Mike Landesberg, executive chef at Jackson Hall in East Islip, New York, recently marked the sale of his one millionth lobster roll. The milestone was celebrated with giveaways totaling over $2,000 in prizes for the winning customers.
Landesberg, who took over as chef in 2021, has been selling an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 lobster rolls daily. He began tracking sales and promoting the impending one millionth sale on his social media pages weeks in advance, creating significant anticipation among patrons. Diners frequently inquired about the milestone, with some attempting to bribe servers for information.
The one millionth lobster roll was purchased on August 6, 2026, by Joseph and Denise Fasano of Bohemia, who were celebrating their 23rd wedding anniversary. The couple, who had made a reservation for 12:45 p.m., arrived early due to anticipated parking issues and ended up purchasing the celebratory roll at 12:31 p.m.
Landesberg gained broader recognition not only for his culinary offerings, which include a signature lobster roll with Cajun honey butter and jalapeños, but also for his advocacy following his defeat of male breast cancer in 2022. His efforts in raising awareness and funds for the disease led to guest appearances on television programs, including "Good Morning America."
"I never expected that a silly little lobster roll could create so much buzz and bring a whole community together," Landesberg stated. "It really made me want to give something back."
The celebration for the one millionth roll included a balloon drop and a playing of the B-52s song "Rock Lobster." The restaurant offered a $200 gift card to the customer who most accurately predicted the day, time, and type of roll for the millionth sale. The grand prize for the celebration included $1,500 in gift cards to Jackson Hall and $700 to local businesses.
Landesberg previously appeared on Gordon Ramsay's "Kitchen Nightmares" at a different restaurant. He anticipates a positive reaction from Ramsay regarding his recent success. He also gained attention for his generosity, including helping struggling businesses.
