Luke's Lobster is a fast casual chain known for its lobster (and other seafood) rolls. They are known for working with fisherman directly (e.g. no middleman, saving costs and ensuring quality), and for very simple preparations, no filler or additives.
It started in New York in 2009 and has been spreading fast. We don't (yet!) have one in San Francisco, although that is about to change. It has been on my radar though because of the great reviews, and my love of seafood.
The Luke's menu is very limited. This is not a place with "something for everyone", or really, something for most people. 3 rolls, all seafood. 2 chowders, both seafood. 3 very simple sides (chips, salad, slaw). 4 drinks (2 water, 2 soda). The only other menu options are a side of lobster tail for $5 (!), or a salad. In the winter they add a lobster mac and cheese. That's it.
All rolls are served on hot buns, but with chilled seafood, very, very lightly dressed. Simplicity.
The location we visited was near Time's Square, in the City Kitchen food court, a fairly interesting place, located on the second floor, away from the crazy, with big windows all around. It features a handful of vendors, including a ramen shop, sushi counter, burger joint, mexican place, and donut shop.
Seating is fairly limited, stools along the windows (uncomfortable stools, at that!), and a few tables. We had to wait and quickly snatch up a table once one became available. Still, an interesting venue.
The Luke's stand had good curb appeal, with wooden signage. Orders were taken at the register, sides and drinks handed over when you order, and then you wait for number to be called for the rolls themselves.
It took longer that I expected for the rolls, during which time our hot chowder got cold. Boo to that.
We tried all three rolls, one chowder, one side, and one drink. Nothing was great. Some was really not enjoyable. Even the drink (sparkling lemon water) wasn't great (too strong lemon!).
Safe to say, we have no reason to return.
"1/2 lobster roll, 1/2 crab roll, 1/2 shrimp roll."
Luke's offers 3 types of rolls: lobster, crab, or shrimp, all the same style on a split top bun with melted butter, mayo, and "secret" seasoning. The shrimp is the cheapest at $9, the lobster the most expensive at $16. Or, for those who want to try it all or just can't decide, there is the trio, featuring "1/2" of each roll.
We opted for the trio. I was a little surprised when I saw the portions. No segment actually looked like a full 1/2 a roll. It didn't matter though, as we struggled to get through them (in fact, my companion didn't finish his pieces - yes, he didn't want his quarter of any).
I'll start with the positive. The roll was quite good. Warm, perfectly toasted with a crisp exterior and soft inside, and I loved how buttered it was. I ate all the rolls when my companion pushed everything away.
Now, let's go negative. The shrimp. Tiny shrimp, a bit fishy, really cold, a bad contrast with the warm bun. Essentially no mayo on this one, but tons of the "secret" seasoning, some green herb on top. I disliked the seasoning. My companion took a *tiny* bite of this one, and pushed the rest away. I salvaged the buttered bun.
Next, the crab. It was ... a bit better. Still cold seafood, still lacking any mayo (tiny, tiny, tiny bit in the bottom of the bun), still with that seasoning I wasn't loving. The crab didn't taste bad, but it wasn't particularly great, and, without mayo or spice or anything to jazz it up, it was just ... boring. I desperately looked around the food court for somewhere that might have mayo, tartar sauce, aioli, anything, but failed. My companion took a second bite of this before pushing away, and declaring he was getting other food. I ended up adding the bread with butter and little mayo from the shrimp one to the crab to enhance it a little. In retrospect, I should have just taken it with me and added mayo back at hotel (because, yes, I had some).
Finally, the lobster. The lobster honestly wasn't bad. Good texture, well cooked, decent portion, good variety of pieces. But again, cold (which is fine, that is the style), but again, lacking mayo. It mattered less for the lobster since it had more flavor and went well with the butter. I did actually like this one. Love? Nah. Do I think a full size roll of it is worth $16? Of course not. But for a fast casual lobster roll, that one really wasn't bad. The rest though ...
You can get just the trio for $19, or for $28 upgrade to a combo with side of chowder (normally $7) and a drink (normally $3), so we did that, saving $1.
Luke's offers two soups: clam chowder, or lobster corn chowder, each available by the cup for $7, or bowl for $10.
We opted for the lobster corn chowder, as a small cup.
It was ... eh. Honestly, the quality was no different from a canned soup or generic fast casual chain, mostly corn, in a creamy but somehow not rich tasting, broth. We didn't find much lobster.
For $7 this was quite sad.
The only sides, besides soup, that Luke's offers are bags of Cape Cod Chips, a side salad, or slaw.
As a slaw lover though, this was all I needed. Slaw!
Except, this was not tasty. I took a bite, and definitely made a face. My companion took a bite, and pushed it away immediately, saying it was far too sour and vinegary. There was nothing that either of us liked about this slaw, it was intensely acidic, and obviously not a creamy style as I prefer.
Discarded with one bite each. Ooph.
It started in New York in 2009 and has been spreading fast. We don't (yet!) have one in San Francisco, although that is about to change. It has been on my radar though because of the great reviews, and my love of seafood.
The Luke's menu is very limited. This is not a place with "something for everyone", or really, something for most people. 3 rolls, all seafood. 2 chowders, both seafood. 3 very simple sides (chips, salad, slaw). 4 drinks (2 water, 2 soda). The only other menu options are a side of lobster tail for $5 (!), or a salad. In the winter they add a lobster mac and cheese. That's it.
All rolls are served on hot buns, but with chilled seafood, very, very lightly dressed. Simplicity.
 |
| City Kitchen Food Court. |
Seating is fairly limited, stools along the windows (uncomfortable stools, at that!), and a few tables. We had to wait and quickly snatch up a table once one became available. Still, an interesting venue.
 |
| Ordering Counter. |
It took longer that I expected for the rolls, during which time our hot chowder got cold. Boo to that.
 |
| Underwhelming Meal. $30. |
Safe to say, we have no reason to return.
 |
| Luke's Trio. $19. |
Luke's offers 3 types of rolls: lobster, crab, or shrimp, all the same style on a split top bun with melted butter, mayo, and "secret" seasoning. The shrimp is the cheapest at $9, the lobster the most expensive at $16. Or, for those who want to try it all or just can't decide, there is the trio, featuring "1/2" of each roll.
We opted for the trio. I was a little surprised when I saw the portions. No segment actually looked like a full 1/2 a roll. It didn't matter though, as we struggled to get through them (in fact, my companion didn't finish his pieces - yes, he didn't want his quarter of any).
I'll start with the positive. The roll was quite good. Warm, perfectly toasted with a crisp exterior and soft inside, and I loved how buttered it was. I ate all the rolls when my companion pushed everything away.
Now, let's go negative. The shrimp. Tiny shrimp, a bit fishy, really cold, a bad contrast with the warm bun. Essentially no mayo on this one, but tons of the "secret" seasoning, some green herb on top. I disliked the seasoning. My companion took a *tiny* bite of this one, and pushed the rest away. I salvaged the buttered bun.
Next, the crab. It was ... a bit better. Still cold seafood, still lacking any mayo (tiny, tiny, tiny bit in the bottom of the bun), still with that seasoning I wasn't loving. The crab didn't taste bad, but it wasn't particularly great, and, without mayo or spice or anything to jazz it up, it was just ... boring. I desperately looked around the food court for somewhere that might have mayo, tartar sauce, aioli, anything, but failed. My companion took a second bite of this before pushing away, and declaring he was getting other food. I ended up adding the bread with butter and little mayo from the shrimp one to the crab to enhance it a little. In retrospect, I should have just taken it with me and added mayo back at hotel (because, yes, I had some).
Finally, the lobster. The lobster honestly wasn't bad. Good texture, well cooked, decent portion, good variety of pieces. But again, cold (which is fine, that is the style), but again, lacking mayo. It mattered less for the lobster since it had more flavor and went well with the butter. I did actually like this one. Love? Nah. Do I think a full size roll of it is worth $16? Of course not. But for a fast casual lobster roll, that one really wasn't bad. The rest though ...
You can get just the trio for $19, or for $28 upgrade to a combo with side of chowder (normally $7) and a drink (normally $3), so we did that, saving $1.
 |
| Lobster Corn Chowder. $7. |
We opted for the lobster corn chowder, as a small cup.
It was ... eh. Honestly, the quality was no different from a canned soup or generic fast casual chain, mostly corn, in a creamy but somehow not rich tasting, broth. We didn't find much lobster.
For $7 this was quite sad.
 |
| Poppyseed Slaw. $2. |
As a slaw lover though, this was all I needed. Slaw!
Except, this was not tasty. I took a bite, and definitely made a face. My companion took a bite, and pushed it away immediately, saying it was far too sour and vinegary. There was nothing that either of us liked about this slaw, it was intensely acidic, and obviously not a creamy style as I prefer.
Discarded with one bite each. Ooph.
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