Sunday, July 31, 2011

The best lobster roll on MDI

In the years that we’ve been visiting Mount Desert Island in Maine, I’ve had my share of lobster rolls. Some were pretty good and some were not, but it wasn’t until I found what I consider to be the Holy Grail of lobster rolls that I knew how good this sandwich could really be.

True story: The first time I ordered two of these and they told me the price, I cancelled the order. My husband, who prefers to wait in the car, told me to go back inside and order the damn things. We were on vacation, and it’s not like we’re going to have them again this trip. I’m glad I did because they were delicious. But at $15 per roll (they’re now up to $17), it’s a very pricey lunch.

Let’s head to Northeast Harbor for what I believe to be the best lobster roll on Mount Desert Island.

 

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It’s beautiful here at the harbor. But it’s a little too hoity-toity for me. However, we’re here for the lobster rolls at the Colonel’s Restaurant & Bakery on Main Street. And I’ve just spent an entire morning hiking at the national park and dang-it, I am hungry.

 

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As you can see, they don’t use the traditional grilled hot dog roll but rather a grilled round roll. We had ours on wheat. But it’s what inside that matters, and the Colonel’s simple blend of mayonnaise and herbs is pure perfection.

 

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And the crispy and zesty fries that go with it are out-of-this-world good.

I kept popping one after the other into my mouth as we headed to our favorite picnic spot on Sargent Drive which runs along nearby Somes Harbor. Luckily I had enough fries left to grab this photo.

 

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The original Colonel’s, along with a couple of surrounding buildings, was destroyed in a fire in 2008. The new Colonel’s includes 1-bedroom suites above the restaurant.

And their baked goods are heavenly.

Colonel’s, Northeast Harbor

 

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While waiting for our lunch to be prepared, I always like to stroll along Main Street and look at the shops. The art galleries, in particular, are my favorite. My husband and George usually elect to stay in the car and wait.

On another note, we bought lobster roll for dinner one evening over in Winter Harbor, bringing it back to eat on the deck of the cottage. The lobster roll from Harbor Girl Emporium Café was pretty decent, but my heart still belongs to the Colonel.

 

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Here is a fantastic recipe for lobster rolls from Rebecca Charles, owner of the Pearl Oyster Bar in NYC and author of Lobster Rolls and Blueberry Pie: Three Generations of Recipes and Stories from Summers on the Coast of Maine. (I love this book).

I also love sarsaparilla. I just thought you needed to know that.

Pearl Oyster Bar – Lobster Roll Recipe

Until tomorrow, then . . .

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35 comments:

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

wait now..just hold it a second !!!! look at you !!! in Maine...eating a lobster roll !!!

i can only wish !!!

looks delightful, my friend

i wish ... i wish...i wish !!!!
xx
kary and teddy

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

The lobster roll looks delicious. The best lobster roll I ever hand is from The Beach Plum in Rye, New Hampshire. It too is $17.00. You need yo use a fork and eat for about 5 minutes before you can put your mouth on the roll for a bite. Huge and mouthwatering.

BB said...

Right. 9.30am and I am now craving lobster. And me here in the middle of nowhere about three hours drive from the ocean. Helpful...

Looks gorgeous Kate. Naturally.
:-)
BB

Anonymous said...

I'm wondering if he ships the stuff!?!? Man does that look good.

Country Gal said...

Looks great ! Even though I am not a fan of lobster! I do love the harbor though. We live near lots of harbors as we are close to lake Erie and the small towns along the shore are fishing towns and are soo cute with shops of every kind ! Looks and sounds like your trip was amazing ! Awesome photos !

Annie said...

I'm with Bush Babe...can't wait for a lobster roll, and a fair way to the ocean. But I think I'll be going soon. Look what you've done to us, Kate! ;-)

spindrift,maine said...

If anyone can't get to MDI, but is on Rt. 1 in Wiscasset, ME, I'd like to recommend Sarah's for an excellent lobster roll. Just like at the Colonel's, no hot dog roll there--instead, home baked bread that is wonderful. Plus, you can sit inside or out, look at the river, and feel sorry for the folks that are lined knee deep on the other side of the road at Red's Eats--standing for a long time in the elements right in the middle of traffic. And the roll isn't as good as Sarah's, they just do better advertising! So glad for your feast, Kate!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

YUM. and I may have to look for that book on Amazon.

A heartbreak for me this year is my sudden allergy to shellfish. I cannot believe it, for I have been RAISED on seafood and absolutely love it. A good lobstor roll is Food For The Gods. Sadly, after three attempts and yucky ill effects, I guess I can't eat it anymore.

How is that possible??...

Your photos are wonderful, and torture today :(

Sharon said...

Thanks for the photos. I have wonder what a lobster roll it. I thought it was some kind of baked thing like a crab cake.

Country Girl said...

Thanks, all.

And Mike, is Sarah's the place on the right (heading north) just before the bridge? Geez ~ we were stuck on that road for over a half hour wondering what all the traffic was about only to find that it was police stopping traffic to let pedestrians cross the street there. Stuck for miles and miles, we were!

Thanks for the tip on Sarah's. The motel where we stayed was about a mile after the bridge on the left. The motel that time forgot. With the good bed.

~ C.G.

GailO said...

I am writing down the names of these places to take with me on our trip! We always plan our trip up to Maine with a stop at Youngs Lobster Pound in Belfast for their lobster rolls...no homemade bread though! I have to admit that for all the lobster rolls I have had in Maine my favorite is here in RI at the Bay ST Deli...if you ever get to RI!

Renee said...

I've had one lobster roll in my life. I was in Maine with my high school boyfriend and his family. It was yummy. However, less than a year later I developed a severe allergy to shellfish so that was all-she-wrote for me and lobster rolls.

Lili said...

Guess we need to make a trip over to the Colonels, except you know who won't be eating you know what... but I might. xo ~Lili

Deb said...

awesome photos....mmmm lobster

JaneK said...

omg! i need to get me one of them lobster rolls now!!!

Reena said...

That lobster roll looks so delicious! We know that place in Wiscasset! Traffic nightmare every time we drive up to Boothbay Harbor. We definitely will try out Sarah's at Mike's suggestion!

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Must have lobster roll. NOW.

trump said...

Great images, i had lobster only one time. I really enjoyed it but had a very tough time getting past how ugly it looked. Ive never had lobster again. Richard

Anonymous said...

Oh, looks so yummy! I love seeing your Maine photos!

The JR said...

Too pricy for me to eat one every day....but, splurging is a different matter. And on vacation you need to!

Daryl said...

Luke's Lobster is the best thing to happen to the UWS since Recipe opened. Light on the mayo and in a bun thats not quite a hot dog bun.. and Sasparilla .. love it, its a cousin of root beer another fav of mine

Anonymous said...

It is a pricey lunch, but oh boy! Think I'd be mesmerized at which to eat first!!!

CJ xx

beth said...

wow....they look fantastic. i'll have to share this place with my sister and see if they have ever been there....

xo

Jeanne Walker said...

So that's what a lobster roll is! Glad you found one so tasty on Mount Dessert Island, and I love it that the Colonel got your heart!
Only wish that I was able to eat lobster without it bringing me to the edge of death! Cannot wait to see where we go today!

Jeanne Walker said...

Oops! That would be Mount Desert Island...unless you found an awesome dessert and then we could rename it!

Gone Country said...

Sheesh... I'm already hungry and now whatever I decide to have for dinner isn't going to be good enough! Just kidding! The Colonel's lobstah rolls and fries look yummy! Worth every dollar spent!

Mental P Mama said...

Yumminess overloadddddd!!!

sharon said...

Oh my stars, that sandwich looks sooo good. I have to have one!! Okay maybe not now, but eventually I will have one. Eat an extra one for me will ya!

becky up the hill said...

Love your husband's logic! Thanks for another dandy field trip which included good eats and a chuckle!

Jessica White said...

We just got back from our first visit to Maine...we had a lobster roll in Portland and were completely disappointed in it.

If I ever get back there...I'll have to visit MDI.

ELK said...

yum yum and more .. that looks like some great food!!

Julie Gatherum-McGuire said...

Having lived several years in New Hampshire, we would travel frequently for Maine, just for dinner if we felt like it! Lobster just tastes better in Maine. Your pictures have my mouth watering! Thank you for sharing. Nothing is better than summertime in Maine!

South Carolina Insurance Companies said...

Mmm.. delicous, me so hungry =)

Rebecca said...

Great photos of the food! Looks yummy! Rebecca

Mary said...

It's 7:00 am, I'm on a diet, and I don't even like lobster, but that looks delicious!
xoxo