Luke’s Lobster Opens Today in Downtown Crossing

Luke’s Lobster in Downtown Crossing. / Photos courtesy of Luke’s Lobster

Just in time for National Lobster Day, Luke’s Lobster is now open in Downtown Crossing. It’s the New York-born, Maine-fueled company’s 21st location, and its second in Boston.

The first Luke’s opened in 2009 in the East Village, the vision of one-time lobsterman-turned investment banker Luke Holden and cofounder Ben Coniff. The chain elevates the seafood shack with a commitment to sustainable, traceable seafood, and in 2012, it got a sister company, Cape Seafood, to help fuel that mission.

A Back Bay location debuted last year, and while Luke’s Lobster doesn’t have any concrete Boston expansion plans at this point, Coniff says to expect more local Luke’s Lobster locations in the coming year.

“We would be very sad if we only have two Boston locations in the next few years,” he says. “Right now, we’re figuring out the right opportunity for our next move.”

Luke’s is currently in eight states, with fast-casual restaurants in Philadelphia, New Jersey, Chicago, and Las Vegas, along with New York and Boston. Earlier this year, the company opened its first full-service restaurant at Tenants Harbor, a cooperative fishing dock in St. George, Maine. That location sources an expanded menu from the fishermen, and the co-op shares 50 percent of restaurant profits.

Located at the corner of Washington and School streets in Downtown Crossing, the newest Luke’s Lobster is just under 1,000 square feet. The restaurant is mainly focused on takeout service, though there are four tables, and four counter seats. Lining the walls are framed photos taken mainly at Tenants Harbor, and Maine lobster buoys and other nautical decor on display.

Like the Back Bay location, Luke’s new shop will offer South End Buttery sea salt chocolate chip cookies, as well as cookiewiches with Gifford’s Ice Cream from Maine. The small menu is otherwise the same: a Maine-style lobster roll, New England clam chowder, Jonah crab claws and split lobster tails, seasonal salads. The new location catches the lobster tail-end of Luke’s summer offering: the Wild Blue salad, with arugula, Maine blueberries, and a split lobster tail. Come winter, there will be a cold-weather salad, as well as lobster grilled cheese and a crab melt, Coniff says.

To celebrate its 21st location, the first 21 customers in line at Downtown Crossing will get a free lobster roll. (Though they’re probably gone by the time you’re reading this.) In honor of National Lobster Day this Sunday, September 25, all Luke’s locations have a $25 Lobstah, Lobstah, Lobstah special, with a lobster roll, a half-serving of lobster bisque, and a skewered half lobster tail, served with cocktail sauce. It’s available all day on Sunday, while supplies last.

Luke’s Lobster opened today at noon. The hours going forward are Sunday-Wednesday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m., and Thursday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Luke’s Lobster, 290 Washington St., Boston, 75 Exeter St., Boston, 857-350-4626, lukeslobster.com.

Luke’s Lobster in Downtown Crossing. / Photos courtesy of Luke’s Lobster

Luke’s Lobster Lobstah, Lobstah, Lobstah special. / Photos courtesy of Luke’s Lobster