This place was highly recommended by friends who live in the area and i can totally understand why! One of the best lobster rolls we've have in boston. There is so much lobster meat in the roll that we were struggling to take a bite. The mac and cheese also had a lot of lobster meat! Every bite had more lobster than mac. Both were very delicious! Crab cake was also yummy and a decent size especially given the price. Lobster bisque was okay, the clam chowder was definitely better in our opinion. You can order from both the truck and inside the trailer. If you just want the main items (lobster roll and soups), the truck would probably be a quicker option. If you want the specialty items like the crab cake or mac and cheese, you could only get that inside the trailer. Overall service was super quick, so i would choose based on what you want to order. Also plenty of seating available. Most are outdoor under an umbrella but there are a few enclosed areas next to the truck. Staff is very quick to wipe tables down so the turnover is super fast. read more

James Hook & Co - Lobster mac and cheese, crab cake, lobster bisque, and large lobster roll (wrapped in the foil) - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The lobster roll was really mayo heavy but loaded with lobster chunks. The Mac and cheese tasted like a cheesy lobster bisque also with lots of lobster chunks. The clam chowder was creamy and flavorful. And the crab cake was my favorite. Service was ok. read more

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We went for a lobster roll right before leaving boston as a friend recommended this place. We got lucky as there was no line and we were able to get our food fairly quickly. The lobster was fresh and delicious. I have definitely got my lobster craving taken care of lol. The only thing I did not like is that bun they use for their large lobster roll. It is too bready unlike the typical lobster roll bread that I am used to. It seems they use a different style bread for the regular roll vs. the large. But overall, I loved the Lobster roll. read more

James Hook & Co - Inside - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Really fun place! Best Porto potty I've ever seen Excellent T-shirts, etc. Actually, they have parking and a beautiful courtyard for eating, this place has come along way. Bring a lot of money! read more

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On our second full day in Boston, we stopped at James Hook & Co as we were in the area, and we were too hungry to wait half an hour until the other nearby restaurants opened. The place isn't really a sit down restaurant -- inside there are some stools around a bar, but they did have a nice outdoor seating area under a tent. I had the lobster bisque and my husband had the clam chowder, which were $10.99 each. The soup was quite filling, but it was only so-so, and I was a little disappointed. I would maybe give the place three stars, but I was not impressed that the washrooms were port-o-potties out in the back. At least they flushed and there were plastic sinks with running water, not just hand sanitizer. But having to use a port-o-potty just before eating... yuck. [Yelp collections: Boston, MA 2025] read more

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I was excited to try this place. We waited in a long line that actually moved quickly. They seem organized and friendly. Lots of seating available once you get your food. We had the lobster roll which was full of lobster which was good for the price but felt the flavor was lacking. Also tried the clam chowder and that was underwhelming, not much flavor at all. The best thing we ate was the jumbo crab cake. Lots of flavor. Wish I would have just ordered that. This place didn't fit our flavor profile and feel it's over hyped. read more

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When my husband and I arrived in Boston last weekend, James Hook & Co. was our first stop. We wanted to start our Boston weekend with a lobster roll outside under an umbrella, and James Hook is the spot for that. James Hook opened in 1925 as a lobster catch business (selling to Boston's restaurants). A hundred years later, James Hook is still a family-owned business, run by four siblings of the third generation. James Hook is a seafood market (you can swing by to get things - and lobster - to take and cook at home), but it's also a restaurant. We had a regular lobster roll with butter, a regular crab roll, a bag of chips, and a some cold sparkling waters. They weren't the best rolls I've ever had, but it was a fun meal - a great way to start a weekend in Boston. The atmosphere and being outside while eating the meal makes it a special experience. read more

James Hook & Co - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Delicious to pick up food and sit nearby; stuffy interior. Really helpful cashier; food ok (lobster salad w butter, which first arrived the other way; crab salad; potato salad). Not blown away by any means, but totally ok experience. Disappointing actually, but was still good? read more

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My friend was visiting Boston and wanted a proper lobster roll, so we deciddd to check out James Hook & Co. The location is great, right before the bridge to the Seaport and actually by my office as well. I love that it's outdoor seating with a chill atmosphere, which really adds to the vibes. You order at a counter, so the service is pretty quick and casual. In terms of the food, we went with the Large Lobster Roll with Mayo. It was quite tasty! Was it the best lobster roll I've ever had? No... but I was pretty happy with it for not having to make the trek to Maine. Solid experience overall. read more

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I'd say 3.5star but bumpin to the 4 because of its location, outdoor seating, seating outdoor inside a cover, and being a nice seafood spot to help our tourism and offerings near many of the city hotels, work spaces for lunch and virtual 10 min walk from downtown. We ordered lump crab - very good btw would definitely come back for lump crab, and probably their double stuffed scallop / clam items. Nice flavor good hits of crab meat and other seafood pieces. Flavor was nice. I could probably eat 5 of these myself. The clam chowda, not my personal style, it just felt like some of the other restuarants that just have chowder on the menu to have it. Very watery chowder with zero seasoning, didn't even taste creamy to me personally but could be an off batch. Salt, pepper, nothing helped. I'm sure there's folks that prefer the more watery style chowder, i like a textured creamy chowder that's a bit thicker with seasoning where salt and pepper isn't needed. The lobster roll, about $36 for a smaller (regular) sized piece roll (hot dog bun) you can choose cold with mayo or hot with butter. Now I do appreciate the chunks of lobster meat, I've had places that charged 45-55 and you got the mini claw sliver of meat and no chunks. So i do appreciate that. Probably better to get "for here" then to go as it's probably be better buttered up by the chefs and served hot. (Oh yes we got butter prefer that over a the cold style). Butter comes on the side if you do to go. read more

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James Hook & Co. is one of those Boston spots where you go for one thing: lobster, and they definitely don't play around with the portions. We ordered the Regular Lobster Roll with Butter, and the amount of lobster packed into the roll was impressive. Big pieces of claw and tail meat with very little getting in the way. I went with the butter version because sometimes lobster doesn't need much else. Warm butter, fresh lobster and a toasted roll. Simple and done right. My only regret was ordering online. I figured it would make pickup quick and easy, but when I arrived there seemed to be some confusion about the online order. I still had to figure out where to go and who to speak with. A separate pickup area for online orders would make the process much smoother, especially when the restaurant is busy. Two regular lobster rolls came to just over $100 after taxes and fees, so it's definitely not a cheap lunch. But when you see how much lobster they actually give you, at least you understand what you're paying for. There's also a nice outdoor patio with plenty of seating, which I'd probably take advantage of next time instead of ordering ahead. The lobster roll itself delivered. I'd absolutely come back. I'd just skip the online order and order in person next time. read more

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We arrived on a Saturday close to closing time. They were clear in writing and verbally that at 4:45, they were closing the patio. As we stood awkwardly in line in a narrow space, the team squeezed around customers to vacuum the office, wipe down the door windows, further reinforcing that they were ready to close up LOL. Service was neutral and transactional in nature. I ordered a crab cake and while not mind-blowing, it was pretty good; I've had better. I wish I had ordered a lobster roll while I was at it. I took my order to a nearby bench along the water and enjoyed it. Despite not the warmest hospitality, I was glad that I could stop by. The patio did look nice too for when it's open to guests. read more

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Visiting Boston for the first time, I made a beeline for James Hook & Co. for the lobster roll I'd been craving. The place came highly recommended by both online videos and locals, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The roll was warm, juicy, and generously packed with sweet lobster--easily the best lobster roll we've ever had. We enjoyed it on our first day in the city and liked it so much that we returned on our last day. I'll definitely be back! read more

James Hook & Co - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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James Hook has a solid lobster roll. There's tons of outdoor searing in and out of the shade. Fresh, stuffed with soft buttery bread! I got the buttery roll with chips. It's expensive but it's worth it. read more

James Hook & Co - Lobster roll with butter - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I ordered the warm lobster roll with butter, and it was everything I hoped it would be. The roll was overflowing with fresh lobster meat, and every bite was rich, buttery, and packed with flavor. They definitely don't skimp on the lobster, which made it well worth it. Sometimes simple is best, and letting the quality of the lobster shine was exactly the right choice. This was easily one of the best lobster rolls I've had, and it's a spot I'd recommend to anyone visiting Boston. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in town. read more

James Hook & Co - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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It was my first time in Boston so of course, lobster rolls and clam chowder were on my list to try. But out of all the lobster rolls, we tried I have to say that James Hook was my number 1. We got the hot buttered lobster roll and the lobster was so sweet! They have two areas that you can order from inside and they also have a food truck set up outside that you can order from. They also have AC sheds that you can eat inside. The service was good. Some of us ordered inside and some of us ordered outside and all of us got our food very quickly. If I'm ever back in Boston, I'm definitely coming back! read more

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Good food, ample seating, service was just okay. We were in search of lobster rolls on National Lobster Day and James Hook & Co stood out as it has been a family-owned business for 100+ years and was one of the names that came up that we hadn't tried out yet. There was a food truck outside with a limited menu and the option to order indoors with a full menu. Signage was unclear for which side was for ordering and which side was for waiting to pick up the food. The indoor ordering area had shirts, hoodies, oysters, mugs, taffy, chips, and other gifts for sale. There's a counter with fish, stuffed clams, stuffed scallops, and more for the indoor ordering line. When we got to the front of the line, the person taking our orders was not welcoming at all. I got the warm butter lobster roll, clam chowder (comes in 3 sizes), and a double stuffed scallops. The clam chowder was a nice thickness and not too salty, which I appreciated. I wish it was a bit warmer. The lobster roll was good. The lobster was fresh and the bread was toasted. Butter was served on the side. The double stuffed scallops is definitely something I'd pass on next time. There were a few seats inside of the area where Indoor ordering is and we discovered there's an indoor dining area near the food truck as well. Majority of the outdoor seats did not have an umbrella. The overall experience was okay, but there's definitely room for improvement. read more

James Hook & Co - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I've driven & walked by James Hook & Co SOOO many times over the years but have never thought to go try their seafood. Unlike our typical outings that are spontaneous + unplanned, we actually planned to go visit here for lunch the night before, after seeing some videos online LOL. We decided to park in the Downtown area & walked over to get some steps in. I love their outdoor seating! They have lots of tables & they even have an enclosed outdoor seating area that I adored. Now, the inside is pretty small. There was a queue to order & I'd say it took ~15 min to get to the front of the line and order. We ordered: - regular lobster roll w/ butter ($35.99) - jumbo lump crab cakes ($11.99) - 12 oz clam chowder ($10.99) We decided to get a lobster roll w/ butter (regular size) to share, along with the crab cakes + clam chowder. Normally, we'd each get a lobster roll but to be honest, we've been pretty disappointed with lobster rolls these past few summers so we didn't want to order two, just in case we wouldn't like it. The regular size is in your standard hot dog bun. Not big at all but we did appreciate that they did pack it with some lobster. Many places skimp on the lobster! I don't think the amount of lobster in the regular size was generous by any means, just glad there was something. We asked for our order "to go", so our salted butter came in a small plastic container. Overall, lobster roll was quite bland & I don't think I'd come back again for it. Now, onto the clam chowder! We LOVE clam chowder & we're always looking for the next best place for chowder. This one is a runnier clam chowder & was also quite bland. Salt + pepper didn't really do it justice and we found it hard to finish, even though we got it in the smallest size. Lastly, the crab cakes were our favorite that we tried out of the three that we ordered. It was flavorful & the lemon it came with complimented it well. We'd come back for this. Overall, I thought James Hook & Co was just okay. It wasn't a memorable meal. I grew up eating lobster, in general, at least once a week (at one point I started to despise eating it LOL) & have definitely had my fair share of lobster rolls over the years. I have yet to find a good (& not overly expensive) lobster roll in Boston unfortunately. read more

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This is a cool spot on the waterfront with classic, no frills, lobster rolls and sides. I had the regular lobster roll with butter ($35.99). It's a hot dog bun with a good portion of lobster. Was the lobster fresh & good quality? Yes Was it the best lobster roll I've had? Probably not. Would I pay that money for the same item again? Probably not. There was a line when we went right around lunchtime. There is plenty of tables to sit at outdoor. read more

James Hook & Co - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Food was really good! I had the warm large lobster roll with bread and a cup of clam chowder. Everything came out fresh and hot, and the portions were generous. There's plenty of seating spread throughout different areas, and the service was fast and efficient. This was my first time here, and I really enjoyed the overall experience. I'll definitely be back! read more

James Hook & Co - Large Lobster Roll with Butter* - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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While visiting Boston, we found ourselves craving an authentic lobster roll and were pointed toward James Hook & Co. After one visit, it became very clear why this place has remained a waterfront institution since 1925. Don't let the long line scare you away -- that line is part of the proof that you are in the right place. James Hook has a classic no-frills New England seafood atmosphere focused on one thing above all else: exceptionally fresh lobster. There's plenty of outdoor seating available, and on a beautiful afternoon with temperatures in the low 80s, sitting outside under the umbrellas overlooking the city made for a perfect lunch setting. We split a large lobster roll since we had eaten a big breakfast earlier in the day, and it was more than enough for two people looking for a lighter meal. The lobster itself was incredibly fresh, sweet, tender, and generously portioned on a perfectly toasted split-top roll with drawn butter served on the side. Simple ingredients executed correctly -- exactly what a proper Boston lobster roll should be. We also tried the stuffed clam, which had a rich, savory stuffing with plenty of flavor and paired perfectly with a squeeze of fresh lemon. There's nothing overly polished or tourist-trapped about James Hook & Co. This is simply authentic Boston seafood done right. If you find yourself anywhere near the waterfront and want the real lobster roll experience, this place is absolutely worth the visit. read more

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When visiting Boston James Hook is on my must stop places. We come from NC for a sports tournament so we go on a week day right when they open and never stand in line. They have live tanks, to go items, merch and of course a variety of fresh catch. Lobster roll with warm butter is chefs kiss. Great outdoor patio. They added a food truck and covered outdoor dining areas since I've been there. Recommend the chowder too. Can't go wrong here. read more

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Last stop of our tour and we got a taste of the stuffed scallops,l and lobster roll two ways, one with mayo and the other with butter. I really loved that the mayo one was not drenched and lobster flavor masked by other ingredients. It was clean and light. The butter one was flavorful and not heavily drenched in butter. What I loved most was their history. The owners stood firm and refused to give up their land in spite of a fire, sinking building, highway being built... read more

When I tell you I have been trying to make it to this restaurant for three years now, I mean it. Every single year we come to Boston, and every year our flights somehow get delayed on the exact day we planned to go here. This year, I finally made it -- and it absolutely did not disappoint. I had a phenomenal time trying their lobster roll. The lobster chunks inside were thick, juicy, fresh, and absolutely delicious. The butter was so good, and since the roll was served warm, it was honestly perfect for the chilly Boston weather that day. It warmed me right up. I will say, it is definitely a little pricey, especially coming from out of town where I'm not used to spending that kind of money on what is technically "just a sandwich," but honestly, it was 100% worth it. It was a phenomenal lobster roll, and I would absolutely go back and order another one. The only small downside was that we got there about 15 minutes before closing, and the staff did seem to rush us out a little bit, even though we were sitting outside on the patio while they cleaned up. Coming from the South, that felt a little strange to me because that's probably not something we would do back home, but honestly, it still would not stop me from coming back. At the end of the day, they know what they've got -- an incredible lobster roll with soft, buttery bread and fresh lobster that truly lives up to the hype. read more

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Oh my goodness! If you want a packed lobster roll, this is the place! Stopped for lunch and ordered the large lobster roll with butter. The meat was packed in the roll! Chunks of lobster!!!. Delicious!!! Parking is quite tight, especially if you have mobility issues. We lucked up, by waiting. The place is quite busy. Dining can be done on their patio, or in one of two rooms. The back room is air conditioned. The atmosphere is casual, and the service was fast. The lobster roll isn't cheap, but I totally enjoyed it, and was surprised the potato salad was pretty good also. read more

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Excellent butter lobster roll which I split with my daughter and had a cup of chowder too. Chowder good just not my favorite but great portion for the price! Super busy even for Thursday at 1ish! Our table rocked a lot but it was comical! read more

James Hook & Co - 12 OZ Clam Chowder* - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Pretty much was up to expectation. I like how the bun on the lobster roll is like a potato bun as opposed to the usual brioche. In the end I prefer brioche, but this was a nice change. I had a warm butter one and it was excellent. I also tried the corn and shrimp chowder and I would highly recommend that too. I went at a time when I didn't have to stand in line. Not sure I would wait in an hour for. read more

First time in Boston, so of course--lobster rolls were a must. We stopped in at this spot, which sits right on a busy street, giving it that classic touristy energy. As soon as you walk in, you're greeted by live crabs on display, which definitely adds to the experience. That said, it was surprisingly warm inside, so we opted to sit outside where there were plenty of tables and a much more comfortable breeze. Taking a look at the menu, the lobster rolls were... pretty steep. We decided to share one and round it out with a few sides--clam chowder, potato salad, a jumbo crab cake, and 2 cans of soda. For everything we ordered, the total came out to around $90, which definitely made us pause for a moment. Overall, I'm glad we went this route of sharing a The lobster roll, while decent, didn't quite justify the ~$40 price tag for its size. It felt more like we were paying for the location and "Boston experience" than the flavor itself. The standouts for me were actually the sides--the crab cake was flavorful with a nice texture, and the clam chowder was rich, creamy, and comforting. All in all, it checked the "first lobster roll in Boston" box, but I was very happy we only ordered one to share. Sometimes the touristy spots are more about the experience than the wow factor--and this felt like one of those moments. read more

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Long lines but well worth it. Parking is ok. Large Outdoor seating and a small AC area. Their takeout menu is larger than the menu in the outdoor menu out back as an fyi. Food was great though!! Glad we went after seeing the tall ships today! read more

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Excellent Lobster Rolls. Fair price considering the amount of lobster in the rolls. Very small interior space to order food. Spacious outdoor seating and spacious seating in covered "tent". Highly recommend if ever in Boston. read more

Addicted upon first bite. Best lobster roll! Walked many, I mean many, streets to get here. Upon entering it's pretty underwhelming but I'm not here for a pretty place nor do I pose for pictures, I'm here to try a damn good lobster roll and boy did it deliver. Warm with butter. Don't get creative just stick to basics. Fresh is an understatement (especially since the lobsters are right in open topped tanks inside). Limited seating, so enjoy your roll standing. Who cares, it's worth it. read more

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This is one of the best seafood markets for sure. The place isn't fancy but the food is absolutely a bomb. The lobster roll looked simple but tasted delicious. I asked for just the butter to go with it and it was perfect. The crab roll was just equally good. They have limited seats inside but lots of seats outside. The price of the food is quite expensive but totally worth it. The service was quick. The staff were nice. The line was long but it moved quickly. Definitely worth another visit. read more

James Hook & Co - Lobster roll and crab roll - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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It was recommended we check this place out considering it was walking distance from our hotel. We tried a warm butter lobster roll at another restaurant and it wasn't bad. I've never been into cold mayo ones. This time we tried the cold mayo one and it was delicious. Changed my perspective about lobster rolls. This place has limited seating inside and some seating outside. I was bummed they didn't have french fries but it was fine. I took it togo so service wasn't something I could rate. Highly recommend these folks! read more

James Hook & Co - Large Lobster Roll with Mayo* - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

When in Boston or the New England area you must have seafood, especially lobster rolls. All of the locals recommended James Hook & Co for their lobster rolls. This is a small spot close to the harbor. You could either order inside their small building or at their food truck outside. They were packed but we made our way to the counter quickly to place our order. There is very limited seating inside but the patio area is very spacious. I grabbed a table while my wife waited on our food. I myself am not a fan of lobster so I ordered the crab roll. Holy moly it was delicious. That split top roll was packed full of fresh crab. I would push it down inside the roll after each bite so I wouldn't lose any. Even though I didn't order the lobster roll I would definitely recommend this spot for the crab roll. read more

James Hook & Co - Crab roll - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

You place your order either at the outdoor window when it's open or inside the shack during the off-season, and if the weather is nice you can pick any of the outdoor tables to enjoy your meal. The food came out very quickly, although it was a quiet weekday and not very busy. Staff were good about cleaning the tables regularly after patrons left. Unfortunately, the food itself was a bit of a mixed experience. The lobster rolls were over-sauced with mayo and didn't have much flavor. The lobster also seemed slightly overcooked, making it a bit chewy. The lobster bisque was disappointing, as it lacked both flavor and lobster. The crab roll, however, had much better flavor, was more tender, and was the highlight of the meal. We'll have to give it another shot later in the season. read more

James Hook & Co - Lobster roll, crab roll & lobster bisque - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Fast service - lobster roll with butter - maybe one of the best I've ever had. Clam chowder is yummy! Ample outdoor seating! Fun ambiance read more

James Hook & Co - Large Lobster Roll with Butter* and clam chowder - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

By far the best lobster in Boston! Oh my gosh, melt in your mouth. Always busy but they are efficient and move fast. Don't fear the line, it's well worth it!!!! Very cool playlist as well!! Super expensive but will blow your mind! read more

James Hook & Co - Hot Large Lobster Roll with Butter* - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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While I know it's a small shack, the service was borderline rude. The lobster roll was good, but a little on the pricy side. It was almost $50 for a regular lobster roll with mayo. While it was packed wiht lobster, it still did seem very steep for something they were able to put together in less than 2 minutes. When we walked in, we were ignored; no one welcomed us in, and it took a while for us to get helped. read more

Hands-down, the best lobster roll in Boston. I always have to stop here when visiting. Sometimes the line can get pretty long and it is pretty pricey, but definitely worth it every time. They have seating outside, but sometimes it can be difficult to find a place and they close that seating area half an hour before the posted closing time so you can't sit there. Overall, I love coming here and having the view of the water it's a great oasis from the city life. read more

James Hook & Co - Large Lobster Roll with Butter* - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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So damn delicious! Tons of lobster meat. Great outdoor patio. Service dialed in. I'm coming back tomorrow read more

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