Growing up in New England I always had easy access to lobsters and great seafood. Having left the area, I often get cravings for lobster rolls and fried clams since they’re a regional specialty. So I was pretty excited when I heard Cousins Maine Lobster (CML) food truck was coming to Raleigh. Featured on ABC’s Shark Tank and the Chew, Cousins Maine Lobster is rolling out trucks throughout the country but I was just excited to have one here in the Triangle. Here’s how my first visit went down…
While the truck has been focused on larger food truck events, CML was finally scheduled to make it down to Nickelpoint Brewery at Five Points. A five-hour visit meant there was plenty of time to get food but I know this truck has been popular. I show up at 6pm and no surprise but there’s a line of 30+ people snaking out in front of the truck! It’s going to be a LONG wait so I grab a beer inside and find the end of the line. Thankfully everyone’s in a good mood since it’s a beautiful day and we’re about to eat lobster! Young couples, dogs, babies, Five Points is a family friendly neighborhood and you’ll find them all here.
Ninety minutes later we’re at the front of the line and ready to order! The menu has 7 or so items between $10 and $14 but they’re out of the tots and tacos. My friends order up some quesadillas and a lobster tail. I go with the Maine and Connecticut lobster rolls since I’ve waited so long! It’s probably been 5 years since my last lobster roll. The women in the truck are quite nice even with this crazy crowd, I’m sure they are working hard…
It takes about 15 minutes and we get our food, finally! My lobster rolls look about right. New England rolls buttered and toasted on the sides with mostly lobster meat. I bite in and it’s good, very fresh lobster meat and well-stuffed. And even though both are delicious, I didn’t pick up any differences between the two. Couldn’t see any mayo on the Maine roll or any butter on the CT roll. I figure it’s just because they’re totally slammed so it’s understandable. I didn’t try the tail or quesadilla but my friends were making happy sounds so good sign there!
While they got off to a bumpy start, Cousins Maine Lobster is finally on a roll (lobster roll?) and very popular in the Triangle. To catch up with their food truck, check out their website below, I don’t think the Cousins of Maine Lobster app is very accurate. They’re dishing out probably the best lobster rolls in the area for a reasonable price so thank you so much! I think I’ll wait a bit to let things settle down a bit more to see what they can really do…
Cousins Maine Lobster Food Truck
Wake Forest, NC
919.867.6203
Various Locations, check schedule online
Rye Bar and Southern Kitchen in Downtown Raleigh