How This Locally-Owned Seafood Spot Won Hearts in Cambridge, MA

What started as Louis Mastrangelo selling lobsters from a trailer in the 1990s has become Cambridge’s most beloved seafood destination, where locals fiercely defend the signature lobster sandwich against anyone who dares call it a roll. 🦞

Alive & Kicking Lobsters operates from what appears to be an old house at 269 Putnam Avenue, combining a working lobster pound with a casual eatery featuring outdoor picnic tables and an unwavering commitment to fresh seafood.

The unassuming location tucked into a residential neighborhood makes it easy to miss, but devoted customers know this hidden gem delivers some of the finest New England seafood experiences in the Boston area.

How Alive & Kicking won Cambridge’s hearts

Louis Mastrangelo started the business in 1996, selling fresh lobster from a truck on his Putnam Avenue property before moving into a permanent location—the vacant lot behind his house.

Now in his 80s, Mastrangelo built a reputation on sourcing lobsters and seafood locally, creating an ethos that still defines the operation today. 🌊

The famous “lobster sandwich” versus “lobster roll” distinction became part of Alive & Kicking’s identity, with lively counter staff giving customers an earful about how lobster meat deserves better than a hot dog bun.

Instead, the restaurant serves its lobster sandwich on toasted Scali bread, creating a perfectly New England experience that customers call superior to traditional rolls. 🍞

The generous portions immediately won converts—sandwiches arrive absolutely loaded with what feels like an entire lobster’s worth of meat, lightly dressed to let the natural sweetness shine through.

The modest exterior belies culinary wonders inside, with customers consistently surprised that a place looking like a fishmonger’s house serves some of the best lobster they’ve ever tasted.

Live lobster tanks and iced beds of fresh fish visible at the counter remind customers they’re getting the real deal, while the casual picnic table atmosphere keeps the vibe relaxed and welcoming. 🪑

Food Highlights

• Twin Lobster Special: An incredible value featuring two flavorful cooked lobsters served with a choice of steamer clams or mussels, available until around 5:20 PM when they stop serving cooked lobster. 🦞

• Lobster Bisque: A rich and creamy masterpiece packed with huge chunks of fresh lobster, making it soul-soothing comfort in a bowl.

• Crab Salad Sandwich: Another sandwich option for those wanting to explore beyond lobster, featuring fresh crab meat.

• Lobster Sandwich: The undisputed star featuring tender lobster meat on toasted Scali bread with minimal mayo and a hint of black pepper.

• Steamed Clams: Perfectly prepared steamers that are fresh and delicious when dipped in butter.

• Seafood Chowder: A weekend-exclusive specialty that showcases the restaurant’s commitment to rotating fresh seafood.

Atmosphere

This is the epitome of a no-frills hole-in-the-wall eatery—essentially a fishmonger’s place that happens to serve a few items exceptionally well for takeout or eating at outdoor picnic tables.

The casual vibe with outdoor seating and dog-friendly policy creates a wonderfully laid-back spot for lunch or dinner on warm days, perfect for families and friends seeking authentic New England seafood without pretension.

The modest setup tucked in a residential neighborhood makes finding Alive & Kicking feel like discovering a local secret, though parking can be challenging with space for only a few cars. 🚗

Bottom Line

Visit Alive & Kicking Lobsters for legendary lobster sandwiches on toasted Scali bread that customers call better than traditional rolls, incredibly fresh seafood sourced locally with generous portions, rich lobster bisque packed with chunks of meat that’s the best many have ever tasted, and a no-frills, authentic New England seafood experience in a hidden neighborhood gem.

Address:

269 Putnam Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139

📞 (617) 876-0451

🕔 Open Mon-Sat 11 AM–6 PM, Sun 11 AM–4 PM (closed Wed)