On a Roll: Getting Lobsters, Lettuce, and Mayo Just Right

Lobster salad on a rollIf you’re a first-time visitor to the New England area, there’s a few things you might want to know. First, coffee is an ice cream flavor; “wicked” is an adjective; and a lobster roll is a sandwich best served cold. When a lobster roll is done right, it’s a thing of wonder and there’s no better place than Block Island to discover your favorite!

{ 6.16.2017 } { Block Island Experience }

On a Roll: Getting Lobsters, Lettuce, and Mayo Just Right

If you’re a first-time visitor to the New England area, there’s a few things you might want to know. First, coffee is an ice cream flavor; “wicked” is an adjective; and a lobster roll is a sandwich best served cold. When a lobster roll is done right, it’s a thing of wonder and there’s no better place than Block Island to discover your favorite!

FRANK TALK

The quintessential lobster roll is prepared much like a simple tuna salad: chunks of (cooked) cold lobster meat are mixed with mayonnaise and some finely chopped celery. The next part is where it gets tricky: the bread must be a New England-style frankfurter roll which is a hot dog bun split at the top and akin to a folded piece of white bread. Not a torpedo roll, not a hot dog bun, and most definitely not a bulky roll. Lightly butter the top, then toast or grill the roll, line with iceberg lettuce and stuff plentifully with lobster salad. Typical sides range from cole slaw to French fries to chips; add a cup of chowder and you’ve got yourself a platter.

PLAIN OR FANCY

Can lobster rolls get fancy? Sure, they can. Lobster salad can be a striking addition to a BLT aka the lobster club, and can be delicious in a croissant or atop a plate of mixed greens. Sprigs of dill or parsley, minced scallions, and lemon juice are typical recipe variations. A lobster roll served warm is quite a different thing and is basically plain lobster meat on a roll with a side of drawn butter: a great way to enjoy lobster without all the messy work of extracting it from the shell yourself.

YOUR TOP PICKS

Here’s a sampling of what followers of Block Island Ferry commented on social media*:

My favorite place to get a lobster roll on the island is:

“Just ate two of them during my recent stay. Dead Eye Dicks” -Jill Jankowsky Goode on Facebook

“Surf (the Surf Hotel)! Along with a surfslide outside, overlooking the Atlantic!” -Bob Hupka on Facebook

“The Oar. Hands down.” @hepome on Instagram

*See June 12, 2017 posts for more recommendations! Facebook | Instagram

We hope all of this will assist in your quest for the most wicked awesome lobster roll on Block Island, which we recommend following with a cone of coffee ice cream.

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{ 6.16.2017 } { Block Island Experience }