Old Port Lobster Shack
851 Veterans Blvd
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 366-2400
Rated: ♣♣♣♣
Growing up, I’ve always loved having clam chowder. The clam chowder I always had was canned New England Clam Chowder. Oops, credibility gone. Now what if I told you, after a quarter century, I’ve tried some of the best New England style food you’ll have in the San Francisco Bay Area? Not convincing, right? What if it was a recommendation from someone from New England? A good friend of mine, MFW, introduced me to the Old Port Lobster Shack in Redwood City. MFW knows where the good eats are, and gives and receives recommendations like a free-flowing currency. In my office, MFW, VD, IT, and I are always comparing recommendations lists, recipes, and food photos. Ah… I digress.
The Scene
Old Port Lobster Shack is a port-style lobster shack that’s located in a tiny complex next to a construction site that’s going to be a new In-N-Out Burger joint. If you were driving along Veterans Blvd, it was be really easy to miss unless you catch the Old Port Lobster Shack’s delivery truck parked right outside the complex. Once you are inside, you’ll love the wacky details to simulate a visit to the local sea port tavern complete with nets on the walls, numerous beers on tap, and picnic tables throughout. The moment you take a whiff of the kitchen, you know anything you order is going to be good.
The Food
I decided to bring S and her folks here for lunch one day to show them my appreciation for being such generous people (also, a reason to pig out on some really good food). The first time I visited, I ordered The Maine Lobster Roll with New England Clam “Chowdah” Special for $20. This time, I ordered The Maine Lobster Roll with New England Clam “Chowdah”. You got that right, I ordered the same thing. That’s how delicious the meal was. Instead of ordering individually, I had two orders of The Double Play Lobster Roll with four orders of the Clam “Chowdah”. When you order the Double Play, you get two Lobster Rolls of your choice. S and her father are not big fans of green onions, so we ordered two The Naked Lobster Rolls and two The Maine Lobster Rolls. The meal starts with a big ceramic mug of hot Clam Chowder. The consistency is very creamy, and the flavors are delicious. The Maine Lobster Rolls consist of lobster mixed with Hellmann’s mayo, green onions, salt and pepper on top of a New England style hot dog bun. The Naked Lobster Rolls have just the lobster meat and is served with mayo and drawn butter on the side. The entire meal comes with hand-cut Kennebec fries, coleslaw and pickles. The meal came out to be $30 a person, and well worth it.
