Sham Clicks/Shutterstock Add Tasting Table on Google: Preferred Source Google Discover Lobster rolls are a seafood restaurant staple. Typically, the revered shellfish sandwich is served in two different forms: There's the classic Maine-style, featuring chilled, tender meat mixed with mayo inside a toasted bun. The other is the hot Connecticut-style, which involves dousing the shellfish in warm butter before carefully placing it inside an equally savory bun. Both renditions are popular, especially at chain restaurants, which constantly serve customers with tasty varieties across the United States.
According to reviews, however, not every chain restaurant has perfected the art of a good lobster roll. It takes detail-oriented taste buds to give mass-produced rolls that signature New England flair, whether served hot or cold. This list covers seven chain restaurants across the country that get it right. By embracing the cool succulence of a classic recipe or the warmth of a more buttery rendition, these chain restaurants are some of the best places to buy a tasty lobster roll.
LegalSeaFoods/Facebook A classic seafood establishment primarily based in Boston, Massachusetts, Legal Sea Foods procures gargantuan lobster rolls perfect for a night out. The restaurant serves ¼-pound and ½-pound cold Maine-style rolls with lemon mayo as well as warm Connecticut-style rolls with butter. While the restaurant is no stranger to developing unique lobster roll dishes, like the limited-time Legal Sea-Cone, the giant, meat-filled regular rolls really draw a crowd. There's a clear focus on quantity here that, according to customers, only adds to the tender deliciousness of the sub, no matter which way it's served.
Newcomers and regulars alike attest that the cold style lobster roll is the best preparation method. It's a classic that benefits from a flavorful approach. The tangy lemon zest of the mayo is elegantly balanced by the natural sweetness of the meat. Tenderness is another important attribute, the juicy texture making the experience all the more worthwhile for happy customers. Legal Sea Foods' lobster rolls are tempting in either size, too, with some attendees unable to resist going back for more. With Maine-style favored by many, the chain delivers a simple but delicious roll that makes for a hearty lunch or dinner.
bluewatergrill/Instagram Bluewater Grill touts East Coast-style lobster rolls, served to a customer base mostly in California, with one locale in Phoenix, Arizona. According to the menu, the lobster roll comes in a cold or hot variant: chilled New England-style or warm, buttery Rhode Island-style. Regardless, both are equipped with heaps of meat stuffed in a toasted brioche bun, and customers can choose fries or coleslaw on the side. Those familiar with the classic, cold variant say Bluewater Grill offers a pristine sandwich. Some even claim it's reminiscent of regional, New England lobster rolls.
But, for this chain, hot lobster rolls also earn plenty of attendee praise. The buttery approach adds a rich warmth to the dish, suitable thanks to the toasted bun and the tender sweetness of the lobster. Many customers say that, no matter which version of the roll is purchased, you're still destined to have a tasty meal. It's also memorable enough for some to consider it the best place for a cold lobster roll in California, while still procuring a heated variety just as divine. Clearly, customers at Bluewater Grill find the lobster roll appealing no matter the method of preparation.
lukeslobster/Instagram If you're looking for a delicious, Massachusetts lobster roll, Luke's Lobster offers a Maine-style sandwich perfect for all one's tender seafood needs. Fresh, juicy meat from wild-caught lobsters is stuffed into a rich, toasted bun. Lemon butter and mayo enhance the meat and bread, while the dish is also sprinkled with Luke's Secret Seasoning. The taste is divine, according to extremely satisfied customers. The buttery bread is of special note to many, who find the crunchy, toasted exterior a complementary contrast to the chilled, mayo-rich, chewy, savory meat inside.
The roll is rather creamy, too. Purchasers say the inviting smoothness bolsters the meat and butter with a twinging mayo twang. What really helps Luke's Lobster stand out from the competition, though, is its gluten-free buns. The restaurant offers this option as a core part of its service to customers. It allows for more accessibility than other lobster rolls on this list, with gluten-sensitive buyers able to freely enjoy rolls without fear of physical consequence. These factors make it one of the best lobster rolls in Boston while also being a core highlight in areas of New York and California. It helps the restaurant stand apart from the crowd, yet still keeps it delivering succulent lobster rolls brimming with meaty, buttery flavor.
