Max’s Burgers is preparing to open at 2301 N. 45th St. in Wallingford, taking over the former Kabul restaurant space, according to Wallyhood. The new fast-casual concept comes from longtime Seattle restaurant and bar owner Max Genereaux and his partner, Kim Kobata.
Genereaux told What Now Seattle that Max’s Burgers is being designed as a casual neighborhood gathering place, with a compact menu of burgers, fries and shakes, outdoor seating.
The menu will also include a special-recipe meatball sub and veggie burgers. Genereaux said the burgers will be smaller than those typically found at full-service restaurants, making them suitable for children or guests pairing their meal with a drink next door.
Max’s Burgers will connect directly to Al’s Tavern, Genereaux’s longtime neighborhood bar, through an interior passageway. Customers will be able to bring their food into the bar or enjoy a burger with a beer without leaving the building.
“I wanted to put something next to Al’s where it would be family-friendly,” Genereaux said.
Beyond the food, the space will feature outdoor seating, pinball, a photo booth and a retro diner-inspired interior. Digital kiosks and a conveyor belt will support the quick-service setup, while the space will transition into a more casual game-room environment later in the evening.
For Genereaux, the location offers an opportunity to bring new activity to the corner of North 45th Street and Corliss Avenue North.
“It’s going to be a meeting place because it’s on the corner, and I’m going to activate that corner. It’s going to be a nice place to hang out.”
He envisions the restaurant serving the neighborhood throughout the day, from families picking up dinner after sports practice to customers who want to stay longer, play pinball or visit the neighboring bar.
The branding takes inspiration from Genereaux and Kobata’s border collies, Neko and Minnie-Mae. Their dogs will appear in artwork, merchandise and a custom neon sign planned for the restaurant.
“I pretty much just started with wanting to put my dogs in neon,” Genereaux said.
The approximately 1,300-square-foot space previously housed Kabul, which closed in December 2025 after more than three decades in Wallingford. Genereaux and Kobata plan to preserve elements of the building’s history while introducing new murals and vintage-inspired design details.
Genereaux said the build-out is roughly halfway complete, though an opening date has not yet been set. Additional updates, including signage and grand opening details, will be announced as construction progresses.
