A look inside the just-opened ‘Saved by the Max’ pop-up diner

As the old adage goes: The wait is over.

Saved by the Max, the much-heralded pop-up diner based on its television counterpart from the 1980s hit TV series “Saved by the Bell,” opened its doors to the public today at its summer home in Wicker Park (1941 W. North Avenue to be precise). The diner is a replica of the The Max, the television eatery that was frequented by the students of the fictional Bayside High School featured in the series. On-hand for the grand-opening was series co-star Ed Alonzo, who portrayed The Max’s owner on the series, which ran from 1989-1993 on NBC.

The kitchen, helmed by former Schwa chef-de-cuisine Brian Fisher and pastry chef Mari Katsumura, boasts such kitschy-titled treats as “Mac and Screech,” “AC Sliders” (Goose Island braised pulled port and Lillie’s Q Gold barbecue sauce), “Snow White and the Seven Dorks” (seven-spice chicken wings), “Tori’s Fried Chicken” (Goose Island 312 and coconut milk waffle with Korean fried chicken and spiced maple syrup) and the classic “Bayside Burger,” (all references to the show’s characters and setting, to the newbies out there). Dinner is by reservation only and as of this posting, they’re no longer accepting them due to overwhelming demand. You can, however, partake of the diner’s late-night walk-up special events (after the dinner service).