When people think of New England seafood, the classic food that comes to mind is the lobster roll. Because they are everywhere, it’s hard to imagine a time before lobster rolls. But they are a relatively new addition to the New England cuisine line-up. Every seafood restaurant, food truck, and eatery in New England has its own take on the lobster roll, and Jasmine’s Roast Beef & Seafood is no exception. We take our Seabrook seafood seriously. And every New Englander has their own opinion on what makes the best lobster roll.
Let’s take a look at the history and variations of our favorite Seabrook seafood.
Seafood on the Go
We call it a Maine lobster roll, so it must have started in Maine, right? Nope! The first lobster roll was actually made in a restaurant called Perry’s in Milford, Connecticut, in 1929. A salesman came into the restaurant looking for a lobster sandwich he could eat on the road and the owner whipped one up. Lobster sandwiches, of course, already existed. Lobstermen would make them from the meat from the lobsters that weren’t quite up to scratch. But chunks of lobster meat between two slices of white bread isn’t exactly a sandwich you can eat with one hand.
Maine vs. Connecticut
The style of lobster roll you are likely to find among Seabrook seafood offerings and in northern New England is the Maine lobster roll. Before being loaded onto the bun, the meat is lightly coated with mayonnaise and often tossed with celery or chives. Another hallmark of the Maine lobster roll is that the meat is served cold. The Connecticut—some say the original—style roll is different. Instead of mayo, warm butter coats the lobster meat. Combined with the toasted bun, a Connecticut lobster roll is a warm sandwich, in contrast to the cold Maine-style roll. You are more likely to find the Connecticut-style roll in Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Seabrook Seafood and Delicious Variations
As the lobster roll gained popularity throughout the following decades, really hitting its stride in the mid-90s, chefs and restaurants put their own spin on it. One of our favorite variations is substituting different seafood for lobster meat. At Jasmine’s Roast Beef & Seafood, we offer seafood rolls with clams, scallops, crabmeat, shrimp, and tuna. So if you’re looking for Seabrook seafood that’s familiar but just a little bit different, come check us out! Or you can always stop by to snag a tried-and-true lobster roll, too.
