I truly frequent this joint for the matzo ball soup. The matzo ball are so delicious, delicate and seasoned perfectly. The broth might be from a box or can but those matzo ball could heal.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Robert Rivera
We were a group of three. Two of the meals, meat loaf and crab cakes were passable. The third a Pastrami Sandwich was served on stale rye bread, a slice of cheese that was curled and off colored on the edges, and cold pastrami. Twenty six dollars for a horrible sandwich; no thanks. Too bad Max's was a go to whenever we went to a show, the symphony or after work.
Zelin Wang
Crab cakes: Under-seasoned and bland. Best part was the lightly dressed cabbage slaw.
Chicken wings: Decent
Fish & chips: Under-seasoned and bland. Accidentally gave cocktail vs. tartar sauce.
Tuxedo cake: Not sweet enough and dry. I’ve had better from Costco.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Corva Marco
This server was VERY rude with us, this company needs to do something about it.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Steven P
Diner food in a fancier setting. Beautiful piano music
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
Robert Cunningham
A good value and of course lots of folks with tight schedules so fast service is key, and that is delivered. Yummy and reasonably priced. Parked across the street.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Terry
Stopped for quick dinner before the Opera. We were seated quickly, and the speed of the service was appreciated in order to make it to the performance on time. Enjoyed the wedge salad, Reuben sandwich and hot fudge sundae.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Andy Proehl
I had lunch here recently and came away quite disappointed. The place has gone down hill since its pre-pandemic days. I accept that pastrami is hard to do well but this place used to have nice tender pastrami. The pastrami was tough and the cole slaw side was tasteless. The tables were also very sticky which makes you feel like they are not cleaning the place. It made me want to leave. There are a bunch of words on the wall extolling the virtues of the place. It specifically mentions having clean tables (they don't). It's possible the tables are clean but sticky because they're painted. If so, glass tops which are easy to clean would make this problem go away.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Rakesh Talwar
Not one of my best experiences in SFO, or maybe I didn’t choose the right dish.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
José R. Espinoza M.
One of the best places in Van Ness and SF. Foods is great, all the staff is awesome. Conveniently located. Large selection of dishes.
The woman at the bar was extremely rude. She gossips about customers to other customers while you are in the bathroom. Everyone here acts as if they are better, do not recommend and regret giving my money to such people.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
TheEvilZigzagoon
Asked for a drink in order to use their restroom instead of just using it like a pos. Just to hear from my spouse that the bartender and waiter were talking shit the entire time just because i asked if i could use the restroom prior to ordering drink.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Emanuel Brueh
If you like going to a restaurant with service that ranges from indifferent to hostile, with cafeteria-grade food one will find in a hospital, and an ambiance that resembles a neglected senior center, then Max's Opera Café is perfect!
The first clue that this will be the experience is a prominent sign that says, "Critics are Not Welcome." This is a wise strategy, as they would rather you not know that you are in for what could be rated one of the worst restaurants in San Francisco.
If proximity to Davies Hall and the Opera House is your priority, I strongly recommend a cold sandwich from their snack bar instead. It will be a better culinary and service experience.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Andrew Tang
I ordered a Greek dish that was supposed to be a mixture of lamb, bread, and vegetables. It was just a lamb, bread, and sauce: a lot of processed carbs and meat. The interior of the restaurant does not have pleasant floors that create a pleasant dining experience. Certain construction materials create a pleasant dining experience. I am afraid I cannot go in depth this time.
I truly frequent this joint for the matzo ball soup. The matzo ball are so delicious, delicate and seasoned perfectly. The broth might be from a box or can but those matzo ball could heal.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
We were a group of three. Two of the meals, meat loaf and crab cakes were passable. The third a Pastrami Sandwich was served on stale rye bread, a slice of cheese that was curled and off colored on the edges, and cold pastrami. Twenty six dollars for a horrible sandwich; no thanks. Too bad Max's was a go to whenever we went to a show, the symphony or after work.
Crab cakes: Under-seasoned and bland. Best part was the lightly dressed cabbage slaw.
Chicken wings: Decent
Fish & chips: Under-seasoned and bland. Accidentally gave cocktail vs. tartar sauce.
Tuxedo cake: Not sweet enough and dry. I’ve had better from Costco.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
This server was VERY rude with us, this company needs to do something about it.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Diner food in a fancier setting. Beautiful piano music
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
A good value and of course lots of folks with tight schedules so fast service is key, and that is delivered.
Yummy and reasonably priced. Parked across the street.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Stopped for quick dinner before the Opera. We were seated quickly, and the speed of the service was appreciated in order to make it to the performance on time. Enjoyed the wedge salad, Reuben sandwich and hot fudge sundae.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
I had lunch here recently and came away quite disappointed. The place has gone down hill since its pre-pandemic days. I accept that pastrami is hard to do well but this place used to have nice tender pastrami. The pastrami was tough and the cole slaw side was tasteless. The tables were also very sticky which makes you feel like they are not cleaning the place. It made me want to leave. There are a bunch of words on the wall extolling the virtues of the place. It specifically mentions having clean tables (they don't). It's possible the tables are clean but sticky because they're painted. If so, glass tops which are easy to clean would make this problem go away.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Not one of my best experiences in SFO, or maybe I didn’t choose the right dish.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
One of the best places in Van Ness and SF.
Foods is great, all the staff is awesome. Conveniently located. Large selection of dishes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Horrible service! Do not recommend.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
The woman at the bar was extremely rude. She gossips about customers to other customers while you are in the bathroom. Everyone here acts as if they are better, do not recommend and regret giving my money to such people.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Asked for a drink in order to use their restroom instead of just using it like a pos. Just to hear from my spouse that the bartender and waiter were talking shit the entire time just because i asked if i could use the restroom prior to ordering drink.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
If you like going to a restaurant with service that ranges from indifferent to hostile, with cafeteria-grade food one will find in a hospital, and an ambiance that resembles a neglected senior center, then Max's Opera Café is perfect!
The first clue that this will be the experience is a prominent sign that says, "Critics are Not Welcome." This is a wise strategy, as they would rather you not know that you are in for what could be rated one of the worst restaurants in San Francisco.
If proximity to Davies Hall and the Opera House is your priority, I strongly recommend a cold sandwich from their snack bar instead. It will be a better culinary and service experience.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I ordered a Greek dish that was supposed to be a mixture of lamb, bread, and vegetables. It was just a lamb, bread, and sauce: a lot of processed carbs and meat. The interior of the restaurant does not have pleasant floors that create a pleasant dining experience. Certain construction materials create a pleasant dining experience. I am afraid I cannot go in depth this time.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
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