Tortilla Flat in Portland, Maine, Closing Permanently After 44 Years in Business

It's been a rough few weeks if you're a fan of some of Portland's oldest operating restaurants. In June, the owners of Parker's Restaurant announced that they'd be closing their restaurant permanently after 33 years, shutting down what fans referred to as "Portland's best kept secret". Now, another decades-old Portland institution has announced their permanent closure.

Shared on Facebook by Tortilla Flat Portland, the popular restaurant has officially closed after 44 years in business. Opening in 1978, Tortilla Flat quickly became a place where locals gathered for happy hour and some appetizers. Tortilla Flat in Portland operated as a family business and the atmosphere remained inviting even as the years passed and different competitors popped up.

Like many other restaurants facing problems during the pandemic, Tortilla Flat's staffing issues were well noted. The restaurant abruptly closed in May of 2021 because they simply could not staff the kitchen properly. After some social media reach, the restaurant was able to reopen a few days later while still providing the level of service that customers had come to expect.

A little over a year later, and the family behind Tortilla Flat decided the time was now to say goodbye. As seen above, they penned a short but sweet goodbye to the patrons and employees who made the business welcoming and successful for more than four decades. For those wondering, the Tortilla Flat location in Merrimack, New Hampshire, will remain open.