The Bangor waterfront will host three new food trucks this summer, with offerings ranging from Armenian and Lebanese food to barbecue, as well as two returning favorites.
This year’s newcomers include Dreamer Food, Smoke & Steel BBQ and Salt & Cedar Kitchen, according to Tracy Willette, Bangor’s parks and recreation director.
Dreamer Food, offering Armenian and Lebanese cuisine such as hummus plates, roasted vegetables, beef pockets and spanakopita, will likely open on the waterfront next week, said co-owner Anik Derphilibossian.
Derphilibossian purchased and outfitted the truck earlier this year after spending six months selling the cuisine on a pop-up basis at restaurant incubator Korean Dad in Veazie.
Derphilibossian, who is Armenian and moved to the U.S. from Lebanon three years ago, started the business by making the food she missed and couldn’t find in Bangor. At first, she cooked food only for friends, but was encouraged to expand to the wider public.
“I came to the U.S. with a dream and I accomplished that, so now I’m on to the next dream,” she said.
She owns and operates Dreamer Food with her friend and fellow nurse, Kara Calor.
Though she chose to become a nurse and doesn’t regret her career path, Derphilibossian said she has always loved cooking, introducing people to new cultures and using food as a way to connect people. She now hopes people will try her food, even if they’ve never had Middle Eastern food before.
Husband and wife duo Jeremy and Jessica Purvis will bring Salt & Cedar Kitchen to the waterfront for the first time next month. The family launched the food truck last fall and their menu includes chicken sandwiches, smash burgers, housemade sauces and fresh baked goods, among other choices.
Jessica Purvis said they decided to open their food truck because they love to cook and want to make people happy with food.
“We also really liked the idea of working for ourselves, and we work really well together,” she said. “I think that comes out in our food.”
Both Jessica Purvis and Derphilibossian said they’re looking forward to being near other food trucks to learn from one another and build community rather than seeing one another as competition.
Smoke & Steel BBQ is a food truck spin-off of a brick and mortar restaurant on Stillwater Avenue known for its barbecue and ax-throwing. The food truck’s menu is slated to include pulled pork and brisket sandwiches, wings, smash burgers, deep fried oreos and more.
Alongside the newcomers, Nora’s Grill and Wild Cow Creamery will both return for another summer on the waterfront, Willette said.
Nora’s Grill is known for serving chicken fingers, chicken sandwiches, burgers, hotdogs, onion rings and fries made from Maine potatoes while Wild Cow Creamery’s array of locally made ice cream treats satisfies anyone with a sweet tooth.
Vendors typically open on the waterfront in mid-May and stay through Labor Day weekend, Willette said, though some food trucks may stay later into September if the weather allows.
