A OK. Very touristy, including a foodie tour that swings through while you're standing in line. Quality of lobster meat was good, but drowning in mayo and sitting atop a not so buttery nor very toasted hot dog bun. All in all, just okay. read more

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

My friend was in town from Denmark. So I asked, "What are you in the mood for to eat for lunch?". He says, "I hear boston has good seafood. Let's get that." Thank you, James Hook and your delectable lobster roll (sm $12/ lg $15). Huge success. Next time I am coming in with several friends to get a giant lobster. 10 pounder. Bring it on. read more

Lobsta,Lobsta. This place was on my list of must try's. Luckily we were staying down the street. My plan was a lobsta roll with butter. I stuck to it. They don't mess around. I had a shit ton of lobsta. But since I got a warm one with butter the bum was a bit soggy from I'm assuming water that it was heated in. So I just ditched the bread. They have this super yummy New England seasoning. I'm kicking myself in the ars for not buying one. read more

Awesome place to get live North Atlantic lobstahs packed for the flight home! Was in Boston for 10 hours and made it a mission to bring home some live lobstah (that's Boston for "lobster") for dinner. After some quick Yelp research and advice from a few New England area friends, decided James Hook was the place to go and bring a few critters back to LAX. It turns out James Hook & Co lobster is a Boston waterfront institution. They are a major supplier of North Atlantic lobsters to the Boston region. The location is currently occupied by a temp trailer building after the original building burnt down a few years ago. Check the vid here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjPeqXzluCc. Despite it burning down, James Hook and the trailer didn't disappoint. Wanna pick up some lobstah for your flight? Check this: 1. Smaller the lobsters, the more tender the meat. "Chicken lobsters" are about 1.25 ~ 1.5 lbs each. 1.25 lb lobsters were going for ~$6.99/lb (as of December 2011). Different sizes of lobsters are available, anywhere from 1 pounders all the way up to the 15~20 lb lobsters the size of dogs. 2. About 7 to 8 1.25 lb lobstahs fit in a 'flight-pak.' The flight pak is basically a styrofoam cooler inside a carry-on regulation sized cardboard box. Inside they'll pack your live lobsters along with seaweed and a reusable, sealed freeze pack. The flight pak will keep the lobsters alive for 24 hours. 3. Check with your airline to make sure they allow carry-on lobstahs. United Airlines is cool with it. And don't check them in! Lobsters need to travel in the pressure-equalized passenger compartment or else they'll explode whilst in the cargo area. Plus, by carrying on lobsters, it's an instant conversation starter. You'll instantly become the envy of many a passenger and flight attendant. 4. Expect to pay close to $90 for your flight-pak of 8 1.25lb lobstahs. Yes, you can find the same flight-pack live lobster service at the Legal Seafoods location inside Boston Logan Int'l airport, but expect to pay $15.99/lb (as of December 2011). Ouch. Get 'em home and cook 'em. Really simple. Pot of boiling water. Throw in some corn-on-the-cob and potatoes if you like. Throw in the lobstahs head first (the humane way). Cook for about 15 minutes (they'll turn bright red). Crack and enjoy. Nomnomnom... read more

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Gem of a lobster roll shack in the city. We ordered the roll with just buttered lobster and the lobster mac & cheese and it was decadent without the frills! Worth every effort and cent! read more

Yo! Straight up...THIS IS THE ONLY SHOW IN TOWN FOR A FUCKING LOBSTER ROLL. Is it pricey...probably for folk who aren't from the city...but a cheap lobster roll isn't good, and a good lobster roll isn't cheap. If you're shopping around for a traditional roll, check out Belle Isle in Winthrop. For something different, but incredible go to Eventide, but if you're looking for the quintessential Boston summertime snack, JAMES HOOK IS THE PLACE! read more

Yay for this place!!! The weather was cold And wet and the walk was long BUT the food was totally worth it!!!! We are from Cali and found this place on yelp! Chowda will never taste the same back home read more

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

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Great tasting lobster roll. Restaurant was very small and not good for groups when the weather outside is bad. Prices were ok. We saw the reviews on yelp and decided to give it a try. Not much options if you are with people who don't want seafood. The lobster roll was very good and worth the cost. They have 2 sizes. We had the regular and the lobster portion was fairly large and the bun soft and buttery. read more

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Even though we had lunch at the Barking Crab yesterday, we hit up the James Hook trailer. The trailer is very low key with their business office on one end and the service counter on the other. Packed in between are huge tanks full of live lobsters and T-shirt sales. The order: To share: Clam Chowder - 3 stars - this was lukewarm, and we like ours piping hot Princess: Lobster roll The Jerry: Lobster roll - 4.5 stars - this was awesome! Both Princess and I seemed to finish off each of our lobster rolls in record time. Even though James Hook isn't really set up for formal table seating, I highly recommend the lobster roll for eating in or taking out. Your lobster roll will last less than 5 minutes in your presence anyway. read more

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

Amazing experience at James hook. The people's attitude in Boston is horrible but their food is amazing. Wicked lobster gets a 5 star since Manual was friendly and great seasoning. Though James hook is very good. read more

I love their lobster rolls. The clam chowder is also top notch. My parents like to order fresh lobsters to bring to California and James Hook makes the process easy for taking on the airplane. read more

Have walked and driven by JH forever and never tried it. Finally had a Jones for a lobster roll at lunch and the Luke's in Seaport closed - not far from Equinox after my lunch workout so I gave it a go. Great lobster roll - I got the big one - Connecticut style, hot with butter - and it was awesome. Been back 2x since my first visit 2 weeks ago and will definitely make it a regular stop. Wish I could pick it up for dinner but they close at 4 on weekdays. read more

Simply the best lobster roll in Boston. Just fresh meat with a tiny bit mayo. Simple. Delicious. We also tried the clam chowdah. Creamy with potatoes. Super yum! read more

James Hook & Co - Lobstah roll & chowdah - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Yep... This place is the real deal. If you like Lobster, this is one big lobster orgy inside! You can get a lobster or a lump crab roll from their counter... I tried both!!! Really reasonably priced (especially for a west coaster), they were delicious. My only complaint is they don't brown their buns like some other places do.... It really does make a difference and gives a little "crispy" texture to a sandwich that needs it. You can also buy a whole lobster and have them cook it and serve it right there.... If you eat the whole lobster there, be ready to get a little dirty and get ready to do some serious cracking... the "prep work" that is done in most restaurants isn't done here... It's a steamed lobster (cooked perfectly) on a plate.... You do everything else.. Again.. for a west coaster, the prices are great. I walked over to their live tank and saw the largest lobster I have seen in my life.... These things were the size of a medium sized dog. If I lived in Boston, I would be a regular... So for now, I'm just putting this on my places you must visit when in Boston! read more

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What a way to celebrate my very first afternoon in Boston! The rumors are true! The Lobster Roll is something you simply cannot leave this city without trying and this spot does not disappoint. For a mere $15 you can stuff your belly with deliciously fresh lobster meat. No frills needed, just a hint of lemon and celery to round out the flavor. At first, the long line seems unbearable in the summer heat (especially with a hangover), but rest assured--these people are professionals. It moves quickly and the staff is friendly and ready to serve! I highly recommend this spot if you're in town. YUM. read more

James Hook & Co - That's what I call a LOBSTER ROLL. - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

We bought trolley tickets and trolley sales guy said the trolley stops here and their Lobster Roll was really good. We were famished after touring Fenway and riding subway. Ordered lobster roll and clam chowda. This place isn't cheap and we eat outside. The lobster roll came in 2 sizes and I should have upgraded to large. The $17 size was small but had a lot of lobster in it. Not much for seasoning kinda plain but I was so hungry and scarfed it down. Clam chowder was also good. Their lobster comes from Maine. The inside resembled a deli. Supposedly they had a fire years ago and had help from the community to rebuild. read more

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

Fresh and delicious food. I had the lobster roll and lobster mac n cheese! Would definitely recommend! Only thing is they're soon going to need more space for all their customers! Tight squeeze. read more

James Hook & Co - The large lobster roll and lobster Mac n cheese was SO good! Definitely one of the bests I've ever had! - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Came here last weekend. After a very disappointing lobster roll else where I had my doubts about this place changing my mind. However as I approached this place something gave me hope... The FEW dozens of people (I'm talking about 20-30 people here!) that went out the door and across the park waiting in line. I thought to myself... Could this place really be THAT good? So I stood and I waited. And Waited. After about 20 minutes we had finally made it inside! We waited another 5 minutes or so and finally someone looked at us and shouted, "Next in line!" YES! YES! It was us! Something about the anxiousness in everyone's eyes got me more and more excited. It was like waiting in line for a roller coaster as a kid. Your anticipation just grew and the time wasted didn't dampen your spirits cause you knew... It was worth it. Our order was taken quickly and within a few minutes we paid and quickly exited making sure we made room for others coming in. We grabbed a table (there's seating on both the front and back). I had seen the lobster roll on the trays of others walking by earlier and I knew it looked good... but when I peeled back the foil I swore I heard angels sing... I'm not joking here people. This isn't even meant to be some funny over the top review. IT JUST LOOKED THAT GOOD! I'm talking about bread barely able to contain the sheer amount of lobster that was OVERFLOWING and threatening to swallow this roll whole! I took a deep breath... ... ... And I bit into it. All I knew... was that I was in love. This was... I can't... It's just... It. Was. Perfect. The lobster was perfectly mixed with just enough mayo to give it a light creaminess and celery to give it some texture. The amount of lobster- I didn't think I'd leave here full. I left this place STUFFED. Everything about this lobster roll was perfect. Now I know it's $16 (It's $19 for the large- DO IT). But let me tell you. You're not going to find a place in Boston that sells ANY lobster roll for under $20. And if you do... trust me it's not going to make angels sing. This place is amazing in that they know lobster and they do lobster the only way lobster should be done- Right. I don't care about the wait. I don't care about the price. This is absolutely 110% worth it. Take it with you and eat it at your desk- you won't regret it. read more

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Tasty and fresh seafood at quite reasonable price. I enjoyed my lobster and lobster roll. I especially like the outdoors sitting area, though the food might get cold quickly. read more

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

We visited Boston last week and I had been here previously over 10 years ago to have some fresh lobster shipped out. This time we came here so my girlfriend could order a lobster roll. We came before the lunch hour so there was no line and took a seat inside. The service was very fast. Once it came, her only regret was she didn't order a large lobster roll. It's full of lobster meat and very delicious with a sweet taste to it. I don't eat seafood but I tried some of hers and was planning on coming back and getting my own. Unfortunately we weren't able to come back later in our trip, but next time we come to Boston this is a must stop. If you're not sure of where to go for a lobster roll in Boston go to James Hook because you won't be disappointed. read more

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

The food was absolutely amazing. I ordered four of the stuffed clams because they were just so good! The lobster rolls were good just have had more for that price somewhere else. Love the atmosphere, it's very clean too which is a plus. read more

Absolute best lobster Bisque. It's been over a year since I've had it and I'm still dreaming of it!! Will definitely go back anytime I'm in Boston. read more

Stopped in on a recommendation from a local, glad we did. The fact that it appeared to be in a temporary location with almost no seating made us a little nervous, but then we saw the lobster roll someone was eating and we had to try it. I also noticed a LOT of people piling in to buy the fresh lobster they had in tanks in the place as well, so clearly this was a favorite for locals. It was pricey, almost $50 for 2 of us to each have a roll, soup, and a drink, but it was good! Lobster rolls in Chicago are more of a lobster salad and cost the same ($14 for small here). But at James Hook it was a giant pile of lobster meat with just a little "dressing". The corn and clam chowders were tasty, a bit sweeter than what I am used to, but not to be missed! read more

James Hook & Co - This is what the original location looks like now. Don't fret, turn around and the new location is behind you - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

4.5 stars for James Hook and the title of a very very close 2nd for best lobster roll in the great city of Boston. James hook is awesome. For lobster lovers like myself, James hook is about as good as it gets. I prefer my lobster rolls overflowing with lobster and very light mayo (you don't put A1 on a filet mignon do you?!?), and that's what you'll get when you go to James hook. They offer their lobster roll in 2 sizes (you'd be crazy not to get the bigger one, because bigger is better, duh) and will toast it for you if you want (I went with toasted, I like contrasting temperatures and textures). I also got a cup of their lobster bisque, because lobster, and it proved to be the perfect accompaniment to the fantastic lobster roll. Even better is James hook occupies a cool location (right near the water) in a red trailer which has a neat nautical theme to it. I was there on a nice sunny day and sat outside, which it doesn't get much better than that. Big thumbs up to James hook! read more

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

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James Hook & Co is a fish market, first and foremost. There are six two-seat tables scattered throughout the retail area, almost as an afterthought. There are four picnic tables outside. Wood lobster traps are stacked to form shelving, the case is full of an assortment of fresh seafood and a row of tanks contain live lobsters. But I was here for the lobster roll... When I entered the shop I was greeted by a gruff looking man who looked like he just got off the fishing boat. I asked for a lobster roll and a bottle of water. He took one lobster roll from the platter in the case, wrapped it in aluminum foil and said "$13." I paid, got my bottle of water from the cooler and picked a table. Even though I was born in Massachusetts, I only lived there until I was four and have spent most of the rest of my life in Florida, so I'm no expert on the lobster roll. But I have eaten a lot of them in my travels to Boston and I have to say, this is the best one I have ever had. The lobster was full of flavor but not smelly, there was just enough mayo to coat the bits of meat without making the bread soggy and there was a smattering of celery for some crunch. And, of course, the bread was the traditional white hot dog roll. Since it came straight off a platter in the cooler case the bread was not buttered or toasted, but I didn't mind at all. It was delicious. The next time I am in Boston I will be sure to visit James Hook again...hopefully it will be nice and warm and I can sit at one of the picnic tables! read more

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

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I can't believe the high reviews, obviously no one has tried their clam chowder. The menu here is small and the draw seems to be their lobster rolls ($15) but a large part of the business seems to be a fresh seafood market (of which the choices are relatively slim). The place is temporarily in a trailer while their permanent space is being worked out. The trailer was very tight and hectic, the fact that the guy needed to squeeze by me to go to a back office to make change from my $10 bill added to it. Luckily they had tables outside where I could sit in peace and watch the harbor while eating. The chowder ($6) comes in one size and came to me luke warm. The cream was congealing and the potatoes were undercooked and chewy. The chowder part was thin (as it should be but most people would think it was too thin) and clams were ok but overall it was one of the worst chowders I've had before. read more

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

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It was a hot day exploring Boston for the first time. I crossed the bridge and saw the sign, James Hook and Co. I knew the lobster rolls here were celebrated, I just had to see for myself! Boy, it was amazingly delicious!! Fresh Maine lobsters with just mayo, lemon and chives on a hot dog roll. Simple yet satisfying. You don't find this quality in Los Angeles , that's for sure! I strongly recommend that you visit on your stay in Boston. Perfect for liberal democrats with cultured palates like me. read more

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

James Hook & Co has been on my boyfriend's list since we last visited Boston in 2010 however, we never got a chance to come by till this past Sunday. We were actually driving by on our way back home, so we quickly dropped in and split a regular lobster roll. The bread was warm & buttered and the lobster was lightly dressed in mayo. The lobster meat to bread ratio was just right, as well. It had a great amount of lobster for only $15. It's a perfect lobster roll imho...fresh lobster tail & claws, no extra embellishments. I'm looking forward to my next visit to Boston to come back to have more and trying the lobster bisque and clam chowder. I don't think I'll be going back to Quincy market for lobster rolls or "chowda" anymore. They have a few small tables to dine-in but for the most part, it's a take-out spot. There's plenty of fresh large lobster and other seafood to purchase. They also sell the lobster meat, which I was very tempted to purchase. read more

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Holy heck, this is the BEST lobster roll this girl has had since living in Florida! So fresh and so so yummy! This is the way lobster rolls should taste! My husband was obsessed with the clam chowder and we both left feeling so pleased with our choices! The inside and outside seating is adequate. Really cute spot with some odds and ends for purchase if you are so inclined! We really enjoyed this place and truly it feels like this is a staple for Boston. When in Boston, you go to James hook and Co for a lobster roll. Seems fair right :-) read more

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Yelp review 0-5 Rating: 3.5/4 Bang for your buck ratio: Was the food worth the price. I'm still working on how to make this more objective, but I would say 0.5 out 1.0 What the meat lover said: No meat here really. Only seafood so he didn't have a particular meat view. Take Away: Avoid legal seafood for the clam chowder, if your anywhere near this place. I didn't have the clam chowder but I tasted the lobster bisque and shrimp chowder and they were definitely fresh/made on site. Not too much salt, which is a must health wise. I actually don't like cold lobster rolls but this wasn't bad. Not to much mayonnaise, and not on the heavy side. They have limited parking in the back of the restaurant. read more

James Hook & Co - Shrimp and corn chowder - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

We had just checked out of our hotel and on our way to the amtrak station, but realized that we haven't tried clam chowder and lobster rolls in boston yet, so we quickly placed an order. Cute shop by the bay. Pretty expensive order, but of course, it was really yummy! Can probably order elsewhere with similar taste for a cheaper price next time! read more

It's summer time and what's not to love than some lobster rolls? Driving through the city I decided lets gives James Hook a try. First off let me say that I'm usually a hot butter lobster roll guy so I was a little hesitant to step out of my norm. I got a larger lobster roll, which had a little bit of tail, claw meat etc. I've been to other places where it's only claw and knuckle meat so this is a plus. The lobster wasn't overpowered by mayonnaise and had the right consistency without it being overwhelming. Only downside to the sandwich is that the large only comes on a mini sub roll instead of a hotdog roll. Nobody's fault just personal preference. I also got a lobster bisque that had pretty good taste but lacked any lobster meat. Consistency was a little too thin but that's also personal preference. Overall I would go back in the future. There is a private parking lot with plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy your food under the sun. Don't be intimidated by the lines out the door, it goes pretty quickly with the speedy workers. read more

James Hook & Co - Large Lobstah roll - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Great lobster roll, fun ambiance. My go to recommendation for lobster rolls in Boston. Location is perfect as it is right near downtown and the Seaport. Sit outside, have a beer, and enjoy a New England treat! read more

We always go into Hooks to get seafood, particularly lobsters to take home. We have always been very pleased with the very fresh quality and great service!! A great array of options in multiple sizes-you won't be disappointed, you'll be thrilled! Highly recommend for shellfish or fish!!! You can eat there too-steamers, little necks, shrimp and more!! It doesn't get any fresher!!!! read more

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Just a short 10 minute walk from our hotel in the Seaport District, we wanted to try a staple location for some of the best lobster rolls Boston has to offer. The service is quick and easy, with plenty of outdoor and some smaller tables inside the trailer as well. We've had both the cold and hot lobster rolls, lobster bisque and lobster mac and cheese. The hot lobster roll was definitely our favorite as you can really taste how fresh and meaty the lobster is. Regardless, both versions are on the plain side since they choose to serve their rolls without the frills of seasoning, but they offer Old Bay and their own spice mix to add on your own. The lobster bisque wasn't anything to write home about, it was more on the runny side and didn't have any pieces of lobster in it. The lobster mac and cheese was tasty and had a ton of lobster pieces in it to make the price worth it. Overall, definitely a place to stop by to try out their lobster offerings. read more

Perhaps the worst service experience I've ever had. A total of seven of us, four of whom were young children, stopped to eat at their outdoor space. One adult placed her order which came out immediately. The rest of us placed our order together at 4:32pm. After 25 minutes of waiting on an order of hot dogs, chowder and lobster rolls, I went inside to check on the order. It took several minutes just to get someone to notice me. When I explained we had not received our order, the person took my receipt, disappeared and returned with a, "It's just wrapping up," which was an obvious lie. They either forgot about it or gave it to someone else. There was no acknowledgement or apology for the error or wait. Then once we did get our food, we had to go back in because they gave us only one chowder instead of two. After 30 minutes of waiting, we finally start eating at 5:00. At this point staff start hovering over us, one with a leaf blower who is clearly annoyed that we're there. Then the manager (?) comes out and yells at us from the door that we need to leave. Doesn't attempt to come talk to us by our table, just yells from a distance that they're closing and we we need to leave. I explain we waited 30 minutes for our food and JUST got it, to which he responds, "30 minutes? You should have checked on it" and walks away. No apologies, nothing. We were not the only ones still there but we seemed to be the only ones being told to leave, even though their mistake was the reason we were just starting to eat. A shockingly bad and appalling experience. Avoid unless you want to spend $$$ and then get scolded for actually eating the food. read more

I visit boston once a year for PAX EAST. All you gamers out there know what that's about :) Anyway, I get blessed with this annual trip and the opportunity to try different lobster rolls. James Hook has stayed at the top of the list year over year. My coworkers I bring always get amazed after their first time and from there, the word of mouth just spreads. Showing some love and recommending their lobster roll because no one else does it better. read more

Not a huge menu but everything is delicious! Best crab cakes we've had. Excellent option for kids to eat outside.

These lobster rolls are awesome. Tons of meat, light on mayo, taste great. $16 small $19 large. Even though the large is on a sub roll, it's the perfect size. Line moves pretty fast. I may or may not have gone two days in a row during my last trip to boston read more

I've had my eye on this place since I moved to Boston 4 years ago. For years I told myself that I would go and enjoy some seafood plucked straight out of the Boston harbour. My boyfriend and I finally went for the first time on Saturday, and were a bit disappointed. First of all, we were under the impression that the Lobster and Crab Rolls were much cheaper then they actually were. I saw a couple of Yelp photos where the Crab Rolls were advertized as $10 and the regular Lobster Rolls as $12.50. I recognize that these are unusually cheap prices, but it's what we expected when we arrived at James Hook. Instead, it cost $16 for a regular sized Lobster Roll and $15 for a Crab Roll - kind of a let down when you're expecting something cheaper. Anyhow, the rolls were small, but overstuffed and tasty. Between the two, I preferred the Crab Roll, which I thought had a better flavour. We also shared a bowl of Clam Chowder, which was decent and more reasonably priced at $7. Overall, I enjoyed the food, but it wasn't worth it to me to spend $40 on a cup of soup and 2 small rolls - I guess i'm just not a big enough fan of seafood. The best part are the outdoor picnic tables that allow you to enjoy your food in the heart of Boston's famous Seaport district - one of my favourite spots in Boston. read more

James Hook & Co - Crab Roll ($15), regular sized Lobster Roll ($16), Clam Chowder ($7) - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts