WICKER PARK — In June, Wicker Park will get a "Saved by the Bell" pop-up parody diner/bar combo called Saved by the Max, inspired by a diner that a group of high schoolers frequented in NBC's popular late '80s and '90s TV show.
So far, 4,700 people have said that they plan to go to the diner, and another 19,000 are interested, according to the month-long pop-up's Facebook event page.
The bar will be "custom detailed to replicate the gang's favorite hangout, The Max," organizers say. A full kitchen will offer AC Sliders, Preppy BLT, Macaroni & Screech, Belding Fries, Lisa Turtle Milkshake and more.
The location of the bar is under wraps until May, according to a spokesman for the project who told us that the bar will NOT be in Emporium Arcade Bar, Antique Taco's 2nd floor events space or the new Whiskey Business — our top three guesses.
We asked readers where they think the diner will be and why.
Liliana Eleanora thinks Saved by The Max could be in Silver Cloud, 1700 N. Damen Ave., which closed abruptly in August 2014 and has been vacant since then.
"Some of my 'why' is because it's been empty for a while and I can't believe no one's snapped it up, and because it's described as a 'Funky retro bar/diner with American comfort fare & late-night jukebox-fueled cocktail lounge,'" — sounds like the right spot to me!!" Eleanora posted on DNAinfo's Wicker Park Facebook page.
Laurie LaRosa Cornell suggested, "the old Rodan location? Because it truly WAS the heart of Wicker!" Cornell is referring to the restaurant and lounge at 1530 N. Milwaukee Ave. that shuttered over the summer.
Greg Walker first suggested either Blue Line, Beachwood Inn and Dove's Luncheonette, and then settled on the former Beachwood Inn.
"Of the three, Beachwood may be the only one with chairs that you can sit on backwards," Walker said of the dive bar at 1415 N. Beachwood St. that closed last June.
Where do you think Saved by the Max will be? Weigh in on Neighborhood Square or DNAinfo's Wicker Park Facebook page.
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