A ‘Saved By The Bell’ Diner Opened In Chicago And It’s Everything You Could Possibly Imagine

It was only on the air for five seasons, but Saved By The Bell has lived on in syndication since they stopped making new episodes in 1993. Sure, there have been some spinoffs and made-for-TV movies since then, but none of them were like the original series. Now, longtime fans of the hit show can experience their dreams and live out life on their favorite TV show by heading to a diner called Saved By The Max in Chicago.

The new pop-up diner is inspired by the legendary and fictional restaurant known as The Max on Saved By The Bell. It was the place for dances, dining, hanging out, and drama from Zack, Kelly, Lisa, Screech, Slater, and Jessie. Fans of the show can experience what it was like to have a burger or a shake at that neon-filled diner, but only for a limited time.

As reported by Today, Chicago events planner Derek Berry learned that there would be some space available in the Wicker Park area, but it would only be for a month. Back in April, he announced that Saved By The Max would take that spot and be open only through August.

Vogue reports that advanced reservations through August sold out in less than 30 minutes for Saved By The Max, and it was packed for its opening on Wednesday. Those on the waiting list do have some other options, as walk-ins are accepted for late-night service as well as brunch.

Berry had been throwing ’80s, ’90s, and even Y2K-planned events for a long time when he realized that there he could do so much more. That is where the idea for Saved By The Max came from, and he couldn’t be happier with the outcome, but it was a lot of work.

“Being, like, a huge Saved by the Bell fan, I instantly thought of where I would like to eat, what would be totally iconic to be in.

“It’s like the most fun job I’ve ever had. I was up until 3:00 in the morning last night searching ‘Saved by the Bell quotes’ so we can paint [them] on the walls.”

Every single thing in Saved By The Max was built from scratch, and directions were taken straight from episodes of Saved By The Bell. All of the neon and weird shapes and the psychedelic floor were all designed to make it as realistic, to a fictional TV show location, as possible.

Longtime fans of Saved By The Bell will notice some interesting touches that one wouldn’t expect to see scattered around. Zack’s short-lived DJ booth from the “Save the Max” episode is there. There are souvenirs from Bayside High School, and Mr. Belding’s office is even there as a private dining area beyond the walls of The Max.

Check out some of the unique and awesome dishes available.

• The Kelly Kapowski — Monte Cristo with prosciutto, gruyère and spicy brown mustard
• Mac & Screech
• AC Sliders — Pulled pork sandwiches with Lillie’s Q Good Barbecue Sauce on top
• Lisa Turtle Milkshake
• Bayside Burger
• Mr. Belding’s Fries
• Hot Sundae — True fans get this reference

There’s even Tori’s Fried Chicken, which is named after a character played by Leanna Creel, who came in just for the final season. She was there to replace Tiffani Thiessen and Elizabeth Berkley’s places after they departed the hit series.

If you’re lucky enough to be there on its opening days, Ed Alonzo has been there to entertain patrons with some of his comedy and magic. Alonzo played the role of Max on Saved By The Bell, and never let the kids have a boring meal.

There’s even a Zack Attack cover band who will play at Saved By The Max for one night a week during its summer run.

Saved By The Max may just end up being a flash in the pan, but that’s what a lot of people thought Saved By The Bell would be, too. Now, it’s living on in reruns more than two decades later, and it’s spawned a Chicago diner that could very well expand across the United States. As of now, the pop-up diner is only open through August, but the very long wait list could prove that it needs to be open on a full-time basis.

[Image via NBC]