Connecticut's Hot Lobster Roll- The One with Butter (and an R)

Let’s play a game. Imagine you’re waiting in line for Sno-Caps and popcorn, anxiously checking your watch to make sure you don't miss the beginning of the new Sydney Sweeney movie you bought tickets to. (my game, my rules) And just as you’re about to pay for the pricey treats, the cashier asks, “do you want mayo on your popcorn?” What, are you kidding me? Now, picture you’re sitting at your favorite Italian restaurant, Frankie crooning in the background, the scent of charred garlic and Acqua di Gio perfuming the air.  You grab for a pat of mayonnaise from the breadbasket to slather on your semolina. No! That’s never gonna happen right? So then why is anyone ever choosing a cold, mayo-y Maine lobster roll when a hot, buttery Connecticut version is available.

Oh, you didn’t know there are two kinds?

I can't say this for certain, but I'm going to guess that most American's think of the cold, creamy Maine Style lobstah roll with chunks of red & white claw and knuckle meat stuffed into a toasted, New England Style top cut hot dog bun. And btw, don't let my opening fool you, I actually like mayo and the cold lobster roll too, I just wanted a reason to shoehorn Ms. Sweeney into my story. But falling from a cliff, I am definitely saving the Connecticut Style roll, with warm lumps of claw meat & tail meat glistening in melted butter and a squirt of lemon served on a brioche or long roll. It's decadent, dare I say orgasmic!

Connecticut has beaches?

I sometimes think of Connecticut as The Northeast's red headed stepchild. No offense meant CT, or any of you gingers but I feel like it's a state not quite accepted by New England, and while it's technically considered part of the NYC Tri-State area, we all know its NY & NJ that has all the clout. I mean Andy Cohen isn't interviewing anyone from the Real Housewives of Stamford #knowwhatimsaying. But with over 600 miles of Long Island Sound coastline, the Nutmeg state is full of picturesque beach towns and more importantly, amazing seafood shacks. According to LobsterEverywhere, sometime in the late 1920's Harry Perry invented the lobster roll at his restaurant in Milford, Ct aptly named Perry's. Story goes he accommodated a travelling liquor salesman's request for a hot grilled lobster sandwich to go. Harry originally served the succulent meat on slices of buttered white bread. It was so successful, it became a staple on the menu, and overtime, he replaced the bread, with a sturdier roll that opened from the top that he sourced at a local bakery! Word of this new sandwich spread and before you knew it, bang, boom, bang... a foodigenous was born. Apparently, it was years later that mayonnaise was introduced to the mix. And while the cold versions have become uber popular up North where the residents start dropping their R's, the buttery version continues to be Connecticut's ...bread and butter, so to speak.

I stumbled across the Lobster Landing in Clinton Ct, by chance while looking for a picturesque shot of the Sound. It was as if Poseidon himself summoned me to this magnificent shack on the water's edge for my first ever, buttery lobster roll. Now a darling of the Influencer Instagram circuit, Lobster Landing makes a simple, yet perfect sandwich packed with large chucks of succulent, sweet meat layered into a charred Calise Bakery torpedo roll. (this somewhat surprised me as I expected a hot dog bun, but the long bread was sturdy and supported the mound of wet goodness, without becoming soggy) I don't know if I was romanced by the setting of boats making their way into the marina, or by the salty smell of sea air, but this remains the greatest lobster roll experience I ever had. They make a tasty chowder as well and have other items on their menu, but honestly, I can't tell you how they are, because I only get the roll every visit. They are proudly a BYOAWDS- Anything we don't serve, so don't forget to bring your favorite beer, wine or Foxon birch beer.

Connecticut's shoreline is dotted with many other long-time favorites, and I encourage you to take to search out gems like The Guildford Lobster Pound or Overton's Seafood overlooking the harbor in east Norwalk since 1948. For a comprehensive list, check out CTBites to start your own personalized crawl, but be forewarned there's a cost for greatness. Once known as the cockroach of the sea, most lobster rolls will set you back well over $25 but trust me, if you can afford it, it's worth it. Some of these shacks close for the season, so be sure to check out the hours before making the trip.