…Moby Dick’s. Meet my
new found champion in the category of: Best Lobster Roll … ever! I honestly thought I’d never see the
day. The menu describes it as “tender
tail and claw meat with just a touch of mayo on a toasted New England roll.” It
was certainly all of that, and more. For
you novice Cape visitors, Moby Dick’s is located on Rt. 6, at the northern end
of the Town of Wellfleet, well on the way to Provincetown. It’s on the left headed north, and is an
unassuming little stop on the road, hardly noticeable, hiding in muted colors
just beyond all the cars stuffed into its parking lot.
I should have sensed something special was about to happen
when we drove into the parking lot just after they opened for lunch, and were
greeted by a ton of people already in line.
Uh - oh I thought, we’re in for a long wait. But there was a good reason for this
popularity. This place turned out to be
a model of organization and efficiency the likes of which I’ve never seen in a
restaurant before. Add to that great
casual food, well prepared, and you’ve got a winner.
It is a very informal place, as many Cape joints are. It kind of reminded me of Sesuit Harbor
Café. A huge line forms outside, and
when space is available, the entire party is ushered inside to place their
order. Once the order is placed, you are escorted to a table already set to fit
your needs, there to await your food.
There were 13 of us, and starting the timer at the moment we placed our
order until our food was served, no more than 15 minutes elapsed. For 13 people!
 |
| It tastes as good as it looks :) |
That’s all lobster meat in the picture folks, piles of
it. It was perfect … toasted roll, just
a hint of mayo (I got extra just to add now and then), and oh so tender. The only drawback was the ever present hot
dog bun sized roll. There was way too
much meat for the size of the roll, which is my pet peeve with this lobster treat.
But in this case I’ll make an exception and perhaps next time bring a roll of
my own so I can make 2 lobster rolls. Yes,
there is plenty enough for two!
Just to be fair, I also visited Chapin’s restaurant in
Dennis (the Taunton Ave. location) to sample what has always been my favorite
lobster roll. This is mainly because
they use an oversized bun and cram it full of lobster meat, plain and
simple. Except this year. For some unknown, but fatal reason, Chain’s
altered the way they make a lobster roll.
Considerably less meat filled (or should I say didn’t fill) the bun this
time. No lobster roll passes muster
unless it is stuffed to the overflowing in the bun. You lose Chapins. Quantity of lobster meat ultimately trumps
size of bun.
There is now a new number one in the house. Content beyond belief, my tummy smiling, I
headed south after lunch toward Orleans.
I just happened to be sightseeing and out of the corner of my eye, on
Rt. 6, directly across from the entrance to the Salt Pond Visitor Center, I saw
a restaurant by the name of The Lobster Shanty.
Out front, by the road, was one of those portable signs with letters you
can slide in and out to create your message.
In this case, the message simply said:
Cape Cod’s Best Lobster Roll. Ya
think? Well, I guess that next year I’ll
have to try one of theirs. It ain’t over
yet! Maybe it will never be over. I'll try this and other places, that’s a
given, but for sure I will return to Moby Dick’s!
My visit to the Cape for 2014 now complete, the next two
posts will feature my old friend, Vivien Oswell on the happy side, and,
regretfully, Bonatt’s on the sad side.
Stay tuned.
Mark Twain Quote: “All people have had ill luck, but
Jairus’s daughter and Lazarus had the worst.”
