The legendary Bay Area restaurant, known for its minestrone soup and prime rib, is closing this summer. Mac’s Old House in Antioch is a beloved establishment that has served over 3 million meals during its 42-year history. However, their social media posts suggest that financial issues after the pandemic have put a strain on operations, leading to the difficult decision.
Highlights
- The closure was announced through a heartfelt social media post that detailed all the reasons for this decision.
- The place where the restaurant stood for 42 years is now up for sale at a little over a million dollars.
- Mac’s Old House is an iconic restaurant known for serving generous portions, with special takers of their prime rib and minestrone soup.
Mac’s Old House: A Community Staple Shuts Its Doors
The restaurant served larger portions of food and cocktails at affordable prices, making it a favorite (Source: Google Reviews)
A local favorite known for its generous portions and affordable cocktails, Mac’s Old House has decided to close after 42 years, announcing the decision on social media.
The post read, “We have weathered recessions, a pandemic, and ever-changing times, and through it all, we have been fortunate to serve this community. We could not have done it without our loyal customers and our dedicated staff. This little house has served well over three million meals, and we are grateful for each and every one of you.”
Since the post went live, it has been shared over 2600 times and liked by more than 1300, with loyal patrons expressing gratitude as well as sadness over the announcement. Some even enquired if the establishment would share their iconic recipes so their legacy could live on with the general public.
Mac’s Old House was started in 1983 by Gary Noe, who bought the century-old building housing the local bar, from Floyd “Mac” McKinney. He later turned it into a Bertola-style eatery while retaining Mac’s name. He employed Rick Cook, previously a manager at Bertola’s in Oakland, as head chef and manager to ensure authenticity.
Future of the Location
The restaurant will be serving its last meals on June 22. Nevertheless, the location on 18th St in Antioch is up for sale at $1,035,000, with potential buyers lining up to get their hands on this piece of history.
In a statement to The Street, real estate agent Tatiana Guzman said, “Everyone that we’ve talked to has an interest in keeping it operating as a restaurant. It’s very special to the community and it would be great for its legacy to continue on.”
Economic Struggles Intensify for Restaurants
In May of 2024, Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy, citing a rise in food prices and labor costs. Mexican restaurant chain Rubio’s Coastal Grill also filed in August of the same year, citing similar issues with costs. Another chain that had to file for bankruptcy is TGI Fridays, which is a fan favorite. They cited lingering effects of the pandemic and new competition as their reasons for filing.
Since 2020, restaurants in the US have had a difficult run. In the beginning, the lockdown forced a surge in delivery and takeout instead of the usual in-person dinners. While many casual establishments comfortably made the pivot, some chains and restaurants were unable to keep up with the times.
This shift was especially difficult for sit-down restaurants, even forcing some of them to close their doors permanently. But those who survived also had to fight to stay afloat in the following years. Moreover, the inflation in the later years and subsequent supply chain letups led to even more closures.
While inflation has seen a slowdown, the damage was done since restaurants operate on thin margins. An increase in costs further added to the already slim profits forcing many restaurants to close down. This has included a rise in restaurants, including beloved chains, filing for bankruptcy.
