Where can I buy a 20lb lobster online?

November 1, 2006 7:46 AM

Where can I buy 20lb lobsters online?
posted by torpark to Food & Drink (12 answers total)

20lbs of lobsters or a lobster that is 20lb?
posted by four panels at 8:08 AM on November 1, 2006

I'd think 20lb lobsters are pretty rare. You could call up these folks and see if they sold the one they got fairly recently yet.

Connell said her store has sold a few 24-pound lobsters during its 30-year existence, but nothing this big in many years.
posted by FreezBoy at 8:10 AM on November 1, 2006

Response by poster: A single 20lb lobster
posted by torpark at 8:17 AM on November 1, 2006

You won't legally find a lobster that big in Maine. Sales of lobsters here are regulated by the length of the body, measured from the eye socket to the beginning of the tail. Maximum is 5", which generally means a 3-4 pounder. As far as I know, this only applies to catches in Maine, though.
posted by SteveInMaine at 8:26 AM on November 1, 2006

Get in touch with these folks:

Maine Lobstermen's Association

Let them know your request and chances are they can put the word out so when the next 20lb lobster comes along it's put aside.

Is this for a secret project, or can you tell us what it is for? (If it is just for eating, it won't taste that great)
posted by mikepop at 8:27 AM on November 1, 2006

I guess I stand corrected by Steve :) Call other states instead!
posted by mikepop at 8:28 AM on November 1, 2006

Response by poster: Not a secret project, just a fun event. I am having a December graduation from college. We have purchased a few of these lobsters before, but I cannot remember from where! I think most of them are rare because you won't find them in Maine or NH, they have to come from Nova Scotia.
posted by torpark at 8:29 AM on November 1, 2006

Here in Maine. a lobster of that size is considered breeding stock, and it is illegal to keep them, let alone sell them. A lobster of that size would have to have been fished in Canada, unless they have changed their laws. Anything over 4lbs is probably tougher than hell anyway.
posted by lobstah at 8:30 AM on November 1, 2006

I second lobstah, who should know what he is talking about given his name. If you want to eat really good-tasting lobster, keep the size down. One lobster per person is our rule of thumb.
posted by louigi at 10:35 AM on November 1, 2006

From a culinary as well as a regulatory perspective, you should definitely go with the smaller lobsters.
posted by nekton at 10:46 AM on November 1, 2006

I ate a delicious 9lb lobster about 4 months ago. I think it was from Nova Scotia. You might want to find an online supplier up there.

As far as toughness goes I think a lot of people find large lobster meat tough because it's so difficult to cook and it's impossible to boil evenly. I had mine steamed professionally at the store and it came out great.
posted by any major dude at 12:28 PM on November 1, 2006

The Lobster Place sells a lot of lobsters, ships by Fedex, and makes it look like they enjoy their work. Their site offers 6-7 pounders at $84 each, but I'd call them (by telephone) to ask questions. Don't know if their prices are competitive. Thanks for your software.
posted by Dave 9 at 12:42 PM on November 1, 2006