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San Francisco Restaurants 2008

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Max's at the Opera

601 Van Ness Ave
San Francisco, CA 94102-3200
Phone: (415) 771-7300

Ratings & Reviews Summary for Max's at the Opera

What Users are Saying:

  • Prompt seating
  • Good for kids
  • Good for groups
5 Star Rating
 
(2 reviews)
4 Star Rating
 
(3 reviews)
3 Star Rating
 
(9 reviews)
2 Star Rating
 
(1 reviews)
1 Star Rating
 
(4 reviews)

User Reviews for Max's at the Opera

Citysearch (14), Dine.com (5), All (19)

3 Star Rating: Average

06/23/2008 Posted by boymeetswestcoast

Max's, an upscale diner, was just an average restaurant. It was close to our hotel, which made it a good choice. The food and service was just average. However, the giant mushroom appetizer was very good! The menu is versatile and the dress was mixed. Some people were in jeans, others in khakis. We were first seated in a booth by the bar, which was noisy, so we moved to a move private booth where we had an enjoyable family meal.

1 Star Rating: Not Recommended

11/15/2007 Posted by patrickbad

Absolutely horrendous. I had to pay extra for potato salad and extra for a pickle. Im not cheap but, after paying 16.00 for a sandwich. I mean come how much does this stuff really cost. I also have complained to the mangement and they are rude and could care less. I use to like this place, but no more.

Pros: none

Cons: parking, service, prices

4 Star Rating: Recommended

07/07/2007 Posted by 123459999

Great spot for a before and after stop to the Opera.I especially enjoyed the wide selection of menu items, and found the menu prices fair for the the city.Service was good,after taking into consideration that everyone around us was in a hurry,because they couldn't manage their time and stressed out the staff.Nobody's perfect,yet I truely enjoyed my experience in your establishment-See Ya Soon-jjj

Pros: Great Food-Reasonable Prices For A SF Restaurant-Given The Portions

Cons: Parking

2 Star Rating: Below Average

09/05/2006 Posted by maryanny143

They aren't ashamed of it, in fact they are proud of it, but this is the most fattening restaurant around. Portion sizes are HUGE and the fat content is out of control. They aren't very nice to their waitstaff either... Oh, and for the food, the prices are AWFUL! I could have opened my own box of butter for a lot less.

Pros: A pleasant way to eat yourself to a heart attack

Cons: Boring ambiance. And the fat! Prices are too high.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

08/07/2006 Posted by justineelise

I used to come to Max's Opera Plaza at least once every two weeks to either eat in or take out. And I always got the Chinese Chicken Salad Lite. I know for a fact that this was one of the most popular items on the menu. Well according to a waiter this salad simply takes too long to make and they got rid of it! Nothing at Max's is healthy now. If that doesn't bother you that enjoy. The restaraunt is not dirt cheap and not outrageously expensive. Your bill is going to run around $30 for two people. The portions are huge and the desserts are devine. The Seven Layer Cookie and the Carrot Cake are wonderful treasures.

Pros: Great Desserts, Big Portions

Cons: No healthy options

3 Star Rating: Average

07/24/2006 Posted by cutiekatie

The sandwiches are good and HUGE so very easy to share- but it is WAY too expensive for the kind of food it is. It's a good place to go before a show because they'll make sure to get you out before curtain call, but I'm sure you can find a better and cheaper place close by.

Pros: Good food, fast service

Cons: too expensive

1 Star Rating: Not Recommended

05/29/2006 Posted by janicewilliams

I explained to the waitress to make the Reuben with pastrami because I don't like or eat fatty meat and the pastrami had been historically lean. I was served a fatty, gristly Reuben sandwich. I was able to salvage a percentage out of 1/2 sandwich. I then asked her to just make 1/2 Reuben for me to take home with lean meat. When I got home I discovered I was given two pieces of bread and more fatty pastrami, no Reuben. I called and spoke with the manager and she told me that I needed to order lean and suggested it was somehow my fault. What part of English don't these people understand? Has service and food quality become so poor at Max's that people are expected to accept whatever is served!

Pros: not crowded

Cons: bad food, bad attitude

3 Star Rating: Average

05/03/2006 Posted by rarcher

i live in the building, so i eat there when i get too lazy to cook or walk somewhere else the food's decent and you do get large portions (no room for dessert) so splitting meals works best otherwise, you could cook for yourself and do as well or better slider's makes much better burgers for less the take out guy told me if i took it cold and microwaved it for x minutes, i'd save $2 and he said that's all they do, microwave it they have the warning bout how their take out sucks max's rules of service are fun and all, but, honestly, who's gonna call the employee on any of these - technically, max owes me a couple free dinners, riiiiight

Pros: large portions, location, live music

Cons: price, large portions, sometimes crowded

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/08/2006 Posted by alibabapug

when i'm in the mood for a good burger, i always think of max's -- i don't care about all the other strictly "burger" places. nothing beats the size, taste, and value of those at max's. not to mention the other items on their extensive menu. if multiple people in your party can't agree on a cuisine, go to max's -- they have everything from salads, deli sandwiches, pasta, american, and more.

Pros: food, service, value

3 Star Rating: Average

11/26/2005 Posted by deja_vu

Good food, but a little over-priced--$33 plus tip for a meat loaf dinner but then that includes salad, dessert and split charges. You can save those charges by asking for a separate plate, instead.

Pros: good food, fast service, singing

Cons: split charges

Editor's Review

Piled-high sandwiches, gigantic desserts and singing waiters glamorize this souped-up deli in Opera Plaza.  See the full editorial review.

Insider Tips

Know Before You Go

Dine alone with ease. Rule #16 of "Max's Laws" calls for a meal on the house if your host asks the dreaded question, "Just one?"

More Insider Tips

Restaurant Information

Parking

  • Garage

Hours

  • Sun-Tue 11:30am-10pm
  • Wed 11:30am-11pm
  • Thu-Sat 11:30am-11:30pm

Payment Types

  • Visa
  • MasterCard
  • American Express

Cuisines

  • Coffee Shops & Diners

Meal Price

  • $$

Amenities

  • Date Spot
  • Brunch
  • Group Dining
  • Bar Scene
  • Open 7 Days
  • Kid Friendly

Specialty ratings for Max's at the Opera

Specialty Rating  
Family-Friendly Dining 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Vote

Near This Location

601 Van Ness Ave
San Francisco, CA 94102-3200

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