Poll results: Here is where to come ashore for classic lobster dinner

Gwenn Friss, Cape Cod Times
·3 min read
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For some people, a traditional shore dinner — a boiled lobster with steamers, corn on the cob, linguiça and drawn butter —  is a rite of summer.

"There's nothing like warm air and a boiled or pan-roasted lobster dinner to get that fix. This meal lends itself to being a seasonal one. If you have access to it all summer long, would it be the same?" asks Tim McNulty, chef/owner of Lobster Pot.

The Provincetown landmark was one of five places readers chose as the best for a traditional shore dinner. McNulty owns two other restaurants — Lobster Pot Express nearby in downtown Provincetown and Lobster & Chowder House on Route 6 in South Wellfleet near Marconi Beach — where you can choose from several to-go meals that are ready in five to 10 minutes, but for the shore dinner and other lobster specialties, you have to wait your turn and sit down at Lobster Pot.

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At Lobster Pot in Provincetown, a traditional shore dinner like this is called a clambake. [Mike Potenza/Lobster Pot]
At Lobster Pot in Provincetown, a traditional shore dinner like this is called a clambake. [Mike Potenza/Lobster Pot]

Most places serve a 1.25-pound steamed or boiled lobster with the classic shore dinner and it is usually market price, based on the cost of lobster at the time.

Here are the places Cape Cod Times readers chose for the iconic meal

Lobster Pot

You can trade the mussels that come with the clambake for steamers for a $9 upcharge.
You can trade the mussels that come with the clambake for steamers for a $9 upcharge.

Address: 321 Commercial St., Provincetown

Contact:  508-487-0842; ptownlobsterpot.com

 Of note: At Lobster Pot, the shore dinner is called a clambake. The current market price of $48 includes a lobster, mussels, corn on the cob and a red potato, along with a choice of a cup of clam chowder, Portuguese soup or Lobster bisque.

Arnold’s Lobster & Clam Bar

Although this Arnold's clambake photo was taken in 2005, things haven't changed much. These days, the dish comes with clam chowder and you can order steamers on the side for an extra charge.
Although this Arnold's clambake photo was taken in 2005, things haven't changed much. These days, the dish comes with clam chowder and you can order steamers on the side for an extra charge.

Address: 3580 Route 6, Eastham

Contact: 508-255-2575; arnoldsrestaurant.com

Of note: The steamed lobster special at Arnold's Lobster & Clam Bar comes with corn on the cob and chowder.

Lobster Trap

The Bucket from The Lobster Trap is described as the ultimate Cape Cod experience.
The Bucket from The Lobster Trap is described as the ultimate Cape Cod experience.

Address: 290 Shore Road, Bourne

Contact: 508-759-7600; lobstertrap.net

Of note: The Lobster Trap Bucket, market price $49, includes lobster, 1.5 pounds of steamers, grilled linguica, corn on the cob and drawn butter. "When people want to go out to dinner and get the true Cape Cod experience, they get the bucket," says Jenny Norton, manager for 20 years.

Mac’s on the Pier

At Mac's on the Pier you can order a 1.5- or 2-pound lobster with the clambake.
At Mac's on the Pier you can order a 1.5- or 2-pound lobster with the clambake.

Address: 265 Commercial St., Wellfleet

Contact: 508-349-9611; macsseafood.com

Of note: At Mac’s On the Pier in Wellfleet, you can either order a 1.5- ($55.99) or 2-pound ($56.99) steamed native lobster, served with corn and drawn butter and a choice of steamers, mussels or littleneck clams. Lobster dinners are available at all five Mac's locations (also in Provincetown, Eastham, Chatham and elsewhere in Wellfleet) and are listed at market price, meaning the price goes up or down with the market.

"Mac’s Seafood strives to source our catch from local fishing families and sustainable seafood suppliers every season of the year, so you know the lobsters and shellfish sides on your plate didn’t travel far to get there," Amy Voll, spokesperson for Mac's Seafood, wrote in an email.

Chatham Pier Fish Market

The Chatham Fish Pier Market is located at 45 Barcliff Avenue Extension and advertises that it has "the best view in town."
The Chatham Fish Pier Market is located at 45 Barcliff Avenue Extension and advertises that it has "the best view in town."

Address: 45 Barcliff Avenue Extension, Chatham

Contact: 508-945-3474, chathamfishmarket.com

Of note: Chatham Fish Pier Market offers a 1.25-pound lobster special, for $29.99, served with corn, drawn butter and all the ocean views you can drink in. If you happen to be around at noontime, you might catch a local fishing boat bringing its haul. There are also volunteers on hand to answer questions. Learn more in this Cape Cod Times story. Enjoy the lobster? Stop by the fish market and pick up food from the sea to buy and take home to cook.

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Email Gwenn Friss at gfriss@capdcodonline.com, reach her on Twitter: @dailyrecipeCCT.or on Facebook, Good Stuff at Cape Cod Restaurants, where we talk about good dining on the peninsula.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Best Cape Cod classic lobster dinners: Readers vote for favorite spots