Does Boston really need Sweetgreen’s $25 lobster roll salad?

Eating places

We taste-tested the brand new native menu merchandise to search out out.

Right here in Boston, we all know we’re spoiled with lobster. The crustacean, plucked straight from close by waters, graces menus for miles and miles from metropolis limits. 

Close by, there’s no scarcity of locations to search out a fantastic lobster dinner, the most effective lobster rolls, or a market that can steam one proper out of a tank. Which makes our intrigue with Sweetgreen’s lobster roll salad all of the extra stunning. We’re used to seeing lobster all over the place — on mac and cheese, at Fenway Park — however a fast-casual salad chain is new territory, even for us. 

Sweetgreen’s salad options chopped romaine, spring combine, basil, shredded cabbage, uncooked carrots, focaccia croutons, Inexperienced Goddess ranch dressing, a contemporary lemon squeeze, and, in fact lobster, which is sourced from the Luke’s Lobster chain. It’s accessible at Boston-area eating places for a restricted time.

Three intrepid Boston.com employees members not too long ago picked up Sweetgreen’s lobster roll salad for an unscientific style take a look at. Right here’s what they discovered.

The Setup

What’s your first impression of Sweetgreen’s lobster roll salad, which is billed as being “impressed by the enduring East Coast lobster roll”? What’s your response to that?

To begin with, let’s begin with the title. How are you going to name it a lobster roll salad when there is no such thing as a roll? Simply name it a lobster salad like they do on the Cape. A standard lobster roll is usually simply lobster meat, bread, and mayo or butter with slightly seasoning and perhaps some filler. This dish is fairly totally different than that. — Khari Thompson

I ordered forward by way of the app, and whereas I used to be barely scared by the “eat inside quarter-hour” warning, with the dressing on the facet, all the pieces held up effectively. — Gary Dzen

It’s colourful to have a look at, with shreds of orange carrot, purple cabbage, and naturally, the brilliant hues of the lobster itself.  — Shira Laucharoen

The Salad

How was it, and most significantly, how was the lobster?

It’s good. I prefer it as a result of it’s totally different. The Inexperienced Goddess dressing is a pleasant spin that provides extra of a herb-like style. It’s a strong, hearty salad. … My one little nitpicky difficulty is that they served the lobster in a plastic cup as an alternative of placing it on the salad straight. You realize these little plastic cups that they put the salad dressing in? Think about a kind of full of lobster. Not a ton of meat. It appeared like largely claw, with bits of knuckle and slightly slice of a tail. — Khari Thompson

The lobster, which was a mix of claw and knuckle, was juicy and tender, however might have used only a contact of seasoning past the lemon. The buttery focaccia croutons introduced a welcome crunch and may need been meant to mimic the flavour of a toasted brioche bun. The Inexperienced Goddess ranch dressing is a pleasant spin on the filling of a lobster roll, however I discovered myself wanting it to be creamier and richer. I do know that the bottom of the salad is supposed to be easy, in order that the meat can shine by way of, however I general felt that it was slightly plain. It might have been extra flavorful, and I’m undecided that attempting the salad is as satisfying as digging into an precise lobster roll. — Shira Laucharoen

On this occasion, I acquired all claw meat. The lobster got here tender, contemporary, and undressed, a win for anybody usually turned off by the mayo in a standard lobster roll. Be warned, although, that the Inexperienced Goddess dressing is a Dill Bomb, so even should you like that herb it is best to tread cautiously. The salad eats like typical Sweetgreen, in that you just really feel barely virtuous when you’re consuming it. On this case tasting each vegetable is an efficient factor: the cabbage and carrots present a severe crunch issue, and I ought to in all probability eat uncooked basil extra typically, proper? As a result of these full, fuzzy leaves style fairly good in right here. What you’re lacking, although, is the New England-style scorching canine roll, one thing mushy to stability the chewiness of the lobster meat. However listed at 340 energy, this can be a much less responsible possibility. — Gary Dzen

The Verdict

Does Boston want a $25 Sweetgreen lobster roll salad? 

… with the steep price ticket, I’m undecided that I’d order this once more. The lobster roll salad provides an fascinating twist to Sweetgreen’s menu, however in the long run, there’s nonetheless room for enchancment. — Shira Laucharoen

No, probably not. Lobster is available right here. It’s a strong salad, however nothing revolutionary. If I’m paying greater than $20 for lunch, it higher be amazingly scrumptious. — Khari Thompson

As somebody who’s not attempting to pay wherever close to that worth level for a fast-casual meal for one, I’m inclined to say no. — Gary Dzen