Community Highlights: Meet Amy Zuniga of Maximo’s on Broad

I’ve been in the restaurant industry for a long time. I worked in other fields but always found myself back in restaurants.  Wine has always been an interest of mine and after going to Italy in my 20’s and visiting this one particular wine bar I fell in love with I felt so inspired to learn more about wine and in the back of my mind I knew I should open a wine bar. It did not happen right away. First I had to work in a lot of restaurants and learn a lot about the business. Years later, I married Julio, who just happened to be a very talented chef, and the opportunity to buy a restaurant came along. It was such fortunate timing it just seemed like it was meant to be.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Nothing about owning a restaurant is smooth.

You never know what’s going to happen but you know it’s certainly not going to be uneventful. There have been so many challenges along the way that sometimes we would question why we decided to do this. Then there’s those tiny moments when you look across your bustling restaurant and see everyone smiling, laughing and having a great time and that’s when you stop, relax a little, appreciate what you have and remember why you got into it in the first place.

I will say (as for everyone) that 2020 was the most challenging but we are happy to say we are still here and hope to persevere.

We’ve been impressed with Maximo’s on Broad, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Maximo’s is a locally owned restaurant by husband and wife team, Amy and Julio Zuniga. Our focus is offering flavorful fresh food. Chef Julio brings his flair for spice to all of his creations. Paella is probably what he is best known for. If you haven’t tried it, it is worth a visit! We prepare everything in house and have so many options on our tapas menu that there should be something for everyone’s taste. It’s a relaxing artsy kind of vibe so you don’t have to put on a tie or dress. Just come ready to enjoy yourself.

I manage the restaurant and focus on the front of the house. I am a wine lover. The wine list is my baby, I treat it very special. I like to offer wines from as many regions as I can, highlighting the best each country has to offer and prefer boutique wineries over mass producers.

All of our cocktails are carefully put together with fun and balance kept in mind. We have some classics but most are my concoctions. I also make the desserts. My ice creams are, according to customers, the best they’ve ever had. You can find me in the kitchen, running food, seating guests or behind the bar. I am all over the place!