As a New Englander living in the South, I miss my lobster and clam chowder…that’s why Cousin’s Maine Lobster (CML) opening a food truck in the Triangle is such exciting news! Bites of Bull City got a sneak peek and taste of the CML menu this week, just before the truck rolls out this weekend; first, at the Meet in the Street Festival in Wake Forest on Saturday, May 2, then The Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo on Sunday, May 3.
Each lobster roll includes delicious chunks of buttery claw meat. The lobster tacos were a surprisingly delicious way to enjoy my favorite seafood, and the group agreed the clam chowder is not to be missed—it’s better than what you’ll find in a lot of restaurants up north! For an authentic Maine dessert, go with the ever popular Whoopie Pie, which is big enough to split, and will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth.
If you’re curious about how Cousins Maine Lobster came to North Carolina, read on for the story of Deb Keller, the chief operating officer of CML’s food truck in Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill.
Deb and Greg Keller are long time Triangle residents, moving into the area in 1995 as a result of a career opportunity for Greg, a technology company executive. After successfully raising both children and getting them off to college, Deb was looking for the next big challenge and was ready to get back into a new endeavor in the business world.
Deb, who is an avid Shark Tank fan, regularly DVRs the show. On a rainy July morning, she and Greg were catching up on a recorded Shark Tank show that had aired a few months earlier when a blurb about Cousins Maine Lobster came on. Greg, who had been watching the food truck industry explode in Raleigh after being introduced to it by some of the younger engineers at his company, turned to Deb and said, “you ought to do this,” only half joking. Deb wasted no time in picking up a laptop, going to the CML website, and filling out the online interest form. It turned out to be a very transitional moment.
Within days, the Cousins were in touch with the Keller’s, and in a few short months, after spending four days in California experiencing the Full Monty Maine lobster experience, they were hooked! Both love Maine lobster, high quality food, and cooking, and the opportunity to be able to bring a rare delicacy to the Triangle area, and for Deb, the chance to start her own small business was an easy decision (after a bottle of wine). They began building a business plan, committed to joining the CML Family, and kicked off the manufacturing of their truck. They have been working with Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac (“the Cousins”) regularly to build up their small local business, and have established close ties with many local food truck owners, including Jolie and Doug at Cockadoodlemoo and Virgil and Taffee at Virgil’s Jamaica, to learn about the business and join the growing community of food truck owners.
While CML is making its debut in Wake Forest and Raleigh, Bites of Bull City will be sure to keep you updated as to when it will be making stops in Durham and Chapel Hill soon.
Photos: Tommie Watson Photography
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