Da Lobsta Launches Bolstr Campaign to Raise $70,000

Da Lobsta, Chicago’s only fast-casual restaurant dedicated to serving delicious traditional New England lobster rolls, has just launched an on-line Bolstr campaign in hopes of raising $70,000 so that it can add a Da Lobsta food truck to its growing brand, taking the idea of “we’re on a roll” literally. According to the offering, Da Lobster earned more than $1 million in year one with its two locations, 12 E. Cedar and 131 N. Clinton at the Chicago French Market. To invest, visit:https://app.bolstr.com/campaigns/338. For those not familiar with Da Lobsta, think the American Dream on a bun.  Da Lobsta serves authentic New England lobster roll sandwiches in addition to several varieties with a tasty twist. The menu also is filled with lobster, crab and shrimp specialties, such as Lobster and Crab Spinach dip, Lobster Grilled Cheese, New England Clam Chowda, Lobster Mac-N-Cheese, and delicious Chopped Salads. Creative lobster roll sandwiches, which can be made with lobster, blue crab or shrimp, include the Asian, the Mexican, the Greek, and the Indian.     “We were first to the market by offering an upscale lobster roll product at fast-casual prices, making it affordable for the masses,” said J Wolf, founder and owner. “We knew Chicagoans love their lobster and there was pent-up demand for lobster served at an affordable price. We have solved the riddle as to how to do it really well at a reasonably low price point.”    Da Lobsta’s Lobster Roll sandwiches are priced at $12.95, and they have clearly raised the bar on fast casual dining.     Da Lobsta has a large and dedicated Chicago following. A food truck will give the company more accessibility throughout the downtown and neighborhoods of Chicago.    Bolstr is a marketplace where successful local businesses access growth funding to scale. These business owners are starting small but thinking big! Through Bolstr they are establishing powerful networks of supporters who are all invested in the success of their business.     Bolstr transactions are structured using a revenue sharing agreement. Da Lobsta’s payout is said to be 1.25 times the initial investment or 4 percent of the revenue share.    In exchange for an investor’s upfront investment, Da Lobsta agrees to pay investors a percentage of their gross revenue, on a monthly basis, until the investors receive back the amount they put in plus a return on their investment.

Celebrate National New England Clam Chowder Day at Da Lobsta January 21

Now's the perfect time to try Da Lobsta's delicious New England Clam Chowder.

On January 21, National New England Clam Chowder Day, Da Lobsta is offering $2-off  its homemade clam chowder with the purchase of any of its lobster rolls.  While New England doesn't have a monopoly on clam chowder, it is probably the most recognized regional style of this soup. Finding the perfect cup in the Midwest hasn't always been easy. However, since Da Lobsta opened in Streeterville and at the Chicago French Market, getting a perfect cup is just around the corner. New England Clam  Chowder is a delicious stick-to-your-ribs soup using a cream-base and thickened with starch from potatoes. Other base ingredients include onions, celery and bacon. Once you've tried Da Lobsta's version, you won't have the need to rush east.

Da Lobsta Comes to Chicago French Market This September

The Chicago French Market announces its newest vendor, Da Lobsta, opening this September as a quick service lobster roll eatery, joining other Da Lobsta locations in the Gold Coast. Da Lobsta was conceived by restaurateur J. Wolf.

At Da Lobsta, Wolf and his team currently serve authentic New England sandwiches with a twist, taking the East Coast concept of chilled Lobster Claw & Knuckle meat (Blue Crab and Shrimp can also be substituted), strip of mayo and warm garlic butter drizzled on top of a New England Style toasted. Daring to be different, the original can also be changed up with Indian, Asian, Mexican, and Greek varieties.

Think the American Dream on a bun.

Not to be confused with sushi (seriously, there are a few of those!), Da Lobsta brings the standard lobster roll to another level by offering homemade, customizable sandwiches at a reasonable price, without requiring dine-in service. None of the frou-frou, just straight good eats.

Wolf concocted the idea out of his love for visiting Maine when growing up, as well as his interest in the eclecticism of food culture he found when living in Los Angeles. As a child, lobster rolls became one of Wolf’s favorite dishes; seafood always seemed to hit the spot. When he moved to the West Coast later in life, he discovered his beloved sandwich on a food truck cruising around town, and would frequently find himself driving 45 minutes out of the way just to get a bite.

At the same time, Wolf was operating The Glendon Bar & Kitchen in Hollywood, a high end dining spot mixing American and California cuisines. He began to experiment with the idea of creating a restaurant on a smaller scale, offering high quality products with his own unique twist and less of an emphasis on dining.

Suddenly, something clicked with his past and present obsessions.

Wolf eventually moved to Chicago, leaving behind The Glendon to pursue his new idea with his favorite foodie pleasure: the lobster roll. He decided to add ethnic variations to the mix as a way to diversify the standard, and suit the assorted feel of his new home.

While in Maine, a lobster roll is a working man's sandwich sold on the side of the highway or pier. In big cities, they’ve been turned into gourmet items. Many fancier versions pack in dozens of ingredients and cost significantly more, but don’t taste better than the original. Wolf wanted to avoid a similar result and created new renditions of the lobster roll, while tapping into the simplicity and authenticity of the original.

The result was Da Lobsta.