Vote for Maine's Hottest Restaurant of the Year

On Monday, November 16, Eater will present the 2015 Eater Awards, our sixth annual celebration of all that's made the restaurant world run — and run wild — in the past 12 months. Winners will be selected on both the local and national levels in five major categories, and the voting begins right now. The polls are now closed for Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, and Bartender of the Year, and today we focus on the year's hottest opening. Which restaurant is So Hot Right Now?

Here's a primer on the nominees. OCHO Burrito is the first non-pizzeria from the owners of mega-popular local chain OTTO Pizza, and diners on the go welcomed the simple take-out concept with endless franchising potential. South Portland's Taco Trio, considered by many the king of the taco game in Maine, finally expanded to Portland to the delight of fans. Tempo Dulu has drawn oohs and ahhs for its stylish cocktail game and high-end Rijsttafel, the Dutch-Indonesian style of prix fixe dining rarely seen in these parts. Food truck 'Wich, Please kept its legions of Kickstarter supporters satisfied with a wide assortment of sandwiches, and even found a way to maintain momentum with an intriguing winter partnership at Comida restaurant. And Terlingua's unique fusion of barbecue and Latin American fare, not to mention food-celebrity Joe Ricchio's regular appearances behind the bar, have made it a buzzy destination in an increasingly popular section of Portland. See a gallery of the eligible candidates, then weigh in by voting below.

Grid View

• OCHO Burrito, Portland. [Photo: Kyle J. Norris/Eater]
• Taco Trio, Portland. [Photo: Kyle J. Norris/Eater]
• Tempo Dulu at The Danforth, Portland. [Photo: Kyle J. Norris/Eater]
• 'Wich, Please, Rockland. [Photo: 'Wich, Please/FB]
• Terlingua, Portland. [Photo: Adam H. Callaghan/Eater]

Here's how the voting works: Eater editors have named nominees for each of five major categories. The Eater audience will vote, narrowing the nominees to three finalists. From those three finalists, the Eater editorial team will select a winner. Ready to play your part? This poll will be open for 24 hours; voting irregularities will be strictly policed.