Farewell to Slab, One of Portland, Maine’s Favorite Pizza Spots

Another iconic Portland, Maine, restaurant is closing its doors.

Slab has officially announced it will be shutting down its Preble Street location, effective October 12.

And so goes another one of Portland's wonderful institutions.

You can see their statement on Facebook below:

According to the Bangor Daily News, the massive decrease in people going out was one of the major reasons cited by the restaurant for the closure, an issue that has plagued Portland in recent years.

Slab's origin story began with the legendary late Portland master baker, chef, and author Steven Lanzalotta. He originally ran the pizza program at Micucci's Market before opening Slab with his business partners.

Lanzalotta's creativity and skill helped Slab become an instant hit.

Sadly, Lanzalotta passed away in 2022 after a long battle with cancer. Lanzalotta's legacy lived on with every slab and sandwich that came out of the kitchen.

It really was instant success for Slab that saw it become one of the most popular pizza joints and hangouts in Portland. This was especially true in the summer months, when the restaurant could utilize the huge out patio space, which was reminiscent of a European beer garden.

Enjoying a giant, thick Sicilian slice of pie with a beverage (or two), while enjoying the weather was a true recipe for serenity.

I must admit, I had quite a personal relationship with this restaurant over the years. Slab has been a great go-to for takeout, a late-night snack, and a meal before a show.

Heck, my family would even grab a full slab to have for our Christmas dinner antipasti spread. I'm serious, here's proof.

This is one heck of a punch to the gut. It's never easy to see a local business shut down. It's especially brutal when you have developed a relationship and love for that store and those who have worked hard to keep it running as strong as they can.

Fortunately, this isn't the end for Slab. The restaurant's highly successful and delicious frozen pizza will still be available across the state and region.

You can check out their site to find locations on where to find it.

This pizza legitimately destroys anything in the frozen pizza game. The crew over there actually hand mixes every frozen pizza. Like I said, this is not your typical freezer pie. It's also a great way to keep Stephen's legacy alive.

So long to one of Portland's best, you will be missed greatly. And best of luck as they keep the brand alive in the freezer.

Here's hoping to an end of the Portland restaurant exodus soon than later.