Popular lobster roll shop finds a home in San Juan

Iya Jimenez and Lawrence Cua were obsessed with lobster rolls. Almost 10 years later, they are still obsessed with lobster rolls (and seafood!) and their brand Bun Appetit has become synonymous with delicious Maine-style seafood rolls (with the seafood tossed in mayo instead of drenched in butter) plus a myriad of other yummy seafood dishes. They’ve grown from a hardworking duo to an entire team of people devoted to serving good food.

For years, loyal fans headed to Salcedo Community Market to enjoy their food. Bun Appetit has also been at The Grid Food Market in Power Plant Mall in Rockwell since it opened five years ago.

They’re marking their first decade of deliciousness with a big milestone—they’re opening their own shop at The Corner House, the new foodie hot spot in San Juan. Soft opening starts today, Nov. 30.

Seafood bagels

It’s not just the store that they’re launching, Jimenez told Lifestyle. “We’re also launching our seafood bagels, exclusively available at our store in The Corner House.

“Expansion was not really on our minds. Our vision for Bun Appetit was never to be a chain but we were always hoping to have at least a second store when the right location comes up.”

And that location turned out to be The Corner House.

Jimenez and Cua just had a baby and so they closed their Salcedo Community Market stand earlier this year “to make time for our growing family,” Jimenez said.

Those who want to enjoy their food can either order for delivery from Rockwell through bunappetit.shop or go to either The Grid or Bun Appetit at The Corner House, where they also have a little corner for merch—hats, caps, bags.

We asked Jimenez what has changed for Bun Appetit in 10 years. “So much has changed! Well for one, seafood, especially Maine lobsters, has become so expensive. But instead of reducing portion size, we kept them as they were and had to adjust the pricing. Thankfully, most of our customers understand and still buy.”

You can also order these in a bao instead of the New England-style buns and you can also choose to add aioli and avocado to your rolls and baos.

Bun Appetit’s seafood grilled cheese sandwiches are also popular. The garlic noodles and grilled corn are our forever favorites. The clam chowder covered with puff pastry is so good that when my mother and I tried it at The Grid, she said it was the best thing she ate that entire year.

Delicious toasts

They also have delicious toasts—clam, ikura, salmon on salmon and the seasonal shrimp avocado.

Three other Bun Appetit musts: the Shrimp, Parmesan & Rocket Salad, Truffle Lobster Mac & Cheese and Truffle Scallop Mac & Cheese. All so good.

Jimenez said, “We are more than just lobster rolls. Sure, those might be top of mind and ordered first but we have other things to offer like our Shrimp, Parmesan and Rocket (SPR) Salad that we have whenever we get our hands on fresh arugula and our Clam Toast that’s also becoming a crowd favorite. We hope for our customers to discover menu items that have not been in the spotlight but also deserve some love.”

We’ve followed Bun Appetit’s growth closely and have always admired how carefully thought out their menu items are, never adding just for the sake of adding new dishes.

And soon, for their customers, there might just be a sweet surprise. Jimenez said, “We’re also working on a small selection of desserts. They don’t have seafood in them, that we can guarantee!” INQThe Corner House is on soft opening starting today, from noon to 9 p.m.; tel. 0919-0059852; follow @bun_appetit on Instagram and Bun Appetit on Facebook.