Dear Harbor Freight Shopper

ew for Letras Libres, Alonso Ruvalcaba compiled several contemporary critiques that described the food at Máximo Bistrot as being prepared with high-quality, seasonal, and straightforward Mexican ingredients. He noted that the menu changed daily and likened the restaurant's approach to that of a fonda or bistro, a type of modest and affordable eatery. According to the cited reviewers, the décor was simple and somewhat unkempt. It featured a tri-colored cement mosaic floor, furniture inspired by the architect Luis Barragán, and a tree of life sculpture in which candles replaced traditional biblical figures. The furniture—including tables, chairs, and benches—was crafted from mesquite wood and manufactured in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato. In July 2020, Máximo Bistrot relocated to a larger space in the same neighborhood on Avenida Álvaro Obregón, in a space previously occupied by an automobile repair shop and a pool hall. The new location was chosen partly because of its kitchen, which matched the size of the former restaurant. It offered upgraded facilities, including grills, a smoker, stoves, ovens, a cold room, and industrial extractors—all of which had been absent from the original location. The move was initially scheduled for March 2020 but was delayed due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico. By 2020, the restaurant also shortened its name to Máxi