Kansas City is not known for its seafood.
Logic, Sabin Lomac It’s hard to find good lobster rolls in the Great Plains.
Perhaps that’s why the reaction to the announcement that his lobster food truck, Cousins Maine LobsterComing to Kansas City was “crazy.”
Much to the delight of fans, the Cousins Maine truck will be a permanent fixture on the Metro starting Friday, July 19.
“Kansas City people are going to be spoiled, that’s for sure,” Lomac said.
The truck’s first stop will be at Pathlight Brewery in Shawnee, at 11200 75th St., from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. On July 20, it will park in front of Cinder Block Brewery, at 110 E. 18th Ave. in North Kansas City, from noon to 8 p.m. On July 21, it will be at Casual Animal Brewery, at 110 E. 18th Ave. in Kansas City, from noon to 7 p.m.
After that, fans can stay updated on social networks to see where he’ll sell his clam chowder, lobster grilled cheese sandwich and other menu favorites next.
Customers who don’t want to wait in line can order in advance through Cousins Maine’s mobile app.
“When you eat at Cousins Maine Lobster, you get a true Maine experience,” Lomac said.
If you are a fan of “Shark aquarium”, you may have seen Lomac on television.
In 2012, he and his cousin (and company co-founder), Jim Tselikis, appeared on ABC’s investor reality show.
At the time, the two Maine men had just launched their food truck in Los Angeles and were looking to open another one. The “sharks” (investors) questioned them about their business for nearly an hour.
“It was scary,” Lomac said, reflecting on the experience. “It’s not easy to keep your cool.”
After their presentation, the cousins won $55,000 from Barbara Corcoran, who bought 15 percent of their company. A good deal for the cousins, Lomac added, because they have since made $700 million in sales.
“We were already very busy in L.A.… But after that, it exploded,” he said. “That shows the strength of the show.”
Cousins Maine is in 40 cities across the country. Most are trucks, while a handful are full-service restaurants. The goal is to have 100 locations by the end of the year.
Its restaurants are located in Asbury Park, New Jersey, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Florida, and Raleigh, North Carolina.
Other menu favorites include the lobster croquettes (topped with buttered lobster, pico de gallo, salsa and cilantro-lime sauce) and its lobster tacos.
As Cousins Maine expands its footprint, red lobster is reducing its workforce.
The seafood chain filed for bankruptcy in May and closed dozens of restaurants across the country, including those in Olathe at 14904 W. 119th St. and in Kansas City, Kansas, at 10700 Parallel Parkway.
In June, Red Lobster said in its bankruptcy plan that it intends to close several othersincluding Overland Park at 9475 Metcalf Ave. and Independence at 4328 S. Noland Road.
