With how big our Pine Tree State is, there’s plenty of room for ‘hidden gems’ to be, well, hidden. But this one, in particular, has people talking!

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And that’s not an exaggeration either—Maine has so much space to hide incredible ‘hidden gemrestaurants. No matter where you go, from the tiniest towns to the bigger cities, there’s always a low-key spot serving up something amazing!

Credit: Jordan Verge / Townsquare Media
Credit: Jordan Verge / Townsquare Media
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So, with that in mind—who’s making this call? What’s even considered a ‘hidden gem,’ and what criteria are we looking at?

LoveFood's report, ‘The Best Hidden Gem Restaurant in Every US State,’ highlights lesser-known places to eat that deliver exceptional food in unexpected places. Their selections are based on user reviews, industry awards, and their team's first-hand experiences.

Credit: Canva / Getty Stock
Credit: Canva / Getty Stock
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Alright, now that we’ve got that covered, which local restaurant in Maine is being named the best hidden gem in the entire state?

According to LoveFood and their recent report, ‘The Best Hidden Gem Restaurant in Every US State,’ Maine’s pick is an hour south of Bangor: El El Frijoles in Sargentville. LoveFood had this to say about their selection:

Based in a converted barn and run by a husband-and-wife team, this San Fran–style Mexican restaurant combines eastern Maine’s finest local ingredients with traditional Mexican street food recipes. The entire menu is made from scratch every day, and with the majority of the seating outside (there are only nine seats indoors), the atmosphere on a summer’s evening is truly something else.

There you have it! Maine’s best hidden gem restaurant is El El Frijoles, found along the coast in Sargentville.

Have you ever been to El El Frijoles? What’s your favorite hidden gem restaurant in Maine? We’d love to hear from you! Join the conversation by messaging us on the app.

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