Bangor's Waterfront Transforms into a Vibrant Culinary Destination

Bangor, Maine, has long been known for its picturesque waterfront, but this summer, the city has taken its culinary offerings to new heights. What started as a humble collection of two food trucks has blossomed into a vibrant community of five unique eateries, each offering a diverse array of flavors and experiences for visitors to savor.

Discover the Diverse Flavors Elevating Bangor's Waterfront Experience

Embracing the Flavors of the Mediterranean

Nestled along the Bangor Waterfront, the Dreamer food truck has quickly become a local favorite, offering a tantalizing taste of the Mediterranean. Owned and operated by Bangor resident and full-time nurse Anik Derphalibossian, the Dreamer food truck has been a labor of love, born out of a passion for sharing the rich culinary traditions of Lebanon and Armenia. "We started as a pop-up restaurant, and the community just showed so much support, and we wanted to expand. Our expansion is our food truck," Derphalibossian shared.Since opening in May, the Dreamer food truck has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm, with Derphalibossian noting that they've been "extremely busy" and have even "been selling out of a lot of our items." The menu at the Dreamer showcases the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean, with a focus on classic dishes like shawarma, a beloved Middle Eastern specialty that has quickly become a must-try for visitors to the waterfront.

Bringing the Heat to Bangor's Culinary Scene

For those seeking a bolder culinary adventure, the Salt and Cedar food truck has been making waves with its unique take on Southern-inspired cuisine. Co-owner Jessica Purvis proudly shares the truck's diverse menu, which includes a mouthwatering Nashville hot chicken sandwich, a savory pulled pork sandwich, and the recently added pork schnitzel.This summer marks the first time the Salt and Cedar food truck has set up shop at the Bangor Waterfront, and Purvis couldn't be more excited about the opportunity. "It's been great, everybody here is great, they've been helpful it's kind of like a little food truck community," she said, highlighting the warm and welcoming atmosphere that has fostered a sense of camaraderie among the various food truck operators.The waterfront location has also proven to be a boon for the Salt and Cedar team, as the increased foot traffic has provided them with valuable exposure and new opportunities. "We've had people come get lunch and give us information for an event they want us to attend, so that's awesome. We wouldn't have that opportunity if we were anywhere with less foot traffic," Purvis explained.

A Culinary Oasis on the Bangor Waterfront

The transformation of the Bangor Waterfront into a vibrant culinary destination has not gone unnoticed by the local community. Cindy Corbett and her husband, regular visitors to the area, expressed their excitement about the diverse array of food options now available. "It gives us a little break from staying home, a little treat to be able to see everybody doing activities and so forth. The food was actually very good," Corbett shared.Bangor Parks and Recreation Director Tracy Willette has played a pivotal role in facilitating the growth of the food truck scene at the waterfront. "We mainly do Mediterranean food, focused on Lebanese and Armenian," Derphalibossian said, highlighting the diverse culinary offerings that have taken root along the waterfront.Willette noted that this is the first year all five available spots have been filled, with each truck bringing its own unique cuisine to the table. "The more options you can offer for folks to come down here to visit, that's certainly a benefit for everybody, and as a city amenity we try to provide that opportunity for businesses like food trucks," Willette explained.The food truck season at the Bangor Waterfront is set to run until the end of September, with some operators even extending their stay into October. As the summer winds down, the city's culinary enthusiasts can look forward to continued opportunities to explore the diverse flavors that have transformed the waterfront into a true gastronomic destination.