Fork Food Lab

Fork Food Lab in Portland is a non-profit shared kitchen space that helps small businesses grow into their eatery dreams. The space offers all the commercial kitchen equipment needed but without the high start-up costs of starting one's own restaurant. Options like Fork Food Lab help businesses get off the ground, gain a following, and perfect their dishes with low overhead and many eventually moving to their own spaces.

Some local favorites that currently utilize the space or have previously, include Totally Awesome Vegan Food Truck, Falafel Mafia, and The Highroller Lobster Co.

Now one Fork Food Lab member, Soul Food Paradise, is getting ready to move into The Maine Mall.

Soul Food Paradise

Soul Food Paradise was born out of nostalgia in honor of the comfort food owner Martin Beavers' mother made when he grew up in the Bronx. Now Beavers is ready to grow his family with hungry shoppers at The Maine Mall.

Menu

The menu is filled with so many options you'll want to go back over and over again just to try more. BBQ and jerk chicken, fried catfish, collard greens, baked mac n cheese, cornbread, and more.

Plan Your Visit

Portland Press Herald reports that the restaurant will be taking over where Arby's once was in the mall food court and have signed a 3-year contract. Pending state health inspection, Beavers hopes to be open by October 1st. Soul Food Paradise will be open 7 days a week 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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