Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls — Restaurant in Gaithersburg

I called in the order. He asked my name and when I wanted to pick it up. That's it. I told him we were actually already in the area, so as soon as it's ready. He said 8 - 10 minutes or something like that. No problem. We waited just over 5 minutes (to give time to pay before the food was ready), and my wife went in to pick up the order. The "owner" says, "we don't take phone orders." Ummm, well you literally just did. He said phone orders have to be paid over the phone. No one said that! How are we supposed to know that, if no one says, "I need your credit card info to put in the order." Don't get me wrong. I get why a lobster place would want payment first. You don't want to waste product if people don't show up. But, YOU HAVE TO ACTUALLY ASK FOR PAYMENT! What am I, a mind reader? Okay, whatever. She pays and now has to wait, defeating the whole purpose of calling ahead. The only reason they get two stars for service instead of one is because the guy who took the order was nice and apologized.

Now to the food. My wife doesn't like lobster and was actually just going because I wanted to try it. She ordered a hot dog and tater tots. It's a hot dog. It was fine. She enjoyed it. For the main event: the lobster roll. I was hesitant about how they could have quality lobster rolls year-round. I have a regular place I go to, but they only serve them from Memorial Day to Labor Day. So, I thought I'd try Mason's. I have the answer to my question. They do not have quality lobster rolls year-round. I ordered the CT roll, thinking it would be a warm lobster roll. The lobster was piping hot and overcooked, as if it has been microwaved. I don't know where the butter was. It didn't come with any and no lemon. If the butter was on it, it disappeared from being so overcooked. Also, there was barely any lobster. My normal place uses 1/4 lb. per roll. Since I had never been here, I wanted to try the regular (as opposed to the Bar Harbor option) to see what it was like. Why pay more if the regular one has enough? Well, it's very skimpy. If I were planning to go back, I would try the Bar Harbor. But, I will not be returning. The service is crap, and the food is less...

Ever see that old poster that shows the options of "good," "fast," "cheap," and says "pick any two?" Well, Mason's seems to have put the lie to that old saying.

The way life usually works is that if something is both cheap and readily available, it's probably not that good. And if it's both cheap and high quality, well, get in line and be prepared for a long wait. And if it's both fast and high quality, you're going to pay through the nose for it.

Well, despite the old adage, Mason's has managed to deliver superlatives in all three categories.

First, it's fast - a heck of a lot faster than the usual experience acquiring a lobster roll, waiting for its preparation at a table-service restaurant.

Second, it's great. I mean, I wouldn't trade it for any other lobster roll in the area, and that includes the priciest ones at the priciest restaurants. Deliciously fresh lobster generously applied. Any way you like it (I like it CT style, slathered in butter, with none of the mayo one finds in lobster salads - though if that's your jam, you can certainly get a lobster salad instead). And the toasted bread is heavenly, so light and buttery, practically melts in your mouth. OMG, I'm getting hungry just writing this.

And third, it's cheap. OK, not CHEAP cheap. It's a lobster roll after all, and that's going to be more expensive than your typical lunch. But it's inexpensive relative to a restaurant lobster roll.

What's not to like? I can get a better lobster roll here than I can anywhere else, I pay less for it, and it's ready almost immediately.

Btw, I should mention -- the people who run it are really nice, very friendly. The tots...

I wish I could give this place five stars because the staff was very attentive mainly the Hispanic women that attended me and my fiancé. I wish I remembered her name but she was amazing! The food was also delicious BUT the reason I don’t give this place 5 stars is because the last time I purchased a pick up order from here I had received a bottle of iced tea that was expired, I contacted masons and had been talking to the manager Sandra. Unfortunately, after sending my receipt, a picture of the bottle and every other piece of detail to Sandra regarding the expired bottle she proceeded to basically say all the information I had given wasn’t sufficient. It’s disappointing because me and my fiancé bought food from them and we got that expired bottle from them. To have to send all the information I sent just to be told that they essentially didn’t believe me because the other bottles they had wasn’t expired or because on their system it said I had gotten a cup which was not true especially since they have cameras and could’ve seen if I did get a cup and fill it is crazy. When I notified masons it wasn’t even to get a refund it was just to notify them but they basically just gas lighted me. In the end Sandra called me and said if I wanted a refund I’d need to come in in person. I’m not doing all that. They can keep the money and me and my fiancé are taking our business elsewhere. I’d recommend if you buy from Masons to check your items expiration dates before actually leaving the building! Otherwise their food...