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If you know me, you know I am a big fan of Lobster. Word has it that I had my first lobster on my first birthday. I was more satisfied by that than the cake. Lobster is arguably a top three favorite food of mine, and when the summer is in full force, I become an avid Lobster Roll consumer. There is no better sandwich, especially between the months of May and September. I'll rip one every week, maybe even a few times a month. Is it a smart financial decision? No, but you only live once, and you it's been the summer of LR's.
I made it a personal mission to try as many Lobster Rolls across the Ocean State, to survey the scene, and crown a winner. If Rhode Island is known for this, I needed to be the one to confirm it. While we are on the topic, I hate to say it, but I'd also consider myself a little bit of a Lobster Roll snob. The best way (should be the only way) to have a "LR" is served on a toasted roll with warm meat with butter. None of this cold with mayo nonsense. Is it bad? Not at all, but if you are going to drop some coin on a Lobster Roll, you are going to want a nice piece of shellfish in between bread, smothered in butter. Side note, there also is no need for the bed of lettuce as the base, that's just a waste.
Now that I've covered that, onto the the winner's. After four months of dozens of tastings, I present you the winner's of the best Lobster Rolls in the 401.
The Pleasant Surprise LR
Legal Seafood - Garden City, Cranston
175 Hillside Rd, Cranston, RI 02920
Price: $43
Legal Seafoods is a very well known and excellent seafood restaurant group located mainly in Massachusetts but around the East Coast. I had mid-expectations for the roll, one because of the chain (would it lose consistency, would it be just a standard LR), but second because it was Rhode Island Restaurant Week. Luckily, my expectations were far exceeded. It was one of the longer rolls I had all summer, filled with a half pound of meat, and it was prepared just how I like it - warm and with butter. The bun was fresh, and it came with some nice thick fries and flavorful coleslaw. All-in-all, I was impressed.
Best "Bang for your Buck"
Iggy's Doughboys & Chowder House- Warwick
889 Oakland Beach Ave #9616, Warwick, RI 02889
Price: $35
Iggy's is a staple to Rhode Island, and the vibes are fantastic in the summer. Right by the water, the collection of properties, their fast and friendly service, and of course they're doughboys, it's all perfection. Now, their combo platter with a soup and fries is clearly your best bang for your buck. Solid and sound LR, nice ingredients, and an actual fulling meal, you can't go wrong with Iggy's.
Best Sitdown Lobster Roll
Patio on Broadway- Providence
166 Broadway, Providence, RI 02903
Price: $28
When you think of Lobster Rolls, you think of outdoors and seafood shacks, not sit-down restaurants necesairlly. However, if you wanted the seasonal favorite indoors, Patio on Broadway created a nice meal. Normally, I don't go for the cold style, but the full meat mixed in with the mayo was actually a nice touch. The truffle fries as the side made this a nice 1-2 punch, and the ambience of the new location is definitely a nice touch.
Best in the Capital City
Dune Brothers - Providence
239 Dyer St, Providence, RI 02903
Price: $35
My guilty summer pleasure in Providence is Dune Brothers. Located right by the CIC and the Pedestrian Bridge, the small little red shack underneath the buildings is the go-to spot in the Creative Capital.
Best Lobster Roll of the Summer
Blount Clam Shack on the Waterfront - Warren
335 Water St, Warren, RI 02885
Price: $45
And the winner is... Blount Clam Shack! Now THIS is a Lobster Roll. I mean look at it. The lettuce was underneath the bun, that's how much lobster is showing. You have full claws, I kid you not it was easily over a pound of lobster. Fresh as can be, great butter to meat ratio, and two clam cakes on the side. This was the perfect LR, and the deserving winner of the award.