Lobster rolls – those delicious buns stuffed with sweet lobster meat – are a beloved summer treat. But over the last few years, their prices have risen drastically. Lobster rolls that used to cost $15-20 now often run $25-30 or even more!
As a New England specialty, this price hike has been especially noticeable around lobster roll’s home grounds Both restaurant owners and customers alike are feeling the pinch So what’s causing this rapid rise in lobster roll prices? Let’s take a deep dive into the forces impacting everyone’s favorite lobster sandwich.
Lobster Prices are Surging
The most obvious factor is that the price of lobster itself has increased. Back in the 2000s, lobstermen could buy traps of lobsters for around $2-3 per pound. Now the wholesale price paid to lobster fishermen has surged to $8.99 per pound or even higher.
Several reasons contribute to spiking lobster prices
- High demand as lobster gains popularity globally
- Limited lobster supply with tightly regulated fishing
- Rising costs for lobstermen – fuel, bait, gear, etc.
- Labor shortages among lobster harvesters
- Climate change impacts like warming waters
With lobsters making up the starring ingredient in lobster rolls, their inflated cost gets directly passed along to consumers.
Scarcity From the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a heavy blow to the lobster industry. With restaurants closed and disrupted supply chains, harvested lobsters had fewer places to go. Lobstermen had to temporarily halt fishing, creating major lobster scarcity once demand rebounded.
The pandemic gave lobster roll purveyors little choice but to raise prices to cover losses. Though dining has resumed, these elevated lobster roll costs remain. Restaurants are reluctant to lower prices after COVID struggles.
Food Costs Are Up Across the Board
Lobster isn’t the only food staple impacted by supply chain disruptions, shortages, inflation and more. The costs of key ingredients have risen for all restaurant offerings:
- Buns and bread (+16.2%)
- Cooking oils (+23.3%)
- Potatoes (+18.4%) for fries
- Labor, rent, utilities, etc.
Lobster rolls rely on more than just lobster meat. From the bun to fry oil to condiments, pricier inputs mean a more expensive end product.
Lobster Roll Restaurants Are Struggling
Many lobster roll eateries operate seasonally, making most of their profit during the busy summer months. Winter and shoulder seasons see slower sales.
With today’s high costs, these businesses need the revenue from peak season to stay afloat. Their survival depends on charging summer visitors higher prices to balance out slower months.
How Restaurants Are Adapting
Faced with rising expenses, lobster roll purveyors are getting creative in their efforts to keep the signature sandwich affordable. Strategies include:
- Offering smaller lobster roll options with less meat
- Charging extra for add-ons like fries or coleslaw
- Making their own ingredients in-house instead of buying
- Reducing overhead costs like energy, water usage
- Streamlining operations and staffing
Many have also turned to social media marketing to attract more customers and make the most of high season.
Consumer Response to Pricier Lobster Rolls
With a historically inexpensive regional specialty now costing $30 or more, how are lobster roll enthusiasts reacting?
- Some tourists are shocked at the “exorbitant” prices, especially visitors from out-of-state.
- Locals report cutting back on their lobster roll consumption, now viewing them as more of a “special treat.”
- Diners are skipping sides, splitting rolls, or opting for small or vegan lobster roll alternatives to save money.
- At high-end establishments, the price hike has had less impact on customer demand.
- Social media buzzes with diners complaining about the rising costs.
Despite grumbling, the tastiness of a fresh lobster roll still proves hard for seafood lovers to resist.
The Outlook for Lobster Roll Prices
Will lobster rolls only get more expensive in the future? Experts say prices are expected to remain high for at least the near term. Fortunately, some hopeful signs could gradually bring prices back down:
- Lobster catches may increase with favorable fishing conditions.
- Supply chain disruption impacts should eventually subside.
- Wholesale lobster prices dropped in 2021 and 2022 compared to peak pandemic pricing.
- Restaurants will recalibrate pricing as conditions improve.
Barring another major disruption, inflated lobster roll prices will likely stabilize – though cheaper deals of the past seem gone for good. For now, diners intent on a lobster roll can employ savvy strategies like sharing or choosing lower-priced eateries to make this iconic New England sandwich more affordable.
Enjoying Lobster Rolls on a Budget
Lobster rolls offer a tender taste of summer by the seashore. With smart strategies, you can still savor this special treat without breaking the bank:
- Seek out happy hour or lunch deals for lower prices.
- Split a lobster roll as an appetizer or snack.
- Opt for a side salad instead of fries to cut costs.
- Try vegan lobster roll options made from mushrooms or jackfruit.
- Purchase lobster meat at the fish market to DIY rolls at home.
- Visit food trucks and takeout spots for cheaper, casual lobster rolls.
- Travel off-peak in fall to find better deals outside summer.
- Check menus in advance to comparison shop prices across restaurants.
- Follow social media for specials and limited-time deals.
Though authentic New England-style lobster rolls now command a premium price, a bit of planning can help you enjoy summer’s quintessential shellfish sandwich without draining your wallet. Don’t give up on this balanced mix of sweet lobster and savory bun – just get strategic in sourcing the best lobster roll value around!
This is certainly the height of lobster roll season in Maine.
What could be better in the summer than a lobster roll? Pair it with a cold beer and a bag of Saltines. Thats my favorite way to enjoy one. Every time my family eats lobster, we buy an extra one or two to use for lunch the next day in rolls. Because really, the only thing better than having lobster, is having it twice.
Right now, most places that sell lobster rolls either list them at “market price” or set a very high price. Its not hard to find a lobster roll thats easily over $30 right now. If the price is that high, you can be sure that the Maine lobster in your roll was just picked. But what about when you see stuffed rolls being offered for a price more in the $15 range?.
If you see a price like that, just slowly back away, hahaha.
You think Im joking, but its true. If a business advertises a $15 lobster roll, it will almost certainly be frozen lobster from another country, unless the owner is unbelievably kind. Not that theres anything wrong with that, but first off. I can tell immediately when lobster has been frozen. It takes on a bit of a funny texture. Like most frozen seafood does.
The other dead giveaway is the lack of tail meat. Some people only buy tails. If you buy frozen lobster meat with tails, it costs a lot more. But claw and knuckle is usually much less expensive. The meat is also coming from parts of the world typically, often from places like Vietnam.
Why Lobster Is So Expensive | So Expensive
How much is a lobster roll?
For lobster-roll businesses, though, removing the headliner isn’t as easy. Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, an Annapolis-based franchise with five locations around Washington, works year-round with a lobster wholesaler in Portland, Maine, for its meat. Mason’s has slowly raised prices, dollar by dollar, so that the once-$15 roll is now $19.
Why is lobster so expensive?
The experience of dining on a railcar or enjoying seafood far from a coast helped turn lobster into a luxury dish. Overfishing at the beginning of the 20th century drove prices up, as did conservation laws in the mid-20th century. Long-term, the supply of lobster has been going up.
Why do lobster rolls cost more?
There’s decreased labor in the lobster industry, supply chain issues, and inflation because of rising gas prices for shipping lobsters across the country. That doesn’t just mean a fancy lobster dinner will cost more, but also the more humble lobster roll.
How much does a New York City lobster roll cost?
Here’s Why a New York City Lobster Roll (With Fries!) Costs $32 Even as costs surged at her restaurant during the pandemic, Susan Povich waited as long as possible before raising the price of a lobster roll with fries. Eventually, she was out of options. A price once unimaginable — $32 — became inevitable.