Luke's Lobster recently closed its Hoboken location and plans to open its Long Branch restaurant right before Memorial Day weekend
Luke's Lobster, the cult New York City lobster shack that has spread to eight states since 2009, will be opening a new location in Long Branch just before Memorial Day weekend.
The announcement comes shortly after shuttering its Hoboken storefront at 207 Washington St. A spokeswoman called the closing of the Hoboken eatery "strategic," and will allow the company to focus on the Long Branch location as well as its popular food truck at Hoboken's Pier 13, where it sets up shop on Thursdays and Saturdays.
The first Jersey Shore Luke's Shack will be opening on May 26 at the waterfront Pier Village, which is home to Avenue, McLoone's Pier House, and Sirena Ristorante, among other restaurants. The space was formerly occupied by a Red Mango frozen yogurt shop.
Luke's specializes in sustainable lobster, picked from the docks and cleaned and steamed at its own processing facility. The menu features traditional lobster rolls in a split-top bun with butter and mayo ($17), as well as shrimp rolls ($9) and crab rolls ($13), plus chilled half lobster tails ($5), lobster bisque and clam chowder ($6-$11), and salads, sides and specials. (Prices are based on the Hoboken menu; a Long Branch menu is not yet available.)
In addition to several New York City locations, Luke's also has a Philly storefront in Rittenhouse Square.
Luke's has got some competition -- Jack's Lobster Shack in Edgewater just opened a new and larger location, Jack's Seafood Shack, in Montclair last month, and owner Jack Tabibian tells NJ.com that he's scouting for locations for more outposts.
Vicki Hyman may be reached at vhyman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @vickihy or like her on Facebook.