MARYLAND

Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls has opened in an approximately 1,000 sq. ft. space at the Harborplace Pratt Street Pavilion. Mason’s retail space was in a newly-renovated section of the pavilion facing the Inner Harbor. It is stationed in between Cheesecake Factory and Build-A-Bear.

Mason’s got its start in Annapolis when Daniel Beck opened the first restaurant in 2014. Harbor East resident Chris Deshler, who grew up in Boston, was the first Mason’s franchise owner when he opened a location within the market at Belvedere Square in 2016. Deshler is also the franchise owner at Harborplace. He said he is excited to get his own dedicated restaurant space.

Mason’s is a fast-casual restaurant that sells lobster meat from Prospect Harbor, Maine. Lobster roll sandwiches come on a New England-style split top roll that is grilled on both sides. The Classic Lobster Roll includes chilled lobster tossed in mayo and lemon butter; the Connecticut Roll is served warm and tossed in butter; the Lobster Roll Salad Roll is served chilled and tossed in celery, mayo, and lemon dressing; the Lobster BLT Roll includes lobster, bacon, lettuce, and tomato; and The Bar Harbor includes a pound-and-a-quarter of lobster meat.

Mason’s also sells a Shrimp Roll sandwich with shrimp tossed in mayo, celery, and lemon.

Customers can also get lobster salad and shrimp salad over fresh greens, lobster grilled cheeses, and lobster mac and cheese. Soups include the Lobster Bisque and New England Clam Chowder.

Mason’s has a kids menu which includes a Nathan’s all-beef hot dog and grilled cheese.

Deshler said everything at Mason’s is made to order. “I’ll put Mason’s up against anything in Boston,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of New Englanders come to the Belvedere Square location and love it.”

Along with bottled drinks, Mason’s also sells Organic Maine Root Soda. Deshler hopes to get a liquor license in the future.

Mason’s has seating for about 12 to 13 people inside and five tables on its outdoor patio. Mason’s has a “nautical, lobster shack look” with reclaimed wood and subway tile. Mason’s is open every day from 11am to 8pm, although Deshler said he will adjust the hours based on demand. Mason’s at Harborplace will have 15 to 20 employees.

Deshler said he chose the Harborplace location because he loves being on the water. He spent 21 years at sea as a Merchant Marine. In regards to the ongoing renovations taking place at Harborplace and the changing of tenants, Deshler said, “I feel some new blood will attract more people to come down here and build it back up to what it could be.”

Deshler is hoping the crowd at Mason’s will be a nice mix of local residents, tourists, and employees in the area.

Mason’s is currently in a soft opening which kicked off last Thursday. It will host its grand opening this Wednesday.