The Boone's lunch menu boasts three lobster rolls to choose from:

SHOAL COVE LOBSTER ROLL // knuckle + claw meat, mayo, lemon, shredded iceberg, grilled hot dog roll • $24.95 

NOR'EASTER // knuckle + claw meat, warmed in butter, grilled hot dog roll • $24.95 

COW ISLAND LOBSTER ROLL // pound and a quarter lobster, mayo, lemon, shredded iceberg, grilled hot dog roll • $30.95

I got the Nor'easter. Mainly for its lack of greenery.

Now that I look back, I wonder if it was even a good idea to order a lobster roll. Why didn't I just stick with my first choice? I would've been so happy with the fried scallop BLT. Or even a nice piece of haddock with a side of crispy brussel sprouts. But noooooo.... I had to get greedy. I see "lobster roll" on a menu and my mind goes all crazy and my eyes get big and I can think of nothing else.

First, let's talk about the "knuckle + claw" meat. WHAT? Back in the day, I would've jumpy clapped at the idea of just knuckle and claws because it took me a while to warm up to the texture of the tail meat. Hell, I didn't even like lobster until I was in my 20s. Crazy, right? I started small with the claws and worked my way up to the tail. So I'm by no means anti-claw.

This lobster roll was not good. There were some pieces of claw meat that almost looked chalky when I bit into them. How does that even happen? Overcooked? It grossed me out a little bit. If the flavor had been good, I probably could've overlooked the chalky claw ends... but, alas, the flavor was a disappointment too.

The best part of the lobster roll was the delightfully grilled bun and the side of very tasty, tangy potato salad. No really, that's the only nice thing I can say about the experience. To think this lobster roll is just about the same price as The Beach Plum. There's absolutely no comparison.

I often recommend Boone's for its location and food. I'll continue to do so... I'll just steer folks clear of the lobster rolls.

Portland Waterfront Lobster Roll: Portland Lobster Company

There aren't many spots along Portland's waterfront as cool as Portland Lobster Company. It sits on a pier to the right of DiMillo's and smack dab amidst the bustle of Commercial Street. PLC appears to be just a tiny spot from the outside, but once you order your food and head out back to the covered outdoor seating area, you see how massive the place really is. We went on a Monday, arrived at just about noon on the dot and the place was already 90% full.

They offer live entertainment all summer long and boast a pretty decent beer list. There's a great view of the harbor and working waterfront. And don't fret... if your party contains some non-lobster lovers (blasphemous!), there's plenty of items on the menu to satisfy those landlubbers. I love this spot... especially on a day when it's too hot to be baking in the sun and the covered seating area is a welcome reprieve when you just want to sit outside.

They have just one lobster roll on the menu - but one that was Voted BEST OF PORTLAND 2017.

THE LOBSTER ROLL - Fresh picked meat from one pound lobster, brushed with sweet butter. Served on a toasted roll with both mayonnaise and lemon, cole slaw and french fries on the side. MARKET

The market price was $16.99 that day which was a pleasant surprise. The big shock, however, was the lobster roll itself. It could be I expected too much from a place voted Best Of... or maybe they were bogged down with orders and didn't spend enough time preparing my lobster roll. Regardless, I was disappointed.

The roll was poorly toasted. It appeared to have no butter on it and may have been toasted for about eleven seconds. For me, this seems like the easiest thing to do so I'm always annoyed when it comes to me in this state. If you're going to say it's toasted, just make sure the damn thing is actually toasted. Is anyone tired of me saying "toasted" yet? Now it doesn't even sound like a real world...

There was a fair amount of lobster meat on the bun – a little haphazardly tossed on maybe, but an acceptable amount nonetheless. It was lightly dressed with butter which hardly tasted sweet and I was offered no mayo on the side (which I may have actually used this time!) The meat was a mix of claw and tail and well-cooked, but the lobster oddly tasted bland. This is not my first trip to PLC and I don't remember my previous lobster rolls to be tasteless so I'm confused what they did or didn't do.

Definitely, don't let this review sway you from visiting Portland Lobster Co. It's a great spot in Portland's Old Port and since this lobster roll was voted Best of, I feel like maybe there were just having an off day. They could've been short-staffed, their bun toaster might have called in sick... I just find it hard to believe that this is the quality of lobster roll that everyone is getting.

Commercial Street Lobster Rollin': Gilbert's Chowder House

Located on Portland's Commercial Street, Gilbert's Chowder House has been a waterfront fixture for as long as I can remember. You know... with me being so old and all. I haven't been there in years but what I do remember about them is the really awesome seafood chowder. This time I went there specifically for the lobster roll...naturally. My first one at this particular establishment.

They offered just one choice:
Maine Lobster Roll.... $16.95
(served with chips and a pickle)

My excitement over this lobster roll was pretty low which makes me realize that it's way more fun to write about a sandwich that you love than one you just feel meh about. I mean the lobster itself tasted okay – it was properly cooked – but it appeared to be all claw meat. If there was some tail in there, it was hard to find buried under all the claws. I also didn't go digging around for it.

The mayonnaise level was high. If you're going to put mayo on a lobster roll, you should add just enough to make someone wonder if it's even actually there. It needs to be lightly dressed... this one was definitely not lightly dressed. There were blobs even.

On the plus side, the bun was traditional, toasted and tasty. Sorry guys but the bread alone can't carry the lobster roll. The price was one of the cheapest I've seen this year. And Gilbert's also has a great little outdoor seating area with plenty of tables. The view is great if you're facing in the direction of the Portland Waterfront. (Otherwise, you're just looking at the building or the parking lot!)

Overall, it was a pretty lackluster lobster roll experience. But if you ask my lunch date, she'll tell you the seafood chowder is to die for so don't rule them out all together! Even I'll go back for the chowdah!

Beer + Lobster Roll = Heaven: Bite Into Maine

When most people think of heading to Bite Into Maine for one of their famous lobster rolls, they head out to Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth, grab a seat overlooking the majestic Atlantic, and take in the sites of Portland Head Light. Yeah, I've done that.

For this visit to Bite Into Maine however, I chose to visit their new second food truck location at Allagash Brewing Company... because, duh... BEER!! When I heard this food truck would be stationed at Allagash every weekend this summer, I thought to myself, I bet this is what heaven is like. Beer and lobster rolls go together like peanut butter and jelly!

Industrial Way is one of my favorite stops for beer in Portland... and a flight at Allagash is always an adventure — this trip was no exception! One of the most forward thinking breweries in Maine, they always have something on the tap list that will surprise your taste buds and leave you wondering, how the hell do they keep churning out all these super amazing beers, one after another after another? It boggles my tiny little brain.

Allagash opens at 11am and while most people are still brunching at that time of the morning, the brewery is already filling up quickly with folks from far and wide enjoying a brunch time beer flight. And while I loved all the tap offerings I tried (House Beer, Little Brett, Golden Brett and Interlude), I did miss their White which to me is a perfect breakfast brew.

If you're in it for the scenery, you're better off going out to Fort Williams... but if your idea of the perfect lobster roll eating view is a flight of beer, you must pick this location! But enough about the beer (even though I could go on and on) and let's talk about the reason we're all here... the lobster roll!

There are a number of menu options at Bite Into Maine:
• Maine Style with light mayonnaise and fresh chives
• Connecticut Style with hot butter
• Picnic Style which includes a layer of cole slaw, hot butter and a dash of celery salt
• Wasabi mayo | Curry mayo | Chipotle mayo

I went with the Connecticut Style lobster roll. If I have to whine about something, can I just mention how much of a problem I have with the hot butter version being referred to as "Connecticut Style"? Nothing against the state, but I'm fairly certain they didn't invent the hot butter + lobster combo. Oh, and CT style lobster rolls are supposed to be served with warm lobster. So if my lobster is cold, what does that make it? Just a thought and totally open for discussion.

First, let me just talk about the roll... the roll was grilled to perfection. They didn't skimp on the butter giving it that golden brown color and flavor of the ideal grilled cheese (minus the cheese!) It wasn't over grilled or lightly grilled, it was just right. And there was no lettuce. I repeat NO LETTUCE! That part made me so happy!

Then there was the lobster. I don't know what to say other than it was flawless. Everything about it was absolute perfection. The freshness, the flavor, the appropriately sized chunks, the amount of lobster (although let's be serious here... you honestly can't put enough lobster in a roll that would satisfy my love for this damn crustacean.) The price was $17.95 — the going rate in the current lobster economy. This roll was so amazing, I completely forgot about the bag of chips I bought to go with it. Honestly, I think I was in a state of lobster roll euphoria.

All in all, it was a most enjoyable experience... the sun shone, the beer flowed and the lobster roll delighted. Not a bad was to spend a Saturday afternoon. And I'd do it again in a heartbeat and I suggest you do too!

Lobster Roll in the Garden: Eve's At The Garden

Eve's At The Garden, located at the Portland Harbor Hotel, is a fancy little place in Portland's Old Port with a great little outdoor dining option. Great except when it's 90+ degrees and you're not in the shade... then it's more like sitting at Satan's picnic table. Lucky for me, I was in the shade. This is one of those places I don't frequent often for lunch but I had my eye on their lobster roll which I sure was not going to be served in a cardboard basket.

There's no view of the water here because you're surrounded by the hotel—but the garden setting was relaxing and pleasant even on an unseasonably warm day in May. I enjoyed a freshly (and I mean fresh) brewed ice tea from my very own Tea Forte (which is the coolest little gadget ever!) while I awaited the arrival of my roll.

LOBSTER ROLL
Buttered Dog Roll | Lemon Thyme Dressing | Salt & Vinegar Chips

I'm often skeptical about a "dressing" on my lobster roll, but it was lightly dressed and not terribly overpowering with a nice flavor. The outside temperature made it a little runny towards the end—not the end of the world. The roll was deliciously buttered and toasted and slightly larger than your average hot dog bun. The lettuce was unnecessary as you probably already guessed but whatever, I think I need to stop complaining about the lettuce.

Before I get to the lobster, let's just talk about the salt & vinegar chips for a minute. I'm not positive, but I think they're homemade and absolutely delicious! I'm a sucker for chips and prefer them to fries with my roll. Not only did they taste amazing, but they were served in the most adorable little basket that I longed to purloin, and I may have had I brought a larger purse.

Now let's get back to the matter at hand... the lobster meat. I did not enjoy the lobster in this roll. It was tough and clearly overcooked. And the pieces were so big that when I tried to take a bite, I couldn't bite through the meat causing me to pull an entire tail piece off the bun. This was not enjoyable. I ended up taking much of the meat out of the bun, cutting it up on my plate and putting it back in just so I could take manageable bites. There's a problem when you can't physically bite through the tail meat... and I think that problem is leaving that little critter in the pot too long! Improperly cooked lobster makes me sad.

The price was a bit on the high side—$21 for a full roll or if you only wanted half, the price was $11. Who the hell is ordering a half a lobster roll? I say go big or go home, dammit! I can also say with 100% certainty, if I make a return trip to Eve's, I'll be ordering something other than the lobster roll. I hear the crab cakes are good.

Floating Restaurant Lobster Roll: DiMillo's

Let me just start this blog post by saying that I love DiMillo's. I mean, who doesn't love a floating restaurant? Where else can you eat your meal on a rough day and feel the restaurant moving under your feet? I very rarely have a bad meal... I think their lobster stew is second to none and if you haven't tried the fried scallop roll, you are missing out.

I also loved their lobster roll. Yes, I said loved. Past tense. I loved last year's lobster roll. I do not love this year's new lobster roll. I don't hate it but sometimes maybe just leave well enough alone.

LOBSTER ROLL
Served on a brioche roll with Boston lettuce and finished with brown butter aioli.
$21

I was genuinely excited to try this update. The brown butter aioli was intriguing until I realized it tasted no different than regular mayonnaise. But it was only drizzled on the top so no harm, no foul, I guess. The price is slightly higher than I like to pay... but it's not going to break the bank and you won't leave the table hungry.

The lobster itself was cooked perfectly with a nice amount stuffed into the roll. If the lobster is falling out onto the plate, that's a sign of quality lobster meat volume. Big chunks of chilled, melt-in-your-mouth crustacean are always appreciated. Other than the small amount of aioli on top, there was nothing else mucking up the meat. Well... except for that stupid, STUPID piece of lettuce. I don't care if it's Boston, Bibb or Butter, lettuce is useless under any name.

As much as I bitch about the lettuce, it's easily removable. The roll, however, is an important piece of this pie and can make or break the experience. This new "brioche" roll really crushed my spirit because I really wanted to love this sandwich. There's a crucial meat to roll ratio that if upset, can bury the taste of the lobster in a doughy grave. The brioche is difficult to properly toast also and the grill marks on the top of mine served absolutely no purpose. A perfectly toasted, buttery roll is key to the experience.

Overall, I didn't not enjoy this lobster roll, but I also probably won't be rushing back for another. And that honestly makes me sad. Looks like I'll have to stick with the lobster stew and scallop roll as my go-to menu items.

Inaugural Lobster Roll of 2017: Union Restaurant

As many of you know, I'm a bit of a lobster roll fiend. Once the warm weather starts making a regular appearance and you know summer is in sight, I can't help but crave those tasty little crustaceans.

I didn't mean to start my 2017 Lobster Roll Campaign on this particular day at this particular restaurant... it sort of happened by accident. I couldn't help myself. I've only dined at the Press Hotel's Union Restaurant once before and can you guess what I had? I'm so predictable.

UPPER EXCHANGE LOBSTER ROLL
Lemon Mayonnaise | Shaved Lettuce | Snipped Chives
New England Top Split Roll
MP

My taste buds demanded I order this item. No, seriously... I almost drooled right on my menu!

The presentation made me happy. Two little lobster rolls on perfectly toasted miniature hot dog buns (or top split roll if you want to sound high class.) The lemon mayonnaise was tasty and not glopped on too heavily... the kiss of death for a lobster roll, in my humble opinion. And if you care about that whole ambiance thing, Union is pretty classy. Almost too classy for me.

I was a bit disappointed by the meat portion which was a little on the skimpy side. And the lettuce. WHY THE LETTUCE? To give it a pop of color, perhaps? To class it up a notch? Or to fill up the bun so you don't have to use as much lobster?? I must've been a little out of lobster roll practice because I usually decline the greenery. Live and learn.

The price was listed as MP (Market Price) which I think is a total chicken shit move. Just put a price on the damn sandwich. I don't enjoy having to ask the server how much MP is... it makes me feel cheap. So annoying.

Overall, my experience with Union's Upper Exchange Lobster Roll was pleasant and palatable, but definitely not mind-blowing.