Lobster rolls and clam chowder are specialties at this seafood restaurant
Reviewer: Jason
Total Reviews: 1020
Reviewed: 6/6/2006
Rating: 8
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Is it a bad thing to fantasize about eating another lobster roll from Old Port Lobster Shack? I'm sitting here on my couch grooving to Sharon Jones and the The Dap-Kings - The Dap Dip wishing for 2 Lobster Rolls and a pint of Shipyard beer. I've been concentrating for the last 15 minutes for lobster rolls to magically appear...no luck yet.
I rolled into Redwood City (RWC for the hipsters) around 6PM and there were people already wearing their seafood bibs. Thank gawd for atm/credit cards because a $20 spot isn't going to cut it here. Menu prices aren't for the faint at heart but it's seafood, you gotta spend to play with the bugs. I knew the thing to get was the lobster roll but wanted to do it right and ordered the Naked Lobster Roll at $17.75. Yes, you heard right, nearly a $20 sandwich. If it makes you feel any better, the owner flies these critters from Maine and you know how $3/gallon gas prices are these days. Expensive, but reasonably priced.
The service was very friendly and the girl behind the counter picked my beer (shipyard $4). Great choice to sip on while anxiously awaiting the sandwich. What can I say about the decorations, it's filled with fishing stuff and Moby Dick looking era paintings. I've never been to Maine and now I'm convinced there are lighthouses on every corner with old white men with scruffy beards. Now if only they added pirates fighting giant lobsters.
My wireshaped boat sailed onto my table and docked dead center (picture #6). Cole slaw on the side, potato chips, 2 slices of pickles, 2 lemon wedges, mayo, drawn butter, and finally the lobster roll.
cole slaw - I don't eat cole slaw, childhood nightmare, my pre-school teacher forced me to eat cole slaw and I threw up. I haven't eaten it since.
potato chips - tasted might fine to me, I wouldn't doubt they make these chips on site.
pickles - I don't eat this either. I don't know why? I remember eating them as a kid but stopped abruptly after attending band camp. druuuummmrooolll....wow...I hear crickets for my joke??
mayo - I didn't use this since I didn't want to distract my taste buds.
butter and lemon - it's like peanut butter and jelly but for the seafood world. I squeezed some lemon and used half of the butter over my sandwich.
lobster roll - $17.75 for a small sandwich (picture #5 and 6). The roll looks like a thick slice of bread folded horizontally. One side is grilled while the inside fold holds a respectable amount of lobster. The bread is pretty frickin good and wonder where they get this stuff? I saw a loaf of it on the counter and haven't seen this stuff at any market. The lobster is chilled and you're guarenteed to get a mouthfill in every bite. I've never had a lobster roll before but it's pretty much everything I imagined. The meat was sweet and with the right mixture of lemon/butter, each bite was heavenly. 5 bites later it was over. Damm, I'm still hungry! I guess I can compare it crack, once the high is worn off, you gotta have it again (kidding..sheeesh).
The lobster roll was frickin awesome but unfortunately I was still famished. I think I figured out how to get full. Drink 2 large glasses of water and eat a box of saltine crackers before visiting Old Port Lobster Shack. I honestly don't think any grown adult can get full off 1 roll. You would need to order a bowl of chowder or fries or both. I left hungry but already counting the days until my next visit. Looking through the menu, there are plenty of alternatives to the $18 sandwich like fish n chips ($9.75), fish sandwiches($10.75), and large fish plate specials ($12.75).
Great job to Old Port Lobster Shack for making my visit bittersweet. I loved the lobster but it costs money. I'll be back in a couple of weeks while I save up my lunch money. Prices are expected to change depending on market prices. Don't miss out on this seafood experience, maybe you'll catch me dumpster diving for scraps of lobster...it's that goooooooood.
Reviewer: Dan
Total Reviews: 81
Reviewed: 6/18/2008
Rating: 8
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After hearing great things about Old Port, I finally got the opening I was waiting for. It was family night out and my wife got to choose. She was craving lobster and chose Old Port since she had heard good things from her friends. I agreed whole-heartedly with her decision.
When we arrived the staff was inviting and friendly and we felt completely comfortable. My kids loved the place immediately, especially since they were handed coloring pages and crayons as soon as we walked in.
My wife ordered the lobster dinner. I ordered the lobster roll (non-naked kind - with mayo) and a cup of clam chowder. Our 2 kids ordered the chicken nuggets and fries (big surprise). I also chose a beer on tap. Total bill was $76. Egads! This is twice what we usually spend.
The chowder arrived first and was piping hot and delicious. It's been a while since I had chowder this good. When the rest of the food arrived I was absolutely shocked at the tiny doll size of my lobster roll. (It looked a lot bigger in the photos!) This roll, however, was wicked good. And the toasted bread it came on was great. I've never had a lobster roll before, but now I'm a fan. Too bad it was so very tiny. Unfortunately the fries were slightly limp and greasy and I didn't finish them. (I prefer crispier fries). I was happy I had ordered the chowder or I would have still been hungry. So it seems I have to order at least $24 (18+6) of food to fill up here. My wife loved her lobster dinner and had a big smile on here face when she came up for air.
Now for the rating. Based on food happiness alone I would give Old Port 8.5 or 9. But my ratings also indicate how often I will be back, and at these prices I can't say the family will be coming back here once a month. This is maybe a once a year visit. Yes, Old Port, we like you, but we need to keep our family dinners below $50 or we'll go broke.
“so good every time! i say yes to ikea trip with mom, just so she would spring for old port. love it. drove around the actual waterfront the first time cuz couldn't remember where it was.....”
6/19/2008 11:58:56 AM
Forcella ate...
Lobster Roll
“Very good, very expensive. The combination of naturally sweet Maine lobster with melted butter and mayo, which I used sparingly, resulted in a too-rich sandwich. Top-loading buns are custom-baked for OPLS at a bakery in San Carlos.”
4/5/2007 4:59:07 AM
Caryatid ate...
lobster roll
“It's expensive, but really not so bad considering the quantity of lobster and the fact you don't have to wear a bib to eat it. They'll sub fries for the chips, if you like makes the meal a bit more filling.”
3/27/2007 8:51:45 PM
rocketg5 ate...
1/2 order fried clam bellies and clam chowder
“great! much better than last time when i had a giagantic sampler. right amount of food and very tasty. mom will always get that maine lobster roll, and she won't share a bite. i keep wanting to try other places when north, but mom insists.”
11/2/2006 11:37:12 AM
Foodvacuum ate...
Fish & chips
“I thought the $17 lobster sandwich was quite expensive and no one would order it. But looking around I would say at least 80% of the people there ordered it. I had the fish & chips which were excellent. It could use a little batter on the fish though”
