Moe's Original BBQ in Bangor, Maine

Moe's Original BBQ is a counter-service spot in Bangor turning out Alabama-style pulled pork and brisket smoked in-house. You order at the counter, grab a seat in their quirky Grateful Dead-themed room, and the staff brings your tray over and checks in. It's casual and fast, but the seasoning and technique behind the meat and sides, cornbread, mac and cheese, hash brown casserole, suggest they take the cooking seriously.

• Smoked meats are seasoned and cooked right.
• Cornbread, mac and cheese, and hash brown casserole shine.
• Staff offers real suggestions and fixes mistakes generously.
• Fast service even when you're in a hurry.

Start with the pulled pork, either on a plate or tossed into the green salad with fresh veggies. The brisket is worth ordering if you want to compare. Don't skip the cornbread. The hash brown casserole and mac and cheese are the sides that stick with you, though the beans and cucumber salad are both solid picks. Order the sweet tea to see what the fuss is about.

Small, casual room with Grateful Dead decor. Counter service keeps things moving, and it's relaxed without being rowdy.

People grab lunch on their way through town or bring the family for a relaxed meal. The kitchen handles special requests well. If something doesn't land right, the staff will remake it without pushback, and they genuinely seem to care about your day.

Guests praise the speed and quality in equal measure. The staff is known for stepping in when you're unsure what to order, and for handling problems with real kindness. One recent visitor called the service 'truly special,' noting how the team remade a salad on the spot and moved heaven and earth to fix a simple mistake. That kind of care builds loyalty.