If Facebook is any indication, Bust’d Brewing may be bursting at the seams this weekend.
Cousins Maine Lobster’s Chicago franchise is visiting the Peoria Heights establishment on Saturday, Aug. 10. More than 400 people indicated they will attend, and 5,500 more are listed as interested, according to the event page.
Taproom manager Bre Henderson said generally, around 10% of those interested are expected to turn out for events. This could mean hundreds – if not thousands – of people may visit the Peoria Heights business in a single day.
“Oh my gosh, we’re blown away,” Henderson said of the response. “We don't even know how to prepare for an event of that magnitude and what to expect.”
Cousins Maine Lobster was taken aback by the swift and strong response, as well, Henderson said. After the Facebook event took off, she said the business asked if they could bring a second food truck. Both trucks, she said, have the capacity to serve around 2,000 people each.
Ahead of the event, Bust’d Brewing has shared information – such as where people can park – on its Facebook page.
Here is everything to know before you go.
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When will Cousins Maine Lobster be in Peoria Heights?
The event at Bust’d Brewing is scheduled from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10.
What’s on the menu at Cousins Maine Lobster?
The Chicago food truck’s online menu includes Maine and Connecticut rolls – which are each listed for $24. A drink, along with a side or dessert, can be added for an additional $3 to $6. New England clam chowder, lobster bisque and an option for children are also listed.
Other lobster-based specialties on the menu include:
Three lobster tacos for $20
Lobster grilled cheese for $20
Lobster quesadilla for $20
Lobster tots for $20
Lobster tail and tots for $20.50
Find the full menu at https://www.cousinsmainelobster.com/locations/chicago-il/.
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How will I be able to order?
Customers can place orders in-person at the food truck.
An online ordering option through the Cousins Maine Lobster app will also start at 11 a.m., Henderson said. However, she added, “if it gets too busy at the truck, or if they're having a crazy influx of orders, they might turn off online ordering for a little bit just to allow themselves to catch up.”
To place an order on the app, Henderson said customers should first select the Chicago location before ordering for Peoria Heights.
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What can I order from Bust’d Brewing?
Bust’d Brewing will offer its full menu, which includes 12 craft beers brewed at the establishment. Find the menu here. Henderson said the menu also includes ciders and a variety of non-alcoholic options.
When asked which craft beer would pair best with the food truck’s menu, Henderson recommended the Trailblazer.
“It's just got a lot of really nice, light, refreshing flavors for sitting outside enjoying the day,” she said. “It pairs well with the lobster, as well as the fresh zestiness of the lemons that you're going to put on top of your lobster roll.”
Henderson said three beer options will be available at a beer tent set up near the food trucks. She said customers can order from the full drink menu inside or at the establishment’s walk-up window – which faces out to the patio.
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Where can I park?
Updated parking map!Please be respectful of neighboring businesses and park in designated public lots or street parking. Thanks!
Posted by Bust'd Brewing onFriday, August 9, 2024
While Bust’d Brewing has a small lot, Henderson said street parking and public lots are also available. She said, “we want to have people be respectful of our neighbors and not fill up their parking lots.”
Instead, the Peoria Heights business shared a map which highlights public lots which visitors can find.
Seating options for the event
Seating inside of Bust’d Brewing is limited, as Henderson said the space can accommodate around 48 people.
Outside, she has secured additional picnic tables for the establishment’s patio. She expects the outdoor area will be able to seat around 125 people.
“We're hoping, fingers crossed, for really nice weather that day,” Henderson said. “It looks like it should be a gorgeous afternoon to be able to have a lot of people outside.”
She said she is working with Peoria Heights to try and offer additional seating options, as well.
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Why is Cousins Maine Lobster coming to Bust’d Brewing?
Henderson said the Chicago franchise of Cousins Maine Lobster is visiting Peoria as part of a downstate tour.
The business’s food trucks are making half a dozen stops as part of a road trip through central Illinois from Aug. 6 to Aug. 11. Other stops include Bloomington, Champaign, Decatur, Knoxville and Springfield.
Henderson said Chicago’s franchisee reached out after seeing that Bust’d Brewing hosted food trucks previously. Bust’d Brewing aims to bring the community together by hosting exciting and unique experiences, so Henderson said they “were totally on board” with Cousins Maine Lobster visiting.
“The excitement of this event definitely seems like we hit the nail on the head with something that Peoria wants to see,” she said. “So, we're excited for that and look forward to it.”
Before connecting for the event, Henderson said she had not heard of Cousins Maine Lobster. The California-based business – which appeared on Shark Tank – was founded in 2012 and has since grown to multiple restaurants and dozens of food trucks.
It was a coincidence, Henderson said, that Bust’d Brewing owners Amber and Brian Buss tried Cousins Maine Lobster just a few months prior during a trip to Chicago.
“And I remember they even sent me a picture and said, ‘You need to have this next time you see it,’ and then it was only a couple weeks later that they reached out to us,” Henderson said. “And so, it was just kind of happenstance that it all worked out that way.”
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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Popular food truck coming to Peoria Heights business
