Kennebunk Food Truck Lobster Roll: The Ocean Roll

Stationed on the corner of Route 1 and Ross Road in Kennebunk sits a food truck called The Ocean Roll. I had never heard of this joint until just this year – and evidently, this thing has been in operation for quite some time. So naturally, I had to do a little research. According to their website, they are the oldest food truck in the USA – originally it was a Boyertown Multi-Alloy Merchantman built onto a 1961 International Harvestor chassis. Almost one of a kind when new, this relic of the Cold War was commissioned by Maine Civil Defense as a Mobile Feeding Unit to service emergencies. This restored vintage food truck has just 11,000 original miles.

After having a few people tell me about it this year, I felt a little shame that I didn't have this food truck on my growing list of places to test out. I'm glad I made the trip south because it might be the most adorable food truck on the planet (despite its location bordering the bustling Route 1 where sometimes the cars are so loud, you can barely hear them call your name for your order.) But I get it... it's a high traffic spot and I'm not there for the view. I'm there for the grub!

So I ordered the Lobster Roll for $15.50. Good price for the peak of summer in southern Maine. I also requested a little side of butter to add to really spice 'er up (I know, crazy, right?)! I will mention that I was quite disappointed and made a bit of childish fuss when they asked if I wanted celery. GAH... gross. No. Throw it all away! Celery is the devil.

Upon receiving the above mentioned celery-less lobster roll, I gave it my usual once over. The traditional split-top hot dog roll was buttered and grilled to my specifications. The lobster wasn't busting out of the roll but it was tasty. The nice mixture of both claw and tail meat was lightly dressed with mayo and there wasn't a speck of stupid lettuce to be found. Oh and it comes with some tasty cole slaw too. Overall, The Ocean Roll puts forth a solid lobster roll that won't break the bank, y'all... go get one.

Hollywood Lobster Roll: Cousins Maine Lobster

One day this spring, a strange black food truck showed up on Spring Street in Portland just below my office. I was accustomed to seeing various food trucks in this area, but this particular one was new to me. Then I took a closer squint at the thing and realized it was a Cousins Maine Lobster truck. I've heard of this company – mainly from its Shark Tank fame – but they were definitely new to the area... which seems odd to me since they're called Cousins MAINE Lobster. I'm sure you've heard the story... two cousins with Maine ties start this company in California in 2011, got a deal on Shark Tank, franchised the business and now have over a dozen trucks across the country.

So of course, I've been wanting to try this lobster roll since that day I saw it parked outside my office. And just my luck, the few times it's been there, I've had other plans for lunch. So when I spotted the familiar black truck at the Maine Brewer's Guild Summer Session beer festival, I was on that thing like a hobo on a hot dog.

They offer two choices for the lobster roll fans:

Maine Lobster Roll - $16.99
Maine lobster, served chilled, with a touch of mayo.
Served on a New England style roll.

Connecticut Lobster Roll - $16.99
Maine lobster, served warm, with butter and lemon.
Served on a New England style roll.

I picked the Maine-style lobster roll and it was definitely better than I expected. The meat tasted fresh and it came with light mayo. The mayo wasn't actually mixed with the lobster but squirted into the bun first with the lobster meat placed on top. At this point, I'm over the Connecticut style roll - I do love hot butter with my lobster roll, but that crustacean needs to be cold (which I've probably already said about a million times.)

The traditional New England split top roll was a tiny bit over toasted but I'll take that any day over an under toasted one. And there wasn't a ton of lobster meat piled in the roll... which normally would bug me, but since I was about two hours into an afternoon beer festival and eating from my lap, I was happy I wasn't constantly trying to corral lobster meat into its bun.

My first annoyance was with the price. $16.99 is generally not a bad price for a lobster roll but I went to their website and every one of their trucks around the country (that actually had pricing on their online menu) was LESS than the Maine truck. Now maybe I'm completely off base here but wouldn't you think that Maine lobster in MAINE would cost less and therefore the lobster roll prices would be less? I'm so confused by why my lobster roll was $16.99 and the one in Los Angeles is $15.50!

The other thing that annoyed me was the design of truck itself. It's plastered with Shark Tank crap and pictures of celebrities eating these lobster rolls. Here's a little hint... it's like the guy who thinks he needs to take the prostitute out to dinner. Mainers know lobster. We know lobster rolls. We don't need to be lured or wowed into buying a lobster roll just because a famous person liked it.

Having a picture of Ryan Seacrest on the truck isn't going to improve the taste – if anything we just find it tacky. Plus we're not fooled into thinking these celebrities actually ate at this particular truck. Maybe it's necessary for Phoenix or Dallas where they probably barely know where Maine is... but we're seasoned professionals up here. Don't insult us with pictures of your fancy friends.

So overall... good lobster roll, questionable price, tacky presentation. Just close your eyes when you order.