Longtime restaurant and food truck operator Cousins Maine Lobster has launched a new concept – Cousins Fried Seafood.
The new brand “brings the authentic charm of a classic New England seafood shack to life, showcasing a spectrum of the region's classic New England style fried seafood platters,” the company said.
"Cousins Fried Seafood is incredibly personal to us. Some of our favorite memories growing up were centered on family dinners, especially our grandpa John's fried haddock,” Cousins Maine Lobster Co-founder Jim Tselikis said. "This concept is about bringing those moments, those flavors, and that tradition to life for our customers."
The new concept is an opportunity to introduce a “broader range of coastal classics while staying true to who we are,” Co-founder Sabin Lomac said.
Instead of focusing on expansion plans, the company is first “proving out the Cousins Fried Seafood concept” to ensure the company can “deliver the same high-quality customer experience and operational excellence that people know from Cousins Maine Lobster,” CML Director of Franchise Development Lindsay Herberger told SeafoodSource.
As a result, the first Cousins Fried Seafood truck is company-owned and based in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.A., which gives the company the ability to test, refine, and optimize the concept in real time before making any long-term expansion decisions, Herberger noted.
“While we’re excited about the early response and future potential, our priority is building a strong foundation,” Herberger added.
The menu features New England-style fried seafood platters, hand-breaded and cooked to order, served with fries, coleslaw, and house-made sauces. Signature menu items include haddock, split Maine Lobster tails, scallops, and Fisherman's Platters – hearty combinations of haddock, shrimp, lobster, and scallops.
The Cousins' Famous Fried Fish Sandwich is also highlighted and can be customized "Jim's Way" or "Sabin's Way.” It is served along with additional shrimp and chicken tenders.
