Maxwell's Burgers & Shakes — Restaurant in Frederick

Oh, Maxwell’s Burgers in Frederick, Maryland, where have you been all my life? This humble gem has woven a tapestry of flavors so divine, it’s as if the culinary gods themselves descended to craft the perfect burger. I dare say, the Steakhouse Burger may very well be the crowning jewel of my gastronomic adventures, quite possibly the finest burger to ever grace my palate. From the first bite, it’s a symphony of sublime sensations. The patty, oh, the patty—a masterful blend of succulent, juicy beef, kissed by the grill to a state of caramelized perfection, bursts forth with a robust, savory depth that dances on the tongue like a sonnet of smoke and char. Each ingredient is a stanza in this edible poetry: the sharp, nutty tang of aged cheddar weaves seamlessly with the silken caress of caramelized onions, their sweetness a tender whisper against the bold umami of the beef. A crown of crisp, verdant lettuce and ripe, ruby-red tomatoes adds a refreshing counterpoint, while the brioche bun—golden, pillowy, and lightly toasted—cradles this masterpiece with the gentle embrace of a lover’s arms. The steakhouse sauce, oh, that sauce! It’s an elixir of decadence, a velvety potion that binds each element in a harmonious crescendo, its creamy richness laced with a subtle peppery zing that lingers like a fond memory. Every bite is a revelation, a moment of pure, unadulterated bliss, as if the burger were whispering sweet nothings to your soul. Maxwell’s doesn’t just serve food; it offers an experience, a fleeting glimpse of paradise between two buns. The Steakhouse Burger is not merely a meal—it’s a love letter to flavor, a masterpiece painted in bold, vibrant strokes of taste. If there’s a burger Valhalla, this creation surely reigns supreme. Bravo, Maxwell’s, for crafting a burger that will forever hold a cherished place in my heart...

How is this place 4.6 stars?? A solid 2.5 for me.

The chairs are the tiny narrow uncomfortable metal ones (same as 7th street cafe).

Service was lacking. Brought refills to the table next to us, but didn't check on us a single time. Server also wasn't knowledgeable about the menu when neighboring table had questions (it's not a giant menu).

Potato buns were fine. Burger meat was eh - I appreciate local sourcing, but there was not much seasoning to the meat. If I hadn't added a lot of (extra $1.50 each) toppings, it would have been very bland. I don't think this is a burger that would hold up to just cheese and mustard.

The burgers are pretty thick, one 6oz patty. (Too thick for my preference.) There's one specialty burger on the menu that has two smaller 3.5oz patties -- why not offer a choice for all burgers then??

The fries are why we picked this restaurant over alternatives - we hadn't tried any locla burger places yet, but the pics of the fries here looked so tasty and boardwalk-y. But they were a massive disappointment, even to my spouse who will kinda eat anything. They were super mushy! Mushy boardwalk fries?? A disappointing first.

The server left menus on the table so we'd have the shake menu for afterwards - only 7 flavors lol, not hard to memorize and rattle off (or make a mini dessert menu), but sure. Anyway, after this meal, we decided to hit DQ on our way home instead.

Obviously we won't be back. Maxwell's kinda...

I don’t generally leave negative reviews, but my experience at Maxwell’s was incredibly bad.

It took nearly 10 minutes for anybody to greet me—despite four people working and only two other tables being present. I was only greeted after I called the server to my table. Maybe it’s just a personality thing right? No. Three parties entered after me and were greeted immediately upon sitting.

Once my order was placed (the only time my server spoke to me because I called him over) and food delivered by someone else, I again had to call my server to my table to check out. In the meantime, I noticed there was clearly hair in my french fries, and my burger was overcooked (well-done vs. medium).

After mentioning this issue to my server, the manager proceeded to argue with me that they were herbs despite the fact that rosemary (the herb in question) does not turn black when cooked…not to mention that the two are very different widths. Yes, there are herbs on my fries. And hair.

I definitely recommend downtown Frederick otherwise—it’s full of charming shops with lots of lovely people! But spare yourself the trouble, and eat anywhere...