Local Business Q & A: Maximo's Takeout in Watertown

Welcome to my first Local Business Q & A post! The goal of these posts is to introduce you to the people and ideas behind the businesses that make Watertown great. I hope to get you one of these types of posts at least every 2 weeks. If you know of a business or owner that would like to be interviewed for a post, please feel free to contact me!

Today's Q & A is with one of the newest additions to the Watertown community, Maximo's Takeout at 584 Mount Auburn Street. Enjoy the interview, and if you have questions you think should be added to these interviews, please let me know, I would love your feedback!

Business: Maximo's Takeout
Address: 584 Mount Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-744-5499
Website: http://maximostakeout.com
Email: info@maximostakeout.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maximos/239100539444457
Twitter: http://twitter.com/maximostakeout
Owners: Phillip & Betsey Zeller
Interviewee: Betsey Zeller

1. Tell us how your business came about.
Our family lives here in Watertown and as a busy dual-income household, we often wished there was a local takeout restaurant in our neighborhood that served the foods we like to put on our own table: simple, flavorful, wholesome food … and fast. It is our goal to provide healthier, more creative options with the added ease of takeout or delivery. Scattered within our menu you will find superfoods such as sweet potatoes, kale and quinoa; comfort foods such as grilled cheese and burgers; with a touch of local inspiration, such as hummus and tabouleh from our neighbors, Sevan Bakery.
 
2. Why did you decide to "set up shop" in Watertown?
The answer to that is simple. We like Watertown.  It’s where we live and we’re invested here. Our friends and family live in Watertown and the surrounding areas. We enjoy the sense of community here.
 
3. What have been the advantages of being in Watertown?
Watertown offers a diverse cultural community, from which we have drawn our inspiration for a number of our menu items. The demographics of Watertown create the perfect home for our concept.  Offering a range of menu items at a reasonable price. There is something for everyone on our menu.
 
4. What have been the disadvantages of being in Watertown?
We’ve found the limited parking to be a challenge but otherwise, Watertown has been the perfect location for our business.
 
5. How does your business utilize local products or vendors?
At Maximo’s we are committed to supporting our neighbors and other local business. From the very beginning we’ve sought out local contractors, vendors and products. We hired local contractors, plumbers and electricians when renovating our space. We’ve hired local printers for our signs and our fresh produce is delivered from Russo’s. We sell products from our neighbors Fastachi, Arax and Sevan Bakery. Even our insurance agent is local!
 
6. What is your favorite Watertown business besides your own?
It is impossible to limit ourselves to one locale when answering this question. We frequent many Watertown establishments. Some of our favorites are Uncommon Grounds, Town Diner, Strip T’s, Wild Willies, Stellina’s and all of the Armenian Markets. And that doesn’t even scratch the surface!
 
7. What is your favorite product your business produces?
We see the menu as an ever-changing component of our restaurant. Of the menu items that we currently offer, our favorites include our Turkey Burger, Roasted Tomato Bruschetta, the Ranch Hand Salad, Grilled Hangar Steak and the Slamin’ BLT.
 
8. What is your best selling product?
Our burritos. We offer the option of steak, chicken, veggie or tuna steak. All of our ingredients are made fresh everyday.
 
9. What else would you like people to know about your business?
We are a family owned business that is invested in our concept. We take every comment from our customers to heart and strive to make Maximo’s an establishment that people will want to frequent.  Our friends and family are already regulars, and we hope the warm atmosphere that a storefront filled with friendly faces creates will be appealing to others.

We offer catering as well.  Please see our website for our catering menu. We have a background in corporate catering and feel confident that our expertise will be evident in our product.

As a side note, Maximo's now delivers as well! If you would like to read my review of Maximo's, please click here.

So, fair readers, I ask you, have you been to Maximo's yet? What did you eat and how was it? If you haven't been yet, what do you think you would like to try there (view menu)?