In a 1968 photo of Pizza by Alex, owner Stephanie Mantis points out a counter that still exists today. “We haven’t touched the space,” she said, speaking about its vintage decor. “Like, ever.
” Brianna Soukup/Portland Press Herald Part of the appeal of Pizza by Alex, Biddeford’s 65-year-old landmark pizzeria, is that it’s the only place in town for New England Greek-style, pan-baked pizza, which they top with cheddar cheese instead of the standard mozzarella. But a big reason the family business is close to many locals’ hearts comes down to pure nostalgia. “We haven’t touched the space.
Like, ever,” says Stephanie Mantis (grandniece and goddaughter of founder Alex Mantis), who has run the Alfred Road shop for the last five years. She points to the original floor tiles, the custom wood wall paneling installed when the restaurant first moved there from down the street in 1968, and the paintings Alex brought back from his regular trips to Las Vegas. “What we offer that’s different from any other place in town is consistency and memory.
When you keep the external place the same and the product is the same, people relax and they just feel good.” “It hasn’t changed in the 50 years I’ve been going there,” said Janet Kelley of Westbrook, a Biddeford native who eats there once a week. “That’s part of the appeal.
When my husband and I first got married, I was able to say ‘See that seat over there? That’s where I used to sit.’ It brings back .
