I grew up on Lenny and Joe’s. We would gather with my dad’s family who lived in various parts of the state to enjoy lobster rolls, fried clam bellies and piles of fried onions and zucchini. I remember the old days when it was a shack. I don’t get the obsession with Maine mayo style rolls. CT style is perfection.
Nice round up! Coincidentally, we are in Old Sayville today, and we had lobster rolls at Lenny & Joe’s for lunch. They were spot on, as they usually are. (I’ve eaten there almost 20 times—Summer only—and I only recall one slightly sub-par experience.)
Another unsung culinary contribution from Connecticut (that is often available at the same places one would get a hot lobster roll) is a variation on clam chowder with a clear briny broth and just potatoes and clams. Around here it is sometime called Rhode Island style, though everywhere else Rhode Island clam chowder has a tomato base. It is, like the lobster roll, the platonic ideal of the form.
I know relatively nothing about Lobster Rolls but my wife grew up in Cape Cod and she is very outspoken with her opinions. Everytime we go back, all the lobster roll joints have two options. Cold with mayo or hot with butter. (She likes the cold, I like the hot). Are these Cape hot ones the same as Connecticut Lobster Rolls?
Yes, the Cape Cod Hot Lobster Rolls are made just like the Connecticut Lobster Rolls, and in CT, the Cold Lobster Rolls are made just like the cold ones in Cape Cod.
Confession: I honestly don't get the whole lobster part of the lobster roll thing. BUT I love the buttered "roll" part and the hush puppies. I'd take an outing just to eat those.
All of the above places have many other eating options. My problem when visiting a seafood shack is deciding what to get and what to not get. It's very tough. I want it all!
I have had many a hot-buttered lobster roll in Connecticut but never at any of the places you mentioned so now I'll be on a mission. We used to get them at Jimmies of Savin Rock, in West Haven, and at 7 Seas, in Milford, but then they got disappointing. The last good one I had was at Match Burger Lobster, in Westport, but it was $36.
I agree that the best, most generously piled ones are what we've made at home but still a splurge since we get the meat from the Lobster Place in Chelsea Market or Red Hook Lobster Pound. No Shop Rite near us but maybe I should try Wegmans?
I grew up on Lenny and Joe’s. We would gather with my dad’s family who lived in various parts of the state to enjoy lobster rolls, fried clam bellies and piles of fried onions and zucchini. I remember the old days when it was a shack. I don’t get the obsession with Maine mayo style rolls. CT style is perfection.
CT is perfection! And Lenny & Joe’s was amazing. I wish I had gotten to see the old shack!
We enjoyed the fried zucchini, today, AND the onion rings, with our lobster rolls. 🐽🐽🐽
Wow. We need to go back.
Nice round up! Coincidentally, we are in Old Sayville today, and we had lobster rolls at Lenny & Joe’s for lunch. They were spot on, as they usually are. (I’ve eaten there almost 20 times—Summer only—and I only recall one slightly sub-par experience.)
What a coincidence!
We could have saved ourselves a lot of time if we had just asked you! 😝
Another unsung culinary contribution from Connecticut (that is often available at the same places one would get a hot lobster roll) is a variation on clam chowder with a clear briny broth and just potatoes and clams. Around here it is sometime called Rhode Island style, though everywhere else Rhode Island clam chowder has a tomato base. It is, like the lobster roll, the platonic ideal of the form.
My Dad loved that kind of clam chowder.
Yes, I saw that on several menus. They did mainly call it Rhode Island style.
I know relatively nothing about Lobster Rolls but my wife grew up in Cape Cod and she is very outspoken with her opinions. Everytime we go back, all the lobster roll joints have two options. Cold with mayo or hot with butter. (She likes the cold, I like the hot). Are these Cape hot ones the same as Connecticut Lobster Rolls?
That is a recent phenomenon. The Cape Cod lobster rolls were all mostly cold. Lately, clam shacks offer both types. Same deal in Maine.
Yes, the Cape Cod Hot Lobster Rolls are made just like the Connecticut Lobster Rolls, and in CT, the Cold Lobster Rolls are made just like the cold ones in Cape Cod.
I'm definitely team "butter!"
Team Butter! Even when you lived in Cape Cod? I thought of you when sir Crickets was left on the editing floor.
Just to clarify: Team Butter rules!
“Just to clarify” - no pun intended lolz
Completely intended.
Confession: I honestly don't get the whole lobster part of the lobster roll thing. BUT I love the buttered "roll" part and the hush puppies. I'd take an outing just to eat those.
All of the above places have many other eating options. My problem when visiting a seafood shack is deciding what to get and what to not get. It's very tough. I want it all!
Hush puppies are great and my mom used to make a mean clam fritter.
Yeah, I think I would be more into lobster rolls if they were made out of shrimp instead. But I LOVE, LOVE clam fritters!
Ever try a fried shrimp roll?
Not in the New England style. Only in Asian cuisine (and I don't mean spring roll, dumpling, or sushi. I mean as a sandwich).
Maybe Lobster Fritters!
Nah. I'll stick with clam.
I have had many a hot-buttered lobster roll in Connecticut but never at any of the places you mentioned so now I'll be on a mission. We used to get them at Jimmies of Savin Rock, in West Haven, and at 7 Seas, in Milford, but then they got disappointing. The last good one I had was at Match Burger Lobster, in Westport, but it was $36.
I've heard of 7 Seas. Milford is where the Connecticut-style lobster roll was supposedly invented.
It’s hard when they are dissatisfying, I had the best time making them for my parents with $20 worth of Shop Rite lobster. 🦞
I agree that the best, most generously piled ones are what we've made at home but still a splurge since we get the meat from the Lobster Place in Chelsea Market or Red Hook Lobster Pound. No Shop Rite near us but maybe I should try Wegmans?
Wegman's would work, I think.
I think it’s worth a try. This time of the year, all the lobsters we buy seem good, even the supermarket ones.
Wish I could sample these
You'd like them.
We will make you one the next time we see you. 😄🦞👏👏👏