Live Lobster F.A.Q.
What size live lobster do I need?
By far the most popular size is a 1 1/2 pound lobster. But let me walk you through the other sizes, too:
- 1 LB: Yeilds only 3 to 4 ounces of meat. Good for surf n' turf, or as a second main course.
- 1 1/4 LB: Good for a main course IF you have plenty of sides (or if you have a smaller appetite).
- 1 1/2 LB: The safe bet. You're average lobster dinner size.
- 2 LB: A generous portion. You probably don't need many sides with this one. It will look quite impressive on your plate.
- 3 LB: This is a MONSTEROUS size. Be prepared share, or maybe use the left overs you'll undoubtedly have to make lobster rolls the next day.
How far in advance must I place my order for live lobster?
Ideally, we would like at least two or three days notice for live lobster orders to ensure avialability. But we know things come up and it is possible that we may be able to aquire them more quickly. If you are ordering for the week of Christmas, I'd suggest placing your order at least a week ahead of time.
How do I cook live lobster?
The most important thing is to use a very big pot and bring it to a rolling boil before adding your lobster (head first!) into the water. Click here for detailed directions and cooking times.
How do I eat a whole lobster?
Don't be intimidated, you just have to know where to find the meat. Grab a shellfish cracker (which is basically a nut cracker) to crack through shell. Or for the less civilized among us, it is a bit fun to give the shell a good whack with a small wooden mallet. Use a shell fish pick or tiny fork to poke around the hard to reach crannies for small pieces of missed meat.
Note: We do have these tools for sale at Don's Dock.
Check out this diagram outlining just what to do with your whole lobster:
How do I store my live lobster?
Until you are ready to cook them, it is important to keep your lobsters in a cold and dark environment. This keeps them fresh and dormant. Keep them in your refrigerator with newspaper over the box. Make sure you DON'T wrap them air-tight (their gills can absorb oygen from the air, which they need to survive out of water).
I don't want to cook a lobster, I just want to eat it!
We can help with that! With advance notice of course, we can boil your lobsters for you. This will run you $5 per lobster. This service will be limited, and perhaps impossible in some cases, during the week of Christmas.
Nothing says "celebration" quite like whole boiled lobster. It's rich, it's indulgent, and perhaps most importantly, it's memorable!
Our live Maine lobsters are pulled from coastal waters one day, and carted into our store the next. Don't miss the FAQ below to clear any confusion about what size you might need.
Live Maine Lobster
PLEASE NOTE THESE PRICES ARE PER POUND. THE ACTUAL COST IS DETERMINED BY MULTIPLYING THE PRICE PER POUND BY THE WEIGHT OF THE LOBSTER.
1 POUND . . . . . . . . $28.95 per pound
1 1/4 POUND . . . . . . $28.95 per pound
1 1/2 POUND . . . . . . $29.95 per pound
2 POUND . . . . . . . . $31.95 per pound
3 to 4 POUND . . . . . . $31.95 per pound