Owner 'Beyond Honored' As Lobster Roll Named #1 For Foodies In NY

AMAGANSETT, NY — For many, no summer visit out to Montauk is complete without a stop at the Lobster Roll, known affectionately as LUNCH, located on Montauk Highway in Amagansett.

And now, the eatery has gotten a nod from OnlyInYourState.com, listed #1 in a list of the Top 15 restaurants for foodies in New York: "Established in 1965, this iconic restaurant is hands down the best place you can go for a lobster roll sandwich — outside of New England, of course. The perfect place to stop if you're out visiting the Montauk Lighthouse, the Lobster Roll is sure to give you a memorable dining experience," the post said.

Reopening for 2021 on April 30, the Lobster Roll is seen in the Showtime series "The Affair," and has been a go-to spot for years for many searching for the quintessential lobster roll on the East End.

Owner Andrea Anthony reflected on the shout-out: "Needless to say, I am beyond honored."

A family business for 44 years, she said: "We work really, really hard. We've been in business for so many years, but we never rest on our laurels."

While time-honored favorites always appear on the menu, Anthony said the staff aims to offer new options. "We work so hard at being current, on being sure that we dot the 'i's and 't's," she said.

The Lobster Roll recently introduced a gluten-free menu and this year, will unveil "Better for You" sugar-free desserts made with Swerve sweetener; the treats are all-natural and organic with no chemicals.

Even during the pandemic, Anthony said the Lobster Roll had a "banner season," all while ensuring customers and staff alike were kept safe. "Safety was most important," she said, adding that even when restaurants were allowed to open indoor seating at indoor capacity, she chose to remain with outdoor seating and delivery last season.

This summer, Anthony looks forward, as always, to welcoming back generations of customers who've become more like family. "We have someone who just posted on social media that he's been coming in since 1967," Anthony said. "I have staff members that have been with me for 30 years. One girl's mother waitressed for me for years, and now she's working for me and she has kids."

It's those memories, the people, the stories, that have made the Lobster Roll rich with meaning, she said. And that's why she keeps evolving and offering new menu items, to try and please customers, Anthony said. "That's the fun, the passion — it's about making people happy. That's what we aim for most, the most important thing we try to put forth in our service and most of all, our food quality. We really want to make sure everything is right. We want everyone leaving happy."