Lobsta Land Restaurant — Restaurant in Gloucester

We often drive by here and are frequently put off by the parked-up lot. Yesterday we were hungry at an off-peak time and pulled in for late lunch. This reminded us of why the lot is generally full; it's because the food and service was superior as it always is.

I ordered the Gloucester Seafood Stew and a side of fries. My dining partner got a Clam Roll with fries and coleslaw.

I've had disappointments with Cioppino, Bouillabaisse and similar things in Gloucester (oddly enough since, if it's going to be good ANYWHERE, it ought to be good in Gloucester) but Lobsta Land redeemed the city with the Seafood Stew. It had MANY plump mussels, good fresh clams, sweet tender shrimp and a generous slab of some white fin fish all swimming in a flavorful slightly-spicy tomato broth.

My partner's clam roll was piled high with good belly clams and the roll was buttered and browned on the griddle like a lobster roll would be. She's not a fan of apple in coleslaw and I was the beneficiary - I like it that way and it was not over-dressed like coleslaw often is.

In the future I think we'll be flexible with our dining schedules or more willing to be patient with the inevitable wait that is involved when you go to a popular place - it's definitely worth it here.

----- Five Star review from 2019 ----- Always four- or five-star food and service.

We've been here for a leisurely full dinner and been happy with every course and had servers who were attentive without being intrusive.

We've been here for extended meals that merged into strategy meetings with several people and the wait staff pretty much left us alone until we gestured to them.

This last visit we were on a tight schedule but had missed lunch and went in at about 2:00 on a Friday, warning the waitress what our situation was. With her help we went for a fried oyster po- boy, which we split between the two of us. We had been disappointed by something similar at another place (one in Ipswich) and the one from Lobsta Land was the antidote - perfectly-cooked sweet and juicy oysters with a generous pile of fries and a tasty mustard-horseradish sauce. Because the kitchen was speedy and the waitstaff was punctual, we had time for a shared dessert and the check was delivered with the dessert. I paid with cash and we were back on the road at 2:30, sated and happy. Kudos for our waitress, Sabrina, and the Friday afternoon line cooks.

There are a fair number of fried clam/fish and lobster joints on Cape Ann and we've tried each of them several times. Some are better than others but Lobsta Land is our favorite, plus it has a full menu in case you're all fished out.

It's always busy so I hesitate to encourage more people to visit but it is easy to understand how it has thrived it this location for decades. Definitely worth it if you have to wait in order to get a table. You might be able to crowd into the lively bar while your table...

So very disappointed with my trip to Lobsta Land. I e been coming here since it was previously known as Freddie’s Lobsta Land. We went on Saturday night, knowing it would be packed…not a problem.

BEFORE we went I specifically called, and asked if they had Steamers. I was assured they did. I then followed up and asked if they were at risk of running out (we simply would have gone elsewhere) I was told by the woman that answered the phone they had plenty and would not run out, especially on a Saturday.

We (a party of 3) arrived at the restaurant, and checked in at the hostess stand. Incredibly there was another party with the exact same name. We were told it would be 20 minutes, as we were there first. The other party arrived 1 minutes later, and to my utmost horror…the other party was seated first! So what was quoted as a 20 minutes later wait, turned into 45 minutes.

I addressed the situation calmly with the host and he recognized his error.

When we were finally seated, the waitress came and immediately told us they were out of Steamers! I could not believe it. I explained that I had literally called right before coming and what I was told. To which she responded…”Oh we’ve been out for HOURS”. Beyond disappointed, but the icing on the cake was we were then pretty much ignored throughout our meal, and it is customary for the manager to stop by the table when something happens…NOPE! The problem was never addressed. Lobsta Land…you’ve gone way downhill…and I’ve been coming for over 40 years.

UPDATE

While I appreciate the response, I want to reiterate…I called less than 20 minutes BEFORE we arrived and was told you had plenty of Steamers. Perhaps your staff should confirm availability of an item BEFORE giving a blanked answer.

With regard to the seating circumstances. There were 3 parties named Kelly. The reservation was at 7 for a party of seven. Myself and the other Kelly party were both on the call ahead list. Regardless, your host took accountability and realized he had...

Ok so I took a chance as normally and was looking to try someting new for Mother's day as my family was looking for a place that could host us. I made a reservation about a month before knowing that most resteraunts are going to be packed on mother's day especially more so on the coast if the weather was nice. I arrived about an hour early for our reservation not knowing what to expect for a wait and the hostess announced it was almost a 2 hour wait and if I put my name in that it would be possible to be seated earlier which was smart as we were seated 30 mins prior to my reservation. All of us ordered different items from the menu as well as the traditional seafood fried platter which would be my only gripe as the did not have the market price listed anywhere and when asking the waitstaff appearently no one knew how much it was which took a little while to get an answer. Once finding out the price was $50 we decided to order it and see. Low and behold al the food that arrived were generous portions and the seafood platter could easily feed 2 people and I regrettingly wished I had shared it or ordered for myself. I had several pieces from that plate and it was delicious. Everything we ordered was tasty and filling and I was thanked from the family for my dining find which the locals consider it a hidden gem which it is off the highway and in the marsh area off the beaten path from most of the other coastal eateries. The staff was extremely accomidating, the drinks were great as well as the cold beer and the whole overall experience, while a little on the pricey side (inflation nation) it was an enjoyable dinner. I would definately come back and tell others as this place was very good! I would def...