Lucky Lou’s Greek food truck parked by Maine Medical Center in Portland. Photo by Leslie Bridgers

Before last week, I had never been up to Portland’s Western Prom at lunchtime during a workday and, when I saw the scene, wondered what other daytime happenings around town I might be missing.

Four or five food trucks were parked along Bramhall Street drawing employees out of Maine Medical Center, many in scrubs, to eat on picnic tables scattered on a lawn between the hospital and the prom. Further enhancing the people-watching was a woman being wheeled down the sidewalk with a newborn baby in her arms.

I normally don’t go out of my way to track down a food truck but tend to try new ones when I happen to be nearby and hungry. I’d seen Lucky Lou’s blue trailer around town before, but always had either already eaten or opted for a shinier vehicle in the vicinity with a menu that excited me more than its basic Greek fare.

When in need of lunch last week, however, I turned to Instagram, where Lucky Lou’s had posted an hour earlier that it was setting up on the Western Prom, and I was happy not to scroll any further.

I got to the prom a little before noon, and none of the trucks had long lines, but I stuck with my plan. After a quick scan of the menu, I decided not to give the gyros (veggie, beef or beef with hand-cut fries, $6-$8) any time to tempt me and stepped to the window to order The Lucky Salad with chicken souvlaki ($6.50), pleased by the healthy option and price.

The Lucky Salad with chicken souvlaki feels indulgent but is a healthy steal at $6.50. Photo by Leslie Bridgers

A group of nurses ahead of me was waiting on a large order, and as soon as they received it, my salad was quickly assembled. I was expecting a large square box typical of to-go salads, but the container was a more compact rectangle, and I learned why when I opened it. I had incorrectly assumed the salad would include lettuce along with the other ingredients listed – cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, olives, feta and house dressing – but it was just them, like an actual Greek salad from Greece.

I took my lunch to an open table and drizzled on the side of dressing, which was mostly oil but still flavorful. It mixed with the feta to create a creaminess throughout the dish, while the cucumbers and onions gave it crispness and crunch. The tomatoes were just the right softness and bright red color, and the chicken was fall-apart tender. Despite the seeming simplicity and healthfulness, it felt like an indulgence, which lettuce would have ruined for me.

If I had been hungrier, I might have ordered The Combo: choice of gyro or souvlaki, fries or salad, and a drink – a great deal at $8.50. Or added the side of spanakopitakia (three spinach pie triangles with tzatziki, $5) or a baklava square ($4) for dessert. If I had been in a bigger rush, I might have made use of the online ordering option, not something I’d think a food truck would offer but another reason to track down Lucky Lou’s again.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.

filed under: