Our Story

As the truck menu evolved, so did the relationship between the City of Minneapolis and food trucks. In 2011, new legislation was passed allowing trucks to park at city meters on designated streets, allowing the truck to get out and gain new fans. It could be often found on Marquette Avenue and 7th. With a commercial kitchen within the City of Minneapolis, and the desire to continue serving Lobster rolls through the winter months, Smack Shack developed a fortuitous and legendary partnership with The 1029 Bar in Northeast Minneapolis, where they still serve today.

In December 2010, Smack Shack began cooking out of the kitchen at the 1029 Bar, kicking everything off with a traditional lobster boil in January 2011. As the relationship grew, lobster fans, as well as local and national media, flocked to the 1029 Bar. In November 2011, Guy Fieri and the crew from The Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” showed up to tape a segment about the truck and the 1029.

As the “Diners, Drive Ins and Dives” episode aired in April 2012, plans for the brick and mortar restaurant in a historic building in Minneapolis’ North Loop were announced and construction began shortly thereafter. Smack Shack opened on a snowy night in February 2013 and continues to be heralded by fans and food critics as one of Minneapolis’ best.

With a thriving brick and mortar restaurant and an expanding menu, Smack Shack continued to be adored by fans and media alike. Having been named “Best Seafood Restaurant” multiple times, being featured on CNN and ESPN College Tailgate shows, and being spotlighted on CBS Sunday Morning for their signature lobster rolls, Smack Shack continued to be a signature dining destination.

Almost ten years later, Smack Shack opened additional locations in POTLUCK Food Hall at Rosedale Center, and a second full-service location in Bloomington, Minnesota, slinging more of those famous lobster rolls than you can count.

In 2024, Flavortown called again - this time for “Guy’s Grocery Games.” Chef and Owner Josh Thoma was back on TV’s across America, battling it out for the prize. Josh and Guy keep in touch, connecting at various chef and food events around the country.

Smack Shack is committed to serving sustainable seafood and is a current partner in the Minnesota Zoo’s Fish Smart program. Sustainable seafood is wild caught or farm raised seafood that has established practices to ensure the long term growth and thriving populations of seafood with limited harm to the environment.