Tales of the Hungry Traveler

Lobster Roll and Onion Rings

Name: Jake’s Seafood

Location: Rt 1, Ogunquit,ME

Meal: Lobster roll, onion rings, and a Pepsi

Type: Casual Seafood

New England Seafood itself is a national icon and few of those foods more ubiquitous then the lobster roll. Jake’s Seafood is undoubtedly a fine establishment but wonderful places like this exist up and down the New England coast. Route 1 is the coastal highway running all throughout New England and there are plenty of these casual seafood restaurants in every town.  When you are in New England the lobster roll is THE food you have to try, it’s on the same level as a cheesesteak and BBQ.

Jake’s makes the lobster roll I was looking for, made with a little mayo. There is a some debate over what exactly should go into a lobster roll (I’m liberal on this).  Regardless of the debate, Jake’s lobster roll is what it looks like. At least a pound of lobster meat mixed with a little mayo and celery and jammed onto a lightly toasted New England hot dog bun.  I didn’t even attempt to pick this up right away, you pick at the lobster until you feel you can wield it.

The onion rings of course deserve attention. I found fresh onion rings like this on every menu I saw throughout New England. I suppose a region that learns to fry one food well (ie. clams) will learn to others equally well. The onion was sliced thin enough and fried just crispy enough that you could bite right through. It seemed to be a cornmeal coating and obviously fresh oil, just look how light and clean they look.

Overall I wish I could end this post by raving on and on about Jake’s Seafood in particular but unfortunately I haven’t been to enough New England seaside seafood restaurants (if that is even possible). I will say that Jake’s Seafood seems to be one of the great examples of simple New England seafood done very well.