TLDR: Excellent, flavorful food, fair pricing for large portions, poor takeout experience, and helpful staff with a slight language barrier. Bangor/Brewer comparison.

Disclaimer: MAINE FOOD IS GENERALLY BLAND AND LACKING IN FLAVOR – Las Palapas is great for what we have. I see numerous out-of-staters giving poor reviews and saying this isn’t real Mexican food because it’s bland, lacks presentation, and it’s not the same as places in the south. Without a hidden gem, hole-in-the-wall local establishment, this is the best we have. Sorry. Get a lobster roll if you’re a flatlander, and not from McD’s.

We’ve had Las Palapas numerous times now, between the Bangor and Brewer locations. The Bangor location is in better physical condition, and the layout provides for some privacy and space in different corners and alcoves. The brewer location has a general walkway and bar as the host area, the booths are in need of some repair, they felt cramped for an average-sized man, and I don’t care for being in one large dining room. I simply prefer the Bangor location, out of personal preference, for a “classier,” less casual restaurant.

Staff at both locations, in my experience, are generally helpful and pleasant. In Bangor, I’ve had two hostesses go out of their way to help me find items on the menu and place a to-go order. I’ve also had great wait staff. In Brewer, while we never got a refill, a waiter brought a rag out to help with a water spill.

The dining experience is enjoyable. They provide tortilla chips and salsa upon being seated, and with to-go orders. The Bangor salsa tends to be medium-hot; the Brewer location is more mild. Regardless, it’s flavorful. The food usually arrives within ten minutes of ordering, unless you have a larger group. The prices are a bit expensive, but the portion sizes are fair for the cost. If you’re not extremely hungry, you could get two meals/servings out of certain dishes. I recommend the Las Palapas Burrito, the Las Palapas Salad, or the steak tacos.

While I’ve had a negative/neutral experience in Brewer, the Bangor location has only provided mild issues for me across multiple visits. The last to-go order I placed, they forgot to provide a container of ranch for a salad. The bottom of the bag also had an extremely sicky, brown liquid on the bottom of the takeout bag. Upon inspection, after cleaning my car seat and hands, it may have been a sauce. I assume some sauce dripped off a plate in a ready window and they neglected to clean it up before placing my to-go bag there.

Additionally, depending on who you get to serve you, they may have a very thick accent. While that’s absolutely not against them personally, I’ve had difficulty understanding and communicating with a few people in the past, which has led to incorrect orders or confusion. I’ve gotten some weird glares and looks from staff before, but mostly at the Brewer location. If you’re used to different cultures, or hearing anything other than our odd down-east subcategory of English, you should be fine.

Overall, Las Palapas in Bangor provides a good dining experience. The food is filling, it comes out quick, and I find myself wanting more. It’s flavorful, and I consider it to be the best Mexican food in the area based on the food, staff, and physical condition of the locations. Keep up the good work!

Best regards, M.R.