Lobster Rolls on Wheels!

Move over Maryland crab. The streets of Washington are teeming with lobster lovers.

The Red Hook Lobster Pound truck first rolled into the District this summer. Since then, hundreds of people have been lining up for a taste of Maine on wheels. 
 
“It’s a sense of adventure,” said Skip West. “You never know where they’re going to be.”
 
He, like so many other lobster-seekers, tracks the truck’s whereabouts on Twitter and Facebook. The wait for what’s being hailed as a slice of heaven can be as long as two hours, but that’s not deterring people from getting in line.
 
“It’s kind of a novelty to be able to get lobster in downtown for lunch,” said Erin Lindsay.
 
“It’s like lobster crack,” added West. “You can’t get enough.”
 
Robyn Povich is one of the brains behind the traveling business. Her husband’s family started it in New York about two years ago. Its success had her asking why should Washingtonians miss out?
 
“It’s just huge chucks of lobster meat that we delicately mix in with our homemade mayonnaise, which is a lemon-based mayo,” said Povich. “We also have a Connecticut roll, which is our lobster meat that we sauté in butter.” 
 
Don’t be fooled: All that buttery goodness doesn’t come for free. Lobster rolls run $15 a piece. Shrimp rolls ring up a smaller tab at $8. While you contemplate whether the price is worth it, you’ll get schooled on what you’re craving.
 
“What are we doing in line,” asked Povich. “We’re teaching you about lobster.
 
“We’ve got some great lobster music at the front of the truck and I’m just giving out hugs, which they seem to love, and just trying to spread some positive energy here in the D.C. area,” she added.
 
All that work seems to be paying off. The line for a roll often stretches blocks deep. Some customers describe it as a “flash mob.” At the same time, however, they’re willing participants.
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