Finelli NY Pizzeria in Ellsworth, Maine

Finelli NY Pizzeria is a no-frills neighborhood joint slinging New York-style thin-crust pizza, specialty pies, and submarine sandwiches. Locals and visitors passing through on the way out of Mount Desert Island make it a regular stop. The place has old-school charm, a working dough station you can watch from your seat, and an arcade room that keeps things loose and casual.

• Thin, sturdy crust that holds up to heavy toppings.
• Bigger pies, lower prices than Bar Harbor restaurants.
• Arcade room keeps families and kids entertained.
• Fresh dough stretched by hand, visible from the dining room.

Start with the chicken bacon ranch pizza if you want something memorable. The cheese with added ricotta is a strong move, especially if you're eating in and can watch the steam rise off the slice. Their specialty pies rotate seasonally (the Thanksgiving Special got praise). Submarine sandwiches are worth a try too, though the pizza is what brings people back.

Retro, casual, and a little noisy with the dough work and families in the arcade. It's the opposite of quiet, but the energy is friendly and laid-back.

They're serious about their work without taking themselves seriously. The sauce comes striped or crosshatched across the pie, cheese is applied with care, and the crust is thin enough to fold but sturdy enough to hold toppings. Ricotta adds heft. Specialty pizzas like the chicken bacon ranch pull repeat visitors back year after year.

Guests rave about the chicken bacon ranch as a standout, and newcomers from out of town are struck by how much better the value is compared to nearby tourist spots. One recent visitor called it a place that 'did not disappoint.' Regulars pass through when visiting the region and make Finelli a must-stop on the drive home.