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.
As a seafood lover and lifelong New Englander I’ve eaten my fair share of lobster rolls. These delicious sandwiches are a quintessential summer treat in this part of the country. But not all lobster rolls are created equal. There are two main styles – Maine and Connecticut – and they’re quite different.
In this article, I’ll break down the key differences between Maine and Connecticut lobster rolls so you know exactly what to expect from each.
A Quick Overview
First, let’s do a super quick rundown of the two styles
Maine lobster rolls are served cold with the lobster meat lightly dressed with mayo and chopped celery in a split-top bun. They’re refreshing and highlight the natural sweetness of the lobster.
Connecticut lobster rolls are hot and buttery. The lobster meat is warmed through and drenched in melted butter before being piled into a toasted bun. They’re rich, indulgent, and super messy to eat.
Now, let’s get into the nitty gritty details!
The Maine Lobster Roll
Let’s start with the Maine lobster roll since it’s the more well-known of the two nationwide.
History
The exact origin is debated, but the lobster rolllikely first emerged in Connecticut in the early 1900s. The Maine-style developed shortly after, gaining popularity as tourism grew in the state.
Restaurants in Maine eventually put their own spin on the sandwich, featuring cold lobster salad made with mayo. This style became synonymous with Maine and is now considered the classic lobster roll across much of the country.
Ingredients
The Maine lobster roll keeps things simple:
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Lobster meat – knuckle, claw, and tail meat are all commonly used. The lobster is usually cooked then chilled.
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Mayonnaise – Typically Hellmann’s. Just enough to lightly coat the lobster.
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Lemon juice – Brightens up the mayo dressing.
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Celery – Finely chopped for crunch. Optional.
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Lettuce – Usually Boston lettuce to line the bun and prevent sogginess.
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Toasted, buttered split-top bun – The flat sides are perfect for toasting in butter on a griddle.
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Salt and pepper to taste
That’s it! The light mayo dressing lets the sweet lobster flavor shine.
Flavor
The Maine lobster roll has a refreshing flavor profile thanks to the cool mayo and lemon. It’s creamy but not heavy. There’s some nice crunch from the celery. And you get lovely contrast between the hot buttered bun and cold lobster salad.
It’s the perfect summer sandwich – cool, crisp, and delicately flavored.
Where to Find It
Maine lobster rolls are served throughout New England but are the signature style in Maine (obviously). You’ll find them at seaside lobster shacks and restaurants.
If you can’t make it up north, you can get authentic Maine-style lobster rolls shipped nationwide from seafood purveyors like Lobster Anywhere.
The Connecticut Lobster Roll
Now let’s look at the southern New England version – the Connecticut lobster roll.
History
The Connecticut lobster roll is credited as the original, invented at a restaurant in Milford, CT in 1929. The owner started serving hot lobster salad sandwiches on toasted buns, which became locally famous.
This hot, buttery preparation style came to define the Connecticut version of the lobster roll.
Ingredients
Connecticut lobster rolls contain:
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Lobster meat – Traditionally chilled then warmed before serving. Some places steam the lobster.
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Melted butter – The key ingredient! The rolls are drenched and dripping in hot, melted butter.
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Toasted, split-top bun – Brioche rolls are also popular. The bun gets nicely soaked in butter too.
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Lemon juice
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Optional paprika or parsley
That’s all you need for an authentic Connecticut roll! The hot butter is the star of the show.
Flavor
Warm, rich, and decadent – that sums up the Connecticut lobster roll. The melted butter permeates every bite and takes the natural sweetness of the lobster to another level.
It’s a much heavier, richer eating experience than the Maine version. You might need a nap after eating one of these babies!
Where to Find It
Connecticut lobster rolls are predominantly found along the Connecticut shoreline. Restaurants in Rhode Island and Massachusetts sometimes serve them too.
You can also order Connecticut-style lobster rolls online and make them at home by buying lobster meat, butter, and rolls from seafood companies like Lobster Anywhere.
Key Differences at a Glance
Let’s summarize the main differences between the two lobster rolls:
| Maine | Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Served cold | Served hot |
| Mayo-based dressing | Warm melted butter |
| Light and refreshing | Rich and indulgent |
| Celery for crunch | Plain lobster and butter |
| Found throughout New England | Mostly in Connecticut |
So in short – Maine is cold and Connecticut is hot when it comes to lobster rolls!
Which is Better?
This is a sensitive subject that can spark some heated debates.
I’m diplomatic on this. Both styles are delicious in their own way. It just comes down to personal taste.
If you like light and refreshing, go for Maine. If you want to indulge in butter-soaked decadence, Connecticut is your pick.
You really can’t go wrong. My advice is to try both and decide for yourself! And getting the best of both worlds by making lobster roll sliders is always a good option too.
Get Your Lobster Roll Fix
Next time you’re in New England, sample them side by side. And if you can’t make the trip, order some lobster rolls online and recreate these classics at home. Crispy fries or coleslaw make great accompaniments.
However you eat them, lobster rolls are the ultimate summer seafood treat!
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
Which is better, Maine lobster roll or Connecticut lobster roll?
Connecticut Lobster rolls are superior and it’s not even close. Those savages up in Maine may know how to catch a lobster but they don’t know a damn thing about good lobster rolls.
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
Why is it called a Connecticut lobster roll?
According to the “Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink” the lobster roll originated as a hot dish at a restaurant named Perry’s in Milford, Connecticut, as early as 1929. Its popularity then spread along he Connecticut coast.
What is a Maine lobster roll?
The main feature of a Maine-style lobster roll is that it’s served cold. Chunks of lobster meat are coated in a light dressing made with mayonnaise and seasoned with salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon. The addition of extras can be considered blaspemous in many local seafood shacks.
What is the difference between Maine lobster roll and Connecticut lobster roll?
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.
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.
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.
Why do Maine and Connecticut eat lobster rolls?
The lobster roll is not just a meal; it’s a reflection of New England’s rich maritime heritage and culinary identity. Both Maine and Connecticut pride themselves on their unique contributions to this iconic dish. Maine takes great pride in its lobster fishing industry, which has been thriving for centuries.
What does a Maine lobster roll taste like?
The flavor of a Maine lobster roll is all about, well, the lobster. The dressing adds a slight creaminess and brightness, but you get plenty of sweetness from lobster meat and a bit of vegetal crunch from the celery. What to Serve with a Maine Lobster Roll?