Mughal Palace in Chelsea, Maine

Mughal Palace is an Indian restaurant in Augusta that's built a fierce following among people who've eaten their way through major cities. They cook everything to order, nail the spice levels (hot means hot here), and handle dietary restrictions seriously. The dining room doesn't match the bold food, but regulars keep coming back with out-of-town guests specifically to grab takeout.

• Spice levels actually deliver heat, not timid versions
• Owner accommodates serious allergies with real care
• Fresh naan with distinctive flavor, fluffy rice
• Competes with Indian food from major East Coast cities

Start with naan and order at least one vegetarian curry alongside meat dishes if you're group eating. The kitchen handles both categories with equal skill. Ask the owner which dishes work for your tolerance level. One guest noted the mild option still arrived extremely spicy, so calibrate accordingly. Rice is worth ordering on its own.

Modest room with a worn exterior that shouldn't fool you. Attentive staff, steady pace, no pretense.

This is a cook-to-order kitchen, which means things take time but arrive fresh. The naan comes out with unusual flavor. Rice is fluffy and seasoned right. Portions are generous. You're eating food that tastes like it matters to the people making it.

Guests compare this place favorably to Indian restaurants in Boston and New York, calling it the best they've had outside London. One recent visitor noted the owner's attentiveness to allergies and the naan's unique flavor. Visitors regularly ask for takeout to bring home.