John McBride and his wife Max opened their flagship restaurant Max’s Café in 1998 then added the Sonoran Grille, Agave Grill and Bryan’s Sports Bar.

  1. How would you describe yourself in one sentence?

Optimistic, chatty out-going personality whose vision of happenings are brighter then actuality.

  1. When and how did you first discover Peñasco?

While exhibiting my hand-crafted glass beads at the annual Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, I entered into a conversation with a couple who described Rocky Point and its charms.

  1. What enticed you to locate here?

Within three months of that encounter, Max and I packed up and moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to Penasco joined by our sons Johnny 11 and Bryan 9 in the adventure to take advantage of reduced labor costs, proximity to the border and a safe environment for our family.

  1. What was your biggest challenge when adjusting to life here?

Lack of shopping, dirt roads and finding good workers.

  1. How do you fill your days?

Restaurants consume most of my time, but I take the time for an occasional lunch date with Max at an Old Port restaurant.

  1. Besides here, where do you think of as home?

San Francisco Bay Area, CA

  1. What do you miss about that home?

The weather and variety of entertainment opportunities.

  1. What here always brings a smile?

Full cash register at the end of the day or rescuing a tourist.

  1. If you were to leave, what would you miss most?

Son Bryan and his family and the interaction with customers.

  1. What one thing would you say to convince someone to relocate here?

Cheap housing in a beach community with a friendly population.