Great lobster meal deals at Long Island restaurants

Lobster dinners are, traditionally, Big Deal Meals. But, on Long Island, it’s become a summer tradition to offer them for a good price, often on a night of the week when a restaurant might not otherwise be busy. (There are even a few places where it’s always Lobster Night.). It’s always a good idea to call to reserve because supplies are limited.

Here are 25 seasonal deals, one of which is sure to suit your budget. Except for two exceptional bargains ($14 lobsters at Tara Inn in Port Jefferson and all-you-can-eat lobsters at Dockers in East Quogue for $99), we’ve stuck to promotions featuring lobsters weighing at least 1½ pounds. The little ones may be cheaper, but they take just as long to take apart and offer comparatively little upside. Time is money.

NASSAU

Bar Frites

400 Wheatley Plaza, Greenvale

COST $75 

WHEN Fridays all year

The Friday "plats du jour" at Poll Brothers’ boisterous-elegant bistro is a 2-pound lobster that comes with fries and coleslaw. More info: 516-484-7500, barfrites.com 

Eric’s Italian Bistro

70 E. Old Country Rd., Mineola

COST $48.95

WHEN Daily through Sept. 7

Seven nights a week you can enjoy two 1¼ -1½ -pound lobsters plus linguine marinara or one lobster fra diavolo (with shrimp, clams and mussels in a spicy marinara sauce over linguine) or lobster-filled ravioli in a pink cognac sauce with spinach and asparagus or a broiled 8-ounce lobster tail with vegetables and Lyonnaise potatoes. Every dinner comes with soup or salad. More info: 516-280-5675, ericsbistro.com 

Jake’s Steakhouse

2172 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow

COST $46.62 

WHEN Fridays to Sundays through Sept. 6

The steakhouse's weekend special features a choice of soup or salad, a 1½-pound lobster plus corn on the cob, steamed clams and roast potatoes. More info: 516-222-8400, jakessteakhouse.com 

Jonathan’s

3000 Jericho Tpke., Garden City Park

COST $48 

WHEN Wednesdays and Fridays through mid-October

The Mediterranean-inflected New American livens up two weeknights with a 1½-pound lobster preceded by a salad and accompanied by corn and potato. More info: 516-742-7300, jonathansrestaurant.net

Jordan Lobster Farms

1 Pettit Place, Island Park

COST $49.95-$59.95 

WHEN Tuesdays to Thursdays through Sept. 1 (new prices in October)

Of course Jordan Lobster Farms, Nassau’s Lobster Central, has a slew of specials: On Tuesdays and Thursdays, lobster dinners (lobster, corn, coleslaw and fries) are $49.95 for a 2-pound lobster, $59.95 for a 2½-pound. On "Big Lobsta Fridays," dinner (includes lobster, corn coleslaw and fries) features lobsters weighing 4 to 8 pounds apiece; the price is $100-$160, while supplies last. The specials pause for September, then reappear in October; the prices may be higher then due to market fluctuations. More info: 516-889-3314, jordanlobsterfarms.com

Maliblue

1500 Lido Blvd., Lido Beach

COST $34.95

WHEN Tuesdays through Sept. 7

Starting at 4 p.m., Maliblue offers a deal with ocean views: a 1½-pound lobster with corn on the cob and roasted potatoes. The same deal is offered at sister restaurant, Peter’s Clam Bar in Island Park. More info: 516-442-2799, maliblueny.com 

Mill Creek Tavern

275 Bayville Ave., Bayville

COST $45

WHEN Sundays through Sept. 6

This Bayville stalwart wows with its Sunday night special of 1½-pound lobsters. Have a classic "bake" (lobster, clams, mussels and baked potato or fries) or go for the fra diavolo wherein your lobster, clams and mussels will be sautéed with a spicy sauce and served over linguine. More info: 516-628-2000, millcreekny.com

Mim’s

235 Roslyn Rd., Roslyn Heights

COST $47.95 

WHEN Sundays through Sept. 6

Starting at 4:30 p.m., enjoy a 1½-pound lobster with choice of salad, baked potato and dessert. More info: 516-625-7305, mimsny.com 

Nautilus Cafe

46 Woodcleft Ave., Freeport

COST $57.95

WHEN Mondays through Sept. 7

The Nautical Mile’s long-running seafood specialist will steam or broil your 2-pound lobster. Start with a Caesar salad, finish with dessert. Add an order of baked clams for $12 or stuff your lobster with crabmeat for $16. Reservations required. More info: 516-379-2566, nautiluscafe.com 

Popei’s Clam Bar

384 N. Wantagh Ave., Bethpage

COST $64.99 

WHEN Daily through September

The Italian-style seafood house serves 2-pound lobsters with vegetables, a baked clam and your choice of linguine, fries or a potato. On Tuesdays, enjoy the special with live music in an outdoor tent. More info: 516-822-9169, popeisbethpage.com 

Sangria 71

71 Hillside Ave., Williston Park, 516-246-9778; 1095 Jericho Tpke., Commack, 631-670-7606 and 4585 Austin Blvd., Island Park, 516-882-4250

COST $42 

WHEN Daily through October

This Spanish chainlet serves a 2-pound lobster, broiled or steamed, with a salad and your choice of side dish (saffron rice, potato chips or string beans). On Fridays and Saturdays, the special is available until 5 p.m. More info: sangria71.com 

Spaghettini

106 Mineola Blvd., Mineola

COST $39.95

WHEN Sundays through Sept. 6

The Mineola trattoria is upping its game with a Sunday night special of 1½-pound lobster plus salad, baked potato, corn on the cob and a glass of wine. More info: 516-750-8044, spaghettinipizza.com

Volpe

7725 Jericho Tpke., Woodbury

COST $69 

WHEN Wednesdays through September

The restaurant at The Fox Hollow serves a 2-pound lobster steamed, broiled or fra diavolo. It comes with a potato and vegetables of the day and is preceded by your choice of soup, a wedge or a Caesar salad. Weather permitting, there’s also outdoor dining and live music. More info: 516-921-1415, thefoxhollow.com/the-volpe

Wantagh Inn

3264 Railroad Ave., Wantagh

COST $35

WHEN Mondays through Sept. 28

Wantagh Inn has been offering up hospitality and expertly tapped Guinness ale since 1984. On Mondays, $35 buys you a 1½-pound lobster, steamed or broiled, plus corn on the cob and a baked potato. More info: 516-785-0809, thewantaghinn.com 

SUFFOLK

Alletto’s

218 E. Montauk Hwy., Lindenhurst

COST $89.99 for two (price subject to change)

WHEN Daily

Alletto’s "seafood feast for two" includes a salad, clam chowder, Italian bread, a 2-pound lobster with mussels, clams, shrimp and crab legs in garlic sauce or marinara over pasta, plus coffee or tea. More info: 631-226-9205, allettosrestaurantny.com 

Branzinos

315 Walt Whitman Rd., Huntington Station

COST $69 

WHEN Saturdays through Sept. 5

It's an early-bird special at Branzinos. Before 6 p.m., you can get a 2-pound lobster, steamed, broiled or oreganata, plus corn on the cob and mashed potatoes. Start the meal with soup, salad or appetizer, end with cheesecake or chocolate mousse. More info: 631-944-3141, branzinos.com 

Chachama Grill

655 Montauk Hwy., East Patchogue

COST $85

WHEN Wednesdays through Sept. 9

Elmer Rubio lends a chef’s touch to his lobster special, serving 2-pounders with baked potatoes and grilled corn (with ancho-chile lemon butter). Start your meal with a baby organic greens salad and either steamed mussels or lobster bisque. After your lobster: a medley of sorbets. More info: 631-758-7640, chachamagrill.com

Dockers Waterside

94 Dune Rd., East Quogue

COST $99 

WHEN Mondays through Aug. 31 

Dockers takes every advantage of its location on Shinnecock Bay; almost all the tables have spectacular water views and, as you dine, you’ll see herons, egrets, swallows and terns hovering above the water, attempting to do the same. The buffet offers as many 1¼-pound lobsters as you can eat, plus unlimited shrimp, raw clams and oysters, corn on the cob, roast potatoes and salad. There's also salad and dessert. DJ begins at 5 p.m. More info: 631-653-0653, dockerswaterside.com 

Fatfish

28 Cottage Ave., Bay Shore

COST $79 

WHEN Mondays through Sept. 7 

Relax on the big waterfront deck, take in the expansive view of the Great South Bay and enjoy a steamed 1½-pound lobster that comes with mussels (in white-wine-garlic or red pomodoro sauce), baby carrots, French green beans, roast potatoes and salad. More info: 631-666-2899, fatfish.info 

NOCO

429 North Country Rd., St. James

COST $46

WHEN Thursdays through September

On Thursday evening, this New American restaurant not only offers a 1½ -pound lobster plus corn on the cob and potato wedges, but it’s Happy Hour all night long at the bar so you can save on a post-lobster nightcap. More info: 631-250.9600, nocostjames.com

Piccolo

215 Wall St., Huntington

COST $59.99 

WHEN Tuesdays through Sept. 1

This long-standing Italian restaurant's special features 2-pound lobster broiled or fra diavolo, plus a choice of appetizer and dessert. More info: 631-424-5592, piccolorestaurant.net 

Piccolo Mondo

1870 E. Jericho Tpke., Huntington

COST $59

WHEN Wednesdays through Oct. 7

Have your 2¼ -pound lobster steamed or broiled oreganata-style and accompanied by corn on the cob and a baked potato. Or, have it spicy arrabbiata-style over pasta (no potato or corn). Reservations required. More info: 631-462-0718, piccolomondoli.com 

Ruvo

63 Broadway, Greenlawn, 631-261-7700 and 105 Wynn Lane, Port Jefferson, 631-476-3800

COST $46 

WHEN Thursdays through September 

Both Ruvos devote Thursday nights (starting at 4 p.m.) to lobster. Your 1½-pound lobster comes steamed with corn on the cob and seasoned potato wedges. More info: ruvorestaurant.com

Sophia Italian Bistro

71 Merrick Rd., Amityville

COST $52 

WHEN Tuesdays through Sept. 30 

On Tuesday nights, the Italian bistro gets its New England on with a special featuring a 1½-pound lobster (steamed or stuffed with crabmeat and broiled) served with corn, potato and sausage. There's also lobster fra diavolo served on fettuccine. Finish with a choice of coffee or tea. More info: 631-598-1150, sophiasbistro.com 

Tara Inn

1519 Main St., Port Jefferson

COST $14 for the foreseeable future

WHEN Daily

The 1¼-pound lobster deal at Tara Inn is impossible to ignore: They are available all day, all year and you even get a cup of clam chowder. Tara Inn is open for lunch and dinner and the lobsters often don’t last through dinner. More info: 631-828-5987, facebook.com/tara.inn.7

Newsday's Dorothy Guadagno and Judy Weinberg contributed to this story.