Maine Best Restaurants 2011

BEST MAINE MEXICALI
Loco Coco’s Tacos,Kittery
Transplanted Californians think they’ve been transported home when they sink their teeth into the burritos, enchiladas, and tacos served at this Cal-Mex restaurant, where some of the recipes have been passed down for generations. Choose from self-serve, dining room, or lounge seating. Entrées: from $6.95. 36 Walker St. 207-438-9322; locococos.com

BEST TASTE OF THE ISLANDS
Jamaican Jerk Center, Cape Neddick
Pair curried goat, jerk chicken, or ackee and saltfish with ginger beer while grooving to Bob Marley or a live reggae band at this roadside takeout. On a sultry night, you might even think you’re cruising the Caribbean. Entrées: from $10.95. 1400 Route 1. 207-351-3033; jamaicanjerkcenter.com

BEST LUNCH TO GO
Micucci Grocery Co., Portland
See those folks hanging around the back corner of Portland’s Italian grocery? They’re waiting for Stephen Lanzalotta’s Sicilian slab pizza to emerge from the oven. One bite of the made-from-scratch, crisp-yet-chewy crust–topped with perfectly seasoned tomato sauce and mozzarella–and you’ll be hooked, too. Pizza: from $4.50 per slab; from $18 per small pie; from $36 per large pie. 45 India St. 207-775-1854

BEST CHOWDER
Dolphin Marina & Restaurant, South Harpswell
World peace might be achieved if the power brokers discussed their differences over a bowl of Dolphin’s chowder or lobster stew, accompanied by a blueberry muffin, while watching boats bob in Pott’s Harbor. Entrées: from $16.95. 515 Basin Point Road. 207-833-6000; dolphinmarinaandrestaurant.com

BEST FRIED FISH
Bet’s Fish Fry, Boothbay
Bet Finocchiaro prepares 1,500 pounds of haddock and 800 pounds of potatoes weekly at her roadside takeout. She no longer catches the fish herself, but she still uses her grandmother’s breading recipe and whips up her own special tartar sauce. Be forewarned: Portions are humongous. Entrées: from $7 (half portion). 21 Common Drive (off Route 27). 207-208-7477

BEST NEW COMFORT FOODS
Shepherd’s Pie, Rockport
Brian Hill takes the usual and gives it a twist, resulting in menu options such as duck hot dogs, smoked alewife pizza, and rock-crab ceviche–along with a mighty fine shepherd’s pie–all served with a view over Rockport’s harbor. Lunch entrées: from $10; dinner entrées: from $16. 18 Central St. 207-236-8500

BEST MAINE TRADITION
Tea & Popovers, Jordan Pond House, Acadia National Park
After hiking one of Acadia’s peaks or biking the carriage trails, reward yourself with tea and popovers ($9.25) on the pond-view lawn. Go ahead–splurge on the ice cream, and slather on the jam. Heaven! Park Loop Road. 207-276-3610; thejordanpondhouse.com

BEST TEA FOR TWO
Clipper Merchant, Limerick
Settle into a table in one of four antiques-rich rooms in this restored Carpenter Gothic house–then order a pot of tea and the Tower of London, a three-tiered tray heavy with tea sandwiches, warm scones, and little sweets ($28.95 for two). Don’t miss the lemon curd. 58 Main St. 207-793-3500; clippermerchant.com

BEST SOUP-TO-NUTS
Riverside Farm Market,Oakland
Farm, vineyard, coffee bar, ice-cream stand, bean-hole bean source, wine shop, deli, cafe: Riverside Farm Market provides one-stop shopping and eating. Entrées: from $18. 291 Fairfield St. 207-465-4439; riversidefarmmarket.com

BEST SUNSET VIEWS
Bald Mountain Camps, Oquossoc
Dining in a traditional sporting camp is a must in the Rangeley Lakes region, and it’s hard to beat Bald Mountain for authentic atmosphere, good food, and the sunset view of Mooselookmeguntic Lake and the distant Presidential Range to the southwest in New Hampshire. Entrées: from $17. Rates: from $145, including meals. 125 Bald Mountain Road. 207-864-3671; baldmountaincamps.com

BEST ACADIAN IMMERSION
Dolly’s, Frenchville
Ask anyone where to get an authentic taste of Aroostook County’s St. Jean Valley, and you’ll be directed here to order ployes, an Acadian buckwheat pancake, along with creton, a pork spread. Don’t miss the chicken stew, either. Entrées: from $4.99. 17 Route 1. 207-728-7050