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Food

Where to get a $9 lobster roll in D-FW – named after a guy you might recognize

Dan Weinberger of Weinberger's Deli in Grapevine sells a new lobster roll sandwich with a strange name.

An authentic Maine lobster roll might be the best sandwich ever: luscious lobster chunks on a hotdog-shaped bun.

Getting a lobster roll in Texas is as tough as keeping Jerry Jones off the sidelines.

But there's a new lobster roll in town. Meet "Lieber's Lobster Roll." I'm Lieber, The Watchdog columnist at DallasNews.com.

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Getting a sandwich named after you is tough. Just ask Mr. Reuben.

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I had a chance years ago when my friend Dan Weinberger, owner of Weinberger's Deli in Grapevine and also a fan of certain newspaper columnists, offered to name a sandwich after me.

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I humbly declined. Instead, I asked if he'd name it after Summer Santa, a children's charity I started 20 years ago that sends hundreds of Texas kids to summer camps.

Thus, the SummerSanta.org sandwich was born. It's a grilled pumpernickel roll stuffed with cream cheese, avocado, tomato, red onion and Russian dressing. It's a top veggie seller -- and a great promo for the charity.

Weinberger's sandwich Hall of Fame
Weinberger's sandwich Hall of Fame

But whenever I visit the Main Street deli and see Dan's sandwich Wall of Fame (Mark Cuban: grilled ham and roast pork with melted provolone cheese), I regret that I missed the honor.

Do you believe in second chances?

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Last summer I told Dan I'd be vacationing in Maine. He had been thinking of adding lobster roll to his already sandwich-heavy menu.

"You can only get it in a few places" in North Texas, he said, adding that his distributor could get him lobster.

The Maine trip was my second chance to become the next Reuben. I'd be Dan's lobster roll scout.

On that trip, all I ate were lobster rolls. From Portland to Freeport to Kennebunkport, it was lobster with mayo on bread, morning, noon and night.

Lobster sandwich with fries from Lobster Cooker in Freeport, Maine
Lobster sandwich with fries from Lobster Cooker in Freeport, Maine

At every joint, I texted photos of my meal to my man Dan.

The Pilot House Restaurant in Kennebunk, Maine, offers a small sandwich with lots of lobster...
The Pilot House Restaurant in Kennebunk, Maine, offers a small sandwich with lots of lobster inside.

"You're going to need your cholesterol level checked when you get back," he texted back.

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Becky's in Portland, Maine stuffs its lobster rolls -- pardon the pun -- to the gills with...
Becky's in Portland, Maine stuffs its lobster rolls -- pardon the pun -- to the gills with fresh lobster meat.

When I returned, Dan was tinkering. I recorded him working on his sandwich, watching his idea undergo its design and experimentation.

He settled on dreamy lobster bits with mayo, celery, lemon juice, green onion, mixed greens and seasonings on a toasted brioche pillow.

At first, he code-named the project Mobster Lobster Roll. But now, on certain days, if he has lobster on hand, Dan will sell you Lieber's Lobster Roll for $8.99.

Hey, look, mom!
Hey, look, mom!

I earned this. My cholesterol level, remember?

At first bite, I was overwhelmed with sadness knowing that in a few more bites it would all be gone. Then I remembered, "Hey, for that price, I can have a second." I heard angels sing.

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Thanks for the honor, Dan.

Jonesing for a lobster roll in D-FW?

Find Lieber's Lobster Roll at Weinberger's Deli, 601 S. Main St., Grapevine. 817-416-5577. Call ahead to find out if lobster rolls are on that day's menu .

The author is The Watchdog columnist at DallasNews.com. Follow his work here.