Luke’s Lobster

By now just about every other blog in NYC has already done a post about the new lobster roll shop to open up East Village a couple weeks ago, but I figured I would add my two cents about them as well.

I went there with a friend a few days after they opened and split the “Seafood Boat” platter that comes with a small lobster roll, small crab roll, small shrimp roll, 2 empress crab claws, drink and soda for $20. Unfortunately, they had run out of the crab filling at the time so they instead gave us extra crab claws to make up for it. It was definitely too small to split between two hungry foodies, but gave us a nice sample of what they had to offer. And then we ordered more….

The lobster roll was fantastic… It was mostly whole crab claws that were extremely tender and sweet with just a touch of mayo on the buttered & warmed roll, with just a touch more butter drizzled on top and then a sprinkle of their house seasoning (a blend of celery salt, thyme, oregano and black pepper). I am not a huge fan of mayo or excessive butter so thankfully these ingredients were used with restraint. The next time I go I might ask them to hold the melted butter they drizzled on top, but that’s just me. If you go, I would recommend you have it the way they prepare it.

The shrimp roll as well was prepared in a similar manner with similarly tender and sweet shrimps that were cooked perfectly.

The only thing I was disappointed by were the crab claws. They had a funny texture and seeded to be waterlogged and mostly flavorless. The only meat on the claw I actually liked was the little nibble I got on some of them way instead on the tip of claw. The part they actually cracked open for you to eat left much to be desired.

I do want to try their crab roll and will report back. I am hoping its better than their crab claws.

But the best part of this was that in the time it took for me to walk in, decide what I wanted to order, pay, get my food, and eat, the same people that were waiting in line for Caracas were still waiting… hungry… while I was full of delicious seafood.

The way they do this is that all their seafood is precooked and measured in little plastic bags. Which was a bit unsettling and reminiscent of the food that comes in plastic bags at fast food places. But that was quickly forgotten one bite into my sandwich.

If you go, I recommend getting a lobster roll for yourself and then maybe splitting a shrimp roll with a friend.

Luke’s Lobster
93 E 7th St (between 1st Ave & Avenue A)
New York, NY 10009
(212) 387-8487