Luke's Lobster Restaurant In East Village, New York City Serves Cheap Lobster Rolls

Maine native Luke Holden has cultivated more than a pair of sea legs: In lieu of summer camp, he kept company with crew from The Perfect Storm, did a turn as a sternman, built his own skiff and hauled in 200 lobster traps a day for his own company–all before heading off to college.

And when he opens his East Village lobster shack in the next couple of weeks, he'll be a restaurateur, too.

Luke's Lobster will be the 25-year-old's ode to Maine's cold waters. Holden has partnered with his dad, Jeff–who happens to own Maine's most respected seafood plant–to serve up the freshest lobster possible. "If it's caught on Tuesday, we'll serve it on Wednesday," Holden says. "And each lobster can be traced back to the harbor where it was caught."

Those relationships will help the Holdens keep prices down: The lobster rolls at Luke's Lobster will go for $14 (for full-size) and $8 (for mini)–or about half of NYC's going rate. Plus, the Holdens give a portion of their profits to the Maine Lobsterman Association, which took a hard hit last year.

The Luke's Lobster menu will also feature crab and shrimp rolls, Jonah crab claws, chowder and bisque–all served late into the evening should a midnight Maine hankering ever strike.

Luke's Lobster, 93 E. Seventh St. (at First Ave.); lukeslobster.com