Luke's Lobster

Dear Luke,

We hope this letter finds you well. It was great seeing you last time we visited New York. It’s always a pleasure to stop by any of your locations when we’re in town to indulge in a lobster roll or two. We love the simplicity of your approach, with just a little bit of mayo and some seasoning so that the lobster really shines. $16 per roll isn’t such a bad deal, either.

But unfortunately, we're writing to tell you that we don’t think this long distance relationship is going to work out. It's not that you've changed - maybe we have. Or maybe something just feels a little out of place. Chicago is a lot further from your Maine harbors than New York is, and we imagine that makes the shipping process a little more complex. And quite frankly, Luke, your lobsters don’t really hold up the same way here. Geography is a b*tch. And so is that one girl we keep seeing on your Facebook page. WHO IS SHE?

At the end of the day, we don’t want to lose you completely, Luke, so don’t take this the wrong way. We’d love to catch up over lunch every now and then. But that being said, we aren’t always looking to spend $16 on a worse version of your former self for a tiny lunch in the Loop. Because that doesn't cut it during the work week, and, well, the Loop is the last place we ever want to be after 6pm, or really ever on the weekends. And considering your lobster doesn't give us that tingly feeling it once did, your business casual location most certainly doesn't help the cause.

So, we’re sorry, Luke, if this caught you off guard. We’ll still be around to say hi when the time is right, but we hope you understand if it’s better that we remain just friends.

Sincerely,

Infatuation Chicago

Food Rundown

Shrimp Roll

The shrimp roll is actually the best value. For $8 it's worthwhile, or get two of them to have a legit grown man meal for $16 - you won't feel cheated. Luke's goes a lot heavier on the seasoning with the shrimp, which adds extra flavor and isn't a bad thing.

Crab Roll

The one time we had a crab roll here it was pretty plain. Our advice would be go shrimp.

Lobster Roll

Our problem with this location of Luke's is that the lobster isn't great. The freshness and quality that makes New Yorkers rave over it isn't there. It tastes frozen, and the lobster roll itself isn't a must have. At that point the value isn't there, which makes Luke's another generic Loop lunch place, and an expensive one at that.

Jonah Crab Claws

Mini little crab claws. You can get a side of four of them for $8, which is worth a try maybe once.

Taste of Maine

The only way to walk away satisfied. You get a taste of everything, including 1/2 lobster, shrimp, and crab roll, plus two claws, chips, and a drink. For $23 it's at least fun to try everything and compare. It's an expensive lunch habit, but we'd pop in for it every now and then if you're constantly in the area and need a fix.