I agree with everyone saying the food is great. Their fish is cooked perfectly. The coleslaw is very fresh with apples & raisins. The salads are also very fresh and plentiful. I have eaten there 5 times in past two years and each time the service was poor to average. Bad attitudes from the waitstaff do not make for a pleasant dining experience. Hoping that owners will work on that.
Not only is the food great, this family supports the senior citizens of Cape Ann by sponsoring an annual fundraiser breakfast every year. This year, it's on October 28th. Thanks, Lobstaland!!! We love you.
(For lunch, try the Portobello pannini or the baked haddock - out of this world.)
I loved it when I was in high school when it was Freddy's Lobsta Land coming home from the beach! It is now a legit destination of a higher order! Great bar! Inovative menu of fresh well prepared seafood! Keep up the good work!
All those bad reviews for service leave me wondering..was there recently and had excellent service. The food was wonderful, the ambience excellent, and the crowd was a happy one, not only tourists but natives who "know their oysters", in this case, they seemed to love the large selection of delicious menu items.
Posted by: Holly at May 31, 2008 12:44 AMLobstaland rocks.
Great Restaurant! First off, it is not the Ritz! It is a seasonal semi in-the-rough Gloucester eatery with excellent food. Because the food is great, there sometimes is a wait. Try getting a box of clams at the Clam Box!
My favorite is the Paella. Though a bit different than that served on Spain's Costa del Sol, it IS outstanding!
As for waitstaff. I find it always good. They hire hire any more as the place is tight and they're bumping into each other as is. Oftentimes, waitstaff is a direct reflection of a customer: nice customer = nice waiter.
BTW, there are plans in the works for future expansion.
Stopped in there this past August and sat down at a table in the bar. Despite making eye contact with a number of waitstaff I was completely ignored. It was obvious I was waiting for a menu, drink, etc. but they just didn't care. After about 15 minutes of this I just left and will never go back. I'd give them zero stars if were an option. Went to the Causeway instead. Great food and they care about the customer.
When speaking of Lobsta Land, my unofficial slogan for them is, "Go for the Food in Spite of the Service." In foodservice, consistency is one of the most important ingredients of success. Lobsta Land has it. The food is always exceptional, and the dining room service is always atrocious.
I have never been to this place. Some people are rude, OK. But you can't blame slow service on wait people. Blame it on management! Sounds to me like they need MORE wait staff but refuse to hire any. That is not the servers' fault, so please don't stiff their tip because of that issue only.
Posted by: Chris at September 24, 2007 06:56 AMJust got back from a BEAUTIFUL time in Cape Ann. On a recommendation from our hotel, we decided to try "LobstaLand" on Rust Island. The pleasant, rustic dining area was bustling and quite busy, but service was attentive and friendly. Our Caesar salads arrived promptly and were HUGE...perhaps too much so! To make matters worse, they were absolutely delicious, as well. Large shavings of cheese and a generous garnish of anchovy and croutons was enough for a meal! Those of us with weak self-control could hardly resist finishing every morsel. Had I known, we could have shared one salad and both of us would have been quite satisfied. Wonderful warm rolls were served as well with butter or an olive spread. My partner and I both ordered the crab cakes. I can only say that they were perhaps the best I've ever had...and I've had them at the Four Seasons and LeBecFin in Philadelphia, Legal Seafood in Boston, as well as many other wonderful restaurants throughout America. The dark, crusty exterior cracks open under pressure from the fork to reveal a tender, magnificent filling. The remoulade was a wonderful accompaniment, as was the side of greens. Unfortunately, because of the massive Caesar salad, I was only able to sample a tiny bit of the greens. Dessert was completely out of the question. It DID take a long time for our entree to arrive, but very much worth the wait. Our waitress brought an additional bread basket to our table in the meantime, although neither of us dared touch it.
My only other complaint is that the mens and ladies rooms were tiny, one-person-at-a-time deals. The lines were long just to get in.
Despite these minimal flaws, LobstaLand is a place I MUST go to when we return to Cape Ann in the future. Prices were very reasonable and the food was EXCELLENT! Even the presentation was considered with care. Definitely worth every penny and every minute of waiting!
Our first time on a recomendtion! Waited over an hour at the bar in order to be seated. Had we known that, we would have eaten at the bar.
When we finally got a table, the service was slow. Since we had enough drinks at the bar, we did not want to order more drinks - so we sat there waiting 1/2 hour for our appetizer to show up. When our meal finally arrived, it was absolutely delicious. Best food we have eaten in a long time and wonderfully presented.
We were sitting in the front room and the A/C was killing us. We had to ask twice for it to be turned down, only after the third try someone finally turned it off altogether.
I hate to give this place only 3 stars. The food was definitly 5 or more, but the service was barely one. We are definitely going back, but this time with a reservation. We arrived at 6;45 and didn't leave until 9:30. Too long time for a meal.
FOOD FOOD GOOD GOOD
I just was at Lobsta Land the nite before the 4th for the first time and it was WONDERFUL! The
lobster pie was superb - tender pieces with just
enough crumbs. The chowder is perfect - made the REAL way with thin milk and full of taste - no thick creamy junk. The butternut sqaush was delicious with no silly nutmeg to make it taste like pie. The bread & chopped olives was great and service was great too. I am shocked at these other bad reviews. I am in love and talked about it for days. The green beans were freash but a little to al dente for me but other than that no complaints at all!
wow what an experince the uptown mac and cheese is the bet in the world everyone has got this place all wrong
Well this sure aint Freddies. Dissapointed. Cold tastless food. Got a seat next to noisy busy kitchen door. How nice! nnnn
Posted by: Yaesu101 at May 1, 2007 02:12 AM maybe just once you could send a customer home with the right order or maybe remember all of the things that go along with that particular meal. 4 People were over our house to get takeout,one meal was missing, one meal had half of the order and one was the wrong meal. Lucky for me mine was right. Don't go looking for compensation because you won't get it.
Please, please please bring back some of the old menu, Every year you take something off the menu that I love. Taking the chicken and broccoli alfredo was the last straw. I have never met a person that did'nt love it. I am down to one dish on your menu that I like and when I do get it you always give me the wrong dressing. Please bring back the chicken and broccoli alfredo and I'll never complain again
Breakfast is the best in gloucester. Went there with my wife and in-laws for dinner, best food around. To bad it's only open seasonally. Corey has the best place in Gloucester.
Best food in the area, Lobster Risotto is wonderful. Very casual. Go early so you do not have to wait. It can be crazy on a summer weekend evening.
Posted by: Donna at November 26, 2006 04:11 PMNothing better than eating at a restaurant and feeling like you're the waiter, and the serving staff is that jerk customer who looks down on you and gives you attitude because they hate their lives... worst service i have ever had... not because it was slow (which it was) but because it was rude... it was rude on purpose... and i see no reason why there should ever be anything besides pleasentness on both sides.... on the one hand you can shashimi my tuna like nobody's business.. but i wouldn't set foot in that lobsta trap again!
I miss Lobsta Land as the meatloaf, turkey dinner, stuffed pepper place that it once was, but Cory cares about his customers.
Posted by: bill at September 10, 2006 06:00 PM
Is this owner of Lobsta Land related to the owner of Alchemy? Once again, a formerly good restaurant has slumped to barely a "star". Our service was HORRIBLE. Our group was looking for an enjoyable evening and ordered a round of martini's. It took well over 1/2 hour for them to arrive. Our wait person apologized and said the bartender didn't have clean martini glasses. Upon a quick survey of the area - we counted only five other patrons with martinis. This is NOT the way to begin the evening. There are now WAY TOO MANY choices on the menu all of which are TOO PRICEY for a local restaurant with the slang name of Lobsta Land. As far as ambiance, first we were seated under a spotlight, then were moved next to a crying child - not enjoyable for three couples whose reservations were at 8:00pm.
I'll give it another try only because I've enjoyed it in the past, but my group was not happy with the service or lack thereof nor the mock fine dining prices.
Posted by: Foodie at August 30, 2006 02:59 PM
For the second time at lunch I've had terrible service at Lobsta Land. Unfortunate since they have a great menu with unique dishes for a "fish n chips" town. The first time I was very overdue to return to work on my lunch break. This time I walked out and returned on time, but hungry. More than 10 minutes passed after receiving our drinks and not even a glance from a server. Lobsta Land WILL NOT get the opportunity for a third strike. I'm back at work, hungry and cranky!
The food is great, especially the chef's specials. The menu offers lots of choices and the dishes are creative. I just wish the atmosphere matched the quality of the food.
We don't tend to go very often because the dining area are so cramped (tables right on top of each other). Also, it gets so busy that cleanliness falls to the wayside.
Posted by: Wendy at August 3, 2006 11:06 AMTook my large family there for a celebration and was greatly disappointed. Took forever getting the drink order, then half of us got no drink at all even after we reminded them. Food was delicious when we did get it. The general service was awful. We only had two waitress' for 12 people,we left a large, larger than they deserved, and when our last guest was leaving the demanded more a tip, apparently $50.00 was'nt enough. She was very upset. When I complained I was told that my parents could have a gift certificate for the trouble, It was never mailed. I called again and was promised and to this day no gift certificate. Expect to wait a long time have rude service, and unfortunatly a delicious meal.
Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner You can't go wrong with Lobsta Land. I would eat there 5 times a week if I could. The only draw back is the servers, (please work on this)sometimes a bad waitress can ruin your whole night. Danelle is by far the BEST. Lobsta Land is the best restaurant in Cape Ann.
I stayed away from this restaurant for a long time because of the name. Big mistake! Great seafood dishes and unusual combinations. Usually the food and service are great - had one bad experience there last summer with service, but I'll certainly give it another shot when it opens this spring!
Posted by: Cathy at April 8, 2006 11:03 PMThis is a wonderful seafood restaurant! I've never had anything here that was not delicious. My favorite is the coconut shrimp with the dipping sauce, which is different than any other I've had. The portions are huge. Will always come back for more!
It was good to see the few reviewers who commented they wouldn't return. This means more room for us!
Great food with excellent presentation. The waitstaff works with due dilligence and are, for the most part, very amiable. Make no mistake, this is a very busy restaurant and reservations are a must for dinner. My wife and I are "regulars" and are treated as such however I believe anyone off the street will be pleased with both the food and the service. We eagerly await April for the reopening of this great eatery.
I've always had a great meal, breakfast, lunch or dinner.....It is the coffee that is bad...please Lobsta Land get new coffee!
Posted by: j at August 22, 2005 10:04 AM
food wasn't that great especially for the price and the service was awful! You would probably get better and quicker service waiting at McDonalds for someone to come wait on you at your table. Will not be returning!
Have to agree with other poster. The food is great, but the service is SO slow. We went for lunch at 3:00 when there weren't many customers. I couldn't believe how long we had to wait for our meals. The waitress never came to check on us either. It's too bad, because sounds like the service is turning people away.
Posted by: Elizabeth at July 13, 2005 10:50 PM Waited for 15 minutes before somone finally took our drink order. Another 10 minutes passed before bread was brought to our table. We were seated in an area that was so cold due to the ac unit that numerous guests complained, but no one cared enough to adjust the thermostat. Ordered a salad with Russian dressing and received a salad with 1,000 Island. Server had the nerve to tell me that it was the same thing as Russian dressing. Server needs a refresher course on politeness and knowing the difference between two completely different salad dressings. Lucky husband paid the bill because her tip would have been a lot less than she received. Snotty server, slow service and cold dining room. Will not attempt another meal at this establishment.
This is my husband & I's most favorite restaurant!! The outside would never let on to the most amazing food served inside - the presentation as well is beautiful. Looks like a roadside dive but has four seasons type food - boggles the mind. The food is SOOO good! everything!!! The most extensive menu and have never had a bad meal. The portions are big too. Always have to take home. Not crazy big, but perfect. The service is good although sometimes hit or miss depending on who you get. We wish this place was full year round - has a liquor license too (closes Dec. 12 - reopens in April) Will literally go thru withdrawal during those months. We eat there once a week. Just amazing. Pls. consider opening year round!!! A+
Posted by: Heidi B. at November 29, 2004 05:13 PM
Never disapointing!!!!!!!
always terrific.
Posted by: Kim at November 7, 2004 04:51 AM
food is delicious, the service is border line deplorable at times, but on the off day that the service is respectable the food makes it wonderful. The restaurant is always packed this undoubtably leads to the service woes. Food again is wonderful
Posted by: mike at November 5, 2004 10:58 AM
Always good.... fresh seafood. Beer battered fish and chips great. Wish it was open all year around, same with sister restaurant The Gull. We need you here all year!
Excellent food (especially the haddock chowder and blackened salmon on caesar). Service is always great and with a smile
Posted by: Donna at June 7, 2004 05:14 PM
The night we went the parking lot was full and no wonder! The seafood dishes were "melt in your mouth" delicious with big portions and great service even on a crowded night.
Posted by: tropicbird at May 7, 2004 04:31 PM
Fabulous meals for six the other night! Creative cooking and pleasing presentation with an attentive and friendly waitstaff.
The menu is extensive ~ don't be fooled by the decor! This is a great place for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Posted by: Gibberellins at May 7, 2004 11:42 AMWe had awful service, waitstaff in an animated conversation with each other ignoring customers. We won't be back
Posted by: B at April 15, 2004 05:44 PM
Our favorite breakfast place. Can't wait for them to open for the season.
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