Is the Viral Nell Shell Lobster Roll worth $35?
I can’t stop thinking about the lobster roll from Nell Shell’s food truck at The Batture. The algorithm Instagram gods struck again, and all I would see is pictures of the most beautiful lobster rolls all over my feed. The viral effect is working in favor of Nell Shell. I couldn’t miss out on this sandwich.
When I arrived at The Batture, I headed for the food truck. It already had a line formed ten minutes prior to opening. I took a look at the menu to see what to order and I audibly gasped. The sign read $35…. for a sandwich. My brain started firing. Do I slink out of this line? Does it come with a golden fork? It was too late to turn back. I had already committed to the roll and at this point and needed to see if it lived up to it’s social media hype. I thought to myself, “How do I explain this to my husband when he sees the bank statement?”
First Impressions
It’s gorgeous. Giant, red-claw meat glistening with melted butter sitting on a perfectly toasted roll. They nailed the look. Yes, my phone ate before me. I went with the Connecticut style because I was piggy-backing off my friend Jessica, who is from Maine. The butter style is more common where she lived versus the Maine style, which has a mayo mixture instead of the butter. Per the associate working the truck, the Maine roll is the most purchased.
The Portion
To be completely honest, it filled me up. I was very satisfied. It was a very healthy portion of lobster that was thick and buttery. The sandwich comes with a large back of Utz chips. I couldn’t finish the chips after eating the whole roll.
The Taste
I ate this roll very slowly. Savoring every bite of that money spent. Was it delicious? Yes. Was it good quality lobster? Absolutely. Nell Shell informed me that the lobster is sourced from Maine weekly. It is very evident that this is high-quality ingredients. This isn’t just some imitation crab meat smothered in mayo.
The Final Verdict
Was it worth the $35? If you’re a lobster lover then, yes. If you’re curious and don’t mind a splurge, definitely go for it. If you’re comparing it to a $12 poboy, then this isn’t for you. For me, it fit nicely in the “one try splurge and very satisfying category.” Nell Shell succeeded in that it made me think about this lobster well beyond finishing it … and posting about it.
