Max's Steaks Reviews

We ordered two whole mushroom cheesesteaks with onion and a dab of hot sauce.. They were freaking amazing, freaking delicious! Max’s was recommended by a few friends over the well known Pat’s or Geno’s. The line to put an order in was comparable to standing in line at Disney world! Insanely long.. took like an hour and a half. I’d say it was worth the wait. Not much seats no more inside, lots of leaks from the ceiling but to enjoy an authentic Philly cheesesteak, I’d definitely come again.

Tourists be warned. This is a shady area and I didn’t feel safe. We ended up leaving rather than staying. I recommend somewhere else such as Pat’s or Geno’s if traveling to Philly for first time and unfamiliar with area.

At the rental car company, after just landing in Philly, the only local recommendation for my first Philly steak was Max's. The drive was 30 minutes and the wait was 30-40 minutes; however, I thoroughly enjoyed my first Philly chicken cheese steak from an authentic local favorite. This is a "to go" counter that doesn't short on the sandwich size. I am a light eater, so a half lasted me for three meals. Regulars were buying a minimum of 3-4 sandwiches at a time. The local taking the orders asks if you are traveling, if you are not eating right away request travel prep. This ensures that your sandwich doesn't fall apart by the time you get to your destination. Yes, the wait is long. However, when a spot is popular a wait is expected. I didn't mind and no one else seemed to mind either. This is a Philly highlight that is friendly, clean and serving a top notch sandwich.

Forget how big the hoagie's are, forget how cheap it is, forget that way it tastes, I've had better cheese steaks in VA! The single most important TURN OFF about this place is the lack of customer service. It seems the owners/employees, whatever you want to call them, don't care how they treat paying customers simply because they've made a name for themselves. The woman at the register was so busy holding a conversation with everyone else BUT ME, as I stood right in front of her for over a minute, waiting for her to say "hi, hello, how are you" etc. etc. When she finally looked my way, she asked what I order, rang up my order wrong and sucked her teeth as if I was in her way. I would NEVER recommend this business to anyone. PERIOD! I'm sure there are other places in Philly where you would get much better treatment.

As a frequent visitor to Philadelphia, this place by far has the best cheesesteaks in Philadelphia. Because of it's location, however, some people may overlook it. Definitely does have long lines at times, but the lines move at a pretty good pace. I usually get a chicken cheesesteak which is equally amazing as the beef. Prices are good as well. Just make sure you have cash with you since they do not accept credit cards.

Let me start by saying to the workers that were there the day I was in your establishment. I do apologize for not coming in with a mask however, I'm even more sorry that my 66 year-old father handed me a red bandana because I did not bring a mask with me....yeah this the white dude who had blue on with those colors. I looked dead at my father like really?.....wheres the white one? He goes IDK. We found it on the ground next to the car outside after we got the food. I told him "you don't seem to know where we're at do ya?" Lol it was the worst fail to me ever. I meant no disrespect to anyone around me at the time. I just heard you got it like that for steak subs (phillies) and I thought it'd be cool to be in the same spot Michael B Jordan was for Creed the movie as well. Ok moving on. Rveryone behind the counter was chill and it was hot as hell in the so thanks for still making the most slamming steak I have ever had. My only regret is that I didn't buy 3 more. Ugh, so good. With the being said. Pick up your phone I'm trying to order a bunch and drive that's right from Buffalo, NY to come gettem again. If you read this my email is mr_king1331@yahoo.com Email and I will make it a thing to drag my butt down there once a year for a pile of your subs. My father was like we should of got more....and I was like I know....damn! Yes, I included that damn bandana in the pictures best you just can't make this sh*t up man....ugh my father's killing me at times. He didn't get it all....I ate some of it at the next stop like 10 miles away then finished it off at my home and was just as good if not better cold. Sorry Buffalo, NY. We really got the winds but Philly rains when it comes to Steak subs all day in America. I've been as far as Cali and as far as Florida. I'm fat too so I know food....trust me on that lol. FreshScoopedPotateos (My new YouTube channel...no gimmick. I'm new to it and suck at it in my opinion so far but my friends and people I know are always telling to do it so I figured eh, what the hell can't hurt.

I've tried Pat's, Geno's, and Chickie's and Pete's. Max's is hands down the best! The environment was actually nice. Real people with culture and beautiful spirits. It shows that great things can come from humble places. I never felt uncomfortable there.

1 of the top spots to get a cheesesteak from in Philly. It is in the hood but I wouldn't say the area is scary. It can sometimes be a wait but its definitely worth it. The cooks are interesting lol some are friendly others not so much. But great sandwich and decent prices. They also make hoagies but mostly everyone comes for the steaks. Its a bar attached in the back although I never went to it. They serve wings and fries sometimes last time I went they wasn't tho so I'm not sure whats going on with that. And best thing is they stay open late til like 3 so it's perfect after a night at the bar/club.

Let me start by saying that I'm no prude, but this place was dirty! I could deal with a little grease here and there, but it looked like it hadn't been cleaned in months! When we got there, there was a looooong line. We waited almost an 40 minutes, just to be able to order!! The staff doesn't seem to work together well. One of the locals told us that they don't write orders down, they just memorize them. Well, the messed up our orders, and a few more people, which is why there was a loud shouting match between a customer and a woman behind the counter! Smh. When they finally did get my other family members' orders ready...mine was cold! The cheesesteak was great either! Maybe I should have eaten it the way the locals do, because my son did, and he liked his! Crossing it off my list!

I grew up in Philly but now live in NC. Whenever I come back I have to have a Max’s cheesesteak. The meat is fresh and they are always satisfying. They have a great variety and chicken cheesesteaks. They serve hoagies also. Since the movie, Creed, came out, there’s always a line. They only take cash. It’s worth the wait.

I had my very first genuine Philly Cheese steak and it was BOMB!! We were fortunate to not have a long wait. It was woth the trip!

Max's is a city institution, one of those places that has its own style and is constantly busy with regulars and visitors. The steaks are tender and juicy; the roll is softer than some, which is a disadvantage for the hoagies (but the Max's "sauce" makes up for that) but a good thing for getting your mouth around large portions of steak, fried onions, and cheese. (The American/whiz mix is recommended.) You line up and give your order according to the signs, then watch the artistry in motion. You can't eat in unless you go into the adjoining bar, but cheesesteaks are street food, anyhow. It's located at a very colorful intersection (Broad and Erie, actually, although Germantown Ave comes in there), and not recommended for the completely urban-averse, but definitely a true Philadelphia classic. (Shoot, now I want one. Again.)

got 3 giant steaks to go to Chicago for Terry Hunter and Wayne Williams. Party party party. They still talking about them

Max's Sirloin Steaks is a Philly classic. I tried their famous foot-long cheesesteak with American cheese, onions, and ketchup. The steak was cooked perfectly, tender and juicy. The onions added a nice flavor. The American cheese was classic and melty. The ketchup was a bit unexpected but added a unique tangy sweetness. It was a good experience, and I'm glad I tried it, even if I'm not sure I'd order it with ketchup again.

Darlene Blakely 2 hours ago New This was my first time visiting the famous Max steaks and it was the worst experience. The customer service was absolutely horrible. I gave one of the lady's my order, 2 chicken cheessteaks and one cheesesteak. I advised the person what I wanted on each sandwich. When she was about to wrap the cheesesteak I advised her it had the incorrect condiments. She put it to the side. Then when the person cooking passed her the chicken cheesesteak it was also incorrect. This is when the person cooking began cursing and saying she wasn't going to keep making sandwiches and I need to explicit explicit know how to order. When I addressed her she continued curssing and raising her voice I asked to speak with the manager. At first the person at the cash register (who was pleasant) said there was no manager available. However, a gentleman came out one minute later. I proceeded to tell him what happened and how his employee was disrespectful. He kept asking did I get the right order. I told him I had no idea what they wrapped up. However, he never, not once ever never addressed the extremely poor customer service I experienced. Needles to say, I will never ever give this establishment my business again. In fact I will be sure to let others know about the poor customer service they can expect from this well known business. First and last time customer!!!!!!

Wow! If you have the courage to find cheesesteaks that are not in the best area but taste amazing then go here! The line was almost 1 1/2 hour wait. It was so worth. I suggest going during the day for safety purposes.

The wait was long and the appearance might run you off. Located on the north side. The cheesesteak was very good. If you have time and some friends with you, this is a god place to try. I don't recommend you go here alone or after dark. Business is cash only but an ATM is onsite. Worth trying for lunch if in Philly.

We've spent a lot of time over the years in Philadelphia and we've passed Max's many times. Most of the times it has been at night and it does not look like a friendly area to be in. Today we decided to try it. A large cheesesteak is 2 foot long so I opted for the "small" which is a foot long. I got no onions/peppers with cheese wiz. That sandwich had to weigh over 2 pounds....I can eat but couldn't handle this one. my wife was able to eat a quarter of it. Delicious. Give them a try but only during the day!

Simply the best! Don't let the others fool you, come to Germantowm to get your cheese steak you can't go wrong. Only thing missing is the tshirts.

Outstanding place to get a cheesesteak and hoagies, staff is funny as hell dealing with the customers old and new.

The food was good, however the customer service was horrible! The cashier was rude and loud. I've been visiting here since I was 5 years old and brought my 10 family members by for lunch and we were treated poorly, spoken to disrespectful. I was raised in Philadelphia, and normally stop in for lunch when I'm in town, however I probably won't be returning due to the poor customer service.

This is my only and favorite spot to grab the best cheesesteak. There is parking & loads of stores nearby.

Best cheese steak sandwich I have ever had! The lines are very long and for good reason, it's a local hotspot. If you have the time check it out.

First of all, I ordered mine the way the Local's do and it does not disappoint. The Sandwich was "HUGE", it was longer than my forearm. The Sandwich tasted so good that I have made plans to go back just for the Sandwich. Like other comments, I must say that if I was a single female, I would be scared of the neighborhood, I went there at Dusk with another man and felt a little uncomfortable. The Staff was not very friendly and you better have cash to order or use their ATM. The Store was clean from what I seen. I am going to come here again but ensure that it is during the day.

Took a Philly MDW vacation with my gf, I’ve never been before, and we stayed in Old City. Obviously every FB friends suggestion was, Geno’s, Pat’s, Sonny’s, etc. So we tried Geno’s & Pat’s — the iconic “street battle” and on a Friday at 5PM there was no wait and the sandwiches were good but I was expected a knockout. So I Google search “best non tourist cheesesteak” and Max’s Steaks popped up #1 and I found out it was in Creed I — PFFFT! I HAD TO GO!!! There was a line inside, it was so hot outside, then looking at the wait inside I debated ... then I saw a “whole” sandwich and it was on the customers shoulder for $20! Patience is a virtue and it paid off. We got two half’s — cheese steak w| whiz and a pepper steak with onions and provolone ($20!). Incredible and washed it down next food at Eagle Bar with a watermelon slushi.

I went to Max's Steak on Saturday October 10 2017 stood in line from 5 pm - 7:30 pm before I received my order. After I received the order, I found out it was incorrect, however it was corrected immediately. BRING YOU CASH BECAUSE IT IS THE ONLY FORM IF PAYMENT ACCEPTED First, its ridiculous to have a customer waiting that length of time for food especially since it is a tourist attraction and a favorite amongst locals. Their was people with babies and children waiting in the line. Remember, tourist are not aware of the process. Since this is suppose to be a famous sort after spot, you would imagine it would cater to its customer, or be customer friendly. There is only one cook, one person processing the orders, there is a Hugh bar in the back, in that area you can finds some booth were you can eat, but its not children friendly, it a bar. Its sad that the owners wouldn't invest so the whole process and experience would be enjoyable. NO MATTER HOW GOOD THE FOOD IS , ITS NOT WORTH THE WAIT, ESPECIALLY IN THAT TYPE OF NEIGHBORHOOD.

During our Atlanta Falcons Girls Tour 2024, we stopped by for lunch and the food was delicious. We ate at the bar which is connected to the restaurant. Tiffany the bartender was AMAZING, they showed us a wonderful time. When visiting ask Tiffany for the ATL Margarita our signature drink.

Had a cheese steak here the other day. It was terrible! Tough like shoe leather. A lot of onions, not a lot of steak. A little stingy with the cheese too! The only thing decent with the sandwich was the roll. At least that was fresh. I woudn't visit this area of the city after the sun goes down!

Clean establishment. Ok service. The young lady making the cold hoagies was very nice. The guy on grill was not as nice, but it was cool. Not crowded like most times.

My daughter and I got there early. We got 2 large cheese steaks. We waited about 5 minutes before we were out the door. Food was excellent

Loved these cheese steaks so much I order one to eat and ordered another one to bring back down south with me but the second one didn't make it up the block I couldn't resist eating it!!! Can't wait to get back up there!

Trekked up here from Center City on the subway at peak after-school rush hour which was an interesting experience. We wanted to check out a different place from Jim's where I usually go and some local's reccomended Max's I think we hit at a rough time as we def. had a 40 minute wait for our steaks but we were inside the entire time thankfully. The staff was pleasant and not snarky like some steak shops can be. We each ordered a half with onion, mushrooms, and provolone (they were out of cheesesauce). Everything about it was what I have come to love and respect of a cheese steak from Philly from the bread, to the meat and cheese. We ate next door in the bar with some cold beers to wash it down. We took our leftovers back to the hotel and ate them the next night and, amazingly, they were just as good if not better than the originals. Would def. return!

Very friendly service and tasty cheesesteaks. The whole size is a huge 2ft sub roll and a small is that roll cut in half. And they fill those rolls thick with chopped steak which makes them, to my mind, different in a good way when a lot of places probably put half as much into their subs.

Cool spot with a bar in the back. Cheese steak was great and even the half was huge. Staff was really out going and made the experience that much better.

I had bought a cheese steak from here gave them a $20 dollar bill and they gave me a fake $10 I contacted the owner and he wouldn't even try to do anything NEVER AGAIN WILL I COME HERE POOR SERVICE

Don't go. Don't even waste your time. They fell off completely. The hospitality is horrible and the wait isn't even worth it. There's a guy who cooks the food and a guy for prepared it for you. The guy that cooks the food takes out the trash as well. (Who knows if he wastes his hands when he returns.) The guy that prepares the food is a complete jerk. He feels like he has the power to say anything and make you feel like you need their food or something. His attitude makes you want to walk out without the food. Not to mention that I tried to order a bottle from the back of the bar and they didn't even know the price of their own product. This is the last time they will see me up in there. I will tell all my friends not to support this scary/hood/poor/unclean environment! I got a better sub from WAWA the next day!

Im from Philadelphia but I live in VA with my husband he is in the military. But my must stop on my way home is here at Max's. I like to get 2 cheese steaks for travel to take home with me. I do like seeing more females behind the grill and cash register. I like how diverse it was since the last time i stopped by. Last time it was only guys and they were arguing with each other and arguing with the customers it was very disappointing. Im glad yall mixed it up and had some ladies in there. Food is great just wish yall had a 2 door system so when i come in to a long line im not also having my butt freeze by waiting by a door.

Some say Geno's, some say Pat's, but NONE compare to Max's. Bring your appetite and be prepared to wait in line but its worth the wait trust me. The chicken or steak cheese steaks here are AMAZING and you can get a small which is 10' or a jumbo which is longer than your leg probably LOL (ok just kidding) but they are huge enough to share with one or two people .

If you ever get a chance to visit Philly and want a great tasting and LARGE Cheese steak or Chicken Cheese Steak sandwich then Max's on Germantown Avenue is the place to be. I usually order the foot long Chicken Cheese Steak with fried onions, provolone cheese, ketchup, salt & pepper and mayo on the roll.

Was in town to visit our son and to celebrate my husband's 4th of July birthday. This was my second trip to Philly; we got cheesesteaks near my son's place the first time; this time, my son said that we needed to try another place, for a different kind of cheesesteak - and he was right. This place was way on the other side of town, but so worth our drive. The line was out the door when we got there, but moved fast. What can I say - the cheesesteaks were delicious!!! We all had something a bit different, but none of us were disappointed! A bit messy when eating, but the fix to that is to eat where you have plenty of room to spread out and have plenty of napkins on hand. Note, this is not a place where you can sit and eat, unless you favor the bar scene that is right next door. My son kept us far from the door to the bar, ha! Anyway, this place really is a diamond in the rough, so to speak...

Best Philly cheese steak I've had. Got and shared a 24" Philly with provolone cheese instead of cheese whiz along with grilled onions and mayo. Comes in two sizes, regular (12") and double (24"). Other friend got a chicken Philly. The line was long (as expected), however we went on the bar side to sit and eat. There we bought Apple martinis that were GREAT!! Music was GREAT, people were having a good time. Service was AMAZING. Best bartenders EVER!!! They were the life of the bar. A must visit spot when in Philly!! Enjoy

Recommended by my Lyft driver, who was a local, on the way in from the airport. Connected with a business friend and we drove over, stood in line forever, and it was worth every minute. There was no place to sit so we ate in his SUV. Incredibly delicious. Remarkable experience. Obviously the place where all the locals go. :)

Waited outside and then was offered a seat at a booth in the bar. But wasn’t told that we needed to each order a drink from the bar before they would even take the order even if adding drinks to the meal. Finally ordered after about an hour and a half. Probably not gonna do this again anytime soon. Maybe could have stayed outside and just waited. We were gonna sit and eat inside but not after waiting for over an hour just to place an order. Seems like it could be a cool little neighborhood spot but they need to up their customer service game or hire more staff for busier than average times. I’ve heard some good things about this place and recommended by another former Temple University student. But at this point, I just want something to eat to settle this shot of vodka I had to get in order to place an order for a cheesesteak. Another one will definitely put me over the edge. I’m trying though to just be good and patient

My cousins from philly took me here to have my first cheese steak. I kept mentioning how good it was. The meat was tender, perfectly cooked, and seasoned. The staff was pretty friendly and the wait to get my food was not long at all. I went about 10pm. The fries were good and it was interesting to see that they automatically add ketchup and the fries. By the way a half of cheesesteak feeds two people or one hungry man. Portion size to price was great.

While on vacation we came all this way just to get Max's cheese steak and Italian hoagie. They're the greatest.

The female staff member literally cursed me out for looking in the glass window in as attempt t understand why the line wasn’t moving. The manager is an also a rude ignorant little man who is clearly incapable of managing his staff or providing any customer service. The place is a ratchet mess. Go only if you like hostility and ignorance served with your food.

Stop by Max's Steak in Germantown. My first time in Philly and was told I need to visit. This place was very busy at 1am. I was told if a restaurant is busy it is probably good. Max's steak was yummy. I got the classic steak with just onions, cheese, mayo with sweet peppers. I want another one right now...lol. They only take cash but they have an ATM there. Were also able to sit down and eat in the adjoining lounge. My picture don't do it justice but I am telling you it was good

My wife said that WE HAD to visit Max's. Great steaks, Staff were cool and initiated and kept conversation flowing. Will definitely go back if I ever go back to Philly.

It is hands down the best cheese steak sandwich in all of the east coast. I've driven near & far for Max"s

Was recommend to try this locations' cheesesteak while in town. Good proximity to the subway. Wouldn't go down there after dark. Serving was huge. Prices were good, cheesesteak was dry and lacking of flavour.

Might not be the fastest service, might not answer the phone etc but this is the best, meatiest steak and cheese ever. Those people giving bad ratings are crazy. Just put the mask on and go get your food and stop being so arrogant. You can order your food online and not wait at all. Even if you have to wait an hour for your food it is worth it.

Went with a friend after work on a Friday afternoon. We sat in traffic debating the senisibility of our decision, but once we stepped inside Max's, we knew it was the right choice. The place is a genuine Philly cheesesteak hot spot where they grill the steaks right in front of you. It was clean, with quality meat, rolls and plenty of options. The price is right, too. We took our order to go affirming we made the right decision.

Let's start by saying that I might have eaten more cheesesteaks than 99% of the rest of the world. In fact , while waiting in line, I was chatting up a Max's regular and a visitor from Chicago about cheesesteaks and even the man behind the counter got involved. I know my steaks. I know what others will like in their steaks because I know the difference between stripped and chopped and who serves what. With that said, I've always been a stripped guy. I love cheesesteaks so much that I still enjoy chopped, but a well made stripped is my favorite food in the world. Unfortunately, as I waited in line, I saw that Max's serves chopped steak. As always, I still had to get my usual (whiz with) and make my comparison. Will it be better than the other chopped places? I'm sure it won't compare to my favorite stripped places... but I was wrong. Max's delivered! I'm a stripped steak guy but loved Max's chopped steak! The roll was perfect as was the compliment of meat. I would prefer more whiz , but I'll ask for that next time. And there will be a next time , and many times after that. I just started teaching middle school around the corner, and I will be a presence at Max's. Oh yes , I will be there often enough until they know my name and my order , and I have enough time to run over for lunch and skip the line :)

The review from missalg said it best..... but because this place is in a bad part of town it will never get the recognition it deserves. The atmosphere..haha it is all about going there for a great steak sandwich.

Love the cheese steaks! LOVE THEM! The cook has an awesome memory and a great sense of humor! I didn't get his name for there were about thirty people waiting in line and he was getting the orders in and us out! LOL! The halves are sizable portions, so if you get the whole (known as "giant" to locals), you can share it with three people. I am so serious! And Max's isn't in an affluent area. So?! As long as you're safe, treated respectfully, it's about the food! (I think once you get over the "culture shock", you'll focus on what's important: the food!) The place is a little small, reminding me of the local diners I've frequented in VT. And I couldn't help but tap my feet, loving the oldies blaring from the radio. But it's a shame that this place won't get the recognition it deserves because of it's "location". Oh well, more for me!*__*

My coworker was a steak sandwich so we walked to Max's. The ordering line and cash only is reminiscent of Pats and Genos. The rolls were really good. I had the chicken cheese steak which was decent.

*CASH ONLY* It might be a bit difficult to find parking around here but I think the cheesesteak was worth it. A half size cheesesteak for about $9 here is a regular size everywhere else. It is stuffed full with steak and whatever toppings you would like. Mine included grilled onions, pickles and hot peppers. The cheese is not wiz. I'm not sure what it was. It was nice and melted between the sandwich and the steak though. I've read that there is usually a really long line and wait here. Luckily, there were only about 3 people ahead of us. It was about a 10 minute wait. There are no cheese fries! So sad.. There is a bar and sitting area in the back with very loud music. The crowd seemed to feel like regulars enjoying their time chatting with each other and the bartenders.

I went to Max's Steaks on a Sunday around 5pm. The line wasn't very long, but the wait was about 45min-1hr total. We only had about 10 people in front of us so I wasn't expecting to wait that long. And about 5 of the people got to the line the same time as my group, they beat us to the spots. I was told to try Max's because they taste delicious and give you a good amount of meat. This was my 2nd place I tried while in Philly over the weekend. I regret wasting my money and time at the other spot. It wasn't worth it. The cheesesteak at Max's was amazing. I had sweet peppers, mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, and added whiz on top. It was really good. This will be my go-to spot whenever I'm in Philly. And will be the only place I recommend to friends/family.

Yes, at on time this was the best place ever, but currently it's totally disappointing. No customer service, cannot reach via phone, no one answers, Purchased Two cheesesteak sandwich one with onions, mushrooms and extra wiz cheese which I paid extra fee for, the second was without cheese. When I arrived to pick up, the order lady taker had a dog in hands on her body playing with the customer's dog through the window. Although she was handing out the packed order, she did not leave to wash her hands., nor did she wear gloves. Returning to my car the sandwich I received was a sandwich without cheese was correct, however the second sandwich had very little cheese. I immediately took it back and reported the error, since I took a bite, I requested the extra wiz cheese on the side, she took the sandwich and said they got me. Upon returing to the car I checked the sandwich, what I received was as a replacement sandwich with even less cheese than the first, fustrated I had a small bite and left. I them drove back to new york and three hours later placed the sandwich in the fridge. The next morning I decided to have it for breakfast, to my surprise, the sandwich with the cheese was spoiled, the sandwich smelled sour, and at the botton of the bag embodied with the napkins I found white american cheese in the bag. ( Note I ordered wiz cheese). The sandwich without the cheese was totally okay. Now I am totally out of $25+ dollars, and no one to report the incident to. Overall the small piece of sandwich I ate, lack ed flavor the meat was not seasoned. Most disappointing.

This experience was the worst ever!!! Each visit to philly i go to max's for pepper cheesesteak hoagies. Always fantabulous. The last 2 visits including today was nothing short than horrible!! Ordered 6 pepper cheesesteaks w/salt, pepper, grilled onions & sweet peppers; 2 same way no cheese and 1 whole w/ salt, pepper grilled onions and ketchup.see order below: Pd $60 for an uber to p/u hoagies.. Upon p/u i checked hoagies and none had extra meat. Went back in to advise what i discovered and the older grill person (a man) became belligerent arguing that he put xtra meat on 3. See below i requested all to have xtra meat!!! Another gentleman interjected and told me to bring the hoagies back and apologized after speaking with the rude grill cook. I then thanked the gentleman and added an additional $5 tip to the already $20 tip on my card. I get back to my daughters' home and opened my hoagies only to discover xtra meat very little onion,absolutely no peppers and definitely no flavor which means no oil or salt and pepper!! Needless to say i will not be returning to max's when i return to philly next month.!! I try to patronize our community businesses whether at home or abroad, but it saddens me to say i will not continue to support a business that does not value my money nor my continuous promotion of max's to all of my family, friends and constituents that frequently visit the philly area. After talking to my uber driver after the major blunder she recommended dalessandro's steaks on wendover street, therefore that is where my next search for philly's finest steak hoagie will be. Regards, Dear mary Your order has been successfully placed in max's steaks. Your order # is 9939. Max's steaks Ph : (215)229-9048 Order # 9939 Take out order Credit card prepaid ________________________________________ 05-08-2021 11:02:52 am Mary Item description Amount Pepper steak (2) (no cheese) (fried onions) (extra meat) (salt) (pepper) (sweet peppers) (half) Special request: both hoagies xtra meat and please add oil and double wrap traveling w/hoagies thanks $ 10.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 2.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Pepper cheesesteak (6) (provolone) (fried onions) (extra meat) (salt) (pepper) (sweet peppers) (half) Special request: all hoagies xtra meat and please add oil and double wrap traveling w/hoagies thanks $ 11.50 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 2.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Cheesesteak (1) (american) (fried onions) (extra meat) (salt) (pepper) (ketchup) (whole) Special request: add oil to all double wrap-traveling w/hoagies $ 20.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 3.50 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Liquor tax: Sales tax: Tip: Budge fee: $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 19.27 $ 0.25

sadly, this place has great food often times I have been here in the past but the staff treatment towards people of a different race has become quite noticeable. Hopefully they are either sued or forced to attend trainings that in this country we don't discriminate based on race, religion or creed. Sad my lunch was ruined by this racist behavior by the manager and the staff.

My First Authentic Philly cheesecake and i wasn't disappointed. A bit of a wait (10 minutes) but well worth it.

No need for a drawn out review. The cheese steak is amazing. I came up from DC and got the large cheese steak. The wait was worth it. Ate half at the bar and took the other half home. I will make regular trips there, it's worth it.

Drove over here with my daughter and her boyfriend from B-more about 75 miles cause they said it was that good. It was a Sunday evening we still had to wait over an hour. No inside seating, is ordering go, food is freshly made and that is a big plus! And they are huge! Half sandwich is about 14 inches long. I saw several people ordering three and four whole sandwiches and all I kept wondering is who are they going to feed,a small village?! But what I didn't like is that no matter how long the line got, nobody working there seem to be in any hurry to get anybody out the door any faster. It was good, but would I drive/ride that far again for a sandwich? Not likely, however if I'm in the area I would stop again. I guess this restaurant had a big following but then after it was featured in the movie "Creed" its popularity picked up. Although I don't remember seeing it in the movie. NOTE: if you are in the bar next-door and place an order you get your order faster!

Visiting from Chicago and wanted the best cheese steak. After asking a few locals we we're directed here and it was Sooo good!! Line out the door or into the adjoining bar, "all day every day". They put Mayo on the bread; let them it's delicious!! The cooks we're ON TOP OF IT! Cash only. And a half is enough for 2 people but we were up to the challenge! Skip Champos and Sonny's and make the trip!! You won't be disappointed.

The customer service was extremely horrible!!!! I was visiting from out of town and was denied service for not having a mask on. The problem was not me being required to have on a mask, because I’m fully vaccinated and could’ve grabbed one from the car!!! The problem was the unprofessional manager, who is also NOT WEARING A MASK!!!! So you're handling my food without a mask, taking ppl's money at the cash register less than a foot away from patrons without a mask, but it's imperative for customers to have on a mask!!!! Who's safety are you concerned about seeing how you yourself ARE NOT wearing a mask!!!! I definitely see your concern for the health and safety of others, that is why you yourself had one on, right???!!! Either way, I don't care how good or recommended an establishments food is, if the service is terrible!!!! I travel all the time, many places, and then refer others based on my experience. So with that being said, I suggest trying Geno’s where both food and service was great!!!!

Listen, this spot will have you coming for more. This is my second time eating here and every time I'm in Philly I'm pulling up. A few things to know before you go...have your order ready, it's cash only (there is an ATM inside), they only let in so many people at a time, so you will wait outside most likely (but it's definitely worth it). I had the Whole Pepper Cheesesteak (onions, hot peppers, salt, pepper, ketchup), should've grabbed 2.

The cheesesteaks are sublime. The best I've ever had....and I've had cheesesteaks from several places given that I grew up in the SJ/Philly area. There's usually a long line do be prepared to wait. The service staff are blunt, direct and can come across as rude to those who are sensitive or are looking for service with a smile. They're focused on getting your ordered done and done right, so no there's no time for chit chat. But honestly, these steaks are soooo good ( and huge) that one can look past the curmudgeons! Pricey, but worth every penny. And they reheat well in the oven!

We came here for that very reason...we saw it in the movie Creed (one of the best movies of 2015). We loved the Philly atmosphere. A crowded joint where you stand in line talking and laughing with complete strangers. The sandwiches were huge and on point! Man, they were good! Get there if you can but beware...the smoke/onions can start your eyes to watering.

This was my first time to Philly & like others, we received local recommendation of Max's. It was phenomenal--the sandwich, the culture, the ambience--the whole experience. The wait: Line wrapped in a U blocking doorway making it hard to get in or out. Everyone waiting was totally cool with the wait--a testimony that the quality of the product is worth it. We waited in line for ~30 min at 8pm Friday night. Staff had personality & as a newbie, I enjoyed the subtle pressure to answer the questions shot off to me by the prepper despite my not being entirely sure what I wanted. Luckily I had one more station to request peppers & oil. And it was PERFECT. Portion: I ordered 1/2 a sandwich, 14". I ate the first 7" right away, and it was so good, I ate the next 7" an hour later. We took our to-go bags and sat in the attached bar with hip hop booming & the World Series on the TV's. Lively crowd, yummy sandwiches. Great experience! I'll return whenever I come back to Philly.

My first time in Philly I wanted to see what all the hype was about with these cheesesteaks My sister, who lives there took me to MAX's and I was hooked. I will admit, Ive tried other places but nothing compares to Max's!

I was working in the area and went in for lunch. It is a rough area, I went in to Max's and stood in line, when it came to my turn, the woman taking the orders skipped over me and went to the man behind me. WHAT? After he was done ordering, I said "excuse me" and she would not look at me. She continued to take orders of people behind me. I left. All of the women working at the time were wearing hijab's, I am not a Muslim. Was that the reason. All of the people working at the time were African American, I am not. Was that the reason? I had cash, I was ready to order but I had to go across the street for lunch.

You will not find Max's on your average tourist itinerary. Nor will you hear much about it in the friendly arguments about Pat's vs. Geno's. Perhaps its because of its location. Perhaps Max's is not all that well connected to media big mouths. Perhaps people are turned off by the (shall we say, relaxed service model) Perhaps its the blaring, anti-social rap music from the adjacent bar. Perhaps the dynamic urban neighborhood is not a draw to outsiders. But make the trip - once Debbie and Co. get turned on and start making sandwiches ... oooh ... get out of the way, because you are in for a treat !

Max's is located on the North side of Philly...every person i talk to in Philly that is from there says Max is the place to go for cheesesteak so a quick Uber call and off i went. The Place has a line so be perpared to wait but oh my goodness it was worth it...i thought i knew what a 6"inch sandwich looked like but Subway has been foolin us, at this place it is HUGE ..i ate tho ...it was very good and cheap; glad it had a bar nextdoor for me to eat it at because it would have frozen if i had tried to take it back to Hotel

Manay friends and family talked about the food. Now they can add me to the list. The food was so so good.

I traveled from D.C. to Philly to sample my first real Philly cheesesteak and it was worth the 2 hr train ride! While waiting in line there were people from D.C., Atlantic City and LA waiting to get a taste of what many call as “the best". After I finally got my order, I can see why they say that. The bread was great, the seasoning was on point and the steak itself was awesome! The customer service was also great and they will pack the cheesesteak “to travel" for you. Also, there is no seating, so I ate on the trunk of the car :). I definitely will be stopping by the next time I am in the area.

Came from Ohio to Philly for a cheese steak. It was AMAZING. The city is in the hood but nobody bothered you. You have your typicals asking for spare change here and there but they aren't persistent once you say no. Back to the food..... line wasn't as long as they made it seem in the reviews above but the food was worth the trip and almost worth stopping again on the way home. I don't eat red meat so I got the half chicken. (Btw my greedy 10 yr old boy and I shared a half and was still full from it) A whole is ridiculously too much unless you're feeding 6 people or feeding an overweight man who probably shouldn't be eating it anyways. ..... add the cheese wiz, it'll change your life.! & I love love love the mural on the side of the building. 😍

This past weekend we had over 300 wedding guests out of town. Sent many to Max’s for their very first cheesesteak. All guests that followed our recommendation said food was good but treatment by several staff members was HORRIBLE AND RUDE. (Openly - we have descriptions of staff.) We were so embarrassed and apologized profusely. NO EXCUSES FOR BEING RUDE AFTER OUR GUESTS SAID TO THISE TAKING ORDERS, “THIS IS OUR FIRST TIME HERE.” (They came on Friday 5/13 and Saturday 5/14 - various times.). UNLESS YOU LIKE BEING TREATED LIKE TRASH - DO YOURSELF A FAVOR (no matter how the food tastes) AND AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS!!!

This was the worst cheesesteak I ever ate too....I had to throw it away .....I can't believe they changed the steak .....Max's is my favorite cheesesteak in the world .....what where they thinking....please go back to the original steak!!!!!!!!!!!

They really did my taste buds a favor and gave me something I didn't know could taste so good. I got the chicken steak with PROVOLONE, everything added (hot peppers on the side). This was the 2nd restaurant in Philly that I tried and wish I knew about them before!! Only thing, my lettuce and tomatoes weren't added, but I received everything else. Also, it's a cash only restaurant, they do have an ATM inside for use. I will be going back and would HIGHLY recommend them! It's worth else penny.

Everyone said I had to try Max's! The meat has no flavour, sauces r ok. Even the cheese was rubbery. The area and atmosphere has a definite 60-70's-era feel to it and is lively. But in have yet to come across a cheeseseak that lives up to the Philly hype.

The cheese steak sandwiches are really good and reasonably priced. The area of the store leaves a lot to be desired. The lines are also long so expect to wait. The trick is to go into the bar and order it’s much faster.

I was taken to Max's by my VERY good friend, a gentleman I have known for 3 decades and who served as the Honor Attendant in my wedding. He told me, when you come to Philly, you should stay away from the "tourist" cheese steak sandwich spots and go to Max's. He warned me I'd stand in line but it was worth the 55 minutes. I got to see the REAL side of Philly and had an AMAZING sandwich to boot. Most people go to Geno's and I am sure their steak sandwiches are good. But Max makes GREAT cheese steak sandwiches!!! One more item checked off The Bucket List.

My husband and I drove 90 minutes just to get lunch here! It is CLEAN and the people are FRIENDLY!!!!! It's not a sit down restaurant but we took our food to the adjoining bar and had a few beverages with our subs. I ate half and took the rest home! It was even better day 2 if you could imagine that.

This place is not in the tourist section of town, it's in an underserved neighborhood. The line for the food was pretty long. I think we waited like 15 minutes. This place seems to be a favorite of the locals though, based on all the people that were there to order. The cheesesteak itself was good, but I wouldn't recommend getting the "whole" sized one as it's longer than your arm(!) It took a lot of time and effort to eat the "half" and I was uncomfortably full afterwards. Good bang for your buck though.

I used to be a huge fan of this place, me and friends used to come here after nights at the club and back in those days their cheese steaks were amazing. I had the itch for one a few weeks ago and decided to go get one. I waited in line for over an hour, they were in the middle of switching shifts and took their sweet old time talking to each other and ignoring the fact that the line was out the door. Then when I finally got my cheesesteak, it had no flavor. The whole experience just wasn't the same. Not to mention, the place just looked filthy.

Great food....they just need to be more organized with taking orders...Will definitely be back soon...

I was visiting friends in the Phildelphia area. Max s was recommended to us. We waited in line for nearly 2 hours before we were able to a place our order...which is ridiculous by any standard. Management definitely needs to step it up and change that wait time. I would not recommend coming here on a Saturday evening to anyone.

Cheese steaks are amazing! Awesome bread, just enough meat, seasoned...yum! You definitely get your money's worth, the sandwiches are HUGE! This is my new spot!

The best cheesesteak I have ever had. I have visited Philly several times and have tried many cheesesteaks in the area. This one is my favorite! Added Sweet peppers. This neighborhood is seedy looking but we didn't have a problem. Wanted to try the cheesesteak place featured in the movie Creed. Easy metered parking nearby. Plan to wait about 40-45 minutes. It's worth the wait. The line was stretching out the door. These are the largest cheesesteaks, I have ever seen. We ordered half and still had leftovers for later. Make sure you bring cash. Cash only!

I asked someone the best cheese steaks in Philadelphia and they referred me here. My son was excited and looking forward to it. The service was not friendly and very unprofessional. The employee was fast talking me, not listening to what I asked for, and got my order wrong! I wasted my time and money because we didn't enjoy the food and definitely not the service! I wouldn't recommend this place to a first timer AT ALL!!

In town on business, a friend who is local recommended Max's if we wanted a great cheese steak (vs. the tourist trap venues). So glad we followed her advice. There was a short line when we arrived, which moved pretty quick. Customers were diverse...local people from the surrounding community, Tempe U students, business folk, and seemingly other tourists (like ourselves). Menu board is pretty straight forward and you can see your food being prepared before you. Staff courteous. Order the half sandwich....it had to be at least 9 inches in length. You can get your food to go or walk in next door to the Eagle Bar. Bar was classic....great music playing, well stocked bar, and more importantly affordable.....less than $11 for a beer and sandwich, which was more than filling. Definitely will be back on my next trip to Philly (heck, if I can, I may go back before I leave).

Know exactly what you want, don't stutter or think twice about customizing your order request, be swift, know the "code" lingo and get out their face. 1st time visiting- who cares.. trying to support black business- who cares.. thinking about never returning- who cares. With this complete disregard for customer service, who cares how the sandwiches taste.

Ok by far this place was worth the wait 2hrs+ Everyone was nice Deb at the check out was great and the cooks and prepares even better they where the hardest workers in the place. We got the giants and some beer to go. Great sandwiches in Philadelphia by far,not so good at Tony Lukes we where there earlier in the day deli cut roast beef lol..Max's uses real meat photo added..

I read great things about Max’s online & the food surpasses the hype! WARNING: Come with cash only or there is an ATM on the premises. The staff is friendly & makes the wait worth it. I arrived on a Wednesday afternoon & still had to wait 20 minutes in a line outside the door. But, my Mushroom Cheesesteak…YES!! It had a heaping amount of 100% sirloin steak. I ordered a whole with Provolone, grilled onions, lettuce, & tomato…no mayo. It was big enough for my lunch & dinner. EXCELLENT!

Ok, this is NOT Pat's or Geno's. It's NOT a tourist destination. You come here for the kick butt steaks and that's just what you'll get. The steaks are flavorful, tender, juicy, and the bread is super soft. I had mine with fried onion, sweet peppers, and cheese. That's it and that was enough! This place is the bomb and can't wait to come back! See you next time Max!

The cheese steaks at Max's were excellent!!! The line was out the door even on a wet winter day. Well worth the wait. We were visiting from NY so we asked a local standing in line the difference between the cheese steak hoagie and the cheese steak. The gentleman explained that the hoagie came with lettuce and tomatoes vs just steak and cheese.

After several recommendations for the best cheesesteak in Philly, everyone referred me to eat at Max’s in Germantown and the experience was beyond amazing. Great environment, great staff, great conversation with the owner, and most of all great and delicious Peppers and Mushrooms Cheesesteak with provolone cheese and extras. Yassssssss!! That’s the most appropriate reaction for my experience and I’ll definitely return again when I visit Philadelphia. I would highly refer and recommend Max’s (cash only payment).

We went here out of recommendation from a friend who used to live in Pennsylvania. Let me first warn you that this restaurant is not in the best area-- at all. However, everyone was really nice. The man on the grill can do 1000 things at once. So if he asks you your order give it to him-- he is listening. I got the cheesesteak w onions. My boyfriend w out onions. They put mayo on their cheesesteak which I was slightly worried about but our friend said do it. And let me tell you- it was absolutely delicious. A "half" sub is 12 inches. And it was only $7.50. I ate mine in like 5 minutes. I couldn't stop! Highly recommended!

I love the grindy North Philadelphia atmosphere of this place. In many ways, you pay for this ambience. However, I waited 45 minutes for my cheesesteak when a sign at the door claimed "faster service." Yikes. However, the employees were friendly and this was the meatiest steak I've had in Philadelphia so far (I've lived here for about 6 months). Great food and people, just get some more (or harder working!!) employees.

I feel bad. I spent 4 years at Temple for my undergrad degree and passed this pace frequently yet drove to Jim's to get a cheesesteak. While on a quick baby moon w/my husband to Philly he mentioned this place at the recommendation of his coworker because I'd mentioned wanting a cheesesteak. Best decision ever. 1. Don't come for good service. Come for the cheesesteak. At door is where you order. We were here almost 25 minutes because we made a mistake wanting to analyze the menu. Look at the menu from the door, in line. You've been warned. 2. Don't fret parking. Park. Lock your doors as you do at home. Go get your food and keep it moving. We arrived at 11 pm at night on a Friday and had no problems. 3. Know that the cheesesteak is legit. Best I ever had and I've had a few. Don't play w/your order. Less is best. I prefer Provolone but cheese wiz fits some peoples boat. Or do both. But don't over do it. 4. Expect a free sample, request to buy something or the server asking for a tip. Be cordial. Smile. But keep it moving if you aren't interested. You won't be disappointed.

Adventure to locate even using Google maps. Neighborhood has character, park in the side lot. Enter and placed oder while the preparer demanded options. Requested mushrooms and told they have to be cooked with the meat and so I would not have them on my order. Fist choice is cheese which I later learned may be a combination of both types. Cash only, had to request handwritten receipt, reluctantly provided. Beer is cheap and little appreciation is expressed by the owner or workers. After all of this the steak turned out to be average at best. Nice atmosphere, not exceptional cheesesteak.

Ok…Here we go! Of course being a Born & Raised Philly Resident I am familiar with Max’s! I would frequent more often when I lived closer..so it has been many years since I have had a cheesesteak from here! I had a friend from out of town so they requested a visit! I took them to the other popular destination that starts with a ‘D’…they weren’t impressed! The lines are definitely longer than I remember…from start to finish I would say it was a 45 min wait! The vibe once inside is you specify do you want a whole new or half! Once cooked you will be given the opportunity to add; condiments and toppings! Everyone in line is patient and you just know the wait will be worth it! The long roll is soft and absorbs the flavors of the grill and meat so nicely! So my friend got the cheesesteak and I got the chicken cheesesteak on my half! I think it is worth it to get 2 half’s …you can definitely fill up on the 1/2! This is Cash Only..but there is an ATM inside! Keep Going Max’s! Still a neighborhood gem!

Do not go to Germantown location it is disgusting! I believe they sell drugs out of there and cook does not use any seasoning no flavor what so ever...stay away especially if you traveling with children because it connected to a bar where the cashier was so rude. Additionally, where we sat down to eat there was drug paraphernalia on the tables and floor. An hour later one of my family members was vomiting violently. I only at the bread because the meat was disgusting 🤢 ... good elsewhere.

The best tasting cheese steak sandwich i have ever had!!! they are open late so don't fret but the line does get long but is soooo worth it. Trust me!!

Very rude people, if you’re not black then don’t come here they have issues with their color. You can’t even ask question, otherwise they get mad at you.

My husband comes home from seeing the fights down at the Met in Philly and decides to try Max's. Their wait was 2 hours, but OMG so worth it. He woke me up to ask if I wanted mind. Of course I said yes!! Best cheeseateak I have every had. Amoroso rolls and Alteire's meats from Norristown. Highly recommend you visit next time in Philly. I might live in the 'burbs but appreciate what Philly has to offer😀

Last minute trip we drove to philly. While there we decided to stop at Max’s for a sandwich. Yo my surprise there was no line and it only took about 20 minutes to get a sandwich. My sandwich was great and the drinks at the Eagle bar were just as good. Enjoyed my time in Philadelphia!

If you're in Philly this is the place to get a real Philly Cheese Steak. Don't go to the other two places in South Philly. The meat is perfect and the bread is soft. Once you order you have to pay in cash. Then you can go to the bar attached for some good Philly atmosphere. There are booths to sit at and a full bar.

Ignorance at its finest!!! We stopped a couple years ago and everything was delicious and the staff was friendly.. but after the experience we just encountered I will never spend another dollar there… after waiting a hour and $70 later🤬 the food was disgusting!!! I don’t think they like lighter skin people… the rudeness and disrespect is all you get there… the place is so ghetto and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone

Philly has a half dozen real competitors for best cheese steak. Max's is on the top of my list. I haven't been here for ten years. Stopped by on a busy saturday with a few friends. Same Max's as always. Great sandwich and great environment. Philly at it's best. Real cheese steak done well with love by real Philly folks. If your in Philly for a visit this is a great place to try. Plenty of parking and convenient to public transportation.