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    The Trap Shack

    2.9 (71 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Andrea C.

    Amazing Cod Fillet Sando and Lobster roll! They use fluffy batter and fresh cod fillets, then topped with a flavorful tartare. The lobster roll was great as well, but they could use a bit more butter. The store front is a takeout setting, but affiliates with the beer garden seating next door!

    Allyssa P.

    I was severely craving a lobster roll and my bestie HIGHLY recommended the Trap Shack. My Maine lobster roll was impeccable. The lobster was abundant and so buttery. The bread was soft but also nicely toasted. It was worth the raving comments. My husband had their hot chicken sandwich and he enjoyed the spice level but the sandwich h was really messy to eat. My bestie had their buffalo fries and those were bomb.com. The portion was huge too. I can't wait to go back the next time I'm in Carlsbad!

    OG Lobster Roll
    David W.

    The Trap Shack was a nice surprise in downtown Carlsbad right near the beach. There are a lot of restaurants and people, so having a walk-up option is very convenient. The lobster rolls were amazing and were cooked to perfection. The sandwiches also come with tons of fries so no need to add sides. We went with the OG version and were very happy. Some of the kids ordered chicken tenders and fries, and while it tasted good, they do kind of fry the chicken to the point of it being overdone. Seating relies on the attached restaurant that has a nice layout with a full bar and sports. Prices were very reasonable and the service was about middle of the road - took a long time to cook but the value and taste of the lobster was good. Overall, a solid choice worth checking out!

    Maine lobster roll
    Kim V.

    The location is a good one and the service isn't bad. It took a bit longer than I thought it would to get a Maine lobster sandwich but I came on a Sunday afternoon during the Carlsbad street fair. The lobster was quite limp and tasted like it was previously frozen. I saw that the result was low (2.5 stars) and my hunger got the best of me so I got something anyway. However, I won't be coming back even though it was an inexpensive sandwich ($23)

    The OG
    Megan C.

    I'd give this place a 3.9/4 stars- the only negative feedback I really have is the cost of the food and the portion size. Food overall tasted pretty good! The OG sandwich had a good amount of lobster, it could've been flavored a little better for me. The fries were really good- the breaded kind is my favorite. The place itself was in a cute portion of the village/ you order and pay for your food, then can sit in Park 101. It's right in downtown Carlsbad so you will need to find parking elsewhere and walk over. Service was decently fast for a Saturday night! Overall, the place is a solid choice if you're craving lobster sandwiches.

    OG lobster roll
    rhonda s.

    Today on my walk I stopped at this restaurant and ordered the OG lobster roll and tater tots. The sandwich was pretty meaty and the tater tots seasoned well. Danny took my order. He was courteous and helpful and provided great customer service. I asked him about his name and shared it's my bf name too. I asked for the garlic butter on the side and I appreciated that he came back to alert me the lobster is cooked in the garlic butter. I will be back when visiting Carlsbad.

    Thicker fried batter then fish.
    Robert H.

    The Fish & Chips needs to be called fried batter & chips. I swear there is more batter than fish on each of the 3 pieces. The ad photo shows coleslaw included but not in mine. No coleslaw. My wife loke her OG Lobster. Thats why I gave this 2 stars. The fried batter & chips was $19 plus a service charge & of course tax. Yes, I left a tip on our order to go. If I had eaten there, I would have returned the batter & chips. See my photos.

    Chickie nuggets

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    2 years ago

    Dont let the pictures deceive you. The food is underwhelming. The food is not worth the price. The flavors of the dishes are not good.

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    2 years ago

    Amazing service and food, Walter was very helpful and had great customer service! Would highly recommend if you're in the area

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Tyler recommended the chicken fries and they did not disappoint! Great spot by the beach and some bomb food

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    2 years ago

    Best Lobster Roll anywhere, we always have the OG. This place is a must if you want lobster rolls.

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    2 years ago

    Tylershowed great customer service. Great food. Perfect ambiance. I will definitely come back in the near future.

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    3 years ago

    I usually go to the lobster west in Encinitas . Decided to try this place . When I arrived I learned it was under new

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    Page 2 of 2

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    Same Same

    Same Same

    4.5
    (262 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Love Same Same for multiple different situations. Most recently we went here for Happy Hour and it…read moredidn't disappoint! The whole bar is vibey and cute, perfect for happy hour or a fun night out. The drinks were delicious and the food was incredible. The bartender was super attentive and took extra time to help me identify which items were gluten free. I've also been to Same Same multiple times for late night fun! They often have a dj in the back and have even hosted an emo night. I always have fun and the place is usually packed. I'll definitely be back both for late night parties and daytime happy hours and food!

    Same Same, but Different? Not Quite…read more Hiya B.U.M.S., We recently decided to check out Same Same, hoping for an experience that was delightfully different. Our order for the night? The Thai-style New York steak, Khao Soi curry, and larb lettuce cups--all paired with a custom-crafted, half-Cranberry, half-Sprite. Before we even tasted the food, we almost ended up eating next door. The entrances are a bit of a maze, leaving us standing outside having a mini identity crisis about where we actually wanted to dine. Ultimately, we stayed the course and chose Same Same. The Larb Lettuce Cups: As a massive larb fan, I was hyped. Unfortunately, it fell a bit flat. My wife officially dubbed it "lackluster." While the ground beef was seasoned and the lettuce was beautifully crisp, when the lettuce is the undisputed star of your larb, it might be time to reevaluate the recipe. The Yellowtail Ceviche: To recover from the larb disappointment, my wife ordered the ceviche. It was a step up, but for a Thai spot, it was missing that signature kick. It really needed a handful of jalapeños to wake it up. In fact, nothing on the table was truly spicy until I deployed their house chili oil. The Khao Soi Curry: This was the absolute hero of the night! It completely saved the meal. It was rich and delicious, and it paired unexpectedly well with our New York steak--even though the kitchen served it well-done instead of our requested medium-rare. As dinner went on, it became pretty clear that this spot might cater a bit more to the happy hour and drinking crowd, especially considering my Cranberry-Sprite mix was arguably the most flavor-packed thing on the table. That said, the service was fantastic. The staff members were incredibly friendly and welcoming. Pro-Tip: If you're ordering more than two items, do not let them seat you at the tiny tables for two. It's a high-stakes game of food Tetris you will not win. On the bright side, they earned major bonus points for boxing up our leftovers for us. Call me old-fashioned, but I feel like every restaurant should still offer that level of hospitality! Overall, I'd say give it a shot if you're in the neighborhood and looking for a cool atmosphere, but I wouldn't rush off your couch to get there.

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    Indoor decor
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    Ladies Love Outlaws

    Ladies Love Outlaws

    4.3
    (3 reviews)
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    I'm so glad the Heritage crew decided to utilize this space. Urge had the vision, but not the…read moreexecution to make 101 Proof really shine. They had fantastic bartenders and menu, but the speakeasy concept has been outdated for a while. Now, a Honky Tonk is a very different, good thing. The tunes are something North County has been wanting, but been missing in favor of larger venue DJ's, but the juke box here has been curated with classics. It's far too small to dance unless you're slow or maybe 2 stepping in the corner. The ambiance is dim, relaxed, fun. The drinks are just as good as some of the top bars around, helmed by Wyatt who you may remember from Switchboard and KNVS is a staple in Oceanside. Prices are excellent, staff is great. While you can get a cocktail here, you don't have to. A classic shot and a beer is just as likely to be had here as a stemmed glass proper cocktail. When it's jamming it is near a standing room all the way around. No doorman asking for a password, no re-entry on nights when Heritage are open (Monday is this exception). It's funny to watch South O locals wander in here and realize maybe it's time to stop trying to change places to be like other places and enjoy the experience shown.

    Drinks are solid and served in kitschy mugs or fun appropriate to their name glasses. The…read morebartenders were as good looking as the drinks and knew how to make them, but the ambiance is lacking in a huge way. Cheaply done from the tables to decor and even though we went on a Saturday night the place was slow. Music was also good, but the DJ stopped playing about 20 min after we'd gotten there. That was a bummer. One round and we moved on.

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    Ladies Love Outlaws
    Mac and cheese with Tri Tip
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    Tower39 Rooftop Lounge

    Tower39 Rooftop Lounge

    4.3
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    0.1 mi

    It's the 1st day of Summer and I wanted to spend a lot of time outdoors soaking up the sunshine…read more What a perrrfect time to finally go to the Tower39 Rooftop Lounge! I wanted to go there for the longest especially for Happy Hour. When I got up there, I was amazed at the ocean views and pleasantly surprised it wasn't crowded during this beauuutiful late afternoon. I picked my spot to sit then stood in line while looking over the front-n-back menu. Everything sounded good but I wanted something fresssh and summery. The friendly staff was very knowledgeable about the menu and helpful in my decision to keep it Summer related. Not too long afterwards, my order came out. Looove the quick service! Both female bartenders were slaying it as soon as the line grew. It was niiice to see the world cup on the t.v. screen. I enjoyed watching it while I ate my yummy food and watched the magical sunset. More people showed up closer to the golden hour. Overall, I had a wonderful experience. Highly recommend this coastal hot spot to the Yelp Community!!

    Great spot, but no service. You have to go up to the bar to order which is a bummer. It would be my…read morego-to spot if they had servers. They recently updated their seating as well, to super comfortable seats. The food was really good as well! We had the shareable fondue, the prosciutto flatbread, the quesadilla, and one of their salads, and the food was delicious! Overall recommend this spot, but really wish they would add service or bring back the QR codes to order from the table. Plus you can't beat that gorgeous view of the beach and palm trees.

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    The Shore Room

    The Shore Room

    4.3
    (105 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$$

    Wanted to find a place that was near the beach, had good food/drinks and could view the sunset…read more This place checked all the boxes. As soon as we came in for the reservation we were seated immediately and got to sit next a fire pit with a great view of Oceanside pier. The server was such a good guy too. Very friendly and very funny. We were deciding what drink to get and he recommended the pineapple suite since it matched my shirt and I'm glad we got it because it was very refreshing. We also got the fish and chips to snack on. The fish was so crispy and yet so soft and adding the lemon and tartar sauce made it even better. The fries were also very crispy, which I loved. We got to enjoy the fire pit and relax while watching the sunset. Would come here again.

    Holy moly. The worst burger in the world award for you! I…read morereally have no other words. With how small the menu is and how expensive, you would expect everything to be great. Why a disaster. The gunk that was in the middle of my overcooked burger oh man. A thick patty overcooked with some yellow slop. Disgusted all day by the fact I had more than one bite. After the first bite I attempted to scrape it all off but that was where I realized it was over before it even started. Maybe 4 total bites. Yuck! That purple ube coconut drink was however divine along with my server Seth! Thank you Seth but maybe get me some better food for 40% tip. That was clearly not enjoyed but you are a nice man. Take care. I will not be back.

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    Craft Cocktail at The Shore Room
    Craft Cocktail at The Shore Room
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    The Plot

    The Plot

    4.7
    (708 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    Absolutely delicious! The food was incredible, and Austin, our incredibly hospitable waiter,…read morerecommended some of his favorite dishes. One of them was the chicken shawarma, and it was so good! We were able to grab a charming spot outside near their garden, where they actually grow some of the fresh ingredients used in the dishes. Such a cool touch! They also offered a variety of sauces, all of which were delicious. Even the habanero sauce was surprisingly approachable, full of flavor without being overly spicy. The atmosphere was beautiful, the aesthetic was amazing, and the overall experience was fantastic. I would definitely come back.

    We go and do Restaurant Reviews & attend special events at The Plot quarterly with my groups San…read moreDiego Foodies and Carlsbad Foodies. This time around, it's just the family for Mother's Day. Since I know my food, the table let me order. Fresh hand cut thick long French Fries without a ton of seasoning or oil arrived: one with a cashew cheese truffle sauce, one with no salt, and one salted as requested. My daughter loved her reuben. I loved my blt. The two Caesar salads for the table disappeared quickly because their dressing is unbelievable! Let's see .... what didn't we eat is probably smarter than what did we eat. Beet ketchup, The C Word (braised cabbage), a couple of cronic sushi rolls, and there was a special lemon creme brûlée. Everyone enjoyed everything they ate, including my almost 3 year old grandson (they brought out a specially sliced fruit bowl for him). They offered many choices for kids, but he just wanted fruit. Hope you had as wonderful a Mother's Day as I did. Yes. We appreciated eating healthy and not walking away stuffed but instead satisfied. They were selling plants. So I bought 4 and planted them today! The gift that keeps on giving! We will be back for sure! With garlic, gusto & gratitude, Chef Marian

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    Sausage and biscuits
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    Sound by the Sea

    Sound by the Sea

    4.2
    (112 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$

    My friend organized a '70s-themed beach party in Oceanside, and we ended up at this cool spot for…read moreappetizers and drinks. This was my second time here, and I love everything about this place. First of all, kudos to the bartender--I forgot her name, but she was incredibly generous and kind. She accidentally forgot my drink and kept apologizing, but I told her it was totally fine since we had a large party. To make up for it, she gave me two shots instead of one and even added a big discount. The ambiance of this place is unique and very artsy. If you're looking for a cool, one-of-a-kind spot to hang out, this is it. There's so much attention to detail throughout--even the restroom door is thoughtfully designed with a modern, creative touch. My friend ordered a variety of cocktails, and everyone enjoyed them. The food was great as well. I ordered the hummus plate, and it was the best I've ever had--so fresh and served in a generous portion. My friends tried the pizza and a few other items from the menu, and everything got a thumbs up. If you're in the area looking for a cool place to hang out or planning a party, this is the spot. I'll definitely be back again soon.

    Oof, I really wanted to like this place. But this wasn't it. They have potential but they're not…read morethere yet. First off, they have a "wait to be seated" sign at their entrance, but it took a while to get anyone to seat us. When we were inside, we noticed there was another entrance and people were just walking in, so "waiting to be seated" was just an option? We ordered a beer and seltzer and it took easily 10-15 minutes to get our drinks. Drinks that were in cans by the way. Music was good, DJs were good, but the whole vibe of the place is kinda everywhere. This lighting in this place needs to be more dimmed. DJs are spinning right in the middle of the room, and there's a clothes rack just chilling against the wall. The baristas are way in the back, and you can't really tell who works there. It took equally as long to get the check as it did to get my drinks. We only had 1 round of drinks. I dunno, waiting for canned drinks just threw me off. I can't imagine how much longer it would have taken to get a mixed cocktail. I only saw one guy mixing drinks and a bunch of women just hanging around. I'm assuming workers that look like they don't work there.

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    Preparing for the DJ/live music collaboration.
    Preparing for the DJ/live music collaboration.
    Sound by the Sea
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    The Trap Shack - seafood - Updated June 2026

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