The solar is shining, the times are getting hotter, and that implies that meals truck season has arrived in Maine. Within the Bangor space, there are a number of previous favorites returning to the scene, a number of that received’t be coming again, and a brand new addition arriving afterward in the summertime.
On the Bangor Waterfront, two dependable favorites will return, together with Pompeii Pizza, which is able to open on Might 1, and Wild Cow Creamery, which is able to begin serving up cones, sundaes and ice cream sandwiches in mid-Might.
Pompeii Pizza returns after a tough 2020, which noticed its downtown Bangor restaurant shut in December, a bit of over a 12 months after it first opened. Proprietor Will Carney stated in a Fb submit that the pandemic was too nice of an impediment to persevering with on together with his brick-and-mortar location, however that the meals truck would reopen for 2021.
Tracy Willette, director of Bangor Parks and Recreation, the town division that oversees the meals truck space in Bangor’s Waterfront Park, stated that final 12 months, the vehicles had been moved to face the river, fairly than the road, to permit for higher social distancing. He stated the town plans to proceed that setup completely.
“Having that eating space arrange in a courtyard-style space within the parking zone was actually widespread and appeared to work rather well,” Willette stated. “It’s a type of odd issues that got here out of the pandemic that ended up truly being a very good change.”
From left: Erin Doughty, co-owner of The Lobstah Buoy meals truck in Bangor, passes an order to a buyer on Friday. The Lobstah Buoy meals truck in Bangor has reopened for the season at its common location within the parking zone of the Bangor Funplex and Westside Cinemas on Odlin Street. Credit score: Linda Coan O’Kresik | BDN
Willette stated that there are nonetheless a number of areas accessible for different meals vehicles on the Waterfront, and that his division has some new purposes pending, and continues to be open to different purposes.
Elsewhere, the Lobstah Buoy has already reopened for the season at its common location at 268 Odlin Street, within the parking zone of the Bangor Funplex and Westside Cinemas. Lobster and crab rolls, fried seafood, chowders and do-it-yourself shoestring fries might be on the menu all through the season.
In Brewer, Wanderlust Espresso Firm by no means closed all through the winter at its location at 318 Wilson St., within the parking zone of the Brewer Auditorium. It has served espresso and occasional drinks, cupcakes and scones, mac and cheese, readymade salads and sandwiches and different goodies all season, between 9 a.m. and a pair of p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.
The YumBus, the farmers market meals truck that provides up made-to-order candy and savory crepes, might be on the Orono and Bangor farmers markets on Saturdays and Sundays, respectively, every weekend all through the summer season and fall.
In Previous City, Joe’s Chuck Wagon just lately opened for the season, at a brand new location at 423 Stillwater Ave., within the parking zone of Previous City Auto Components. Anticipate a menu of consolation meals together with connoisseur sizzling canines, pulled pork sandwiches and burgers, do-it-yourself chili and clam chowder, sausage sandwiches, steak and cheese and far more.
Afterward this summer season, a brand new meals truck, Candy Willamina, will be part of the scene. Proprietor and pastry chef Jillian Clark Sarnacki-Wooden is within the midst of renovating her truck, and is hoping for a mid-summer opening, with a Bangor-area location but to be decided.
“It’s going to be a build-your-own trifle truck, so we’ll supply completely different flavors of cake with toppings and fillings like creme anglaise, caramel sauces, recent fruit and berries, whipped cream,” she stated. “All the great things.”
A number of meals vehicles that previously operated on the Bangor Waterfront is not going to return for 2021. MELT, the truck that supplied decadently tacky soften sandwiches, paninis and appetizers, has retired its meals truck altogether, and can open a everlasting, brick-and-mortar location with an identical menu and a few new additions at 27B Primary St. in Bar Harbor. An official opening date for the brand new restaurant has not been introduced.
And, sadly, each Casa Mexicana, the taco truck, and JJ’s Jerk Shack, the Jamaican truck, is not going to return to the Bangor Waterfront this 12 months.