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Roman's Takeout
75 Haywood St.
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 505.1552

The freshest seafood in town: The Lobster Trap

In many instances it’d be a bit much for one to ask for high quality seafood to be readily available in the mountainous regions of the world. Well, that’s not the case in Asheville, thanks to the local eatery the Lobster Trap. Having been voted “Best Seafood in WNC” every year since 2005 the Lobster Trap Fresh Seafood and Oyster Bar has a loyal following, and if you’ve eaten there once or ten times you know it’s as fresh as seafood gets. That can be credited to the fact that the lobsters are flown in three times a week from Maine. And if you’ve not eaten there, you need to treat you and yours to dinner there immediately. The friendly staff will be ready to take your name or seat you immediately if possible. In general the service is pleasant and attentive.

The freshness isn’t just present in the lobster. Care is taken to ensure that all the shrimp, oysters, mussels, crab, clams, and scallops are of the highest quality. This focus on freshness leads to a satisfying eating experience at an eatery that would almost seem out of place in the mountains of North Carolina.

I’ve had nothing but positive experiences with the appetizers I’ve ordered at the “Trap”. The large shrimp appetizer is about a half pound, which amounts to 12-16 shrimp depending on their size. The shrimp taste perfect on their own, and have never been overcooked. The cocktail sauce is a classic style but it possesses unique bite. The lobster toast is another favorite, how can one go wrong with combining the freshest lobster and shrimp around with melted cheese and fresh City Bakery bread? You know the answer, you can’t. The trap cakes also delight with the emphasis again being placed on the freshness of the crabmeat, there’s always a tang of mayo, but not too much. And you will also not run into what I call “bread crumb cakes” there’s always just enough, and the ratio always favors the amount of crabmeat. The trout ribs are a great order if you want to sample some local fare for starters. The crab dip is always a crowd pleaser, especially if you’re not going to order crab as your main course. And to note, I’ve found the 2008 Cartlidge & Brown chardonnay to be a perfect accompaniment to all of this fare.

When it comes to the main course it’s easy for me to choose my favorite dish; which is a luxury, because often times it’s not an easy task. Hands down I prefer the “Wicked Good Maine Lobster” to the other entrees I’ve sampled. The lobster is so fresh, with the right hint of salt, fresh from the coast of Maine. I use my drawn butter sparingly, because the taste of the meat is utterly satisfying. As for sides (which are not the traps strong suite), I like the lobster mac & cheese and the grilled corn on the cob. And when I’ve tried others I haven’t been disappointed, although there is nothing special about the steamed broccoli or potatoes. Also try the “Traps” preparations of old classics like Shrimp & Grits, Pecan Trout, and Pasta Alfredo with your choices of shrimp, lobster, clams, or a little of all three.

Dessert at the “Trap” changes often, but the Kentucky Derby Pie I tried was terrific. Seeing that chef Tres Hundertmark used to work at the track at Churchill Downs, I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised.

Whether you’re a local or you’re just visiting make sure you pay a visit to the Lobster Trap Fresh Seafood & Oyster Bar. You’ll be genuinely surprised that such fresh seafood is to be found right in our own backyard.



The Lobster Trap Fresh Seafood & Oyster Bar
35 Patton Ave. Asheville, NC
Phone: (828) 350.0505
Reservations for 12+