Max's Bistro & Bar

Max's Bistro & Bar reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. G

   Gerald

   San Diego3 reviews

   3.0

   Dined today

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Haven’t been to Max’s for dinner in over a year, so I thought I’d take my daughter and mother for Easter dinner. Mostly good. Service was great. Restaurant was moderately busy for the dinner crowd for a holiday so it wasn’t loud at all. The drinks, appetizers, and food came out in a timely manner and our server was prompt and polite. The appetizer (shrimp) was amazing and having spicy sauce on the side was essential. My mother ordered the cioppino. While light, it was delicious. My daughter ordered from the children’s menu and not withstanding the temperature of the food for a child, it was as expected. I had the “special” shrimp pasta. It underwhelmed. I don’t like to use that word often nor do I say it lightly. It’s the only reason for the “good” and not excellent or very good review. There was not too much of the shrimp or chicken jalapeño sausage. The sauce was light for a pasta and I can honestly say I’ve never had that type of pasta in 25 years of enjoying fine dining. Somewhat of a miss. Won’t stop me from coming back though. 😁
   

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2. M

   Maegan

   Central Coast4 reviews

   4.0

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Very nice Easter Brunch! Food was good and service was fast.
   

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3. J

   Jonel VIP

   San Francisco2 reviews

   3.0

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   I have never been disappointed until today. I was seated at a small narrow table in the thoroughfare. I blame myself for not asking to be moved since it was not busy as yet. I got my plate from the buffet. Then a hugely obese couple were seated directly across from us. The man’s posterior was literally on my plate since they had no room to negotiate the tight space. My appetite was gone. Once I recovered I asked the server if I could take a brownie home for dessert. She told me no absolutely not. I was very surprised since we had paid for the buffet. I will think twice about dining at my favorite spot, since that really surprised me.
   

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4. D

   Donny

   Los Angeles4 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   Great Restaurant. Food was great. Staff was very friendly ❤️
   

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5. D

   Doris Ann VIP

   San Joaquin27 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   As always, the food was delicious. Jennifer our server, did a fantastic job of taking care of us.
   

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6. C

   Charles

   San Francisco5 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We live an hour away from Fresno and Max's is one of regular of a very few special restaurants for which we have been going there for twenty years. The food is always excellent, they have a great staff and the ambiance is exciting. Truly a quality overall dining experience.
   

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7. C

   Charles

   San Joaquin3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Seated early for our reservation. Wait staff was quick, efficient, yet not so much as to disturb our time there and our meal. All of the meals ordered were quickly, cooked correctly and were both visually appealing and tasted great. This was our third visit in the past thirty days and all three visits had the same great experiance. For sandwich selections we highly recommednt eh french dip or pastrami and ordering the french fries with them is a must.
   

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8. S

   Samantha

   San Diego3 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on April 13, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   Brunch food was terrible. Food was bland. Waffles were dry and falling apart. Service was incredibly slow. Not worth the money coming here.
   

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9. P

   Paris

   Unspecified1 review

   3.0

   Dined on April 12, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Food was great and so was the service :) i would go again :D
   

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10. S

    Susan

    San Joaquin1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Food was great, a bit noisy for crowd size. First visit for my guest, thoroughly enjoyed her food selection!
    

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