Megan Belanger and Zach Barry enjoy food truck fare Tuesday evening at the Worumbo Riverfront Event Center in Lisbon. They are among 1,000 people who have enjoyed Tasty Tuesdays Food Truck every other Tuesday since April. Kendra Caruso/Sun Journal

LISBON — Perched on tailgates, relaxing on the lawn or sitting at foldable tables Tuesday evening, a large crowd gathered to try the diverse array of cuisine from 11 food trucks at the Worumbo Riverfront Event Center.

Some had steaming bowls of ramen, some had heaping portions of barbecue and some ate fries out of a disposable cup. Small kids sat on the grass sipping frozen drinks almost too big for them to hold, all while a DJ played upbeat hip hop music.

Dawson Blondin, 2, sips a frozen beverage Tuesday evening at Tasty Tuesdays Food Truck at the Worumbo Riverfront Event Center in Lisbon. At least 1,000 people have attended every other Tuesday since April, Economic and Community Development Director Ross Cunningham said. Kendra Caruso/Sun Journal

At least 1,000 people have attended each Tasty Tuesdays Food Truck every other Tuesday since April, according to Economic and Community Development Director Ross Cunningham.

It was the third time Anna and Garry Sutherland of Lewiston came out and they have yet to come across food they did not like, they said. So far, their favorite has been Pinky D’s Poutine Factory Truck.

Tasty Tuesdays Food Truck is a good opportunity for families who all want something different for dinner, Anna said.

Chelsea Coffin, left, Caroline Bonnell and Julian Bonnell enjoy frozen drinks Tuesday evening at Tasty Tuesdays Food Truck at the Worumbo Riverfront Event Center in Lisbon. Kendra Caruso/Sun Journal

Robert Hayslip, who operates Smokin’ Phil’s Belly Bustin’ BBQ with his partners, has had a lot of business at the Tasty Tuesdays, as much as at other locations, he said.

Though most of the time Hayslip is stuck in the corner of the truck cooking, he has watched some of his frequent customers grow up since the partners bought the truck in 2021. He said he enjoys the loyal patrons who seek out his business at events.

Megan Belanger and Zach Barry, both of Lisbon, have attended Tasty Tuesdays several times. Just a year ago, the space was hardly ever used but now it is getting a lot of attention — a positive development in Barry’s eyes, he said.

He enjoys seeing so many people interested in coming to Lisbon, “it puts Lisbon on the map,” Belanger added.

Though he sees many new faces, Barry said he enjoys bumping into people he knows from around town. He knows some downtown business owners who have seen a bump in sales on Tuesdays.

Business has spilled into surrounding downtown businesses, giving the area a little economic boom on Tuesday, Cunningham said. Many people will buy food from a truck then walk to a bar downtown and have a drink after because Tasty Tuesdays is chemical free.

“It has been a huge opportunity for us to not only allow folks to see what Lisbon has to offer but many downtown businesses have seen an uptick because of the event,” he said.

Tasty Tuesdays was capped at 10 food trucks, with an 11th selling dessert items, he said. It has been such a big hit that he hopes to bring it back next summer.

People line up Tuesday evening to order from the Ugly Dumpling food truck at the Worumbo Riverfront Event Center in Lisbon. Every other Tuesday since April at least 1,000 people have attended Tasty Tuesdays Food Truck where 11 vendors offer a variety of fare. Kendra Caruso/Sun Journal

Randy Smith, owner of Pinky D’s Poutine Factory Truck, approached Cunningham earlier this year with the idea born through discussions with other local food truck owners who were tired of always driving out of the area for events, Cunningham said.

Smith started his truck about a decade ago. He owned a fixed location offering poutine dishes in Auburn but left that location last year, going back to just operating his food trucks.

It was too hot Tuesday for Kailyn Blondin of Greene to even consider cooking at home, so her family made the last-minute decision to grab dinner at Tasty Tuesdays, she said. It was the first time she attended, she said, and enjoyed a ramen dish from the Vy Banh Mi food truck. Having so many food trucks available so close to home was nice, she said.

“I usually have to hunt down the food trucks but they’re all right here for you — that’s awesome,” she said.

Dozens of people enjoy Tasty Tuesdays Food Truck on Tuesday evening at the Worumbo Riverfront Event Center in Lisbon. Every other Tuesday since April at least 1,000 people have gathered to enjoy the offerings of 11 vendors. Kendra Caruso/Sun Journal