I have a few hours to kill in Boston during lunchtime before meeting up with some friends. Can you recommend a great place to stop in and have a lobster roll in Boston?

Jasper White's Summer Shack might be a fun place, but it's rather dark inside.

B&G Oysters in the South End.

Thanks for the replies!
What about Legal SeaFoods? or is this a chain restaurant?

Yes Legals is a chain restaurant, but I'd bet they have a completely acceptable lobster roll. I usually make my own, or go to Neptune in the Northend.

If you have a car, try Kelly's there are several locations in the Greater Boston area. They even have a website now. www.kellysroastbeef.com

Have a great time in Boston.

Last month, the Lobster Roll I was served at the Summer Shack was awful. Tasteless, tough, lobster, and not very much of it. My husband's fried clam platter was awful, too. They didn't even get the french fries right - way overcooked, almost burned.

LTK (Legal Test Kitchen) or any Legal Seafood would be a better bet. LTK has sidewalk seating with beautiful views of the harbor. Or Atlantic Seafood on Boylston.

The Parish Cafe is a terrific destination for lunch - imaginative sandwiches (all created by top local chefs) and a nice patio. http://www.parishcafe.com/

McCormick & Schmidt at Quincy Marketplace also has nice outdoor seating.

Expect getting a table without a reservation to be challenging and lobster rolls to be pricey.

Legal Seafoods is not so much a chain as a local institution with many outposts.

A second for the Parrish Cafe. It has a very broad menu and can cover any interest.

Skip the Summer Shack. Jasper, a great chef, has sold out and gone to the lowest common denominator.

If you happened to be on Atlantic Avenue Downtown, consider going to Hook Seafood. It's literally a big wooden shack amongst the skyscrapers, with thousands of lobster tanks inside. Most of their business is selling live lobsters to restaurants and individuals, but they do make lobster rolls on the premises --- can't get any fresher than that!

Then take your roll outside and walk across the Moakley bridge (currently open to pedestrians only). Find a spot to sit along the Channel or Harbor and enjoy. Just an idea for a quick stop as opposed to a longer sit-down meal.

Haven't had one, but great idea Ralphie. Inspired, I just steamed 4 lobsters to make my own!!!

lmaey

go to Quincy...any place on the city's Southern Artery...loaded with sea food shacks, etc..lobster rolls at one time were best at, of all places, Howard Johnson's locations in Cambridge and Quincy (where HJ started out in 1927)

Happy chomping!

Stu T.

James Hook & Company on the water in the financial district. (15-17 Northern Avenue). They sell wholesale and retail - it's quite an interesting operation. Get your delicious lobster rolls to go & sit on the water. Heaven!

I like the way you think, Martrese. Thanks for agreeing with me....and for getting the name of Hook's place right.

I can tell you where NOT to get one - SAUCIETY in the Westin Waterfront.
Completely tasteless.