Max's Take Out

I love love Max's Take Out! I work on Adams right next door to this place and never got a chance to try it until very recent. I came here for a take-out order after work one day, and the guy behind the counter greeted me with a huge smile on his face the minute I walked in. He asked if this was my first time here and gave me a few recommendations. I was so happy to find out that anything on the menu can also be made halal. I prefer halal meat (besides religion) just because it is healthier more hygienic, and less cruel than non-halal.

For the takeout order I decided to go for the gyro cheeseburger with a side of cheese fries. Service was fast and the food tasted absolutely delicious. I'm not a big hotdog fan, so I don't know if I can recommend this place as the best hotdog in Chicago, but it seemed extremely popular among the other customers. After that, I've mostly ordered Max's Take Out for delivery through Grubhub and their service has always been consistent. Delivery has always been fast, arrives earlier or on time and the food delivered has always been delicious.

Till next time!

My first time having a Chicago style hot dog and Italian beef sandwich and enjoyed every bite, thanks to Max's. I did not know a life where ketchup does not belong on a hot dog, or where hot dog buns could be poppyseed, or that relish could be such a radioactive green color. My bf randomly found this hole-in-the-wall place after a much needed lunch break from a 3 hour trip at the Art Institute of Chicago museum, which is about a 5-10 min walk from Max's.

I personally liked the hot dog more than the Italian beef just because it was so novel to me. The hot dog/sandwich is no more than approximately 6 inches in length which is perfect because it'll fill you up but will still leave ya hungry for that next Chicago bite. I would def recommend this not only to people visiting Chicago but also to the locals!

Tiny hot dog joint in the loop. Never seen it too busy but always a healthy cycle of people coming in and out. They have hot dogs, burgers, polish sausages, kebabs, fries and many other similar options in the same food groups.

Staff has always been polite and prompt. Food comes out very quickly, well packaged and wrapped in case it needs to travel. Hot dog sizes are a little small, but come with generous amounts of all the fixings on a bun that never comes soggy. Polish sausages come with the ends split for max crispiness. The bread is a little too fluffy for my taste but overall the dogs are a really solid package.

Wonderful place for hot dogs. Got a hot dog with everything on it and loved every bite -- and I'm usually not a fan of getting everything with a hot dog. Definitely recommend!

Not much seating if you are looking for a place to chill, but definitely a great place for a great hot dog.

quintessential hot dog stand.
no frills.

friendly, fast and efficient.

love the chicago dog and the old school waxed soda cup vibes.

great for a quick carry out lunch or grabbing a quick bite at a counter seat.

A must next time you're in Chicago.

Life is about balance. So after a good workout, I naturally needed a hot dog and cheese fries in my belly. Enter Max's Take Out.
I got the Polish with everything and side of cheese fries for under $10. The dog was delicious - perfection actually. But the fries were unfortunately not that warm. Being that I was ravenous, I still devoured everything anyway.
The only thing I couldn't figure out were the ketchup packets thrown in my bag. Instead they should have a station with a ketchup pump that says "shame!" every time someone adds it to their Chicago dog. Because true religion baby.

Max's Take Out is a straight hole-in-the-wall no-frills cheap-priced downtown-located joint to grab a Chicago bite. Walk in, grab a hot dog with everything on it, devour it somewhere, and you'll have had a Chicago hot dog experience. What do you expect though for a placed called Max's Take Out? It may not be the best hot dog ever, but it's one that scream Chicago with the mustard, pickles, tomatoes, onions, sport peppers, and celery salt, all for about $4. If I lived in the area, I'd be a regular here for sure!

So good I came here twice in my 4 days in Toronto. This is a genuine hall-in-wall cranking out great Chicago specialties:

-My first Chicago hot dog (I tried the classic dog and Polish, both loaded, and they were outstanding). "Sports peppers" are take them or leave them, based on your spice tolerance.
-Italian beef sandwich -- this was my first. Soggy, dipped into gravy, it's like eating a rolled up a wet sock of beef (in the best possible way).
-Wife had the Chicago burger -- really solid, all with the same embellishments as the weiner.
-Beef tamale: color me converted. For $2, it was a satisfying injection of cornmeal carbs when I was starving.
-Cheese fries did the job.

Pro tip: order online, save time and money.

Total hole in the wall type hot dog stand right in the heart of the Loop.

Service is non-existent, but it's orders come out fast and accurately.

Hot dogs have a stellar snap to them. That casing is on point!

Pizza puffs weren't done correctly and came out pretty soggy and gross, no crispness to the dough.

Everything here is A-OK and I'd go back in a jam. Definitely not a destination food spot though.

Skip the hyped Portillos and come check out Max's. An amazing "hole-in-the-wall" spot in a great location right off State street close to Millennium Park. The classic Chicago dog has all the fix-ins and it's cheap, fast, and easy (great characteristics for a hot dog maybe not so much for your future spouse). I could eat 3 or 4 of these guys and not regret a thing.

Will be back!