Aug 17, 2023 - Food and Drink

Iowa State Fair 2023: Skip this $29 lobster roll

Linh Ta

a lobster roll — Fields of Bacon Lobster Roll" ($29). Photo: Linh Ta/Axios

👋 Linh here. Ever since I was little, lobster has been one of my favorite foods— but I'll pass next time on the "Fields of Bacon Lobster Roll" at JR's SouthPork Ranch.

What it is: Lobster is topped with sweet corn aioli and bacon bits on a brioche bun ($29).

What I liked: The bun.

What could improve: The majority of the meat was shredded, rather than hearty chunks of knuckle and claw. The corn aioli didn't have much taste, while the bacon bits were too chewy.

I know they crack the lobster fresh though because I bit into a piece of shell.

🦞 Fair Factor: I love the creativity of serving an Iowa take on a traditional East Coast dish, but for the price I was expecting more. 2/5.

Don't discount JR's though. They served one of my all-time favorite fair foods their first year — pork rind nachos — which I am dying for them to bring back.

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Iowa State Fair 2023: Skip this $29 lobster roll

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