After craving more lobster after Neptune Oyster, we went on a mission to find the 2nd best tasting Lobster Roll in Boston, and found it at James Hook & Co. The LOBSTER ROLL was served COLD with LARGE PIECES OF DELICIOUS LOBSTER with a WELL-BALANCED SAUCE IN TERMS OF AMOUNT AND TASTE on a toasted bun. Paired with their YUMMY CHOWDER w/ GENEROUS AMOUNTS OF CLAM is a WIN-WIN SITUATION. Price is very reasonable so I highly recommend checking out James Hook. James Hook's place is small but cool in a sense how they have their seafood on display for all to see. read more

Although having never been to Boston before, I knew I was going to be able to get good lobster, I just didn't know how good! Following the advice of online reviewers, I decided to try James Hook and company. This little restaurant, tucked away in a little camper in the middle of a parking lot near the water, serves some of the best seafood I've ever tasted. Live lobster and crab are available for purchase and some of the lobsters are the largest you'll ever see. Seating is minimal, but it's worth the wait if you have to. I ordered lobster tail and it was served cold with warm butter. I've never eaten cold lobster before but it was amazing. The lobster meat here was the richest best tasting I've ever had. They have a freezer offering many foods to buy to take home. Friendly staff. Great find! Next time I'll try the lobster bisque! read more

James Hook & Co - Gigantic, fresh lobster available daily - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Absolutely love love love their lobster rolls. My favorite in MA and I've made it a point to try them regularly at different places in Boston and along the shore. Lobster bisque is delicious as well. Pretty quick service; prices are to be expected; and though it's a tiny place, you don't really go there for the atmosphere or to spend a long time at lunch. It's more of a grab and go find a spot by the water to dig in kind of place. Been here several times and so far not disappointed! Always recommend it to friends looking for a place to eat a quick bite in the city! I've heard from a friend of mine that she asked for her lobster roll to be made with less/no mayo (dietary stuff) and the kitchen did it for her. Pretty awesome, I'd say. She also said it was even better than their regular roll (which she had tried before) - might just have to try it myself :) Question for reviewers or for the owner - my parents are coming into town and my mom has a tough time walking for long periods, so it's tough walking around Boston. But I am dying for her to try these rolls. 1) the page says there is a private lot - is that just the small blacktop area by the picnic tables? 2) is there any way to call ahead with an order and then drive in and pick it up quickly? read more

I walks by this place all the time and don't even know they sell foods in there. The exterior of this place look more like a seafood store. I finally stop by one day and read one of their outside sign and found out they sell lobster roll and other seafood to eat in the shop. I pay a visit today and had the best lobster roll ever. Their have so much lobster meats in the bread and is so fresh. I also had a clam chowder and it was also good. There are so much clam and potatoes in the soup. I love it. The only complain I have is the chowder is not that hot and the soup is not that creamy as I wanted it to be. The services is pretty fast and the staffs are friendly. I would definitely come back here with my friends next time. read more

James Hook & Co - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Great experience: lobsters are fresh and delicious, the price is reasonable. At lunch time it was overcrowded so we had to wait for a little bit but the service is superfast. Definitely I strongly recommend to visit this place! read more

James Hook & Co - Huge lobsters - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Finally got to James Hook for their amazing Jumbo lobster roll...somewhere between 6-6.5 ounces of deliciously flavored large chunks of lobster...$20, which is not bad considering the high price of lobster these days and the fact that this kind of meat is selling for $50/pound. read more

The whole building is about the size of a train car but don't let that fool you. When in Boston, you gotta grab a lobster roll here because they definitely do not skimp out on the meat. They serve it with nice, large, hearty chunks of lobster meat and don't overuse the mayo. Perfect on a warm summer day. If I'm ever in the area again, I'll be back for sure! read more

James Hook & Co - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Great clam chowder and stuffed clams! Will go there again when I go to Boston :) Keep up the good job guys! read more

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Very good lobster roll and great chowder. The lobster roll is packed w/ sweet, succulent lobster. I feel like it might've needed a tiny bit of celery, but it was outstanding even w/out it. Extremely friendly and helpful staff. Great restroom. Outdoor seating is nice. Will def return next time I'm in Boston. read more

Best lobster rolls and New England clam chowder ever!! And they were not even pricey and had big chunks of lobster and clam meats! We were visiting Boston and this was the best casual meal. read more

James Hook & Co - New England clam chowder and lobsters. So delicious! Real food!! - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Got off the plane and went straight here. Wow. The lobster roll is huge! So delicious and obviously fresh. I can't wait to go back.

Stopped in at J Hook and had a lobstaaa role which was loaded with meat!!!! Definitely would go back.

My favorite lobster rolls place in Boston . Made fresh , lots of fresh seafood to buy , excellent clam chowder soup , great outside seating in the summer . Amazing fresh lobster !!! Excellent location . A must try for lobster roll lovers . read more

The best place for lobster rolls and people watching. Thanks for the heads up that lobster salad was only the filling meat on a lobster roll, not an actual salad (which they don't offer). The shrimp were also huge and great. read more

You are here for the Boston Experience...I get it. Welcome to your first Lobster Roll Tourist Trap. The flavor is where it falls short. Price is ok...but the Cold Lobster Roll with mayo does not have to be this bland. I got absolutely no flavor from my $20 Lobster Roll. Not from the Lobster or the mayo spread. Do yourself a favor and go to Boston Chowda and order a HOT Lobster Roll there to compare. Shout Out to Lobsta Truck in LA! You guys spoiled me rotten! read more

My first impression to Boston lobster is now complete. Highly recommend the lobster roll and shrimp'n corn chowder soup.

I was visiting from NYC for a weekend and went there for lobster roll on the recommendation of a friend. The roll was delicious but damn expansive! I also ordered a clam chowder as well as a baked clam (yes, I like clams). The clam chowder was ok, had better before. The baked clam was way too salty! The establishment is small. I went there when it was very cold and there were not enough seats indoor, ended up having to sit outside in the cold... read more

I stopped by James Hook for a grab-and-go quick lunch on a weekday. It was awesome. The lobster roll was fresh, juicy and tasty. The guy actually made me a new sandwich when I asked my bread to be toasted (3 minutes, nice!). For $15, the larger lobster roll is pricier than some other places like Alive and Kicking Lobster in Cambridge ($12), but it's a meaty sandwich, and pound-for-pound, is well worth the price. There is not much ambiance, but the place is kept clean and there are few free parking spots in front of the store. I would definitely go back again, and perhaps try the clam roll, chowder or crab cake. read more

Yummy! Yummy! Yummy! We had the lobster rolls here and they were absolutely delicious! The chowder was really good too but a thinner type. There are some warnings about the place though: -it is not really a restaurant, as in sit down and be served. It is a store/market with a couple tables. You order at the display case and you better know what u want when it's your turn. -the staff seems annoyed, all of them. I understand it's busy and it can get stressful, but come on. -there are probably only 3 tables inside and 4/5 outside. So not good for large groups or if it's really hot or cold outside. -also, as I said, it's a store/market. So don't expect a full menu cooked by a chef. Most of what is there seems to be intended to take home. Overall, delicious and would definitely go back. read more

The line was pretty busy. Of course, we went on a beautiful Saturday around 2:30pm. There were about ~15 people in line and took us about 40 minute wait to order. But once you order, your food comes out pretty quickly (within 5-8 minutes). You can specify the way you want your roll. I have had better lobster rolls in Maine, however. The bun is toasted, but when we received it, it was cold. We asked for little mayo on the lobster, but I felt like ours had a lot. You do receive a good amount of lobster for the price -- 15$ for the regular and $18 for the large. Atmosphere was neat because they also sell fresh lobster. So while you're waiting in line, you can see them fish out fresh lobster for other customers. There are also plenty of outdoor benches and tables with umbrellas to eat outside. There are several small round tables indoors, but plenty more seating outside. Overall, I probably liked Pauli's in North End because the line is much quicker and the lobster wasn't smothered in mayo. read more

Nothing fancy in terms of seating but it doesn't matter because the food is amazing. You have to order your food in the trailer first. Then you can either take it to go or you can stay and eat at the picnic tables outside. If you do decide to stay, I would say, secure a place to sit before ordering, as this place gets packed quick and the food is prepared within minutes of ordering. I loved: the lobster roll - go ahead go for the large size, you won't regret it; the lobster Mac and cheese was my favorite; and last but not least, the clam chowder! The best I have ever had, hands down - fresh and flavorful. If you love lobster then you will love this place. They are not stingy when it comes to their portions of lobster! read more

No frills here.. All about simple and fresh seafood. I got the large lobster roll. The bread was good.. Not to soft and not too crunchy but toasted nicely so it was chewy. Trying to be 'healthy' and I don't like the taste of mayo I asked for no mayo on the lobster. There was a TON of lobster but it was missing some flavor or texture.. I think I would ask if they could heat up the lobster meat the next time I go. Overall not a bad deal for quality & quantity for $18 read more

James Hook & Co - Large lobster roll sans mayo - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Best of Boston - Great lobster rolls, in addition to other fresh seafood, soups, and salads. Super casual, indoor and outdoor seating. read more

James Hook & Co - Lobster Roll! - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

You get lots of lobster on your bun, sauce is not overwhelmingly rich, so you can still taste the delicious lobster.. Yum read more

James Hook & Co - Can't wait to try the lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Excellent food and we were quite impressed with the amount we got for west we paid. However don't expect 5 star service. read more

Y.U.M! Yum!! Yum!!! Lobster!!! This wooden trailer on the harbor is not much to look at, but oh my goodness, the seafood is fantastic. They offer 2 sizes of lobster roll, regular and large. I've only ever gotten the regular, which seems to be a pound of decadent, large chunks of lobster tail and claw meat in a buttery, toasty roll. I struggled to finish, but powered through because it was just so good! I also got the lobster bisque which was delicious, but I just couldn't handle all the goodness luckily my husband helped polish it off! We also got the stuffed scallop, which was as good as everything else. In my opinion, this place is a must visit in Boston. read more

James Hook & Co - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Surprisingly low priced for the area, a solid, fresh lobster roll, great clam chowder and a delicious, albeit thin lobster bisque make this a great no-frills stop for lunch or a to-go dinner. Definitely recomended! Side note: Small venue (7 total 2-tops if I remember correctly) with an open-top tank of live crab and lobster - smell isn't a bad one necessarily but distinct to say the least. read more

The lobster was very fresh, but the roll overall was just okay compared to some others I tried while in Boston. The roll wasn't really hot and lacked flavor. Also tried the clam chowder, and it was good also. read more

If you love lobster and are in Boston this is a MUST! YOU NEED GO GO TO JAMES HOOK! The lobster is fresh and amazing. The best lobster roll that I ate was to die for! I will Make this place a ritual every time I come to Boston! And they have free parking in their parking lot. read more

Just got back from Boston, tourist from California. Let me say first, I do not eat seafood. But ... came here twice in one week. I am now a big lobster roll fan. Delicious, big and so tasty. Second visit had crab cake, clams and something else. So good. read more

Probably one of the best places and also most affordable places to stop along the waterfront for some good seafood. My lobster roll was PACKED with lobster ( I got the regular with hot butter and it was STUFFED. Only cost $20) and my mother got a smaller lobster with potato salad as a side and loved it. My 8 year old son loved his hot dogs so much he got 2. His face was smeared with ketchup which is why I don't have a picture. My only few critiques are that there's not a lot of indoor seating or menu options. Also at almost $4 (after tax) for a hot dog they should switch to a bigger sized one and that I should've gotten the lobster bisque they had available. It sounded delicious! Lolz! The service was awesome although ordering was a bit slow but there was a new guy on just learning the system. Plenty of outside seating and the man cleaning tables and prepping to close outside was SUPER nice. We can't wait to come back. read more

James Hook & Co - Dry lobster roll w/butter - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Eh. Middling flavor. Takeout lobster rolls should include lemon, and fries (for that price). Tourist trap. Go to Yankee Lobster instead.

Stopped by after a tour of Boston. Place is a little small but has a decent amount of seating indoors. The staff were super friendly. We all ordered lobster rolls and clam chowder. This was by far the best lobster roll I've had in Massachusetts. Absolutely buttery goodness. They even entertained my request for no mayo. I got the large and for 20 bucks they really pack that bun full of succulent lobster! The chowder was also a good level of creamy with plenty of fresh clam. We all left full, which rarely happens for us at most lobster places. It's a must visit if you're in Boston. You won't find a better lobster to cost ratio anywhere else! read more

James Hook & Co - Large lobster roll and creamy clam chowder - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Am a return customer and placed an order online for delivery out of state. Paid through the nose for the "next day delivery by 10:30am." Called them after 11am to tell them the shipment was not delivered. They told me not to worry- it should be there before noon. Problem is that I asked the recipient to stay home until 10:30 when the package would be delivered. Upon further review, the idiots who filled in the Fed Ex label were not able to properly copy the recipient's name and address. Brought this to the attention of the "boss" at James Hook and he could not have cared less. Horrible customer service. Will never use these idiots again. read more

Food: 5 Service: counter ordering Ambience: 3 It's a great walk in, order your food , get it in a short time, and eat it at one of the few inside tables or outside at a picnic table. HOWEVER if you want a great lobster roll, delicious New England clam chowder, or luscious lobster bisque--and you don't want to have to spend a lot of time and aren't dressed up--this is THE place to go. read more

This place is the real deal. A close walk from the aquarium, this small unassuming place proves you should never judge a book by its cover. Though you may encounter a wait, the line moves very quickly and is completely worth it! The lobster roll is by far the best I've ever had, and was worth the price. I recommend ordering it 'light on the mayo' and with chips - yum! read more

Although prices are always fluxuating with the economy and catches, this is the best value and quality of seafood in Boston. On a warm afternoon if you ask them to cook you some of the clams, heat up the chowder, and make you a lobster sub there are some nice picnic tables to eat on outside read more

After a year-long promise to go here, I made it in for lunch. First of all, ordering is confusing as some things are ready-to-eat or will be cooked for you, the rest won't. For example, we could have small crab cakes, but not large ones because they weren't precooked. We had a crab cake, lobster roll, baked scallop and everything was good. The lobster roll had big chunks of meat and not too much mayo. We enjoyed a quick lunch, but ordering was challenging between what could and could not be served. We also watched some tourists be told that it would take an hour to cook four lobsters, but if they ordered larger ones, it would only take thirty. last time I checked it only takes 15...? read more

The boiled lobster is a must! So FRESH and So GIANT! The best price you can get near waterfront area. The service and seat outside is a lot better than what I had expected. A must-recommend place for hard-shell lobster zealot! Also, the clam chowder is fresher than the awarded one in Quincy Market, which just tasted like the can soup. A mouthful of freshness at James Hook will make you skip Quincy Market forever! The first time, I gave it five; the second time, four. Because of the bad weather and fewer people than usual, the fresh lobsters were served from the fridge still for 19.99 each....and end up broken in pieces before we want to knock their shells down. I was a little disappointed, but it still tasted good. However, not so good at the first time. Don't crack the shells except when the customer asked for it. read more

I have been coming to the JH Lobster shack for decades. They had great lobster rolls and stuffed clams. I recently took a friend visiting Boston. We went in a pizza and lobster roll tour of Boston. I was glad to see they have expanded their seating, but I could see it was a product of their increased tourism. My beloved shack has become a Quincy Market like tourist trap. The lobster roll was okay. I ordered a large and I was shocked at how small it was. Literally the same size as the small in their display window. And for $7 for a cup of bisque, you'd think they'll fill the cup. Come on guys! What happened to my spot? I literally had a roll at IKEA the weekend before that was bigger and on an equally stale bun. Luckily my friend didn't notice and she was impressed...not getting by this local though ;) read more