Lobster Friday continues! (For most of June, I have declared it’s Fridays, Lobster Roll Fridays, unofficially…) This week, I consulted NY Mag and decided to venture to the east side for Luke’s Lobster.
Luke’s Lobster
93 East 7th St. (Between 1st and Ave. A)
New York, NY 10009
Whenever I’m in the area, I usually get Caracas. I have to say I never really noticed Luke’s Lobster. Although the line outside for Caracas is overwhelming, Luke’s has a nice big cult following with a constant line inside. I managed to find a seat while our order was being taken. The order took a good 10 minutes to fill, which was a little too long for take out, but totally worth it for the food. The place is pretty tiny with room only for 8 people sitting.
The menu isn’t overwhelming like Mary’s Fish Camp and they do simple seafood fare with little pizzaz and a lot of good taste. They had “Schooners,” whch is their value meals. For example, we got the lobster schooners, which includes a lobster roll, chips, and a drink. You can get crab schooners and shrimp schooners. You can also get a “Taste of Maine,” which is a half of each of the sandwiches, 2 empress claws, chips, and a drink. A “Noah’s Ark,” is double the “Taste of Maine,” and each value meal is a $1-2 off of getting the thing a la carte.
So here is the thing. I really REALLY wanted a Taste of Maine, but I was afraid that I would just really really really want a big fat lobster roll instead of a smaller tasting plate. This is what I struggle with. This is also what’s so hard about eating out with other people. 1) You can’t just order like 3 dishes, they will judge you. 2) You always WANT what they ordered. C’mon, admit it… the grass IS ALWAYS greener on the other side. 3) There is nothing worse than an unsatisfying meal. I can write a book about the joy and neurosis of eating. The latter will probably be the biggest part of the book.
So, this is stop #3 in our Umi’s Crazy June Friday Lobster Roll Festival (TM) (Dude, just look at my user picture). The first two lobster rolls were VERY similar in almost every way. However, Luke’s was lighter, buttery but slightly lemony/briny, on a light toasted buttered bread. The lobster was NOT DRENCHED in mayonnaise, cream, and butter… but I surprisingly loved it! I love cream and butter, and generally I think more the better. However, with Luke’s the lobster is the star. It’s really buttery and satisfying with a sprinkle of a herb mix of tarragon … and oregano(?). It was masterfully crafted. And for half the price of Pearl Oyster Bar or Mary’s Fish Camp, they are clearly the winner. And it comes with a pickle, which is really the way to win my heart.
Listen, I will probably go back to Pearl Oyster Bar for their raw and fried oysters (LOVED their fried oysters. The best around). Maybe I will go back to Mary’s to try some of their other seafood fare (mostly fish), but Luke’s might be the one to beat for lobster rolls, no matter what the price.
I will say that although I like chips, I prefer the shoestring fries with malt vinegar. Miss Vickie’s chips were a little too much and I wanted something more of an authentic flair. I want them to try their hand at some fries. Maybe I am asking for a bit too much. The sodas were delicious, although my date stole my lemon lime soda. I would love for that place to be a place I can get some good lagers or amber ale… but for now… give me my schooners. And I will be sure to try their empress claws, too, next time.
