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Elite Experience with Soul Food Paradise in South Portland, ME



Yelp invited the local Elite Squad to warm up this winter with comfort food from Soul Food Paradise located in the food court at The Maine Mall in South Portland, ME. 

Photo credit: Shay W, via Yelp

Owner Martin Beavers treated everyone to authentic flavors of the South and his childhood including BBQ chicken, jerk chicken, fried chicken, fried catfish, smothered fried pork chops, and more!

Soul Food Paradise completely exceeded my expectations… The owner came out while I was waiting between cooking and talked to me about the business and it was clear he really cares about his food… I asked him for sauce recommendations and he loaded me up with chipotle, ranch, and Louisiana hot sauce which added a nice touch to vary my flavors. For my meal I had the fried chicken… When I tasted it I felt like I was having fried chicken for the first time – SO good!  The sides were all flavorful. The portions were so big I couldn’t help but smile to myself the entire meal, and had seconds for dinner later!

Eric s, Yelp Elite
Photo credit: Eric S via Yelp

After obsessing over how delicious the food was, I decided to go on Instagram to follow Soul Food Paradise. It was there that I learned a bit about Martin’s inspirational story, how he started his food business out of his home, and his genuine love for the Portland community. What a great story of entrepreneurship, resilience, and hard work.

Amaury J, Yelp Elite

Read the rave reviews from the event to relive the experience! 


About Soul Food Paradise

Martin Beavers launched Soul Food Paradise with the help of local kitchen incubator Fork Food Lab in Portland. He moved to Maine from the Bronx to be closer to his father, and is now the proud owner of the only Black-owned soul food business in the area. Visit him in the food court at The Maine Mall to try his award-winning macaroni and cheese.

Website | Instagram | Yelp

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