The Buttery, Lobster-Filled Sandwich That Made Connecticut Famous

By Gary Jeanfaivre

The clock is ticking to get to the place that put Connecticut on the sandwich map before it closes for the season.

As of 3:45 p.m. on Sept. 25, you had 19 days, three hours and 15 minutes to get to Abbott's Lobster in the Rough — to be exact.

But who's counting, really? 

A clock on Abbott's website and tons of people, actually. So many that they come from all over to sink their teeth into the famously delicious, mouth-watering lobster roll.

So famous, in fact, that the Connecticut-style lobster roll was served up as the state sandwich, according to a list compiled by Zagat.

We're not talking about the Maine-style loaded with mayonaise. An Abbott's lobster roll is piled high with fresh-picked lobster smothered in melted butter, served on a toasted bun. 

One person called it a "spiritual enlightenment."

Abbott's is in Noank. No-what? Yeah, I know — I've lived in Connecticut my entire life and haven't heard of this small town, which I learned is a village anchored in the Long Island Sound-side city of Groton.
 
In its list, Zagat writes, "Every state has its own specialty dishes, but it's often the unique regional sandwiches you find all around the U.S. that best embody the spirit of each community and its local cuisine."

So, we ask you, Connecticut, what does this sandwich say about us? And, if you've ever had a lobster roll from Abbott's, was it spiritual enlightenment?