Rolling down the street

Shark Tank-backed lobster roll truck once again roaming Houston streets

Cousins Maine Lobster has returned to Houston.

One of the city’s favorite lobster rolls has returned to the streets of Houston after an almost yearlong absence. Cousins Maine Lobster, the Shark Tank-backed food truck, is back on the road courtesy of a new local franchisee.

Jimmy Shoshani is no stranger to the Cousins brand; he’s already the company’s operator in Las Vegas. He tells CultureMap that family ties to the Bayou City made him interesting in acquiring the rights to Houston when they became available last spring.

“The founders of the company gave us the opportunity to take over,” Shoshani says. “It took some time to get a new truck built. We finally opened in mid-December . . . We’re really excited to be back in Houston.”

The new Cousins truck serves the same familiar menu that made it a hit when it debuted in Houston in 2015 (President George H.W. Bush was a fan) . That starts with two kinds of lobster rolls that are both served on griddled, split-top buns: a cold, Maine-style roll made with a little mayo and a hot, Connecticut-style roll made with warm butter. Other options include lobster tots (tater tots topped with lobster, cilantro-lime sauce, and pico de gallo) and a lobster grilled cheese.

Currently, Shoshani has one truck in operation with the ability to add two more if necessary. He’s also in discussions with the operators of Lyric Market about having a stand in the food hall that will open later this year in downtown’s Arts District.

“We have one in a food hall in Raleigh, North Carolina that just opened that’s doing very well,” Shoshani says. “The food hall seems to be a great niche for our concept. That’s something we’re targeting in the Houston area.”

Until then, diners may use the company’s website or its app to track the truck’s movements. The daily schedule is posted a week in advance. So far, Houstonians seem pretty happy to have Cousins back in town.

“When we reactivated the social media, people were so excited. Our phones started blowing up. Even when it was closed, we got so many inquiries,” Shoshani says. “Once people know that we’re back and we’re here to stay, I think it’s going to be a great thing.”

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another surprise shutter

Coastal-inspired Houston restaurant will shutter after 3 years in Montrose

Photo by Kirsten Gilliam

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A Montrose restaurant devoted to fresh and healthy fare will soon serve its final meal. Graffiti Raw will close on December 31.

Located next to Uchi in the Montrose Collective mixed-use development, Graffiti Raw opened in early 2023. It is part of the Big Vibe Group, the hospitality company behind Coppa Osteria in Rice Village and Flora, the stylish Mexican restaurant in Buffalo Bayou Park.

Graffiti Raw took inspiration from coastal destinations such as Big Sur, Mexico, and the Mediterranean. True to its name, the menu included raw items such as tartare and ceviche alongside classic fare such as steak frites, chicken schnitzel, and crab fried rice.

“Since opening, Graffiti Raw has been a place for connection — from shared meals to vibrant

nights that reflected the creative energy of Houston. The Big Vibe Group is grateful to the

guests, team members, partners and the Montrose Collective community who helped shape the experience,” the company said in a statement.

Big Vibe emphasizes that both Coppa Osteria and Flora “remain central to the company’s long-term vision, with an emphasis on growth, consistency, and elevated hospitality.” It made a similar commitment to those concepts when it closed Gratify, a neighborhood bistro in Rice Village, back in 2024.

Montrose has seen a number of openings and closings, with additions such as jazz supperclub Doc’s and wine shop/bar Montrose Grocer. Paulie’s, a neighborhood staple for more than 25 years, will also close on December 31.

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