Cafe Maxs

We just ate dinner here as one of our girl nites out and wanted to write and say what a good time we had, the food was delicious the server was great (Noreen), the drinks were well strong ha, jsut the way we like them. i'm booking my baby's christening party here in the downstairs wine cellar and am looking forward to another great day, maybe not as many drinks. we are not from this town, but don't think its trashy as toher person said, he must just not be a nice person anyway we will be back, missy Pros: drinks, food, server, downstairs Cons: bigger bathroom we had 9 girls who drank a lot more

Wow I was just going to write and thank Max's for a great valentines dinner and thank them for going out of their way for helping us celebrate our wedding anniversary also, but having read the previous review I have to comment on that. We have been coming to Max's for over 6 years every week and have never had a bad meal or service, the restaurant is not one of those sterile-devoid of personality-cookie cutter franchises, it has been a restaurant-bar for almost 100 years and its interior is vintage not a dump. If you want one of those same old same old franchises go to bonefish-red lobster etc, this restaurant has personality and charm. I am also not surprised if the service was not that great judging from your comments calling a city trash and the people who live in it trash (we reside in this town for 40 years) proves that you are an ignorant-rude-boor who probably abused the server so you get what you give. Do us a favor and stay out of our town and go to red lobster and we will keep coming to max's for the next 20 years, and again thanks for making our nite special as always, Zara Pros: atmosphere, history, service, food Cons: ignorant people who need to stay out of town more

Appears to be an upscale restaurant in a downtrodden decimated area. Truth is the help is hired from this trash city and you should know what to expect. Had a prolonged wait to be seated after making the reservations for a large party a month in advance. Had waited 45 minutes for drinks, food was undercooked and served cold. When this was brought to the attention of the manager he responded that it was unusually busy and he did not have enough help. Offer no mediation whatsoever. Food was overpriced for the (lack of) quality we received, drinks were overpriced, the staff was rude, slow and dirty. I ABSOLUTELY WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS DUMP TO ANYONE!!!!!!!!. Save yourself the aggrevation and go with somethign you know in an area you know. Don't waste your time, effort or money on this garbage hole. You're askign to be disappointed and you're asking for more trouble than it is worth. Pros: Looks like a nice place Cons: Service was the worst I have ever experienced, food was undercooked and cold, wait was far too long, should I keep going???? more

we got a gift certificate to Max's from a friend for christmas and i'm glad we did as we would have never thought to eat here on our own. Guess we were not sure where gloucester city was, but its really not that much of a hike. When entering we were wondering if it was open at all as was almost totally dark on inside and there was a not on main door to try bar entrance, we finally made our way past bar and several employees sitting down to stand an unacceptable amount of time at front desk for one of the same employees to seat us. Once she did our waitress not one of the ones at bar greeted us warmly and told us specials. Husband ordered imported beer he likes and I ordered a very good martini, and we started to like the atmosphere after the initial chilly reception. The food was very good had special black bass that was very fresh and tender husband had fruti di mare which he finished, we split dessert and were very content to digest meal, but the music and lighting almost put us to sleep. this place should be more lite up and peppy not sure if its just because of the age of restaurant, but should have a more pleasant appearance. Pros: price, food, service Cons: chilly reception, dark-dark-dark, dreary music more

We went to maxs on a fellow workers reccomendation and we were very happy we did. The restaurant has a feel of a gastropub warm and comfortable (fireplace, regulars, everybody is friends who work there) the menu is unpretenious, but something there for everybody who attended. Our server Noreen was very friendly and knowledgable about the menu and the history of the restaurant, i'm late with this review but hope she gets word that she was great. The food was straight forward good seafood with that made from scratch taste and did not disappoint and neither did the price which made me feel like i did not spend my future for a dinner. We will be back soon to try more food items and have some more of that delicious bread pudding. Pros: server, comfortable, food Cons: lighting, women's bathroom could be upgraded more

Went to maxes for an office Chritmas party. Had to pre order the meals ahead of time. Waited over a half hour before the waitress came over,and then wanted to take orders that were already put in. The salads were finally served then it to over another 40 minutes before the main course arrived. Poor experience, extremely unacceptable and far below par service.\r \r There was only a few people in the cafe for lunch at the time. This place has more of a feel of a bar then a cafe. Parking is limited and the street lay out makes it difficult to find the place. The diner would have been a better chose and cheaper. more

Max's was the place when I was young where my dad would stop for a treat of Fried Shrimp on a Friday night on his way home from work for us for dinner. I remember also going there to sit in which was a treat, although I remember it being stark, and small. \r \r My boyfriend and I had been there 2 weeks ago and the food was superb, the ambiance wonderful. Tin ceilings, rich wood moldings add to the decor. \r The mussels are THE BEST in the area. They arrived steaming and the arorma of the stock, garlic, green onions wafted through the air. We usually have a few appetizers, this allows us to sample a few different offerings. Our first visit consisted of the mussels ( white) the coconut shrimp, and the scallops wrapped with bacon. All were done perfectly. The service was good and again I have to say the decor is warm and inviting. The owners have refurbished this place and I would say it's the GEM Of Gloucester, and the surrounding area. Our most recent trip, Thanksgiving Eve included the mussels again, steamers, crab meat cocktail and Shrimp Fra Diablo( cooked perfectly). Again, all the food was very very good. We would suggest a change in the bread though, like Lanci's in South Philadelphia or Cacia's. A nice Italian Boule sliced and warmed would be great to dip in the mussels. The herbed butter was good. Maybe a selection of Olive oil once the bread changes would be a great addition. The salad was good we had a caesar and a vinagrette and the dressings were equally good. \r We didn't have dessert, but instead were curious about the fireplace at the bottom of the stairs near the bar. We ordered a final glass of wine and enjoyed the fire before ending our evening at Max's. There are 2 chairs aside the fireplace and then a private dining room down there as well. \r I'm looking forward to taking my mom there who will be shocked at how beautiful this place has become. \r \r My best to the owner, he has done a fabulous job. Pros: Lighted parking, Ambience, Great food , Fresh seafood Cons: Bread doesn't match quality of everything else. more

Best Seafood I have ever had! Go and enjoy......fanatastic wine cellar.Great service!! Their cedar-planked salamon is awesome and healthy! Will be back soon !!! Pros: Fresh Seafood wide selection Cons: Lighting more

I watched this restaraunt transform from an old building with good food to a wonderful corner cafe fully restored with incredible food and probably the coolest historic bar I have ever had a drink at.. We went to Max's ""open bottle Wednsday"" to try a great wine and then we bought a bottle for our table ! Congrats to owner Tom Monahan on a job well done !\r \r Tom M. Pros: Great food beautiful building Cons: a little hard to find if you are not familiar more

When my mother was aksed where she would like to go for her 61st birthday only one answer had come out of her mouth ""Max's"". Having dined there multiple times in the past and usually always having an enjoyabole experience this place seems to be slipping. They were extremely understaffed and the manager had pulled just about every excuse he could have possibly used. A 45 minute wait just for an appetizer, drinks left unfilled for 30 minutes, dinner 1.5 hours later!!! This was no suprise to him as one table was seated and promptly exited after viewing the lack of service not only our, but other's was receiving. This occasion was booked well enough ahead of time that there shold have been no suprise to emplyees or the management. I made the owner duly aware of the purpose of our visit. It would have made somewhat of an impact had he come over and explained what was happening to my mother or even recognized her birthday and their lack of service. All we were met with were repeated ""I'm sorry"" over and over coupled with excise after excuse of how it isn't usually this busy on this night of the week, how kitchen and wait staff had called off sick, etc. Poor experience, extremely unacceptable and far below par service, especially when this place is very much normally capable of doing much more. Never again will we make this mistake. Pros: Nice ambience, food suually of high quality Cons: SERVICE IS TERRIBLE! more

We love Max's. We went for the first time and were impressed by the food quality and the warm atmosphere. \r \r I was also concerned about Gloucester City, but no worries. I hope Max's is someday looked at as the first in a renaissance of Gloucester City.\r \r We brought our family back a month or so later. My parents comment was Max's was the best kept secret.\r \r I read in an earlier review that the dressing was tasteless. I found all of their homemade salad dressings to be delicious.\r \r You should make reservations.\r \r Give Max's a try, it's great. more

nice location to cambell's field we did not feel rushed to make game. Great food, service, drinks (great beer selection) enjoyed reading history of Max's and waitress said owner bought restaurant down the street (odonell's?) which will be a steakhouse. We look forward to visiting on next game just please make sure air is working by then as it was a bit hot. Pros: location, food, history Cons: heat more

we have been to max's quite frequrntly and love the shrimp scampi!!!!!!! more

I decided to try Max's after some of my friends went and enjoyed what they experienced. We went on a saturday night and the place was pretty crowded and pretty noisy which is ok as this is expected on a saturday night at 7:30. We had to wait 20 minutes which is not bad for saturday night unfortuntetly the bar area is not very large and the bartender was not fast taking our order. We ordered Tuna springrolls (very nicely rare on inside) and Clams casino (very tasty with cornbread-andouille stuffing). I ordered the Tilapia special a huge filet topped with spinach-artichoke-crab stuffing it was a large filet but since it was light I almost finished it, my husband ordered filet mignon which was a bargain at 19.95 (all choices were not overly priced). We settled to split the Banana bread pudding for dessert probably the best we ever had. Pros: Food, Prices, Close to philly Cons: Small bar area, Need another bartende, a bit noisy more

Max does have crabs (hardshells that is). We've been coming to Max's for the past year after friends told us about it and even though its a hike from marlton its worth the trip. The only thing missing was my favorite hardshell crabs and now they have them although only till end of summer as apparently they arent as loved as I love them. I got them even though my dinner partner was not thrilled about the hour it took to eat them delicious, she loved her Shrimp Tempura and Tilapia also specials and of course we got they Key lime pie our favs. Pros: Crabs, Key Lime, Specials Cons: hot in summer, small womens room, crabs ending more

My wife and I have heard about max's for several months now, but were unable to figure out where it is. We were a bit itimidated by gloucester city's reputation, but were pleasantly surprised to find a newly landscaped parking lot with lighting. It is situated between row homes but stands out with its decor and inviiting glass plated windows. The waitress was friendly if not too informed about the menu or specials. We decided on the Crabcake appetizer lots of crabmeat with buttery finish, creole gumbo with tons of chicken, shrimp, sausage. My wife ordered the low-carb mediterranean tuna with grilled vegetables and hummus and she was pleased I got the Cedar Planked salmon which was just a little too large for my appetite but otherwise very tasty as were the desserts Key lime pie and Creme brulee, we will return now that we know where it is. Pros: parking lot, food quality, desserts Cons: rolls, lack of menu knowledg, hot in dining room more

We just returned from a very nice lunch at this charming restaurant... The service was great - She was very attentive... The presentation of the meal was excellant... The taste and freshness of the meal was also very good... We will certainly return for another lunch and the dinner menu looked very good... Pros: Atmosphere, Meal presentation, Service more

Waitress was cold and unattentive. Waited 25 mins. after seating to get our soup. Bread was just an ordinary italian roll. Creole soup was bland. Salad was bitter and blue cheese dressing as thin as milk and tastless. wife had surf & turf. Filet tough and crabcake tasted liked breadcrumbs. Broiled seafood stuffed flounder, the crabmeat filling bland. Shrip tough, chewy and no flavor. Scallops bitter and bacon undercooked and fatty. Way overpriced for the quality. Was afraid to try desserts. Pros: Good Rice Pilaf, Good Squash Cons: Poor Wait Service, Poor quality food more