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Categories: Seafood Markets, Seafood, Sandwiches [Edit]
269 Putnam AvenueMon-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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I'm an idiot. I can't believe that I have lived in Cambridge for almost 8 years and just discovered this place. Excellent lobster sandwich. No, not a roll, a sandwich. They don't mess around here with the silliness you find other places--no celery, no onions, no gobs of mayo, no tiny hot dog roll that holds three pieces of lobster. Here you will find a full-on adult-sized sandwich packed with succulent lobster lightly dressed with mayo and seasoned with just salt and pepper (yep, that's all you need!) on buttered, toasted scali bread. Served up on a cute lobster plate with a bag of plain Cape Cod brand chips, all for ~$13. Add one of their homemade sodas (I like the black cherry and the cream soda), and you are all set. Grab a seat in their picnic table area and enjoy.
They also have a nice selection of fresh, live lobster at competitive prices, fresh fish, clams, oysters, frozen soups, and other delicious goodies. Last time I was there, a couple was eating a full, cooked lobster, so I guess they will do that for you, too, if you ask nicely. All of this served up from what can best be described as a garage in someone's house by a family that is super nice. Please, don't be an idiot like me and check this place out soon!
What a cool find to impress friends with.
Only issue remains, what if they're not impressed? What then?
Alive and Kicking Lobsters looks like an Autoshop carved out of a residential neighborhood. You're walking along...you're walking along and all the sudden there's a recessed building in view..."THIS IS WHAT YOU MADE US WALK FROM CENTRAL CAMBRIDGE FOR!?!?!?! IT LOOKS LIKE A TIRE SHOP!"
I was nervous...and relieved....Alive and Kicking Lobsters existed...I found it and it was a strange sight.
The idea of grabbing lunch at a random fish market is potentially fruitful for an explorer like me. Shit, I found this place as a weekend visitor to Boston.
Now to the meat of the matter. You have all be foaming at the mouth over mention of this Boston-mannered fish dealer, turned sandwich entrepreneur, but you've failed to consider a few things:
1) a sandwich, chips and a soda sets you back $15
2) chips come with the sandwich, but it's just a throw in tiny bag of uninspired chips...not a worthy accompaniment to a $13 sandwich
3) The Sandwich, filled with deliciously fresh lobster as it is, is nothing to pay so much for. It's fresh cut up lobster meat, tossed with some simple sea salt-based seasonings and mayo and placed on toasted white bread.
I think this guy woke up one day...reeking of spoiled pike and crab guts, and thought to himself, "shit I could make a killing of selling half-assed lobster sandwiches to cool people". It made sense to him, so he did it.
I'm not supporting him anymore though. I would tell you to TRY IT ONCE...and then make up your own mind.
But I'd rather spend 15 bucks differently.
I love lobster, but I don't like over charging for half assed food that isn't made with love. Sure, sell me some fresh Lobster, but my lunch time freedom is sacred. I demand love and respect.
There wasn't much to this sandwich. Bottom line.
Go and impress your friends once, but you're kidding everyone when you rank this place so high. You can find me pulling a Kraemer at the beach pulling commercial lobster traps out of the water illegally. I wouldn't worry though, they tend to shrink in the water.
YES! Lobster Sandwich here is so damn good. The place is run by a coupla NE Pats-lovin' rabble rousers who make a mean sando and sell fresh seafood.
The place is kind of a dump but I don't doubt the quality of the products, especially based on the mouthwatering lobster chunks that were ever so perfectly coated with mayo, enveloped between 2 pieces of toasty bread. Probably Wonderbread.
Their homemade soda is really tasty too. I had the black cherry flavor.
Funny story: While we were waiting for our sandos, the guy inside was screaming and yelling every 10 seconds. We thought he was yelling at a lobster or a crab. Turns out he was yelling at the TV because the Pats game was on. Go fig.
Buy your lobsters here
Fish too
Quohogs.... make chowder!
Thank you Alive & Kicking
This is a under-the-radar place to get a solid lobster sandwich in New England. Despite the parking lot ambience, walk inside the establishment that doubles as a seafood store, place your order, and sit at the available picnic benches. This isn't the place for a first date, but if you want a no-nonsense low-brow yet excellent sandwich, then come here.
Very simple menu - Lobster Sandwich or Boiled Lobster.
My wife and I had the sandwich - two slices of toasted, lightly buttered bread which have nice-sized chunks of lobster which aren't drowning in mayo. Excellent sandwich at a very reasonable price. It comes with a bag of Cape Cod chips for $12.95. Pick up a homemade bottle of soda for $1.50 while you're there - I had the root beer and it was great.
Bottom Line - no frills delicious lobster shack
No frills lobster shack in Cambridge. I start to seek out new places for lobster rolls once summer comes around. I saw Alive and Kicking on Phantom and was wondering why I never heard of it and where the heck it was in Cambridge...
So we made a trip on a sunny Sunday. It was off the beaten path a bit. Louie was chilling outside with the paper and welcomed us in. We ordered two lobster sandwiches. There was another guy in the back cooking, so Louie returned outside to join us for lunch. There are a few picnic tables off to the side of the place.
Within 10 minutes the lobster sandwiches arrived wrapped in foil with chips. The bread was warm. I knew I was in for a treat. As others mentioned the meat is dressed very lightly. Just a little bit of mayo, some salt and pepper, and that's it. On top of the toasted bread, it was decadent. We could of easily had another. For $13 it was a decent amount of lobster meat. I actually liked eating the meat in a sandwich. It was more manageable then an overloaded roll.
During out meal Louie asked us where we were from, then got to talking about where his boats go out and his local seafood. He's been in the business for a long time. Such a warm man. Before we left he said he could boil some lobsters for us, the next time we came, just to give him a heads up.
Try this place out!
Oh and definitely try his signature root beer!
I was something of an anomaly before my visit to Louie's Alive & Kicking Lobsters; I was a Boston-born and bred girl who had never, ever tried a lobster roll. Gasp, if you will my friends, but do not doubt the truth of that statement. It was with serious ambivalence that I approached the counter at Louie's.
Yes, I too, wanted to be like all of my friends who flaunted how many rolls they have had. I wanted to be able to sit with them and giggle about the great ones and those that were not so great. I wanted to be mature and experienced too! Yet, I had my reservations, as well. I was an innocent; a diamond in the rough, if you will. I knew that once I tasted the sweet meat of that sandwich, there was no going back and I would never be the same.
Thankfully, the people behind the counter were kind and supportive. They took my order and told me to go have a seat outside while I waited. Could they see that my knees were weak with fear and anticipation? I heard the woman mutter something about never wanting to look at another lobster sandwich and I stared in awe. Could I ever become so nonchalant, so jaded? I took a seat outside to contemplate.
They alerted me when it was time and I paid them; $14.50 for a sandwich, chips and a Coke. I didn't know what the going rate was, but it seemed a reasonable price to pay for a rite of passage. Seated comfortably back at my table, I tentatively opened the bag, took out my sandwich and slowly peeled back the foil. The bread had an appealing toaster-kissed color and was generously endowed with plump, lobster meat, lightly rubbed with mayonnaise.
My first bite was a sweet, sweet reward and I was so glad that I had not allowed myself to be pressured into this sooner. So relieved that I did not carelessly allow my first time to be at some second-rate roadside who didn't know how to treat a lobster. Instead, I waited to find a respectable, honest and yelp-approved establishment. And as I ate my delicious lobster sandwich I knew that my fears were unfounded. I was coming into my own at Louie's, joining the ranks of my friends. However, unlike them, I knew that what Louie and I shared was sacred. I would never be the kind of girl who had countless experiences to gossip about. I am now the girl who can smile peacefully, as I listen to my friend's accounts of their lobster-filled weekends, because I now know that variety cannot compete with the sweet fulfillment that a committed relationship promises.
It's just me and Louie now and I don't need anyone else.
I love coming here for their lobster rolls/sandwiches. For around $13, you get a really generous portion of lightly seasoned lobster meat tucked inside two pieces of toasted, buttered scali bread and a bag of chips. It really doesn't get any better than this! They have some outdoor picnic seating under an arbor, which is great because you get to eat the sandwiches while they're still warm. I usually get 2 :)
Another worthy mention is their frozen lobster bisque (~$6) and cooked, de-shelled lobster meat ($32/pound). On lazy days, I'd just heat up the bisque and add some lobster meat and call that dinner. It takes about 5 minutes to make and is really quit delicious.
Ohhh man this was good. We walked in and asked what's good -- and the man behind the counter said that they only have one thing -- lobsta sandwich. OK!
Lobster sandwich + Cape Cod chips + their own bottled Cream Soda = $14.45. The sandwich looked kind of small at first (it's on sandwich bread, not a roll), but it's surprisingly filling. Generous portion of lobster, and the mayo mix or whatever that they use is rich, but not heavy and gross. I'm not a fan of mayo, but this was delicious. It was so good that I totally forgave the HAIR I found in my sandwich. Seriously.
The only thing that I knew I HAD to eat on my recent trip to Cambridge was an honest-to-goodness lobster roll. Upon the suggestion of a friend, we walked over to Alive & Kicking for what turned out to be the perfect lobster sandwich. No muss, no fuss, just fresh lobster with the teensiest bit of mayonnaise...just enough to hold the lobster salad together. We also picked up the frozen bisque, because what goes better for lunch than lobster with lobster? Complete the meal with a bag of kettle chips, and you've got the perfect lunch. Loved it.
Yelpers very rarely steer me wrong, and this proved true once again with Louie's Alive and Kickin Lobster shack. This local gem is tucked away so neatly and inconspicuously, I can honestly say that I never would have been alerted to its presence if not for the combination of a serious lobster craving and the use of Yelp.
Not a Boston native, I have never had what you folks call a "lobster roll." The whole idea sounds rather grotesque to me, actually. If you have a lobster, eat the lobster! Don't waste it by mixing it with mayonaise and treating it like tuna. But local Louie has shown me the light. I have learned that sometimes in life, a girl doesn't want an super-expensive and larger than life lobster dinner (ok, sometimes she does though). Sometimes she just wants to gnaw on some tender lobster meat on some buttered bread, sans shell and cracker. Louie's "lobster sandwich" has understated mayo, just enough to hold the lobster meat together. The meat is pink, slightly peppery, and priced just right (about $13). No frills, bells, and whistles. Just lobster chunks on buttered bread. Simply delicious!
And you can't help but feel extra good for supporting locally owned businesses. The ONLY drawback is that they seem to close super-early, 5pm, so get those orders in before you leave work for the day.
I STILL have not had a lobster roll, but I think I'm one step closer to giving it a shot one day, thanks to Louie.
Thank you fellow Yelpers. This place is great. The girlfriend noticed this one while looking for lobster rolls and told me about it.
It is a bit out of the way, but if you are willing to walk a few minutes from Central Station and you are there, but be careful it is a little out of the way. Nestled back a bit from the road is this little piece of heaven.
We both had the lobster sandwich and were not disappointed. The bread was toasted and buttered perfectly and the lobster was ample. Not too much mayo and not overly seasoned. Perfect.
Best lobster roll ever. Oh, I'm sorry, lobster sandwich.
A little mayo, some celery salt, a CRAPLOAD of sweet, firm, delicious lobster meat, and buttered fried toast. Wash it down with a soda from the cooler while you eavesdrop on the guys who live above your picnic-table perch.
One trick pony - but oh what a delicious pony it is!
There are 30 reviews, all giving 4 -5 stars. Nothing I say is different.
Amazing.
Just go.
Really.
This in town lobster joint is a real gem.
You'll think you're a townie in a beach community.
Amazing large lobster sandwiches...they probably have about twice the meat that's in a typical lobster roll. Beautiful swordfish steaks, oysters and clams too. Quality stuff at reasonable prices; they price according to the wholesale rates they get so prices will fluctuate.
Best to come an hour before closing and to call ahead.
Where the hell did this place come from? Located on Putnam, it even has its own off-street parking lot and backyard picnic tables covered in ridiculous lobster-bilia? Score. It has such a Maine lobster shack feel; ultra relaxed, nothing glamorous, stand feet away from a three-tiered lobster jacuzzi while you order, and just the essentials: lobster meat between buttered toasted scali, a few fishies on sale, pre prepared bisque, mussels, soda, chips, and the picnic seats.
The prices for the sandwich have gone up recently. $12.95 per. For that much, I would hope for a little more meat, but the light light lightly dressed lobster chunks and the butter on toasted Scali are pretty damned delicious anyway.
As for other prices. Cod was $8.99-ish per pound today, swordfish $10.99-ish, and lobster tail meat frozen for easy travel: $32 per pound.
Feeling like you need a staycation? Stay in Cambridge and order up some lobster whether it's a salad sandwich or a crustacean you'll need to crack from the guy named Louie. You'll definitely feel like you're treating yourself.
I would give Louis Alive & Kicking Lobsters and extra star if possible just for the hospitality and friendliness of Louis and his brother!!
So we stumbled in on Sat afternoon after the Charles River Fest in search of the best lobster roll in town and we found it!! It is a little shack on Putman Ave that you need to know to look for. Again its a seafood shack with outdoor seating so don't expect anything more!!
We placed our order for 2 lobster sandwiches and then chatted with Louie while the rolls were being prepared. So they take a lobster and steam it fresh to order and then mix it with mayo (lightly), salt and pepper---no celery (thank goodness). It is then served on freshly toasted buttered scali bread with a side of chips and bottled water for $14.95---what a steal!! Fresh. Simple. Tasty. Everything a lobster should be...need I say more!
So while enjoying our roll we learned that Louie has been in this business for over 20 years and he genuinely enjoys it. There were about 5 other people who ordered lobster sandwiches--all which came up and complemented Louie after they were finished!
The also sell lots of lobster and seafood at very reasonable prices. I will be back and bring everyone I know to Louie's when they are in search for the best lobster roll in town!==A++
Finally made it out to try their famous lobster sandwich ($12.95, I think)! It came wrapped in foil with a side of basic Ruffles potato chips. Two slices of toasted scali bread decently packed with mostly? claw meat, dressed with mayo and perhaps a touch too much pepper, it filled me completely for lunch.
They trust you to pay later if you order "for here" rather than "to go" and they provide you with a selection of sheltered picnic tables for your pleasure.
Just the thing for a summer's day!
PS - I like that they have a little lot for patrons.
They only have the most delicious, most fresh, most succulent, lobster sandwiches in Boston/cambridge. Nothing else is served (prepared, that is).
This place is so freaking cool and off the beaten path that eating here makes one feel like Anthony Bourdain.
Great hidden gem. Among the best lobster sandwiches that I've ever had. Great fresh fish at a great price. Nice outdoor seating for 15 or so.
We live 2 blocks away and it took us 6 months to drop in, but it was worth it. They typically have salmon, haddock, swordfish, and of course lobsters, clams, etc.
Small local place to get fresh fresh Lobster sandwiches. Generous serving of lobster meat and homemade soda's aren't bad too.
Weird location, but definitely worth the walk.
The people were super friendly, and they brought the food out to us. There was a bonus show, too! They were working on the driveway, so there were flames.
Man, I love their lobster sandwiches. As in, if I have an extra ten bucks, it's a once a week habit. They are amazing. The lobsters and fish are always fresh. Sandwiches with a root beer and a bag of chips out at the picnic table in summer make me feel like yeah, THIS is New England! My mom requests sandwiches brought to her in PA when I visit, and Louie's chastised me when they found out their sandwich made the 8 hour trip assembled--they'll pack and wrap them so you can assemble a fresh sandwich at your destination.
Louie's was the first time I ate lobster without it being "plain" (i.e. not just lobster and butter). Overall I enjoyed the experience. It's a quirky home operation with a friendly owner and something you'd only find in New England. For that I respect. However, the whole lobster on bread with mayo tradition I can do without. If I want lobster I'll take it straight up. I would return here, however, with a guest from outside New England just to give them an experience. I'd also go back for the root beer. I'm not a soda drinker but Louie's was pop done right.
Highly overrated lobster rolls.
The whole thrill of diving into a whole lobster, digging out the meat, dipping in the butter, dribbling on your bib....yeah, you know what I am talking about.
well it just ain't my bag, to be honest. lobster Bisque, lobster ravioli - yeah, they are better, but frankly the only true way I like lobster is lobster roll.
or it was until Louie offered me a lobster sandwich and killed any chance of wanting to go back to 'roll' version.
peppery, not-too-mayonaise-y, on toasted buttered scali bread.....it doesn't get much better.
hang out at the picnic table on a warm summer day, take in some sun, and giggle at all those grown adults playing with their food up the road at Legal's, letting everyone at the table know when they 'strike gold' with a "hey look at the size of this piece I found in the claw" - to them I raise my sandwich and say "got ya beat, sucker"
p.s. Louie is also a really good fishmonger, with a refreshing selection of what's in season, not what just came from Thailand.
Great local place to buy live lobsters. Didn't the nearby Whole Foods on River Street get rid of their lobster tank? Well, here's your replacement. They also have fresh fish, although the daily selection varies and can be pretty limited. The clams, mussels, and scallops were pretty good deals.
That's scali bread in their interpretation of the lobster "sandwich." Ask a local Italian-American about it or read this story (and look at some pretty darn mouthwatering bread pictures). It's one of those quintessentially Boston things.
http://www.kingarthurf...
To be honest, it's a slight heresy to use even scali bread (toasted and buttered of course) instead of the traditional New England hot dog roll for a lobster roll, but it's good enough (and cheap enough!) to be mostly forgiven. I like the softness of the roll, even after toasting, whereas the scali bread gets a little harder/crustier. When you think about it, it's actually a pretty funny adaptation of such a seemingly Yankee dish to Italian-American tastes. Also, just the right amount of mayo and no celery. I give Yankee Lobster in the Seaport a slight edge, but not by too much. Choose based on convenience.
They also have some great old school drinks bottled for them, like cream soda and raspberry lime rickey. Almost worth a stop just for that!
The closest thing to a seaside lobster pound you'll be able to find in town. Great product at reasonable prices. The knowledgeable staff can answer any questions you have before you try cooking at home.
The Louie's experience is so pure Maine-lobster/crab shack, I get flashbacks to my former life in Kittery. That it hides in a residential neighborhood adds to the charm. You think you're at a friend's cookout, the way they charmingly laid out the kitchen in a garage, and the picnic tables behind a house. In our cafe culture world, I am so very happy a place like this still exists..
Place you order in the garage, grab a bottle of soda pop, then set yourself down at one of the picnic tables. These aren't lobster rolls, thank you kindly, they are lobster sandwiches. Don't roll your eyes -- the sandwich works quite well- think buttery, peppery lobster meat on scali bread. Service is friendly and quick.
mmmmm!!!!
Lobster and clams as fresh as they get for great prices. I live around the corner and enjoy that place for more than four years.
"Naw, we don't have Lobster Rolls, we got Lobster Sandwich." Yes, Louie, you have Lobster Sandwich, and damn if it ain't a thing of beauty. No hot dog buns here -- we're talkin' artisanal bread (scalia was it?), fresh from the local bakery. And the lobster salad that's going in between those sweet slices is going to get made right in front of you. So be patient, check out the tanks, check out the article clippings on the wall, and get yourself a bottle of Orange Crush, cause this is going to be one of the best lobster ro -- er, lobster sandwiches you've been lucky enough to enjoy.
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