Salsa Verde Grill in Bar Harbor, Maine

Salsa Verde Grill is a casual Mexican restaurant on Bar Harbor's main drag, doing straightforward tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. It's become the rare place that stays busy even in the off season, when most of downtown shuts down. The kitchen keeps things simple and fresh, and the staff (like manager Avery) actually cares. Locals and travelers both treat it like their go-to for a quick, honest meal.

• Street tacos with carnitas that earn a return visit next day
• Complimentary sopapillas with honey, plus spicy green salsa
• One of the few good spots open in off season
• Staff that'll track down lost items left under your table

Start with chips and salsa (the green stuff has real kick) and cheese quesadillas. Go for street tacos in carnitas or chicken with calabacitas, or split four and come back the next day. The chicken burrito lands solid. Enchiladas (chicken with calabacitas) are reliable. Skip the premium cocktails and order a pomegranate margarita or local beer instead.

Bright, casual room with quick seating at lunch. No fuss, no long waits. Easy to hear your table without shouting.

What you get is a kitchen that knows how to build a taco and isn't afraid of heat. The street tacos (carnitas, chicken with calabacitas) show up with char and seasoning. The sopapillas come complimentary with honey, which is either a warm opener or a dangerous dessert trap. Drinks skew uneven, but the margaritas and local drafts land better than the Paloma.

Guests come back twice in two days. One recent visitor called the hot salsa spicy and absolutely delicious, and another brought their family back the day after Acadia because the food stuck with them. People notice the generous portions and friendly service, though a couple have found drinks overpriced. One guest left a shopping bag behind and manager Avery held it until the owners could arrange its return.