Ok - this place kind of pisses me off. I’ve opened probably 15 restaurants in my life, and I don’t know how these guys have nailed this. Food is great and service is great every time I’ve been here. Super friendly and fast. Haven’t had one bad thing. Such a great place for the neighborhood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tim Cruz
This might have been the best sausage and egg and cheese on a roll I’ve ever had…sure is it pricey at $16 but I promise it will be in the top 3 you’ll ever have. The pancakes are good, I loved em with blueberries. Coffee is fantastic. Comfort food done extremely well. Lilly and Mason running you food and pouring coffee makes it feel like a family joint.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dylan Ris
Max & Helen’s is a charming spot with tasty food, but there’s a hefty celebrity surcharge on every item. Check out the menu and see for yourself. I thought the food was high quality, as did my dining companion, and we both enjoyed the ambiance and friendly staff. But throughout my meal, I kept mentally comparing Max & Helen’s to the similarly named Bub & Grandma’s in Glassell Park and finding it to be inferior. In a nutshell, Bub’s has a bigger menu with equally good food (and its ow in house bread) for notably less money.
Max & Helen’s has no shortage of early interest—we waited 40 minutes on a Wednesday—but time will tell if those hefty prices are sustainable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nicholas Waldon
Was a bit hesitant to come given the prices I saw. That being said, I was seated quickly, staff was amazing and the food was high quality and surprising in a good way. I’d come back Had a Nancy Silverton in the wild sighting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Aishu S
I’m sure the food would have been great. I wouldn’t know though, since the host, in the most Patronisingly LA way, basically told us not to bother waiting. I get it, they want to remain a neighbourhood spot, they don’t take reservations. We knew that when we got there. We didn’t need to be spoken down to We would still have happily waited the 30-40 minutes that she suggested. But the tone at door and the flippant “I’ll guess we’ll have to let you know” was enough for us to turn away.
Service: 1
Lisa Connelly
It was a two hour wait for one person for lunch on a Monday. Wait 6 months and try this place, once the hype wears off. They don't take reservations.
jake manuel
Love the vibes & atmosphere.. they have to do better with the portions.. it's not okay. I waited 2 hours for a very small breakfast plate.. with 1 miniture wheat toast..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Camilo Velez
Incredible experience all around. Prices are reasonable for LA (some pricier options on the menu but generally reasonable). Wait times right now are insane so come with tons of patience or come early. Breakfast sandwich and waffle were the highlights for me, other than the atmosphere and decor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
R Feria
So, it's a diner redone in fauxstalgia where you pay $30 for a sandwich and $17 sundae?
Michael Jelenic
I live in the neighborhood and was excited to try this place out with my family. We showed up at 4:45 to put in a reservation and was told it would be about an hour wait. Cool! When we returned after an hour I was told it would be another 2 hours. That was a first. We killed time by going to dinner at Great White and getting ice cream at Salt N Straw and then returned to check in on the wait. Still several parties ahead of us. I can only imagine Max and Helen wandering Larchmont for 3 hours as their blood sugar drops. Of course they were probably seating people who came after us for reasons I can only speculate about - which is their prerogative - but it feels in contrast to the supposed neighborhood diner feel that was advertised. Occupying the former space of Le Petit Greek, this place has very big shoes to fill in terms of hospitality, I hope they do better. There are still four parties ahead of us.
such an amazing atmosphere! you have to try the Reuben (best one I’ve EVER had) + the hot chocolate was incredible!! 100% will return when the wait times die down! we waited 3 hours after putting our name down, but it was worth the wait! :) I recommend trying to book online to save waiting around!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alpi Marzi
I so badly want to love this place. We need a great diner in the neighborhood! But almost 30 bucks for a burger and fries?? For a couple eggs, bacon, potatoes and one pancake??? Almost $20 for a banana split?!!? That’s just… I feel for them that this is probably what it takes to stay open in a) this neighborhood and b) this economy. But it’s just too expensive.
Ryan
I have never given a full 5 star review but this place absolutely deserves it. The Ruben was the best I’ve ever had, absolutely delicious. Our waiter was super friendly, gave great recommendations and was super fun. It felt like we stepped into a diner 75 years ago. 10/10 will return.
The line to get in can be a bit brutal but Max and Helen’s is one for the memories.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ann М
Congrats on the opening. We stopped by today and were excited to try the place. We were told the wait would be 1 hour 45 minutes and put our name down. When we looked inside, there were several empty tables.
We came back once to check on our spot since we never received a text or call. The host seemed unsure and told us it would be another hour. We looked again and still saw open tables.
At that point, we decided to leave. We never received any notification, and the front-of-house team seemed very unorganized. Hopefully things improve soon, because the place itself looks great.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Rose Choi
I got to Max and Helen’s around 6:30PM. They cut off the waitlist at 7PM, and I ended up getting seated at 7:50PM — second to last seating of the night.
We shared the waffle to start, plus the tuna melt, the meatloaf hot plate, and a side of fries. The waffle really is as good as everyone says. I used a little less of the maple butter because it leaned salty for me. The tuna melt was perfection, especially with their housemade hot sauce. The meatloaf was just okay — I’d skip it. The fries were crispy, fresh, and exactly what you want from diner-style fries, so definitely add those on.
Service was great, and there are still so many things on the menu I want to try, so I’ll definitely be back for breakfast. We tried to order the hot chocolate but they were sold out, so if you want it, get that in earlier, especially if you’re there late. Ended up with a slice of chocolate cake instead and wow — they do not skimp. Huge, moist, decadent slice.
Are the prices high? Yeah. But most diners in the country serve Sysco Foods, and this place clearly doesn’t. So don’t compare it to your usual diner prices — you’re paying for better-quality food and it shows.
Also: my friends went the next day at 5PM and only waited five minutes, so earlier seems the move.
Ok - this place kind of pisses me off. I’ve opened probably 15 restaurants in my life, and I don’t know how these guys have nailed this. Food is great and service is great every time I’ve been here. Super friendly and fast. Haven’t had one bad thing. Such a great place for the neighborhood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This might have been the best sausage and egg and cheese on a roll I’ve ever had…sure is it pricey at $16 but I promise it will be in the top 3 you’ll ever have. The pancakes are good, I loved em with blueberries. Coffee is fantastic. Comfort food done extremely well. Lilly and Mason running you food and pouring coffee makes it feel like a family joint.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Max & Helen’s is a charming spot with tasty food, but there’s a hefty celebrity surcharge on every item. Check out the menu and see for yourself. I thought the food was high quality, as did my dining companion, and we both enjoyed the ambiance and friendly staff. But throughout my meal, I kept mentally comparing Max & Helen’s to the similarly named Bub & Grandma’s in Glassell Park and finding it to be inferior. In a nutshell, Bub’s has a bigger menu with equally good food (and its ow in house bread) for notably less money.
Max & Helen’s has no shortage of early interest—we waited 40 minutes on a Wednesday—but time will tell if those hefty prices are sustainable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Was a bit hesitant to come given the prices I saw. That being said, I was seated quickly, staff was amazing and the food was high quality and surprising in a good way. I’d come back
Had a Nancy Silverton in the wild sighting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
I’m sure the food would have been great. I wouldn’t know though, since the host, in the most Patronisingly LA way, basically told us not to bother waiting. I get it, they want to remain a neighbourhood spot, they don’t take reservations. We knew that when we got there. We didn’t need to be spoken down to We would still have happily waited the 30-40 minutes that she suggested. But the tone at door and the flippant “I’ll guess we’ll have to let you know” was enough for us to turn away.
Service: 1
It was a two hour wait for one person for lunch on a Monday. Wait 6 months and try this place, once the hype wears off. They don't take reservations.
Love the vibes & atmosphere.. they have to do better with the portions.. it's not okay. I waited 2 hours for a very small breakfast plate.. with 1 miniture wheat toast..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Incredible experience all around. Prices are reasonable for LA (some pricier options on the menu but generally reasonable). Wait times right now are insane so come with tons of patience or come early. Breakfast sandwich and waffle were the highlights for me, other than the atmosphere and decor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
So, it's a diner redone in fauxstalgia where you pay $30 for a sandwich and $17 sundae?
I live in the neighborhood and was excited to try this place out with my family. We showed up at 4:45 to put in a reservation and was told it would be about an hour wait. Cool! When we returned after an hour I was told it would be another 2 hours. That was a first. We killed time by going to dinner at Great White and getting ice cream at Salt N Straw and then returned to check in on the wait. Still several parties ahead of us. I can only imagine Max and Helen wandering Larchmont for 3 hours as their blood sugar drops. Of course they were probably seating people who came after us for reasons I can only speculate about - which is their prerogative - but it feels in contrast to the supposed neighborhood diner feel that was advertised.
Occupying the former space of Le Petit Greek, this place has very big shoes to fill in terms of hospitality, I hope they do better.
There are still four parties ahead of us.
Restaurantji Recommends
such an amazing atmosphere! you have to try the Reuben (best one I’ve EVER had) + the hot chocolate was incredible!! 100% will return when the wait times die down! we waited 3 hours after putting our name down, but it was worth the wait! :) I recommend trying to book online to save waiting around!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I so badly want to love this place. We need a great diner in the neighborhood! But almost 30 bucks for a burger and fries?? For a couple eggs, bacon, potatoes and one pancake??? Almost $20 for a banana split?!!? That’s just… I feel for them that this is probably what it takes to stay open in a) this neighborhood and b) this economy. But it’s just too expensive.
I have never given a full 5 star review but this place absolutely deserves it.
The Ruben was the best I’ve ever had, absolutely delicious. Our waiter was super friendly, gave great recommendations and was super fun.
It felt like we stepped into a diner 75 years ago. 10/10 will return.
The line to get in can be a bit brutal but Max and Helen’s is one for the memories.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Congrats on the opening. We stopped by today and were excited to try the place. We were told the wait would be 1 hour 45 minutes and put our name down. When we looked inside, there were several empty tables.
We came back once to check on our spot since we never received a text or call. The host seemed unsure and told us it would be another hour. We looked again and still saw open tables.
At that point, we decided to leave. We never received any notification, and the front-of-house team seemed very unorganized. Hopefully things improve soon, because the place itself looks great.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
I got to Max and Helen’s around 6:30PM. They cut off the waitlist at 7PM, and I ended up getting seated at 7:50PM — second to last seating of the night.
We shared the waffle to start, plus the tuna melt, the meatloaf hot plate, and a side of fries. The waffle really is as good as everyone says. I used a little less of the maple butter because it leaned salty for me. The tuna melt was perfection, especially with their housemade hot sauce. The meatloaf was just okay — I’d skip it. The fries were crispy, fresh, and exactly what you want from diner-style fries, so definitely add those on.
Service was great, and there are still so many things on the menu I want to try, so I’ll definitely be back for breakfast. We tried to order the hot chocolate but they were sold out, so if you want it, get that in earlier, especially if you’re there late. Ended up with a slice of chocolate cake instead and wow — they do not skimp. Huge, moist, decadent slice.
Are the prices high? Yeah. But most diners in the country serve Sysco Foods, and this place clearly doesn’t. So don’t compare it to your usual diner prices — you’re paying for better-quality food and it shows.
Also: my friends went the next day at 5PM and only waited five minutes, so earlier seems the move.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
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