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The following article was submitted by Krystal Garfield and Sunita Richardson.

Bringing retro diner charm, playful dog-inspired details, pinball, patio seating, and a deeply local spirit to the former Kabul space in Wallingford.

By Sunita Richardson & Krystal Garfield

On the corner of 45th and Corliss, where commuters pass through, families grab a bite on the go, and college students drift in looking for something quick and satisfying, a familiar Wallingford storefront is preparing for a lively new beginning.

The space formerly occupied by Kabul, the Afghan restaurant that closed its doors at the end of 2025, is set to become Max’s Burgers, a fast-casual neighborhood hangout from longtime Seattle restaurant and bar owner Max Genereaux and his partner, Kim Kobata. We had the chance to sit down with Max and Kim next door at Al’s Tavern, then walk through the evolving space with them as they shared their vision. Their idea is simple on the surface: burgers, thin, crispy fries, sodas, shakes, and a special-recipe meatball sub. But inside the space, the story comes alive in layers—a retro diner with vintage charm, a game room, a love letter to the block, and a lot of personality.

Max, who is behind enduring Seattle spots including the Sunset Tavern, Hattie’s Hat, The Ballard Smoke Shop, and Al’s Tavern, had long been connected to this stretch of 45th. When the neighboring space to Al’s became available, he and Kim saw a chance to do more than open another restaurant. They wanted to add a new chapter to a corner that has already held decades of neighborhood memories.

Before Kabul became a Wallingford favorite, the space was home to Chung Mee Cafe from 1970 to 1992, run by Linda Woo, known affectionately as “Aunt Linda.” Her kitchen centered on fresh Chinese stir-fries cooked over two giant woks, with a large steam-powered warming table that Max and Kim have kept as a piece of the building’s working history.

Kabul followed in 1992 and remained until 2025, first launched by Polish immigrant Slawomir Pytlasinski and operated by Sultan Malikar and Wali Khairzada. Wali, who came to Seattle in 1981 and fell in love with the city’s snow-covered mountains, became Kabul’s sole owner in 2000. Over the years, Kabul built a loyal following with a focused menu, signature spices, and its memorable painted-brick mural by artist Cliff Parshall, inspired by a 1985 National Geographic cover.

That sense of lineage matters to Max. During the remodel, he has spent time digging into the building’s past, even uncovering original blueprints tucked away in the rafters. For him and Kim, the goal is not to erase what came before, but to carry the corner forward with warmth, humor, and a little playful mischief.

Inside Max’s Burgers, guests will find digital ordering kiosks, a modern conveyor belt for easy pickup, and plenty to explore while they wait: pinball, a photo booth, patio seating, and a connected ordering system to neighboring Al’s—with an arched passageway for anyone who wants to pair their burger with a beer or cocktail from the bar. During the day, it will be family-friendly and easy to take out; after 9 pm, the doors will open into the bar, and the space will shift into a casual game room and nightlife hangout.

The design leans into vintage diner energy, with a continuous long bench, classic glass menu boards, an angled mirror wall, and custom artwork throughout. Local collaborators are woven into the details, too.

Max and Kim are working with master carpenter Don Kiley for the build-out. For design and marketing, they are partnering with Shay Roth and Kyler Martz. Shay is the operating partner of the Sunset Tavern and has collaborated on remodel and design projects with Max and Kim for more than 20 years. Kyler is a local designer, muralist, tattoo artist, and illustrator whose vintage-inspired artwork can be seen all over Seattle; his Giant Octopus sculpture hanging in the PCC Ballard entryway is a delight. Fine artist Andy Spath will paint an interior mural of Gas Works, the city skyline, and the Aurora Bridge as seen from the Wallingford perspective.

And then there are the dogs—the heart of the whole thing. Max and Kim’s beloved border collies, Neko and Minnie-Mae, helped inspire the brand’s fun-loving spirit. Their presence will show up across the restaurant, from wall art and merchandise to a custom neon sign above the door featuring their wagging tails. The exterior mural, still a work in progress, will be part of the final reveal and is expected to bring that personality streetside with “bad dogs” sneaking burgers, getting tattoos, causing trouble, and generally acting wild.

It is an intentionally playful idea for a corner with a serious amount of history. Counter to national chains, Max’s Burgers is aiming to be something distinctly local: a quick stop, a neighborhood discovery, and a place with enough character to make people linger.

Max’s Burgers is expected to celebrate its grand opening later this summer at 2301 N 45th Street. Stop by for a burger, a game of pinball, a look at the murals, and maybe even a chance to meet Neko and Minnie-Mae, the two dogs who set the whole story in motion.