The 8 Best BBQ Sandwiches In Maine And Where To Find Them

While states such as Texas, North Carolina and Tennessee are strong contenders, most experts agree that the best barbecue in the country can be found here in Maine. Just kidding! Maine's food scene is undoubtedly great, but barbecue isn't exactly our claim to fame. Luckily, it's 2017 and you can find good barbecue virtually anywhere in America.

At the risk of incurring the wrath of angry Texans with their brisket plates, barbecue is best enjoyed in a sandwich. (Seriously, why would you not want the bread? We're still perplexed about the restaurant we will not name that charges $2 more for a brisket platter with two sides than it charges for the same amount of brisket on a bun with two sides.) You might be surprised at the number of restaurants in our relatively small Northern state that serve great ones. But then again, especially when it comes to quality food, Maine is always full of surprises.

1. Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill (South Portland)

Can't decide on the best thing to order at Elsmere BBQ? Good news: You don't have to! The Elsmere Tornado comes piled high with just about everything: chopped brisket, pulled pork and sausage, topped with coleslaw and Texas red barbecue sauce, all on a pretzel roll. (448 Cottage Rd., South Portland, ME 04106 / (207) 619-1948)

2. Salvage BBQ (Portland)

Salvage scores big with both brisket and chopped pork sandwiches, but we're going to have to go with the brisket here -- not that you can go wrong either way. (919 Congress St., Portland, ME 04102 / (207) 553-2100)

3. Buck's Naked BBQ and Steakhouse (Freeport, Windham)

What's that, you say? A Cuban sandwich isn't barbecue? Oh, but it is at Buck's Naked, where the House Brined Ham Cubano is loaded up with succulent pulled pork. (568 US-1, Freeport, ME 04032 / (207) 865-0600 and 4 Turning Leaf Dr.

Windham, ME 04062 / (207) 865-0600)

4. Beale Street Barbecue (Bath)

Beale Street will serve you its best-in-class pulled pork either on a bun or on grilled jalapeño cornbread. Which should you choose? Uh, what part of "grilled jalapeño cornbread" didn't you understand? P.S. An open-faced sandwich is still a sandwich. (215 Water St., Bath, ME 04530 / (207) 442-9514)

5. Smokin' Good BBQ (Bethel)

If you're looking for fancy, take yourself elsewhere. This trailer in Bethel serves barbecue as it's supposed to be -- simple, messy and delicious, like their brisket sandwich. (212 Mayville Rd., Bethel, ME 04217 / (207) 824-4744)

6. Mainely Meat BBQ (Bar Harbor)

The pulled pork here would be great on anything, but it gets extra points for coming on two thick slices of Texas toast. (15 Knox Rd., Bar Harbor, ME 04609 / (207) 288-9200)

7. Moe’s Original Bar B Que (Bangor, South Portland)

Full disclosure: Moe's is a chain with dozens of locations across the country, based in the barbecue non-mecca of Colorado. But once you taste their pulled pork in an Alabama-style sop sauce, you won't care. (650 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401 / (207) 992-9000 and 209 Western Ave., South Portland, ME 04106 / (207) 956-7623)

8. Spring Creek Bar-B-Q (Monson)

This place is a little tough to find, but Anthony Bourdain has been here. Repeat: Anthony Bourdain has been here. And hello, what's this? Barbecue chicken salad sandwich? There's only one problem: You may never be able to go back to ordinary chicken salad again. (26 Greenville Rd., Monson, ME 04464 / (207) 997-7025)

If that was enough barbecue for you, start working on the 8 Maine sandwiches you have to try before you die, no barbecue to be found.