After a brief hiatus since its initial debut in 2020, a food truck that specializes in Maine lobster rolls will make an official return to South Florida this weekend on Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16.
One of two new Miami-based Cousins Maine Lobster trucks will pop-up in Palm Beach County on Saturday, June 15. The company is known for serving popular Maine dishes. The food truck specializes in lobster rolls, bisques, and chowders prepared with the company's Maine-sourced lobster meat, but also serves tots, tacos, quesadillas, and grilled cheese sandwiches topped or stuffed with the cold water crustacean.
The first South Florida Cousins food truck will make its debut on June 15, popping up from noon to 8 p.m. at NoBo Brewing Company in Boynton Beach. Fans of Cousins Maine Lobster will also have an opportunity to meet co-founder Sabin Lomac, who will be onsite to celebrate the South Florida relaunch.
On Sunday, June 16, the truck will make its way south to Pompano Beach, where it will be serving from noon to 6 p.m. at Pompano Beach Brewing Company. Additional dates and locations can be found using the Cousins Maine Lobster app, website , or by visiting the Cousins Maine Lobster South Florida Facebook page .
Cousins Maine Lobster trucks aim to provide a true Maine seafood experience in South Florida
The two new trucks are owned and operated by franchisees and brothers Yunus and Thameem Shahul, who tell the Palm Beach Post they aim to give both New England transplants and locals a true Maine seafood shack experience.
The Shahul brothers began franchising with Cousins Maine Lobster in 2018, launching in Connecticut. They've since set their sights on Florida, where they plan to operate several new trucks in markets across the state, beginning with Tampa in July and Fort Lauderdale in September.
Yunus, who spent 15 years in the hospitality industry before becoming a franchisee, says he was intrigued by a Cousins Maine Lobster food truck that stopped outside his place of work one summer afternoon.
"I was so curious. I had never tried lobster, and was really excited. But the line was so long I didn't get to try it on my lunch break, and by time I'd finished my shift, the line was still pretty long," says Yunus, who went home to research the company. "I got on the phone with the owners about franchising, and the rest is history. Now we have 14 trucks and counting."
Cousins Maine Lobster's big break came from a deal on ABC's Shark Tank
In 2012, Maine natives and cousins Sabin Lomac and Jim Tselikis launched the brand as a single food truck in Los Angeles. That same year, an appearance on ABC's Shark Tank deal with Barbara Corcoran helped the duo expand to include more than 60 franchise trucks in 26 states, as well as several brick-and-mortar restaurants and a shore-to-door online store that sells gourmet products and seafood.
Yunus suggests trying Cousins' most popular menu item nationwide: the Connecticut-style lobster roll served on a griddled split-top bun drizzled with melted butter and stuffed with a heaping portion of warm lobster meat. A traditional Maine-style roll, served chilled with a touch of mayo, is also available.
Moving forward, South Florida fans looking for an authentic taste of New England can expect to find the Cousins Maine Lobster trucks popping up at various locations across Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties.
"We hope to cover as much ground as possible to give everyone a chance to see what Cousins Maine Lobster is all about," sums up Yunus.
Cousins Maine Lobster food trucks in South Florida
When : Saturday, June 15 from noon to 8 p.m.
Location : NoBo Brewing Company located at 2901 NW Commerce Park Dr. in Boynton Beach
When : Sunday, June 16 from noon to 6 p.m.
Location : Pompano Beach Brewing Company located at 3200 NW 23rd Ave., suite 500 in Pompano Beach
Nicole Danna is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post , part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at nicoleadanna@gmail.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today .
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: This popular Shark Tank-backed food truck rolls into South Florida
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