A State-by-State Guide to the Most Iconic Foods in America

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Maine: Lobster Roll

Maine is famed for its lobster, so it’s only fitting that the state’s most iconic food is the Maine lobster roll. Walk up to any seaside lobster shack in Maine and you’ll find this simple yet luxurious sandwich on the menu, overflowing with sweet lobster meat. The classic Maine lobster roll is served cold: it consists of tender chunks of freshly cooked lobster, lightly dressed with mayonnaise (just enough to bind the meat) and perhaps a dash of lemon juice or celery, all stuffed into a split-top hot dog bun. The bun is usually buttered and toasted to a light golden brown, adding a bit of crunch to each bite. Purists in Maine insist on keeping it straightforward – no heavy seasonings or extra fillers, so the briny-sweet flavor of the lobster shines through. Given Maine’s abundant lobster harvest, these rolls are generously filled to the brim, often with more lobster than the bun can barely contain. Enjoyed on a sunny summer day by the coast, with the scent of the sea in the air, a Maine lobster roll isn’t just a meal – it’s an essential New England experience and a taste of Maine’s seafaring culture.