COVID-19 Updates
Updated Services
On the Menu
Popular Dishes
Location & Hours
Amenities and More
16 More Attributes
About the Business
Business owner information
Greg M.
Business Owner
Truth & Reconciliation with a side of Potato Pancakes.…
Ask the Community
Question:
How is this business handling reopening? What safety measures are they taking? Are they offering sit-down dining?
Answer:
No answers yet. You can be the first!
Question:
How is this business operating during COVID-19? Are they offering takeout, delivery, or both? Anything else to note about them right now?
Answer:
No answers yet. You can be the first!
Recommended Reviews
Your trust is our top concern, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more.
- Chika S.Evanston, IL77 friends41 reviews11 photos
7/2/2020my whole family has enjoyed this deli for years. Classic deli foods... matzo ball soup, corned beef and pastrami to die for. Husband got take out lunch today and said it was fricking fantastic. Felt very safe, With patrons and staff all wearing masks. They threw in lots of delicious pickles and a free mask cookie. Adorable! Thanks Max's!
- Jim K.Buffalo Grove, IL0 friends255 reviews32 photos
4/26/2020Updated reviewCurbside service again today, great job, no contact, terrific food. Can't wait till we can once more visit inside for breakfast and lunch
4/1/2019Previous reviewStill the best around, breakfast Northbrook, always good and good value, corned beef, can't be beat.
Read more
12/21/2015Previous reviewGreat corned beef sandwiches, in the Northwest area. Crowded on the week ends but well worth the wait. We come fairly regularly for weekend breakfast and of course the corned beef. Service has always been good and the food excellent.
Read more
- Eric S.Glencoe, IL0 friends27 reviews
4/30/2020Long time favorite. Often pick up lox and bagels ( wide variety) with cream cheese , deli salads or dine in. Matzo ball soup is a favorite, with half ( junior) sandwich of corn beef or pastrami. Excellent wait staff and bus boys. Seems to be gaining in popularity lately. Good place to meet for a meal with friends. Lively but not too noisy. Extensive menu with good variety of choices.
- Angela S.Highland Park, IL
12/27/2019They have chicken sandwich gods working in the kitchen.
Max's saved Christmas dinner for my hubby (and me...because I ate half his sandwich). After ordering Chinese food for our kids, we needed an eating plan for my hubby. He insisted we drop by Max's, since they were one of the only restaurants open. It was nearing closing time, but we made it with about 30 minutes to spare. The lovely, friendly staff welcomed us with open arms and wrangled up the most memorable grilled chicken sandwich we've ever had!
Large enough to share, and so incredibly juicy, our chicken sandwich was so good it's now officially a part of our weekly rotating menu plan. Blackened with salt and pepper and perfectly grilled, it was served on an old school kaiser roll that was buttered and lightly crispy. We ordered up a baked potato instead of fries, and it was the best darn potato I've ever had! It was crispy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside. At first I planned to just have a part of the potato. I cut off a small portion, and then another small portion, and then before I knew it I'd eaten half the potato...I couldn't stop! For the additional side, we ordered up creamy coleslaw and a new dill pickle. All my favorite foods in one meal.
Can't wait to go back and order this again. I'm hoping round two will be just as fantastic! - Jeannette A.Glendale Heights, IL
12/5/2019Updated review1 check-inMy gf had the,
Chicken in the pot-
Half chicken pulled off the bone with matzo ball, kreplach, noodles, rice, carrot, celery, broccoli, potato. So warm and hearty. You can feed 2 people with this portion size.
I went with the Reuben. Love the stack of meat they put on top. I love my sauerkraut so i do wish they added a bit more, but all in all, delicious
8/15/2019Previous reviewMy gf had the,
Chicken in the pot-
Half chicken pulled off the bone with matzo ball, kreplach, noodles, rice, carrot, celery, broccoli, potato. So warm and hearty. You can feed 2 people with this portion size.
I went with the Reuben. Love the stack of meat they put on top. I love my sauerkraut so i do wish they added a bit more, but all in all, deliciousRead more
- Steve H.Chicago, IL
12/29/2019I always enjoy coming here. It's way better than Max & Benny's, so remember not to confuse them and go to the wrong place!
When you arrive, there is plenty of parking in the strip mall area right in front of the restaurant.
As you come in, if there is no line, it is seat-yourself. There is a tiny, five-seat counter ahead and to the left. Otherwise, to the right are the two dining areas. The deli and snacks retail area is to the left. Every time I've been here, the entire restaurant has always been clean, and staff is always cleaning something.
Upon reaching a red-chaired table or booth on the diner/cafe-style dining room, you'll take a seat and quickly will be greeted by a server with sliced pickles in a dish and a basket of varied Jewish breads and matzo. Today, they were also handing out little dessert plates of very sweet and very fresh, moist coffee cake! Don't nosh too much, though, because entrees are usually quite filling.
Customer service is always wonderful and friendly, enthusiastic and welcoming. They're also attentive throughout your meal.
On this particular visit, my friend and I both started with chicken soup with matzo balls. Your bowl will come with one matzo ball, and it's size somewhere between a baseball and a 12-inch softball. It's got the perfect consistency for me -- not too light and fluffy, but not dense like a rock. Be sure to ask for the chicken meat and vegetables, otherwise you'll just get broth in the matzo ball. They do not charge extra for the chicken meat and vegetables. I find the soup here is excellent, although it sometimes could use a little bit more chicken flavor. I've never found it to be too salty. The vegetables and chicken are definitely filling. When you're sick, you can call into Max's and pick up a pint or quart of chicken soup with matzo balls and vegetables to go... Is absolutely Jewish penicillin!
My friend ordered the combo platter of Nova lox and Sable. He said both were delicious. I ordered smoked Whitefish platter. It was good white fish, although I've had a little better. This was a teeny bit dry. Our platters came piled with a hefty amount of fish, a golf ball of your choice of cream cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, Capers, onions, all on lettuce. You also have your choice of bagel on the side. Both of us took part of our platter home in a to-go box.
It does help to pace yourself, especially because when you go to pay at the cashier, there are all kind of pastries in the case, as well as Israeli candies and other junk food. I usually take home a bar of halva.
Prices here are not cheap, but they are reasonable considering how much food you get. They are definitely not nearly as expensive as Manny's or the Carnegie Deli (z"v).
L'Chaim! To life! - H C.Lincolnshire, IL9 friends10 reviews
9/12/2020Food is very good. Service sucks. People get in line in random places and I asked 3 employees how I order and the manager finally pointed me to the dark sign that says "order" (with a shitty attitude).
Get home and the soup container has a hole in it. It didn't happen on the way home, so it was like this when they packed it.
They seem to have a loyal customer base, but man the service sucks. - Bob K.Pompano Beach, FL
9/30/2019Pretty bad. Needs a good cleaning from floor to ceiling.
I won't return again unless it gets cleaned up. - Stephen M.Lake Forest, IL
10/24/20191 check-inHadn't been at Max's for ages. How was it? Just as good as ever. I ordered a corned beef sandwich and a cup of matzo ball.
The good as ever? Comfortable seating to which one is quickly taken to. A generous bread basket of bagel-like items along with matzo. Corned beef that is generous, tasty and lean. Pleasant server who checked in to make sure all was good.
Overall reaction? Makes sense to find my way there more than once in a while. - Kelly D.Long Grove, IL9 friends102 reviews
7/18/2020They need a new manager!! What a rude pig they have working there. His name is Joey, I think.
Treats customers so horribly. Unacceptable. They lost my business. - Lori Z.Deerfield, IL0 friends57 reviews3 photos
7/19/2020Lived in the area all my life. My family owned a business here as well. This should be a great local deli. It should be Clean. The staff should be nice. The owners or management should be gracious, warm, inviting and helpful.
Max's food is mostly good, but today a restaurant that is filthy, management that is always angry and mean; and a staff that has to work for such terrible people should not be in business! My family owned a small business in HP for over 30 years, my husband and I own a small business in Mundelein. Owning a small business is no easy task in today's economic and over regulated climate, but those of us who choose to remain in business, must change with the times, we must continue and strive to produce the best products and provide the best customer service possible.
Max's owners are angry and sick of owning their own business. Not sure even Restaurant Impossible could help! It's sad, because great Old Fashioned Deli's are few and far between and a fabulous Deli is needed on the North Shore, but Max's owners gave up long ago. Please share!!!! Especially for those who know elderly people who give this guy their business!!
So Update...7-17-2020
Just read this post on FB. It's not my words, but a woman there today. Heard things were better here, but apparently not.
Just want to give everyone a heads up....
I just came back from Max's Deli in highland park (off Skokie rd)
After finishing lunch I went to pay and stood in line with my 8 year old daughter. An elderly woman, probably in her late 80's walked in and cut the line unknowingly. The manager or owner Joey started to yell at her and when she asked where to go he yelled "I don't really care where you go, you can't stand here"
The poor woman looks confused and had worry on her face. I went to her and told her to stand behind me. When it was my turn to pay I nicely told Joey that speaking to elderly women that was wasn't kind and he should show more patience towards older people. He then began to scream at me and said I was a Social media idiot and that's why I'm so opinionated. I told him I'm pretty sure good manners and respect for those older than you have been around way before social media. But this is the real kicker... he then looked at my 8 year old daughter and word for word told her "don't ever listen to your mom, she's crazy" my daughter looked at him and said no sir... you're the one whose crazy. We then left.
This man is completely out of control. I know there was an incident having to do with nazi photos on their website or something to that extent awhile back and I'm positive this is the same brother who did that. If anyone knows this man or his family that I believe run the restaurant with him please pass this along. He needs some serious help and the service industry is probably the last place he should be working. It's a shame because the food is good and the staff is nice but we will never be back again
Comment from Greg M. of Max's Delicatessen & Restaurant
Business Owner
10/7/2015I think today is the day I hit the Yelp equivalent of emotional rock bottom. I need help.
Sorry :-(Read more
- Chatzy F.Wilmette, IL1 friend158 reviews15 photos
7/31/2020We come here weekly for brealkfast all the way from the Lakeview Area of Chicago and today was not good. The breakfast potatoes are always super crispy and today they were mushy..And we waited 30 mins to get our food. So disappointed.
- Adam C.Los Angeles, CA220 friends10 reviews
9/14/2020Best Jewish deli on the North Shore. Matzah ball soup is awesome. I've been coming here over 25 years and the food and service is always great. Great chicken salad as well. Highly recommend Max's!
- Bob A.Highland Park, IL77 friends40 reviews1 photo
10/10/2019I like Max's, the food's pretty consistent, usually have some good take out stuff. Given the choice between Max's and Max and Benny's, I think I'd go with Max's.
The problem I have with Max's is the shirts they've got their wait staff wearing. On the back it says, "We're Italian-Jews, which means that besides bickering, we're into food."
I'm not sure what they're going for with those shirts, but everyone I've showed the picture to seems to agree that they're offensive. I'm just not sure who should be offended; Jews, Italians or both.
In any case, the "bickering" thing is an ethnic stereotype of some sort which should obviously be avoided.
Maybe they should try something a little more neutral, like "We're glad you're here."
Or how about something humorous, like "Don't be a coward, try the blintzes." - Peter S.Highland Park, IL
8/30/2019Updated review1 check-inI've eaten at Max's Delicatessen a bunch more times since my last review, and I'm happy to report that the consistency of their food and the service have all been much improved. In the past, the assembly of their sandwiches were all over the place, and I felt that sometimes the servers would be a bit curt. While I don't generally sweat it - I'm not looking to make friends, I just want some good eats - it's something I think they needed to work on... And work on it, they did! Sometime in the last year or so, they've become "The New Max's" in my opinion, and I think the new sign up front also reflects this.
I've tried a lot of their sandwiches by now, and - while all academically good sandwiches - they just aren't my kinda "a little bit of meat under a mountain of veggies and dressing on a roll" sandwiches. I accept that my runaway-hoagie sandwich preferences are a little different from most folks in the area, and that's totally not on Max's. If you like a symmetrical meat & cheese stack on slices of bread, I think you're gonna like their sandwiches. They're good sandwiches for Highland Park, but just not my jam.
Following Jose's recommendation, I started trying their other lunch and dinner options, and I'm enjoying them so much more. Max's team make a pretty solid char-grilled burger, an awesome patty melt, their hot dogs are really good, and they have the best francheezie - a.k.a., Danger Dog and Jersey Devil Dog - I've had in a while (my fave used to be from George's). The lox is pretty good, based on the high standards of the H.P. area . Their oily smoked whitefish is probably one of my new favorites in a 5+ mile radius (sorry Upper Crust, they win by an inch). I'm also a huge fan of a number of their soups. Their split pea is wonderfully satisfying, their matzoh ball soup is as good as anyone else's in H.P., they cook up a quality chicken noodle soup, and - ooooh man - lemme tell you about their incredible sweet and sour cabbage soup... I've had a LOT of cabbage soup in my day, and I think Max's sweet and sour cabbage soup is one of the best I've had from any restaurant in the country in over a decade.
Service has been consistently better all through 2018 and 2019. Max's can get pretty crowded during peak hours, so I suggest maybe swinging by some other time or order ahead to carry out. They seem to be able to keep up with a packed restaurant, but it can still be hectic. The staff seems to keep the tables cleaner, even during the breakfast and lunch rushes. As far as price, Max's is just about in line with the other delis in the area. One or two items might be more or less than the next deli, but the total bills usually come out about the same. Max's Delicatessen & Restaurant is conveniently located in the Crossroads Shopping Center, with tons of parking. They're one of the easiest delis for me to get to, and - since their series of improvements over the last year - now among my favorite delis in the area.
2/1/2018Previous reviewI used to come to Max's a lot when I was younger, and I really enjoyed their food. In the last decade, their food is still pretty good, but the preparation has been a bit inconsistent. I could order their corned beef 5 times and get 5 different sandwiches. They're all fairly good, but that inconsistency is a little bit of a put-off. I didn't like their brisket sandwich, but they make a pretty good turkey club. Good bagels, but I feel you can get better for cheaper by going elsewhere. Tuna and chicken salads are both pretty good (I personally prefer mine a little tangier, but Max's seems suited for the neighborhood). They have a boss split pea soup, which I'd recommend, but it's only served on Thursday. The matzoh ball soup was tasty, and I'd definitely like to try it again. Their sweet and sour cabbage soup is the real gem, though - soo delicious! Honestly, their cabbage soup is the single biggest reason I consider coming back to Max's (IMHO the best cabbage soup in the area since George's What's Cooking closed).
Service is fairly good, though they can easily get overwhelmed during peak hours (a problem they share with Max & Benny's). Their location is generally pretty clean, but can be a bit of mess after a big breakfast or lunch rush (this is more of a knock against the customers in this area). Since they're in the Crossroads Shopping Center, there's plenty of parking. Of the neighborhood deli's Max's is one of my less-favorite spots, but still better than Max & Benny's. In fairness, this has more to do with there being so much good competition in the area. I think you can get better deli food for the same price, or just as good for much less, if you hit one of the delis in downtown Highland Park or go to McAlister's in Deerfield. If you love cabbage soup, however, Max's should be on your radar. Their sweet and sour cabbage soup is the difference between a two star review and a three star review. I'll keep coming here from time to time to try something new - I keep hoping to find another saving grace, because they're so conveniently located.
July 2018 Update: Three more visits, and they all went pretty well. Service was consistently good, and was quicker than previous visits - even once during the tail end of a lunch rush. Had several more soups, and it definitely seems like Max's knows their soup. Five star matzo ball soup, one of the best I've had in a while! Their chicken noodle soup and split pea were also really good. Of course their sweet & sour cabbage is still A+++, and remains my favorite item on the menu. The sandwiches were good, but still a little underwhelming. I think it's less about Max's not doing a good job, but more about them having some stiff competition in the area. There are so many great places to get sandwiches, that it's hard to compete. In any other neighborhood, I'd give their sandwiches a B+, but they get bumped down when grading the class on a curve. If I could give half stars, I probably would bump up Max's to a 3.5 star rating. I'll definitely be coming back more to try out some of their salads - after seeing two other folks' salads, I'm thinking they might be pretty good.Read more
- Robert S.Highland Park, IL
12/5/2019I am a Highland Park resident and their are at least 4 delis that bake bagels within a 5 minute drive. This afternoon I knew I would be driving by Max's and wanted to take advantage of their happy hour bagel special - 1/2 price bagels. I phoned them prior to confirm the time the special started and the woman who answered the phone indicated 4pm. I walked in at 4:05 and placed my order at the counter. When the cashier was ringing it up she asked the clerk if it was happy hour, he said no, not until 5pm. I indicated that I was told earlier, see photo documentation that happy hour started at 4pm I even confirmed by repeating 4pm during my phone conversation. He rudely said no!!! I have been a loyal deli customer to all of our local delis for 25+ years but am confident that I will never set foot in Max's again. I will also NOT Recommend them to my friends & family and when asked which deli I would recommend it will be Once Upon a Bagel and/or Max & Benny's. I am so sick of the customer service and the lack of their appreciation for patronage. I will spend my money at businesses that don't move the goal posts.
- Philip C.Chicago, IL41 friends13 reviews19 photos
1/25/2020Max's is fantastic! I've been coming here for 6 years and had the pleasure of bringing my wife and sister on Black Friday. Spoiler alert: they loved their food!
The staff were kind and attentive, the food was hot and delicious, and their portion sizes were incredible.
If you want diner food the way it's supposed to be served up come to Max's! - Zac K.Chicago, IL471 friends64 reviews157 photos
1/20/20201 check-inThis is my new favorite Jewish deli. My partner got the lean corned beef sandwich with meunster and an onion bagel with lite chive schmeer. I got the nova lox platter with an everything bagel and regular chive schmeer. The bagels are made in house and are soooo good. The chive schmeer is the best I have ever had. Tip: order extra of the house made deli pickles. Best part of the meal hands down.
- Laurel M.Madison, WI1 friend12 reviews
7/19/2020In the time of a pandemic when restaurants are pleading for survival you have choices on whom you support.. The food is mediocre at best. But if you go there the chance of being yelled at and generally treated like crap by the owner are assured this is the place for you..The brother is rude, insulting and basically obnoxious and not is a cute or fun way.. Save yourself the aggravation and the stomach ache and order from MANNYS a Chicago institution that delivers to the suburbs and not only is their food fantastic they care about the people and the service they provide unlike Maxs..
- Linda B.Portland, OR0 friends28 reviews7 photos
7/19/2020No stars. Max's doesn't serve the best deli food but it's not bad either. That said, the manager is a bullying hothead. I'm not sure what he was so worked up over but long story short, he refused to give me me prepaid order and suggested I call 911 to get it. Not sure what that was about. A very kind cashier took over, got me my order, and even offered a complimentary cookie. That said, this will most likely be the last time I visit Max's. Of to Once Upon a Bagel...

Is this your business?
Claim your business to immediately update business information, respond to reviews, and more!
Collections Including Max's Delicatessen & Restaurant

149
Chicago North Shore Restaurants Offering Takeout And/Or Curbside
By Angela S.

26
All that and a bag of chips!
By Cassie S.

37
Celebrate National Burger Day on Chicago's North Shore!
By Angela S.

45
Groupon Made Me Do It!
By Rob W.

8
Best Jewish-style Deli in Chicago
By Brandon T.

23
In the vicinity of the Chicago North burbs
By Adam K.

12
Bread + Stuff
By Cassie S.

10
AM Eating
By Cassie S.

12
Suburban Saviors
By Cassie S.

14
Wieners & Buns
By Adam K.
People Also Viewed
Best of Highland Park
Browse Nearby
About
Discover
Yelp for Business
Languages
Countries
Copyright © 2004–2020 Yelp Inc. Yelp,
,
and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp.

















































