Checked out this place while visiting Boston. I guess we could not skip a traditional lobster roll! The lobster roll was very good, packed with meat and very satisfying. However, the stars in my opinion were the baked clam and the crab cake - I really enjoyed both! They also serve whole lobsters and a bunch of different sides! Sitting outside is definitely a fun experience, great spot to visit with friends! read more

James Hook & Co - Whole Cooked Lobsters, Crabcakes, Stuffed Clams, Lobster Roll - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

My friend and I came here for lunch after our Duck Tour, and our narrator said great things about James Hook & Company for lobster rolls so we decided to come. We were not disappointed. It's the best lobster roll I've ever had. The mayonnaise brings this dish together. Normally, I wouldn't do mayonnaise but it makes sense in this case. They serve it either with or without mayonnaise and also an option with or without butter. I also love how they pack the lobster meat into the sandwich for you, and they also toast your bread without you asking. The lobster is also super fresh, juicy, and tender. I highly recommend you dine in so you can have it fresh. I asked the staff member at the counter what the size difference is -- the regular role is on a bread that's about the size of a hot dog bun. My friend did the regular one with mayonnaise along with a lemonade, and I ordered the large one with mayonnaise. I didn't think I would eat the bread, but I made an exception today and it was the best. I also ordered a Pellegrino water and a bag of Nantucket Crisp -- a local brand of potato chips that were thin, crispy, light, and perfectly seasoned. They have parking in the back. You enter the trailer, stand in line to order, and they also have other seafood options that you can buy to take home. I highly recommend this place to anyone in the area looking for a lobster roll. read more

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Damn! I wish I found this place before my last day of traveling back to Orlando. We walked all over Boston and tried a number of Lobster Rolls, out of all of them, this one hands down was the best one in Boston. After having the roll, we decided to try the Lobstah Chowda and Lobstah Bisque, were excellent. If you are visiting Boston come here. I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking. People talking about "lack of flavor" must be special or lost taste buds. Let the lobster flavor be what it is. Sweet, succulent, lobster with butter. As much or as Little as you would like to add. If you need a kick, they have New England Bay Salt and Hot sauce, and I tried a little of both, but plain with butter was best imo. People talking about price...it's clearly on the menu. If you don't like it, walk it out. read more

James Hook & Co - Left is the Lobsta Bisque and Right is the Clam Chowder. - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Incredible food. Line looks long but they are quick and efficient. Great out door seating and the weather was perfect. read more

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Love seafood, and this did not disappoint, walking distance to many of the sites in downtown.

This lobsta is heaven sent! It's most definitely a must have for me every time I go to Boston. Fresh lobster in New England - can it get any better. I definitely think that this lobster roll is unbeatable, it hits different then the basic lobster rolls that you could get at Quincy Market for example. Squeeze a little lemon on this bad boy and your ready to rock'n roll! They also have a nice variety of sea food you can take to cook at home and some delicious New England clam chowder that is pretty impressive. read more

James Hook & Co - Regular Lobster Roll with Butter - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I have never written a review on a restaurant or a store before. I have many times either shipped lobsters and clams to Florida or went in their store and bought them. My orders have included anywhere from 4 to 10 pounds of steamers and four to approximately a 15 pound lobster. In February for Valentine's Day I bought my wife 5 pounds of cleaned cooked lobster meat and 2 pounds of steamers for me. Without shipping and tax this was on approximately $450 order. I had it shipped to Florida where we spend the winter. When I received it, the lobster meat was awesome, but the steamers were approximately 1 inch .after debating it for a few days I called hooks and told them of all the time I have been dealing with them I have never seen such small steamers. I even sent them pictures of what these look like. Begrudgingly the owner, John told me when I was back in Boston he would replace them. This past weekend I was in Boston so I went into hooks. I spoke with one of the owners and could not believe how rudely I was spoken to. First he told me the problem was that I did not cook the steamers and his family has 100 years in the business. I am in my 70s and although I do not have 100 years experience cooking steamers, I know how to cook them. When I showed him around the edges of the clamshell, you could see the skin and he realized they were in fact cooked. I told him what the other owner had said the middle of the conversation he turned around and walked away from me. My intention was to buy a 6 pound lobster for my wife and an extra 6 pounds steamers. For that $15 worth of steamers they lost an approximate $200 order! He did not even want to see the order number and the credit card amount of which I spent on that order. I have been dealing with Hooks long enough that I remember when their original store burned approximately 20 years ago, and even then I felt the need to go into their store to help support that business that has always treated me so well! I hate to say that that will be the last time I ever deal with hooks again. read more

I ate my lobster roll so fast that I forgot to take a photo of it. That's not to say James Hook skimps on their lobster rolls. For usually about 40 or 50 dollars (including a water bottle and tip) you can get a hot dog roll stuffed with just the biggest pieces of the lobster, plus a side of butter. Ordering is fast and simple. Just walk in and order with the person to the side of the menu. It's similar to ordering at a grocery store deli. Seating is usually all taken up on the busy days in the summer. If you can't get a seat on the property, there's other options a few minutes away along the harbor walk, on the Kennedy Greenway, or across the bridge, in front of the Children's Museum. read more

I've been in Boston quite a bit for work and I make it a point to try all of the lobster roll places. James Hook is one of the better ones. Lobster rolls aren't complicated but magic is made when the correct ratio of lobster meat vs bun vs mayo/butter is used. This place gets packed but if you just want to order the lobster rolls you can order the pre made ones from the stand out side. I've had both the rolls from inside and outside and they are identical. read more

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Great outdoor seating area and well maintained by staff. Lobster roll was generous but could have been a little hotter and more flavor but the side of butter was wonderful! I would go back for another try as maybe we just got an "off" batch since I read so many great things. Still quite good and loved the searing area! read more

Great Lobster. No roll needed. Would come again. Priced reasonably. Beer was ice cold as well. read more

James Hook & Co - Lobster roll without the roll. Delicious! - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

We dog/housesat for a couple in Boston, and inevitably hit them up with the question of where to get a lobster roll in the city. James Hook was one of two answers, and sure enough, we found ourselves there a day later. The food is...expensive. No other way to put it. But then again, "cheap" and "lobster" aren't used to one another. But considering we wouldn't be in Boston anytime soon, we ordered more than just the lobster roll. We had a large lobster roll with butter, that we shared. The lobster feels fresh, and the addition of butter is mandatory! One can obtain a lobster roll with mayo at a slightly lower price. We ordered a clam chowder that tasted like any other (not necessarily a bad thing). Finally, we had a crab cake, priced at $10. We both enjoyed the crab cake, although I can vividly recall having eaten a better version in NYC. James Hook is a fine choice for a lobster roll. It feels like a safe choice, even. But not having tried the other options, I'm not sure there is much more to be said. read more

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Pretty EXPENSIVE. Good quality food but overpriced. Not the easiest parking either. They have what I want to eat but I wish it was more affordable. read more

Yes. It's as good as advertised. Amazing in fact. But pricy. $78 for 2 lobster salad and a clam chowder. And we were starving after as it's not a lot of food. So it's a toss up. Cause it's amazing but if you want to get full....it's going to cost you big time. read more

James Hook & Co - 2 lobster salads New England Clam Chowda. $78. - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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When in Rome.......you eat Lobsta. :-) Although our Hop On/Hop Off tour guide said this was the place to go, it was already on our Boston bucket list of places to eat. We don't know rather it is the "best" in Boston but it bested our local best place. Then the weather cooperated (on 19 July) and it was chilly enough for sleeves and overcast, a perfect tourist day for outside dining. EUREKA! There are a few tables indoors but the outdoors is way more attractive-to a tourist at least. We ordered from the food truck and knoshed on Lobster and beer. I did not order the largest lobster roll because I wanted to eat 3 meals that day. There are so many good places to eat in Boston you have to pace yourself. read more

Nothing gold can stay... Got my first ever lobster roll here, and my tastebuds were revolutionized by the simple, yet sweet love of the cold lobster roll...at that time for $18 Fast forward 8 years later, and the lobster roll here is underwhelming. I can confidently say that after eating 5 different lobster rolls in Boston and Portland, ME in the past 2 days. One, the prices on the overhead board are way off. For example, Large lobster roll: sign $25, actual charge $29 +tax Clam chowder/soup: sign $8, actual $10+tax The hot style lobster roll itself was ordinary, fair size for the price, plain, but Eventide, Neptune oyster, and pauli's all beat it in terms of taste and/or value. The clam chowder was good, but nothing amazing to just go here for Bottom line: It seems that expanding has deteriorated the quality and taste of a pastime love read more

James Hook & Co - Lobster roll hot butter style - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Wait.. could this be the best lobster roll I've ever tasted?? I don't eat them very often since they're pricey, but I've lived in Boston for 3.5 years now and have had my fair share. If you want taste, quality, and portion for value, James Hook is for you. There was a medium line (about ten people) when i got to the store at around 12:45pm on a Saturday, but it moved very quickly. Side note: if you're looking to cook your own seafood, James Hook is a fish market in addition to selling cooked items like steamed lobsters and chowder. I got the large lobster roll and was so glad that I got the large. I'm not really sure, but I think the large is on a French type roll instead of a hot dog bun like the regular sized one comes with. You're paying a few dollars more (mine was $24.99 in March 2019), but you get better bread and more lobster. This was actually one of the first breads that I've finished as most lobster roll places have buttery, but disappointingly soft, buns. The lobster is lightly dressed with mayo without any other fillers and the chunks are huge, fresh, tender pieces. It really went well with the crusty hearty bread! I also got the stuffed scallop which was decent but I'd never had one before and it wasn't quite what I was expecting, although if you like seafood and Thanksgiving stuffing, you should get this. Next time I'd skip this and just focus on the lobster roll. Tip: go to the little counter area of condiments and put some Old Bay in a little sauce cup and sprinkle that on your lobster roll, which adds another level of flavor! read more

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

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Really friendly service, sizable lobster roll, and good location; however, I just found my lobster roll to lack any flavor and have way too much mayonnaise for my liking. I've had much better lobster rolls in the area. read more

It's easy to pass by this spot while walking along the wharf, but step inside for some amazing seafood! I loved the clam chowder here - it was a perfect balance of soup and clams, and served hot and fresh with crackers on the side. They have a huge selection here including lobster rolls and other seafood that you can enjoy both inside the shop and on their patio. read more

James Hook & Co - New England Clam Chowda - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

BEST LOBSTER ROLL EVER! Took my family here for lunch on our last day in Boston- I lived in Boston for 4 years and never found this spot. After eating so many lobster rolls this weekend, this was the champion. The portion of lobster is so generous and it overflows from the roll. The vibe is more of a food truck/store where you can go in and serve yourself but everyone was extremely helpful. The outdoor area is very chill with music and plenty of seating. Wo 100% be returning on every trip to Boston! read more

This is my #2 chowder spot in Boston. #1 lobster roll though! The location is cool, right across the bridge from SeaPort. I enjoyed the deli style ordering process, and eating outside with my friends. Made for a quick little bite along our walk. So good! Will definitely be back. read more

James Hook & Co - New England Clam Chowda and Lobster Roll - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Large rolls were packed to the brim with lobster & crab. Service was extremely quick on a weekday afternoon. Parking is extremely limited-- careful not to park in the coast guard spaces or you'll get towed. Plenty of seating outside. Cute & nicely decorated place. They also sell some merchandise with their logo. There's a large lobster tank next to the order counter. Best lobster rolls in town-- check it out! read more

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When in Boston, right? If you're looking to get a lobster roll this is the spot! Not only because it's delicious, but also because they have parking! There are a few spaces behind the building. So fresh and plenty, and everyone was so great. Thursday afternoon I was able to get in and out with my to go order in less than 5 minutes. read more

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

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Not worth it, sorry but not much lobster meat and roll was like a hot dog bun. Only outdoor seating and definitely not worth the price. Sorry guys you came up way short! read more

One of the best lobster rolls in Boston - great outdoor vibes and quick, friendly service.

Good place to have lobster rolls. They offer regular and large size so you have a choice. The large size lobster roll has double lobsters comparing with the one we had yesterday from another place. We satisfied them and enjoy the taste of these lobsters. read more

James Hook & Co - Lobster rolls. Large size. - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Ordered the large butter lobster roll and clam chowder to share - both of us left unsatisfied, and we were looking for the next place to eat before we left this restaurant. Clam chowder: thick - able to eat with a fork! Definitely the (weak) star of the mediocre show. Lobster roll: the lobster had a texture slightly better than old chewing gum, flavorless even when doused with butter, and was moderately dry. The roll's flavor was slightly better when the clam chowder was added on top - the creaminess of the chowder alleviated the dryness but because the lobster was so flavorless it was reminiscent of eating a clam chowder bowl in sandwich form. Overall, would not recommend this place. A few of my Bostonian friends recommended Legal instead - will try that place next time we're in Boston! read more

Clam chowder was good and fresh. I thought the lobster roll was ok. Lobster was chewy. Not worth $60

If you're looking for a good fresh lobster roll, look no further than James Hook. A small shack located right next to the ocean with live lobsters and crabs inside, James Hook has a reputation for their lobster rolls that all tourists should know about. The lobster rolls are a little pricey (small for $20.99 and large for $24.99) and the sizes are not impressive, but the amazing taste and the amount of lobster stuffed inside the buns make up for it. My boyfriend and I shared a large and also ordered a Sam Adams Oktoberfest beer which complemented the food very well. Pros: -Great taste and definitely fresh -Even the bread is yummy -Good amount of lobster inside rolls -Good location next to the ocean Cons: -Expensive -Crowded, tight space inside with not much seating -Don't offer water for free read more

James Hook & Co - large lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

We always visit this no frills lobster shack when we're in Boston. No pretensions. Just good lobster rolls and related atmosphere. Highly recommend! read more

The last stop in Boston was a homerun. This casually set up trailer converted into a restaurant is serving up exactly what I wanted: Lobster. The staff was super nice. I ordered and my order was ready in about 10 minutes. They have plenty of seafood options, including love lobsters, or lobster by the lb. It's half restaurant half seafood shop. It was chilly out, so I went with a cup of lobster bisque! Creamy with chunks of sweet lobster. This was perfect. Lobster Mac and cheese - I'm almost positive they throw in a splash of their bisque into their mac and cheese. It was also delicious! We devoured both of these in the car. They have a few spots to sit outside, if you decide to dine in. read more

Great food!! Great service!! Comfortable atmosphere!! Will come back! Boston Clam Chowda Lobster Roll read more

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Thick creamy chowder with the right amount of everything , half a star off for slightlu my undercooked potato's and it could use just a touch more seasoning Excellent Lobster roll. Split top griddled hot dog bun, and tons of fresh lightly dressed lobster. quarter star off for no celery, cause I like celery in my roll. But honesty almost perfect. Food truck with everything prepped makes the experience much nicer than the crowded depressing trailer, and nice tent in the summer read more

Great place to eat lobster rolls outdoors on a nice day. Loved the food. Highly recommend!

The lobster roll was delicious, the service was fast. It was nice that they had a heated tent, so that you could go outside and eat. I would definitely make a trip back to Boston to get food from here. read more

Underwhelming lobster roll (I did the warm butter - cannot speak to mayo). Lobster was lukewarm at best and not very flavorful. While $10 more, I recommend the lobster roll at Saltie Girl! That will knock your socks off! read more

James Hook & Co - Warm Regular Lobster Roll with Butter - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Sometimes you have to splurge when you want something done right. I got the crab roll...and it was DELICIOUS! Packed full with crab & had a little mayo. Great flavor. I also got the clam chowder...best in New England!! Hoping they finish their building soon. They even have whole lobsters, lobster rolls, and even a raw fish market. Great place to go. You may pay a little more but the quality is worth it! read more

Travelled from Florida to spend a few days where my wife and I both grew up. Had heard lots of good things about this place from friends and decided to give it a try. Man were we ever disappointed. Started with a clam chowder that was really creamy but for size of container we counted only 4 small clams in the entire chowder. Plenty of potatoes though. Let me move on to my double stuffed scallop. Plenty of breading and the scallop was about the size of a gum ball. The best item we had for lunch was the shrimp cocktail and the cole slaw. Tomorrow will look elsewhere for lunch My wife did have the crab cake that she enjoyed. Overall I'm sure we can find better. read more

I was visiting Boston this weekend and I only had time to try lobster roll at one restaurant. I had a few places in mind that didn't include James Hook. I thought maybe James Hook would be a tourist trap but then changed my mind. I'm so glad I did OMG the best lobster roll I've ever had. Generous amounts of lobster meat and it tasted so fresh and sweet. It was four of us and we shared two large size (vs regular) lobster rolls and each had a cup of clam chowder. And another OMG the clam chowder was so damn good! I think could be the best clam chowder I've had as well. Luckily when we went on Sunday, there was hardly a line and could probably be because it was raining off and on that day. If you're looking for a traditional lobster roll, go here. read more

Tiny cramped space, but who cares their food is the best! We had an out of town party of 8 and we managed to smoosh our whole group at two tables. It's tight but we made it work and boy was it worth it. Since my parents had never been to Boston before I went all out. I ordered a small clam chowder, a small lobster bisque (they had larger sizes too!), plus a lobster roll and a crab roll. Plus we got oyster cracker packages with our soups. Everything tasted so good! Now I hate, no loathe canned clam chowder. It smells and tastes disgusting despite the brand or how you prepare it. It's not good. So reluctantly I tasted the smallest bite of James Hook clam chowder...it was amazing! It's essentially a potato soup with clams. The flavor was delicious. You could catch all of the different ones blended together. It was creamy and warm. Perfect for walking around town as tourists on a cold day in November. The lobster bisque had a lovely flavor and color as well. Thinner than the chowder it was a palate pleaser. Similarly my Mom not a lobster lover reluctantly tried a small bite of the lobster roll and much to her surprise enjoyed it! The difference is fresh seafood and the right flavors and seasonings. I definitely preferred the lobster roll and my Mom preferred the crab roll which worked out well in sharing the two sandwiches! If you get a chance stop by James Hook for your seafood cravings! Impressively two patrons next to us were eating a crab and lobster whole! It was fun to watch. read more

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