Lobster Rolls....in Minnesota???

I am very hesitant about this post. You know when you find something so good you want to tell everybody about it, but if you do, then it might not be so good? It starts when your favorite restaurant gets a good review, and initially you're really happy for them. And then you can never get in again. The food quality decreases because demand is so high, they can cut corners and keep the masses. You simply lose the pleasure because it's no longer rare. Well, I'm going to go for it anyway, I don't have that many readers.

Northeast Minneapolis is famous for it's corner, hole-in-the-wall, bars. The 1029 Bar is an excellent example. It's an old cop hangout. There are bras and car doors hung up around the bar. They still have the typical boring beer selection, you know you can count on getting a Summit EPA. The crowd is jovial, playing pulltabs in the front, karaoke in the back. You get the picture. Typical blue collar, Nordeast hangout. So what's the big deal? It's all a front for the best lobster rolls I have ever had. Parked out back, from Tuesday through Sunday, is the Smack Shack. A made in Minneapolis food truck, The Smack Shack makes lobster rolls, lobster and arugula, lobster mac and cheese, shrimp po' boys and burgers. For those of you familiar with lobster rolls you may be picturing a hot dog bun filled with freshly cooked lobster, maybe a little mayo or melted butter and that's about it. Those who are lobster roll traditionalists would say the simplicity of the roll subtly supports the fresh, sweet lobster, letting it shine. Nothing wrong with this. Personally, I have always wanted to like lobster more than I do. Boiled lobster is too much work for too little reward. For me, the lobster roll is too simple, just doesn't live up to it's reputation. So for those willing to open your mind a bit, you'll want to check this out.    

This MN version of the lobster roll makes me proud to be from this town. Each portion is whopping. Huge pieces of lobster with always a number of claws, just to prove it's fresh and they aren't being cheap. It's tarragon, lobster, cucumbers and a refreshing vinaigrette. The lobster mix is sandwiched between two slices of a rich, buttery, toasted brioche. It's quite possibly one of the most perfect things I have ever eaten. For $14. No exaggeration. The other lobster items stand on their own. The lobster and arugula is for the dieters- put me on this diet any day- the mac and cheese is the opposite of diet food. It's good, but so very rich. For non-lobster items, the shrimp po' boy is fabulous, stands up well against any of the po' boys I had in New Orleans, and the rumor is the burger rocks.  

This may be one of the best kept secrets in Minneapolis/St. Paul. The Smack Shack will be opening their own restaurant in the near future, and it will be successful, and busy. I highly recommend you get in on the action now.

The 1029 Bar, 1029 Marshall St NE Mpls MN 55413.