Local Institution Maxwell's...Make That Maxine's...Is Better Than Ever
Complete Destruction By An Asshole Former Tenant Couldn't Keep Them Down
I remember decades ago when Mike Maxwell tried expanding to dinner service. It didn’t work. I’m pretty sure he knew it wouldn’t. His wife at the time pushed for it. She was there when I went to try it. All I remember is she wouldn’t stop talking. From that point on I was strictly a 7am-2pm customer. Those are the operating hours today.
I always liked Mike. Really low-key dude. He was fishing pals with Venice legend Jimmy Stathis, who introduced us one morning at Washington and Walgrove.
If you live here, you’ve likely been there. If you’ve been there, you know the story. It’s fucked to say the least. A Short recap: (Venice Paparazzi takes a deeper dive: Venice Paparazzi - Maxwell's). More details and pictures are also available on the back of their menu.
Short version:
Mike Maxwell purchases it in 1972.
Mike turns it into a Venice institution before selling to Heidi Lemmon in 2006 and bailing for Costa Rica.
In 2008 Heidi leases the business (not the property) to a tenant who ran it for a decade — before turning it over to a partner who ran it into the ground while not paying rent for three years.
The tenant finally vacates on May 19, 2022, but not before gutting it for an additional $280k in damages. Dude stole everything, trashed the irreplaceable Venice memorabilia, and took a chainsaw to the beautiful wood benches and tables. The police arrived in time to save the counter. (Pictures here: LINK)
Heidi Lemmon reopens Maxine's in July 2022. Her daughter Philene, Sal, Dave, Auggie return as well. Sal’s dad owned Pepe’s in the old bowling alley on Venice and Grandview. He’s got stories.
Heartwarming Venice stories about local Venice restaurants* only go so far if the food sucks. Like Maxwell’s, the food at Maxine’s is really good. Not just diner really good. It’s really good. People don’t line up for warm and fuzzy. I could make some menu recommendations, but who the fuck cares?
Here’s Venice legend Jimmy Stathis and his 1952 Chevy pickup on the cover of a Maxine’s menu. Anyone who’s endured Jimmy wolfing down a Maxine’s meal knows the coffee stains likely came from him.
Long live Maxine’s.
