Review: Gringo's of Bar Harbor

Gringo's burrito shop in Bar Harbor, ME gets one star simply for being open year round (weekdays only off season). After all us locals don't have too many choices in the deepest depths of winter when everyone else closes up and heads presumably south. Some places only close for a few months but the majority of restaurants and inns close for a good part of the year.

We are basically left with only old reliable Getty's, China Joy, EPI pizza, Two Cats and a few scattered others. Gringo's also gets points for being open at lunch time for the working crowd. A second star gets awarded for currently being the only Mexican place in this land of New England seafood. Local and tourist fav Miguel's is for sale after being sold to some Boston restaurant kingpin who monkeyed around with the menu and jacked up the prices. Sure it was good food on a higher plateau then the previous more traditional fare, but the locals had their favorites and when they disappeared from the menu I suspect a lot of people stopped making Miguel's a regular visit.

Right down the street from Miguel's, directly behind Timberland, Gringo's provides a solid menu of specialty burritos such as "Thai One On" with roasted veggies, black beans, rice, lettuce and a tasty peanut sauce wrapped up in a spinach tortilla. The Fish Taco which really is a burrito with fresh fish, sautéed in tequila citrus marinade with rice, lettuce, tomato, onion and cheese.

Besides the burritos you can also get fruit smoothies, quesadillas, nachos, salads and chili. Gringo's is basically a take out place but there is limited seating inside and they do offer beer. A kid's menu is available. Bottom-line Gringos makes a great break from all of the clam chowder, steamers and lobsters.