GetMaineLobster.com, Palatine

Despite their tendency to end up boiled, Get Maine Lobster's crustaceans somehow managed to keep one customer out of hot water. After waiting until the last minute to plan something for his fiancée's birthday, Emilio put together a next-day delivery of fresh lobsters that turned into an impressive dinner. His gratitude joins a chorus of praise for the company, whose flavorful foods have been featured on Rachael Ray and in the Wall Street Journal. Each of the lobsters is hand-selected from the coast of Maine, whose frigid waters are famous for preserving the meat's sweetness.

In addition to lobsters, patrons can order a menagerie of seafood cakes and hearty side dishes that bring the allure of the ocean right to their door. Full dinners take gourmet fare out of the restaurant and onto home dining tables with several-course feasts that transform dinner from a simple meal to a complete culinary experience. Customers interested in putting their own spin on seafood recipes can reference the site's collection of recipes, which boast everything from Cajun shrimp to fried lobster macaroni and cheese bursting with lobster, gouda, and emotion.