Having a 4th of July cookout? This year, upgrade your BBQ with a Maine lobster. In fact you'll pay less for lobster than you would if you go the traditional route of hamburgers and hot dogs. Lobster prices are going down and two area supermarkets are advertising lobster at less than $6 a pound.

Last year, Maine lobstermen fished in a record 100 million pounds of lobster and this year they expect even more. The abundant supply and lower demand is driving prices down.

Shop-Rite is currently advertising 1 to 1 1/2 pound soft shell lobsters for $5.99 a pound. The Niskayuna Shop-Rite is selling them for $4.99 a pound because of so many in stock!!!! Price Chopper is advertising lobsters at $5.88 a pound. Hannaford on the other hand are advertising lobsters at $8.99 a pound.

Supply and demand may not be the only thing driving prices down for lobster in the Capital Region. Shop Rite could be very aggressive with it's pricing and are just probing to see if other supermarkets react to them.

However the supermarkets are not the only place lobster prices have gone down. The Real Seafood Co restaurant on Wolf Road in Colonie have lowered their price of a lobster dinner seven dollars. Angelo's 677 Prime and Jack's Oyster House in downtown Albany have also lowered their lobster dish prices.

Either way the price of lobster has gone down and that benefits the consumer, so instead of asking if they want cheese on their burger, ask if they want extra butter for their lobster!

In case you're wondering how to grill lobsters here is a quick guide.

Start by bringing to a boil a gallon of water. Place two 1-1 1/2 pounds of lobster in the boiling water for about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the lobster and let drain in a strainer. Turn the lobster over and slice the lobster down the middle from tail to head. Rinse the lobster to get rid of that yucky green stuff. Poke a hole in each claw. keep the hole up while grilling. Place each lobster half shell side down on the grill medium heat. Baste exposed lobster meat with butter. Grill for about 10 minutes. When the meat is white, it's ready to eat!

Happy 4th of July Lobster cooking!

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