Where Would You Go in WDW for Lobster?

[Fall1]

I am a HUGE lobster fan but I won't order it again in WDW. I had it at Le Cellier and Narccoossee's and neither had any taste at all, it's just not worth the money in Florida.

 

[Lewisc]

Because the Maine lobsters have no trouble making the short journey to Boston!

Shula's offers a 4 pound Maine lobster, market price. I'm sure the price is high enough to ensure the lobster is properly shipped. I've never been to Maine but I understand you can get fresh lobster at a fraction of the cost elsewhere.

I let myself get talked into getting the surf and turf in Le Cellier last summer. I would have been happier just getting a steak.

 

[Docsknotinn]

All lobsters are basicly shipped the same weather they go to Shulas or to any other restaurant. They are boxed, wrapped in wet paper or seaweed and overnighted. The difference in many restaurants is that they only carry chicks or some 1.5 poundrs where places like Shulas will have 2-5 pounders available at around $25 per pound. In Maine those might run $15 a pound but overnight air freight is expensive. Chicks can be bought in Maine very inexpensive. One of the best things in Maine is a lobster roll by the seashore.

 

[Docsknotinn]

I am a HUGE lobster fan but I won't order it again in WDW. I had it at Le Cellier and Narccoossee's and neither had any taste at all, it's just not worth the money in Florida.

IMO thats simply not accurate. A live Maine lobster should be equally as good in Florida and there are many good restaurants in FL that only serve Florida lobster when it is fresh. While they are both from the same family there is a HUGE difference between a fresh warm water Florida lobster and one from the Honduras that was frozen for who knows how long. Lets not condemn every restaurant in the state because of a limited experience.

 

[robinb]

It appears that Narcoosee's has a whole Maine lobster for $54. If you're on the dining plan, it's a "Signature" restaurant and will set you back 2 credits.

 

[Ted and Holly]

All lobsters are basicly shipped the same weather they go to Shulas or to any other restaurant. They are boxed, wrapped in wet paper or seaweed and overnighted. The difference in many restaurants is that they only carry chicks or some 1.5 poundrs where places like Shulas will have 2-5 pounders available at around $25 per pound. In Maine those might run $15 a pound but overnight air freight is expensive. Chicks can be bought in Maine very inexpensive. One of the best things in Maine is a lobster roll by the seashore.

$15 a pound? Not in Maine! Heck, I used to see 2+ pound lobsters for $10 at a chain grocery store in NH. Up to 1.5 pounders will go for $5 a pound in ME and NH. Fresh lobster is bought off a boat, not from a tank or a newspaper filled box.

Whether or not the lobster is live when it hits the restaurant, it needs to be prepared correctly. I found that very few restaurants, even in New England, actually bother to do it right.

I have never had Maine Lobster in Florida, and I don't plan to. Fresh, local seafood is the only way to go, where ever you are.

Ted

 

[Docsknotinn]

$15 a pound? Not in Maine! Heck, I used to see 2+ pound lobsters for $10 at a chain grocery store in NH. Up to 1.5 pounders will go for $5 a pound in ME and NH. Fresh lobster is bought off a boat, not from a tank or a newspaper filled box.

Whether or not the lobster is live when it hits the restaurant, it needs to be prepared correctly. I found that very few restaurants, even in New England, actually bother to do it right.


Ted

2# lobsters for $10. As they would say in Maine. AYUH! What year was that?
I'm not sure when the last time was you were in Maine but we make it just about every year. There are only so many large lobsters and they bring a premium.
I have enjoyed many lobsters and lobstah rolls at restaurants and Lobster pounds in maine and never had a bad one yet.
Personally I'll take a live Maine lobster over a warm water tail any day unless its lobster season in Fl and the product is fresh. Other than that I personally never order warm water tails. I just prefer the others.

 

[ProudMamaof2]

My mom and sister would really like to get some lobster on our trip, but I'm not a seafood person so I'm curious as to where people go for lobster on property at WDW? I'm thinking either somewhere that has a lobster meal or lobster as an add on.
Thanks

If you're llokiing for seafood, I'd suggest Epcot. Check out the menus on the internet that are in Epcot.

 

[Ted and Holly]

2# lobsters for $10. As they would say in Maine. AYUH! What year was that?
I'm not sure when the last time was you were in Maine but we make it just about every year. There are only so many large lobsters and they bring a premium.
I have enjoyed many lobsters and lobstah rolls at restaurants and Lobster pounds in maine and never had a bad one yet.
Personally I'll take a live Maine lobster over a warm water tail any day unless its lobster season in Fl and the product is fresh. Other than that I personally never order warm water tails. I just prefer the others.

I did not say $10 for a 2 pound lobster, I said $10 per pound, not $15. I lived 10 minutes from the Maine border up until 2 years ago. Since then, I have been visiting family several times a year. It might not be $10 a pound, but you can get them at Shaw's for maybe $12/pound. You can buy mail order for $11/pound and get them from the boats at, yes, $10/pound.

I do agree with you on the Maine lobster. In fact, I might even take a bad Maine lobster over a good warm water tail.

There is a fine line between a perfectly steamed lobster and an overcooked rubbery bug. This is why I prefer to get seafood that is somewhat local to the area. They have the experience to do it right.

Florida might have a reputation for good seafood and since it is surrounded by water, that makes sense. But a nice fresh grouper sandwich, maybe some pink keys shrimp, or something less common like snook or pompano is going to be the way to go. Not something that needs to fly further than you do to get to the dinner table!

Ted

 

[bicker]

I've never been to Maine but I understand you can get fresh lobster at a fraction of the cost elsewhere.

At a fraction of the quality. There is no free lunch. Maine has the best value, because overhead is lower.

 

[Docsknotinn]

Maine is really difficult to beat for quality/value. Not that you can't get a mighty fine lobster dinner in Boston or on the cape. A restaurant can not typically buy directly from a boat etc and must use a reliable source. $15 a pound for four pounders today is a good price and my point was that after air freight and labor $25 a pound for a 4 pounder is really a fair market price. I have never had an over cooked Maine lobster. To be honest as a chef I always found Maine lobsters very forgiving in that sense compared to tails of any sort. Broil tails to hot or to close to the flame and they get tuff or mushy. Buying "local" seafood is harder than you might think. Probably 90% + of all the grouper and snapper sold in Florida restaurants today is from South America. FWIW when I worked at Disney, which was long ago, the Snapper and grouper used was all from the Gulf. Disney does purchase very high quality products to begin with. With Lobsters you simply need to understand the product you are buying. I would not hesitate to suggest Shulas for lobster. You might call the day of your ADR and inquire about size and price available if that is a concearn. There should be no issue with a couple splitting a large lobster which makes the cost more appealing.

 

[Docsknotinn]

If after all this Lobster talk anyone is considering mail order Lobster here is a company I have done a fair amount of buisiness with. The prices include overnight freight. 4 pounders would be about $12.50 # in the two lobster order!

http://www.atwoodlobster.com/shop/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=1&subcat=18&cat=Jumbo+Lobsters

 

[Ted and Holly]

A place I might give in and get a lobster at, if I really have the need, would be the Celebration Town Tavern in Celebration. It is owned and operated by the family that owns Kelly's Landing in Weymouth, Mass. They make a good lobster chowder and have the cliche lobster tank in the front of the restaurant.

They also have a selection of over 100 beers. That can't be bad.

 

[robinb]

I would not hesitate to suggest Shulas for lobster.

Except you get to meet the lobster in advance. I always feel sorry for the poor thing.

 

[Jasminetigger]

We recommend NOT going to Fulton's Crab House. As good as it looked, the taste just wasn't there....

Instead, try Yachtsmans Steakhouse.

I agree about Fulton's. I had that same dish and was very disappointed.

 

[scoutsmom99]

Thanks to everyone again for all of the advice. I have directed my sister to the thread. I'm thinking we will skip the lobster meal and if a place has it we already have ADRs for her and my mother can add it on to the meal if they so choose.

 

[1stWDWtrip]

Best place for lobster? Head up Buena Vista Drive to I-4, east to Daytona. Then go I-95 north for a thousand miles or so until you get to Boston.

EXACTLY!!

 

[magicmouse2]

slightly off topic but Walmart in Kissimmee has the lobster tanks where you can get a fresh lobster DD was fascinaed and everytime we go to walmart dd has to go see the lobsters. I wouldnt have the heart to eat one after seeing it running around in a tank either Robinb.

 

[Docsknotinn]

RobinB, most steak houses are the same. If it makes you feel better the lobster you meet is not likely the same one you will be eating. In the photo above from Fultons the lobster is clearly overdone or grilled. There should NOT be any browning on a lobster tail.

 

[robinb]

RobinB, most steak houses are the same. If it makes you feel better the lobster you meet is not likely the same one you will be eating.

Oh, I don't mind seeing them in the tank. I have even killed a few lobsters with my own hands (I have family in the Plymouth, MA area). I have also been to plenty of steak houses, but I have never seen a live lobster paraded around on a tray out of the water like they do at Shulas. I always feel sorry for it. I always name it "Larry" of SNL fame.