Mac’s Old House in Antioch to close after 42 years

ANTIOCH — Mac’s Old House, an old-fashioned Italian restaurant known for its prime rib and minestrone soup, will close its doors this summer after decades of serving up not just traditional dishes, but memories that have lasted a lifetime for some of its regular customers and out-of-town guests.

After 42 years, the final meal will be served on June 22.

Rick Cook, manager and head chef, said he and owner Gary Noe are ready for retirement. Cook has been in the restaurant business since he was 15, but felt it’s about time to hang up the apron.

“We’ve not had anyone step in (to continue running the restaurant),” said Cook. “I will definitely miss it, but at the same time, I am looking forward to missing it.”

Cook said he now hopes to spend time with his family and travel.

In a social media message, management said they have been fortunate over the years to survive the ups and downs that come with owning a restaurant.

“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. As difficult as this decision is, all good things must come to an end,” management said.

Noe purchased the restaurant in 1983, but the building itself was first built in 1925 by Floyd “Mac” McKinney, according to the restaurant’s website. McKinney converted part of his home into a bar and opened it in 1956, running it for 17 years before retiring.

In August 1983, Noe opened Mac’s Old House as it is today. McKinney eventually built a small home behind the restaurant and lived there until his death in 1994. When he was alive, McKinney would come to the restaurant almost daily to enjoy a cocktail and dinner, sitting at the same exact table.

McKinney’s picture and obituary now hang above that spot.

Noe, together with Cook, a former manager of a family-style Italian eatery in Oakland called Bertolas, transformed the restaurant. Thanks to Bertolas’ former owner, Louie Pasquinelli, Cook was able to bring family recipes with him to Antioch.

After taking over, Noe and Cook decided to retain the restaurant’s name as Mac’s Old House out of love for its “beautiful neon sign” and because they had come to “know and love Mac himself.”

For those who had the chance to experience Mac’s Old House and regularly visited, its closure will have an impact.

Harry Torrano, a loyal customer since the early 1980s, said he remembers coming every weekend with his family.

“My dad came here every Thursday, until he passed on in 2020,” said Torrano.

Three generations of the Torrano family have been coming to Mac’s Old House.

“I’m turning 60 in November, and I’ve always enjoyed their prime rib dinner and calamari,” said Torrano. “The food and drinks are good and cheap, and people come here to have a good time.”

Torrano said the restaurant would host watch parties during the Super Bowl, and his sister would get the family a table.

“We are upset that they are closing. I told my sister we should buy the place,” he chuckled.

His daughter, Shelly Torrano, 27, remembers her grandfather taking her and other grandkids to Mac’s Old House.

“Every once in a while, when all the grandchildren are in town, he would take us here, so I’ve known this place since I was a kid,” she said.

Her mother, Sherry Torrano, has been a loyal patron for decades.

“I’d come here from Concord. It was affordable and the drinks were good, it’s a place (filled with) friendship and memories,” said Sherry Torrano. “Now it feels like the end of an era.”

Clint Fredenberg and his son-in-law, Trystan Banks, have been regulars as well. Banks has been eating at Mac’s Old House since he was young, while Fredenberg has been making the monthly commute from Brentwood for over 30 years.

“It’s sad to see the restaurant close, but we’ve certainly enjoyed it,” said Fredenberg. “It feels like ‘Cheers,’ because when you walk in, Michael, the regular bartender, knows our names and drinks.”

Banks and Fredenberg agreed that the quality of what Mac’s Old House offered has been consistent over the years.

Dinner menu prices range from $9.95 to $23.95, while drinks are between $4 and $5 at this cash-only establishment.

“You can’t argue about the prices here,” said Fredenberg.

For Shania Miller and her husband, Mac’s Old House has been their go-to date night spot. When she found out the restaurant was closing, she decided to take her five kids there.

“To be honest, we are relocating soon and know we won’t be able to come here often, so we thought of bringing the kids to experience what we’ve been up to when we’re sneaking out on our date nights,” chuckled Miller.

The restaurant said the property is up for sale.

According to Chromata Real Estate agent Tatiana Guzman, the 3.04-acre property consists of two parcels and includes the restaurant, a house, and agricultural land.

The restaurant has a sale price of $1,035,000, while McKinney’s home and remaining 2.5 acres of land are priced at $765,000.

“We received a lot of interest from (groups) that would like to continue operating as a restaurant,” said Guzman in an email to this news organization.