And The Winner Is……..

…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.”