Bangor Sandwich Co. in Bangor, Maine

Bangor Sandwich Co. builds outsized sandwiches from a small corner counter in downtown Bangor. The menu runs deep, meatball subs, Reubens, a cheesesteak that's won over a Philly native, plus creative house specials like the Paul Bunyan and Queen City. It's a lunch spot where the staff knows how to adapt on the fly, and regulars keep coming back.

• Cheesesteak that rivals the Philadelphia original.
• Massive, inventive house sandwiches like Paul Bunyan.
• Staff willing to customize for dietary needs.
• Quick counter service, reasonable prices.

The cheesesteak is the draw here. Get the Paul Bunyan if you want to go huge. The meatball sub and Rueben can be solid, though ask about freshness. The Queen City and Mainstreet sandwich have their fans. If you're in the mood for something different, the taco salad landed well with one recent visitor.

No-frills counter spot with a few seats. It's casual and quick, the kind of place you pop in during a lunch break or a drive to the airport.

Consistency has been a sticking point for some diners. Portion sizes and the quality of ingredients can swing between visits, and a few folks have walked away frustrated with stale bread or skimpy protein for the price. When it's on, though, people are loyal.

Regulars praise the adaptability and speed. One guest with swallowing difficulties said the staff modified her order without hesitation. A Philly native called the cheesesteak among the best she's had outside Pennsylvania. That said, recent visitors have noted inconsistency in portion sizes and bread quality.