DiningBuzz! - Live Lobsters on the cheap

article in wash post reporting dock prices of $2.50/lb. anyone seen econo lobsters in their area? seen any in the DC area? i have an urge for a lobster pig out. they usually show up cheap on mother's day, and mem day. i saw none.

Funny, one local store had them for $5 a lb for the holiday, and just released their ad for this week

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/8822/stews.jpg

When we were buying last week for the 4th, they said because of the glut of them we may see prices like $2.99 or $2.50 a lb this summer from time to time.

Looks like a Stew Leonard's ad--I'll have to check this out! Were they good?

Looks like a Stew Leonard's ad--I'll have to check this out! Were they good?

The ones last week were wonderful, they turn them over so fast that they come in every day.

anyone seen econo lobsters in their area?for those in the Chicago area, H Mart (Korean mega grocery store) in Niles had live lobster for $5.98lb, that is the lowest I've seen in Chicago in years. Normal price is $9.98lb which isn't bad at all.

Stories are starting to come out of Maine saying the fisherman want the state to step in and do something about the prices.

Apparently because of the warmer winter, and warmer water the molting happened a month and a half earlier than usual. Soft shell critters can't be shipped as far, so they usually get $2 a pound or so less at wholesale.

Currently, softshells are only getting $1.50/lb wholesale (though others quoted say that number is not real it's a bit higher), supposedly according to one of their congressmen, anything less than $2 or $2.50 and they can't make a profit on them.

Early in the season Canada had a huge catch (which is why prices have been low for months) so the processing houses are all backlogged and can't take the ones being caught in Maine now. They can't ship them very far, they can't sell them to the processing houses whose freezers are full, so they are dumping them at whatever price they can get.

The state can not legally shut down the lobster industry as some of the fisherman have asked, but some people have said they won't go out and bring more in at these prices.

"The department will not be closing the lobster fishery," Keliher said. "Based on the concerns that have been raised by the industry, I have reviewed our statutory authorities and they do not allow us to shut down the fishery for economic reasons.

"We have heard that fishermen are seeking to impose a de facto shutdown of the fishery and coercing others into complying by threatening to cut off their gear," he said. "The state will not tolerate any trap molestation, and any such actions will be met with targeted and swift enforcement or other appropriate action. Harvesters should also be aware that such actions may be in violation of federal antitrust laws."

All I can add is Yummie :D

I also saw a report on the "lobster glut" (the last one was right after the Financial Crisis hit in 2008) but I haven't seen any remarkably low lobster prices outside of New England yet. In the Mid-Atlantic, our cheapest lobster prices are usually at Shoprite. They've been doing $5.99/lb. off and on the past couple of months -- which isn't any better than last year. During the last glut, they got down to $3.99. I'm guessing patience will bring a better sale this summer. My lobster pot is at the ready. :)

They've been doing $5.99/lb. off and on the past couple of months -- which isn't any better than last year. During the last glut, they got down to $3.99. I'm guessing patience will bring a better sale this summer. My lobster pot is at the ready. :)

Didn't "they" forecasted - earlier - higher prices for lobsters coming out of Atlantic this year? This is great for the "tummy" - feets on the ground this weekend & doing a family BBQ in the rear yards, heading over to the local supermarkets and going to checkout "retail" pricing to see ... Hmmm, time to do lobster-clam bake, NE style. Chains like Red Lobster or even Summer Shacks aren't going to lower their "seasonal prices" that much and this is definitely a DIY, bring out the old newspaper & the mallet. :D

Cruise lines are still serving warm water lobster tail in halved size - must be the economy, you know (as they said) :o :rolleyes:

Wow.... these prices are just crazy.... :eek:

I need to invent a machine to Teleport these critters over to Asia... talk about an interesting business model.... :p

Wow.... these prices are just crazy.... :eek:

I need to invent a machine to Teleport these critters over to Asia... talk about an interesting business model.... :por take a look at what Kona (yes THAT Kona) Cold water Lobster company did: http://konacoldlobsters.com/about_us.html

I recall being in Hawaii and seeing Kona cold water lobsters on the menu, intrigued I ask about them. Back then I was told that lobster fry were shipped from NE US to Kona, where they were then raised using the cold deep water off Kona. From the article I quoted, it appears the entire life cycle is now done at their farms.

Feeling pretty good about my chances of finding some good lobster next week when I fly DCA-PWM for a little vacation. :D

Feeling pretty good about my chances of finding some good lobster next week when I fly DCA-PWM for a little vacation. :D

in dc, or those great pacific ocean lobsters in portland?

Any ideas where to find some at a good price in Charleston SC? I know they'll never reach here at that price so next week up there will be my best chance to grab some!

The same Korean supermarket chain is selling lobster for $4.99 and $5.99 in the Mid-Atlantic. It sounds like it sells out fast on the weekend, though.

http://slickdeals.net/f/4850094-HMart-Lobster-4-99-lb-NY-NJ-PA-5-99-MD-VA-7-13-7-19-12-low-price-continues-ENJOY-Maine-Lobster-Glut

EDIT: So I was going to be in Philly tomorrow and thought I might try to pick up some cheap lobsters at the HMart in Upper Darby. My phone call to them was comical, however: I was literally transferred between 6 people, almost all with limited English skills, until somebody just hung up on me.

Me thinks the odds are low of getting lobsters there, but if you just show up, maybe it will work out.

i went to the dc warf today to buy live lobster. i was offered the discount price of $12.75 since i was buying 3. $12.75/lb!!!!! i bought squid.

$5.99 at Shoprite next week. I want $4.99 -- but not enough to make a trip to see the Koreans. :)

i went to the dc warf today to buy live lobster. i was offered the discount price of $12.75 since i was buying 3. $12.75/lb!!!!! i bought squid.

What does Spanish Octopus go for...???

i went to the dc warf today to buy live lobster. i was offered the discount price of $12.75 since i was buying 3. $12.75/lb!!!!! i bought squid.

How much was squid?

How much was squid?

$4.99 cleaned, 4.49 whole. i bought the whole, as i thought it might be fresher. it was very fresh.

Last week they were $6.99 at Giant (chicken lobsters), $7.99 at Lotte in Chantilly, $5.99 at Grand (sold out when I got there around 1:00 pm Tuesday afternoon). I think Super H Mart (big Korean grocery in Fairfax) was advertising them at $5.99.

I would have gotten some at Lotte in Chantilly--they tend to carry larger lobsters than the ones at Giant, but when I was there the tank water was murky and there was a dead one splayed out on it's back on one end of the tank and all the live ones were backed into and stacked upon one another in the opposite end, as far away as they could get from it. There was an employee sitting right there ostensibly "working" the lobster part of the seafood department, but she left the dead one in there for who knows how long. I ended up getting four chicken lobsters from Giant. I was back in Giant today and the price is back up to $11.99/pound.

update--the Hmart ad shows lobster for $5.49/pound until Sunday in the Virginia stores. If I had known earlier, I would have gone there today! Link to store circular here (http://www.hmart.com/company_new/coupon_event_enlarge.asp?loc=VAMD&num=&lan_type=eng).

Just got back from H Mart in Fairfax, Virginia, with a couple of lobsters @ $5.49/lb. Of course now I'm thinking I should have grabbed a couple more of them . . .

Nice, clean lobster tank--in fact, it's a three-level, infinity pool-type lobster tank. Observe:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7117/7615652512_ea2bf29809_b.jpg

Also . . . store was very nice. Beautiful produce section. No funky fish smell permeating the store, not even permeating the seafood department. LOVE this store!

Just got back from H Mart in Fairfax, Virginia, with a couple of lobsters @ $5.49/lb. Of course now I'm thinking I should have grabbed a couple more of them . . .

Nice, clean lobster tank--in fact, it's a three-level, infinity pool-type lobster tank. Observe:

Hmmm -- they look good. I migt try finding the Koreans again. They've been charging a dollar less in Philly. Are lobsters $4.49 there now? That would give me some incentive. :)

A restaurant in the Ft. Lauderdale area has been holding "all-you-can-eat lobster" specials for $39.99. A local radio station did a remote broadcast from there, and the owner stated that the lobsters are the 1 1/4 pound size, and that the average patron eats "three to five". :)

Hmmm -- they look good. I migt try finding the Koreans again. They've been charging a dollar less in Philly. Are lobsters $4.49 there now? That would give me some incentive. :)

Looks like they're $4.99 at the H Mart in Upper Darby until tomorrow, according to that particular store's circular. Enjoy! (http://www.hmart.com/company_new/coupon_event_enlarge.asp?loc=PA&num=&lan_type=eng)

A restaurant in the Ft. Lauderdale area has been holding "all-you-can-eat lobster" specials for $39.99. A local radio station did a remote broadcast from there, and the owner stated that the lobsters are the 1 1/4 pound size, and that the average patron eats "three to five". :)

Which restaurant is this? the Lobster House in Plantation?

I haven't seen any cheap supermarket lobster prices down here, and definitely not on the west coast :(

Earlier this week in the PWM area - the glut is so bad there were guys selling live lobsters out of trucks (small tanks) for $3.50/lb. Stores were closer to $4/lb. Not too bad. Suffice to say I ate damn near my weight in lobsters. :D I'm done for awhile.

Earlier this week in the PWM area - the glut is so bad there were guys selling live lobsters out of trucks (small tanks) for $3.50/lb. Stores were closer to $4/lb. Not too bad. Suffice to say I ate damn near my weight in lobsters. :D I'm done for awhile.

Ha! Good to know you're doing your part. :)

i went to the dc warf today to buy live lobster. i was offered the discount price of $12.75 since i was buying 3. $12.75/lb!!!!! i bought squid.

I'm always frustrated when I go down there - it seems that the vendors constantly try to gouge you, and they wonder why they lose business to grocery stores. Even Whole foods is cheaper than that!

Out here in SoCal I haven't seen anything decent for less than around $14/lb. I hate you all! ;););)

Out here in SoCal I haven't seen anything decent for less than around $14/lb. I hate you all! ;););)

HMart in Diamond Bar had live lobster at 5.99/lb in their flyer - probably still a valid price. Ranch99 might be similar - although having spent far too much time in various Ranch99's, I would be cautious about buying seafood there - make sure any lobsters are still alive and kickin'. HMart should be no problem, freshness-wise.

HMart in Diamond Bar had live lobster at 5.99/lb in their flyer - probably still a valid price. Ranch99 might be similar - although having spent far too much time in various Ranch99's, I would be cautious about buying seafood there - make sure any lobsters are still alive and kickin'. HMart should be no problem, freshness-wise.
Thanks for the suggestion but Diamond Bar is about 45 miles from me. I'll just have to keep an eye out for something closer to me.

Earlier this week in the PWM area - the glut is so bad there were guys selling live lobsters out of trucks (small tanks) for $3.50/lb.

Yes, I just returned from Maine as well. The issue is that the season came in early due to the warm winter. So they have LOTS of softer shell lobsters which they can not ship very far. Hence, the uber-low prices are really found primarily in New England.

We took advantage of the situation by enjoying grilled beef tenderloin filets topped with chunks of freshly cooked lobster meat and Bearnaise sauce. ^

And I fly back to Maine next week! :D

Thanks for the suggestion but Diamond Bar is about 45 miles from me. I'll just have to keep an eye out for something closer to me.

45 miles for cheap lobster is worth the drive :)

There should be some HMart or 99 locations closer to you - are you near San Gabriel or deep-south OC?

I've seen them for $3.99 a pound in MA at Market basket and at a local fish store.

This thread prompted me to look at our local Ranch 99 ad:

http://www.99ranch.com/coupons_flyers/nor_california/flyer.htm

Way OT, but I like the bottom of page 1, "Duck (parts missing) $1.79/lb."

I'm imagining a bag of feet, bills and anuses :D

This thread prompted me to look at our local Ranch 99 ad:

http://www.99ranch.com/coupons_flyers/nor_california/flyer.htm

Way OT, but I like the bottom of page 1, "Duck (parts missing) $1.79/lb."

I'm imagining a bag of feet, bills and anuses :D

The beef finger meat is interesting too...I didn't know cows had fingers.

This thread prompted me to look at our local Ranch 99 ad:

http://www.99ranch.com/coupons_flyers/nor_california/flyer.htm

Way OT, but I like the bottom of page 1, "Duck (parts missing) $1.79/lb."

I'm imagining a bag of feet, bills and anuses :D

a business in our neighborhood is selling roasted duck feet for dogs. the price was $7 a pound, or maybe 8. so i decided to look on line and buy a few lbs of duck feet and roast them. they are readily available from china. they are priced by the 32' container. that is 32 x 8 x8 ' container of duck feet. i did not bother to check the price.........

$4.99 cleaned, 4.49 whole. i bought the whole, as i thought it might be fresher. it was very fresh.off topic but I gotta know, how did you utilize the squid?

We took advantage of the situation by enjoying grilled beef tenderloin filets topped with chunks of freshly cooked lobster meat and Bearnaise sauce.

When we go to Maine every August, our mantra is "No meat(beef) in Maine."

45 miles for cheap lobster is worth the drive :)
If it's all you can eat!:)


There should be some HMart or 99 locations closer to you - are you near San Gabriel or deep-south OC?
Neither, West Side.

My local Albertson's has live lobsters for around $14/lb, give or take, so the savings at HMart aren't high enough to warrant the drive. Can eat only so much. I'll have to check the Oriental markets that are much closer.

But I appreciate the "heads up."

I've seen them for $3.99 a pound in MA at Market basket and at a local fish store.

Gary Leff was getting the shaft, then. $25 for a lobster roll at Neptune! (http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/2012/07/24/reader-boston-lobster-roll-challenge/)

They're baaaaaaaaaaack . . . lobsters are in H-Mart (in Fairfax, Virginia) for $4.99/lb this weekend. That's down from what it was two weeks ago. They have live abalone for $3.99 (each)! I called the local Giant in Northern Virginia and their price this week is $11.99/lb. The Asian supermarkets seem to run these specials more than other supermarkets.

Link to their circular here (http://www.hmart.com/company_new/coupon_event_enlarge.asp?loc=VAMD&num=&lan_type=eng):

At Demoulas in Massachusetts they are $3.99/lb. Link to their circular here (http://www.mydemoulas.net/weekly-circular/).

Does anyone here stock up when it's cheap and prepare it for freezing and using it later? Is it worth doing? Any recommendations?

This page has instructions on freezing whole, parts, raw, and just the meat

http://www.lobster.um.maine.edu/media/How%20to%20Freeze%20Lobster%20at%20Home.pdf

I've frozen just the meat and used it for dips and as an ingredient in other things later, and we've frozen the cooked broken up lobster (claws and tails) for making sauce. I've never tried eating a frozen lobster, but in our area, the price swing isn't that much to make it worth it. Yes they are great when they are $3.00 or $4.99, but the normal price is $6.99 every two or three weeks the rest of the year, it's not worth freezing them to save a couple bucks, it's just better getting them fresh.

This lobster dip is wonderful though and a great use for the frozen (or fresh) meat

http://www.fromaway.com/cooking/classics-maine-lobster-dip

guess they eat alot of this....wish could get this price out west.....was talking with german guy and said it would be 60 usd a plate in usa.....well i had for 10 usd in mexico in 1980.....its seems strange lobster such a fine meat for cheap ....glad you can taste...

This page has instructions on freezing whole, parts, raw, and just the meat

http://www.lobster.um.maine.edu/media/How%20to%20Freeze%20Lobster%20at%20Home.pdf

I've frozen just the meat and used it for dips and as an ingredient in other things later, and we've frozen the cooked broken up lobster (claws and tails) for making sauce. I've never tried eating a frozen lobster, but in our area, the price swing isn't that much to make it worth it. Yes they are great when they are $3.00 or $4.99, but the normal price is $6.99 every two or three weeks the rest of the year, it's not worth freezing them to save a couple bucks, it's just better getting them fresh.

This lobster dip is wonderful though and a great use for the frozen (or fresh) meat

http://www.fromaway.com/cooking/classics-maine-lobster-dip

Ah! Perfect! This information is exactly what I was looking for--especially that dip recipe. It sounds really good. I like the way they kicked it up a notch with a little Sriracha and cayenne. I'll have to give it a try.

A friend of mine makes a cold shrimp dip that uses cream cheese and sour cream, and that would probably also be good if one were to switch in some nice, tasty lobster.

I might get some extra to freeze and transform into bisque when the weather cools off a bit. Lobster in this area tends to range from $9.99/lb - $12.99/lb with sales sometimes taking it down a few dollars.

Thanks!

guess they eat alot of this....wish could get this price out west.....was talking with german guy and said it would be 60 usd a plate in usa.....well i had for 10 usd in mexico in 1980.....its seems strange lobster such a fine meat for cheap ....glad you can taste...

Where are you out west? H-Mart is advertising lobster (this weekend only) for $5.99 in their California circulars (http://www.hmart.com/company_new/shop_coupon.asp?store_code=IVN). They have stores in Diamond Bar, Garden Grove, Irvine, and Norwalk.

Shoprite has lobster $4.99/lb next week 8/5-8/11, 1-1.25lb larger sizes priced higher.

Shoprite has lobster $4.99/lb next week 8/5-8/11, 1-1.25lb larger sizes priced higher.

Just work harder to reduce the lobster population :D

H-Mart's circulars in Virginia and Maryland are advertising lobstah through Sunday (8/13) @ $5.49/pound. Now go out there and do your worst! :D

h-mart on a sunday is worse than lhr in a snowstorm.

This page has instructions on freezing whole, parts, raw, and just the meat

http://www.lobster.um.maine.edu/media/How%20to%20Freeze%20Lobster%20at%20Home.pdf

I've frozen just the meat and used it for dips and as an ingredient in other things later, and we've frozen the cooked broken up lobster (claws and tails) for making sauce. I've never tried eating a frozen lobster, but in our area, the price swing isn't that much to make it worth it. Yes they are great when they are $3.00 or $4.99, but the normal price is $6.99 every two or three weeks the rest of the year, it's not worth freezing them to save a couple bucks, it's just better getting them fresh.

This lobster dip is wonderful though and a great use for the frozen (or fresh) meat

http://www.fromaway.com/cooking/classics-maine-lobster-dip

The two major key is removal of all surface water and vacuum seal to keep moisture away.

h-mart on a sunday is worse than lhr in a snowstorm.

Ha! I haven't braved it on a Sunday, H-Mart, that is. My recent trips to the one in Fairfax have been around 10:00 am on Saturdays and it's been fine. I can imagine that when the parking lot and store are crowded, and there are lots of sample stations set up all over the store, it can be worse than Costco when it's at its worst. LHR in a snowstorm on the other hand . . . ; )

This weekend's (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, August 17-19) lobster price at various Hmarts around the country:

Maryland/Virginia: $4.99/lb

California: $5.99

Georgia: $5.99

Illinois: $5.98

New York/New Jersey: $4.49

Pennsylvania: $4.49

Texas: $6.99

http://www.hmart.com/company_new/shop_coupon.asp?store_code=BLT
(scroll down the page for specific locations)

Now get out there and do your part to alleviate the great lobster glut of 2012 :D

From a Bloomberg story about it yesterday

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-16/maine-lobster-tastes-best-with-dash-of-supply-side.html

The underlying presumption of this fishing expedition is that economic growth would be stronger if only other nations could be policed and forced to price fairly. The absurdity of this position is clear when you consider the Canadian point of view in a newer dispute over lobsters.

This year’s lobster crop has been enormous, probably because of warmer water temperatures this past winter and spring. For New England lobstermen, supply is now outstripping demand. As a result, lobster processors, most of which are in Canada, are paying very low prices to fishermen -- $2.50 or $3 a pound, compared with the $4 a pound the lobstermen want.

That’s hitting Canadian lobstermen hard. Because of regulations that aim to sustain lobster supply -- which seem pretty unnecessary now -- the Canadians are permitted to harvest lobsters for only part of the summer, unlike their U.S. counterparts. They thus need to earn more per pound.
Embarrassed American lobstermen keep reminding anyone and everyone that, heck, there are so few processing plants in Maine they had to come to Canada, and it’s not fair to punish them for trying to sell their catch.

Still, like the lumbermen of the Great Northwest, the Canadian lobstermen are furious. They’re picketing the processing plants that buy from the New England tricksters (or they were, until a court order stopped them). They tossed lobster traps into the office of the Canadian fisheries minister. Last month, they formed blockades to halt delivery of those heinous Maine lobsters.

h-mart on a sunday is worse than lhr in a snowstorm.too true, I simply won't go on Sat or Sun, but I can say that about a lot of markets/stores/restaurants.

too true, I simply won't go on Sat or Sun, but I can say that about a lot of markets/stores/restaurants.

I went there this Saturday at about 3:00 to grab some lobsters and it was a bit crazy, However, when I get there on Saturday between 10:00-11:00, as I have several times for the past two months, it hasn't been crowded, people shopping there are pretty cool, and the people working in the store are helpful, especially the produce guys. Even yesterday at 3:00 when the store was a bit insane, I had almost no wait at the checkout line, and the cashier, even though he was a newbie in training, was friendly, and efficient.

I do have to hang my head in shame as my cousin bested me by getting cheaper lobster in Alexandria. He paid $3.99/lb at Restaurant Depot. That said, one has to be a member to shop at Restaurant Depot, and one has to have a business license to become a member.

Anyway, the lobsters I got this weekend were especially good. This year I switched over to steaming them, which works better for me flavorwise. These lobsters were about 1-1/4 lb each and were very sweet. I served them with a green salad (romaine, tomatoes, and avocado with olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing, fresh sourdough bread, and drawn butter. Fantastic.

All this talk about lobsters got my mouth watering for some, we have in our town a seafood wholesaler who also has a retail counter. They have 5 large lobster tanks, each about 15 feet by 5 feet. Lobsters today were $6.99 a pound for 1 ½ pounds to 2 pounds, so we picked out 2 that weighed about 1 ¾ pounds, the price included steaming and cracking the shells.

Made French fries to go with it and some other fixings, opened a good bottle of wine and I must say we had a very enjoyable dinner tonight.

Mr. Elliott

So far this summer I have eaten 8 Lobster, Mrs. 9Benua is not happy :p

just got an email. harris teeter will have lobster for $6.99 this weekend. went to Grand Mart in annandale, or alexandria. they had lobster for 6.99. was not sweet. tank was unbelievable. about 6 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide. the opening at the top was 8 or 9 feet above the floor. they sent a rookie up a ladder to get the lobsters.

never to give up, will try again this weekend with harris teeter lobsters.

for wine: 2010 Craggy Range Riesling Fletcher Family Vineyard. quite dry, and very nice with the lobster.