After nearly 90 years of slinging mile-high pies and fried chicken enjoyed by generations of San Antonians, comfort-food spot Earl Abel’s is closing its Pearl-area restaurant. Lingering damage from the COVID-19 pandemic — including inflation and staffing woes — are driving the plan to shutter the restaurant on Aug. 21, the business’ owners said in a Monday Facebook post. However, they hinted that a new location and additional investors could resurrect the venture.