November 2018 | view this story as a .pdf

It’s freezing out here, but these kitchens on wheels are fired up!

By Samantha Arsenault and Meaghan Maurice

Τhere’s no shortage of food trucks during that pretty little thing called summer. They’re everywhere from Thompson’s Point to the Kennebunks. But where can you find your on-the-go taco in the dead of winter? Don’t worry, they’re out there, and we’ve got the map for those of you on the hunt. Here’s where the trucks go when it’s cold outside.

The Totally Awesome Vegan Food Truck

Vegan comfort foods? We’re in. How does a plate of vegan cheese-smothered bacon fries sound? “In November, we’ll likely be popping up two or three times a week in Portland, usually the Preble Street parking lot near Baxter Boulevard or on Congress Street in front of Tony’s Donuts,” chef Tony DiPhillipo says. “We’ll be looking for sunny, temperate days. I’d like to do some outings with some cold-weather comfort foods: vegan stews and chowders, biscuits, muffins and breakfast sandwiches, and hot dessert beverages.”

Mr. Tuna

Roll it up and roll out with Mr. Tuna’s seaweed cone, filled with fresh sushi, rice, and vegetables. His locations change weekly, but you can drop into his brand new home in the Public Market House. “We will still be at our regular mobile locations [Goodfire Brewing, Portland Oyster Shop, the Portland Farmers’ Market, Banded Brewing, Allagash Brewing, Foundation Brewing], but on a smaller scale for the winter,” chef Jordan Rubin says.

Muthah Truckah

The golden ciabatta bread will lure you in, but it’s the stuff inside that makes Muthah Truckah worth the wintery trek. The sandwiches feature ingredients from bacon jam and smashed-caper mayo to arugula and shaved shallots, all paired perfectly with fresh cheeses and other toppings. New locations throughout the rest of the week are posted on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. “I’m actually open until the end of December,” owner Erica Rose Dionne says. “Then I reopen at the beginning of March. Every Wednesday, we’re at Rising Tide Brewing, and every Thursday we’re at Allagash Brewing. The rest of the week changes—that’s where we keep people in the loop via social media.”

Pinky D’s

Passing through Lisbon Falls? Don’t pass up the poutine at Pinky D’s, where owner Randy Smith says they “specialize in the ultimate cold weather poutine.” Find the truck Black Friday weekend at local Target stores (check their Facebook for details), Auburn’s 150th New Years Celebration, Lisbon’s Very Merry Main Street Holiday Celebration (December 3), and South Portland’s Winterfest (January 25-26). They’re also teaming up with Auburn’s Side by Each Brewing to open The Poutine Factory, an indoor food truck placed inside the brewery. Look for that in January.

Eighty-8 Donuts

Formerly known as Urban Sugar, this truck is dishing out made-to-order donuts. Satisfy your sweet tooth with homemade, gourmet miniature donuts and a warming hot chocolate or coffee. They’ll be parked at Sugarloaf when the snow begins to fall. “Miss Rosie [the truck] goes into fall hibernation,” owner Kevin Sandes says.

Crêpe Elizabeth

Portland food truck rookies, crêpe-making pros. These purveyors of French crêpes with dramatic presentation feature everything savory and sweet in between. They’ll be at Vintage Bazaar (December 16 and 17), Fire and Ice in Kennebunk (December 7 and 8).

Hakka Me

Serving up authentic Cantonese fare, Portland’s first Chinese food truck Hakka Me can be found at Rising Tide Brewery most Sundays and Tuesdays through November. The menu features savory fish and noodle dishes—just what you’re craving during a snow day. “People can find us most days on either Spring Street near Temple Street or at some of the local breweries in Portland,” owner John Wen says.

Suga Suga

Delicate macaroons and buttery soft sammie cookies with a twist are the specialty at Suga Suga. You can get these cookies delivered right to your door through UberEats and 2Dine, or bust out the snow boots and find them at breweries this winter. “I’ll be popping up at breweries on the weekends through November but will be starting to offer order pick-up at Fork Food Lab through the winter months,” owner Tara Canaday says. “

Maine-ly Meatballs

These dear spheres, ranging from classic with red sauce to totally original, are anything but boring. Try out the lobster balls for a Maine-fresh treat. Owner Jeanne Krull says, “I’ll be at some of the breweries this winter. People can also call up and order meatballs for pickup, or we can do catering as well if they don’t want to face the elements.”

Mobile Noble BBQ

Barbecue is taking the grill to the streets. “This fall and winter we’ll be focusing on having Mobile Noble at private events for company and personal holiday events,” co-owner Ryan Carey says. “We’ll also be at Definitive Brewing Company, but with our restaurant a mile from the brewery park, we’ll be focusing on using the truck as a test kitchen with pop-up menus—think burger nights, taco nights and possibly some Noble pizza.”

Tacos Del Seoul

This is no Tex-Mex. Tacos Del Seoul is a Korean and Mexican fusion attraction that warms and excites everybody’s taste buds. “Throughout the winter, we pop out on weekends to the breweries and events,” co-owner Josh Dionne says. “We frequent the breweries on Industrial Way quite a bit in the winter.”