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Lobster roll

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Lobster roll
Lobster roll served at Steamers Seafood Market in Newton, Massachusetts
TypeSandwich
Place of originUnited States
Region or stateConnecticut
Main ingredients
  •  Wikimedia Commons logo Media: Lobster roll
A lobster salad-style roll, Amagansett, New York, on Long Island

A lobster roll is a North American dish comprising lobster meat served on a grilled hot dog–style bun, commonly credited to have been invented in Milford, Connecticut. The filling may also contain butter, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper, with variants made in some parts of New England replacing the butter with mayonnaise. Other versions may contain diced celery or scallion. Potato chips or French fries are typical side dishes.[1]

History

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The credit for the invention of the lobster roll is disputed. The Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink[2] claims the lobster roll originated as a hot dish at a restaurant named Perry's in Milford, Connecticut, as early as 1929,[2][3] while Branden Lewis, a chef and sustainability professor at Johnson & Wales University, claims English and Portuguese fishermen and sailors invented the roll. The National Geographic article with Lewis's claim also credits Perry's with only the Connecticut style version of the roll.[4]

As far back as 1970, chopped lobster meat heated in drawn butter was served on a hot dog bun at roadside stands such as Red's Eats in Maine.[5] Lobster rolls in the U.S. are associated with the state of Maine,[6] but are also commonly available at seafood restaurants in the other New England states[7] and on Eastern Long Island, where lobster fishing is common.

Lobster rolls in Maine have lobster meat that is usually served cold, rather than warm or hot, and mayonnaise is typically spread inside the bun or tossed with the meat.[8] The hot and buttered version is often referred to as the Connecticut style.[9]

McDonald's restaurants in Canadian provinces, such as Nova Scotia and Ontario,[10] as well as in New England,[11] sometimes offer lobster rolls as a seasonal item in the summer.[12]

In 2016, the Shediac Lobster Festival in New Brunswick overtook the Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Association 75.4 foot record for the longest lobster roll with a 106.3 foot lobster roll. The Prince Edward Fishermen's Association Island took back the record with a 119.8 foot lobster roll.[13] The record was then taken by a restaurant in New Hampshire with a 159.4 foot lobster roll.[14] The Shediac Lobster Festival took the record back in 2017 with a 180 foot lobster roll.[15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Lobster Roll | Traditional Sandwich From Maine". TasteAtlas.
  2. ^ a b Juliano, Frank (2010-06-14). "Shell game: Milford claims bragging rights as home to lobster roll". Connecticut Post. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
  3. ^ Len (2012-08-03). "• Milford, CT: Home of the Lobster Roll". ConnecticutSaltWaterFishing.com. Archived from the original on 2020-12-03. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
  4. ^ Catalano, Robin (2025-07-28). "The story of how the lobster roll became New England's most iconic food". National Geographic. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  5. ^ Stern, Jane; Stern, Michael (2002). Roadfood. Broadway Books. pp. 32–33. ISBN 0-7679-0809-0.
  6. ^ Gadway, Hannah E. (16 April 2024). "What the Lobster Roll Means to Maine". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved 2025-11-14.
  7. ^ Carbone, Jimmy (9 June 2025). "A Lobster Roll Tour along the New England coast". Merrimack Valley Life.
  8. ^ McDowell, Erin (23 July 2025). "I went to Maine and ranked 5 famous lobster rolls. My favorite was served up on the water's edge". Business Insider. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
  9. ^ DeCosta-Klipa, Nik (17 July 2017). "Hot or cold? That is the question for lobster roll enthusiasts". Boston.com. Boston Globe. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024.
  10. ^ Merwin, Hugh (26 July 2013). "21 Strong Reactions to McDonald's McLobster Sandwich, Now Available in Ontario". Grub Street. Retrieved 2015-07-23.
  11. ^ Bowerman, Mary (30 June 2015). "McDonald's offering lobster roll in New England". USA Today. Retrieved 2015-07-23.
  12. ^ Bernath, Brianna (7 July 2017). "McDonald's is bringing back the McLobster Roll this summer". Today.
  13. ^ Ross, Shane (September 18, 2016). "P.E.I. sets lobster roll record, snatches title back from New Brunswick". CBC News. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  14. ^ Yarr, Kevin (June 21, 2017). "New Hampshire joins longest lobster roll battle, P.E.I. vows to fight back". CBC News. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  15. ^ Harding, Gail (July 5, 2017). "180 feet! Shediac takes back title for world's longest lobster roll". CBC News. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
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