Worth the wait and the walk (we live on a boat) from the marina. Unique atmosphere, really good food!
M1414WWwilliamc
Read Yelp, read here, the reason it’s so inconsistent is because it IS inconsistent. The help is hot and cold, the manager (owner) is as snooty as can be. The food can be good but can also be average…though the prices are ALWAYS high. Dining advice… go to Jalepenos in Bar Harbor… it’s consistently average, but so are the prices…
Mark S
We visited friends in Southwest Harbor and they took us to XYZ for dinner. We had a great experience and loved the food. If you are expecting an inexpensive, run-of-the-mill Mexican restaurant with tacos, burritos, enchiladas and chips with salsa, then this is not the place for you. This is not Tex-Mex. These are upscale, authentic, and creative Mexican dishes (authentic recipes from north central Mexico). The cold avocado bisque with tequila was fantastic, the chorizo (queso fundido) was the best we have had. I requested the corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas because I think the flavors are better preserved with a corn tortilla. One of the best of our appetizers was the seven-chile-chili which was blazing spicy, rich, and delicious (we used our corn tortillas, some of the homemade tomatillo salsa and a touch of sour cream to cut the wonderful heat of this extremely flavorful dish!). Our friends tried the tongue appetizer which they enjoyed. For main courses, two of us had the Chicken Mole Poblano that had a terrifically rich sauce and two of us had the shrimp. Great flavors across the board. Dessert was the owner’s home made XYZ pie which was a delicious and decadent ice cream pie that we all shared and loved. The margaritas were great and authentic as well, made with fresh squeezed lime juice and tequila – they are tart and potent – they are not the sickening sweet kind you will find in so many purported Mexican restaurants. The house tequila is just fine, but you can also upgrade the tequila if you wish. Our friends said reservations are always necessary and many of the diners are local “summer” families from the Southwest Harbor and Northeast Harbor area. There were not many tourists at the restaurant, and the fact that so many local resident are so loyal to the restaurant speaks highly of it. The location and atmosphere are simple, yet the place was filled with fun, eclectic charm consisting of lots of 1970s and 1980s memorabilia from Mexico. The staff were all friendly and the service was good. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening and this unusual little gem of a restaurant tucked away on the coast of Maine.
John A
The atmosphere is great. The staff are lovely. The food is really really good. It is way off the beaten track, you have to find it, but the search is well worth it!
frankbR4338XK
It’s a challenge to find, we ended up having to call...XYZ is on a small unpaved side street... but once there, the sweet little restaurant which seats about 75, dinner lighting, close quartered seats and tables beckons your attention. Servers are friendly. Our hostess was one of the owners. While you’re perusing the menu, bread and salsa arrives. Good fresh salsa. Medium and hot. Neither overly hot. We started with Margaritas... which arrive in martini glasses... basic... tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice...ok. But 12 bucks for 8 ounces?... that being said we had 4 (total).... the chorizo appetizer was very good. We went with mole and the orange chicken... both Very Good, the mole is as good as anywhere in New England, equal, certainly, to Don Jose’s in Providence, R.I... we’ve dined at, minimum 30 mex restaurants in New England and since Casa Mexico in Cambridge closed, only Don Jose’s comes close in outstanding Mole...anyway.... dessert was also good, layers of ice cream, with crumbled crust and topping... But, aye, here’s the rub.... two diners, with tip... the bill was 160 bucks... oy. My advice, skip the Margaritas and dessert... enjoy the rest! And oh ya... make reservations!
Ernest Grendell
Very unique South American Cuisine in a very eclectic atmosphere. You may find this restaurant hard to find as it is tucked away in one of the rural areas of South West Harbor. only negative is that it is a little pricey but that's what you have to expect in tourist town Mount Desert Island
Karl Goodkowsky
Excellent food authentic Mexican
Copperman1
This is an eatery styled to service a small group of locals all of whom know each other. If your not part of the in crowd, service can be very uneven. The Mexican styled food is good. The dining experience expensive.
Ian gif
Family tradition! Just fabulous
Dee D.
Was very excited to try some good Mexican food while in Bass Harbor for 6 months. The atmosphere was charming, bright, and cheerful, and the staff was accommodating, but the food left me disappointed. Each plate was $26.00. Baguettes with tiny cups of salsa took the place of salsa & tortilla chips. The salad was a few pieces of mixed greens with oil. I ordered mole poblano, which came with 2 chicken thighs and about 3 tablespoons of white rice with small dollops of quac, sour cream, and a hot red sauce. I found the food very bland, and couldn't put enough salt on it. Being used to the Mexican food in Florida, California, and Mexico, we found the food unflavorful.
Always different. Always delicious. Best margaritas ever!!!
Dan Potash
Let's start with the obvious. Any lively restaurant at the end of a dirt road by itself is pretty cool. What's more, the food we had - chile verde, tongue, and short rib - were all excellent. Our service at the bar was okay, although the pre-mixed margaritas were something of a surprise and disappointment. Even at that, the bartender was so overwhelmed that two different parties got up and left for lack of service.
matt nasser
This place is legit. . .noticed some commenters panning the place. This is more fine dining upscale than anything else. Don't be misled by the commenters. Not Tex Mex or all inclusive resort Jimmy Buffett Mex restaurant. Make a reservation and be in the right mindset. Enjoy what XYZ **is**
Ron Friedman
Overpriced and the food is just ok. If you are in Maine eat seafood and wait until you are somewhere else to eat Mexican.
Eliza G.
This place was a let down, and I really didn't want it to be. This is a run down: 1.) They serve sliced baguette with 2 types of salsas and olive oil for dipping. 2.) Appetizers and entrees are accompanied by flour tortillas 3.) The salad (consisting of 10 leaves of lettuce) was undressed and our only option for dressing it was olive oil. 4.) Our large party received a variety of dishes that were very unimpressive. 4 people had the pork and it was dry and the seasonings were nothing to write home about. We've all had better, and paid much less. For a small portion of this dry meat/rice/black beans/TINY amounts of non-homemade guac we paid $26 a plate. Probably the most money I've ever spent for something so bland and sad. 5.) Dessert was also unimpressive. The lime bombe is an icy lime sherbet on a very thin graham cracker crust. The only thing I enjoyed was my margarita. That was good. Otherwise, it was unanimous by the table that this place was a waste of money and we can do much better with a crock pot.
Worth the wait and the walk (we live on a boat) from the marina. Unique atmosphere, really good food!
Read Yelp, read here, the reason it’s so inconsistent is because it IS inconsistent. The help is hot and cold, the manager (owner) is as snooty as can be. The food can be good but can also be average…though the prices are ALWAYS high. Dining advice… go to Jalepenos in Bar Harbor… it’s consistently average, but so are the prices…
We visited friends in Southwest Harbor and they took us to XYZ for dinner. We had a great experience and loved the food. If you are expecting an inexpensive, run-of-the-mill Mexican restaurant with tacos, burritos, enchiladas and chips with salsa, then this is not the place for you. This is not Tex-Mex. These are upscale, authentic, and creative Mexican dishes (authentic recipes from north central Mexico). The cold avocado bisque with tequila was fantastic, the chorizo (queso fundido) was the best we have had. I requested the corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas because I think the flavors are better preserved with a corn tortilla. One of the best of our appetizers was the seven-chile-chili which was blazing spicy, rich, and delicious (we used our corn tortillas, some of the homemade tomatillo salsa and a touch of sour cream to cut the wonderful heat of this extremely flavorful dish!). Our friends tried the tongue appetizer which they enjoyed. For main courses, two of us had the Chicken Mole Poblano that had a terrifically rich sauce and two of us had the shrimp. Great flavors across the board. Dessert was the owner’s home made XYZ pie which was a delicious and decadent ice cream pie that we all shared and loved. The margaritas were great and authentic as well, made with fresh squeezed lime juice and tequila – they are tart and potent – they are not the sickening sweet kind you will find in so many purported Mexican restaurants. The house tequila is just fine, but you can also upgrade the tequila if you wish. Our friends said reservations are always necessary and many of the diners are local “summer” families from the Southwest Harbor and Northeast Harbor area. There were not many tourists at the restaurant, and the fact that so many local resident are so loyal to the restaurant speaks highly of it. The location and atmosphere are simple, yet the place was filled with fun, eclectic charm consisting of lots of 1970s and 1980s memorabilia from Mexico. The staff were all friendly and the service was good. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening and this unusual little gem of a restaurant tucked away on the coast of Maine.
The atmosphere is great. The staff are lovely. The food is really really good. It is way off the beaten track, you have to find it, but the search is well worth it!
It’s a challenge to find, we ended up having to call...XYZ is on a small unpaved side street... but once there, the sweet little restaurant which seats about 75, dinner lighting, close quartered seats and tables beckons your attention. Servers are friendly. Our hostess was one of the owners. While you’re perusing the menu, bread and salsa arrives. Good fresh salsa. Medium and hot. Neither overly hot. We started with Margaritas... which arrive in martini glasses... basic... tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice...ok. But 12 bucks for 8 ounces?... that being said we had 4 (total).... the chorizo appetizer was very good. We went with mole and the orange chicken... both Very Good, the mole is as good as anywhere in New England, equal, certainly, to Don Jose’s in Providence, R.I... we’ve dined at, minimum 30 mex restaurants in New England and since Casa Mexico in Cambridge closed, only Don Jose’s comes close in outstanding Mole...anyway.... dessert was also good, layers of ice cream, with crumbled crust and topping... But, aye, here’s the rub.... two diners, with tip... the bill was 160 bucks... oy. My advice, skip the Margaritas and dessert... enjoy the rest! And oh ya... make reservations!
Very unique South American Cuisine in a very eclectic atmosphere. You may find this restaurant hard to find as it is tucked away in one of the rural areas of South West Harbor. only negative is that it is a little pricey but that's what you have to expect in tourist town Mount Desert Island
Excellent food authentic Mexican
This is an eatery styled to service a small group of locals all of whom know each other. If your not part of the in crowd, service can be very uneven. The Mexican styled food is good. The dining experience expensive.
Family tradition! Just fabulous
Was very excited to try some good Mexican food while in Bass Harbor for 6 months. The atmosphere was charming, bright, and cheerful, and the staff was accommodating, but the food left me disappointed. Each plate was $26.00. Baguettes with tiny cups of salsa took the place of salsa & tortilla chips. The salad was a few pieces of mixed greens with oil. I ordered mole poblano, which came with 2 chicken thighs and about 3 tablespoons of white rice with small dollops of quac, sour cream, and a hot red sauce. I found the food very bland, and couldn't put enough salt on it. Being used to the Mexican food in Florida, California, and Mexico, we found the food unflavorful.
Restaurantji Recommends
Always different. Always delicious. Best margaritas ever!!!
Let's start with the obvious. Any lively restaurant at the end of a dirt road by itself is pretty cool. What's more, the food we had - chile verde, tongue, and short rib - were all excellent. Our service at the bar was okay, although the pre-mixed margaritas were something of a surprise and disappointment. Even at that, the bartender was so overwhelmed that two different parties got up and left for lack of service.
This place is legit. . .noticed some commenters panning the place. This is more fine dining upscale than anything else. Don't be misled by the commenters. Not Tex Mex or all inclusive resort Jimmy Buffett Mex restaurant. Make a reservation and be in the right mindset. Enjoy what XYZ **is**
Overpriced and the food is just ok. If you are in Maine eat seafood and wait until you are somewhere else to eat Mexican.
This place was a let down, and I really didn't want it to be. This is a run down: 1.) They serve sliced baguette with 2 types of salsas and olive oil for dipping. 2.) Appetizers and entrees are accompanied by flour tortillas 3.) The salad (consisting of 10 leaves of lettuce) was undressed and our only option for dressing it was olive oil. 4.) Our large party received a variety of dishes that were very unimpressive. 4 people had the pork and it was dry and the seasonings were nothing to write home about. We've all had better, and paid much less. For a small portion of this dry meat/rice/black beans/TINY amounts of non-homemade guac we paid $26 a plate. Probably the most money I've ever spent for something so bland and sad. 5.) Dessert was also unimpressive. The lime bombe is an icy lime sherbet on a very thin graham cracker crust. The only thing I enjoyed was my margarita. That was good. Otherwise, it was unanimous by the table that this place was a waste of money and we can do much better with a crock pot.