After over four decades of serving the community of Antioch, Mac’s Old House Restaurant announced that it will close its doors for good on June 22, 2025. It has been a surprise to numerous loyal patrons who have been patronizing the cozy atmosphere, ginormous portions, and old-school Italian-American cuisine since 1983.
A tradition-bound rich heritage
Mac’s Old House history goes back even before its restaurant days. The house itself is old, constructed in 1925 by Floyd “Mac” McKinney and his father. Mac had half of his home reconstructed as a tavern in 1956, which he kept for 17 years before selling and retiring. The property had several owners before it was bought in 1983 by Gary Noe to be turned into a restaurant based on the well-known Oakland chain of restaurants for Bertola’s.
Gary teamed up with Rick Cook, the former owner of Bertola’s, to introduce authentic family-style Italian food to Antioch. Mac’s heritage was maintained by retaining the original name and neon sign, and serving plates high with dishes patterned after Bertola’s fare, including the renowned minestrone soup. Mac himself was a familiar figure in the restaurant until his passing in 1994, the photograph and obituary front and center above the table where he always sat.
A neighborhood institution for generosity and quality
Mac’s Old House was a neighborhood late-night institution, with a reputation for its generous prime rib dinners, pasta specials, and cheap cocktails. In its 42 years in operation, the restaurant provided more than three million meals, surviving economic slumps and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it” policy brought customers who appreciated the consistency of quality and intimate atmosphere.
The proprietors were deeply appreciative to their devoted patrons and hardworking employees, knowing that the restaurant’s success was a collaborative effort. They also stated the hesitation to close down because it would mark the end of an era for the team and community that had poured so much into Mac’s.
Economic challenges and the pandemic’s impact
The shutdown is symptomatic of larger problems some restaurants have been facing in the last couple of years. The sector has struggled with shifting customer trends, inflation, rising food and labor costs, and lingering pandemic effects since 2020. Even resilient restaurants like Mac’s Old House couldn’t remain profitable even with their tight-knit communities.
Other big restaurant chains, like Red Lobster, Rubio’s Coastal Grill, and TGI Fridays, have closed locations or declared bankruptcy due to the same economic pressure. Mac’s closure is one element of this wider phenomenon in the eating culture in America.
The future of Mac’s Old House and its historic location
The restaurant building at 3100 E. 18th Street, Antioch, is for sale for over $1 million, and the adjacent residential building and vineyard land are also available for sale. Real estate agents report that several potential buyers have been inquiring, and the majority want to preserve the restaurant’s history by continuing to run it under new ownership.
Listing agent Tatiana Guzman stated Mac’s was well-liked by the public and everyone wanted the restaurant tradition to live on. While the owners are retiring, there is hope that Mac’s Old House will be a busy restaurant in Antioch for years to come.
Mac’s Old House Restaurant has been more than a restaurant; it has been an institution of the Antioch community for 42 years, carrying on a tradition that was begun almost a century ago. Its loss marks the passing of an institution of local restaurant history, but the book may not be closed. With the property for sale and local backing, there is optimism that Mac’s memory will endure, benefiting future generations with the same warmth and welcome which made it a legend.
Read more: Ford recalls more than 120,000 cars in the U.S. for brake problems – These are the models and model years affected
Read more: Sam’s Club makes bold move to increase and retain membership
