Where to find lobster rolls in North Jersey - NorthJersey.com

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The Clam Shack in Kennebunk, Maine. Lobster Landing in Clinton, Connecticut. Jack's Lobster Shack in ... Edgewater?

Yes, Edgewater. There's no need to travel to New England to indulge one of summer's best dishes: a fresh lobster roll. From food trucks to fancy restaurants, there are plenty of spots in North Jersey to take a bite of warm, buttery lobster stuffed in a toasted hot dog bun — or to savor a perfectly balanced lobster salad stuffed in a soft one.

Lobster rolls come in two traditional styles: Maine and Connecticut. The Maine style is a New England top-split bun filled with large bits of chilled lobster salad tossed with a mayonnaise dressing with lemon and celery. The Connecticut style has lobster warm lobster, glistening with butter. Restaurants around North Jersey serve both versions, and also add their own twists on the classic, with lobster gyros, tacos and more.

Here are five places to find lobster rolls in North Jersey.

Jack's Lobster Shack, Edgewater

No need to choose between a warm or chilled lobster roll at Jack's Lobster Shack, where there are both versions.

Both the Maine and Connecticut style rolls are served with four ounces of lobster on a New England split bun, said Aline Tabbibian, co-owner. The Maine lobster roll is served chilled with a "light" mayonnaise and celery dressing, while the Connecticut lobster roll is served warmed with butter. Customers can also order a "double" lobster roll of either style, which is served on a seven-inch roll with eight ounces of lobster meat.

Lobster rolls are "one of our best sells," said Tabbibian. She said the lobsters, ranging from 1 to 4 pounds, are shipped live from Maine twice a week.

The single meat lobster roll costs $24, while the double meat will cost $46. You can also turn it into a platter, where you can get house-made chips or a salad on this side for an extra $3.

Go: 1040 River Road, Edgewater; 201-224-2808, jacklobstershack.com.

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Cousins Maine Lobster Truck

Keep an eye out for this traveling lobster roll truck this summer. Based in Freehold, these food trucks travel across the state offering a variety of lobster dishes, including signature lobster rolls.

The owners, Savas and Victoria Alkoc, own three trucks in New Jersey and just opened a restaurant last May in Asbury Park. The trucks travel from Atlantic City to Hackensack, stopping at various locations, like retail malls, but can also be booked for private events, said Savas Alkoc.

"The trucks are very popular," Savas said. "We have a huge following. We would say we probably have the most authentic lobster rolls in the state. Everything on the truck and everything in the restaurant comes from Maine,"

There are Maine- and Connecticut-style lobster rolls for $20.50 each. The Maine lobster roll is served chilled "with a touch of mayonnaise" on the bun while the Connecticut lobster roll is served warm with lemon and butter. You can also turn it into a combo meal and add a drink, chips, tater tots or a Whoopie Pie to your order.

If you want to create an authentic New England meal at home, the truck offers take home lobster roll kits for $90 and $170 each. The $90 kit includes one pound of Maine lobster meat, six New England split top rolls, butter, mayonnaise and lemons, which creates six servings. The $170 kit includes enough of these ingredients for 12 servings.

The truck also serves specialty lobster dishes, like lobster grilled cheese and lobster tots, for $16.75 each. Add a cup of lobster bisque or clam chowder to any meal for an additional $5.50.

Go: Varying locations, visit the website for the schedule. Freehold, NJ | Cousins Maine Lobster

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Varka, Ramsey

For a unique take on a lobster dish, head to Varka to taste the lobster gyros.

Varka's lobster gyros are topped with a cucumber-tomato relish and mint tzatziki. They can either be ordered as an mini lobster gyro appetizer, or as regular sized gyro entrée. Both are priced at $20. The menu also includes other lobster dishes, like lobster ravioli ($21) and lobster salad mixed with bacon, blue cheese and avocado ($31).

Go: 30 N. Spruce St., Ramsey; 201-995-9333, varkarestaurant.com.

City Lobster, Hackensack

City Lobster opened its Hackensack location last month with five lobster rolls on its menu, including a fried lobster option, all for $26 a roll.

The New England Roll is a traditional lobster roll served chilled and tossed in mayonnaise. There are also two more warmed traditional options, the Stanford Roll served with warm butter and the Big Apple Roll served with warm butter and lemon.

The Chicago Roll is a warm roll served with signature City Lobster sauce. The nontraditional fried lobster roll — the Atlantic City Roll — is also served with City Lobster sauce. All sandwiches are served with seasoned fried or a side salad.

Go: 80 Main St., Hackensack; 908-952-0921, Instagram: @city.lobsterhackensack

Mystic Lobster, Montclair

Mystic Lobster in Montclair has a number of unusual lobster rolls including Italian and BLT.

The Italian roll has fresh lobster, mozzarella, pesto aioli and tomato and the King Louis XIII sandwich has lobster, mozzarella, prosciutto and truffle aioli. The Middle East Roll is topped with shredded coconut and coconut curry aioli, and the LBI, which is topped with avocado, mayo and tomato.

Each roll is priced between $20 and $23. Lobster tacos are $20.99 and non-fish options, like chicken tacos and sliders.

Go: 145 Valley Rd., Montclair; 973-457-2651, Instagram: @mysticlobsterrollsmontclair.com.