We tried this over-the-top Iowa State Fair $100 lobster roll
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🤑 Full disclosure: Axios is reimbursing me for this sandwich. Photo: Jason Clayworth/Axios
🦞 Jason here: Yes, I forked over $100 for a lobster roll, and fellow fairgoers, it's worth every shiny penny!
Why it matters: The High Roller Roll is one of 68 new fair foods this year, highlighting what makes the Iowa State Fair special.
- It's over-the-top fun food that tells a story and offers a chance to indulge in something you won't find at your local Hy-Vee.
State of play: The sandwich at JR's SouthPork Ranch includes fresh Maine lobster tossed in clarified butter, topped with three dollops of crème fraîche and a bit of caviar, and finished with 24-karat edible gold.
- That's all nestled in a split-top bun seared in decadent gold-dusted duck fat.
Zoom in: The combo version, which includes two rolls and a bottle of Dom Pérignon, costs $600.
- It's the priciest food menu item in Iowa State Fair history.
The intrigue: The High Roller Roll was inspired by a caviar sandwich found in New York, JR's CEO Brooks Reynolds tells Axios.
Stunning stat: Lobster roll sales rose from 3,100 in 2021 — the first year their restaurant operated during the fair — to 11,700 last year.
Reality check: The combo might be a tougher sell.
- As of 12:30pm Thursday, the opening day of the fair, none had been sold.
Yes, but: I was the seventh to buy the Roller.
Jason's thought bubble: I'm not a huge seafood lover, but this buttery, rich sandwich sold me.
- If you try the combo, take a pic and send it to us!
🧈 Butter ranking: One stick = meh. Five = don't miss it.
- Aesthetics: 🧈🧈🧈🧈
- Creativity: 🧈🧈🧈🧈🧈
- Overall Taste: 🧈🧈🧈🧈
