South Norwalk Man Bringing Lobster Rolls To CT And Beyond

NORWALK, CT — Hot, buttery lobster rolls are on the menu in several Connecticut towns as Fairfield County staple LobsterCraft expands both within and beyond state lines.

"The hot buttered lobster roll is the Connecticut state sandwich, and I am a Connecticut lobsterman," said Capt. Mike Harden, a South Norwalk resident and commercial lobsterman for more than 20 years, who founded LobsterCraft about a decade ago.

Initially a food truck operation, LobsterCraft's first permanent location opened four years ago in Fairfield. Harden is in the process of expanding the Fairfield eatery, which is expected to reopen in the fall at a larger site, with counter space and outdoor seating. In the meantime, a LobsterCraft trailer is serving up rolls in the parking lot.

Fairfield isn't the only town seeing more of LobsterCraft this year. Harden opened a sit-down restaurant in Greenwich about six weeks ago and plans to begin serving customers at a permanent location in West Hartford later in the summer.

A LobsterCraft eatery that opened over a year ago in the South Norwalk train station has been closed during the coronavirus pandemic, but Harden hopes to see it reopen in the future. LobsterCraft also has two food trucks.

"We take pride in doing a very short menu very well," Harden said, noting LobsterCraft was named Flavored Nation's best Connecticut-style lobster roll two years in a row. "Our focus will always remain our lobster."

Harden is also expanding LobsterCraft to Florida, where the classic Connecticut roll will soon be available in Fort Meyers and Sarasota. Additionally, talks are underway to bring LobsterCraft to Asia, according to Harden, who said he considers Connecticut to be LobsterCraft's global headquarters.

For additional details about specific LobsterCraft locations, visit www.lobstercraft.com.