By Sean P. Ray | Managing Editor
Fans of the historic Max’s Allegheny Tavern can find out more about their favorite restaurant with a new book written by the owner.
“Last Call at Max’s: Haunted Stories and Truths from Pittsburgh’s North Side” by Douglas Diegelman released in September and includes both a mix of true historical detail and, as the title implies, ghost stories.
Diegelman said the book includes a true historical timeline for Max’s — which began as a grocery store in the 1800s before being turned into the Hotel Rahn in 1860 by George Rahn to its purchase by Diegelman’s parents in 1996 and transformation into Max’s — as well as some pseudo-fictional storytelling and spooky ghost tales which the reader will have to decide whether they believe or not.
For example, one character in the book, Carla, represents several people in Diegelman’s life.
“In the book she’s in charge of the kitchen, but she’s a combination of a number of people who’ve influenced me,” he said.
Diegelman said he used ChatGPT to assist in the research of the book, but did all the writing himself. It is the first book he’s ever written and said the experience was “easier than I expected.”
As for the ghost stories, one particular favorite that came to Diegelman’s mind was one night when he and a bartender were closing up in the kitchen. According to Diegelman, the bartender saw a “man in suspenders” stick his head through the kitchen doors to spy on them.
While Diegelman admitted he’s never seen this suspender-wearing ghost himself, staff believe it to be the spirit of George Rahn. The thought of a former owner haunting the building is enough to give the current owner a sense of unease.
“Even telling you now, it’s giving me chills,” he told The Chronicle. “Last Call at Max’s” is available for purchase at Max’s Allegheny Tavern, located at 537 Suismon St., or online at Amazon.
