Cousins Maine Lobster began in 2012 when two cousins from Maine—Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac—decided to bring authentic Maine lobster rolls to Los Angeles. They started with a single food truck parked on a street corner, selling a product they knew well from their childhood in Portland, Maine. The business became notable enough to appear on the ABC television show "Shark Tank" in 2013, where they pitched their concept to investors. That appearance launched their expansion from one truck to multiple locations across the United States.
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The core product is the Maine lobster roll—a sandwich made with lobster meat served on a split-top bun. There are two main varieties: the cold version (more common in southern Maine) served with mayonnaise-based dressing, and the warm version served with melted butter (more common in northern Maine). Cousins Maine Lobster typically emphasizes the cold preparation, though menu items vary by location.
Understanding the business model helps explain how the trucks operate. Unlike traditional restaurants with fixed locations, food trucks move to different spots depending on demand, events, and seasons. This flexibility is central to how Cousins Maine Lobster has grown—they can serve lunch crowds in business districts, dinner crowds at popular entertainment venues, and weekend traffic at farmers markets or festivals. Each truck location operates somewhat independently, which means their specific offerings, hours, and locations change regularly.
Takeaway: Cousins Maine Lobster trucks aren't permanent fixtures like restaurants. They're mobile businesses that move to different neighborhoods and venues, so you need current location information rather than a fixed address to find them.
The official Cousins Maine Lobster website maintains a location tracker that displays where trucks are operating. When you visit their main website, look for a section labeled "Locations" or "Trucks Near Me"—the exact naming varies, but it's typically prominently featured on the homepage. This tracker usually shows trucks organized by city or region, with street addresses, operating hours, and sometimes special events or menu modifications listed for each location.
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The website's location tool typically requires you to enter your city or use a map interface showing nearby trucks. Results usually display the truck's current operating hours (which change seasonally and by day of the week), the specific address where it parks, and sometimes a note about whether it's a permanent spot or a temporary location for a specific event. Some locations operate daily, while others may only appear on weekends or during specific seasons—this information is crucial for planning your visit.
Beyond the main website, Cousins Maine Lobster operates social media accounts on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Each truck location often has its own account or the company shares updates about multiple trucks across their main accounts. Social media posts frequently announce schedule changes, special menu items, or temporary relocations. Following the main account and accounts for your region's trucks gives you real-time updates that sometimes precede website changes.
The company's email newsletter, which you can sign up for on their website, periodically sends out location information and special promotions. Email updates tend to be less frequent than social media but provide official announcements about new truck locations, seasonal changes, or special events where trucks will be operating.
Takeaway: Start with the official website location tracker for comprehensive information, but follow social media accounts for real-time updates about schedule changes, which happen frequently in the food truck business.
Several apps and websites track food truck locations across the United States. Roaming Hunger, Food Truck Fiesta, and the Yelp food truck category all allow users to search for specific vendors or browse trucks operating in their area. These platforms pull data from food truck operators' own submissions, though information can sometimes lag behind current operations. Searching "Cousins Maine Lobster" in these apps shows locations where trucks have previously operated and sometimes displays user reviews and photos of the food.
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Google Maps has increasingly become a reliable way to find Cousins Maine Lobster trucks. When you search "Cousins Maine Lobster near me," Google often displays current locations with hours, phone numbers, and user reviews. Google Maps relies on business owners maintaining their information, which Cousins Maine Lobster typically does for active locations. You can see the address, current operating hours, directions, and sometimes photos of the truck from previous customer visits.
Yelp maintains business listings for many Cousins Maine Lobster trucks, particularly in larger cities. Yelp reviews often include photos of the food and comments about wait times, pricing, and location reliability. Users frequently post questions in the review section asking about current location and hours, and business owners sometimes respond with updated information. The review section can reveal patterns—for example, if multiple reviewers mention a truck only operates on weekends or moved locations recently.
However, third-party sources sometimes show outdated information. A truck location listed on an app might have moved months ago. Always cross-reference third-party information with the official Cousins Maine Lobster website or social media accounts before traveling to a specific location. These apps are useful for discovering that a truck operates in your region and what it offers, but official sources should confirm the current address and hours.
Takeaway: Third-party apps are helpful discovery tools, but always verify current locations through official Cousins Maine Lobster channels before making a trip.
Cousins Maine Lobster trucks don't operate uniformly across the country or throughout the year. The company has concentrated its truck operations in major metropolitan areas—including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Boston, and several other cities—while also running trucks seasonally in beach destinations and tourist areas during warmer months. If you live in a smaller market or rural area, trucks may not operate near you at all, though the company continues to expand and occasionally adds new locations.
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Weather significantly impacts food truck operations. In northern regions with harsh winters, trucks often reduce hours or stop operating during cold months. A truck that runs daily in June might run only weekends in March and take a complete break in January. Southern locations operate more consistently throughout the year. This seasonal pattern is built into the food truck business model—demand for seafood and outdoor eating naturally fluctuates with temperature and daylight hours.
Day-of-the-week scheduling varies considerably. Some trucks operate Monday through Friday in business districts to capture lunch and after-work crowds, closing on weekends. Others focus on weekend and evening operation at entertainment districts or tourist areas. Understanding your target truck's specific schedule prevents wasted trips. A truck's Friday night operating hours might differ entirely from its Tuesday lunch hours.
Special events create temporary location changes. During summers, Cousins Maine Lobster trucks often operate at outdoor concerts, farmers markets, festivals, and corporate events. These appearances are temporary—the truck is there for one day or a specific week—but they create opportunities to find trucks in locations where they don't normally operate. The official social media accounts announce these special appearances.
Takeaway: Check not just whether a truck operates near you, but specifically when and on which days it runs. Seasonal closures and event-based appearances mean availability changes throughout the year.
While online information is useful, calling or messaging a truck location directly provides the most current information, especially if you're planning a specific outing. Most Cousins Maine Lobster trucks maintain phone numbers or social media accounts through which you can reach them. When you contact a truck, you can confirm its exact current location (which might differ from listed address if it moved temporarily), verify hours before traveling, and sometimes ask about wait times or whether specific menu items are available that day.
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Many trucks respond to direct messages on Instagram or Facebook within hours. This method works well if you have questions about menu items, dietary accommodations, or payment methods. A message like "Are you operating at [address] this Friday at 6pm?" gets a straightforward yes or no answer. Text messages or calls get even faster responses for time-sensitive confirmations.
During busy seasons or special events, wait times at popular trucks can stretch significantly—sometimes 30 minutes to an hour or longer. Contacting the truck operator beforehand helps you understand current demand. If a truck is exceptionally busy, you might decide to visit at an off-peak time or plan to
This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.