Lobster-loving cousins were on ‘Shark Tank.’ Soon, their food will be available in KC

Kansas City isn’t known for its seafood.

Makes sense, Sabin Lomac says. Good lobster rolls are hard to come by in the Great Plains.

Perhaps that’s why the reaction to the announcement that his lobster food truck, Cousins Maine Lobster , is coming to Kansas City has been “insane.”

Much to the delight of fans, Cousins Maine’s truck will be a permanent fixture in the metro starting Friday, July 19.

“Kansas Citians are in for a treat, that’s for sure,” Lomac said.

The truck’s first stop will be Shawnee’s Pathlight Brewing at 11200 75th St., from 3 to 8 p.m. On July 20, it will park outside Cinder Block Brewing, 110 E. 18th Ave. in North Kansas City, from noon to 8 p.m. On July 21, it will be at Casual Animal Brewing, 110 E. 18th Ave. in Kansas City, from noon to 7 p.m.

After that, fans can stay up-to-date on social media to see where it will sell its clam chowder, lobster grilled cheese and other menu favorites next.

Customers who don’t want to wait in line can order ahead through Cousins Maine’s mobile app .

“When you’re eating at Cousins Maine Lobster, you’re getting a true Maine experience,” Lomac said.

If you’re a fan of “ Shark Tank ,” you may have seen Lomac on TV.

In 2012, he and his cousin (and the company’s co-founder), Jim Tselikis, appeared on the ABC investor reality show.

At the time, the two Mainers had just launched their food truck in Los Angeles and were looking to open another. The “sharks” (investors) grilled them about their business for almost an hour.

“It was scary,” Lomac said, reflecting on the experience. “It’s not easy to keep your composure.”

After their pitch, the cousins walked away with $55,000 from Barbara Corcoran, who bought 15% of their business. Good deal for the cousins, Lomac added, because since then, they’ve done $700 million in sales.

“We were already really busy in L.A. … But after that, it just exploded,” he said. “It goes to show the strength of the show.”

Cousins Maine is in 40 cities nationwide. Most are trucks, while a handful are full-service restaurants. They’re aiming to have 100 locations by the end of the year.

Its restaurant locations include Asbury Park, New Jersey; Atlanta; Jacksonville, Florida; and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Some other menu favorites are its lobster tots (topped with buttered lobster, pico de gallo, salsa, and cilantro lime sauce) and its lobster tacos.

While Cousins Maine is expanding its footprint, Red Lobster is downsizing.

The seafood chain filed for bankruptcy in May and closed dozens of restaurants across the country, including ones in Olathe at 14904 W. 119th St. and Kansas City, Kansas, at 10700 Parallel Parkway.

In June, Red Lobster stated in its bankruptcy plan that it intends to close several more , including Overland Park at 9475 Metcalf Ave. and Independence at 4328 S. Noland Road.