Does Boston actually 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 terrific lobster dinner, the most effective lobster rolls, or a market that may steam one proper out of a tank. Which makes our intrigue with Sweetgreen’s lobster roll salad all of the extra shocking. 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 recent lemon squeeze, and, in fact lobster, which is sourced from the Luke’s Lobster chain. It’s out there at Boston-area eating places for a restricted time.

Three intrepid Boston.com employees members lately picked up Sweetgreen’s lobster roll salad for an unscientific style check. 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 long-lasting East Coast lobster roll”? What’s your response to that?

Initially, let’s begin with the identify. How are you going to name it a lobster roll salad when there isn’t a roll? Simply name it a lobster salad like they do on the Cape. A conventional lobster roll is often simply lobster meat, bread, and mayo or butter with somewhat 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 aspect, all the things held up effectively. — Gary Dzen

It’s colourful to have a look at, with shreds of orange carrot, purple cabbage, and naturally, the intense 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 offers extra of a herb-like style. It’s a stable, hearty salad. … My one little nitpicky concern is that they served the lobster in a plastic cup as a substitute of placing it on the salad immediately. You recognize 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 principally claw, with bits of knuckle and somewhat 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 might 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 somewhat plain. It might have been extra flavorful, and I’m undecided that making an attempt 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, recent, and undressed, a win for anybody sometimes turned off by the mayo in a standard lobster roll. Be warned, although, that the Inexperienced Goddess dressing is a Dill Bomb, so even when you like that herb you must tread cautiously. The salad eats like typical Sweetgreen, in that you simply really feel barely virtuous whilst you’re consuming it. On this case tasting each vegetable is an effective factor: the cabbage and carrots present a severe crunch issue, and I ought to most likely 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 gentle to stability the chewiness of the lobster meat. However listed at 340 energy, it is 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 might order this once more. The lobster roll salad provides an fascinating twist to Sweetgreen’s menu, however ultimately, there’s nonetheless room for enchancment. — Shira Laucharoen

No, probably not. Lobster is available right here. It’s a stable 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 making an attempt to pay wherever close to that worth level for a fast-casual meal for one, I’m inclined to say no. — Gary Dzen