“My Mom taught me how important it is to be nice, have fun and laugh with our guests,” she said. The wait staff has worn the same outfits since The Lobster House opened. The scallop business has become a lot bigger, according to Keith. We were dock rats,” said Donna Laudeman, hostess at The Lobster House, remembering her childhood, and that of her brother Keith’s, growing up in the family’s fish and restaurant business at Fisherman’s Wharf. The Lobster House: Finally open! Ratings by category. Open for luncheon and dinner year-round, 7 days a week, our main waterfront restaurant’s five dining rooms and full bar offer upscale family friendly dining in a uniquely nautical atmosphere. “I know it sounds strange, but sometimes I smell cashmere and I know it’s him.”. There are no shipping charges on gift certificates. Full moon, calm skies. Each Clambake includes: Two Live Lobsters, 18 Shrimp, 18 Clams, 18 Mussels. Loaded with lobster and cheese $5.99 extra. The Lobster House: Outdoor dining on the harbor - See 4,064 traveler reviews, 650 candid photos, and great deals for Cape May, NJ, at Tripadvisor. Overlooking the Cape May Harbor in historic Cape May, is The Lobster House restaurant. on Fisherman’s Wharf Cape May, NJ 08204. Like his father, Keith expanded the business, adding the scallop fleet and buying Tony’s Marine Railway last year. One addition changed the landscape completely. Down at Cape May for the week, I've always wanted to eat at the lobster House. “I laugh a lot at work.”. “I was closing up that night and counting out the money in the cash drawer; we only took cash then,” she explained. Commercial fishing boats off-load more seafood in Cape May than in any other East Coast port except Bedford, Massachusetts. Fish Market is open 8-7 daily. It was a working fishing schooner and there were mugs lying around like its crew had just left.”. To this day, Keith and I say – and I say to my children – I’ll be at the dock.’”. “My Dad never said, ‘I’m going to the restaurant,’” Donna recalled. Keith Laudeman is now the president of The Cold Spring Fish & Supply Company, a job he took over from his father, and Donna is the hostess at The Lobster House, the same job her mother held. Both Keith and Donna held a series of jobs in the company before coming aboard fulltime in their 20s. Facilities & Capacity. The Rusty Nail. I can remember him saying, though, ‘Don’t drop that rod.’”. American Restaurant. That was a lot of money back then. Conklin, 3 ways to get some fresh air this November. Suddenly, not only did area party boats have much bigger parties of fisherman but Cape May’s wholesale fishing companies had a game-changing express delivery service to an important urban market. Restaurants near The Lobster House, Cape May on Tripadvisor: Find traveler reviews and candid photos of dining near The Lobster House in Cape May, New Jersey. “Keith and I flew up to Nova Scotia with Dad,” Donna recalled. As interest grew, new facilities were built at Schellenger’s Landing and other sites nearby to accommodate the increased boating and visitor traffic. Serves 2 people. Both offerings have added versatility and appeal to the company’s restaurant operations. We are happy to report that The Lobster House is again open following Superstorm Sandy! Cape May, NJ 08204, CapeMay.com is made with by the team at Cape Publishing. All. “We’re mainly in the scallop business,” Keith explained. The menu is … Wally also added the seafood take-out in 1970 and Raw Bar in 1985. Located overlooking Cape May Harbor in historic Cape May, NJ, The Lobster House has proudly provided guests a variety of dining experiences for over four generations. © 2020 Cape Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. I personally wouldn't mess with any seafood pasta, salad, or burger dishes here. If ordered over the weekend, the gift certificate will go out Tuesday. Seafood Restaurant. Tags: Cape May Icons, Cape May Magazine, characters, history, people, The Lobster House, 513 Washington Street Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day “We didn’t know anything about the restaurant business,” remembered Marijane Laudeman, Keith and Donna’s mother. on Fisherman’s Wharf Cape May, NJ 08204. Most recently it was the schooner platter which had a whole lobster, shrimp, scallops, mussels and clams. “Keith has stepped into Dad’s shoes really well,” Donna said. Not Now. For a while, the government restricted fishing activity, but now things have improved. One of the first things her parents did was rename it The Lobster House. “We caught sea bass and eels, swam in the crick, and helped Essie in the kitchen. The company packs and sells its seafood to processors and exporters worldwide. Wally ran the company for nearly 45 years, during which he added features that popularized the restaurant and helped define the business. Jess also had taken on George Reading, of the Reading Railroad, as a business partner. Like many residents, they learned to swim at the Christian Admiral pool under Lifeguard Captain Clete Cannone. Donna worked as a set-up girl in the restaurant and sales clerk in the gift shop, but her favorite job was working on the schooner. Marijane Laudeman remembers a momentous night in 1955, when The Lobster House was less than a year old. All orders for clam While sales figures are not published, The Lobster House ranks among the top 50 privately owned restaurants in the country. “We were fishing off the dock and I was casting my line and tripped over one of the cleats,” Donna said. Betting on a new market, the Reading Railroad laid new tracks and ran a “Fisherman’s Special” train between Philadelphia, Schellenger’s Landing and Two Mile Landing. She was the prep girl – the prep woman, really, she was an older lady, at least to us. Part of the company’s future was not always as certain, though. By the mid 1940s, The Cold Spring Fish & Supply Company had become what was then the largest seafood packager in the country. Over the years, it has become a revered landmark for locals, trusted standby for residents, and huge draw for people visiting the Jersey shore. Been coming here since I was a kid and have fond memories of just being at the Lobster House down the shore. The Lobster House 906 Schellenger St Cape May NJ 08204. Their great-grandfather, Cap Johnson, owned a number of party fishing boats in the 1920s and ‘30s, one of which he named after his daughter, the Vaud J. Vaud went on to marry Jess Laudeman, founder of The Cold Spring Fish & Supply Company. Review this company. She let us slice the hardboiled eggs.”. Jess and Vaud took the restaurant back in 1955, and turned it over to their son Wally, who had just gotten out of the Coast Guard and begun working in the company’s commercial fishing operation. Keith sold fish, washed dishes and scrubbed the decks of the schooner. While secondary to tourism, seafood is big business in South Jersey, and still growing. Lobster House Restaurant & Bar Cape May; Lobster House Restaurant & Bar, Cape May; Get Menu, Reviews, Contact, Location, Phone Number, Maps and more for Lobster House Restaurant & Bar Restaurant on Zomato SIDES . In response to New Jersey’s COVID-19 pandemic guidelines, Cape May is opening businesses and services gradually. A former scallop fisherman, Keith added a fleet of scallop boats to the business to meet a growing demand. Located overlooking Cape May Harbor in historic Cape May, NJ, The Lobster House has proudly provided guests a variety of dining experiences for over four generations. Restaurant menu, map for Lobster House located in 08204, Cape May NJ, Cape May Harbor. - See 4,068 traveler reviews, 653 candid photos, and great deals for Cape May, NJ, at Tripadvisor. Cape May, NJ 11 reviews. Today, the restaurant seats 550 people, nearly 10 times the seating capacity of Bateman’s, the property’s original eatery. If you would like to send someone a truly unique gift, consider the Lobster House’s Cape May Clambake. While much of its product stays in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, a lot travels to Europe. “He always said he was going to the dock. Each Clambake includes: Two Live Lobsters, 18 Shrimp, 18 Clams, 18 Mussels. Located overlooking Cape May Harbor in historic Cape May, NJ, The Lobster House has proudly provided guests a variety of dining experiences for over four generations. Always end up ordering lobster in some format. Starting in the 1920s, commercial and recreational fishing in South Jersey took off. Topped with cheese - $0.99 extra. The schooner, renamed the Schooner American, proved to be a popular addition to the restaurant and waterfront. Phone: 609-884-8296 Get directions, reviews and information for The Lobster House in Cape May, NJ. “That first year we had six booths with fake red leather seats, five or six tables and a counter that probably seated 12.”, “My parents really started The Lobster House,” Donna said, “They worked very, very hard. Serves 2 people. The Lobster House: The Lobster House - See 4,064 traveler reviews, 650 candid photos, and great deals for Cape May, NJ, at Tripadvisor. Forgot account? The Lobster House is open year round, daily. A few years later, he moved to Two Mile Landing, and, finally, in 1939, he relocated to nearby Schellenger’s Landing on land he bought from the Reading Railroad. “Keith and I grew up down on the docks,” she said. Mom shopped for antiques and, when I was older, I’d go to New York with her to shop.”. We offer free shipping on gift certificates. That includes about 500,000 pounds of lobster and approximately three million pounds of sea scallops. Roughly 11 million pounds of seafood are packed out, or unloaded, at Fisherman’s Wharf docks annually. I remember thinking, ‘You know what? Related Pages. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Gift guide for the Cape May enthusiast on your holiday list, Where to get Thanksgiving Dinner in Cape May: the 2020 edition, “Last Exit For Betrayal” – A Q&A with mystery writer G.W. Loaded with shrimp and cheese $1.99 extra. Both Mom and my Dad decorated the place. “My job is to make sure everyone leaves the restaurant happy,” Keith said. Comes with a potato, salad, bread and a veggie. Born in Philadelphia in 1898, Jess moved to Wildwood in 1926 to start a wholesale fish business. The Lobster House. 609-884-3064. by Cape May Attractions | Mar 21, 2020 | Lobster House Besides ordering off the raw bar menu and cracking crabs with a pitcher of beer, the fried seafood combo and fried lobster platter is the only way to go. Food and service was good! People want to see a Laudeman,’ That made me feel really good,” she said. Menu & Reservations Make Reservations . Bateman’s was a small restaurant on the Schellenger’s Landing lot when Jess bought the property. “I remember us walking into the kitchen at the restaurant when we were seven or eight,” Donna recalled. The smell of lobsters steaming and clams made you feel so good.”. “It was like home to us. The Raw Bar at The Lobster House. Job Title. “‘This is where I need you,’ my Dad told me. Open for luncheon and dinner year-round, 7 days a week, our main waterfront restaurant’s five dining rooms and full bar offer upscale family friendly dining in a uniquely nautical atmosphere. Seafood Restaurant. The Lobster House, Cape May: See 4,065 unbiased reviews of The Lobster House, rated 4 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #34 of 113 restaurants in Cape May. The place did not disappoint! By then, the business consisted of the wholesale fish operation, Fisherman’s Wharf property, fish market and restaurant. Lobster House, located at 906 Schellengers Landing Rd in Cape May, NJ is a classic seafood restaurant that has earned a 3.5-star rating out of all its online reviews. The Lobster House, Cape May: See 4,069 unbiased reviews of The Lobster House, rated 4 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #33 of 111 restaurants in Cape May. It was the best job of my life. “My Dad always wore cashmere sweaters,” she said. | Terms and Privacy | Accessibility. For many years, he leased it out while he built the wholesale fish business. A Cape May staple for seafood lovers. ET to order. “I went in but Keith grabbed my hand. Essie was the kindest woman. Beach Resort. I had the Lobster Bisque and Stuffed Flounder. FREE SHIPPING! The Lobster House Take Out is now closed until further notice. Keith and Donna are the fourth generation in their family to make waves in the fishing industry. 3.8. It is known for its freshly caught and cooked seafood. “My mother told me my grandfather said to my Dad, ‘Here are the keys [to the restaurant]; do something with it,’” Donna said. Gift Certificates are sent out USPS. Lobster House Restaurant & Bar Cape May Menu - View the Menu for Lobster House Restaurant & Bar Cape May on Zomato for Delivery, Dine-out or Takeaway, Lobster House Restaurant & Bar menu and prices. The company now has a third Schooner American in its place, which was custom built much closer to home, in Tuckahoe, by Yank Marine in 2001. The Cold Spring Fish & Supply Company and The Lobster House are icons in Cape May today, as a successful commercial business and a progressive family enterprise. (We do not take reservations). The company also buys fresh catch from independent fishing boats. Lobster House gift certificates are available in our online store. She always took the time to let us help. Feel free to phone in your order for The Fish Market only. The Cold Spring Fish & Supply Company and The Lobster House are icons in Cape May today, as a successful commercial business and a progressive family enterprise. If you would like to send someone a truly unique gift, consider the Lobster House’s Cape May Clambake. Keith’s younger brother Randy owns a boat and is one of the company’s suppliers. Filled with succulent fresh seafood, the Clambake is shipped in the can it cooks in on their stove top! Work-Life Balance. The Ugly Mug, Cape May NJ. Tags: bar | finedining | restaurant | seafood. The Lobster House Employee Reviews in Cape May, NJ. Log In. Call 609-884-8296 from 9 a.m. til 4 p.m. Part of the company’s future was not always as certain, though. $45.00 (plus shipping). “One boat needs about 30 tons.”. Phone: 609-884-8296 (We do not take reservations) #thelobsterhousecapemay @spiritcatcherphotography & @katec616. Over the years, family members have developed their own shorthand when talking about the business. or. The youngsters’ favorite fishing hole was off of the floating dock in front of the restaurant, where the schooner is moored today. “Suddenly I realized we had $500 dollars in the cash drawer. Their parents, Wally and Marijane Laudeman, insisted they take swimming lessons every summer after that. 189,022 were here. “We produce about 50 tons of ice a day, which go to the boats,” Keith said. “When I turned 18, I was a cocktail waitress and bartender on the schooner. France is particularly fond of the Cape May scallops. Harbor View Restaurant. by Cape May Attractions | Dec 30, 2020 | Lobster House. Marijane Laudeman remembers a momentous night in 1955, when The Lobster House was less than a year old. Simply fresh and delicious! 2.9. Classic seafood fare with traditional sides. Phone: 609-884-8296 (We do not take reservations) He invited Keith and Donna along on a shopping trip, where he found one. Today, that property has come to be better known as Fisherman’s Wharf or The Lobster House docks. The operation needs large quantities of ice to provision its scallop fleet and pack its product in, so it makes ice at an ice plant located at the far end of the dock. Create New Account. “The boat was up on a railway. Nighttime drama down here on the creek. Must stop here when in Cape May. They also learned valuable skills that helped them prepare for the future roles they would play in the family-owned company – The Cold Spring Fish & Supply Company and The Lobster House. Her parents also collaborated on the signature red, white and blue sailor uniforms that the restaurant’s waitresses wear. It was thrilling! We ship Fed-Ex overnight to anywhere in the U.S. Donna strives to create a warm and inviting atmosphere at the restaurant like she is welcoming people to her home. Today, the operation includes the packing and shipping plant, fish market and take-out, fishing fleet, gift shop, office, and two restaurants – The Lobster House and Raw Bar. Wally took over the Cold Spring Fish & Supply Company, which included The Lobster House, when his father died in 1959. The Lobster House, Cape May: See 4,058 unbiased reviews of The Lobster House, rated 4 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #34 of 114 restaurants in Cape May. “It was all fun,” remembered Keith. How much better does it get than that?”. Our beautiful pier which was built back in 2014 puts you right on the water… Literally! Location. Congress Hall, Cape May. The family business has prospered under the brother-and-sister team. See more of The Lobster House Restaurant on Facebook. We had a blast,” she said, so much so, that her father brought her inside to work as a hostess at the desk, the job she holds today. It is the PERFECT spot to host your dream wedding or reception! Wally often stood next to his daughter at the desk, an image that has sunk deeply into her memories of him. Filled with succulent fresh seafood, the Clambake is shipped in the can it cooks in on their stove top! “ ‘You’re the face of the restaurant. He took over when his father died in 2004. Initially, he operated out of Ottens Harbor in Wildwood. Lobster House Restaurant & Bar Menu This article originally appeared in the July 2011 issue of Cape May Magazine. For two people who know nothing about running a restaurant, we just might make this work.’”. 1293 Reviews (609) 884-8296 Website. Reviews from The Lobster House employees about The Lobster House culture, salaries, benefits, work-life balance, management, job security, and more. The Lobster House. Keith joined the family business full time in 1981, and worked for his father. A few of the children’s other pursuits were more adventurous, however, and, on one occasion, at least, caused their parents some concern. Today, the “dock rats” have become more the “masters” of the Fisherman’s Wharf docks. Photos from The Lobster House Restaurant's post. Open for luncheon and dinner year-round, 7 days a week, our main waterfront restaurant’s five dining rooms and full bar offer upscale family friendly dining in a uniquely nautical atmosphere. Surprise your loved ones with a gift certificate to the Lobster House. “Imagine growing up in Cape May and your father owns a dock. “I look up to him, almost like a Dad.”. Aside from providing their son and daughter with effective on-the-job training, Wally and Marijane Laudeman instilled a strong work ethic and an unwavering commitment to customer service in their offspring. 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