By far, the best lobster roll (warm with butter). Worth the wait. We had the large Lobster rolls. We'll definitely be back. read more

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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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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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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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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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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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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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

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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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

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 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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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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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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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

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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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

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

Boston, MA - Since I was in Boston, I had to try a lobster roll. lol First time here at James Cook & Co and ordered the large lobster roll w/mayo. I enjoyed it very much. Sweet and tender lobster meat. It is quite pricey since it cost me $40.99 US, but there was quite a lot of lobster meat. Would recommend you try this at least once! Had a lobster roll at another nearby restaurant and for almost the same price there was a lot less lobster meat. read more

James Hook & Co - Sweet and tender, yum. This was the large lobster roll with mayo, so the lobster meat was chilled which was perfect on a hot day. - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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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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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

This is my favorite lobster roll spot in all of Boston! I even got my friends James Hooked on this recent visit! My go to order is a regular hot lobster roll which comes with a buttery bun, a pile of fresh lobster and a side of butter! I love the expanded seating area options outside that are both covered and uncovered to allow ample options to eat nearby. The only possible downside for some is that this place does not have fries but there are lots of other side like potato salad, coleslaw, chips, and even soups to pick from! The wait time can be short or long, really just depends on the day and time you visit but you could always try calling for a to go order! read more

James Hook & Co - Regular Hot Lobster Roll (side of butter poured on) - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Although they have other items on their menu, the lobster roll with butter is the star of the show here. I tried the crab roll but it was just okay. It's made with real crab meat but j thought they mixed it with too much mayo so you can't even really taste the crab anymore. The lobster roll though was packed with buttered lobster and the toasted bread was so warm and crispy! There's plenty of seating outside and I went on a warm day so got to enjoy the sun while chomping down on my lobster roll. Regular Lobster Roll w/ Butter 10/10 Regular Crab Roll 7/10 read more

James Hook & Co - Regular Lobster Roll w/ Butter 10/10 Regular Crab Roll 7/10 - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Had a quick layover in Boston and couldn't leave without getting my hands on a good Lobster Roll and bisque. Found James Hook & Co on DoorDash and decided to give it a try -- went with the regular Lobster Roll with butter, and a 12 oz bisque. It was prepped and delivered promptly [not more than 30 mins], and let me tell you... that Lobster Roll was loaded!!!! For the regular size, it was a pretty generous sized roll and literally overflowing with big chunks of lobster -- full knuckles included! They definitely didn't skimp on the meat. The bisque was smooth, just as described -- pureed with fine bits of lobster mixed in. I wasnt super crazy on the flavor but wasnt bad. Overall, great value for the size and quality! read more

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The best lobster roll I've ever had. This was also the best food we ate these last 4 days in Boston. The lobster was so fresh. It's a cool walk up vibe but has a patio area that you can sit outside to enjoy. There's also an enclosed area with seats for the winter with heaters. The employees recommended the classic roll with mayo and it didn't disappoint. read more

Food - amazing. First lobster roll experience. Didn't want it to end!!! One of the best things I ate in Boston! Long line but moved quickly. Friendly and efficient service. Loved the vibes for a quick lunch. read more

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

My first lobster roll experience was here, and I'm obsessed! We got the regular and large size lobster rolls-- one with mayo and one with butter. Regular is on sliced bread, and the large size is on a half hot dog bun with a bit more lobster. Both are delicious but I lean butter! The mayo one tastes similar to the Japanese onigiris with mayo and tuna if that's more your style. You cant go wrong with either sauce. There's plenty of outdoor seating with umbrellas and some indoor seating. The line was long when we got there around 2pm on a Friday but I think it goes by quickly. There was a big Red Sox v. Tigers game that night so the whole city had lots of tourists that day. I think it took about 15-20 mins of waiting in line. And it didn't take long for us to get our food once we ordered. The staff was nice and on to of it. Loved the vibe of the whole place. Great place to hang out with friends and family. I'm not sure what parking is like since I used the T and walked there. I'm already thinking about making a trip back to eat here again! read more

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While in Boston you have to get a Lobster Roll!!! This is 2 pounds of Fresh Lobster in butter. It was Good but not great???? For almost $50 I was expecting Amazing. The Crab Cake was good!!! Clam Chowder was awesome!!! Get there early as the line is out the door and it is mostly outdoor seating so lucky we had beautiful weather. It is counter service so have what you want ready and grab a table if you can find one!! read more

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James Hook is my favorite place to get lobster rolls in Boston. I stop by every time I'm in town. Lobster rolls aren't cheap and sometimes you overpay for what you get. This isn't the case here. You can either get a regular or a large roll here and either with mayo or hot butter (butter costs more). The bun options depend on the size you ordered- for the large, it was a toasted 8inch hotdog sort of bun. I'm guessing prices change depending on the season- it was $35 for a regular butter and $40.99 for a large when I stopped in. They also offer fresh seafood for purchase, crab cakes, several chowders, and beers. The buttered version comes with a cup of butter on the side. I don't add all of it- I find that a small amount is all that is needed and prefer to let the natural sweetness of the lobster be the dominant flavor. The roll is PACKED! Large chunks of tail meat and a few claws. I advise eating over the tray as there is so much meat that there's a chance some will fall off when taking a bite. Lobster is incredibly fresh (they have huge live lobsters right by the door as you walk in). I had a bite of a friend's mayo roll- not my preferred option but it was still good! Service is quick-within 10 minutes of placing my order, there's a server calling out my number. There's both indoor and outdoor seating (several options for outdoor heated seating as well). The location is nicely situated on Atlantic Ave and offers a nice view of the harbor. You can easily walk about 12 minutes from Faneuil Hall and cross over to Seaport when you've finished eating. Love this place and I'll continue to support it. read more

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Lobster rolls are a must! Clam chowder was great too! Food came quick and fresh. I would definitely recommend to anyone visiting Boston. My only knock is I wish they had more indoor seating. read more

So cool! Over 100 years old it's a Boston institution. Totally resilient after surviving a bad fire. Now has cool shwag too!

Located on a touristy area of the waterfront near South Station, I was skeptical of this place. But, the lobster is fantastic!! So fresh and flavorful. This is a "no-frills" lobster place. They let the lobster shine! Lots of seating and this restaurant has been around for over 100 years. Recommended. Get the lobster roll! read more

We came here after quickly looking up a reputable place for lobster rolls on a last-minute whim. The place is super cute and New England rustic, with a lobster mascot out in the front and the option of both a food truck with outdoor dining and the indoor dine in option. We opted for inside the restaurant and waited about 10 min in line (it was a Saturday afternoon), before ordering a lobster roll with butter. It was a bit on the pricey side ($28.99) but came out within the minute of it being ordered. It was by far one of the freshest tasting and most delicious lobster rolls I've had. The lobster was cooked well, and the roll was a decent size. 10/10 experience - just be prepared to pay a decent price for your meal read more

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

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Clearly a Boston staple for over 100 years! Very pricey but super fresh and juicy. Hubby and I tried the lobster roll with butter (you can also choose mayo instead of butter but not for us) and the lobster bisque. It was also so delicious I understand the hype! The lobsters don't get any more fresh than clawing in a tank right next to the order line read more

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

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