In the past couple of weeks, Meredith and I have been undertaking the extremely enjoyable challenge of trying as many of Portland’s food trucks as possible. While we missed a few (that we’ll be sure to add as time goes on), the ones we visited spelled out a bright future for the Portland food truck scene. The general gist from all of them was that a tasty breakfast, lunch, late night, or dessert doesn’t necessarily need to come from a brick and mortar establishment – if you concentrate on doing a few things very well, your next great Portland meal might come from the curb.
It was also awesome to see other local food service businesses getting behind Portland’s mobile eateries. Tandem Coffee and Bunker Brewing have opened their parking lot to Small Axe for breakfast (making that amazing cup of coffee all that much more delicious), and Rising Tide brewery is doing a weekly Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon food truck rotation that adds a filling pairing to their tasty selection of brews.
Bite Into Maine
Parked at Fort Williams, just over the hill from the Portland Head Light, Bite Into Maine serves up one of the best lobster rolls in the area. I realize that this is no small statement, as seemingly every restaurant and roadside stop between Kittery and Lubec claims to have “Maine’s Best Lobster Roll”, but it’ll take only a few bites of this amazing roll to know that it’s the real deal. On our trip, Meredith and I grabbed a couple of lobster rolls, and a side of the must-try corn, cucumber, and blueberry salad, and settled on our blanket with Orvis for a gorgeous picnic overlooking Casco Bay, followed by a stroll along the cliff walk – the makings of a the perfect summer afternoon in Maine.
Bite Into Maine
Fort William Park – 207.420.0294
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Small Axe Truck
We were particularly excited to hear about the highly-anticipated opening of the Small Axe Truck, and since they spent their first morning parked outside of Tandem Coffee Roasters, we worked breakfast and coffee into our Saturday morning farmer’s market routine. Meredith ordered the seasonal vegetable and goat ricotta bowl, and I opted for the sausage and green chili gravy bowl. We both enjoyed our breakfasts so much, that when we heard that the Small Axe Truck would be taking their show to Rising Tide’s Saturday food truck lunch later that same day, we went back home, grabbed our friends Cory and Robyn, and made the return trip for some afternoon beers, the cheeseburger-stuffed handpies, and a few pork sandwiches.
Small Axe Truck
122 Anderson Street (Breakfast), 385 Congress Street (Lunch) – 207.400.997
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Mainely Burgers
Meredith and I grabbed lunch from Mainely Burgers outside of City Hall (also where Small Axe will be taking up a more permanent spot), and were absolutely blown away by the handcut fries and The Mainah burger – a delightful burger with applewood smoked bacon, green apples, cheddar, and maple mayo (seriously, try one). After we were finished with lunch and the crowd had died down, owners Ben Berman and Jack Barber took a few minutes to introduce themselves. During our conversation about lunch in Portland, their approach to cooking a great meal from a mobile kitchen, and the number of trucks popping up around town. One thing that was said has really stuck with me: the two opened Mainely Burgers with the goal that a person could visit Portland and have lunch with them, then dinner at a place like Fore Street, and leave town completely blown away by the food scene. When the duo opens their new truck, Mainely Treats next week, you can bet that we’ll be waiting in line.
Mainely Burger
385 Congress Street and 416 Black Point Road (Scarborough Beach)
Facebook | Twitter
El Corazon
We found El Corazon last week parked at the intersection of India and Commercial, right across from Benkay. A delicious carne asada burrito, a couple of tacos, and two refreshing pineapple ginger agua frescas later, and we were stuffed and smiling in the shade of a stoop across the street, watching the constant stream of patrons lining up at the truck.
El Corazon
Corner of India St. and Commercial St. – 207.200.4801
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Love Cupcakes
After our lunch from El Corazon, Meredith saw on facebook that Love Cupcakes‘s Falmouth trailer would be open that afternoon, so we promptly headed up 295 for a little lunchtime dessert (we’re fans of dessert after all three meals… and sometimes in between). Although not technically their Portland truck, the cupcakes served up from this picturesque stand, parked beneath an apple tree beside Foreside Antiques on Route 1 was easily Meredith’s favorite truck to shoot. The chocolate-iced, vanilla cupcakes were obviously a required staple, but the lime and coconut-iced, chocolate cupcake stole the show and make me want to return in the near future for their next special.
Love Cupcakes
48 US 1 (Falmouth) – 207.749.1671
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Fantastic round up, guys!!
Of course I am reading this wonderful blog and it is nearing dinner hour.
My mouth is watering and what a fabulous visual “shout out” to these great food truck endeavors!
Your images are outstanding and fun!
It was so great to meet you at Alt last week. Your blog is lovely and I have added it to bloglovin! :)
Thanks, Andi – I had such a great time getting to chat with you over lunch!
Gorgeous pictures. We appreciate your visit and look forward to seeing you again I hope.
Many Thanks
Thank you – we look forward to many return trips!
Um, these all look AMAZING.
Great post! Looking forward to visiting these with our family this summer. And Meredith is right, that pink Love Cupcakes food truck in Falmouth is perfect for photos. Thanks for all of your suggestions.
Thanks for your comment, Jennifer! I’m glad to hear you love the cupcakes truck as much as I do!
I just wanted to mention my food truck located on Rte 26 in New Gloucester, Rocket Ron’s Hot Dogs and More. I do hot dogs, burgers, sausage subs and chili. Always have daily specials like Pulled Pork, Meatballl Subs, Meat Loafand Mac and Cheese to name a few.