An Inside Look at Harrisonburg’s Food Trucks: Lobsta Rollin

Food Trucks are popping up all over the Shenandoah Valley! This is the second in a series of interviews with our favorite local food trucks

With all the buzz around town about the new food truck that’s rolled up from Miami, we thought we’d better check it out. Perched on the driver’s seat of the truck, I had the opportunity to interview the owner, Shane Bell, and get to know him and Lobsta Rollin a little better. I even got to sample some of his super tasty food – you won’t find lobster like that anywhere else in Harrisonburg.

Lobsta Rollin Food Truck, Harrisonburg, VA

What is the most popular item on the menu?
SB: The Lobsta Roll

Lobsta Rollin Food Truck, Harrisonburg, VA

Lobsta Rollin Food Truck, Harrisonburg, VA

What is YOUR favorite item on the menu?
SB: My favorite item actually is the Lobster Mac & Cheese. I like the lobster inside – it’s warm, but not too warm. It’s a good temperature.

Lobsta Rollin Food Truck, Harrisonburg, VA

Who do you credit for your cooking skill?
SB: My grandmother

Lobsta Rollin Food Truck, Harrisonburg, VA

What is your favorite part of this job?
SB: The customers’ reaction when they like the food. You can tell by the head movement. I look for their first reaction – if they kind of nod, it means they like it. I always look for the head movement because they can’t change that initial reaction. I do it for the people……and food is a thing that makes a lot of people happy.

Lobsta Rollin Food Truck, Harrisonburg, VA

Lobsta Rollin Food Truck, Harrisonburg, VA

What is the most unique/difficult thing about working in a food truck?
SB: The biggest challenges are space, storage, and having enough food for when it gets busy. A big challenge at the start was overcoming the perception that good food can’t come out of a truck. People are learning that gourmet food can come from a food truck.

Lobsta Rollin Food Truck, Harrisonburg, VA

Lobsta Rollin Food Truck, Harrisonburg, VA

Do you have any “secret” menu items you can make upon request that are not on the menu?
SB: It’s not so much a separate item….There’s different styles [of Lobster Roll] in New England – the traditional is just mayo, celery and salt and pepper. The Connecticut style is a bed of lettuce, lobster, and drawn-butter over the top. I can serve those different nuances if someone asks.

Lobsta Rollin Food Truck, Harrisonburg, VA

Lobsta Rollin Food Truck, Harrisonburg, VA

What inspired you to start this food truck?
SB: One, because it’s not as much overhead and start-up costs. Two, I pretty much felt like it was a trend that was just taking off.

Lobsta Rollin Food Truck, Harrisonburg, VA

Lobsta Rollin Food Truck, Harrisonburg, VA

Why did you pick Lobster?
SB: Because I knew it…..Just ‘cause of growing up and knowing lobster and loving it.

Lobsta Rollin Food Truck, Harrisonburg, VA

Lobsta Rollin Food Truck, Harrisonburg, VA

Lobsta Rollin Food Truck, Harrisonburg, VA

Want to “Get Your Lobsta On?” Head over to 1321 South High Street in Harrisonburg’s Food Truck Court and dive into a Lobsta Roll. They’re open M – F 11 – 7, and Sat 11 – 4. By the way, they also cater!

Learn more about Lobsta Rollin! The Staunton News-Leader recently wrote an article about this food truck, with some juicy details about what’s coming soon to the menu.

About Emily Marsh

Emily takes impressive photos, interviews interesting locals, and keeps things organized for Harrisonblog. She also works on special marketing projects, transaction management, and event management for The Harrisonburg Homes Team. Emily loves dogs, her friends and family, dancing, and getting outdoors.