Last Updated on January 28, 2025
Many New Englanders often have well-kept secrets and will drive hours to get their favorite lobster roll at the usually hidden-from-tourists or off-the-beaten-track seafood shack that dot the coast from Greenwich, Connecticut, to Machias, Maine.
This fierce loyalty to the best purveyors of the traditional summer lobster sandwich also comes with intense rivalries. This is most apparent in the strong feelings that arise when the topic of which style of lobster roll is supreme.
A Tale of Two Lobster Rolls
You might be asking, “aren’t all lobster rolls the same?”
No, no.
There are all sorts of different approaches to making lobster rolls and some chefs or shacks may play with the type of bread, added herbs, and complementary flavors that give each its distinct flavor. Often subtle adjustments can sway fans one way or another. There is a fair amount of risk, however, playing with the bread; a buttered and grilled split-top hot dog bun is rarely bettered by any other bread choice.
But there is a clear delineation when it comes to which style of lobster roll you prefer. Maine-lobster rolls or the Connecticut-style lobster roll. Some will debate for hours the prevalence of one over the other, with geographic location and local pride often factoring into the emotionally-charged disagreements over the superior style.
Maine-style Lobster Rolls
Few states have a dish as culturally
Dennis Keohane is a writer, editor, and former Editorial Director for ButcherBox with a passion for storytelling and food. Combining his love for high-quality ingredients with engaging narratives, he crafts content that inspires home cooks to explore new flavors, techniques, and the joy of cooking.
