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player ready...Gather ’round, preppies. We bring good tidings from the land of Saved by the Max, that “Saved by the Bell”-themed pop-up diner in Wicker Park you may have heard about by now. Armed with a 10 p.m. reservation on a Monday night (yeah, it hurt a little), we prepared to be transported back in time to our favorite ’90s sitcom. Two hours and three courses later, we forklifted ourselves out of the restaurant and back into 2016, where everything felt a little brighter. Perhaps it was the neon lighting, but we’ll take it where we can get it.
Saved by the Max is a nearly flawless dining experience, but there are a few things you gotta know before you go to optimize your tummy space and Instagram opportunities. Here are the eight things you must do before, during and after your reservation.
1. Prep with episodes of “Saved by the Bell”: This is a must to understand the crazy accurate interior design happening at Saved by the Max. From the neon pink signs and colorful booth seating to the glass-tiled windows and ’90s-tastic spikey cutouts on the walls, the Wicker Park restaurant could easily pass as the sitcom’s diner set. Lucky for you, the hit show is available on Netflix for easy bingeing.
2. Fast for at least five days before your reservation: Ticket holders are in store for a three-course mega meal that includes one appetizer, entree and dessert per person. And the kitchen, led by former Schwa chef de cuisine Brian Fisher, doesn’t skimp on portions. Nothing short of a five-day juice cleanse will allow you to join the Clean Plate Club here, but going light on lunch and resisting snacks before your reservation will help, too.
3. Get in character: Big hair, don’t care. Now is your chance to bring back that zigzag windbreaker … or buy the one of your dreams. Spandex, crop tops, high tops, acid-washed denim jackets—it’s all welcome at The Max. (Plus, recent trending fashion allows you to play a fun game of “costume or nah?”) Check out these preppies having a ball:
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4. Scope Mr. Belding’s office: If you’re lucky, you’ll get the table for four in Principal Belding’s office, complete with wood paneling, a report card file cabinet and a framed photo of his child’s birth. If not, you can still creep around diners to get a good look. Dennis Haskins, who played Mr. Belding, hosted a sold-out event last Sunday to kick off the return of brunch service.
5. Order strategically: This meal requires some teamwork if you’re going with a group. The waitstaff asks that you place your entire order up front, so discuss the menu with dining mates to ensure that everyone orders something different. While seasonal veggies as an appetizer or side might sound boring, they were a welcome break from the deliciously greasy diner fare. By the time we finished our meals, we were too full to make a dent in dessert, but we recommend coming to a collective decision on one or two ice cream treats to share amongst the table (you can’t go wrong with Max’s Magical Sweet Tooth with blueberry muffin ice cream, candied lemon, whipped creme fraiche, blueberry jam and maple syrup). The Hey, Hey, Hey pie of the day from Bang Bang Pie Shop and Miss Bliss’ candied bacon are good doggie bag options, too.
6. Don’t pass on Tori’s Fried Chicken: Undoubtedly the best menu option available, be sure someone at your table commits to this Korean fried chicken atop a waffle made with Goose Island 312 and coconut milk and drizzled with spiced maple syrup.
7. Pace yourself: Portion control isn’t a factor here, so proceed with caution. We went H.A.M. on appetizers and lost steam halfway through our entrees. By the time dessert was served, we were all in our third trimester of food baby pregnancy. Nibble at appetizers, splurge on those entrees and save room for dessert.
8. Act fast on photo opportunities: The diner is filled with ’90s-tastic backdrops dripping with Instagram likes, so don’t be shy now. After the check is signed, use your last few moments to snap photos at the payphone, locker wall and jukebox. Planning group poses is also strongly encouraged.
Reporters visit restaurants unannounced, and meals are paid for by RedEye.