McDonald's Used to Serve a Lobster 'Sandwich' Only in New England

McDonald's has tried a lot of different things on their menu over the years. You might remember things such as the McDLT, the Arch Deluxe, the Big N Tasty and of course McDonald's very own lobster roll. Of all these items, the lobster roll hung on only in New England, surprisingly.

McDonald's Lobster Sandwich Debuts in 1993

You may be able to guess the Maine town where this McDonald's was announcing their "Lobster Sandwich" on the banner attached to the fence. They didn't call it a lobster roll, they called it a lobster sandwich for a short time after its debut, but we Mainers know better. It's a lobster roll.

This photo was taken in Windham Maine, where McDonald's was originally located which today is the site of M&T Bank. When Walmart opened in Windham, McDonald's moved down the street and built a new restaurant, right across the street from rival Burger King.

The Lobster Sandwich Becomes the McLobster

You had to know that was coming. McDonald's is McHappy to work their name into all their menu items, so the former sandwich became the McLobster. I have to give them credit, that name stuck.

Available Only in New England

The McDonald's Lobster Sandwich/McLobster was tested in the New England states and Atlantic Canada. When they took it nationwide, it was a flop, but McDonald's turned it into a summer menu item. Surprisingly, people in New England liked it. When it launched it cost only $3.99, which isn't bad. But that's one tiny-looking lobster roll. With the price of inflation, today it would cost $8.84 plus tax.

In 2017, McDonald's stopped offering the McLobster in New England because the price of lobster was getting too high and wasn't making the amount of profit it needed to continue. Honestly, you're better off going to a local seafood restaurant for your lobster roll anyway.