I sat at the bar and Nicolas (apologies in advance for misspelling) was friendly and attentive. I had asked for his opinion on two dishes and he suggested the lobster roll (as he prefers to order it), and it was PERFECT. Tasty, flavorful, well portioned. Coleslaw was good and French fries were well seasoned (Don't let the presentation fool you) Thank you Nicolas! read more

The Lobster Trap - Lobster Roll - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

My husband and I spent the day on Catalina and were excited to try this place. The Pros The clam chowder was very good and a nice portion. Our server was also very attentive. Her service was spot on. The Cons The side salad was nothing special and I thought a bit over priced at $10. Now on to the lobster "roll." We fully expected to pay more due to the fact that this a touristy place and is on an island. For $34, what we got was a whole lot of disappointment. First of all, the portion you get is nothing close to what a usual lobster roll should look like. The Taragon sauce they sauce they put on it overpowers the lobster. The worst part is the quality of the lobster meat they use. When asked where the lobster comes from, I was promptly told Maine. We live on the east coast and are from the northeast. When I pressed the waitress, she admitted they use knuckle meat not the tail or whole claw. Still not buying it. In both my husband's and my roll there were langostino tails mixed in. When I flat out asked our server, she nodded. That is a huge misrepresentation of the food they're serving and certainly no one would pay $34 for that substitution. read more

The Lobster Trap is a local favorite on Catalina Island for casual seafood and drinks. We came here just before lunch started, but they let us order from the regular menu anyways. It's a cute fisherman-themed restaurant with bar seating, as well as counter seating where you watch the chefs prepare food. As a tourist, I had no idea of what to eat on the island, and looked at the top most popular choices. This is the choice that was not a chain restaurant. - New England Clam Chowder (bread bowl) Pretty good, creamy, perfectly thick, clam chowder with no-nonsense ingredients; a good amount of clam and small potato cubes. I love it when a clam chowder's main chunks are just clam and potatoes. The bread was good due to being toasted, but didn't have too much taste or chew as a sourdough. It was more like white bread. It would have been nice if garnished with some herb, but I understand the concept of a simple and plain fisherman's meal! It's expensive for a chowder, though, and wish we had a bit more. - Lobster Roll Costs $30 and comes with fries or coleslaw, with choice of white bun, wheat, or sliced sourdough bread. I wasn't even asked for my selections - they just chose for me, which was actually my preference. They serve fresh lobster caught on the coast, but unfortunately I went off-season. The lobster is mixed in a creamy tarragon sauce (which was barely present - seems they more slathered it onto the bread than the lobster) and while I could tell it was from frozen, there were a lot of thick chunks. The fries needed seasoning, and the bread roll seemed odd with the lobster; I'm used to delicious buttery rolls, but this was just like a plain bread crossed with an English muffin. The Lobster Trap, dare I say it, almost seemed like a trap, but I did think the fare seemed overall accessible for seafood in a tourist strip. They were also very nice and accommodating, and I loved the lemon slices with our water. Our small meal was overall expensive and not too filling, but it was enough to get us through the day. read more

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We were staying around the corner at the Seacreast Inn and Lobster Trap was recommended. We just wanted something simple before we shipped out. We both order the Country Burrito, eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, cheese topped with country gravy and choice of side. The food was yummy, one burrito honestly would have fed both of us. The hash browns were cooked perfectly. The service we received via phone was very upbeat and friendly, we were pleasantly.surprised to know they took phone orders. Although we didnt eat at the restaurant we did walk by several times and it is a very popular place and was busy everytime. It looked like a energetic and fun place. read more

The Lobster Trap - This was taken around the corner at the hotel - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

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Local place to get some good local catch lobster. Unfortunately the season for catching fresh lobster was Oct-March. But they still have some frozen catch from the season. Food: * coconut shrimp *lobster-good but was drench in some cream/butter, wish I knew,I like it just steamed. *clam chowder - very good, very filling. *sea bass- fresh and tasty (lemon and garlic) * halibut- fresh and yummy (garlic and caper sauce) The seafood is very fresh, maybe not the healthiest prepared..., but a ll very tasty and casual atmosphere. Service is really good. Seems to be a local spot. read more

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*Fresh fish- locally caught and sourced which is a huge plus *Delicious and creamy clam chowder which I had both times I went and liked. * Got the Seafood Kabob- the swordfish was delish... but overall kinda bland when it came to seasoning/ flavor * clam strips were yummy *The monkey balls were tasty but a little too oily (yes I know they are fried) *Full bar with several beach favorite cocktails *Service was hit or miss. Went there when it was busy and the server was amazingly attentive. The second time was after the lunch rush and not very busy but our server was just not on their game. read more

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So we started off in the bar area near the bathroom, the smell of the cleaner was too much, I was getting nauseous and just couldn't. We asked our server who was very understanding if she could move us. We waited for a new table which didn't take long. I was a little skeptical of ordering steak at a lobster joint on an island but why not live on the edge... we also ordered the swordfish and lemon chicken. The lemon chicken was not a favorite but the swordfish and the steak were on point. The swordfish was not fishy, had good texture and was super enjoyable. The filet was cooked to a perfect medium and veggies were good as well. The thing that set this apart from most restaurants was our server. She was extremely kind, helpful and went above to make sure we were all comfortable and taken care of. If I get back to Catalina this will be our go to. read more

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Lobster trap is absolutely one of our favorite restaurants in downtown Avalon. This is also a local favorite since they open long hours all year round. I really like the newly expanded space, it's very open and bright. Still as lively as usual. The menu is huge with a great variety. Drinks are tasty and very strong. My favorites are lobster roll, fresh lobster, grilled oysters, steamed clams and fresh whole fish. They don't always serve whole fish but when they have that we always order it. The service is always very friendly. This place is a great option for all day eats with great prices! read more

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Not a huge fan of the food options here on Catalina, everything feels overpriced and not very good overall so I never leave feeling satisfied. I had a good time at Lobster Trap, the ravioli and sea bass were a bit underwhelming which was unfortunate. However, their spaghetti was surprisingly tasty. But I'd say this restaurant's standout dish would be any of their sandwiches. Had the pleasure of having one of their lobster rolls and bbq pork sandwich, both were delicious especially the bbq. I was also impressed by their variety of food options, definitely gave me trouble trying to decide since it all sounded good. Good, tentative staff as well. read more

Enjoyed Our First Visit To The Lobster Trap!! Friendly & Welcoming Staff!! Casual Relaxed Ambiance!! Local Favorite Restaurant On Catalina Island!! Casual Seafood Spot Known For Rich Clam Chowder & Lobster Rolls!! Great Seafood Menu, Draft Beer, Wine List & Full Service Bar!! Ordered & Shared The Steamed Artichoke, New England Clam Chowder & Seasonal Catalina Local Lobster, With Creamy Bay Shrimp Stuffing!! Everything So Delicious!! Great Service!! Server Was Helpful & Courteous!! Very Good Seafood Restaurant!! Enjoyed Our Time & Experience!! ThankU read more

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By far one of the best restaurants experiences we have ever had! Caleb and his amazing staff went above and beyond for our family while we joined them for dinner! Our son is 3 and he loved our dinner at the lobster trap! We stopped in to check out their menu at first Caleb welcomed us as if we were family, he invited us to watch a fresh fish be prepared for sushimi and not only watch but also eat it! Our 3 year old was amazed and so excited he even ate 6+ pieces of the beautiful prepared sushimi and it was the best yellow tail I've ever had ! We had their amazing margaritas, juicy rib eye and crisp flavorful Caesar salad. Literally the staff make you feel so welcome and are full of smiles and our food was a 13/10 o wish yelp allowed more stars! Our now favorite place in Catalina! Thank you Caleb for having such an amazing establishment! read more

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We decided to walk to The Lobster Trap for dinner on our first night in Catalina. The place was pretty busy, but we were seated by a window right away, and ordered our drinks. Our server came over pretty quick and we ordered the steamed artichoke to start. It was brought to the table and was hot with cups of mayo and butter. It was perfectly cooked, and we enjoyed it very much. Mr. B ordered a cup of clam chowder that was really tasty and the fish and chips for dinner. I chose the mushroom asparagus cheese tortellini dish and chose the cream sauce. Our meals came out fast and we dug in. Mr. B enjoyed the fish, it was crispy and seasoned well. The fries were barely room temperature so that was a disappointment. But the fish was more than enough and the portion of fries was huge. As for my pasta, the tortellini was good, the mushrooms and trimmed asparagus were cooked well, but the cream sauce was not the consistency of alfredo sauce which I expected, it was thin and a bit watery. I think their seafood dishes are probably better. The flavor of our dishes were really good. Mr. B and I would eat there again, he would have the fish again. I would probably choose another dish or a different sauce. The atmosphere was really fun, and our view out the window people watching was great too. read more

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I have to say the staff here did really well considering how busy it was during lunch. The woman at the front never stopped smiling and got people in and out quickly and efficiently. The lobster taco was easily the star of the afternoon. For $12, it was loaded with lobster meat. Next would have to be the bacon wrapped scallops! They were divine. The fish n chips were also great. Outside was nice and crispy while the inside was glistening. I also recommend the sea bass taco. With a lunch like this, I'd bet everything on the menu is great! If you're on Catalina Island, stop here! read more

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Came to The Lobster Trap on a recent visit to Catalina Island. This is definitely a locals place for drinks as the bar was packed when we came for dinner. We were seated right away. The staff is super friendly, both the host station and the servers. The food is excellent, the drinks were good. (We didn't order any exciting drinks). Even though it was off season, I really wanted a lobster roll. It is expensive, even off season, but it was so good, worth it if you want to splurge. We also had the mahi with mango salsa, and the lobster pasta dish. Rave reviews from around the table. The atmosphere is local fisherman theme, rustic wood, etc. TVs playing sports games, etc. Would come here again, the next time we are in town. read more

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This place was great, it's on one of the side streets off the main boardwalk. There was no wait, and the staff was amazing. We ordered several items even though I didn't get pics of them all. The Calamari was great, the shrimp and mahi tacos were excellent, and the Mexican Candy and Gummy Bear shots were delicious! read more

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Tasty tasty salad and you could order fish on top and I ordered the crab / market price / and it was extremely cheap in my book. But it did not taste cheap. It tasted so fresh. The fish here is extremely amazing. I would've got a picture of my fiancé's dish, but he ate it so fast he had the swordfish. It was so damn good. The service is quite friendly here as well and it's always packed. I feel like but we got in every time and didn't have to wait so that was very nice. You will laugh at the decor in the inside. It was super cute and very nautical theme read more

The Lobster Trap - Crab salad - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

I had a breakfast and dinner here during my last Catalina visit. The rain and wind caused boat cancellations on 2 days during my stay; several restaurants I was planning to visit subsequently never bothered to open. Lobster Trap is an old reliable standby, a usual stop for me, popular with locals and visitors alike. I would rank Lobster Trap #1 for breakfast in Avalon, before Pancake Cottage and Original Jack's. Naughty Fox is good for breakfast, but doesn't open until 9 am and only 3 days a week in the winter. I ordered the shrimp fajita omelet and it was fine. Note that on the current menu, none of the breakfast entrees come with toast, which is different from the online non-updated menu! I prefer the more costly lobster omelet that I got last time. The breakfast menu has quite a few options--usual choices, seafood, Mexican, Hawaiian-ish, gluten lovers. My dinner choice was clam chowder and local spiny lobster, which was $58. The chowder was nice, quite thick but lots of clams. Served with regular saltines, not oyster crackers. The spiny lobster was quite nice. These lobsters don't have claws, just a large tail that was stuffed with a bay shrimp stuffing. There were fresh veggies (carrots and zucchini) and I chose a baked potato (instead of rice pilaf). Reliably consistent with regards to food, service and open hours, Lobster Trap will continue to be a regular stop for me. read more

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BEST !!! Clam chowder in town excuse the picture, it's not beautiful edited and set for a show, was skeptical since yelp reviews said the clam chowder was not great so I didn't take pics when it came but it was super YUMMY the sour dough bowl so perfect together with friendly service from our server made everything so delicious and amazing VERY RECOMMENDED!!! Not an expert about foods or clam chowders but me and husband definitely LOVE it We will come back and will order 2 of them so I don't need to share lol It's 10000/10 so YUMMY read more

The Lobster Trap - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

The food was mid at best. The Alfredo was tasty, but when adding chicken it was an $8 up charge. That was no problem except for the fact that when it arrived it was clearly canned chicken. Very gummy, and no flavor. Expected a little more quality for a $30 plate of pasta. One of the family members ordered fried fish and couldn't even finish the plate because it was not high quality fish. The service was mid also. Though the staff was friendly, they were not as attentive as they could have been. Never filled up refills, and when we were finally ready for check we had to go search for staff to ring up the ticket. Overall wouldn't recommend. read more

First time here. Great ambiance, great service and very friendly bartender. Hayley makes a great bloody mary. We had the smoked salmon appetizer which was very good. Will come back again. read more

The Lobster Trap - Signage - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

I really enjoyed coming here on the cruise stop in Catalina. The ceviche was so good snd fresh, and the chips were very crunchy. The gentleman who served us was very nice snd helpful and provided good recommendations. It was a great atmosphere, very tourist friendly. read more

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Nice quick and simple, dive bar vibes with very friendly staff and a good breakfast menu. Good price point, would reccomend read more

The Lobster Trap - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

I tried the cioppino, seafood entree and oysters and I definitely recommend their oysters. They tasted fresh and were a good size. It was $21 for 6 pieces. The cioppino was on the watery side and the seafood entree was pricy and wasn't anything too special. Service was super friendly and accommodating. My friend is allergic to shrimp and they were able to swap out shrimp for more scallops on the cioppino. read more

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This is literally the best/tastiest food on the island. It's not as good as the average restaurant on the "mainland" but if you stay on the island long enough you'll come to appreciate The Lobster Trap because although not amazing it's definitely the best... by far on the island. read more

Friendly atmosphere. The restaurant was busy, but your orders come out quick. I see a lot of teamwork. When we needed refills, another waitress would accommodate. I was disappointed on their cioppino dish. It needed more variety of seafoods. Mostly fishes and shrimps as shown on picture. I would definitely be back. I want to try other dishes on the menu. read more

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Lobster Benedict, chicken fried steak, some jaeger bombs and mimosa and you're good! Mara was the best server! This is now a regular stop when on Catalina Island! read more

The Lobster Trap - Chicken fried Steak! - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

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We stopped by Lobster Trap while visiting Catalina Island and overall had a really good experience. The clam chowder was excellent -- rich, comforting, and full of flavor. We also started with the crab cakes, which were well-seasoned, flavorful, and a great appetizer. The only downside was the lobster roll. The portion of lobster meat was generous and definitely a good value, but the meat itself was very plain and lacked seasoning. A little melted butter or some Old Bay would have made a big difference and really elevated the dish. That said, the quality of the food overall was solid, and with a small tweak to the lobster roll, this place would be even better. I'd still recommend stopping by, especially for the chowder and crab cakes. read more

The Lobster Trap - Crab cakes - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

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We spent Christmas here in Catalina and just adored it. I was thinking that I want to live there even though it's a bit touristy. Most people take golf carts to get around town. If I were to move here there are two requirements that are must haves; a golf cart and a boat. Most definitely! Okay now to the Lobster Trap. The thing was that a lot of restaurants and stores were closed because of the holiday but some were open because it's a favorite tourist destination. This spot was right across the street from our hotel so that was so nice and convenient. It was very busy but after a short wait we were seated. My daughter and I ordered some jalapeño poppers to get us started, I mean it's not the best choice for a seafood restaurant but we love them and they were excellent with a excellent ranch dip on the side. My son and I both got the New England Clam chowder in a bread bowl that was so yummy but so huge we couldn't finish it. My daughter got the fish and chips and just loved it. Joe got the seafood sandwich which he loved. Our waitress was adorable and I wish I remembered her name but she was a beautiful Hispanic gal. Even though it was crowded we got excellent service. very timely and we had a great high top table that was separate from the large dining room which was nice, less noisy. When I come back and I will to back to visit this will be the first on my list. read more

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As hyped up as The Lobster Trap is in Catalina Island, it lives up to its name and reputation with rich seafood dishes and generous portions. By taking into account the food options on the island and the quality/quantity of food, The Lobster Trap is a solid 4 star. Food quality was great as the lobster roll and clam chowder had great depth in flavor. The lobster was cooked to perfection and not rubbery at all. Great seasoning and use of their seasoning and mayo to give nice texture and moistures. There was a lot of quantity of lobster (my picture doesn't do it justice because half of it is spilled at the bottom when I was slicing the sandwich). Just keep in mind that it took longer for me to get the food. The clam chowder was unique as it had a lot of depth in clam flavor and cheesiness, which made the dish creamier and richer than a normal clam chowder (comparing to Seattle's chowders and others I've had in Europe). Don't be fooled by the pictures, the clam chowder is a sizable portion that is probably 2-3 servings. I happened to share with 3 people as a side. Service-wise was straight forward and efficient. Simple and no extraneous talks or back-and-fortha other than ordering food and servers supplying us with water. Keep in mind that this place can get busy if you don't go at opening hours (my family and I happened to get there right when it opened and got seating quickly, but it looked like there were a lot of people after we finished eating). Overall, great place to eat if you're on the islands and looking for seafood. It can be pricier, but it is worth it for better food especially on Catalina. Ambiance was traditionally setup like a seaport bar or hub. There were a lot of fun sea animal props, which added to the "lobster" and "ocean" vibe. read more

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This restaurant was recommended to us by multiple people on the island, and it was worth the hype! We got the lobster and it was very delicious. The service was amazing! Our server was so kind and helpful. The area was overall amazing. It was right in the heart of the town as weak. Overall great place for any meal, especially dinner! read more

The Lobster Trap - Pasta - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

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I rarely write reviews, but I feel a responsibility to share this experience. We dined at The Lobster Trap on our first evening in Catalina. My daughter and I ordered a variety of dishes so we could try a bit of everything. One of the items was the cioppino, which only I ate (she did not). At approximately 3:30 AM, I woke up with severe stomach pain, intense cramping, and back pain. What followed was hours of vomiting and diarrhea that completely wiped me out. I was unable to sleep and ultimately lost the entire next day of our trip due to how sick I was. My daughter, who ate everything except the cioppino, was completely fine. Based on the timing and symptoms, this strongly points to something in that dish. I'm not writing this to be dramatic or unfair--things can happen--but this was severe enough to significantly impact our trip, and I believe other guests should be aware. I would strongly encourage the restaurant to review food handling and freshness protocols, particularly with seafood dishes like cioppino. I truly hope this was an isolated incident, but I would advise others to proceed with caution. Regrettably our 1st trip to Catalina was severely impacted and we won't be returning to this restaurant ever again. read more

The Lobster Trap - Receipt of our dinner order. - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

Casual spot with excellent service. I originally went there for the spiny lobster(I am from the East Coast)but ended up getting hooked on the shrimp cocktail instead. The house made sauce was delicious: a little tangy with just the right amount of spice, and the avocado and chips paired perfectly with it. The lobster itself was simple and good, steamed and served with butter. I prefer spiny lobster over Boston lobster personally, and no claws to deal with. I'd definitely be a fan if they ever decided to make a lobster cocktail! read more

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We came here for an afternoon drink and appetizers on a Tuesday. We sat at the bar. What made this experience five stars was how friendly the staff was. We had the jalapeño poppers and coconut shrimp for snacks. The coconut shrimp, especially the sauce that is provided with it, was absolutely delicious. I wish we had more of an appetite to try more of the menu. Overall, it was a fantastic experience. read more

The Lobster Trap - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

Catalina Island doesn't have many restaurants but hey, makes picking a place to eat easier right? So Lobster Trap, despite the name, gives many other yummy options besides lobsters. We got a lobster roll and sea bass and poke dish which kept us quite full during our time on Catalina Island. The poke was seasoned nicely and standard, not much more to it. The lobster roll is very generous with how much lobster they give you, the bread is a little dry and lackluster but hey, we're here for lobster. Not overcooked, the lobster lives up to the restaurant name. The sea bass was nice for its price and you have many ways to prepare it, I wonder if we had not gotten it fried if it'd have been more tender. We got it breaded so it felt a little dry but the sauces made the sea bass a lot better thankfully. Of course, nothing completes this meal out without a nice beer so don't forget that! All in all? This is a good place to eat at before you spend the rest of the day walking around (or golf carting around)! read more

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It's called the lobster trap cause you get trapped into going multiple times on the same day! First photo is a limited edition lobster burger-when someone in the kitchen messes up but sends it out anyways. (Delicious mistake btw) Second is actually right after dinner. Have you ever eaten at a fancy diner and the gf is still hungry-you end up at McDonald's? Yep, sort of like that but with more lobster. Anyways, no need to say how deliciousmaxxed it was. The proof was in the pudding- I went multiple times on the same day. **I also met one of the chefs. He looked like a Latino Butcher, from The Boys. read more

The Lobster Trap - Round 2- same day, had to re-order for an actual roll. - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

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Great clam chowder, okay lobster roll, fantastic vibes all around. Reasonably priced for the quality of fish and very quick service. This place is better than some of the "fancier" seafood spots on the island. read more

The Lobster Trap - Lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

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A lively spot on Catalina Island, the popular restaurant had a bit of a wait when I went on a saturday evening. The interior was mostly wooden. The service was alright - the waiters still checked in every once in a while. But personally, the food was just alright for me. The ceviche just didn't taste that good and the chips were soggy. The vegetables weren't really seasoned. The fish was pretty good though! It was fresh, but nothing special. read more

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this place was a pretty decent clean seafood resto. we had the oysters in a half shell, seafood combo fish and chips, and lobster sandwich. server was nice and quick! read more

The Lobster Trap - oysters - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

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Kind of a tourist trap on the island but what isn't right? Service was great, relaxed cool vibes, but I've had better lobster rolls at their price. They offer different breads for the roll so make sure you ask. There are options on the menu for everyone so this is a decent spot for groups and families. I would rate this place a 3.5. read more

The Lobster Trap - Lobster roll (on French roll) - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

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We loved this place because it was tucked on a side street in Catalina avoiding the mad traffic of cruisers (we were one of them). We got here a little early and were seated right away. However, about 45 mins after we got there there was a line outside. It took a bit of time to get our order in and to receive the drinks and food, but once it came it was delicious! I really enjoyed oysters and a lobster roll, the table had poke, other apps, soups and orders from the fish and chip part of the menu. Over all it was lovely lunch. read more

The Lobster Trap - Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Avalon, California

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