If you want to bring an air of sophistication and celebration to your dinner table without spending hours in the kitchen, a surf and turf dinner might be the perfect solution.
With the right ingredients and a bit of planning, you can pull off an effortless meal that looks (and tastes!) over the top—and we’ve got just the recipes to show you how.
Lobster rolls are a quintessential New England specialty, beloved for their tender chunks of sweet lobster meat tucked into a grilled, buttered bun. However, not all lobster rolls are created equal. There are two distinct regional styles – the Maine lobster roll and the Connecticut lobster roll – each with its own devoted following. So what exactly is the difference between Maine and Connecticut lobster rolls? Let’s break it down.
A Brief History of Lobster Rolls
While both types originated in New England the Maine and Connecticut lobster rolls emerged from different historical backgrounds.
The Connecticut lobster roll is believed to have been invented first, sometime around 1929 at a restaurant called Perry’s in Milford Connecticut. The owner created a hot grilled lobster sandwich for a customer looking for food to eat on-the-go while traveling. This warm, buttered sandwich laid the foundation for the Connecticut-style lobster roll we know today.
The Maine lobster roll came later, rising to popularity as tourism boomed in the state in the mid-20th century. The cold lobster salad style served in Maine became synonymous with summertime vacation fare. Famous chefs eventually put their own spin on the dish, cementing the Maine lobster roll’s iconic status.
Temperature: Hot vs. Cold
The starkest difference between the two rolls is temperature.
Connecticut-style lobster rolls are served warm, with the lobster meat and bun freshly toasted.
Maine-style lobster rolls feature chilled lobster salad piled into a toasted bun.
This contrast in temperature is the defining characteristic that separates Maine vs. Connecticut rolls. It informs everything from textures to ideal serving seasons.
Preparation: Butter vs. Mayo
Beyond temperature, Connecticut and Maine rolls differ significantly in how the lobster meat is prepared:
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Connecticut lobster rolls highlight the lobster itself, served bathed in melted butter with little added dressing. The butter brilliantly enhances the sweetness of the lobster.
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Maine lobster rolls take a lighter approach, with the lobster tossed gently in a creamy mayo dressing brightened with lemon juice and fresh herbs. The mayo adds a creamy base while still letting the lobster shine.
So in short:
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Connecticut = hot, buttered lobster
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Maine = cold lobster salad with mayo
Flavor Profiles
The different preparation methods yield contrasting flavor profiles:
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Connecticut rolls taste rich, savory, and decadent, with the warm butter amplifying the natural sweetness of the lobster.
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Maine rolls offer a cool, tangy creaminess, with mayo and lemon providing a refreshing foil to the chilled lobster’s sweetness.
So while both celebrate fresh lobster, Connecticut rolls Opt for indulgence while Maine rolls feature brightness.
Texture
Temperature also affects the texture of the lobster meat itself:
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The warm Connecticut lobster roll features tender, softened meat soaked in melted butter.
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The chilled Maine lobster retains a firmer, dense texture even once dressed with mayo.
The Maine roll’s contrast between the cool salad and the crunchy toasted bun is part of its appeal.
Best Pairings
The different styles also lend themselves to different pairings:
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Connecticut rolls match well with fries, coleslaw, or potato salad.
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Maine rolls demand seafood shack sides like chowder, onion rings, or pickles.
So factor the sides into your lobster roll decision as well!
Ideal Setting
When should you opt for each style?
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Connecticut rolls shine on cooler days when you crave indulgence and warmth. The hot butter is comforting.
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Maine rolls epitomize summertime thanks to their light, refreshing quality. The cold salad is perfect on a hot day.
Location, Location, Location
Finally, where you are matters. Visitors to each state should experience the local specialty:
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In Maine, order the cold lobster salad roll. It’s what they’re known for.
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In Connecticut, go for the hot, buttered roll. It originated there, after all.
You really can’t go wrong with either version when visiting New England. Just know the differences so you know what you’re getting!
What’s the difference between a Maine lobster roll and a Connecticut lobster roll?
A Maine lobster roll is served with the lobster meat chilled and dressed in mayo with some crunchy greens like chives, celery, and/or scallions. A Connecticut lobster roll is served warm, dunked in butter, on a toasted bun. But after talking to some folks who own lobster shacks and seafood restaurants around New England, I learned it’s all about where you are.
“It means different things in different places,” said Sarah Sutton of the Bite Into Maine lobster roll food truck. “If you order a Connecticut-style in Connecticut, it will be a warmed roll. If you order [the same in] Maine, most likely the meat will be chilled with butter either on top or on the side.”
Steve Kingston of The Clam Shack in Kennebunk, Maine, agreed. The lobster roll at his restaurant is served with “chilled meat piled onto a grilled, round, locally-made yeast roll, served with the customer’s choice of mayo on the roll or warm butter drizzled over the cold meat.” It is probably best to ask if its not specified on the menu.
What is Surf and Turf?
Surf and turf is a style of menu that offers the best of both the land and the sea. This means customers don’t have to choose between the steak and the lobster and just get them both. This is a classic offering at steakhouses and seafood restaurants.
Surf and turf plates are often show-stopping displays of vibrant, fresh seafood and juicy seared steak. Alongside the main course, you’ll often find vegetable side dishes like crisp green asparagus, creamed spinach, whipped potatoes, or other sides to balance out all the protein.
Ultimately, surf and turf is a delightful culinary experience of texture, flavor, and aroma in one unique meal.
Lobster Rolls: What’s The Difference Between Connecticut Vs. Maine
FAQ
Is Connecticut or Maine lobster roll better?
- Lobster: Chilled lobster meat, often in a salad-like form with mayonnaise, celery, and sometimes other herbs or seasonings.
- Roll: Typically a split-top hot dog bun, toasted, and sometimes buttered.
- Temperature: Cold
What are the three types of lobster rolls?
Lobsters Rolls
And these most popular selections are Maine-style, Connecticut-Style, and New England salad-style.
Why is lobster more expensive in Maine?
The demand for Maine lobster is far greater than other Maine seafood, making it more expensive.Aug 15, 2023
Which lobster roll has mayo?
Maine Lobster Roll. Maine lobster roll is an iteration of the classic butter-soaked roll. It consists of cooked lobster meat that is chilled and tossed with mayonnaise, celery, lemon juice, and salt. Other ingredients, such as fresh herbs, seasoning salt, and onions, can also be added to the mayo mixture.
What’s the difference between a Maine lobster roll and a Connecticut lobster roll?
The primary difference between a Maine lobster roll and a Connecticut lobster roll lies in the preparation and presentation of the lobster meat. A Maine lobster roll is typically served cold, featuring lobster meat mixed with mayonnaise, often combined with ingredients like celery or lettuce for added crunch.
Is Maine’s lobster roll a true lobster roll?
When it comes to the debate over which regional variety of the lobster roll reigns supreme, some Connecticuters will claim that Maine’s iteration isn’t even a true lobster roll. If the lobster is cooled and there’s mayo in the mix, local Connecticut residents refer to the dish as a lobster salad — likely with a bit of a smirk.
What is a Connecticut lobster roll?
The first known Connecticut lobster roll was served up in 1929 at a Milford, Connecticut restaurant called Perry’s. This roll held the signature Connecticut-style hot lobster salad in plenty of melted butter on a toasted bun. To make a traditional Connecticut-style lobster roll, the first step is of course to start with premium lobster meat.
Do Maine and Connecticut lobster rolls have different dressings?
The dressings on top of Maine and Connecticut lobster rolls differ, as do the preferred seasonings. And to finish it off, even the serving temperature is entirely different. Local residents will swear by a rendition, and stand by precisely what addition is blasphemous (for many in Connecticut, it’s mayo).
Are Maine and Connecticut lobster sandwiches the same?
The two states don’t border, and just like with their geographic gap, there’s quite a division between the two sandwiches. In fact, only the pairing of lobster and bread is consistent, but past that, every component is reworked. The dressings on top of Maine and Connecticut lobster rolls differ, as do the preferred seasonings.
What is a New England lobster roll?
The New England style roll is common to both Maine and Connecticut style lobster rolls, and as King Arthur Baking tells us, it’s basically an upgraded hot dog roll, with the cut right in the center of the golden tops, and pillowy-soft sides that are perfect for toasting or griddling.