News Summary
Luke’s Lobster, a popular family-owned restaurant chain known for New England-style chilled lobster rolls, is set to open its first Orange County location on Balboa Island, Newport Beach. The restaurant will offer gourmet seafood dishes and uphold sustainable sourcing practices. Local customers can expect promotional giveaways, including a free beach towel for the first 100 orders, and the restaurant will donate proceeds from lobster rolls to support a local nonprofit. Opening hours will be daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Newport Beach is set to welcome Luke’s Lobster, a popular family-owned restaurant chain, which will open its first Orange County location on Balboa Island later this month, August 2023. The new establishment is located at 329 Marine Ave., Newport Beach, catering to seafood enthusiasts and those seeking a quick meal before heading to the beach.
Founded in 2009 by Luke Holden, who hails from a long line of lobstermen in Portland, Maine, Luke’s Lobster specializes in New England-style chilled lobster rolls. The rolls feature toasted, buttered split-top buns filled with wild-caught lobster, crab, or shrimp, along with a dab of mayonnaise, lemon butter, and a unique seasoning blend. Customers have the option to order rolls as a flight, allowing them to sample various seafood offerings.
In addition to lobster rolls, the menu includes New England clam chowder, Cape Cod potato chips, and craft sodas, providing a variety of choices for patrons. The Balboa Island location will operate on a counter service model, making it an ideal stop for those looking for a casual meal on-the-go.
Luke’s Lobster prioritizes food-chain transparency and sustainability in its sourcing practices. The restaurant chain has held Certified B Corporation status since 2018, demonstrating its commitment to positive social and environmental impact. With the Newport Beach site, Luke’s Lobster continues its expansion across the United States and internationally, boasting a total of 30 locations.
The opening of the Newport Beach location closely follows the launch of a site in Santa Monica last year. While an exact opening date has yet to be confirmed, the restaurant intends to engage the Orange County community through various promotional efforts, including giveaways and charitable contributions.
In a gesture of goodwill, Luke’s Lobster is set to offer the first 100 customers who order a select six-ounce lobster roll a free promotional beach towel. This initiative aims to attract attention and create excitement for the new location.
Moreover, during its initial week of operation, Luke’s Lobster will contribute $1 from every lobster roll sold to Serving People in Need, a Costa Mesa-based nonprofit dedicated to assisting those experiencing homelessness. This charitable commitment aligns with the brand’s overall mission to support local communities.
Once open, the Newport Beach establishment is scheduled to serve customers daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., providing a dining option for both lunch and dinner. Luke’s Lobster is poised to become a popular destination for locals and visitors seeking high-quality seafood in a casual beachfront setting.
The arrival of Luke’s Lobster on Balboa Island signifies more than just a new restaurant; it reflects the growing trend of accessible, high-quality seafood dining options in Southern California, particularly in vibrant locations like Newport Beach.
As anticipation builds for its opening, the local community looks forward to enjoying Luke’s Lobster’s renowned seafood offerings while supporting a business that values sustainable practices and community involvement.
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HERE Resources
Newport Beach Welcomes Luke’s Lobster to Balboa Island
Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Luke’s Lobster Newport Beach
- Wikipedia: Newport Beach, California
- Orange County Register: Lobster Roll Chain Newport Beach
- Google Search: Newport Beach restaurants
- Patch: Popular Lobster Roll Chain Newport Beach
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Newport Beach
- Time Out: Best Restaurants in Newport Beach
- Google News: Luke’s Lobster Newport Beach
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
