This Maine Taco Truck’s Lobster Roll Tacos Are So Popular They Sell Out Before Dinner
Last summer, I stood in line at a Portland food truck for forty minutes, and I wasn’t even mad about it.
The Highroller Lobster Co. has perfected something magical: they’ve taken Maine’s most iconic sandwich and wrapped it in a crispy cheese taco shell.
Now locals and tourists alike race to snag these lobster roll tacos before they vanish, often selling out hours before dinner service even begins.
Cheese Shell Magic: The Signature Lobster Cheese Crisp Taco
Forget traditional tortillas. The star here is a shell made entirely of melted, crisped cheese that cradles succulent lobster meat like edible gold.
Picture biting through a crunchy, savory cheese crisp into buttery lobster chunks. It’s basically a lobster roll that went rogue and became a taco, and honestly, it works better than it has any right to.
People literally set alarms to arrive early for this beauty. The cheese gets perfectly golden and holds together just long enough.
Humble Beginnings: From Hot Dog Cart to Lobster Legend
Andy Gerry and Baxter Key started slinging food in 2015 with nothing but a hot dog cart and big dreams.
They’d roll up to local breweries, serving hungry beer lovers who needed something delicious to soak up their IPAs.
Nobody expected two guys with a cart to revolutionize Portland’s food scene. But their lobster creations caught fire faster than you can say “drawn butter.”
Within two years, they went from weekend pop-ups to owning a brick-and-mortar spot.
Downtown Destination: The Exchange Street Brick-and-Mortar
December 2017 marked a major milestone when The Highroller opened its permanent home at 104 Exchange Street.
The move from mobile cart to actual restaurant proved these guys weren’t just a trendy flash in the pan.
Located in Portland’s bustling Old Port district, the spot became an instant landmark. Tourists and locals now have a reliable place to chase their lobster taco cravings.
Having walls and a roof meant longer hours and more tacos for everyone.
Beer Meets Lobster: Partnership with the Bissell Brothers
When Andy and Baxter teamed up with Peter and Noah Bissell, magic happened.
The Bissells brought serious beer credentials to the table, creating a beverage program that pairs perfectly with lobster-loaded tacos.
Craft beer and fresh seafood might sound obvious in Maine, but these folks elevated it to an art form. Their tap list rotates with local brews that complement the rich, buttery lobster.
Now you can wash down cheese-shell tacos with amazing IPAs and lagers.
Build Your Own Adventure: Customizable Sauces and Toppings
Why settle for plain when you can drench your lobster in roasted pineapple mayo?
The Highroller lets you customize every roll and taco with an arsenal of house-made sauces that range from classic to completely wild.
That pineapple mayo alone has developed its own cult following. Sweet, tangy, and tropical, it somehow makes fresh Maine lobster taste even better.
Other options include spicy aiolis and herb-packed dressings that let you tailor each bite.
Lobby Pop Sensation: Lobster Tail on a Stick
Whoever invented the “Lobby Pop” deserves a medal and possibly a parade. It’s an entire lobster tail, grilled to perfection, stuck on a stick like a meaty popsicle of pure joy.
You can walk around Portland’s streets gnawing on premium seafood like it’s a corn dog at a state fair. The absurdity is part of the charm, and the flavor is completely unreal.
Regulars guard this menu secret fiercely, but word keeps spreading anyway.
Melty Goodness: The Cult-Favorite Lobster Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese grew up, got fancy, and moved to Maine. The Highroller’s lobster grilled cheese is what happens when comfort food collides with luxury seafood, and nobody complains about the mess.
Buttery toasted bread barely contains the mountain of melted cheese and sweet lobster chunks inside.
Every bite is a gooey, indulgent experience that makes you question why anyone eats regular grilled cheese. Locals order this when they want something familiar yet completely elevated.
National Fame: Featured in Major Food Media Roundups
Big-name food publications keep putting The Highroller on their “best lobster roll” lists, and for good reason.
National outlets from coast to coast have sent writers to Portland specifically to taste these legendary creations.
When you’re competing with every lobster shack in New England and still getting top billing, you’re doing something extraordinary.
The media attention brings tourists flooding in, but locals knew the secret first. Each new article means longer lines and earlier sellouts.
Race Against Time: Why Everything Sells Out Before Dinner
Arrive after 3 PM and you’re probably out of luck. The Highroller moves through their daily lobster supply faster than most restaurants serve lunch, leaving late-comers staring at empty cases and sold-out signs.
Fresh lobster doesn’t last forever, and these folks refuse to compromise quality by over-ordering. Limited supply plus insane demand equals disappointed dinner crowds who should’ve known better.
Smart customers now treat lunch like a competitive sport here.
The Secret Formula: Why These Tacos Became Portland Icons
Quality ingredients, creative execution, and zero pretension make The Highroller’s tacos absolutely unstoppable.
They took Maine’s most treasured food and reimagined it without losing the soul that makes lobster rolls special in the first place.
The cheese shell innovation shows they’re willing to take risks. The consistent sellouts prove those risks pay off big time.
Portland has plenty of seafood spots, but only one combines tacos, lobster, and pure genius this successfully.