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Ratings and reviews
4.5
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
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Women-owned
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PRICE RANGE
$4.00 – $15.00
CUISINES
Mexican, International, Healthy
special diets, meals, features
Does this restaurant offer highchairs for toddlers?
Details
Women-owned
Tripadvisor allows businesses to update and manage their attributes and details, but does not verify the accuracy of this information.
About
Back in 2006, we had an idea that began as a sort of performance art piece- We’d build a taqueria, based on an amalgamation of our favorite Bay Area taquerias, but open it in our beloved village of Sargentville, out in the middle of nowhere. We’d make real food, by hand, we’d exceed expectations, and do it all in an interesting and entertaining fashion that would hold our interest for the long term. We embraced the Farm-to-Table concept years before it was “on trend”, and were making Instagram-worthy plates of food long before people were obsessively photographing their meals. Our background in the arts and decades of various work experiences perfectly prepared us for this vocation. Years of customer service and specialty retail taught us to be gracious, to value and respect our customers, our employees, our suppliers, and our community. Real food, scratch-made!
PRICE RANGE
$4.00 – $15.00
CUISINES
Mexican, International, Healthy
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, BYOB, Gift Cards Available
Contribute
4.5
140 reviews
Excellent
93
Very good
27
Average
12
Poor
7
Terrible
1
Libby H.
4 contributions
Jun 2021 • none
This was one of the best places I visited in Maine. It is not your run of the mill Mexican joint. The food is so fresh and you can see everything be made behind the counter. They even make their own tortillas and have a salsa bar. There is ample outdoor seating with a huge, fun kids area. What really struck me was the service and kindness of the family that owned it. There was another family in there, and the man (who I believe is the owner) offered to make them whatever they wanted for the kids.
The lobster tacos were delicious.
Written June 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BP M
Casco95 contributions
Aug 2021 • friends
We noticed this place on the Google Map and decided to get dinner and bring it back to a nearby campground. Such a a great decision! The tacos, burrito and quesadillas were awesome! And really hit the spot after exploring the coast. There was a bit of a line just before 5 but worth the wait. And the shaded grounds and playground were very nice for waiting. Ordering was easy and came out in due time. The big chunks of steak in our meals were quite tasty and the other items were great as well.
Written August 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
christine b
Philadelphia7 contributions
Aug 2022 • family
Stopped here on the way back from Little Deer Isle adventure with my family. We got the crab quesadilla & fish taco specials, and my son had a chicken burrito.
The crab was rich and creamy, perfectly seasoned to highlight the crab, but not overpowering. The fish tacos were light and flavorful, and the sides of guac and rice and beans were the perfect compliment. My son really enjoyed his huge burrito! I had a unicorn Agua Fresca -homemade, naturally bright pink, not too sweet and so refreshing! The staff was busy, but efficient and friendly, joking and explaining ingredients. Outdoor seating was shady and cool. Overall a delightful way to end our trip Downeast. You MUST find time yo visit this eclectic spot on your next trip to Maine.
Written September 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mignonette
Owls Head110 contributions
Aug 2021 • none
Have wanted to make the 2 hr drive to try you out for a couple years and finally got my wish yesterday. Maybe the staff is tired? Your counter fellow is a real smarty pants ... not used to being treated like that in Maine. But really, the overstuffed tacos and heavy burrito actually are tasteless like a few people said. The carnitas, the pork has absolutely no taste and was served cold. The burrito, had to search high and low for the few little pieces of steak. (which was cooked well) The tortillas are pressed too thick which made us feel slightly sick for hours. The rice was very good as was the black beans (also cold). The salsas, yuk.
You will continue to do well but you might want to teach the gals in the kitchen to put a little more love into the product. Even the guacamole has a strange taste, not pleasant. There is no Mexican oommph. Smaller tacos with spicy delicious taste is what is good in Mexican cooking and actually we have it here in Rockland when Salty Owl owners are making tacos. Glad you are successful but we won't be back and we don't look for ketchup packages either.
Written August 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susie S
New York City26 contributions
May 2022 • none
I read about El El Frijoles in the book, Breaking Bread. We happened to be staying at Deer Island at the time, so we went on a whim.
The food is amazing! Completely fresh, local, tasty and healthy. I had the soup special, which came with health quinoa, avocado, and tortilla with cheese. Their roja salsa is to die for.
It's totally casual. Order food, dine at one of the picnic tables. I whole heartedly recommend this restaurant.
Written May 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joecG7860LX
Litchfield6 contributions
Sep 2023 • couples
Love this place, an experience that everyone should have - at least once in a lifetime! I've been her more than once and it's well worth traveling 1500 miles to get here. Overall memorable dining experience.
Written March 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kellykabuki
Pembroke91 contributions
Aug 2023 • couples
My husband and I love authentic Mexican food and authentic New Mexican food. We lived in the Southwest for 6 years and visited 15 years before that.
Except for the bottled salsa that you add yourself, there really isn’t much
that is Mexican about the food.
However, what they lack in Mexican flavor they make up for in Organization. With Patience, Kindness and a Sense of Humor, the staff handled a large lunch crowd in no time ,because everything was set and ready to go.
A super nice shaded garden is where we sat . There is also a large screen house and a playground area for kids with additional seating around it.
They have a nice gift shop next door with Maine made treasures.
There is an overflow parking lot about 50 yards up the hill. after watching all of the gymnastics in the small adjacent parking lot, we recommend parking in the upper lot but do Walk on the grass because the road is crazy busy and dangerous.
Judging from the other reviews, we are in the minority who were actually looking for authentic Mexican food. So Keep Calm and Carry On.
A Crab , Cream cheese ? and Cilantro Quesadilla, with a fresh , pretty, American garden salad was , I think, $16 , and my husbands’s special of the day, fish tacos with black beans and rice ( without any Mexican flavor), was, I think $17. We brought our own water bottles ( they provided fresh water ) They had a large variety of non-alcoholic beverages plus wine for sale in their gift shop next door.
I think they would do better just to advertise farm fresh American food with garden treats and local seafood.
We did not see a single piece of plastic used ! Hurray for that!
Written August 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Viewofthepyramids
Carlisle39 contributions
Sep 2022 • none
Not quite authentic but really fresh and delicious! We loved our items. It is in such a lovely setting and everyone is SO friendly. BYOB.
Written October 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NE Traveler
Bar Harbor5 contributions
Jul 2022 • none
Disappointing food served up to the summer folks from NYC. The worst restaurants in Santa Fe have better food and without the political posturing.
Written August 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nathalie N
Miami7 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
Very nice team, extremely well organized for Covid prevention, very good food and drinks served in a timely manner...relaxing environment outside with trees,,,
Written August 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sethompson
Portland4 contributions
Jun 2020 • none
Fast, casual and great for kids. Food is great too! Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area!
Written June 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wingfield R
Silver Spring84 contributions
Aug 2019 • friends
Every year when I visit friends in Brooklin, Maine, we lunch or dine at El El Frijoles. Last night my wife and I had carnitas tocos, copious amounts of pulled pork topped with generous globs of guacamole served on corn tortillas. At the far end of the counter are a bucket of bottled hot sauces and the restaurant’s selection of in-house salsas. Our friend had a large lobster burrito. We sat at the one table inside. All the food was excellent. As usual.
Written August 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nancy S
Waterville15 contributions
Aug 2019 • solo
I like to make a point of going to this local eatery several times during the season that I spend in a neighboring town. I went in late this afternoon for an early dinner. It was pouring out so ate inside. I often need several moments to decide what I want as they have a good number of selections so sat down @ a table. I was behind another gentleman (that the proprietor obviously knew) & when it was my turn the proprietor said, “Well, it’s about time”. I’m pretty sure he meant it in a good natured sense, but, it did seem a bit odd to me. I made my order for tacos and herbal ice tea. The tacos came quickly. I began to eat expecting them to again call my name for the tea. After another few minutes I went to the counter & asked about my tea. It had been forgotten & the cook (the other proprietor?) said “Oh, that wasn’t in my line of thought & when someone comes in alone I think of one item”. What???? I come in alone so I didn’t order a drink? Now to the food. The meat in my tacos was well seasoned and there was cabbage & guacamole on top. The three flour tacos were oddly under the fillings. The flour tacos were fairly tasteless and soggy from what I felt was an excessive amount of liquid given the ingredients. The beans & rice that came with the tacos were good. The tea was good. Overall, I felt the $17.23 bill was high for the quality. I will go back, but, was disappointed today.
Written August 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
slc3271
Cary135 contributions
Aug 2019 • couples
My wife and I ate dinner at El El Frijoles during our recent stay in Stonington. Wow, what a great meal. Her crab quesadilla was superb and the spicy lobster burrito I had was awesome although not really that spicy. This is a no frills place where you order at the counter then find a place to sit at one of the many picnic tables outside. There is also a screened in area with tables in case the mosquitoes are biting. The night we visited, there was a line out the door waiting to order and we arrived before 5:30. No worries though as the line moved quickly and before we knew it, they were calling my name to pick up our food.
Written August 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valerie P
Brooksville15 contributions
Aug 2019 • family
It’s definitely something different!! Not many Mexican restaurants are set up an serve like this. My food was great!! Large portions.
Written August 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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