Let’s spend a minute today to send some good Mojo to #WeddingPlanner and say thanks for her being here with us. Life has a way of kicking folks in the backside once in a while. Life also finds out that some folks fight harder than others.

Our #WeddingPlanner is here to “chew bubblegum and kick ass, and she’s all out of bubblegum,” so now she’s kicking some serious backside. Chemo is just an appetizer to her.

Her recent adventures may be lesser in number, but the quality is as good as ever.

Annie’s Asian Mart supplied some fresh Bok Choy for a home cooked meal.

The Salmon Benedict at Fountain Place Restaurant was given major props.

Patriot Seafoods proved fresh Halibut while Samira’s Homemade had some beautiful Olives at Salem Farmers’ Market.

The Cherrywood Smoked Kielbasa from Polonus European Deli & Ice Cream paired nicely with cheese from Annie’s Asian Mart.

The Lobster Shanty was on point with their Steamed Mussels.

#cancersucks

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Here’s a quick word from #TheBaldOne on the Genadir’s Spicy Beef & Bean Chili served at The Lobster Shanty. It is legit across the board. Plenty of meat, a good amount of black beans, thick in texture, and featuring a slightly more than moderate heat to the Bald Guy’s taste. This Genadir’s Chili is #BaldOneApproved.

Enjoy the action shots of the #GreatMichaelJ as he summons up a cocktail from the Kelly School of Spectral Bartending.

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The Dry-Rubbed Wings at The Lobster Shanty are worth a visit. Meaty, savory, and cooked properly they pair very nicely with the al dente Parmesan Green Beans.

A Masshole Light Lager by Wormtown Brewery served as a good companion to the Wings.

#TheBaldOne enjoyed his short visit and a nice chat with #WhatHappensInVegas.

https://lobstershantysalem.com/shanty-menu-for-viewing

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#TheBaldOne is offering a few kind words for this Floyd’s Deluxe lager by 3 Floyds Brewing. Brewed with Indiana corn grits. It reminds of an old-school lager, similar to a PBR or. ‘Gansett, but smoother in texture and with a better follow through. it a new school, old-school American lager.

This one was enjoyed at The Lobster Shanty

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These two ignorant nitwits ran out on a $100 tab at The Lobster Shanty. Make them famous.

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#TheBaldOne is a tough judge when it comes to Chili. There are quite a few around town that he likes, But there are very few that he absolutely loves.

On Monday night he stopped into The Lobster Shanty to say hello to the #GreatMichaelJ who was on the stick. The secondary goal was to enjoy a Burger of the Scary Uncle Sully kind. But on reviewing the menu he noticed a new house Chili called Genadir’s Spicy Beef & Bean Chili. The call was heard and all thoughts of a burger were put aside

Calling something spicy in a restaurant comes with responsibilities. It must of course be spicy. The question then is how spicy? Make it too hot and you won’t sell much of it. If it’s not very spicy at all you’ll chase away the heat lovers, or force them to hot sauces. It’s can be a delicate capsaicin dance and you may never get the steps correctly.

A bowl of Gendarin’s Chili was ordered with added cheddar and onion. First things first, this was an actual bowl, not a cup sized portion served in a bowl made to appear like a larger portion. Yippee! There is plenty of shredded beef, a good portion of beans, and enough vegetable to to actually add texture and flavor. Nicely done. The heat? Yes there is true heat to every spoonful. If you like the heat, you’ll appreciate this level, although some may want to add a little more zing. If you’re not into the heat, you may find this mild enough to tolerate,or perhaps it will be a bit of a challenge. Either way, it’s worth the attempt. It’s simply an outstanding creation and is now high up on the favorites list of our bald, politely cantankerous hero.

The Chili was paired with a hoppy Candlepin American Pale Ale by Castle Island Brewing Co.

Where’s your Chili?

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Lunch all week at The Lobster Shanty is now a thing. As Ol’ Blue Eyes would say “ring a ding ding.”

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Pulled Pork Nachos at The Lobster Shanty. Fresh fried tortilla chips, layered top to bottom with cheese, with lots of pulled pork piled on top. It should be noted that the jalapeños are from a very zesty batch.

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Connecticut style Lobster Roll at The Lobster Shanty.

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Our first Shanty Burger experience of the 2025 The Lobster Shanty season is provided courtesy of the ever active and always dependable #WeddingPlanner. No cheese, with Tots on the side is the style.

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Yes we know that today is April Fool’s Day. But this is not a a prank or joke. Trust us here, but at noontime verify there.

There? Where’s there?

The Lobster Shanty is “there.” And it’s where all of the kool kids will be today because it’s their annual opening day, a tradition that goes back more than 40 years.

The doors will open at Noon.

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#TheBaldOne is continuing to explore the various Meatloaf offerings around town. On Friday night it meant a foray into The Lobster Shanty. The bar was about half occupied, and there was a busy dining room on his arrival. Sarah was behind the bar, and as expected she was monkeying around.

Mama Bear’s Meatloaf was delivered personally by Dale who was ruling the kitchen for the night. Garlic mashed potatoes draped in herb gravy, and wilted spinach were also on the plate. Additional gravy was provided in a saute bowl by request. We want to see the Meatloaf in it’s natural state, and dipping each morsel one at a time into the gravy is the way to go.

Our not so tall, dark in a different way, and handsome to some hero loves spinach, and loves bacon. Combine the two and he would eat a gallon bucket filled to the top. The Shanty wilted spinach is a real treat. On the next visit he just may order the bucket.

The best way to describe the garlic mashed potatoes is smooth, even creamy… but. What’s the but? No worries it’s a good but. Our man has no issue with smooth mashed potatoes, but he always wants some lumps in there and these did not disappoint.

Gravy is a must for Meatloaf, and this gravy brings the savory right to you. We detected a couple of different herbs, but will leave the guessing to others.

Now to the Meatloaf. Two pieces sliced about 3/4 of inch were on the plate. There is a darker coating along the top edges that brings a little sweetness to the experience. Finely minced veggies are blended in that add color and texture. The same herbs that grace the gravy, add a little zip to the Meatloaf.

If you’re a Meatloaf aficionado, this is one for you to try. If you’re crazy for gravy, ask for a straw and an extra napkin.

The end of the Shanty season is coming up on the 15th of January in the new year.

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Keeping a Hot Dog simple at The Lobster Shanty.

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What in the Bill Murray Groundhog Day is going on here? Somehow #TheBaldOne ate another Burger the other day. He’s enjoying this singular Burger Bash, but would enjoy it more if Andie McDowell would wander in and engage in a little witty repartee.

The iconic The Lobster Shanty was scene of this Burger experience. We will admit to a failure to adhere to the “please wait to be seated” instructions, #TheBaldOne has long been a rebellious sort. So in he went to grab a seat at the bar. No admonitions were quality as he ordered a Pescato Italian Pilsner by Rockport Brewing Company. Italian beers aren’t all that common in Salem, other than a Peroni here and there. This is a very nice, refreshing, quality, locally produced quaff.

Rare with two slices of pepperjack cheese and house-cut and battered Onion Rings was the order. The Burger came out promptly, and was indeed cooked as ordered. Hand rolled with fresh beef, it hit the proverbial spot just the way it’s supposed to. The Shanty Burger is a Burger to be reckoned with and enjoyed. We can sayvthe same about the Onion Rings. The house batter is thin, but not thin enough to crack and flake, not that there’s anything wrong with that, and features a very mild, underlying sweetness that separates then from other rings.

Oh, we want to thank our server for being prompt, polite, efficient, and most of all friendly.

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Here are three things for you to consider for a weekend lunch date.

The Smash Burger at Rivalry Salem. Two patties, double cheese, and a large sunny space with giant Jenna and a Cornhole alley.

Spitfire Tacos on Lafayette Street. They raised the #SalemTaco game for all of us a few years back.

Pearl Hot Dogs at The Lobster Shanty. In the local hot dog eating world, Pearl is hard to top.

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Oh The Lobster Shanty. A longstanding downtown Salem icon whose origins remain shrouded in mystery. We long ago lost track of the many people who have claimed to have owned a piece of it over the years. Lawyers, bankers, owners of other local restaurants, butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers have all claimed to have rub-a-dub-dubbed in the small Shanty tub.

Lunch for #TheBaldOne yesterday was enjoyed while seated at the bar. Brandi was holding court behind the stick for a regular or two, plus #RoosterBoss, #GrimDrops, and a few out of town visitors.

An IPA, a Left of the Dial by Notch Brewing, the first modern day Salem made IPA began the experience as the menu was considered. This IPA is a bit milder on the hops than many, which means that there is none of that extreme pucker factor that many IPAs bring to the palate.

House Potato Chips with a Shantymade French onion dip paired well with the beer. Theses chips are fried nicely, with some blistered chips in the mix, and possess a good crunch. The dip had a slight chill to it, with a thick texture and good, but not overwhelming onion flavor.

Tradition continued when our smooth domed hero ordered Scary Uncle Sully (SUS) Burger, rare, as his first Shanty meal of the season. It was a good burger, despite a swing and a miss on the temperature. The cheese brought a little heat to the bite as did the jalapeños. On his next SUS an extra slice of the Ghost pepper cheese, and a few more jalapeños will be requested.

Have you had your first 2024 dance with The Shanty yet?

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Today is Opening Day for The Lobster Shanty. There has been more than 40 Shanty opening days going back to the Jimmy Carter White House days.

Here are four photos, the first shows how what was called The Market Place, now called Artist’s Row looked in the late 1960’s and early 1970s. The next three shots show the evolution of the Shanty deck.

The Shanty opens at Noon.

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Last night the crew from The Lobster Shanty decided to celebrate the snow storm upstairs in the second floor function room at Longboards Restaurant & Bar.

How did you celebrate the snow?

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The Lobster Shanty will be open until noon on Thanksgiving morning.

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A Shanty Burger with Swiss cheese at The Lobster Shanty.

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