During the pandemic, homeowners were turning their backyards into outdoor living spaces, converting them into bars, gaming areas, and even extensions of their homes. However, one Massachusetts man recently opted to take his backyard to new heights by opening a pop-up restaurant behind his home.
Now, he’s getting rave reviews for the decision, and his business has even been featured in the Marblehead Weekly News, where he gave an interview about the business. According to Max Scivetti, owner of Max’s Backyard Beef, he had a really good reason for creating the community restaurant, which opened on July 3, 2026 (a local cozy space for his students, friends, and comunity to gather).
Fans are now flocking there to try some of his well-received roast beef and to help support a community business, which Scivetti says he hopes to expand if things continue to go well.
Of course, the part-time chef isn’t giving up his day job, and says that his newfound business continues to draw inspiration from his classroom. Here’s what we know.
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Max’s Backyard Beef Is Located in Beverly, Massachusetts
According to the restaurant’s Instagram page, you can get your fill of Max’s Backyard Beef by visiting 437 Rantoul Street in Beverly. No, that is not Scivetti’s home address. Despite having the word “backyard” in the name, the 24-year-old has moved his business to a commercial location after he says he spent 8 months cooking for his friends and neighbors in his own yard, inviting them to enjoy their meals on his porch, according to Marblehead Weekly News.
Once it was clear that there was a demand for his cooking, Scivetti moved the business but kept the down-home name, and it sounds like some of the community vibes that made the pop-up such a hit in the first place.
The Coastal Carolina University grad can be found at Thurgood Marshall Middle School in Lynn when he’s not slinging beef sandwiches for his neighborhood. He told the publication how his experience being a long-term substitute teacher reminded him of the importance of creating a welcoming environment.
These days, he says his students will come by and grab a bite when they’re not in school, which is furthering that community vibe.
Most Places Won’t Let You Open a Backyard Restaurant Without a License
If you felt inspired by this feel-good story, you may want to do some research about your local laws before trying to duplicate Scivetti’s methods. That’s because some municipalities require you to have certain licenses before you’re allowed to sell food from your home, which can also come along with inspections and equipment requirements.
On the other hand, some states and local municipalities will give homeowners a bit of slack when they run a small business like this out of their homes, usually referring to the rules as “cottage food laws.” According to the National Agricultural Law Center, these laws allow you to make certain food and food products in your home without forcing you to adhere to the stricter regulations that establishments face.
You can learn more about what is required where you live by visiting your local or state government website and searching for cottage food laws in your area.