I've been getting food from Pauli's basically since they opened. It's interesting that most of their yelp photos are of lobster rolls. Their lobster rolls definitely aren't bad but there are better options out there in the same price range. I also had one bad experience with one of their rolls where there was a ton of shell in it. Where Pauli's really excels is in things that are not lobster-focused. They make some excellent subs/sandwiches. Their soups are pretty good. I haven't tried it in a few years but they used to roll out a good 'greasy spoon' style breakfast. And, they make a good cookie. I love this place, but I'll still be getting my lobster items elsewhere. That said, try it out yourself. read more

TL;DR: Lobster Roll Review! Was waiting in line at Neptune Oyster and ducked in here real quick to grab some lobster rolls to eat in line. Interior is very homey and small, but have decent seating. FOOD: ~Hot Lobster Roll (4/5): Solid lobster roll that was nice and buttery. Could use a hit of salt or pepper to enhance the flavor ~Cold Lobster Roll (3.5/5): Very lightly dressed with mayo. I personally preferred this type of cold roll, but if, like my husband and friends, prefer more mayo flavor, then it may not be for you. Each of the rolls came with chips or sub fries at upcharge. Definitely a solid spot to grab a bite! read more

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The chef making this lobster roll in the back was locked in the day I had this. Barely any seats in the place, but I would respectfully stand if it meant eating the roll again read more

Pauli's - Lobsta Roll (7oz) - Sandwiches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

One of my favorite lobster places in Boston! I like it because they add a lot of lobster and the lobster is in pretty big chunks. Of course, I still think it could be a bit bigger for a full meal. I added the clam chowder and it was amazing. The tables inside are pretty limited and more " bar " style, rather than sit-down. read more

Pauli's - Sandwiches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Late post - visited in October 2024 We came around 6 pm, it wasn't too busy for dine in. However, I did notice they get a lot of to go orders. The cashier seemed unfriendly and didn't greet us when we came in, which is fine, just an observation. The food was made hot and fresh. It was good and we enjoyed our meal. I just wouldn't go out of my way to visit again. Nothing negative about this place, it just didn't stand out to me. read more

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New to Boston this place is great. Breakfast lunch and dinner options were all amazing. Great customer service as well, very friendly and helpful service. We went here 3 times on our trip because it was so good. read more

Words cannot express how fresh the lobster was. The guy doing the desk was so friendly, even though it was hectic. read more

Pauli's - Lobster roll cold - Sandwiches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The shop is a small, hole-in-the-wall type of place, without a lot of seating. But if you are ok with getting take-out, this is a must-try. The lobster rolls are incredibly fresh and delicious (with ample lobster!) -- some of the best that I have had in Boston. Friendly staff as well. read more

The place was small and packed! They were helpful and didn't hesitate to answer any questions we had. I got the lobster roll and clam chowder. The lobster tasted really fresh and the bread was so buttery! It was smaller than other lobster rolls I've had but it came with a bag of chips so that was a plus. I love clam chowder so of course I had to get some. It was just as delicious as the lobster roll! Overall a really great place to try! read more

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Yummy lobster roll. Busy and fast service. Seemed the place to be. Can't wait to try the clam chowder we saved for the room. read more

Pauli's - Lobster roll - Sandwiches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Old Stinky P. Is always in search of a wicked groovy sub near his plush, but not overly ostentatious condo. Have punched up this place a few times with wicked pissah results. Last sub pictured here is a Chicken Salad. It was very good with a generous portion of Chick. Nice bread. He has also gotten an Italian sub before and that was groovy tasting as well. The salads he had gotten have also been large, tasty and fine. The old dude is glad he tried this place and will continue to order different things in the future as well. read more

Pauli's - Salad of Chickens. - Sandwiches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Best lobstah roll we had during our ten day- six lobster roll trip to NE. Tasted more like a Maine lobster roll;no dill, not $50. This is a great little joint, about 10 seats. Warm and friendly. Felt like a neighborhood spot, but everyone in the world visits. Look forward to the next trip to Boston so we can go to Pauli's. read more

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I had a hot lobster roll and chips for $32.09, and there was a generous amount of lobster meat. I didn't realize it was featured by Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives until a fellow patron mentioned it. That's pretty cool! read more

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Think I showed up at the perfect time because there was a line to the door when I finished my meal! After my lobster roll, can definitely see why. Pauli's gives you so. much. lobster. And the lobster is beyond tender. I ordered the hot lobster roll and the butter / mayo combo was perfect. Would love to try the cold version someday too. read more

Wonderful place to grab food in the North End. I got the Italian sub. Delicious. I actually ate half and gave the other to an older man that was in the Boston Commons. He was so appreciative. My husband got the chicken Parmesan sub and loved it. Very friendly service small dining area but highly recommend. read more

Pauli's - Half of my Italian sub. So good. - Sandwiches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Stopped by Pauli's in Boston with high hopes and a hunger for lobster rolls. Left with buyer's remorse and a side of dental danger. Let's talk about the "lobster roll" - a sad little budget hotdog bun trying to cosplay as fine seafood cuisine. It looked like someone said, "Let's save money by skipping everything but the disappointment." And just when I thought things couldn't get worse--surprise! A chunk of lobster shell in the middle. Because nothing says "treat yourself" like the sudden fear of needing emergency dental work. At this point, the only thing buttery about the roll was my fingers slipping off the disappointment. Boston has a lot of great food. This? Not it. Unless you enjoy low-grade buns and unexpected crunch from non-edible sea minerals--hard pass. read more

Pauli's is mostly a grab-and-go spot, however it has limited seating inside if you wanted to eat-in. The prices were incredibly reasonable with a wide variety of options to pick from as well as their sister Pizza location two doors down (Emmett's; also very good). The cold lobster roll was a reasonable size, and the lobster was fresh and falling out of the roll. Service was fast and attentive making sure everyone received their food in a quick manner. read more

Dry, chewy chicken cutlets. Second time ordering, tried to give them the benefit of the doubt but honestly - both times the texture of the chicken was like rubber. Clearly not fresh/quality product. Far too many great places in this area to go back. read more

Whenever you visit Boston, you have to try, at least once, a Lobster Roll or how they say "Lobsta Roll." In my case, I had 3. What can I say? I love them! When you pass by, it looks like your typical sandwich shop, but once you enter, the walls are filled with pictures of celebrities who have eaten there. The service was excellent and the staff was friendly and helpful. The best one I had was @paulisboston. Located on Salem St in the famous North End Italian district in Boston is Pauli's famous Lobster Roll, and it didn't disappoint. Don't let the price scare you away. It is average to pay around $28 for one, but it is so worth it. Enjoy! read more

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Great "Lobstah" rolls hot or cold, made to order, and FAST. Not much room to sit so be advised you may have to get it to go. Tasty fries too! Must do in Boston! read more

Pauli's - Cold lobster roll and fries. - Sandwiches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

We were staying at the Marriott along Wharf and looking for something quick to eat for dinner. Paulis came up on yelp so my husband hustled over there to pick up a couple of subs. There was line when he arrived, but that seems to be the status quo. He said the girl taking orders was more interested in her nails and missed him ordering onion rings, so he had add them as a separate order. He got the food back to our room and the onion rings were still warm. I ordered them based on another review, and I think they were good. Not the best ever, but good onion rings. The subs were huge! We couldn't even finish half each. The ingredients were fresh and the bread held up well too. I think the breading on the eggplant was a little too think for my liking, which hid the eggplant instead of enhancing it, but it was still yummy. I would have preferred a grilled eggplant I think, but it could be because I'm getting old and tastes are changing. I can't wait to go back to Boston and try another sandwich from Pauli's. There's a line for a reason! read more

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This review does not include the famous lobster rolls so likely underrates the experience a little bit, but we found the other food to be good or not great and the seating to be slightly crammed. I had the clam chowder which was very good and something I'd come back for ; generous ratio of fresh clams to soup and good balance between not too thick and not too watery. Kids shared Mac n Cheese which was very hearty and rich but lacked a little bit of cheesiness. Final verdict - a reasonably priced spot in a great location with wonderful service , but would definitely go for the top items on their menu that made them famous ... read more

Pauli's - Clam chowder - Sandwiches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I was exploring the North End of Boston and wanted a bite to eat. Pauli's had great reviews so I stopped by. I heard they have the best lobster rolls in the city, but unfortunately I'm allergic. So I went for the next best thing, a steak bomb sandwich. It's quite small inside the restaurant and I just barely beat the crowd. The cashiers were very kind and helpful in the ordering process. The sandwich itself was very good! Tons of steak, and tons of cheese, certainly lived up to its name! It was also quite messy--in a good way! I really enjoyed Pauli's. read more

Pauli's - Steak Bomb Sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Full disclosure; I haven't been to the much more renowned Neptune's next door (yet). Pauli's deserves their high reviews; we ordered the lobster roll, clam chowder, and tuna grilled cheese sandwich. The lobster roll was buttery and fresh, while the chowder was creamy and well-seasoned. The tuna sandwich was a bit average, even with all the optional extras added in. However, every one of these items was packed full of lobster, clam, and tuna meat respectively, so while they weren't cheap (especially the lobster roll), you do get a lot of value for your dollar. I wouldn't recommend eating there though. There are only about 6-8 bar seats available, and the place is tiny. They also don't offer free water, so it's probably best to do takeout. read more

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what a great meal! we split a meatball sandwich & it was sooooooo good! much better than the stuffy uptight fancy restaurants surrounding it! read more

Gotta get the lobster roll!! Excellent!! So much lobster! I got the hot lobster roll. Heaps of chopped lobster on a hot dog bun. Homey, friendly atmosphere. read more

Pauli's - A hot,buttery filled Lobster roll Tasty!! - Sandwiches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

When I went to Polly's, I got the clam chowder. The clam chowder was really watery and to be honest, not my favorite. The service was a little slow, but otherwise good. And the atmosphere was friendly, fishy and overall just fun to be in. read more

Pauli's, what happened to you?! Was here two years ago and had an incredible mayo lobster roll that came with a side salad. Visited this week and the lobster roll doesn't come with a side salad anymore and the mayo lobster had zero mayo on it and tasted fishy. Even the warm buttery lobster roll hardly had any butter on it. We had to ask for sides of mayo and butter to flavor it up. The clam chowder was delicious, but these lobster rolls have gone downhill and cost more than ever. read more

Pauli's - Sandwiches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

warm butter lobster roll is packed with fresh meat and the toasted bun is perfect. i always stop by here when i want a really filling lunch in the north end. read more

Pauli's is known for their lobster rolls. I ordered a hot buttered one, and it was great. Some pieces of lobster could have been softer, but the bread was buttery and the fries were seasoned perfectly. It's not really a dine-in restaurant, so there's not much space, and another customer did demand I give up my seat for him, which was kind of strange. read more

Pauli's - Lobster roll - Sandwiches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Probably some of the best lobster rolls in Boston! Very fresh tasting and good portion. Good service. Great vibe. read more

Pauli's - Sandwiches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Pauli's is cute and busy, the staff was super nice. We got the greek salad and hot buttered lobster roll and upgraded our chips for onion rings. The greek salad had great cheese ratio but besides the cheese and the salad there was not much more in there, we were hoping for a little more for the price of the salad. The lobster roll had a generous amount of lobster, it was tasty but as opposed to most other places, it didn't have enough butter to our taste. The onion rings were 100% worth the upgrade of the chips. Overall this place is good but expensive for what it is. read more

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Hidden Gem for sure. My wife saw this place on Tik Tok and we decided why not give it a go. No regrets about eating here. We went simple and went for the lobster roll. The lobster was as fresh as can be and it was just delicious! Definitely must try. Service - 8/10 Ambiance - A really small location, so chances are unless you are alone you are better off getting it to go and find a seat somewhere in the open outside and eat. read more

Pauli's - Lobster Roll 101 - Sandwiches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

We went to Pauli's expecting greatness and instead got a mediocre meal at best. I went there with 2 of my friends me and 1 of my friends split a meat sub and my other friend got a butter lobster roll. The cashier was very nice so that was a plus, also the food came out quick which was nice but that's were the positives end. My friend told me the lobster roll was pretty bad and our meatball sub was okay but something you could probably get at a baseball stadium. The vibe there was just that of a small room with menu's on the walls. read more

Pauli's - Lobster roll - Sandwiches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I visited Boston and reallyyyy wanted to try my first ever lobster roll - I got one here & it was amazing!!!! I am drooling just looking at the picture. Also, the staff were nice & it was so cozy inside!! read more

Pauli's - Sandwiches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Oh my gosh, my only regret about Pauli's is not stopping by for a philly cheesesteak before my flight back to Los Angeles. After asking around and doing my research, more than a couple people recommended this spot. In the bustling area of Boston it's almost easy to miss. Small spot with stool seating. Originally wanted to try the lobstition but with that hefty price tag I settled for a smaller lobster roll. I ordered a hot buttered lobster roll and a tuna melt that I shared with a friend. I also order a side of the garlic parm fries. None of my choices were regretted. The lobster roll was so delicious and buttery. The fries were so flavorful and the tuna melt was decent. I would definitely come back when in town. read more

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The food was good enough. I had really high expectations, given the very good reviews, but wouldn't really rave about it. I had the classic cold lobster roll. The place is a nice little corner. We ordered ahead, and it was already ready when we arrived. read more

Pauli's - Cold lobster roll - Sandwiches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

So far these are my favorite lobster rolls in Boston. Warm buttery lobster stuffed in warm buttery bread. It's a very tiny shop with counter service ordering and only a few seats. I highly recommend stopping in for a roll or grabbing one to go. I haven't tried anything else here but they have a great looking menu. read more

Pauli's - Lobster roll - Sandwiches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Nice large pieces of lobster on the lobster roll. Inside is small. There is some seating but definitely not ideal for a large party. read more

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Let me preface this review by saying that I lived on Cape Cod for 4 years, so I know what a good lobster roll is and tastes like. I can tell you with certainty that this was not it. In fact, I'm not even sure you could call this a lobster roll, more like wonder bread toast stuffed with lobster meet. It was smaller than my hand and had no mayo or lettuce on it (which any cold buttered lobster roll should have). It certainly wasn't worth $31, and I would say it's not even worth $20. People really need to start voting with their feet and avoiding rip off's like this. read more

Pauli's - Sandwiches Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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