Optimism is a strong drug. It helps a person to be hopeful, positive, resilient. Optimism is what drove your humble lobster roll enthusiasts to Joe Fish, a restaurant found in North Reading, sharing a parking lot with the local Walmart. This restaurant has two locations: one in North Reading, and one in North Andover; they are owned by the powerful father-son combo punch of Jim Dietz and Jim Dietz Jr.
It's hard to know what to expect when rolling into a Walmart parking lot, and the distinctly yellow restaurant that strangely appears tall enough to have a second floor, yet soaring peaks and exposed beams are not to be found at this establishment. The restaurant gives off Red Lobster vibes inside, and though we want to be respectful to America's finest seafood chain, it also implies a very average experience.
Yet our waiter was determined to destroy this impression in our minds: he complimented the enthusiasm of one of our reviewers, rewarding her with an extra bag of oyster crackers for her clam chowdah. Not only were we impressed by this display of great generosity, we were also surprised that Joe Fish serves a Big Kahuna sized lobster roll, only for those who have a desire to empty their wallets completely at lunch. And if that wasn't enough, we were given Big Kahuna treatment when we found out that they were willing to hand-craft a hot lobster roll, though it was not on the menu.
But how was the lobster roll? Alas, this is where Shakespeare's final tragedy begins. For the first time, not a single reviewer finished the lobster roll presented. Although the buns were toasted, the lobster itself — the main show — was a massive disappointment. It was without flavor, without passion, without pizzazz.
It's after a visit to Joe Fish that we have come to understand that optimism is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it encourages you to try everything (like Gazelle, voiced by Shakira, says in Zootopia). On the other, it also leads you into Walmart parking lots, believing against all odds that a top-notch lobster roll can be found there. Though George W Bush sought for No Child Left Behind in schools, this lobster roll definitely deserves to be left behind in the school of hard knocks.