REVIEW: The quest for the best lobster roll

Losing the pandemic weight gain definitely stopped being a priority when Suffolk County News and The Long Island Advance decided to search and scour the South Shore for the best lobster roll.

Since Monday, May 24 until deadline day of this week’s issue, I have eaten over 20 lobster rolls from restaurants in our coverage area, stretching from Oakdale through Bellport.

I now know what it’s like to live like a Rockefeller consuming this much luxury sea meat in a week.

Or a Kardashian, but without any photoshopped and filtered glamour selfies of me delicately eating a lobster roll.

What is evident after all this gluttony—I mean, “investigative journalism”—is that the South Shore knows how to make a damn good lobster roll.

When we first reached out to our readers to recommend places to try, someone snarkily remarked that “real lobster rolls can only be made by New Englanders…,” but that was proved categorically false by my culinarily lackluster trips to Cape Cod and my near-feral need to finish every Long Island lobster roll I ordered.

Like the people of Long Island, the variety of lobster rolls comes down to specific preferences, as not one that I tried was “bad,” and thus, I present to you the five must-try lobster rolls in our coverage area:

FRESHEST AND FRUITFUL LOBSTER MEAT 

Porters on the Lane

19 Bellport Lane, Bellport, NY 11713

• With a literal, intact claw gracing the top of my sandwich, Porters had the most lobster meat for your money.
• Delicately seasoned allowing lobster taste to shine through
• Standard bun
• Paired with French fries
• To be enjoyed with a wide mouth

MOST INVENTIVE BREAD PAIRING 

Cricket’s

98 Main Street, Sayville, NY 11782

• Why choose between mayo or butter? Cricket’s had its lobster salad on a buttery, flaky croissant that was a perfect pairing.
• Hint of a daring remoulade, but restrained
• Good variety in texture and size of lobster pieces for a cohesive sandwich
• Paired with French fries and coleslaw

MOST EXPERIMENTAL  

Dave Rogers, Cooking with a Veteran

20 Terry Street, Patchogue

• Technically not a restaurant, but since Dave Rogers is such a staple of Patchogue and it was Memorial Day weekend, it only made sense to let his homemade roll compete.
• With jalapenos fried after being soaked in buttermilk and floured with spices like paprika (Southern-fried), the lobster meat got kicked up another notch. Crispy bacon also made an appearance for extra decadence.
• Smoky, spicy, and sensational.
• Paired with mango/jalapeno/cilantro chutney and coleslaw

Photo cred: SWEEZEY PHOTOGRAPHY

BEST MAYO-BASED 

The Fish Store

836 Montauk Highway, Bayport, NY 11705

• The lobster roll for fishermen
• Lightly, but more than adequately mayo’d, this super-fresh lobster meat was clearly made with love and adoration
• Tangy, vinegar-soaked green onions were a nice touch
• Multiple sides to choose from, recommended: carrot and kale in garlic
• Buttered bun

BEST HOT BUTTER-BASED  

Kingston’s Clam Bar

130 Atlantic Avenue, West Sayville, NY 11796

• When you want the good eats of a lobster without the effort
• Flavorful and seasoned butter explodes from this roll
• Good variety of lobster meat
• Paired with French fries (that taste amazing, soaked in the sauce from the steamed clams)