Last Friday, Ali and I headed out of office to investigate the first food truck in Portland: Love Cupcakes. You might have noticed the pretty little pastel trailer in its former location up in Falmouth, where Portland’s strict laws forced them to set up shop. But things have changed, and if all goes well, Love Cupcakes will be the first of many food trucks roaming the city streets (can we request a BBQ truck next?). Now located on Commercial Street, the pint-sized business is charming and adorable—even in the pouring rain. It was the prefect pick-me-up on a lagging Friday, and the perfect excuse to nom some mid-day cake.
In the name of journalism, we also talked to co-owner Anna Turcotte, who was manning the trailer. They’ve only been in town for a week, but already the business is garnering quite a bit of (all positive) press. But before we get into our Q&A with the charming baker, we should probably tell you about the cakes. From the vanilla-vanilla (which Ali ordered, since it was the only fully vegan option on the menu) to the pumpkin and cream cheese option, every cake was deemed delicious by our freeloading coworkers. We brought a half dozen back to the office, and everyone sucked them down—it was the perfect sugar high.
How did you get started?
I went to visit my brother down in Austin, Texas where food truck are huge. I was just inspired to come back to Portland and do one. I’ve always been a huge fan of cupcakes, and at the time, Portland didn’t have any places that were strictly cupcakes (they do now). So I came home and bought a trailer, and we renovated it and then… we realized we couldn’t be in Portland! So we found a spot in Falmouth and kept it there until we could be in Portland.
Why didn’t Portland originally allow them?
They had size constrictions about food carts and hot dog stands and stuff like that. You couldn’t be over the size of four or five feet.
What is it like to be the first food truck in Portland?
It’s been awesome! The press has been unbelievable. We’ve been on the news twice, which is hilarious.
Do you ever make just one cupcake for yourself like Kristin Wiig did in the movie “Bridesmaids?” Have you seen that movie?
I haven’t seen that movie!
She spent hours making this one perfect cupcake for herself and then she sat down and ate it alone. Have you ever done that?
No, but I do eat a lot of cupcakes! I’m usually making around 200 at a time, so I can’t imagine doing that.
What’s your favorite cupcake?
My favorite is vanilla-vanilla. Always. Always and forever. We try and stick to really seasonal recipes. We try and buy local and feature things that are in season, so while we have a really great strawberry cupcake, we probably won’t be selling it until next summer.
Find out where Love Cupcakes will be next by checking out their Facebook page.
Drop some knowledge.