Max’s on Main in Maple Grove Opens to Considerable Fanfare
For more than a year, the corner of Main Street and Arbor Lakes Parkway in Maple Grove was without one of its key tenants.
But that vacancy didn’t last long.
“We haven’t done a whole lot of advertising out there and it’s been overwhelmingly busy,” said Raul Gracia, owner of Max’s on Main.
It’s a restaurant that he named after his 9-year-old son, Max. The new sports bar replaces longtime staple Claddagh Irish Pub, which closed at the start of the pandemic.
“I think there is a lot of high expectations in the area and that’s what I want to bring,” said Gracia.
Max’s on Main is meant to be a spot where people can throw back a few cold ones, gather with friends and enjoy the game.
So far, the results have been positive.
“Yeah absolutely. It’s nice to see, kind of an independently-owned restaurant coming in, which I’m excited about,” said Richard Lupu, a customer from Maple Grove. “So I wanted to try it, as opposed to maybe a chain.”
Serving up comfort food
On the menu side of things, Max’s on Main serves the type of comfort food you’d expect to find at a sports bar.
Think along the lines of burgers, sandwiches, and chicken wings (the latter of which they marinate for 24 hours in buttermilk).
“It’s a sports bar, that’s what we do best,” said Tony Mayer, the executive chef.
A burger and fries at Max’s on Main.
The sports bar also comes equipped with a gaming room for people who want to challenge their friends at darts or Foosball, or go for the high score on the pinball machine.
“I do like that they have pinball,” said Lupu. “Yes, I am a huge fan of that, so it’s great to see some pinball back.”
The predecessor to Max’s on Main spent nearly 20 years in this venue. Gracia hopes this new endeavor will continue to be a popular hangout for the foreseeable future.
“My biggest thing is I want to make sure that the customers get what they expect,” Gracia said.
Meanwhile, Max’s on Main also offers a five percent “hero discount” for police, fire and active-duty military with ID (alcohol excluded).
