So I was in town for a convention and there were a couple of seafood options available. Legal Seafood is nearby but that place is so overrated now. There is another place called No Name but this one blows them all out of the water. The clam chowder was the best and their seafood was really good. This is the place to go to if you are by the convention center.
(5)
Jessica M.
Spent a long weekend on the cape and then had the best seafood our our trip at this place right next to the airport. Just looking for a good meal and something to kill time near the airport, Yelp (and all the previous reviewers) saved the day. This was far and away the best lobster roll we had our whole trip, it's not a mayo mix, it's lobster with a little celery and it is ohhhhhhhh so good. Clam chowder was also excellent, probably one of the best we had, and we had the small calimari app as well which was cooked perfectly and delicious. Great place, convenient to the airport, plenty of parking, a must stop.
(5)
Mark L.
Love these dive-y places with awesome no-frills food. Quite a large seafood menu since it doubles as a fish market. I'd say this was the best lobster roll I had while in bean town. Decent beer selection and above average chowder. What else do you need?
(5)
J M.
So this one may seem like it's a bit out of the way but It's only two stops on the silver line from south station and for those of us who live outside of the city there is a free parking lot for there customers right outside-so getting there should not be an excuse! This place is awesome with daily lobster specials. The young guys inside are cute and super helpful in trying to get what you want at a price that works for you. My friend and I tried the 2lb. stuffed lobsters!!! OMG the stuffing has lobster, scallops and shrimp in it ---it's totally awesome and comes with veggies or fries and cole slaw. While we waited for them to make it one of the workers brought in a 12lb pound lobster to show us what the Jumbo 6+ pounders would look like. I will advise that the place is small with only about 10 lbs but they have outdoor seating in the nice weather and it's right on the water. I
(5)
Leli N.
I came here last summer with a craving to sink my teeth into some lobster dipped in butter and that I sure did! I got a 2 lb lobster and then some and it was enough for me! It wasn't over cooked or tough and it was pretty sweet. Be prepared to get messy though. They do have a bathroom, so not to worry on the clean up. My friends got these massive 6lb lobsters and it was sooo much, that they weren't able to finish it. If you do get it, be prepared to share! Prices overall I would say aren't that bad. They are probably about average, but not cheap. You do get a better deal than going to any fancy place though. The place is very casual. They have a small seating area inside and then some more tables right outside. I went for lunch on a Saturday with about 4 other people and it wasn't too crowded and was able to find metered parking on the same side of the street. Besides lobster they have a variety of other seafood that I have yet to try, but I would certainly come back again to try them.
(4)
Tia T.
The food was great! Scallop roll, clam chowder and fish and chips; all fresh and flavorful! However, we encountered a number of issues with our bill. We were not given then special price on an item and we were charged for an item that we didn't order. The manager on duty was great about rectifying the situation (I may retract that depending on my bank statement). However the person that actually made the mistakes gave lots of attitude! So go AND TRIPLE CHECK YOUR BILL.
(3)
Junlei W.
Great place for lobster. I had a lobster roll and a mid clam chowder. Yet it's the 3rd time I have clam chowder in this week, this place definitely offers the best. Plenty of clams, really full favored. The lobster roll is even better. It's STUFFED with fresh lobster meat. One of the best lobster I've ever had. The shortage: the place is small, menu is unordered and the staff could be more friendly. But those count nothing in front of their great lobster roll.
(5)
Mandy Y.
The front is a small restaurant and the back is a fish market for all your fishy needs. I had a lobster bisque because I needed food for my drunken belly and it was meh. Super salty and not full of lobster. They get rave reviews on yelp but I don't see it. It's a good place to pee at if you're coming from the Harpoon Brewery tour.
(2)
Eric K.
It was the afternoon after my friend's wedding and we needed something that would help absorb all of the celebration from the previous night...the only problem was that we were staying at a hotel in boston's waterfront area and there really wasn't that much around. So we went for the most logical food to eat the day after a wedding: lobster roll. Yankee was about a 10 minute walk away from our hotel, and I didn't want to leave boston without having eaten some seafood. We walked past the very new-looking restaurants on the waterfront and spotted the old, small market-like building. I had a good feeling as we walked in and saw baskets full of fried seafood, lobster rolls, and salty goodness. I was all set to go up to the counter and order the lobster roll when i saw the words "lobster club" on the menu. Lobster, bacon, thick slices of bread...instantly, I changed my order to the club. We found a small table in the restaurant (they also have outdoor seating), and looked at all of the restaurant's history framed around the walls as we waited. Finally, my impressive lobster club arrived in its full glory on a plastic basket with fries and coleslaw. The lobster salad was slightly mayoey, chunky, and delicious, and was combined with slightly crispy/slightly chewy bacon, lettuce, and tomato on thick, slightly spring white bread. The sandwich was slightly messy as a a sizable pile of meat remained after I'd finished like a little pile of gold. My impressions on my first lobster club: the lettuce and tomato gave it a slightly healthier feel than your normal lobster roll until the slices of bacon interrupted. overall, a great sandwich that served as a worthy competitor to the lobster roll.
(4)
Victor T.
Growing up in San Francisco, I've ate a lot of good clam chowder over the years. With that said, this place has the best clam chowder I've EVER had...PERIOD. When I was there, I also ordered the staple menu items like the lobster roll and crab roll. They weren't the best I've ever had, but both were really good. I would rate them both a 8/10. This place was about average price compared to other lobster roll type places. Looking forward to coming back the next time I'm in town!
(4)
V C.
Heads up about the address: Likely because of all the new construction in the area, Northern Avenue loses its name about a block or so in to become Seaport Boulevard, and the street then regains its former identity much further than. For tourists on foot armed with a small map and a tiny phone screen where the Google Map is hard to see, that can mean some time walking up and down figuring out where the hell it is. Once found, the payoff's pretty immediate: You order at the counter and eat either inside the restaurant or in the back patio where tiny cute birds attack leftovers. I ordered the Maine lobster, which comes with cole slaw, corn on the cob, and French fries --which in a fit of virtue I subbed with green beans. (I think they still charged me for the full price of a side, but that's the cost of virtue.) Yankee Lobster would've gotten an extra star except my husband's steamers were more like lukewarmers (which meant I had to share my lobster. Curses). Also don't bother with the Boston Cream pie -- more on the par of grocery store offering.
(3)
Shane R.
i can barely distinguish between a lobster and a crab, but this place seemed legit to me. right on the waterfront. muscles, clams, lobsters, and crab were alive and fresh. prices seemed reasonable, but i wouldnt really know.
(4)
Daniel M.
Free parking is available for customers. There's an attendant on duty that makes sure you are a paying customer and not just taking advantage of the free lot. It happened to be on the same night as Bank of America Pavilion concert. Sitting outside and listening to live music was a good way to have dinner. I grabbed a couple lobster rolls with a side of slaw. Both were great. The slaw was a good consistency and there was a decent amount of lobster.
(4)
Michael y.
They put too much celery in my lobster roll! Decent place to sit outside. The fried clams were very good. The LR was decent and plentiful, albeit the celery.
(3)
Fred Y.
Great place to go in the summer. A food critic once told me that a good fish restaurant or seafood counter should NOT smell like fish! "That means there is usually old product or lack of clean up." So, I wish the folks at Yankee could decide what they want to be--a carry-out joint or a place where you can eat comfortably inside when the Boston weather is chilly!
(2)
Connie L.
Chowder is pretty good, nothing spectacular. Fish and chips are solid, but nothing you can't get at Court House Seafood or Morse Seafood in the South End for the same price or less. The lobster roll is just OK - I'd rather pay a bit more and enjoy an epic lobster roll at Neptune's Oyster. A little bit out of the way if you don't have a car, but there is parking available around the back. Recommended only if you're in the area.
(3)
Lauren V.
I heard the $36 price tag for two Sam Summers, a lobster plate and a clam plate as a condemnation to eternal food sickness, but was actually sent to seafood Heaven. Tucked away past most of the eateries on Northern Ave, Yankee Lobster still attracts a good number of people. We saw both the indoor and outdoor seating areas fill up as we chowed down. Go inside, order at the counter and they will bring your food and drink to you. (Or package it up if that is what you want to do.) As the name implies it is also a market and there is a variety of fresh seafood to be purchased. Should you decide to eat in, there is beer and wine as well as soft drinks, juice and water. Prices are worryingly low and there are specials to be had. Although inexpensive, the food is delicious. And the service is friendly. It really was a relaxed environment, even if the table of middle-aged men next to us kept succeeding in coaxing truck drivers to blow their horns as they drove by. Forty-six mini heart attacks aside, I enjoyed my experience here. And since my friends are all moving to Southie, this will be a great motivator to visit. I mean, seafood isn't more enticing than friends. What?
(4)
C M.
Review Dedication: Brady B! Without his suggestion on the "Must Eat Foods..." thread, a venture to Yankee Lobster Co. would not have been conducted. Link to Brady's Profile: yelp.com/user_details?us… Perhaps Brady could've warned of the distance / perpetually never ending distance from Boston Common. Strolling east on Summer Street, the walk from South Station took about 30 to 40 minutes. During the walk, one would question the existence of Yankee Lobster. Trying to find the restaurant is similar to discovering an Oasis in the middle of the Saudi Arabian Desert. It may / may not exist. *NOTE TO ALL FUTURE PATRONS* - You might feel adventurous in taking this walk. Be forewarned, you're better off driving, taking a cab, biking, rollerblading, or riding horseback to this establishment. It's far... Really FAR! After finally arriving to Yankee Lobster Co, it was surprising to see that the establishment was entirely deserted. From visual observation, the restaurant possessed a modest feel with a simplistic decor. The sturdy wooden chairs and off color Formica tables provided a low key and unpretentious feel. The restaurant itself is mostly self serve. Patrons place their orders at the front counter and receive their orders in the same location after preparation. Ultimately, Yankee Lobster Co's focus is on its edible offerings... The Food: New England Clam Chowder: Although visually similar to most New England Clam Chowder applications, the taste is the ultimate dissemination of Yankee Lobster Cos' rendition compared to all others. At first taste, patrons will find that the buttery and savory flavors derived from the heavy cream and clams come to full force in this application. The heartiness derived from the chowder is representative of a well executed version of this classic consumable. Patrons will find the velvety texture of Chowder to work in conjunction with the mild firmness of the Clams used in the application. Ultimately, the consumption of this Clam Chowder will allow patrons to fully understand its composition. Through a well executed texture (for which it is not too liquidity or dense), the elements of the application works to stimulate the flavors derived from the heavy cream and spices. Given the superb tactical execution of this rendition, the version of New England Clam Chowder supplied by Yankee Lobster Cos should be deemed as renowned. Lobster Roll: Perhaps the mainstay of sandwiches amongst the Bostonian community, the rendition of the Lobster Roll offered by Yankee Lobster Cos produces not only a welcoming and tantalizing sensation when consumed, but also provides the subtle meatiness that's commonly observed in sandwiches. The Lobster Roll is similar in execution to your standard Tuna Salad Sandwich. What is the main distinction between the two is the execution of the Lobster. At first consumption, patrons will find that the succulence derived from the juiciness of the Lobster Meat works in conjunction with the light cream sauce used to bind the application. To further enhance the application, the bread roll for which the lobster is served provides the proper balance of starchy flavors and textural contrast that further enhances the flavors of the lobster. Furthermore, the finely diced celery used in the application adds the earthy dimension that boasters all other ingredients of the roll. Crab Roll: Similar in application to the Lobster Roll, the Crab Roll produced a modest sweetness and easy to the touch composition. At first bite, patrons will find that the fragile texture of the crab meat helps to introduce the mild tanginess of the mayo. Given the delicate structure of the crab meat, the natural sweetness of the crustacean was able to protrude in the application. $50.00 in the hole and it was off to the venturous saunter back to Boston Common. Granted the walk might've done some good given the eating escapade. Nevertheless, is there an easier way to get to this restaurant?
(4)
Carl S.
Solid lobster roll, but nothing to special.
(3)
Sue K.
fresh seafood, great price. get the lobster dinner and the harpoon.
(4)
Steven S.
Lobster bisque soup was great. The lobster mac and cheese was not. It lacked flavor and was not cheesy or creamy at all. I had to put tabasco on it to make it edible. The lobster roll was okay, but also lacked star power. It tasted like straight lobster that had lemon squeezed on it. Now we can say that we tried it, but we won't be trying it again. Not bad, but just average.
(3)
Sean R.
Decent place to grab lunch while in the area for business. It's close to World Trade Center, but does not have a speck of corporate feel to it, which I was a big fan of. They have really good prices, and the lobster roll was the best I have ever had.
(4)
Andrea L.
So last time I checked, the price of their lobster roll was fixed and not market-based, thus my consternation at the increase from $16 to $18 over the course of 2 months ... make what you will of that. I will say that having eaten through a fair amount of lobster rolls in Boston, Yankee Lobster is my favorite for being huge and giving you a ton of lightly dressed lobster. James Hook is too small. I don't really dig the inefficiency of Alive and Kicking though they're pretty tasty. Legal Seafood, I'm pretty sure gave me a slight case of food poisoning, and I have an iron stomach so that's pretty amazing. And I've just gone through all my receipts and am now practically numb to the sticker shock of Boston's food. $18 for a huge roll + fries. win.
(4)
R H.
Staff is incredibly nice here. Fish soup was great as was the lobster and fried shrimp.
(4)
Dan Y.
Great seafood for really reasonable prices. You want seafood, you'll get fresh, tasty seafood here. The haddock plate I had was decent but the lobster was great. I thought they had really great clam chowder here too. Will be sure to visit again next time I'm in Bean-Town.
(4)
Angie M.
"Its so fresh it tastes like they just pulled the lobster out of the ocean and slapped it on a roll." That would be my verbatim description of the lobster roll at Yankee Lobster Fish Market when rehashing the experience to my father. Really, there's nothing more to say. Go there. Eat lobster rolls and clam chowder. You can thank me later.
(5)
Anne W.
If you want to buy fresh seafood.. you should consider heading out here. This is the only spot in Boston where you can buy 5 lbs+ lobsters.. I once bought a huge 7 lbs one.. I know they say it's not as delicious but it really is. I made lobster chowder, lobster salad, and steamed lobster. It was an adventure in itself to cook it. They also have smaller crabs that are pretty cheap.. I think about $3 for one. I am not impressed really with their lobster roll there. It's okay and costs a lot.. and tiny. Clam chowder and lobster bisque are about middle of the road. I'd just go to buy huge lobsters! Oh.. and steamers and mussels are awesome to buy and take home as well! If you are heading out of Boston and want to grab some lobsters to surprise your friends, I would definitely consider them. They pack them great!
(5)
Sasha C.
tried the lobster roll of course and meh, fell short. fries were ok, crisp hot and fresh but not enough to justify the price. the lobster roll was small, the bread was not buttered so there was no salty buttery element. i like my lobster rolls hot and cold. the roll should be hot and buttered/toasted, while the lobster meat cold in the bun. this place fell short! dont be fooled, it isnt a restaurant atmosphere. more like a deli/cafe/eatery with seating inside and outside.
(2)
Jackie M.
{FRIDAY afternoon. Jackie A. and Paul Q. exit the Amtrak train at South Station and begin the 1 mile walk to the Seaport Hotel} Jackie A.: While we're here in Boston, can I eat lobster at every meal? Paul Q.: Umm...I guess so, but if you think its going to be cheaper than eating it in DC, you're wrong. It will still probably be expensive. Jackie A.: So. We're on vacation. Paul Q.: No we're not. We're here for a wedding. Jackie A.: We're not at home so its kind of like vacation. Paul Q.: Besides, do you really need my permission to eat lobster? Jackie A.: No. Paul Q.: You know they're not serving lobster at the wedding, right? Jackie A.: Yeah ... but I feel like I should eat lobster at every meal other than the wedding. Paul Q.: Why? Even breakfast? Jackie A.: Maybe. Paul Q.: You don't eat breakfast. Jackie A.: So. We should go to the Yankee Lobster Fish Market. I read about it on Yelp and its near our hotel. Paul Q.: Okay. {SUNDAY morning} Jackie A.: Lets walk down to the Yankee Lobster Fish Market before we have to walk to South Station. We can have lunch there. Paul Q.: Whatever. I think I might be sick. Jackie A.: Well, you don't have to eat anything. I'll roll the suitcase. Just follow me. Paul Q.: Its only 11 am, they're probably not open yet. How come you're not hung over? Jackie A.: Cause I made myself throw up ... twice. Paul Q.: I should have done that. Jackie A.: Yeah, it would have saved you from feeling like crap right now. Paul Q.: I hate throwing up though. I feel like shit. Ugh. Let me guess, you're going to get lobster at the Yankee Lobster Fish Market? Jackie A.: What do you think? Of course. Muahahaha. {Jackie A. and Paul Q. enter the YLFM. The restaurant opens at 10 am on Sunday. Paul Q. sits down and puts his head in his hands. Jackie A. walks up to the counter} YLFM Man: Hi. Jackie A.: Hi. I'll have the ... YLFM Man: ...I just put some specials on the bor-ed. Jackie A.: Oh. Okay. {glances at board} I'll have the grilled Cajun swordfish sandwich with fries and coleslaw ... and a water. YLFM Man: $15.95. {Jackie A. sits. Two other customers enter. Both order lobster} Paul Q.: I thought you were ... what happened to ... you make no sense. Jackie A.: I know ... I don't know what I was ... I know. {silence} Paul Q.: Can I have one or two of your fries? Jackie A.: Sure.
(4)
Michael C.
Fried clams were really good. Fish sandwich also good. Cheeseburgers for the kids, not so good. Cole slaw was bland. Cocktail sauce needs more horseradish. Overall, A-OK. What ever happened to Jimmy's and Jimbos?
(3)
Timothy J.
I struggled with this one between 3 and 4. I gave it the Triple D round up to a 4. It's a neat joint that is for sure and the Sam Adam's O-Fest sure was satisfying after a long walk. The food was good and fresh. I don't know if I would say it was great. I had the Fish and Chips and Lobster Mac and Cheese. I wish I got the Clam Chowder as everyone seems to be raving about it. I would certainly go again, I don't know if I would "have" to go back when I visit Beantown. Anywho, check it out if you are a big Diner's Drive Ins and Dive's spot or if you are in the area. If not check out somewhere closer to you.
(4)
Don K.
I'm on my way to the historic District and then Logan and wanted some pix of the South Boston fishing area for painting and discovered this small restaurant adjacent to the docks so they have access to great fresh sea food and they know lobster. The bisque through the double lobster diner is all time. The Yankee Lobster Fish Market is what you want.
(4)
Michael S.
Both times I've been here have been extremely pleasant but this most recent was one of my best restaurant experiences I've had. I went with a friend to eat a giant lobster and while waiting for it to cook they offered to let us try some of their drinks before ordering - even going so far as to open a bottle of cider and pour it into a cup to see if we liked it. We also had a small bowl of chowder. When the lobster came out they explained that there had been a lot of water in the shell, making it seem heaver than it was, and they felt bad so they also gave us a bowl with another lobster tail in it and some trimmings. We scarfed down the lobster and bantered with the guys behind the counter the whole time. They even brought out some stew for us to try. At the end of the meal I went to pay and instead of charging the $115 for the lobster that they had quoted, plus the two drinks, cup of chowder, and cup of stew, he knocked $35 off the price of the lobster and threw everything else in for free. I had a fantastic evening, definitely head over there sometime and bring a jovial attitude, they'll reciprocate and you'll get to enjoy wonderful food AND wonderful company.
(5)
Andrew C.
Recently became a fan of Yankee Lobster! The prices are reasonable, the fish is fresh, and the food is great! What more can you ask for? Give the crab cake sandwich a try!
(4)
Jules M.
Omg are you kidding me?! I got together with 3 friends and we ordered two 7 lb lobsters. They cooked them, cracked them and we took them home. Now I've always believed that larger lobsters are tougher than the small ones, not from this place. I grew up in New England and these were the best lobsters I ever had. Well done Yankee Lobster!
(5)
Drew F.
Mmmm... Broiled Sea Scallops No frills, but I just wanted broiled Scallops. If I want frills with my scallops I'd pay twice as much at the glittering new Liberty Wharf restaurants, plus $20 for valet! Free parking in back. The elderly food-zombies from the 50 still flock to the dark & dank No Name. The flashy soon-to-open Legals Harborside tries to draw you in with all the promise of what you can get at every other Legal Seafood restaurant in Boston, Delaware, DC, or Florida. On a sunny day the patio is a nice place to kick back and enjoy the fruits of the sea. Went there two days ago and Mayor Menino was waiting for an order to go. It will be packed prior to Bank of America Pavilion events. Order at the counter and they'll bring it to your table. Bus yourself, but be nice and tip.when you order.
(4)
Jim B.
Flew in to Logan for work and knew I had to have some lobster. Actually I was researching restaurants for the previous few days and Yankee Lobster was one that was recommended the most. I had the special which was two small lobsters w/sides of coleslaw and fries. I also ordered the clam chowder. It was the best chowder I have ever eaten. If you eat nothing else, try the chowder you won't regret it. Jim
(4)
Brady B.
David M. is right on, I just got back from this place and had a kick ass lobster roll. For $16 you get a nicely stuffed, butter toasted roll with minimal mayo alongside a big portion of fries and yummy coleslaw. The lobster bisque was wonderful as well, as was my roomie's NE clam chowder. The silver line drops you right near it and it's located right next to the Pavilion. The whole menu looked great but I have a feeling that every time I continue to go here, which will be plenty, the words "lobster roll" will automatically fly out of my mouth. Update: My roomie and I went there for dinner tonight only to discover that there was a concert at the Pavillion next door and that YLFM ups it's prices during said events. They lose a star for that one. In one sense I can understand it seeing that they know that business will be thriving when there's a concert, but then again it sucks for the two of us that were not going to be attending the Jethro Tull concert. My $16 lobster roll was $20 and my small chowder was $4.75 instead of $3.50. It was still delicious though!
(4)
Shirley W.
Once again, the yelpers came thru. We were in the waterfront area of Boston and were looking for a place to eat. We were right by the Legal Test Kitchen (LTK) but also read about Yankee Lobster Fish Market. Popular place or hole in the wall market. We were adventurous, so we went the route of the hole the wall. I wanted fresh steamed lobster and a nice cool beer. Yankee did not disappoint. There was a concert that night at the Bank of America concert, so they were busy. We timed it just right though because we arrived just as the crowd thinned. Bad news though.. they didn't have the 2 lb lobster I was craving for. I settled for the 1.5 pound steamed. The lobster was meaty and tasty. Only negative... they didn't offer an assist/tools with cracking the claws. I had to get creative and it took some work, but worth it in the end. Also tried the clam chowder. Highly recommend as well. Creamy and "clammy"..... As a good chowder should be. The place is small though, but there is outdoor seating and if you hit it on a concert night, free entertainment... win win!
(4)
Tim W.
Yes, I agree, best Lobster...but the roll is not the best. I have to say the roll is best to my palate toasted and warm, but their combination of spices, mayo, and celery OH and FRESHNESS wins hands down...i live in nyc where Luke's is king, and oops they just got demoted to Queen...its expensive at 16.95, but you get fries and coleslaw with it...i just need the roll and charge me 2 bucks less... Also had a small seafood chowder and small lobster bisque...both excellent and house made. very very good experience. this stuff is off the boat fresh... go get some!
(5)
Diana M.
Awesome crab roll I definitely recommend this one!
(5)
Cherie C.
After a bit too much beer at the Harpoon Brewery, we stopped here for some seafood. The clam chowder was good, with big chunks of clam. My fish and chips was good, fresh. Chips were just okay--run-of-the mill frozen steak fries. I'd definitely go back to buy fresh seafood to take home. I get the feeling that's what this place is all about. They seem to really care about seafood here, but I have a feeling the prepared food was just an add-on. It's all about the takeout.
(3)
Liz M.
Okay folks, this is just straight up seafood at the docks. I mean, any closer, and you'll be in the water with brine up your nose. I don't know if the best part was that I went on a Boston monsoon day. On to the real deal: (1) lobster roll. it doesnt compare to neptune oyster. ya'll boston people into competition like red sox vs. yankees? put yo' lobstah rolls to the challenge son. (2) lobster bisque. not too bad, but a big watery finish. no, it wasnt the backwash. why? (3) cornbread. yes, the cornbread was delish! moist and fluffy. (4) steamed summer squash -- not too soggy. but nothing to write home about. (5) rice pilaf? yeah people can mess up too, and its not one of the main dishes, but if yo seafood is gonna be good, its gotta have good sides! (6) crabcakes -- like buttah, like buttaahhhhhh. good. (7) grilled shrimp plate -- another goodie! yes, the shrimp is briney, b/c it was probably alive hours before. be forewarned for the freshness in your mouth (aka grit between your teeth) (8) NOT ON THE MENU BUT THE BEST DEAL!!! steamed fresh crab -- ohh baby, this was the coup de grace. and the best deal. lobsta roll, on a hot dog bun, chopped up stuff, over 15 buckaroos... TWO HUGE CRABS for approx. 14 bucks? yeah, you have to do the work to get the goods, but all precious things are worth working for. work it work it, they even give you dentist-like piks to do it! (9) boston cream pie - nothing special, but not too shabby. (10) fries? nothing special, but not soggy! overall -- this place was decent. its no frills. just get me my ocean dwelling friends on my plate and get me outta here. all of this was best enjoyed with a harpoon IPA btw. and no, i didnt eat this all alone. but yes, a good portion of it....
(3)
B. T.
Hit the spot! We were staying nearby and arrived in Boston starving! A lobster roll, friend shrimp and a few cold Harpoon's on tap hit the spot. The lobster roll was good but small for the price (I guess they always are though when not right on the Maine coast). Service was very quick... a good option when in the area!
(3)
Michael P.
I arrived in Boston, MA around the lunch timeframe, so my co-worker and I decided to check out Yankee Lobster Fish Market AKA Commercial Lobster. When I walked into the fish market the smell hits you in a good way, you can tell (visually and smellingly {yes I made this word up lol}) this is a good fish market. The menu is extensive with good value, I ordered the lobster roll which comes with fries and coleslaw. The price was reasonable ($17.99), I remember getting a lobster roll in NYC which was the same price minus the fries and coleslaw. My Yankee lobster roll was delicious, and the coleslaw was fresh and tasty. Hopefully when I return to Boston, MA soft shell crab is still in season because Yankee Lobster had the Soft Shell Crab sandwich w/ fries and coleslaw for only $9.99.
(5)
John S.
The freshest Boston fish is in the Waterfront district (Marine Industrial Park to some) and this establishment is a fine example. Stuffed Quahog = must try Crab Cakes = delicious Good and cheap seafood here. (Except for the very royal lobster club.....hooyah!....in terms of cheapness) Fish sandwiches can be outdone by other local establishments, but only marginally. And, the fries and onion rings are sadly below par, almost bad.
(5)
Kellie P.
This place looks like an average sandwich shop. It is somewhat rustic but has none of the charm of the Barking Crab. It's just generic. After reading the reviews here, I got some of the lobster bisque. It was too salty, and that's an incredible thing for me to say because I adore salt and add it to everything. There was also very little actual lobster in it. The soup wasn't that good. I ordered a lobster dinner to go. When it was ready, I was handed a brown paper bag with a thank you. I got back to my hotel room to find that the lobster was not pre-cracked and there were no crackers in the bag. WTF? They know I'm getting a lobster to go, and they don't give me crackers? I noticed that they had some for sale in the shop, and if I needed to buy them, they could have at least told me before I left! This was made worse by my hotel not having any crackers. (Seriously?!?) I managed to get all my lobster out, although it was messy and somewhat violent. I'm just peeved that I had to do it. The food was okay but the service and atmosphere left a lot to be desired.
(2)
Jason L.
loved the outdoor seating, it was a great night for the patio. the clam chowder was lacking in flavor and had big chunks of shells (which is guess is ok, because you know it's fresh, but cmon, get a strainer or something) steamers were good, although a bit gritty. Lobsters we a bit overcooked, they got tough the more they sat. Fries, corn were good, coleslaw was bland. 2 harpoon ciders and above for $68 is a bit pricey...
(3)
Anthony L.
Delicious fried clams and chowda.
(4)
Sarah M.
I work not to far from this place, so I have been here a few times for take out for lunch (and stayed there to eat once). it's basically a take-out spot, with a few tables. You order at the counter, then wait for them to call your name. The food is really good, but it can be slow, and it's kind of expensive. If you do go there, I highly recommend the Combo Platter #2. It's fish, shrimp, and scallops, with fries. However, if you get that and a soda, it's $20, which seems a little high to me. It's not like a Fisherman's Platter, that's meant to serve two, so it's expensive. If you don't want to spend a lot though, the rolls are good, and the clam strips are among the best I've had. On a side note, if you like cocktail sauce with your seafood (as I do), make sure you ask for it. They don't give to you automatically.
(3)
Melissa K.
Darn! I was so excited to try this place out after reading the reviews and the fact that it was on triple D. I hadn't had a lobster roll since I used to live in New England 7 years ago so I was super psyched to try theirs. Sorely disappointed :(. It was just 'ok'. Not as awesome as ones I've had elsewhere. The bread was hard and the lobster didn't have much flavor. And the clam chowder didn't taste any different than any other I could get in a can. I was truly hoping to get some awesome food since I was only back in Boston for one night but I obviously chose the wrong place.
(2)
M. P.
They have an awesome lobster roll that comes with fries. Yum! It is also a plus that they have seating (though, limited) and beer.
(4)
C C.
One of my favorite places in Boston for basic seafood. Consistent quality on all menu items. Also the best place to get the highest quality live lobsters. The place is very well run with pride.
(5)
Wayne L.
Stopped by here with friends for lunch in Boston before flying back to Orange County CA. They have a pretty good Lobster roll and Clam Chowder which is what we came here to try. They had a special on the window-2 lb Lobster/coleslaw/fries for $20. A bargain! for LA prices. It's on the waterfront on the docks next to an entertainment pavillion and a no frills dine in/take out seafood deli style. You pretty much can smell the sea in the air as you have your lunch. The lobster roll came with Cole slaw and fries and for $16 was not bad but it's not like the lobster roll at Neptunes in the Northside of Boston. Of course it's in a much more casual eating environment.
(3)
Jeff K.
This is the best place to buy fresh seafood in Boston if you don't want to go to Legal Seafood or track down Captain Marden's Seafood truck. Featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives on the Food Network, you can't go wrong. Great place for Lobster , Steamer's and good eats. Plus you can order the food live and take it home. Great prices.
(5)
Alex S.
I really liked how relaxed the atmosphere was. Families with their children and business men in suits. Its the perfect mish mash of customers. Its a really small space, so although there was a family of five there, I would not recommend coming in groups larger than four. I ordered the seafood combo with calamari anndddddddddd the Calamari was A-MAzing. I wanted to give Yankee four stars for that alone. The Calamari was 1) Perfectly Seasoned 2) Perfectly Fried 3) Amazingly fresh and so I was VERY impressed. Then I went on to devour my shrimp....and I could not believe what sort of sorcery had occurred on my plate! The same people who prepared this calamari could NOT have prepared this shrimp. It was so lackluster. But all in all you should give Yankee a try...nice place for seafood. I'm sure I'll be back.
(3)
Pam M.
My boyfriend and I came here for a quick bite before touring the Harpoon Brewery....I had the lobster roll and he had the buffalo chicken wrap. The lobster roll looked small at first but turned out to be a good portion-- very full of quality lobster meat and not too overdressed at all. The roll was texas toast but it wasn't too buttered or greasy-- it was perfect. The buffalo chicken wrap was nicely prepared. The chicken was tender and moist, the wrap was crisp off the press and there was a perfect amount of buffalo sauce to give it a nice kick. The wrap included slaw and fries, both of which were okay. Overall, I believe this might have been one of the best buffalo chicken wraps that I have had to date (which is saying a lot). One of the best lobster rolls we both have had-- too bad its so far from downtown boston.
(4)
Tony B.
Expensive for a Lobster roll... But I will say it was very fresh. They put none if any sauce on it, which I liked. Fresh Seafood Market, on higher end, but good quality.
(4)
John D.
Have been a customer for years but the quality has come down over the years. A tourist trap now. Food was way over cooked and dry. The menu has been expanded but a smaller menu with more attention to detail would be better. Wont be back anytime soon.
(2)
Vez K.
Went for dinner last night with my husband for the first time. I ordered the 1.5 lb lobster dinner, and he ordered the steamers plate. My lobster came out warm, but not hot. It was nice and juicy and good as lobster usually is wherever you go. My butter was cold and watery looking. It didn't look or taste much like good butter at all. My husband's clams were, well, cold and clammy. They should have been hot and steaming, but looked like they had been sitting there for a while and weren't freshly steamed when we ordered them. His clam broth and butter were also cold. Both of our fries were hot amd crispy, which makes me wonder if they left his clams sitting there while the fries were cooking. This was very disappointing. We told them about the butter and they took mine to go (what looked like) get microwaved (because the plastic container lid it was in was a bit melted when it came back). The butter still wasn't very warm and was cold again within about 5 minutes. After eating a few cold clams, my husband asked if they could heat his clams, butter, and clam broth back up. They apologized and heated his clams and butter back up again. The clams came back warm, but still not hot. I guess they didn't wanna shrivel them all up and make them rubbery. But still, we wish they would've had the food piping hot to begin with. Overall, we were disappointed with the fact that our food was cold. My husband and I had a bucket of clams at J's Oysters in Portland last weekend and paid the same price (minus the fries) for good, juicy, pipping hot clams with good hot butter, so he was super excited to have clams again. Needless to say it feel really short of both of our expectations. I absolutely LOVE seafood and have been eating it since I was a kid, so I know my seafood and how to cook and eat it. I don't know what was going on there last night (maybe it was a slow night because of the rain), but we were pretty sad about our cold food (granted my lobster was warm and the fries were good). But being the seafood lover that I am, I decided to give this place another try. So today, I went back for lunch to try something else. I got the Seafood Combo #2 (fried fish, shrimp, and scallops) and was very pleased with my meal. I loved that they were all lightly battered and not greasy. I got 4 shrimps, 4 scallops, and 2 pieces of fish about 3 inches long and an 2 inches wide. It was a good amount for one person. The seafood all tasted plump and juicy, which was great. Their wasn't really any special seasoning in the batter (I tend to favor strong flavors/seasoning in my food), but that was fine. The batter was thin enough that you could clearly see and taste all the seafood and didn't stuff your mouth with just batter. I got my lunch to go, and it still tasted great (though a tiny bit soggier than if I had probably eaten it there). Just make sure that you check that they gave you utensils though. They didn't give me any, though they gave me napkins. I give this place 4 stars because of the great prices and the potential for our food to be good, had things been hot the way they should have been.
(4)
John J.
This place doubles as a fish market and a small restaurant. At first impression the meal prices looked reasonable for seafood. I was shocked when I got my order, so much food! I couldn't finish my meal, 2 Jonah crabs, fries, and slaw. I'm glad I stopped by here for dinner. If I'm ever in town again, I will definitely be back. Thank you Yankee Lobster Fish Market!
(5)
Susan X.
Lobster roll-average. Fresh lobster but a little bit salty. Not as good as described in the reviews. Lobster bisque-delicious. Creamy and tasty with lobster and oyster crackers.
(3)
Britni B.
Absolutely amazing food. I had the clam chowder and lobster roll land both were excellent and fresh. Not much in the way of ambiance, but the food more than makes up for it.
(4)
Leisl B.
The best seafood! This spot isn't as much of a "hole in the wall" as other reviewers suggest--it's clean and bright and new inside--but it isn't at all fussy. Outside seating is great, no view of the water but seeing the little fish market trucks from all over New England pulling into the industrial wharf nearby tells you are in the right spot! The clam chowder is some of the best I've ever had. I had fish and chip and Mr. B got the fried clams--everything was golden crispy, fresh and delicious. Oh, and a couple of Sam Summers made the meal perfect. If you are in Boston and want fresh, local seafood, this is the place to go!
(5)
Bryan K.
A small shop with room for 20-30 people, but great lobstah rolls. The staff was friendly. It's a little out of the way from downtown, but it's only a 20 minute walk from South Station.
(4)
Sean N.
Was my first time in Boston and I ate my way through it. The Lobster rolls (both cold and hot) from Yankee Lobster Co. were incredible. Being from Texas I'm no expert on seafood by any means, but I will coming back here any time I make my way to Boston. Favorite restaurant of the trip. Only drawback was the fact that the dining area is very small so if it's busy you might be SOL at least for a little bit.
(5)
Dipak S.
Food - Tried their lobster roll and it is definitely an easy way to have the lobster. Service - Quick moving line. Ambience - Its a bustling place. Cost - ~$20 per pax.
(3)
Joe R.
The staff was very friendly and welcoming. The location is a bit out of the way, but the food is well worth the trip. I sampled the Cod Cakes of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives fame, and they did not disappoint. My wife had crab cakes that were the best I've tasted outside of Baltimore.
(5)
Christine C.
Home alone and bored from a marathon study sesh I decided that I deserve a lobster roll for dinner. This is my first time at Yankee Lobster and will not be my last! I live a couple blocks away so it's convenient, a plus, but what really got me was the price. $18 for a lobster roll dinner!!! It's by no means loaded with lobster but it's a good healthy portion. The fries and slaw were good too. I now have a casual go-to for seafood when friends and family are around.
(4)
Sean H.
Good lobster roll and cocktail shrimp. Would love to try more menu items here. Great outdoor seating. Quick service.
(4)
Ann H.
This place is an expensive dive. I got the Lobster Mac & Cheese. It was okay with a few pieces of what I think was lobster. My sister got the lobster roll. The lobster didn't taste like lobster. My guess is they boil the lobster to make soup & use the left-over meat.
(2)
Julia C.
Yankee Lobster is an affordable seafood restaurant in Boston that doesn't skimp on quality or quantity. Tip: If you want to dine in, have one person in your party scout out seating while others wait in line, as this place gets packed and the seating is limited. My friend & I split the crab cakes to start and then I had fish and chips for dinner. The fish and chips were crispy but light. All of my friends enjoyed their dishes, especially the lobster roll. Highly recommended!
(5)
Rey G.
So impressed with the friendly service and yummy food . My mother and son and I where visiting Boston on our way too New Hampshire and decided to stop in for there famous lobster roll and chowder let me just say we fell in love with the chowder it was so tasty and perfect flavors and sooo satisfying. My four ordered the fish n chips off the kids menu it was lightly battered and delicious , the lobster roll was great it lacked my desired amount of flavor but the freshness made up for it!!!! If your in Boston check this place out !!!
(4)
Jorina N.
Best lobster mac hands down! Definitely make a trip there when you do the brewery visit! They go hand in hand and only 5 minutes from each other
(5)
Matthew K.
Long lines are the best advertisment and this place has one! The food was really good it just took forever to get to order. Worth the wait though. Chalkboard menu changes with the catch. The stuffed clams were the best dish we got.
(4)
Koji O.
Because It was first time to come Boston area, I had no idea where we could have a dinner. My friend told me "eat lobster when you visit Boston", so I found here by Yelp. I really enjoyed a lobster roll along with a Samuel Adams OctoberFest.
(4)
Melody K.
UNBELIEVABLE. INCREDIBLE. INDESCRIBABLE. Amazing food, great service. I came here with my family and we ordered the Lobster Roll, Lobster Club, Captain's Feast and Fish n Chips. EVERY SINGLE THING was sooo delicious! The Captain's Feast had wide variety of seafood and it was super yummy! Same for the lobster club. Lobster and bacon?? Heck yes! The Lobster Roll is a popular one and the Fish n Chips is a definite classic. Its a must go when in Boston!
(5)
Marques D.
I had the lobster roll it was not that great. It was good though. Good place to eat
(4)
May C.
My boyfriend and I stopped in here after the Harpoon Brewery tour. It was the only thing close by and it was pouring rain, so we decided to sit inside until the rain stopped. The place was packed when we got inside. We were lucky enough to find a table that was just clearing out. We didn't order much from here. We both got lobster bisque and some corn bread. The lobster bisque is phenomenal. It was delicious and full of flavor and the lobster was very juicy and succulent. The bisque is so good that we decided to dip some of our cornbread into it. And OMG, that combination is incredible. I highly recommend breaking the cornbread into little chunks and throwing it in the bisque. It's absolutely fantastic!! If I'm ever in Boston again, I will totally be back!
(5)
Mac D.
I came here for my first lobster roll and thought it was alright. I haven't had one before, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I didn't think it had much taste. The fries were really good, but the cole slaw tasted a little weird. The staff was really friendly and the service was really quick.
(3)
Sagar T.
Haven't had many lobster rolls in my time, but now am a big fan. Great food, small place but large flavor. Good chowda too.
(5)
KIMBERLY R.
This is my First time here ,lobster and stone crab was so delicious , price so cheap I will coming back again
(4)
Janet H.
The last place my bf and I stopped by to grab our last lobster roll from boston and head home! First this place is near the airport and water which was a little out of the way and in the middle of no where but that was okay. There was plenty of parking which is a plus. Its a pretty tiny restaurant but looks nice and homey. We walked in and it was crowded with a few tables open, which I guess we were lucky because it was noon on a sunday. We ordered the clam chowder, crabmeat roll and lobster roll. The clam chowder was the BEST that i tried in boston, i would compare it with the next best boston chowda co. it was delicious and had the perfect flavor. The lobster roll and crabmeat rolls were delicious as well and plentiful. I liked how the rolls came with cole slaw and fries which made the meal extra filling. the only thing i didnt like was the celery in the crabmeat roll, that was just a preference. overall i would def come back here next time i visited boston.
(4)
Chris W.
There is nothing like the classic lobster roll from Yankee Lobster! The service was great and there's no place better to bring the family for some Lobstah! Can't wait to return from Chicago!
(5)
Phil S.
Started with a cup of clam chowder.... It was very good. Thick and full of the good stuff. Next -the lobster roll (cold). The lobster roll was very good. Not sure if it's worth almost $20, but if you're going to the seaport area, the price is guaranteed to be higher. My date got a salad with lobster meat on it. It was decent at best. We sat outside with a glass of wine. The food was quickly brought out to us by the runner, who was very nice. Had a real New England seafood feel to it. I'd definitely go back.
(4)
Fabian D.
It's definitely one of my favorite places to eat lobster (together with Abe & Louis at Boylston St and James Hook at the water front). The lobster bisque is delicious - lots of lobster meat! The lobster roll is packed with lobster meat and there's hardly any mayonnaise and coleslaw so nothing distracts you from the awesome flavor of the fresh lobster. I like the terrace in the summer, but in winter it's very cozy inside. It's usually very clean and the restrooms are okay, too. All in all, I definitely recommend this place and will come here again for sure!
(4)
Scott S.
Wow that was tremendously disappointing. My wife and I were really looking forward to some authentic fish n chips and clam chowder while visiting Boston. We waited in line the requisite 20 minutes which was fine as I expected it would be worth the wait. Unfortunately when I got to the counter they were out of just about everything. No clam strips, no clam chowder, no lobster bisque. I ordered two orders of fish and chips and the calamari. Oh, out of draft beer except Coors and some other boring domestic as well. The calamari was fine, nothing special. The fish was unfortunately very bland, even after loading it up with lemon and malt vinegar. It ended up just being a tasteless vehicle for the tartar sauce. My wife and I felt like we were at a Long John Silvers, and we both had an upset stomach on the cab ride back to the hotel. I didn't feel well the rest of the night. Definitely not a good seafood experience.
(1)
Nicolette C.
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Best seafood in boston and they offer great selections of chicken/beef /salads for members in your party who don't enjoy seafood.
(5)
Jessica A.
I love this place and it's near Harpoon! The warm, buttered lobster roll is to die for. I'm not a big fried seafood type of person, so a lot of the menu doesn't really appeal to me. There are a few things that make it worth the trip though!
(4)
Billie M.
I love Yankee Lobster for everything that it is. But mostly, I love Yankee Lobster for everything that it isn't. Growing up on the cape, there was a never-ending supply of order at the counter, cheap and delicious seafood shops which recognized that things such as fried clams, steamers, and lobster are best enhanced by paper plates, lots of napkins, ice cold beer, and a table outside. I just can't take certain seafood seriously when it includes white linens, polished waiters, and prices inflated to reflect the atmosphere of the dining room. Plus, some of this stuff is messy, and I have no need for people to see me with butter dribbling down my chin. That being said, Boston is seriously lacking in places that truly get what a New England summer feast should entail. Sure I could head to Barking Crab, but usually I bypass that scene completely and head on down to Yankee Lobster. Order your goodies from the unsmiling counter worker, grab your beer, and head outside to soak in the sun while your fish gets fried, your clams get steamed, and your butter gets clarified (!). In no time at all, you'll have a lovely plastic tray overflowing with oceanic delights. As always, it's best to go with a few friends, so you can try all that Yankee Lobster has to offer. They have the best fried clams I've had in Boston (and I mean in Boston, not the North or South shore). Crunchy outsides, with sweet, salty bursts of bellies, all you'll need is a squirt of lemon for these bad boys. The steamer specials they often have are sweet and plentiful. The onion rings are the perfect blend of crunchy batter and sweet, soft onion, just greasy enough to count (but not pour out with each bite). The fish and chips are tasty, but spend the extra dollar and go for the fried haddock over the cod. Prices are reasonable. Portions are big enough to share. Or be selfish and save the second half for later. A close second to the food is the convenience. Off the beaten path, Yankee Lobster is very rarely crowded, with plenty of outdoor seating, and free parking lot. Add to that the circling seagulls, and I feel like I'm back at home.
(4)
E C.
When my friend came to visit from California, we were looking for some high quality, decently priced lobster. At Yankee Lobster, we found what we wanted- a generous amount of lobster meat on a bun for only $15 each. The only downsides to this place are that it's located in the middle of nowhere, and that afterward, our stomachs started reacting to the food. I blame it on the coleslaw because I'm sensitive to mayo, but he may have reacted to the seafood.
(3)
Lena G.
My friend could not stop raving about the blakenned tuna sandwich, which I have yet to try, I enjoyed my crabcakes. It's quite popular for businesspeople in the area. I was not too crazy about the fried fish.
(4)
Scott L.
Lobster roll and crab roll were delicious. More of a fish market than a restaurant in my opinion. Very affordable for great seafood. Clam chowder was delicious, but a bit on the pricy side.
(4)
Michael H.
I went for a lobster roll but got the 2lb lobster special instead. Super fresh. An all around good deal. The frys were good and the onion rings were better.
(4)
Kaitlyn L.
really good fried clams and chowder. beats driving out of the city!
(4)
Meg M.
So after a solid summer of eating here, I think i can finally review it. I work in the Marine Industrial Park so I am constantly looking for new places to hit up for lunch. After exhausting J Pace and being fed up with Au Bon Pain I hit up the spot I had been to before to relax on a weekend afternoon but had never considered for a quick bite on my lunch break. I usually eat lunch late because I am the busiest between noon and 2 so I missed the lunch rush that people talk about. I have eaten the haddock plate (wow), the lobster roll (yes ma'm) and the fried clams (oh mama). This place is adorable. If it were acceptable at my workplace to lounge outside at a table and have a beer for an hour, I am pretty sure I would do it 3 times a week. However, due to the nature of my current diet I havent been back in a few weeks. With the weather getting cooler I think I will just have this place be my go to spot for summer lunches. Cute patio to enjoy the ocean, and super easy to get to. If you are looking for an authentic seafood experience in Boston... check out Yankee Lobster.
(4)
Amanda L.
Had a graduation at the Bank of America pavilion this past week and had NO time to grab food before we got there. As there aren't too many options for food near the place, we stopped here as the sign stated "take out" and we figured well then it must be quick... (we had about 20 minutes to spare before the ceremony started)... eh not so much. It was busy due to the massive amounts of people heading to that area so we gave them a little leeway. Eh, that only worked until every single person who ordered after us, had their food, the restaurant had cleared out and we literally had to ask the lady, are you making our food? Once we had our food, we pretty much wolfed it down with ravenous hunger and the urge to not be late (well we were late by that point anyways). My mom's lobster roll was pretty durn good. My hamburger was mediocre. I would probably go back here if there were ever a time when there weren't a million people around or we had time to wait for their service.
(3)
Sfgpgirl G.
Unfortunately, my time visiting Boston was limited to my staying in the Southie part of town because of the location to work and the hotel I was in. Having said that, I managed to walk to Yankee Lobster and Fish Market one night for the tasty cheap combo dinner dinner #2 with broiled scallops, halibut (I think) and some rubbery shrimp with fries and tall glass of lager. There was a steady stream of locals and tourists ordering at the counter for take out or to eat in (consumed on paper plates with recyclable utensils) As the name suggests, this is also a fish monger. Yankee Lobster and Fish Market has a decent and varied menu that serves up fresh fish fried, grilled, broiled, sandwiched or on salads. There are also the requisite chowders, crab & fish cakes. Lobsters can be Fed Ex'd anywhere in continental US in 24 hours (which was on my list of "things to do in Boston") Yankee Lobster is not a fancy table service and silverware eatery. It's buckets of fried clams and lobster bisque and a pitcher of beer. Food is great, and reasonably priced.
(3)
Jenny S.
This is where I always go to get my " lobster on" when in town. They sell them at a decent price and box them up for you to take on home to your drooling fam. The lobsters are always the best, they well beat out Gloucester fisheries no matter what time of year!!
(4)
Aron S.
Yelpers, you let me down! I'll get over it, but I have to provide some balance to this highly over-rated 'restaurant'. As someone who has summered on the n. shore near Essex / Ipswich / Gloucester, spent summers on the Vineyard and dined at many a Maine Lobster pound I can say with complete certainty that this place doesn't even hold a candle to the middle of the pack in those regions, at least for prepared seafood. Though I didn't buy their 'fresh' seafood, I wasn't impressed by the dull looking product in their case. You'd do much better buying fresh seafood at Capt Marden's, any Roche Bros grocery store, or the New Deal Fish Market in E. Cambridge. But enough of that, let's get onto the restaurant review... We came hoping to get a decent seafood dinner before our show at the BoA Pavilion (and that's a whole other review) which is located immediately adjacent to Yankee. It's an extremely small space dominated by a seafood case and about 10-12 commercial tables so expect to wait. There is an outside area with maybe four tables but the night we went it was too cold to either wait or dine outside. Luckily, one of the tables cleared shortly after we arrived and there was no one ahead of us. As the departing couple beckoned us over I noticed that they were clearing their own mess. As far as I'm concerned, that's a major warning sign for service that is one step above McD's. I wasn't far off, but at least they were friendly. We sat down and I noticed that all the service staff were behind the seafood case and people were parked in front, apparently waiting to order or to pick up food. One of the servers explained that you order your food at the case and pick it up when your number is called. The menu is very limited to the most basic seafood fare: fried clams, scallops, shrimp, fish (presumably haddock, but who really knows, could be hake or cod), boiled lobsters (twin 1lb for $34.95 that night), some broiled seafood, chowder, lobster bisque and your usual assortment of hamburgers and cheeseburgers. Beer is served but the choices are limited to two Harpoon offering and Bud Light. Pricey at $5 for a 16oz draft. We ordered a seafood dinner, fish and chips and a box of onion rings. The food came out quickly enough, but I was extremely disappointed by both the quality and portion size. Because I'm allergic to shrimp I asked for scallops to be substituted for the shrimp in my seafood dinner but I think they just left out the shrimp. The scallops weren't even whole scallops, they were regular sized sea scallops cut in half and I had maybe 8 pieces, which translates into 4 scallops. My fish portion was no more than 3-4 oz. The rest of the 'dinner' was a handful of mediocre fries and one of those small plastic cups of forgettable coleslaw. My date's dinner was equally small in size. The onion rings was a pint box. I probably wouldn't be so incensed if the value had been better because my seafood dinner was $16, the fish and chips was 13.95 and the onion rings were $5. The quality of the food was neighborhood pizza joint level. There was no breading to speak of and the food was all overcooked. I'm a huge fan of the light, crispy cornmeal breading that real seafood shacks use and this wasn't even close. The onion rings were heavy, oil soaked and too thickly cut to be cooked through. I left hungry and dissatisfied with the food and service. You'll do the same if you end up at Yankee Lobster Fish Market.
(1)
Eric M.
The only reason this place gets four stars instead of five is because I am not a huge fan of fried food, so I'm not sure I can give it the big five. Putting it on the same level as No. 9 Park seem wrong. But rest assured that if you are in the mood for some simple, fried, FRESH, seafood, Yankee Lobster will not disappoint. I had a crab roll that was perfectly prepared, and a friend who got some grilled fish (forgot what kind) said hers was fantastic. I don't know how good it was because she liked it so much that she wouldn't share. I take that as a good sign. Downsides are the place's limited seating and the location, which is further from the city than total dives like Barking Crab. If you are thinking of going to (or being dragged to) the Barking Crab, make your lunchmates walk a little further and hit Yankee Lobster instead. Your friends (and your stomach) will thank you.
(4)
C R.
Not bad. I went here based on Yelp reviews. It was my first Boston dining experience. I ordered calamari and lobster stew. The calamari was awesome, but the stew was average. There was hardly any lobster in it. My hubby got fish and chips, which he enjoyed. Our friends got crab cakes and lobster stew. They said crab cakes were fine, not outstanding. This is a small seafood market type place with seating indoors and out. We sat outside on the side patio. Be warned there is no view.
(3)
S G W.
UPDATE 2010 a winner in Boston Chowderfest! I am not surprised --they have my favorite clam chowder! I have become a fan of the baked stuffed quahogs too ORIGNAL REVIEW I have been to Yankee Lobster many times. The food is awesome -- try the lobster bisque. Wonderful flavor. Creamy, tasty clam chowder too. The lobster roll is a favorite--lots of meat--reasonable price. As for the market, I have brought home shrimp, prepared clams, and lobster tails. Never disappointed. Yes, it's a small whole in the wall place but what wonderful, friendly people. Great portions, great prices. And you cannnot get any fresher products -- their seafood is being delivered at the docks right behind the resturant. Their lobsters are live in tanks out back. They are a wholesaler too -- they distribute to other Boston restaurants. And a free parking lot -- yippee!
(5)
amy f.
Yankee Lobster is another hidden gem that I hesitate to broadcast my affection for.. but i can't help it! This is a favorite spot to grab some top quality fried seafood, in an unpretentious setting. Sit outside, enjoy some delicious fried clams (though the fried scallops might be my favorite) sip a summer beer, and listen to Bank of America Pavilion sound checks.. If you time it right, head over to Harpoon for a tasting after lunch!
(4)
chris j.
excellent tuna steaks and great lobster selection. not bad for a less formal lunch.
(3)
Gloria S.
This place is small and pretty mellow. The staff was friendly and the food was tasty. Try the lobster roll. I loved it!
(4)
Christina P.
I made sure to go here with a group of friends to try the lobster mac and cheese. It was so creamy and there was a very good amount of lobster pieces in the dish. Don't let the long line turn you away, it was definitely worth the wait!
(5)
Ken L.
Best Clam chowder I have had! The lines are long but moves pretty quickly here. The food is fresh and the Clam chowder is superb. Kind of a greasy spoon type of place. We had lunch here and sampled the Captains platter, which was all good. The deep fried oyster was a first time for me and that was the only questionable (in terms of my tastes) thing we had there.
(5)
Vicky W.
Awesome lobster roll if you want something less concentrated with mayo and just straight-up fresh sweet lobster. Everything is made fresh and tastes great. Service is a little rushed and crazy but would definitely recommend stopping by and checking it out for the level of quality seafood for the price!
(4)
Lola A.
I had the lobster roll and my husband had the fish and chips. The food was tasty, although, the seating arrangements are a little off. There are a few tables inside and a few outside. We sat outside (you order, seat yourself and they bring out your food) but it's small and a little uncomfortable. I'd go back to try different items on the menu.
(3)
Rita V.
I'd LOVE to give it a 4 or 5 - great staff cooped up in a shack... But the captains plate had a lobster tail that could be used as a tennis ball - HUGE New England NO NO NO NO NO!!!! THAT bothered me tremendously, but the full belly clams were HUGE and the fried scallops were perfect. Watch those tails folks! If this were the first time I had lobster - it would be my last. We didn't send it back though - we literally toughed it out because the place was packed out the door and down the street.
(3)
Elisa C.
It really wasn't a goal of ours to try as many bowls of clam chowder into our 1.5 day trip to Boston... it just sort of ended up that way. Yankee's was conveniently next to my pal's hotel, and also sadly our last meal before heading back to SF, but I'm so glad we made a stop here even though it's out of the way from the more bustling parts of the city because BEHOLD - we found the best clam chowder in the city. Though we visited over 5 establishments with clam chowder on the menu during foodie trip - with all types ranging from traditional, to culinary magic, or even progresso/chunky can soup style - Yankee's clam chowder stole the show. I'm not a local, so I'm really not sure how often Bostonians go out for seafood -- the theme of our trip was to eat seafood. Regardless, if you're a local or just visiting, this place is so worth the special visit. Definitely some of the freshest seafood I've had within the US! Yankee seems to be a restaurant under the radar in the food scene here (compared to all the other highly Yelped seafood places such as Neptune or Island Creek), but man, do they do it right. Never mind the shack like feel or the sticky table, I like my restaurants without the trying-too-look, chic feel. The vibe feels genuine, and the place smells delicious. The steamed lobster is fantastic, their seafood platters are perfection, the lobster mac and cheese is out of this world, and did I mention the clam chowder was amazing? Not overpriced or over rated? Now that's a win-win.
(5)
Stef S.
If you're in the area, it's a great stop for a quick seafood fix. In terms of the clam chowder and lobster roll though? Meh, I've had better. The seafood tastes fresh, but I found the clam chowder to be ordinary and the lobster roll to be a little too "fishy" for my liking.
(3)
Sutirtha B.
We are big fans of Food TV and after seeing that Guy Fieri was here and realizing that this place is in Boston, we decided to come here at the earliest possible opportunity on a Sunday afternoon for lunch. Getting here was fairly straight forward but the parking sign next to the restaurant threw us off a bit. A sign on the restaurant roof seemed to indicate that parking was on the opposite side of the street as the restaurant but we did not find any lot on the other side. Then after calling them, we learned that parking was right next to them and then that turned out to be a breeze. Once inside, there was a modestly long line and it took us about 10 minutes or so to get to the counter. The menu is written on the board but if one is a short person, then it can be a little tricky seeing everything that's written on the board. We had already checked the menu the night before and my wife pulled it up again on her smart phone. Anyhow, as Guy Fieri had raved about the lobster mac n' cheese we decided to give that a try. Lobster bisque or clam chowder is one of the standard fares I order as that helps me get a sense of a place and I went with the bisque. Lastly, we got a fried seafood platter (Combo 2) with fried fish, scallops, and shrimp. The order of these 3 items along with a beer came to ~ $50. The lobster bisque was handed out immediately but for the rest of our food, the wait seemed excessive at ~ 25 minutes or so. As others have remarked, the place is quite quite small and it proved challenging to secure a table inside the place. There are tables outside too but it being chilly, we were keen on getting a table inside and were finally able to get one. As far as the food goes, it was fine but there was nothing that would really stand out. The lobster bisque was definitely below average relative to others that I have tried out during my many trips to seafood joints over the years. One comment that should give you a sense for the quality was a comment from my wife who was reminded of a bisque we had bought at Market Basket a few weeks ago :( Also, there was very little lobster meat in the bisque. The lobster mac n' cheese was OK but given how Guy Fieri had raved about it, we had certainly expected more. In what is consistent with how the remaining items were served, it came in a plate made of aluminium foil rather than a pot / a casserole. Lastly, the fried seafood was fine and I can attest that the seafood seemed very fresh but the seasoning was nothing special, the portions seemed small and the scallops were over fried! The french fries that came with it were also worse than the average french fries at any restaurant. So on two of those things which I have had at tons of places (bisque & french fries), they did worse than the average place where we dine out. Overall, we came with higher expectations but were disappointed. It would be OK if this were right in our neighborhood and we had gone there for a casual Sunday lunch but it was certainly not worth making a 30-40 minute drive out Guy Fieri notwithstanding. Bostonians and out-of-towners, you can do better than coming to this joint.
(3)
Ricardo M.
The best sandwich I ever had in my life, #lobsterRoll, I will move to Boston from Texas just for the sandwich
Decent lobster roll but I've defintely had better.. And for $20 it defintely could have been a little bit bigger. Even the hot dog roll was smaller than normal.
(3)
Qui C.
This was our first stop after we landed at the airport. Two lobster rolls with Sam Summer. Perfect lunch! My favorite food while in Boston is lobster roll and they make a mean one here. Well worth the $21 bucks. Looks to be a local's spot for lunch. They have outside seating for nice, sunny days (so rare in Boston). Service is friendly - order at the counter and they bring out your food.
(5)
Linh V.
I revisited again this year and I would like to retract my previous review. I like this place. The lobster roll and fried clam bellies were yummy and maybe the sweetness they lacked last year were due to the batch of seafood rather than the actual restaurants fault. Definitely one of the best lobster rolls in the actual city.
(4)
Char Y.
awesome fully loaded lobster rolls! fast service and delicious food! i wish there is more room to eat inside, because the outdoor seating area has seagulls watching us!
(4)
Jenny C.
My friends and I stopped by here before going into Harpoon's brewery. (which everyone should go to! i'll write that review after this) What we ordered: - lobster mac n cheese - clam chowda - lobster roll Lobster mac n cheese: Really good. Had a good amount of lobster chunks. Clam chowda: i liked it! It was really good. My friend said they had too much clams for her, lol, but that's bc she doesnt like seafood. Lobster Roll: Fresh, but like someone said, it was kinda bland. I do like that they didn't put too much seasoning, and that it's not overpowered by mayo like some places. I've only had the lobster roll here and "boston chowda" and i like this one more.
(5)
Allie M.
Okay - I am a huge Triple D fan (Guy for Prez 2016?!), so while visiting Boston, I couldn't resist this little seafood shack by the water. Judging from previous reviews, the place is usually packed, but my sister and I went before noon on a Tuesday and had no problem getting served immediately - we also got a prime table outside on their patio. Can't beat that! The place is definitely kitschy, but fun if you take it for what it is. My sister was smart and ordered the stuffed haddock, which was (to use Guy's vocabulary) "out of bounds." I ordered what Guy got: the lobster mac n' cheese and the cod cakes. Considering I don't really like lobster, the mac n' cheese was pretty good, but the cod cakes were better, if not best. They were perfectly seasoned and fried. I decided to try the lobster juice. The best part about it was that the restaurant was playing "Gin and Juice" by Snoop Dogg which inspired me to write a parody: Rollin' down the street, eatin' cod cakes, sippin' on lobster juice. Laid back, with my mind on my seafood and my seafood on my mind.
(3)
Jenna L.
Came here for lunch one day - very small place next to Harpoon. I got a lobster roll - pretty good, but not the best I've ever had. It's priced about average to what other lobster rolls are. I really liked their fries and of course they had malt vinegar (a must have) to put on top. Love love. Will definitely be back to try their other seafood
(4)
A D.
We were in town for the day, and my family really wanted lobster for some reason. We were recommended by a few people, and I think someone had mentioned it was on Food Network, too! So, my family insisted on going. It was okay. I think it's over-hyped. I had the lobster mac and cheese... It was good, don't get me wrong, it was delicious! Buuuuut, I've had better. Don't you hate those words? I've had better. The fish definitely tasted fresh, and my family enjoyed it! The fries could've used some lovin', and same with the coleslaw. The space is lacking, but it is Boston. It was just too squished for the area, and we had a pretty big party.
(3)
Ashley D.
This place is the best (and pretty much the only) place to go to after a few beers at Harpoon brewery down the street. It's a bit isolated but worth the trip especially if you make a joint journey for the food and the beer. The main appeal is the lobster roll. It's served cold with mayo. Although my personal preference is towards hot with butter, they do this cold style very well. Tons of meat and nice soft bun to balance everything out. It also comes with fries which are not only a delicious side but also great at keeping you a little more sober after all the beer. I've also tried the lobster mac and cheese and cannot say enough good things about it. Creamy, meaty, makes you salivate... you know the end of that story. Resonably priced (remember it is fresh seafood) and hits the spot.
(4)
Jackie L.
If you are at the convention center in Boston it's worth the .45 mile walk to this place for a killer lobster roll and for a San Diegen like me a cold IPA. Friendly, helpful staff and an authentic atmosphere. Good stuff.
(4)
J B.
This place rocks! Great clam "chowda", fried clam strips and lobster mac / cheese. They even have cheeseburgers for the non seafood eater. Really, really, really good across the board! Got to make this part of your time in Boston. Oh yeah....forgot to mention the best music playing ever over the speakers.
(4)
Alicia C.
Yummy yummy place. I tried both the lobsters and crabs. Oh god, they were so fresh! This is my favorite seafood place in Boston! I love the ambience too, not too pushing it like other overrated seafood restaurants in the city. After all, when you go to a restaurant, you're really looking forward to the food right? I highly recommend you to crack the crabs yourself, it's a very different experience vs. eating readily peeled crab meat rolls etc. I look at it as working hard to shed the shells and eventually rewarding myself with a big chunk of juicy and fresh meat (especially the claws) - LOVE EM'!
(5)
John P.
This restaurant is pretty close to the airport. It was also featured on triple D, so i was hoping this place would be really good. It's a pretty small restaurant with some outdoor seating. Nicely decorated. Ended up trying the lobster bisque, clam chowder, clam sandwich, and fish sandwich. The lobster bisque was OK, too creamy for my standards. The clam chowder was really good, one of the best i've tasted. The fish sandwich was pretty bland, nothing too exciting here. The clam sandwich was pretty disappointing. The fried clams weren't really crispy, and I was hoping for a little more clams in the sandwich...especially for the boston area where seafood is easy to get. My friend got the lobster roll and she really enjoyed it...maybe i should of got that... Overall I was pretty disappointed with my experience here. With SO many seafood options in the boston/MA area we'll probably look for other options next time we're in the area.
(3)
Shannon S.
Price was good but food was okay. I had the shrimp and felt I had better. The shrimp where small and the batter was nothing special. My co-workers had the lobster and enjoyed it
(3)
Olivia J.
This place is GREAT. Especially for a take out. Between the four of us in my family, we tried a bunch of things: Clam chowder and lobster bisque - in medium cups, they're 5.99 and 6.99 each. I had gotten so used to Au Bon Pain's clam chowder that I forgot what real clam chowder tasted like. This is it! It's got a lot of clams... in almost every bite! Lobster roll - for 17.99, it comes with fries and cole slaw. It's got so. much. lobster!!!! It made me sososo happy. One of the best I've ever had. Lobsters - my family loves lobsters. We like live lobsters steamed, and that's exactly how we got them. We got two pounders steamed and brought them home and ate at home (restaurant space is kinda small; there is no hostess and tables are first come first serve). These lobsters... these fat lobsters had so much chewy and tasty meat. We plan on becoming regulars here!!
(5)
Judd F.
Seafoodlicious!!!! Came to Boston for a conference. Ate here every day. WOW! Lobster bisque smooth and creamy! Shrimp perfectly done!
(5)
Jasmin V.
+Free parking lot on the side of the building +Huge menu! It might take a while to decide what to get +Accepts credit card +Fast service +Right next to Harpoon Brewery -Small restaurant front; only a few tables -Servings are for one person; Don't share :)
(5)
Nam C.
By this point of time in the trip, I was pretty sick of getting an ok chowder. So I changed that up and tried their Lobster Bisque. It was great. There really isn't any better explanation than that. The bisque was very flavorful with the lobster stock and the chunks of lobster really hit the spot. I ordered a large cup, but downed it within a very short minute. Next time, I will try the steamed Lobster here and I hope to be wowed.
(4)
Whodat B.
Fresh fresh fresh! BF and I shared the small bucket of Crabs which was so fresh and melted straight out of the shell! But beware it was so juicy that it was a mess cracking! But so worth it! Wish they had an option for 1 or 2 Crabs! Also shared the lobster roll which was hands down THE BEST lobster roll I've ever had! So fresh and light you could really taste the lobster! The meat was super tender... Unlike the last dish we ordered: lobster Mac n cheese... We had to order this after all the reviews... It was "allright"... MY BF's sister makes it wayyyyyyyyy better. The lobster meat portion left to be desired and the what meat was included was rather tough and dry. Over all 4 stars for food... I deducted a star because we arrived the evening before at 836pm for dinner... And the server told us the kitchen close at 830...but there is no notice on the website!!! We were rather irritated to say the least... You need to post online your *true hours*. In major cities restaurants who say they close at 9 serve till 9 and then really close at 10... Just saying.
(3)
Daisy P.
So so so good... Stopped here before a concert and although waited in a huge line it was worth it! Best lobster roll and fish & chips in Boston (even Guy Fieri signed his name on the wall).
(5)
Kathryn P.
Best lobster roll I ever had. Huge pieces of delicious lobster meat not over seasoned. It was delicious. The waiter recommended the chowder but I had the fish stew. It was lightly spicy with chunks of swordfish shrimp and other fish. It was so good I wanted to pick up the cup to get the last drops. Now this is not a fancy place. It is clean but it is small and could be thought of as a dive. But if ambiance is what you want go somewhere else. If it is good food you want this is the place.
(4)
Raven V.
Dear Yankee Lobster, You have ruined seafood for me for the rest of my life. I mean this in a good way. I have NEVER in my LIFE had seafood this good before. Everything was EXTREMELY fresh, the clam chowder is better than any clam chowder I've ever had ( legal seafood 's version is canned cambells compared to your food) the shrimp was sushi fresh quality, and the fish was out of this world. I'm going to have to go back to New England just to get seafood like this again from Yankee Lobster. If you want seafood and you are in Boston, I swear to God you'd be an idiot not to go here.
(5)
Bela S.
The reviews before me are correct. This is definitely a place to go when you are in the area. Free parking is an added bonus! I can't say I was terribly impressed by the lady taking our orders, but it's Boston. In the year we have been here we have come to expect this from a place that isn't trying to sell itself as ultra high end. I had the salad with crab meat. Super fresh romain, tomatoes, carrots, with a generous portion of fresh, cold (mayo-free the way I LOVE it) crab meat. Maybe a small mark down for the salad dressing; it was just pre-packed Ken's. But whatever, I usually skipp the dressing anyway. Wife had clam stips and chips and they were also amazing. Sweet sicculet clam meat (once again, generous portions) and a heap of fries. She didn't end up finishing, which is amazing because she is pregnant and seems to devour everything in site. We also shared a cup of chowder. It was a little runnier than most, and VERY rich with tons of clam meat. I can appreciate the shear amount of clams in it, but the richness turned me off a little. This is a bit of personal preference, I know, but I don't necessarily like that fatty film left on your teeth when you get a really fatty chowder/bisque. Flavors were spot on otherwise. We will be back! Hopefully we will sneak in a Harpoon Brewery tour as it is just next door.
(4)
Meson W.
At the risk of sounding repetitive, we also stopped here fresh off the plane. Our party of 6 arrived around 3:30 on a Wednesday afternoon, no lines or crowds or parking issues. We parked around the side of the building. As soon as we walked in, I noticed how small, quaint, but efficient the place was. We easily put together three small tables to fit our party together. And since we did our homework on yelp, we knew exactly what to order: Lobstah Roll! Chowdah! Cod Cakes! The lobster was deliciously fresh and with a huuuge portion of lobster on the fresh bun, enough for me and my fiancee to share. My sister and her fiancee got a side of the codcakes, which was large, and after tasting a bite, I was a fan. I am usually not a fan of any seafood-cakes because of the mushy nondescript seafood taste. But this cod cake had distinct flavors. The chowder was thick, hearty, and comforting after a stressful flight. Prices were fair, especially considering the amount of Lobster and seafood put into the food.
(4)
Katelyn C.
This place is awesome! We are visiting Boston and only went here because of the positive yelp reviews I saw...thanks to all--highly recommended and awesome service and employees!
(5)
Ryan M.
Best damn lobster ever; 2 pound crustacean for $30, with sides!!! Will frequent this place every time I'm in Boston.
(5)
David C.
I live in LA, but I hit this place whenever I can on the way to Logan Airport. Cool atmosphere with good beer selection, and hands down the best lobster rolls and lobster bisque I've ever had. Fries are also awesome. If I lived in Boston, I would have a brass plaque in there with my name on it.
(5)
Bob D.
I was a captive audience without a car, staying at a hotel in the Boston waterfront area. I walked over to Yankee Lobster for a lobster roll at lunchtime. Waited less than 10 minutes to order and another 25 minutes to get the roll. It came with fries and cole slaw and was priced at $19. I was expecting a pretty good lobster roll for that price. There was, in fact a pretty good sized serving of lobster inside a typical white frankfurter bun. Unfortunately, the lobster seemed a bit overcome with the flavor of the mayo spread that is added. Yes, the lobster rolls are cheaper and better in NH and Maine, but this is Boston. Even though I probably won't go back given the above, three stars for a decent lobster roll.
(3)
Kris D.
Lobster, lobster & lobster! 2 lbs of tasty perfectly cooked lobster! Or a lobster roll that was no doubt the best and I've had my share of lobster rolls. The roll was overflowing with lightly dressed lobster meat, need I say more. Be prepared for a line. Menu on the wall, order at the counter. Very casual, small place but big on taste. The steamers were so fresh and plenty to share. Parking was no problem. We enjoyed seating by the window. The retail part was in the back.
(5)
Robert S.
I saw the episode on the Food Network and it got me craving some good seafood....then after reading all the reviews, I got very excited when I knew I was going to be in Boston for business. Went there for lunch and got the Fresh Lobster roll with fries. The sandwich came in a nice toasted roll, the lobster meat was tender..not too much mayo, just some celery, but it was kind of bland...I used the salt and pepper shaker...and I usually do not put salt on my food. I eat low in salt !!! The fries were nice and crispy, thin, seasoned and hot....good fries. The cole slaw was also good, not too soupy, not too much juice.. Overall a good lobster roll, but out of all the ones that I've had in the area, my choice is still the Matunuck Oyster bar. Service is friendly...kind of a small place, it might have but 10-12 tables...
(3)
Michael E.
When picking people up, or dropping people up from the airport, I love to stop by Yankee's. The fish is fresh and cooked well. This is not a fine dining restaurant, it has a nice dive feel to it. The fish and chips are quite nice. The Lobster Mac is also prepared well. These items are seasoned such that the seafood is still the star of the dish. I think my favorite so far has been the cod and crab cake sandwiches and come with their fries which are always delicious.
(4)
Joey G.
Great food! I recommend the Lobster Mac and Cheese but its all very good!
(5)
Tony W.
Was on my way to Legal Harborside. Talked to someone who said this place is better and cheaper. They were right. And the people at the counter is really helpful in helping me find what to order.
(5)
Natasha C.
After touring the Harpoon brewery we stopped by here to grab some food. The line was long but it seemed worth the wait...and it was. The place is small and the seating is limited so be aware of that. We felt like hawks watching when people were done so we could snag their table. We ordered the lobster rolls....and by God they were the best things on earth. So juicy and filled with chunks of beautiful lobster pieces. It was awesome. I also loved the fries and cole slaw that came with it. I must say for 17 bucks it really fills you up. Already cant wait to go back!
(5)
JasparLamar C.
Good stuff without the bells and whistles of its competition (or its "test" competition) down the boulevard.
(4)
Jimmy B.
Fresh. This place is has great, local seafood. Definitely a must try for someone visiting Boston and wanting to experience seafood the right way. Don't expect any too fancy, nor bring a large party (unless you plan on taking it to go, but I suggest eating it on the spot). There is limited seating area, so plan accordingly. I got the seafood combo #1 (fish, squid, shrimp) while my girlfriend got a fish wrap. Spent about $26 with tax for this lunch, so a bit pricey, but this is seafood we're talking about, so it's pretty standard. The portion was also fairly generous, which compensates for the price. In terms of the food itself, the seafood is so fresh. You can tell that their seafood is basically straight from the bait to the fryer because the meat is so SOFT. Very delicious, no doubt. Also, their fries were pretty good too - reminded me of BK before they changed their recipe. Anywho, their fish wrap used the same fried fish that was in my platter, but it was a bit tasteless unfortunately. I'd recommend getting straight seafood - no sandwiches, wraps, or the like (except lobster rolls obviously). 4 stars because I've had better, and the location is a bit of a pain, but all in all a good experience. I'll be coming back here to try their lobster roll in the future. :)
(4)
Dave F.
Ended up in South Boston, looking for an eventual Lobster Roll. Didn't find it at the Atlantic Beer Garden or the Whiskey Priest and we didn't want to go to the expensive and swanky places that make up the rest of Northern Ave. Ended up here just because we were hungry and made the mistake of walking all the way down to Harpoon with thinking it was still open around 8pm. Luckily we found this place...its your typical dive. We didn't notice the Triple D wall sign until after we sat down, but the menu was full of seafood dishes. The lobster roll was $19.99 and came with fries/coleslaw and butter sauce. The fries were slightly overcooked, but the roll was awesome. Also got a harpoon pumpkin beer, which of course was rather tasty. While its so far from everything else, definitely worth it, and won't break the bank. If you're up for drinking, the Whiskey Priest not only has a ton of whiskey, but almost 40 beers on draft and is about a 10 minute walk away.
(4)
Brenna R.
This place is amazing. They consistenly have good food. Prices aren't too bad either. Great place for lunch or dinner.
(5)
Mike W.
I would give 5* but the paper plates drop to 4 1/2. Great food and wonderful informal atmosphere. The lobster Mac is as good as I have had.
(4)
Nazar N.
Great food and friendly people. Lobster roll is amazing. Will come again when I'm back in Boston.
(5)
Tater M.
Lobster meat in lobster roll was overcooked, few bits of celery that were mixed in the mayo were almost non existent. Worst of all- waited full 45 minutes for it. At least the small dining area had A.C and funny seafood decor. Including a lobster plushie with bulging neon pink lips.
(2)
George N.
Came here with some out of town friends who were here for a convention, I don't know how they discovered this place but they knew about it ahead of time. I ordered the grilled salmon salad and the salmon was easily the best tasting salmon that I've had in a long while. Very memorable. What wasn't so memorable was the noise level of the restaurant when it is busy/crowded. (We went at a seemingly busy time where the line stretch out the door.) The restaurant is pretty small with limited seating when it is busy. (Four people sharing two small tables was alright I guess.) Lastly, the price that you pay for what you get is ok. For me, a strip of salmon on top of a couple onions, tomatoes and lettuce wasn't anything special but the salmon did stand out. In the end, I guess I felt like I paid for an overpriced meal with great quality seafood (decent portions?) but the atmosphere was enough for me to knock off one star. The service and staff were really nice though!
(4)
Mark I.
Highly recommend this place. Went before a Willie Nelson concert . They were very busy but the staff handled it well and very friendly. The food was excellent. Had a lobster roll and crab roll. Would definitely go back.
(5)
I G.
That was so @#$%^&* good!
(5)
Jula B.
Yankee Lobster is one of the few affordable places for seafood in Boston, however the lower prices do not indicate a lack of quality. The fish is very fresh and tasty. The wait was quite long (a line out the door) and they could maybe devise a better system for serving their customers. At Yankee Lobster, you order at the counter and then find a table, which can be pretty tricky business on a busy Friday night. Other than that, Yankee Lobster is a great casual place situated right next to the water that is ideal for seafood lovers. The fried clam strips were incredible--a absolute must order--and while the lobster roll was also good, it could have used a touch more flavor. Other than that, I had a pleasant experience at Yankee Lobster and would not hesitate to return.
(4)
stacey l.
Been back a few times, and have to say this is now one of my go to places for casual seafood.
(4)
Ed S.
Small and secluded. The tight atmosphere is one key to the greatness of this place. I've been a few times and have never been disappointed . Today's lunch of baked stuffed haddock was outstanding. I always go when in the area for lunch.
(5)
Daniel H.
Lobster mac an cheese is awesome with a lot of cheese an lobster small but unique beer selection only drawback is limited seating
(5)
Jess W.
Yesterday I was looking for a good fish and chips place and Yankee Lobster popped up on Yelp. I came here with my family and got an order of steamers, 2 fish and chips, crab cakes, and a large clam chowder. The clam chowder is to die for!! I typically hate clam chowder but this place really does it well -- not too salty, lots of goodies, and not sandy. Everything else was good and fresh, but nothing spectacular. The crab cakes had lots of crab meat in it too. I was so happy with this place I came back again with my family again the following day. We got the lobster roll, lobster mac and cheese, fried oysters, and an extra large clam chowder. The lobster roll has not much mayo and lotsssss of lobster meat. It also comes with fries and cole slaw. The lobster Mac and cheese, is by far one of my favorite dishes here along with their clam chowder. It's rich, filled with lots of lobster chunks, had crunches on top, and not overly cheesy. This place is also prices very reasonably. Will definitely come back here when I visit Boston again.
(5)
Anjuli S.
Went here as a group of 4 after one person saw it on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, so some of us had high expectations. We had clam strips, a cheeseburger, the lobster mac and cheese, a hot lobster roll, and the catfish and fries. Service was great - line was long but moved fast and all orders were accurate. You can sit inside or outside, and the ambiance is casual, which I like. No one was bugging you about pulling up chairs or rearranging tables to fit your needs. You can even look at the lobster tanks, which was pretty cool. I think the lobster mac and cheese was good (taste and price), as were the fish dishes - I will say that the lobster roll was underwhelming, particularly for the price. I probably wouldn't come back unless I lived really close by - but I'm glad I went once.
(3)
Audrey N.
Came here because we saw it on DDD, so we had to have the lobster mac & cheese, fish and chips and clam chowda. Lobster mac and cheese was creamy with loads of lobster. The fish and chips were like a filet, the fries were tasty. The tarter sauce was really yummy. Clam chowda was so good! Loved it. Next time I come to Boston, I will definitely come back again.
(5)
Victor M.
Had the fish tacos, a bit spicy. Calamari was great, the fried shrimp was very good too! Lobster Roll was to die for!! Amazing, but what really killed it and will be bringing me back every day this weekend is the CORN BREAD! Omg delicious!
(5)
Jim K.
As others have mentioned, this place is no frills. It's a decent establishment with very friendly staff. The food wasn't really all that much to write home about. I'd seen lobster rolls in Faneuil hall, and they never really seemed all that appealing - lobster on a toasted hot dog bun. But, everyone had raved about them, so I tried one. Meh, nothing special in my book. I prefer my lobster dipped in butter which actually enhances the flavor. The lobster here was plentiful, but just didn't really offer that much flavor. The lobster bisque was also touted here, but I found it over spiced and not creamy enough for my tastes. A few chunks of lobster, but not much for the price tag. This place is probably not very high on my list for my next visit to Boston.
(3)
Danni D.
Getting to Yankee Lobster, you go through the heart of Seaport. You will pass glitz. You will pass glamour. You will pass a dozen plus places that practically beg you to spend your money there, with them. Ignore all that nouveau desperation and stay the course until Seaport becomes Northern Ave and you find yourself at the unpretentious and decidedly understated location that is Yankee Lobster. Screw the glitz. Screw the glamour. This place is what lobster should be. They got 'em live and ready to go home with you, or you can enjoy them hot and cooked up right there in the market. There are a handful of tables inside, and nice patio outside. Get a beer, some chowder (best I've had in Boston so far), and some ruby red bugs. Know that you spent your money wisely in Seaport. Not a small feat.
(4)
Bruce U.
Absolutely great seafood ! Period. The cornbread rocks too! Whenever I'm in boston on business I try and stop here for a bite to eat. I'm never disappointed and each meal is as good or better than the last. The fish and chips is my favorite. I've not had white fish that good anywhere else I can remember. The lobster roll is awesome too!
(5)
Steven E.
Went here cause of diners, drive-ins and dives.... for the lobster mac n cheese. It was delicious! Will definitely come back when I get the opportunity to.
(4)
Angie R.
Good for what you got! Good price, fresh seafood. The lobster plate was good. chowder could be better. Good staff!
(3)
Krisztina C.
Delicious and great service! First time going. Went there for lunch today, got the special- fish tacos and they were great with a delicious mango salsa, fresh with fresh avocados...yummm. My parents were visiting so I took them with me today and my dad got a yummy, no-filler salmon burger and mom got the seafood stew- best bouillabaisse flavoring I've had in a while. We went to the MFA after, then a long walk around Castle Island and thought "what should we cook for dinner?"...we decided since we were soooo close to the restaurant, we'd go back for dinner! This time I had the shrimp platter, A DOZEN HUGE SHRIMP! My dad got the scallops, and where we're from in CT usually that means bay scallops, oh no, they were sweet and huge sea scallops and mom went for the hot lobster roll....of course we all sampled each others dishes at lunch and dinner and we all agreed, prices were very reasonable, worth the wait, sat outside in the great weather, and would DEFINITELY be back! Other plus: if you can time it right, parking on the side! We'll be back!
(5)
Greg G.
It was fair, decent enough for a quick lunch. I had the hot lobster roll (meat heated without mayo and celery) served on toasted bun with melted butter, side of fries. It was my first experience with a lobster roll, and I guess I expected more for the $20 I paid. Lobster bisque lacked a little flavor as well. I've acknowledged my snootiness before, but I also like a plate and silverware rather than paper and plastic when paying $30 for a meal. Guess I'll try Legal Harborside next time.
(3)
Brit F.
The prices are great! I got the clam chowder and my husband got the lobster. They were both very great. I would definitely come back.
(4)
Todd S.
Easily the best lobster roll I've eaten. I would recommend this place to any seafood lover. Very good food and service!
(5)
Martina M.
If this review were only about the clam chowder, this place would get 5 stars. Creamy and perfect amount of clams that weren't too chewy.. Which they sometimes are and makes the chowder unappetizing. And this was the complete opposite! Lobster roll is okay. Lots of lobster, but it lacked any distinguished flavor that would make me crave more of it. However, the lobster itself was really fresh! Minimal seasoning and a couple of celery pieces is about as much as the whole dish was though. Oh well.. Maybe I came on a bad day. Other yumminess: - beer batter fries were crispy and had more seasoning than the lobster roll - stuffed clams, huge and again, more flavorful than the lobster roll.
(4)
Jenny V.
here's what you need to know... - try the fried lobster roll- SO GOOD - the fries are like perfect. -LOBSTER MAC AND CHEESE! i think it needs more cheese and less "italian spices" or whatever that stuff was. - awesome patio on the side of the restaurant. -they pack live lobsta for you if you're gonna bring some home on a plane. It fit perfectly under the seat. -its awesome you should try it. BONUS: ITS RIGHT ACROSS THE PARKING LOT FROM HARPOON BREWERY!
(5)
Janet L.
The lobster was great, the ambiance ...well, better off left unsaid.
(3)
Tom W.
Simple and delicious. A high-piled Lobster Roll, with the crispiest fries I've had in a while. Friendly staff.
(5)
Eric B.
I wasn't really in the mood to sit in a nice seafood or steak restaurant like Del Frisco's or Legal Harborside and pay for the atmosphere, so I walked down the road to this little hole in the wall restaurant just about a block down off northern Ave... Lets just say... little mom and pop restaurant with BIG taste! The place sits about 20 so you may have to take the food and run if it is crowded... but it is well worth it! I had the Hot Lobster Roll which comes with slaw and fries... let me just say they DO NOT hold back on the Lobster for this Roll :) I will definitely be back the next time I am in town.
(4)
Christina P.
Excellent chowder!!! And the crab cakes weren't bad either! You can hear the music playing from the BoA pavillion and they have a great selection of local Harpoon beers.
(5)
Caroline S.
Came here because I of course saw it on Diners Drive Ins and Dives, and was conveniently staying nearby for work. The place is tiny, with a few tables to eat in, but saw a few people getting take out. They also of course sell fresh seafood! It was a divey spot, which was perfect. No frills kept prices low! Back to my dinner. Place was half full, and food came out incredibly quickly, which was great since I was dining alone. The lobster mac and cheese didn't disappoint - HUGE chunks of lobster, not just little scraps. I LOVED it! The clam chowder was decent as well. Overall great meal, definitely coming back when I return to the area.
(5)
Sally K.
If I hadn't tried an Alive and Kicking lobster sandwich down at Putnam Ave, Cambridge, Yankee Lobster would probably be my no 1 lobster joint in Boston. And I have to admit, aside from good fresh lobster rolls, the chips are quite delicious as is the cole slaw. Everything goes together perfectly, large portion and great price. But. Alive n Kickin has the sandwich down to an art - it's just amazing. I'm sorry, but if I crave lobster it's only visit Yankee lobster if my first choice is closed. It only goes to show that it doesn't matter how good you are; if no 1 is perfection, you'd still come short. But don't take my word for it - luckily, taste buds are different, so maybe you fancy something different? Try out both places and be the judge yourself. And let me know! :-)
(4)
Eric F.
A solid lobster roll at $18 with ample meat, bits of celery, minimal mayo and a side of run-of-the-mill fries. I'd love to be a bit more generous with the rating, but it just doesn't stack up with some of the competition including Belle Isle's at about the same price. My friend and I split an order of crab cakes too - pretty good though otherwise unmemorable. The service is quick and efficient given the amount of activity, always a plus. Overall, worth at least one try if you're in the area (particularly convenient if you have a Harpoon brewery tour before/after), I'd just default elsewhere thereafter for lobster roll hankerings.
(3)
Jason T.
It appears that Guy Fieri has been here! I can't say that I'm an experienced seafoodie. I have had clam chowder before several times, but this one didn't taste too different from the others. Maybe they were all delicious? Anyways, it wasn't very thick (I would have preferred mine thicker), and I thought the clams had a lot of flavor (which I presume is a testament to its freshness). However, it seems that the price has changed a lot since years back. My large clam chowder soup came out to more than $14.
(3)
Liana K.
I would have given this place a 5 star as we ordered a combo platter where the shrimp was great, the scallops were great, the fries were great and beer portions were perfect. However, I then got to the haddock which tastes worst than a dirty napkin! Not sure what went wrong but it was bad. I do recommend stopping by here for some scallops and shrimp but I would avoid anything with haddock in it. The lobsters looked great too! It was a bit pricey, but it is in the new trendy seaport so prices are what you expect for a place right next to a bunch of hotels and luxury condos.
(3)
Giselle T.
Lobster bisque was good. I wish it had more lobster. Honestly the menu looks great, the prices are pretty good.
(3)
Carrie L.
I had the lobster mac and Cheese, and small clam chowder. The food was very good and a reasonable price for the area. Small dive with limited seating, but they do a lot of business in carryout.
(4)
Cindy C.
I'm just going to flat out say it, I'm a Californian, and I have been deprived of clam chowder. I mean I had clam chowder near the pier of SF Ferry building and their sourdough bread is freakin amazing, but the clam chowder was ehhh, ok. Too much of a goopy mess for me. So when I tasted the clam chowder here at Yankee Lobster, I knew this was it. Words are escaping me from fully describing how delicious it was! It wasn't too salty, had the right amount of clams and potatoes, and it fully satisfied my touristy cravings. This place is not your typical restaurant because it is super tiny with a tiny parking lot. They had about three tables outside in the front for seating, and a couple of tables on the other side of the place so there were plenty of room to enjoy their deliciousness on a good sunny day. The next time I come here, I definitely want to try their lobster roll, but it comes at a price of $17.99! I guess it's the norm around here and way out of my student loan budget, so maybe next time Yankee!
(4)
Pat M.
Really good food, right by Harpoon Brewery, a little pricey. Fries are nothing special but they have old bay available which makes them so much better. If you don't like seafood they also have an awesome buffalo chicken wrap.
(4)
Tammy K.
had Fish and Chips, Clam Chowder and UFO Pumpkin Ale. SO GOOD. will be back! Fast service and friendly staff.
(5)
Charles K.
Very good and a great spot to stop along the seaport as your walking around. Friendly staff and lobster is awesome. Many other places to walk afterwards. Harpoon Brewery next door would have been fun but closes at 5 for tours. So come during the day to get both.
(4)
Brooke R.
Seriously Fresh Seafood + Crazy Deliciousness = BOMBTASTIC! We had three adults, a 19 month old and a 4 month old in our party. We ordered a shrimp plate, fish & chips plate and the clam strip plate and shared between everyone at our table. The fried shrimp was wonderful and covered in a light, crispy batter. The clam strips were out of this world fresh and was the favorite among our table. The fish (fried haddock) was tasty but a tad on the soggy side. A couple of tips: - Free parking for patrons on the side of their building! Yea! - No highchairs (at least none that we could find). - Bathrooms open to patrons. - This place is small and tends to get very busy. We ate at 3pm on a Saturday and walked right in. However, as is grew closer to dinner time, the line started going out the door. - Meals priced between $10 and $18 - fish & chips on the $10 side, lobster rolls on the $18 side.
(4)
Bo J.
Lobster not that fresh, pricy comparing to other restaurants. Tips even though no service at all.
(2)
Marg G.
The clam chowder did not disappoint (and it was HIGHLY recommended) and the lobster rolls were also predictably amazing. The real surprise were the clam strips. Huge, tender and perfectly fried with the added bonus of spot-on tarter sauce. Order anything, or everything like we did. Your tastebuds won't regret it.
(5)
A C.
I read on Yelp some people complained about too much mayo in the lobster roll. That was not at all the case! The lobster roll is fresh and there weren't any globs of mayo anywhere. It comes with lemon, which was the only real condiment. It's also a decent amount of lobster, enough to share with a 2nd person for lunch, if you also order a large clam chowder (which had a yummy garlicky-ness to it) It gets better. I left my hoodie there, and I was pretty bummed because my flight was about to leave. I decided to call them (what the hey, just give it a try) and see if they would mail it to me. Not only did one of the guys drive personally to the postal service on his own time in order to mail me my hoodie, when I called him to ask how much the shipping cost was (I wanted to send a check to reimburse), he told me not to worry about it. That is some real service. They're brisk when they take your orders, but these guys and their food are both GOLD!
(4)
Michelle S.
This is because I had so much fun watching and chatting with the other dinners and the servers were amazing for a fast food style joint. They are so willing to help a newbie like me. See, I've had tons of lobster. However it always arrives beautifully butterflied and styled on the plate. Of course that version costs you $50. Here it's $25 and it's DIYS. Unless you plead with the nice young men behind the counter. In my case Mark was so sweet and came back to my table and plainly asked, "Do you just want me to remove all the meat for you?" I was like, "Hella yes!" He even brought out the shell to ensure that I wasn't jipped. I love this place. Just a group of really hard working sweet Townies making sure I have a wonderful experience.
(5)
Meredith P.
Tiny little place with big tasty seafood offerings whether you're there to eat-in or take-out. Fun to sit outside in the warm weather. Staff is wonderfully courteous and solicitous. BEST lobster salad in the City!!
(5)
Sarah W.
Lobster Mac and cheese out of this world! The clam chowder was amazing as well! Fun little random place we stumbled upon! Everyone was friendly and upbeat as well!
(5)
Mary Ann A.
A small, no-frills restaurant that offers a good selection of seafood and American favorites at more than reasonable prices -- a one-of-a-kind restaurant and a real keeper. Fish is the freshest as can be, presentation is good. Good portions too. It's just plain good, tasteful food. Free parking. Staff is friendly, helpful, and accommodating, and the place is CLEAN! You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Mike H.
Finally back to boston and was looking for a small little place for a lobster roll. Was blown away. Great staff and better food
(5)
Michael P.
I've gone to Yankee Lobster twice and both times it was good. The fish and chips were tasty the fish was fresh, they have good portion sizes and the fries were crunchy. The crowd tends to be hipsters and locals. It is a simple small place with some outdoor seat without a view. The prices are reasonable.
(4)
Alayna D.
I researched the best lobster rolls to have while in Boston and found Yankee Lobster Co. with great reviews. Keep in mind, we were traveling from FL for a wedding in Boston and wanted some unique local food. Went to YL Co. and ordered the highly raved about lobster rolls at $17.99 each for lunch and were pretty disappointed. While the lobster itself was plentiful, the taste was bland beyond belief. The fries had more flavor. The atmosphere was decorating as a fisherman's diner like feel; simple, fair amount of tables for the size restaurant, a lot of menu choices - most much less expensive than the lobster rolls, though. While friendly when ordering at the counter, the staff wasn't helpful when we asked where our food was after being the only table in there and having waited over 30 min. : - / Bummer...expected more I guess. Fantastic clam chowder, though. I could have eaten a whole bowl of that! d Still glad we experienced it, but would be unsure to recommend Yankee Lobster Co to others.
(3)
Tom G.
Non-descript white building, cafeteria interior. Burly service. Disorganized at times. Really, really well done seafood at a reasonable price. Fried clams were delicious. Fries are decent (not great...sometimes soggy). Lobster roll is exceptional.
(4)
Jo K.
I would give them a 3.5 stars if I could. We were in town for Patriots game, and spent time wandering around South Boston. Knowing that this place was on DDD, I wanted to check it out. We ordered shrimp cocktail, fish and chips (minus the chips), clam chowder and lobster mac & cheese. We didn't want fries with fish, so they subbed chowder for that which was really nice. Shrimp cocktail was AWESOME value. At first you think it's really over-priced at $12 or 13. Then you get a plate of a dozen fresh shrimp. It was good. Fish was good, nothing to go crazy over. Chowder was awesome!!! Lobster mac was a little disappointing. There wasn't much lobster in there. It wasn't overly cheesy like I'm used to in southern mac & cheese (like VA or NC BBQ joints' mac & cheese). It had a little spicy-ness to it. Portion was big enough to share, or have leftover snack. I regret not getting a lobster, or a lobster roll. Lobster & other prices looked really reasonable.
(3)
Bill J.
The BEST lobster role I've ever had. So fresh you'd think they caught it 5 minutes before they served it!
(5)
Rufus G.
Small place, very busy at lunch when I went, but food was great. Service a bit slow, but there is only one person working the register, drinks and soups. Food was great, Lobster Club was amazing and the Lobster Roll was well priced for the portions offered. I can't wait to try their Lobster Mac & Cheese.
(4)
Max R.
Came here for the lobster roll and bisque. I have to say I enjoyed the bisque much more than the roll, which was full of nice chucks of lobster, but both were tasty. It's a little far out unless you're going to Harpoon, and seating can be hard to come by which is inconvenient given the location (this seems to be a trend for lobster roll places). It's a pay at the counter type place and wait for your food to be brought to you. Prices are comparable to a roll/soup most anywhere else in the city.
(4)
Jennifer S.
We stopped here for lunch after a meeting and before heading to the airport. The restaurant has a fishy smell to it, so that was a turn off when we first walked in; however, the food was quite good and very fresh. I tried the grilled tilapia with vegetables. Reasonably priced and quick to come out too.
(3)
Jaclyn B.
If you want to get fresh seafood on the waterfront and aren't concerned with being fancy or frills, but you DO want to have a good time and eat delicious food... definitely go here! The place has old school charm. Yes it does get cramped and you will probably have to wait in line and stand around while you wait for a table. But the servers will let you start a tab in line and order beers, and if you're really hungry you can order chowder and you don't have to wait for it, so you can eat it while you wait for your meal. Best things on the menu: Chowder, Cod Cakes, Lobster Roll! There's hype about the lobster mac and cheese, but it wasn't that great in my opinion. If there's a concert going on at the Pavilion, you can hear the whole thing! Just don't hang out on the steps in the seating area, or you will get yelled at by Pavilion staff! :(
(4)
K T.
The fried clam platter is what I ordered. The fried clams were ethereal. Seriously, the best fried clams I'd ever had. And they are one of my fetish foods. However, the platter was 3/4 fries and 1/4 clams. Disappointing. I don't need a huge portion, but fair would have been nice. I didn't know until I was back at hotel since I'd ordered it for takeout...
(3)
Amy M.
This place was walking distance from my hotel - and I wish I had discovered it before my last night in town! It's a tiny place with maybe 10 tables...many people are coming here to buy from the market and not get a meal! The counter is filled with super fresh fish and shellfish, which you can buy by the pound....and you can grab a couple of live lob-stahs if you want a new pet, or a self prepared dinner... I got the lobster roll, which was HUGE. Giant clumps of meat, with just a tiny bit of mayo and celery. The roll was almost non existent. A little squeeze of lemon, and I was off into crustacean sammie heaven! Sidebar - I am not a french fry eater, since rarely are they worth the calories- these WERE! Crisp, super hot and awesome - they were a nice accompaniment to the sandwich ...but I was a hella lot more interested in the roll! And...they fact I could get a good draft beer here while I stuffed myself with the best dinner in bean town ...the jewel in the crown of a king of a dinner! I wish i could have tried something else, but I didn't have time to make it back, and I wasn't travelling with any companions!
(4)
Sylvia C.
i remember this place as a no fuss kinda seafood place at affordable prices. Thought it would be worth grabbing dinner there before our show. the place was packed..luckily we found a table outside. ordered cup of cam chowder, fried fisherman platter and lobster roll. the clam chowder was exceptionally creamy and flavorful the lobster roll was overfilled with lobster knuckle meat with barely any mayo ..just the way i like it. just wished the fried fisherman platter have been cooked on cleaner oil...nothing worse than see fried seafood having dark brown coloring and slightly overcooked.
(3)
Sue H.
I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can take a stroll down to Yankee Lobster. While it is a little out of the way (okay, really out of the way...), I think it's worth the trip because of the quality seafood they offer. This place is awesome. Fried crispy deliciousness. Fresh and tasty seafood. Amazing clam chowder. Buttery lobster goodness. Fair prices and quick service. No frills, chill atmosphere. If you love fried seafood, you'll love Yankee Lobster. Need I say more?
(4)
Randy Z.
Came all the way from Washington state to try this place. Ordered the captain's feast. Everything came deep fried except one tiny piece of lobster tail meat. When ordering I was not given a choice over deep fried or broiled and staff was not helpful on explaining any of the dishes. After our order came out I tried to explain to staff I could not handle that much fried food and asked for an exchange on the meal; they were not accommodating. Spent 40$ plus on the dish and ended up wasting practically the entire dish in the garbage. Greatly disappointed.
(1)
T G.
Had the lobster Mac and my son had the lobster roll. Both very good. Will return! Only reason I gave it 4 stars was because the establishment is very small. You guys need a bigger place!
(4)
Victoria J.
You can't go wrong with the stuffed quahogs and GIANT Harpoon beers on draft. It's tiny, reeks of fish, but the food is fresh & the kitschy lobster decor makes it a place I plan on frequenting again & again.
(4)
Andrea G.
THIS PLACE IS A PROBLEM, cause I would spend my whole paycheck eating lobster rolls everyday :) So tasty and overflowing with lobster meat, lightly dressed severed with a bunch of crispy fries and slaw.
(4)
Chris S.
Get the lobster roll. Just get the lobster roll. Oh and the chowder was excellent as well. Extra points for the local beers on tap. The calamari was also the best I've ever had. There's something about the breading. It's light, fluffy and crispy. Absolutely excellent.
(4)
Caitlin Y.
I wanted to love this place, I really did. I was expecting to be blown away... Maybe I was overhyped and my expectations were way to high. I'm struggling to give this 3 stars- because I know I would probably choose to try somewhere different. The restaurant itself is nice, service was great, but the portions and flavors were off. I ordered the stuffed clams and the first two bites were good, but after one clam I couldn't take the flavor anymore- too much breading & not a lot of clam.. Secondly I ordered the lobster roll, which maybe because I don't like hot butter over everything is why I was disappointed, maybe if I had poured the hot butter over the small sandwich it would've had more flavor? I don't know... It was okay, I ate it, but i wish it would've had a little more flavor. The food wasn't bad, I just wasn't impressed.
(3)
Kelly S.
Outstanding! - Broiled haddock and scallops with fresh vegetables. My friend had the lobster Mac and cheese. Both were very good. I will definitely be coming back. Friendly fast service and easy parking where it's least expected. They accept credit cards as well as have an ATM outside the front door. Beer on tap and bottles.
(5)
Fan L.
45min wait for a lobster roll? I did not see a long line so these guys must catch your lobster fresh after you place your order! On top of that, my lobster was overcooked. Portions are good sized though.
(2)
Alisa S.
I wish I could have tried more food here, but I was still stuffed from my earlier breakfast/lunch. We ordered the Cod Cakes and Fried Lobster Roll. We were pleased with both. Even though the lobster chunks were fried, they were still juicy.
(4)
Christian H.
Ridiculously good. Its located right near the Seaport by the Bank of America pavilion and its a place that we found on a whim. We didn't realize we wanted seafood until we went there. The smell of delicious seafood wafted through the air. A small little place that also happens to be a fish market, it has a HUGE variety of different types of meals, including shrimp, calamari, and fish combo, clam plate with french fries, as well as the staples of lobster and fish and chips. Those few things are just scratching the surface, as there are so many things to choose from. Its simple, convenient and really great. The food is incredibly fresh, as it felt like the boat had just come in after getting a nice fare of different things. The prices are not too high, so you won't be breaking the bank too much. Again, the freshness of the food is pretty ridiculous. The portions are average and the atmosphere is really cozy. Definitely worth a try for all you seafoodies out there.
(5)
Chaille S.
We came to Boston for a conference, and had lunch here. The bisque is great, but expensive! The lobster roll was ok, but I'm no expert in lobster. I loved the stuffed clams! Next time I'll just order a couple of those and some cole slaw. We had a $45 tab with just a soup, roll and a crab to show for it. Seemed pricey. Maybe it's a tourist place? Hard to tell. Anyway, I won't go out of my way to hit this place up again. Too pricey for me.
(3)
Gary O.
I was staying near the waterfront so I wandered down here since I remember seeing Yankee Lobster Fish Market on the Food Channel. I ordered the lobster roll which had huge fresh chunks of lobster with the right amount of mayo and chunks of celery. The sandwich was fabulous. The fries I could take or leave them but I highly recommend the lobster roll. I think they get busy but I was there early and had no problems getting my sandwich to go in a few minutes.
(4)
Alisa C.
Good lobster and fresh crab and the chowda was whew!
(3)
Katelyn D.
I love this place!! It's such a divey, beach-feel place in the middle of the city. I love lobster (and all fish for that matter), and their lobster roll is fantastic. It's a small place, so try to plan for that when going. They do have parking on the side of the building (which I only recently realized) which is great. As far as price, it's about as average as it gets for seafood. Also, if you go in the summer when there is a concert at the Pavillion, the patio is a fun little perk as you can hear the music.
(5)
J C.
This place is a hidden gem. Near Seaport Drive, next to the Boston World Trade Center, the looks can be deceiving.... It is not a fancy restaurant, looks more like a carry out Deli. But there are seats available, so you can eat comfortably with your friends. I tried their Lobster roll with my wife. We were both amazed at how much lobster meat they give you !! And it is fresh ! Their fries are nice and warm. They give a probably a full lobster in your Lobster roll. Definitely worth the money. I will visit again when I revisit Boston...
(5)
Helena Q.
The lobster roll was 20$; fish and chips was 11$ (+ tip). The area seems a bit touristy, so the price seemed okay. The lobster roll came with ample lobster and not too much mayo, which is my preference, so I was pleased. The lobster was a bit chewy, but not unpleasantly so. My friend liked her fish and chips -- I'm not a fan of fried fish in general, so my dislike of it shouldn't factor into your decision. Unexpectedly, the fries were SUPER good. They were thin and perfectly crunchy; I'm startled because I'm very picky about fries.
(4)
MS B.
Ensure you have plenty of extra time - I waited over 30mins for a ~$20 sandwich watching others that ordered after me being served. Missed the T home. Time to find a new place.
(1)
Stephen R.
Came here exclusively for the Lobster Mac and Cheese because of Diners Drive-ins and Dives. We were extremely disappointed. There wasn't any flavor at all. Besides the big chunks of lobster every other part of the dish fell flat. The fried calamari was the saving light. It was well battered and not too chewy, very god flavor. Others seemed to enjoy their lobster rolls and lobster bakes around us. I would go back for the daily specials.
(2)
Laura M.
It gets busy...really busy (especially if there's a show next door at the Pavillion) and it's tiny. But it's worth the wait. Great fresh seafood (including a market). Friendly staff. Beer from Harpoon next door. The lobster roll is really good. Not too much dressing-y stuff, just light mayo and a little celery. Broiled seafood looks delish. Fries and rings are yum. I suggest having someone scope out a table outside while someone else waits in line. There's some parking on the side of the building. Your best bet for extremely casual seafood in the seaport district.
(4)
Michelle C.
Went there for the lobster roll .....eh. Was ok...not great.... not bad...just eh. Ordering was disorganized and it took a while for them to acknowledge us. One guy was working the front and there were 3 guys in back. My lobster roll came out rather quickly, although, they weren't sure if it was mine, so they took it back and then the guy was actioning it off....anyone order a lobster roll? anyone? anyone? and then came back with it....guess it was mine....ha! My friend who ordered the same thing... had to wait 10 minutes for hers to show. The sandwich had lots of chunky lobster, but I felt like it was missing something...not enough mayo & celery. The bun was cold even though it was toasted and was lacking butter....the whole sandwich was just lacking flavor. The fries were standard and not very hot. I liked the coleslaw...was fresh, crisp and had just the right amount of mayo. I would go back and give it another try, but only if I was in the area....no special trip. I think I've been ruined by Neptunes Hot Lobster Roll and nothing else can compare now.
(3)
Hall W.
After having tasted many fish and chips and lobster rolls in Boston, this by far has the best of both I have ever tried. It is just incredibly fresh and you can smell the salty breeze air as you eat. The location is amazing because it is a great place to go to after the harpoon brewery (right next door) and you get a bit of the gritty South Boston feel while in the background of the new urban South Boston. My only minor compliant is that the wait is extremely long but that is partly because everyone and their mother comes to this place (and I went on a rainy Sunday). Oh and the funny thing is that the prices are actually really good for Boston, probably some of the lowest I have ever seen.
(4)
Ben A.
I'm always in search of great chowder and a great lobster roll. Tried this place last time out in May. Was not impressed. Nice people, the place was very crowded, but not sure why. Tables were dirty, food was mediocre.
(3)
Jon D.
Outstanding lunch right next door to the Harpoon brewery. Started with a cup of chowder and a Harpoon IPA. Not being a big fan of lobster rolls, I went with the crab cake sandwich instead. Everything was outstanding. The chowder was creamy and bacon-y. The sandwich came with lettuce, tomato, and thousand island dressing on the side, none of which I used. A little lemon juice and it was perfect. It didn't say so on the chalkboard, but the sandwich came with fries and coleslaw, which was a nice surprise. Everything was top notch, and all told it came to about $20. Well worth it. The menu is HUGE and the ordering process seems kind of haphazard, but somehow it all works perfectly. Waiting on line, we worried whether we'd be able to get a table, but turnover is fast so we had no trouble when the time came. Then we wondered how they'd find us to bring us our orders, but sure enough they did. Great service, excellent food, easy to get to... that's five stars in my book!
(5)
carol v.
Went here on a Friday afternoon. Wasn't to crowded. Ordered the fried oyster appetizer and salmon burger. The oysters were fantastic but the salmon burger was over cooked. When I mentioned this to our server, he ordered us a grilled salmon on a roll, which was fabulous. I highly recommend this spot. It's a great place yo eat before or after the harpoon brewery.
(4)
Scott G.
Fair prices, good service, and crazy fresh seafood. Yum. Went for lunch about a week ago on a weekday. I was heading for Pennypacker's Food Truck, but was disappointed to see that the truck's winter menu was much reduced from what I was used to. Diverted to Yankee Lobster on the way out of the seaport, and boy am I glad we did! Very fresh and sweet mussels, well above standard fish and chips, and possibly the best fried clam strips I've ever eaten. I've never seen this place really busy (and I probably wouldn't want to, given the tiny size), but if it isn't packed it can only be because it's off the beaten path - the food is exceptional.
(4)
Ladyjane S.
Overpriced and quality and portions have gone way downhill. I've been coming here for years and today's visit was my last. $17.99 for a puny (and I mean PUNY) lobster roll in the smallest hot dog roll I've ever seen. I've gotten the lobster roll many times before and it's never been this small before. I actually laughed when they brought it out with a mountain of fries next to it, as if that would make up for the fact. The lobster bisque, while very tasty and chunky, was full of that hard part of lobster claw that's all rubbery and kinda gross. I think I'll be getting my fresh seafood fix from elsewhere from now on.
(2)
Jean W.
It was ok...very small and we has crab cake sandwiches. Not a lot of flavor...disappointed. staff was friendly.
(3)
Joanne T.
The bf wanted to check this out due to the DDD connection. Even though the tables were all filled and there was a line, we ventured in anyway. We tasted the lobster roll and mac/cheese lobster dish. It was as i starred this review, okay. For an $18 dollar lobster roll i expected so much more. Instead, of using a roll i believe they use toast. That was disappointed. Also, i prefer my lobster roll warm instead of cold. It's hard to find places that serve them warm. The mac and cheese was again, okay. I did see people inside enjoying clams and steamed lobsters. I probably should've ordered those instead. My cousins had lobster rolls as well, i don't recall them stating it was anything more than just okay.
(3)
Paul S.
I had the 2 lbs lobster dinner with a small bowl of clam chowder. Well let start off with saying, the chowder was very good. It had a lot of flavor and plenty of clams. The lobster was very big and the meat was very tender. I made a mess out of the plate and table. It was well worth the money. I highly recommend eating here.
(5)
Bud G.
The place to get your Lobster on in Boston! We were in town for the D to show me the sights and eat as much lobster and fried clams as possible in a week. This place certainly delivers the lobster, as small or as big as you like. The staff were really friendly even showing the lobster tanks to a couple of kids that we had with us on 1 visit. Yankee Lobster is nothing fancy. You order at the counter, sit down and dig in. There is a small patio if you are there for good weather. They have a couple beers on tap and a great selection of seafood. But I suggest the lobster, tasty, tasty lobster.
(4)
Mike C.
I came here twice with my girlfriend on the same weekend. First time we were here, we got a Lobster Roll. It was big and meaty for $17.99... they probably used at least half a lobster for the roll. The second time we came here, we got a 2lbs lobster meal. Since they were closing up within an hour... we had to order it to take out. The meal did not come with the corn and coleslaw as mentioned on the menu. Otherwise, the lobster was big and juicy and conveniently located next to Harpoon Brewery!
(4)
Gina K.
hands down the best lobster roll. the best.
(5)
Mindy M.
I'd sit in an hour of traffic to come here. It's that good. Smells more like a bait bucket than a restaurant, though. That's OK- I bait my own hooks. I can deal. Had the crab cake sandwich but next time it's the lobster.
(4)
Nicholas S.
I can always enjoy their chowder, crab cakes, lobster rolls, or stuffed quahogs.
(4)
Carson S.
I had the lobster roll and fries which were both DELICIOUS. The only reason they don't get 5 stars is because the lobster roll was a bit overpriced ($18) for the quantity you get.
(4)
Christina S.
We had high expectations and we were not disappointed! We ordered three 1.25lb lobsters, the hot lobster roll and lobster bisque. The lobster bisque was so good and had a huge whole claw of lobster meat that took up the whole bowl... Delicious. The lobsters were as fresh and delicious as you could hope for, probably the best I've had in Boston. My friend who had the hot lobster roll really enjoyed it and was very stuffed with lobster meat. My only complaint would be the "butter" they serve with the lobsters. It's definitely not butter; it was very fake tasting and was still in liquid form after cooling down quite a bit (we sat outside and it was very chilly out). Other than that we loved eating here and will definitely be coming back!
(4)
Chris M.
Lobster and mac is awesome!
(5)
Sandra K.
The fisherman's special was a big plate of fried seafood that was really oily and greasy. We also ordered a clam chowder which was good and a lobster roll which was ok but not very memorable. I think there are many better seafood restaurants around Boston.
(2)
Vivian C.
We were going to a concert at the nearby (bordering) Bank of America Pavilion, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to finally try the Yankee Lobster Fish Market. It is a small place with some seating inside, a few tables along the sidewalk, and several more tables in the small alley to the side. You order at the counter and pay, and they bring the order to you when it is ready. Perk up your ears though, they try to find you by calling out your name as they walk around with your food on a tray. For a 50 cent charge, we were able to upgrade the fries of one of our orders to fat beer batter onion rings. Speaking of which, the fries here remind me of those by McDonald's in shape and taste; they just need a touch more salt. And the cole slaw that came with our orders were okay but nothing special (as a comparison, I like the sweet sort like KFC's rather than the vinegary type). The Crabcake Sandwich ($9.95) was a fat patty of shredded crabmeat. My dc loved it. I thought it would have been better with chunkier pieces of the crustacean, and found the roll a bit tougher than I like. The Seafood Combo (fish, shrimp, scallop) $17.95 was more than enough for a single diner (well, for the average female diner anyhow). There was a good sized fillet of some kind of white fleshed fish, at least 3 tail-on medium shrimp, and quite a few fat scallops. They were hot and tender and went well with the tartar sauce. Not the best frying job, but perfectly okay. Chowder for $4.50 (small) was thick and creamy, but Legal's is better. At about 45 minutes prior to the starting time of the concert, the fish market staff announced that there was a 30 minute wait. So while this is a fine choice for a pre-concert meal, I recommend you get here early so that you can take your time to enjoy your dinner. While I hear that the silver line stops close by, this place is most definitely walkable from South Station. They serve beer and wine. And yes, they do check your ID.
(3)
Danielle B.
Did someone say lobster roll?! YES PLEASE & THANK YOU!! I was visiting a friend in Boston and I told her that eating a lobster roll was on my top lists of things to do! Well, we were on our way to the Harpoon Brewery and we stopped by this little jem of a restaurant. The restaurant is a tad small, so if its during lunch time you may have to wait for a spot to sit. I really liked the feel of this place though, very laid back. You walk up to the counter, order your food, and find a place to sit down. They will bring you out your food and then you chow down!! My friend and I split a crab bisque which was EXCELLENT! So creamy and full of flavor with wonderfully big chunks of crab. I ordered a lobster roll and didn't know what to expect as this is not something you can order in San Diego. I think my eyes nearly popped out of my head when it came to my table. Talk about heaping chunks of lobster falling out of the roll, served with a side of coleslaw, and french fries. MAN OH MAN!!! When i heard lobster roll I did not expect anything of this nature to arrive at my table. The lobster was so tasty and there was just SO MUCH LOBSTER!! Every bite i took, lobster would fall out. They don't mess around with their portion sizes there! Also, I am not normally a coleslaw fan but theirs was super tasty!! Don't know what they put in it, but i ate it all up! Now, when I was ordering I was pretty hesitiant because my lobster roll wasn't cheap, around $18. And I thought to myself, I hope this is worth it. OH IT WAS!! Lobster isn't cheap and I feel that I got every penny worth out of this meal! It was just down right tasty. When I go back to Boston, which I will be back because that city is awesome, I will be visitng Yankee Lobster Fish Market again!!
(4)
Phil P.
Totally unpretentious with great fresh seafood.... More of a seafood stand than a fancy restaurant. Reminded me of what you might find in the 60's as opposed to some jazzed up joint trying too hard to look like the 60's. Fair prices located on the docks. Fresh steamers with butter and a lobster roll which seems like it is half a lobster will make your mouth grin...
(4)
Helen H.
Good prices for seafood! Little tiny place for some pretty good seafood in a very casual setting. Clam strips were really good and the chowder was pretty good.
(3)
Matt S.
I've been here several times with coworkers and honestly, having heard a bunch of hype about this place (before and during our visits), I wasn't really impressed. To be honest, I haven't had the clam chowder or lobster rolls, but come on now, in order to live up to the hype I've heard, there should be more than one or two great dishes. That being said, the food isn't bad, it's just not great. I've had the salmon burger, crab cake sandwich, and the yankee fish sandwich, and they were all pretty good. The first two just being patties, crab meat and salmon with stuffing. The yankee special was a fried fish filet with bacon, cheese, lettuce and I think tomato, and that was definitely the best out of the three I had. The food was reasonably priced for the quality so that's good. So overall, the food was a little disappointing, but not bad by any means. As for the decor, the interior is a little tight and crowded, especially with the lines that form. The outside seating area to the front just looks out at the silver line way bus stop, but their patio seating is nice with table umbrellas and ocean mural. Still a little crowded there, but manageable. So yeah, if you're in the area stop by for a decent cheap bite, but don't expect to get blown away (by anything that's not clam chowder or lobster rolls apparently).
(3)
John B.
Used to be good, but their quality went down and their prices up. Do yourself a favor and just go to Legals next door (like everyone else).
(2)
Ken S.
This little restaurant by the fish market at Seaport has a lot of character despite its small size. The New England lobster roll costs $17.99 and is quite small but it is delicious. The fried calamari, fries, and onion rings are also well done. If you want more food, I recommend the lobster club sandwich which is $18.99. Seating is limited but on a good day, outdoor seating is great.
(4)
Erica M.
I'm a seafood lover. This was a must stop in Boston because of all the hype we heard about the hot lobster roll. Phenomenal! An abundance of lobster meat with a side of hot melted butter. Yummm. My husband and I split the hot lobster roll, and then opted to also split the lobster macaroni that was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Equally delicious! The lobster roll came with fries and coleslaw that we both liked. We each had a seasonal beer with our meal, all for under $60. The location is small, but in a nice little area that you can walk along the street and stop in other bars, shops, and see the water. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Stuart D.
I had spent a full day at a conference at the Seaport World Trade Center. My assumption was that such events would attempt to offer a dining engagement that would reflect the locale, but alas not one piece of seafood was in sight. A review by Danni D. beckoning me to pass the glitz and glamour had me intrigued. In fact, along the way I had to convince my associate that we would not stop our trek as we passed such establishments. I was sure that a Yelp comrade would come through. Admittedly that last 100 yards had me questioning things as it was late and everything looked closed until we finally caught a glimpse of the Yankee Lobster and realized that we were going to struggle to grab a table. The atmosphere is direct and purposeful replete with the counter at which to place your order, reach-in fridge from which to grab your beverage, and tables for which to fight over. On our order was Clam Chowder, Fried Clams, Lobster Roll, and Captain's Feast (lobster and fried clams, calamari, shrimp, and fish). When I dug into my chowder, I was completely in heaven. It had been so long and my reference might be completely uninformed, but the flavors of the sea presented themselves in absolute harmony. I am sure that I would have been fine with a couple of bowls and could have been on my way. The clams were awesome - meaty and crispy; and the lobster roll was exactly what I was looking for containing at least a couple of huge claws worth of meat with a mere dash of dressing. My cohort, with his Captain's Feast, was taken to task for his inability to finish everything, but he especially enjoyed the fish once he saw that it was there. There seemed to be hidden treasure after hidden treasure as it wasn't till about ten minutes in that I saw that there were fried shrimp! All in all, this was a great experience and lacked any pretentiousness. It would certainly be a place that I head to when I am in town.
(4)
Amanda D.
This place is the bomb. Their food is so damn good. Words can't really describe. I always get the lobster roll w fries and slaw. It's some good shit. Super fresh and everything tastes amazing. Chill patio area and they let me take my dogs out there. Good vibes and fresh lobster. Hell ya! Check it out
(5)
Gerald F.
Nice. Good location on port side. In the back at the "retail" sign you get Fresh Lobsters, but are are more expensive here by 2$/lb. and manager is a D---. what is his problem. Couldn't be bothered with us. You can get everything boxed, ice and all included, but up the street, pay for it if you want. Here it's in the "package" --leading to the 1-2$ up charge.( Id give him 1 week to change his "attetude") Up front is the restaurant. Nice soups and really busy lunchtime crowd. Be prepared. Ok twin lobster deal for non special. Clams$$$. Store in front seems nicer, and real crowded. Havin my chowder this weekend from them. Ummmmmmm. Good.
(3)
Liz H.
While still retaining virtually all of the charm it had before Legal Harborside, Del Friscos, and the Harpoon Brewery invaded and quintupled the tourist population, it seems as though the quality has gone down. Years ago this spot was comparable to any North Shore clam shack...without the drive. While there are a dearth of clam shacks in the city, they might want to keep in mind: fried clam plate was generally small at $20 especially when I'd had a larger plate at B&G not one week ago, clams were huge - strip part ended up being rubbery and belly was pretty dirty actually, and it was sitting in a pile of grease in my takeout container. Sides were bland - coleslaw could use a kick. I hope Yankee lobster gets a bit back on track, as it's so close to home and I used to love going here (and still probably would take this over Sullys clams. Sullys is for hot dogs n chocolate milk!) I assume I'll be back again to verify, if for nothing but the convenience.
(3)
Linda C.
Came here to grab three dozens of lobsters to send out to a friend on the west coast. Five were dead and four were barely breathing. I even saw blue blood for the first time! THE LESSON: Be a big customer and you will get taken for a ride. Buy a small quantity that you can actually see, and they'll be forced to give you what you paid for.
(1)
Raymond W.
I've decided that Yankee Lobster is the best place to get a lobster roll at a decent price in Boston (Neptune Oysters is probably the top high end). The interior is humble much like a fish and seafood market where you order your food at the counter and wait for runners to bring you your food. There are a decent amount of small tables inside and some tables outside next to the restaurant. Parking is also a plus since the T is far away and it's at the edge of the waterfront. The chowder and crab roll were also good options that I've tried and the fries are golden and crispy. They have my favorite kind of fries, but they also changed it up on me once or twice. If you're willing to for go the more prominent seafood spots in Boston (Legal, Neptune, Island Creek, B&G, Barking Crab), Yankee Lobster will be your beacon.
(5)
Chris R.
A great place to go after indulging at the wonderful Harpoon Brewery nearby. Fresh fried seafood served in plenty with delicious tartar sauce, exactly what you want when you think of a fried seafood platter!
(4)
Megan M.
After drinking too much at the Harpoon Brewery tasting, my friends and I wanted to get something to eat before heading to the American Craft Beer Fest. We needed to prepare for round 2. Yankee Lobster Fish Market totally hit the spot. We split a crab cake and lobster bisque. Both were delicious, but the crab cake was definitely my favorite. It wasn't crazy expensive either for the quality of the food. Inside, it's a little cramped. Although the food is awesome, the ambiance is lacking, and I'd recommend popping in for a quick bite or getting some of the fresh fish to go.
(4)
Mai L.
A must taste when in Boston! I had a hankering for one of their lobstah rolls so here I am. Yum. Yum. Yum.
(4)
Travis L.
We had heard a lot about this place and during my stay in Boston I had to get a Lobster Roll. That is exactly what I did here and I didn't let the $17 price tag scare me. When I got it I was a bit disapointed as it didn't have much mayo or sauce and felt like a lump of lobster in a bun. The fries were great and a lot of the other menu items looked good. This is a neat location and is right next to Harpoon brewery so certainly stop by there. If your in the area and looking for a nice place to eat and have some extra money this isn't a bad place but I would recommend trying other places if you are in the lobster roll market.
(3)
Tina B.
Ordered a whole lobster, which came with cole slaw, corn, and french fries. The sides arent very great - the fries are good but the corn and coleslaw were underwhelming. The lobster was so delicious and the tail was nice and juicy. Highly recommend it if you wanna be fancy ;) The best part is that they have parking. Free parking. Free parking in Boston. There isnt much seating but we came on a weekday and it was not that crowded.
(4)
Chad T.
If you're looking for no frills fish, lobster, and assorted other seafood this is the place to go. This might be some of the best salmon I've had outside of the PNW region. Some nice healthy broiled options in addition to the traditional battered/fried fare.
(5)
s e.
One of the best fish and chips platters in New England. Nothing fancy, just great fries (I think lightly beer battered) and perfectly fresh fish. Big portions. Free parking to the side of their restaurant is a big plus. Will definitely go back for the crabs or lobster platters... Great prices on everything and nice selection of Massachusetts microbrews: and being right next to the Harpoon Brewerey, they offer the current Harpoon special brewmaster series. If you want a casual clam shack atmosphere with fresh greatly prepared seafood, venture quickly over to this place. Only about 12 tables but have outdoor seating in warmer months.
(5)
Amanda G.
Went here with my boyfriend and the food was really good!!! I got the lobster mac and cheese, and he got the fish and chips. We both left very satisfied. The portions were decent. The atmosphere, is very casual, we sat outside, and it wasn't the best.
(4)
Rita C.
Great seafood; super friendly staff. Really sweet and perfectly cooked fried shrimp. Loved my Harpooon.
(4)
Sarah D.
No frills, just really good seafood. This place is really down-to-earth and has limited tables inside--there's more seating in the summer when you can also go outside. Their salads are out of this world: if you get a grilled tuna salad, you get a big hunk of sashimi-grade tuna on top of it. The lobster bisque is really good too, as is the lobster roll and the crab cakes (they're pretty big, like hamburger-sized). The fries are amazing, too. This is one of my favorite takeout restaurants in Boston.
(5)
Traci K.
After a rousing tour of the Harpoon Brewery, we needed some eats and fast. Yankee Lobster was only a stones throw away so by default it was the place to go. The place is no frills counter service. The guys working the counter were nice enough - wicked local and good to joke around with. As for the food - the lobster roll was where it was at. Packed to the gills with chunks of lobster meat and lightly mayo'd, it had a great flavor. The fry was OK at best. The clams were either overcooked or on the older side cause they didn't stand up to the batter. The calamari was better, with lots and lots of legs (best part!) With a few tables in and a good number out, it was a nice afternoon to sit in the sun and enjoy some decent grub.
(3)
Phil C.
Tucked in sort of a corner of the South Boston waterfront, and away from more prominent places (like The Barking Crab), Yankee Lobster is somewhat like No Name was years ago. It's an unpretentious place with honest-to-goodness seafood at very reasonable prices. The restaurant is rather small (good for take-out) but clean and tidy. The service was polite and fairly prompt. It's still pretty close to the hotels around the convention center, so it's not too arduous to get there. The fried seafood (I tried the haddock, shrimp, and scallops) is crispy and not greasy at all. The onion rings and french fries are the same. I tried the grilled scallops and they were grilled nicely. They definitely did not taste like rubber bullets. The portions are pretty substantial and the daily specials can be an excellent value. When you're walking/driving down Seaport Blvd./Northern Ave., don't stop and settle for one of those bigger seafood restaurants you'll see along the way. Hold out for this one.
(5)
Aaron H.
Awesome lobster bisque and lobster roll. Generous portions of lobster heaped into everything. Charming little place that keeps it simple: great lobster! The french fries are ok: nothing special. Staff is helpful. Only drawbacks are: small eating area means tables inside are hard to come by in inclement weather (and the air conditioning doesn't seem to work), and it is a long walk from the center of "tourist" Boston (Tip: take the Silver Line bus route rather than walking).
(4)
Kristine R.
Hmm. I'm the odd one out on the reviews, but I thought the food wasn't that good. I was excited to try it and decided to bring my friend here for her birthday lunch and well, we both thought it wasn't that good. We both ordered a bowl of clam chowder which was mediocre at best. Maybe I just like clam chowder to be a little creamier but I wasn't impressed. Though, I will say it had lots of clams in it (they weren't skimpy on the clams). We shared the fisherman's platter which came with fries, clam strips, fish and scallops. We got it fried and meh, it was bland, it needed more seasoning or something, but it the tartar sauce was the only thing that gave it some flavor. I'm thinking we just didn't order the right thing. I might come back and give it another chance, but maybe not for awhile.
(2)
Elizabeth G.
A cool little place with a very down-to-earth atmosphere. Nice place to get a meal if you are going to a concert at Bank of America Pavilion, visiting the ICA, or touring the Harpoon Brewery (as we were). Close to the piers, so the scent of the ocean and fresh fish sets the mood before you even get inside. We had the "Lazy Man Lobster Dinner" (shucked lobster meat served with butter, lemon, fries, and a small helping of coleslaw). The lobster was good. The fries were totally yummy -- if you're going to clog your arteries, you want your fries to be crispy, hot slivers of deliciousness, and these are. They had a couple of things on tap, including Sam Adams, but we had bottled Harpoon Celtic Ale as a preface to our tour. We overheard people saying that prices have risen in the past year -- our shared lunch, meant for one and not huge at all, was $29.99. Still, not a bad deal for a place with fresh seafood and a location close to popular spots.
(4)
Anna T.
Really enjoyed the food. The roll had enormous chunks and was light, not too much mayonnaise. It kept the lobster salad the star of the sandwich. We also got clam chowder. It was good, but didn't have much meat in it. Mostly potatoes, but did enjoy the bacon undertones.
(4)
Nicki S.
Checked this place out because it was only about a 10 minute walk from my hotel and I wanted to try some lobster dishes here. SOOO glad I did. It was amazing. I had the Lobster mac and cheese and the Clam Chowder. I wish I had gotten the largest Clam Chowder there because it was the best I've ever had. I ate every last bite. It was seriously, fantastic. It's laid back, affordable and the food is unbelievable. You would never know if you passed it on the street! Will definitely be a place I check out next trip to Boston.
(5)
Lavi W.
Came here after a long day of conference and only found out that we had to wait in line for an hour to order food- I was not amazed by their lobster roll or seafood platter or chowder or scallop roll. Maybe I was too tired to even enjoy the food.
(3)
Meizi H.
Wow! There are many reasons why this place is so popular. They do serve super fresh seafoods and staffs are very friendly and helpful. I would recommend to go early morning or later afternoon to score a table; or just order them to take out to enjoy all delicious at home.
(4)
Lor B.
Delicious but pricey as hell. Don't let the kind of grotty atmosphere mislead you: these prices were steep. But damn, the food is actually delicious. 1) clam strips - fuck yes. Enjoy every bite. No, really, enjoy every bite because that shit is expensive. 2) lobster roll - unnng so good. Expect to shell premium prices (almost $25. Also, did you see my pun there? Enjoy that - it's on the house.) 3) clam chowder - tasty as hell, and one of the cheapest things on the menu. In all, delicious and expensive, with the added bonus of grotty shack atmosphere in an industrial park setting.
(4)
Shoji I.
After reading the high reviews, I came here to compare with Paulis, Neptune, Alive and Kickin, and my favorite James Hook. - Pricey for the amount of food you get. - Why is my plate covered more with fries than the lobster roll itself. I'm paying for the lobster, not the cheap fries!!!! - The lobster roll itself didn't taste too special and are small chunks unlike the huge portions given at James Hook. - I left disappointed not even finishing the fries.
(2)
Shani T.
Sooo glad I decided to check out Yankee Lobster. We got there around 5:20PM on Saturday and man, I was happy we didn't get there any later. The line just started forming outside (there's a "doorman" of sorts that lets your group in when he feels there is enough space inside) and we were the third group to wait. It didn't take all that long, but I have to give the staff props with keeping the restaurant fairly uncrowded inside. There was a lot of room and it's not one of those super popular places here you get crammed inside waiting your turn (the reason I've avoided Mike's Pastry all this time). Our group of three ordered clam chowder and 1.25 lb lobsters. The chowder was kind of mediocre to me--it was creamy, which I didn't mind all that much, but it was very peppery. Probably the most peppery clam chowder I've ever had. The lobster though, was awesome. I mean, I doubt you can really screw up steaming a lobster, but I was super happy that we got to get a whole lobster here since I couldn't figure out if we could do that at James Hook, for example. The corn and the fries that were on the side were also quite delicious. Looking forward to stopping by again to try the lobster roll, and to visit the Harpoon Brewery down the street!
(4)
Darryll S.
My oh My oh my Parked, and it was packed inside. Asked if I could get it to-go, I was told I needed to call in (as in I couldn't go in and order it) which was a little weird Clam Chowder 2/5 stars -nice pieces of clam -super watery -seriously super watery, tasted like cream flavored water -heavy on the cream taste without the consistency. Lobster Roll 6/5 -perfectly toasted and buttered breadh -huge chunks and large amounts of lobster, lightly seasoned not too heavy on the mayo -comes with fries. Which were alright, but it really rounded off the meal well. -did it come with coleslaw? I forgot. The lobster was staring at me in the face Overall would I come again? YES (and not order the chowder)
(4)
Ashley C.
Unbelievable food. We stumbled on this place by accident as it was a bit further from our hotel. Low key, relaxed atmosphere and reasonable prices. Clam chowder was out of this world, I'm flying out tomorrow but I will be back to get another before I go! What we ordered: -clam chowder-5 stars. Perfection. -fish stew-tasty but not a lot of fish in it -lobster roll- perfection -kids fish and chips- huge serving. For $5! So fresh it looked like it jumped off the dock into the fryer. -cheeseburger and fries- HUGE! With great flavor. -Draft beer and wine! You must try this place if you are here. You order at the counter and they bring your food to you. Be sure to tip the guys!
(5)
Aaron K.
Looks like a fish market, but luckily doesn't smell like one. Lots of great fresh seafood available and prices are very comparable to Legal's down the street. The lobster roll (19$) was on point, overflowing with fresh well cooked lobster. I'd say it's about the same as Legal's as far as taste, giving a slight edge to Legal's. Personally I'd rather spend a few dollars more and get the atmosphere, service, and oysters(!) that Legal Harborside provides as well as all the different dishes available. If you're looking for something a little cheaper and don't have a reservation, come here for just plain good seafood, and there's nothing wrong with that.
(4)
Crystal N.
After having clam chowder for a week long stay in Boston, the best cup of chowda was definitely from Yankee Lobster's! The soup was so creamy with chunks of fresh clam and potatoes. If it weren't for the bucket of crabs that we ordered, I would've asked for seconds on the chowder or lobster bisque, perhaps! I'm a huge fan of crab - when I'm not lazy. Mainly because of all the cracking and work that you gotta do for the meat. #nobodygottimeforthat If you're a big fan of it, you will definitely taste the all around freshness of the crab - the texture was tender and had a delicious pungent taste of seafood. Besides the Clam Chowder (must-get!) and the bucket of crabs, here's what we also enjoyed: Seafood Combo - it came with fish, shrimp and scallops. The fried fish weren't in dinky pieces, but came in thick, juicy cuts. The fried scallops were the best, especially with beer. The fried shrimps - even though deep fried, you could still taste the freshness! The basket also comes with fries which were mediocre after walking into seafood heaven. Forget you, potatoes (jk, we gotta love our carbs.) If you're allergic to shrimp or prefer to just go with 1 option, then definitely go for the fried scallop plate. Fresh oysters - I thought it was only okay here but the rest of the table enjoyed it. Lobster mac and cheese - One word - ahhhhmazing. So amazing, we ordered two plates of it to-go to enjoy during our plane ride home. There were good chunks and pieces of fresh lobster in every bite. If I was a dead lobster, I hope I'd be sleeping/resting in cheese and macaroni, too. Steamed clams - one of our top favorites. Squeeze lemon juice and sprinkle pepper together for the ultimate dipping sauce! The skin from the clam's head was a bit disturbing - we peeled that part of before devouring.. We had 2 pitchers of the UFO beer that went amazing with both the steamed, baked and fried plates of seafood! Cheers and enjoy!
(5)
Jon C.
I was looking for a place near the water for seafood while I was in Boston for the evening that wasn't too overly priced and had kid-friendly food. I ended up at Yankee Lobster Fish Market thanks to Yelp, and couldn't have imagined a better dinner. The place isn't very big, and there was about a 15 minute line of people waiting to get in and get a seat when we arrived. The line moves quickly though, and before I knew it, we were standing inside in front of the chalkboard placing our order. I went for the Lobster Roll (which came with French Fries and Cole Slaw) and a medium cup of Clam Chowder. Add in a beer and my bill came to thirty-something dollars, so it's somewhat pricey, but not as bad as other places would have been. After ordering, I found a seat on the outside patio. There was a music concert next door and although I couldn't see anything, we could hear it all. This was a an added bonus.. I liked the groups that were performing and felt like I was at a concert without paying the ticket price. My Clam Chowder was delicious. More potatoes than clams though, but it still tasted great on the cool evening. I gave up with the spoon and drank it from the paper cup and then ate the potatoes at the end. This brings me to the lobster roll. This thing was delicious. As I ate my chowder, a huge piece of lobster claw was staring at me, daring me to eat it. I kept staring back at it, and the moment I put it in my mouth was one to remember. Oh my gosh was this thing delicious. I was tempted to order the whole lobster, but I'm glad I went with the roll. Yankee Lobster is one of those out of the way places that I'm guessing a lot of tourists don't eat at everyday, but if you're in town just for dinner like I was, this is the place to go!
(5)
Mary L.
3.5 stars was probably more fitting for Yankee Lobstahhh, but free parking and being a block away from Harpoon easily pushes it to 4. There was a line out the door managed by a nice employee who also doubled as busser. They let only a few folks in at a time so you only get a minute or two before you hit the counter. Pretty standard menu for a seafood joint. I opted for the crab cakes and a medium bowl of chowder. Food was delivered quickly. The chowder was great, piping hot and creamy, perhaps a bit uneven in potato to clam ratio. The crab cakes wouldn't have won a beauty contest, very flat and came out cold despite the minimal sear to the outside. Personally, I didn't find it very delectable either and would recommend exploring other options on the menu. They had a handful of brews on tap, one being Harpoon of course. Beware if you are waiting for the The bathroom as you'll be in harms way of the kitchen doors.
(4)
Amanda F.
I've been meaning to check this place out, so we decided to go for lunch last trip since we were staying in the seaport district. There is a doorman who does crowd control (I think). We were a little confused when we walked in - but here's the deal: You order at the counter, sit down and someone brings your food. You can sit inside or outside, they will come find you. There's a small patio area and a couple of tables out front, I would sit out there if the weather is nice, the inside is pretty cramped. I had the hot lobster roll - it's served with fries and slaw. They had some drafts, so I went with a UFO. Of course the lobster roll was delish, nice big chunks of claw meat and tail meat. I'd never had a hot lobster roll before, only cold ones - the lobster is just tossed in melted butter. Very delish! I actually prefer it to it's cold cousin.
(4)
Janet H.
My favorite clam chowder in Boston! It's so flavorful, creamy, and delicious! I fell in love with this little place when I wasn't even hungry. Everything on the menu just sounded amazing that I wanted to come back the next day. I think this is the perfect spot to visit, especially as a tourist. In two weeks, I had two visitors, so I brought them both here and they loved it! It's a hole-in-a-wall, for sure, but that doesn't mean it is lacking in flavor. Bonus: just across the street is Harpoon. My suggestion? 1. Go to Harpoon and claim a tour ticket. Typical wait time is 1.5 hours since it's first come, first serve! 2. Head over to Yankee and eat lunch. 3. Head back to Harpoon for jolly drinking and nerd time. With that said, lines do get a bit long, but it goes along pretty fast. It's a cute little spot and reasonably priced. Recommended items: - crab cake: I love that it's really meaty and not made up with many filler items like mayonnaise and who knows what. - lobster roll: get it warm! Yummy, but not the best Neptune Oyster is my fav for warm lobster roll. The fries at Yankee is also nice and crispy! - CLAM CHOWDER: BEST clam chowder I've had. Better than the one in Seattle. This place is definitely a winner in my book. Only downside is that it's a bit in the middle of nowhere...
(4)
Christine J.
not sure if i was starving or it legit is the best lobster roll i had in a long long time. Not salty, not too buttery and greasy (roll) and not tooo much mayo. it felt really refreshing and delicious! a small joint that gets packed right at 5pm. line out the door with a guy managing the line.. pretty funny. tho i didnt care for their clam chowder, wayy salty and just didn't stand out. prob really heavy with calories too. their crabcakes look so light in color looks uncooked but i didn't taste them to say. the platters are not bad, we got #1 with fried cod, shrimp and calamari with fries and cole slaw, i think still on the salty side. only thing that impressed me was the lobster roll. will be back for that and try others hoping they're not too salty!!!
(4)
Chip A.
Not much more to add to the positive reviews, except: ditto - had the hot lobster roll and clam chowder. Can't go wrong!
(5)
Sarah E.
Excellent food and service! Don't be swayed by the bigger more polished restaurants on the Waterfront, this is the spot! Everything is excellent and very affordable! My fave is the lobster roll. Huge chunks of lobster and well seasoned... So good!
(5)
Byron S.
Arrived at Logan airport around lunch and hit Yelp for a good spot, found this. It was really easy to find and while there is a few street parking spots, I had to pay for parking across the street. It's a very small location, but the food options are vast. Grilled, fried, baked, or broiled. Check out the daily special board when you walk in. We sat outside on the patio and I had the seared tuna salad and it was cooked perfectly. My dining partner had the fried basket and it looked great. I would recommend this location at least once. Enjoy.
(4)
John K.
Delicious seafood. Four of us went family style with the lobster bisque, lobster roll, hot lobster roll, fish and chips, and fisherman's platter, which were all delicious. Between the regular lobster roll and the hot lobster roll, I would personally definitely recommend the hot lobster roll. It doesn't have all the mayo and stuff mixed in for flavor, and you can just dip it in the butter they provide (the toasted bread that the lobster is stored in reaches another level with the butter dip). One other thing is that it seemed like the same fish in the fish and chips was also in the fisherman's platter, so there was some redundancy there. Not too bad though, since the fish was excellently fried and delicious with the tartar. The line seemed a little bit long when we got there, but moved pretty quickly. We originally seated ourselves at a kind of tiny table for four people, and the staff kindly moved us to a table that had more than enough space for us. Outdoor seating in the summer is definitely a plus.
(4)
Kevin L.
I'm sure that many of you will disagree with me but, I think Yankee Lobster is a bit overrated. Don't get me wrong...the food is decent, but I've experience better mom and pop joints. Yankee Lobster is located in a nice area surrounded by tons of restaurant and bars, but parking is a nightmare in the waterfront, unless you pay for a lot. This place is always packed but the line moves quickly. There are tables both inside and outside, however it can get loud outside if there's a concert going on next door at the Blue Hills Pavilion. I ordered the hot buttered lobster roll with fries, steamers, and cornbread. The lobster roll was subpar. All I tasted was salt and overcooked lobster. The fries were really good though. The steamers were nice and sweet, but there was decent amount of sand....but there's really nothing you can do about that. I'm a huge sucker for cornbread, and Yankee lobster has some pretty amazing stuff. It sits on the counter by the cash register so make sure you get some....I had 2! I'd come back, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come here
(3)
Chantal L.
I wish lobster rolls in general weren't so expensive, otherwise I'd be buying them for lunch everyday. The lobster roll here is DELISH. It has bits of celery and comes with fries and coleslaw on the side for $19.99. The bread is so perfect, OMG! Buuuut it's smaller than other lobster rolls I've had. Workers are really cool and prompt. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. Check for specials. They also serve beer. Harpoon Brewery is next door, which is a big plus!
(3)
Erica L.
Fresh. DELISH. GREAT PORTIONS. DRAFT BEER. FRIENDLY STAFF - Need i say more? Recommended by yelp. Decided to get the lobstah roll and boy am i glad i did. The chowdah was yummy as well. Tons of clams. Creamy but not too thick, also it wasnt just potatoes which was great. The menu is large and prices arent too bad. A little pricey on some items, lobstah roll was $18.99 with fries. However, the pieces were actual claws, not bite size pieces so well worth it. Also, if your like me you dont like a ton of mayo in your lobstah salad, and this place made it perfect for us picky eaters! Inside is small, but enough tables to eat and enjoy the meal. Also a large area outside with more tables which would be great on a summers day by the ocean. If you are looking for Fresh seafood then swing around back and visit the retail section. They sell all fresh fish and seafood as well. Overall a great spot! Will return!
(5)
Alex A.
A clam plate is $19.99, so we had a bucket of potatoes for $40. The amount of clams they give you is laughable, stay away.
(3)
Carmen C.
We came to Boston and the first thing my husband wanted with some lobster! We Yelped and this location came up. With all the good reviews we had to try it! This place is absolutely amazing. The bigger the lobster cheaper it is. It definitely is must try. The mac and cheese was just ok . The clam chowder, lobster bisque and the lobster itself was great! Whenever we come back to Boston we will definitely be back
(5)
Des C.
We decided to go to Boston today in the middle of last week. Knowing that we were coming to such a culinary Mecca I got on Yelp immediately to try and figure out where we should dine. After much consideration we decided on Yankee. When we arrived (11:10am) we pulled right up to the side of the building and multiple open parking spots. When we walked in we were a little surprised as we were expecting more of a full service restaurant, as opposed to a wait in line to order and pay spot. My wife wanted to leave and go elsewhere, however I reminded her that this place had been on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. She finally relented and we places our order and began to walk to the outside seating. Before we could walk out the door the person at the desk had our shrimp cocktail ready and handed it to me. This was a great appetizer. We had at least 15 very fresh shrimp and the sauce was great too. We also picked up a piece of cornbread. Our kids took a bite of the bread and quickly asked for their own. I walked inside 5 minutes after we had ordered to a line of at least 10 people. When the server came out with our food I asked him if there was any way to place an order without having to wait in line. He quickly said "absolutely, what can I get you?" On top of the cornbread we had seen a lobster mac and cheese be delivered to the table next to us and knew immediately that we must have! The lobster roll was fantastic. The bun it was served on was perfectly toasted and the meat was warm. They side of butter was also nice and warm and the perfect compliment to the sandwich. I would have liked for the sandwich to be a little larger for $18.99, but that is my ONLY complaint. When the lobster mac and cheese arrived we all grabbed a fork and dove in. The pasta was perfectly al dente and the sauce was a nice mix of cheeses. The toasted bread crumb topping was devine and added a nice bit of crunch to the dish. Now let's talk about the star of the show, the lobster pieces in this dish were abundant. They ranged in size from half dollar all the way to tiny specs. It was nice because you got a bit of lobster with every bite. There was also a bit of green onion which really pulled everything together nicely. Bottom line is this is a great, no frills restaurant right on the water. The staff could not have been more friendly or accommodating. The food quality is excellent and we will definitely return when in Boston!
(4)
Erika G.
I was super excited to try this place out after finding out it was on Gus' Diners, drive-ins and dives. Ordered the hot lobster roll, 1 1/2 pound lobster, and fish n chips. Whole lobster was better than hot lobster roll. Probably bc it was fresher thus not chewy. Fish n chips was crispy yet moist chunks with every bite. We enjoyed our last Boston meal, but we would have enjoyed it even more if there was more seating as place is cramped inside and out; you'll have to circle a couple times for parking, and be prepared to pay a hefty price for small lobster portions. But hey you're in Boston, so why not?
Friends and I got the hot lobster roll ($19.99) here and weren't impressed. It's small and comes with fries and cole slaw. This is my first hot roll and it was pretty under-seasoned. Not sure if that's the case with all hot lobster rolls, or just the Yankee Lobster Fish Market style. The venue is not big but most parties eat and go so it's not terrible. Finding parking is a n i g h t m a r e.
(3)
Sam L.
For the price, they offer some really fresh seafood. It sits towards the end of the Boston harbor, and it has a smallish interior that will get packed up quick. Fortunately they're pretty good about fulfilling lunch orders, however still avoid the peak lunch/dinner hours if you can. The lobster rolls are a decent deal for ~$20, even if it's under-seasoned and the fries were substandard. The fried clams on the other hand, were delicious and comparable to those competitions nearby and downtown. Comparing to lobster rolls from Maryland and Key west, Yankee Lobster Fish Market has plenty to catch up to, but we enjoyed the no-frill freshness lunch nevertheless.
(3)
Bill G.
Good Seafood, not great. Two warm Lobster Rolls, served with Crispy French fries, a fair cup of cole slaw. I added 12 oz of clam chowder to the meal. The lobster rolls didn't seem to have some melted butter (although they might have), the French fries were great, cole slaw was OK. All-in-all, not great to my taste. Looking forward to getting to Maine for lobster.
(3)
Zaneta O.
It's a small place with only a few tables. If you are looking for seafood with a large group you can try Barking Crab but the prices are a little higher. Yankee Lobster was a no frills kind of place to eat. The prices were affordable. The waiter was really casual and just talked to us as if we were friends rather than customers. I asked what he recommends and he said the lobster club. My friend got the regular lobster roll. She appeared to have more lobster on her roll than I did on my sandwich. My sandwich was stuffed with tomato and lettuce and one strip of bacon making it appear to be bigger at first glance but there was still more meat on it and nicer chunks than the one I received at Barking Crab. Not only that but the roll at Barking Crab is more expensive. I would totally just order the regular lobster roll instead to get more lobster and may be ask for a side of bacon haha. I can have lettuce and tomatoes anytime and anywhere. The fries were ok, no complaints. The coleslaw was definitely lacking in flavor. I didn't get any shell in my sandwich at Yankee and unfortunately I did at Barking Crab. My husband had the fisherman's platter which is what he also ordered at Barking Crab the next day and he said that he liked the one at Barking Crab better but I disagreed with him since I of course sampled his food as well. The platter at Yankee wasn't grity like it was at Barking Crab. The bathroom has a strong pleasant scent of vanilla. I think it's odd that you have to cut through the kitchen to go to the bathroom but it was nice to get a quick peek at where the cooking was happening. All the chefs were pretty non-chalant and laid back about everything. The servers at Barking Crab are more serious. Sorry for all the comparissons but I'm hoping that someone trying to decide between the two places will find them useful. I was satisfied with my food and happy with our visit. I will definitely return!
(4)
Jodi R.
No words to describe the taste of their fried clams. If you are looking for that New England seafood taste, you've got to go! I drool just thinking about getting my seafood fix when I visit Boston. Just a casual place, but awesome food and people!!!!
(5)
Robert F.
OK so I have seen the reviews that others left for this restaurant and I saw the episode about this restaurant on the travel channel so I was expecting an incredibly great experience or at least very good food. This unfortunately was not the case. First of I knew this was a small place but I honestly didn't imagine that it was this small. the inside was not full of people but it was incredibly cramped inside. Second, there was the food. I figured I would try the lobster macaroni and the calamari which are my favorite things when I'm dining out. The lobster macaroni was at best mediocre and the calamari was not fresh, crispy, or even very edible. This is the first restaurant I have ever been to where I had left overs and did not take them home. I know not to expect the world when trying a new restaurant but based on all the reviews on here I was at least expecting something decent. The fact that the menu is overpriced for the portions they were offering did not do much to be desired on any standard. I would like to think about giving them a second try, but I figure its best if I just count this place as a one time visit.
(2)
Bonnie L.
Yankee Lobster Fish Market is very tasty and also very expensive. We ordered the seafood mix (fried white fish, shrimp, scallops and fries), lobster roll (which comes with fries), and lobster chowder. Just those 3 items cost $50. While the food was good, it wasn't $50 good. This was my first experience with East coast lobster roll, so I was excited. The lobster was rich and creamy, the bread buttery and toasty. But I wouldn't spend $20 on it often. Also, I can actually get lobster rolls just as good in Vegas and California. I'm glad I can say I've tried it though! The scallops though were delicious. The best fried scallops I've ever had. The environment is chill and homey. Tight and cramped quarters, but it adds to the charm.
(3)
Nina S.
I'm a fan of this local spot in Boston! I had delicious fish and chips and Harpoon draughts. There is a little patio area outside to sit and enjoy lunch. I enjoyed the experience and will def. go back if I'm in this area again soon. It's right next door to the Harpoon Brewery. It was the perfect lunch before touring the brewery. I saw the lobster roll ordered and it looked like another good choice too. Next time I'll give that a try!
(4)
Lizzie P.
Here's the deal: As an out-of-towner this place is great! It's super easy to drive to because you don't have to go through the craziness of downtown Boston. The place is not a sit-down though. It's a go up, order, and then sit down and they bring it to you. On a nice evening, their outside patio is amazing to sit at. As for the food, I was very pleased. Coming from the Midwest we don't have lots of fresh New England seafood. The Clam Chowder is hands-down the best Clam Chowder I've ever had though. My father agreed, and my family being a foodie-family that travels for food, that's a big deal. The Lobster Bisque: not the best, still good though. As for the Lobster Roll: amazing. What was amazing about it was that you could tell it was very fresh seafood and there was no fillers! It's was all lobster. Stuffed with true, fresh lobster! I was also very pleased with the Lobster Mac n' Cheese. Maybe if you're from Boston it's not as impressive, but again, for a Midwestern... Overall 5 stars. Great place, and great prices for a city seafood place. My only question: why the Yankee Lobster in Red Sox city?
(5)
Ahtian N.
It was a very fun experience with the crab steam pots. I thought the lobster roll was a bit small. Good food over all. The line is long, but it moves quickly. Also shot out to the great staff. I left my jewelry on the table, and the kind gentleman with glasses and a beard at the door ran to my car and gave it to me!
(5)
Josh M.
I went looking for an authentic Boston lunch today. The line outside told me that I was at the right place. When I asked at the counter what I should order, she suggested the lobster roll. It was clear that the lobster was fresh and it made for a great lunch! I also ordered some clam chowder and while it was ok, it wasn't any better than what I have had in other parts of the country. The french fries that came with the roller also pretty standard fare. However, the lobster roll was the star of the show and like I said I thought it was very good.
(4)
Alex R.
After doing Neptune and Yankee in the same week, I must say.....my heart belongs to yankee. For less, I get oh so much more. More seating, more selection, more flavor....LESS PRICE! I get it, Neptune is upscale, tightly run, in a cool neighborhood. But when the line goes OUT THE DOOR, takes several hours to eat, people don't follow common line etiquette, it's as if to say Neptune WHY??? I digress.... For true lobster rolls with a twist, this is THE place to go if you want a roll with a bit more. The Lobster BLT my buddy had was the talk of the night, in fact I believe he has gone back 3x since. They are friendly, and provide you with the type of service you want to tip for.... The fish sandwich has been in my dreams and I have to tell everyone I know in the area that they need to go there. See my picture for a true appreciation of the delectable lunchtime hero! Located mere steps from the Harpoon Brewery, how could you not want to stop by after a flight (or two??)
(5)
Reesie R.
Meh. I know that for tourists and regular folk, this must be a take for getting "local" fish etc, but I was very underwhelmed. The fish and chips was haddock and it was bland bland bland. The portions were right, but everything needed salt (even the fries!). Not anything I would return for. Staff were uninviting and the place is shack like and could use a good scrub. So many other amazing places to get excellent seafood at.
(2)
Jessica L.
Absolutely delicious. I don't even like lobster rolls (though I do love Lobster) and their lobster roll is OUT OF THIS WORLD. The fried clams (we ordered the clam bellies) are excellent and perfectly fried --- fresh and not at all greasy or starchy. Great beer selection as well and the fries were nice and crispy. Can get pricey fast, but I guess it's worth it since they have the best lobster roll I've ever had.
(5)
Levi B.
When in Boston... I actually don't know what that means. It just felt like the right way to start this review. When I was in town for a conference, I decided to stop here to get some clam chowder and fish 'n' chips before flying out. I'm so glad I did. Very tasty, and I really enjoyed the ambiance and location of this joint. But, I'm not a local, so it's not like I'm some kind of clam chowder expert. In fact, I had a hard time saying "clam chowder" aloud to the guy behind the counter because I have an accent that is far from Bostonian. I know what you're thinking. "This f-ckin' guy."
(4)
Rob S.
I went there a couple weeks ago because it was in walking distance to my hotel. The lobster rolls were amazingly good! I'm not even the biggest fan of lobster, but it was so tender an yummy on the toasted bread. I sat on the outside patio, which was also nice to be outside. I also ordered a crab cake, which was only OK. I recommend sticking to the lobster rolls!
(4)
Jeffrey B.
I went here recently with a friend of mine that I had met at Northeastern Univ. back in the 70's. He was visiting from L.A. I had the Lobster Bisque which I thought was pretty good. He had a lobster roll which he was disappointed in. I also had the Captains Platter which is fried pollock, fried clams and fried scallops. It was very tasty. The portion size was average at best. I think that the tastiest thing that I had was a Whale Tail Pale Ale.
(3)
Sally C.
We had both the Hot (butter based) & cold (mayo based) lobster rolls. The little dish of slaw is great, would rather have option of a full serving of that rather than little dish plus fries. (Not that the fries were bad I just loved the slaw so much I'd rather have only slaw as side dish). Not a place designed to linger but it was a pretty day & we availed ourselves of the patio. The rolls were pricey but you really get a lot of lobster & don't leave at all hungry.
(4)
Rima K.
Just ordered the most amazing and fresh fried scallops. This place is busy and the service is fast. Do not get the crab cakes, they seem very old and taste like they've been sitting at the bottom of the fridge and quickly microwaved :(. Shockingly huge difference between the two dishes ordered!
(4)
Chris S.
This place is stupid good. I went on a Monday and it was dead. As people mentioned it is a bit divey and cannot sit more than 20 to 25 people comfortably. However, the staff couldn't have been nicer and it felt like a seafood market meets food truck. I got the classic lobster roll served cold with fries and slaw. The amount of lobster in the roll was honestly dumb. Huge amount of amazingly sweet lobster meat. I also started off with the clam chowder which was the best I have ever had. Now keep in mind I'm not a Bostonian or New Englander so I don't have a large sample size but I was blown away by how delicious it was. The pricing, I found, to be very affordable. Great spot and thanks to Yelp for making me go there.
(5)
Kaitlin H.
Mouth watering. This was the only lobster roll I had while I was in Boston, and I highly recommend it. I got the cold and my mom and sister got the hot. Both were great. Tons of lobster piled high. You could see entire claw pieces sitting in the roll. It comes with a ton of fries. My mom also got the lobster bisque and while it was good, there were no chunks of lobster in it! They also serve harpoon and a few other beers. They have a small lot and we were able to find a spot with ease. There is a bunch of outdoor seating. You do have to order inside and then sit down.
(5)
Harry H.
After a massive Friday night wait, went with tasty but unmemorable items: scallop roll, cod cake app, and a small clam chowder...plus a lobster roll...for a pretty crazy $50. Won't be back even if there were no line.
(3)
Stephanie T.
My boyfriend and I decided one day that we would drive down very early to get lunch. So glad we made the 5 hour trip from New Jersey thanks to Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. This was featured on T.V. as one of the best seafood restaurants in Boston. It sure is! We ordered $70 worth of food and it was worth every penny! It included Lobster Mac and cheese, cod cakes (Guys favorite), clam chowder, and scallops (the size of your palm!). They even have a market in the back to pick your own lobster and fresh seafood. Awesome place to eat. If I could give 1,000 stars I would!
(5)
Jasmine C.
Great seafood but wow it is SO INACCESSIBLE BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT! I would say make the trip if you're willing to put in the time and effort, but there are places for equally good lobster (alive and kicking, to name one) and there are limited tables so go when the weather is nice or be willing to wait for an inside seat. What to get: - Lobster mac and cheese was delicious - not mind blowing, but it was good. But then it IS Mac and cheese AND lobster so it's not surprising that it was good. - Boiled lobster: very fresh, and also super delicious. If you're going to go all the way to the waterfront, this is really why. What to miss: - Lobster roll: I found it unremarkable compared to lobster rolls I've had before, although again if that's what you're there for their rolls aren't terrible - just not terribly amazing.
(3)
Wilson C.
Originally went to the Barking Crab but was told there would be a 2-3 hour wait. WTF?!? I know I had a large party(9), so that was why we'd have to wait a bit but never expected that long of a wait. They only had the tent open. The inside dining was closed for some unknown reason. So I hit up some friends and they recommended Yankee Lobster. We head over and the wait took a bit, about 30 minutes. It wasn't a long line but the thunder and lightning made it feel long. We had a few kids with us so that didn't make it feel any shorter. Anyways, you get on line and that was it. They do not take the number in your party or anything like that. It was a first come, first serve deal. Kinda hard if you have more than 2 people in your party. They have indoor and outdoor seating. We got outdoor seating since a large party had just left when it was our turn to order so that kind of worked out. Wasn't great for the kids because next door at the Blue Hills Pavilion was a super loud Faith No More concert, though I was the only one in our party who enjoyed it. Cost wise, its your standard Boston seafood prices. I ordered the Captain's Feast, a lobster roll, the lobster mac & cheese, clam chowder and a kids chicken tender. It didn't take long for the food to come out but right away there was some issues. The captain's feast was missing the lobster tail and we had no lobster roll. Went back in to notify the register which was remedied with a quickness. They even threw in a couple bottles of pop that I was going to buy to apologize for the order mess up. A+ in my book for customer service. So how was the food? The wife thought the clam chowder was salty, I thought it was fine. Lotsa potatoes but not much clams in it though, every few spoons I get a chopped piece or two. The fried platter was okay. Should have been bigger for the price I was paying. It was mostly calamari and three 6" filets of fish. It had a couple scallops and a few pieces of clam. My friend order the smaller platter and it was practically the same size as mine. The lobster roll was standard fare. IT was good but nothing that wows me where I have to have another one. The kids thought the chicken was good. The Triple D featured lobster mac&cheese was the worst out of our order. It had plenty of mac and plenty of cheese but where was the lobster. Might as well dye the macaroni red and call those pieces the lobster. The only place I've had great lobster mac&cheese was at David Burke's in Bloomingdales 5th Ave. I think the best thing that came with the dishes were the fries.The kids demolished them. The cole slaw was also pretty good. Overall an okay place but its not a must go whenever I'm in Boston and hankering for some seafood.
(3)
Trish S.
This place is delicious! I couldn't come to Boston without having a lobster roll, and this place didn't disappoint. It was filling, fresh, and the bread to lobster ratio was perfect. They have a variety of other things on the menu as well that I wanted to try, so I actually came back here the next day to get the lobster mac and cheese and crab cake sandwich. :)
(4)
Mitch R.
I had a great lunch here. The clam chowder is some of the best I have had. Smooth and smoky and full of clams. The lobster club was fresh and delicious, and it was toasted just right. The fries were perfectly crisp. Even the coleslaw was delicious. To top it off, the staff was friendly, efficient, and fun! The place isn't fancy, but the food is.
(5)
Lauren G.
Discloser: I am NOT a seafood fan. I came to Boston this weekend with my dad and brother who would eat seafood for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if they could. We were at the Sox/Yankees game on Sunday and I decided to browse Yelp to see where we should go for dinner that evening when I came upon the gem that is the Yankee Lobster Co. One of the reviews said that it was not easily accessible by public transportation. I would like to disagree with that, as we made it from Fenway to Seaport in about 30 mins and didn't get lost once. The SL2 bus line drops off right down the street from the restaurant. Upon arriving, there was a line in front of the building about a dozen people deep. We arrived around 5:45 and they promptly cut the line off at 6pm. There was a young guy named Jess (more about him later), passing out cups of ice cold water. It was a solid 85°, so this was a nice relief. Someone was also passing out shrimp on skewers, which I tried and wow! Incredible! There were people enjoying delicious looking food at some outdoor patio seating. Our mouths were drooling at every plate that went by. We stood in line for about 45 minutes or so. They finally let us in and we realized that the take out line and eat in line merged into one. People seemed confused because it wasn't specified in anyway. The inside was small and cozy, with a nice hometown feel. Market prices were listed as well as a full menu on the wall. We placed our order and Jess, the one passing out water earlier, was EXTREMELY helpful and made awesome recommendations when it came to our choices. The best part? The food. Like I said, I'm not a seafood lover at all. I went with the classic fish sandwich (Haddock, all dishes came with fries and cole slaw) and holy cow. It was incredible. The fish was so buttery and perfectly crisped on the outside, yet the inside was falling apart, full of flavor. A toasted bun completed the sandwich. Fries were perfectly crisp and flavorful as well. My brother ordered a blackened tuna wrap, which Jess suggested medium rare since my brother regularly enjoys seafood, and he said it was the best thing he's ever eaten. It was a little heavy with wasabi towards the end, but he thinks it all just settled to the bottom. My dad had the classic lobster roll and enjoyed every bite. Jess also suggested the crab roll for us to split and it was literally falling out of the bun. He explained that the crab was hand picked every day. They also have homemade soda's which were delicious, as well as local beer from the brewery next door. You could tell everything was incredibly fresh and it was truly a great meal. While it was a little pricey ($80 for 3 people), everything we ate was a fresh treat. I would definitely come back to this spot due to the hospitality we received and the quality of food. I didn't feel like a tourist here, they made us feel like family.
(5)
Kristen W.
Going to Boston and not getting any seafood is like going to Cleveland and not hearing any Johnny Football or Lebron remarks, it just doesn't happen (and shouldn't!). While there are a handful of places on the water to get your seafood fix, I'm certain Yankee should be your first and only stop. This is a fresh as it gets! This place gets crowded but we did not have any trouble snagging a seat at lunchtime. Prices are reasonable for the fresh food your about to enjoy. We started with the calamari (good) and the crab cakes (drool worthy) and I had the lobster roll for my entree. Would I be daring in saying that this is easily the best lobster roll in Boston? How about on the east coast? Because it really was that good!
(5)
Kelsi B.
I'm so happy I'll be traveling to Boston more and more for work, because I get to eat ALL OF THE LOBSTAH. We walked here from our hotel, and arrived very hungry. A group of 3 of us each got an order of soup (Clam Chowder of Lobster Bisque), a Lobster Roll, and we split an order of Lobster Mac n Cheese. The Lobster Bisque was up there with the best that I've had. Definitely better than any you can find in Wisconsin (obviously, I know). I also heard good things about the Clam Chowder. The Lobster Roll was actually the first Lobster Roll I've ever had. I'm not sure if it was my naivety but I was half expecting it to be warm. But alas, it was cold and still delicious. I loved how the Lobster wasn't covered in sauce so you could actually taste the seafood. I would've enjoyed if the bun had been toasted or something, but it was still yummy. The Lobster Mac n Cheese was my favorite, though. Huge chunks of Lobster - I mean HUGE. Mixed in with noodles and a cheesy sauce. It was heavenly. I have to admit that I'll have to shop around a bit more for that perfect Lobster Roll my next time in Boston, however I would definitely not mind returning here. Especially for the mac.
(4)
Rohan K.
We went here for lunch on a very windy day and were greeted by extremely friendly and fun staff. We started off with the clam chowder and I have to say it is one of the best I've ever had. The proportion of ingredients was perfect and it was so warm and creamy, delicious. The smoky bacon flavor really comes through and adds a spectacular dimension to the chowder. My wife doesn't eat bacon and after a spoonful she realized it had bacon. Our server immediately apologized(for no fault of his) and brought her a cup of the lobster bisque on the house which was delicious and a really nice gesture on his part. We all had the lobster rolls. They were stuffed with delicious lobster meat which was beautifully cooked. The only think I found lacking was some spicy mayo on the bread or a tiny cup of the poaching butter on the side to moisten things up a little if needed. Overall the food was incredible, the service was unbelievably good and the ambiance was really welcoming and fun. A tad bit pricey but honestly worth it. I can't wait to go back here the next time I'm in town and I'm sure our friends who live in Cambridge will be going here quite often after this experience.
(5)
Wayne Z.
Awesome place and had the greatest experience there this past weekend. This was my 3rd visit to beantown and I realized I hadn't had a lobster roll yet so after reading about this place, I decided to drag my local friend along for a ride (she had never been either). First of all I thought this was going to be a much bigger place, it wasn't, and I wasn't disappointed. Very small inside eating area with an outdoor seating part as well. Counter service/order with staff that was extremely helpful and friendly and made sure I got exactly what I wanted. Portions of lobster was more than enough I felt and the taste was pretty amazing. I had the lobster club and my friend got the original lobster roll and we both were very pleased. Place was quite busy when we showed up and only got busier as we went so plan accordingly if you want to have a seat. All in all, I would not hesitate to come back.
(4)
Jessica R.
Exactly what I wanted!! Fresh, meaty, buttery lobster on a nice bun! Getting my Boston trip off to a delicious start!
(5)
Silvia V.
Delicious lobster roll on the Waterfront that's worth the stroll.
(4)
Sharon C.
This place seems to be quite popular! Waiting outside in the humid sunny weather was a torture!! We waited maybe 20 to 30 minutes. I'm a fan of fried seafood..can't go wrong! Also had the crabmeat salad...so delicious!
(3)
Emily M.
Go here while you're in Boston!!! YLC is small and quaint. It has an inside that accommodates about 30 or so and a side patio that accommodates another 35ish. The patio is cute and backs right up to Harpoon Brewery. Live music played as I ate. The food was DELICIOUS: the clam chowder and lobster roll were spot on. The chowder was smooth with just enough clam. I added the oyster crackers for an added crunch. I ordered the regular lobster roll (as opposed to hot or fried). It's a little small compared to what I'm used to, but it's very filling! They stuff it full of lobster! I'll definitely be back next time I'm in Boston for sure!
(5)
Abigail W.
Hands down best lobster roll I've had in Boston. The roll was filled with basically all claw meat. They could have charged me $29 instead of $19 and I still would have thought it was a great deal! Free parking in the seaport area is very hard to come by, but they have a free lot to the side of the restaurant that we took advantage of. How do you beat free!! The only downside (and it's a small one) was how crowded the restaurant was. They tried to regulate the line by not letting too many people in at once, but it was still pretty cramped. Still, the lobster roll was good enough to bring me back!
(4)
Monica T.
Very fresh and delicious lobster roll and crab cake. Counter service. Small inside but had patio. Thumbs up!
(4)
Yasser E.
Nothing so special about the place nothing bad either Lobsters was over price My friend had 8 lb it seem like the not doing this often any way like I say nothing booming about the place it just another experience Get to try it PS if you paying by amex ask first
(3)
Vava B.
Yum and yum, yum, yum! The lobster roll, bisque and chowder were some of the best I had during my boston stay. I will def be returning when back in the area. It's a counter service kind of place but that's ok with me as long as they keep doing what they're doing and making amazing seafood! Thank you!!
(4)
Jillian L.
Just ate here for the first time. Giving three stars instead of two because everyone has a bad day. Ordered a dozen oysters, and honestly, I'm praying a don't get sick from them. They didn't look or taste that great, and the juice left in the shell was muddled and murky. Hot lobster roll was decent. For a better one close by, go to Row 34, Barking Crab, or James Hook. The crabs? I was expecting more like crab legs, not whole crabs and had no idea how to get those suckers open, so we'll consider that partially user error. I asked an employee how to open them and he wasn't terribly helpful. Plus all the brownish green muck in the middle grosses me out, although I know some people like it. Maybe we just didn't order the right things... But it sucks to feel that way after a $78 lunch.
(3)
C A O.
When in Boston...well ask anyone and they'll bring up Lobster/seafood right As the common business traveller and tourist on my free time, what else do you do but look for the local favorite. Tucked away at the end of the harbor, Yankee Lobster was easy to locate. Busy with a lineup in the early afternoon, this place had its fans and out of towners. I simply asked for what's popular, The Lobster Roll was it. I ordered it cold and a bisque to go with it. Bisque It was, simple. The taste may have not been to the many I've had at other restaurants, but you knew it was fresh with their special process and style. Roll Again simple, yet at its best to taste the lobster more than anything. In many cases, you end up tasting everything but the lobster (asides your down south or other region rolls that specialize in the mixtures of the meats/spices). Yankee knows what's up and makes sure you taste lobster. Fresh indeed, low on the butter, mayo, and enough lobster to fill you up. Forget the fries (fried to a nice crisp) and enjoy the lobster. Price may have you thinking but you have to remember, location and you're sharing an experience with tourists, like myself. :) Service - 4 Decor - 4 Food - 4
(4)
Alex C.
The lobster rolls here were indeed pretty good-both the hot and cold. The lobster bisque left much to be desired though. Our table also had the garlic butter mussels as well as the fish and chips, which were also pretty decent. Pricing is a little steep but it seems par for the course around this part of Boston. Service though... could use some help.
(3)
Maria C.
Excellent lobster and lobster roll, a great meal and at a good price. I highly recommend this place and you can go casual dressed.
(5)
Leonard L.
Located in the water district, Yankee Lobster is your seafood shack that's easily accessible through the silver line. We drove here and got lucky with parking thou I'd assume that on a day with great weather, taking the T would be your better option. What to order? When in Boston.... Lobstaaa roll combo ( fries and cole slaw) and clam chowdaaa. Chowder was of a thin consistency and had lot of flavor. They really know how to do this soup well in these parts. I just wish there was a bit more clams in it. The lobster roll had a good amount of meat inside which seemed to be the only plus. The meat itself was light coated w/ mayo but didn't really have much of a sweet flavor to it. Tasted like it was slightly overcooked. The fries were great thou, fresh out the fryer. Throw some malt vinegar for a tangy bite. They also serve beer and wine here including Harpoon IPA which coincidentally has a brewery located within a 5 min walking distance from YL.
(3)
Nguyen P.
Found this place by mistake in 2008 during Boston Latin School's graduation and I've been a loyal visitor since. I am not a huge clam chowder lover, but I get the quart from here every time. Yes, every time. Come here with friends, grab a pitcher of beer and eat. Whether you're feeling healthy with the swordfish, gluttonous with the fisherman's platter or kicking it old school with some fried clams, you'll feel well fed and glad. I will say that the one thing I don't love about Yankee is their lobster bisque, which is strange because their lobster roll is amazeballs. Anywho, come here before a concert or after visiting Harpoon Brewery, your life will change forever
(5)
D K.
Didn't love it. Lobster roll and clam chowder were just alright. Definitely had better.
(3)
Anne J.
The good news is that the seafood is fresh - not fishy smelling. Yet it's not 'sweet' like scallops and oysters can be if REALLY fresh. The other news is that the restaurant is small and crowded - not particularly comfortable, if you can even get a seat. It has become that popular. The soundtrack thumps annoyingly. What do they think it could possibly be adding to customer comfort? It must be for the cook staff, not the customers.
(3)
Taylor A.
Legit, no frills lobster joint with many-frills pricing. Tasty lobster rolls and lobster bisque. Plan on spending about $20 per roll. It's lobster. If you like lobster you'll like it here. It's not rocket science.
(4)
Jimmy M.
Great fish stew. Excellent 2 pound lobster. Enjoyed all this surrounded by 2 feet of snow. Will be back for sure, snow or sleet!!!! I wish they had more seating.
(5)
James W.
We are a family of 5, and we chose Yankee Lobster b c of the ratings. The spicy lobster rolls that we got tasted terrible and they only gave us a little bit of lobster meat, it is not worth of our $100 dollars. I would not go back again!
(2)
Nina M.
Loved the food here! The staff was so amazing ! Wicked helpful! The food was cooked to order and super fresh! Very tasty! So happy we went here intend the overpriced place next door with the view! We were in town for a concert and this place is near the stage so we got to hear soundcheck! Bonus! I highly recommend this place!
(5)
Anthony M.
Had this place bookmarked for the trip to Boston with the GF so we could check off another place on DD&D off the list. We split the seafood combo and the crab cakes and while they were good, wasn't overly wowed either. The fish and scallops were tasty but I was left wanting more from the shrimp and fries. The shrimp felt small and bland compared to Handsome Hanks Fish Hut at Smorgasburg back home which I get regularly while the fries were nothing special and we needed to douse them with malt vinegar just to add some flavor. Crab cakes were a good size and meaty. Small and no frills on the inside. Came on a weekday afternoon and could see how this place can get crowded. Service was good. Perfect spot to visit before or after the Harpoon Brewery tour, which is what we did. Would give a 3.5 stars based on what we ordered but rounding up for the benefit of the doubt since we didn't get any lobster and what seemed to be some of their staples. I'd visit here again to try some of their other stuff if I were in the area again.
(4)
Karina B.
We came at the perfect time 4 pm! no line and got our food right away! yes it is expensive but hey its seafood its always gonna be expensive anyway especially if you are looking for oysters and lobster! I got the hot lobster roll which was delicious and it came with fries and slaw! so much meat and it was buttered to perfection! yummy Then I also got oysters (6 for 14$) they were really yummy and fresh! I also ordered some beer which was just what I needed after a long day of walking! I would highly recommend and come back. I am gonna say though its small so be prepared to wait in line if you come at peak lunch and dinner hours!
(5)
Skylar S.
Quick Service. Good lobster roll. Little cramped for seating, and felt a little claustrophobic, but all in all pretty good food. Probably closer to a 3.5, but I'll round up!
(4)
Guillermo M.
We got the lobster roll and the clam chowder. Both were great. The good is great although the place is really crowded and in a warm sunny day their tables are not ideal because they do not have umbrellas.
(4)
Jeannie H.
Low-key joint with delicious food. Clam chowder had a little kick to it. Would go back just for that. Lobster roll was delicious!!
(4)
Andie T.
In my search for the best lobster roll in Boston, on this trip I tried Yankee Lobster, James Hook & Co, the bar at the Renaissance (hey, its where I was staying!) and the restaurant in Logan airport. After reading the reviews on Yelp I was excited to try Yankee. Unfortunately, it ranked the lowest of the four rolls I had on this trip. As opposed to James Hook (which is primarily a fish market with the restaurant part as an afterthought) Yankee Lobster seems to be a restaurant first and foremost. There is a small cooler case that was virtually empty on my visit and the first thing I smelled upon entering was French fries. Not really what I expected at a fish market. The lobster roll was $17 and came with French fries and coleslaw. You order and pay with the cashier at the counter and take a seat. When you food is ready the cashier brings it to your table. The lobster roll LOOKED good and the meat was fresh and flavorful. But there didn't seem to be a spec of mayo (even though it was listed on the menu board). The bun was toasted, which was a nice touch. But I'm a big fan of mayo and the fact that there was none pretty much killed this lobster roll for me. Also, the French fries - while hot and fresh - were just your basic generic, frozen fries. Nothing special. I did not try the coleslaw (not a cabbage fan). Overall, I much preferred James Hook to Yankee. The location, decor, people and fish market seemed more authentic, the lobster roll was much less expensive (partly because it didn't come with any sides - but I wanted a lobster roll, not French fries and coleslaw) and prepared much more traditionally. And I just liked it better. Yankee felt like they were trying too hard while James Hook felt like they were a real, operating fish market that just happened to also serve awesome lobster rolls.
(2)
Tracy B.
Ok so where do I begin, the fam and I LOVE Lobster (Maybe a little too much), to some people its a once in a while treat, to us its prolly 2-3 times a month... I tend to crave things & I usually get what I want... So we have tried several places in the area & after I got over my "I dont want to drive all the way there to get it" phase, I realized - Driving into the Piers, Im probably getting some of the freshest stuff around... So we frequest Yankee (which my mother calls Yankee Doodle every time - I have corrected here IDK, 4000 times to no avail)... Love that they have grown into soo much more over the years, because when we started going they only had a counter, never any tables like they do now... They are a great little place with the freshest of foods (Havent had many things there but the Chowder is good, and the stuffed clams were good)... The parking is a little scarce & the Mice/Rat traps in the parking spaces always freak me out when I go, but cmon its the docks - there must be tons of mice there & at least they are doing somthing about it... Ive never had a problem with anything there, Yankee is & will continue to be a FAVE & constant stop for me & the Fam!
(4)
Andrew M.
Loved this place. The food was delicious, the guys were pleasant, and it was nice to sit outside and eat. Definitely recommend it :)
(5)
Lex T.
Having lived in New England for almost 20 years, I know there are plenty of excellent seafood restaurants in the area. While this one was okay, it fell far short of our expectations based on reviews, most of which I can only assume have been written by visitors to Boston who may not have access to noteworthy seafood on a regular basis. The best thing we ordered were the mussels, which were nice and garlicky. The calamari were average at best, and a laughably small portion for $9.99. The big disappointment was the fish and chips. Any run-of-the-mill pub in these parts will serve up a hunk of super fresh, perfectly fried crispy fish that just about covers the platter. This portion was about a third of that, which would have been fine had it been delectable. Sadly, it wasn't. Perfectly passable and certainly fresh, but not the best the area has to offer. At $65 + tip for 2 (including 2 glasses of wine and 2 bottles of water), it wasn't a great value. We enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the place, and got talking to some lovely folks on the outdoor patio, but while that would have added to the experience, it wasn't what we were there for.
(2)
Juliet B.
This was such an awesome find. Off the beaten path. I had a lobster roll because Im from Cali via New Jersey and you can not get this anywhere else. It was delicious. Loaded with chunks of lobster and its claws. Super fresh. Have already recommended it. It is small and walk up order. Good tunes playing too.
(5)
Bernadine L.
I had high expectations for this place because it was featured on the Food Network. This is the first time I tried the Lobster bisque with corn bread. The servers were nice, however my food was cold and had to be reheated.
(3)
Ren X.
This place is great to come after harpoon's beer tour. BF had fish & chips and he said it was better than the ones he had in London. pretty tasty and chuncky fish. fries were pretty normal, nothing special to rave about. I got the lobster roll. also having been to belle isle, yankee's lobster roll is NOT as big as belle isles, and has more mayo & pepper to the lobsters. it's still great and tasty, but having the comparison. i think belle isle is worth more for the buck.
(4)
Elliott K.
Went here to buy some live clams for dinner. Was greeted quickly and placed my order, which was also filled relatively quickly. The clams were very fresh, fairly priced, and cooked up great! I look forward to going back and eating from their prepared menu.
(5)
B K.
really good lobster roll, really bad service. that said, this is a really touristy location with mostly crappy chain restaurants, so it may be your only option. I'd go for it if it doesn't look too crowded.
(3)
Iwona M.
Great place far from turisty area, easy and free parking, which is almost impossible in Boston. Great variety of seafood, however they dont serve raw fish like oyster, only fried.... Anyway we had fantastic clam chowder and calamari. We love this place, definitely coming back whenever in Boston :)
(4)
Eddie B.
i was here 2 weeks ago, and had a stuffed lobster that incredible So i decided to return to the scene of the crime on 3/13/12 and I have to say, this place has it together the Lobsters and the crab cakes were to kill for. I love this place i look forward to my next business trip back to Boston, Yankee Lobster you guys kick ASS.
(5)
John R.
I've now had their lobster roll twice, and it's been bad both times. Today, both my coworker and I got bits of shell in our sandwiches. The meat was dry and fairly tough, without a good lobster flavor or a decent dressing. Yes, too much mayo is bad, but this place uses way too little. The fries were decent, but the cole slaw was mediocre. Absolutely not worth $18.
(1)
Wendy T.
Came here based on Yelp reviews and also because it was near my hotel in Boston. It was an incredible foodie weekend for me and my friend. As with the rest of the weekend, our eyes were bigger than our stomachs. We ordered the seafood baked lobster and a fried seafood plate that had fish, scallops, shrimp and clams. And a LOT of fries. Everything came with fries. The lobster was delicious - the seafood topping was savory and perfectly baked. The lobster meat was yum and came with a butter sauce. The fried seafood was great - particularly the fish. Makes me wish I had ordered the fish n chips. Clam chowder was good, as well. I'd recommend coming here for seafood - fresh and delicious.
(5)
Richard M.
I just stopped by here for lunch this afternoon. Had driven by several times and was always curious. I work in the area and have pretty much tried everything. I called in for fried clam strip plate with onion rings. Got there about 10 minutes after I called and waited for another 10 minutes. Place was busy with lots of people coming and going and dining inside and out. Walked back to my office and dug in. Probably some of the best fried clam strips I've ever had. I think the majority of my yelp reviews are regarding fried clam strips. I was expecting the food to be a little soggy after walking back to the office and letting the food sit on my desk for 15minutes. Not the case in the slightest. Each clam strip and onion rings were crispy to perfection. Just the way I like them. Onions rings were probably frozen but still good. I will definitely be back here next time I have a clam strip craving!
(5)
Hilary F.
Was at the Seaport World Trade Center and thanks to yelp found this hidden gem. And, it was delicious!! Could tell that everything was unbelievably fresh, right off the boat perhaps? I got the scallop plate with perfectly crispy fries and slaw. Others got seafood combo #2, lobster roll, and clam chowder. Everyone was friendly and the place seemed pretty clean for a small counter-order restaurant with a fish case. Also liked that they offered beer. Will definitely come here again if I am in the area.
(4)
Casie G.
After reading pretty decent reviews I decided to take my mom here for lunch as she was visiting. I have to say I wasn't really all that impressed. The lobster bisque was watered down with maybe one small piece of lobster in it & the crab cakes were extra bready and over-fried. After being out of steamers (which I was told 15 minutes after I ordered) I decided to try the calamari...pretty basic. My mom did say that the stuffed haddock she ordered was good though. Overall, I will probably not go back but for those looking for your standard fried seafood fare...it might be just what you are looking for.
(3)
M E.
I showed up just after they had closed, but they gave me a cup of their famous Clam Chowda...it was fantastic. And this is coming from someone who is not a fan of fish...
(5)
Susanne H.
The lobster roll is dished up cold and it was quite good. I would get the 2lb Lobster if I go back because it is only a little more money. Everyone was happy with their meal. This restaurant is little and incredibly casual. They do have outside seating. They've got assorted bottled drinks and do have beer on tap. The tables had been not wiped down prior to us sitting down. We asked if they could wipe ours off and they did. I'm not a hard to please person so this was not a negative in my eyes. I would suggest this restaurant in case you want a low key dining restaurant with some excellent seafood.
(5)
Kanday C.
My family and I always come here to grab fresh lobsters and crab when we have big lobster feast at home. I thought I try their store front menu just because. I ordered a fisherman's platter and lobster roll. Big MEHHHH! For a 50 buck meal. I was expecting to have seafood crawling out of the plate instead the food is only a single serving with nothing left over. My mom and I WERE going to share the fisherman's platter but it was barely enough. I am highly disappoint as my family has been coming here for YEARS for our fresh seafood. I recommend only buying retail and if you want a nice meal go to Legal's at least you'll get your moneys worth.
(2)
June P.
This is really a small location that's just off the Greenway and nicely worth the visit to. It is extremely plain but incredibly clean and comfy. The seafood is always fresh. We have been there several times and it is most effective inside the summer whenever you can sit outside. On a recent visit the lobster roll was excellent as was the stuffie and fish sandwich. The pictures incorporate a lobster that's about 100 years old and will soon be someone's dinner, i'm glad it was mines.
(4)
Paula L.
For years, I have stopped to purchase fresh seafood to take home and cook. It is excellent! Recently, I have had the opportunity to stop and sit and enjoy the delicious chowder and awesome fried seafood. The whole belly clams are huge, tender, moist and delish! Great beer selection and you can sip one while you wait to place your order. This little place is about to have waiting lines so get there soon before they start! It is catching on! Only bummer, no Amex any more. Very Casual!
(5)
Caroline H.
I ordered the garden salad with tuna, asked for it to be grilled rare to go. I paid $20 for a salad, the tuna came out grilled completely through and the salad came with no dressing. I will not return here, it was the second attempt, neither of them worth it.
(1)
Scott S.
Best chowder I've ever had. Amazing.
(5)
Christopher M.
Went to see the tall ships, and tall they were indeed. Problem is that the food selection was limited and all the surrounding restaurants had a 1+ hour wait. . . .all but one. Enter the Yankee Lobster Company (Or rather, I entered it. Point is, it was there, and I could get a table) I was told up front that it would take about 40 minutes for my fish and chips. not really ideal, but I was hungry and I had to PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, so down we sat and waited. The place is small but fun, the patrons weren't annoying, and I thought the posters of edible crustaceans were kinda fun. Oh hey, here comes dinner a little ahead of schedule (+1) Now. . .I know I ordered the fish and chips. I paid for fish and chips. The guy even said "Here's your fish and chips" Problem is that I saw chips. . .not so much on the fish. After a little digging I found what appeared to be two guppies. . . and a lot of potatoes (EW STARCH!) *sigh* So that monumental disappointment brought it down squarely into the three star realm. It was really amazing. I didn't think they made fish that small any more! Un friggin real. so I left totally hungry (even after eating the aforementioned starches), and just shaking my head. Next time the tall ships come around, I'm packing a lunch.
(3)
Tim L.
I'm not from the northeast and don't get many chances to eat good seafood other than maybe crawfish so when my sister brought me here I was stoked. I had heard a lot about this place and my sister highly recommended it..for good reason. I started off with a crab cake which was pretty moist and bigger than normal. I also order a lobster tail and a lobster roll. The lobster was as fresh as I've ever tasted and with the butter I was about to nut. I also had the lobster roll to change things up and that was awesome as well. It was a little more expensive that I would have liked, but that's the price you pay for the freshness. There's not many places to eat so if you're brining a large group be prepared to split up. All in all, I had an awesome experience and wouldn't mind coming back when I visit Boston again.
(4)
Andrew D.
This place is great. Cheap, fresh seafood. I was at a convention down the road, and a local recommended this place. I was not let down. The clam chowder was very good, and my crab cake sandwich was top notch. The seating here is very limited, but they do have an overflow area outside. I'm sure it would be very chilly in the winter months. No frills service here, but as long as the food is great, who cares? I'm glad I was able to experiance this place, and I will be returning for the 3lb lobster dinner the next time I'm in town.
(4)
Dallas N.
I am not even going to dock this place for sub-par service. The Lobster Roll - EPIC, perfect combination of mayo, celery, and lobster, the Lobster Chowder - thick chunks of lobster meat, rich broth, and the young shelled Lobster - tender, perfectly cooked, and mouth watering. I would be back a thousand times if I lived within 20 miles of this place. Packed a lunch, little bit of a wait for the food, but was hot, fresh and perfectly prepared. It is a lobster epiphany!!!!
(5)
JM M.
I came here for one reason and that was the lobster roll. Roll delivered. Everyone has their own preferences, but the Yankee Lobster Roll hit my spot: little mayo, not overpowering seasonings, and obvi amazing lobster. The roll was lightly toasted and the mounds of meat inside came up over the top and sides. Everyone I was with found at least 1 full claw in theirs, but the roll itself was a combination of chunky claw meat and smaller pieces, which gave a perfect texture. Slaw was on point, and the fries, which I could've cared less about once I had my roll in front of me, were actually amazing. That good double-fried tasting crispy. yom. I also tried some of the chowder, which was delicious. You could tell somebody had taken their sweet time developing the broth. So flavorful. The line got long at times, but it never felt crowded sitting in there. They have a few beers on tap and room to sit in the back, I believe. Would be a great summer time spot. Right by the water, and by Harpoon, so you should do the right thing and stop there afterwards.
(5)
J.B. S.
Best seafood in town. Fresh, simple and tasty. I had the lobster roll, a stuffed coahoag, and the best clam chowder ever. No-frills counter service, so not the kind of place for a business dinner, but excellent quality food. Worth the wait in line.
(5)
Min L.
5 stars for the way the breading perfectly encases each clam strip, scallop, shrimp, onion ring, etc...it's just thick enough to keep it sturdy, it's delicious, and when you eat it, you don't feel puddles of grease form in your mouth. So far I've had the fisherman's platter (great for 2-3 people), clam strips, lobster bisque, and stuffed baked haddock. It's all awesome.
(5)
Stephen S.
Where do I start. We took our son there for his 23rd birthday as he loves lobster. We're locals and know lobster. We started with clam chowder, it was way too thick and starchy and loaded with potatoes and a few clams. Not much clam flavor. C- As a lobster lover I know that hard-shell are best despite the ease of soft. The waiter recommended the Maine lobster that he said where pretty hard. They came cold, soft-shelled and smaller than promised. The flavor was OK but cold is unacceptable. C- Those of us had fried food and it all came cold except my wife's dish that was too hot. The lobster rolls where the only standout. Big and full of meat-cold is OK for these... B+ I heard the lamest excuse ever for the cold lobsters. "Maine lobsters cool more quickly than others" Wow, did I just get off the bus from Iowa? The only thing I can figure is that everything sat for my wife's too hot fried scallops. A disappointment indeed.
(1)
Bob P.
Went there for lunch based on the yelp reviews and came away pretty disappointed. It is what it is - a small casual seafood restaurant (and fish market) so everything is clearly fresh. However, my take-out order was messed up (got the wrong food) which never should happen. The lobster roll (which I did order) was just average (at best) and overpriced for what I got - decent chunks of lobster, but a little dry and roll was not toasted. It came with cole slaw (about what you'd get in a supermarket deli) and fries, which weren't particularly memorable. The salmon burger (which was NOT what I ordered) was large, but again not what I might have hoped for. I ate some of it simply to keep my wife company while she ate the lobster roll, but it was a little heavy and not particularly flavorful (maybe I was a little biased because I had ordered and was expecting something else). I did go back later and they did refund the money I had paid for the food I didn't get (more expensive than the salmon burger) along with a simple apology, but I didn't think they seemed to feel as badly about the mix-up as I would have hoped. Having knocked them for my recent experience, I probably would give them another chance if I was in the area, but only if I was looking for fresh fried seafood in a place with a clam shack atmosphere. The fish and chips and fried clams looked and smelled delicious.
(2)
Coren D.
I go here at least once a month for the fried clams, fish and chips and my wife gets the lobster on a salad. Order at the counter and they will bring your food to the table. They also have great prices for their live lobster. Jumbo lobsters go for only $5.99/pound. Granted you have to have a pot big enough to cook a 6 pounder, but if you do, what a great deal to feed 3. I regularly buy the big guys and they are fresh, alive and kicking. They will even pack it in ice and seaweed for you. The fish and shrimp are also very good and fresh. I took away 1 star because their onion rings are over breaded and not the typical clam shack onion rings. they are thick and heavy, instead of light stringy rings of onion goodness. Overall, a bargain at the South Boston waterfront. Bonus: the Harpoon Brewery is walking distance away!
(4)
Cece K.
I went to Yankee about a week after trying James Hook Lobster Co... in comparison, I liked the lobster roll at James Hook much more (and it was cheaper), but Yankee also had a good lobster roll and a lot more (non-seafood) options on the menu. I also tried their stuffed quahog, which had a great flavor and consistency. If you are only interested in getting a lobster roll, I would go to James Hook... but if you need more menu options (or want to sit down and have a few drinks (they serve alcohol), I would recommend Yankee
(4)
Becka T.
Cute little seafood deli with checkered red and white table cloths and plastic utensils. The lobster in the lobster roll was pretty sweet and juicy but I wouldn't recommend the crab cakes because they were kinda dry. The fried scallop roll looked good and the fish & chips were yummy. For a lobster roll, fish & chips, 2 crab cakes, fountain drink, and OJ....my bill came out to be $37.40.
(4)
Kelly H.
frankly, i would not make the trek out to yankee's for their lobster roll... i was SO excited after reading the yelp reviews that this place had THE best lobster roll... and when in boston, you gotta lobster roll! yes, the roll is only 16.99, which is a decent value... but the taste just wasn't really cutting it for me... it was lacking in flavor... where's that sweetness of the lobster?!?!
(3)
Debra L.
After a fairly disappointing dinner Sat. night at Great Bay (see Great Bay review if curious) we were still craving fried shrimp and got take out from here for lunch on Sunday. Two of us split the fried shrimp (w/ french fries & cole slaw). It was delicious! I generally try to eat pretty healthy so if I'm going to eat fried shrimp it better be good. Well, this was some of the best fried shrimp I've ever had (and I even lived in New Orleans where fried seafood is one of the main food groups). The shrimp at Yankee were big, prefectly fried (not too greasy and not too much breading) and they actually still tasted like shrimp after being fried. The french fries were good & crispy too. And, the price was right at only $9 for one meal big enough to feed two.
(4)
Mihir P.
Now that I live in Chicago, I stopped by here a few times to get my lobster fix on the way from the airport to my Mom's house. I like that you can get cooked meals to eat there or to go as well as buy raw fresh seafood to take with you. The food is fresh no doubt and the meals are simple - no spice, zing or ah hah's. But that's why you come here. The only drawback is that even for it's very casual space, it is still quite pricey. You can get less expensive fresh seafood at No-Name's or in Chinatown.
(3)
Ginger C.
I took my brother here when he came to town based on the Yelp reviews and was not disappointed. This place is exactly what we wanted for a casual lobster dinner. We all got the 1.5 pound lobster dinner. It was the perfect amount of food and the lobster was sweet and delicious. The counter staff were super friendly, our beers were constantly replaced and she even took pictures of us with our lobster bibs on. I will definitely be returning over and over again.
(5)
Jarrod L.
The clam chowder is some of the best white chowder I've ever had. The lobster on the lobster salad was a little tough, but the flavor was great. The crab roll was amazingly tasty.
(4)
Scott d.
Best deal here is the jumbo 6 pound and up lobster.....$7 a pound....cooked it for us and hooked us up with butter......CMON NOW
(5)
Glenn A.
Yankee Doddle Yummy! Stop off at this place since it was close to the airport when I landed late afternoon, great find thanks to other Yelper's! I ordered the Lobster Club with Fries, it was $18.99 and worth every bite and crumb on the plate. My only disappointment was the fact they ran out of Claim Chowder, Boston without Chowder is just not right! Since I was leaving that next afternoon the only chowder I got was in a can when I got home:(
(4)
Julie J.
I trekked all the way here for dinner with my sister after a raving recommendation from my roommate, and we definitely left satisfied. The location is bit of a hike (especially from Cambridge) but it's well worth it. The interior is tiny, with maybe 10 tables inside, but although it was busy, we didn't wait long. My sister got the lobster roll, and I got the crab cake sandwich. Both sammies came with fries and cole slaw. I highly recommend the crab cake sandwich. It's a large patty full of crab meat (not all filler), served with remoulade. The lobster roll is a generous portion too, but I'm not convinced it is the absolute best. It's tasty though, for sure. Can't wait to come back for more! The other menu items looked tempting too.
(4)
Susan K.
The food is decent but the wait ridiculously long -- we won't be returning to the hole in the wall in south Boston ever again--
(1)
Kate F.
Took awhile (~30 min) to get our food, but it was delishious! Grilled swordfish was perfectly seasoned and stayed warm until the last bite. Wish the lobster roll was served hot, but it was tasty ... really good fries! Perfect stop after the Harpoon tour.
(4)
Drew V.
Good, simple fried seafood with big portions and good prices. It's what the No Name used to be years ago. On a nice summer night, it's a great place to get some fish and chips and sit outside.
(4)
Gary B.
I had 5 people for lunch and ordered the lobster sandwiches to go. The amount of lobster was well above average and everybody enjoyed their meals. This is one of the best in Boston! I highly recommend it.
(4)
Michelle K.
Fresh, yummy food. I don't have much basis for comparison, but the lobster roll was pretty good, if you like lobster and don't really like mayo. Clam chowder was good, but nothing spectacular. My husband ordered the Yankee fish sandwich and that was very good! If I were going again, I'd order that again.
(4)
John B.
Went here with 2 coworkers to have my first lobster roll ever. I loved it! They give you plenty of big chunks of lobster on a toasted piece of bread. Some may think its kinda small but I thought it was the perfect size. One of my coworkers got the 2 lb lobster and the other coworker got the salmon burger. what?? salmon burger? he was having regret after 5 minutes of placing his order. you dont go to a place called yankee lobster to get a salmon burger.. go to yankee salmon for that
(4)
Michael M.
Stopped in after some on-line research that was highly favorable. Regretfully I was disappointed. The clam chowder was ok but nothing special. Salad was just average w/an envelope of packaged dressing. Entree of shrimp & calamari over linguine did not look appetizing & the red sauce was only one step above ketchup. Something fried had to have been a better choice!
(2)
Katherine S.
I can't get enough!!!! Best in town!
(5)
Jenny N.
Yankee Lobster smells fishy but the food is tasty enough to make up for the lack of atmosphere down at the far end of Northern Ave. Be sure to dine al fresco (it's a good thing they have sun-brellas and outdoor seating) and enjoy your meal to the tune of seagull songs. Afterward, you can walk off the calories by strolling along the seaport and enjoying the salty breeze. Imagine you are at the seashore. Prices are fairly reasonable, especially given the rising price of seafood these day. Plus, you get a decent portion of food for your dollars. I got the fried clam plate ($15 for strips w/bellies intact) and the batter was good and crispy. The boy ordered a lobster roll ($17), which came in a buttered split hot dog roll. Meat was very fresh and only a smidge of mayo to hold it together. Cole slaw was a classic recipe with lots of mayo and the fries were probably frozen. We also shared a stuffed quahog to see what it was all about and it was just OK (too much breading). By the end of my meal, I felt like a greaseball, but my clam craving was finally satisfied. It's no frills dining with no-name ketchup, but I'm sure glad I didn't have to drive all the way up to Ipswich/Essex for my fix! But next time, I'd probably opt for the clam box as I don't think the slaw and fries were necessary additions to my meal.
(3)
Steve W.
stumbled on this place doing errands in the area...nice find. We went for lunch on a friday afternoon. Inside is small, with tables and seating. There's also a few tables outside and a few more outside the takeout window. Ordered the clam roll and fish sandwich wrap....both came w/ fries and slaw. The clams were fresh, tasty and had the bellies. The fish sandwich was good also. That plus soda for two cost us $ 27. awesome that they accept credit cards, lots of hole in the wall places don't. there was a constant line almost for the lunch crowd, but it seemed to move fairly quickly. We got our food in about 15 minutes. And we parked around the corner for free (limited parking). definitely will go back. and will try the lobster rolls based on other reviews.
(5)
Trey C.
Stopped by here and ordered a crab roll to go. It was good, but very simple...seemed to be just bread and lobster meat (which isn't necessarily a bad thing)...no spices, mayo, butter, etc. The fries it came with were good as well. I always enjoy the atmosphere of a little hole in the wall type of place like this although I didn't have time to sit down and eat. I wanted to go back and try the scallop roll as well, but had to rush out of town...would definitely recommend it as a good quick lunch spot!
(4)
Jenn B.
Second best lobster roll I've had, first being Luke's Lobster in NY. The roll was nicely buttered and the lobster was very fresh and nicely seasoned just needed a bit of salt. Served with awesomely fried French fries and cole slaw which I usually don't eat but theirs was too good not to. Also tried my friends lobster bisque which was ok; her fried scallops were amazing though.
(4)
Jeanie M.
Great lunch today (Sunday)! Parked right around the side for free. We started out to try Legal Harborside but decided to give Yankee a shot. Seen it a million times but never stopped by. The crab cakes appetizer was 2 large crab cakes full of crab and no green peppers (hate green peppers in crab cakes) served with a delicious remoulade sauce. Lobster roll needed to have the bun buttered and grilled not simply grilled but the lobster was great. Not too much mayo at all. Very tasty and moist. Fries hot and crispy. The place had continouse flow of customers which I did not expect on a January Sunday. Tables inside are small but comfy. Tried to get into the Commercial Fish Market Retail around the corner-they were open when we arrived around 12:30 pm but were closed when we left. Wanted to pick up some fish to bring home. They had a little fresh fish inside the Yankee but we just decided to return another time. UPDATE NOVEMBER 16, 2013 Went again for the Lobster roll hot this time! Huge chunks of lobster with butter melted on the side for you to pour on. Had the clam chowder & the clams were perfect not rubbery. This time the fries were cold which was the only bad part of the review. Wish they made the fries to order. Husband had the fried lobster roll also with butter on the side. Also really amazingly good not rubbery. Tables full but everyone polite and moved around. Glad we went back!
(4)
Ligaya T.
Thank the lord for Family Guy. Because if it wasn't for that show I wouldn't have been able to pronounce and effectively order the most amazing stuffed quahog (ko-hog) ever to be eaten by (wo)man. Walk through the door and the salivation effect happens instantly. By the front of the line, I wanted everything. So I did what I always do when I can't effectively decide, I ordered it all. Out the side delivery window came crab cakes, said quahogs, a lobster roll, crab roll, fries and extra coleslaw. Oh, did I mention that this was just for two? Okay, point your finger and call me a glutton. But I've no shame.This kitsch little operation is teeming with fresh seafood best enjoyed when dining on their sunny patio or taking out for a stroll and munch on the waterfront. Super casual. Harpoon on tap. Gruffish ladies with northshore accents. What's not to like? Honestly, the crab meat didn't appear to be local and the cakes were a bit soggy but the delicious dill and mustard seed spicing was phenomenal. Oh, and a logistical tip. It gets packed at lunchtime, so I'd suggest calling ahead to order. And they close early in the evening, 7 or 8, so opt for an early dinner. Need a yummy gift? Sending some New England love to your family? Can't make it to an event? In less than 24 hours, you can give someone the surprise of a year (and possibly lifetime) by bulleting them a live lobster from here!
(4)
Francine G.
Fantastic food. Excellent lobster. They even show you the the best way to shuck it. So fresh no butter necessary, but they give you butter any way. 1 1/4 lb lobster, fries, coleslaw plus a beer, for under $23. That's a hard price to beat for all that you get. It truly is one of the best fish markets. You don't need to dress up, jeans plus a good shirt is more than dressed. Do not let the outside look fool you, because the outside isn't the nicest. Wonderful food inside that will make you forget about the exterior.
(4)
Cport J.
Best lobster roll in Boston. Lots of lobster meat, light mayo, and perfectly toasted New England-style hot dog bun. I feel like I could just end the review there, but they actually have quite a few other good seafood options as well! For starters, good clam chowder and very good lobster bisque, and I'm pretty choosy. If you are in the mood for one of those summertime splurges, they have good fried clams, fish, and shrimp. Great shellfish specials (cooked shrimp, steamers). Get your meal with onion rings, not the fries. Plus, Harpoon's UFO and Bud Light on tap, and Corona bottles! Perfect beers to accompany the seafood. All in all, Yankee Lobster is Boston's best clam shack. I don't know about the broiled or grilled options or the fish market, but it does the stuff I care about very well. That's lobster roll, clams (fried and steamers), and bisque/chowder. The prices at Yankee Lobster are in line with other seafood shacks to the north and south of Boston and on the Cape, but with the added benefit that they are located right in Boston (OK, the Seaport. Take the Silver line 3 stops from South Station. They also have free parking). They are cheaper than other comparable local options, like the Barking Crab, Legal Seafood or Summer Shack. [I generally refuse to buy steamed lobsters in restaurants as a matter of principle b/c of the ridiculous mark-up almost everywhere and instead buy 'em at Louie's Alive and Kickin' in Cambridge and steam 'em myself.] A great pre-Bank of America Pavilion option for a beer and some seafood.
(5)
H G.
Tourist Trap !!!!! I eat here since it close to convention center. The food is poorly prepared (? dirty). Save your $$$ and go for Giacomo
(2)
John H.
When I went here the place was very busy. Which was one of the reasons we stopped at this place. It is decorated with lobsters and crabs and well looks real touristy. They have outdoor seating in the front of the place and along the side. I got the fish and chips which came with coleslaw and tarter sauce. The fish was wonderfuly fried. I really liked the french fries and the coleslaw and the tarter sauce was not that memorable.
(4)
Lauren D.
I love this place! I remember the first time I finally got to go after three attempts I finally made it and it was well worth it! I love all the sea food that they have there, lobster bisque, lobster rolls, clams, crab, etc... So delicious! I would say it's best for lunch or a quick easy dinner. Everyone who works there is very friendly. It may smell a little fishy, but what are you going to get when the place is 1.by the sea and 2. cooks/sells fish?! Amazing! I would take everyone!
(5)
Joe A.
I don't eat seafood so here's a review of their chicken finger plate: Chicken fingers had NO taste. The chicken itself was fine but the batter had no taste. You'd be better off getting chicken at McDonald's. French fries were deeply fried and greasy but tasted ok. $11 for a few pieces of tasteless chicken, some decent fries, and a small bottle of water. No plans to return.
(2)
Kevin B.
Let me get right to the point, if your in boston and want a lobster roll go here. One of the best I ever had hands down. The lobster roll is just over flowing in lobster.
(5)
Emily S.
OMG. I found this place by looking at the reviews on Yelp and THANK YOU SO MUCH YOU GUYS WERE SO RIGHT. My dad flew all the way up from Florida to help me move into my new place and as a thank you I needed to find him a great, no frills, purely fresh and delicious lobster. Boy did they deliver. It's completely no frills - your jeans are probably too formal if they don't have holes in them. And it smells like ... fresh fish. But shouldn't it though? We ordered a bazillion things and the only disappointment was the corn on the cob, hardly what we went there for. The 3 pound lobster my dad ordered was perfectly cooked- practically didn't need butter- and super meaty. Even got meat out of the legs. And the claw meat was just silky. Also, the fried clams (strips and bellies) were excellent and the clams and batter were both fresh. And I also got the combo platter with broiled scallops, shrimp and fish and the scallops were incredible. So glad I didn't get fried. The fries were great but we barely ate any since the fish was so good and so filling, and the cole slaw was exactly what cole slaw should be. If you don't mind the fact that it's kind of a hole (some find that charming), and that they only have beer and wine, this place is THE place to go to in Boston for seafood as far as I'm concerned.
(5)
Nicole M.
their lobster roll was delicious!! i am a bit of a mayo whore so i wanted a smidge more mayo, but they exercise restraint when mixing so the flavor of the lobster shines through. comes with fresh piping hot fries and coleslaw for $16.95. this place was so crowded (full of people fresh from the beer tours at harpoon) and super clean - i even checked out the bathroom and it was spotless. i'm drooling just thinking about seafood right now...
(4)
Janet C.
I was in town for business and stayed at the Seaport Hotel. I decided to try the lobster roll there after reading the good reviews on Yelp. The store is fairly small and smell like a fish store but it doesn't bother me. I arrived around 12:30 on Thursday. I had to wait about 5-10 minutes for my order. I had the lobster roll there and a med size lobster bisque. The lobster roll was awesome. It looks small but it's very filling and it's loaded with chunks of lobster meat. The bisque however wasn't that great. It was luke warm and I can't taste more than couple very small lobster pieces. If I have a chance to go there next time, I'd definitely get the lobster roll but will skip the bisque. I also wish the lobster roll doesn't come with fries and coleslaw and drop couple of bucks by not having them.
(4)
Eddie L.
Looking for something to eat during my short visit to Boston, I consulted Yelp and was not let down. Yankee Lobster Fish Market is a real fish market that doubles as a seafood diner. I ordered a lobster roll and was excited by its freshness. I did sample the fish and chips and they were delightful as well. Sure it's not a true sit-down joint, but the other restaurants I passed later that night along the harbor seemed overcrowded and more of a scene than a restaurant. It's a cut and dry experience. You order great seafood, you get to eat it... The only negative I can draw from this now is that I'll never look at seafood the same way...especially in the midwest.
(5)
Jaime K.
I love this place. I was craving clams the other night and knew that they could give me exactly what I was looking for. The full belly clams are lightly breaded/fried and are just deliciously plump. Many places in town will offer a clam box at the same price but only give you measly strips. those aren't real new england clams! Yankee Lobster does it the right way. Also had the wasabi tuna wrap. Inside was a huge thick FRESH piece of tuna with just the right amount of wasabi sauce (some places will pound the sauce on a sandwich not allowing you to actually taste the meat that you're paying for). This was the perfect combination. Now....to the fresh seafood you can take home. I've actually only had their meals here a handful of times but have stopped by on my way home to pick up some ingredients for a dinner many many many times. And as you all know, lobster prices have been steadily rising over the past year. They by far the best prices for live lobsters in town. 1 - 1/4 at $7.99/lb, 1 1/2 at $8.99 to $9.99 (a pound and a half in my eyes is the tastiest). If I feel like splurging on a beautiful summer day, I'll stop by Yankee and pick up a lobster or two for around 14 bucks a piece, steam it myself and enjoy it with butter out on my deck. You step into a Stop N' Shop or other Lobster pounds and seafood joints in town lobsters that size will cost 14 bucks for only a pound! Fish fillets are priced reasonably but isn't as much of a bargain compared to the Lobsters and shellfish. Other pluses: very friendly and helpful staff. they're good at giving you tips on how to cook some of the seafood you purchased. and parking available right next door. Only negative is it's a little stuffy inside whether you're sitting down to eat or standing at the counter ordering your seafood. But doesn't bother me enough to stop coming here!
(5)
Devon J.
Great lobster roll and lobster bisque, the lobster tasted so fresh
(5)
Julie Anne A.
In the industrial area, this little joint was not a disappointment. I had their special baked stuffed haddock with rice pilaf and slaw. The fish was tasty and not overpowered by the stuffing. The rice was plentiful and paired well with the fish. My mom had the 2lb lobster dinner. The lobster was cooked just right. You definitely get your money's worth. It was also convenient that they had a small lot on the side. A downside, their service is slow.
(4)
Justin C.
Great food! You walk inside and order and then the waiters bring your food to you. It's a typical dive atmosphere, and the staff was very nice. The Lobster was slightly overcooked, but not enough to make it inedible. The fishermans platter was outstanding, and if you like fried seafood, this is the place for you. Overall a good meal, and amazingly cheap Lobster.
(4)
Gwenn K.
wondering what happened...This used to be a great place to eat...sitting here waiting for about a half hour for our drink (cashier told us they would be brought over but nope) went and go get them. Staff a bit not there...watched as a girl take an then walk away as the line of people waiting...food well still waiting for that....usually is good...my suggestion...call ahead order and take it to go...
(2)
Todd O.
Worst food I've ever had. I ordered a roll and wrap, took ages to get out food, a couple who ordered two whole lobsters after us got theirs before us, I went up to inquire about it and the food was just sitting there on the counter. Sweet. The food was garbage, wouldn't feed it to my cats. Most expensive waste of money imaginable. The meat on the roll was tasteless, well not completely tasteless it tasted like imitation crabmeat, as if that's what anyone wants 100 yards from the ocean. The swordfish in the roll tastes like barnacles on the side of the boat it came in on and it was all dark and rotten looking. I would recommend staying as far away from this place as possible and maybe eating, often, at their closets rivals. Worst restaurant experience in my entire life in Boston.
(1)
Kate I.
Yankee is a fun lobster shack by the sea-style seafood joint totally accessible from downtown. Great lobster rolls - nicely buttered bun, a solid amount of lobster, and not too much mayo. I went for lunch recently (summertime) and it was blazing hot inside. But outside patio was nice, and we downed our seafood listening to sound checks from some random band playing at the BOA Pavilion. I'm not sure where else you'd find an awesome seafood shack abutting a large concert venue. Random & fun.
(4)
Jen J.
Great place for fried clams and cheap, too. A box of fried clams is only $10.95. If you're not into the fried stuff, they have entrees like Mussels Marinara, Baked Stuffed Haddock and Pan Seared Tilapia. I've never purchased the fresh seafood from the market, but based on what I eat during lunch time, I bet it's good, too. There is limited seating inside and some outdoor seating as well. It's a bit hidden and you need to drive there, but there is usually parking on the side of the building. It's near the Bank of America Pavilion so you can grab a bite to eat before a concert.
(4)
Maria P.
I had seen this place when I first moved into the Seaport area, but I had never eaten there. I decided to change that this past week. I had the fish and chips and my friend had the lobster roll. The fish and chips were ok, just what I wanted (don't expect anything spectacular though and there's only two pieces of fish). The coleslaw was amazing however. I tried my friend's lobster roll and it was pretty good, they didn't go overboard with the mayo which is a good thing. The roll wasn't warm however, somehow I think a warm roll just makes it so much better. The fries were pretty good though. It's a nice little place that I wouldn't mind going back to if I ever felt like having a lobster roll or some fish and chips but only if I wanted to stay close to home.
(3)
Alexandra C.
Stopped here while waiting for our Harpoon Brewery tour the other day. It's kind of in the middle of nowhere industrial park but this little place is so cute, cozy and super casual. the seafood was soooo tasty. we just had the calamari app and scallop app (which i asked for broiled b/c i think the default to everything is battered) and it was some of the best scallops i'd ever had. D.Lishus. too bad i'll probably never venture there unless i'm going all the way out to Harpoon.
(4)
Chris S.
They have stepped it up since they now have competition for lunch.
great seafood. small place right near the water... so you know its fresh. i got the lobster roll ($17)l... and its was all fresh lobster. hardly any filler mayo or celery, but i do like mayo sometimes. the fries were ok, but who comes here for the fries. then i got the lobster bisque ($14) to go... this was delicious with good chunks of lobster. i guess the prices are typical for fresh lobster and the place was ok for atmosphere, but a little small.
(4)
Rutanne Z.
YANKEE LOBSTER, Great Little place .food was real good and the price was right...Staff is laid back, had a guy named Scooter taking care of our table and he was making our night happen..worth another trip
Not much on ambiance, but the food is great and the staff is friendly. The lobster roll was very good - light on the mayo. The fish and chips was excellent - good fish and not greasy. A decent selection of beer too.
(4)
David M.
I go to Yankee Lobster periodically to purchase seafood. I use Yankee Lobster for Holidays and special occasions. I also go there for their Lobster Rolls. The Fish Market: Yankee Lobster has the best shrimp at the best price. Their fish is a little bit pricey but it is restaurant quality so I don't mind paying the markup because its well worth it. Their lobster meat is great and they always load up on tails which is nice. The lobster meat always tastes fresh like it was caught that day (it probably was). I also highly recommend purchasing their stuffed clams and mushrooms. They make the best crab stuffed mushrooms!!! The Lobster Rolls: I will only review their lobster rolls because that is all I have ever eaten on my trips to Yankee Lobster. There is simply no need to have anything else on their menu. The lobster roll comes in a nice toasted roll loaded with lobster and not over mayonnaise. It also comes with some fries and coleslaw. I consider myself a connoisseur of lobster rolls and can tell you that Yankee Lobster makes the best Lobster roll in Boston. Overall: You get what you pay for and more at Yankee Lobster. Everything their is fresh, delicious, and first rate. There staff is also very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.
(5)
Ambre C.
Great lobster roll and wonderful bisque with lots of real lobster. Best bisque I've ever had and that includes so-called five star restaurants. This is not a beautiful, aesthetically appealing restaurant, but more of a functional fish shop that delivers on great food...
(4)
Mika Z.
I went here over the summer in July. I selected this place from the reviews here on yelp. Thank you fellow yelpers for not letting me down! This was a great choice. We ordered (2) lobster rolls ($16.95 each!), a clam box for an appetizer (fried clam strips for $13.95), and a couple of beers. The lobster rolls were tasty. My first time to have one and I loved it! I'd go back in a heartbeat!
(4)
Amanda A.
A couple of months ago my bf was on a hunt for 10+ pound lobster to take to my family for a feast:-) Well he found a 12 pounder at Yankee Lobster. Unfortunately, we were a bit dissappointed as there was not that much lobster meat (we seemed to have gotten more when we once bought a 9 pounder). I called Yankee Lobster just to tell them that although the lobster was great, we were a bit dissappointed since we had paid a good amount of $$ for a big sized lobster which didn't have as much meat in it as we had anticipated. The guy on the phone was super nice about it, and said he'd mail me a gift certificate. With the gift certificate my bf and I went there to eat dinner and we were very impressed. The prices were so reasonable and the taste was so fresh! The food was fantastic and the fact that they cared for their customers made it even better. We will def. be returning soon!
(5)
Laura P.
When we first moved to Boston, we'd drive to Essex for our fried clams until I found out about Yankee Lobster. Their clam boxes (or any of the seafood boxes) are perfect- perfect portion size and price, plus they come with awesome onion rings. If you aren't a friend food fiend (like I am), you can't go wrong with a lobster or crab roll. They also have broiled entrees as specials. We often buy live lobster or other items from their fridge to prepare at home. If you are going to a concert at the Bank of America Pavilion next door, you can have a great meal here prior to the show. Or come and eat on the patio while you listen to a sound check.
(4)
Blanket T.
Mmmm...I got the lobster roll, and it was DELICIOUS. An abundance of chunky lobster meat in a smooth mayo dressing with celery in a bun. So fresh-tasting and fulfilling. It was one of the more expensive items on their menu, but given what you get, it is totally worth it. One of the most delicious things I've eaten recently. Surprisingly I also liked their coleslaw, which I'm not normally a fan of elsewhere. They have a couple of beers on tap, including (not surprisingly) Harpoon, and other bottled beer as well. Very casual place, although it is kind of cramped...not much seating, but luckily we beat the rush. The place could use some better decor and ambiance. Although it took a while for us to get our food, it was well worth it to me. It can get pretty crowded, though, so I'm sure there are people who get their food to go because there just isn't seating available when there's a large crowd of people coming in.
(4)
A C.
I'm not sure what had happen but the taste changed. My favorite lobster bisque looked and taste different...more tangy and darker in color. The fried belly clams coating didn't have that extra crunch that it used it and it seems like there was less clam meat.
(3)
Michael C.
I had my first real Lobster Roll here and it sure was tasty. Oh yeah, and the clam chowder isn't bad either. The place seemed to be like hidden at the edge of Boston but people flocked to this place to eat or buy fish or lobster like nuts. It's a great place to simply go and eat and get out of for some good food. Recommendations: Lobster Roll and Clam Chowder
(4)
Dee C.
this is one of my must go places in boston, and I always pick up fresh maine lobsters here. Their price is great and the lobsters are feisty!
(4)
Justin D.
Simple but good food, would have gave four stars but I don't think it's worth the high price tag. So, two lobster rolls (with fries/rings) a soup, beer, and soda $55 with tax and tip. seems a bit pricy to me but I'll leave that up to the readers. The Lobster roll was very fresh, great lobster flavor, but a little simple (I typically like some seasoning), and a little small. I think they're clam chowder stood out a little more, as it was rich with very good flavoring.
(3)
Bryce S.
This is one of those best kept secrets that really shouldn't be a secret. Especially for fried clams (which is my brother's fault for making me and my wife addicted)! Instead of driving to Essex, wanna stay local? Yankee Lobster's clams are the next best thing. If you throw in the reasonable prices, I'd make them the best in Boston. Maybe that's the advantage (and downside) to being a little more remotely located in the Seaport area. Over the summer we came in on a Friday evening and were surprised to find they changed their dining area to a sit-down, order-by-waiter, service. Which actually felt odd. I don't know if they're still doing this and it's certainly only for some of the nights. During the day, it's what we've love: casual counter service, fresh food, a pretty wide variety of menu items, and GREAT fried clams. You can also buy market-fresh, I mean really fresh, seafood to make at home. They offer stuffed lobsters that you have to order in advance-- I haven't tried that yet though. Upsides: - Great, reasonably-priced seafood, made to order or take home - Free parking - Weather permitting, you can sit in their small outdoor seating area and sneak a listen to whoever's playing or practicing at the Bank of America Pavilion Downsides: - Hard to get to if you don't have a car - Almost nothing else to see or do in the immediate area. - No West Coast oysters that I'd seen, but those wouldn't be as fresh...
(4)
Brian B.
YUM! This place was recommended to us by a friend who had been in the area as a cheap, no frills, excellent seafood place. Once we found it, it lived up to the description, the staff was friendly, the place is small with only a few tables and everything is served on paper plates or baskets, but dont let that fool you, the food was excellent, we got the lobster rolls and were in heaven. We will be back next time we are in the Boston area.
(4)
Zack M.
Yeah, you bet your ass I am a fan of this place.
(4)
Eric M.
Very good place for a reasonably priced meal. I had the fried clam strips and chowder. Chowder was very good and the clam strips did not disappoint. It's definitely worth visiting if you are in the area.
(4)
Pam M.
Delicious - could eat every meal there. Fried calamari, perfectly cooked. Delightfuly suprised by the blackened tuna wrap - delcious. Order at the counter. They have beer and wine. Worth the trip, I could eat every meal there.
(5)
Lianne H.
I could not be more disappointed. I have been a loyal customer to Yankee for 5 years, going there for all of my fresh seafood. This past Sunday, I had a wonderful evening planned with a good friend to enjoy some lobsters. I picked up my two 2-pounders around 2 PM on Sunday, spending $38. I followed the same rules as always, kept them on ice until it was time to cook them up. When I went to do that around 5:30 PM, my feast was dead. I called Yankee right away to see what the policy was and the person I spoke to indicated there was a policy, but he didn't know what it was, but a manager could help me if I called back the next day. When I called, I was put on hold for about 15 minutes. At that point I had to hang up because I had to get to a meeting. I called again last night and spoke to a manager. I was informed that they have a 1-day return policy and I had missed the window. While I explained to him that I did call that very same day, he would not budge. I even said I was willing to compromise with not a full refund, but some sort of credit - still, as he put it, there was nothing he could do. To say I was furious and disappointed is an understatement. It's a local, small business. You'd think they would strive to make their loyal customers happy. Unfortunately, that was not the case. I am sorry to say, I will not be returning, instead giving my business to James Hook.
(1)
Norma F.
Yeah, your getting some great fish here. Maybe a little bit pricey, but all in all the fact you're getting fresh fish is by far worth paying a little more.
(3)
Nicole E.
I was really on the fence as to how many stars to give. 3 or 4. A half would be very handy right now but I rounded up. I ordered 10 lobsters in a carry-on friendly box to take to some family smack dab in the middle of the country. A rare commodity in Colorado. I called several times with questions. Occasionally, the phone would go unanswered. Whenever someone would answer, they were friendly and helpful. The lobsters were delicious and the price was great! I hurried over on Christmas Eve to grab my order before they close despite the fact I wasn't flying out until the following morning. The only other complaint I have is the service when I first arrived in the store. There was a special line for people who pre-ordered. There was a gentleman in front of me and 2 ladies behind me. There were several people working the counter and at least 2 staff members just standing around while we all waited. Finally we get some help and I almost got skipped over because they assumed I was with the guy in front of me. All in all, it wasn't that bad of an experience though the box I got broke before I even got to the airport. I'd go back for my fresh fish needs!
(4)
Joe S.
We got 4 live crabs (for gumbo) and an order of clam strips (lunch) for $30 bucks. Not the most knowledgable staff about the crabs ( when asked how to clean the crab, the young gentleman working told us just to throw out the bodies since most of the meat is in the claws) but they were helpful and friendly. Clam strips were the best this side of Falmouth. Nice decor, open on Sundays unlike many fish markets, and they serve Harpoon products.
(4)
Josie M.
yes. it's good. and fresh. the lobster rolls & everything else. and near a parking lot. which is nice cause you don't need to look for parking! and yes. it is better than the 99.
(4)
Lis L.
Good and fresh seafood with the choice of dining in or out (I recommend that you dine outside with the ocean breeze). The portions are just right, it's not too much, and even the cole slaw tasted like it was made that morning. There is parking to the right of the main entrance. The waterfront has several places to enjoy fresh seafood, but this place looks and feels just like a fish market instead of a more formal seafood restaurant, so it's a nice break.
(4)
Rooster L.
I took some out of town friends here to get some LOBSTA! This place is good. I thought it was a little expensive for what you get and the environment - the lobster roll was $18.95 and was not big. It was simple, which I like, but I was expecting something larger for that price. The fried clams were the best thing we got but I still felt it was slightly over priced. They do have a nice patio (small) where you can drink beer and eat. I was there between lunch and dinner on Saturday night and it was busy but not packed. A good place to go if you are going to Harbor lights since they are right next door. I would go back but I will keep looking for someplace better.
(3)
Dave O.
This was my 3rd trip to Boston but only my first time out looking for lobster. I am actually disappointed with Yankee Lobster. We got the 2 lb dinner ($33) and the fish and chips ($11). I think I should have got the Lobster Roll because that seems to be what they must do well here. I did see it and it looked like a full and tasty sandwich but I wasn't going to fork out another $17 to find out. Anyhow, the lobster was the wettest that I have ever had. It looked beautiful but the the meat was actually tough and my plate looked like a soup bowl afterward. The fish and chips were ok. The chips were actually better than the fish because the fish was actually overcooked which is just not cool for F&C. This was a nice location because it was less than a mile safe walk from my hotel and the convention center. I would probably rate it a 2 but I have a feeling that the lobster roll and clam chowder are probably pretty decent. I do have to say the chowder smelled incredible and I did not notice the fishy fish market smell at all on the day that I was there. If you are onl having one lobster meal in Boston, YL may be an OK choice but I have to imagine that there are other, better options out there.
(3)
Ryan J.
My favorite place for lobster in Boston. They have great deals for a chicken lobster meal for around $17 bucks you just can't beat. It's a little off the main route so you have to make an effort to go there but well worth it. It has outdoor seating as well which is a treat on a warm day. The guys that work here are always fun to chat with and I've even seen them bring out the biggest lobster they have on hand to show if you ask and they aren't busy. Solid food every time and a great place to pick up seafood to take home to cook as well. I
(5)
Greg B.
read the reviews but still surprised by how industrial the neighborhood is; they sit at the border of the trendy Seaport District and the industrial Seaport District, the most prominent AL fresco view is of the Marine Industrial Park. but as others have said the guys at the counter are friendly and the lobster roll is fantastic, I'll be back
(4)
Robert P.
Stopped in for a quick lunch on a business trip. Very busy. Lobster roll was perfect - just the right balance of lobster and roll. Location gives you a taste of a section of Boston
(4)
Kathleen H.
I am a lobster roll fan! I was so skeptical at first...what? lobster meat tossed in mayo and stuffed into a hot dog bun? I laughed at the description that my very animated husband shared with me. We came here on friends' recommendation. They lived here for many years and recently moved to California. During our week long trip in the area, we came to Yankee Lobster Fish Market twice! We LOVED it. First time: five star - lobster roll - delish! not too much mayo but just enough to have it all come together nicely. The buns were toasted just enough to have a great texture but not too warm to contrast with the celery and the lobster meat. four star - whole lobster - we were not sure if the lobster was boiled or steamed, but when we cracked it open, there was a lot of liquid. Another restaurant we went to earlier in the week, when we cracked open the lobster, there was less liquid that came out, so we suspect that it might have been boiled in water instead of steamed at Yankee. The butter didn't seem to be clarified and was a bit murky which had a strong aftertaste. four stars - Fried clams - mu husband loves full belly clams, but for some weird reason, it's just too pungent for me. This comes as a surprise to me as I eat uni and other really pungent foods! My husband loves their fried clams and thought it was battered well! All in all, it was such a great find in the city and we'd totally love to go back again next time we're in town.
(4)
Jennie C.
No frills, just right. (Did I quote an Outback commercial?) I wanted a lobster without the high-brow ambience. Just straight up cook it without getting my credit card declined (hey, girl's gotta spend). I was able to score a 2 lb. lobster special which was $29.99. Not bad deal, indeed. It is a little far out since I actually took a cab from Newbury (reason why my credit cards get declined), but my friend who met up with me took the Silver Line. So if you play your cards right with the MBTA, it shouldn't be a problem. But I think the area will be more developed in the next coming years, so transportation won't be a problem. Only dislike was that since it took awhile for my lobster to cook, they already gave my friend his lobster roll. I don't want my friend to starve, but I rather have both meals given to us together while I starved (he starved too out of courtesy).
(4)
Junelle B.
Long story short! -Long line -Not enough seating -seafood is fresh!! -has nifty salt and pepper shakers ( It's in a corona bottle) -but a bit bland (It could be what we ordered) Oh but I recommend the fries and dab some vinegar malt on it! Nonetheless, I'd definitely go again to try something new!
(3)
Vanessa S.
Excellent food and prices!! We sat outside and got to enjoy the concert at the pavilion during dinner. Definitely going back!
(5)
Chann C.
Ohhhhhhh myyyyyy goodness their lobster roll is amazing!! And so is their lobster mac and cheese! It has a mom and pop feel. I've tried lobster rolls at Neptune Oyster, Summer Shack, Legal Seafoods and other places around Boston, but I find Yankee's lobster roll to be slightly better.
(5)
Michael G.
I am hoping that the 287 other reviews are all tourists, not people from MA, and have no idea what good seafood actually is. I saw the reviews on here. Was down the seaport area and decided to give it a try. I got a large clam chowder $12.99 and a lobster roll around $18. $30 dollars down the drain. Pretty much can rename the clam chowder potato soup. And the lobster roll was about five bites. Decent taste but perhaps the smallest roll I have come upon in the area. Nothing ruins a beautiful sunny saturday summer afternoon like a dissapointing lobster roll.
(1)
Sara M.
Went back for chowder and was happy with the experience. We hit Yankee at the right time as we were able to get a table and there was no wait. We asked for a pitcher of the Harpoon Munich dark and were initially turned down, but then they found a pitcher and served us one. Tried the bisque as well and was pleased. Our only complaint was that the chowder was not hot enough, otherwise a great lunch.
(4)
George B.
The fact that you know that you're being served fresh seafood makes this place wonderful. I especially like the fact that you can take out which is great if you work in south boston and want to enjoy a nice seafood lunch. I would like it to be a bit more clean and have a better service staff. A previous time I was there they completely missed one of our main courses. I guess we just lucked out.
(4)
Rico I.
Lobster Bisque? 10. The lobster? wow, didn't realize I could have better tasting lobster than even at the finest restaurants in AZ, NV or even CA - THIS was by far, best lobster I have ever had. Will be returning...very soon. It isn't cheap - maybe the TV show gave them price inflation, but the lobster was best I have ever had...and I didn't know that was possible.
(5)
Lou G.
When in New England lobster is a must eat. I arrived in port of Boston on 4th of July aboard Queen Mary 2. Thanks to Yelp I knew this was just a short walk to Yankee Lobster Fish Market. Its not big restaurant, just a counter to order and 8-9 tables inside with 3 more on the sidewalk but it is clean and bright. Ordered a 2 lb Lobster dinner, which comes with coleslaw, a piece of corn on the cob, a container of drawn butter and of course the Lobster. It was succulent, sweet and tasty. Others in the party ordered a lobster roll and medium bowl of clam chowder. The Lobster roll was a fresh roll stuffed with great tasting lobster no filler or dressing just lobster goodness. The bowl of chowder was filled with fresh pieces of clam in a creamy broth with just a few pieces of potato. All very good, Lobster dinner was $32, Lobster roll was $20 and bowl of soup was $7 not cheap but a fair price for the freshness of the lobster. This is just down the street from Harpoon Brewery and next door to the Bank of American pavilion a concert venue. They had fish and chips for $11 and many other items but I was too full to try anything else.
(4)
Jonathan C.
Fresh, cheap, delicious. The lobster bisque has more lobster than I expected. Its not often that I see extra lobster meat in bisque, but I'll never complain when it happens. The fried fish and fried scallops were perfect. They were not overtly greasy, just the right amount of grease to let you know its not healthy but oh so good. This is an unpretencious place where you come to taste the sea-food not the spices.
(5)
Erin O.
I was in Boston a couple months ago visiting for the weekend with friends and we stopped in here on the way to harpoon brewery. I am glad we did. The guy recommended the lobster roll which I heard is great but I instead went for the clam chowder and clam strips. The chowder was the best I've had....And it was perfect for the 20 degree weather outside. The clam strips were really good too- they were fresh, sweet, and big (no frozen boxed kind here). I would recommend this place if you are in the area and want a quick bite. Def go for the chowder...
(4)
Timothy E.
Excellent. Don't be tempted by the shinier establishments up the way, take a risk and try this place out. I ate here twice during a recent stay nearby. The grilled swordfish was fantastic. Perfect flavor. I didn't even mind the paper plate it was served on. The lobster bisque was a tad on the bland side, I did have to salt it. The chowder, however, was fantastic. The lobster roll and fries were wonderful. The coleslaw that accompanied them, however, I found to be indelible. Unsure if it was a fluke, but I was willing to overlook for sure. The charm of this place is definitely the no nonsense approach to food, it is unassuming and straightforward.
(4)
Jason K.
My wife and I had some time to kill before a Harpoon Brewery Tour (Awesome tour by the way) We noticed Yankee Lobster about a block away and it seemed like a small fish restaurant. There was no one there when we walked in, but they sure came in later. I ordered the Lobster Roll. It came on a slice of toasted bread, which I thought was odd, but it was like $16 bucks, about 8 bucks less than the main restaurants, and heck, it is a lobster farm. Should be good. It came with a bunch of fries and cole slaw and the lobster roll was awesome. It didn't have too much mayo, which I loved about it. Lots of chunks of lobster and the bread slice didn't take away from the fresh lobster taste. Just the right amount of celery and goodness. It was awesome! My wife got a shrimp platter that looked great as well. We ate outside on a perfect Boston Day. What a great start to a great Boston day! Plus it is right on the bus line. Awesome little place, great service too. They had Harpoon on tap as well if you want a beer.
(4)
Lyndsi S.
My fiance and I were in Boston for a few days and happen to walk by this place after leaving the Harpoon Brewery. My fiance is a burger and chicken guy- he rarely ventures out to try something new. He had the fried lobster roll and I had the regular lobster roll. We also got the clam chowder. Let me say how surprised I was when he was done with his lobster roll within the first few minutes of it being in front of him. He loved it. I also was head over heels for my lobster roll too. The large amount of lobster chunks in the roll definitely makes it worth the price. Now onto the clam chowder. OUT OF THIS WORLD! My fiance has never had clam chowder and he said if he had tried it on the first day we were here, he would have ordered it at every place we went. The staff was helpful in answering questions and providing good descriptions of the food. I can't say enough about how delicious the food was. A must while you are in Boston.
(5)
Katie F.
Lots of lobster in the lobster roll. Lobster Mac and cheese FANTASTIC! Great start to the weekend.
(4)
Bentobox S.
I escaped the hotel-convention center complex and found this little gem. I ordered chowder and a 2lb lobster. The lobster was awesome. Much better seafood and much cheaper that Legal seafood or LTK.
(4)
Dan G.
I only had the lobster roll, but WOW it was so full of lobster I was amazed. The fries were perfect and I loved the simple atmosphere here. The lobster had that perfect fresh taste with very little mayo. Simple and delicious I was happy. Their staff was VERY helpful and kind. I will return each time I go to boston?
(5)
Jeff H.
Lunch while we waited for our group to get into the Harpoon Brewery tour. Tried their Lobster Mac and Cheese and Clam Chowder, both pleasant experiences. The Mac and Cheese had enough lobster in it to be noticeable without overpowering what should be comfort food. The Clam Chowder could have had more clams, but the soup itself was very creamy and rich. Prices felt a little steep even for Boston, though, given that it's more or less a lobster pound/lunch counter. Thus three stars is as high as I can go.
(3)
Honor D.
The calamari was sumptuously tender and delicately seasoned but I wish it also came with cocktail sauce instead of just tartar sauce. The lazy man's doesn't look like a 1 1/4 but it was good enough to satisfy my appetite. Probably should have tried a lobster roll because it looked damned good and was a hefty size.
(4)
Nicole R.
I have been going to Yankee Lobster now quite a bit and have been referring friends there as well. They have great prices on all sorts of seafood items, and have been very reasonable on lobster prices as well. My roommate and I discovered this gem when calling around for lobsters this month. We found that hardly any grocery stores had them on site and that Yankee would also boil the lobsters for us prior to arrival. The staff during pick-up was very helpful and attentive, and we have gone back at least 5 or 6 times this month with friends. I would definitely recommend Yankee lobster for any seafood needs, especially if looking for a nice at-home lobster dinner.
(4)
Joni D.
This place is great when you just want to sit down and get serious about eating lobster. No frills. Just you the butter and some corn and potatoes. You pay half of what it would cost at the touristy places just a few blocks away. Give it a try, you won't be sorry.
(5)
TL C.
Fantastic! Went here with a couple of friends. I shared a calamari app that was delicious! Stayed simple with my meal going with Fish and Chips. I normally have to put a good amount of condiments on my fish but this fish was so fresh and so well prepared that I ate with nothing on it at all and it was amazing! This place will be a regular stop for me every time I am in Boston!
(5)
Mickey M.
Stopped in here before heading to the Harpoon Brewery for a tour. Like others have said, the Lobster Bisque is great, and the chicken finger basket works well for the non-seafood fan. It's a no frills seafood joint, exactly what you'd be looking for in that area, because let's be honest, you probably aren't in the area specifically for the Yankee Lobster Fish Market. They do a bangup job serving quality food.
(4)
Dean Z.
Incredibly overpriced for very underwhelming food. Lobster mac and cheese was flavorless with chewy lobster, crab cakes had too much binder and not enough crab. If you've made it to this part of town just go to Harpoon brewery for a beer tasting and a fresh pretzel and skip the overpriced seafood.
(1)
I.m M.
I wouldn't recommend eating in at this place since there is not much seating, but the takeout is excellent. Love the lobster, very fresh. I would recommend calling ahead to order your lobster because it takes awhile.
(4)
Melissa M.
YES. There is a place to get lobsta, done correctly and that place is in Boston at Yankee Lobster Fish Market. I have had this little place in my "places to try" list for about a year now. Yesterday, was THE day! It was HOT, HOT, HOT in the city of Beans and I wanted LOBSTA. I started craving lobster on Saturday, (and I did end up eating some lobby @ another restaurant that I'll review soon) but, yesterday, I wanted the typical New England style boiled lobsta dinner. So, we drive to 300 Northern Ave -- it's wise to go early on a Sunday and we found a parking space -- no meters to pay, it's SUNDAY! We placed the order around 12pm, we got said lobster around 12:50pm, the place was not crowded, the food just took time. I did not mind waiting as the end result was QUALITY. We got an order of fried clams as an appetizer, but it came out after we started eating the lobster, no biggie. They were good, I'm not complaining. The prices are market price so expect to pay whatever they tell you. We spent 60 bucks and got two lobsters that weighed about 1 and a quarter lbs, some steamed broccoli, that was excellent and some perfect golden french fries. The chalkboard menu stated that the lobster is served with corn on the cob, fries, and cole slaw. Oh, well, I didn't really miss the corn and the slaw. The guys working at the counter were unfazed and very slow, but the man working in the restaurant who was on duty to clean up outside was really pleasant, and I enjoyed talking to him. This man, made up for the surly staff @ the counter. This place is CLEAN and not huge, so, remember to get there early. I do not want to be there during a concert next door @ the pavilion. That would probably be insane in the membrane. I implore you to check out Yankee Lobster Fish Market, it's easy to get to. Take the Silver Line, or just get on your bike and ride. Lobsta and drawn butter on a very hot July, er, I mean April Sunday, what could be better. They serve beer and wine too. My fiance tried their homemade glass-bottled Lobster Juice, it's a raspberry/lime beverage, he said it was good. Get thee to Yankee Lobster! LOBSTA!!!
(5)
Javier G.
Tastes good. Reasonable price. Decent portion.
(4)
michele h.
The Boyfriend and I went into Boston proper today, my first time since moving here from San Diego two months ago. After finishing our errands, I wanted to see Boston Harbor so we were driving around and literally just came upon this restaurant. Knowing The Boyfriend's addiction to seafood, I knew a mere nudge would get him to stop for a late lunch no matter the price! It's been years since I ate freshly caught anything. I had the fish, shrimp and calamari combo plate for $14.00 which comes with fries and coleslaw. Seriously, their food is a STEAL at $14.00 given how fresh everything is. I could taste the natural sweetness of the shrimp because it hadn't been frozen out of them! The calamari rings and tenticles were almost buttery and soft, no chewy texture. The fish was in big yummy flakes. Everything was perfectly cooked. Even their fries and coleslaw were wonderful. As was the tarter and cocktail sauce, which tasted like they'd been made on premises. The Boyfriend had the fish and shrimp combo for $11.00. Here's another bonus about this place. We got there about 3:00pm so there were empty tables and there about 3 parking spaces left in their lot which is free parking. Which if you know Boston, parking is expensive. So, I highly suggest coming in the off hours like we did. I imagine in the summer months, the wait here is a really long one. We're already dying to come back here and try a fresh lobster and other menu items!
(5)
Brad L.
I spent a lot of time in Boston this summer and sampled a LOT of clam chowder. This no-frills fish market has the best chowder I tried. The clams were plentiful and tasted fresh. The potatoes were not too mushy and the creamy broth was thick, but not overly so (a problem with many chowders I tried). The fried fish sandwiches are also pretty good, but the chowder is definitely the standout here. A bowl is enough to fill you up.
(4)
Eugene N.
This was the first place I went to straight from the airport. Everyone raves about the Boston clam chowder so I had to give it a shot, so I just went to the first place I saw, which was Yankee Lobster. Ordered a lobster plate too (mainly because it's called Yankee Lobster). Everything was pretty good. The clam chowder is different than what we get in California. The lobster was great! The chowder was good too. It was kinda like a fast food joint so you order and pick up and eat at your table so I wasn't waited on. Great food but a tad pricier, but what do you expect for seafood?
(4)
Melissa R.
We were disappointed. Everything was just OK, nothing stood out or would make us come back. We wanted to come here because we saw it on DDD. We started off with the cod cakes which were pretty good, but it went downhill from there. We were excited to try the lobster Mac n cheese, but there wasn't a lot of lobster meat and overall it was bland. The salmon burger was pretty boring and the bun was dry without any condiments. Lastly we tried the clam chowder which had a weird taste. It is very small with limited seating. It does have one good thing going for it, which is the location in the Seaport district.
(2)
Catherine W.
This place's about 5 min. walk from the Silver Line bus stop, near to the white dome. We've ordered a 2 lb steamed Lobster dinner($29.95, includes fries & coleslaw ), Lobster Roll ($15.95) and a cup of Clam Chowder. The lobster was a good size, and the meat tasted sweet & succulent, but the plastic fork they provided was useless when it comes to cutting the lobster open, they really need to do that with a real knife in the kitchen before serving to us. The lobster roll was packed with lobster meat, and pretty tasty, the clam chowder was flavorful, but luke warm~ i really like my foods served pipping hot, especially on a cold windy day. All in all a good place to have lobster without breaking the bank.
(4)
Kim V.
I discovered this place after going to the Chowda Fest in 2010. In my humble opinion, their clam chowder was THE best, hands down. This prompted a trip to the actual restaurant where we found a lobster roll that was SO amazingly good. Lots of meat, light mayo. It also comes with fries that are really tasty too. I've been here several times and most everything I've had has been good. I thought the lobster bisque was ok, and would recommend the chowder over it. When my mom came out to visit, she wanted lobster, and this is where I took her and she loved it. Every time she talked to me, she asked me about this place. Yes, it is THAT good.
(5)
Mike M.
One of my least favorite lobster rolls since moving to New England was eaten here at Yankee Lobster Fish Market. I was excited to see it, as there was very litte mayo and a lot of lobster meat, but when I sunk my teeth into it, all I could taste was blandness. There was abolutely no flavor or taste in the roll. At this price point, I'd much rather go to James Hook. Only positive I see to Yankee is it's proximity to Harpoon Brewery.
(1)
Karen P.
Pretty good for a quick food menu. Fried food was awesome. Ended up with a tummy ache after. Deck dining has no air movement, hot and stuffy.
(3)
Laurie B.
I got the clam chowder and crab cake sandwich, both were delicious. I also thought the coleslaw was very good too, which i'm usually picky about. One disappointment was they ran out of lobster mac n cheese before we arrived. I wish i had a chance to try it. Well when we visit Boston again, I will defintely try to come back to try it. Price wise I didn't think it was too bad when comparing to other seafood places in the area, but then again you don't have a waitress you just order at the counter.
(4)
L T.
I have eaten here over 10 times and I order the lobster roll every time. They give you A LOT of lobster and the order comes with delicious fries. I love this place. It gets pretty crowded around lunch time in the summer. It's probably a good thing that the shack is a little bit out of the way (it's right next to the BOA Pavilion in the Seaport Area) because I'd spend everyday here and my cholesterol level would be out of control (not to mention my pocketbook as well).
(5)
Nick M.
Great little stop. Reasonable prices. Steamed lobster was excellent for the price. Chowder was good. Lobster bisque was also good. Just right for a casual lunch or dinner I enjoyed my meal and so did the other 5 members of my group.
(3)
Jon H.
No frills seafood. We got the 3lb lobster dinner (with fries, corn, slaw), fish and calamari plate, and two beers for about $70. Of course, we could order the special 1.5lb maine lobster dinner (with fries, corn, slaw) for $12.99, but we opted for more meat all around. But I'd say if you are coming here for a quick seafood fix, the daily deals are the way to go. The lobster came out freshly steamed, with uber thick melted butter, lots of fries, a little skimpy on the fish & clamari, bibs, and a shell bucket. The meat was plentiful and succulent, cooked perfectly, juicy, and fresh to death. No frills seafood for good prices - just make sure you've got a car to get here if you're a tourist.
(4)
Amy C.
I AM A FAN! I had the lobster bisque, lobster, green beans, and fries. If not for the lobster bisque, this would definitely be a 5 star joint. The lobster was so fresh and the green beans (replaced the corn) were crunchy, flavorful, and awesome. Lobster bisque was too creamy for my taste, and the lobster pieces were kind of small. I wish I had tried the clam chowder instead now. The lobster was the definite highlight - lovely texture and delicious flavor. Service was also fast and friendly, which is a definite plus.
(4)
Rockne H.
First stop on my Boston adventure: check into the hotel and grab some dinner! Prior to my trip, I took some time to research the area and found out a local joint a couple blocks down from the hotel was actually featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. I KNEW this was a place to check out! When you approach the joint, you notice a couple of outdoor seating areas, one in the front and one to the side of the building. The building may give off the impression that the restaurant is big but trust me, it's not! When you walk in, you'll see some tables, but certainly not enough to accommodate the crowds that day. WOW! The line went out the door and it didn't seem like it would ever end. This was definitely a good thing! The inside was filled with character! Neon signs, olden day photographs, chalk board pillars with menu items written all over really contributed to this joint's zany character. The staff was alright. They were efficient and always on the move. Not very personable but super accommodating in customer service, so no complaints. For my meal, I wanted to try the same items Guy Fieri tried when he visited the place. Here's what I thought: Cod Cake Plate for $8.99. This was delicious! Two cod cakes, served with a homemade remoulade sauce and a lemon wedge with a side of fries and coleslaw. The fries were nice and crispy, not to salty. I liked how the slaw wasn't drowning in mayo and had a light tang to it. The cakes were filled with lump cod meat and not a lot of filler, just enough to bind them together. Add in a few herbs and spices, and man! The only thing better was using the remoulade dipping sauce to enhance the overall all flavor profile! HIGHLY recommend this! Lobster Mac and Cheese for $13.99. This was also a flavorful dish! Macaroni pasta, lobster meat, cheese and topped with crispy panko bread crumbs. The macaroni was cooked to perfection and the cheese wasn't drowning the dish, which I loved. I also loved how the panko was seasoned and really brought that crunchy texture to the dish. The lobster meat was definitely overcooked though. Maybe less time in the cooking process and this dish would have been a home run for me! To go along with my dinner, I also got the Harpoon UFO tap beer, recommended by the server, for $6 a glass. Local beers are always great to try when you visit an area and I'm glad I decided to get it! The beer was light, smooth, definitely a wheat beer and had a slight resemblance to a Shock Top and Blue Moon. Delicious! I love how this place really incorporates locally caught food with locally brewed beers. Today, I felt as if I hit a gold mine in Boston! If you are ever in the Seaport area, this is definitely a place you want to hit up! Take Guy's recommendations. You won't be disappointed!
(4)
Eddy E.
Good and inexpensive 2ibs lobster with good service. Harpoon beer from local brewery just off the corner from this restaurant makes it taste that much better. Good service too. Might want to consider sitting inside as the wind blew our plate of french fries and almost hit the person behind us in the face. Missed it by inches...hahaha...
(5)
Patrick D.
Finally tried Yankee Lobster yesterday after being in Boston for years. When we arrived outside the restaurant, there was a pretty long line but it moved quickly. We waited outside of the store for about 20 min and then were able to go inside to order. We ordered the lobster roll, lobster club, and clam chowder. After ordering, all seating is first come first serve so we found a spot outside easily. We then waited at our table for another 15-20 min for out food to come. Luckily, they gave us the chowder directly after ordering to hold us over before our meals. Both lobster dishes came with fries and cole slaw. The lobster was incredibly fresh and both sandwiches were delicious, yet the lobster roll was disappointingly small. The lobster BLT had a bit more substance to it so we were happy we split both to have half of each. Pricing was a bit stiff, but quality lobster was served so will accept paying for it.
(4)
Danielle R.
Not impressed. First, we walked in and the garbage cans are right by the front door, they stunk to HIGH heaven. Seriously, bad, like made me gag bad. Probably want to move those outside, garbage cans stuffed with fish parts is not good smelling stuff. It's very small inside only maybe 10 tables, the floors were dirty, definitely needed some cleaning...made me a little nervous to be honest. Because we wanted to try it all we opted on the Fisherman's Platter ($39.95), even though it doesn't say it, you can order it fried or broiled. We opted for broiled and then were told there was no way they could broil the claims so those would come out fried. OK no problem. We got our drinks and sat down. Meal was close to $60 for lunch, at a somewhat fast food place...kind of pricey. We waited some more.... Guy finally came over and apologized that the kitchen inadvertently fried our meal so we would have to wait some more time before ours was ready....OK. Didn't offer us pieces of the fried meal or a consolation prize, nothing, nada, zilch...so we waited some more. Guys sat down next to us. About 5 mins later one guy gets a lobster roll with fries. Looks really good. Friend is there with him, I actually thought maybe he didn't order any food. Oh but he did...about 15 mins after his friend got his food & subsequently ate it, he mentioned to the guy that he still hadn't gotten his food. #crazy FINALLY, our food comes out and to be honest, looked kind of scary, the whole plate was white (fish and all), on Styrofoam, with plastic utensils. See pix Calamari was the worst thing, small and not very good. We never got any claims...not sure where they were, but by this time we were so hungry didn't matter. Fish was actually surprisingly good. Lobster was overcooked and tough and was just the tail, maybe 4 ozs of meat. The HANDS DOWN WINNER were the scallops...man they were amazing...that's why this is a 2 and not a 1. So my advice here is 1) eat outside away from the dirty floor and stinky garbage 2) bring your wallet 3) order the scallops only
(2)
Hannah P.
Tried this place with a friend for lunch and we were very pleased!! We ordered the lobster rolls which were delicious with not too much mayo although I wasn't a huge fan of the celery mixed in. The crab cakes were awesome. Full of crab meat and great zingy tartar sauce. These are not on the level of Maryland ones, however, still fantastic. We also ordered the fried clams which were perfect. Great quick fry and not too greasy at all. The place is very cute. I would recommend going for lunch due to the very informal, kinda dive nature of the place (in a good way). You order at the counter and then they bring it out to you, and there is not a lot of seating so I would not recommend for large groups.
(4)
Melissa H.
This place is by far my favorite lobster roll destination. I loved it so much that on a summer vacation last year (before I lived here full time), we drove about 3 extra hours to have a lobster roll and get back on our road trip home. The service is always prompt and friendly. The restaurant/counter service is clean. it's seafood the way I expect - fresh off the boat!
(5)
Joel C.
We were wrapping up our trip to Boston by checking out the Harpoon Brewery, and decided we needed one last seafood meal. Our bartender suggested this place, and it was a quick walk from the brewery. This place has a much different setup than the last seafood place we ate at, with orders being taken at a counter. I ordered some fish and chips and a couple of crab cakes. Positives -Cheap. Full order of fish and chips, crab cakes, and drink was a little over $20. -Pretty tasty food, it's certainly not high end seafood, but it does the trick. -Laid back atmosphere. -Easy, short walk from Harpoon Brewery...nice 1/2 combo. Negatives -Has a bit of a dive feel to it, might be a turnoff to some...but not me. Great place for a quick bite if you're craving seafood, and makes a good combo trip with Harpoon Brewery.
(4)
Don S.
Got the fish stew and platter combo 2, which includes fried fish, scallops and shrimp. I initially thought the fish stew wasn't all that, but it was actually pretty tasty after a few spoonfuls. As for the combo, the seafood was really fresh and everything was fried well. The platter came with fries and coleslaw. For just the two items, the check came to $27. Kinda pricey for food that wasn't fall-off-my-chair good, but overall, good experience.
(4)
Ashley W.
I have been searching for a good HOT lobster roll for a while now and have finally found the spot! Out of this world!!! Be sure to get there kind of early though or else you'll have to wait in a pretty hefty line to get in the door. Well worth the wait though! Perfect location, as it is right beside Harpoon Brewery. Go to Yankee Lobster, grab an amazing lunch, and then head over to Harpoon's tap house for a few beers!
(5)
Margaret V.
Affordable and delicious lobster rolls! They get really busy with a line out the door, but the line moves, you order at the counter, and then take a seat. Good amount of lobster meat, I could have used maybe a claw more, but the roll is perfectly toasted, and the fries that come with it are pretty amazing - crispy, crunchy fries. Our fried calamari and clam chowder order was forgotten, but delivered later after we reminded them. The fried calamari was soggy and not crunchy at all. It might be because they rushed out the order and it didn't fry for long enough, but I still wouldn't recommend the fried calamari. They close at 9pm, wish they were open later, but if you can't get into Neptune or Island Creek, try this place!
(4)
Louise N.
Upon a recent visit, we found the line to be seated seemed very long. So, we decided to try to cheat! They will let you see the menu, call inside, and order to-go. (Lots of others were doing this as well.) We wandered over to the pier and watched the water for a while and got our food within about 20 minutes. The only problem with this plan is when you get your food, there is really no place to go. If there was a park or something near by, you would be golden! Besides, by the time we got the food, we probably would have been 3/4 through the line anyway. (Sorry, for this reason, I can't comment on service or ambiance.) Next time, we won't try to beat the system and we'll just wait in line to eat inside! :) The cold lobster roll was AMAZE! So fresh! Very light on the mayo, perfect balance of herbs and celery. Honestly, I can say the best I have had. The crab cakes were just ok. Not very flavorful, a little bready, and not quite cooked enough. There is free parking on the side of the building! Bonus! But the dude manning the lot is beyond surly! We got yelled at to "park over THERE, not HERE!!" and "You're here to eat right?? No concert, no sightseeing, you are IN and OUT!" Damn, man! Chill out!
(4)
Spiny N.
Lets start with a caveat. This was my very first Lobster roll so I have nothing to compare it to. B At 19.88 it was from what i could tell a fair price. Seen 16-24. Bb of fresh steamed lobster piled into a soft whitebread roll. Not much sauce which I saw as a good thing allowing the lobster to shine through. The fries were so-so and the slaw was well above average. Stuffed clams were excellant and good size. The calamari was a little overcooked for my taste. All in all an great place for seafood in an unpretentious setting.
(5)
Luke A.
decent fare for a shanty shack located near the back end of the Harbor point. Located right near the Harpoon Brewery, parking can be a chore to find. . . unless you're smart enough to go round the side and realize they offer parking there. Food is good, fresh, and pretty quick. Lines can get long and seats are a bit tough if you arrive during peak hours. Also, the clams seem to sell out mighty quick too (except for the strips). Not mind blowing food but its good. however, a lobster going for 40+ is pretty ridiculous. Pricing is not cheap, which is fine, gotta make money for being part of a Food Network show. Decor is atypical of a beach comber kind of atmosphere and service is. . . present. Worth the trip and a few repeat visits though; definitely a place to check out at least once in your lifetime. Tip: Sometimes you will encounter table "hawkers" . . . people who stare at you while you sit and eat waiting to finish so they can have your table.
(4)
Connie L.
The line can get super long! Out the door! So get there a little before lunch time to avoid! Got the lobster roll and I didn't want the fries so I swapped it for a side salad! (Same price though) Compared to the lobster roll I had had the day before from Boston chowda company (?) it was very different. Less mayo, and the bread was plain unlike the Boston chowda one which had tons of mayo and garlic bread. I liked it because I was able to enjoy the fresh plain taste of the lobster more... And since I'm from Maryland, I loveeee the taste of seafood. I also added a little old bay and was good to go!
(4)
Paul C.
I tried the lobster roll twice, the clam chowder, and the lobster bisque. I tried a lobster roll at two other places around town, and this one tasted the freshest, it was prepared perfectly and there was so much lobster that it over flowed the small piece of bread it came in. The clam chowder had big full pieces of clam inside and wasn't seasoned to the extreme like other places I tried. Just great tasting, fresh chowwwder. The lobster bisque had big pieces of lobster inside, and I didn't have to add any seasoning. Old bay sat on the table. This place is small, but quaint, they will prepare any dish to your liking. Its a ten minute walk from the bcec(convention center).
(5)
Marshall C.
Fish & Chips, drafts, vibe. Nailed it. Close to the water, a brewery and excellent selection of seafood. Very casual feel about the place. Fish was piping hot, light fry.
(4)
Carolin M.
Very small place but very fresh food. I ordered a whole lobster. It comes with fries and cole slaw. We got lucky got lucky and didn't have to wait long. No line at all for early dinner. Lobster was great, so we're the fries.
(4)
Lamont C.
Friends from Chicago were in town and wanted seafood, went through my mental rolodex of Legal, skipjacks, Atlantic fish, and decided on Yankee Lobster to give them an authentic quality, fresh off the boat feel Boston experience. I did tell them it was no frills, definitely not white table, but where the locals go. They were not disappointed, lobster mac and cheese, lobster rolls, and fish and chips.....couple was very happy with quality and price. Staff were quick, and helpful....keep up the great work... When I say this place is "Divey" it is said with love and respect.....
(4)
Yiting Z.
Really good price. We ordered a 6-pound lobster for four people, but it is too big to finish it. The fried calamari is soft and shrimp cocktail is fresh. Highly recommended if you want to eat lobster in Boston. PS: it has free parking as the park fee is really high in this area.
(5)
Pack C.
We went to the place twice during our 3 days visit. It just shows how amazing the place is! Our first visit was in the AM when they just opened the restaurant. We loved everything we tried lobster roll, clam chowder, seafood platter (fish, shrimp, seafood: super fresh) most dishes come with sides of fries. They did the double fry fried (coated with flour) which were amazing, very crispy and fun to munch! The 2nd was during dinner hours. 30 wait to order and close to 45 min wait for food. That was ok. At least, we felt blessed that we got a table. We had boil lobster this time, again really good. Disappointment was they no longer double fry their fries. I guess too many customers to do the additional step. Well, I still highly recommend the place
(4)
Sylvia C.
Yes!!! Solid lobster roll, chowder, and fried clams. Absolutely delicious. The lobster was all filling and not doused with dressing. Bread was soft. You can taste every morsel of lobster meat, and it was cooked perfectly and not overcooked at all. I love fried food, so the clams complimented the roll really well. The batter was perfect and not too salty or over battered. The chowder was solid. A lot of clams and flavorful. The price is on point relative to other places. I haven't tried Neptune Oyster's lobster roll yet, so keep that in mind when reading this. It's definitely better than Boston Chowda company. But Boston Chowda is also less expensive, so it's also solid for the price.
(4)
Erwin G.
Yelped it and went for it. Guy Fieri ate here, that's piece of mind, the lobster should be great. Ordered lobster roll and bisque. I think they use a whole lobster tail per sandwich, that's wild man. I used a fork to eat all the pieces falling off the roll. I enjoyed that very much. The lobster was fresh and delicious. The bisque was a bit thick in consistency for my preference but flavor is 100. Recommendededed!
(4)
Ashley K.
All you people going to Legals Seafood are idiots! Wow. Just all I can say is wow. The space itself has some nice old timey music playing, very clean, and you wouldn't be able to tell by the smell that they serve seafood. (A GREAT sign!) Even when slammed with the lunch crowd, the counter staff is very friendly. On a nice day, I'd recommend sitting outside as enjoy the weather and the best lobster you will ever have! I got the stuffed clams. They are cooked to perfection, a crispy breadcrumb crust, just wonderful flavor throughout and a good deal of clams. It's totally worth burning your mouth to just dig right in immediately. To be honest they don't even need lemon, so try it before but add it if you want. Then the grand slam was the lobster Mac and cheese. Served in its own tin foil tray straight from the oven, it's just a delight to see on your plate. There are these massive hunks of the best flavored lobster I've ever experienced with this pleasant creamy cheese sauce with al dente elbow mac. Lobster Mac is one of my favorites and I've had it all over (NYC, Philly, San Diego, extra.) but this takes the cake. Top it all off with one of their own brand sodas (root beer was great) or a local beer on tap, and you have yourself one of the best Boston Seafood experiences! I'll be back for sure.
(5)
Sal R.
Awesome Lobster Rolls!! This place is the "BEST OF THE BEST" in Boston!
(5)
Philippe D.
One of the last original place in southie now some other became tourist. Always very busy. Be ready to wait for a table or share one outside. Best deal is the steamed lobster. The lobster roll is uneven quality depending on the day and I guess who made it. Had some excellent one but some not. However it is a place where you get fresh seafood.
(4)
Zak K.
Good food at reasonable prices. The place is small and crowded, but the service is fast.
(4)
Amilton B.
Great location, fresh food, can't beat it! I came here during the middle of the week so it wasn't packed. I ordered the fish sandwich and my girlfriend ordered the Calamari. The food tasted great and definitely hit the spot. I recommend this place to fans of seafood and people looking for some good food and beer.
(4)
Kitrina D.
I really enjoyed Yankee Lobster! After reading the good reviews and seeing how close it was to my hotel, I had to try it. At first I thought it was a little pricey ($20 for lunch), but I didn't realize how much food I was going to get. I got the lobster bisque and the Yankee fish sandwich. The sandwich came with fries and slaw, which I wasn't expecting, but I could have lived without. The slaw wasn't bad, but I wasn't a fan of the fries. They also had very friendly service! I would definitely recommend any of the seafood and am going to recommend it to all of my friends in the area!
(4)
Aoife A.
Excellent food! The staff were all beyond nice - they even seemed like they enjoy their job!
(5)
Jessica J.
Ok so coming to New England I was told I had to try a lobster roll. So I did. It was ok. I got the cold one here, I'm regretting not getting the hot one. It was rather bland. Idk I was expecting more. I did also have the clam chowder and it was good. Overall, I do not think it was a meal worth $27 at all. However, coming to New England for the first time, I'm glad I gave it a try.
(3)
Dj K.
I really enjoyed my lobster roll and lobster mac & cheese. The gentleman working there was nice enough to crack my moms lobster for her and gave us a tour of all the stored lobsters on the back!! The lobster bisque was super delicious! They were super helpful and willing to complete our orders just as we liked them.
(5)
Jeff C.
Lobster bisque was good, lobster roll didn't knock by socks like you might expect. Good atmosphere, especially when a band is warming up next door. Worth the trip
(4)
Michelle G.
This was our first stop after a long flight to Boston. We all wanted fresh seafood so we headed here right out of Logan Airport. We found free parking and walked right in, not even a wait. I ordered the 2lb. lobster and the guys ordered their combo seafood plates. The food was out quickly and everything was awesome. The only reason I took one star off is because I felt my lobster was a bit overbooked. It was still awesome, way better seafood than I can get in Az! The guy and gal running the place were fast and attentive. Give em a try if you are in the area!!
(4)
Paloma D.
This would be a great place if... The fish was fresh! It was such an awful experience, cold food ( supposed to be warm) the "broiled seafood platter", combo 2, was from the day before because I was sick all next day, awful.
(1)
Jessica L.
I would really recommend this place! The seafood was incredibly fresh, and their lobster tanks were in the back of the store. What was good about this place? Well, for what you are getting, the price is actually very reasonable. I paid a little over $40 for 2 people. We both got a soup (lobster bisque and clam chowder) and an entree of fish and chips each. I think that's really reasonable for the amount of food we got. Not only that, the food was delicious! I tried part of my companion's clam chowder, and it was delicious! The clam tasted so fresh! The lobster bisque is one of the better ones I've tasted in recent history. Also, the fish and chips were cooked perfectly. It practically fell apart by itself, it was very tender. The people who work there are very nice. It got really crowded there, but they were very efficient in bringing out food and making sure everybody was happy. You have to go up to put in your order, but they bring out the food to you. Also, there's a small parking lot right next to the place where you can park for free! - not a common thing in the Boston area! I would enthusiastically recommend this place! And-I intend to go back in the very near future! Great seafood at a great price! I think it's one of the best seafood places in the Boston area.
(5)
Gina W.
Stopped in around 3pm on a sunny Saturday. Place was busy, but we were able to get a seat (they have outdoor seating as well). Ordered a Combo 2 (shrimp, fish & scallop) $19.99, lobster roll $18.99 and lobster bisque. Lobster bisque was nicely flavored and had big pieces of lobster (wasn't very hot though). Lobster roll also had lots of lobster, nicely seasoned, bread was toasted. The combo was fresh, fried but not oily - we both thought lobster roll was the better buy. Both came with decent amount of fries. Would come again just for the lobster roll and maybe try the full lobster next time.
(4)
Su L.
SO AWESOME. Lobster roll was amazing. Clam chowder was even more amazing. Crab cakes were good. Cute outdoor seating area. Big selection of beer. Definitely the best meal we had while visiting Boston.
(5)
Adam S.
I came here and had the lobster roll. It was absolutely delicious. There was a 40 minute line but it was worth it.
(5)
Devonshire B.
Dang, this place is bumpin'. There are long lines for a reason, but I probably wouldn't come back here if I was visiting Boston again. It's a little overwhelming and not worth the 40+ minutes of waiting. We passed on the lobster, seeing as Maine captured our hearts (or rather stomachs) in that area. We got the fried clams instead, as well as the mac-n-cheese. The clams were pretty good! A lot of breading though, although generously sized. The mac-n-cheese was mediocre and a little odd tasting - I couldn't put my finger on it. And the side of coleslaw that came with the meal was watery and lacking. I'd give the place a 2.5, but it wasn't bad enough for that. So 3 it is- for mediocrity.
(3)
Josh W.
Great seafood! I got the lobster roll and we got a side of crab cakes, both of which were really good. My girlfriend's salmon burger was good too. The fries and coleslaw on the side were great as well. It was pretty crowded (we went on a Friday night), but didn't have any trouble getting a table. Prices were reasonable, especially for the seaport area. If you're looking for an upscale seafood restaurant on the water, this probably isn't the best option. But if you're looking for fresh, local seafood at good prices, this is definitely your place! We will definitely be back!
(5)
Margaret H.
We had a great experience! The clam chowda was, like many have said, best we've ever had! The lobster roll was also fresh and solid! Not soaked in mayonnaise like some. Definitely a go if you're in Boston!!
(5)
Ryna D.
Being in Boston of course we had to have lobster! After a quick Yelp search we decided to come to this spot. I like that it's located outside the main tourist drag so there was no wait. In fact it's a very casual spot that I would probably frequent as well if I lived in Boston. We ordered 2 different kinds of lobster rolls and a baked clam. The hot lobster roll was basically warm lobster meat on a toasted bun with melted butter to pour over. It's perfect for lobster purists as you just get simple yet perfect lobster yumminess. We also got the more classic cold version and it was also delightful! The rolls come with fries and cole slaw and the naked clam was also very good. All that was certainly enough to get us full and at a very good price point. So if you're looking for a no nonsense type of place with the best fresh seafood this is your spot.
(5)
J P.
Clam chowder to die for, creamy and perfect in texture and ratio of soup to potato and clam. the lobster roll was good the bread wasn't that good for the roll it was kind of soggy. lost stars because they got my order wrong and left out a dish of shrimp i ordered in my to go order. the dining area is small seats maybe 30 people at most. but friendly fast staff and the food is really good. just check your order before leaving with take out
(3)
TinoX T.
Nice Place to Try,My first time here and I can Tell u i Become a regular :) Nice Food,Good service
(3)
Greta H.
We ordered the fisherman a platter and it turned out that it was all fried. Blah. We were disappointed that it wasn't fresh--but we should have realized it. The mac and cheese with Lobster was okay--not really anything to talk about later. The fries were just normal fries. Coma food quality as my husband said. Make sure to ask before you order and if it's fried, get something else that isn't fried! 36/100
(3)
Stephanie B.
Went for an early dinner with my husband and baby daughter. Cozy place, thankful we got there when we did otherwise getting a table would've been difficult. Food was tasty and fresh. Lobster bisque was the best I have had so far in Boston. Deliciously fresh cornbread. I had the hot lobster roll which was cooked well and overflowing with lobster. Only thing I thought was mediocre were the french fries, but not a reason not to go back.
(4)
Arlo W.
I waited a week to write this review to fully digest the experience and to choose my wording. My son and I traveled to Boston for a few events and took some time doing research on various eateries in the area. We both do a good bit of traveling and enjoy finding local non-chain restaurants to patronize. After seeing Yankee Lobster featured on an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives we decided to give it a shot before heading off to a convert at the adjacent concert venue. First thing anyone needs to know is that the seating is very limited, so if you are bringing a larger group or family that by be a bit of a challenge. We ordered both the Clam Chowder and the Lobster Mac. The Chowder was a bit on the thin (soupy side) and the potatoes were extremely firm and from being fully cooked. The overall flavor of the chowder was not bad but then again it was not anything truly special or of a quality that supported the $7.99 price for a medium cup. The big disappointment was in the Lobster Mac and Cheese. This $13.99 portion was in no way shape or form worth the price nor was the quality on a par that would could be considered anything more than cafeteria food. Yes, we dissected the plate of food, a paper plate, and found only 6 pieces of lobster and and few microscopic remnants of what we believed to be lobster. The overall taste of the dish was bland. We felt as if we had been totally ripped off. I did not go in with the expectations of receiving a meal on par with a 4 or 5 star restaurant but I did expect to receive a meal that was edible. On a positive the staff was very friendly and polite and the slop did arrive in a timely manner. One thing to keep in consideration is that if you are looking for a clean dinning experience ...go elsewhere. It was as dirty as a restroom in a gas station on some deserted interstate. This was the worst experience on the trip.
(1)
Elle S.
"Yay! I'm a fan!" This is a great little shop by the water to grab a crab sandwich and clam chowder. It is very casual and seats maybe 25-30 people. We walked in expecting something more fancy, but this was great for a mellow evening. You order from a deli counter and the food comes out to your little 2-4 person table. I started with clam chowder that had a good amount of clam in it (bonus points!), then I went for a crab salad sandwich. The crab salad was very heavy on the crab and easy on the mayo. Perfect! I can't remember what my dinner partner had, I just remember the "mmm..." and yummy sound effects from the other side of the table. This is a great little place to hit up if you're adventuring in Boston.
(4)
Mira S.
A cute little place something between a sit down place and the hole-in-the-wall others have described. Competent, friendly staff. Various price points, not cheap, but reasonable. The salmon meal came with two sides, and it was all very good. Generous portion of salmon, very nicely cooked, good rice pilaf, and a generous helping of non-iceberg lettuce salad (no dressing, though). There's everything from lobster rolls to full entrees, and takes 15 minutes or so, and they bring it to your table. I think the "hole-in-the-wall" description is a little overdone. If it were a deli it wouldn't be a big deal, but it is because it's a fish place, and it's at the end of the seaport way out in the relative middle of nothing (in the middle of Boston, of course). There's a nice outdoor seating area next to the place where they'll come find you. You do bus your own plate afterwards.
(4)
Ahmed A.
It's above average. I got the hot lobster roll. Neptune's is so much better...more expensive too...but worth it. I didn't think the portion was that big. Not much flavor. I had s lobster roll at Row 34 last week and it was much more flavorful.
(3)
Michael F.
I'm visiting from California so of course I have to try the lobster roll. But not only do they have the lobster roll, but they have a hot lobster roll and a fried lobster roll. I ordered the fried lobster roll. It was magnificent. They serve it with lemon and clarified butter too. The slaw and fries that came along with it were crazy delicious, as well. I would definitely come back tomorrow to get the regular lobster roll and maybe the hot lobster roll too. Hehehe Mmmmmm
(5)
Yu C.
I went for lunch and had the Lobster Roll Crab Meat Roll and the Seafood Combo One. All were very good and reasonably priced, especially the namely Lobster!Also, the fries are amazing!!served hot and fresh!!
(4)
Penny M.
This a small place with few tables, chalkboard menus and is self service. The focus is fresh seafood and yeah for that! We both had the cold lobster roll and were both extremely satisfied. Lots of lobster meat and not overwhelmed by mayonnaise, delicious! Also had the steamers, also good, however nothing compared to the lobster roll. Price I found reasonable st $18. Recommend for lunch or dinner with a friend or by oneself. No room for large parties and the ambiance is of a basic no frills style.
(4)
Mike B.
Was looking for a good place to get a lobster roll and one of the top results was Yankee Lobster. I ordered the hot lobster roll which was moderately priced around 20 dollars. They serve it in a hotdog bun and it didn't even fill the whole bun. As far as taste goes it was average at best, plus the lobster was chewy. I was very disappointed in the overall experience as to what I wrote above and I waited 15 minutes to be served. I have no problem waiting for a fresh good product to be prepared if the quality is there. This was not. Maybe it was an off day, but I won't be going back.
(2)
Shaji K.
Probably the best/closest option for food after a visit to Harpoon Brewery. Standard "by the water" menu of local seafood (and non seafood for people who go to seafood places and get a hamburger, weirdos). Got the lobster roll, cod cakes, and a big bottle of Brown IPA to wash it down. The space is incredibly small, so count me lucky in getting a table. The cod cakes were okay (too greasy), lobster roll was fantastic and flavorful (although I prefer butter over mayo), beer obviously excellent. For $36, a proper meal portion, if not a tad expensive. Next time will go for the lobster mac and cheese.
(4)
Emily S.
This place is amazing! My husband and i are in town visiting Boston and we wanted to find a great local seafood place. Research in Yelp in selling this little gem. Laid back atmosphere, great food options and amazing clam chowder. We both shared the fisherman's feast, which had everything from the sea in it. Very delicious, we highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Latti L.
Hands down, best chowda in Boston Crab cakes are better than average, but not quite Oceannaire Lobster rolls are ridiculous. Plenty of Lobster in Texas Toast hoagie bun thingy (tried it in a tortilla, and its not the same)
(5)
Alex B.
Great, fresh seafood in a no frills friendly environment. This little gem is nestled on the harbor near Harpoon Brewery and serves up great New England seafood. I've had the fish and chips, lobster roll, and lobster bisque. All excellent - great flavor, seasoning and freshness. The lobster roll is delicious and heaped with lobster. The place only has maybe 10 tables or so inside and another 8 outside so it gets crowded fast. Food is delicious though and worth a visit to harpoon before or after for some drinks.
(5)
Tina W.
Me and my husband visited Boston two weeks ago. We both are seafood lovers. This is a good place to have seafood. Great price, good quality. We didn't want to over pay for seafood. You know seafood could be pricey sometimes. And the seafood is so fresh and tasty!! We went there twice because was that good with decent price. We had the claim soup, lobster soup, a lobster and 3 crabs for dinner. We had the fiesta for lunch.
(5)
Leanne E.
I was in Boston for business, and wanted to try a lobster roll. When in Rome, you know. Did my research, and decided to give this place a try. So glad I did, it was fantastic! The lobster in the lobster roll wasn't overly dressed at all, just the right amount of mayonnaise to bind it together. The roll was perfectly buttery and toasted, and the fries and coleslaw it came with were also great (but the fries are an afterthought when there's lobster to be eaten). I also ordered a cup of their New England clam chowder, and wow! It was so creamy and perfect. A generous amount of clams in it, and no grit or anything like you sometimes get. They were also really fast! I called and placed my order, and by the time I walked over (about 15 minutes) it was ready and waiting for me. Next time I'm in Boston, I will definitely be back.
(5)
Sean W.
Lobster roll is really good, a bit pricey for Boston, but worth very bite. Will come back again next time in town.
(4)
Liz C.
This place is amazing. My husband had what he described as the best clam chowder that he has ever had in his life. The lobster rolls were fresh and delicious. Go if you are in the Seaport area.
(5)
Corinne M.
We were visiting from Florida and didn't know where to eat, luckily I turned to yelp and saw all of the great reviews. My husband wondered what the difference would be in our Florida lobster and there's. We were lucky to get a table for 6 because of the weather and boy am I glad we did! This restaurant is tiny but fierce! We ordered the Lazy mans lobster which already came cracked. It was absolutely amazing and I was a little sad when I ate it all, I wanted more!!We also ordered the Lobster Roll which was served on a buttery roll. If you are ever in Boston, take the advice of a Floridian that constantly eats seafood, go here! You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Mike L.
Went to dinner here with the family. We ordered the crab cakes as a starter. They were good, about what we expected for a seafood town. Plenty of real crab, the flavor was good and the sauce that came with it, also very good. For entrees, we ordered a lobster roll and a shrimp platter. Both came with cole slaw and fries. Roll was a little smaller than we expected for the price, and under seasoned. The shrimp were a little over cooked, but also under seasoned. Everything needed salt! Even the fries, had not a grain of salt when they arrived at the table. We had an issue with the check, the crab cakes were listed as 10.99 on the menu, but when bill came we were charged 11.99. I know it's only a buck, but it's the principle. I mentioned it to my waitress and she very nonchalantly pointed to the bottom of the menu where it stated...."prices subject to change". I have an issue with this. Change the price on the menu or at least tell me the price listed is not accurate. They said they were still using the summer menu. They would not take the dollar off my bill. The above being the case, I simply paid, and when handed my credit card slip to sign, I wrote..."Tip % subject to change" on the tip line. Was I wrong for stiffing the staff, probably, but they apparently didn't care about incorrectly charging me or keeping their menus up to date, so I made my point, how I knew how!
(2)
Edward L.
As good as it gets! Fresh seafood, friendly-quick service, and an overall great experience! 1. Their Lobster Roll is worth the price. We tried the Hot Lobster Roll and it was a packed with fresh lobster meat. Drizzle the butter over the roll and you're set! 2. The Lobster Mac n' Cheese was delicious as well. The cheese was thick and creamy and lightly toasted on top. Lobster chucks throughout the plate. 3. MAKE SURE to get the fried calamari. I get calamari everywhere I go and it was amazing here. So fresh and the batter was light, yet extremely delicious. 4. They serve beer here and have a decent little patio. There is no view though!
(4)
Jenny G.
Been here a few times now with friends, and recently bought from their fish market. Their food has always been good and well priced, and their service is great. Their crabs and lobsters that I've gotten have always been fresh and not overcooked, unlike some other similar restaurants. I was also very impressed with their fish market. Really good market prices, and they're nice and good about packing everything up well for you.
(5)
Esther J.
It's a tight space. Looks like a deli inside. You order at the counter and bring it to your seat, if you can find one. It's packed. They also serve beer, but nice family friendly environment. We got the fried varied seafood platter. Although I wasn't feeling friend foods that day, it was good. I was very full. Not cheap but not super expensive.
(4)
Manny H.
Fun laid-back place, not pricey, great food!
(5)
Bruce L.
moderate place, the attitude of the waitress is really bad!! The food is good and the waiter is also good.
(3)
Kelly O.
Stopped in here prior to a Harpoon event to grab a quick bite, and left pretty satisfied (for not a lot of $). The $5 lobster bisque was rich and lobstery with some good-sized chunks of meat, and the stuffed clams ($6.50 for two large shells) were surprisingly really flavorful and pretty filling. It's a small no-frills place with counter service so don't expect anything other than a brusque/casual atmosphere- although the guy who brought me my food was very accomodating and friendly-, but it's perfect for a quick pre-show bite when you're in the area.
(3)
Lauren P.
My boyfriend and I have been on a mad hunt to find the best lobster rolls in Boston-- and the competition is tough. This place could use more seating because the people who do know about it, show up! The menu was simple and straight to the point with some fun options to choose from! Great lunch spot, friendly customer service, and lots of great food!
(5)
San W.
Wow. I really can't believe I'm giving this place a one star (believe me, I was trying to think of something, anything else, that would justify bumping it up to at least two). I was really looking forward to trying it out especially after seeing all the other awesome reviews here. Alas... b. and I got a Fisherman's Platter to take out after much deliberation and after being informed by the staff that it would be plenty for two people. With a choice of broiled or fried, we asked for the order to be broiled. We were informed that the clams would need to be fried, which was fine. Our order came out after about 15 minutes of waiting. It was in a large plastic bag with a white styrofoam container at the bottom with a large brown paper bag sitting on top of it. I noticed that some juices had already spilled out into the bottom of the bag but whatever, I decided to take a look inside to make sure we got everything we needed. Inside the large brown paper bag was one small open container of french fries. Nothing else. I wish I had taken a picture of it because it was just so silly, I felt like I was peering down into a deep, empty well. I opened the styrofoam container and was shocked (see picture). I was so shocked and embarrassed that I had spent almost $30 bucks on this that I just left even though b. offered to go back and ask if there was a mistake, was this really the Fisherman's Platter, and was it really meant to feed two people. I only hoped that the quality and the taste of the food would make up for what it lacked in portion size. Unfortunately, it did not. Everything was overcooked and tasteless. The clams were passable only because they were fried. It was such a huge disappointment and then we needed to buy another meal at another place just to fill us up. Maybe we ordered the wrong thing? In any case, I am not interested in going back to try anything else. Even if I was catching a concert at the Pavilion, I would not come here even though it would be so convenient. I had been tempted to order a lobster roll but in hindsight I am so glad that I saved that experience for James Hook & Co. (best lobster roll EVER and at a cheaper price). I might need to go back to James Hook just to cheer me up because I'm starting to feel depressed again after reflecting on this sad little meal. Sigh.
(1)
Matt B.
The clams were great. Awesome lil restaurant to go to if you want good seafood & great service. Great place to avoid the tourists, yet get some really good food.
(5)
Ellington W.
I went during lunchtime it was packed. This is a VERY small place. Several people ordered take out hoping a table became available by the time their food was ready. I did the same and got lucky. I had the seafood combo. My fish (2), shrimp (5) and scallops(5.5) tasted fresh and were perfectly cooked. Also came with fries (nothing remarkable) and cole slaw (pretty good). The only thing I wished is that they included cocktail sauce. They may have had it there but I didn't want to leave my food with people literally standing & breathing over me waiting in line and I didn't want to take it with me for fear of losing my seat! I'd definitely go back.
(4)
Dave C.
This little hole in the wall is definitely worth the walk. It is on the harbor and is just past The Blue Hill Pavillion. The lobsters were cooked to perfection and the oysters were great. It is a very casual place which adds to it character.
(4)
Jennifer A.
I visited Boston about 2 weeks ago and stumbled upon this place. Its a small joint, on the water (in walking distance to the Harpoon Brewery), they have outside seating and inside seating. It's really nothing special, not fancy at all. The food is absolutely amazing, which is why I had to give 5 stars. Very fresh fish, the platters are delicious. The employees are a little crude, particularly the one girl that was ringing us out but to their defense they were busy and she could have been overwhelmed. They also serve beer here too. But please note they do not accept American Express cards (kind of annoying). If I am ever back in the Boston area, I will make sure to stop here again.
(5)
Michelle L.
Another day at the conference, another lunch decision. On this day, Yankee Lobster recommended by my colleague who heard it was good from Food Network (Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives). He ordered the cod cake and lobster mac (Guy's faves), while I stuck with the crab cake sandwich with double-fried french fries. I'd already had seafood mac at Mmmac and Cheese, and a lobster roll at Summer Shack, so this time I went with the crabcake. It was pretty good although I've had good crab down in DC/MD of course too. Decent meal, fresh seafood, location not terribly hard to find on foot. A pretty small place, indoor seating limited during lunch rush, although we did get a table outside under the awning (chance of rain).
(4)
Rita W.
Stopped here for dinner after hearing that Anthony Bourdain had been here a while back and that the food was excellent. I ordered the stuffed fish dinner that was accompanied by rice and broccoli. Although the fish was fresh and tasty, the topping--"stuffed"--tasted like nothing more than toasted breadcrumbs. Good food but not exceptional. Be prepared to wait a bit to place your order if you arrive around dinner time.
(4)
Krista N.
These guys were fantastic. I did some homework on how to bring lobsters back to Arizona and these guys came up first. I walked in and chatted with a great lady who was just hanging out, cleaning and organizing. She sent one of the guys back to package the lobsters. I could have talked with her all day and sat and ate all of their delicious food off their menu, but I was on a mission. When all was said and done, I had 12 chicken lobsters packaged up and ready for the plane for around $12-$13 per lobster which was $5 cheaper than the other place down the street. Here, they don't charge you a ton extra to package them up, where as the other place jacks the prices despite you picking up the lobsters and carrying them on rather than shipping. My one issue, that came later in the day, was that the box started leaking and I had to go buy another box to make sure I could get it on the plane. That kind of sucked because it was last minute and more money on packaging and such, but I don't feel like deducting a star for that - just know to ask about that and make sure they can line the cooler in a plastic bag to prevent the box from breaking down.
(5)
Mahsa T.
I only had a few hours on a business trip to see and eat my way through Boston and happened to be lucky enough to be located close to this little jem. Yankee Lobster is not fancy, you order at the counter and find your own table, but the food will knock your socks off. I ordered the seafood I crave most--and that is a big old lobster roll. This one came with a heaping helping of lobster. Well worth the wait, as it did take a long time to come out of the kitchen and I was getting antsy. Served cold with mayo and cole slaw. Delicious. Good fries too. Stop in here if ever in Boston.
(5)
M I.
This place is fantastic, I don't think I left even a small crumb on the plate. Three of us had the lobster roll, one had the lobster bisque and fish sandwich. The lobster roll is out of this world - huge chunks of lobster with the right amount of additives to make a great lobster roll. Co-diner remarked, the lobster bisque was the best he'd ever had. Overall, great food!!! There was a line and we waited for 30 minutes to order our food, it is counter service, not table service...well worth the wait also. About a 10 minute walk from the convention center.
(5)
Laura S.
Ordered everything people said to order: Lobster roll Fries Clam chowdah Crab cake It was all meh. I took several buses and such to get here and it was OK. Very overhyped. Food: OK Service: They were kinda standard. They just got my order and standard. Location: Very random standalone restaurant in the middle of nowhere. Ambiance: Small restaurant. Cozy. Overall: Overhyped.
(3)
Janey T.
The fried clam strip appetizers were delicious and so was the warm lobster roll. A friend had the baked stuffed haddock special which was a huge piece of fish and he really enjoyed it. It's not a fancy place but traffic In and out was steady. The guys working and serving were all very nice. I'll be back, for sure.
(4)
Tanya K.
Came here based on the reviews and really wanted some seafood. It's a really little place, but they do have some outdoor seating available. I ordered the clam chowder and lobster roll. While it was good, it was very expensive at $27 for those two things and a soda. I probably would have given it more stars had it not been so pricey!
(4)
John J.
I never get tired of this place. On the way back from Logan last week I was lucky enough to get a meter near the Seaport Hotel. I quickly walked over to Yankee lobster and ordered the clam chowder. The place was packed and there was a table with one chair near the door, so I was in luck. It had been a while since I had the chowder so I was enjoying every bite. I took a picture and put it on facebook and my gf reminded me to bring some home. It was a warm evening so I walked in back of Liberty Wharf and around The Commonwealth Pier, which in my opinion has the best harbor view. Stop by Yankee Lobster and try out the chowder or fish stew. It is the best in Boston. And don't forget to bring some home for your significant other.
(5)
Kristen D.
Pretty sure Yankee Lobster makes my favorite lobster roll. Went here last weekend on a Saturday night and waited in a significantly longer line than I was expecting, but I already knew it was worth the wait, so we stayed. They had someone working there standing outside to find out from people if they wanted to sit inside (tight space) or outside (chilly night) and let them know about how long their wait was going to be. After standing for about 20 minutes, he asked if we wanted an outside table that had just opened up, so we took that and got to go inside and order right then. After we ordered, it was about 10 more minutes until our food was ready. The lobster rolls are overflowing with nice, big pieces of lobster meat, dressed in a very light mayo with some celery. It also comes with fries and cole slaw. Some might think $20 is a lot for a lobster roll, but it is definitely worth it. I think i'll have to give the lobster rolls a break next time and actually try something else on their menu - to be continued.
(4)
Shawn d.
Fresh, waterside seafood is a favorite summer treat of mine and this place did not disappoint (except that they were out of fried clams). I opted for the fish sandwich. They have a good batter and delicious, crisp fries. I would definitely eat here again.
(4)
R A.
Not impressed. I heard they had a pretty good lobster roll. I went with the hot lobster roll. I'd give it a 6. There was a decent amount of lobster but it wasn't amazing. I was also a bit surprised on the cleanliness factor of the restaurant. That was closer to a 2. Will I go back? No way. Much better places in the area.
(2)
Tin P.
Found this place on Yelp as we are about to head to Harpoon Brewery next door. Note that I have been craving Lobster year after year. This time in Boston I am looking for the best lobster roll around.... and Thanks Lord that Yankee Lobster has not disappointed me. A truly wonderful place to enjoy not only lobster but also other Seafood dishes! YUM! My girlfriend and I stop by this place. She got the fried Talapia/ Calamari and I got the infamous lobster roll. Do not need to say much about the lobster roll, well not roll, just the Lobster. It is sweet, fresh, delectable piece of meat. It exploded in my mouth, just Oh So Good feeling. So happy to be here! Not yet, I then tried my gf's tilapia, oh so fresh and mouth watering. It was a delicious fish I ever had. I would actually recommend this over lobster since you can get lobster any day here but this Tilapia, freaking Tilapia, only offered here on Special occasion. If you see it, then get it! After all, I gave Yankee Lobster Fish Market a 4 stars! A wonderful place to enjoy Lobster and Seafood.
(4)
S G.
Great lobster roll! Just the way I like it. Seafood is fresh. Parking is convenient and staff is friendly.
(5)
Luke K.
One of the hotel employees suggested Yankee when we asked him where his go-to food spot was. I had the lazy mans lobster and it was delicious! My wife had the lobster bisque and she liked to too. I didn't think the fries would be anything special but they were exceptional. The deli-like environment is cool but also tends to make it feel a little crowded. The food was awesome though!
(4)
Kristyn V.
This place is not at all what I expected! It's a little hole in the wall seafood place. The staff was very friendly and the food delicious. We split the lobster mac and cheese, clam strips and clam chowder. The portions were quite generous and the price was great. It is very cold out so the seafood isn't really in season but everything was fresh. I'd love to come back in the summer!
(5)
Jennifer C.
This is my absolute favorite place to get deep fried clam bellies!!!! SOOOOOOO GOOD. I've tried them at multiple places around NE and no one does it like Yankee Lobster. Also their chowders are delicious and priced very well! Once I got the lobster bisque and it didn't have much lobster in it, so I let them know and they took some lobster for the sandwiches and gave it to me, yummmmmm!
(5)
Darwin G.
This little joint is out of the way in Boston, but thankfully, it was the closest place by the beer festival at the convention center I was going to. The most expensive sandwich I've paid for, but I'm glad I did pay for that $18 lobster roll. It had tons of large chunks of fresh lobster without much mayonnaise to ruin it. It also came with a side of fries. The clam chowder was also some of the best I've had. Light, yet creamy. Lots of fresh seafood, but also perfectly spiced. Definitely check it out, if you're in the area.
(5)
Kylie H.
Everything is delicious here! Lobster roll, whole lobster, mac n cheese, clam chowder. So good, prices are reasonable & it's very quick!
(4)
Jen F.
I love Yankee Lobster! Personally, I think it's the best lobster roll in Boston. Also, they have amazing service. Last summer I had my parents in town to visit me from Wisconsin & I took them to Yankee Lobster for some yummy seafood. It was late night on a Saturday and we were waiting for our food and found out there was some confusion with the order so we never ended up receiving it. The staff was very accommodating to us and very apologetic for the confusion, which wasn't entirely their fault. This place always has great food and service and I am really grateful to everyone on staff that night that helped us out so my family could have a good experience in Boston, amidst the confusion.
(5)
Ed D.
Great spot for great seafood. Line goes very fast, and service and prices are perfect.
(5)
Sweet N.
I was not impress with the fried fish, calamari or lobster roll. Everything lack seasoning and the fish and calamari seemed to be cooked in something other than fresh oil. :( However, the oysters were fresh and the staff was nice. The seating area is tight. I might go back but to try the lobster and crabs.
(3)
Katrina D.
Tried out the Yankee Lobster Co today and it was amazing! Best lobster roll I've had in a long time! We got one hot roll and one cold roll and shared them. Each roll had about 4 claws and also nice chunks of tail meat to help overflow the bun. It was so much lobster the bun was lost, as a bread lover I wish the bun was bigger as it was buttery and delicious, but who can complain about too much lobster! The rolls were $18.99 for cold and $19.99 for hot. We also got a clam chowder, it was creamy and just the right temperature to dig in when served. Dining room is small with about 10 tables and also about 10 outside so try to go at an off time! We went at 2:30 on a hot day and got the last table inside but the outside was pretty open, by the time we left the outside was full though around 3:00!! Very good we will definitely be back!
(5)
Lori H.
Crab rolls just as good as I remembered. Sweet crab meat with no fillers and very little mayo. Tried the clam chowder this time too. Not too creamy and enough clam meat. I always drop by for a crab roll when I'm in town.
(5)
Virginia M.
Off the beaten path crab shack. Not much to look at and service is polite but abrupt, but this place has a seriously good lobster roll, with lots of delicious meat! I ordered a hot roll with french fries and a cup of the lobster bisque, while my husband enjoyed the chowder and fish & chips. Having tried both soups and despite being a serious lover of lobster bisque, I would opt for the chowder here. Bisque flavor was a bit off, but had plenty of juicy lobster meat inside. My husband's fish was extremely light and flaky, the kind that melts in your mouth. The batter was just right. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a no-frills dining experience in Boston! The place was packed at 1:30 on a Sunday, so I'm guessing many others would agree.
(4)
Jason M.
Decent seafood stop, be prepared to wait a while. In a landscape where more and more places are changing to prepackaged chowder that taste like paste, Yankee Lobster is keeping it real. This is amazing clam chowder, one of the best that I've ever have. It is well worth the wait and travel to have a bowl of it. The fish is your decent average fish. The fries are gross and I threw most of mine away. The cole slaw is nothing to write home about.
(3)
Paul G.
This place gets zero stars. Myself and a few co-workers decided to give this place a try. It smelled of old, rotten fish. With eight people behind the counter we thought service would be quick for a lobster roll, clam roll, and scallop roll. Think again. Twenty minutes we waited, and we were the only customers in the joint (maybe that should have sent a message). The lobster roll was all scrap meat. The scallop roll consisted of 5 scallops in a small hot dog roll, and the clam roll left a lot to be desired as well. All this and the price helped drain our pockets. $16 clam roll, $18 scallop roll and a $20 lobster roll. Next time we'll just go to Lamberts in Dorchester. Or, maybe take a ride to NYC for one of their $30 hot dogs. At least you know what you're in for.
(1)
Geri V.
Got the calamari is the first word that came to mind was "butttaaa" it was soooo fresh that it just melted in my mouth... No chewiness just fresh! Fried to perfection !! The lobster roll had tons of meat.. Bread was perfectly toasted.. Not too much mayo and seasoned just right.. Not too much salt.. They have brew, a outside patio.. Just great! And it's right next to harpoon brewery!!!
(5)
Lauren B.
Food: The food was definitely good, and fresh. We got the fish and chips, lobster roll, and stuffed haddock. The fish was nicely fried, and fell apart (in a good way) when I started into it. Nothing special about the fries, and tartar sauce was standard. My friend was happy but not stoked about the haddock. My friend who got the lobster roll was over the moon about its flavor - the downside was the size: the "wrap" is just a toasted hot dog bun, and the lobster is piled on top. I know lobster is expensive, but it seemed a little skimpy for the $19 price tag. The star of the show here is really the seafood, as it should be, but the other components of the meal (fries, rolls, rice) seemed neglected. Price: Reasonable for seafood, though (as mentioned) the very popular lobster roll was a little overpriced for the hotdog sized amount you get. Ambiance: A little cramped inside, and a standard outdoor seating area (also a bit cramped). All in all, you're coming here for fresh seafood right on the water at a reasonable price, but not anything more than that.
(4)
Fred M.
Small little low key place down the street from the upscale places in the new thriving Seaport area, BUT One of the best chowders I've ever had, as good a lobster roll as I've had anywhere in the world, outstanding huge non-greasy fried clams, really tasty french fries. Best meal I had in a 9 day trip to Boston and I ate at some of the city's finest. NOT TO MISS!
(5)
Lauriane W.
I've been going here for years, and their the best!! I've gotten so use to their jumbo lobsters, I don't mess with any other place. Depending on the season there's no where around here wher u can get a 6lb lobster for around $6.99 -$8.99lbs. Staff is always so pleasant. Best part is catching the warehouse when it's open and picking out your own lobster from the tank!
(5)
J B.
Great place to get fresh lobsters, fish, and shellfish. The guys working behind the counter are very friendly and helpful. The only reason why I am giving a 4-star, rather than a 5, is due to the sub-par stuffie they sold me. No chorizo flavor; it was void of any flavor actually. I'll now know for my next visit.
(4)
Jeff R.
Looked for while to try and find somewhere to eat that was less stuffy than Ostra. Yankee was recommended by someone who used to live in Boston. Had the fried scallops and a beer. Awesome little place that we otherwise would never have found.
(4)
Lauren M.
Cute little restaurant. The food came out quickly and tasted great. I thought we would have a view of the water, but we sat inside. The lobster roll was why I came to the restaurant and it was on point. The fries were great too.
(5)
J B.
Go here!! Had the lobster roll and a cup of clam chowder. Chowder was amazing. lobster roll was excellent, but could have used a pinch of salt. Only bad thing about this place were the fries that came with the lobster roll. They sucked. I would rather pay an extra buck or two for hand cut fries.
(5)
Willie S.
My wife and I dined here last evening. In summary it was good but not great. The place is a tiny "dive" which in general I like. However the place is within 10 feet of a traffic circle. We ate outside and the traffic and the accompanying notice was aweful. The food which was all fried was OK but nothing special.
(3)
Heather M.
Stopped here with a friend during vacation. They have their own parking lot with ample parking (very rare in this city). We got the crab cakes which were spectacular (hardly any breading/stuffing and all crab), lobster mac and cheese (good but I didn't think it was all that for how expensive it was) and lobster rolls (very good with a sprinkle of old bay). Limited indoor seating but lots of outdoor tables. If your bringing a small kid bring your own high chair.
(4)
Chris J.
Fantastic lobster roll. Not a lot of tables here, but fast service and great food. No reservations here, but you don't really need them. Awesome seafood! Had a perfect lobster roll yesterday.
(4)
hank k.
crab roll was just okay. wished i tried the lobster roll. clam steamers were great. place was super crowded and hard to find a seat and had to clean the table off myself and you bus your own table at the end.
(3)
Mark R.
Came here while visiting Boston because of the great reviews. I was not disappointing. Their seafood is fresh and reasonably priced. Would definitely recommend.
(5)
LittleAsianGirl W.
The lobster roll is great here. You get a lot of fresh lobster meat. Steamers are also fresh and taste sweet. Must try.
(4)
Gigi L.
i walked in the rain for 30minutes for the lobster roll here. Yankee was on my list of lobster rolls to try in Boston so i thought it was going to be worth it. Sadly, I can't say I was satisfied. The taste was just not there for me. Although there was tons of lobster, there wasn't any flavor. I was anticipating succulent sweet pieces of lobster, but it was just bland. At the end of the day, I'm glad I came here so that I could have it crossed off my list. But I don't think i wanna come back for the roll... but maybe for the mac & cheese...
(2)
Robert C.
Excellent, low key restaurant with incredible lobster rolls and chowder. Not exactly inexpensive but well worth it for the fresh seafood and shellfish.
(4)
Frank C.
I had dinner here tonight with a friend and it was a big disappointment. We have been coming here for years and often call ahead an order of baked stuffed lobsters. Usually the experience has been great- attentive service, tasty lobsters, warm people. Tonight was the opposite... We called in an order of two baked stuffed Lobsters to eat there. When we came in they brought out a container with two baked stuffed lobsters packed "to go." There was no butter, corn on the cob, fries or cole Slaw. We wanted to eat it there, so that we did. When we asked a server why the corn, fries, etc. weren't a part of the order, he claimed that this wasn't what we ordered - when in fact it was. He insisted we could order this corn, fries, etc now and pay extra money for it- not cool, we were clear on the phone. Their error would make you think they would have then provided these extra items free of charge as it was included, but not so. Service has gone downhill since last year. We will not be coming back despite years of good experiences - tonight's meal killed it.
(1)
Mike L.
Should you have the occasion to travel to Boston and don't go here and get their lobster roll, you're wasting your time. Fan. Damn. Tastic.
(5)
Mana K.
This place is a homie type of fastfood/ restaurant near the port. Compared to other restaurants nearby, their prices are reasonable and most importantly they have so many different kinds of dishes. I had the fried oyster roll and my friends had clam chowder, lobster chowder, lobster Mac and cheese and fish and chips. I definitely recommend the lobster mac and cheese!
(4)
Tina Z.
i stopped for a bite to eat before attending a concert at the Blue Hills Pavilion. I had the BEST lobster roll ever. This is a little dive with a line out the door. They make fresh fish entrees that you can dine in, if you can find a table, or take out.
(5)
Nicki S.
Delicious. Half hour into Boston trip and we are hungry. Prices shocking initially but the seafood is top notch and worth it. I had lobster roll. Lots of lobster, not faux lobster salad. And hubby had swordfish. I had a bite and he got the better meal.
(5)
Jacko J.
Fresh, good portions and good prices. Loster mac n cheese and fried clams are top notch. Local tip: eat here, drink at Barking Crab.
(4)
Jason C.
DISCLAIMER: I hate and avoid long reviews but I need to vent about the restaurants I failed to get seated at. Being from out of town, I really wanted to take my girlfriend out on a nice date to a seafood spot in Boston. We were staying in South Boston so I originally picked Row 34. When we called, they told us there was a 30 minute wait but by the time we got there, the wait turned to 1.5 hours. We put our names down but we were starving so after vigorously Yelping (as we both started growing weary of our travels), we trekked over to Legal Seafood and Legal Test Kitchen. LTK had a "30 minute wait," with an emphasis on the quotations. We gave them our names and went across the street for Legal Harborside. The bar was open there but the menu was not impressive. They also had the "fine dining" level available but we weren't really up for that this particular evening. And their main dining area had a 2+ hour wait. Not happening. At this point, the gf did not want to walk any further so we went back to LTK and waited on their bench but I wasn't really impressed with their menu and reviews so I asked the gf to look thru the menu and pick out what she wanted. What we realized was we wanted seafood-the no frills kind. This place was full of gimmicky seafood from Chinese cuisines to Mexican to American, and the list goes on. Me, being a typical NYer/hater, I was already suspecting a disappointing meal so when my gf finally decided she didn't see anything she liked, we walked over to Yankee Lobster Fish Market. After a short walk, we walked in to make our orders. The wait to order was about 10 mins and we had a table saved so that went pretty swift. The order-taker was pretty straightforward and helpful when ordering. We ended up getting the twin lobsters, 2 stuff clams and clam chowder, along with Harpoons (which are made right up the street). The two lobsters (1.25lbs each) were pretty darn good. It came with 1/2 corn on cob and fries which I did not expect. The stuffed clams were nothing to write home about and the clam chowder, while good, was not as good as some I've had outside of New England (Buffalo, NY & SF). I didn't really get any clams in the soup but maybe we can blame that on the EOD serving. Overall, Yankee was exactly the type of seafood joint we were looking for. Blue collar, bib-wearing, juices flying everywhere type of meal. If I could do it all over again, I'd hope we could've gotten seated at Row 34 but I thoroughly enjoyed my meal at Yankee as well. PS. I received texts from both Row 34 and LTK while eating my meal and way past the quoted wait time.
(4)
Sandra G.
reasonable prices, delicious food.
(5)
Christina G.
Hungry after a meeting in the neighborhood, I stumbled upon this place. The name sums it up perfectly: fresh seafood in a no-BS Yankee atmosphere. I had salad with lobster meat (the stuff that comes on the lobster roll, with mayo dressing) and a cup of clam chowder, as well as a local root beer. Salad was excellent--nice-quality greens and big chunks of lobster with just the right amount of mayo. I could definitely taste the salt pork in the chowder and it had a nice texture, thick but not gloopy (gloopy chowder is my pet peeve). I grew up in New England and my standard for a chowder and lobster roll meal in restaurants is whether or not I could make a better one myself. In this case, it's a toss-up, so I'd come back if I were in the neighborhood again. Bonus points for free parking lot on-site.
(4)
Julie B.
So happy I was finally able to try Yankee Lobster after passing up countless huge lines. I went on a Friday night around 8 and was able to snag a table after about a 15 minute wait. The staff is friendly, the prices are decent (only slightly on the expensive side) and they have access to some special Harpoon beers on tap. This place has really good, fresh seafood, but not the best I've had in the area (hence the 4 stars). The clam belly meal was plentiful and delicious -- there were TONS of clams and they weren't greasy at all. My boyfriend ordered the lobster roll, which was great and overly stuffed with fresh lobster, but I just don't know how anyone in town can compete with Neptune. Yankee Lobster's a bit annoying to get to but they have a parking lot! So next time you get a seafood craving fire up your zipcar and head over to the seaport for some top notch eats.
(4)
Russell T.
Coming from the Gulf Coast I had to try all the local seafood places... I gotta say this place is legit! We had to wait in line about 20-30 minutes to get a table, but it was worth it! The service is very good. Once we placed the order, the employees were very friendly and speedy on getting the food to the table. Food: Awesome. My lobster was steamed perfectly, came with a ton of sides, and it was priced very well! The coleslaw wasn't my favorite, but hey if that's the worst - that's my problem! My friend got a lobster roll, and said it was delicious Price: Great. Lots of food for your money. Final say: Skip everywhere else. Just come here. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Then go to the brewery next door between!
(5)
Simon D.
I have to give this restaurant 5 stars, excellent food, excellent service and reasonable price, what else would you want.
(5)
Joe G.
I'm from Chicago. Completely unbiased and out of the box perspective. I'm on a lobster roll tour... Yankee lobster is currently #2 on my list. Simply put it's delicious. Lobster was tender and tasty. Portion was the only reason it isn't #1. It came out hot and tasty as hell. Fries are unbelievable. Fish can't be more fresh than Yankee. I like that they put the hot butter on the side too. It's got the best food in seaport area. Most restaurants in seaport are overrated and corporate. Yankee is against the grain and fantastic. Go here
(4)
Lorraine O.
Yummmmmmmy! tried the 1.25 lbs of lobster, the corn is fresh, and so the lobster. The lobster roll is also fresh and nice! Clam chowda is good!! And don't have to worry about the parking place!
(5)
Amanda L.
Lobster Roll ! Lobster & Mac ! Clam Chowder! All FTW here! Get here early because the line for dinner is out of the door by 6PM!
(5)
Meg C.
I'm sure most people order lobster here, which makes sense...but I'm not a huge fan of lobster so I got the fish and chips. I'm somewhat of a fish and chips aficionado, and this one is pretty good! Not too heavy, nicely seasoned, and good skinny fries. The cole slaw has some kind of weird flavor I can't put my finger on. The parking can be tricky and the seating is limited. Otherwise, a solid Boston seafood experience.
(4)
Ben S.
If I could give 3.5 stars I probably would. This was a pretty decent place with a young, friendly staff. I had the 2 lb. lobster and the lobster mac & cheese. The two pounder was very fresh and tasty. The mac & cheese tasted funny to me at first, but it grew on me. By the time i was done I wanted more. My wife thought her fried shrimp plate was just ok. I'd come back here to try some of the other seafood dishes if I were in the general area, but I wouldn't go out of my way.
(3)
Abe M.
Very unassuming place right on the water. When you walk in, you will notice that seating is very limited, especially if you are a large group. However, the food is really good, and everything tasted fresh, which I expected being right on the water. I dined here two nights in a row. On the first night, I had the clam strip basket. It was perfect. The second night I ordered the fish and chips. Again, it was very good. The only thing i would have asked for is a bit more seasoning in the batter. Many in my group ordered the lobster roll dinner. They said it was delicious. So lets see, the words i used to describe this place were...."fresh, delicious, and perfect". I think its worth a visit.
(4)
Terry C.
I went there this weekend. Order a lobster roll, I mean it's pretty good but the price is like 20 bucks. But lobster there is fresh because it s near the pier. So I guess they can get it pretty fresh. Food wise it s good price wise it's pretty expensive.
(4)
Sri H.
Uf you want to have lobster, then this is the only place to go. Old place nothing changes small and big queee. Food is pricy and good. Very small place and seats discomfortly.
(4)
Andrew N.
Very few seating but the food here is quick. Don't expect a long wait and the soda here is delicious. The harpoon brewery is the next block over!
(5)
Scott P.
I had high hopes for this place based on the Yelp reviews, and it did not fail to deliver. Now, for those that are from the NE coast or even Bah-ston itself realize my Yelp home is ferrr inland, so my experience on this type of venue is a little limited. I've seen a host of reviews commenting on the cost of this place being high, but I found that to be opposite, no where in my life have I been able to buy a lobster bisque for $4.99 that had huge chunks of fresh lobster in it... and consider the location folks, this is in prime real estate. I thought the whole menu was so reasonable that I did a fried platter, and shrimp cocktail in addition and I don't recall being out more than 27$ for the experience, which I think is a feat - I fed myself and shared part of my plates with two others. Now maybe pricing changes for dinner, I dunno, but the menu "chalkboard" behind the counter is huge and looked pretty set. This place has limited seating so coming in on off hours is advised, or be prepared to just stand and wait hovering over people for a table. If it's summer you are in better luck as there was an outdoor area which almost triples the size of the seating. You know a place is good when it's 40 and windy out and someone takes that route.... Friendly people working the counter were patient and helpful. However it was off hours, and this place does a ton of business. I did not personally eat the lobster roll, but I wish I had. It was huuuuuge! A colleague got it and was doing the "it's so amazing" moan the whole time. My meal was fantastic however, very fresh, large portions, and the cocktail sauce was perfect. This place is not a far walk at all from anywhere in the harborfront area so I would say hit it up if you are doing the Harpoon tour or staying at one of the hotels in the harbor front.
(5)
Laurie J.
Simply put-amazing. I can not believe how fresh their fish is. Well what would I expect they are located in the marine terminal for goodness sake! They have amazing selection of local fish-haddock, lobster, oysters, scallops. I highly recommend the clam chowder (best I have ever had) and baked haddock with stuffing. If you ask nicely they will give you half and half of anything. This place is a gem!
(5)
Yukiko S.
I found the food to be very fresh; however, I felt that everything was under salted. Fresh food, but bland. Delicious lobster rolls, but on the bland side.
(4)
Hodor Z.
Just bland. Tried their hot lobster rolls, was ok. It was barely warm and really small. While only $20, it's not comparable to Neptune's lobster rolls. Not even in the same league. Their clam chowder is too fishy and too liquidy. There was a very strong smell of fish coming from the chowda and it wasn't very pleasant. Didn't finish it. Their blackened salon is better than their lobster rolls. There is limited parking but its expected, their seating is minimal but so is everyone's. The are is great though.
(3)
David P.
Great place! Lobster roll is top notch. Fish and chips were fantastic. Fish stew is incredible. Only complain is the clam chowder has bacon, which ruins what would be a great clam chowder experience for pescetarians and for all who don't eat pork, without seemingly adding much to the dish, given the high quality of the clams that most people would presumably like to be tasting. Can't go wrong here.
(5)
Christine D.
Sure, its small. It's a hole in the wall joint turning out some of the best food i have ever had. You place your order at the counter and before you know it, absolute deliciousness arrives at your table and your life is forever changed. At least that's what happened to me. Went at 3:30pm on a weekday, walked right in, no wait what-so-ever. The tables were clean and there was only one other party there. Ordered the fried scallops, a cup of clam chowder and the steamed lobster dinner. Oh, and a pitcher of beer. The total, I want to say was around $70 for everything, tip included (and I tip generously). First out was the clam chowder, it was the best i have ever had. It even triumphed the chowder's I've had on the west coast. It was rich, and fresh and loaded with clams. It was my first time having fried scallops and, holy crap, what have i been missing!? Large scallops battered/fried and completely not- greasy, served piping hot with a lemon. After that was the main event, the lobstah! A huge lobster, which may have been caught when i ordered it, fries, corn on the cob, coleslaw and of course the clarified butter! In no time i was tearing the lobster apart like it was one of the best things i have ever eaten. Mainly because it was. In all seriousness, this went down in my book as one of the best meals iv'e ever had. I have eaten at some amazing restaurants across the country and i can not say i have ever had a lobster that tasted this fresh. I do not think a day has gone by since that i haven't day dreamed about this food and when i can have it again.
(5)
Brittny B.
Tiny tiny tiny, but very delicious! We got the lobster roll (my firs time trying one) and of course a heaping bowl of clam chowder. The chowder was amazing! We tried multiple bowls during our trip and I have to say this was my favorite out of those tried. The lobster roll was pretty good, I found that I am not a fan of big chunks of lobster, so I can't say it wasn't good, just that I wouldn't spend 18$ on it again.. my boyfriend on the other hand.. said it was awesome! So give it a try! This place is worth it!
(4)
jeanette j.
Changing my review to 4 stars because I had a lobster roll from James cook and co. And the meat was so chewy I realized that the roll from Yankee was so much more succulent that It made me change my review. I've still had better but not yet in Boston. Yankee is small with About 10 tables inside and some outside. There's direct parking for your car so that's always a plus. I will post more reviews about lobster rolls at other spots in the next few days since I am in Boston for a few and will eat at least a lobster roll per day! I went to Maine 2 years back and must say so far the rolls there topped this one, but it's only the beginning. We took our order to go. There were no utensils provided for our coleslaw or ketchup and napkins. Kinda mediocre service, but I guess people go for the novelty since this is rated one of the best ones. I'm hoping i come across a roll that's better or I will be disappointed with Boston. The amount of lobster was there, just lacked something I can't exactly put my finger on.
(4)
Nicole B.
Although getting to Yankee Lobster feels like going to the edge of the Earth (really just the wharf), it is absolutely worth it! Yankee Lobster is the best alternative to eating at more centrally located, but overpriced, seafood restaurants in Boston. Sipping a cool Harpoon beer (the brewery is right next door!) while demolishing a lobster roll is basically summer personified! The fried claim strips are also amazing!
(5)
Bethany M.
Great prices and amazing seafood!! I had a hard time choosing what I wanted from the menu, but I settled on the Jersey Fish sandwich and was not disappointed!
(5)
Alice W.
A seafood lovers delight! Nice casual atmosphere with several beers on draft. They have everything from fried seafood platters to baked stuffed scallops to steamed lobsters. The clam chowder was one of the best I've ever had. I could tell they used a good amount of clam juice in the chowder, and I had a clam with just about every spoon of the chowder. The lobster roll came with a side of fries and cole slaw. The lobster roll was filled full of lobster, so they definitely didn't skimp on the lobster meat. However, the lobster in the roll could have used a bit more seasoning or salt to make it more flavorful. They have very fresh seafood, and I would come back for more chowder and to try other stuff on the menu.
(4)
Katie B.
My friends and I walked to Yankee while we were waiting for our Harpoon Brewery Tour (2-minute walk from Yankee), and I'm so glad we did! I had been in Boston for two days and had yet to experience a lobster roll -- so tragic. We had heard Yankee was the place to go, and it did not disappoint! I had never had a real lobster roll before, but this one was PACKED with meat. The restaurant is pretty small, so be prepared to wait in line.
(4)
Amy E.
Enjoyed fish and chips and a large Sam Octoberfest before the Avett Brothers show last night. Sat outside and the weather was perfect. Other fans told us that the Brothers themselves sat at our very table earlier that night. Clean bathrooms and reasonable prices for the area. Service was quick for a pre-concert meal.
(4)
Tiffany C.
Came to Yankee Lobster all the way from Delaware. Had the crab cake sandwich, thought it was great! The fries were super crispy and delicious too. Also tried some of my friend's lobster roll, it was simple but savory. All in all, a very good experience!
(4)
Julia J.
I bought live lobster from this place in the past summer as I like to cook it myself, and it was very fresh and tasty. The price is the same as James & Hook, but it's a lot better than JH. Although the wait is a little bit long, I would come back again next time!
(5)
Naomi B.
Pros: - Fried seafood is delish. We tried the clams and scallops. My partner enjoys the lobster roll because they don't use a lot of mayo. - Fries and onion rings are tasty and crispy - Free parking - On the waterfront (no view) - Service is prompt Cons: - Not many places to sit inside. - Bathrooms could use a clean. - Ordering at the counter can be awkward if it's busy
(4)
Chasity M.
I'm in Boston for a week and I have a list of lobster rolls to try - one for every day. I went to Yankee on Day 1 and was sorely disappointed. In reading these reviews, it looks like people love this place either because it was on Food Network (which I didn't know about) or because they've never had a decent lobster roll before. First - the food. The fries were GREAT! Thin, crispy and well flavored without being too salty. The cole slaw was ok, it would have been better had it been cooler rather than room temp. The lobster roll....no way. The lobster had no flavor. It was neither sweet nor buttery and was a bit tough. Maybe they boiled or overcooked it? Plus, the chunks were too big for a lobster roll. I had several that were 4-5 inches long. So I had to take a lot of my meat out, cut it into smaller chunks and put it back into the sandwich. It had a little mayo, just the right amount, but nothing else to season, and the sandwich really needed it with the flavorless lobster. Mine was also WARM - not hot or cold (you can order it either way), so I think it must have sat out for awhile. Just totally lacking in flavor all-around and definitely not worth $21. Now....on to the service. HORRIBLE!! I went in the afternoon to avoid crowds, and the small restaurant was about half full at all times. There was also never a line of more than two people, so I can't blame any of this on them being busy. I sat outside and watched several tables who arrived after me get their food, eat, and even leave. After almost 30 minutes of this, I went inside and asked about my food & was told it was coming. When another table that had just arrived got their food, I asked the waitress about my food & she said she would go in and check on it. I never heard back. After almost FORTY minutes !!!! a waiter brought food out and I told him I had been waiting over 30 minutes for a roll and are they sure my order hadn't gotten lost. He went in and came back a few minutes later with my food. Now, you can order your roll either hot or cold. Mine was neither, it was room temp / warm which made it pretty disgusting. I'm thinking that it was just on the counter and forgotten about or something. No apologies or anything like that from the staff - I guess I should have just felt lucky that I got my food! If I had it to do over again, I would have asked for my money back after the 30 minute wait and gone down the street to Legal. My husband had a client dinner there last night and said it was outstanding.
(1)
Grace M.
really great new england fare! it's just solid all-around. i'd give it 5 if the fries were better, but even still.. :) i think the location makes this place so good b/c it feels like one of those beachside places, super casual and straightforward, yet sits alongside the fancier places by the waterfront. the view is great and it's no-frills while getting the pleasure of the scene.
(4)
Debbie L.
Delicious! Lobster roll and swordfish wrap we're both excellent. The service was great and I am definitely eating there again! You have to check this place out! The food is fresh and tasty!!
(5)
Audrey D.
LOVED the lobster roll here. Quick, easy, and delicious!
(5)
Jessica B.
Mouth-watering, delicious lobster. That is what you will find at Yankee Lobster Fish Market. Pull up and park for free at the lot directly adjacent to the place. Go inside and place your order to dine in or take out. Then you grab a seat at the extremely casual and beachy small indoor room or at tar beach next door. Tar beach refers to paved city roofs where people hang out for a tan. In this case, it is actually a paved, small, enclosed lot where you grab a table and they bring you your food. If you could see water from the dining area, it would be heaven. As it is, use your imagination or just close your eyes and eat. I had lobster over a salad, a shrimp cocktail and a UFO. My husband had the chowder and a lobster roll. The lobster on my salad and the chowder were way up there, some of the best I have ever had. It was truly outstanding. The shrimp cocktail was less impressive taste-wise. It had about 15 medium sized shrimp. My husband gave the lobster roll 3.5 stars. If you want a fancy restaurant, this is not the place for you, but for delicious, delicious lobster that you can eat in and pretend you're at the beach or take out, I don't think it can be beat.
(4)
Lisa S.
On my quest to find my favorite lobster roll in Boston, I finally made it to Yankee Lobster today! Disclaimer: we went to Yankee Lobster after going to the Harpoon Brewery, so this review may be biased due to the large quantity of beer consumed. We went inside, and there were about 8-10 tables. You ordered at the counter, and the menu was actually more extensive than I expected. My friend ordered the lobster roll ($17) and a small clam chowder ($3.75). I ordered a lobster roll ($17) and 2 crabcakes ($7). They also had Sam Adams and Harpoon beers on tap, and bottles of beer as well. The tables were basic, and there were pictures of Yankee Lobster's history on the walls. The restaurant had no frills, but was clean. We ordered at the counter and then sat down to wait for our food. They take all credit cards except AmEx. We got the last open table, but the other tables turned over pretty quick as we sat there. The food came out after only a few minutes. The crabcakes were lighter than other ones I've had, and were delicious. The lobster roll was served on a hot dog roll, and had so much lobster in it that the lobster was spilling over. It was the perfect size and absolutely tasty. The roll came with french fires that were just okay- not bad, not amazing. I didn't taste the clam chowder, but my friend said it was some of the best clam chowder he's ever had. Everything tasted fresh. Yankee Lobster was one of my favorite seafood meals so far in Boston, and definitely one of the best lobster rolls for the money! Overall, a great experience and I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Eric B.
Went here with a group of people from work. Staff seemed very unorganized in taking our order which by the way, you order at the counter and they bring the food to to the table when it's ready asking who ordered what. Had the standard "favorite" Lobster roll which was really nothing special. Lobster salad tasted like it was made a least a day or two earlier which did not make for a very fresh tasting sandwich, It's served with the cheapest frozen french fries imaginable which did nothing to accompany the dish, and a very small side of coleslaw. For $19 + tax and 6.75 for a small 12oz beer, this clearly didn't impress me. But what really topped it off since we were a party of 10 was, they added a 15% gratuity even though we ordered our own food at the counter. Save your money and go someplace else. THIS IS A RIP-OFF JOINT.
(1)
Delores T.
Great food and great price! I ordered take out from this place. I really enjoyed the food. The people over there are very friendly and helpful for customizing of my order. I would recommend the scallops. It was very delicious!
(5)
Theresa M.
Delicious and convenient! The place is generally busy, but you can usually grab a table to eat and enjoy your meal. I have been here twice and both times I have loved it. The prices are fair and they have some parking behind the building which is a nice addition. Located in a fabulous area of Boston this is definitely one of my favorite spots before venturing forth to other activities on the Waterfront.
(5)
Kenny C.
Stopped by this place while visiting family, and i just wanted to post that this place has amazing chowder, Lobster Mac and Cheese, and lobster rolls. We will be back
(5)
Sara P.
I went here with my boyfriend and ordered steamers and fish and chips. The food was so fresh and the portions were big and the staff was very friendly. We had a great time and definitely would go back. We then went to Harpoon Brewery afterwards.
(5)
Monica A.
Very good, very fresh lobster roll. Not a lot of mayo at all, not even in the coleslaw. It was some of the purest tasting lobster and cole slaw I have ever had. And the fries! Oh my goodness the fries were done to perfection...extra crispy and not greasy at all! Delightful!
(4)
Lorrie M.
Hello Lobster, I'm going to eat you. At Yankiee Lobster Fish Market. Don't go in the back because the smell of fish will literally overwhelm you. I thought I knew what it smelled like because I grew up in China and spend a lot of time at 99 ranch (Asian supermarkets) where the stink of Fish runs through the entire store from their fresh fish tanks and fish killing stations. My goodness how unprepared I was. Anyway, the food was delicious and in my opinion pretty well priced (I think the lobster roll was only around $18?) quite a bit cheaper than what you can find here on the west coast. The lobster roll was filled to the top, the coleslaw was ... ok but the lobster was fresh and extremely well seasoned (or just salted or steamed?) and the fries were yummy as well. Their shrimp cocktail was pretty delicious too but I felt like the shrimp was a bit overcooked. This is definitely a cute little shack and I would recommend a "hike" here since it is further away from town, or just come here when you're looking to take a tour at Harpoon Brewery!
(4)
Jennifer E.
This place was recommended by my brother who ate here the day before I got to Boston. It was walking distance from our hotel (Seaport hotel) which was great. We got here after our flight from Chicago and we haven't had a proper breakfast and lunch so we came very hungry. I got the combo #1 and my hubby got the fish and chips (plus UFO beer). It was soooo good especially when you're hungry like us because it just hit the spot. We could barely walk back to our hotel room lol. Definitely recommended for seafood lovers :)
(5)
Gary B.
We walked in and there was a long line. It moved so fast that I was amazed; a place like this normally would have you waiting far longer. It's kind of packed, so seating isn't easy, but there are a lot of seats outside, and enough people take food to go. The food was EXCELLENT. Seriously, this is what it's supposed to taste like. When I walked back to the rest room, past the prep areas, you can smell the sea... this stuff is incredibly fresh. The prices were nice, too. Totally worth going.
(4)
Timothy W.
We were looking for a good seafood lunch before hitting up the Harpoon Brewery. Yankee Lobster is about a block away, they have a small eating area on the front of their warehouse. It was pretty full the day we stopped in, we had to sit 3 of us at a table for 2. We shared a lobster bisque for app, which was awesome. Thick and creamy and full of lobster meat. One of the better lobster bisques that I have ever had. DW went with the lobster roll and found it ok, she likes a little more mayo on her lobster roll but she enjoyed it none the less. I went with a shrimp basket. The shrimps were nicely fried, not too much batter and no hint of grease. The one thing we both disliked were the fries, they seemed like a worse version of the nasty fries you get at Burger King. The seafood was solid so we didn't let it ruin the meal. Would visit this place again the next time we're in Boston.
(4)
Hyunu K.
Well not going to sugar coat it and say its amazing because the dude with the highlighted hair thinks its awesome too but i just had to check it out and see for myself. I was walking back from Harpoon brewery which is right next door to it and wanted to see how the chowdah was. Well pretty much the best chowder that i have every had since I have been here so far. Was kind of disappointing because it didn't come in a bread bowl but still the flavor was was incomparable. Great authentic vibe to the place and would highly recommend checking it out and grabbing anything from the fish and chips to the chowdah!
(5)
Mike B.
I have been so excited to try this place! I love macaroni and cheese and adding lobster to that - how could you go wrong?! Well.. it can go wrong and they have done it. This was listed on Triple D as the best lobster Mac and Cheese? Really? I honestly couldn't finish it. WAY too much Old Bay seasoning - tasted like I was licking it right out of the can. The only reason this isn't a one star is because the people were great, I love the secluded location, and the place is just kind of cool... I hope I was there on just a bad day, but if I ever want to go back... I'll just get out a can of Old Bay Seasoning and a spoon.
(2)
Vanessa K.
$18 for a lobster roll. It was good, but definitely really small. I recommend Alive & Kicking if you want a good lobster roll (sandwich) which is completely more affordable. The clam chowder was too thick and didn't have enough clams. The fish and chips were okay, lightly battered but too salty. Too far for the food.
(3)
Ethan K.
Reasonable place to eat delicious seafood in Boston. Small but clean and nice setting, friendly staff. I ordered something like a mixed fried seafood platter, was very tasty. They serve beer too. Would certainly recommend.
(5)
Lynne B.
Excellent seafood, not greasy, & light coating if you are ordering fried. This is probably my favorite seafood spot! Parking is extremely convenient (directly on the side of the building). There is indoor, and outdoor seating. Yankee lobster is a small place- no hostess, find your own table, and no waiters (that I can remember). They also sell special order MASSIVE lobsters. Awesome place. I highly recommend, and its in a beautiful area to take a nice stroll or grab a couple beers after you eat. Enjoy!
(5)
Jennifer T.
This is a nice hidden gem if you're in the seaport district, close to the Bank of America Pavilion. Its an order-at-the-counter kind of place, with limited seating; although we were able to snag a table, it seems it'd be nicer once the weather gets warmer, and there are more outdoor seating options. We ordered the lobster roll and a friend haddock plate. The lobster roll was brimming with lobster, and I'm always a fan when it isnt overly doused in mayo, so it was perfect. The fried haddock was perfectly fried, didnt feel greasy and the batter was just a nice thin layer. I also was a fan of how they seasoned their fries too. Only thing missing about this place would be a park bench view of the ocean.
(5)
Marlecka M.
You can get better lobster rolls somewhere else in Boston. But since we were craving, we settled here. It's funny because we enjoyed their fries more than the entrees. I had a bite of the lobster roll, there are better lobster rolls in Maine and cheaper btw. I ordered the Lobster Mac and cheese, which was heavy and a bit bland. There's a good amount of lobster in it just... bland... I won't be paying $17 buck for a lobster roll when in Maine its $15 with chip and slaw... $12 for the lobster mac and cheese was a fair price for the portion. I won't be recommending this place to a friend though :|
(3)
Ess P.
MMmmmmmmm. No. As a temporary resident in Boston for a few months, I had yet to do seafood. Asking around, YLFM was recommended a few times. Off we go. On approach we see there's not much in the atmosphere dept, but that isn't necessarily bad. Order at the counter then take a table. Inside or out. We chose out - around the corner in the courtyard. First course soups, both clam chowder and lobster bisque. Both VERY good. Looking forward to the rest. Next is fried calimari. Came out piping hot and pieces were tender, but with not much flavor. A little container of tarter accompanies that. Main course - whole 1/14 lb lobster and a lobster roll. Both came with fries that were pretty good, hot and crispy but not greasy, and a container of tasteless cole slaw. Lobster dinner was not bad - partner says lobster was a might hard, and was annoyed that the tail wasn't snipped for easier removal. But he ate the whole thing. Ok, so to the lobster roll. THIS is what is a must eat when in Boston? Cut up pieces of rubbery meat on a split toasted hot dog bun? THIS IS IT? Because if it is, it's the most overrated sandwich in America. What a bunch of crap this thing was. Seriously. I took one bite and knew it was bad. Dumped the meat out on the plate to see if eating them with a fork would help. NOPE! Ugh, push plate away. One star for delicious soup, one star for on site parking.
(2)
Tim B.
Think of this place as an upscale seafood shack - but with service that shines. Not just "NUMBER 35 your order is ready come pick it up" blasting from the speakers. But people who come outside and call you name, serve your food, ask if you'd like another drink (prego wife loved that they offered her water refills x3). I went intside to steal some napkins, and the waiter said go sit down and that he'd bring them out to me. Little things like that stand out in my mind. Beers were tall and cold, food was great. They have limited indoor and outdoor seating, but on a sunny night before a show on the waterfront its a real gem. I'll be going back here.
(4)
Nikhil P.
There's something real respectable about a little shop selling lobsters and cod cakes down the street from a huge Legal Sea Foods. What's even cooler? When they rock their food like bad-ass seafood top chef experts. We went here while waiting for our Harpoon Brewery Tour to start, apparently on one of the few occasions where there weren't lines out the door (FYI: Sunday afternoons at 10:45am = sweet spot). The food was great, we felt like an entire family of lobsters were sacrificed for the amount of meat on the lobster roll (sincere apologies to that lobster family; we appreciate what you did for our carnivorous mouths), and the kitchen was efficient and reasonably priced. If there's one improvement I think a slightly cheaper price-point would have made things better... it's not like they lack the business, and the overhead has gotta be cheaper than the multi-story Legal down the street (which is a bit cheaper overall). But, for the the amount of food you get and the overall unassuming vibe, it's the spot for a solid quick meal.
(4)
Harry A.
My friend and I stumpled upon Yankee Lobster a few weekends ago as we waited for our allocated tour time at the Harpoon brewery, and we were ecstatic when we did! The Lobster roll was delicious and used very little mayo (the way it oughta be), and the friend calamari were topped in a hot peppers relish that was unreal. Although this place is a bit out of the way, it has some totally awesome seafood and is worth a trip.
(5)
Ann K.
Did the brewery tour and stopped by here for lunch after the tour. I had the lobster roll - really, really good. Nice big pieces of claw meat that was really sweet and tasty. A bit of mayo and a little celery topped out my roll. I've had lobster rolls elsewhere that the lobster walked thru the mayo and that was about it - at Yankee Lobster, the lobster was the star. The guy behind the counter recommended the crab roll and I may head back for lunch tomorrow just to see if he is right.
(4)
Christine T.
This is a great place to go to right after hitting up the Harpoon tour. About a block or two away, it's a small place with only two or three people working there but everything is fresh. The lobster roll can be ordered hot or cold which many places do not do hot lobster rolls. The lobster roll comes with fries and coleslaw with chunks of lobster. I had the clam chowder there as well but I do not consider it the best I had in Boston. It was soupy and not as thick and creamy as others. However, the lobster bisque was the best I had and actually had chunks of lobster in it and was not overly buttery as others. Good place for a quick bite.
(5)
Sara M.
I desire lobster so much I dreamt I had one that replenished that sweet, sweet meat forever. I may have woken up to a half-eaten pillow. Anyway, I heard this place and James Hook were the two non-fancy places to go for cheap but delicious lobster. After all, the whole "honey, if you have to ask, you can't afford it" attitude (cue Beerfest) at some other places gets a bit tiresome after awhile. After hitting up the Harpoon Brewery, I was hungry and ready to absorb all that beer in my empty stomach with seafood. I ordered one of the specials, which was a 1.5 pound lobster with fries, coleslaw, and melted butter for $17.95. I really like that they take cards since I was saving my cash for later that night. We sat at one of the tables around the corner outside. The food was ready quickly and my lobster was so hot I burned my finger. I settled for some fries first, which were thinner but could have been more crispy. I do not like coleslaw but gave it a go anyway - yup, still hate that goopy mess. Finally, the lobster cooled enough for me to dissect it. I cracked open a claw and delicious lobster juice spilled out. The melted butter cup made a perfect container to hold the pieces until I was ready to eat them. I tore through it like whoa and slurped/sucked the little legs, as well as scooped up the tomale. So sweet, so delectable, so buttery, so fantastic. I only wish I had gotten the 2 pounder. They did forget my bottled water and did not offer any wet naps. However, we did get a whole container of napkins! Oh Yankee Lobster, I will be back to take advantage of your low prices and delicious lobsters.
(4)
Carrie P.
Stumbled here after the Harpoon Brewery was too busy, and did not have room for me to go on a tour. I was impressed by the reasonably priced fish and chips, and really all the seafood. I really enjoyed the fish and chips, the fries being COMPLETELY delicious, the fish was good, but nothing that really stood out. I do like the atmosphere of this place. One of my pet peeves is when seafood restaurants assume that high quality food means fine dining. I really do enjoy seafood places such as Yankee Lobster Fish Market that can satisfy a craving without breaking the bank. The lobster roll was also FANTASTIC! I can always appreciate a good lobster roll. Definitely a good stop on the way to or from the Harpoon Brewery.
(4)
Ehsan S.
good lobster. does not look fancy but the food is pretty good
(4)
Laina T.
I came with 3 friends and we each had the 2lbs lobster dinner. First off you definitely didn't sit around thinking ..."are these really 2lbs", which I find is very common with lobster, as a matter of fact we were actually wondering if some of them might be over the 2lbs. The dinner came with fries and coleslaw which I had every intention of scarfing down but after my lobster I had no desire to even try. The lobster itself was deeelish and the prices are so reasonable. Very laid back fun way to have lobster, you know you're paying for the lobster here instead of the fancy atmosphere.
(5)
Cat S.
This was really good - will definitely have to take another trip and see if I can upgrade to 4 stars. Tried the lobster roll, clam chowder and mixed seafood platter (yes, aggressive.) Everything was delish - the fries even withstood the test of carryout without getting soggy. Place is cute and convenient to Southie, which is awesome.
(3)
Denise C.
I wouldn't consider myself a lobster roll connoisseur but I do love me a good one. And this place isn't quite up to par with their lobster roll mostly because it was a bit on the skimpy side but I do like that they go light on the mayo. Upon first look I like my lobster rolls to make my eyes go wide, mouth water and stomach grumble. This did not do that. It wasn't a bad roll just my greedy self wanted more in the roll. However I did hear that they do 10 crabs for $20 or some ridiculous deal like that. I HAVE to come back just for that awesome deal. Their fries were surprising good - really crunchy and not too oily.
(3)
Chandy S.
Overrated. I wonder if I fell into a tourist trap visiting this place. The food was mediocre, it's the price that kicked our seafood loving butts. One crab cake appetizer (2 crab cakes), one crab cake sandwich & fries, one order of fried oysters & fries, one med clam chowder = one $50 bill. The quality of the food + the quantity of food we had DOES NOT equal $50. If there's anything I hate more than "meh" food, it's bad math!
(2)
Adeline M.
This is a great place, looks very simple, you order at the counter and then are served at your table in paper plates, So it is not a fancy place, but the guys serving there are really friendly. I was there on a Friday night around 9 and it was not crowded. I had stuffed clams, delicious, the clam chowder, good as well, and a lobster. The French fries are really good too.
(5)
Nanana A.
A small place that also sells seafood. The lobster roll was fresh and served with french fries. ($18.) It was fresh lobster meat and was not drenched in mayo. The clam chowder was okay ($4.) it lack something and was a bit sour or had an off taste. the bits of fresh clams were good, but the soup was a miss for my taste. The deep fried scallops were cooked perfectly. ($13.) If you looking for a place with fresh seafood, and low key place, this would be your place to go. They had daily specials and it seems to be a good value for fresh seafood.
(3)
Ido W.
Bottom line: solid fish and chips and cod fish cake. The Pros: fresh, normal portions, very cheap for Boston, hip atmosphere and the coleslaw was lean The Cons: just not the best we've had. The ambiance is nice, but the neighborhood is not. And (I know it's silly) I would rather have more lemon slices.
(4)
Nicole W.
I had the lobsta Mac and cheese and my boyfriend had the lobsta roll. They were both amazing! Even the sides were really good. The people were so nice and helpful. We got a couple live lobsters to take back home with us and they were knowledgeable about what would be the best to fly with. I love how this place isn't some pretentious upscale restaurant that would frown at you of you walked in with a baseball cap on. They give you plastic silverware and paper plates and have a chill side patio. Good food, good people, chill environment. It doesn't get any better.
(5)
jb h.
This is my go to place in the seaport district. I've been going for years since before the seaport district became the new "hot" place to be. The seafood is fresh and reasonably price, at least compared to the other seafood places nearby. The service is fast and staff is friendly. The best part is when you're going to a concert at the pavilion next door you can stop by here for food, I guess people don't know about this place cause I always come here expecting a huge line during concerts but am always pleasantly surprised at the lack of! They have a hidden patio area on the side where you can actually hear the concert while you eat!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : No
Brett H.
So I was in town for a convention and there were a couple of seafood options available. Legal Seafood is nearby but that place is so overrated now. There is another place called No Name but this one blows them all out of the water. The clam chowder was the best and their seafood was really good. This is the place to go to if you are by the convention center.
(5)Jessica M.
Spent a long weekend on the cape and then had the best seafood our our trip at this place right next to the airport. Just looking for a good meal and something to kill time near the airport, Yelp (and all the previous reviewers) saved the day. This was far and away the best lobster roll we had our whole trip, it's not a mayo mix, it's lobster with a little celery and it is ohhhhhhhh so good. Clam chowder was also excellent, probably one of the best we had, and we had the small calimari app as well which was cooked perfectly and delicious. Great place, convenient to the airport, plenty of parking, a must stop.
(5)Mark L.
Love these dive-y places with awesome no-frills food. Quite a large seafood menu since it doubles as a fish market. I'd say this was the best lobster roll I had while in bean town. Decent beer selection and above average chowder. What else do you need?
(5)J M.
So this one may seem like it's a bit out of the way but It's only two stops on the silver line from south station and for those of us who live outside of the city there is a free parking lot for there customers right outside-so getting there should not be an excuse! This place is awesome with daily lobster specials. The young guys inside are cute and super helpful in trying to get what you want at a price that works for you. My friend and I tried the 2lb. stuffed lobsters!!! OMG the stuffing has lobster, scallops and shrimp in it ---it's totally awesome and comes with veggies or fries and cole slaw. While we waited for them to make it one of the workers brought in a 12lb pound lobster to show us what the Jumbo 6+ pounders would look like. I will advise that the place is small with only about 10 lbs but they have outdoor seating in the nice weather and it's right on the water. I
(5)Leli N.
I came here last summer with a craving to sink my teeth into some lobster dipped in butter and that I sure did! I got a 2 lb lobster and then some and it was enough for me! It wasn't over cooked or tough and it was pretty sweet. Be prepared to get messy though. They do have a bathroom, so not to worry on the clean up. My friends got these massive 6lb lobsters and it was sooo much, that they weren't able to finish it. If you do get it, be prepared to share! Prices overall I would say aren't that bad. They are probably about average, but not cheap. You do get a better deal than going to any fancy place though. The place is very casual. They have a small seating area inside and then some more tables right outside. I went for lunch on a Saturday with about 4 other people and it wasn't too crowded and was able to find metered parking on the same side of the street. Besides lobster they have a variety of other seafood that I have yet to try, but I would certainly come back again to try them.
(4)Tia T.
The food was great! Scallop roll, clam chowder and fish and chips; all fresh and flavorful! However, we encountered a number of issues with our bill. We were not given then special price on an item and we were charged for an item that we didn't order. The manager on duty was great about rectifying the situation (I may retract that depending on my bank statement). However the person that actually made the mistakes gave lots of attitude! So go AND TRIPLE CHECK YOUR BILL.
(3)Junlei W.
Great place for lobster. I had a lobster roll and a mid clam chowder. Yet it's the 3rd time I have clam chowder in this week, this place definitely offers the best. Plenty of clams, really full favored. The lobster roll is even better. It's STUFFED with fresh lobster meat. One of the best lobster I've ever had. The shortage: the place is small, menu is unordered and the staff could be more friendly. But those count nothing in front of their great lobster roll.
(5)Mandy Y.
The front is a small restaurant and the back is a fish market for all your fishy needs. I had a lobster bisque because I needed food for my drunken belly and it was meh. Super salty and not full of lobster. They get rave reviews on yelp but I don't see it. It's a good place to pee at if you're coming from the Harpoon Brewery tour.
(2)Eric K.
It was the afternoon after my friend's wedding and we needed something that would help absorb all of the celebration from the previous night...the only problem was that we were staying at a hotel in boston's waterfront area and there really wasn't that much around. So we went for the most logical food to eat the day after a wedding: lobster roll. Yankee was about a 10 minute walk away from our hotel, and I didn't want to leave boston without having eaten some seafood. We walked past the very new-looking restaurants on the waterfront and spotted the old, small market-like building. I had a good feeling as we walked in and saw baskets full of fried seafood, lobster rolls, and salty goodness. I was all set to go up to the counter and order the lobster roll when i saw the words "lobster club" on the menu. Lobster, bacon, thick slices of bread...instantly, I changed my order to the club. We found a small table in the restaurant (they also have outdoor seating), and looked at all of the restaurant's history framed around the walls as we waited. Finally, my impressive lobster club arrived in its full glory on a plastic basket with fries and coleslaw. The lobster salad was slightly mayoey, chunky, and delicious, and was combined with slightly crispy/slightly chewy bacon, lettuce, and tomato on thick, slightly spring white bread. The sandwich was slightly messy as a a sizable pile of meat remained after I'd finished like a little pile of gold. My impressions on my first lobster club: the lettuce and tomato gave it a slightly healthier feel than your normal lobster roll until the slices of bacon interrupted. overall, a great sandwich that served as a worthy competitor to the lobster roll.
(4)Victor T.
Growing up in San Francisco, I've ate a lot of good clam chowder over the years. With that said, this place has the best clam chowder I've EVER had...PERIOD. When I was there, I also ordered the staple menu items like the lobster roll and crab roll. They weren't the best I've ever had, but both were really good. I would rate them both a 8/10. This place was about average price compared to other lobster roll type places. Looking forward to coming back the next time I'm in town!
(4)V C.
Heads up about the address: Likely because of all the new construction in the area, Northern Avenue loses its name about a block or so in to become Seaport Boulevard, and the street then regains its former identity much further than. For tourists on foot armed with a small map and a tiny phone screen where the Google Map is hard to see, that can mean some time walking up and down figuring out where the hell it is. Once found, the payoff's pretty immediate: You order at the counter and eat either inside the restaurant or in the back patio where tiny cute birds attack leftovers. I ordered the Maine lobster, which comes with cole slaw, corn on the cob, and French fries --which in a fit of virtue I subbed with green beans. (I think they still charged me for the full price of a side, but that's the cost of virtue.) Yankee Lobster would've gotten an extra star except my husband's steamers were more like lukewarmers (which meant I had to share my lobster. Curses). Also don't bother with the Boston Cream pie -- more on the par of grocery store offering.
(3)Shane R.
i can barely distinguish between a lobster and a crab, but this place seemed legit to me. right on the waterfront. muscles, clams, lobsters, and crab were alive and fresh. prices seemed reasonable, but i wouldnt really know.
(4)Daniel M.
Free parking is available for customers. There's an attendant on duty that makes sure you are a paying customer and not just taking advantage of the free lot. It happened to be on the same night as Bank of America Pavilion concert. Sitting outside and listening to live music was a good way to have dinner. I grabbed a couple lobster rolls with a side of slaw. Both were great. The slaw was a good consistency and there was a decent amount of lobster.
(4)Michael y.
They put too much celery in my lobster roll! Decent place to sit outside. The fried clams were very good. The LR was decent and plentiful, albeit the celery.
(3)Fred Y.
Great place to go in the summer. A food critic once told me that a good fish restaurant or seafood counter should NOT smell like fish! "That means there is usually old product or lack of clean up." So, I wish the folks at Yankee could decide what they want to be--a carry-out joint or a place where you can eat comfortably inside when the Boston weather is chilly!
(2)Connie L.
Chowder is pretty good, nothing spectacular. Fish and chips are solid, but nothing you can't get at Court House Seafood or Morse Seafood in the South End for the same price or less. The lobster roll is just OK - I'd rather pay a bit more and enjoy an epic lobster roll at Neptune's Oyster. A little bit out of the way if you don't have a car, but there is parking available around the back. Recommended only if you're in the area.
(3)Lauren V.
I heard the $36 price tag for two Sam Summers, a lobster plate and a clam plate as a condemnation to eternal food sickness, but was actually sent to seafood Heaven. Tucked away past most of the eateries on Northern Ave, Yankee Lobster still attracts a good number of people. We saw both the indoor and outdoor seating areas fill up as we chowed down. Go inside, order at the counter and they will bring your food and drink to you. (Or package it up if that is what you want to do.) As the name implies it is also a market and there is a variety of fresh seafood to be purchased. Should you decide to eat in, there is beer and wine as well as soft drinks, juice and water. Prices are worryingly low and there are specials to be had. Although inexpensive, the food is delicious. And the service is friendly. It really was a relaxed environment, even if the table of middle-aged men next to us kept succeeding in coaxing truck drivers to blow their horns as they drove by. Forty-six mini heart attacks aside, I enjoyed my experience here. And since my friends are all moving to Southie, this will be a great motivator to visit. I mean, seafood isn't more enticing than friends. What?
(4)C M.
Review Dedication: Brady B! Without his suggestion on the "Must Eat Foods..." thread, a venture to Yankee Lobster Co. would not have been conducted. Link to Brady's Profile: yelp.com/user_details?us… Perhaps Brady could've warned of the distance / perpetually never ending distance from Boston Common. Strolling east on Summer Street, the walk from South Station took about 30 to 40 minutes. During the walk, one would question the existence of Yankee Lobster. Trying to find the restaurant is similar to discovering an Oasis in the middle of the Saudi Arabian Desert. It may / may not exist. *NOTE TO ALL FUTURE PATRONS* - You might feel adventurous in taking this walk. Be forewarned, you're better off driving, taking a cab, biking, rollerblading, or riding horseback to this establishment. It's far... Really FAR! After finally arriving to Yankee Lobster Co, it was surprising to see that the establishment was entirely deserted. From visual observation, the restaurant possessed a modest feel with a simplistic decor. The sturdy wooden chairs and off color Formica tables provided a low key and unpretentious feel. The restaurant itself is mostly self serve. Patrons place their orders at the front counter and receive their orders in the same location after preparation. Ultimately, Yankee Lobster Co's focus is on its edible offerings... The Food: New England Clam Chowder: Although visually similar to most New England Clam Chowder applications, the taste is the ultimate dissemination of Yankee Lobster Cos' rendition compared to all others. At first taste, patrons will find that the buttery and savory flavors derived from the heavy cream and clams come to full force in this application. The heartiness derived from the chowder is representative of a well executed version of this classic consumable. Patrons will find the velvety texture of Chowder to work in conjunction with the mild firmness of the Clams used in the application. Ultimately, the consumption of this Clam Chowder will allow patrons to fully understand its composition. Through a well executed texture (for which it is not too liquidity or dense), the elements of the application works to stimulate the flavors derived from the heavy cream and spices. Given the superb tactical execution of this rendition, the version of New England Clam Chowder supplied by Yankee Lobster Cos should be deemed as renowned. Lobster Roll: Perhaps the mainstay of sandwiches amongst the Bostonian community, the rendition of the Lobster Roll offered by Yankee Lobster Cos produces not only a welcoming and tantalizing sensation when consumed, but also provides the subtle meatiness that's commonly observed in sandwiches. The Lobster Roll is similar in execution to your standard Tuna Salad Sandwich. What is the main distinction between the two is the execution of the Lobster. At first consumption, patrons will find that the succulence derived from the juiciness of the Lobster Meat works in conjunction with the light cream sauce used to bind the application. To further enhance the application, the bread roll for which the lobster is served provides the proper balance of starchy flavors and textural contrast that further enhances the flavors of the lobster. Furthermore, the finely diced celery used in the application adds the earthy dimension that boasters all other ingredients of the roll. Crab Roll: Similar in application to the Lobster Roll, the Crab Roll produced a modest sweetness and easy to the touch composition. At first bite, patrons will find that the fragile texture of the crab meat helps to introduce the mild tanginess of the mayo. Given the delicate structure of the crab meat, the natural sweetness of the crustacean was able to protrude in the application. $50.00 in the hole and it was off to the venturous saunter back to Boston Common. Granted the walk might've done some good given the eating escapade. Nevertheless, is there an easier way to get to this restaurant?
(4)Carl S.
Solid lobster roll, but nothing to special.
(3)Sue K.
fresh seafood, great price. get the lobster dinner and the harpoon.
(4)Steven S.
Lobster bisque soup was great. The lobster mac and cheese was not. It lacked flavor and was not cheesy or creamy at all. I had to put tabasco on it to make it edible. The lobster roll was okay, but also lacked star power. It tasted like straight lobster that had lemon squeezed on it. Now we can say that we tried it, but we won't be trying it again. Not bad, but just average.
(3)Sean R.
Decent place to grab lunch while in the area for business. It's close to World Trade Center, but does not have a speck of corporate feel to it, which I was a big fan of. They have really good prices, and the lobster roll was the best I have ever had.
(4)Andrea L.
So last time I checked, the price of their lobster roll was fixed and not market-based, thus my consternation at the increase from $16 to $18 over the course of 2 months ... make what you will of that. I will say that having eaten through a fair amount of lobster rolls in Boston, Yankee Lobster is my favorite for being huge and giving you a ton of lightly dressed lobster. James Hook is too small. I don't really dig the inefficiency of Alive and Kicking though they're pretty tasty. Legal Seafood, I'm pretty sure gave me a slight case of food poisoning, and I have an iron stomach so that's pretty amazing. And I've just gone through all my receipts and am now practically numb to the sticker shock of Boston's food. $18 for a huge roll + fries. win.
(4)R H.
Staff is incredibly nice here. Fish soup was great as was the lobster and fried shrimp.
(4)Dan Y.
Great seafood for really reasonable prices. You want seafood, you'll get fresh, tasty seafood here. The haddock plate I had was decent but the lobster was great. I thought they had really great clam chowder here too. Will be sure to visit again next time I'm in Bean-Town.
(4)Angie M.
"Its so fresh it tastes like they just pulled the lobster out of the ocean and slapped it on a roll." That would be my verbatim description of the lobster roll at Yankee Lobster Fish Market when rehashing the experience to my father. Really, there's nothing more to say. Go there. Eat lobster rolls and clam chowder. You can thank me later.
(5)Anne W.
If you want to buy fresh seafood.. you should consider heading out here. This is the only spot in Boston where you can buy 5 lbs+ lobsters.. I once bought a huge 7 lbs one.. I know they say it's not as delicious but it really is. I made lobster chowder, lobster salad, and steamed lobster. It was an adventure in itself to cook it. They also have smaller crabs that are pretty cheap.. I think about $3 for one. I am not impressed really with their lobster roll there. It's okay and costs a lot.. and tiny. Clam chowder and lobster bisque are about middle of the road. I'd just go to buy huge lobsters! Oh.. and steamers and mussels are awesome to buy and take home as well! If you are heading out of Boston and want to grab some lobsters to surprise your friends, I would definitely consider them. They pack them great!
(5)Sasha C.
tried the lobster roll of course and meh, fell short. fries were ok, crisp hot and fresh but not enough to justify the price. the lobster roll was small, the bread was not buttered so there was no salty buttery element. i like my lobster rolls hot and cold. the roll should be hot and buttered/toasted, while the lobster meat cold in the bun. this place fell short! dont be fooled, it isnt a restaurant atmosphere. more like a deli/cafe/eatery with seating inside and outside.
(2)Jackie M.
{FRIDAY afternoon. Jackie A. and Paul Q. exit the Amtrak train at South Station and begin the 1 mile walk to the Seaport Hotel} Jackie A.: While we're here in Boston, can I eat lobster at every meal? Paul Q.: Umm...I guess so, but if you think its going to be cheaper than eating it in DC, you're wrong. It will still probably be expensive. Jackie A.: So. We're on vacation. Paul Q.: No we're not. We're here for a wedding. Jackie A.: We're not at home so its kind of like vacation. Paul Q.: Besides, do you really need my permission to eat lobster? Jackie A.: No. Paul Q.: You know they're not serving lobster at the wedding, right? Jackie A.: Yeah ... but I feel like I should eat lobster at every meal other than the wedding. Paul Q.: Why? Even breakfast? Jackie A.: Maybe. Paul Q.: You don't eat breakfast. Jackie A.: So. We should go to the Yankee Lobster Fish Market. I read about it on Yelp and its near our hotel. Paul Q.: Okay. {SUNDAY morning} Jackie A.: Lets walk down to the Yankee Lobster Fish Market before we have to walk to South Station. We can have lunch there. Paul Q.: Whatever. I think I might be sick. Jackie A.: Well, you don't have to eat anything. I'll roll the suitcase. Just follow me. Paul Q.: Its only 11 am, they're probably not open yet. How come you're not hung over? Jackie A.: Cause I made myself throw up ... twice. Paul Q.: I should have done that. Jackie A.: Yeah, it would have saved you from feeling like crap right now. Paul Q.: I hate throwing up though. I feel like shit. Ugh. Let me guess, you're going to get lobster at the Yankee Lobster Fish Market? Jackie A.: What do you think? Of course. Muahahaha. {Jackie A. and Paul Q. enter the YLFM. The restaurant opens at 10 am on Sunday. Paul Q. sits down and puts his head in his hands. Jackie A. walks up to the counter} YLFM Man: Hi. Jackie A.: Hi. I'll have the ... YLFM Man: ...I just put some specials on the bor-ed. Jackie A.: Oh. Okay. {glances at board} I'll have the grilled Cajun swordfish sandwich with fries and coleslaw ... and a water. YLFM Man: $15.95. {Jackie A. sits. Two other customers enter. Both order lobster} Paul Q.: I thought you were ... what happened to ... you make no sense. Jackie A.: I know ... I don't know what I was ... I know. {silence} Paul Q.: Can I have one or two of your fries? Jackie A.: Sure.
(4)Michael C.
Fried clams were really good. Fish sandwich also good. Cheeseburgers for the kids, not so good. Cole slaw was bland. Cocktail sauce needs more horseradish. Overall, A-OK. What ever happened to Jimmy's and Jimbos?
(3)Timothy J.
I struggled with this one between 3 and 4. I gave it the Triple D round up to a 4. It's a neat joint that is for sure and the Sam Adam's O-Fest sure was satisfying after a long walk. The food was good and fresh. I don't know if I would say it was great. I had the Fish and Chips and Lobster Mac and Cheese. I wish I got the Clam Chowder as everyone seems to be raving about it. I would certainly go again, I don't know if I would "have" to go back when I visit Beantown. Anywho, check it out if you are a big Diner's Drive Ins and Dive's spot or if you are in the area. If not check out somewhere closer to you.
(4)Don K.
I'm on my way to the historic District and then Logan and wanted some pix of the South Boston fishing area for painting and discovered this small restaurant adjacent to the docks so they have access to great fresh sea food and they know lobster. The bisque through the double lobster diner is all time. The Yankee Lobster Fish Market is what you want.
(4)Michael S.
Both times I've been here have been extremely pleasant but this most recent was one of my best restaurant experiences I've had. I went with a friend to eat a giant lobster and while waiting for it to cook they offered to let us try some of their drinks before ordering - even going so far as to open a bottle of cider and pour it into a cup to see if we liked it. We also had a small bowl of chowder. When the lobster came out they explained that there had been a lot of water in the shell, making it seem heaver than it was, and they felt bad so they also gave us a bowl with another lobster tail in it and some trimmings. We scarfed down the lobster and bantered with the guys behind the counter the whole time. They even brought out some stew for us to try. At the end of the meal I went to pay and instead of charging the $115 for the lobster that they had quoted, plus the two drinks, cup of chowder, and cup of stew, he knocked $35 off the price of the lobster and threw everything else in for free. I had a fantastic evening, definitely head over there sometime and bring a jovial attitude, they'll reciprocate and you'll get to enjoy wonderful food AND wonderful company.
(5)Andrew C.
Recently became a fan of Yankee Lobster! The prices are reasonable, the fish is fresh, and the food is great! What more can you ask for? Give the crab cake sandwich a try!
(4)Jules M.
Omg are you kidding me?! I got together with 3 friends and we ordered two 7 lb lobsters. They cooked them, cracked them and we took them home. Now I've always believed that larger lobsters are tougher than the small ones, not from this place. I grew up in New England and these were the best lobsters I ever had. Well done Yankee Lobster!
(5)Drew F.
Mmmm... Broiled Sea Scallops No frills, but I just wanted broiled Scallops. If I want frills with my scallops I'd pay twice as much at the glittering new Liberty Wharf restaurants, plus $20 for valet! Free parking in back. The elderly food-zombies from the 50 still flock to the dark & dank No Name. The flashy soon-to-open Legals Harborside tries to draw you in with all the promise of what you can get at every other Legal Seafood restaurant in Boston, Delaware, DC, or Florida. On a sunny day the patio is a nice place to kick back and enjoy the fruits of the sea. Went there two days ago and Mayor Menino was waiting for an order to go. It will be packed prior to Bank of America Pavilion events. Order at the counter and they'll bring it to your table. Bus yourself, but be nice and tip.when you order.
(4)Jim B.
Flew in to Logan for work and knew I had to have some lobster. Actually I was researching restaurants for the previous few days and Yankee Lobster was one that was recommended the most. I had the special which was two small lobsters w/sides of coleslaw and fries. I also ordered the clam chowder. It was the best chowder I have ever eaten. If you eat nothing else, try the chowder you won't regret it. Jim
(4)Brady B.
David M. is right on, I just got back from this place and had a kick ass lobster roll. For $16 you get a nicely stuffed, butter toasted roll with minimal mayo alongside a big portion of fries and yummy coleslaw. The lobster bisque was wonderful as well, as was my roomie's NE clam chowder. The silver line drops you right near it and it's located right next to the Pavilion. The whole menu looked great but I have a feeling that every time I continue to go here, which will be plenty, the words "lobster roll" will automatically fly out of my mouth. Update: My roomie and I went there for dinner tonight only to discover that there was a concert at the Pavillion next door and that YLFM ups it's prices during said events. They lose a star for that one. In one sense I can understand it seeing that they know that business will be thriving when there's a concert, but then again it sucks for the two of us that were not going to be attending the Jethro Tull concert. My $16 lobster roll was $20 and my small chowder was $4.75 instead of $3.50. It was still delicious though!
(4)Shirley W.
Once again, the yelpers came thru. We were in the waterfront area of Boston and were looking for a place to eat. We were right by the Legal Test Kitchen (LTK) but also read about Yankee Lobster Fish Market. Popular place or hole in the wall market. We were adventurous, so we went the route of the hole the wall. I wanted fresh steamed lobster and a nice cool beer. Yankee did not disappoint. There was a concert that night at the Bank of America concert, so they were busy. We timed it just right though because we arrived just as the crowd thinned. Bad news though.. they didn't have the 2 lb lobster I was craving for. I settled for the 1.5 pound steamed. The lobster was meaty and tasty. Only negative... they didn't offer an assist/tools with cracking the claws. I had to get creative and it took some work, but worth it in the end. Also tried the clam chowder. Highly recommend as well. Creamy and "clammy"..... As a good chowder should be. The place is small though, but there is outdoor seating and if you hit it on a concert night, free entertainment... win win!
(4)Tim W.
Yes, I agree, best Lobster...but the roll is not the best. I have to say the roll is best to my palate toasted and warm, but their combination of spices, mayo, and celery OH and FRESHNESS wins hands down...i live in nyc where Luke's is king, and oops they just got demoted to Queen...its expensive at 16.95, but you get fries and coleslaw with it...i just need the roll and charge me 2 bucks less... Also had a small seafood chowder and small lobster bisque...both excellent and house made. very very good experience. this stuff is off the boat fresh... go get some!
(5)Diana M.
Awesome crab roll I definitely recommend this one!
(5)Cherie C.
After a bit too much beer at the Harpoon Brewery, we stopped here for some seafood. The clam chowder was good, with big chunks of clam. My fish and chips was good, fresh. Chips were just okay--run-of-the mill frozen steak fries. I'd definitely go back to buy fresh seafood to take home. I get the feeling that's what this place is all about. They seem to really care about seafood here, but I have a feeling the prepared food was just an add-on. It's all about the takeout.
(3)Liz M.
Okay folks, this is just straight up seafood at the docks. I mean, any closer, and you'll be in the water with brine up your nose. I don't know if the best part was that I went on a Boston monsoon day. On to the real deal: (1) lobster roll. it doesnt compare to neptune oyster. ya'll boston people into competition like red sox vs. yankees? put yo' lobstah rolls to the challenge son. (2) lobster bisque. not too bad, but a big watery finish. no, it wasnt the backwash. why? (3) cornbread. yes, the cornbread was delish! moist and fluffy. (4) steamed summer squash -- not too soggy. but nothing to write home about. (5) rice pilaf? yeah people can mess up too, and its not one of the main dishes, but if yo seafood is gonna be good, its gotta have good sides! (6) crabcakes -- like buttah, like buttaahhhhhh. good. (7) grilled shrimp plate -- another goodie! yes, the shrimp is briney, b/c it was probably alive hours before. be forewarned for the freshness in your mouth (aka grit between your teeth) (8) NOT ON THE MENU BUT THE BEST DEAL!!! steamed fresh crab -- ohh baby, this was the coup de grace. and the best deal. lobsta roll, on a hot dog bun, chopped up stuff, over 15 buckaroos... TWO HUGE CRABS for approx. 14 bucks? yeah, you have to do the work to get the goods, but all precious things are worth working for. work it work it, they even give you dentist-like piks to do it! (9) boston cream pie - nothing special, but not too shabby. (10) fries? nothing special, but not soggy! overall -- this place was decent. its no frills. just get me my ocean dwelling friends on my plate and get me outta here. all of this was best enjoyed with a harpoon IPA btw. and no, i didnt eat this all alone. but yes, a good portion of it....
(3)B. T.
Hit the spot! We were staying nearby and arrived in Boston starving! A lobster roll, friend shrimp and a few cold Harpoon's on tap hit the spot. The lobster roll was good but small for the price (I guess they always are though when not right on the Maine coast). Service was very quick... a good option when in the area!
(3)Michael P.
I arrived in Boston, MA around the lunch timeframe, so my co-worker and I decided to check out Yankee Lobster Fish Market AKA Commercial Lobster. When I walked into the fish market the smell hits you in a good way, you can tell (visually and smellingly {yes I made this word up lol}) this is a good fish market. The menu is extensive with good value, I ordered the lobster roll which comes with fries and coleslaw. The price was reasonable ($17.99), I remember getting a lobster roll in NYC which was the same price minus the fries and coleslaw. My Yankee lobster roll was delicious, and the coleslaw was fresh and tasty. Hopefully when I return to Boston, MA soft shell crab is still in season because Yankee Lobster had the Soft Shell Crab sandwich w/ fries and coleslaw for only $9.99.
(5)John S.
The freshest Boston fish is in the Waterfront district (Marine Industrial Park to some) and this establishment is a fine example. Stuffed Quahog = must try Crab Cakes = delicious Good and cheap seafood here. (Except for the very royal lobster club.....hooyah!....in terms of cheapness) Fish sandwiches can be outdone by other local establishments, but only marginally. And, the fries and onion rings are sadly below par, almost bad.
(5)Kellie P.
This place looks like an average sandwich shop. It is somewhat rustic but has none of the charm of the Barking Crab. It's just generic. After reading the reviews here, I got some of the lobster bisque. It was too salty, and that's an incredible thing for me to say because I adore salt and add it to everything. There was also very little actual lobster in it. The soup wasn't that good. I ordered a lobster dinner to go. When it was ready, I was handed a brown paper bag with a thank you. I got back to my hotel room to find that the lobster was not pre-cracked and there were no crackers in the bag. WTF? They know I'm getting a lobster to go, and they don't give me crackers? I noticed that they had some for sale in the shop, and if I needed to buy them, they could have at least told me before I left! This was made worse by my hotel not having any crackers. (Seriously?!?) I managed to get all my lobster out, although it was messy and somewhat violent. I'm just peeved that I had to do it. The food was okay but the service and atmosphere left a lot to be desired.
(2)Jason L.
loved the outdoor seating, it was a great night for the patio. the clam chowder was lacking in flavor and had big chunks of shells (which is guess is ok, because you know it's fresh, but cmon, get a strainer or something) steamers were good, although a bit gritty. Lobsters we a bit overcooked, they got tough the more they sat. Fries, corn were good, coleslaw was bland. 2 harpoon ciders and above for $68 is a bit pricey...
(3)Anthony L.
Delicious fried clams and chowda.
(4)Sarah M.
I work not to far from this place, so I have been here a few times for take out for lunch (and stayed there to eat once). it's basically a take-out spot, with a few tables. You order at the counter, then wait for them to call your name. The food is really good, but it can be slow, and it's kind of expensive. If you do go there, I highly recommend the Combo Platter #2. It's fish, shrimp, and scallops, with fries. However, if you get that and a soda, it's $20, which seems a little high to me. It's not like a Fisherman's Platter, that's meant to serve two, so it's expensive. If you don't want to spend a lot though, the rolls are good, and the clam strips are among the best I've had. On a side note, if you like cocktail sauce with your seafood (as I do), make sure you ask for it. They don't give to you automatically.
(3)Melissa K.
Darn! I was so excited to try this place out after reading the reviews and the fact that it was on triple D. I hadn't had a lobster roll since I used to live in New England 7 years ago so I was super psyched to try theirs. Sorely disappointed :(. It was just 'ok'. Not as awesome as ones I've had elsewhere. The bread was hard and the lobster didn't have much flavor. And the clam chowder didn't taste any different than any other I could get in a can. I was truly hoping to get some awesome food since I was only back in Boston for one night but I obviously chose the wrong place.
(2)M. P.
They have an awesome lobster roll that comes with fries. Yum! It is also a plus that they have seating (though, limited) and beer.
(4)C C.
One of my favorite places in Boston for basic seafood. Consistent quality on all menu items. Also the best place to get the highest quality live lobsters. The place is very well run with pride.
(5)Wayne L.
Stopped by here with friends for lunch in Boston before flying back to Orange County CA. They have a pretty good Lobster roll and Clam Chowder which is what we came here to try. They had a special on the window-2 lb Lobster/coleslaw/fries for $20. A bargain! for LA prices. It's on the waterfront on the docks next to an entertainment pavillion and a no frills dine in/take out seafood deli style. You pretty much can smell the sea in the air as you have your lunch. The lobster roll came with Cole slaw and fries and for $16 was not bad but it's not like the lobster roll at Neptunes in the Northside of Boston. Of course it's in a much more casual eating environment.
(3)Jeff K.
This is the best place to buy fresh seafood in Boston if you don't want to go to Legal Seafood or track down Captain Marden's Seafood truck. Featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives on the Food Network, you can't go wrong. Great place for Lobster , Steamer's and good eats. Plus you can order the food live and take it home. Great prices.
(5)Alex S.
I really liked how relaxed the atmosphere was. Families with their children and business men in suits. Its the perfect mish mash of customers. Its a really small space, so although there was a family of five there, I would not recommend coming in groups larger than four. I ordered the seafood combo with calamari anndddddddddd the Calamari was A-MAzing. I wanted to give Yankee four stars for that alone. The Calamari was 1) Perfectly Seasoned 2) Perfectly Fried 3) Amazingly fresh and so I was VERY impressed. Then I went on to devour my shrimp....and I could not believe what sort of sorcery had occurred on my plate! The same people who prepared this calamari could NOT have prepared this shrimp. It was so lackluster. But all in all you should give Yankee a try...nice place for seafood. I'm sure I'll be back.
(3)Pam M.
My boyfriend and I came here for a quick bite before touring the Harpoon Brewery....I had the lobster roll and he had the buffalo chicken wrap. The lobster roll looked small at first but turned out to be a good portion-- very full of quality lobster meat and not too overdressed at all. The roll was texas toast but it wasn't too buttered or greasy-- it was perfect. The buffalo chicken wrap was nicely prepared. The chicken was tender and moist, the wrap was crisp off the press and there was a perfect amount of buffalo sauce to give it a nice kick. The wrap included slaw and fries, both of which were okay. Overall, I believe this might have been one of the best buffalo chicken wraps that I have had to date (which is saying a lot). One of the best lobster rolls we both have had-- too bad its so far from downtown boston.
(4)Tony B.
Expensive for a Lobster roll... But I will say it was very fresh. They put none if any sauce on it, which I liked. Fresh Seafood Market, on higher end, but good quality.
(4)John D.
Have been a customer for years but the quality has come down over the years. A tourist trap now. Food was way over cooked and dry. The menu has been expanded but a smaller menu with more attention to detail would be better. Wont be back anytime soon.
(2)Vez K.
Went for dinner last night with my husband for the first time. I ordered the 1.5 lb lobster dinner, and he ordered the steamers plate. My lobster came out warm, but not hot. It was nice and juicy and good as lobster usually is wherever you go. My butter was cold and watery looking. It didn't look or taste much like good butter at all. My husband's clams were, well, cold and clammy. They should have been hot and steaming, but looked like they had been sitting there for a while and weren't freshly steamed when we ordered them. His clam broth and butter were also cold. Both of our fries were hot amd crispy, which makes me wonder if they left his clams sitting there while the fries were cooking. This was very disappointing. We told them about the butter and they took mine to go (what looked like) get microwaved (because the plastic container lid it was in was a bit melted when it came back). The butter still wasn't very warm and was cold again within about 5 minutes. After eating a few cold clams, my husband asked if they could heat his clams, butter, and clam broth back up. They apologized and heated his clams and butter back up again. The clams came back warm, but still not hot. I guess they didn't wanna shrivel them all up and make them rubbery. But still, we wish they would've had the food piping hot to begin with. Overall, we were disappointed with the fact that our food was cold. My husband and I had a bucket of clams at J's Oysters in Portland last weekend and paid the same price (minus the fries) for good, juicy, pipping hot clams with good hot butter, so he was super excited to have clams again. Needless to say it feel really short of both of our expectations. I absolutely LOVE seafood and have been eating it since I was a kid, so I know my seafood and how to cook and eat it. I don't know what was going on there last night (maybe it was a slow night because of the rain), but we were pretty sad about our cold food (granted my lobster was warm and the fries were good). But being the seafood lover that I am, I decided to give this place another try. So today, I went back for lunch to try something else. I got the Seafood Combo #2 (fried fish, shrimp, and scallops) and was very pleased with my meal. I loved that they were all lightly battered and not greasy. I got 4 shrimps, 4 scallops, and 2 pieces of fish about 3 inches long and an 2 inches wide. It was a good amount for one person. The seafood all tasted plump and juicy, which was great. Their wasn't really any special seasoning in the batter (I tend to favor strong flavors/seasoning in my food), but that was fine. The batter was thin enough that you could clearly see and taste all the seafood and didn't stuff your mouth with just batter. I got my lunch to go, and it still tasted great (though a tiny bit soggier than if I had probably eaten it there). Just make sure that you check that they gave you utensils though. They didn't give me any, though they gave me napkins. I give this place 4 stars because of the great prices and the potential for our food to be good, had things been hot the way they should have been.
(4)John J.
This place doubles as a fish market and a small restaurant. At first impression the meal prices looked reasonable for seafood. I was shocked when I got my order, so much food! I couldn't finish my meal, 2 Jonah crabs, fries, and slaw. I'm glad I stopped by here for dinner. If I'm ever in town again, I will definitely be back. Thank you Yankee Lobster Fish Market!
(5)Susan X.
Lobster roll-average. Fresh lobster but a little bit salty. Not as good as described in the reviews. Lobster bisque-delicious. Creamy and tasty with lobster and oyster crackers.
(3)Britni B.
Absolutely amazing food. I had the clam chowder and lobster roll land both were excellent and fresh. Not much in the way of ambiance, but the food more than makes up for it.
(4)Leisl B.
The best seafood! This spot isn't as much of a "hole in the wall" as other reviewers suggest--it's clean and bright and new inside--but it isn't at all fussy. Outside seating is great, no view of the water but seeing the little fish market trucks from all over New England pulling into the industrial wharf nearby tells you are in the right spot! The clam chowder is some of the best I've ever had. I had fish and chip and Mr. B got the fried clams--everything was golden crispy, fresh and delicious. Oh, and a couple of Sam Summers made the meal perfect. If you are in Boston and want fresh, local seafood, this is the place to go!
(5)Bryan K.
A small shop with room for 20-30 people, but great lobstah rolls. The staff was friendly. It's a little out of the way from downtown, but it's only a 20 minute walk from South Station.
(4)Sean N.
Was my first time in Boston and I ate my way through it. The Lobster rolls (both cold and hot) from Yankee Lobster Co. were incredible. Being from Texas I'm no expert on seafood by any means, but I will coming back here any time I make my way to Boston. Favorite restaurant of the trip. Only drawback was the fact that the dining area is very small so if it's busy you might be SOL at least for a little bit.
(5)Dipak S.
Food - Tried their lobster roll and it is definitely an easy way to have the lobster. Service - Quick moving line. Ambience - Its a bustling place. Cost - ~$20 per pax.
(3)Joe R.
The staff was very friendly and welcoming. The location is a bit out of the way, but the food is well worth the trip. I sampled the Cod Cakes of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives fame, and they did not disappoint. My wife had crab cakes that were the best I've tasted outside of Baltimore.
(5)Christine C.
Home alone and bored from a marathon study sesh I decided that I deserve a lobster roll for dinner. This is my first time at Yankee Lobster and will not be my last! I live a couple blocks away so it's convenient, a plus, but what really got me was the price. $18 for a lobster roll dinner!!! It's by no means loaded with lobster but it's a good healthy portion. The fries and slaw were good too. I now have a casual go-to for seafood when friends and family are around.
(4)Sean H.
Good lobster roll and cocktail shrimp. Would love to try more menu items here. Great outdoor seating. Quick service.
(4)Ann H.
This place is an expensive dive. I got the Lobster Mac & Cheese. It was okay with a few pieces of what I think was lobster. My sister got the lobster roll. The lobster didn't taste like lobster. My guess is they boil the lobster to make soup & use the left-over meat.
(2)Julia C.
Yankee Lobster is an affordable seafood restaurant in Boston that doesn't skimp on quality or quantity. Tip: If you want to dine in, have one person in your party scout out seating while others wait in line, as this place gets packed and the seating is limited. My friend & I split the crab cakes to start and then I had fish and chips for dinner. The fish and chips were crispy but light. All of my friends enjoyed their dishes, especially the lobster roll. Highly recommended!
(5)Rey G.
So impressed with the friendly service and yummy food . My mother and son and I where visiting Boston on our way too New Hampshire and decided to stop in for there famous lobster roll and chowder let me just say we fell in love with the chowder it was so tasty and perfect flavors and sooo satisfying. My four ordered the fish n chips off the kids menu it was lightly battered and delicious , the lobster roll was great it lacked my desired amount of flavor but the freshness made up for it!!!! If your in Boston check this place out !!!
(4)Jorina N.
Best lobster mac hands down! Definitely make a trip there when you do the brewery visit! They go hand in hand and only 5 minutes from each other
(5)Matthew K.
Long lines are the best advertisment and this place has one! The food was really good it just took forever to get to order. Worth the wait though. Chalkboard menu changes with the catch. The stuffed clams were the best dish we got.
(4)Koji O.
Because It was first time to come Boston area, I had no idea where we could have a dinner. My friend told me "eat lobster when you visit Boston", so I found here by Yelp. I really enjoyed a lobster roll along with a Samuel Adams OctoberFest.
(4)Melody K.
UNBELIEVABLE. INCREDIBLE. INDESCRIBABLE. Amazing food, great service. I came here with my family and we ordered the Lobster Roll, Lobster Club, Captain's Feast and Fish n Chips. EVERY SINGLE THING was sooo delicious! The Captain's Feast had wide variety of seafood and it was super yummy! Same for the lobster club. Lobster and bacon?? Heck yes! The Lobster Roll is a popular one and the Fish n Chips is a definite classic. Its a must go when in Boston!
(5)Marques D.
I had the lobster roll it was not that great. It was good though. Good place to eat
(4)May C.
My boyfriend and I stopped in here after the Harpoon Brewery tour. It was the only thing close by and it was pouring rain, so we decided to sit inside until the rain stopped. The place was packed when we got inside. We were lucky enough to find a table that was just clearing out. We didn't order much from here. We both got lobster bisque and some corn bread. The lobster bisque is phenomenal. It was delicious and full of flavor and the lobster was very juicy and succulent. The bisque is so good that we decided to dip some of our cornbread into it. And OMG, that combination is incredible. I highly recommend breaking the cornbread into little chunks and throwing it in the bisque. It's absolutely fantastic!! If I'm ever in Boston again, I will totally be back!
(5)Mac D.
I came here for my first lobster roll and thought it was alright. I haven't had one before, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I didn't think it had much taste. The fries were really good, but the cole slaw tasted a little weird. The staff was really friendly and the service was really quick.
(3)Sagar T.
Haven't had many lobster rolls in my time, but now am a big fan. Great food, small place but large flavor. Good chowda too.
(5)KIMBERLY R.
This is my First time here ,lobster and stone crab was so delicious , price so cheap I will coming back again
(4)Janet H.
The last place my bf and I stopped by to grab our last lobster roll from boston and head home! First this place is near the airport and water which was a little out of the way and in the middle of no where but that was okay. There was plenty of parking which is a plus. Its a pretty tiny restaurant but looks nice and homey. We walked in and it was crowded with a few tables open, which I guess we were lucky because it was noon on a sunday. We ordered the clam chowder, crabmeat roll and lobster roll. The clam chowder was the BEST that i tried in boston, i would compare it with the next best boston chowda co. it was delicious and had the perfect flavor. The lobster roll and crabmeat rolls were delicious as well and plentiful. I liked how the rolls came with cole slaw and fries which made the meal extra filling. the only thing i didnt like was the celery in the crabmeat roll, that was just a preference. overall i would def come back here next time i visited boston.
(4)Chris W.
There is nothing like the classic lobster roll from Yankee Lobster! The service was great and there's no place better to bring the family for some Lobstah! Can't wait to return from Chicago!
(5)Phil S.
Started with a cup of clam chowder.... It was very good. Thick and full of the good stuff. Next -the lobster roll (cold). The lobster roll was very good. Not sure if it's worth almost $20, but if you're going to the seaport area, the price is guaranteed to be higher. My date got a salad with lobster meat on it. It was decent at best. We sat outside with a glass of wine. The food was quickly brought out to us by the runner, who was very nice. Had a real New England seafood feel to it. I'd definitely go back.
(4)Fabian D.
It's definitely one of my favorite places to eat lobster (together with Abe & Louis at Boylston St and James Hook at the water front). The lobster bisque is delicious - lots of lobster meat! The lobster roll is packed with lobster meat and there's hardly any mayonnaise and coleslaw so nothing distracts you from the awesome flavor of the fresh lobster. I like the terrace in the summer, but in winter it's very cozy inside. It's usually very clean and the restrooms are okay, too. All in all, I definitely recommend this place and will come here again for sure!
(4)Scott S.
Wow that was tremendously disappointing. My wife and I were really looking forward to some authentic fish n chips and clam chowder while visiting Boston. We waited in line the requisite 20 minutes which was fine as I expected it would be worth the wait. Unfortunately when I got to the counter they were out of just about everything. No clam strips, no clam chowder, no lobster bisque. I ordered two orders of fish and chips and the calamari. Oh, out of draft beer except Coors and some other boring domestic as well. The calamari was fine, nothing special. The fish was unfortunately very bland, even after loading it up with lemon and malt vinegar. It ended up just being a tasteless vehicle for the tartar sauce. My wife and I felt like we were at a Long John Silvers, and we both had an upset stomach on the cab ride back to the hotel. I didn't feel well the rest of the night. Definitely not a good seafood experience.
(1)Nicolette C.
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Best seafood in boston and they offer great selections of chicken/beef /salads for members in your party who don't enjoy seafood.
(5)Jessica A.
I love this place and it's near Harpoon! The warm, buttered lobster roll is to die for. I'm not a big fried seafood type of person, so a lot of the menu doesn't really appeal to me. There are a few things that make it worth the trip though!
(4)Billie M.
I love Yankee Lobster for everything that it is. But mostly, I love Yankee Lobster for everything that it isn't. Growing up on the cape, there was a never-ending supply of order at the counter, cheap and delicious seafood shops which recognized that things such as fried clams, steamers, and lobster are best enhanced by paper plates, lots of napkins, ice cold beer, and a table outside. I just can't take certain seafood seriously when it includes white linens, polished waiters, and prices inflated to reflect the atmosphere of the dining room. Plus, some of this stuff is messy, and I have no need for people to see me with butter dribbling down my chin. That being said, Boston is seriously lacking in places that truly get what a New England summer feast should entail. Sure I could head to Barking Crab, but usually I bypass that scene completely and head on down to Yankee Lobster. Order your goodies from the unsmiling counter worker, grab your beer, and head outside to soak in the sun while your fish gets fried, your clams get steamed, and your butter gets clarified (!). In no time at all, you'll have a lovely plastic tray overflowing with oceanic delights. As always, it's best to go with a few friends, so you can try all that Yankee Lobster has to offer. They have the best fried clams I've had in Boston (and I mean in Boston, not the North or South shore). Crunchy outsides, with sweet, salty bursts of bellies, all you'll need is a squirt of lemon for these bad boys. The steamer specials they often have are sweet and plentiful. The onion rings are the perfect blend of crunchy batter and sweet, soft onion, just greasy enough to count (but not pour out with each bite). The fish and chips are tasty, but spend the extra dollar and go for the fried haddock over the cod. Prices are reasonable. Portions are big enough to share. Or be selfish and save the second half for later. A close second to the food is the convenience. Off the beaten path, Yankee Lobster is very rarely crowded, with plenty of outdoor seating, and free parking lot. Add to that the circling seagulls, and I feel like I'm back at home.
(4)E C.
When my friend came to visit from California, we were looking for some high quality, decently priced lobster. At Yankee Lobster, we found what we wanted- a generous amount of lobster meat on a bun for only $15 each. The only downsides to this place are that it's located in the middle of nowhere, and that afterward, our stomachs started reacting to the food. I blame it on the coleslaw because I'm sensitive to mayo, but he may have reacted to the seafood.
(3)Lena G.
My friend could not stop raving about the blakenned tuna sandwich, which I have yet to try, I enjoyed my crabcakes. It's quite popular for businesspeople in the area. I was not too crazy about the fried fish.
(4)Scott L.
Lobster roll and crab roll were delicious. More of a fish market than a restaurant in my opinion. Very affordable for great seafood. Clam chowder was delicious, but a bit on the pricy side.
(4)Michael H.
I went for a lobster roll but got the 2lb lobster special instead. Super fresh. An all around good deal. The frys were good and the onion rings were better.
(4)Kaitlyn L.
really good fried clams and chowder. beats driving out of the city!
(4)Meg M.
So after a solid summer of eating here, I think i can finally review it. I work in the Marine Industrial Park so I am constantly looking for new places to hit up for lunch. After exhausting J Pace and being fed up with Au Bon Pain I hit up the spot I had been to before to relax on a weekend afternoon but had never considered for a quick bite on my lunch break. I usually eat lunch late because I am the busiest between noon and 2 so I missed the lunch rush that people talk about. I have eaten the haddock plate (wow), the lobster roll (yes ma'm) and the fried clams (oh mama). This place is adorable. If it were acceptable at my workplace to lounge outside at a table and have a beer for an hour, I am pretty sure I would do it 3 times a week. However, due to the nature of my current diet I havent been back in a few weeks. With the weather getting cooler I think I will just have this place be my go to spot for summer lunches. Cute patio to enjoy the ocean, and super easy to get to. If you are looking for an authentic seafood experience in Boston... check out Yankee Lobster.
(4)Amanda L.
Had a graduation at the Bank of America pavilion this past week and had NO time to grab food before we got there. As there aren't too many options for food near the place, we stopped here as the sign stated "take out" and we figured well then it must be quick... (we had about 20 minutes to spare before the ceremony started)... eh not so much. It was busy due to the massive amounts of people heading to that area so we gave them a little leeway. Eh, that only worked until every single person who ordered after us, had their food, the restaurant had cleared out and we literally had to ask the lady, are you making our food? Once we had our food, we pretty much wolfed it down with ravenous hunger and the urge to not be late (well we were late by that point anyways). My mom's lobster roll was pretty durn good. My hamburger was mediocre. I would probably go back here if there were ever a time when there weren't a million people around or we had time to wait for their service.
(3)Sfgpgirl G.
Unfortunately, my time visiting Boston was limited to my staying in the Southie part of town because of the location to work and the hotel I was in. Having said that, I managed to walk to Yankee Lobster and Fish Market one night for the tasty cheap combo dinner dinner #2 with broiled scallops, halibut (I think) and some rubbery shrimp with fries and tall glass of lager. There was a steady stream of locals and tourists ordering at the counter for take out or to eat in (consumed on paper plates with recyclable utensils) As the name suggests, this is also a fish monger. Yankee Lobster and Fish Market has a decent and varied menu that serves up fresh fish fried, grilled, broiled, sandwiched or on salads. There are also the requisite chowders, crab & fish cakes. Lobsters can be Fed Ex'd anywhere in continental US in 24 hours (which was on my list of "things to do in Boston") Yankee Lobster is not a fancy table service and silverware eatery. It's buckets of fried clams and lobster bisque and a pitcher of beer. Food is great, and reasonably priced.
(3)Jenny S.
This is where I always go to get my " lobster on" when in town. They sell them at a decent price and box them up for you to take on home to your drooling fam. The lobsters are always the best, they well beat out Gloucester fisheries no matter what time of year!!
(4)Aron S.
Yelpers, you let me down! I'll get over it, but I have to provide some balance to this highly over-rated 'restaurant'. As someone who has summered on the n. shore near Essex / Ipswich / Gloucester, spent summers on the Vineyard and dined at many a Maine Lobster pound I can say with complete certainty that this place doesn't even hold a candle to the middle of the pack in those regions, at least for prepared seafood. Though I didn't buy their 'fresh' seafood, I wasn't impressed by the dull looking product in their case. You'd do much better buying fresh seafood at Capt Marden's, any Roche Bros grocery store, or the New Deal Fish Market in E. Cambridge. But enough of that, let's get onto the restaurant review... We came hoping to get a decent seafood dinner before our show at the BoA Pavilion (and that's a whole other review) which is located immediately adjacent to Yankee. It's an extremely small space dominated by a seafood case and about 10-12 commercial tables so expect to wait. There is an outside area with maybe four tables but the night we went it was too cold to either wait or dine outside. Luckily, one of the tables cleared shortly after we arrived and there was no one ahead of us. As the departing couple beckoned us over I noticed that they were clearing their own mess. As far as I'm concerned, that's a major warning sign for service that is one step above McD's. I wasn't far off, but at least they were friendly. We sat down and I noticed that all the service staff were behind the seafood case and people were parked in front, apparently waiting to order or to pick up food. One of the servers explained that you order your food at the case and pick it up when your number is called. The menu is very limited to the most basic seafood fare: fried clams, scallops, shrimp, fish (presumably haddock, but who really knows, could be hake or cod), boiled lobsters (twin 1lb for $34.95 that night), some broiled seafood, chowder, lobster bisque and your usual assortment of hamburgers and cheeseburgers. Beer is served but the choices are limited to two Harpoon offering and Bud Light. Pricey at $5 for a 16oz draft. We ordered a seafood dinner, fish and chips and a box of onion rings. The food came out quickly enough, but I was extremely disappointed by both the quality and portion size. Because I'm allergic to shrimp I asked for scallops to be substituted for the shrimp in my seafood dinner but I think they just left out the shrimp. The scallops weren't even whole scallops, they were regular sized sea scallops cut in half and I had maybe 8 pieces, which translates into 4 scallops. My fish portion was no more than 3-4 oz. The rest of the 'dinner' was a handful of mediocre fries and one of those small plastic cups of forgettable coleslaw. My date's dinner was equally small in size. The onion rings was a pint box. I probably wouldn't be so incensed if the value had been better because my seafood dinner was $16, the fish and chips was 13.95 and the onion rings were $5. The quality of the food was neighborhood pizza joint level. There was no breading to speak of and the food was all overcooked. I'm a huge fan of the light, crispy cornmeal breading that real seafood shacks use and this wasn't even close. The onion rings were heavy, oil soaked and too thickly cut to be cooked through. I left hungry and dissatisfied with the food and service. You'll do the same if you end up at Yankee Lobster Fish Market.
(1)Eric M.
The only reason this place gets four stars instead of five is because I am not a huge fan of fried food, so I'm not sure I can give it the big five. Putting it on the same level as No. 9 Park seem wrong. But rest assured that if you are in the mood for some simple, fried, FRESH, seafood, Yankee Lobster will not disappoint. I had a crab roll that was perfectly prepared, and a friend who got some grilled fish (forgot what kind) said hers was fantastic. I don't know how good it was because she liked it so much that she wouldn't share. I take that as a good sign. Downsides are the place's limited seating and the location, which is further from the city than total dives like Barking Crab. If you are thinking of going to (or being dragged to) the Barking Crab, make your lunchmates walk a little further and hit Yankee Lobster instead. Your friends (and your stomach) will thank you.
(4)C R.
Not bad. I went here based on Yelp reviews. It was my first Boston dining experience. I ordered calamari and lobster stew. The calamari was awesome, but the stew was average. There was hardly any lobster in it. My hubby got fish and chips, which he enjoyed. Our friends got crab cakes and lobster stew. They said crab cakes were fine, not outstanding. This is a small seafood market type place with seating indoors and out. We sat outside on the side patio. Be warned there is no view.
(3)S G W.
UPDATE 2010 a winner in Boston Chowderfest! I am not surprised --they have my favorite clam chowder! I have become a fan of the baked stuffed quahogs too ORIGNAL REVIEW I have been to Yankee Lobster many times. The food is awesome -- try the lobster bisque. Wonderful flavor. Creamy, tasty clam chowder too. The lobster roll is a favorite--lots of meat--reasonable price. As for the market, I have brought home shrimp, prepared clams, and lobster tails. Never disappointed. Yes, it's a small whole in the wall place but what wonderful, friendly people. Great portions, great prices. And you cannnot get any fresher products -- their seafood is being delivered at the docks right behind the resturant. Their lobsters are live in tanks out back. They are a wholesaler too -- they distribute to other Boston restaurants. And a free parking lot -- yippee!
(5)amy f.
Yankee Lobster is another hidden gem that I hesitate to broadcast my affection for.. but i can't help it! This is a favorite spot to grab some top quality fried seafood, in an unpretentious setting. Sit outside, enjoy some delicious fried clams (though the fried scallops might be my favorite) sip a summer beer, and listen to Bank of America Pavilion sound checks.. If you time it right, head over to Harpoon for a tasting after lunch!
(4)chris j.
excellent tuna steaks and great lobster selection. not bad for a less formal lunch.
(3)Gloria S.
This place is small and pretty mellow. The staff was friendly and the food was tasty. Try the lobster roll. I loved it!
(4)Christina P.
I made sure to go here with a group of friends to try the lobster mac and cheese. It was so creamy and there was a very good amount of lobster pieces in the dish. Don't let the long line turn you away, it was definitely worth the wait!
(5)Ken L.
Best Clam chowder I have had! The lines are long but moves pretty quickly here. The food is fresh and the Clam chowder is superb. Kind of a greasy spoon type of place. We had lunch here and sampled the Captains platter, which was all good. The deep fried oyster was a first time for me and that was the only questionable (in terms of my tastes) thing we had there.
(5)Vicky W.
Awesome lobster roll if you want something less concentrated with mayo and just straight-up fresh sweet lobster. Everything is made fresh and tastes great. Service is a little rushed and crazy but would definitely recommend stopping by and checking it out for the level of quality seafood for the price!
(4)Lola A.
I had the lobster roll and my husband had the fish and chips. The food was tasty, although, the seating arrangements are a little off. There are a few tables inside and a few outside. We sat outside (you order, seat yourself and they bring out your food) but it's small and a little uncomfortable. I'd go back to try different items on the menu.
(3)Rita V.
I'd LOVE to give it a 4 or 5 - great staff cooped up in a shack... But the captains plate had a lobster tail that could be used as a tennis ball - HUGE New England NO NO NO NO NO!!!! THAT bothered me tremendously, but the full belly clams were HUGE and the fried scallops were perfect. Watch those tails folks! If this were the first time I had lobster - it would be my last. We didn't send it back though - we literally toughed it out because the place was packed out the door and down the street.
(3)Elisa C.
It really wasn't a goal of ours to try as many bowls of clam chowder into our 1.5 day trip to Boston... it just sort of ended up that way. Yankee's was conveniently next to my pal's hotel, and also sadly our last meal before heading back to SF, but I'm so glad we made a stop here even though it's out of the way from the more bustling parts of the city because BEHOLD - we found the best clam chowder in the city. Though we visited over 5 establishments with clam chowder on the menu during foodie trip - with all types ranging from traditional, to culinary magic, or even progresso/chunky can soup style - Yankee's clam chowder stole the show. I'm not a local, so I'm really not sure how often Bostonians go out for seafood -- the theme of our trip was to eat seafood. Regardless, if you're a local or just visiting, this place is so worth the special visit. Definitely some of the freshest seafood I've had within the US! Yankee seems to be a restaurant under the radar in the food scene here (compared to all the other highly Yelped seafood places such as Neptune or Island Creek), but man, do they do it right. Never mind the shack like feel or the sticky table, I like my restaurants without the trying-too-look, chic feel. The vibe feels genuine, and the place smells delicious. The steamed lobster is fantastic, their seafood platters are perfection, the lobster mac and cheese is out of this world, and did I mention the clam chowder was amazing? Not overpriced or over rated? Now that's a win-win.
(5)Stef S.
If you're in the area, it's a great stop for a quick seafood fix. In terms of the clam chowder and lobster roll though? Meh, I've had better. The seafood tastes fresh, but I found the clam chowder to be ordinary and the lobster roll to be a little too "fishy" for my liking.
(3)Sutirtha B.
We are big fans of Food TV and after seeing that Guy Fieri was here and realizing that this place is in Boston, we decided to come here at the earliest possible opportunity on a Sunday afternoon for lunch. Getting here was fairly straight forward but the parking sign next to the restaurant threw us off a bit. A sign on the restaurant roof seemed to indicate that parking was on the opposite side of the street as the restaurant but we did not find any lot on the other side. Then after calling them, we learned that parking was right next to them and then that turned out to be a breeze. Once inside, there was a modestly long line and it took us about 10 minutes or so to get to the counter. The menu is written on the board but if one is a short person, then it can be a little tricky seeing everything that's written on the board. We had already checked the menu the night before and my wife pulled it up again on her smart phone. Anyhow, as Guy Fieri had raved about the lobster mac n' cheese we decided to give that a try. Lobster bisque or clam chowder is one of the standard fares I order as that helps me get a sense of a place and I went with the bisque. Lastly, we got a fried seafood platter (Combo 2) with fried fish, scallops, and shrimp. The order of these 3 items along with a beer came to ~ $50. The lobster bisque was handed out immediately but for the rest of our food, the wait seemed excessive at ~ 25 minutes or so. As others have remarked, the place is quite quite small and it proved challenging to secure a table inside the place. There are tables outside too but it being chilly, we were keen on getting a table inside and were finally able to get one. As far as the food goes, it was fine but there was nothing that would really stand out. The lobster bisque was definitely below average relative to others that I have tried out during my many trips to seafood joints over the years. One comment that should give you a sense for the quality was a comment from my wife who was reminded of a bisque we had bought at Market Basket a few weeks ago :( Also, there was very little lobster meat in the bisque. The lobster mac n' cheese was OK but given how Guy Fieri had raved about it, we had certainly expected more. In what is consistent with how the remaining items were served, it came in a plate made of aluminium foil rather than a pot / a casserole. Lastly, the fried seafood was fine and I can attest that the seafood seemed very fresh but the seasoning was nothing special, the portions seemed small and the scallops were over fried! The french fries that came with it were also worse than the average french fries at any restaurant. So on two of those things which I have had at tons of places (bisque & french fries), they did worse than the average place where we dine out. Overall, we came with higher expectations but were disappointed. It would be OK if this were right in our neighborhood and we had gone there for a casual Sunday lunch but it was certainly not worth making a 30-40 minute drive out Guy Fieri notwithstanding. Bostonians and out-of-towners, you can do better than coming to this joint.
(3)Ricardo M.
The best sandwich I ever had in my life, #lobsterRoll, I will move to Boston from Texas just for the sandwich
(5)Ayla W.
My fiancé was going on about this place excitedly knowing we'd be visiting Boston. We got there on a gorgeous sunny afternoon so chose to sit outside, and apparently they expanded the outside area since the last time my fiancé was here. I rarely have clam chowder but we ordered that to start and I was very happy with it. It had great flavors, didn't seem too heavy and I love those little oyster crackers that come with it. We also got the fried scallops, the lobster roll and the crab roll. The crab roll was my favorite with the fried scallops being a very close second. The lobster roll was good but I had even better lobster the night before so it kind of paled in comparison. They also put celery on the lobster roll and to me the flavor of celery overpowers everything else. The crab roll though, there aren't enough words. It was creamy, but not too much. The crab had amazing flavor to it. The scallops, like I said, were a very close second, with their light batter and lack of 'fishy ocean' taste which can happen with meh scallops. I strongly recommend this place for high quality seafood, go ahead and treat yourself.
(5)Kate B.
Decent lobster roll but I've defintely had better.. And for $20 it defintely could have been a little bit bigger. Even the hot dog roll was smaller than normal.
(3)Qui C.
This was our first stop after we landed at the airport. Two lobster rolls with Sam Summer. Perfect lunch! My favorite food while in Boston is lobster roll and they make a mean one here. Well worth the $21 bucks. Looks to be a local's spot for lunch. They have outside seating for nice, sunny days (so rare in Boston). Service is friendly - order at the counter and they bring out your food.
(5)Linh V.
I revisited again this year and I would like to retract my previous review. I like this place. The lobster roll and fried clam bellies were yummy and maybe the sweetness they lacked last year were due to the batch of seafood rather than the actual restaurants fault. Definitely one of the best lobster rolls in the actual city.
(4)Char Y.
awesome fully loaded lobster rolls! fast service and delicious food! i wish there is more room to eat inside, because the outdoor seating area has seagulls watching us!
(4)Jenny C.
My friends and I stopped by here before going into Harpoon's brewery. (which everyone should go to! i'll write that review after this) What we ordered: - lobster mac n cheese - clam chowda - lobster roll Lobster mac n cheese: Really good. Had a good amount of lobster chunks. Clam chowda: i liked it! It was really good. My friend said they had too much clams for her, lol, but that's bc she doesnt like seafood. Lobster Roll: Fresh, but like someone said, it was kinda bland. I do like that they didn't put too much seasoning, and that it's not overpowered by mayo like some places. I've only had the lobster roll here and "boston chowda" and i like this one more.
(5)Allie M.
Okay - I am a huge Triple D fan (Guy for Prez 2016?!), so while visiting Boston, I couldn't resist this little seafood shack by the water. Judging from previous reviews, the place is usually packed, but my sister and I went before noon on a Tuesday and had no problem getting served immediately - we also got a prime table outside on their patio. Can't beat that! The place is definitely kitschy, but fun if you take it for what it is. My sister was smart and ordered the stuffed haddock, which was (to use Guy's vocabulary) "out of bounds." I ordered what Guy got: the lobster mac n' cheese and the cod cakes. Considering I don't really like lobster, the mac n' cheese was pretty good, but the cod cakes were better, if not best. They were perfectly seasoned and fried. I decided to try the lobster juice. The best part about it was that the restaurant was playing "Gin and Juice" by Snoop Dogg which inspired me to write a parody: Rollin' down the street, eatin' cod cakes, sippin' on lobster juice. Laid back, with my mind on my seafood and my seafood on my mind.
(3)Jenna L.
Came here for lunch one day - very small place next to Harpoon. I got a lobster roll - pretty good, but not the best I've ever had. It's priced about average to what other lobster rolls are. I really liked their fries and of course they had malt vinegar (a must have) to put on top. Love love. Will definitely be back to try their other seafood
(4)A D.
We were in town for the day, and my family really wanted lobster for some reason. We were recommended by a few people, and I think someone had mentioned it was on Food Network, too! So, my family insisted on going. It was okay. I think it's over-hyped. I had the lobster mac and cheese... It was good, don't get me wrong, it was delicious! Buuuuut, I've had better. Don't you hate those words? I've had better. The fish definitely tasted fresh, and my family enjoyed it! The fries could've used some lovin', and same with the coleslaw. The space is lacking, but it is Boston. It was just too squished for the area, and we had a pretty big party.
(3)Ashley D.
This place is the best (and pretty much the only) place to go to after a few beers at Harpoon brewery down the street. It's a bit isolated but worth the trip especially if you make a joint journey for the food and the beer. The main appeal is the lobster roll. It's served cold with mayo. Although my personal preference is towards hot with butter, they do this cold style very well. Tons of meat and nice soft bun to balance everything out. It also comes with fries which are not only a delicious side but also great at keeping you a little more sober after all the beer. I've also tried the lobster mac and cheese and cannot say enough good things about it. Creamy, meaty, makes you salivate... you know the end of that story. Resonably priced (remember it is fresh seafood) and hits the spot.
(4)Jackie L.
If you are at the convention center in Boston it's worth the .45 mile walk to this place for a killer lobster roll and for a San Diegen like me a cold IPA. Friendly, helpful staff and an authentic atmosphere. Good stuff.
(4)J B.
This place rocks! Great clam "chowda", fried clam strips and lobster mac / cheese. They even have cheeseburgers for the non seafood eater. Really, really, really good across the board! Got to make this part of your time in Boston. Oh yeah....forgot to mention the best music playing ever over the speakers.
(4)Alicia C.
Yummy yummy place. I tried both the lobsters and crabs. Oh god, they were so fresh! This is my favorite seafood place in Boston! I love the ambience too, not too pushing it like other overrated seafood restaurants in the city. After all, when you go to a restaurant, you're really looking forward to the food right? I highly recommend you to crack the crabs yourself, it's a very different experience vs. eating readily peeled crab meat rolls etc. I look at it as working hard to shed the shells and eventually rewarding myself with a big chunk of juicy and fresh meat (especially the claws) - LOVE EM'!
(5)John P.
This restaurant is pretty close to the airport. It was also featured on triple D, so i was hoping this place would be really good. It's a pretty small restaurant with some outdoor seating. Nicely decorated. Ended up trying the lobster bisque, clam chowder, clam sandwich, and fish sandwich. The lobster bisque was OK, too creamy for my standards. The clam chowder was really good, one of the best i've tasted. The fish sandwich was pretty bland, nothing too exciting here. The clam sandwich was pretty disappointing. The fried clams weren't really crispy, and I was hoping for a little more clams in the sandwich...especially for the boston area where seafood is easy to get. My friend got the lobster roll and she really enjoyed it...maybe i should of got that... Overall I was pretty disappointed with my experience here. With SO many seafood options in the boston/MA area we'll probably look for other options next time we're in the area.
(3)Shannon S.
Price was good but food was okay. I had the shrimp and felt I had better. The shrimp where small and the batter was nothing special. My co-workers had the lobster and enjoyed it
(3)Olivia J.
This place is GREAT. Especially for a take out. Between the four of us in my family, we tried a bunch of things: Clam chowder and lobster bisque - in medium cups, they're 5.99 and 6.99 each. I had gotten so used to Au Bon Pain's clam chowder that I forgot what real clam chowder tasted like. This is it! It's got a lot of clams... in almost every bite! Lobster roll - for 17.99, it comes with fries and cole slaw. It's got so. much. lobster!!!! It made me sososo happy. One of the best I've ever had. Lobsters - my family loves lobsters. We like live lobsters steamed, and that's exactly how we got them. We got two pounders steamed and brought them home and ate at home (restaurant space is kinda small; there is no hostess and tables are first come first serve). These lobsters... these fat lobsters had so much chewy and tasty meat. We plan on becoming regulars here!!
(5)Judd F.
Seafoodlicious!!!! Came to Boston for a conference. Ate here every day. WOW! Lobster bisque smooth and creamy! Shrimp perfectly done!
(5)Jasmin V.
+Free parking lot on the side of the building +Huge menu! It might take a while to decide what to get +Accepts credit card +Fast service +Right next to Harpoon Brewery -Small restaurant front; only a few tables -Servings are for one person; Don't share :)
(5)Nam C.
By this point of time in the trip, I was pretty sick of getting an ok chowder. So I changed that up and tried their Lobster Bisque. It was great. There really isn't any better explanation than that. The bisque was very flavorful with the lobster stock and the chunks of lobster really hit the spot. I ordered a large cup, but downed it within a very short minute. Next time, I will try the steamed Lobster here and I hope to be wowed.
(4)Whodat B.
Fresh fresh fresh! BF and I shared the small bucket of Crabs which was so fresh and melted straight out of the shell! But beware it was so juicy that it was a mess cracking! But so worth it! Wish they had an option for 1 or 2 Crabs! Also shared the lobster roll which was hands down THE BEST lobster roll I've ever had! So fresh and light you could really taste the lobster! The meat was super tender... Unlike the last dish we ordered: lobster Mac n cheese... We had to order this after all the reviews... It was "allright"... MY BF's sister makes it wayyyyyyyyy better. The lobster meat portion left to be desired and the what meat was included was rather tough and dry. Over all 4 stars for food... I deducted a star because we arrived the evening before at 836pm for dinner... And the server told us the kitchen close at 830...but there is no notice on the website!!! We were rather irritated to say the least... You need to post online your *true hours*. In major cities restaurants who say they close at 9 serve till 9 and then really close at 10... Just saying.
(3)Daisy P.
So so so good... Stopped here before a concert and although waited in a huge line it was worth it! Best lobster roll and fish & chips in Boston (even Guy Fieri signed his name on the wall).
(5)Kathryn P.
Best lobster roll I ever had. Huge pieces of delicious lobster meat not over seasoned. It was delicious. The waiter recommended the chowder but I had the fish stew. It was lightly spicy with chunks of swordfish shrimp and other fish. It was so good I wanted to pick up the cup to get the last drops. Now this is not a fancy place. It is clean but it is small and could be thought of as a dive. But if ambiance is what you want go somewhere else. If it is good food you want this is the place.
(4)Raven V.
Dear Yankee Lobster, You have ruined seafood for me for the rest of my life. I mean this in a good way. I have NEVER in my LIFE had seafood this good before. Everything was EXTREMELY fresh, the clam chowder is better than any clam chowder I've ever had ( legal seafood 's version is canned cambells compared to your food) the shrimp was sushi fresh quality, and the fish was out of this world. I'm going to have to go back to New England just to get seafood like this again from Yankee Lobster. If you want seafood and you are in Boston, I swear to God you'd be an idiot not to go here.
(5)Bela S.
The reviews before me are correct. This is definitely a place to go when you are in the area. Free parking is an added bonus! I can't say I was terribly impressed by the lady taking our orders, but it's Boston. In the year we have been here we have come to expect this from a place that isn't trying to sell itself as ultra high end. I had the salad with crab meat. Super fresh romain, tomatoes, carrots, with a generous portion of fresh, cold (mayo-free the way I LOVE it) crab meat. Maybe a small mark down for the salad dressing; it was just pre-packed Ken's. But whatever, I usually skipp the dressing anyway. Wife had clam stips and chips and they were also amazing. Sweet sicculet clam meat (once again, generous portions) and a heap of fries. She didn't end up finishing, which is amazing because she is pregnant and seems to devour everything in site. We also shared a cup of chowder. It was a little runnier than most, and VERY rich with tons of clam meat. I can appreciate the shear amount of clams in it, but the richness turned me off a little. This is a bit of personal preference, I know, but I don't necessarily like that fatty film left on your teeth when you get a really fatty chowder/bisque. Flavors were spot on otherwise. We will be back! Hopefully we will sneak in a Harpoon Brewery tour as it is just next door.
(4)Meson W.
At the risk of sounding repetitive, we also stopped here fresh off the plane. Our party of 6 arrived around 3:30 on a Wednesday afternoon, no lines or crowds or parking issues. We parked around the side of the building. As soon as we walked in, I noticed how small, quaint, but efficient the place was. We easily put together three small tables to fit our party together. And since we did our homework on yelp, we knew exactly what to order: Lobstah Roll! Chowdah! Cod Cakes! The lobster was deliciously fresh and with a huuuge portion of lobster on the fresh bun, enough for me and my fiancee to share. My sister and her fiancee got a side of the codcakes, which was large, and after tasting a bite, I was a fan. I am usually not a fan of any seafood-cakes because of the mushy nondescript seafood taste. But this cod cake had distinct flavors. The chowder was thick, hearty, and comforting after a stressful flight. Prices were fair, especially considering the amount of Lobster and seafood put into the food.
(4)Katelyn C.
This place is awesome! We are visiting Boston and only went here because of the positive yelp reviews I saw...thanks to all--highly recommended and awesome service and employees!
(5)Ryan M.
Best damn lobster ever; 2 pound crustacean for $30, with sides!!! Will frequent this place every time I'm in Boston.
(5)David C.
I live in LA, but I hit this place whenever I can on the way to Logan Airport. Cool atmosphere with good beer selection, and hands down the best lobster rolls and lobster bisque I've ever had. Fries are also awesome. If I lived in Boston, I would have a brass plaque in there with my name on it.
(5)Bob D.
I was a captive audience without a car, staying at a hotel in the Boston waterfront area. I walked over to Yankee Lobster for a lobster roll at lunchtime. Waited less than 10 minutes to order and another 25 minutes to get the roll. It came with fries and cole slaw and was priced at $19. I was expecting a pretty good lobster roll for that price. There was, in fact a pretty good sized serving of lobster inside a typical white frankfurter bun. Unfortunately, the lobster seemed a bit overcome with the flavor of the mayo spread that is added. Yes, the lobster rolls are cheaper and better in NH and Maine, but this is Boston. Even though I probably won't go back given the above, three stars for a decent lobster roll.
(3)Kris D.
Lobster, lobster & lobster! 2 lbs of tasty perfectly cooked lobster! Or a lobster roll that was no doubt the best and I've had my share of lobster rolls. The roll was overflowing with lightly dressed lobster meat, need I say more. Be prepared for a line. Menu on the wall, order at the counter. Very casual, small place but big on taste. The steamers were so fresh and plenty to share. Parking was no problem. We enjoyed seating by the window. The retail part was in the back.
(5)Robert S.
I saw the episode on the Food Network and it got me craving some good seafood....then after reading all the reviews, I got very excited when I knew I was going to be in Boston for business. Went there for lunch and got the Fresh Lobster roll with fries. The sandwich came in a nice toasted roll, the lobster meat was tender..not too much mayo, just some celery, but it was kind of bland...I used the salt and pepper shaker...and I usually do not put salt on my food. I eat low in salt !!! The fries were nice and crispy, thin, seasoned and hot....good fries. The cole slaw was also good, not too soupy, not too much juice.. Overall a good lobster roll, but out of all the ones that I've had in the area, my choice is still the Matunuck Oyster bar. Service is friendly...kind of a small place, it might have but 10-12 tables...
(3)Michael E.
When picking people up, or dropping people up from the airport, I love to stop by Yankee's. The fish is fresh and cooked well. This is not a fine dining restaurant, it has a nice dive feel to it. The fish and chips are quite nice. The Lobster Mac is also prepared well. These items are seasoned such that the seafood is still the star of the dish. I think my favorite so far has been the cod and crab cake sandwiches and come with their fries which are always delicious.
(4)Joey G.
Great food! I recommend the Lobster Mac and Cheese but its all very good!
(5)Tony W.
Was on my way to Legal Harborside. Talked to someone who said this place is better and cheaper. They were right. And the people at the counter is really helpful in helping me find what to order.
(5)Natasha C.
After touring the Harpoon brewery we stopped by here to grab some food. The line was long but it seemed worth the wait...and it was. The place is small and the seating is limited so be aware of that. We felt like hawks watching when people were done so we could snag their table. We ordered the lobster rolls....and by God they were the best things on earth. So juicy and filled with chunks of beautiful lobster pieces. It was awesome. I also loved the fries and cole slaw that came with it. I must say for 17 bucks it really fills you up. Already cant wait to go back!
(5)JasparLamar C.
Good stuff without the bells and whistles of its competition (or its "test" competition) down the boulevard.
(4)Jimmy B.
Fresh. This place is has great, local seafood. Definitely a must try for someone visiting Boston and wanting to experience seafood the right way. Don't expect any too fancy, nor bring a large party (unless you plan on taking it to go, but I suggest eating it on the spot). There is limited seating area, so plan accordingly. I got the seafood combo #1 (fish, squid, shrimp) while my girlfriend got a fish wrap. Spent about $26 with tax for this lunch, so a bit pricey, but this is seafood we're talking about, so it's pretty standard. The portion was also fairly generous, which compensates for the price. In terms of the food itself, the seafood is so fresh. You can tell that their seafood is basically straight from the bait to the fryer because the meat is so SOFT. Very delicious, no doubt. Also, their fries were pretty good too - reminded me of BK before they changed their recipe. Anywho, their fish wrap used the same fried fish that was in my platter, but it was a bit tasteless unfortunately. I'd recommend getting straight seafood - no sandwiches, wraps, or the like (except lobster rolls obviously). 4 stars because I've had better, and the location is a bit of a pain, but all in all a good experience. I'll be coming back here to try their lobster roll in the future. :)
(4)Dave F.
Ended up in South Boston, looking for an eventual Lobster Roll. Didn't find it at the Atlantic Beer Garden or the Whiskey Priest and we didn't want to go to the expensive and swanky places that make up the rest of Northern Ave. Ended up here just because we were hungry and made the mistake of walking all the way down to Harpoon with thinking it was still open around 8pm. Luckily we found this place...its your typical dive. We didn't notice the Triple D wall sign until after we sat down, but the menu was full of seafood dishes. The lobster roll was $19.99 and came with fries/coleslaw and butter sauce. The fries were slightly overcooked, but the roll was awesome. Also got a harpoon pumpkin beer, which of course was rather tasty. While its so far from everything else, definitely worth it, and won't break the bank. If you're up for drinking, the Whiskey Priest not only has a ton of whiskey, but almost 40 beers on draft and is about a 10 minute walk away.
(4)Brenna R.
This place is amazing. They consistenly have good food. Prices aren't too bad either. Great place for lunch or dinner.
(5)Mike W.
I would give 5* but the paper plates drop to 4 1/2. Great food and wonderful informal atmosphere. The lobster Mac is as good as I have had.
(4)Nazar N.
Great food and friendly people. Lobster roll is amazing. Will come again when I'm back in Boston.
(5)Tater M.
Lobster meat in lobster roll was overcooked, few bits of celery that were mixed in the mayo were almost non existent. Worst of all- waited full 45 minutes for it. At least the small dining area had A.C and funny seafood decor. Including a lobster plushie with bulging neon pink lips.
(2)George N.
Came here with some out of town friends who were here for a convention, I don't know how they discovered this place but they knew about it ahead of time. I ordered the grilled salmon salad and the salmon was easily the best tasting salmon that I've had in a long while. Very memorable. What wasn't so memorable was the noise level of the restaurant when it is busy/crowded. (We went at a seemingly busy time where the line stretch out the door.) The restaurant is pretty small with limited seating when it is busy. (Four people sharing two small tables was alright I guess.) Lastly, the price that you pay for what you get is ok. For me, a strip of salmon on top of a couple onions, tomatoes and lettuce wasn't anything special but the salmon did stand out. In the end, I guess I felt like I paid for an overpriced meal with great quality seafood (decent portions?) but the atmosphere was enough for me to knock off one star. The service and staff were really nice though!
(4)Mark I.
Highly recommend this place. Went before a Willie Nelson concert . They were very busy but the staff handled it well and very friendly. The food was excellent. Had a lobster roll and crab roll. Would definitely go back.
(5)I G.
That was so @#$%^&* good!
(5)Jula B.
Yankee Lobster is one of the few affordable places for seafood in Boston, however the lower prices do not indicate a lack of quality. The fish is very fresh and tasty. The wait was quite long (a line out the door) and they could maybe devise a better system for serving their customers. At Yankee Lobster, you order at the counter and then find a table, which can be pretty tricky business on a busy Friday night. Other than that, Yankee Lobster is a great casual place situated right next to the water that is ideal for seafood lovers. The fried clam strips were incredible--a absolute must order--and while the lobster roll was also good, it could have used a touch more flavor. Other than that, I had a pleasant experience at Yankee Lobster and would not hesitate to return.
(4)stacey l.
Been back a few times, and have to say this is now one of my go to places for casual seafood.
(4)Ed S.
Small and secluded. The tight atmosphere is one key to the greatness of this place. I've been a few times and have never been disappointed . Today's lunch of baked stuffed haddock was outstanding. I always go when in the area for lunch.
(5)Daniel H.
Lobster mac an cheese is awesome with a lot of cheese an lobster small but unique beer selection only drawback is limited seating
(5)Jess W.
Yesterday I was looking for a good fish and chips place and Yankee Lobster popped up on Yelp. I came here with my family and got an order of steamers, 2 fish and chips, crab cakes, and a large clam chowder. The clam chowder is to die for!! I typically hate clam chowder but this place really does it well -- not too salty, lots of goodies, and not sandy. Everything else was good and fresh, but nothing spectacular. The crab cakes had lots of crab meat in it too. I was so happy with this place I came back again with my family again the following day. We got the lobster roll, lobster mac and cheese, fried oysters, and an extra large clam chowder. The lobster roll has not much mayo and lotsssss of lobster meat. It also comes with fries and cole slaw. The lobster Mac and cheese, is by far one of my favorite dishes here along with their clam chowder. It's rich, filled with lots of lobster chunks, had crunches on top, and not overly cheesy. This place is also prices very reasonably. Will definitely come back here when I visit Boston again.
(5)Anjuli S.
Went here as a group of 4 after one person saw it on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, so some of us had high expectations. We had clam strips, a cheeseburger, the lobster mac and cheese, a hot lobster roll, and the catfish and fries. Service was great - line was long but moved fast and all orders were accurate. You can sit inside or outside, and the ambiance is casual, which I like. No one was bugging you about pulling up chairs or rearranging tables to fit your needs. You can even look at the lobster tanks, which was pretty cool. I think the lobster mac and cheese was good (taste and price), as were the fish dishes - I will say that the lobster roll was underwhelming, particularly for the price. I probably wouldn't come back unless I lived really close by - but I'm glad I went once.
(3)Audrey N.
Came here because we saw it on DDD, so we had to have the lobster mac & cheese, fish and chips and clam chowda. Lobster mac and cheese was creamy with loads of lobster. The fish and chips were like a filet, the fries were tasty. The tarter sauce was really yummy. Clam chowda was so good! Loved it. Next time I come to Boston, I will definitely come back again.
(5)Victor M.
Had the fish tacos, a bit spicy. Calamari was great, the fried shrimp was very good too! Lobster Roll was to die for!! Amazing, but what really killed it and will be bringing me back every day this weekend is the CORN BREAD! Omg delicious!
(5)Jim K.
As others have mentioned, this place is no frills. It's a decent establishment with very friendly staff. The food wasn't really all that much to write home about. I'd seen lobster rolls in Faneuil hall, and they never really seemed all that appealing - lobster on a toasted hot dog bun. But, everyone had raved about them, so I tried one. Meh, nothing special in my book. I prefer my lobster dipped in butter which actually enhances the flavor. The lobster here was plentiful, but just didn't really offer that much flavor. The lobster bisque was also touted here, but I found it over spiced and not creamy enough for my tastes. A few chunks of lobster, but not much for the price tag. This place is probably not very high on my list for my next visit to Boston.
(3)Danni D.
Getting to Yankee Lobster, you go through the heart of Seaport. You will pass glitz. You will pass glamour. You will pass a dozen plus places that practically beg you to spend your money there, with them. Ignore all that nouveau desperation and stay the course until Seaport becomes Northern Ave and you find yourself at the unpretentious and decidedly understated location that is Yankee Lobster. Screw the glitz. Screw the glamour. This place is what lobster should be. They got 'em live and ready to go home with you, or you can enjoy them hot and cooked up right there in the market. There are a handful of tables inside, and nice patio outside. Get a beer, some chowder (best I've had in Boston so far), and some ruby red bugs. Know that you spent your money wisely in Seaport. Not a small feat.
(4)Bruce U.
Absolutely great seafood ! Period. The cornbread rocks too! Whenever I'm in boston on business I try and stop here for a bite to eat. I'm never disappointed and each meal is as good or better than the last. The fish and chips is my favorite. I've not had white fish that good anywhere else I can remember. The lobster roll is awesome too!
(5)Steven E.
Went here cause of diners, drive-ins and dives.... for the lobster mac n cheese. It was delicious! Will definitely come back when I get the opportunity to.
(4)Angie R.
Good for what you got! Good price, fresh seafood. The lobster plate was good. chowder could be better. Good staff!
(3)Krisztina C.
Delicious and great service! First time going. Went there for lunch today, got the special- fish tacos and they were great with a delicious mango salsa, fresh with fresh avocados...yummm. My parents were visiting so I took them with me today and my dad got a yummy, no-filler salmon burger and mom got the seafood stew- best bouillabaisse flavoring I've had in a while. We went to the MFA after, then a long walk around Castle Island and thought "what should we cook for dinner?"...we decided since we were soooo close to the restaurant, we'd go back for dinner! This time I had the shrimp platter, A DOZEN HUGE SHRIMP! My dad got the scallops, and where we're from in CT usually that means bay scallops, oh no, they were sweet and huge sea scallops and mom went for the hot lobster roll....of course we all sampled each others dishes at lunch and dinner and we all agreed, prices were very reasonable, worth the wait, sat outside in the great weather, and would DEFINITELY be back! Other plus: if you can time it right, parking on the side! We'll be back!
(5)Greg G.
It was fair, decent enough for a quick lunch. I had the hot lobster roll (meat heated without mayo and celery) served on toasted bun with melted butter, side of fries. It was my first experience with a lobster roll, and I guess I expected more for the $20 I paid. Lobster bisque lacked a little flavor as well. I've acknowledged my snootiness before, but I also like a plate and silverware rather than paper and plastic when paying $30 for a meal. Guess I'll try Legal Harborside next time.
(3)Brit F.
The prices are great! I got the clam chowder and my husband got the lobster. They were both very great. I would definitely come back.
(4)Todd S.
Easily the best lobster roll I've eaten. I would recommend this place to any seafood lover. Very good food and service!
(5)Martina M.
If this review were only about the clam chowder, this place would get 5 stars. Creamy and perfect amount of clams that weren't too chewy.. Which they sometimes are and makes the chowder unappetizing. And this was the complete opposite! Lobster roll is okay. Lots of lobster, but it lacked any distinguished flavor that would make me crave more of it. However, the lobster itself was really fresh! Minimal seasoning and a couple of celery pieces is about as much as the whole dish was though. Oh well.. Maybe I came on a bad day. Other yumminess: - beer batter fries were crispy and had more seasoning than the lobster roll - stuffed clams, huge and again, more flavorful than the lobster roll.
(4)Jenny V.
here's what you need to know... - try the fried lobster roll- SO GOOD - the fries are like perfect. -LOBSTER MAC AND CHEESE! i think it needs more cheese and less "italian spices" or whatever that stuff was. - awesome patio on the side of the restaurant. -they pack live lobsta for you if you're gonna bring some home on a plane. It fit perfectly under the seat. -its awesome you should try it. BONUS: ITS RIGHT ACROSS THE PARKING LOT FROM HARPOON BREWERY!
(5)Janet L.
The lobster was great, the ambiance ...well, better off left unsaid.
(3)Tom W.
Simple and delicious. A high-piled Lobster Roll, with the crispiest fries I've had in a while. Friendly staff.
(5)Eric B.
I wasn't really in the mood to sit in a nice seafood or steak restaurant like Del Frisco's or Legal Harborside and pay for the atmosphere, so I walked down the road to this little hole in the wall restaurant just about a block down off northern Ave... Lets just say... little mom and pop restaurant with BIG taste! The place sits about 20 so you may have to take the food and run if it is crowded... but it is well worth it! I had the Hot Lobster Roll which comes with slaw and fries... let me just say they DO NOT hold back on the Lobster for this Roll :) I will definitely be back the next time I am in town.
(4)Christina P.
Excellent chowder!!! And the crab cakes weren't bad either! You can hear the music playing from the BoA pavillion and they have a great selection of local Harpoon beers.
(5)Caroline S.
Came here because I of course saw it on Diners Drive Ins and Dives, and was conveniently staying nearby for work. The place is tiny, with a few tables to eat in, but saw a few people getting take out. They also of course sell fresh seafood! It was a divey spot, which was perfect. No frills kept prices low! Back to my dinner. Place was half full, and food came out incredibly quickly, which was great since I was dining alone. The lobster mac and cheese didn't disappoint - HUGE chunks of lobster, not just little scraps. I LOVED it! The clam chowder was decent as well. Overall great meal, definitely coming back when I return to the area.
(5)Sally K.
If I hadn't tried an Alive and Kicking lobster sandwich down at Putnam Ave, Cambridge, Yankee Lobster would probably be my no 1 lobster joint in Boston. And I have to admit, aside from good fresh lobster rolls, the chips are quite delicious as is the cole slaw. Everything goes together perfectly, large portion and great price. But. Alive n Kickin has the sandwich down to an art - it's just amazing. I'm sorry, but if I crave lobster it's only visit Yankee lobster if my first choice is closed. It only goes to show that it doesn't matter how good you are; if no 1 is perfection, you'd still come short. But don't take my word for it - luckily, taste buds are different, so maybe you fancy something different? Try out both places and be the judge yourself. And let me know! :-)
(4)Eric F.
A solid lobster roll at $18 with ample meat, bits of celery, minimal mayo and a side of run-of-the-mill fries. I'd love to be a bit more generous with the rating, but it just doesn't stack up with some of the competition including Belle Isle's at about the same price. My friend and I split an order of crab cakes too - pretty good though otherwise unmemorable. The service is quick and efficient given the amount of activity, always a plus. Overall, worth at least one try if you're in the area (particularly convenient if you have a Harpoon brewery tour before/after), I'd just default elsewhere thereafter for lobster roll hankerings.
(3)Jason T.
It appears that Guy Fieri has been here! I can't say that I'm an experienced seafoodie. I have had clam chowder before several times, but this one didn't taste too different from the others. Maybe they were all delicious? Anyways, it wasn't very thick (I would have preferred mine thicker), and I thought the clams had a lot of flavor (which I presume is a testament to its freshness). However, it seems that the price has changed a lot since years back. My large clam chowder soup came out to more than $14.
(3)Liana K.
I would have given this place a 5 star as we ordered a combo platter where the shrimp was great, the scallops were great, the fries were great and beer portions were perfect. However, I then got to the haddock which tastes worst than a dirty napkin! Not sure what went wrong but it was bad. I do recommend stopping by here for some scallops and shrimp but I would avoid anything with haddock in it. The lobsters looked great too! It was a bit pricey, but it is in the new trendy seaport so prices are what you expect for a place right next to a bunch of hotels and luxury condos.
(3)Giselle T.
Lobster bisque was good. I wish it had more lobster. Honestly the menu looks great, the prices are pretty good.
(3)Carrie L.
I had the lobster mac and Cheese, and small clam chowder. The food was very good and a reasonable price for the area. Small dive with limited seating, but they do a lot of business in carryout.
(4)Cindy C.
I'm just going to flat out say it, I'm a Californian, and I have been deprived of clam chowder. I mean I had clam chowder near the pier of SF Ferry building and their sourdough bread is freakin amazing, but the clam chowder was ehhh, ok. Too much of a goopy mess for me. So when I tasted the clam chowder here at Yankee Lobster, I knew this was it. Words are escaping me from fully describing how delicious it was! It wasn't too salty, had the right amount of clams and potatoes, and it fully satisfied my touristy cravings. This place is not your typical restaurant because it is super tiny with a tiny parking lot. They had about three tables outside in the front for seating, and a couple of tables on the other side of the place so there were plenty of room to enjoy their deliciousness on a good sunny day. The next time I come here, I definitely want to try their lobster roll, but it comes at a price of $17.99! I guess it's the norm around here and way out of my student loan budget, so maybe next time Yankee!
(4)Pat M.
Really good food, right by Harpoon Brewery, a little pricey. Fries are nothing special but they have old bay available which makes them so much better. If you don't like seafood they also have an awesome buffalo chicken wrap.
(4)Tammy K.
had Fish and Chips, Clam Chowder and UFO Pumpkin Ale. SO GOOD. will be back! Fast service and friendly staff.
(5)Charles K.
Very good and a great spot to stop along the seaport as your walking around. Friendly staff and lobster is awesome. Many other places to walk afterwards. Harpoon Brewery next door would have been fun but closes at 5 for tours. So come during the day to get both.
(4)Brooke R.
Seriously Fresh Seafood + Crazy Deliciousness = BOMBTASTIC! We had three adults, a 19 month old and a 4 month old in our party. We ordered a shrimp plate, fish & chips plate and the clam strip plate and shared between everyone at our table. The fried shrimp was wonderful and covered in a light, crispy batter. The clam strips were out of this world fresh and was the favorite among our table. The fish (fried haddock) was tasty but a tad on the soggy side. A couple of tips: - Free parking for patrons on the side of their building! Yea! - No highchairs (at least none that we could find). - Bathrooms open to patrons. - This place is small and tends to get very busy. We ate at 3pm on a Saturday and walked right in. However, as is grew closer to dinner time, the line started going out the door. - Meals priced between $10 and $18 - fish & chips on the $10 side, lobster rolls on the $18 side.
(4)Bo J.
Lobster not that fresh, pricy comparing to other restaurants. Tips even though no service at all.
(2)Marg G.
The clam chowder did not disappoint (and it was HIGHLY recommended) and the lobster rolls were also predictably amazing. The real surprise were the clam strips. Huge, tender and perfectly fried with the added bonus of spot-on tarter sauce. Order anything, or everything like we did. Your tastebuds won't regret it.
(5)A C.
I read on Yelp some people complained about too much mayo in the lobster roll. That was not at all the case! The lobster roll is fresh and there weren't any globs of mayo anywhere. It comes with lemon, which was the only real condiment. It's also a decent amount of lobster, enough to share with a 2nd person for lunch, if you also order a large clam chowder (which had a yummy garlicky-ness to it) It gets better. I left my hoodie there, and I was pretty bummed because my flight was about to leave. I decided to call them (what the hey, just give it a try) and see if they would mail it to me. Not only did one of the guys drive personally to the postal service on his own time in order to mail me my hoodie, when I called him to ask how much the shipping cost was (I wanted to send a check to reimburse), he told me not to worry about it. That is some real service. They're brisk when they take your orders, but these guys and their food are both GOLD!
(4)Michelle S.
This is because I had so much fun watching and chatting with the other dinners and the servers were amazing for a fast food style joint. They are so willing to help a newbie like me. See, I've had tons of lobster. However it always arrives beautifully butterflied and styled on the plate. Of course that version costs you $50. Here it's $25 and it's DIYS. Unless you plead with the nice young men behind the counter. In my case Mark was so sweet and came back to my table and plainly asked, "Do you just want me to remove all the meat for you?" I was like, "Hella yes!" He even brought out the shell to ensure that I wasn't jipped. I love this place. Just a group of really hard working sweet Townies making sure I have a wonderful experience.
(5)Meredith P.
Tiny little place with big tasty seafood offerings whether you're there to eat-in or take-out. Fun to sit outside in the warm weather. Staff is wonderfully courteous and solicitous. BEST lobster salad in the City!!
(5)Sarah W.
Lobster Mac and cheese out of this world! The clam chowder was amazing as well! Fun little random place we stumbled upon! Everyone was friendly and upbeat as well!
(5)Mary Ann A.
A small, no-frills restaurant that offers a good selection of seafood and American favorites at more than reasonable prices -- a one-of-a-kind restaurant and a real keeper. Fish is the freshest as can be, presentation is good. Good portions too. It's just plain good, tasteful food. Free parking. Staff is friendly, helpful, and accommodating, and the place is CLEAN! You will not be disappointed.
(5)Mike H.
Finally back to boston and was looking for a small little place for a lobster roll. Was blown away. Great staff and better food
(5)Michael P.
I've gone to Yankee Lobster twice and both times it was good. The fish and chips were tasty the fish was fresh, they have good portion sizes and the fries were crunchy. The crowd tends to be hipsters and locals. It is a simple small place with some outdoor seat without a view. The prices are reasonable.
(4)Alayna D.
I researched the best lobster rolls to have while in Boston and found Yankee Lobster Co. with great reviews. Keep in mind, we were traveling from FL for a wedding in Boston and wanted some unique local food. Went to YL Co. and ordered the highly raved about lobster rolls at $17.99 each for lunch and were pretty disappointed. While the lobster itself was plentiful, the taste was bland beyond belief. The fries had more flavor. The atmosphere was decorating as a fisherman's diner like feel; simple, fair amount of tables for the size restaurant, a lot of menu choices - most much less expensive than the lobster rolls, though. While friendly when ordering at the counter, the staff wasn't helpful when we asked where our food was after being the only table in there and having waited over 30 min. : - / Bummer...expected more I guess. Fantastic clam chowder, though. I could have eaten a whole bowl of that! d Still glad we experienced it, but would be unsure to recommend Yankee Lobster Co to others.
(3)Tom G.
Non-descript white building, cafeteria interior. Burly service. Disorganized at times. Really, really well done seafood at a reasonable price. Fried clams were delicious. Fries are decent (not great...sometimes soggy). Lobster roll is exceptional.
(4)Jo K.
I would give them a 3.5 stars if I could. We were in town for Patriots game, and spent time wandering around South Boston. Knowing that this place was on DDD, I wanted to check it out. We ordered shrimp cocktail, fish and chips (minus the chips), clam chowder and lobster mac & cheese. We didn't want fries with fish, so they subbed chowder for that which was really nice. Shrimp cocktail was AWESOME value. At first you think it's really over-priced at $12 or 13. Then you get a plate of a dozen fresh shrimp. It was good. Fish was good, nothing to go crazy over. Chowder was awesome!!! Lobster mac was a little disappointing. There wasn't much lobster in there. It wasn't overly cheesy like I'm used to in southern mac & cheese (like VA or NC BBQ joints' mac & cheese). It had a little spicy-ness to it. Portion was big enough to share, or have leftover snack. I regret not getting a lobster, or a lobster roll. Lobster & other prices looked really reasonable.
(3)Bill J.
The BEST lobster role I've ever had. So fresh you'd think they caught it 5 minutes before they served it!
(5)Rufus G.
Small place, very busy at lunch when I went, but food was great. Service a bit slow, but there is only one person working the register, drinks and soups. Food was great, Lobster Club was amazing and the Lobster Roll was well priced for the portions offered. I can't wait to try their Lobster Mac & Cheese.
(4)Max R.
Came here for the lobster roll and bisque. I have to say I enjoyed the bisque much more than the roll, which was full of nice chucks of lobster, but both were tasty. It's a little far out unless you're going to Harpoon, and seating can be hard to come by which is inconvenient given the location (this seems to be a trend for lobster roll places). It's a pay at the counter type place and wait for your food to be brought to you. Prices are comparable to a roll/soup most anywhere else in the city.
(4)Jennifer S.
We stopped here for lunch after a meeting and before heading to the airport. The restaurant has a fishy smell to it, so that was a turn off when we first walked in; however, the food was quite good and very fresh. I tried the grilled tilapia with vegetables. Reasonably priced and quick to come out too.
(3)Jaclyn B.
If you want to get fresh seafood on the waterfront and aren't concerned with being fancy or frills, but you DO want to have a good time and eat delicious food... definitely go here! The place has old school charm. Yes it does get cramped and you will probably have to wait in line and stand around while you wait for a table. But the servers will let you start a tab in line and order beers, and if you're really hungry you can order chowder and you don't have to wait for it, so you can eat it while you wait for your meal. Best things on the menu: Chowder, Cod Cakes, Lobster Roll! There's hype about the lobster mac and cheese, but it wasn't that great in my opinion. If there's a concert going on at the Pavilion, you can hear the whole thing! Just don't hang out on the steps in the seating area, or you will get yelled at by Pavilion staff! :(
(4)K T.
The fried clam platter is what I ordered. The fried clams were ethereal. Seriously, the best fried clams I'd ever had. And they are one of my fetish foods. However, the platter was 3/4 fries and 1/4 clams. Disappointing. I don't need a huge portion, but fair would have been nice. I didn't know until I was back at hotel since I'd ordered it for takeout...
(3)Amy M.
This place was walking distance from my hotel - and I wish I had discovered it before my last night in town! It's a tiny place with maybe 10 tables...many people are coming here to buy from the market and not get a meal! The counter is filled with super fresh fish and shellfish, which you can buy by the pound....and you can grab a couple of live lob-stahs if you want a new pet, or a self prepared dinner... I got the lobster roll, which was HUGE. Giant clumps of meat, with just a tiny bit of mayo and celery. The roll was almost non existent. A little squeeze of lemon, and I was off into crustacean sammie heaven! Sidebar - I am not a french fry eater, since rarely are they worth the calories- these WERE! Crisp, super hot and awesome - they were a nice accompaniment to the sandwich ...but I was a hella lot more interested in the roll! And...they fact I could get a good draft beer here while I stuffed myself with the best dinner in bean town ...the jewel in the crown of a king of a dinner! I wish i could have tried something else, but I didn't have time to make it back, and I wasn't travelling with any companions!
(4)Sylvia C.
i remember this place as a no fuss kinda seafood place at affordable prices. Thought it would be worth grabbing dinner there before our show. the place was packed..luckily we found a table outside. ordered cup of cam chowder, fried fisherman platter and lobster roll. the clam chowder was exceptionally creamy and flavorful the lobster roll was overfilled with lobster knuckle meat with barely any mayo ..just the way i like it. just wished the fried fisherman platter have been cooked on cleaner oil...nothing worse than see fried seafood having dark brown coloring and slightly overcooked.
(3)Sue H.
I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can take a stroll down to Yankee Lobster. While it is a little out of the way (okay, really out of the way...), I think it's worth the trip because of the quality seafood they offer. This place is awesome. Fried crispy deliciousness. Fresh and tasty seafood. Amazing clam chowder. Buttery lobster goodness. Fair prices and quick service. No frills, chill atmosphere. If you love fried seafood, you'll love Yankee Lobster. Need I say more?
(4)Randy Z.
Came all the way from Washington state to try this place. Ordered the captain's feast. Everything came deep fried except one tiny piece of lobster tail meat. When ordering I was not given a choice over deep fried or broiled and staff was not helpful on explaining any of the dishes. After our order came out I tried to explain to staff I could not handle that much fried food and asked for an exchange on the meal; they were not accommodating. Spent 40$ plus on the dish and ended up wasting practically the entire dish in the garbage. Greatly disappointed.
(1)T G.
Had the lobster Mac and my son had the lobster roll. Both very good. Will return! Only reason I gave it 4 stars was because the establishment is very small. You guys need a bigger place!
(4)Victoria J.
You can't go wrong with the stuffed quahogs and GIANT Harpoon beers on draft. It's tiny, reeks of fish, but the food is fresh & the kitschy lobster decor makes it a place I plan on frequenting again & again.
(4)Andrea G.
THIS PLACE IS A PROBLEM, cause I would spend my whole paycheck eating lobster rolls everyday :) So tasty and overflowing with lobster meat, lightly dressed severed with a bunch of crispy fries and slaw.
(4)Chris S.
Get the lobster roll. Just get the lobster roll. Oh and the chowder was excellent as well. Extra points for the local beers on tap. The calamari was also the best I've ever had. There's something about the breading. It's light, fluffy and crispy. Absolutely excellent.
(4)Caitlin Y.
I wanted to love this place, I really did. I was expecting to be blown away... Maybe I was overhyped and my expectations were way to high. I'm struggling to give this 3 stars- because I know I would probably choose to try somewhere different. The restaurant itself is nice, service was great, but the portions and flavors were off. I ordered the stuffed clams and the first two bites were good, but after one clam I couldn't take the flavor anymore- too much breading & not a lot of clam.. Secondly I ordered the lobster roll, which maybe because I don't like hot butter over everything is why I was disappointed, maybe if I had poured the hot butter over the small sandwich it would've had more flavor? I don't know... It was okay, I ate it, but i wish it would've had a little more flavor. The food wasn't bad, I just wasn't impressed.
(3)Kelly S.
Outstanding! - Broiled haddock and scallops with fresh vegetables. My friend had the lobster Mac and cheese. Both were very good. I will definitely be coming back. Friendly fast service and easy parking where it's least expected. They accept credit cards as well as have an ATM outside the front door. Beer on tap and bottles.
(5)Fan L.
45min wait for a lobster roll? I did not see a long line so these guys must catch your lobster fresh after you place your order! On top of that, my lobster was overcooked. Portions are good sized though.
(2)Alisa S.
I wish I could have tried more food here, but I was still stuffed from my earlier breakfast/lunch. We ordered the Cod Cakes and Fried Lobster Roll. We were pleased with both. Even though the lobster chunks were fried, they were still juicy.
(4)Christian H.
Ridiculously good. Its located right near the Seaport by the Bank of America pavilion and its a place that we found on a whim. We didn't realize we wanted seafood until we went there. The smell of delicious seafood wafted through the air. A small little place that also happens to be a fish market, it has a HUGE variety of different types of meals, including shrimp, calamari, and fish combo, clam plate with french fries, as well as the staples of lobster and fish and chips. Those few things are just scratching the surface, as there are so many things to choose from. Its simple, convenient and really great. The food is incredibly fresh, as it felt like the boat had just come in after getting a nice fare of different things. The prices are not too high, so you won't be breaking the bank too much. Again, the freshness of the food is pretty ridiculous. The portions are average and the atmosphere is really cozy. Definitely worth a try for all you seafoodies out there.
(5)Chaille S.
We came to Boston for a conference, and had lunch here. The bisque is great, but expensive! The lobster roll was ok, but I'm no expert in lobster. I loved the stuffed clams! Next time I'll just order a couple of those and some cole slaw. We had a $45 tab with just a soup, roll and a crab to show for it. Seemed pricey. Maybe it's a tourist place? Hard to tell. Anyway, I won't go out of my way to hit this place up again. Too pricey for me.
(3)Gary O.
I was staying near the waterfront so I wandered down here since I remember seeing Yankee Lobster Fish Market on the Food Channel. I ordered the lobster roll which had huge fresh chunks of lobster with the right amount of mayo and chunks of celery. The sandwich was fabulous. The fries I could take or leave them but I highly recommend the lobster roll. I think they get busy but I was there early and had no problems getting my sandwich to go in a few minutes.
(4)Alisa C.
Good lobster and fresh crab and the chowda was whew!
(3)Katelyn D.
I love this place!! It's such a divey, beach-feel place in the middle of the city. I love lobster (and all fish for that matter), and their lobster roll is fantastic. It's a small place, so try to plan for that when going. They do have parking on the side of the building (which I only recently realized) which is great. As far as price, it's about as average as it gets for seafood. Also, if you go in the summer when there is a concert at the Pavillion, the patio is a fun little perk as you can hear the music.
(5)J C.
This place is a hidden gem. Near Seaport Drive, next to the Boston World Trade Center, the looks can be deceiving.... It is not a fancy restaurant, looks more like a carry out Deli. But there are seats available, so you can eat comfortably with your friends. I tried their Lobster roll with my wife. We were both amazed at how much lobster meat they give you !! And it is fresh ! Their fries are nice and warm. They give a probably a full lobster in your Lobster roll. Definitely worth the money. I will visit again when I revisit Boston...
(5)Helena Q.
The lobster roll was 20$; fish and chips was 11$ (+ tip). The area seems a bit touristy, so the price seemed okay. The lobster roll came with ample lobster and not too much mayo, which is my preference, so I was pleased. The lobster was a bit chewy, but not unpleasantly so. My friend liked her fish and chips -- I'm not a fan of fried fish in general, so my dislike of it shouldn't factor into your decision. Unexpectedly, the fries were SUPER good. They were thin and perfectly crunchy; I'm startled because I'm very picky about fries.
(4)MS B.
Ensure you have plenty of extra time - I waited over 30mins for a ~$20 sandwich watching others that ordered after me being served. Missed the T home. Time to find a new place.
(1)Stephen R.
Came here exclusively for the Lobster Mac and Cheese because of Diners Drive-ins and Dives. We were extremely disappointed. There wasn't any flavor at all. Besides the big chunks of lobster every other part of the dish fell flat. The fried calamari was the saving light. It was well battered and not too chewy, very god flavor. Others seemed to enjoy their lobster rolls and lobster bakes around us. I would go back for the daily specials.
(2)Laura M.
It gets busy...really busy (especially if there's a show next door at the Pavillion) and it's tiny. But it's worth the wait. Great fresh seafood (including a market). Friendly staff. Beer from Harpoon next door. The lobster roll is really good. Not too much dressing-y stuff, just light mayo and a little celery. Broiled seafood looks delish. Fries and rings are yum. I suggest having someone scope out a table outside while someone else waits in line. There's some parking on the side of the building. Your best bet for extremely casual seafood in the seaport district.
(4)Michelle C.
Went there for the lobster roll .....eh. Was ok...not great.... not bad...just eh. Ordering was disorganized and it took a while for them to acknowledge us. One guy was working the front and there were 3 guys in back. My lobster roll came out rather quickly, although, they weren't sure if it was mine, so they took it back and then the guy was actioning it off....anyone order a lobster roll? anyone? anyone? and then came back with it....guess it was mine....ha! My friend who ordered the same thing... had to wait 10 minutes for hers to show. The sandwich had lots of chunky lobster, but I felt like it was missing something...not enough mayo & celery. The bun was cold even though it was toasted and was lacking butter....the whole sandwich was just lacking flavor. The fries were standard and not very hot. I liked the coleslaw...was fresh, crisp and had just the right amount of mayo. I would go back and give it another try, but only if I was in the area....no special trip. I think I've been ruined by Neptunes Hot Lobster Roll and nothing else can compare now.
(3)Hall W.
After having tasted many fish and chips and lobster rolls in Boston, this by far has the best of both I have ever tried. It is just incredibly fresh and you can smell the salty breeze air as you eat. The location is amazing because it is a great place to go to after the harpoon brewery (right next door) and you get a bit of the gritty South Boston feel while in the background of the new urban South Boston. My only minor compliant is that the wait is extremely long but that is partly because everyone and their mother comes to this place (and I went on a rainy Sunday). Oh and the funny thing is that the prices are actually really good for Boston, probably some of the lowest I have ever seen.
(4)Ben A.
I'm always in search of great chowder and a great lobster roll. Tried this place last time out in May. Was not impressed. Nice people, the place was very crowded, but not sure why. Tables were dirty, food was mediocre.
(3)Jon D.
Outstanding lunch right next door to the Harpoon brewery. Started with a cup of chowder and a Harpoon IPA. Not being a big fan of lobster rolls, I went with the crab cake sandwich instead. Everything was outstanding. The chowder was creamy and bacon-y. The sandwich came with lettuce, tomato, and thousand island dressing on the side, none of which I used. A little lemon juice and it was perfect. It didn't say so on the chalkboard, but the sandwich came with fries and coleslaw, which was a nice surprise. Everything was top notch, and all told it came to about $20. Well worth it. The menu is HUGE and the ordering process seems kind of haphazard, but somehow it all works perfectly. Waiting on line, we worried whether we'd be able to get a table, but turnover is fast so we had no trouble when the time came. Then we wondered how they'd find us to bring us our orders, but sure enough they did. Great service, excellent food, easy to get to... that's five stars in my book!
(5)carol v.
Went here on a Friday afternoon. Wasn't to crowded. Ordered the fried oyster appetizer and salmon burger. The oysters were fantastic but the salmon burger was over cooked. When I mentioned this to our server, he ordered us a grilled salmon on a roll, which was fabulous. I highly recommend this spot. It's a great place yo eat before or after the harpoon brewery.
(4)Scott G.
Fair prices, good service, and crazy fresh seafood. Yum. Went for lunch about a week ago on a weekday. I was heading for Pennypacker's Food Truck, but was disappointed to see that the truck's winter menu was much reduced from what I was used to. Diverted to Yankee Lobster on the way out of the seaport, and boy am I glad we did! Very fresh and sweet mussels, well above standard fish and chips, and possibly the best fried clam strips I've ever eaten. I've never seen this place really busy (and I probably wouldn't want to, given the tiny size), but if it isn't packed it can only be because it's off the beaten path - the food is exceptional.
(4)Ladyjane S.
Overpriced and quality and portions have gone way downhill. I've been coming here for years and today's visit was my last. $17.99 for a puny (and I mean PUNY) lobster roll in the smallest hot dog roll I've ever seen. I've gotten the lobster roll many times before and it's never been this small before. I actually laughed when they brought it out with a mountain of fries next to it, as if that would make up for the fact. The lobster bisque, while very tasty and chunky, was full of that hard part of lobster claw that's all rubbery and kinda gross. I think I'll be getting my fresh seafood fix from elsewhere from now on.
(2)Jean W.
It was ok...very small and we has crab cake sandwiches. Not a lot of flavor...disappointed. staff was friendly.
(3)Joanne T.
The bf wanted to check this out due to the DDD connection. Even though the tables were all filled and there was a line, we ventured in anyway. We tasted the lobster roll and mac/cheese lobster dish. It was as i starred this review, okay. For an $18 dollar lobster roll i expected so much more. Instead, of using a roll i believe they use toast. That was disappointed. Also, i prefer my lobster roll warm instead of cold. It's hard to find places that serve them warm. The mac and cheese was again, okay. I did see people inside enjoying clams and steamed lobsters. I probably should've ordered those instead. My cousins had lobster rolls as well, i don't recall them stating it was anything more than just okay.
(3)Paul S.
I had the 2 lbs lobster dinner with a small bowl of clam chowder. Well let start off with saying, the chowder was very good. It had a lot of flavor and plenty of clams. The lobster was very big and the meat was very tender. I made a mess out of the plate and table. It was well worth the money. I highly recommend eating here.
(5)Bud G.
The place to get your Lobster on in Boston! We were in town for the D to show me the sights and eat as much lobster and fried clams as possible in a week. This place certainly delivers the lobster, as small or as big as you like. The staff were really friendly even showing the lobster tanks to a couple of kids that we had with us on 1 visit. Yankee Lobster is nothing fancy. You order at the counter, sit down and dig in. There is a small patio if you are there for good weather. They have a couple beers on tap and a great selection of seafood. But I suggest the lobster, tasty, tasty lobster.
(4)Mike C.
I came here twice with my girlfriend on the same weekend. First time we were here, we got a Lobster Roll. It was big and meaty for $17.99... they probably used at least half a lobster for the roll. The second time we came here, we got a 2lbs lobster meal. Since they were closing up within an hour... we had to order it to take out. The meal did not come with the corn and coleslaw as mentioned on the menu. Otherwise, the lobster was big and juicy and conveniently located next to Harpoon Brewery!
(4)Gina K.
hands down the best lobster roll. the best.
(5)Mindy M.
I'd sit in an hour of traffic to come here. It's that good. Smells more like a bait bucket than a restaurant, though. That's OK- I bait my own hooks. I can deal. Had the crab cake sandwich but next time it's the lobster.
(4)Nicholas S.
I can always enjoy their chowder, crab cakes, lobster rolls, or stuffed quahogs.
(4)Carson S.
I had the lobster roll and fries which were both DELICIOUS. The only reason they don't get 5 stars is because the lobster roll was a bit overpriced ($18) for the quantity you get.
(4)Christina S.
We had high expectations and we were not disappointed! We ordered three 1.25lb lobsters, the hot lobster roll and lobster bisque. The lobster bisque was so good and had a huge whole claw of lobster meat that took up the whole bowl... Delicious. The lobsters were as fresh and delicious as you could hope for, probably the best I've had in Boston. My friend who had the hot lobster roll really enjoyed it and was very stuffed with lobster meat. My only complaint would be the "butter" they serve with the lobsters. It's definitely not butter; it was very fake tasting and was still in liquid form after cooling down quite a bit (we sat outside and it was very chilly out). Other than that we loved eating here and will definitely be coming back!
(4)Chris M.
Lobster and mac is awesome!
(5)Sandra K.
The fisherman's special was a big plate of fried seafood that was really oily and greasy. We also ordered a clam chowder which was good and a lobster roll which was ok but not very memorable. I think there are many better seafood restaurants around Boston.
(2)Vivian C.
We were going to a concert at the nearby (bordering) Bank of America Pavilion, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to finally try the Yankee Lobster Fish Market. It is a small place with some seating inside, a few tables along the sidewalk, and several more tables in the small alley to the side. You order at the counter and pay, and they bring the order to you when it is ready. Perk up your ears though, they try to find you by calling out your name as they walk around with your food on a tray. For a 50 cent charge, we were able to upgrade the fries of one of our orders to fat beer batter onion rings. Speaking of which, the fries here remind me of those by McDonald's in shape and taste; they just need a touch more salt. And the cole slaw that came with our orders were okay but nothing special (as a comparison, I like the sweet sort like KFC's rather than the vinegary type). The Crabcake Sandwich ($9.95) was a fat patty of shredded crabmeat. My dc loved it. I thought it would have been better with chunkier pieces of the crustacean, and found the roll a bit tougher than I like. The Seafood Combo (fish, shrimp, scallop) $17.95 was more than enough for a single diner (well, for the average female diner anyhow). There was a good sized fillet of some kind of white fleshed fish, at least 3 tail-on medium shrimp, and quite a few fat scallops. They were hot and tender and went well with the tartar sauce. Not the best frying job, but perfectly okay. Chowder for $4.50 (small) was thick and creamy, but Legal's is better. At about 45 minutes prior to the starting time of the concert, the fish market staff announced that there was a 30 minute wait. So while this is a fine choice for a pre-concert meal, I recommend you get here early so that you can take your time to enjoy your dinner. While I hear that the silver line stops close by, this place is most definitely walkable from South Station. They serve beer and wine. And yes, they do check your ID.
(3)Danielle B.
Did someone say lobster roll?! YES PLEASE & THANK YOU!! I was visiting a friend in Boston and I told her that eating a lobster roll was on my top lists of things to do! Well, we were on our way to the Harpoon Brewery and we stopped by this little jem of a restaurant. The restaurant is a tad small, so if its during lunch time you may have to wait for a spot to sit. I really liked the feel of this place though, very laid back. You walk up to the counter, order your food, and find a place to sit down. They will bring you out your food and then you chow down!! My friend and I split a crab bisque which was EXCELLENT! So creamy and full of flavor with wonderfully big chunks of crab. I ordered a lobster roll and didn't know what to expect as this is not something you can order in San Diego. I think my eyes nearly popped out of my head when it came to my table. Talk about heaping chunks of lobster falling out of the roll, served with a side of coleslaw, and french fries. MAN OH MAN!!! When i heard lobster roll I did not expect anything of this nature to arrive at my table. The lobster was so tasty and there was just SO MUCH LOBSTER!! Every bite i took, lobster would fall out. They don't mess around with their portion sizes there! Also, I am not normally a coleslaw fan but theirs was super tasty!! Don't know what they put in it, but i ate it all up! Now, when I was ordering I was pretty hesitiant because my lobster roll wasn't cheap, around $18. And I thought to myself, I hope this is worth it. OH IT WAS!! Lobster isn't cheap and I feel that I got every penny worth out of this meal! It was just down right tasty. When I go back to Boston, which I will be back because that city is awesome, I will be visitng Yankee Lobster Fish Market again!!
(4)Phil P.
Totally unpretentious with great fresh seafood.... More of a seafood stand than a fancy restaurant. Reminded me of what you might find in the 60's as opposed to some jazzed up joint trying too hard to look like the 60's. Fair prices located on the docks. Fresh steamers with butter and a lobster roll which seems like it is half a lobster will make your mouth grin...
(4)Helen H.
Good prices for seafood! Little tiny place for some pretty good seafood in a very casual setting. Clam strips were really good and the chowder was pretty good.
(3)Matt S.
I've been here several times with coworkers and honestly, having heard a bunch of hype about this place (before and during our visits), I wasn't really impressed. To be honest, I haven't had the clam chowder or lobster rolls, but come on now, in order to live up to the hype I've heard, there should be more than one or two great dishes. That being said, the food isn't bad, it's just not great. I've had the salmon burger, crab cake sandwich, and the yankee fish sandwich, and they were all pretty good. The first two just being patties, crab meat and salmon with stuffing. The yankee special was a fried fish filet with bacon, cheese, lettuce and I think tomato, and that was definitely the best out of the three I had. The food was reasonably priced for the quality so that's good. So overall, the food was a little disappointing, but not bad by any means. As for the decor, the interior is a little tight and crowded, especially with the lines that form. The outside seating area to the front just looks out at the silver line way bus stop, but their patio seating is nice with table umbrellas and ocean mural. Still a little crowded there, but manageable. So yeah, if you're in the area stop by for a decent cheap bite, but don't expect to get blown away (by anything that's not clam chowder or lobster rolls apparently).
(3)John B.
Used to be good, but their quality went down and their prices up. Do yourself a favor and just go to Legals next door (like everyone else).
(2)Ken S.
This little restaurant by the fish market at Seaport has a lot of character despite its small size. The New England lobster roll costs $17.99 and is quite small but it is delicious. The fried calamari, fries, and onion rings are also well done. If you want more food, I recommend the lobster club sandwich which is $18.99. Seating is limited but on a good day, outdoor seating is great.
(4)Erica M.
I'm a seafood lover. This was a must stop in Boston because of all the hype we heard about the hot lobster roll. Phenomenal! An abundance of lobster meat with a side of hot melted butter. Yummm. My husband and I split the hot lobster roll, and then opted to also split the lobster macaroni that was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Equally delicious! The lobster roll came with fries and coleslaw that we both liked. We each had a seasonal beer with our meal, all for under $60. The location is small, but in a nice little area that you can walk along the street and stop in other bars, shops, and see the water. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Stuart D.
I had spent a full day at a conference at the Seaport World Trade Center. My assumption was that such events would attempt to offer a dining engagement that would reflect the locale, but alas not one piece of seafood was in sight. A review by Danni D. beckoning me to pass the glitz and glamour had me intrigued. In fact, along the way I had to convince my associate that we would not stop our trek as we passed such establishments. I was sure that a Yelp comrade would come through. Admittedly that last 100 yards had me questioning things as it was late and everything looked closed until we finally caught a glimpse of the Yankee Lobster and realized that we were going to struggle to grab a table. The atmosphere is direct and purposeful replete with the counter at which to place your order, reach-in fridge from which to grab your beverage, and tables for which to fight over. On our order was Clam Chowder, Fried Clams, Lobster Roll, and Captain's Feast (lobster and fried clams, calamari, shrimp, and fish). When I dug into my chowder, I was completely in heaven. It had been so long and my reference might be completely uninformed, but the flavors of the sea presented themselves in absolute harmony. I am sure that I would have been fine with a couple of bowls and could have been on my way. The clams were awesome - meaty and crispy; and the lobster roll was exactly what I was looking for containing at least a couple of huge claws worth of meat with a mere dash of dressing. My cohort, with his Captain's Feast, was taken to task for his inability to finish everything, but he especially enjoyed the fish once he saw that it was there. There seemed to be hidden treasure after hidden treasure as it wasn't till about ten minutes in that I saw that there were fried shrimp! All in all, this was a great experience and lacked any pretentiousness. It would certainly be a place that I head to when I am in town.
(4)Amanda D.
This place is the bomb. Their food is so damn good. Words can't really describe. I always get the lobster roll w fries and slaw. It's some good shit. Super fresh and everything tastes amazing. Chill patio area and they let me take my dogs out there. Good vibes and fresh lobster. Hell ya! Check it out
(5)Gerald F.
Nice. Good location on port side. In the back at the "retail" sign you get Fresh Lobsters, but are are more expensive here by 2$/lb. and manager is a D---. what is his problem. Couldn't be bothered with us. You can get everything boxed, ice and all included, but up the street, pay for it if you want. Here it's in the "package" --leading to the 1-2$ up charge.( Id give him 1 week to change his "attetude") Up front is the restaurant. Nice soups and really busy lunchtime crowd. Be prepared. Ok twin lobster deal for non special. Clams$$$. Store in front seems nicer, and real crowded. Havin my chowder this weekend from them. Ummmmmmm. Good.
(3)Liz H.
While still retaining virtually all of the charm it had before Legal Harborside, Del Friscos, and the Harpoon Brewery invaded and quintupled the tourist population, it seems as though the quality has gone down. Years ago this spot was comparable to any North Shore clam shack...without the drive. While there are a dearth of clam shacks in the city, they might want to keep in mind: fried clam plate was generally small at $20 especially when I'd had a larger plate at B&G not one week ago, clams were huge - strip part ended up being rubbery and belly was pretty dirty actually, and it was sitting in a pile of grease in my takeout container. Sides were bland - coleslaw could use a kick. I hope Yankee lobster gets a bit back on track, as it's so close to home and I used to love going here (and still probably would take this over Sullys clams. Sullys is for hot dogs n chocolate milk!) I assume I'll be back again to verify, if for nothing but the convenience.
(3)Linda C.
Came here to grab three dozens of lobsters to send out to a friend on the west coast. Five were dead and four were barely breathing. I even saw blue blood for the first time! THE LESSON: Be a big customer and you will get taken for a ride. Buy a small quantity that you can actually see, and they'll be forced to give you what you paid for.
(1)Raymond W.
I've decided that Yankee Lobster is the best place to get a lobster roll at a decent price in Boston (Neptune Oysters is probably the top high end). The interior is humble much like a fish and seafood market where you order your food at the counter and wait for runners to bring you your food. There are a decent amount of small tables inside and some tables outside next to the restaurant. Parking is also a plus since the T is far away and it's at the edge of the waterfront. The chowder and crab roll were also good options that I've tried and the fries are golden and crispy. They have my favorite kind of fries, but they also changed it up on me once or twice. If you're willing to for go the more prominent seafood spots in Boston (Legal, Neptune, Island Creek, B&G, Barking Crab), Yankee Lobster will be your beacon.
(5)Chris R.
A great place to go after indulging at the wonderful Harpoon Brewery nearby. Fresh fried seafood served in plenty with delicious tartar sauce, exactly what you want when you think of a fried seafood platter!
(4)Megan M.
After drinking too much at the Harpoon Brewery tasting, my friends and I wanted to get something to eat before heading to the American Craft Beer Fest. We needed to prepare for round 2. Yankee Lobster Fish Market totally hit the spot. We split a crab cake and lobster bisque. Both were delicious, but the crab cake was definitely my favorite. It wasn't crazy expensive either for the quality of the food. Inside, it's a little cramped. Although the food is awesome, the ambiance is lacking, and I'd recommend popping in for a quick bite or getting some of the fresh fish to go.
(4)Mai L.
A must taste when in Boston! I had a hankering for one of their lobstah rolls so here I am. Yum. Yum. Yum.
(4)Travis L.
We had heard a lot about this place and during my stay in Boston I had to get a Lobster Roll. That is exactly what I did here and I didn't let the $17 price tag scare me. When I got it I was a bit disapointed as it didn't have much mayo or sauce and felt like a lump of lobster in a bun. The fries were great and a lot of the other menu items looked good. This is a neat location and is right next to Harpoon brewery so certainly stop by there. If your in the area and looking for a nice place to eat and have some extra money this isn't a bad place but I would recommend trying other places if you are in the lobster roll market.
(3)Tina B.
Ordered a whole lobster, which came with cole slaw, corn, and french fries. The sides arent very great - the fries are good but the corn and coleslaw were underwhelming. The lobster was so delicious and the tail was nice and juicy. Highly recommend it if you wanna be fancy ;) The best part is that they have parking. Free parking. Free parking in Boston. There isnt much seating but we came on a weekday and it was not that crowded.
(4)Chad T.
If you're looking for no frills fish, lobster, and assorted other seafood this is the place to go. This might be some of the best salmon I've had outside of the PNW region. Some nice healthy broiled options in addition to the traditional battered/fried fare.
(5)s e.
One of the best fish and chips platters in New England. Nothing fancy, just great fries (I think lightly beer battered) and perfectly fresh fish. Big portions. Free parking to the side of their restaurant is a big plus. Will definitely go back for the crabs or lobster platters... Great prices on everything and nice selection of Massachusetts microbrews: and being right next to the Harpoon Brewerey, they offer the current Harpoon special brewmaster series. If you want a casual clam shack atmosphere with fresh greatly prepared seafood, venture quickly over to this place. Only about 12 tables but have outdoor seating in warmer months.
(5)Amanda G.
Went here with my boyfriend and the food was really good!!! I got the lobster mac and cheese, and he got the fish and chips. We both left very satisfied. The portions were decent. The atmosphere, is very casual, we sat outside, and it wasn't the best.
(4)Rita C.
Great seafood; super friendly staff. Really sweet and perfectly cooked fried shrimp. Loved my Harpooon.
(4)Sarah D.
No frills, just really good seafood. This place is really down-to-earth and has limited tables inside--there's more seating in the summer when you can also go outside. Their salads are out of this world: if you get a grilled tuna salad, you get a big hunk of sashimi-grade tuna on top of it. The lobster bisque is really good too, as is the lobster roll and the crab cakes (they're pretty big, like hamburger-sized). The fries are amazing, too. This is one of my favorite takeout restaurants in Boston.
(5)Traci K.
After a rousing tour of the Harpoon Brewery, we needed some eats and fast. Yankee Lobster was only a stones throw away so by default it was the place to go. The place is no frills counter service. The guys working the counter were nice enough - wicked local and good to joke around with. As for the food - the lobster roll was where it was at. Packed to the gills with chunks of lobster meat and lightly mayo'd, it had a great flavor. The fry was OK at best. The clams were either overcooked or on the older side cause they didn't stand up to the batter. The calamari was better, with lots and lots of legs (best part!) With a few tables in and a good number out, it was a nice afternoon to sit in the sun and enjoy some decent grub.
(3)Phil C.
Tucked in sort of a corner of the South Boston waterfront, and away from more prominent places (like The Barking Crab), Yankee Lobster is somewhat like No Name was years ago. It's an unpretentious place with honest-to-goodness seafood at very reasonable prices. The restaurant is rather small (good for take-out) but clean and tidy. The service was polite and fairly prompt. It's still pretty close to the hotels around the convention center, so it's not too arduous to get there. The fried seafood (I tried the haddock, shrimp, and scallops) is crispy and not greasy at all. The onion rings and french fries are the same. I tried the grilled scallops and they were grilled nicely. They definitely did not taste like rubber bullets. The portions are pretty substantial and the daily specials can be an excellent value. When you're walking/driving down Seaport Blvd./Northern Ave., don't stop and settle for one of those bigger seafood restaurants you'll see along the way. Hold out for this one.
(5)Aaron H.
Awesome lobster bisque and lobster roll. Generous portions of lobster heaped into everything. Charming little place that keeps it simple: great lobster! The french fries are ok: nothing special. Staff is helpful. Only drawbacks are: small eating area means tables inside are hard to come by in inclement weather (and the air conditioning doesn't seem to work), and it is a long walk from the center of "tourist" Boston (Tip: take the Silver Line bus route rather than walking).
(4)Kristine R.
Hmm. I'm the odd one out on the reviews, but I thought the food wasn't that good. I was excited to try it and decided to bring my friend here for her birthday lunch and well, we both thought it wasn't that good. We both ordered a bowl of clam chowder which was mediocre at best. Maybe I just like clam chowder to be a little creamier but I wasn't impressed. Though, I will say it had lots of clams in it (they weren't skimpy on the clams). We shared the fisherman's platter which came with fries, clam strips, fish and scallops. We got it fried and meh, it was bland, it needed more seasoning or something, but it the tartar sauce was the only thing that gave it some flavor. I'm thinking we just didn't order the right thing. I might come back and give it another chance, but maybe not for awhile.
(2)Elizabeth G.
A cool little place with a very down-to-earth atmosphere. Nice place to get a meal if you are going to a concert at Bank of America Pavilion, visiting the ICA, or touring the Harpoon Brewery (as we were). Close to the piers, so the scent of the ocean and fresh fish sets the mood before you even get inside. We had the "Lazy Man Lobster Dinner" (shucked lobster meat served with butter, lemon, fries, and a small helping of coleslaw). The lobster was good. The fries were totally yummy -- if you're going to clog your arteries, you want your fries to be crispy, hot slivers of deliciousness, and these are. They had a couple of things on tap, including Sam Adams, but we had bottled Harpoon Celtic Ale as a preface to our tour. We overheard people saying that prices have risen in the past year -- our shared lunch, meant for one and not huge at all, was $29.99. Still, not a bad deal for a place with fresh seafood and a location close to popular spots.
(4)Anna T.
Really enjoyed the food. The roll had enormous chunks and was light, not too much mayonnaise. It kept the lobster salad the star of the sandwich. We also got clam chowder. It was good, but didn't have much meat in it. Mostly potatoes, but did enjoy the bacon undertones.
(4)Nicki S.
Checked this place out because it was only about a 10 minute walk from my hotel and I wanted to try some lobster dishes here. SOOO glad I did. It was amazing. I had the Lobster mac and cheese and the Clam Chowder. I wish I had gotten the largest Clam Chowder there because it was the best I've ever had. I ate every last bite. It was seriously, fantastic. It's laid back, affordable and the food is unbelievable. You would never know if you passed it on the street! Will definitely be a place I check out next trip to Boston.
(5)Lavi W.
Came here after a long day of conference and only found out that we had to wait in line for an hour to order food- I was not amazed by their lobster roll or seafood platter or chowder or scallop roll. Maybe I was too tired to even enjoy the food.
(3)Meizi H.
Wow! There are many reasons why this place is so popular. They do serve super fresh seafoods and staffs are very friendly and helpful. I would recommend to go early morning or later afternoon to score a table; or just order them to take out to enjoy all delicious at home.
(4)Lor B.
Delicious but pricey as hell. Don't let the kind of grotty atmosphere mislead you: these prices were steep. But damn, the food is actually delicious. 1) clam strips - fuck yes. Enjoy every bite. No, really, enjoy every bite because that shit is expensive. 2) lobster roll - unnng so good. Expect to shell premium prices (almost $25. Also, did you see my pun there? Enjoy that - it's on the house.) 3) clam chowder - tasty as hell, and one of the cheapest things on the menu. In all, delicious and expensive, with the added bonus of grotty shack atmosphere in an industrial park setting.
(4)Shoji I.
After reading the high reviews, I came here to compare with Paulis, Neptune, Alive and Kickin, and my favorite James Hook. - Pricey for the amount of food you get. - Why is my plate covered more with fries than the lobster roll itself. I'm paying for the lobster, not the cheap fries!!!! - The lobster roll itself didn't taste too special and are small chunks unlike the huge portions given at James Hook. - I left disappointed not even finishing the fries.
(2)Shani T.
Sooo glad I decided to check out Yankee Lobster. We got there around 5:20PM on Saturday and man, I was happy we didn't get there any later. The line just started forming outside (there's a "doorman" of sorts that lets your group in when he feels there is enough space inside) and we were the third group to wait. It didn't take all that long, but I have to give the staff props with keeping the restaurant fairly uncrowded inside. There was a lot of room and it's not one of those super popular places here you get crammed inside waiting your turn (the reason I've avoided Mike's Pastry all this time). Our group of three ordered clam chowder and 1.25 lb lobsters. The chowder was kind of mediocre to me--it was creamy, which I didn't mind all that much, but it was very peppery. Probably the most peppery clam chowder I've ever had. The lobster though, was awesome. I mean, I doubt you can really screw up steaming a lobster, but I was super happy that we got to get a whole lobster here since I couldn't figure out if we could do that at James Hook, for example. The corn and the fries that were on the side were also quite delicious. Looking forward to stopping by again to try the lobster roll, and to visit the Harpoon Brewery down the street!
(4)Darryll S.
My oh My oh my Parked, and it was packed inside. Asked if I could get it to-go, I was told I needed to call in (as in I couldn't go in and order it) which was a little weird Clam Chowder 2/5 stars -nice pieces of clam -super watery -seriously super watery, tasted like cream flavored water -heavy on the cream taste without the consistency. Lobster Roll 6/5 -perfectly toasted and buttered breadh -huge chunks and large amounts of lobster, lightly seasoned not too heavy on the mayo -comes with fries. Which were alright, but it really rounded off the meal well. -did it come with coleslaw? I forgot. The lobster was staring at me in the face Overall would I come again? YES (and not order the chowder)
(4)Ashley C.
Unbelievable food. We stumbled on this place by accident as it was a bit further from our hotel. Low key, relaxed atmosphere and reasonable prices. Clam chowder was out of this world, I'm flying out tomorrow but I will be back to get another before I go! What we ordered: -clam chowder-5 stars. Perfection. -fish stew-tasty but not a lot of fish in it -lobster roll- perfection -kids fish and chips- huge serving. For $5! So fresh it looked like it jumped off the dock into the fryer. -cheeseburger and fries- HUGE! With great flavor. -Draft beer and wine! You must try this place if you are here. You order at the counter and they bring your food to you. Be sure to tip the guys!
(5)Aaron K.
Looks like a fish market, but luckily doesn't smell like one. Lots of great fresh seafood available and prices are very comparable to Legal's down the street. The lobster roll (19$) was on point, overflowing with fresh well cooked lobster. I'd say it's about the same as Legal's as far as taste, giving a slight edge to Legal's. Personally I'd rather spend a few dollars more and get the atmosphere, service, and oysters(!) that Legal Harborside provides as well as all the different dishes available. If you're looking for something a little cheaper and don't have a reservation, come here for just plain good seafood, and there's nothing wrong with that.
(4)Crystal N.
After having clam chowder for a week long stay in Boston, the best cup of chowda was definitely from Yankee Lobster's! The soup was so creamy with chunks of fresh clam and potatoes. If it weren't for the bucket of crabs that we ordered, I would've asked for seconds on the chowder or lobster bisque, perhaps! I'm a huge fan of crab - when I'm not lazy. Mainly because of all the cracking and work that you gotta do for the meat. #nobodygottimeforthat If you're a big fan of it, you will definitely taste the all around freshness of the crab - the texture was tender and had a delicious pungent taste of seafood. Besides the Clam Chowder (must-get!) and the bucket of crabs, here's what we also enjoyed: Seafood Combo - it came with fish, shrimp and scallops. The fried fish weren't in dinky pieces, but came in thick, juicy cuts. The fried scallops were the best, especially with beer. The fried shrimps - even though deep fried, you could still taste the freshness! The basket also comes with fries which were mediocre after walking into seafood heaven. Forget you, potatoes (jk, we gotta love our carbs.) If you're allergic to shrimp or prefer to just go with 1 option, then definitely go for the fried scallop plate. Fresh oysters - I thought it was only okay here but the rest of the table enjoyed it. Lobster mac and cheese - One word - ahhhhmazing. So amazing, we ordered two plates of it to-go to enjoy during our plane ride home. There were good chunks and pieces of fresh lobster in every bite. If I was a dead lobster, I hope I'd be sleeping/resting in cheese and macaroni, too. Steamed clams - one of our top favorites. Squeeze lemon juice and sprinkle pepper together for the ultimate dipping sauce! The skin from the clam's head was a bit disturbing - we peeled that part of before devouring.. We had 2 pitchers of the UFO beer that went amazing with both the steamed, baked and fried plates of seafood! Cheers and enjoy!
(5)Jon C.
I was looking for a place near the water for seafood while I was in Boston for the evening that wasn't too overly priced and had kid-friendly food. I ended up at Yankee Lobster Fish Market thanks to Yelp, and couldn't have imagined a better dinner. The place isn't very big, and there was about a 15 minute line of people waiting to get in and get a seat when we arrived. The line moves quickly though, and before I knew it, we were standing inside in front of the chalkboard placing our order. I went for the Lobster Roll (which came with French Fries and Cole Slaw) and a medium cup of Clam Chowder. Add in a beer and my bill came to thirty-something dollars, so it's somewhat pricey, but not as bad as other places would have been. After ordering, I found a seat on the outside patio. There was a music concert next door and although I couldn't see anything, we could hear it all. This was a an added bonus.. I liked the groups that were performing and felt like I was at a concert without paying the ticket price. My Clam Chowder was delicious. More potatoes than clams though, but it still tasted great on the cool evening. I gave up with the spoon and drank it from the paper cup and then ate the potatoes at the end. This brings me to the lobster roll. This thing was delicious. As I ate my chowder, a huge piece of lobster claw was staring at me, daring me to eat it. I kept staring back at it, and the moment I put it in my mouth was one to remember. Oh my gosh was this thing delicious. I was tempted to order the whole lobster, but I'm glad I went with the roll. Yankee Lobster is one of those out of the way places that I'm guessing a lot of tourists don't eat at everyday, but if you're in town just for dinner like I was, this is the place to go!
(5)Mary L.
3.5 stars was probably more fitting for Yankee Lobstahhh, but free parking and being a block away from Harpoon easily pushes it to 4. There was a line out the door managed by a nice employee who also doubled as busser. They let only a few folks in at a time so you only get a minute or two before you hit the counter. Pretty standard menu for a seafood joint. I opted for the crab cakes and a medium bowl of chowder. Food was delivered quickly. The chowder was great, piping hot and creamy, perhaps a bit uneven in potato to clam ratio. The crab cakes wouldn't have won a beauty contest, very flat and came out cold despite the minimal sear to the outside. Personally, I didn't find it very delectable either and would recommend exploring other options on the menu. They had a handful of brews on tap, one being Harpoon of course. Beware if you are waiting for the The bathroom as you'll be in harms way of the kitchen doors.
(4)Amanda F.
I've been meaning to check this place out, so we decided to go for lunch last trip since we were staying in the seaport district. There is a doorman who does crowd control (I think). We were a little confused when we walked in - but here's the deal: You order at the counter, sit down and someone brings your food. You can sit inside or outside, they will come find you. There's a small patio area and a couple of tables out front, I would sit out there if the weather is nice, the inside is pretty cramped. I had the hot lobster roll - it's served with fries and slaw. They had some drafts, so I went with a UFO. Of course the lobster roll was delish, nice big chunks of claw meat and tail meat. I'd never had a hot lobster roll before, only cold ones - the lobster is just tossed in melted butter. Very delish! I actually prefer it to it's cold cousin.
(4)Janet H.
My favorite clam chowder in Boston! It's so flavorful, creamy, and delicious! I fell in love with this little place when I wasn't even hungry. Everything on the menu just sounded amazing that I wanted to come back the next day. I think this is the perfect spot to visit, especially as a tourist. In two weeks, I had two visitors, so I brought them both here and they loved it! It's a hole-in-a-wall, for sure, but that doesn't mean it is lacking in flavor. Bonus: just across the street is Harpoon. My suggestion? 1. Go to Harpoon and claim a tour ticket. Typical wait time is 1.5 hours since it's first come, first serve! 2. Head over to Yankee and eat lunch. 3. Head back to Harpoon for jolly drinking and nerd time. With that said, lines do get a bit long, but it goes along pretty fast. It's a cute little spot and reasonably priced. Recommended items: - crab cake: I love that it's really meaty and not made up with many filler items like mayonnaise and who knows what. - lobster roll: get it warm! Yummy, but not the best Neptune Oyster is my fav for warm lobster roll. The fries at Yankee is also nice and crispy! - CLAM CHOWDER: BEST clam chowder I've had. Better than the one in Seattle. This place is definitely a winner in my book. Only downside is that it's a bit in the middle of nowhere...
(4)Christine J.
not sure if i was starving or it legit is the best lobster roll i had in a long long time. Not salty, not too buttery and greasy (roll) and not tooo much mayo. it felt really refreshing and delicious! a small joint that gets packed right at 5pm. line out the door with a guy managing the line.. pretty funny. tho i didnt care for their clam chowder, wayy salty and just didn't stand out. prob really heavy with calories too. their crabcakes look so light in color looks uncooked but i didn't taste them to say. the platters are not bad, we got #1 with fried cod, shrimp and calamari with fries and cole slaw, i think still on the salty side. only thing that impressed me was the lobster roll. will be back for that and try others hoping they're not too salty!!!
(4)Chip A.
Not much more to add to the positive reviews, except: ditto - had the hot lobster roll and clam chowder. Can't go wrong!
(5)Sarah E.
Excellent food and service! Don't be swayed by the bigger more polished restaurants on the Waterfront, this is the spot! Everything is excellent and very affordable! My fave is the lobster roll. Huge chunks of lobster and well seasoned... So good!
(5)Byron S.
Arrived at Logan airport around lunch and hit Yelp for a good spot, found this. It was really easy to find and while there is a few street parking spots, I had to pay for parking across the street. It's a very small location, but the food options are vast. Grilled, fried, baked, or broiled. Check out the daily special board when you walk in. We sat outside on the patio and I had the seared tuna salad and it was cooked perfectly. My dining partner had the fried basket and it looked great. I would recommend this location at least once. Enjoy.
(4)John K.
Delicious seafood. Four of us went family style with the lobster bisque, lobster roll, hot lobster roll, fish and chips, and fisherman's platter, which were all delicious. Between the regular lobster roll and the hot lobster roll, I would personally definitely recommend the hot lobster roll. It doesn't have all the mayo and stuff mixed in for flavor, and you can just dip it in the butter they provide (the toasted bread that the lobster is stored in reaches another level with the butter dip). One other thing is that it seemed like the same fish in the fish and chips was also in the fisherman's platter, so there was some redundancy there. Not too bad though, since the fish was excellently fried and delicious with the tartar. The line seemed a little bit long when we got there, but moved pretty quickly. We originally seated ourselves at a kind of tiny table for four people, and the staff kindly moved us to a table that had more than enough space for us. Outdoor seating in the summer is definitely a plus.
(4)Kevin L.
I'm sure that many of you will disagree with me but, I think Yankee Lobster is a bit overrated. Don't get me wrong...the food is decent, but I've experience better mom and pop joints. Yankee Lobster is located in a nice area surrounded by tons of restaurant and bars, but parking is a nightmare in the waterfront, unless you pay for a lot. This place is always packed but the line moves quickly. There are tables both inside and outside, however it can get loud outside if there's a concert going on next door at the Blue Hills Pavilion. I ordered the hot buttered lobster roll with fries, steamers, and cornbread. The lobster roll was subpar. All I tasted was salt and overcooked lobster. The fries were really good though. The steamers were nice and sweet, but there was decent amount of sand....but there's really nothing you can do about that. I'm a huge sucker for cornbread, and Yankee lobster has some pretty amazing stuff. It sits on the counter by the cash register so make sure you get some....I had 2! I'd come back, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come here
(3)Chantal L.
I wish lobster rolls in general weren't so expensive, otherwise I'd be buying them for lunch everyday. The lobster roll here is DELISH. It has bits of celery and comes with fries and coleslaw on the side for $19.99. The bread is so perfect, OMG! Buuuut it's smaller than other lobster rolls I've had. Workers are really cool and prompt. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. Check for specials. They also serve beer. Harpoon Brewery is next door, which is a big plus!
(3)Erica L.
Fresh. DELISH. GREAT PORTIONS. DRAFT BEER. FRIENDLY STAFF - Need i say more? Recommended by yelp. Decided to get the lobstah roll and boy am i glad i did. The chowdah was yummy as well. Tons of clams. Creamy but not too thick, also it wasnt just potatoes which was great. The menu is large and prices arent too bad. A little pricey on some items, lobstah roll was $18.99 with fries. However, the pieces were actual claws, not bite size pieces so well worth it. Also, if your like me you dont like a ton of mayo in your lobstah salad, and this place made it perfect for us picky eaters! Inside is small, but enough tables to eat and enjoy the meal. Also a large area outside with more tables which would be great on a summers day by the ocean. If you are looking for Fresh seafood then swing around back and visit the retail section. They sell all fresh fish and seafood as well. Overall a great spot! Will return!
(5)Alex A.
A clam plate is $19.99, so we had a bucket of potatoes for $40. The amount of clams they give you is laughable, stay away.
(3)Carmen C.
We came to Boston and the first thing my husband wanted with some lobster! We Yelped and this location came up. With all the good reviews we had to try it! This place is absolutely amazing. The bigger the lobster cheaper it is. It definitely is must try. The mac and cheese was just ok . The clam chowder, lobster bisque and the lobster itself was great! Whenever we come back to Boston we will definitely be back
(5)Des C.
We decided to go to Boston today in the middle of last week. Knowing that we were coming to such a culinary Mecca I got on Yelp immediately to try and figure out where we should dine. After much consideration we decided on Yankee. When we arrived (11:10am) we pulled right up to the side of the building and multiple open parking spots. When we walked in we were a little surprised as we were expecting more of a full service restaurant, as opposed to a wait in line to order and pay spot. My wife wanted to leave and go elsewhere, however I reminded her that this place had been on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. She finally relented and we places our order and began to walk to the outside seating. Before we could walk out the door the person at the desk had our shrimp cocktail ready and handed it to me. This was a great appetizer. We had at least 15 very fresh shrimp and the sauce was great too. We also picked up a piece of cornbread. Our kids took a bite of the bread and quickly asked for their own. I walked inside 5 minutes after we had ordered to a line of at least 10 people. When the server came out with our food I asked him if there was any way to place an order without having to wait in line. He quickly said "absolutely, what can I get you?" On top of the cornbread we had seen a lobster mac and cheese be delivered to the table next to us and knew immediately that we must have! The lobster roll was fantastic. The bun it was served on was perfectly toasted and the meat was warm. They side of butter was also nice and warm and the perfect compliment to the sandwich. I would have liked for the sandwich to be a little larger for $18.99, but that is my ONLY complaint. When the lobster mac and cheese arrived we all grabbed a fork and dove in. The pasta was perfectly al dente and the sauce was a nice mix of cheeses. The toasted bread crumb topping was devine and added a nice bit of crunch to the dish. Now let's talk about the star of the show, the lobster pieces in this dish were abundant. They ranged in size from half dollar all the way to tiny specs. It was nice because you got a bit of lobster with every bite. There was also a bit of green onion which really pulled everything together nicely. Bottom line is this is a great, no frills restaurant right on the water. The staff could not have been more friendly or accommodating. The food quality is excellent and we will definitely return when in Boston!
(4)Erika G.
I was super excited to try this place out after finding out it was on Gus' Diners, drive-ins and dives. Ordered the hot lobster roll, 1 1/2 pound lobster, and fish n chips. Whole lobster was better than hot lobster roll. Probably bc it was fresher thus not chewy. Fish n chips was crispy yet moist chunks with every bite. We enjoyed our last Boston meal, but we would have enjoyed it even more if there was more seating as place is cramped inside and out; you'll have to circle a couple times for parking, and be prepared to pay a hefty price for small lobster portions. But hey you're in Boston, so why not?
(4)Mollie W.
This place is really excellent. We dropped in on Forth of July, and even though there was a line outside, they had someone moving it along quickly, and we only ended up waiting less than ten minutes for a table for two. My fiancé and I decided to share some items, so I ordered us the appetizer clams (which when I asked the difference, is the plate sized 8oz clams minus fries) a lobster roll that comes with fries and slaw, and a medium clam chowder. The chowder and clams came out first and we dug in, and I have to say the chowder was some of the best chowder I've ever had. It had a really great base, with lots of deep flavor rather than just creamy goop. And while it was thick enough, it wasn't the chowder sludge you get at most other places. Potato/clam ratio was spot on as well. The fried clams were also delicious, probably 2nd-3rd best I've had overall, but it's hard to find a good fried clam in the Downtown area. I like that they were smaller bellied because, as a personal preference, I find the larger bellies to be more likely to be sandy and off-puttingly uh- gush-y. We had snacked through all the chowder and most of the clams when the Lobster roll came out. It was perfection. I'm not much of a lobster roll person, as I often find them to be expensive and lacking in flavor. This was not the case, they added just enough mayo and celery (with perfect seasoning) to the lobster, and used a lot of claw meat as well as tail (I've always like the claws best). They even lined the toasted buttered roll with iceberg lettuce which was actually a fantastic addition to an otherwise perfect roll. Even the fries and slaw were good! We were between this place and James Hook, but I'm really glad we ended up here and will be back soon for sure. It's also directly next to Harpoon, which is an additional bonus. Eat lobster, then go take a tour. Or get tour tickets, and eat lunch while you wait for your tour time if the wait is long, which it often is.
(5)Debbie L.
Friends and I got the hot lobster roll ($19.99) here and weren't impressed. It's small and comes with fries and cole slaw. This is my first hot roll and it was pretty under-seasoned. Not sure if that's the case with all hot lobster rolls, or just the Yankee Lobster Fish Market style. The venue is not big but most parties eat and go so it's not terrible. Finding parking is a n i g h t m a r e.
(3)Sam L.
For the price, they offer some really fresh seafood. It sits towards the end of the Boston harbor, and it has a smallish interior that will get packed up quick. Fortunately they're pretty good about fulfilling lunch orders, however still avoid the peak lunch/dinner hours if you can. The lobster rolls are a decent deal for ~$20, even if it's under-seasoned and the fries were substandard. The fried clams on the other hand, were delicious and comparable to those competitions nearby and downtown. Comparing to lobster rolls from Maryland and Key west, Yankee Lobster Fish Market has plenty to catch up to, but we enjoyed the no-frill freshness lunch nevertheless.
(3)Bill G.
Good Seafood, not great. Two warm Lobster Rolls, served with Crispy French fries, a fair cup of cole slaw. I added 12 oz of clam chowder to the meal. The lobster rolls didn't seem to have some melted butter (although they might have), the French fries were great, cole slaw was OK. All-in-all, not great to my taste. Looking forward to getting to Maine for lobster.
(3)Zaneta O.
It's a small place with only a few tables. If you are looking for seafood with a large group you can try Barking Crab but the prices are a little higher. Yankee Lobster was a no frills kind of place to eat. The prices were affordable. The waiter was really casual and just talked to us as if we were friends rather than customers. I asked what he recommends and he said the lobster club. My friend got the regular lobster roll. She appeared to have more lobster on her roll than I did on my sandwich. My sandwich was stuffed with tomato and lettuce and one strip of bacon making it appear to be bigger at first glance but there was still more meat on it and nicer chunks than the one I received at Barking Crab. Not only that but the roll at Barking Crab is more expensive. I would totally just order the regular lobster roll instead to get more lobster and may be ask for a side of bacon haha. I can have lettuce and tomatoes anytime and anywhere. The fries were ok, no complaints. The coleslaw was definitely lacking in flavor. I didn't get any shell in my sandwich at Yankee and unfortunately I did at Barking Crab. My husband had the fisherman's platter which is what he also ordered at Barking Crab the next day and he said that he liked the one at Barking Crab better but I disagreed with him since I of course sampled his food as well. The platter at Yankee wasn't grity like it was at Barking Crab. The bathroom has a strong pleasant scent of vanilla. I think it's odd that you have to cut through the kitchen to go to the bathroom but it was nice to get a quick peek at where the cooking was happening. All the chefs were pretty non-chalant and laid back about everything. The servers at Barking Crab are more serious. Sorry for all the comparissons but I'm hoping that someone trying to decide between the two places will find them useful. I was satisfied with my food and happy with our visit. I will definitely return!
(4)Jodi R.
No words to describe the taste of their fried clams. If you are looking for that New England seafood taste, you've got to go! I drool just thinking about getting my seafood fix when I visit Boston. Just a casual place, but awesome food and people!!!!
(5)Robert F.
OK so I have seen the reviews that others left for this restaurant and I saw the episode about this restaurant on the travel channel so I was expecting an incredibly great experience or at least very good food. This unfortunately was not the case. First of I knew this was a small place but I honestly didn't imagine that it was this small. the inside was not full of people but it was incredibly cramped inside. Second, there was the food. I figured I would try the lobster macaroni and the calamari which are my favorite things when I'm dining out. The lobster macaroni was at best mediocre and the calamari was not fresh, crispy, or even very edible. This is the first restaurant I have ever been to where I had left overs and did not take them home. I know not to expect the world when trying a new restaurant but based on all the reviews on here I was at least expecting something decent. The fact that the menu is overpriced for the portions they were offering did not do much to be desired on any standard. I would like to think about giving them a second try, but I figure its best if I just count this place as a one time visit.
(2)Bonnie L.
Yankee Lobster Fish Market is very tasty and also very expensive. We ordered the seafood mix (fried white fish, shrimp, scallops and fries), lobster roll (which comes with fries), and lobster chowder. Just those 3 items cost $50. While the food was good, it wasn't $50 good. This was my first experience with East coast lobster roll, so I was excited. The lobster was rich and creamy, the bread buttery and toasty. But I wouldn't spend $20 on it often. Also, I can actually get lobster rolls just as good in Vegas and California. I'm glad I can say I've tried it though! The scallops though were delicious. The best fried scallops I've ever had. The environment is chill and homey. Tight and cramped quarters, but it adds to the charm.
(3)Nina S.
I'm a fan of this local spot in Boston! I had delicious fish and chips and Harpoon draughts. There is a little patio area outside to sit and enjoy lunch. I enjoyed the experience and will def. go back if I'm in this area again soon. It's right next door to the Harpoon Brewery. It was the perfect lunch before touring the brewery. I saw the lobster roll ordered and it looked like another good choice too. Next time I'll give that a try!
(4)Lizzie P.
Here's the deal: As an out-of-towner this place is great! It's super easy to drive to because you don't have to go through the craziness of downtown Boston. The place is not a sit-down though. It's a go up, order, and then sit down and they bring it to you. On a nice evening, their outside patio is amazing to sit at. As for the food, I was very pleased. Coming from the Midwest we don't have lots of fresh New England seafood. The Clam Chowder is hands-down the best Clam Chowder I've ever had though. My father agreed, and my family being a foodie-family that travels for food, that's a big deal. The Lobster Bisque: not the best, still good though. As for the Lobster Roll: amazing. What was amazing about it was that you could tell it was very fresh seafood and there was no fillers! It's was all lobster. Stuffed with true, fresh lobster! I was also very pleased with the Lobster Mac n' Cheese. Maybe if you're from Boston it's not as impressive, but again, for a Midwestern... Overall 5 stars. Great place, and great prices for a city seafood place. My only question: why the Yankee Lobster in Red Sox city?
(5)Ahtian N.
It was a very fun experience with the crab steam pots. I thought the lobster roll was a bit small. Good food over all. The line is long, but it moves quickly. Also shot out to the great staff. I left my jewelry on the table, and the kind gentleman with glasses and a beard at the door ran to my car and gave it to me!
(5)Josh M.
I went looking for an authentic Boston lunch today. The line outside told me that I was at the right place. When I asked at the counter what I should order, she suggested the lobster roll. It was clear that the lobster was fresh and it made for a great lunch! I also ordered some clam chowder and while it was ok, it wasn't any better than what I have had in other parts of the country. The french fries that came with the roller also pretty standard fare. However, the lobster roll was the star of the show and like I said I thought it was very good.
(4)Alex R.
After doing Neptune and Yankee in the same week, I must say.....my heart belongs to yankee. For less, I get oh so much more. More seating, more selection, more flavor....LESS PRICE! I get it, Neptune is upscale, tightly run, in a cool neighborhood. But when the line goes OUT THE DOOR, takes several hours to eat, people don't follow common line etiquette, it's as if to say Neptune WHY??? I digress.... For true lobster rolls with a twist, this is THE place to go if you want a roll with a bit more. The Lobster BLT my buddy had was the talk of the night, in fact I believe he has gone back 3x since. They are friendly, and provide you with the type of service you want to tip for.... The fish sandwich has been in my dreams and I have to tell everyone I know in the area that they need to go there. See my picture for a true appreciation of the delectable lunchtime hero! Located mere steps from the Harpoon Brewery, how could you not want to stop by after a flight (or two??)
(5)Reesie R.
Meh. I know that for tourists and regular folk, this must be a take for getting "local" fish etc, but I was very underwhelmed. The fish and chips was haddock and it was bland bland bland. The portions were right, but everything needed salt (even the fries!). Not anything I would return for. Staff were uninviting and the place is shack like and could use a good scrub. So many other amazing places to get excellent seafood at.
(2)Jessica L.
Absolutely delicious. I don't even like lobster rolls (though I do love Lobster) and their lobster roll is OUT OF THIS WORLD. The fried clams (we ordered the clam bellies) are excellent and perfectly fried --- fresh and not at all greasy or starchy. Great beer selection as well and the fries were nice and crispy. Can get pricey fast, but I guess it's worth it since they have the best lobster roll I've ever had.
(5)Levi B.
When in Boston... I actually don't know what that means. It just felt like the right way to start this review. When I was in town for a conference, I decided to stop here to get some clam chowder and fish 'n' chips before flying out. I'm so glad I did. Very tasty, and I really enjoyed the ambiance and location of this joint. But, I'm not a local, so it's not like I'm some kind of clam chowder expert. In fact, I had a hard time saying "clam chowder" aloud to the guy behind the counter because I have an accent that is far from Bostonian. I know what you're thinking. "This f-ckin' guy."
(4)Rob S.
I went there a couple weeks ago because it was in walking distance to my hotel. The lobster rolls were amazingly good! I'm not even the biggest fan of lobster, but it was so tender an yummy on the toasted bread. I sat on the outside patio, which was also nice to be outside. I also ordered a crab cake, which was only OK. I recommend sticking to the lobster rolls!
(4)Jeffrey B.
I went here recently with a friend of mine that I had met at Northeastern Univ. back in the 70's. He was visiting from L.A. I had the Lobster Bisque which I thought was pretty good. He had a lobster roll which he was disappointed in. I also had the Captains Platter which is fried pollock, fried clams and fried scallops. It was very tasty. The portion size was average at best. I think that the tastiest thing that I had was a Whale Tail Pale Ale.
(3)Sally C.
We had both the Hot (butter based) & cold (mayo based) lobster rolls. The little dish of slaw is great, would rather have option of a full serving of that rather than little dish plus fries. (Not that the fries were bad I just loved the slaw so much I'd rather have only slaw as side dish). Not a place designed to linger but it was a pretty day & we availed ourselves of the patio. The rolls were pricey but you really get a lot of lobster & don't leave at all hungry.
(4)Rima K.
Just ordered the most amazing and fresh fried scallops. This place is busy and the service is fast. Do not get the crab cakes, they seem very old and taste like they've been sitting at the bottom of the fridge and quickly microwaved :(. Shockingly huge difference between the two dishes ordered!
(4)Chris S.
This place is stupid good. I went on a Monday and it was dead. As people mentioned it is a bit divey and cannot sit more than 20 to 25 people comfortably. However, the staff couldn't have been nicer and it felt like a seafood market meets food truck. I got the classic lobster roll served cold with fries and slaw. The amount of lobster in the roll was honestly dumb. Huge amount of amazingly sweet lobster meat. I also started off with the clam chowder which was the best I have ever had. Now keep in mind I'm not a Bostonian or New Englander so I don't have a large sample size but I was blown away by how delicious it was. The pricing, I found, to be very affordable. Great spot and thanks to Yelp for making me go there.
(5)Kaitlin H.
Mouth watering. This was the only lobster roll I had while I was in Boston, and I highly recommend it. I got the cold and my mom and sister got the hot. Both were great. Tons of lobster piled high. You could see entire claw pieces sitting in the roll. It comes with a ton of fries. My mom also got the lobster bisque and while it was good, there were no chunks of lobster in it! They also serve harpoon and a few other beers. They have a small lot and we were able to find a spot with ease. There is a bunch of outdoor seating. You do have to order inside and then sit down.
(5)Harry H.
After a massive Friday night wait, went with tasty but unmemorable items: scallop roll, cod cake app, and a small clam chowder...plus a lobster roll...for a pretty crazy $50. Won't be back even if there were no line.
(3)Stephanie T.
My boyfriend and I decided one day that we would drive down very early to get lunch. So glad we made the 5 hour trip from New Jersey thanks to Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. This was featured on T.V. as one of the best seafood restaurants in Boston. It sure is! We ordered $70 worth of food and it was worth every penny! It included Lobster Mac and cheese, cod cakes (Guys favorite), clam chowder, and scallops (the size of your palm!). They even have a market in the back to pick your own lobster and fresh seafood. Awesome place to eat. If I could give 1,000 stars I would!
(5)Jasmine C.
Great seafood but wow it is SO INACCESSIBLE BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT! I would say make the trip if you're willing to put in the time and effort, but there are places for equally good lobster (alive and kicking, to name one) and there are limited tables so go when the weather is nice or be willing to wait for an inside seat. What to get: - Lobster mac and cheese was delicious - not mind blowing, but it was good. But then it IS Mac and cheese AND lobster so it's not surprising that it was good. - Boiled lobster: very fresh, and also super delicious. If you're going to go all the way to the waterfront, this is really why. What to miss: - Lobster roll: I found it unremarkable compared to lobster rolls I've had before, although again if that's what you're there for their rolls aren't terrible - just not terribly amazing.
(3)Wilson C.
Originally went to the Barking Crab but was told there would be a 2-3 hour wait. WTF?!? I know I had a large party(9), so that was why we'd have to wait a bit but never expected that long of a wait. They only had the tent open. The inside dining was closed for some unknown reason. So I hit up some friends and they recommended Yankee Lobster. We head over and the wait took a bit, about 30 minutes. It wasn't a long line but the thunder and lightning made it feel long. We had a few kids with us so that didn't make it feel any shorter. Anyways, you get on line and that was it. They do not take the number in your party or anything like that. It was a first come, first serve deal. Kinda hard if you have more than 2 people in your party. They have indoor and outdoor seating. We got outdoor seating since a large party had just left when it was our turn to order so that kind of worked out. Wasn't great for the kids because next door at the Blue Hills Pavilion was a super loud Faith No More concert, though I was the only one in our party who enjoyed it. Cost wise, its your standard Boston seafood prices. I ordered the Captain's Feast, a lobster roll, the lobster mac & cheese, clam chowder and a kids chicken tender. It didn't take long for the food to come out but right away there was some issues. The captain's feast was missing the lobster tail and we had no lobster roll. Went back in to notify the register which was remedied with a quickness. They even threw in a couple bottles of pop that I was going to buy to apologize for the order mess up. A+ in my book for customer service. So how was the food? The wife thought the clam chowder was salty, I thought it was fine. Lotsa potatoes but not much clams in it though, every few spoons I get a chopped piece or two. The fried platter was okay. Should have been bigger for the price I was paying. It was mostly calamari and three 6" filets of fish. It had a couple scallops and a few pieces of clam. My friend order the smaller platter and it was practically the same size as mine. The lobster roll was standard fare. IT was good but nothing that wows me where I have to have another one. The kids thought the chicken was good. The Triple D featured lobster mac&cheese was the worst out of our order. It had plenty of mac and plenty of cheese but where was the lobster. Might as well dye the macaroni red and call those pieces the lobster. The only place I've had great lobster mac&cheese was at David Burke's in Bloomingdales 5th Ave. I think the best thing that came with the dishes were the fries.The kids demolished them. The cole slaw was also pretty good. Overall an okay place but its not a must go whenever I'm in Boston and hankering for some seafood.
(3)Trish S.
This place is delicious! I couldn't come to Boston without having a lobster roll, and this place didn't disappoint. It was filling, fresh, and the bread to lobster ratio was perfect. They have a variety of other things on the menu as well that I wanted to try, so I actually came back here the next day to get the lobster mac and cheese and crab cake sandwich. :)
(4)Mitch R.
I had a great lunch here. The clam chowder is some of the best I have had. Smooth and smoky and full of clams. The lobster club was fresh and delicious, and it was toasted just right. The fries were perfectly crisp. Even the coleslaw was delicious. To top it off, the staff was friendly, efficient, and fun! The place isn't fancy, but the food is.
(5)Lauren G.
Discloser: I am NOT a seafood fan. I came to Boston this weekend with my dad and brother who would eat seafood for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if they could. We were at the Sox/Yankees game on Sunday and I decided to browse Yelp to see where we should go for dinner that evening when I came upon the gem that is the Yankee Lobster Co. One of the reviews said that it was not easily accessible by public transportation. I would like to disagree with that, as we made it from Fenway to Seaport in about 30 mins and didn't get lost once. The SL2 bus line drops off right down the street from the restaurant. Upon arriving, there was a line in front of the building about a dozen people deep. We arrived around 5:45 and they promptly cut the line off at 6pm. There was a young guy named Jess (more about him later), passing out cups of ice cold water. It was a solid 85°, so this was a nice relief. Someone was also passing out shrimp on skewers, which I tried and wow! Incredible! There were people enjoying delicious looking food at some outdoor patio seating. Our mouths were drooling at every plate that went by. We stood in line for about 45 minutes or so. They finally let us in and we realized that the take out line and eat in line merged into one. People seemed confused because it wasn't specified in anyway. The inside was small and cozy, with a nice hometown feel. Market prices were listed as well as a full menu on the wall. We placed our order and Jess, the one passing out water earlier, was EXTREMELY helpful and made awesome recommendations when it came to our choices. The best part? The food. Like I said, I'm not a seafood lover at all. I went with the classic fish sandwich (Haddock, all dishes came with fries and cole slaw) and holy cow. It was incredible. The fish was so buttery and perfectly crisped on the outside, yet the inside was falling apart, full of flavor. A toasted bun completed the sandwich. Fries were perfectly crisp and flavorful as well. My brother ordered a blackened tuna wrap, which Jess suggested medium rare since my brother regularly enjoys seafood, and he said it was the best thing he's ever eaten. It was a little heavy with wasabi towards the end, but he thinks it all just settled to the bottom. My dad had the classic lobster roll and enjoyed every bite. Jess also suggested the crab roll for us to split and it was literally falling out of the bun. He explained that the crab was hand picked every day. They also have homemade soda's which were delicious, as well as local beer from the brewery next door. You could tell everything was incredibly fresh and it was truly a great meal. While it was a little pricey ($80 for 3 people), everything we ate was a fresh treat. I would definitely come back to this spot due to the hospitality we received and the quality of food. I didn't feel like a tourist here, they made us feel like family.
(5)Kristen W.
Going to Boston and not getting any seafood is like going to Cleveland and not hearing any Johnny Football or Lebron remarks, it just doesn't happen (and shouldn't!). While there are a handful of places on the water to get your seafood fix, I'm certain Yankee should be your first and only stop. This is a fresh as it gets! This place gets crowded but we did not have any trouble snagging a seat at lunchtime. Prices are reasonable for the fresh food your about to enjoy. We started with the calamari (good) and the crab cakes (drool worthy) and I had the lobster roll for my entree. Would I be daring in saying that this is easily the best lobster roll in Boston? How about on the east coast? Because it really was that good!
(5)Kelsi B.
I'm so happy I'll be traveling to Boston more and more for work, because I get to eat ALL OF THE LOBSTAH. We walked here from our hotel, and arrived very hungry. A group of 3 of us each got an order of soup (Clam Chowder of Lobster Bisque), a Lobster Roll, and we split an order of Lobster Mac n Cheese. The Lobster Bisque was up there with the best that I've had. Definitely better than any you can find in Wisconsin (obviously, I know). I also heard good things about the Clam Chowder. The Lobster Roll was actually the first Lobster Roll I've ever had. I'm not sure if it was my naivety but I was half expecting it to be warm. But alas, it was cold and still delicious. I loved how the Lobster wasn't covered in sauce so you could actually taste the seafood. I would've enjoyed if the bun had been toasted or something, but it was still yummy. The Lobster Mac n Cheese was my favorite, though. Huge chunks of Lobster - I mean HUGE. Mixed in with noodles and a cheesy sauce. It was heavenly. I have to admit that I'll have to shop around a bit more for that perfect Lobster Roll my next time in Boston, however I would definitely not mind returning here. Especially for the mac.
(4)Rohan K.
We went here for lunch on a very windy day and were greeted by extremely friendly and fun staff. We started off with the clam chowder and I have to say it is one of the best I've ever had. The proportion of ingredients was perfect and it was so warm and creamy, delicious. The smoky bacon flavor really comes through and adds a spectacular dimension to the chowder. My wife doesn't eat bacon and after a spoonful she realized it had bacon. Our server immediately apologized(for no fault of his) and brought her a cup of the lobster bisque on the house which was delicious and a really nice gesture on his part. We all had the lobster rolls. They were stuffed with delicious lobster meat which was beautifully cooked. The only think I found lacking was some spicy mayo on the bread or a tiny cup of the poaching butter on the side to moisten things up a little if needed. Overall the food was incredible, the service was unbelievably good and the ambiance was really welcoming and fun. A tad bit pricey but honestly worth it. I can't wait to go back here the next time I'm in town and I'm sure our friends who live in Cambridge will be going here quite often after this experience.
(5)Wayne Z.
Awesome place and had the greatest experience there this past weekend. This was my 3rd visit to beantown and I realized I hadn't had a lobster roll yet so after reading about this place, I decided to drag my local friend along for a ride (she had never been either). First of all I thought this was going to be a much bigger place, it wasn't, and I wasn't disappointed. Very small inside eating area with an outdoor seating part as well. Counter service/order with staff that was extremely helpful and friendly and made sure I got exactly what I wanted. Portions of lobster was more than enough I felt and the taste was pretty amazing. I had the lobster club and my friend got the original lobster roll and we both were very pleased. Place was quite busy when we showed up and only got busier as we went so plan accordingly if you want to have a seat. All in all, I would not hesitate to come back.
(4)Jessica R.
Exactly what I wanted!! Fresh, meaty, buttery lobster on a nice bun! Getting my Boston trip off to a delicious start!
(5)Silvia V.
Delicious lobster roll on the Waterfront that's worth the stroll.
(4)Sharon C.
This place seems to be quite popular! Waiting outside in the humid sunny weather was a torture!! We waited maybe 20 to 30 minutes. I'm a fan of fried seafood..can't go wrong! Also had the crabmeat salad...so delicious!
(3)Emily M.
Go here while you're in Boston!!! YLC is small and quaint. It has an inside that accommodates about 30 or so and a side patio that accommodates another 35ish. The patio is cute and backs right up to Harpoon Brewery. Live music played as I ate. The food was DELICIOUS: the clam chowder and lobster roll were spot on. The chowder was smooth with just enough clam. I added the oyster crackers for an added crunch. I ordered the regular lobster roll (as opposed to hot or fried). It's a little small compared to what I'm used to, but it's very filling! They stuff it full of lobster! I'll definitely be back next time I'm in Boston for sure!
(5)Abigail W.
Hands down best lobster roll I've had in Boston. The roll was filled with basically all claw meat. They could have charged me $29 instead of $19 and I still would have thought it was a great deal! Free parking in the seaport area is very hard to come by, but they have a free lot to the side of the restaurant that we took advantage of. How do you beat free!! The only downside (and it's a small one) was how crowded the restaurant was. They tried to regulate the line by not letting too many people in at once, but it was still pretty cramped. Still, the lobster roll was good enough to bring me back!
(4)Monica T.
Very fresh and delicious lobster roll and crab cake. Counter service. Small inside but had patio. Thumbs up!
(4)Yasser E.
Nothing so special about the place nothing bad either Lobsters was over price My friend had 8 lb it seem like the not doing this often any way like I say nothing booming about the place it just another experience Get to try it PS if you paying by amex ask first
(3)Vava B.
Yum and yum, yum, yum! The lobster roll, bisque and chowder were some of the best I had during my boston stay. I will def be returning when back in the area. It's a counter service kind of place but that's ok with me as long as they keep doing what they're doing and making amazing seafood! Thank you!!
(4)Jillian L.
Just ate here for the first time. Giving three stars instead of two because everyone has a bad day. Ordered a dozen oysters, and honestly, I'm praying a don't get sick from them. They didn't look or taste that great, and the juice left in the shell was muddled and murky. Hot lobster roll was decent. For a better one close by, go to Row 34, Barking Crab, or James Hook. The crabs? I was expecting more like crab legs, not whole crabs and had no idea how to get those suckers open, so we'll consider that partially user error. I asked an employee how to open them and he wasn't terribly helpful. Plus all the brownish green muck in the middle grosses me out, although I know some people like it. Maybe we just didn't order the right things... But it sucks to feel that way after a $78 lunch.
(3)C A O.
When in Boston...well ask anyone and they'll bring up Lobster/seafood right As the common business traveller and tourist on my free time, what else do you do but look for the local favorite. Tucked away at the end of the harbor, Yankee Lobster was easy to locate. Busy with a lineup in the early afternoon, this place had its fans and out of towners. I simply asked for what's popular, The Lobster Roll was it. I ordered it cold and a bisque to go with it. Bisque It was, simple. The taste may have not been to the many I've had at other restaurants, but you knew it was fresh with their special process and style. Roll Again simple, yet at its best to taste the lobster more than anything. In many cases, you end up tasting everything but the lobster (asides your down south or other region rolls that specialize in the mixtures of the meats/spices). Yankee knows what's up and makes sure you taste lobster. Fresh indeed, low on the butter, mayo, and enough lobster to fill you up. Forget the fries (fried to a nice crisp) and enjoy the lobster. Price may have you thinking but you have to remember, location and you're sharing an experience with tourists, like myself. :) Service - 4 Decor - 4 Food - 4
(4)Alex C.
The lobster rolls here were indeed pretty good-both the hot and cold. The lobster bisque left much to be desired though. Our table also had the garlic butter mussels as well as the fish and chips, which were also pretty decent. Pricing is a little steep but it seems par for the course around this part of Boston. Service though... could use some help.
(3)Maria C.
Excellent lobster and lobster roll, a great meal and at a good price. I highly recommend this place and you can go casual dressed.
(5)Leonard L.
Located in the water district, Yankee Lobster is your seafood shack that's easily accessible through the silver line. We drove here and got lucky with parking thou I'd assume that on a day with great weather, taking the T would be your better option. What to order? When in Boston.... Lobstaaa roll combo ( fries and cole slaw) and clam chowdaaa. Chowder was of a thin consistency and had lot of flavor. They really know how to do this soup well in these parts. I just wish there was a bit more clams in it. The lobster roll had a good amount of meat inside which seemed to be the only plus. The meat itself was light coated w/ mayo but didn't really have much of a sweet flavor to it. Tasted like it was slightly overcooked. The fries were great thou, fresh out the fryer. Throw some malt vinegar for a tangy bite. They also serve beer and wine here including Harpoon IPA which coincidentally has a brewery located within a 5 min walking distance from YL.
(3)Nguyen P.
Found this place by mistake in 2008 during Boston Latin School's graduation and I've been a loyal visitor since. I am not a huge clam chowder lover, but I get the quart from here every time. Yes, every time. Come here with friends, grab a pitcher of beer and eat. Whether you're feeling healthy with the swordfish, gluttonous with the fisherman's platter or kicking it old school with some fried clams, you'll feel well fed and glad. I will say that the one thing I don't love about Yankee is their lobster bisque, which is strange because their lobster roll is amazeballs. Anywho, come here before a concert or after visiting Harpoon Brewery, your life will change forever
(5)D K.
Didn't love it. Lobster roll and clam chowder were just alright. Definitely had better.
(3)Anne J.
The good news is that the seafood is fresh - not fishy smelling. Yet it's not 'sweet' like scallops and oysters can be if REALLY fresh. The other news is that the restaurant is small and crowded - not particularly comfortable, if you can even get a seat. It has become that popular. The soundtrack thumps annoyingly. What do they think it could possibly be adding to customer comfort? It must be for the cook staff, not the customers.
(3)Taylor A.
Legit, no frills lobster joint with many-frills pricing. Tasty lobster rolls and lobster bisque. Plan on spending about $20 per roll. It's lobster. If you like lobster you'll like it here. It's not rocket science.
(4)Jimmy M.
Great fish stew. Excellent 2 pound lobster. Enjoyed all this surrounded by 2 feet of snow. Will be back for sure, snow or sleet!!!! I wish they had more seating.
(5)James W.
We are a family of 5, and we chose Yankee Lobster b c of the ratings. The spicy lobster rolls that we got tasted terrible and they only gave us a little bit of lobster meat, it is not worth of our $100 dollars. I would not go back again!
(2)Nina M.
Loved the food here! The staff was so amazing ! Wicked helpful! The food was cooked to order and super fresh! Very tasty! So happy we went here intend the overpriced place next door with the view! We were in town for a concert and this place is near the stage so we got to hear soundcheck! Bonus! I highly recommend this place!
(5)Anthony M.
Had this place bookmarked for the trip to Boston with the GF so we could check off another place on DD&D off the list. We split the seafood combo and the crab cakes and while they were good, wasn't overly wowed either. The fish and scallops were tasty but I was left wanting more from the shrimp and fries. The shrimp felt small and bland compared to Handsome Hanks Fish Hut at Smorgasburg back home which I get regularly while the fries were nothing special and we needed to douse them with malt vinegar just to add some flavor. Crab cakes were a good size and meaty. Small and no frills on the inside. Came on a weekday afternoon and could see how this place can get crowded. Service was good. Perfect spot to visit before or after the Harpoon Brewery tour, which is what we did. Would give a 3.5 stars based on what we ordered but rounding up for the benefit of the doubt since we didn't get any lobster and what seemed to be some of their staples. I'd visit here again to try some of their other stuff if I were in the area again.
(4)Karina B.
We came at the perfect time 4 pm! no line and got our food right away! yes it is expensive but hey its seafood its always gonna be expensive anyway especially if you are looking for oysters and lobster! I got the hot lobster roll which was delicious and it came with fries and slaw! so much meat and it was buttered to perfection! yummy Then I also got oysters (6 for 14$) they were really yummy and fresh! I also ordered some beer which was just what I needed after a long day of walking! I would highly recommend and come back. I am gonna say though its small so be prepared to wait in line if you come at peak lunch and dinner hours!
(5)Skylar S.
Quick Service. Good lobster roll. Little cramped for seating, and felt a little claustrophobic, but all in all pretty good food. Probably closer to a 3.5, but I'll round up!
(4)Guillermo M.
We got the lobster roll and the clam chowder. Both were great. The good is great although the place is really crowded and in a warm sunny day their tables are not ideal because they do not have umbrellas.
(4)Jeannie H.
Low-key joint with delicious food. Clam chowder had a little kick to it. Would go back just for that. Lobster roll was delicious!!
(4)Andie T.
In my search for the best lobster roll in Boston, on this trip I tried Yankee Lobster, James Hook & Co, the bar at the Renaissance (hey, its where I was staying!) and the restaurant in Logan airport. After reading the reviews on Yelp I was excited to try Yankee. Unfortunately, it ranked the lowest of the four rolls I had on this trip. As opposed to James Hook (which is primarily a fish market with the restaurant part as an afterthought) Yankee Lobster seems to be a restaurant first and foremost. There is a small cooler case that was virtually empty on my visit and the first thing I smelled upon entering was French fries. Not really what I expected at a fish market. The lobster roll was $17 and came with French fries and coleslaw. You order and pay with the cashier at the counter and take a seat. When you food is ready the cashier brings it to your table. The lobster roll LOOKED good and the meat was fresh and flavorful. But there didn't seem to be a spec of mayo (even though it was listed on the menu board). The bun was toasted, which was a nice touch. But I'm a big fan of mayo and the fact that there was none pretty much killed this lobster roll for me. Also, the French fries - while hot and fresh - were just your basic generic, frozen fries. Nothing special. I did not try the coleslaw (not a cabbage fan). Overall, I much preferred James Hook to Yankee. The location, decor, people and fish market seemed more authentic, the lobster roll was much less expensive (partly because it didn't come with any sides - but I wanted a lobster roll, not French fries and coleslaw) and prepared much more traditionally. And I just liked it better. Yankee felt like they were trying too hard while James Hook felt like they were a real, operating fish market that just happened to also serve awesome lobster rolls.
(2)Tracy B.
Ok so where do I begin, the fam and I LOVE Lobster (Maybe a little too much), to some people its a once in a while treat, to us its prolly 2-3 times a month... I tend to crave things & I usually get what I want... So we have tried several places in the area & after I got over my "I dont want to drive all the way there to get it" phase, I realized - Driving into the Piers, Im probably getting some of the freshest stuff around... So we frequest Yankee (which my mother calls Yankee Doodle every time - I have corrected here IDK, 4000 times to no avail)... Love that they have grown into soo much more over the years, because when we started going they only had a counter, never any tables like they do now... They are a great little place with the freshest of foods (Havent had many things there but the Chowder is good, and the stuffed clams were good)... The parking is a little scarce & the Mice/Rat traps in the parking spaces always freak me out when I go, but cmon its the docks - there must be tons of mice there & at least they are doing somthing about it... Ive never had a problem with anything there, Yankee is & will continue to be a FAVE & constant stop for me & the Fam!
(4)Andrew M.
Loved this place. The food was delicious, the guys were pleasant, and it was nice to sit outside and eat. Definitely recommend it :)
(5)Lex T.
Having lived in New England for almost 20 years, I know there are plenty of excellent seafood restaurants in the area. While this one was okay, it fell far short of our expectations based on reviews, most of which I can only assume have been written by visitors to Boston who may not have access to noteworthy seafood on a regular basis. The best thing we ordered were the mussels, which were nice and garlicky. The calamari were average at best, and a laughably small portion for $9.99. The big disappointment was the fish and chips. Any run-of-the-mill pub in these parts will serve up a hunk of super fresh, perfectly fried crispy fish that just about covers the platter. This portion was about a third of that, which would have been fine had it been delectable. Sadly, it wasn't. Perfectly passable and certainly fresh, but not the best the area has to offer. At $65 + tip for 2 (including 2 glasses of wine and 2 bottles of water), it wasn't a great value. We enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the place, and got talking to some lovely folks on the outdoor patio, but while that would have added to the experience, it wasn't what we were there for.
(2)Juliet B.
This was such an awesome find. Off the beaten path. I had a lobster roll because Im from Cali via New Jersey and you can not get this anywhere else. It was delicious. Loaded with chunks of lobster and its claws. Super fresh. Have already recommended it. It is small and walk up order. Good tunes playing too.
(5)Bernadine L.
I had high expectations for this place because it was featured on the Food Network. This is the first time I tried the Lobster bisque with corn bread. The servers were nice, however my food was cold and had to be reheated.
(3)Ren X.
This place is great to come after harpoon's beer tour. BF had fish & chips and he said it was better than the ones he had in London. pretty tasty and chuncky fish. fries were pretty normal, nothing special to rave about. I got the lobster roll. also having been to belle isle, yankee's lobster roll is NOT as big as belle isles, and has more mayo & pepper to the lobsters. it's still great and tasty, but having the comparison. i think belle isle is worth more for the buck.
(4)Elliott K.
Went here to buy some live clams for dinner. Was greeted quickly and placed my order, which was also filled relatively quickly. The clams were very fresh, fairly priced, and cooked up great! I look forward to going back and eating from their prepared menu.
(5)B K.
really good lobster roll, really bad service. that said, this is a really touristy location with mostly crappy chain restaurants, so it may be your only option. I'd go for it if it doesn't look too crowded.
(3)Iwona M.
Great place far from turisty area, easy and free parking, which is almost impossible in Boston. Great variety of seafood, however they dont serve raw fish like oyster, only fried.... Anyway we had fantastic clam chowder and calamari. We love this place, definitely coming back whenever in Boston :)
(4)Eddie B.
i was here 2 weeks ago, and had a stuffed lobster that incredible So i decided to return to the scene of the crime on 3/13/12 and I have to say, this place has it together the Lobsters and the crab cakes were to kill for. I love this place i look forward to my next business trip back to Boston, Yankee Lobster you guys kick ASS.
(5)John R.
I've now had their lobster roll twice, and it's been bad both times. Today, both my coworker and I got bits of shell in our sandwiches. The meat was dry and fairly tough, without a good lobster flavor or a decent dressing. Yes, too much mayo is bad, but this place uses way too little. The fries were decent, but the cole slaw was mediocre. Absolutely not worth $18.
(1)Wendy T.
Came here based on Yelp reviews and also because it was near my hotel in Boston. It was an incredible foodie weekend for me and my friend. As with the rest of the weekend, our eyes were bigger than our stomachs. We ordered the seafood baked lobster and a fried seafood plate that had fish, scallops, shrimp and clams. And a LOT of fries. Everything came with fries. The lobster was delicious - the seafood topping was savory and perfectly baked. The lobster meat was yum and came with a butter sauce. The fried seafood was great - particularly the fish. Makes me wish I had ordered the fish n chips. Clam chowder was good, as well. I'd recommend coming here for seafood - fresh and delicious.
(5)Richard M.
I just stopped by here for lunch this afternoon. Had driven by several times and was always curious. I work in the area and have pretty much tried everything. I called in for fried clam strip plate with onion rings. Got there about 10 minutes after I called and waited for another 10 minutes. Place was busy with lots of people coming and going and dining inside and out. Walked back to my office and dug in. Probably some of the best fried clam strips I've ever had. I think the majority of my yelp reviews are regarding fried clam strips. I was expecting the food to be a little soggy after walking back to the office and letting the food sit on my desk for 15minutes. Not the case in the slightest. Each clam strip and onion rings were crispy to perfection. Just the way I like them. Onions rings were probably frozen but still good. I will definitely be back here next time I have a clam strip craving!
(5)Hilary F.
Was at the Seaport World Trade Center and thanks to yelp found this hidden gem. And, it was delicious!! Could tell that everything was unbelievably fresh, right off the boat perhaps? I got the scallop plate with perfectly crispy fries and slaw. Others got seafood combo #2, lobster roll, and clam chowder. Everyone was friendly and the place seemed pretty clean for a small counter-order restaurant with a fish case. Also liked that they offered beer. Will definitely come here again if I am in the area.
(4)Casie G.
After reading pretty decent reviews I decided to take my mom here for lunch as she was visiting. I have to say I wasn't really all that impressed. The lobster bisque was watered down with maybe one small piece of lobster in it & the crab cakes were extra bready and over-fried. After being out of steamers (which I was told 15 minutes after I ordered) I decided to try the calamari...pretty basic. My mom did say that the stuffed haddock she ordered was good though. Overall, I will probably not go back but for those looking for your standard fried seafood fare...it might be just what you are looking for.
(3)M E.
I showed up just after they had closed, but they gave me a cup of their famous Clam Chowda...it was fantastic. And this is coming from someone who is not a fan of fish...
(5)Susanne H.
The lobster roll is dished up cold and it was quite good. I would get the 2lb Lobster if I go back because it is only a little more money. Everyone was happy with their meal. This restaurant is little and incredibly casual. They do have outside seating. They've got assorted bottled drinks and do have beer on tap. The tables had been not wiped down prior to us sitting down. We asked if they could wipe ours off and they did. I'm not a hard to please person so this was not a negative in my eyes. I would suggest this restaurant in case you want a low key dining restaurant with some excellent seafood.
(5)Kanday C.
My family and I always come here to grab fresh lobsters and crab when we have big lobster feast at home. I thought I try their store front menu just because. I ordered a fisherman's platter and lobster roll. Big MEHHHH! For a 50 buck meal. I was expecting to have seafood crawling out of the plate instead the food is only a single serving with nothing left over. My mom and I WERE going to share the fisherman's platter but it was barely enough. I am highly disappoint as my family has been coming here for YEARS for our fresh seafood. I recommend only buying retail and if you want a nice meal go to Legal's at least you'll get your moneys worth.
(2)June P.
This is really a small location that's just off the Greenway and nicely worth the visit to. It is extremely plain but incredibly clean and comfy. The seafood is always fresh. We have been there several times and it is most effective inside the summer whenever you can sit outside. On a recent visit the lobster roll was excellent as was the stuffie and fish sandwich. The pictures incorporate a lobster that's about 100 years old and will soon be someone's dinner, i'm glad it was mines.
(4)Paula L.
For years, I have stopped to purchase fresh seafood to take home and cook. It is excellent! Recently, I have had the opportunity to stop and sit and enjoy the delicious chowder and awesome fried seafood. The whole belly clams are huge, tender, moist and delish! Great beer selection and you can sip one while you wait to place your order. This little place is about to have waiting lines so get there soon before they start! It is catching on! Only bummer, no Amex any more. Very Casual!
(5)Caroline H.
I ordered the garden salad with tuna, asked for it to be grilled rare to go. I paid $20 for a salad, the tuna came out grilled completely through and the salad came with no dressing. I will not return here, it was the second attempt, neither of them worth it.
(1)Scott S.
Best chowder I've ever had. Amazing.
(5)Christopher M.
Went to see the tall ships, and tall they were indeed. Problem is that the food selection was limited and all the surrounding restaurants had a 1+ hour wait. . . .all but one. Enter the Yankee Lobster Company (Or rather, I entered it. Point is, it was there, and I could get a table) I was told up front that it would take about 40 minutes for my fish and chips. not really ideal, but I was hungry and I had to PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, so down we sat and waited. The place is small but fun, the patrons weren't annoying, and I thought the posters of edible crustaceans were kinda fun. Oh hey, here comes dinner a little ahead of schedule (+1) Now. . .I know I ordered the fish and chips. I paid for fish and chips. The guy even said "Here's your fish and chips" Problem is that I saw chips. . .not so much on the fish. After a little digging I found what appeared to be two guppies. . . and a lot of potatoes (EW STARCH!) *sigh* So that monumental disappointment brought it down squarely into the three star realm. It was really amazing. I didn't think they made fish that small any more! Un friggin real. so I left totally hungry (even after eating the aforementioned starches), and just shaking my head. Next time the tall ships come around, I'm packing a lunch.
(3)Tim L.
I'm not from the northeast and don't get many chances to eat good seafood other than maybe crawfish so when my sister brought me here I was stoked. I had heard a lot about this place and my sister highly recommended it..for good reason. I started off with a crab cake which was pretty moist and bigger than normal. I also order a lobster tail and a lobster roll. The lobster was as fresh as I've ever tasted and with the butter I was about to nut. I also had the lobster roll to change things up and that was awesome as well. It was a little more expensive that I would have liked, but that's the price you pay for the freshness. There's not many places to eat so if you're brining a large group be prepared to split up. All in all, I had an awesome experience and wouldn't mind coming back when I visit Boston again.
(4)Andrew D.
This place is great. Cheap, fresh seafood. I was at a convention down the road, and a local recommended this place. I was not let down. The clam chowder was very good, and my crab cake sandwich was top notch. The seating here is very limited, but they do have an overflow area outside. I'm sure it would be very chilly in the winter months. No frills service here, but as long as the food is great, who cares? I'm glad I was able to experiance this place, and I will be returning for the 3lb lobster dinner the next time I'm in town.
(4)Dallas N.
I am not even going to dock this place for sub-par service. The Lobster Roll - EPIC, perfect combination of mayo, celery, and lobster, the Lobster Chowder - thick chunks of lobster meat, rich broth, and the young shelled Lobster - tender, perfectly cooked, and mouth watering. I would be back a thousand times if I lived within 20 miles of this place. Packed a lunch, little bit of a wait for the food, but was hot, fresh and perfectly prepared. It is a lobster epiphany!!!!
(5)JM M.
I came here for one reason and that was the lobster roll. Roll delivered. Everyone has their own preferences, but the Yankee Lobster Roll hit my spot: little mayo, not overpowering seasonings, and obvi amazing lobster. The roll was lightly toasted and the mounds of meat inside came up over the top and sides. Everyone I was with found at least 1 full claw in theirs, but the roll itself was a combination of chunky claw meat and smaller pieces, which gave a perfect texture. Slaw was on point, and the fries, which I could've cared less about once I had my roll in front of me, were actually amazing. That good double-fried tasting crispy. yom. I also tried some of the chowder, which was delicious. You could tell somebody had taken their sweet time developing the broth. So flavorful. The line got long at times, but it never felt crowded sitting in there. They have a few beers on tap and room to sit in the back, I believe. Would be a great summer time spot. Right by the water, and by Harpoon, so you should do the right thing and stop there afterwards.
(5)J.B. S.
Best seafood in town. Fresh, simple and tasty. I had the lobster roll, a stuffed coahoag, and the best clam chowder ever. No-frills counter service, so not the kind of place for a business dinner, but excellent quality food. Worth the wait in line.
(5)Min L.
5 stars for the way the breading perfectly encases each clam strip, scallop, shrimp, onion ring, etc...it's just thick enough to keep it sturdy, it's delicious, and when you eat it, you don't feel puddles of grease form in your mouth. So far I've had the fisherman's platter (great for 2-3 people), clam strips, lobster bisque, and stuffed baked haddock. It's all awesome.
(5)Stephen S.
Where do I start. We took our son there for his 23rd birthday as he loves lobster. We're locals and know lobster. We started with clam chowder, it was way too thick and starchy and loaded with potatoes and a few clams. Not much clam flavor. C- As a lobster lover I know that hard-shell are best despite the ease of soft. The waiter recommended the Maine lobster that he said where pretty hard. They came cold, soft-shelled and smaller than promised. The flavor was OK but cold is unacceptable. C- Those of us had fried food and it all came cold except my wife's dish that was too hot. The lobster rolls where the only standout. Big and full of meat-cold is OK for these... B+ I heard the lamest excuse ever for the cold lobsters. "Maine lobsters cool more quickly than others" Wow, did I just get off the bus from Iowa? The only thing I can figure is that everything sat for my wife's too hot fried scallops. A disappointment indeed.
(1)Bob P.
Went there for lunch based on the yelp reviews and came away pretty disappointed. It is what it is - a small casual seafood restaurant (and fish market) so everything is clearly fresh. However, my take-out order was messed up (got the wrong food) which never should happen. The lobster roll (which I did order) was just average (at best) and overpriced for what I got - decent chunks of lobster, but a little dry and roll was not toasted. It came with cole slaw (about what you'd get in a supermarket deli) and fries, which weren't particularly memorable. The salmon burger (which was NOT what I ordered) was large, but again not what I might have hoped for. I ate some of it simply to keep my wife company while she ate the lobster roll, but it was a little heavy and not particularly flavorful (maybe I was a little biased because I had ordered and was expecting something else). I did go back later and they did refund the money I had paid for the food I didn't get (more expensive than the salmon burger) along with a simple apology, but I didn't think they seemed to feel as badly about the mix-up as I would have hoped. Having knocked them for my recent experience, I probably would give them another chance if I was in the area, but only if I was looking for fresh fried seafood in a place with a clam shack atmosphere. The fish and chips and fried clams looked and smelled delicious.
(2)Coren D.
I go here at least once a month for the fried clams, fish and chips and my wife gets the lobster on a salad. Order at the counter and they will bring your food to the table. They also have great prices for their live lobster. Jumbo lobsters go for only $5.99/pound. Granted you have to have a pot big enough to cook a 6 pounder, but if you do, what a great deal to feed 3. I regularly buy the big guys and they are fresh, alive and kicking. They will even pack it in ice and seaweed for you. The fish and shrimp are also very good and fresh. I took away 1 star because their onion rings are over breaded and not the typical clam shack onion rings. they are thick and heavy, instead of light stringy rings of onion goodness. Overall, a bargain at the South Boston waterfront. Bonus: the Harpoon Brewery is walking distance away!
(4)Cece K.
I went to Yankee about a week after trying James Hook Lobster Co... in comparison, I liked the lobster roll at James Hook much more (and it was cheaper), but Yankee also had a good lobster roll and a lot more (non-seafood) options on the menu. I also tried their stuffed quahog, which had a great flavor and consistency. If you are only interested in getting a lobster roll, I would go to James Hook... but if you need more menu options (or want to sit down and have a few drinks (they serve alcohol), I would recommend Yankee
(4)Becka T.
Cute little seafood deli with checkered red and white table cloths and plastic utensils. The lobster in the lobster roll was pretty sweet and juicy but I wouldn't recommend the crab cakes because they were kinda dry. The fried scallop roll looked good and the fish & chips were yummy. For a lobster roll, fish & chips, 2 crab cakes, fountain drink, and OJ....my bill came out to be $37.40.
(4)Kelly H.
frankly, i would not make the trek out to yankee's for their lobster roll... i was SO excited after reading the yelp reviews that this place had THE best lobster roll... and when in boston, you gotta lobster roll! yes, the roll is only 16.99, which is a decent value... but the taste just wasn't really cutting it for me... it was lacking in flavor... where's that sweetness of the lobster?!?!
(3)Debra L.
After a fairly disappointing dinner Sat. night at Great Bay (see Great Bay review if curious) we were still craving fried shrimp and got take out from here for lunch on Sunday. Two of us split the fried shrimp (w/ french fries & cole slaw). It was delicious! I generally try to eat pretty healthy so if I'm going to eat fried shrimp it better be good. Well, this was some of the best fried shrimp I've ever had (and I even lived in New Orleans where fried seafood is one of the main food groups). The shrimp at Yankee were big, prefectly fried (not too greasy and not too much breading) and they actually still tasted like shrimp after being fried. The french fries were good & crispy too. And, the price was right at only $9 for one meal big enough to feed two.
(4)Mihir P.
Now that I live in Chicago, I stopped by here a few times to get my lobster fix on the way from the airport to my Mom's house. I like that you can get cooked meals to eat there or to go as well as buy raw fresh seafood to take with you. The food is fresh no doubt and the meals are simple - no spice, zing or ah hah's. But that's why you come here. The only drawback is that even for it's very casual space, it is still quite pricey. You can get less expensive fresh seafood at No-Name's or in Chinatown.
(3)Ginger C.
I took my brother here when he came to town based on the Yelp reviews and was not disappointed. This place is exactly what we wanted for a casual lobster dinner. We all got the 1.5 pound lobster dinner. It was the perfect amount of food and the lobster was sweet and delicious. The counter staff were super friendly, our beers were constantly replaced and she even took pictures of us with our lobster bibs on. I will definitely be returning over and over again.
(5)Jarrod L.
The clam chowder is some of the best white chowder I've ever had. The lobster on the lobster salad was a little tough, but the flavor was great. The crab roll was amazingly tasty.
(4)Scott d.
Best deal here is the jumbo 6 pound and up lobster.....$7 a pound....cooked it for us and hooked us up with butter......CMON NOW
(5)Glenn A.
Yankee Doddle Yummy! Stop off at this place since it was close to the airport when I landed late afternoon, great find thanks to other Yelper's! I ordered the Lobster Club with Fries, it was $18.99 and worth every bite and crumb on the plate. My only disappointment was the fact they ran out of Claim Chowder, Boston without Chowder is just not right! Since I was leaving that next afternoon the only chowder I got was in a can when I got home:(
(4)Julie J.
I trekked all the way here for dinner with my sister after a raving recommendation from my roommate, and we definitely left satisfied. The location is bit of a hike (especially from Cambridge) but it's well worth it. The interior is tiny, with maybe 10 tables inside, but although it was busy, we didn't wait long. My sister got the lobster roll, and I got the crab cake sandwich. Both sammies came with fries and cole slaw. I highly recommend the crab cake sandwich. It's a large patty full of crab meat (not all filler), served with remoulade. The lobster roll is a generous portion too, but I'm not convinced it is the absolute best. It's tasty though, for sure. Can't wait to come back for more! The other menu items looked tempting too.
(4)Susan K.
The food is decent but the wait ridiculously long -- we won't be returning to the hole in the wall in south Boston ever again--
(1)Kate F.
Took awhile (~30 min) to get our food, but it was delishious! Grilled swordfish was perfectly seasoned and stayed warm until the last bite. Wish the lobster roll was served hot, but it was tasty ... really good fries! Perfect stop after the Harpoon tour.
(4)Drew V.
Good, simple fried seafood with big portions and good prices. It's what the No Name used to be years ago. On a nice summer night, it's a great place to get some fish and chips and sit outside.
(4)Gary B.
I had 5 people for lunch and ordered the lobster sandwiches to go. The amount of lobster was well above average and everybody enjoyed their meals. This is one of the best in Boston! I highly recommend it.
(4)Michelle K.
Fresh, yummy food. I don't have much basis for comparison, but the lobster roll was pretty good, if you like lobster and don't really like mayo. Clam chowder was good, but nothing spectacular. My husband ordered the Yankee fish sandwich and that was very good! If I were going again, I'd order that again.
(4)John B.
Went here with 2 coworkers to have my first lobster roll ever. I loved it! They give you plenty of big chunks of lobster on a toasted piece of bread. Some may think its kinda small but I thought it was the perfect size. One of my coworkers got the 2 lb lobster and the other coworker got the salmon burger. what?? salmon burger? he was having regret after 5 minutes of placing his order. you dont go to a place called yankee lobster to get a salmon burger.. go to yankee salmon for that
(4)Michael M.
Stopped in after some on-line research that was highly favorable. Regretfully I was disappointed. The clam chowder was ok but nothing special. Salad was just average w/an envelope of packaged dressing. Entree of shrimp & calamari over linguine did not look appetizing & the red sauce was only one step above ketchup. Something fried had to have been a better choice!
(2)Katherine S.
I can't get enough!!!! Best in town!
(5)Jenny N.
Yankee Lobster smells fishy but the food is tasty enough to make up for the lack of atmosphere down at the far end of Northern Ave. Be sure to dine al fresco (it's a good thing they have sun-brellas and outdoor seating) and enjoy your meal to the tune of seagull songs. Afterward, you can walk off the calories by strolling along the seaport and enjoying the salty breeze. Imagine you are at the seashore. Prices are fairly reasonable, especially given the rising price of seafood these day. Plus, you get a decent portion of food for your dollars. I got the fried clam plate ($15 for strips w/bellies intact) and the batter was good and crispy. The boy ordered a lobster roll ($17), which came in a buttered split hot dog roll. Meat was very fresh and only a smidge of mayo to hold it together. Cole slaw was a classic recipe with lots of mayo and the fries were probably frozen. We also shared a stuffed quahog to see what it was all about and it was just OK (too much breading). By the end of my meal, I felt like a greaseball, but my clam craving was finally satisfied. It's no frills dining with no-name ketchup, but I'm sure glad I didn't have to drive all the way up to Ipswich/Essex for my fix! But next time, I'd probably opt for the clam box as I don't think the slaw and fries were necessary additions to my meal.
(3)Steve W.
stumbled on this place doing errands in the area...nice find. We went for lunch on a friday afternoon. Inside is small, with tables and seating. There's also a few tables outside and a few more outside the takeout window. Ordered the clam roll and fish sandwich wrap....both came w/ fries and slaw. The clams were fresh, tasty and had the bellies. The fish sandwich was good also. That plus soda for two cost us $ 27. awesome that they accept credit cards, lots of hole in the wall places don't. there was a constant line almost for the lunch crowd, but it seemed to move fairly quickly. We got our food in about 15 minutes. And we parked around the corner for free (limited parking). definitely will go back. and will try the lobster rolls based on other reviews.
(5)Trey C.
Stopped by here and ordered a crab roll to go. It was good, but very simple...seemed to be just bread and lobster meat (which isn't necessarily a bad thing)...no spices, mayo, butter, etc. The fries it came with were good as well. I always enjoy the atmosphere of a little hole in the wall type of place like this although I didn't have time to sit down and eat. I wanted to go back and try the scallop roll as well, but had to rush out of town...would definitely recommend it as a good quick lunch spot!
(4)Jenn B.
Second best lobster roll I've had, first being Luke's Lobster in NY. The roll was nicely buttered and the lobster was very fresh and nicely seasoned just needed a bit of salt. Served with awesomely fried French fries and cole slaw which I usually don't eat but theirs was too good not to. Also tried my friends lobster bisque which was ok; her fried scallops were amazing though.
(4)Jeanie M.
Great lunch today (Sunday)! Parked right around the side for free. We started out to try Legal Harborside but decided to give Yankee a shot. Seen it a million times but never stopped by. The crab cakes appetizer was 2 large crab cakes full of crab and no green peppers (hate green peppers in crab cakes) served with a delicious remoulade sauce. Lobster roll needed to have the bun buttered and grilled not simply grilled but the lobster was great. Not too much mayo at all. Very tasty and moist. Fries hot and crispy. The place had continouse flow of customers which I did not expect on a January Sunday. Tables inside are small but comfy. Tried to get into the Commercial Fish Market Retail around the corner-they were open when we arrived around 12:30 pm but were closed when we left. Wanted to pick up some fish to bring home. They had a little fresh fish inside the Yankee but we just decided to return another time. UPDATE NOVEMBER 16, 2013 Went again for the Lobster roll hot this time! Huge chunks of lobster with butter melted on the side for you to pour on. Had the clam chowder & the clams were perfect not rubbery. This time the fries were cold which was the only bad part of the review. Wish they made the fries to order. Husband had the fried lobster roll also with butter on the side. Also really amazingly good not rubbery. Tables full but everyone polite and moved around. Glad we went back!
(4)Ligaya T.
Thank the lord for Family Guy. Because if it wasn't for that show I wouldn't have been able to pronounce and effectively order the most amazing stuffed quahog (ko-hog) ever to be eaten by (wo)man. Walk through the door and the salivation effect happens instantly. By the front of the line, I wanted everything. So I did what I always do when I can't effectively decide, I ordered it all. Out the side delivery window came crab cakes, said quahogs, a lobster roll, crab roll, fries and extra coleslaw. Oh, did I mention that this was just for two? Okay, point your finger and call me a glutton. But I've no shame.This kitsch little operation is teeming with fresh seafood best enjoyed when dining on their sunny patio or taking out for a stroll and munch on the waterfront. Super casual. Harpoon on tap. Gruffish ladies with northshore accents. What's not to like? Honestly, the crab meat didn't appear to be local and the cakes were a bit soggy but the delicious dill and mustard seed spicing was phenomenal. Oh, and a logistical tip. It gets packed at lunchtime, so I'd suggest calling ahead to order. And they close early in the evening, 7 or 8, so opt for an early dinner. Need a yummy gift? Sending some New England love to your family? Can't make it to an event? In less than 24 hours, you can give someone the surprise of a year (and possibly lifetime) by bulleting them a live lobster from here!
(4)Francine G.
Fantastic food. Excellent lobster. They even show you the the best way to shuck it. So fresh no butter necessary, but they give you butter any way. 1 1/4 lb lobster, fries, coleslaw plus a beer, for under $23. That's a hard price to beat for all that you get. It truly is one of the best fish markets. You don't need to dress up, jeans plus a good shirt is more than dressed. Do not let the outside look fool you, because the outside isn't the nicest. Wonderful food inside that will make you forget about the exterior.
(4)Cport J.
Best lobster roll in Boston. Lots of lobster meat, light mayo, and perfectly toasted New England-style hot dog bun. I feel like I could just end the review there, but they actually have quite a few other good seafood options as well! For starters, good clam chowder and very good lobster bisque, and I'm pretty choosy. If you are in the mood for one of those summertime splurges, they have good fried clams, fish, and shrimp. Great shellfish specials (cooked shrimp, steamers). Get your meal with onion rings, not the fries. Plus, Harpoon's UFO and Bud Light on tap, and Corona bottles! Perfect beers to accompany the seafood. All in all, Yankee Lobster is Boston's best clam shack. I don't know about the broiled or grilled options or the fish market, but it does the stuff I care about very well. That's lobster roll, clams (fried and steamers), and bisque/chowder. The prices at Yankee Lobster are in line with other seafood shacks to the north and south of Boston and on the Cape, but with the added benefit that they are located right in Boston (OK, the Seaport. Take the Silver line 3 stops from South Station. They also have free parking). They are cheaper than other comparable local options, like the Barking Crab, Legal Seafood or Summer Shack. [I generally refuse to buy steamed lobsters in restaurants as a matter of principle b/c of the ridiculous mark-up almost everywhere and instead buy 'em at Louie's Alive and Kickin' in Cambridge and steam 'em myself.] A great pre-Bank of America Pavilion option for a beer and some seafood.
(5)H G.
Tourist Trap !!!!! I eat here since it close to convention center. The food is poorly prepared (? dirty). Save your $$$ and go for Giacomo
(2)John H.
When I went here the place was very busy. Which was one of the reasons we stopped at this place. It is decorated with lobsters and crabs and well looks real touristy. They have outdoor seating in the front of the place and along the side. I got the fish and chips which came with coleslaw and tarter sauce. The fish was wonderfuly fried. I really liked the french fries and the coleslaw and the tarter sauce was not that memorable.
(4)Lauren D.
I love this place! I remember the first time I finally got to go after three attempts I finally made it and it was well worth it! I love all the sea food that they have there, lobster bisque, lobster rolls, clams, crab, etc... So delicious! I would say it's best for lunch or a quick easy dinner. Everyone who works there is very friendly. It may smell a little fishy, but what are you going to get when the place is 1.by the sea and 2. cooks/sells fish?! Amazing! I would take everyone!
(5)Joe A.
I don't eat seafood so here's a review of their chicken finger plate: Chicken fingers had NO taste. The chicken itself was fine but the batter had no taste. You'd be better off getting chicken at McDonald's. French fries were deeply fried and greasy but tasted ok. $11 for a few pieces of tasteless chicken, some decent fries, and a small bottle of water. No plans to return.
(2)Kevin B.
Let me get right to the point, if your in boston and want a lobster roll go here. One of the best I ever had hands down. The lobster roll is just over flowing in lobster.
(5)Emily S.
OMG. I found this place by looking at the reviews on Yelp and THANK YOU SO MUCH YOU GUYS WERE SO RIGHT. My dad flew all the way up from Florida to help me move into my new place and as a thank you I needed to find him a great, no frills, purely fresh and delicious lobster. Boy did they deliver. It's completely no frills - your jeans are probably too formal if they don't have holes in them. And it smells like ... fresh fish. But shouldn't it though? We ordered a bazillion things and the only disappointment was the corn on the cob, hardly what we went there for. The 3 pound lobster my dad ordered was perfectly cooked- practically didn't need butter- and super meaty. Even got meat out of the legs. And the claw meat was just silky. Also, the fried clams (strips and bellies) were excellent and the clams and batter were both fresh. And I also got the combo platter with broiled scallops, shrimp and fish and the scallops were incredible. So glad I didn't get fried. The fries were great but we barely ate any since the fish was so good and so filling, and the cole slaw was exactly what cole slaw should be. If you don't mind the fact that it's kind of a hole (some find that charming), and that they only have beer and wine, this place is THE place to go to in Boston for seafood as far as I'm concerned.
(5)Nicole M.
their lobster roll was delicious!! i am a bit of a mayo whore so i wanted a smidge more mayo, but they exercise restraint when mixing so the flavor of the lobster shines through. comes with fresh piping hot fries and coleslaw for $16.95. this place was so crowded (full of people fresh from the beer tours at harpoon) and super clean - i even checked out the bathroom and it was spotless. i'm drooling just thinking about seafood right now...
(4)Janet C.
I was in town for business and stayed at the Seaport Hotel. I decided to try the lobster roll there after reading the good reviews on Yelp. The store is fairly small and smell like a fish store but it doesn't bother me. I arrived around 12:30 on Thursday. I had to wait about 5-10 minutes for my order. I had the lobster roll there and a med size lobster bisque. The lobster roll was awesome. It looks small but it's very filling and it's loaded with chunks of lobster meat. The bisque however wasn't that great. It was luke warm and I can't taste more than couple very small lobster pieces. If I have a chance to go there next time, I'd definitely get the lobster roll but will skip the bisque. I also wish the lobster roll doesn't come with fries and coleslaw and drop couple of bucks by not having them.
(4)Eddie L.
Looking for something to eat during my short visit to Boston, I consulted Yelp and was not let down. Yankee Lobster Fish Market is a real fish market that doubles as a seafood diner. I ordered a lobster roll and was excited by its freshness. I did sample the fish and chips and they were delightful as well. Sure it's not a true sit-down joint, but the other restaurants I passed later that night along the harbor seemed overcrowded and more of a scene than a restaurant. It's a cut and dry experience. You order great seafood, you get to eat it... The only negative I can draw from this now is that I'll never look at seafood the same way...especially in the midwest.
(5)Jaime K.
I love this place. I was craving clams the other night and knew that they could give me exactly what I was looking for. The full belly clams are lightly breaded/fried and are just deliciously plump. Many places in town will offer a clam box at the same price but only give you measly strips. those aren't real new england clams! Yankee Lobster does it the right way. Also had the wasabi tuna wrap. Inside was a huge thick FRESH piece of tuna with just the right amount of wasabi sauce (some places will pound the sauce on a sandwich not allowing you to actually taste the meat that you're paying for). This was the perfect combination. Now....to the fresh seafood you can take home. I've actually only had their meals here a handful of times but have stopped by on my way home to pick up some ingredients for a dinner many many many times. And as you all know, lobster prices have been steadily rising over the past year. They by far the best prices for live lobsters in town. 1 - 1/4 at $7.99/lb, 1 1/2 at $8.99 to $9.99 (a pound and a half in my eyes is the tastiest). If I feel like splurging on a beautiful summer day, I'll stop by Yankee and pick up a lobster or two for around 14 bucks a piece, steam it myself and enjoy it with butter out on my deck. You step into a Stop N' Shop or other Lobster pounds and seafood joints in town lobsters that size will cost 14 bucks for only a pound! Fish fillets are priced reasonably but isn't as much of a bargain compared to the Lobsters and shellfish. Other pluses: very friendly and helpful staff. they're good at giving you tips on how to cook some of the seafood you purchased. and parking available right next door. Only negative is it's a little stuffy inside whether you're sitting down to eat or standing at the counter ordering your seafood. But doesn't bother me enough to stop coming here!
(5)Devon J.
Great lobster roll and lobster bisque, the lobster tasted so fresh
(5)Julie Anne A.
In the industrial area, this little joint was not a disappointment. I had their special baked stuffed haddock with rice pilaf and slaw. The fish was tasty and not overpowered by the stuffing. The rice was plentiful and paired well with the fish. My mom had the 2lb lobster dinner. The lobster was cooked just right. You definitely get your money's worth. It was also convenient that they had a small lot on the side. A downside, their service is slow.
(4)Justin C.
Great food! You walk inside and order and then the waiters bring your food to you. It's a typical dive atmosphere, and the staff was very nice. The Lobster was slightly overcooked, but not enough to make it inedible. The fishermans platter was outstanding, and if you like fried seafood, this is the place for you. Overall a good meal, and amazingly cheap Lobster.
(4)Gwenn K.
wondering what happened...This used to be a great place to eat...sitting here waiting for about a half hour for our drink (cashier told us they would be brought over but nope) went and go get them. Staff a bit not there...watched as a girl take an then walk away as the line of people waiting...food well still waiting for that....usually is good...my suggestion...call ahead order and take it to go...
(2)Todd O.
Worst food I've ever had. I ordered a roll and wrap, took ages to get out food, a couple who ordered two whole lobsters after us got theirs before us, I went up to inquire about it and the food was just sitting there on the counter. Sweet. The food was garbage, wouldn't feed it to my cats. Most expensive waste of money imaginable. The meat on the roll was tasteless, well not completely tasteless it tasted like imitation crabmeat, as if that's what anyone wants 100 yards from the ocean. The swordfish in the roll tastes like barnacles on the side of the boat it came in on and it was all dark and rotten looking. I would recommend staying as far away from this place as possible and maybe eating, often, at their closets rivals. Worst restaurant experience in my entire life in Boston.
(1)Kate I.
Yankee is a fun lobster shack by the sea-style seafood joint totally accessible from downtown. Great lobster rolls - nicely buttered bun, a solid amount of lobster, and not too much mayo. I went for lunch recently (summertime) and it was blazing hot inside. But outside patio was nice, and we downed our seafood listening to sound checks from some random band playing at the BOA Pavilion. I'm not sure where else you'd find an awesome seafood shack abutting a large concert venue. Random & fun.
(4)Jen J.
Great place for fried clams and cheap, too. A box of fried clams is only $10.95. If you're not into the fried stuff, they have entrees like Mussels Marinara, Baked Stuffed Haddock and Pan Seared Tilapia. I've never purchased the fresh seafood from the market, but based on what I eat during lunch time, I bet it's good, too. There is limited seating inside and some outdoor seating as well. It's a bit hidden and you need to drive there, but there is usually parking on the side of the building. It's near the Bank of America Pavilion so you can grab a bite to eat before a concert.
(4)Maria P.
I had seen this place when I first moved into the Seaport area, but I had never eaten there. I decided to change that this past week. I had the fish and chips and my friend had the lobster roll. The fish and chips were ok, just what I wanted (don't expect anything spectacular though and there's only two pieces of fish). The coleslaw was amazing however. I tried my friend's lobster roll and it was pretty good, they didn't go overboard with the mayo which is a good thing. The roll wasn't warm however, somehow I think a warm roll just makes it so much better. The fries were pretty good though. It's a nice little place that I wouldn't mind going back to if I ever felt like having a lobster roll or some fish and chips but only if I wanted to stay close to home.
(3)Alexandra C.
Stopped here while waiting for our Harpoon Brewery tour the other day. It's kind of in the middle of nowhere industrial park but this little place is so cute, cozy and super casual. the seafood was soooo tasty. we just had the calamari app and scallop app (which i asked for broiled b/c i think the default to everything is battered) and it was some of the best scallops i'd ever had. D.Lishus. too bad i'll probably never venture there unless i'm going all the way out to Harpoon.
(4)Chris S.
They have stepped it up since they now have competition for lunch.
(4)Brittany L.
Seafood is Boston's culinary crown jewel: shellfish, scallops and haddock are only a sampling of the incredible options that are available fresh, and usually one needs only travel half an hour south if the fish aren't caught directly off the city's piers. With the warm weather comes seafood cravings, and because we don't go to college in Idaho, we bypass the land-locked fate of freezer-burnt Gordon's fish patties and can consciously resist that eye-twitchingly frustrating Filet-O-Fish jingle. However, amid the miles of shoreline, a student budget is usually a pretty severe obstacle to tackle when looking for a decent seafood binge. Yankee Lobster Fish Market and Restaurant in South Boston is the solution. Renew your ZipCar membership and drive down to Northern Avenue. Although the neighboring empty parking lots and abandoned warehouses are reminiscent of some of the dodgier scenes in "The Departed," you'll find that the trip was worth it. To start, we split the clam box ($13.95), a heaping mountain of fried clam strips that had the consistency of butter. The creamy tartar sauce was a perfect condiment to the salty clam fries. Next, we opted for the special of the day: a two-pound lobster for only $20. In case you are not familiar with the typical shellfish prices in Boston, this is about half of what you can usually expect to pay for a lobster of this size. Despite its cheap price tag, no flavor was sacrificed. Every bite of the beautiful lobster was perfectly broiled to tender, juicy perfection. Pair your meal with a bottle of UFO White beer at the counter, available for about five dollars. Every entrée, although big enough to share, comes with a side of coleslaw and your choice of onion rings or fries (opt for the former). The only downside was discovering that the restaurant did not brew its own iced tea, which is a perfect pairing with fish - but instead, we chose from a variety of canned teas from their fridge. Fish and chips ($8.95), a scallop plate ($15.95) or the house-made crab cake sandwich ($9.50) are just a few of the other options on the menu. The homemade clam chowder ($5.75/16 oz.) and lobster bisque ($6.95/16 oz.) are also not to be overlooked, and even make a creative condiment for your French fries. If you're not partial to seafood, or are taking a pesca-phobe on a date, Yankee Lobster offers hamburgers ($8.95), salads (up to $13) or buffalo chicken wraps ($8.95). Regardless of its somewhat precarious surroundings, Yankee Lobster has the best value for seafood and shellfish in the city. Out-door seating, a BYOB policy and cheap beer on tap put this small restaurant/fish market at an even higher standing. However, don't come here if you're looking for table service and romanticism. Yankee Lobster Fish Market is just that: a fish vendor that happens to serve great seafood to patrons in a no-frills dockside atmosphere.
(5)Micah C.
great seafood. small place right near the water... so you know its fresh. i got the lobster roll ($17)l... and its was all fresh lobster. hardly any filler mayo or celery, but i do like mayo sometimes. the fries were ok, but who comes here for the fries. then i got the lobster bisque ($14) to go... this was delicious with good chunks of lobster. i guess the prices are typical for fresh lobster and the place was ok for atmosphere, but a little small.
(4)Rutanne Z.
YANKEE LOBSTER, Great Little place .food was real good and the price was right...Staff is laid back, had a guy named Scooter taking care of our table and he was making our night happen..worth another trip
(4)Matt J.
My friends and I stopped here for lunch while wandering around Boston on our way to the Harpoon Brewery. Walking in you immediately see that these guys know seafood. Seafood specials abound, but they also serve burgers and chicken. I got the little neck clams platter, and I was served what must have been two pounds of freshly steamed, sweet, clams, siphons and all. I totally creeped out my buddy's fiancée peeling off the siphon covers. With a beer it was about $12. Can't wait to head back to Boston.
(4)Fred S.
Not much on ambiance, but the food is great and the staff is friendly. The lobster roll was very good - light on the mayo. The fish and chips was excellent - good fish and not greasy. A decent selection of beer too.
(4)David M.
I go to Yankee Lobster periodically to purchase seafood. I use Yankee Lobster for Holidays and special occasions. I also go there for their Lobster Rolls. The Fish Market: Yankee Lobster has the best shrimp at the best price. Their fish is a little bit pricey but it is restaurant quality so I don't mind paying the markup because its well worth it. Their lobster meat is great and they always load up on tails which is nice. The lobster meat always tastes fresh like it was caught that day (it probably was). I also highly recommend purchasing their stuffed clams and mushrooms. They make the best crab stuffed mushrooms!!! The Lobster Rolls: I will only review their lobster rolls because that is all I have ever eaten on my trips to Yankee Lobster. There is simply no need to have anything else on their menu. The lobster roll comes in a nice toasted roll loaded with lobster and not over mayonnaise. It also comes with some fries and coleslaw. I consider myself a connoisseur of lobster rolls and can tell you that Yankee Lobster makes the best Lobster roll in Boston. Overall: You get what you pay for and more at Yankee Lobster. Everything their is fresh, delicious, and first rate. There staff is also very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.
(5)Ambre C.
Great lobster roll and wonderful bisque with lots of real lobster. Best bisque I've ever had and that includes so-called five star restaurants. This is not a beautiful, aesthetically appealing restaurant, but more of a functional fish shop that delivers on great food...
(4)Mika Z.
I went here over the summer in July. I selected this place from the reviews here on yelp. Thank you fellow yelpers for not letting me down! This was a great choice. We ordered (2) lobster rolls ($16.95 each!), a clam box for an appetizer (fried clam strips for $13.95), and a couple of beers. The lobster rolls were tasty. My first time to have one and I loved it! I'd go back in a heartbeat!
(4)Amanda A.
A couple of months ago my bf was on a hunt for 10+ pound lobster to take to my family for a feast:-) Well he found a 12 pounder at Yankee Lobster. Unfortunately, we were a bit dissappointed as there was not that much lobster meat (we seemed to have gotten more when we once bought a 9 pounder). I called Yankee Lobster just to tell them that although the lobster was great, we were a bit dissappointed since we had paid a good amount of $$ for a big sized lobster which didn't have as much meat in it as we had anticipated. The guy on the phone was super nice about it, and said he'd mail me a gift certificate. With the gift certificate my bf and I went there to eat dinner and we were very impressed. The prices were so reasonable and the taste was so fresh! The food was fantastic and the fact that they cared for their customers made it even better. We will def. be returning soon!
(5)Laura P.
When we first moved to Boston, we'd drive to Essex for our fried clams until I found out about Yankee Lobster. Their clam boxes (or any of the seafood boxes) are perfect- perfect portion size and price, plus they come with awesome onion rings. If you aren't a friend food fiend (like I am), you can't go wrong with a lobster or crab roll. They also have broiled entrees as specials. We often buy live lobster or other items from their fridge to prepare at home. If you are going to a concert at the Bank of America Pavilion next door, you can have a great meal here prior to the show. Or come and eat on the patio while you listen to a sound check.
(4)Blanket T.
Mmmm...I got the lobster roll, and it was DELICIOUS. An abundance of chunky lobster meat in a smooth mayo dressing with celery in a bun. So fresh-tasting and fulfilling. It was one of the more expensive items on their menu, but given what you get, it is totally worth it. One of the most delicious things I've eaten recently. Surprisingly I also liked their coleslaw, which I'm not normally a fan of elsewhere. They have a couple of beers on tap, including (not surprisingly) Harpoon, and other bottled beer as well. Very casual place, although it is kind of cramped...not much seating, but luckily we beat the rush. The place could use some better decor and ambiance. Although it took a while for us to get our food, it was well worth it to me. It can get pretty crowded, though, so I'm sure there are people who get their food to go because there just isn't seating available when there's a large crowd of people coming in.
(4)A C.
I'm not sure what had happen but the taste changed. My favorite lobster bisque looked and taste different...more tangy and darker in color. The fried belly clams coating didn't have that extra crunch that it used it and it seems like there was less clam meat.
(3)Michael C.
I had my first real Lobster Roll here and it sure was tasty. Oh yeah, and the clam chowder isn't bad either. The place seemed to be like hidden at the edge of Boston but people flocked to this place to eat or buy fish or lobster like nuts. It's a great place to simply go and eat and get out of for some good food. Recommendations: Lobster Roll and Clam Chowder
(4)Dee C.
this is one of my must go places in boston, and I always pick up fresh maine lobsters here. Their price is great and the lobsters are feisty!
(4)Justin D.
Simple but good food, would have gave four stars but I don't think it's worth the high price tag. So, two lobster rolls (with fries/rings) a soup, beer, and soda $55 with tax and tip. seems a bit pricy to me but I'll leave that up to the readers. The Lobster roll was very fresh, great lobster flavor, but a little simple (I typically like some seasoning), and a little small. I think they're clam chowder stood out a little more, as it was rich with very good flavoring.
(3)Bryce S.
This is one of those best kept secrets that really shouldn't be a secret. Especially for fried clams (which is my brother's fault for making me and my wife addicted)! Instead of driving to Essex, wanna stay local? Yankee Lobster's clams are the next best thing. If you throw in the reasonable prices, I'd make them the best in Boston. Maybe that's the advantage (and downside) to being a little more remotely located in the Seaport area. Over the summer we came in on a Friday evening and were surprised to find they changed their dining area to a sit-down, order-by-waiter, service. Which actually felt odd. I don't know if they're still doing this and it's certainly only for some of the nights. During the day, it's what we've love: casual counter service, fresh food, a pretty wide variety of menu items, and GREAT fried clams. You can also buy market-fresh, I mean really fresh, seafood to make at home. They offer stuffed lobsters that you have to order in advance-- I haven't tried that yet though. Upsides: - Great, reasonably-priced seafood, made to order or take home - Free parking - Weather permitting, you can sit in their small outdoor seating area and sneak a listen to whoever's playing or practicing at the Bank of America Pavilion Downsides: - Hard to get to if you don't have a car - Almost nothing else to see or do in the immediate area. - No West Coast oysters that I'd seen, but those wouldn't be as fresh...
(4)Brian B.
YUM! This place was recommended to us by a friend who had been in the area as a cheap, no frills, excellent seafood place. Once we found it, it lived up to the description, the staff was friendly, the place is small with only a few tables and everything is served on paper plates or baskets, but dont let that fool you, the food was excellent, we got the lobster rolls and were in heaven. We will be back next time we are in the Boston area.
(4)Zack M.
Yeah, you bet your ass I am a fan of this place.
(4)Eric M.
Very good place for a reasonably priced meal. I had the fried clam strips and chowder. Chowder was very good and the clam strips did not disappoint. It's definitely worth visiting if you are in the area.
(4)Pam M.
Delicious - could eat every meal there. Fried calamari, perfectly cooked. Delightfuly suprised by the blackened tuna wrap - delcious. Order at the counter. They have beer and wine. Worth the trip, I could eat every meal there.
(5)Lianne H.
I could not be more disappointed. I have been a loyal customer to Yankee for 5 years, going there for all of my fresh seafood. This past Sunday, I had a wonderful evening planned with a good friend to enjoy some lobsters. I picked up my two 2-pounders around 2 PM on Sunday, spending $38. I followed the same rules as always, kept them on ice until it was time to cook them up. When I went to do that around 5:30 PM, my feast was dead. I called Yankee right away to see what the policy was and the person I spoke to indicated there was a policy, but he didn't know what it was, but a manager could help me if I called back the next day. When I called, I was put on hold for about 15 minutes. At that point I had to hang up because I had to get to a meeting. I called again last night and spoke to a manager. I was informed that they have a 1-day return policy and I had missed the window. While I explained to him that I did call that very same day, he would not budge. I even said I was willing to compromise with not a full refund, but some sort of credit - still, as he put it, there was nothing he could do. To say I was furious and disappointed is an understatement. It's a local, small business. You'd think they would strive to make their loyal customers happy. Unfortunately, that was not the case. I am sorry to say, I will not be returning, instead giving my business to James Hook.
(1)Norma F.
Yeah, your getting some great fish here. Maybe a little bit pricey, but all in all the fact you're getting fresh fish is by far worth paying a little more.
(3)Nicole E.
I was really on the fence as to how many stars to give. 3 or 4. A half would be very handy right now but I rounded up. I ordered 10 lobsters in a carry-on friendly box to take to some family smack dab in the middle of the country. A rare commodity in Colorado. I called several times with questions. Occasionally, the phone would go unanswered. Whenever someone would answer, they were friendly and helpful. The lobsters were delicious and the price was great! I hurried over on Christmas Eve to grab my order before they close despite the fact I wasn't flying out until the following morning. The only other complaint I have is the service when I first arrived in the store. There was a special line for people who pre-ordered. There was a gentleman in front of me and 2 ladies behind me. There were several people working the counter and at least 2 staff members just standing around while we all waited. Finally we get some help and I almost got skipped over because they assumed I was with the guy in front of me. All in all, it wasn't that bad of an experience though the box I got broke before I even got to the airport. I'd go back for my fresh fish needs!
(4)Joe S.
We got 4 live crabs (for gumbo) and an order of clam strips (lunch) for $30 bucks. Not the most knowledgable staff about the crabs ( when asked how to clean the crab, the young gentleman working told us just to throw out the bodies since most of the meat is in the claws) but they were helpful and friendly. Clam strips were the best this side of Falmouth. Nice decor, open on Sundays unlike many fish markets, and they serve Harpoon products.
(4)Josie M.
yes. it's good. and fresh. the lobster rolls & everything else. and near a parking lot. which is nice cause you don't need to look for parking! and yes. it is better than the 99.
(4)Lis L.
Good and fresh seafood with the choice of dining in or out (I recommend that you dine outside with the ocean breeze). The portions are just right, it's not too much, and even the cole slaw tasted like it was made that morning. There is parking to the right of the main entrance. The waterfront has several places to enjoy fresh seafood, but this place looks and feels just like a fish market instead of a more formal seafood restaurant, so it's a nice break.
(4)Rooster L.
I took some out of town friends here to get some LOBSTA! This place is good. I thought it was a little expensive for what you get and the environment - the lobster roll was $18.95 and was not big. It was simple, which I like, but I was expecting something larger for that price. The fried clams were the best thing we got but I still felt it was slightly over priced. They do have a nice patio (small) where you can drink beer and eat. I was there between lunch and dinner on Saturday night and it was busy but not packed. A good place to go if you are going to Harbor lights since they are right next door. I would go back but I will keep looking for someplace better.
(3)Dave O.
This was my 3rd trip to Boston but only my first time out looking for lobster. I am actually disappointed with Yankee Lobster. We got the 2 lb dinner ($33) and the fish and chips ($11). I think I should have got the Lobster Roll because that seems to be what they must do well here. I did see it and it looked like a full and tasty sandwich but I wasn't going to fork out another $17 to find out. Anyhow, the lobster was the wettest that I have ever had. It looked beautiful but the the meat was actually tough and my plate looked like a soup bowl afterward. The fish and chips were ok. The chips were actually better than the fish because the fish was actually overcooked which is just not cool for F&C. This was a nice location because it was less than a mile safe walk from my hotel and the convention center. I would probably rate it a 2 but I have a feeling that the lobster roll and clam chowder are probably pretty decent. I do have to say the chowder smelled incredible and I did not notice the fishy fish market smell at all on the day that I was there. If you are onl having one lobster meal in Boston, YL may be an OK choice but I have to imagine that there are other, better options out there.
(3)Ryan J.
My favorite place for lobster in Boston. They have great deals for a chicken lobster meal for around $17 bucks you just can't beat. It's a little off the main route so you have to make an effort to go there but well worth it. It has outdoor seating as well which is a treat on a warm day. The guys that work here are always fun to chat with and I've even seen them bring out the biggest lobster they have on hand to show if you ask and they aren't busy. Solid food every time and a great place to pick up seafood to take home to cook as well. I
(5)Greg B.
read the reviews but still surprised by how industrial the neighborhood is; they sit at the border of the trendy Seaport District and the industrial Seaport District, the most prominent AL fresco view is of the Marine Industrial Park. but as others have said the guys at the counter are friendly and the lobster roll is fantastic, I'll be back
(4)Robert P.
Stopped in for a quick lunch on a business trip. Very busy. Lobster roll was perfect - just the right balance of lobster and roll. Location gives you a taste of a section of Boston
(4)Kathleen H.
I am a lobster roll fan! I was so skeptical at first...what? lobster meat tossed in mayo and stuffed into a hot dog bun? I laughed at the description that my very animated husband shared with me. We came here on friends' recommendation. They lived here for many years and recently moved to California. During our week long trip in the area, we came to Yankee Lobster Fish Market twice! We LOVED it. First time: five star - lobster roll - delish! not too much mayo but just enough to have it all come together nicely. The buns were toasted just enough to have a great texture but not too warm to contrast with the celery and the lobster meat. four star - whole lobster - we were not sure if the lobster was boiled or steamed, but when we cracked it open, there was a lot of liquid. Another restaurant we went to earlier in the week, when we cracked open the lobster, there was less liquid that came out, so we suspect that it might have been boiled in water instead of steamed at Yankee. The butter didn't seem to be clarified and was a bit murky which had a strong aftertaste. four stars - Fried clams - mu husband loves full belly clams, but for some weird reason, it's just too pungent for me. This comes as a surprise to me as I eat uni and other really pungent foods! My husband loves their fried clams and thought it was battered well! All in all, it was such a great find in the city and we'd totally love to go back again next time we're in town.
(4)Jennie C.
No frills, just right. (Did I quote an Outback commercial?) I wanted a lobster without the high-brow ambience. Just straight up cook it without getting my credit card declined (hey, girl's gotta spend). I was able to score a 2 lb. lobster special which was $29.99. Not bad deal, indeed. It is a little far out since I actually took a cab from Newbury (reason why my credit cards get declined), but my friend who met up with me took the Silver Line. So if you play your cards right with the MBTA, it shouldn't be a problem. But I think the area will be more developed in the next coming years, so transportation won't be a problem. Only dislike was that since it took awhile for my lobster to cook, they already gave my friend his lobster roll. I don't want my friend to starve, but I rather have both meals given to us together while I starved (he starved too out of courtesy).
(4)Junelle B.
Long story short! -Long line -Not enough seating -seafood is fresh!! -has nifty salt and pepper shakers ( It's in a corona bottle) -but a bit bland (It could be what we ordered) Oh but I recommend the fries and dab some vinegar malt on it! Nonetheless, I'd definitely go again to try something new!
(3)Vanessa S.
Excellent food and prices!! We sat outside and got to enjoy the concert at the pavilion during dinner. Definitely going back!
(5)Chann C.
Ohhhhhhh myyyyyy goodness their lobster roll is amazing!! And so is their lobster mac and cheese! It has a mom and pop feel. I've tried lobster rolls at Neptune Oyster, Summer Shack, Legal Seafoods and other places around Boston, but I find Yankee's lobster roll to be slightly better.
(5)Michael G.
I am hoping that the 287 other reviews are all tourists, not people from MA, and have no idea what good seafood actually is. I saw the reviews on here. Was down the seaport area and decided to give it a try. I got a large clam chowder $12.99 and a lobster roll around $18. $30 dollars down the drain. Pretty much can rename the clam chowder potato soup. And the lobster roll was about five bites. Decent taste but perhaps the smallest roll I have come upon in the area. Nothing ruins a beautiful sunny saturday summer afternoon like a dissapointing lobster roll.
(1)Sara M.
Went back for chowder and was happy with the experience. We hit Yankee at the right time as we were able to get a table and there was no wait. We asked for a pitcher of the Harpoon Munich dark and were initially turned down, but then they found a pitcher and served us one. Tried the bisque as well and was pleased. Our only complaint was that the chowder was not hot enough, otherwise a great lunch.
(4)George B.
The fact that you know that you're being served fresh seafood makes this place wonderful. I especially like the fact that you can take out which is great if you work in south boston and want to enjoy a nice seafood lunch. I would like it to be a bit more clean and have a better service staff. A previous time I was there they completely missed one of our main courses. I guess we just lucked out.
(4)Rico I.
Lobster Bisque? 10. The lobster? wow, didn't realize I could have better tasting lobster than even at the finest restaurants in AZ, NV or even CA - THIS was by far, best lobster I have ever had. Will be returning...very soon. It isn't cheap - maybe the TV show gave them price inflation, but the lobster was best I have ever had...and I didn't know that was possible.
(5)Lou G.
When in New England lobster is a must eat. I arrived in port of Boston on 4th of July aboard Queen Mary 2. Thanks to Yelp I knew this was just a short walk to Yankee Lobster Fish Market. Its not big restaurant, just a counter to order and 8-9 tables inside with 3 more on the sidewalk but it is clean and bright. Ordered a 2 lb Lobster dinner, which comes with coleslaw, a piece of corn on the cob, a container of drawn butter and of course the Lobster. It was succulent, sweet and tasty. Others in the party ordered a lobster roll and medium bowl of clam chowder. The Lobster roll was a fresh roll stuffed with great tasting lobster no filler or dressing just lobster goodness. The bowl of chowder was filled with fresh pieces of clam in a creamy broth with just a few pieces of potato. All very good, Lobster dinner was $32, Lobster roll was $20 and bowl of soup was $7 not cheap but a fair price for the freshness of the lobster. This is just down the street from Harpoon Brewery and next door to the Bank of American pavilion a concert venue. They had fish and chips for $11 and many other items but I was too full to try anything else.
(4)Jonathan C.
Fresh, cheap, delicious. The lobster bisque has more lobster than I expected. Its not often that I see extra lobster meat in bisque, but I'll never complain when it happens. The fried fish and fried scallops were perfect. They were not overtly greasy, just the right amount of grease to let you know its not healthy but oh so good. This is an unpretencious place where you come to taste the sea-food not the spices.
(5)Erin O.
I was in Boston a couple months ago visiting for the weekend with friends and we stopped in here on the way to harpoon brewery. I am glad we did. The guy recommended the lobster roll which I heard is great but I instead went for the clam chowder and clam strips. The chowder was the best I've had....And it was perfect for the 20 degree weather outside. The clam strips were really good too- they were fresh, sweet, and big (no frozen boxed kind here). I would recommend this place if you are in the area and want a quick bite. Def go for the chowder...
(4)Timothy E.
Excellent. Don't be tempted by the shinier establishments up the way, take a risk and try this place out. I ate here twice during a recent stay nearby. The grilled swordfish was fantastic. Perfect flavor. I didn't even mind the paper plate it was served on. The lobster bisque was a tad on the bland side, I did have to salt it. The chowder, however, was fantastic. The lobster roll and fries were wonderful. The coleslaw that accompanied them, however, I found to be indelible. Unsure if it was a fluke, but I was willing to overlook for sure. The charm of this place is definitely the no nonsense approach to food, it is unassuming and straightforward.
(4)Jason K.
My wife and I had some time to kill before a Harpoon Brewery Tour (Awesome tour by the way) We noticed Yankee Lobster about a block away and it seemed like a small fish restaurant. There was no one there when we walked in, but they sure came in later. I ordered the Lobster Roll. It came on a slice of toasted bread, which I thought was odd, but it was like $16 bucks, about 8 bucks less than the main restaurants, and heck, it is a lobster farm. Should be good. It came with a bunch of fries and cole slaw and the lobster roll was awesome. It didn't have too much mayo, which I loved about it. Lots of chunks of lobster and the bread slice didn't take away from the fresh lobster taste. Just the right amount of celery and goodness. It was awesome! My wife got a shrimp platter that looked great as well. We ate outside on a perfect Boston Day. What a great start to a great Boston day! Plus it is right on the bus line. Awesome little place, great service too. They had Harpoon on tap as well if you want a beer.
(4)Lyndsi S.
My fiance and I were in Boston for a few days and happen to walk by this place after leaving the Harpoon Brewery. My fiance is a burger and chicken guy- he rarely ventures out to try something new. He had the fried lobster roll and I had the regular lobster roll. We also got the clam chowder. Let me say how surprised I was when he was done with his lobster roll within the first few minutes of it being in front of him. He loved it. I also was head over heels for my lobster roll too. The large amount of lobster chunks in the roll definitely makes it worth the price. Now onto the clam chowder. OUT OF THIS WORLD! My fiance has never had clam chowder and he said if he had tried it on the first day we were here, he would have ordered it at every place we went. The staff was helpful in answering questions and providing good descriptions of the food. I can't say enough about how delicious the food was. A must while you are in Boston.
(5)Katie F.
Lots of lobster in the lobster roll. Lobster Mac and cheese FANTASTIC! Great start to the weekend.
(4)Bentobox S.
I escaped the hotel-convention center complex and found this little gem. I ordered chowder and a 2lb lobster. The lobster was awesome. Much better seafood and much cheaper that Legal seafood or LTK.
(4)Dan G.
I only had the lobster roll, but WOW it was so full of lobster I was amazed. The fries were perfect and I loved the simple atmosphere here. The lobster had that perfect fresh taste with very little mayo. Simple and delicious I was happy. Their staff was VERY helpful and kind. I will return each time I go to boston?
(5)Jeff H.
Lunch while we waited for our group to get into the Harpoon Brewery tour. Tried their Lobster Mac and Cheese and Clam Chowder, both pleasant experiences. The Mac and Cheese had enough lobster in it to be noticeable without overpowering what should be comfort food. The Clam Chowder could have had more clams, but the soup itself was very creamy and rich. Prices felt a little steep even for Boston, though, given that it's more or less a lobster pound/lunch counter. Thus three stars is as high as I can go.
(3)Honor D.
The calamari was sumptuously tender and delicately seasoned but I wish it also came with cocktail sauce instead of just tartar sauce. The lazy man's doesn't look like a 1 1/4 but it was good enough to satisfy my appetite. Probably should have tried a lobster roll because it looked damned good and was a hefty size.
(4)Nicole R.
I have been going to Yankee Lobster now quite a bit and have been referring friends there as well. They have great prices on all sorts of seafood items, and have been very reasonable on lobster prices as well. My roommate and I discovered this gem when calling around for lobsters this month. We found that hardly any grocery stores had them on site and that Yankee would also boil the lobsters for us prior to arrival. The staff during pick-up was very helpful and attentive, and we have gone back at least 5 or 6 times this month with friends. I would definitely recommend Yankee lobster for any seafood needs, especially if looking for a nice at-home lobster dinner.
(4)Joni D.
This place is great when you just want to sit down and get serious about eating lobster. No frills. Just you the butter and some corn and potatoes. You pay half of what it would cost at the touristy places just a few blocks away. Give it a try, you won't be sorry.
(5)TL C.
Fantastic! Went here with a couple of friends. I shared a calamari app that was delicious! Stayed simple with my meal going with Fish and Chips. I normally have to put a good amount of condiments on my fish but this fish was so fresh and so well prepared that I ate with nothing on it at all and it was amazing! This place will be a regular stop for me every time I am in Boston!
(5)Mickey M.
Stopped in here before heading to the Harpoon Brewery for a tour. Like others have said, the Lobster Bisque is great, and the chicken finger basket works well for the non-seafood fan. It's a no frills seafood joint, exactly what you'd be looking for in that area, because let's be honest, you probably aren't in the area specifically for the Yankee Lobster Fish Market. They do a bangup job serving quality food.
(4)Dean Z.
Incredibly overpriced for very underwhelming food. Lobster mac and cheese was flavorless with chewy lobster, crab cakes had too much binder and not enough crab. If you've made it to this part of town just go to Harpoon brewery for a beer tasting and a fresh pretzel and skip the overpriced seafood.
(1)I.m M.
I wouldn't recommend eating in at this place since there is not much seating, but the takeout is excellent. Love the lobster, very fresh. I would recommend calling ahead to order your lobster because it takes awhile.
(4)Melissa M.
YES. There is a place to get lobsta, done correctly and that place is in Boston at Yankee Lobster Fish Market. I have had this little place in my "places to try" list for about a year now. Yesterday, was THE day! It was HOT, HOT, HOT in the city of Beans and I wanted LOBSTA. I started craving lobster on Saturday, (and I did end up eating some lobby @ another restaurant that I'll review soon) but, yesterday, I wanted the typical New England style boiled lobsta dinner. So, we drive to 300 Northern Ave -- it's wise to go early on a Sunday and we found a parking space -- no meters to pay, it's SUNDAY! We placed the order around 12pm, we got said lobster around 12:50pm, the place was not crowded, the food just took time. I did not mind waiting as the end result was QUALITY. We got an order of fried clams as an appetizer, but it came out after we started eating the lobster, no biggie. They were good, I'm not complaining. The prices are market price so expect to pay whatever they tell you. We spent 60 bucks and got two lobsters that weighed about 1 and a quarter lbs, some steamed broccoli, that was excellent and some perfect golden french fries. The chalkboard menu stated that the lobster is served with corn on the cob, fries, and cole slaw. Oh, well, I didn't really miss the corn and the slaw. The guys working at the counter were unfazed and very slow, but the man working in the restaurant who was on duty to clean up outside was really pleasant, and I enjoyed talking to him. This man, made up for the surly staff @ the counter. This place is CLEAN and not huge, so, remember to get there early. I do not want to be there during a concert next door @ the pavilion. That would probably be insane in the membrane. I implore you to check out Yankee Lobster Fish Market, it's easy to get to. Take the Silver Line, or just get on your bike and ride. Lobsta and drawn butter on a very hot July, er, I mean April Sunday, what could be better. They serve beer and wine too. My fiance tried their homemade glass-bottled Lobster Juice, it's a raspberry/lime beverage, he said it was good. Get thee to Yankee Lobster! LOBSTA!!!
(5)Javier G.
Tastes good. Reasonable price. Decent portion.
(4)michele h.
The Boyfriend and I went into Boston proper today, my first time since moving here from San Diego two months ago. After finishing our errands, I wanted to see Boston Harbor so we were driving around and literally just came upon this restaurant. Knowing The Boyfriend's addiction to seafood, I knew a mere nudge would get him to stop for a late lunch no matter the price! It's been years since I ate freshly caught anything. I had the fish, shrimp and calamari combo plate for $14.00 which comes with fries and coleslaw. Seriously, their food is a STEAL at $14.00 given how fresh everything is. I could taste the natural sweetness of the shrimp because it hadn't been frozen out of them! The calamari rings and tenticles were almost buttery and soft, no chewy texture. The fish was in big yummy flakes. Everything was perfectly cooked. Even their fries and coleslaw were wonderful. As was the tarter and cocktail sauce, which tasted like they'd been made on premises. The Boyfriend had the fish and shrimp combo for $11.00. Here's another bonus about this place. We got there about 3:00pm so there were empty tables and there about 3 parking spaces left in their lot which is free parking. Which if you know Boston, parking is expensive. So, I highly suggest coming in the off hours like we did. I imagine in the summer months, the wait here is a really long one. We're already dying to come back here and try a fresh lobster and other menu items!
(5)Brad L.
I spent a lot of time in Boston this summer and sampled a LOT of clam chowder. This no-frills fish market has the best chowder I tried. The clams were plentiful and tasted fresh. The potatoes were not too mushy and the creamy broth was thick, but not overly so (a problem with many chowders I tried). The fried fish sandwiches are also pretty good, but the chowder is definitely the standout here. A bowl is enough to fill you up.
(4)Eugene N.
This was the first place I went to straight from the airport. Everyone raves about the Boston clam chowder so I had to give it a shot, so I just went to the first place I saw, which was Yankee Lobster. Ordered a lobster plate too (mainly because it's called Yankee Lobster). Everything was pretty good. The clam chowder is different than what we get in California. The lobster was great! The chowder was good too. It was kinda like a fast food joint so you order and pick up and eat at your table so I wasn't waited on. Great food but a tad pricier, but what do you expect for seafood?
(4)Melissa R.
We were disappointed. Everything was just OK, nothing stood out or would make us come back. We wanted to come here because we saw it on DDD. We started off with the cod cakes which were pretty good, but it went downhill from there. We were excited to try the lobster Mac n cheese, but there wasn't a lot of lobster meat and overall it was bland. The salmon burger was pretty boring and the bun was dry without any condiments. Lastly we tried the clam chowder which had a weird taste. It is very small with limited seating. It does have one good thing going for it, which is the location in the Seaport district.
(2)Catherine W.
This place's about 5 min. walk from the Silver Line bus stop, near to the white dome. We've ordered a 2 lb steamed Lobster dinner($29.95, includes fries & coleslaw ), Lobster Roll ($15.95) and a cup of Clam Chowder. The lobster was a good size, and the meat tasted sweet & succulent, but the plastic fork they provided was useless when it comes to cutting the lobster open, they really need to do that with a real knife in the kitchen before serving to us. The lobster roll was packed with lobster meat, and pretty tasty, the clam chowder was flavorful, but luke warm~ i really like my foods served pipping hot, especially on a cold windy day. All in all a good place to have lobster without breaking the bank.
(4)Kim V.
I discovered this place after going to the Chowda Fest in 2010. In my humble opinion, their clam chowder was THE best, hands down. This prompted a trip to the actual restaurant where we found a lobster roll that was SO amazingly good. Lots of meat, light mayo. It also comes with fries that are really tasty too. I've been here several times and most everything I've had has been good. I thought the lobster bisque was ok, and would recommend the chowder over it. When my mom came out to visit, she wanted lobster, and this is where I took her and she loved it. Every time she talked to me, she asked me about this place. Yes, it is THAT good.
(5)Mike M.
One of my least favorite lobster rolls since moving to New England was eaten here at Yankee Lobster Fish Market. I was excited to see it, as there was very litte mayo and a lot of lobster meat, but when I sunk my teeth into it, all I could taste was blandness. There was abolutely no flavor or taste in the roll. At this price point, I'd much rather go to James Hook. Only positive I see to Yankee is it's proximity to Harpoon Brewery.
(1)Karen P.
Pretty good for a quick food menu. Fried food was awesome. Ended up with a tummy ache after. Deck dining has no air movement, hot and stuffy.
(3)Laurie B.
I got the clam chowder and crab cake sandwich, both were delicious. I also thought the coleslaw was very good too, which i'm usually picky about. One disappointment was they ran out of lobster mac n cheese before we arrived. I wish i had a chance to try it. Well when we visit Boston again, I will defintely try to come back to try it. Price wise I didn't think it was too bad when comparing to other seafood places in the area, but then again you don't have a waitress you just order at the counter.
(4)L T.
I have eaten here over 10 times and I order the lobster roll every time. They give you A LOT of lobster and the order comes with delicious fries. I love this place. It gets pretty crowded around lunch time in the summer. It's probably a good thing that the shack is a little bit out of the way (it's right next to the BOA Pavilion in the Seaport Area) because I'd spend everyday here and my cholesterol level would be out of control (not to mention my pocketbook as well).
(5)Nick M.
Great little stop. Reasonable prices. Steamed lobster was excellent for the price. Chowder was good. Lobster bisque was also good. Just right for a casual lunch or dinner I enjoyed my meal and so did the other 5 members of my group.
(3)Jon H.
No frills seafood. We got the 3lb lobster dinner (with fries, corn, slaw), fish and calamari plate, and two beers for about $70. Of course, we could order the special 1.5lb maine lobster dinner (with fries, corn, slaw) for $12.99, but we opted for more meat all around. But I'd say if you are coming here for a quick seafood fix, the daily deals are the way to go. The lobster came out freshly steamed, with uber thick melted butter, lots of fries, a little skimpy on the fish & clamari, bibs, and a shell bucket. The meat was plentiful and succulent, cooked perfectly, juicy, and fresh to death. No frills seafood for good prices - just make sure you've got a car to get here if you're a tourist.
(4)Amy C.
I AM A FAN! I had the lobster bisque, lobster, green beans, and fries. If not for the lobster bisque, this would definitely be a 5 star joint. The lobster was so fresh and the green beans (replaced the corn) were crunchy, flavorful, and awesome. Lobster bisque was too creamy for my taste, and the lobster pieces were kind of small. I wish I had tried the clam chowder instead now. The lobster was the definite highlight - lovely texture and delicious flavor. Service was also fast and friendly, which is a definite plus.
(4)Rockne H.
First stop on my Boston adventure: check into the hotel and grab some dinner! Prior to my trip, I took some time to research the area and found out a local joint a couple blocks down from the hotel was actually featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. I KNEW this was a place to check out! When you approach the joint, you notice a couple of outdoor seating areas, one in the front and one to the side of the building. The building may give off the impression that the restaurant is big but trust me, it's not! When you walk in, you'll see some tables, but certainly not enough to accommodate the crowds that day. WOW! The line went out the door and it didn't seem like it would ever end. This was definitely a good thing! The inside was filled with character! Neon signs, olden day photographs, chalk board pillars with menu items written all over really contributed to this joint's zany character. The staff was alright. They were efficient and always on the move. Not very personable but super accommodating in customer service, so no complaints. For my meal, I wanted to try the same items Guy Fieri tried when he visited the place. Here's what I thought: Cod Cake Plate for $8.99. This was delicious! Two cod cakes, served with a homemade remoulade sauce and a lemon wedge with a side of fries and coleslaw. The fries were nice and crispy, not to salty. I liked how the slaw wasn't drowning in mayo and had a light tang to it. The cakes were filled with lump cod meat and not a lot of filler, just enough to bind them together. Add in a few herbs and spices, and man! The only thing better was using the remoulade dipping sauce to enhance the overall all flavor profile! HIGHLY recommend this! Lobster Mac and Cheese for $13.99. This was also a flavorful dish! Macaroni pasta, lobster meat, cheese and topped with crispy panko bread crumbs. The macaroni was cooked to perfection and the cheese wasn't drowning the dish, which I loved. I also loved how the panko was seasoned and really brought that crunchy texture to the dish. The lobster meat was definitely overcooked though. Maybe less time in the cooking process and this dish would have been a home run for me! To go along with my dinner, I also got the Harpoon UFO tap beer, recommended by the server, for $6 a glass. Local beers are always great to try when you visit an area and I'm glad I decided to get it! The beer was light, smooth, definitely a wheat beer and had a slight resemblance to a Shock Top and Blue Moon. Delicious! I love how this place really incorporates locally caught food with locally brewed beers. Today, I felt as if I hit a gold mine in Boston! If you are ever in the Seaport area, this is definitely a place you want to hit up! Take Guy's recommendations. You won't be disappointed!
(4)Eddy E.
Good and inexpensive 2ibs lobster with good service. Harpoon beer from local brewery just off the corner from this restaurant makes it taste that much better. Good service too. Might want to consider sitting inside as the wind blew our plate of french fries and almost hit the person behind us in the face. Missed it by inches...hahaha...
(5)Patrick D.
Finally tried Yankee Lobster yesterday after being in Boston for years. When we arrived outside the restaurant, there was a pretty long line but it moved quickly. We waited outside of the store for about 20 min and then were able to go inside to order. We ordered the lobster roll, lobster club, and clam chowder. After ordering, all seating is first come first serve so we found a spot outside easily. We then waited at our table for another 15-20 min for out food to come. Luckily, they gave us the chowder directly after ordering to hold us over before our meals. Both lobster dishes came with fries and cole slaw. The lobster was incredibly fresh and both sandwiches were delicious, yet the lobster roll was disappointingly small. The lobster BLT had a bit more substance to it so we were happy we split both to have half of each. Pricing was a bit stiff, but quality lobster was served so will accept paying for it.
(4)Danielle R.
Not impressed. First, we walked in and the garbage cans are right by the front door, they stunk to HIGH heaven. Seriously, bad, like made me gag bad. Probably want to move those outside, garbage cans stuffed with fish parts is not good smelling stuff. It's very small inside only maybe 10 tables, the floors were dirty, definitely needed some cleaning...made me a little nervous to be honest. Because we wanted to try it all we opted on the Fisherman's Platter ($39.95), even though it doesn't say it, you can order it fried or broiled. We opted for broiled and then were told there was no way they could broil the claims so those would come out fried. OK no problem. We got our drinks and sat down. Meal was close to $60 for lunch, at a somewhat fast food place...kind of pricey. We waited some more.... Guy finally came over and apologized that the kitchen inadvertently fried our meal so we would have to wait some more time before ours was ready....OK. Didn't offer us pieces of the fried meal or a consolation prize, nothing, nada, zilch...so we waited some more. Guys sat down next to us. About 5 mins later one guy gets a lobster roll with fries. Looks really good. Friend is there with him, I actually thought maybe he didn't order any food. Oh but he did...about 15 mins after his friend got his food & subsequently ate it, he mentioned to the guy that he still hadn't gotten his food. #crazy FINALLY, our food comes out and to be honest, looked kind of scary, the whole plate was white (fish and all), on Styrofoam, with plastic utensils. See pix Calamari was the worst thing, small and not very good. We never got any claims...not sure where they were, but by this time we were so hungry didn't matter. Fish was actually surprisingly good. Lobster was overcooked and tough and was just the tail, maybe 4 ozs of meat. The HANDS DOWN WINNER were the scallops...man they were amazing...that's why this is a 2 and not a 1. So my advice here is 1) eat outside away from the dirty floor and stinky garbage 2) bring your wallet 3) order the scallops only
(2)Hannah P.
Tried this place with a friend for lunch and we were very pleased!! We ordered the lobster rolls which were delicious with not too much mayo although I wasn't a huge fan of the celery mixed in. The crab cakes were awesome. Full of crab meat and great zingy tartar sauce. These are not on the level of Maryland ones, however, still fantastic. We also ordered the fried clams which were perfect. Great quick fry and not too greasy at all. The place is very cute. I would recommend going for lunch due to the very informal, kinda dive nature of the place (in a good way). You order at the counter and then they bring it out to you, and there is not a lot of seating so I would not recommend for large groups.
(4)Melissa H.
This place is by far my favorite lobster roll destination. I loved it so much that on a summer vacation last year (before I lived here full time), we drove about 3 extra hours to have a lobster roll and get back on our road trip home. The service is always prompt and friendly. The restaurant/counter service is clean. it's seafood the way I expect - fresh off the boat!
(5)Joel C.
We were wrapping up our trip to Boston by checking out the Harpoon Brewery, and decided we needed one last seafood meal. Our bartender suggested this place, and it was a quick walk from the brewery. This place has a much different setup than the last seafood place we ate at, with orders being taken at a counter. I ordered some fish and chips and a couple of crab cakes. Positives -Cheap. Full order of fish and chips, crab cakes, and drink was a little over $20. -Pretty tasty food, it's certainly not high end seafood, but it does the trick. -Laid back atmosphere. -Easy, short walk from Harpoon Brewery...nice 1/2 combo. Negatives -Has a bit of a dive feel to it, might be a turnoff to some...but not me. Great place for a quick bite if you're craving seafood, and makes a good combo trip with Harpoon Brewery.
(4)Don S.
Got the fish stew and platter combo 2, which includes fried fish, scallops and shrimp. I initially thought the fish stew wasn't all that, but it was actually pretty tasty after a few spoonfuls. As for the combo, the seafood was really fresh and everything was fried well. The platter came with fries and coleslaw. For just the two items, the check came to $27. Kinda pricey for food that wasn't fall-off-my-chair good, but overall, good experience.
(4)Ashley W.
I have been searching for a good HOT lobster roll for a while now and have finally found the spot! Out of this world!!! Be sure to get there kind of early though or else you'll have to wait in a pretty hefty line to get in the door. Well worth the wait though! Perfect location, as it is right beside Harpoon Brewery. Go to Yankee Lobster, grab an amazing lunch, and then head over to Harpoon's tap house for a few beers!
(5)Margaret V.
Affordable and delicious lobster rolls! They get really busy with a line out the door, but the line moves, you order at the counter, and then take a seat. Good amount of lobster meat, I could have used maybe a claw more, but the roll is perfectly toasted, and the fries that come with it are pretty amazing - crispy, crunchy fries. Our fried calamari and clam chowder order was forgotten, but delivered later after we reminded them. The fried calamari was soggy and not crunchy at all. It might be because they rushed out the order and it didn't fry for long enough, but I still wouldn't recommend the fried calamari. They close at 9pm, wish they were open later, but if you can't get into Neptune or Island Creek, try this place!
(4)Louise N.
Upon a recent visit, we found the line to be seated seemed very long. So, we decided to try to cheat! They will let you see the menu, call inside, and order to-go. (Lots of others were doing this as well.) We wandered over to the pier and watched the water for a while and got our food within about 20 minutes. The only problem with this plan is when you get your food, there is really no place to go. If there was a park or something near by, you would be golden! Besides, by the time we got the food, we probably would have been 3/4 through the line anyway. (Sorry, for this reason, I can't comment on service or ambiance.) Next time, we won't try to beat the system and we'll just wait in line to eat inside! :) The cold lobster roll was AMAZE! So fresh! Very light on the mayo, perfect balance of herbs and celery. Honestly, I can say the best I have had. The crab cakes were just ok. Not very flavorful, a little bready, and not quite cooked enough. There is free parking on the side of the building! Bonus! But the dude manning the lot is beyond surly! We got yelled at to "park over THERE, not HERE!!" and "You're here to eat right?? No concert, no sightseeing, you are IN and OUT!" Damn, man! Chill out!
(4)Spiny N.
Lets start with a caveat. This was my very first Lobster roll so I have nothing to compare it to. B At 19.88 it was from what i could tell a fair price. Seen 16-24. Bb of fresh steamed lobster piled into a soft whitebread roll. Not much sauce which I saw as a good thing allowing the lobster to shine through. The fries were so-so and the slaw was well above average. Stuffed clams were excellant and good size. The calamari was a little overcooked for my taste. All in all an great place for seafood in an unpretentious setting.
(5)Luke A.
decent fare for a shanty shack located near the back end of the Harbor point. Located right near the Harpoon Brewery, parking can be a chore to find. . . unless you're smart enough to go round the side and realize they offer parking there. Food is good, fresh, and pretty quick. Lines can get long and seats are a bit tough if you arrive during peak hours. Also, the clams seem to sell out mighty quick too (except for the strips). Not mind blowing food but its good. however, a lobster going for 40+ is pretty ridiculous. Pricing is not cheap, which is fine, gotta make money for being part of a Food Network show. Decor is atypical of a beach comber kind of atmosphere and service is. . . present. Worth the trip and a few repeat visits though; definitely a place to check out at least once in your lifetime. Tip: Sometimes you will encounter table "hawkers" . . . people who stare at you while you sit and eat waiting to finish so they can have your table.
(4)Connie L.
The line can get super long! Out the door! So get there a little before lunch time to avoid! Got the lobster roll and I didn't want the fries so I swapped it for a side salad! (Same price though) Compared to the lobster roll I had had the day before from Boston chowda company (?) it was very different. Less mayo, and the bread was plain unlike the Boston chowda one which had tons of mayo and garlic bread. I liked it because I was able to enjoy the fresh plain taste of the lobster more... And since I'm from Maryland, I loveeee the taste of seafood. I also added a little old bay and was good to go!
(4)Paul C.
I tried the lobster roll twice, the clam chowder, and the lobster bisque. I tried a lobster roll at two other places around town, and this one tasted the freshest, it was prepared perfectly and there was so much lobster that it over flowed the small piece of bread it came in. The clam chowder had big full pieces of clam inside and wasn't seasoned to the extreme like other places I tried. Just great tasting, fresh chowwwder. The lobster bisque had big pieces of lobster inside, and I didn't have to add any seasoning. Old bay sat on the table. This place is small, but quaint, they will prepare any dish to your liking. Its a ten minute walk from the bcec(convention center).
(5)Marshall C.
Fish & Chips, drafts, vibe. Nailed it. Close to the water, a brewery and excellent selection of seafood. Very casual feel about the place. Fish was piping hot, light fry.
(4)Carolin M.
Very small place but very fresh food. I ordered a whole lobster. It comes with fries and cole slaw. We got lucky got lucky and didn't have to wait long. No line at all for early dinner. Lobster was great, so we're the fries.
(4)Lamont C.
Friends from Chicago were in town and wanted seafood, went through my mental rolodex of Legal, skipjacks, Atlantic fish, and decided on Yankee Lobster to give them an authentic quality, fresh off the boat feel Boston experience. I did tell them it was no frills, definitely not white table, but where the locals go. They were not disappointed, lobster mac and cheese, lobster rolls, and fish and chips.....couple was very happy with quality and price. Staff were quick, and helpful....keep up the great work... When I say this place is "Divey" it is said with love and respect.....
(4)Yiting Z.
Really good price. We ordered a 6-pound lobster for four people, but it is too big to finish it. The fried calamari is soft and shrimp cocktail is fresh. Highly recommended if you want to eat lobster in Boston. PS: it has free parking as the park fee is really high in this area.
(5)Pack C.
We went to the place twice during our 3 days visit. It just shows how amazing the place is! Our first visit was in the AM when they just opened the restaurant. We loved everything we tried lobster roll, clam chowder, seafood platter (fish, shrimp, seafood: super fresh) most dishes come with sides of fries. They did the double fry fried (coated with flour) which were amazing, very crispy and fun to munch! The 2nd was during dinner hours. 30 wait to order and close to 45 min wait for food. That was ok. At least, we felt blessed that we got a table. We had boil lobster this time, again really good. Disappointment was they no longer double fry their fries. I guess too many customers to do the additional step. Well, I still highly recommend the place
(4)Sylvia C.
Yes!!! Solid lobster roll, chowder, and fried clams. Absolutely delicious. The lobster was all filling and not doused with dressing. Bread was soft. You can taste every morsel of lobster meat, and it was cooked perfectly and not overcooked at all. I love fried food, so the clams complimented the roll really well. The batter was perfect and not too salty or over battered. The chowder was solid. A lot of clams and flavorful. The price is on point relative to other places. I haven't tried Neptune Oyster's lobster roll yet, so keep that in mind when reading this. It's definitely better than Boston Chowda company. But Boston Chowda is also less expensive, so it's also solid for the price.
(4)Erwin G.
Yelped it and went for it. Guy Fieri ate here, that's piece of mind, the lobster should be great. Ordered lobster roll and bisque. I think they use a whole lobster tail per sandwich, that's wild man. I used a fork to eat all the pieces falling off the roll. I enjoyed that very much. The lobster was fresh and delicious. The bisque was a bit thick in consistency for my preference but flavor is 100. Recommendededed!
(4)Ashley K.
All you people going to Legals Seafood are idiots! Wow. Just all I can say is wow. The space itself has some nice old timey music playing, very clean, and you wouldn't be able to tell by the smell that they serve seafood. (A GREAT sign!) Even when slammed with the lunch crowd, the counter staff is very friendly. On a nice day, I'd recommend sitting outside as enjoy the weather and the best lobster you will ever have! I got the stuffed clams. They are cooked to perfection, a crispy breadcrumb crust, just wonderful flavor throughout and a good deal of clams. It's totally worth burning your mouth to just dig right in immediately. To be honest they don't even need lemon, so try it before but add it if you want. Then the grand slam was the lobster Mac and cheese. Served in its own tin foil tray straight from the oven, it's just a delight to see on your plate. There are these massive hunks of the best flavored lobster I've ever experienced with this pleasant creamy cheese sauce with al dente elbow mac. Lobster Mac is one of my favorites and I've had it all over (NYC, Philly, San Diego, extra.) but this takes the cake. Top it all off with one of their own brand sodas (root beer was great) or a local beer on tap, and you have yourself one of the best Boston Seafood experiences! I'll be back for sure.
(5)Sal R.
Awesome Lobster Rolls!! This place is the "BEST OF THE BEST" in Boston!
(5)Philippe D.
One of the last original place in southie now some other became tourist. Always very busy. Be ready to wait for a table or share one outside. Best deal is the steamed lobster. The lobster roll is uneven quality depending on the day and I guess who made it. Had some excellent one but some not. However it is a place where you get fresh seafood.
(4)Zak K.
Good food at reasonable prices. The place is small and crowded, but the service is fast.
(4)Amilton B.
Great location, fresh food, can't beat it! I came here during the middle of the week so it wasn't packed. I ordered the fish sandwich and my girlfriend ordered the Calamari. The food tasted great and definitely hit the spot. I recommend this place to fans of seafood and people looking for some good food and beer.
(4)Kitrina D.
I really enjoyed Yankee Lobster! After reading the good reviews and seeing how close it was to my hotel, I had to try it. At first I thought it was a little pricey ($20 for lunch), but I didn't realize how much food I was going to get. I got the lobster bisque and the Yankee fish sandwich. The sandwich came with fries and slaw, which I wasn't expecting, but I could have lived without. The slaw wasn't bad, but I wasn't a fan of the fries. They also had very friendly service! I would definitely recommend any of the seafood and am going to recommend it to all of my friends in the area!
(4)Aoife A.
Excellent food! The staff were all beyond nice - they even seemed like they enjoy their job!
(5)Jessica J.
Ok so coming to New England I was told I had to try a lobster roll. So I did. It was ok. I got the cold one here, I'm regretting not getting the hot one. It was rather bland. Idk I was expecting more. I did also have the clam chowder and it was good. Overall, I do not think it was a meal worth $27 at all. However, coming to New England for the first time, I'm glad I gave it a try.
(3)Dj K.
I really enjoyed my lobster roll and lobster mac & cheese. The gentleman working there was nice enough to crack my moms lobster for her and gave us a tour of all the stored lobsters on the back!! The lobster bisque was super delicious! They were super helpful and willing to complete our orders just as we liked them.
(5)Jeff C.
Lobster bisque was good, lobster roll didn't knock by socks like you might expect. Good atmosphere, especially when a band is warming up next door. Worth the trip
(4)Michelle G.
This was our first stop after a long flight to Boston. We all wanted fresh seafood so we headed here right out of Logan Airport. We found free parking and walked right in, not even a wait. I ordered the 2lb. lobster and the guys ordered their combo seafood plates. The food was out quickly and everything was awesome. The only reason I took one star off is because I felt my lobster was a bit overbooked. It was still awesome, way better seafood than I can get in Az! The guy and gal running the place were fast and attentive. Give em a try if you are in the area!!
(4)Paloma D.
This would be a great place if... The fish was fresh! It was such an awful experience, cold food ( supposed to be warm) the "broiled seafood platter", combo 2, was from the day before because I was sick all next day, awful.
(1)Jessica L.
I would really recommend this place! The seafood was incredibly fresh, and their lobster tanks were in the back of the store. What was good about this place? Well, for what you are getting, the price is actually very reasonable. I paid a little over $40 for 2 people. We both got a soup (lobster bisque and clam chowder) and an entree of fish and chips each. I think that's really reasonable for the amount of food we got. Not only that, the food was delicious! I tried part of my companion's clam chowder, and it was delicious! The clam tasted so fresh! The lobster bisque is one of the better ones I've tasted in recent history. Also, the fish and chips were cooked perfectly. It practically fell apart by itself, it was very tender. The people who work there are very nice. It got really crowded there, but they were very efficient in bringing out food and making sure everybody was happy. You have to go up to put in your order, but they bring out the food to you. Also, there's a small parking lot right next to the place where you can park for free! - not a common thing in the Boston area! I would enthusiastically recommend this place! And-I intend to go back in the very near future! Great seafood at a great price! I think it's one of the best seafood places in the Boston area.
(5)Gina W.
Stopped in around 3pm on a sunny Saturday. Place was busy, but we were able to get a seat (they have outdoor seating as well). Ordered a Combo 2 (shrimp, fish & scallop) $19.99, lobster roll $18.99 and lobster bisque. Lobster bisque was nicely flavored and had big pieces of lobster (wasn't very hot though). Lobster roll also had lots of lobster, nicely seasoned, bread was toasted. The combo was fresh, fried but not oily - we both thought lobster roll was the better buy. Both came with decent amount of fries. Would come again just for the lobster roll and maybe try the full lobster next time.
(4)Su L.
SO AWESOME. Lobster roll was amazing. Clam chowder was even more amazing. Crab cakes were good. Cute outdoor seating area. Big selection of beer. Definitely the best meal we had while visiting Boston.
(5)Adam S.
I came here and had the lobster roll. It was absolutely delicious. There was a 40 minute line but it was worth it.
(5)Devonshire B.
Dang, this place is bumpin'. There are long lines for a reason, but I probably wouldn't come back here if I was visiting Boston again. It's a little overwhelming and not worth the 40+ minutes of waiting. We passed on the lobster, seeing as Maine captured our hearts (or rather stomachs) in that area. We got the fried clams instead, as well as the mac-n-cheese. The clams were pretty good! A lot of breading though, although generously sized. The mac-n-cheese was mediocre and a little odd tasting - I couldn't put my finger on it. And the side of coleslaw that came with the meal was watery and lacking. I'd give the place a 2.5, but it wasn't bad enough for that. So 3 it is- for mediocrity.
(3)Josh W.
Great seafood! I got the lobster roll and we got a side of crab cakes, both of which were really good. My girlfriend's salmon burger was good too. The fries and coleslaw on the side were great as well. It was pretty crowded (we went on a Friday night), but didn't have any trouble getting a table. Prices were reasonable, especially for the seaport area. If you're looking for an upscale seafood restaurant on the water, this probably isn't the best option. But if you're looking for fresh, local seafood at good prices, this is definitely your place! We will definitely be back!
(5)Margaret H.
We had a great experience! The clam chowda was, like many have said, best we've ever had! The lobster roll was also fresh and solid! Not soaked in mayonnaise like some. Definitely a go if you're in Boston!!
(5)Ryna D.
Being in Boston of course we had to have lobster! After a quick Yelp search we decided to come to this spot. I like that it's located outside the main tourist drag so there was no wait. In fact it's a very casual spot that I would probably frequent as well if I lived in Boston. We ordered 2 different kinds of lobster rolls and a baked clam. The hot lobster roll was basically warm lobster meat on a toasted bun with melted butter to pour over. It's perfect for lobster purists as you just get simple yet perfect lobster yumminess. We also got the more classic cold version and it was also delightful! The rolls come with fries and cole slaw and the naked clam was also very good. All that was certainly enough to get us full and at a very good price point. So if you're looking for a no nonsense type of place with the best fresh seafood this is your spot.
(5)J P.
Clam chowder to die for, creamy and perfect in texture and ratio of soup to potato and clam. the lobster roll was good the bread wasn't that good for the roll it was kind of soggy. lost stars because they got my order wrong and left out a dish of shrimp i ordered in my to go order. the dining area is small seats maybe 30 people at most. but friendly fast staff and the food is really good. just check your order before leaving with take out
(3)TinoX T.
Nice Place to Try,My first time here and I can Tell u i Become a regular :) Nice Food,Good service
(3)Greta H.
We ordered the fisherman a platter and it turned out that it was all fried. Blah. We were disappointed that it wasn't fresh--but we should have realized it. The mac and cheese with Lobster was okay--not really anything to talk about later. The fries were just normal fries. Coma food quality as my husband said. Make sure to ask before you order and if it's fried, get something else that isn't fried! 36/100
(3)Stephanie B.
Went for an early dinner with my husband and baby daughter. Cozy place, thankful we got there when we did otherwise getting a table would've been difficult. Food was tasty and fresh. Lobster bisque was the best I have had so far in Boston. Deliciously fresh cornbread. I had the hot lobster roll which was cooked well and overflowing with lobster. Only thing I thought was mediocre were the french fries, but not a reason not to go back.
(4)Arlo W.
I waited a week to write this review to fully digest the experience and to choose my wording. My son and I traveled to Boston for a few events and took some time doing research on various eateries in the area. We both do a good bit of traveling and enjoy finding local non-chain restaurants to patronize. After seeing Yankee Lobster featured on an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives we decided to give it a shot before heading off to a convert at the adjacent concert venue. First thing anyone needs to know is that the seating is very limited, so if you are bringing a larger group or family that by be a bit of a challenge. We ordered both the Clam Chowder and the Lobster Mac. The Chowder was a bit on the thin (soupy side) and the potatoes were extremely firm and from being fully cooked. The overall flavor of the chowder was not bad but then again it was not anything truly special or of a quality that supported the $7.99 price for a medium cup. The big disappointment was in the Lobster Mac and Cheese. This $13.99 portion was in no way shape or form worth the price nor was the quality on a par that would could be considered anything more than cafeteria food. Yes, we dissected the plate of food, a paper plate, and found only 6 pieces of lobster and and few microscopic remnants of what we believed to be lobster. The overall taste of the dish was bland. We felt as if we had been totally ripped off. I did not go in with the expectations of receiving a meal on par with a 4 or 5 star restaurant but I did expect to receive a meal that was edible. On a positive the staff was very friendly and polite and the slop did arrive in a timely manner. One thing to keep in consideration is that if you are looking for a clean dinning experience ...go elsewhere. It was as dirty as a restroom in a gas station on some deserted interstate. This was the worst experience on the trip.
(1)Elle S.
"Yay! I'm a fan!" This is a great little shop by the water to grab a crab sandwich and clam chowder. It is very casual and seats maybe 25-30 people. We walked in expecting something more fancy, but this was great for a mellow evening. You order from a deli counter and the food comes out to your little 2-4 person table. I started with clam chowder that had a good amount of clam in it (bonus points!), then I went for a crab salad sandwich. The crab salad was very heavy on the crab and easy on the mayo. Perfect! I can't remember what my dinner partner had, I just remember the "mmm..." and yummy sound effects from the other side of the table. This is a great little place to hit up if you're adventuring in Boston.
(4)Mira S.
A cute little place something between a sit down place and the hole-in-the-wall others have described. Competent, friendly staff. Various price points, not cheap, but reasonable. The salmon meal came with two sides, and it was all very good. Generous portion of salmon, very nicely cooked, good rice pilaf, and a generous helping of non-iceberg lettuce salad (no dressing, though). There's everything from lobster rolls to full entrees, and takes 15 minutes or so, and they bring it to your table. I think the "hole-in-the-wall" description is a little overdone. If it were a deli it wouldn't be a big deal, but it is because it's a fish place, and it's at the end of the seaport way out in the relative middle of nothing (in the middle of Boston, of course). There's a nice outdoor seating area next to the place where they'll come find you. You do bus your own plate afterwards.
(4)Ahmed A.
It's above average. I got the hot lobster roll. Neptune's is so much better...more expensive too...but worth it. I didn't think the portion was that big. Not much flavor. I had s lobster roll at Row 34 last week and it was much more flavorful.
(3)Michael F.
I'm visiting from California so of course I have to try the lobster roll. But not only do they have the lobster roll, but they have a hot lobster roll and a fried lobster roll. I ordered the fried lobster roll. It was magnificent. They serve it with lemon and clarified butter too. The slaw and fries that came along with it were crazy delicious, as well. I would definitely come back tomorrow to get the regular lobster roll and maybe the hot lobster roll too. Hehehe Mmmmmm
(5)Yu C.
I went for lunch and had the Lobster Roll Crab Meat Roll and the Seafood Combo One. All were very good and reasonably priced, especially the namely Lobster!Also, the fries are amazing!!served hot and fresh!!
(4)Penny M.
This a small place with few tables, chalkboard menus and is self service. The focus is fresh seafood and yeah for that! We both had the cold lobster roll and were both extremely satisfied. Lots of lobster meat and not overwhelmed by mayonnaise, delicious! Also had the steamers, also good, however nothing compared to the lobster roll. Price I found reasonable st $18. Recommend for lunch or dinner with a friend or by oneself. No room for large parties and the ambiance is of a basic no frills style.
(4)Mike B.
Was looking for a good place to get a lobster roll and one of the top results was Yankee Lobster. I ordered the hot lobster roll which was moderately priced around 20 dollars. They serve it in a hotdog bun and it didn't even fill the whole bun. As far as taste goes it was average at best, plus the lobster was chewy. I was very disappointed in the overall experience as to what I wrote above and I waited 15 minutes to be served. I have no problem waiting for a fresh good product to be prepared if the quality is there. This was not. Maybe it was an off day, but I won't be going back.
(2)Shaji K.
Probably the best/closest option for food after a visit to Harpoon Brewery. Standard "by the water" menu of local seafood (and non seafood for people who go to seafood places and get a hamburger, weirdos). Got the lobster roll, cod cakes, and a big bottle of Brown IPA to wash it down. The space is incredibly small, so count me lucky in getting a table. The cod cakes were okay (too greasy), lobster roll was fantastic and flavorful (although I prefer butter over mayo), beer obviously excellent. For $36, a proper meal portion, if not a tad expensive. Next time will go for the lobster mac and cheese.
(4)Emily S.
This place is amazing! My husband and i are in town visiting Boston and we wanted to find a great local seafood place. Research in Yelp in selling this little gem. Laid back atmosphere, great food options and amazing clam chowder. We both shared the fisherman's feast, which had everything from the sea in it. Very delicious, we highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Latti L.
Hands down, best chowda in Boston Crab cakes are better than average, but not quite Oceannaire Lobster rolls are ridiculous. Plenty of Lobster in Texas Toast hoagie bun thingy (tried it in a tortilla, and its not the same)
(5)Alex B.
Great, fresh seafood in a no frills friendly environment. This little gem is nestled on the harbor near Harpoon Brewery and serves up great New England seafood. I've had the fish and chips, lobster roll, and lobster bisque. All excellent - great flavor, seasoning and freshness. The lobster roll is delicious and heaped with lobster. The place only has maybe 10 tables or so inside and another 8 outside so it gets crowded fast. Food is delicious though and worth a visit to harpoon before or after for some drinks.
(5)Tina W.
Me and my husband visited Boston two weeks ago. We both are seafood lovers. This is a good place to have seafood. Great price, good quality. We didn't want to over pay for seafood. You know seafood could be pricey sometimes. And the seafood is so fresh and tasty!! We went there twice because was that good with decent price. We had the claim soup, lobster soup, a lobster and 3 crabs for dinner. We had the fiesta for lunch.
(5)Leanne E.
I was in Boston for business, and wanted to try a lobster roll. When in Rome, you know. Did my research, and decided to give this place a try. So glad I did, it was fantastic! The lobster in the lobster roll wasn't overly dressed at all, just the right amount of mayonnaise to bind it together. The roll was perfectly buttery and toasted, and the fries and coleslaw it came with were also great (but the fries are an afterthought when there's lobster to be eaten). I also ordered a cup of their New England clam chowder, and wow! It was so creamy and perfect. A generous amount of clams in it, and no grit or anything like you sometimes get. They were also really fast! I called and placed my order, and by the time I walked over (about 15 minutes) it was ready and waiting for me. Next time I'm in Boston, I will definitely be back.
(5)Sean W.
Lobster roll is really good, a bit pricey for Boston, but worth very bite. Will come back again next time in town.
(4)Liz C.
This place is amazing. My husband had what he described as the best clam chowder that he has ever had in his life. The lobster rolls were fresh and delicious. Go if you are in the Seaport area.
(5)Corinne M.
We were visiting from Florida and didn't know where to eat, luckily I turned to yelp and saw all of the great reviews. My husband wondered what the difference would be in our Florida lobster and there's. We were lucky to get a table for 6 because of the weather and boy am I glad we did! This restaurant is tiny but fierce! We ordered the Lazy mans lobster which already came cracked. It was absolutely amazing and I was a little sad when I ate it all, I wanted more!!We also ordered the Lobster Roll which was served on a buttery roll. If you are ever in Boston, take the advice of a Floridian that constantly eats seafood, go here! You will not be disappointed.
(5)Mike L.
Went to dinner here with the family. We ordered the crab cakes as a starter. They were good, about what we expected for a seafood town. Plenty of real crab, the flavor was good and the sauce that came with it, also very good. For entrees, we ordered a lobster roll and a shrimp platter. Both came with cole slaw and fries. Roll was a little smaller than we expected for the price, and under seasoned. The shrimp were a little over cooked, but also under seasoned. Everything needed salt! Even the fries, had not a grain of salt when they arrived at the table. We had an issue with the check, the crab cakes were listed as 10.99 on the menu, but when bill came we were charged 11.99. I know it's only a buck, but it's the principle. I mentioned it to my waitress and she very nonchalantly pointed to the bottom of the menu where it stated...."prices subject to change". I have an issue with this. Change the price on the menu or at least tell me the price listed is not accurate. They said they were still using the summer menu. They would not take the dollar off my bill. The above being the case, I simply paid, and when handed my credit card slip to sign, I wrote..."Tip % subject to change" on the tip line. Was I wrong for stiffing the staff, probably, but they apparently didn't care about incorrectly charging me or keeping their menus up to date, so I made my point, how I knew how!
(2)Edward L.
As good as it gets! Fresh seafood, friendly-quick service, and an overall great experience! 1. Their Lobster Roll is worth the price. We tried the Hot Lobster Roll and it was a packed with fresh lobster meat. Drizzle the butter over the roll and you're set! 2. The Lobster Mac n' Cheese was delicious as well. The cheese was thick and creamy and lightly toasted on top. Lobster chucks throughout the plate. 3. MAKE SURE to get the fried calamari. I get calamari everywhere I go and it was amazing here. So fresh and the batter was light, yet extremely delicious. 4. They serve beer here and have a decent little patio. There is no view though!
(4)Jenny G.
Been here a few times now with friends, and recently bought from their fish market. Their food has always been good and well priced, and their service is great. Their crabs and lobsters that I've gotten have always been fresh and not overcooked, unlike some other similar restaurants. I was also very impressed with their fish market. Really good market prices, and they're nice and good about packing everything up well for you.
(5)Esther J.
It's a tight space. Looks like a deli inside. You order at the counter and bring it to your seat, if you can find one. It's packed. They also serve beer, but nice family friendly environment. We got the fried varied seafood platter. Although I wasn't feeling friend foods that day, it was good. I was very full. Not cheap but not super expensive.
(4)Manny H.
Fun laid-back place, not pricey, great food!
(5)Bruce L.
moderate place, the attitude of the waitress is really bad!! The food is good and the waiter is also good.
(3)Kelly O.
Stopped in here prior to a Harpoon event to grab a quick bite, and left pretty satisfied (for not a lot of $). The $5 lobster bisque was rich and lobstery with some good-sized chunks of meat, and the stuffed clams ($6.50 for two large shells) were surprisingly really flavorful and pretty filling. It's a small no-frills place with counter service so don't expect anything other than a brusque/casual atmosphere- although the guy who brought me my food was very accomodating and friendly-, but it's perfect for a quick pre-show bite when you're in the area.
(3)Lauren P.
My boyfriend and I have been on a mad hunt to find the best lobster rolls in Boston-- and the competition is tough. This place could use more seating because the people who do know about it, show up! The menu was simple and straight to the point with some fun options to choose from! Great lunch spot, friendly customer service, and lots of great food!
(5)San W.
Wow. I really can't believe I'm giving this place a one star (believe me, I was trying to think of something, anything else, that would justify bumping it up to at least two). I was really looking forward to trying it out especially after seeing all the other awesome reviews here. Alas... b. and I got a Fisherman's Platter to take out after much deliberation and after being informed by the staff that it would be plenty for two people. With a choice of broiled or fried, we asked for the order to be broiled. We were informed that the clams would need to be fried, which was fine. Our order came out after about 15 minutes of waiting. It was in a large plastic bag with a white styrofoam container at the bottom with a large brown paper bag sitting on top of it. I noticed that some juices had already spilled out into the bottom of the bag but whatever, I decided to take a look inside to make sure we got everything we needed. Inside the large brown paper bag was one small open container of french fries. Nothing else. I wish I had taken a picture of it because it was just so silly, I felt like I was peering down into a deep, empty well. I opened the styrofoam container and was shocked (see picture). I was so shocked and embarrassed that I had spent almost $30 bucks on this that I just left even though b. offered to go back and ask if there was a mistake, was this really the Fisherman's Platter, and was it really meant to feed two people. I only hoped that the quality and the taste of the food would make up for what it lacked in portion size. Unfortunately, it did not. Everything was overcooked and tasteless. The clams were passable only because they were fried. It was such a huge disappointment and then we needed to buy another meal at another place just to fill us up. Maybe we ordered the wrong thing? In any case, I am not interested in going back to try anything else. Even if I was catching a concert at the Pavilion, I would not come here even though it would be so convenient. I had been tempted to order a lobster roll but in hindsight I am so glad that I saved that experience for James Hook & Co. (best lobster roll EVER and at a cheaper price). I might need to go back to James Hook just to cheer me up because I'm starting to feel depressed again after reflecting on this sad little meal. Sigh.
(1)Matt B.
The clams were great. Awesome lil restaurant to go to if you want good seafood & great service. Great place to avoid the tourists, yet get some really good food.
(5)Ellington W.
I went during lunchtime it was packed. This is a VERY small place. Several people ordered take out hoping a table became available by the time their food was ready. I did the same and got lucky. I had the seafood combo. My fish (2), shrimp (5) and scallops(5.5) tasted fresh and were perfectly cooked. Also came with fries (nothing remarkable) and cole slaw (pretty good). The only thing I wished is that they included cocktail sauce. They may have had it there but I didn't want to leave my food with people literally standing & breathing over me waiting in line and I didn't want to take it with me for fear of losing my seat! I'd definitely go back.
(4)Dave C.
This little hole in the wall is definitely worth the walk. It is on the harbor and is just past The Blue Hill Pavillion. The lobsters were cooked to perfection and the oysters were great. It is a very casual place which adds to it character.
(4)Jennifer A.
I visited Boston about 2 weeks ago and stumbled upon this place. Its a small joint, on the water (in walking distance to the Harpoon Brewery), they have outside seating and inside seating. It's really nothing special, not fancy at all. The food is absolutely amazing, which is why I had to give 5 stars. Very fresh fish, the platters are delicious. The employees are a little crude, particularly the one girl that was ringing us out but to their defense they were busy and she could have been overwhelmed. They also serve beer here too. But please note they do not accept American Express cards (kind of annoying). If I am ever back in the Boston area, I will make sure to stop here again.
(5)Michelle L.
Another day at the conference, another lunch decision. On this day, Yankee Lobster recommended by my colleague who heard it was good from Food Network (Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives). He ordered the cod cake and lobster mac (Guy's faves), while I stuck with the crab cake sandwich with double-fried french fries. I'd already had seafood mac at Mmmac and Cheese, and a lobster roll at Summer Shack, so this time I went with the crabcake. It was pretty good although I've had good crab down in DC/MD of course too. Decent meal, fresh seafood, location not terribly hard to find on foot. A pretty small place, indoor seating limited during lunch rush, although we did get a table outside under the awning (chance of rain).
(4)Rita W.
Stopped here for dinner after hearing that Anthony Bourdain had been here a while back and that the food was excellent. I ordered the stuffed fish dinner that was accompanied by rice and broccoli. Although the fish was fresh and tasty, the topping--"stuffed"--tasted like nothing more than toasted breadcrumbs. Good food but not exceptional. Be prepared to wait a bit to place your order if you arrive around dinner time.
(4)Krista N.
These guys were fantastic. I did some homework on how to bring lobsters back to Arizona and these guys came up first. I walked in and chatted with a great lady who was just hanging out, cleaning and organizing. She sent one of the guys back to package the lobsters. I could have talked with her all day and sat and ate all of their delicious food off their menu, but I was on a mission. When all was said and done, I had 12 chicken lobsters packaged up and ready for the plane for around $12-$13 per lobster which was $5 cheaper than the other place down the street. Here, they don't charge you a ton extra to package them up, where as the other place jacks the prices despite you picking up the lobsters and carrying them on rather than shipping. My one issue, that came later in the day, was that the box started leaking and I had to go buy another box to make sure I could get it on the plane. That kind of sucked because it was last minute and more money on packaging and such, but I don't feel like deducting a star for that - just know to ask about that and make sure they can line the cooler in a plastic bag to prevent the box from breaking down.
(5)Mahsa T.
I only had a few hours on a business trip to see and eat my way through Boston and happened to be lucky enough to be located close to this little jem. Yankee Lobster is not fancy, you order at the counter and find your own table, but the food will knock your socks off. I ordered the seafood I crave most--and that is a big old lobster roll. This one came with a heaping helping of lobster. Well worth the wait, as it did take a long time to come out of the kitchen and I was getting antsy. Served cold with mayo and cole slaw. Delicious. Good fries too. Stop in here if ever in Boston.
(5)M I.
This place is fantastic, I don't think I left even a small crumb on the plate. Three of us had the lobster roll, one had the lobster bisque and fish sandwich. The lobster roll is out of this world - huge chunks of lobster with the right amount of additives to make a great lobster roll. Co-diner remarked, the lobster bisque was the best he'd ever had. Overall, great food!!! There was a line and we waited for 30 minutes to order our food, it is counter service, not table service...well worth the wait also. About a 10 minute walk from the convention center.
(5)Laura S.
Ordered everything people said to order: Lobster roll Fries Clam chowdah Crab cake It was all meh. I took several buses and such to get here and it was OK. Very overhyped. Food: OK Service: They were kinda standard. They just got my order and standard. Location: Very random standalone restaurant in the middle of nowhere. Ambiance: Small restaurant. Cozy. Overall: Overhyped.
(3)Janey T.
The fried clam strip appetizers were delicious and so was the warm lobster roll. A friend had the baked stuffed haddock special which was a huge piece of fish and he really enjoyed it. It's not a fancy place but traffic In and out was steady. The guys working and serving were all very nice. I'll be back, for sure.
(4)Tanya K.
Came here based on the reviews and really wanted some seafood. It's a really little place, but they do have some outdoor seating available. I ordered the clam chowder and lobster roll. While it was good, it was very expensive at $27 for those two things and a soda. I probably would have given it more stars had it not been so pricey!
(4)John J.
I never get tired of this place. On the way back from Logan last week I was lucky enough to get a meter near the Seaport Hotel. I quickly walked over to Yankee lobster and ordered the clam chowder. The place was packed and there was a table with one chair near the door, so I was in luck. It had been a while since I had the chowder so I was enjoying every bite. I took a picture and put it on facebook and my gf reminded me to bring some home. It was a warm evening so I walked in back of Liberty Wharf and around The Commonwealth Pier, which in my opinion has the best harbor view. Stop by Yankee Lobster and try out the chowder or fish stew. It is the best in Boston. And don't forget to bring some home for your significant other.
(5)Kristen D.
Pretty sure Yankee Lobster makes my favorite lobster roll. Went here last weekend on a Saturday night and waited in a significantly longer line than I was expecting, but I already knew it was worth the wait, so we stayed. They had someone working there standing outside to find out from people if they wanted to sit inside (tight space) or outside (chilly night) and let them know about how long their wait was going to be. After standing for about 20 minutes, he asked if we wanted an outside table that had just opened up, so we took that and got to go inside and order right then. After we ordered, it was about 10 more minutes until our food was ready. The lobster rolls are overflowing with nice, big pieces of lobster meat, dressed in a very light mayo with some celery. It also comes with fries and cole slaw. Some might think $20 is a lot for a lobster roll, but it is definitely worth it. I think i'll have to give the lobster rolls a break next time and actually try something else on their menu - to be continued.
(4)Shawn d.
Fresh, waterside seafood is a favorite summer treat of mine and this place did not disappoint (except that they were out of fried clams). I opted for the fish sandwich. They have a good batter and delicious, crisp fries. I would definitely eat here again.
(4)R A.
Not impressed. I heard they had a pretty good lobster roll. I went with the hot lobster roll. I'd give it a 6. There was a decent amount of lobster but it wasn't amazing. I was also a bit surprised on the cleanliness factor of the restaurant. That was closer to a 2. Will I go back? No way. Much better places in the area.
(2)Tin P.
Found this place on Yelp as we are about to head to Harpoon Brewery next door. Note that I have been craving Lobster year after year. This time in Boston I am looking for the best lobster roll around.... and Thanks Lord that Yankee Lobster has not disappointed me. A truly wonderful place to enjoy not only lobster but also other Seafood dishes! YUM! My girlfriend and I stop by this place. She got the fried Talapia/ Calamari and I got the infamous lobster roll. Do not need to say much about the lobster roll, well not roll, just the Lobster. It is sweet, fresh, delectable piece of meat. It exploded in my mouth, just Oh So Good feeling. So happy to be here! Not yet, I then tried my gf's tilapia, oh so fresh and mouth watering. It was a delicious fish I ever had. I would actually recommend this over lobster since you can get lobster any day here but this Tilapia, freaking Tilapia, only offered here on Special occasion. If you see it, then get it! After all, I gave Yankee Lobster Fish Market a 4 stars! A wonderful place to enjoy Lobster and Seafood.
(4)S G.
Great lobster roll! Just the way I like it. Seafood is fresh. Parking is convenient and staff is friendly.
(5)Luke K.
One of the hotel employees suggested Yankee when we asked him where his go-to food spot was. I had the lazy mans lobster and it was delicious! My wife had the lobster bisque and she liked to too. I didn't think the fries would be anything special but they were exceptional. The deli-like environment is cool but also tends to make it feel a little crowded. The food was awesome though!
(4)Kristyn V.
This place is not at all what I expected! It's a little hole in the wall seafood place. The staff was very friendly and the food delicious. We split the lobster mac and cheese, clam strips and clam chowder. The portions were quite generous and the price was great. It is very cold out so the seafood isn't really in season but everything was fresh. I'd love to come back in the summer!
(5)Jennifer C.
This is my absolute favorite place to get deep fried clam bellies!!!! SOOOOOOO GOOD. I've tried them at multiple places around NE and no one does it like Yankee Lobster. Also their chowders are delicious and priced very well! Once I got the lobster bisque and it didn't have much lobster in it, so I let them know and they took some lobster for the sandwiches and gave it to me, yummmmmm!
(5)Darwin G.
This little joint is out of the way in Boston, but thankfully, it was the closest place by the beer festival at the convention center I was going to. The most expensive sandwich I've paid for, but I'm glad I did pay for that $18 lobster roll. It had tons of large chunks of fresh lobster without much mayonnaise to ruin it. It also came with a side of fries. The clam chowder was also some of the best I've had. Light, yet creamy. Lots of fresh seafood, but also perfectly spiced. Definitely check it out, if you're in the area.
(5)Kylie H.
Everything is delicious here! Lobster roll, whole lobster, mac n cheese, clam chowder. So good, prices are reasonable & it's very quick!
(4)Jen F.
I love Yankee Lobster! Personally, I think it's the best lobster roll in Boston. Also, they have amazing service. Last summer I had my parents in town to visit me from Wisconsin & I took them to Yankee Lobster for some yummy seafood. It was late night on a Saturday and we were waiting for our food and found out there was some confusion with the order so we never ended up receiving it. The staff was very accommodating to us and very apologetic for the confusion, which wasn't entirely their fault. This place always has great food and service and I am really grateful to everyone on staff that night that helped us out so my family could have a good experience in Boston, amidst the confusion.
(5)Ed D.
Great spot for great seafood. Line goes very fast, and service and prices are perfect.
(5)Sweet N.
I was not impress with the fried fish, calamari or lobster roll. Everything lack seasoning and the fish and calamari seemed to be cooked in something other than fresh oil. :( However, the oysters were fresh and the staff was nice. The seating area is tight. I might go back but to try the lobster and crabs.
(3)Katrina D.
Tried out the Yankee Lobster Co today and it was amazing! Best lobster roll I've had in a long time! We got one hot roll and one cold roll and shared them. Each roll had about 4 claws and also nice chunks of tail meat to help overflow the bun. It was so much lobster the bun was lost, as a bread lover I wish the bun was bigger as it was buttery and delicious, but who can complain about too much lobster! The rolls were $18.99 for cold and $19.99 for hot. We also got a clam chowder, it was creamy and just the right temperature to dig in when served. Dining room is small with about 10 tables and also about 10 outside so try to go at an off time! We went at 2:30 on a hot day and got the last table inside but the outside was pretty open, by the time we left the outside was full though around 3:00!! Very good we will definitely be back!
(5)Lori H.
Crab rolls just as good as I remembered. Sweet crab meat with no fillers and very little mayo. Tried the clam chowder this time too. Not too creamy and enough clam meat. I always drop by for a crab roll when I'm in town.
(5)Virginia M.
Off the beaten path crab shack. Not much to look at and service is polite but abrupt, but this place has a seriously good lobster roll, with lots of delicious meat! I ordered a hot roll with french fries and a cup of the lobster bisque, while my husband enjoyed the chowder and fish & chips. Having tried both soups and despite being a serious lover of lobster bisque, I would opt for the chowder here. Bisque flavor was a bit off, but had plenty of juicy lobster meat inside. My husband's fish was extremely light and flaky, the kind that melts in your mouth. The batter was just right. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a no-frills dining experience in Boston! The place was packed at 1:30 on a Sunday, so I'm guessing many others would agree.
(4)Jason M.
Decent seafood stop, be prepared to wait a while. In a landscape where more and more places are changing to prepackaged chowder that taste like paste, Yankee Lobster is keeping it real. This is amazing clam chowder, one of the best that I've ever have. It is well worth the wait and travel to have a bowl of it. The fish is your decent average fish. The fries are gross and I threw most of mine away. The cole slaw is nothing to write home about.
(3)Paul G.
This place gets zero stars. Myself and a few co-workers decided to give this place a try. It smelled of old, rotten fish. With eight people behind the counter we thought service would be quick for a lobster roll, clam roll, and scallop roll. Think again. Twenty minutes we waited, and we were the only customers in the joint (maybe that should have sent a message). The lobster roll was all scrap meat. The scallop roll consisted of 5 scallops in a small hot dog roll, and the clam roll left a lot to be desired as well. All this and the price helped drain our pockets. $16 clam roll, $18 scallop roll and a $20 lobster roll. Next time we'll just go to Lamberts in Dorchester. Or, maybe take a ride to NYC for one of their $30 hot dogs. At least you know what you're in for.
(1)Geri V.
Got the calamari is the first word that came to mind was "butttaaa" it was soooo fresh that it just melted in my mouth... No chewiness just fresh! Fried to perfection !! The lobster roll had tons of meat.. Bread was perfectly toasted.. Not too much mayo and seasoned just right.. Not too much salt.. They have brew, a outside patio.. Just great! And it's right next to harpoon brewery!!!
(5)Lauren B.
Food: The food was definitely good, and fresh. We got the fish and chips, lobster roll, and stuffed haddock. The fish was nicely fried, and fell apart (in a good way) when I started into it. Nothing special about the fries, and tartar sauce was standard. My friend was happy but not stoked about the haddock. My friend who got the lobster roll was over the moon about its flavor - the downside was the size: the "wrap" is just a toasted hot dog bun, and the lobster is piled on top. I know lobster is expensive, but it seemed a little skimpy for the $19 price tag. The star of the show here is really the seafood, as it should be, but the other components of the meal (fries, rolls, rice) seemed neglected. Price: Reasonable for seafood, though (as mentioned) the very popular lobster roll was a little overpriced for the hotdog sized amount you get. Ambiance: A little cramped inside, and a standard outdoor seating area (also a bit cramped). All in all, you're coming here for fresh seafood right on the water at a reasonable price, but not anything more than that.
(4)Fred M.
Small little low key place down the street from the upscale places in the new thriving Seaport area, BUT One of the best chowders I've ever had, as good a lobster roll as I've had anywhere in the world, outstanding huge non-greasy fried clams, really tasty french fries. Best meal I had in a 9 day trip to Boston and I ate at some of the city's finest. NOT TO MISS!
(5)Lauriane W.
I've been going here for years, and their the best!! I've gotten so use to their jumbo lobsters, I don't mess with any other place. Depending on the season there's no where around here wher u can get a 6lb lobster for around $6.99 -$8.99lbs. Staff is always so pleasant. Best part is catching the warehouse when it's open and picking out your own lobster from the tank!
(5)J B.
Great place to get fresh lobsters, fish, and shellfish. The guys working behind the counter are very friendly and helpful. The only reason why I am giving a 4-star, rather than a 5, is due to the sub-par stuffie they sold me. No chorizo flavor; it was void of any flavor actually. I'll now know for my next visit.
(4)Jeff R.
Looked for while to try and find somewhere to eat that was less stuffy than Ostra. Yankee was recommended by someone who used to live in Boston. Had the fried scallops and a beer. Awesome little place that we otherwise would never have found.
(4)Lauren M.
Cute little restaurant. The food came out quickly and tasted great. I thought we would have a view of the water, but we sat inside. The lobster roll was why I came to the restaurant and it was on point. The fries were great too.
(5)J B.
Go here!! Had the lobster roll and a cup of clam chowder. Chowder was amazing. lobster roll was excellent, but could have used a pinch of salt. Only bad thing about this place were the fries that came with the lobster roll. They sucked. I would rather pay an extra buck or two for hand cut fries.
(5)Willie S.
My wife and I dined here last evening. In summary it was good but not great. The place is a tiny "dive" which in general I like. However the place is within 10 feet of a traffic circle. We ate outside and the traffic and the accompanying notice was aweful. The food which was all fried was OK but nothing special.
(3)Heather M.
Stopped here with a friend during vacation. They have their own parking lot with ample parking (very rare in this city). We got the crab cakes which were spectacular (hardly any breading/stuffing and all crab), lobster mac and cheese (good but I didn't think it was all that for how expensive it was) and lobster rolls (very good with a sprinkle of old bay). Limited indoor seating but lots of outdoor tables. If your bringing a small kid bring your own high chair.
(4)Chris J.
Fantastic lobster roll. Not a lot of tables here, but fast service and great food. No reservations here, but you don't really need them. Awesome seafood! Had a perfect lobster roll yesterday.
(4)hank k.
crab roll was just okay. wished i tried the lobster roll. clam steamers were great. place was super crowded and hard to find a seat and had to clean the table off myself and you bus your own table at the end.
(3)Mark R.
Came here while visiting Boston because of the great reviews. I was not disappointing. Their seafood is fresh and reasonably priced. Would definitely recommend.
(5)LittleAsianGirl W.
The lobster roll is great here. You get a lot of fresh lobster meat. Steamers are also fresh and taste sweet. Must try.
(4)Gigi L.
i walked in the rain for 30minutes for the lobster roll here. Yankee was on my list of lobster rolls to try in Boston so i thought it was going to be worth it. Sadly, I can't say I was satisfied. The taste was just not there for me. Although there was tons of lobster, there wasn't any flavor. I was anticipating succulent sweet pieces of lobster, but it was just bland. At the end of the day, I'm glad I came here so that I could have it crossed off my list. But I don't think i wanna come back for the roll... but maybe for the mac & cheese...
(2)Robert C.
Excellent, low key restaurant with incredible lobster rolls and chowder. Not exactly inexpensive but well worth it for the fresh seafood and shellfish.
(4)Frank C.
I had dinner here tonight with a friend and it was a big disappointment. We have been coming here for years and often call ahead an order of baked stuffed lobsters. Usually the experience has been great- attentive service, tasty lobsters, warm people. Tonight was the opposite... We called in an order of two baked stuffed Lobsters to eat there. When we came in they brought out a container with two baked stuffed lobsters packed "to go." There was no butter, corn on the cob, fries or cole Slaw. We wanted to eat it there, so that we did. When we asked a server why the corn, fries, etc. weren't a part of the order, he claimed that this wasn't what we ordered - when in fact it was. He insisted we could order this corn, fries, etc now and pay extra money for it- not cool, we were clear on the phone. Their error would make you think they would have then provided these extra items free of charge as it was included, but not so. Service has gone downhill since last year. We will not be coming back despite years of good experiences - tonight's meal killed it.
(1)Mike L.
Should you have the occasion to travel to Boston and don't go here and get their lobster roll, you're wasting your time. Fan. Damn. Tastic.
(5)Mana K.
This place is a homie type of fastfood/ restaurant near the port. Compared to other restaurants nearby, their prices are reasonable and most importantly they have so many different kinds of dishes. I had the fried oyster roll and my friends had clam chowder, lobster chowder, lobster Mac and cheese and fish and chips. I definitely recommend the lobster mac and cheese!
(4)Tina Z.
i stopped for a bite to eat before attending a concert at the Blue Hills Pavilion. I had the BEST lobster roll ever. This is a little dive with a line out the door. They make fresh fish entrees that you can dine in, if you can find a table, or take out.
(5)Nicki S.
Delicious. Half hour into Boston trip and we are hungry. Prices shocking initially but the seafood is top notch and worth it. I had lobster roll. Lots of lobster, not faux lobster salad. And hubby had swordfish. I had a bite and he got the better meal.
(5)Jacko J.
Fresh, good portions and good prices. Loster mac n cheese and fried clams are top notch. Local tip: eat here, drink at Barking Crab.
(4)Jason C.
DISCLAIMER: I hate and avoid long reviews but I need to vent about the restaurants I failed to get seated at. Being from out of town, I really wanted to take my girlfriend out on a nice date to a seafood spot in Boston. We were staying in South Boston so I originally picked Row 34. When we called, they told us there was a 30 minute wait but by the time we got there, the wait turned to 1.5 hours. We put our names down but we were starving so after vigorously Yelping (as we both started growing weary of our travels), we trekked over to Legal Seafood and Legal Test Kitchen. LTK had a "30 minute wait," with an emphasis on the quotations. We gave them our names and went across the street for Legal Harborside. The bar was open there but the menu was not impressive. They also had the "fine dining" level available but we weren't really up for that this particular evening. And their main dining area had a 2+ hour wait. Not happening. At this point, the gf did not want to walk any further so we went back to LTK and waited on their bench but I wasn't really impressed with their menu and reviews so I asked the gf to look thru the menu and pick out what she wanted. What we realized was we wanted seafood-the no frills kind. This place was full of gimmicky seafood from Chinese cuisines to Mexican to American, and the list goes on. Me, being a typical NYer/hater, I was already suspecting a disappointing meal so when my gf finally decided she didn't see anything she liked, we walked over to Yankee Lobster Fish Market. After a short walk, we walked in to make our orders. The wait to order was about 10 mins and we had a table saved so that went pretty swift. The order-taker was pretty straightforward and helpful when ordering. We ended up getting the twin lobsters, 2 stuff clams and clam chowder, along with Harpoons (which are made right up the street). The two lobsters (1.25lbs each) were pretty darn good. It came with 1/2 corn on cob and fries which I did not expect. The stuffed clams were nothing to write home about and the clam chowder, while good, was not as good as some I've had outside of New England (Buffalo, NY & SF). I didn't really get any clams in the soup but maybe we can blame that on the EOD serving. Overall, Yankee was exactly the type of seafood joint we were looking for. Blue collar, bib-wearing, juices flying everywhere type of meal. If I could do it all over again, I'd hope we could've gotten seated at Row 34 but I thoroughly enjoyed my meal at Yankee as well. PS. I received texts from both Row 34 and LTK while eating my meal and way past the quoted wait time.
(4)Sandra G.
reasonable prices, delicious food.
(5)Christina G.
Hungry after a meeting in the neighborhood, I stumbled upon this place. The name sums it up perfectly: fresh seafood in a no-BS Yankee atmosphere. I had salad with lobster meat (the stuff that comes on the lobster roll, with mayo dressing) and a cup of clam chowder, as well as a local root beer. Salad was excellent--nice-quality greens and big chunks of lobster with just the right amount of mayo. I could definitely taste the salt pork in the chowder and it had a nice texture, thick but not gloopy (gloopy chowder is my pet peeve). I grew up in New England and my standard for a chowder and lobster roll meal in restaurants is whether or not I could make a better one myself. In this case, it's a toss-up, so I'd come back if I were in the neighborhood again. Bonus points for free parking lot on-site.
(4)Julie B.
So happy I was finally able to try Yankee Lobster after passing up countless huge lines. I went on a Friday night around 8 and was able to snag a table after about a 15 minute wait. The staff is friendly, the prices are decent (only slightly on the expensive side) and they have access to some special Harpoon beers on tap. This place has really good, fresh seafood, but not the best I've had in the area (hence the 4 stars). The clam belly meal was plentiful and delicious -- there were TONS of clams and they weren't greasy at all. My boyfriend ordered the lobster roll, which was great and overly stuffed with fresh lobster, but I just don't know how anyone in town can compete with Neptune. Yankee Lobster's a bit annoying to get to but they have a parking lot! So next time you get a seafood craving fire up your zipcar and head over to the seaport for some top notch eats.
(4)Russell T.
Coming from the Gulf Coast I had to try all the local seafood places... I gotta say this place is legit! We had to wait in line about 20-30 minutes to get a table, but it was worth it! The service is very good. Once we placed the order, the employees were very friendly and speedy on getting the food to the table. Food: Awesome. My lobster was steamed perfectly, came with a ton of sides, and it was priced very well! The coleslaw wasn't my favorite, but hey if that's the worst - that's my problem! My friend got a lobster roll, and said it was delicious Price: Great. Lots of food for your money. Final say: Skip everywhere else. Just come here. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Then go to the brewery next door between!
(5)Simon D.
I have to give this restaurant 5 stars, excellent food, excellent service and reasonable price, what else would you want.
(5)Joe G.
I'm from Chicago. Completely unbiased and out of the box perspective. I'm on a lobster roll tour... Yankee lobster is currently #2 on my list. Simply put it's delicious. Lobster was tender and tasty. Portion was the only reason it isn't #1. It came out hot and tasty as hell. Fries are unbelievable. Fish can't be more fresh than Yankee. I like that they put the hot butter on the side too. It's got the best food in seaport area. Most restaurants in seaport are overrated and corporate. Yankee is against the grain and fantastic. Go here
(4)Lorraine O.
Yummmmmmmy! tried the 1.25 lbs of lobster, the corn is fresh, and so the lobster. The lobster roll is also fresh and nice! Clam chowda is good!! And don't have to worry about the parking place!
(5)Amanda L.
Lobster Roll ! Lobster & Mac ! Clam Chowder! All FTW here! Get here early because the line for dinner is out of the door by 6PM!
(5)Meg C.
I'm sure most people order lobster here, which makes sense...but I'm not a huge fan of lobster so I got the fish and chips. I'm somewhat of a fish and chips aficionado, and this one is pretty good! Not too heavy, nicely seasoned, and good skinny fries. The cole slaw has some kind of weird flavor I can't put my finger on. The parking can be tricky and the seating is limited. Otherwise, a solid Boston seafood experience.
(4)Ben S.
If I could give 3.5 stars I probably would. This was a pretty decent place with a young, friendly staff. I had the 2 lb. lobster and the lobster mac & cheese. The two pounder was very fresh and tasty. The mac & cheese tasted funny to me at first, but it grew on me. By the time i was done I wanted more. My wife thought her fried shrimp plate was just ok. I'd come back here to try some of the other seafood dishes if I were in the general area, but I wouldn't go out of my way.
(3)Abe M.
Very unassuming place right on the water. When you walk in, you will notice that seating is very limited, especially if you are a large group. However, the food is really good, and everything tasted fresh, which I expected being right on the water. I dined here two nights in a row. On the first night, I had the clam strip basket. It was perfect. The second night I ordered the fish and chips. Again, it was very good. The only thing i would have asked for is a bit more seasoning in the batter. Many in my group ordered the lobster roll dinner. They said it was delicious. So lets see, the words i used to describe this place were...."fresh, delicious, and perfect". I think its worth a visit.
(4)Terry C.
I went there this weekend. Order a lobster roll, I mean it's pretty good but the price is like 20 bucks. But lobster there is fresh because it s near the pier. So I guess they can get it pretty fresh. Food wise it s good price wise it's pretty expensive.
(4)Sri H.
Uf you want to have lobster, then this is the only place to go. Old place nothing changes small and big queee. Food is pricy and good. Very small place and seats discomfortly.
(4)Andrew N.
Very few seating but the food here is quick. Don't expect a long wait and the soda here is delicious. The harpoon brewery is the next block over!
(5)Scott P.
I had high hopes for this place based on the Yelp reviews, and it did not fail to deliver. Now, for those that are from the NE coast or even Bah-ston itself realize my Yelp home is ferrr inland, so my experience on this type of venue is a little limited. I've seen a host of reviews commenting on the cost of this place being high, but I found that to be opposite, no where in my life have I been able to buy a lobster bisque for $4.99 that had huge chunks of fresh lobster in it... and consider the location folks, this is in prime real estate. I thought the whole menu was so reasonable that I did a fried platter, and shrimp cocktail in addition and I don't recall being out more than 27$ for the experience, which I think is a feat - I fed myself and shared part of my plates with two others. Now maybe pricing changes for dinner, I dunno, but the menu "chalkboard" behind the counter is huge and looked pretty set. This place has limited seating so coming in on off hours is advised, or be prepared to just stand and wait hovering over people for a table. If it's summer you are in better luck as there was an outdoor area which almost triples the size of the seating. You know a place is good when it's 40 and windy out and someone takes that route.... Friendly people working the counter were patient and helpful. However it was off hours, and this place does a ton of business. I did not personally eat the lobster roll, but I wish I had. It was huuuuuge! A colleague got it and was doing the "it's so amazing" moan the whole time. My meal was fantastic however, very fresh, large portions, and the cocktail sauce was perfect. This place is not a far walk at all from anywhere in the harborfront area so I would say hit it up if you are doing the Harpoon tour or staying at one of the hotels in the harbor front.
(5)Laurie J.
Simply put-amazing. I can not believe how fresh their fish is. Well what would I expect they are located in the marine terminal for goodness sake! They have amazing selection of local fish-haddock, lobster, oysters, scallops. I highly recommend the clam chowder (best I have ever had) and baked haddock with stuffing. If you ask nicely they will give you half and half of anything. This place is a gem!
(5)Yukiko S.
I found the food to be very fresh; however, I felt that everything was under salted. Fresh food, but bland. Delicious lobster rolls, but on the bland side.
(4)Hodor Z.
Just bland. Tried their hot lobster rolls, was ok. It was barely warm and really small. While only $20, it's not comparable to Neptune's lobster rolls. Not even in the same league. Their clam chowder is too fishy and too liquidy. There was a very strong smell of fish coming from the chowda and it wasn't very pleasant. Didn't finish it. Their blackened salon is better than their lobster rolls. There is limited parking but its expected, their seating is minimal but so is everyone's. The are is great though.
(3)David P.
Great place! Lobster roll is top notch. Fish and chips were fantastic. Fish stew is incredible. Only complain is the clam chowder has bacon, which ruins what would be a great clam chowder experience for pescetarians and for all who don't eat pork, without seemingly adding much to the dish, given the high quality of the clams that most people would presumably like to be tasting. Can't go wrong here.
(5)Christine D.
Sure, its small. It's a hole in the wall joint turning out some of the best food i have ever had. You place your order at the counter and before you know it, absolute deliciousness arrives at your table and your life is forever changed. At least that's what happened to me. Went at 3:30pm on a weekday, walked right in, no wait what-so-ever. The tables were clean and there was only one other party there. Ordered the fried scallops, a cup of clam chowder and the steamed lobster dinner. Oh, and a pitcher of beer. The total, I want to say was around $70 for everything, tip included (and I tip generously). First out was the clam chowder, it was the best i have ever had. It even triumphed the chowder's I've had on the west coast. It was rich, and fresh and loaded with clams. It was my first time having fried scallops and, holy crap, what have i been missing!? Large scallops battered/fried and completely not- greasy, served piping hot with a lemon. After that was the main event, the lobstah! A huge lobster, which may have been caught when i ordered it, fries, corn on the cob, coleslaw and of course the clarified butter! In no time i was tearing the lobster apart like it was one of the best things i have ever eaten. Mainly because it was. In all seriousness, this went down in my book as one of the best meals iv'e ever had. I have eaten at some amazing restaurants across the country and i can not say i have ever had a lobster that tasted this fresh. I do not think a day has gone by since that i haven't day dreamed about this food and when i can have it again.
(5)Brittny B.
Tiny tiny tiny, but very delicious! We got the lobster roll (my firs time trying one) and of course a heaping bowl of clam chowder. The chowder was amazing! We tried multiple bowls during our trip and I have to say this was my favorite out of those tried. The lobster roll was pretty good, I found that I am not a fan of big chunks of lobster, so I can't say it wasn't good, just that I wouldn't spend 18$ on it again.. my boyfriend on the other hand.. said it was awesome! So give it a try! This place is worth it!
(4)jeanette j.
Changing my review to 4 stars because I had a lobster roll from James cook and co. And the meat was so chewy I realized that the roll from Yankee was so much more succulent that It made me change my review. I've still had better but not yet in Boston. Yankee is small with About 10 tables inside and some outside. There's direct parking for your car so that's always a plus. I will post more reviews about lobster rolls at other spots in the next few days since I am in Boston for a few and will eat at least a lobster roll per day! I went to Maine 2 years back and must say so far the rolls there topped this one, but it's only the beginning. We took our order to go. There were no utensils provided for our coleslaw or ketchup and napkins. Kinda mediocre service, but I guess people go for the novelty since this is rated one of the best ones. I'm hoping i come across a roll that's better or I will be disappointed with Boston. The amount of lobster was there, just lacked something I can't exactly put my finger on.
(4)Nicole B.
Although getting to Yankee Lobster feels like going to the edge of the Earth (really just the wharf), it is absolutely worth it! Yankee Lobster is the best alternative to eating at more centrally located, but overpriced, seafood restaurants in Boston. Sipping a cool Harpoon beer (the brewery is right next door!) while demolishing a lobster roll is basically summer personified! The fried claim strips are also amazing!
(5)Bethany M.
Great prices and amazing seafood!! I had a hard time choosing what I wanted from the menu, but I settled on the Jersey Fish sandwich and was not disappointed!
(5)Alice W.
A seafood lovers delight! Nice casual atmosphere with several beers on draft. They have everything from fried seafood platters to baked stuffed scallops to steamed lobsters. The clam chowder was one of the best I've ever had. I could tell they used a good amount of clam juice in the chowder, and I had a clam with just about every spoon of the chowder. The lobster roll came with a side of fries and cole slaw. The lobster roll was filled full of lobster, so they definitely didn't skimp on the lobster meat. However, the lobster in the roll could have used a bit more seasoning or salt to make it more flavorful. They have very fresh seafood, and I would come back for more chowder and to try other stuff on the menu.
(4)Katie B.
My friends and I walked to Yankee while we were waiting for our Harpoon Brewery Tour (2-minute walk from Yankee), and I'm so glad we did! I had been in Boston for two days and had yet to experience a lobster roll -- so tragic. We had heard Yankee was the place to go, and it did not disappoint! I had never had a real lobster roll before, but this one was PACKED with meat. The restaurant is pretty small, so be prepared to wait in line.
(4)Amy E.
Enjoyed fish and chips and a large Sam Octoberfest before the Avett Brothers show last night. Sat outside and the weather was perfect. Other fans told us that the Brothers themselves sat at our very table earlier that night. Clean bathrooms and reasonable prices for the area. Service was quick for a pre-concert meal.
(4)Tiffany C.
Came to Yankee Lobster all the way from Delaware. Had the crab cake sandwich, thought it was great! The fries were super crispy and delicious too. Also tried some of my friend's lobster roll, it was simple but savory. All in all, a very good experience!
(4)Julia J.
I bought live lobster from this place in the past summer as I like to cook it myself, and it was very fresh and tasty. The price is the same as James & Hook, but it's a lot better than JH. Although the wait is a little bit long, I would come back again next time!
(5)Naomi B.
Pros: - Fried seafood is delish. We tried the clams and scallops. My partner enjoys the lobster roll because they don't use a lot of mayo. - Fries and onion rings are tasty and crispy - Free parking - On the waterfront (no view) - Service is prompt Cons: - Not many places to sit inside. - Bathrooms could use a clean. - Ordering at the counter can be awkward if it's busy
(4)Chasity M.
I'm in Boston for a week and I have a list of lobster rolls to try - one for every day. I went to Yankee on Day 1 and was sorely disappointed. In reading these reviews, it looks like people love this place either because it was on Food Network (which I didn't know about) or because they've never had a decent lobster roll before. First - the food. The fries were GREAT! Thin, crispy and well flavored without being too salty. The cole slaw was ok, it would have been better had it been cooler rather than room temp. The lobster roll....no way. The lobster had no flavor. It was neither sweet nor buttery and was a bit tough. Maybe they boiled or overcooked it? Plus, the chunks were too big for a lobster roll. I had several that were 4-5 inches long. So I had to take a lot of my meat out, cut it into smaller chunks and put it back into the sandwich. It had a little mayo, just the right amount, but nothing else to season, and the sandwich really needed it with the flavorless lobster. Mine was also WARM - not hot or cold (you can order it either way), so I think it must have sat out for awhile. Just totally lacking in flavor all-around and definitely not worth $21. Now....on to the service. HORRIBLE!! I went in the afternoon to avoid crowds, and the small restaurant was about half full at all times. There was also never a line of more than two people, so I can't blame any of this on them being busy. I sat outside and watched several tables who arrived after me get their food, eat, and even leave. After almost 30 minutes of this, I went inside and asked about my food & was told it was coming. When another table that had just arrived got their food, I asked the waitress about my food & she said she would go in and check on it. I never heard back. After almost FORTY minutes !!!! a waiter brought food out and I told him I had been waiting over 30 minutes for a roll and are they sure my order hadn't gotten lost. He went in and came back a few minutes later with my food. Now, you can order your roll either hot or cold. Mine was neither, it was room temp / warm which made it pretty disgusting. I'm thinking that it was just on the counter and forgotten about or something. No apologies or anything like that from the staff - I guess I should have just felt lucky that I got my food! If I had it to do over again, I would have asked for my money back after the 30 minute wait and gone down the street to Legal. My husband had a client dinner there last night and said it was outstanding.
(1)Grace M.
really great new england fare! it's just solid all-around. i'd give it 5 if the fries were better, but even still.. :) i think the location makes this place so good b/c it feels like one of those beachside places, super casual and straightforward, yet sits alongside the fancier places by the waterfront. the view is great and it's no-frills while getting the pleasure of the scene.
(4)Debbie L.
Delicious! Lobster roll and swordfish wrap we're both excellent. The service was great and I am definitely eating there again! You have to check this place out! The food is fresh and tasty!!
(5)Audrey D.
LOVED the lobster roll here. Quick, easy, and delicious!
(5)Jessica B.
Mouth-watering, delicious lobster. That is what you will find at Yankee Lobster Fish Market. Pull up and park for free at the lot directly adjacent to the place. Go inside and place your order to dine in or take out. Then you grab a seat at the extremely casual and beachy small indoor room or at tar beach next door. Tar beach refers to paved city roofs where people hang out for a tan. In this case, it is actually a paved, small, enclosed lot where you grab a table and they bring you your food. If you could see water from the dining area, it would be heaven. As it is, use your imagination or just close your eyes and eat. I had lobster over a salad, a shrimp cocktail and a UFO. My husband had the chowder and a lobster roll. The lobster on my salad and the chowder were way up there, some of the best I have ever had. It was truly outstanding. The shrimp cocktail was less impressive taste-wise. It had about 15 medium sized shrimp. My husband gave the lobster roll 3.5 stars. If you want a fancy restaurant, this is not the place for you, but for delicious, delicious lobster that you can eat in and pretend you're at the beach or take out, I don't think it can be beat.
(4)Lisa S.
On my quest to find my favorite lobster roll in Boston, I finally made it to Yankee Lobster today! Disclaimer: we went to Yankee Lobster after going to the Harpoon Brewery, so this review may be biased due to the large quantity of beer consumed. We went inside, and there were about 8-10 tables. You ordered at the counter, and the menu was actually more extensive than I expected. My friend ordered the lobster roll ($17) and a small clam chowder ($3.75). I ordered a lobster roll ($17) and 2 crabcakes ($7). They also had Sam Adams and Harpoon beers on tap, and bottles of beer as well. The tables were basic, and there were pictures of Yankee Lobster's history on the walls. The restaurant had no frills, but was clean. We ordered at the counter and then sat down to wait for our food. They take all credit cards except AmEx. We got the last open table, but the other tables turned over pretty quick as we sat there. The food came out after only a few minutes. The crabcakes were lighter than other ones I've had, and were delicious. The lobster roll was served on a hot dog roll, and had so much lobster in it that the lobster was spilling over. It was the perfect size and absolutely tasty. The roll came with french fires that were just okay- not bad, not amazing. I didn't taste the clam chowder, but my friend said it was some of the best clam chowder he's ever had. Everything tasted fresh. Yankee Lobster was one of my favorite seafood meals so far in Boston, and definitely one of the best lobster rolls for the money! Overall, a great experience and I'll definitely be back!
(5)Eric B.
Went here with a group of people from work. Staff seemed very unorganized in taking our order which by the way, you order at the counter and they bring the food to to the table when it's ready asking who ordered what. Had the standard "favorite" Lobster roll which was really nothing special. Lobster salad tasted like it was made a least a day or two earlier which did not make for a very fresh tasting sandwich, It's served with the cheapest frozen french fries imaginable which did nothing to accompany the dish, and a very small side of coleslaw. For $19 + tax and 6.75 for a small 12oz beer, this clearly didn't impress me. But what really topped it off since we were a party of 10 was, they added a 15% gratuity even though we ordered our own food at the counter. Save your money and go someplace else. THIS IS A RIP-OFF JOINT.
(1)Delores T.
Great food and great price! I ordered take out from this place. I really enjoyed the food. The people over there are very friendly and helpful for customizing of my order. I would recommend the scallops. It was very delicious!
(5)Theresa M.
Delicious and convenient! The place is generally busy, but you can usually grab a table to eat and enjoy your meal. I have been here twice and both times I have loved it. The prices are fair and they have some parking behind the building which is a nice addition. Located in a fabulous area of Boston this is definitely one of my favorite spots before venturing forth to other activities on the Waterfront.
(5)Kenny C.
Stopped by this place while visiting family, and i just wanted to post that this place has amazing chowder, Lobster Mac and Cheese, and lobster rolls. We will be back
(5)Sara P.
I went here with my boyfriend and ordered steamers and fish and chips. The food was so fresh and the portions were big and the staff was very friendly. We had a great time and definitely would go back. We then went to Harpoon Brewery afterwards.
(5)Monica A.
Very good, very fresh lobster roll. Not a lot of mayo at all, not even in the coleslaw. It was some of the purest tasting lobster and cole slaw I have ever had. And the fries! Oh my goodness the fries were done to perfection...extra crispy and not greasy at all! Delightful!
(4)Lorrie M.
Hello Lobster, I'm going to eat you. At Yankiee Lobster Fish Market. Don't go in the back because the smell of fish will literally overwhelm you. I thought I knew what it smelled like because I grew up in China and spend a lot of time at 99 ranch (Asian supermarkets) where the stink of Fish runs through the entire store from their fresh fish tanks and fish killing stations. My goodness how unprepared I was. Anyway, the food was delicious and in my opinion pretty well priced (I think the lobster roll was only around $18?) quite a bit cheaper than what you can find here on the west coast. The lobster roll was filled to the top, the coleslaw was ... ok but the lobster was fresh and extremely well seasoned (or just salted or steamed?) and the fries were yummy as well. Their shrimp cocktail was pretty delicious too but I felt like the shrimp was a bit overcooked. This is definitely a cute little shack and I would recommend a "hike" here since it is further away from town, or just come here when you're looking to take a tour at Harpoon Brewery!
(4)Jennifer E.
This place was recommended by my brother who ate here the day before I got to Boston. It was walking distance from our hotel (Seaport hotel) which was great. We got here after our flight from Chicago and we haven't had a proper breakfast and lunch so we came very hungry. I got the combo #1 and my hubby got the fish and chips (plus UFO beer). It was soooo good especially when you're hungry like us because it just hit the spot. We could barely walk back to our hotel room lol. Definitely recommended for seafood lovers :)
(5)Gary B.
We walked in and there was a long line. It moved so fast that I was amazed; a place like this normally would have you waiting far longer. It's kind of packed, so seating isn't easy, but there are a lot of seats outside, and enough people take food to go. The food was EXCELLENT. Seriously, this is what it's supposed to taste like. When I walked back to the rest room, past the prep areas, you can smell the sea... this stuff is incredibly fresh. The prices were nice, too. Totally worth going.
(4)Timothy W.
We were looking for a good seafood lunch before hitting up the Harpoon Brewery. Yankee Lobster is about a block away, they have a small eating area on the front of their warehouse. It was pretty full the day we stopped in, we had to sit 3 of us at a table for 2. We shared a lobster bisque for app, which was awesome. Thick and creamy and full of lobster meat. One of the better lobster bisques that I have ever had. DW went with the lobster roll and found it ok, she likes a little more mayo on her lobster roll but she enjoyed it none the less. I went with a shrimp basket. The shrimps were nicely fried, not too much batter and no hint of grease. The one thing we both disliked were the fries, they seemed like a worse version of the nasty fries you get at Burger King. The seafood was solid so we didn't let it ruin the meal. Would visit this place again the next time we're in Boston.
(4)Hyunu K.
Well not going to sugar coat it and say its amazing because the dude with the highlighted hair thinks its awesome too but i just had to check it out and see for myself. I was walking back from Harpoon brewery which is right next door to it and wanted to see how the chowdah was. Well pretty much the best chowder that i have every had since I have been here so far. Was kind of disappointing because it didn't come in a bread bowl but still the flavor was was incomparable. Great authentic vibe to the place and would highly recommend checking it out and grabbing anything from the fish and chips to the chowdah!
(5)Mike B.
I have been so excited to try this place! I love macaroni and cheese and adding lobster to that - how could you go wrong?! Well.. it can go wrong and they have done it. This was listed on Triple D as the best lobster Mac and Cheese? Really? I honestly couldn't finish it. WAY too much Old Bay seasoning - tasted like I was licking it right out of the can. The only reason this isn't a one star is because the people were great, I love the secluded location, and the place is just kind of cool... I hope I was there on just a bad day, but if I ever want to go back... I'll just get out a can of Old Bay Seasoning and a spoon.
(2)Vanessa K.
$18 for a lobster roll. It was good, but definitely really small. I recommend Alive & Kicking if you want a good lobster roll (sandwich) which is completely more affordable. The clam chowder was too thick and didn't have enough clams. The fish and chips were okay, lightly battered but too salty. Too far for the food.
(3)Ethan K.
Reasonable place to eat delicious seafood in Boston. Small but clean and nice setting, friendly staff. I ordered something like a mixed fried seafood platter, was very tasty. They serve beer too. Would certainly recommend.
(5)Lynne B.
Excellent seafood, not greasy, & light coating if you are ordering fried. This is probably my favorite seafood spot! Parking is extremely convenient (directly on the side of the building). There is indoor, and outdoor seating. Yankee lobster is a small place- no hostess, find your own table, and no waiters (that I can remember). They also sell special order MASSIVE lobsters. Awesome place. I highly recommend, and its in a beautiful area to take a nice stroll or grab a couple beers after you eat. Enjoy!
(5)Jennifer T.
This is a nice hidden gem if you're in the seaport district, close to the Bank of America Pavilion. Its an order-at-the-counter kind of place, with limited seating; although we were able to snag a table, it seems it'd be nicer once the weather gets warmer, and there are more outdoor seating options. We ordered the lobster roll and a friend haddock plate. The lobster roll was brimming with lobster, and I'm always a fan when it isnt overly doused in mayo, so it was perfect. The fried haddock was perfectly fried, didnt feel greasy and the batter was just a nice thin layer. I also was a fan of how they seasoned their fries too. Only thing missing about this place would be a park bench view of the ocean.
(5)Marlecka M.
You can get better lobster rolls somewhere else in Boston. But since we were craving, we settled here. It's funny because we enjoyed their fries more than the entrees. I had a bite of the lobster roll, there are better lobster rolls in Maine and cheaper btw. I ordered the Lobster Mac and cheese, which was heavy and a bit bland. There's a good amount of lobster in it just... bland... I won't be paying $17 buck for a lobster roll when in Maine its $15 with chip and slaw... $12 for the lobster mac and cheese was a fair price for the portion. I won't be recommending this place to a friend though :|
(3)Ess P.
MMmmmmmmm. No. As a temporary resident in Boston for a few months, I had yet to do seafood. Asking around, YLFM was recommended a few times. Off we go. On approach we see there's not much in the atmosphere dept, but that isn't necessarily bad. Order at the counter then take a table. Inside or out. We chose out - around the corner in the courtyard. First course soups, both clam chowder and lobster bisque. Both VERY good. Looking forward to the rest. Next is fried calimari. Came out piping hot and pieces were tender, but with not much flavor. A little container of tarter accompanies that. Main course - whole 1/14 lb lobster and a lobster roll. Both came with fries that were pretty good, hot and crispy but not greasy, and a container of tasteless cole slaw. Lobster dinner was not bad - partner says lobster was a might hard, and was annoyed that the tail wasn't snipped for easier removal. But he ate the whole thing. Ok, so to the lobster roll. THIS is what is a must eat when in Boston? Cut up pieces of rubbery meat on a split toasted hot dog bun? THIS IS IT? Because if it is, it's the most overrated sandwich in America. What a bunch of crap this thing was. Seriously. I took one bite and knew it was bad. Dumped the meat out on the plate to see if eating them with a fork would help. NOPE! Ugh, push plate away. One star for delicious soup, one star for on site parking.
(2)Tim B.
Think of this place as an upscale seafood shack - but with service that shines. Not just "NUMBER 35 your order is ready come pick it up" blasting from the speakers. But people who come outside and call you name, serve your food, ask if you'd like another drink (prego wife loved that they offered her water refills x3). I went intside to steal some napkins, and the waiter said go sit down and that he'd bring them out to me. Little things like that stand out in my mind. Beers were tall and cold, food was great. They have limited indoor and outdoor seating, but on a sunny night before a show on the waterfront its a real gem. I'll be going back here.
(4)Nikhil P.
There's something real respectable about a little shop selling lobsters and cod cakes down the street from a huge Legal Sea Foods. What's even cooler? When they rock their food like bad-ass seafood top chef experts. We went here while waiting for our Harpoon Brewery Tour to start, apparently on one of the few occasions where there weren't lines out the door (FYI: Sunday afternoons at 10:45am = sweet spot). The food was great, we felt like an entire family of lobsters were sacrificed for the amount of meat on the lobster roll (sincere apologies to that lobster family; we appreciate what you did for our carnivorous mouths), and the kitchen was efficient and reasonably priced. If there's one improvement I think a slightly cheaper price-point would have made things better... it's not like they lack the business, and the overhead has gotta be cheaper than the multi-story Legal down the street (which is a bit cheaper overall). But, for the the amount of food you get and the overall unassuming vibe, it's the spot for a solid quick meal.
(4)Harry A.
My friend and I stumpled upon Yankee Lobster a few weekends ago as we waited for our allocated tour time at the Harpoon brewery, and we were ecstatic when we did! The Lobster roll was delicious and used very little mayo (the way it oughta be), and the friend calamari were topped in a hot peppers relish that was unreal. Although this place is a bit out of the way, it has some totally awesome seafood and is worth a trip.
(5)Ann K.
Did the brewery tour and stopped by here for lunch after the tour. I had the lobster roll - really, really good. Nice big pieces of claw meat that was really sweet and tasty. A bit of mayo and a little celery topped out my roll. I've had lobster rolls elsewhere that the lobster walked thru the mayo and that was about it - at Yankee Lobster, the lobster was the star. The guy behind the counter recommended the crab roll and I may head back for lunch tomorrow just to see if he is right.
(4)Christine T.
This is a great place to go to right after hitting up the Harpoon tour. About a block or two away, it's a small place with only two or three people working there but everything is fresh. The lobster roll can be ordered hot or cold which many places do not do hot lobster rolls. The lobster roll comes with fries and coleslaw with chunks of lobster. I had the clam chowder there as well but I do not consider it the best I had in Boston. It was soupy and not as thick and creamy as others. However, the lobster bisque was the best I had and actually had chunks of lobster in it and was not overly buttery as others. Good place for a quick bite.
(5)Sara M.
I desire lobster so much I dreamt I had one that replenished that sweet, sweet meat forever. I may have woken up to a half-eaten pillow. Anyway, I heard this place and James Hook were the two non-fancy places to go for cheap but delicious lobster. After all, the whole "honey, if you have to ask, you can't afford it" attitude (cue Beerfest) at some other places gets a bit tiresome after awhile. After hitting up the Harpoon Brewery, I was hungry and ready to absorb all that beer in my empty stomach with seafood. I ordered one of the specials, which was a 1.5 pound lobster with fries, coleslaw, and melted butter for $17.95. I really like that they take cards since I was saving my cash for later that night. We sat at one of the tables around the corner outside. The food was ready quickly and my lobster was so hot I burned my finger. I settled for some fries first, which were thinner but could have been more crispy. I do not like coleslaw but gave it a go anyway - yup, still hate that goopy mess. Finally, the lobster cooled enough for me to dissect it. I cracked open a claw and delicious lobster juice spilled out. The melted butter cup made a perfect container to hold the pieces until I was ready to eat them. I tore through it like whoa and slurped/sucked the little legs, as well as scooped up the tomale. So sweet, so delectable, so buttery, so fantastic. I only wish I had gotten the 2 pounder. They did forget my bottled water and did not offer any wet naps. However, we did get a whole container of napkins! Oh Yankee Lobster, I will be back to take advantage of your low prices and delicious lobsters.
(4)Carrie P.
Stumbled here after the Harpoon Brewery was too busy, and did not have room for me to go on a tour. I was impressed by the reasonably priced fish and chips, and really all the seafood. I really enjoyed the fish and chips, the fries being COMPLETELY delicious, the fish was good, but nothing that really stood out. I do like the atmosphere of this place. One of my pet peeves is when seafood restaurants assume that high quality food means fine dining. I really do enjoy seafood places such as Yankee Lobster Fish Market that can satisfy a craving without breaking the bank. The lobster roll was also FANTASTIC! I can always appreciate a good lobster roll. Definitely a good stop on the way to or from the Harpoon Brewery.
(4)Ehsan S.
good lobster. does not look fancy but the food is pretty good
(4)Laina T.
I came with 3 friends and we each had the 2lbs lobster dinner. First off you definitely didn't sit around thinking ..."are these really 2lbs", which I find is very common with lobster, as a matter of fact we were actually wondering if some of them might be over the 2lbs. The dinner came with fries and coleslaw which I had every intention of scarfing down but after my lobster I had no desire to even try. The lobster itself was deeelish and the prices are so reasonable. Very laid back fun way to have lobster, you know you're paying for the lobster here instead of the fancy atmosphere.
(5)Cat S.
This was really good - will definitely have to take another trip and see if I can upgrade to 4 stars. Tried the lobster roll, clam chowder and mixed seafood platter (yes, aggressive.) Everything was delish - the fries even withstood the test of carryout without getting soggy. Place is cute and convenient to Southie, which is awesome.
(3)Denise C.
I wouldn't consider myself a lobster roll connoisseur but I do love me a good one. And this place isn't quite up to par with their lobster roll mostly because it was a bit on the skimpy side but I do like that they go light on the mayo. Upon first look I like my lobster rolls to make my eyes go wide, mouth water and stomach grumble. This did not do that. It wasn't a bad roll just my greedy self wanted more in the roll. However I did hear that they do 10 crabs for $20 or some ridiculous deal like that. I HAVE to come back just for that awesome deal. Their fries were surprising good - really crunchy and not too oily.
(3)Chandy S.
Overrated. I wonder if I fell into a tourist trap visiting this place. The food was mediocre, it's the price that kicked our seafood loving butts. One crab cake appetizer (2 crab cakes), one crab cake sandwich & fries, one order of fried oysters & fries, one med clam chowder = one $50 bill. The quality of the food + the quantity of food we had DOES NOT equal $50. If there's anything I hate more than "meh" food, it's bad math!
(2)Adeline M.
This is a great place, looks very simple, you order at the counter and then are served at your table in paper plates, So it is not a fancy place, but the guys serving there are really friendly. I was there on a Friday night around 9 and it was not crowded. I had stuffed clams, delicious, the clam chowder, good as well, and a lobster. The French fries are really good too.
(5)Nanana A.
A small place that also sells seafood. The lobster roll was fresh and served with french fries. ($18.) It was fresh lobster meat and was not drenched in mayo. The clam chowder was okay ($4.) it lack something and was a bit sour or had an off taste. the bits of fresh clams were good, but the soup was a miss for my taste. The deep fried scallops were cooked perfectly. ($13.) If you looking for a place with fresh seafood, and low key place, this would be your place to go. They had daily specials and it seems to be a good value for fresh seafood.
(3)Ido W.
Bottom line: solid fish and chips and cod fish cake. The Pros: fresh, normal portions, very cheap for Boston, hip atmosphere and the coleslaw was lean The Cons: just not the best we've had. The ambiance is nice, but the neighborhood is not. And (I know it's silly) I would rather have more lemon slices.
(4)Nicole W.
I had the lobsta Mac and cheese and my boyfriend had the lobsta roll. They were both amazing! Even the sides were really good. The people were so nice and helpful. We got a couple live lobsters to take back home with us and they were knowledgeable about what would be the best to fly with. I love how this place isn't some pretentious upscale restaurant that would frown at you of you walked in with a baseball cap on. They give you plastic silverware and paper plates and have a chill side patio. Good food, good people, chill environment. It doesn't get any better.
(5)jb h.
This is my go to place in the seaport district. I've been going for years since before the seaport district became the new "hot" place to be. The seafood is fresh and reasonably price, at least compared to the other seafood places nearby. The service is fast and staff is friendly. The best part is when you're going to a concert at the pavilion next door you can stop by here for food, I guess people don't know about this place cause I always come here expecting a huge line during concerts but am always pleasantly surprised at the lack of! They have a hidden patio area on the side where you can actually hear the concert while you eat!
(5)