Lobster Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA)

It’s been less than a year since the inaugural West Coast Lobster Rumble and my how things have changed!  This time, I had my fancy camera, so the pictures will be a bit better, even with the “eh” lighting.  Ready for the tour?

Lobster Roll Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

First of all, it was so much more popular that the parking lots were full and it took about 45 minutes to enter the event itself.  Definitely a minus, but it’s L.A, so we’re used to hunting for parking.  Also, the ticket itself jumped up in price, so minus 2.

Lobster Roll Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

It was held in the same space, but the layout was more “squished” and that led to lots of smushed lines.  And I hate to mention that the lines were pretty endless, even for desserts.  My event partner and I had to split up just to be able to try all of them.  Otherwise, we would have needed another 2 hours to stand in lines together!

The good news is that not only were there amazing lobster rolls from local favorites, but there were contenders from other places like Austin, Vegas, Portland, and Chicago.  Also, they kept the delicious dessert places, but more on that later!

Lobster Roll Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

Now, to the food!

Salads & Sides
Lobster Roll Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

I really like that they had some fresh veggies and salads for the sides.  After all of the buttered bread and rich lobster, it was definitely a good choice.

Now, for all of the lobster rolls!

Lobster Roll Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

Lobster Me
The Cajun
Chilled lobster meat smothered in Cajun sauce – Bold & sassy.

Lobster Roll Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

One of the only places that decided to up the spice factor.  Nice!

Slapfish
Traditional Lobster Roll
100% real lobster meat, warm butter, dash of lemon and mayo

Lobster Roll Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

One of the prettiest ones, in my opinion.  Also, they’re located so close to me!

Santa Monica Seafood
Maine Lobster Roll
Fresh lobster meat with lemon aioli and chives in a traditional white bun 

Lobster Roll Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

This one was more of a lobster salad than lobster pieces, but that made it easy to eat!

Old Port Lobster Shack
The Maine Lobster Roll
Lobster mixed with Hellmann’s mayo, green onions, salt & pepper

Lobster Roll Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

This one was great, and I loved the pickles on the side!

They ran out, so I guess I’ll have to try them another time.  🙁

Dock & Roll Diner
The Maine Event
Freshly picked Maine lobster claw and knuckle meat served chilled with Dock & Roll’s special house mayo, our own Dock Salt, and chive. Served on a freshly baked split top roll.

The Austin
This roll infuses Dock & Roll’s award winning Truth (homemade habanero) sauce into our house mayo for a fiery lobster roll experience. If you like spicy, this one’s for you; No one likes to admit they can’t handle the Truth!  

Lobster Roll Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

I had to try the spicy one, but it was completely doable.  It was unique that they served it atop a split top roll.  Yum!

Acadia
Stonington lobster roll
buttered bun, paprika, chives, salt and vinegar chips

Lobster Roll Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

Wow, this Chicago restaurant really delivered!

The Strand House
Maine Lobster Roll
charred lemon citronette, avocado brown butter hollandaise, chives, brioche bun with house-made Sriracha chips

Lobster Roll Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

My favorite from last year, this time they made them bite size!  Perfect for the end of my night when I was starting to get overwhelmed!

Blue Plate Oysterette
Butter Poached Maine Lobster
on Fresh Brioche

Lobster Roll Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

Another local favorite on an amazing brioche!

The Lobster
Lobster Roll
Little Gem, Japanese Mayo & a Toasted Butter Roll

Lobster Roll Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

The lobster roll from The Lobster was absolutely stuffed!  Yum!

The Taste of Maine
Fresh Maine Lobster Roll
Chunks of Maine lobster on a toasted roll topped with lobster bisque

Lobster Roll Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

Totally unique idea with the lobster bisque topping, and it was great!

Cousins Maine Lobster
Connecticut Roll
Fresh Maine claw, knuckle and tail meat, warmed with butter and lemon, served in a split top New England style roll

Lobster Roll Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

Last year’s winner understandably had a huge line, and the simple preparation showed off their famous fresh lobster.

Maine Street Lobster Company
Down East Lobster Roll
Chilled Fresh Main Lobster (tail, knuckle claw) tossed with tarragon infused mayo and served on a toasted Hawaiian roll

Lobster Roll Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

This was my personal favorite of the night, so I voted for them.  🙂

Lobster Roll

Top load brioche bun toasted with lobster butter.  Maine lobster mixed ww/ chive and Gochujang aioli. Garnished with bonito flake.

Lobster Roll Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

And then it was time to vote!  I love the display they had this year instead of the boxes they had on each table last year.

Lobster Roll Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

While we waited for the votes to be tallied up, we hit the desserts!

Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches

Vanilla Custard, Mexican Chocolate, Strawberry Buttermilk

Lobster Roll Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

The strawberry was surprisingly my favorite because it was so different!  All great though.  🙂

Donuts Galore!

Bacon 182, Lemon Weapon, Jets to Basil, White Chocolate Stripes, The Starting Lime, Fudgegazi

Lobster Roll Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

Here’s a closer look!  The only reason I got a taste of each one was because we decided to stand in the desserts line first.  Otherwise, I found out that there were lots of people who didn’t get a taste.  Lucky me!

Lobster Roll Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

Desserts Galore!

Original crème caramel, Ube upside down cake, Meringue crumble + budino, Pigs in the mud, Brookie, Ube Purplies

Lobster Roll Rumble 2014 (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

I made the mistake of not grabbing a couple of desserts earlier in the night because I only had the chance to try out the brookie and the ube purplie.  Too bad because those two were amazing, and I loved their desserts last time!

By the end of the night, we were stuffed and were happy to find out the winner of the rumble… Cousin’s Maine Lobster!  That’s two in a row, so we’ll see if they can make it a three-peat next time.  🙂

Are you ready for the next rumble?

Lobster Rumble 2014
Cooper Design Space
860 S. Los Angeles Street, 90014
Website


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