Montclair, NJ – Biting into a lobster roll is a beloved summer ritual for many (if I’m even close to Mystic, I have to stop at the Sea View Snack Bar). But if you are not heading up to Connecticut or Maine, where can you go for a delicious local lobster roll? It all depends…
The newest entrant making waves in the lobster roll surf is Mystic Lobster Roll Co. In addition to New Jersey, Mystic has locations in New York, South Carolina and Florida. The Montclair location can be found at the corner of Valley Road and William Street (opposite Quick Check).
If you and your dining partners can’t agree on what style lobster roll to try, you are in luck. Mystic offers three different classic lobster rolls, made from fresh Maine lobster meat, priced at $20.99 — the Maine (fresh lobster, mayo, lightly buttered roll and pickle); the New England (fresh lobster, mayo, mixed greens and lemon); or the Connecticut (fresh lobster and melted butter – served warm). They also have gluten free lobster rolls or you can choose to sub lettuce for your roll.
Go beyond the classic and you can experiment with Mystic’s more exotic lobster roll menu offerings — all priced at $22.99. Pictured above is the Hawaiian, featuring fresh lobster, mango caviar, coconut mayo and fresh coconut. It sounds wild, but think coconut shrimp and it starts to make delicious sense.
Mystic’s rolls come with slaw and a pickle (pick up a bag of chips at Mystic to go with your roll). You can also opt for a gluten free lobster roll or swap lettuce for your roll.
Mystic Lobster Roll, 145 Valley Road, Montclair, NJ, 973-457-2651
Last summer, at Montclair Jazz Festival events, we fell in love with the amazing BBQ at Pineapple Express, but we also discovered you don’t need to be a carnivore to enjoy this spot. Check out their fantastic vegetables on the menu and their Maine Lobster Roll (celery, crispy shallots, buttered roll). Priced at $23, it’s a hefty, satisfying roll that goes perfect with your favorite beer on tap.
Pineapple Express, 1 Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair, 973-337-6358. Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
Choose between a warm (Connecticut) or cold (Maine) lobster roll at Jack’s Seafood Shack and you’ll get a 1/4 pound of fresh lobster meat on a toasted new England split bun for $24. Rolls are served with pickles (gluten free buns available).
Jack’s Seafood Shack , 718 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair. 973-893-5283.
And if you want to blow away your friends and make incredible lobster rolls at home, check out Gus & Co. for their oh-so-fresh lobster roll fixings.
Gus & Co. Seafood, 626 Valley Road, Upper Montclair, 973-783-3474.