The Best Lobster Rolls in Chicago, Ranked

For a urban center that could n’t get much further from an sea , Chicago for sure doeslove its coastal eats . You might not find shot glassful emblazoned with cartoonish lobsters and moan - inducing Phthirius pubis shack puns , but we still apply our own when it comes to devise buttery , stuffed lobster bankroll . So you may better devise for summer eating , we ’ve ranked the 10 sound local spots serving up the iconic sandwich borrowed from the Northeast .

< h2>10 . < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / eat / chicago / restaurants / chocolate-brown - bag - seafo … ; target="_blank”>Brown Bag Seafood Co.

< em > The LoopThis Nantucket - esque seafood eatery ’s impressive roll add up with a bite of New Orleans flare pass tossed in with savoury lobster . The big chunks of lobster with a hint of Cajun flavourer are balanced by the sweet of a Hawaiian roll , and the whole matter is obviously well paired with crispy , truffle parmesan murphy tots .

Da Lobstah

Courtesy of Da Lobstah

< h2>9 . < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / drink / chicago / bar / fish - bar" ; target="_blank”>Fish Bar

< em > Lakeview , Navy PierDMK ’s neighborhood fish shack surrender a straightforward lobster roll with a classifiable twist : a healthy sparge of cayenne pepper for a bang and both fresh diced celery and Apium graveolens dulce common salt . piquant coleslaw along with salt and acetum chips complete the repast , but do n’t interest , the juicy ocean catch is still the main attraction . As are sea sippers on Chicago ’s notorious wharfage this summertime .

8.The Happy Lobster Truck

The Loop , nutrient truckSince the summer of 2015 , this intellectual nourishment truck has been strike the streets with two Maine lobster roll variations ( in full or half sizes ): get it " happy " with 4 oz of sweet , tender lobster , butter drizzle , flavourer , and a tactual sensation of mayo OR " angry " with spicy mayo and hot giardiniera . Roll purists will probably gibe at the soft , beefburger - expressive style roll used in position of the traditional split - top bun , but you ca n’t argue with more buttery territory .

< h2>7 . < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venues / the - fishguy - market-60630" ; target="_blank”>The Fishguy Market / Wellfleet Occasional Restaurant ;

< em > Albany ParkWithin this pocket-sized Pisces market is an even tinier eatery , Wellfleet , which a tasteful card comprised of the workshop ’s flawless seafood selections . The Cape Breton lobster roll – the price of which has n’t gone up in the nearly 20 geezerhood the market place has been assailable – showcases a red-blooded component of cool down Nova Scotian lobster offerings with just a tinge of mayonnaise to bind it all together . Add in some cucumber , Apium graveolens dulce sprigs , lemon peel , and other herb and spices pocket within a buttery bun that ’s been specially - prepared by a North Shore bakery , and you ’ll start seeing ocean waves along Elston Ave .

< h2>6 . < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / locale / eat / chicago / restaurants / lukes - lobster&q … ; target="_blank”>Luke ’s Lobster

< em > The LoopThis Maine - rooted seafood enfranchisement do up a hearty bankroll for $ 16 . Its lobster - packed handhelds are n’t overdone like so many other lobster drum roll in the city , the chilled meat is light coat with both butter and mayo then sprinkled with spices like thyme and celery salt before it ’s tuck into a yummy , well - butter bun .

< h2>5 . < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / eat / chicago / restaurants / da - lobsta-39796 … ; target="_blank”>Da Lobsta

Brown bag lobster roll

Courtesy of Brown Bag Seafood

< em > River North and West LoopYou’ll find some unusual lobster roll variations like the " Genghis Kahn " with soy mayo , Asian coleslaw , Sichuan sauce , and scallion at this all - thing - lobster purveyor . But the traditional roll dressed in tarragon mayo and garlic butter is the classic riff that ’ll keep you come back for more … plus the salty Cape Cod chips you may require from a New England - vogue eating house , which give it the " authentic lobster shack in the Midwest " appeal .

< h2>4 . < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / eat / chicago / restaurant / gt - Pisces the Fishes - oyster & … ; target="_blank”>GT Fish & amp ; Oyster

< em > River NorthChef Giuseppe Tentori ’s notable lobster curl has perfected the all-important nub - to - bun ratio . His adaptation starts with a crispy , pantry house - made brioche dough roll , which is stuff full of cool , meaty lobster chunks , coated ever - so - gently in house - prepared mayonnaise with a touch of Dijon mustard and rich dill , a spritz of lemon , and celery for crunch . deep-fried onion string and seasonal pickle veggies round out the seafaring snack .

Fish Bar lobster roll

Courtesy of Lindsey Becker

< h2>3 . < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / locus / eat / chicago / restaurant / George Bernard Shaw - crab - hous … ; target="_blank”>Shaw ’s Crab House

< em > River North ; Schaumburg , ILThis sophisticated seafood restaurant delivers a amazingly understated , generously loaded lobster roll . deal - picked , whole lobster are steamed for the lunch card ’s second highest seller . bragging , odorous bites of steamed lobster are lightly seasoned , chopped , and mixed with Hellman ’s mayo and cube Apium graveolens dulce before they ’re choke up into a house - made brioche bun , baste with butter and grilled . Your lunch order in the main dining room ( or anytime at the bar ) will be keep company by salty , hand - cut fries , coleslaw , and a pickle .

< h2>2 . < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / locus / eat / chicago / eatery / new - england - sea … ; target="_blank”>New England Seafood Company & amp ; Fish Market

Happy Lobster roll

COURTESY OF HAPPY LOBSTER TRUCK/GEOFF STELLFOX

< em > LakeviewThis neighbourhood seafood market flies in lobster and buns from Boston on the daily to partake in the fresh admiration of the East Coast with us . The market ’s interpretation is simple-minded , which is a refreshingly beautiful affair . Lobster chunk coated in a light mayonnaise and seasoning base are nestle between the toasted bun . It ’s accompanied by a side of warm draw butter , sweet lemon yellow wedges , and hand - cut potato chips , as it should .

< h2>1 . < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / locus / eat / chicago / restaurants / acadia" ; target="_blank”>Acadia

< em > South LoopAt his Michelin - starred eating place , chef and owner Ryan McCaskey recreates the summers he pass in Maine through affordable , lobster - rich rolls for Chicagoans . The city ’s best ( take your selection : Maine- or Connecticut - style ) proves there ’s no need to vamp the clock time - honored roll . Its subtly sweet-scented bread smuggled in from the East Coast is improbably buttery and crispy on the outside while its steamy midland provenience the succulent fillings . Minimally dressed with house - made chive mayonnaise , squeeze of lemon , warm butter , and a dash of smoky - mellisonant paprika go for a mild kick , the heap of nearly a whole lobster is complemented by tangy house chipping .

lobster roll from The Fishguy Market