05/01/09

The closest thing to a Kosher deli in No. Cal

by operagoer

I was born and raised in NYC, but have lived in Cal for 42 years. Aside from Cantor's in LA, Max's comes closest to a NY Kosher deli like the Stage deli on the west coast. For a time they had that crappy lean pastrami that was dry and tasteless. They finally got back to the real thing. There is no such thing as lean pastrami. If you want that crud go somewhere else. Max's makes no apologies for their style of food, generous helpings, varied menu, and fast service. If you vant romance go to Absinthe where you can get looked down on and sneered at or just ignored by the waiters if you aren't a wine expert.

• Pros: Has real fatty pastrami like the Stage deli in NY
• Cons: Always busy, but efficient

06/23/08

Forgettable

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.

11/15/07

Horrendous service, and they nickle and dime you!

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

07/07/07

Something For Everyone

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

09/05/06

If you care about your arteries...

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.

08/07/06

They no longer have the Chinese Chicken Salad Lite

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

07/24/06

Good food- not great- and too expensive

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

05/29/06

Famous Reuben Sandwich

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

05/03/06

maybe if you're local + lazy

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

01/08/06

great food, large portions, good value!

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