On the Road with Jen

Well, it’s officially summer, which means random weekend trips “home” to Rochester, NY! I put home in quotation marks because really Boston is my home now since I’ve lived there (or here, rather) since January of 1999. This does not include the two, six month stints in Los Angeles and six months in Long Island (I usually leave that part out cuz I hate to admit that. But those are stories for another time. Unless you already know me, then you heard ‘em before so this is a moot point).

Where was I? Oh yes! The six-hour drive back to Rochester. Typically I go “home” a handful of times a year. The majority of which are in the summer, because honestly, Rochester is great this time of year. I was heading out there for my good friend, Scott’s engagement party — a friend since first grade — so, how could I not go?!?

Jen Willsea, another friend since first grade (that’s how I always introduce her, along with other girlfriends and I should probably do that for Scotty too) and I were driving back after work that Thursday, getting home around 12:30 am on Friday. Around 5:15pm that evening, before Jen was to drive over to my work, she texted me that she was getting dinner for the road at City Feed and Supply in Jamaica Plain and asked me if I wanted anything. I said, “Sure. Get me whatever.”

Jen came by my work in the pouring rain and we threw all her stuff in my reliable Honda Civic. I’ve had that beaut since 2004 and I’ve traveled all over the country with her (see above LA reference)…she never lets me down. It’ll be hard to give ‘er up when she finally dies. Actually it won’t be. I want a new one. One that’ll I’ll actually wash more than once a year.

Anyway, we were putting Jen’s stuff into my car, when I asked her what she got me for dinner. She told me it was a surprise. I saw it came with a lemon. Oh la la! How interesting….

We hit a lot of typical traffic. Since I was driving first, Jen ate her sandwich which was some sort of fake meat-y thing-y. I tried it. It was pretty good. Side note, while I’m not a fan of how slow-moving everyone is at City Feed, I do like the way they make their coffee and sandwiches. Seriously. Try ‘em for a pretty penny.

Traffic was super slow moving, so I opened up my little package. Jen got me a lobster roll!!!

City Feed Lobster Roll

Lobster Roll Lap

What a good friend, right?! You know you have a special friend who knows you too well and good enough to get your favorite food without having to ask and pays for it at that! On that note, Jen is one of the most amazing people I’ve ever known, become (and remained) friends with. I don’t have the space or time to go into how great of a person she is, but I just hope that any of you reading this get to meet her one day and find out for yourself. She’s done so much for me, listened & helped me with a lot, and without judgment. She might be embarrassed that I’m saying this, but it’s all true. Unfortunately for you all, there are no pics of Jen eating a lobster roll. Sadly it is just me – since she was taking the pictures of me eating and driving…safely.

Ok, before she freaks out, I’ll stop. The lobster roll was pretty decent. Especially for $10. It came on Iggy’s toasted bread. Iggy’s is a local bread company that is really good. I suggest you read up on them, here. The lobster itself was not over mayo’d, so I loved that. My only compliant would be the ratio of bread to lobster meat. I’d say it was 60% roll and 40% lobster meat. It was delicious though, so really, it was totally fine. Especially, as I said, for only $10. It is worth the price. I think it’s only a special though and they don’t have it all the time. Don’t quote me on that.

Thanks for the lobster roll, Jen. And for being you. And for driving with me to the Roc. xoxo

Classy Lobster Roll Eating