New to Santa Monica, on the S.E. Corner of 2nd and S.M. Blvd. Branch of a chain of lobster shacks from back East (or, rather DownEast). Simple menu of cold rolls (Lobster, at least, can be served warm of an addition $1) in traditional split-top buns (Lobster, Jonah Crab, Shrimp, or combo of all three) and two soups (New England Clam Chowder or Lobster Bisque). Rolls come in 4, 6, or 8 oz. The rolls are a bit pricey. but very good quality and come with chips and a bottled or canned beverage (Maine Root sodas), which might offset the priciness to some degree. I tried all three and liked the Lobster and Crab more than the Shrimp (still good, just not as).
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If you request warm lobster does it come with butter? Or is it still served with mayo, just warm?
I did see a note on the menu that there was no mayo on the hot roll, but, other than that, I am not sure.
jfc.
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kind of crazy but cheaper than a flight to Boston … I remember during pandemic days when Luke’s Lobster was on MealPal in NYC
The other week, I bought a 1.5 lb Atlantic lobster from the 99 Ranch Westwood for 15.95/ lb. 1lb is 16 OZ. Take 50% off for shell. So 8 oz @$15.95= $7.98.
Q: Even accounting for rent, tax, salaries etc… plus the chips and drink included, how does Luke’s go from $8 to $52 (8 oz roll)? Oh and they own their own processing facility on the East Coast too.
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Yeah those are pretty eye watering prices!
It’s interesting. Had Luke’s lobster roll in Tokyo years ago. Just checked their current Menu prices. For a regular size (4 oz.), it is JPY 2,480. Roughly $16.32. Chips and drink for JPY 600. That’s $3.95. Total $20.27.
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Pre-pandemic? I feel like everything’s got a min 30% increase after. 
I don’t quite know how much 4 oz of lobster is, but I think $30 seems pretty standard, at least in LA.
My main issue is that it has to taste good. I don’t get lobster rolls a lot, but the few times I’ve had the Lobsta Truck, it sets the bar so high (IMHO). I don’t normally get lobster rolls from sit-down places in LA b/c I assume I will be disappointed (and thus annoyed at how much $$$ I spent).
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My favorite lobster roll in LA is from Broad Street. Their lobster roll is $25, unsure of exactly how much meat (let’s assume it’s 4oz?). Fries are $6. Soft drinks vary but ~$5 average. A 4oz lobster roll meal at Broad Street is therefore $36, compared to $30 at Luke’s Lobster. Luke’s is less expensive than Broad Street, but only if you were already planning to get fries and a drink. I never order soft drinks and usually split an order of fries (if any), so it does come out more expensive for me. I don’t love the forced bundling, seems like a scummy way to grease their margins.
$20.27 is based on current Menu price. So it’s 1/3 cheaper than Luke’s in LA.
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My current fave is the Maine roll ($20.45) at Lobster & Beer in Palms. Great tots, and also NE chowdah to boot. The also serve Connecticut style rolls as well.
#PalmsIsCheaper
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