Today, I visited New England.

No joke! It was just a quick drive to South Sarasota. I hung a right at the Sky King Fireworks sign, and found myself in Maine, err, I mean Lotsa Lobster.

Lotsa Lobster is aptly-named, offering copious amounts of fresh Maine lobster (and when I say fresh, I mean it’s flown down daily!), flounder, tuna, haddock, cod, salmon and swordfish in a seafood market setting.

They also work with local fisherman to provide fresh-caught Florida seafood like black grouper, triple tail, gulf white shrimp, Key West pink shrimp, and gulf colossal shrimp.

One look in the lobster tanks (plural!) revealed lotsa, lotsa large lobster (say that three times fast). If you get a little squeamish at the sight of moving creatures, ask owner Suzanne Bush to pop them in the steamer for you! Ring the bell, dinner is served.

Suzanne, a self-proclaimed Florida girl, grew up in Clearwater. So, why the affinity for New England? “We love to eat. And we love seafood. Why not?” Suzanne and her partner Chris were both financial planners in the Tampa Bay area and wanted to try doing something “on their own.”

Upon walking in, it was confirmed that Lotsa Lobster is a beloved little gem. The market is a simple room with white walls (covered in old photographs of Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, rusty old license plates -- 21 from Maine, 2 from Rhode Island, and 1 novelty plate for Elvis) and high ceilings. The license plates come from dedicated customers from New England, who have stumbled upon the seafood market over the past two-and-a-half years.

I had to ask, what’s with all the Elvis and Frank? From the framed pictures, the life-sized cardboard cut-outs, and the sweet tunes over the speakers, the tribute to ol’ Blue Eyes and the Pelvis was quite apparent.

Suzanne exclaimed that she’s loved Elvis ever since she was little. If she was a good girl during the day, her parents would allow her one Elvis song before bedtime. Her favorite Elvis song? “Burnin’ Love” -- except her lyrics differ slightly from the original. “I used to say ‘hugga hugga’ instead of ‘hunka hunka.’”

Even her partner Chris used to spend all his allowance money on buying Elvis records. They named their three children Elvis-related names too. Deke for Elvis’ character in the semi-autobiographical film “Loving You,” Jesse for Elvis’ twin (who passed away at birth), and Presley for ... well, obvious reasons.

And for lobster that’s only $8.50 for 1.25 pounds? It beats area grocery stores by a landslide for quality and affordability. The customer service is top-notch too. Suzanne and a small assistant staff work with everyone that walks through the door with a friendly smile and knowledge about seafood. Chris even initiated a recipe stand with simple recipes (six ingredients or less) that would work with the various fishes Lotsa Lobster provides.

Being a midwestern gal, I didn’t grow up on seafood. But, I think Lotsa Lobster may have just transformed me into a fish-lovin’, shrimp-poppin’, lobster-steamin’ connoisseur.

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Lotsa Lobster
(941) 918-CLAW
lotsalobstersarasota.com
facebook.com/lotsalobstersarasota

IF YOU GO: 8780 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34238

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