Midcoast Maine Food Trucks and Shacks
UPDATED as of May 2019! Please check websites and Facebook pages to determine who is operating in 2023!
As much as we all love a great restaurant meal, it’s no secret that some of today’s greatest food is being served through a window. There is no place where this is more true than in midcoast Maine, where lobster shacks have long been a huge draw for visitors and a way of life for locals. There’s more than just lobster to be had at these casual spots, though. Nowadays, visitors to the midcoast of Maine can find every type of cuisine from Thai to tacos being sold outside. For visitors who want to enjoy the weather, or who are on a budget, or who just can’t stand barking at their kids through one more seated meal, a lobster shack or a food truck can be a godsend.
Here’s the thing, though…how do you locate these little gems? So often, the informal addresses or teeny tiny nooks where these great places are located make them tough for the visitor to find. I’ll be the first to admit that I hate looking like an idiot, driving around and thinking “Is this that pier? Is that the alley?” It has taken us a couple of years to scout out all the good pass-through-window food in Rockland and we still have some places to check out.
I’m going to make this easy for you.
Buoy Park in Rockland – a great place to eat!
What follows is a list (by town) of the midcoast Maine food trucks and shacks I’ve been able to find out about in the areas around Rockland, Camden, Rockport, and South Thomaston. I hope this gives you the courage to patronize some of these delicious establishments. Eat like you’re in-the-know and enjoy!
In order to fully take advantage of the food truck and food shack offerings, though, you need to understand a few unwritten rules. The main one is that these hardworking folks have basic hours, but those may change day to day due to weather or other random circumstances. This is what they need to do to stay in business, so just take advantage of their social media postings and, when in doubt, call them! The hours I’ve listed below are probably correct, but I cannot guarantee them.
The other plea I would make to you is to be nice. Sometimes they’re mobbed and sometimes they’re not. I’ve seen visitors get super crabby about waiting a little extra time for their order or not getting their straw. Every one of these people behind the window is working in a hot, small space and churning out the best food they can at the fastest rate they can manage. If your order is a little long in coming, enjoy the view and be cool. It’ll be worth the wait.
Please note that most of these food trucks and food shacks judge opening and closing by the prevailing weather each year. Wherever I have noted “seasonal” you can assume that means roughly late May to early October, but during those times you may want to double-check to see if they are open.
Lastly, if you’re heading to Portland, be sure to take advantage of Maine Food Truck Tracker to figure out what great trucks may be available there!
Disclaimer: I realize this doesn’t cover all midcoast towns and cities. Just managing this area was a good initial challenge! Listings south of Damariscotta are a work in progress.
With that said, let’s start at home base, shall we?
Rockland Food Trucks and Food Shacks
Amato’s
Location: 1 Park Dr. (Buoy Park), Rockland
Serving: Italian sandwiches and pizza
Hours: Seasonal, 11am to 8pm.
Find Them: At the general Amato’s FB page.
Claws Lobster Eatery
Courtesy: Claws Lobster Eatery
Location: 743 Main St. (Rt. 1) in Rockland
Serving: Lobsters in many forms, plus loads of other options. See the menu.
Hours: May 23 – (TBD – OCT) , 7 days, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (rain or shine – there is a covered, heated deck).
Find Them: at their website or on Facebook.
Hazel’s
Location: 557 Old County Rd., Rockland (at Rt. 17 intersection)
Serving: Seafood, burgers, sausages
Hours: Seasonally, Mon to Thurs – 10:30am to 5:30pm and Fri to Sat – 10:30am – 7pm
Find Them: on Facebook.
courtesy: The Lobster Shack
The Lobster Shack
Location: 345 Main St., Rockland (a great option right on Main Street!) Pet friendly.
Serving: Seafood, salads chowders, hot dogs, fluffernutters, grilled cheese on our home made bread and many other favorites, plus award winning lobster rolls and crabmeat.
Hours: Seasonal, 11-ish until late afternoon.
Find Them: on Facebook.
Lulu’s Ice Cream & Gelato
Location: Oak St. (between Main and Union), Rockland
Serving: Ice Cream, floats, milkshakes, gelato, etc!
Hours: TBD
Find Them: on Facebook
Thai Tug
boat
Location: The Ferry Terminal, Rockland
Serving: Thai food and seafood
Hours: Seasonal, 7 days a week, 11am to 6pm.
Find Them: at their Facebook page.
Up in Smoke BBQ
Location: 65 Tillson Ave., Rockland
Serving: BBQ and smoked meats. BBQ & smoked meats. Signature jerk spices, brisket, pastrami and more!
Hours: Seasonal, Wed – Sat 11:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Find Them: At their website and on Facebook.
Courtesy: Up in Smoke BBQ
Wasses
Location: 2 N. Main St., Rockland
Serving: Hot dogs, yo. SERIOUS hot dogs.
Hours: Year-round 10:30am – 5pm
Find Them: at their Facebook page.
Author’s Note: This is one of THE hot dogs to eat in Maine. Do it.
Rockport Food Trucks and Food Shacks
Courtesy – Graffam Bros.
Graffam Bros.
Location: 211 Union St., Rockport
Serving: Seafood
Hours: Year round!: Food prep moves to the seafood market in the colder season. Hours may vary – call to be sure. (2017 updates soon)
Find Them: At their website, on Facebook or Pinterest.
Author’s note: This is some of our favorite fried haddock in the midcoast!
J.J.’s Snack Shack
Location: 1033 Commercial St., Rockport
Serving: Comfort food! See menu.
Hours: Summer – 11am – 7pm, Winter 10:30am – 6:30pm. Closed Mondays.
Find Them: on Facebook
Camden Food Trucks and Food Shacks
Harbor Dogs
Location: 1 Public Landing, Camden
Serving: Hot dogs, tacos, burgers, and seafood
Hours: Mid-May to Oct, Mon to Thurs from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Fri – Sat from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Find Them: on Facebook and at their website.
Scott’s Place
Location: 85 Elm St., Camden
Serving: Burgers, hot dogs, fries and other popular casual foods.
Hours: Year-round! 10:30am – 4pm
Find Them: on Facebook.
The Smoothie Shack
Courtesy: The Smoothie Shack
Location: 46 Elm St., Camden
Serving: Smoothies and fresh wraps that are made-to-order
Hours: Seasonal, 7 days, 10:30am – 4pm (may vary)
Find Them: on Facebook.
Lincolnville Food Shack
McLaughlin’s Lobster Shack
Courtesy: McLaughlin’s Lobster Shack
Location: 12 McKay Rd. (off Rt. 1 by the ferry terminal)
Serving: Seafood, sandwiches, burgers and more. See menu.
Hours: April – October, 7 days, 11:30am to 8pm
Find Them: At their website or on Facebook
Belfast Food Trucks and Shacks
Wasses
Location: 1 Belmont Ave.
Serving: Hot dogs (see Rockland listing)
Hours: Mon – Sat 11am -4pm, summer Fridays until 6pm
Find Them: On Facebook
Appleton Food Shack
Courtesy: Bray Brook Farm
Bray Brook Farm
Location: 382 Union Rd.
Serving: Premium locally made Shains hard dipped ice cream, as well as baked goods. Please note that they are only able to accept cash.
Hours: May to Sept. – Mon and Tues, closed. Wed and Thurs, 2pm to 8pm and from Fri to Sunday, 12pm – 9pm. Pet-friendly.
Find Them: On Facebook
Searsmont Food Truck
Loon-ey Snak Shak at Thresher’s Brewing Co.
Location: Main St. in Searsmont at Thresher’s Brewing Co.
Serving: Sandwiches, salads, wings, and fries
Hours: TBD
Find Them: On Facebook
South Thomaston Lobster Shack
McLoon’s Lobster Shack
Courtesy: McLoon’s Lobster Shack
Location: 315 Island Rd., Spruce Head Island (South Thomaston)
Serving: Lobster and Shellfish as well as other offerings like chowders and burgers. See the menu.
Hours: Memorial Day to Columbus Day, 7 days, 11am to 7pm
Find Them: at their website, on Facebook, and on Twitter.
Author’s Note: If you can’t visit, you can order online!
Spruce Head Lobster Shack
Courtesy: Miller’s Lobster Co.
Miller’s Lobster Co.
Location: 92 Eagle Quarry Rd., Spruce Head
Serving: Lobster, crab, and shellfish, as well as pies! Hot dogs and chips for non-seafood eaters. Beer and wine (not BYOB)
Hours: June – Sept., 7 days, 11am – 7pm
Find Them: at their website.
Tenants Harbor Food Shack
Drift Inn Canteen
Courtesy: Drift Inn Canteen
Location: 686 Port Clyde Rd., Tenants Harbor
Serving: Seafood, sandwiches, and burgers using locally-sourced, fresh ingredients (even the mayo!) plus beer and wine.
Hours: Seasonal
Luke’s Lobster
Location: 12 Commercial St. (drive down toward the landing)
Serving: Lobster, seafood, burgers, full bar, and more
Hours: 7 days, 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Find Them: Facebook takes you to the Tenant’s Harbor location for Luke’s
Thomaston Food Trucks and Shacks
The Zack Shack – Courtesy: Malcolm Bedell
Wasses Hot Dogs
Location: Rt. 1 across from Lowe’s
Serving: Hot dogs
Hours: Mon – Sat, 11am to 4pm
Find them: On Facebook
The Zack Shack
Location: Rt. 1, right on the line between Thomaston and Rockland, next to Dunkin’ Donuts and Supercuts
Serving: Burgers, sandwiches, seafood. See menu.
Hours: March – Dec., 7 days, 11:o0am – 6:30pm (may be shorter in cold weather)
Find Them: On Facebook
Union Food Truck
Kathy’s Kitchen at The Pour Farm
Location: Does vary, but can regularly be found at The Pour Farm this summer.
Serving: Tex Mex, grilled sandwiches, and more.
Hours: Follow her Facebook page events for the latest!
Find Them: At their website and on Facebook
Waldoboro Food Truck
Ollie’s
Location: Intersection of Rt. 1 and Rt. 220
Serving: Burgers, hotdogs and sandwiches.
Hours: TBD
Find Them: On Facebook, plus this article helps and it shows a menu!
Warren Food Trucks
Chat and Chow
Location: 2000 Atlantic Highway- Lot B (Rt. 1)
Serving: Freshly ground burgers, subs, onions rings, haddock sandwiches, fresh crabmeat subs and Poutine
The Maine Dish
Location: Rt. 1 near the Thomaston/Warren town line, in the Scuttlebutt Antiques parking lot (by the Hair Loft and Tom Fence).
Courtesy: The Maine Dish
Serving: Fresh Maine crabmeat and lobster meat, as well as a super maxx burger, a “crabster” sub and wraps called the Ringo Rooster and Henny Penny, french fries, and onion rings. They pride themselves on making their food fresh and trying to locally source ingredients.
Hours: May-October, currently Wed to Sun, 11am to 6pm
Find Them: on Facebook.
The Shanty
Location: 1013 Atlantic Highway
Serving: Pizza, sandwiches, salads, and ice cream
Hours: Mon – Fri, 11am to 7pm
Find Them: on Facebook
Friendship Food Shack
Jameson Point Lobster Co.
Location: 100 Harbor Rd.
Serving: Lobster and other seafood, sandwiches, burgers, and more
Hours: Tues – Sat 11:00 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Find Them: On Facebook
Round Pond Food Shack
Muscongus Bay Lobster
Location: 28 Landing Rd.
Serving: Lobster and other seafood. Menu is here.
Hours: Mother’s Day to Columbus Day Weekends – 7 days, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Find Them: at their website and on Facebook
Newcastle Food Trucks
Que Rico! Courtesy: Todd Bross and The Midcoast Eating and Drinking Society (FB Group)
Que Rico!
Location: Main St. next to the Chamber of Commerce
Serving: Authentic Mexican
Hours: Seasonal, Mon – Sat, 12pm to 9pm
Find Them: on Facebook.
Sully’s Extraordinary Dogs
Location: Corner of Main and Pump St. Sully’s is more of a cart, really. Look for the um
Courtesy: Sully’s Extraordinary Dogs
Courtesy: Y-Knot Food Trailer in Newcastle
brellas!
Serving: Traditional New York City hot dog cart serving five different kinds of dogs and sausages.
Hours: Seasonal, 11am to 2pm
Find Them: On Facebook
Y-Knot Food Trailer
Location: 928 Route 1
Serving: Sandwiches and desserts. See the menu!
Hours: Wed – Sat 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (or until sold out!)
Find Them: On Facebook
Damariscotta Food Shacks
The Cook’s Corner
Location: 603 Main St.
Serving: Breakfast, chowders, burgers, Mexican food
Hours: Mon – Sat, 10am to 3pm
Find Them: Here is a TripAdvisor listing, but that’s the best I can do!
Larson’s Lunch Box
Location: 430 Main St. (Business Rt. 1)
Serving: 2018 Menu available soon
Hours: Opening in June 2018 – hours TBD
Find Them: On Facebook and at their website.
SugarSpell Sweets
Courtesy: Leon Vanella Photography
Location: 202 Main St. (on the lawn) – look for a cart
Serving: made-from-scratch, innovative, and tantalizing sweet sensations in petite portions
Hours: Tentatively 3 days a week from about 11:30am to 4:30pm, but subject to change due to factors such as weather and town events. Please visit the Facebook page for menu updates and current hours.
Find Them: At their website and on Facebook.
The Village Grille
Location: Biscay Rd. (take a right off of Business Rt. 1 and go about 1/10 mile)
Serving: Fried seafood, BBQ, Burgers, and more
Hours: April – (mid) October, Tues – Sun, 11am to 8pm
Find Them: on Facebook.
Reportedly moving to Edgecomb soon…
Twisted Iron Grill
Courtesy: Twisted Iron Grille
Location: (Rt. 1 TBD)
Serving: BBQ, Hamburgers, Grilled PBJ, Lobster sausage
Hours: Mon to Wed 11am – 10pm and Thurs to Sun 11am – 11pm
Find Them: at their Facebook page
Roving Delights
Chef on the Run
Location: In and around Belfast. Check the calendar for dates and locations!
Serving: Local beef hamburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, sausage sandwiches, hand cut fries, sweet potato fries, soups, salads, whoopie pies, pies, pastries, local drinks and more. Everything is made fresh with fresh ingredients. Gluten free options!
Hours: Vary – see calendar.
Find Them: At their website or on Facebook.
Courtesy: Chef on the Run LLC
Fresh Ella’s Ice Cream and Sundries
Location: On the road! Check the Facebook page for a schedule or to find out how to bring the truck to you.
Serving: Ice cream (natch) from Stone Fox Farm Creamery as well as pops and smoothies
Hours: Vary by event
Find Them: On Facebook
The Galley Box
Location: The Rockland Farmer’s Market in Harbor Park
Serving: Morning Cock granola, fruit, coffee and masala chai
Hours: Thursdays 9am to 1pm
S
tone Fox Farm Creamery – Mobile Cone
Location: Three roving trucks at various events all season! See the schedule here.
Serving: Super Premium Ice Cream, using milk and cream from Jersey cows in Waldo county.
Hours: Vary with fair or festival
Find Them: at their website and on Twitter.
Gracie’s Food Truck
Location: Varies – see their Facebook page for the latest!
Serving: Farm to wagon food truck fare made from scratch, drawing upon local resources and those from their farm. Grass Fed Highland Beef, all natural free range pork, chicken and turkey, farm fresh eggs and preserves. They also offer fresh cut flowers and value added products.
Hours: Varies according to event.
Find them: on Facebook.
Courtesy: Gracie’s Food Truck
Steel House Oven
Location: Varies- see their schedule on Facebook.
Serving: Pizza
Hours: Vary with event
Find Them: On Facebook.
Uproot Pie Company
Location: Varies – see general hours below and watch their website calendar for updates
Serving: Pizza
Hours:
Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday: Plein Air (aka pizza night) at Oyster River Winegrowers 5 – 7:30
2nd Wednesday: Dandelion Spring Farm – Edgecomb 5pm – 7pm
Thursday: Rockland Farmers’ Market 8:30am -1:00pm
Saturday: Saturday Farmers’ Market 9-noon
Find Them: at their website and on Facebook.
Did we miss your favorite Midcoast Maine Food Truck or Food Shack? We’d love to add it! Leave a comment below or e-mail us the details.
Thanks so much for mentioning the Lobster Shack in Rockland. We have a wide variety of goodies to include salads chowders, bakedbeans, pulled pork, curry chicken salad. Kids have hotdogs fluffernutters, grilled cheese on our home made bread. Plus our award winning lobster rolls and crabmeat. Pet friendly too!
What a great point about your place being pet-friendly. I’ve added it!
Thank you so much for including us in your listing of food trucks and shacks in Mid Coast Maine. Although we make all our ice cream at our farm in Monroe (not technically mid coast) we have two mobile concession trailers that ply the coast all spring, summer, and fall. Check our website for fairs, festivals, and farmers’ markets that we attend.
Not to put too fine a point on it but our ice cream is considered super premium by definition (14-16% butterfat). We use Jersey milk & cream from two farms in Waldo County. Jersey cows are known for the high butterfat content of their milk.
I know that one of my goals this summer is to try all the businesses listed on this site so thanks again for making this happen.
Kathy, I’m so glad to learn as much about ice cream as I possible can because…ice cream. Let me know if you ever need any updates to your information!
Thank you for including The Uproot Pie Co. in your list of Roving Delights! We just love doing what we do and are looking forward to another season serving up pies!
It’s my pleasure! Now I know where to find you, too. If you’d like me to include a photo, just send me one. I’m happy to add it.
Yay for our awesome Midcoast Shacks and Trucks! We are so excited about the upcoming season and we appreciate being included in your amazing list! Claws will be open for business Wednesday, May 25th at 11am until 9pm every day until October 9th. Rain or shine, our customers will enjoy our fresh home made dishes and reasonably priced local lobster and other seafood.
Thanks for the up-to-the-minute specifics!
What a great blog- I’ve been to quite a few of on your list but found some new ones to try. And I loved, loved, loved your tips especially about being nice. It’s a lot of work cooking great food in a small space.
Claire, thank you so much for your kind words! I agree – writing this article has been really educational for me. There are tons of trucks out there that I didn’t even know existed before pulling this together…and maintaining it keeps me current. Bon Appetit!
Has anyone heard of “Cold Toes Tacos”? are they anygood?
Ollie’s is a new food truck on Rt 1 in Waldoboro, at the intersection with Rt 220 north (opposite Moodies.). Have not tried it yet, but looks to have an extensive menu and covered picnic table area.