I'm so bummed

We were in the mood for a Philly cheesesteak sandwich today, so we hopped in the car and drove over to our favorite little sandwich place, Max's Taste of Philly. Much to our dismay, they were closed. A sign was taped to the front door, so I jumped out to read it:

"Notice of Lien..."

Its a sad day. We have been going to Max's for years, back when they were in a dumpy little shack on East University. Back then, the place was always packed. They were open for breakfast and lunch, and that was enough. On the weekends, it was hard to find a free table. It was a favorite in the neighborhood.

Then one day, the building owner decided to sell the old shack. Max's moved into a vacant restaurant over by Fiesta Mall. Its a busy area, so one would have thought they'd do well there. But because of agreements with the fast food restaurants already in the shopping center, Max's couldn't serve hamburgers anymore. And no more breakfast.

Since the new place wasn't visible from the street, it was all too easy to miss if you didn't know they were there. In time, the shopping center started to decline, losing even popular restaurants like Red Robin and Bennigan's.

Sadly, I guess it all became too much for the owners to hang on to. The rent near the mall was undoubtedly more expensive than the old shack on University. And as newer, bigger and fancier malls have been built in the area, Fiesta Mall doesn't draw the kinds of crowds that they used to. It was far enough from their old stomping grounds that many of their old customers didn't frequent Max's anymore.

Its such a shame. It was the kind of place you would go to and feel like you were one of the family. The owner knew exactly what I ordered every time without asking. It was that kind of personal touch that made the place what it was, aside from the killer cheesesteaks.

Max's, we will miss you.

Posted by geekchik at September 18, 2004 09:46 PM