MIDCOAST—Over the summer, a new food truck and one concession stand quietly opened on the Midcoast, one in Belfast, the other in Thomaston. Each is presenting tantalizing flavors to the area. Let's check them out. 

Joshua and Dakota's Cantina

Belfast City Park

Flavor Dynamic: "Paraguayan and Puerto Rican food made from scratch."

Joshua Kumrits and Dakota Danner Hanke Ledwith are the owners of Josh and Dakota's Cantina, which opened June 20 in the concession stand at Belfast City Park. All of their food comes from family recipes (specifically Joshua's mother, Lisi, and their extended Puerto Rican family) and is prepared from scratch.

Joshua grew up in Paraguay with his three sisters and moved to Maine initially to sail with Captain Ray Williamson and the Green Boats out of Camden. Here, in Maine, is where he met Ledwith. 

Their menu features empanadas, fresh fish, Chicken Milenesa, chili, and seafood chowder with their signature flavors, and sides, including traditional beans and rice, island mashed potatoes, and more. 

"Our empanadas, sopa Paraguaya (cheese, onion, spice, cornflour casserole) and arroz con habichuelas (traditional rice and beans) are our biggest sellers," said Kumrits.

He continued: "Our cantina in the park is a true blessing, and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve our menu here and connect with the Penobscot Bay community. We also appreciate how much work and effort the City of Belfast has put into the building we now occupy. It has been an awesome summer so far!"

They also have a food truck trailer and cater indoors and outdoors.

Hours: Wednesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit: https://jndcantina.com

Stone's Lobster Pot

Route 1 Thomaston

Flavor Dynamic: "Serving authentic lobster rolls packed with local lobster and unforgettable taste."

Hours: Monday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday & Wednesday, 11 a.m. to  3 p.m.; Thursday & Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Stephanie Stone, the owner from Tenants Harbor, has many lobstermen in her family, including her husband, before he retired. The food truck is her first business venture after working as the manager of the Tenants Harbor General Store for five years before it changed ownership. 

"I just wanted to branch out and do my own thing," she said. 

Stone's Lobster Pot is a full-fledged family business as the food truck sits on the lot that her brother owns. Her brother owns the neighboring business, Cannabis Cured. She sources her fresh lobster from her nephews, who are also lobstermen in Tenants Harbor. 

Since opening on June 19, Stone said the biggest sellers are the Classic Maine Lobster Roll, lobster grilled cheese, and a lobster "warp" ("Not a lobster 'wrap'," she explained. It's a play on words, as lobstermen use warp—the word for rope—to tether their lobster traps to the buoys.) The menu is small, featuring a steak and cheese, cheeseburgers, hot dogs and a BLT. 

Since Stone works seven days a week, check her Facebook page before visiting to ensure Stone's Lobster Pot is open. 

Visit: Facebook

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com