Lobster Rolls, Sliders, Salads, & More at Freshie’s

Freshie’s fresh Lobster rolls in Utah—Travel along the Atlantic Coast from Connecticut to the Canadian Maritimes and you’ll find countless varieties of lobster rolls and an equally countless variety of lobster shacks and shops.

The best ones are usually hole-in-the-wall joints that cater mostly to locals, often with only a walk-up window and a picnic table or two outside for seating.

If you’re not familiar with lobster rolls, here’s a quick primer. Lobster meat—preferably fresher than fresh and just cooked—is served on a grilled (and often buttered), soft hot dog type bun. New Englanders know that there are two primary lobster roll models: there is the Connecticut (where lobster rolls are said to have originated) style lobster roll, in which the lobster is cooked and served warm with lots of melted butter. Very simple.

The Maine lobster roll is a more complicated affair where lobster meat is tossed with seasonings such as celery, tarragon and scallions, and—this is the biggest difference between Connecticut and Maine—mayonnaise is also incorporated, and the lobster roll is served cold.

Personally, I’m a Connecticut lobster roll kind of guy. I like my lobster unadulterated but for some warm butter. But hey, I’ll happily pound down either type of lobster roll, with gusto!

Freshie’s Lobster Co., which originated in Park City but now has a second location in Salt Lake City, serves Maine-style lobster rolls and they are very, very good. They are the real deal and, being so, not cheap. But worth every single penny for the high-quality fresh lobster and the accouterments served at Freshie’s.

Real Mainah

I usually order the Real Mainah ($21) when I stop by Freshie’s, which is a lobster roll on a New England hot dog bun with 3.7 ounces of fresh lobster, mayonnaise, hot butter, and seasonings. Other lobster roll varieties include the Tourist ($12 for 2 ounces of lobster) and the XL, which is 5 ounces of lobster for $26. Lobster rolls at Freshie’s come with a generous portion of really tasty Kettle Brand Krinkle Potato Chips.

The Lobster slider

In addition to classic lobster rolls, there are also a couple of variations of lobster sliders. The standard slider is an order of 2 with 2.5 ounces of lobster on 2 slider buns with brown butter, chives, and mayo ($16). For those who can stand the heat, Freshie’s also serves Spicy Lobster Sliders ($16) with sriracha aioli, guacamole, and roasted red peppers.

Non-lobster rolls

Other sandwiches on the menu include a Nono Dog ($6), which is a grass-fed beef hot dog on a New England style bun; a Caprese sandwich with burrata, tomato, pesto, mixed greens, and maple balsamic on ciabatta bread ($8); and a Blueberry BBQ Chicken sandwich made with blueberry barbecued pulled chicken and slaw ($10). But my favorite non-lobster roll sandwich is the heavenly, gooey, Grilled Cheese on sourdough with Beehive Seahive Cheddar and sriracha aioli ($8). You can add prosciutto and roasted red peppers to the Grilled Cheese for a $3 up-charge, and/or lobster for another $8.

FRESHie’s salads with or without lobster

There’s lobster loose all over Freshie’s, including in the salads. A truly awesome salad that’s a full meal is the MAINE-I-AC ($8 or $20 w/lobster). Mixed organic greens are tossed with maple pecans, Beehive Aggiano cheese, blueberries and (optional) lobster with maple balsamic dressing. In place of lobster, you could add blueberry bbq chicken for a $4 surcharge. Lobster can be added to any dish at Freshie’s for an addition $4.50 per ounce.

For those who are eschewing carbs or gluten, the Lobster Lettuce Cups are a good choice—a trio of Bibb lettuce “cups” with 3 ounces of lobster, guacamole, mango, sriracha aioli, and creamy cilantro sauce.

At Freshies, You’ll never hear, “No soup for you!”

It probably goes without saying that Freshie’s serves Lobster Bisque ($10) and New England Clam “Chowdah” ($9), both of which are especially good in cool and cold weather. But a real “winnah” in my opinion is the Lobster Mac ($18). This is a large serving of cavatappi pasta bathed in a creamy mac & cheese mix of Gruyere and Beehive Seahive Cheddar with 2.5 ounces of lobster perched on top. For sides, there are a couple of options: brown butter organic corn ($2) or homemade coleslaw ($2).

Washing it down

If all of that luscious lobster weren’t enough, Freshie’s also serves beer, wine, homemade pie, and ice cream. The blueberry pie is other-worldly; and the service staff at Freshie’s couldn’t be more friendly or helpful.

In addition to the Park City and SLC stores, Freshie’s also does catering and you’ll find mobile Freshie’s food trucks at local concerts and other outdoor events, so keep an eye out. I probably won’t make it to the East Coast this summer, but at least I know where I can find authentic lobster rolls worthy of anything in New England.

Culinary quote of the week:

Europe’s the mayonnaise, all right, but America supplies the good old lobster. — D.H. Lawrence

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Originally trained as an anthropologist, Ted Scheffler is a seasoned food, wine & travel writer based in Utah. He loves cooking, skiing, and spends an inordinate amount of time tending to his ever-growing herd of guitars and amplifiers.

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