With the Fourth of July landing on a Wednesday this year, Matt and I found ourselves looking at each other that morning asking, “So…what do you want to do for the fourth?” On a whim (and with Google Maps’ assurance of a traffic-free BQE) we headed to Red Hook, Brooklyn for lobster rolls.

I read about the Red Hook Lobster Pound last year and made a mental note to visit. More recently, I read about two-hour wait times but I made sure not to mention that to Matt when we headed out. Thankfully there wasn’t an ounce of traffic on the way there and we made it to Red Hook in a half hour. Although it’s definitely not as “developed” as Park Slope or even Williamsburg, Red Hook isn’t the shady crack den it once was. There are some pretty tree-lined residential streets just blocks from industrial and shipping warehouses. The Red Hook Lobster Pound is a walk-up-to-the-counter type of place, with an informal dining room next door. I got a lobster roll and it was one of the best I’ve had. The lobster meat was incredibly tender and not at all chewy. The only downside is the size. It’s so small that I could have easily eaten two without even having that, “Ew. I’m disgusting. Why did I do that to myself?” feeling. Thankfully, I stopped after one and had room for the one, I mean two, nope it was actually three desserts I had soon after.

Matt and I split a decadent whoopie pie at the Red Hook Lobster Pound. Instead of a whipped cream filling, it had butter cream frosting and wow, it was good.

After strolling around (in the 90 degree heat), I thought I was seeing a mirage when I spotted the sign for Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie. We followed the painted wooden signs and boy, I am glad we did. All the place sells is Key Lime Pies and they are damn good. We got an individual sized one to split, along with a Swingle, which is a mini pie dipped in chocolate and served on a stick. To give you an idea of how good everything was, I don’t even like Key Lime Pie and I can’t stop thinking about going back.

Image: Flickr

Just down the block from the Red Hook Lobster Pound is Baked, a popular, new-ish bakery featured on The Food Network and Martha Stewart. Unfortunately, I had already eaten lunch and dessert (x3) by the time we passed it, so for this trip we had to skip it. Next time, I’ll definitely stop in.