[Gift Article: Here’s Why a New York City Lobster Roll (With Fries!) Costs $32](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/14/nyregion/nyc-costs-lobster-roll-fries.html?unlocked_article_code=1.-kw.Y5BX.R2zPvEZ98IFn&smid=url-share)
Haven’t had lobster rolls in a long while but I’m surprised but not surprised to see that Lobster rolls are $32 now.
I checked Luke’s Lobster and they’re also at $34.
by crazeman
19 Comments
They’ve always been relatively expensive though. In 2012 I paid 30 for one in around Midtown
Were lobster rolls ever cheap? The best ones in Philly were $28 at Oyster House for the longest time prior to the pandemic. Came with awesome fries too. Price crept up to $38 now
The 4 oz at Luke’s lobster is $23. I don’t go there often since it’s expensive but I usually get the trio (half size lobster roll, crab roll, shrimp roll) for $26.50. again expensive but the quality is very good. They at least give you a break on adding chips and a drink (only $2 extra).
$32 is for a roll without a ton of meat. I big one will cost more.
I had one this summer in Kittery Maine- cost about the same.
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But it was HUGE
I believe that may be the going rate.
I’m pretty sure I paid about that much at the Mermaid Inn in the West Village during the summer. It was pretty good.
Lobster rolls have always been pricey
https://www.cousinsmainelobster.com/locations/new-york-city-ny/
Try these guys. Delicious
All animal sourced products should be more expensive, and we should reduce prices on fruits and vegetables. Production of animal meat is killing the planet. Meat should be consumed a couple of times per week max, as opposed to three times a day as most people do. We are destroying everything for a product humans barely need.
The best lobster I ever had was in MA and it was 32 bucks 5 years ago
I got news for ya, it’s the same shit up in New England, including Maine lol
it’s cheaper to just make it yourself. it’s literally just boiled lobster in bread with butter. finally had it for the first time and couldn’t believe I fell for the hype.
Red Hook Lobster Pound cost of the basic lobster roll (w/ included side):
* 2021 – $32
* 2020 – $26
* 2019 – $26
* 2018 – $26
* 2017 – $25
* 2017 – $24
* 2016 – $24
That’s a pretty fucking big jump in 1 year, especially considering how slow the creep was before that. The fact that they’ve managed to hold it steady at $32 for 2 years is actually kinda interesting (she talks about cost cutting they’ve been doing).
Or you can go to the soup nazi and they’re like $15.
$25-$35 has been the going rate for lobster rolls between here and Maine for several years. How is this news?
I’ll add a hidden gem I just remembered: the pescatore stand at grand central market sells a variety of seafood summer rolls. They’re a decent size too. I’d get 3 for lunch if I wasn’t crazy hungry. The lobster roll and shoft shell crab roll is $8, salmon or tuna $6 and curry shrimp or classic shrimp $5.
At the Big E (New England State Fair at the end of September) you used to be able to get a Lobster Roll for $10. I think it’s 20 dollars now…
I remember before they ever opened their shop, as they were soliciting word of mouth for anyone in the neighborhood who wanted fresh lobster to advance place an order as they drove up to Maine every week! They are hard working and good people and it’s sad to hear what started out as pure passion and the goal to bring a proper lobster roll to NY has become such a stressful business. I remember those early days and they’re the ones who introduced me to Maine Root blueberry soda. So good. And yeah…their lobster rolls were amazing. I said “were” because I haven’t had one from them in 10+ years since moving away from Red Hook. Hope it works out okay for them.
I read the article and I feel like it’s missing the biggest piece. It’s the rent. Like I live in lower Manhattan and as I’ve gotten to know local bars and pizza places some of them have revealed their rents to me and I realized commercial real estate is three times more than residential.
Those pizza slice shops are sometimes paying 20k for rent. I’ve noticed that the prices have effects on prices within the cheaper. Queens and Brooklyn (especially outside or Williamsburg or Green Point), Bodega, quick bites, bars are a good 20 percent cheaper than in downtown Manhattan
I know a place in Fidi in summer 2021 that sold lobster rolls for 20-22 USD. Nowadays probably 28-32