Monte's Fine Foods

Yummy pizza. The crispy undercarriage and crust is what makes this a good pie. I like my sauce a little more sweeter as this is more of a robust, hearty almost like a pasta sauce. Overall I liked it.

I saw this restaurant from one of Dave Portnoy’s pizza reviews and I was glad I went here. The pizza is big enough for 2-3 people. The crust and undercarriage has a nice char and crispiness that I really enjoyed, and the sauce was sweet but not overly sweet. The pepperoni slices were also evenly portioned throughout the pizza. I’d give this a solid 8/10. First time trying Roman style pizza. Highly recommend if you’re in the area!

Monte's Fine Foods Pizza in Portland, Maine My recent visit to Monte's Fine Foods in Portland, Maine, was a journey of unexpected twists and delightful surprises. Initially, I was taken aback by the pricing – two 14-inch pizzas costing just over $40 seemed steep. Furthermore, when I called to place my order at noon, being informed that it would be ready only by 1:30 p.m. raised my eyebrows a bit. Arriving about 15 minutes early, I found myself in a brief waiting period until the promised 1:30 p.m. However, this wait turned into an unexpected adventure as I explored the store. Monte's is not just about pizza; it's a treasure trove of culinary delights. From local beers and an impressive selection of wines to fresh pastas, desserts, specialty cooking items, and fresh produce, the store is a haven for food enthusiasts. The aromas wafting through the store were simply heavenly, enhancing the anticipation for the meal ahead. At 1:33 p.m., my name was called, and I received my pizzas, which were emitting an inviting steam, signaling their freshness. My initial impression upon opening the boxes was one of skepticism – the pizzas appeared messy and overly sauced, leading me to brace for a soggy disappointment. Yet, what followed was a delightful culinary turnaround. To my astonishment, the crust was perfectly crispy, and the flavors were vibrant and fresh. The Roman-style pizza, new to my palate, was an instant favorite, ranking highly among my pizza experiences. The balance of ingredients, the cooking precision, and the freshness of each component made for an exceptional meal. Despite the initial sticker shock and the wait time, the experience at Monte's Fine Foods turned out to be more than just a meal – it was a culinary adventure that left a lasting impression. The pizza, contrary to my first visual judgment, was a testament to the quality and care put into their food. I am already looking forward to my next visit and diving into more of what Monte's has to offer. Rating: 4.5/5 – Pricey, but the quality and the shop's ambiance make it a worthwhile experience.

A staff member from the hotel we were staying at recommended we try pizza from here and we’re so glad we did! I’m gluten free so trying to find a good gf pizza spot is hard, this place was great and it was actually a normal sized pizza not the typically xs gf you normally see. My husband really enjoyed his pizza as well and he even liked the gf crust too! They have a lot of great options in the store and had some great non alcoholic beverages.We look forward to coming back to try more!

So this place should be 5 star when it comes to Maine but I'm just someone who comes from the best pizza New Haven and Boston but this pizza was really good I like how the flour is unbleached! It's the best pizza I had in Maine so far and I tried a decent amount of places! It gets a Decent 8.2! For Maine that's like a 9.2!

My husband and I came here after watching Dave Portnoy's review. We ordered the margherita pizza (just like Dave did) it was good, but could've used some salt in the sauce. Loads of sauce on it, which I love. The crust was crunchy, even after the pizza got cold. We actually enjoyed it more cold. Staff was quick and friendly. We'll definitely be back to try a pepperoni pizza.

Monte’s in Portland caught my attention! I recently had the pleasure of trying their pre-cooked pizza, and it was fantastic. This experience has left me even more eager to sample their fresh pizza. If the pre-cooked pizza is any indication, I have no doubt that their fresh pizza will be outstanding. Their baker I believe owned Little Bigs and that was the best bakery! Also outstanding local cheese selection!

I was expecting to walk into some Portland pretentious, eye rolling, can’t be arsed to care etc environment. It was clean, crisp and good vibes. All my interactions, though quick, were warm and filled with eye contact and a level of actual service that just feels so stinking rare nowadays, even in just a pickup your food situation. The pizza was of the best I’ve had in Maine if not the best. Fantastically crisp Roman style that didn’t feel heavy and a high quality trad sauce with a pocket of evoo from time to time. Take note other places, the service and energy of a space will improve the flavor of ANY dish. I was blessed with that magnification on an already stellar pie. Thank you. 👍🙏🤘

Super good food and nice people who were helpful in accommodating our somewhat disorganized group of travelers. Saw this place had good pizza and it does. We just got simple pepperoni and it was as good as anything I've ever had. The store is interesting also.

Monte's has been in Portland for three or four years now and I often drive by and see a full parking lot so I've not gone in until yesterday. Son and I went in to see one of his friends working. I was pleasantly surprised at the variety of Italian food ingredients at this store. From fresh produce to aged cheeses, oils and vinegars to breads and pastas. They even had a gluten free Italian section! They sell flatbread pizzas of a few varieties, I had the classic pepperoni and my son had a different pizza that had spiced sausages, pepperonis and another spicy ingredient, too hot for me. Smelling it made my nose burn lol! Happy that I went in and now know where to go for Italian ingredients close to home

Best pizza that you can get in Maine. I had the Florentine and Sopressata. It was well topping and the crust was crispy, but light. I also had the hot chicken sandwich. The way it was made the chicken kind of soggy. If it was more a spicy powder, it would be able to keep the crispiness of the chicken. Still overall pretty good. Pizza gets to five sandwich gets a four.

VERY clean and organized store with anything you can ask for. A bunch of heathy selections with a fair price. I'm from New York, so I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to my pizza. I heard this was the spot in Maine to go to. I wasn't disappointed. The crunch on the crust was fantastic and I normally don't eat my crust, but this time I wanted to. The cheese and pepperoni were delicious. The only thing I would say, there was a lot of tomato sauce on the pizza, which I'm normally not a fan of to begin with. If you're into that, then this will not be a flaw. Ultimately, I would eat this pizza again, it's better than most of the places in the different boroughs of New York. I'm glad I didn't get the Caesar salad and went with the avocado dressing salad like the cashier told me. It was so unique, fresh and delightful! The people working here are SO nice too! Highly recommend.

Okay so Portnoy got to us and we had to try out the pizza. What we found inside was that it is super clean, love their branding, TONS of local goods - we'll be back for that. The pizza was yum, with simple ingredients and a fantastic dough that had the perfect amount of chew. I love a bit of char on the crust - definitely not a fan of the square cut - but I'd definitely give it another shot. :) The team was friendly and handled a rowdy group of 8 year-old soccer players with ease which is always nice to see. We'll be back for the local goods and to try out another pie, for sure.

OMG - had the pepperoni pizza here and it is delicious. Super cute store and pizza place along with super friendly service - the crust is Yummo!

Some of Portland's most delicious pizza - and the sandwiches are fantastic too! Order online for takeout or, on a warm day, eat it at the small outdoor seating area, which has about five 2-person tables. Also spend a few minutes re-stocking the Italian food items for your home. Sadly, you can't drink alcoholic beverages there - they are just for takeout.

Great pizza pie place! I honestly wasn't expecting much. I feel like it's hard to come by good pizza in Portland. Monte's delivered! The pizza was so fresh, filled with flavor, and absolutely delightful. The kale salad was tasteful and I don't enjoy kale at all. What I really loved was how the pizza did not make me feel like complete crap the night day like most pizza places do. Not Monte's! I cannot speak to the service since I ordered my food through to 2dine in. However, with the quality of the food I am sure the service matches that energy!

Probably my favorite pizza spot in Portland, ME. The cheese on the pizza is spot on. The sauce has a nice tang that's balanced and not too salty. The dough is crispy and sturdy and doesn't flop. I personally like the cheese pizza over the margarita as it was a flatter pizza. But love it

Perfect end to routine errands! Sometime I will have to try the sandwiches or bowls, but the pizza is soooo good! Just wish there was cold beer to go with it. Roman pizza with super flavorable sauce, spicy pepperoni and cheese that pulls it all together. Nice friendly service and an outdoor patio.

Way overpriced but man do I live a good Italian market. Grocery staples and convenience items that aren't carried anywhere else local. The apple, Gorgonzola, Carmelized onion pie slice was phenomenal. So tasty but purchased 2 slices and a single cheese and it was $36!! . The pizza dough is the specialty. It's hit or miss. Sometimes it's chewy and tasty. Other times hard and bland. The Italians are tasty. Ingredients are fresh and meld well but the bread leaves something to be desired.

Easily the best pizza I've had in Portland. I had a slice of pepperoni. The crunch from the crust and perfect pepperoni made the slice devine!! If you're ever in the area and hungry, you can't go wrong!

As Dave Portnoy says Monte's pizza is the best in Maine. Excellent Italian gourmet products and sandwiches. Highly recommended.

This pizza has such a nice crunch to it. I really enjoy this pizza and super excited to come back. They have been super busy, so make sure you order in advance or else they'll get sold out!

Ah yes, the pretentious Italian goods store that is actually good. The main attraction, I suppose, is the pizza. You can walk up and get a small slice of ready-made pizza (they will heat it and/or cut it for you right there) or you can order an entire fresh pie, it's your choice! The sauce is outstanding and fresh, as well are the ingredients. I was pleasantly surprised, and pleased and hungry for more. The sandwiches are also great. The bread is outstanding. The pre-made sandwiches in the fridge are absolutely nothing to scoff at either. Don't assume deli-aisle at Shaw's quality. They are the real deal, as it still tasted fresh. There is also a vast array of 'specialty' items that cannot be found in most grocery stores... and everything in one place! So if you are really feeling an Italian night, you can stop by here and have more than you thought you even needed. I've been here off and on to buy little treats to remind myself about my days travelling in Italy. Prices are a little bit high as expected, but not ridiculously high. Clientele, for better or for worse, mostly seem to be of the "well-off" variety.

The food was good. It was a little pricy, but tasty. The atmosphere was a little chaotic, which I struggle with. The staff was friendly. It's a takeout place you have to go to more than once to understand the flow. Excellent choice of specialty items.

Monte's is pretty much a take away place, though there is some limited outside seating in nicer weather. The service is friendly and efficient. Their pizza is divine and you can always get a slice instead of a whole pizza - they will heat it for you on the spot. I love their pizza. They have some good salad options, as well as some delicious sandwiches. It is rather expensive, though, for the size of sandwich you purchase. Monte's is also an Italian market with specialty products.

A cute little shop with lots of vegan grocery options as well as the men's which always have some delicious seasonal items. I love the vegan pepperoni sandwich with arugula. Monte's uses quality ingredients that keep you coming back for more!

It only took me one visit to fall in love. The pizza and sandwich - definitely hand crafted with the care and attention you would expect in a local shop with local talent. The flavors, and the quality of the ingredients - simply amazing - I haven't had this type of quality with this type of pizza in this area. I had not had pinsa (sp?) crust until I visited Monte's. They have pre made sandwiches available in the cooler - they taste just as fresh as if you ordered it from the counter - only difference would be that it's cooler because it's refrigerated. It's not a wedge cut pizza - which I think is perfect for this style of pizza. They have tons of special types of pizza and you can also customize your pizza, which is great for people with food allergies and sensitivities. The pizza is large, but it's so light and delicate, it's perfect and not heavy. We arrived early for our order, so that enabled us to browse the store (masked of course - December 2021 of Covid Times) and the selection of imported and local foods and ingredients is very impressive. They had an asian section too!! I took a lot of photos to give you an idea of the offerings, freezer section, refrigerated section and the shelf stable items. I could go on and on, so I will mention in categories the things you can get: Sandwiches, Pizzas, Baked Goods, Cookies, Cupcakes, Cannoli's, Ice Cream, Vegan Ice Cream, Candy, Pasta, Mixes, Sauces, Locally made items, meats, cheeses, seasonal treats and gifts, Olive Oils galore! Hopefully that's enough to pick up in a person's Yelp Search. I highly recommend this place when you want to treat yourself or your family. It's not cheap pizza, but it is well worth the price for a special treat and very special pizza. Remember you are supporting a local business, a family and possibly a neighbor/friend by eating and shopping here. Plenty of private parking! For those that know me, that's A BIG deal for me in any city.

The best sandwiches in Portland by far. My favorites are the grilled asparagus (spring menu) and the eggplant (summer menu). Both are served on their homemade flatbread and are full of flavor. They always have a wide variety of drinks--last time I had a Green Bee Honeycomb Cider, made locally in Brunswick--delicious! Save room for the baked goods--the glass case is always well stocked with fresh bakery. We had the lemon pistachio cookies on our last visit--fantastic! The thumbprint cookies, olive oil cake, and home made pop tarts are all out of this world. There are a lot of sandwich places in Portland and Monte's is far and away the best!

The best cheese pizza in Portland! If you like crispy pizza with authentic sauce and cheese, you'll love it. Don't miss it if you're traveling through.

Love the pizza and the sandwiches are to die for. And the market is high end with excellent products

I wanted to wait for the hype to die down before I went to Montes - specifically for pizza. I tried to place an take out order for pizza about a month ago and the place was mobbed - because of a recent review by Dave Portnoy. I love the guy - but Jesus Dave - leave some scraps for the locals. Anyhow - I popped in the other day and perused the pizza selection and landed on the Sopressata - Best damn pizza I had. after I had the slice, I went to bed that night and dreamed about another slice. Then it happened again for three nights in a row. I now wake up every morning yearning for another slice. Pro Tip - just pop in a grab a slice. Monte's has a great selection of grab and go - no line.

Fantastic sandwiches and pizza. What a specialty market should look like. Always friendly.

I've been driving by Monte's every day since it's opened thinking to myself "you gotta stop in and check it out." Well, after like 2 or 3 years I finally stopped in, and I was not disappointed! Fresh bread, fresh salads and sandwiches, deli meat, vegan deli options, sweets, and pizza! Oh and there's a little store section where you can buy household kitchen items as well. They have outdoor seating which is super cute and away from the road, dog friendly. Staff are super nice and welcoming. Every time I've been there I've been greeted with a smile, and that goes a long way for me. Monte's, I'm so glad to have finally made your acquaintance. I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more of each other in the future :)

Great pizza!! Cheese is always my favorite, but try the potato pizza. I know, it sounds weird but try it! Delicious. Crust was done perfectly, almost thought I was in New Haven! I did get it to go so I can't speak to atmosphere, but the parking is free, so you can just run in and get it.

Best pizza around!! Worth the price for the quality! Don't miss out on this solid locally owned gem!

AMAZING pizza! Love the take and bake cheese especially. Great store with a gazillion different delicious items to boot. Friendly staff. One of my family's favorite local options.

Amazing pizza! 2nd best in Portland to The Pizza Joint. Super popular spot and some really interesting special pizzas.

Good pizza ! Nice folks! All the other stuff (grocery's) were high priced. I will return for pizza. Need indoor seating in winter.

I haven't been to Monte's in awhile and was craving the Sopressata Pizza. They did not disappoint! Great service from Emma!! The crust perfectly crisp. A true flavor bomb with red sauce, mozzarella, Sopressata, pepperoncini, and hot honey. Savory and a touch of sweet heat makes this an unforgettable pizza. So glad to give another thumbs up to Monte's!! Highly recommend.

Very friendly service, sf was very accommodating. Nice ambiance, wish they had some inside seating. Pizza was excellent, great crust!

Tried this place for the first time while visiting my son. We ordered the Sopressetta and a 3 mushroom pizza and went to pick up. Order ready on time; pizza delicious. The shop has a variety of Italian imported products and I love that you can grab some Georgeous Gelato here in case you cannot get your gelato fix in person downtown Portland! Great place.

Fantastic! Our daughter brought us here as we were only in town visiting her. It's a very welcoming and clean environment. Lots of different food/beverage options to bring home with you. I'm not a fan of pizza and planned on buying a sandwich, but saw their pizza and had to try it, which was great! The crust was crunchy on the entire pizza including the center! They have an outdoor eating area. They bring your food out to you, but you do take care of your own trash, obtaining plates, cutlery, etc. Keep in mind that they do not have a liquor license. So, if you buy a beer to drink while eating in the outdoor area, you cannot drink the beer there. Be sure to grab some cannolis before you leave. They're a pack of 3, but are small. They're very good.

Best flat pizza for takeout. Unique array of canned and jarred items. Fast service. Our go-to pizza in Portland.

For the price, pizza specials could be way less stingy on the toppings! We are not cheap either when it comes to eating out, trust me. Flavor balance on pizza is usually very sensible but we have had a few real flops from here sandwich-wise which is a huge bummer because we loved picking up food from here. For instance: one time we ordered a spicy chicken sandwich that was so overladen with sauce that it had soaked into the bread a bunch, sure, but also made me question the sensibility of the person who made it. It was inedible, fifteen dollars. Food market has some very usual premium import offerings but also some pretty rad offerings, for example a very wide selection of beverages, and some harder-to-find Dutch-process cocoa which was a cool surprise.

Delicious authentic Roman pizza! We did pick up and it was ready plus still warm when we got home. The flavors were delicious as was the crust. Will be ready to return often

We don't go here enough! I got a slice of pizza, the summer garden salad, and turkey avocado club grilled. My partner got the hot chicken sandwich and the Lunaria Ancestral Organic sparkling Pinot Grigio. My one tip is to go there as soon as possible and order a pizza off their summer seasonal menu--the woman at the counter said they're currently working on the fall seasonal. We will be getting one this week! Amazing! We also bought two bottles of wine, some sparkling water, and raviolis.

So after seeing Dave Portnoys review- we had to go-(like everyone else)- I ordered pizza- my friend ordered a meatball sub- i asked to have mine heated up while they made her sub- we asked if we could sit down- we are directed outside to the patio-- went outside to chilly outdoors wet metal chairs and a big - hell no. So we went back inside - my pizza was in a box waiting with my name on it- we stood and waited for another 15 minutes for my friends-- maybe 20 minutes- we paid and sat in the car to eat- no where else to sit-- watched some wannabe dave portnoy film a cover review- which was pathetic- my pizza was cold as it had been sitting for 20 minutes- her meatball sub looked good- i give them a 3- she gives them a 6-i forgot to mention how ridiculously overpriced their pizza is = 2 cheese slices== 17.00!!! are you kidding me?

Amazing pizza!!! Can't wait to go back again. A hidden gem! Make sure to order ahead on weekends.

I have been driving by Monte's every week since they opened on route to and from the dog park. Finally had a chance to swing by and check it out. Unfortunately, during isolation mode. You can enter or order curbside. But if you go in, please wear a mask and they will provide you with single use gloves. It is a nice space and the staff was very friendly. Definitely, and great speciality store. I did a little dinner shopping to the night. Did not have a chance to really explore and check out the menu for sandwiches and pizza. Though will need to give it it a try and do curbside. The pizzas look great, so looking forward to a future dinner. I would someday like to grab a coffee and treat and sit right outside enjoying the experience. Someday. Thanks Monte's

Ridiculously good pizza. The kind where you're full and you just keep stuffing it in your face.

10/10 would recommend to everyone! Cutest little Italian market, their pizza and sandwiches are BOMB. And their cookies/pastries are equally bomb. Try it, you'll be back!!

Worst sandwich that I have ever had. Literally! I asked for the Antipasto sandwich. There were only 3 very tiny pieces of deli meat and it was a far cry from the cured Italian meat that I was hoping for. (I mean tiny) Lot's of chickpeas, though and lots and lots of evo. I'm still struggling to find the relationship to antipasto. Oh well, I love the grocery area and the pizza.

Finally! Some of the great food offerings that in-city Portland has had for years, are popping up in Deering. A star is the new Monte's. It is wonderful. I go for the flat crust pizza creations that they typically have laid out on the slab, behind which you can see the professionals hard at work making the excellent fare. This forces you to want to buy all of them. By the length or the whole pie. The pizza is delicious. Every time. A gleaming exterior & clean new interior makes you glad you drove up. A bonus is that it's on the perfect corner, giving you a couple of choices to get in and out of busy traffic on Washington Ave. That in itself is worth it. Service is as bright and cheery as the interior, which also happens to be stocked with small selections of everything from olive oil, pasta, Italian desserts, and even baking flour. There's a great menu of sandwiches, beverages, a wine selection, and other Italian dishes, many of which are offered ready to heat. Because Monte's is usually straight-out busy with an enormous amount of pizza orders these days, on Saturday I was glad when they offered me an uncooked, ready to bake pie so I wouldn't have to wait. I said sure. It was a simple cheese pie. We took it home, set for 500 degrees, baked for 10 minutes...and...folks, piping hot is better...this is the way to do it. Sometimes I like the crust light, sometimes dark, so take home allows me to do either. So now I've switched to take out & home bake. I live 5 minutes away, and in 20 minutes we are sitting down to one of the absolute BEST cheese pizzas I've ever had. The crust is in my mind, the make-or break of great pizza. Monte's was absolutely delicious. Glad to be able to go to a place I love. It makes life nice!

Both my fiancé and I have been following Monte's on Instagram for quite some time, often tagging each other in pictures of the food we were dying to try (mainly their pepperoni pizza) and then finally one day they posted a picture of their chicken club and we decided we were heading their ASAP. Unfortunately, it was rainy the day we stopped in because they have the cutest patio set up but I was totally fine with eating in our car. We had been hoping they did slices but found out they make little mini pizzas that they can heat up for you and it turned out to be the perfect size for us to share. Everything about the pizza was delicious- from the crispy pepperoni, and flavorful crust, to the not too sweet sauce and melty cheese. If we lived closer, I know this would be our absolute go-to for pizza. But to be honest, the real star here was the sandwich. I'm almost always happy to share with my fiancé but after my first bite, I wanted his half too! We had debated asking for no hot honey, but decided to try it how they wanted it served and we were not disappointed. Every part of that sandwich worked so well together and the bread was top notch. I have thought about this sandwich more times than I care to admit since we visited and I know we will be back very, VERY soon!

I've driven by many times since it's been open, but had never been in. I've followed them on Facebook, though. I saw an post that they were giving free coffee to those wearing an 'I Voted" sticker, so I used that opportunity to visit! They use local CBD coffee and it appears it's only $1...great! And the best price around for quality java!! The parking is sufficient and the location convenient. The interior is bright, clean or organized! I was pleasantly surprised to find a gluten free section (see photo) and that they offer their own house made gluten free crust, made with tapioca, rice flour, potato starch and milk. I asked about cross contamination practices and was happy with the responses I received. Staff was very friendly and helpful! I only gave it a 4 star, because most prices are higher than average. Once I TRY the pizza, I'll update my review. So far, so great.

I can't wait to go to Portland again so I can stop by Montes for a salad and a slice. There are a lot of specialty food stores in the area but Montes has the ultimate selection of imported delicious foods. From jams, olives, tapanades, pasta sauces, specialty pasta (the tiniest ravioletti ever), local ice cream, Montes soup to bring home, a fridge full of produce, a fridge full of local beer and one for non alcoholic beverages and so much more. I've heard good things about their vegan offerings as well. The Brussel sprout carbonera pizza was awesome and unique but I have to try the pepperoni next time. The space is big, won't feel too crowded, has a big parking lot and 2 entrances/exits. I can't wait to return and hope Montes is around for a long time.

Ooookay. I don't write a ton of reviews but sometimes things need being said. There are decided pros and cons in my first experience so here goes. No issues with ordering. Clean, classy environment. Nice array of boutique, Italian ingredients, beers, wines, etc. Staff were pleasant to deal with. All good things. Here's my grief. Pizza has an upper bound for costs relative to serving size, and Monte's is toeing the line. I ordered two pizzas and they come in one size - 14". I chose a carbonara and the sopressata. Dough was crisp, ingredients were delicious. But guys. I paid almost $40 for two pizzas that barely rivaled 12" personal pizzas. And this wasn't delivery, I picked this up. I paid no tip. Still cannot say this is worth a nearly 50% markup from a place like Ottos. I understand there is a cost to the new renovations. I know what "food costs" and overhead is. But guys. C'mon now. Subway Sandwiches was sued over such things. If you want artisan "Roman" pizza with no mind for cost, go for it. It tasted great. Want a good pizza for reasonable price? Move along. Picture for evidence.

Monte's is always a treat, whether it's munching a slice of their tangy Roman pizza topped with Sopressata or pepperoni or biting into a real Italian that bursts with the flavor of grilled ham and cherry tomatoes. It's their fresh-baked pizza crust and sandwich bread that adds to the tastiness of their offerings and keeps me coming back. Their olive oil cakes are also a treat!