Buy Tickets For 2014 Lobster Rumble L.A.'s Lobster Roll Competition

It's always lobster o'clock somewhere in America.

Last night we gathered in New York to bask in the buttered-bun glory and claw-to-tail competition of the Lobster Rumble, our annual quest to crown the finest lobster roll in the land. (Congrats to last night's winners: TT Fan Favorite Thames Street Oyster House and Editor's Choice Robert's Maine Grill.)

This morning we look west and to the future: Tickets go on sale today for the second-annual Lobster Rumble L.A. Get your claws on some ($100 plus tax) before they sell out.

First the details:

The 2014 Lobster Rumble L.A. is happening Friday, August 1, 2014, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Cooper Design Space (860 S. Los Angeles St., Downtown L.A.).

There will be 14 Lobster Roll Stations, including takes on the classic sandwich from locals like Cousins Maine Lobster and far-flung competitors like Austin's Dock & Roll Diner.

In addition, there will be savory sides, Cape Cod Potato Chips, a Häagen-Dazs Dessert Deck offering a handful of desserts from favorite local purveyors and ample drink to wash it all down: Open bars all night serving Stella Artois beer, Bordeaux wine, custom cocktails and new Aguas Frescas juices from Califia Farms.

And the event benefits long-time partner Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign.

Okay, now that you know what you're doing on August 1, it's time to think about how best to pass the time between the Rumbles.

You could attempt to walk from New York to L.A. in order to rebuild your appetite. We can't endorse this option as there are too many good lobster shacks you'll want to try along the way and you'll likely get sidetracked and miss the date.

Better to use your time to prepare. Do you have your gingham embroidered lobster shorts yet? Learn to roll your own with our nontraditional but Tasting Table-approved lobster roll recipe, including a touch of lemongrass mixed with the lobster meat and split-top buns crisped in Old Bay-accented butter. And if you're getting into the game at home, better invest in a proper lobster pot, like this handsome, old-school Granite Ware steamer with spigot. 

How will you spend your time between Rumbles? Keep us posted with the hashtag #lobsterrumble.

See you in L.A., lobster lovers.