Pete & Larry's Grill in Bangor, Maine

Pete & Larry's is a small, casual spot in Bangor attached to a hotel, slinging comfort food and drinks to a mix of travelers and locals. The menu is tight, just one page, but hits the basics: mac and cheese, clam chowder, lobster rolls when they're available, wings, fish and chips. It's a low-key place to watch college football, though the kitchen can be uneven and slow.

• Creamy mac and cheese, solid clam chowder on good days.
• Staff are genuinely friendly and welcoming.
• Casual spot to watch sports with a drink.
• Beer selection available.

The mac and cheese is creamy and worth trying, especially with pulled pork on the side (though the bbq sauce leans tangy). Clam chowder has been a hit with visitors. Skip the wings. Lobster rolls appear on the menu sporadically and get mixed reviews. Fish and chips can arrive overcooked, so ask how the kitchen's running that day.

Small, unpretentious bar and grill. The bar fills up faster than the dining room, and it's usually quiet enough to watch TV without shouting. Casual hotel clientele and Bangor regulars.

Guests praise the servers' warmth and genuine hospitality. The kitchen is the real wildcard. One recent visitor noted the mac and cheese was creamy and tasty, though some diners have reported long waits and inconsistent food quality, including overcooked fish and cold entrees.