This Maine Pizzeria Is So Good Dave Portnoy Says It Deserves A Special Trip

A pizza score of 8.4 can turn a quiet neighborhood shop into a destination almost overnight. That is exactly what happened after Dave Portnoy stopped at a small Italian market in Portland, Maine, and gave its Roman-style pizza high marks.

The crisp pies are made with dough that cold-ferments for 72 hours, giving each slice plenty of crunch without losing that chewy center. Pizza may be the main attraction, but the shop also serves hearty sandwiches and sweet treats while doubling as a specialty market.

It is easy to stop in for lunch and end up spending extra time browsing the shelves. For pizza fans planning a Maine road trip, this is one Portland stop that has earned plenty of attention.

An Easy-To-Find Address

Some pizza places hide behind flashy signs, but Monte’s Fine Foods lets the smell of baking dough do the talking. The shop sits at 788 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04103, a short drive or a pleasant long walk from the busy downtown waterfront.

Part pizzeria and part Italian market, the space feels like a neighborhood corner store that got really serious about food. Shelves line the room, a pastry case glows near the counter, and the ovens keep a steady rhythm in the back.

Monte’s is set up mainly as a takeaway spot, so think of it as a place to grab, browse, and go. On nice days, the outdoor seating turns a quick lunch into a small sidewalk picnic, which is a real treat during a Maine summer.

The overall mood is relaxed, bright, and a little bit busy in the best way. Staff move with purpose, shoppers wander the aisles while they wait, and the whole room carries the friendly energy of a place where everyone came for something good.

First-timers can keep the plan simple. Punch the address into a map app, bring an appetite, and leave a little extra time for poking around the shelves before the order is ready.

A Roman-Style Crust

Seventy-two hours. That is how long the dough at Monte’s spends cold fermenting before it ever meets an oven, and the patience shows in every bite.

Cold fermentation is a slow process where dough rests in the fridge for days. During that time, yeast works quietly, building deeper flavor and a lighter, airier structure than a quick same-day dough can manage.

The result here is a Roman-style crust that is thin, crunchy on the bottom, and pleasantly chewy inside.

Roman-style pizza is known for being crisp and sturdy enough to hold toppings without flopping. At Monte’s, the edges bake to a rich golden color, and each slice has a satisfying snap that makes even a plain cheese slice feel special.

Another clever detail happens after baking. Whole pies are placed on a rigid sheet inside the box instead of sitting straight on cardboard, which helps keep the bottom crisp during the ride home.

Anyone carrying a pizza to a party will appreciate that little trick.

Slices are available too, and they get warmed in the oven for a few minutes before serving. That quick reheat brings back the crunch, so a single slice at lunch tastes almost as fresh as a whole pie.

The Soppressata Pie

Sweet, spicy, salty, and a little tangy all at once, the Soppressata pizza is the kind of pie that makes a table go quiet. It stacks tomato sauce, mozzarella, soppressata, pepperoncini, hot honey, grana, and fresh basil on that famous crunchy crust.

Soppressata is a dry-cured Italian salami with a bold, peppery flavor. Paired with the heat of pepperoncini and the sticky sweetness of hot honey, every bite bounces between flavors in a way that keeps things interesting right up to the last crust.

Plenty of other options fill out the menu. A classic cheese pie shows off the quality of the sauce and cheese, pepperoni brings the familiar favorite, and a sausage pizza adds hearty, savory depth.

A creamy vodka pizza and a peppery Cacio e Pepe pie round out the lineup for anyone craving something different.

Portion size matters here, so plan ahead. A 14-inch pie is listed as serving two people, but these pizzas are big and generous, and a hungry pair may still end up with leftovers.

Groups should mix and match a few different pies. Sharing is the best way to taste the full range, and cold leftover Roman-style pizza makes a pretty great breakfast.

Sandwiches That Could Steal The Show

Pizza may grab the headlines, yet the sandwich board at Monte’s could easily run the show on its own.

Bread is the starting point, and it is made with the same slow-fermentation care as the pizza dough. Some sandwiches come on a pizza bianca flatbread, a thin, crackly Roman-style bread that stays crunchy even when loaded with fillings.

The Monte’s Italian brings together cured meats, cheese, and fresh vegetables in a bright, balanced build. For a bolder, meatier take, Ray’s Italian turns up the volume with more intense flavor.

Both can get a little messy, so grab extra napkins before settling in.

Chicken fans have two strong choices. The Chicken Caesar layers crispy chicken with creamy, garlicky Caesar flavors, while the Chicken Club features a breaded, crunchy cutlet with classic club fixings.

An Eggplant Parm sandwich, with saucy cutlets and a nicely charred roll, is another hearty option.

Salads fill in the gaps for lighter appetites, including a Roman salad, a Kale Caesar, a zippy hazelnut slaw with a spicy kick, and a muffuletta salad.

A sandwich plus a single slice makes an excellent lunch combo for anyone who cannot decide, and the portions are filling enough to carry most people straight through to dinner.

Vegan And Gluten-Free Choices

Finding a traditional Italian shop that takes plant-based eating seriously can feel like spotting a moose downtown. At Monte’s, though, the vegan and gluten-free choices are thoughtful, creative, and made in-house with genuine care.

The vegan pizza rotates, so the toppings change from time to time, and it often shows up as a special. The crust keeps that signature crunch, and the dairy-free cheese is rich and melty enough to please any pizza fan.

Sandwich lovers get options too. The vegan Italian uses a pepperoni made from pressed tofu, a clever twist on a deli classic.

Seasonal vegan sandwiches, such as one built around heirloom tomatoes, have featured a house-made cashew-based goat cheese that tastes creamy and mild, closer to burrata than most people expect.

Gluten-free diners are covered as well. Instead of relying on a standard frozen crust, Monte’s makes its own gluten-free crust, which gives those pies a fresher, more homemade quality.

Dairy-free sweets also appear in the pastry case, including cookies, pop tarts, and a vegan olive oil cake. Availability can change, so asking at the counter is the smartest move.

The market fridge even stocks plant-based goodies like seitan from Midcoast Vegan and a range of dairy-free cheeses to take home.

A Sweets Case Worth The Detour

Cannoli trace their roots to Sicily, where they were long tied to festive seasons and family celebrations. Monte’s keeps that sweet tradition going with a lineup that makes choosing just one nearly impossible.

Cannoli come in plain, chocolate chip, and pistachio versions. Each crisp shell holds a creamy ricotta filling, and the pistachio adds a nutty, slightly salty finish that pairs beautifully with the sweet cream.

Grabbing a small sampler of all three is a fun way to find a favorite.

The cookie selection is just as tempting. A lemon ricotta cookie offers a soft, cakey bite with a bright citrus zing, while a cannoli cookie packs the flavors of the classic pastry into a handheld treat.

For something a little different, the olive oil cake is moist, tender, and lightly sweet, with a vegan version that stays just as satisfying. Rotating pastries, including pop tarts on some days, keep the case feeling fresh with each visit.

Here is a smart tip for newcomers. Add dessert to the order right away instead of waiting until the end, because the market shelves are very distracting.

Walking out without a cookie would be a small tragedy.

An Italian Market That Makes Waiting Fun

Waiting for a pizza has never been so entertaining. While the oven does its work, the market at Monte’s turns a few idle minutes into a mini shopping trip across Italy and around Maine.

Shelves are packed with imported Italian products, from pastas and sauces to olive oils and pantry staples that can be tough to find at a regular grocery store. Local Maine vendors share the space too, adding things like honey, jams, and other small-batch goods.

The refrigerated cases add even more variety, with cheeses, prepared items, and specialty spreads. A jalapeño popper goat cheese is one example of the fun, snackable finds that can turn an ordinary evening into a build-your-own antipasto night.

Neatly arranged aisles make browsing easy and enjoyable. Everything feels chosen with a purpose, like a curated pantry where each jar has earned its spot.

A good drink selection sits nearby as well, handy for pairing with a slice or sandwich on the go.

For people living nearby, the market doubles as a quick stop for groceries on nights when a full supermarket run sounds exhausting. Visitors from out of town can pick up edible souvenirs that carry a taste of Portland home in a suitcase.

Hours, Value, And Friendly Service

Timing a visit well makes the whole experience smoother, and Monte’s keeps a schedule that is easy to remember. The shop opens at 11 AM every day, closing at 8 PM Monday through Saturday and at 6 PM on Sunday.

Exact prices are not listed in full across every public source, so checking the website before a visit is the best way to plan. Given the slow-fermented dough, house-made ingredients, and generous pie sizes, the value feels strong for the quality on the table.

Service is friendly and team-focused. Staff work together smoothly, offer helpful suggestions for first-timers, and keep orders moving at a steady pace.

A few final tips help newcomers. Arrive a few minutes early to browse, check back at the counter when the pickup time arrives, and bring a friend to split more than one pizza.

Late morning and early afternoon on weekdays offer a relaxed window for a slice and a sandwich out on the patio.