A Connecticut Town is Home to the First Lobster Roll

Why doesn't Milford, Connecticut have a Lobster Roll Festival? They hold an Oyster Festival every year, yet they don't recognize and celebrate the wonderful culinary delight that originated in their city in 1929?

Get our free mobile app

According to numerous online sources, including wikipedia.com, downeast.com, and foodandwine.com, a restaurant named Perry's in Milford, Connecticut served up the first warm Lobster Roll, and the first cold Lobster Salad Roll in either 1927 or 1929. Perry's idea rippled out over the next few decades to the point now where all of New England claims to have the best of them all.

There are two main differences between the superior Connecticut Lobster Roll, and the yucky Maine Lobster Roll -  hot and cold, and butter or mayo. Here in Connecticut, we like our lobster straight out of the steamer, slathered in warm butter, served on a toasted hot dog roll. In Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island they chill the lobster meat, toss it in a mixture of mayo, tarragon, and celery, and serve it on a cold hot dog roll.

I've tried eating seafood and mayonnaise together, it just doesn't agree with me. I'm a staunch believer that the Connecticut Lobster Roll is the only way to experience it's true taste. Cover anything in Mayo and Celery, and that's what you'll taste, but to each his own.

Back to Milford, why not highlight your wonderful invention? I know the Milford Oyster Festival is billed as a celebration of all seafood, but you own the title. It's time to start planning the 2024 Milford Lobster Roll Festival.