Fresh Maine Lobster 'Rolls' Into Encinitas

It’s fair to say that when you talk about “foods that most people love,” Maine lobster is near the top of the list.

But getting to Maine isn’t exactly easy – or cost effective.

Thankfully, a new Encinitas eatery is here to fill in the 3,000-mile void, by bringing fresh Maine lobster to you.

Lobster West will open to the public on Thursday, July 11, ending the anticipation that many Encinitans have had since the day the lease was signed.

Owned by Encinitas residents Kim and Joel Locker, Lobster West features a variety of lobster dishes, including its signature Maine or Connecticut-style lobster rolls.

For Kim Locker, it’s a flavor she’s yearned for since moving west seven years ago, having grown up and lived on the East Coast.

“I grew up in New Jersey and we used to vacation at Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard,” she said. “We love it out here, but we also miss lobster rolls and that kind of cuisine, so we thought, ‘why not bring it to this area?’”

Lobster West sources its lobster, shrimp and crab from a group of lobstermen that fish the waters of Maine daily. Locker said they did extensive research on the fishing process, going out and meeting with fishermen, and discovering their processes. Lobster West’s distributors catch, clean, package and ship the seafood overnight, ensuring that customers are getting the freshest Maine lobster possible.

“It’s shore to door in 24 hours,” she said.

Locker said that because they ship the star of their menu from so far away, it was important to source all of the other ingredients locally. And that’s just what they’ve done.

She said all of the produce comes from North County farms, and the bread used in the lobster, crab and shrimp rolls is baked daily at Sadie Rose Baking Company, the San Diego bakery that provides its breads to dozens of restaurants across the county.

They also offer gluten-free Udi’s bread upon request.

Though there are other non-lobster items on the menu – including crab and shrimp rolls, New England Clam Chowder, Maryland Crab Soup, and shrimp and crab salads –  make no mistake; this place is all about lobster.

There are posters of lobsters on the wall, and a beautiful panoramic photo of an old bayside lobster shack in Maine. Even the salt and pepper shakers are lobster claws.

So how is it?

It’s somewhat cliché to call lobster succulent, but there’s no other way to describe it.

Lobster West packs their rolls full of deliciously sweet lobster tail meat, sprinkled with blend of spices (think Old Bay plus some other stuff), and a little bit of mayo. The roll was lightly buttered and grilled just right, creating the perfect warm vessel for the creamy lobster meat.

Succulent. Yeah, that’s about right.

The crab roll was also incredibly tasty, and as on par with the lobster roll as you might think. A combination of Dungeness and Blue crab, the mix was seasoned with the spice blend and a little fresh squeezed lemon juice.

But Locker’s love of lobster and her desire to bring it to Encinitas goes beyond simple nostalgia.

“It’s just the perfect kind of coastal food, really fresh seafood in a fast, casual kind of setting,” she said.

A former advertising executive in Manhattan for a decade, Locker said she and Joel, a financial analyst, gave up the hustle and bustle of New York and moved with her family to Encinitas in 2006.

Also onboard the family team is Kim’s brother, Chad Taggart, who will serve as the front of house general manager, and their mother Deborah, whose financial background will be invaluable as she handles the numbers.

Larry Cromidas, a Boston transplant and good friend of the family, is the kitchen and operations GM.

Locker said they looked everywhere from downtown San Diego all the way up to Carlsbad as a location for their eatery, but ultimately thought that Encinitas was the perfect place for them. The community has really taken to the restaurant, and Locker says she can’t wait to open.

“We all felt like this is the kind of vibe we wanted it to have. Everyone in Encinitas is very supportive of the local businesses, and there’s a real sense of community. I think that they appreciate something different and something that’s fresh. 

“This is a big leap of faith, and we didn’t know how the community would respond,” she continued. “Some people didn’t know what a lobster roll was, and thought it was sushi. Which made us laugh because we’ve been eating lobster rolls our whole life. But overall, everyone has been very supportive and has said they’re excited to come try it.”

Lobster West, located at 765 S. Coast Highway, will open on July 11 at 11 a.m. Locker said that they are hoping to have a bigger “Grand Opening” celebration later in the month when a license for beer and wine gets approved by the city.

Lobster West is on Twitter and Instagram. Follow them at @lobsterwest. Like them on Facebook too.