Max's Deli — Restaurant in Highland Park

Ordered take out and they forgot 3 out of the 5 items that we ordered. Had to go back to the restaurant to get the food and then had to wait 20 minutes while the owner answered the phone just to tell customers calling in that he could not take anymore phone orders and told people they had to come into the restaurant and place their order in person. In the 20 minutes I was waiting there they had one person taking orders who helped a total of 1 customer the entire time I was there. Finally one of the 4 other people getting orders together behind the counter asked if they could help me. I told them that they left out over half of our order and I was there to pick it up. Told them what was not included the another gentleman that stepped up to assist started to get testy as if I was the reason they could not get their orders straight. They finally got the rest of the order together and 20 minutes later I was back on my way. While I was there I counted a total of 5 other customers in the restaurant. All of them had to wait for their orders and even if the orders were paid in advance they had to wait while the staff rang in the order. The owner could have been the most incompetent person I have ever dealt with and his staff followed his lead. He dis offer me a $25.00 gift card for the inconvenience, but since I never plan to dine there again I told him to keep it. When I got home to have dinner with my family for Chanukah, my kids had eaten, my Wife and Mother-in-law had eaten. So I got to enjoy my stone cold Reuben sandwich and cold fries and my Wife had a warm bowl of Matzah ball soup just so I wasn't sitting at the table by myself. The food there is usually adequate but not good enough to eat there regularly even though it is around the corner from our house. The main reason I will never go back is the owner. He basically greeted everyone that walked in by asking them to stay patient and they will be with them in a minute because they had so many orders they could not keep up with it all. He hung up on my wife when she called in to let him know the items that they forgot and told her just to have me come in and they will sort it out. All I was thinking the entire time I was there is that most people greet their customers, find out why they are there, and then direct them where to go or tell one of their employees to check for their order. Not this owner it was more important to worry about the people not in the store and get them situated before dealing with the people right in front of them. Sorry for the rambling review but from now on Max and Bennys will get my business even though they are further...

I wanted to like Max's Deli, who wouldn't? I've been to Max's three times. The first time about a year ago, back then I liked the food, although nothing too special, but something wasn't right. It seemed like the wait staff was lackadaisical (Lacking enthusiasm and determination; carelessly lazy.) The second time, a couple months ago, the two of us were seated at a table meant for 6...not sure why because there were plenty of tables for two that were empty. Our waitress didn't show up so after about 10 minutes we decided to seat ourselves at a table for two nearby. The host didn't seem to appreciate that too much. Strange vibe. Our waitress finally showed up and brought coffee and a basket of bread items, but no butter and no cream or sugar. We waited to ask her for them but she didn't show up so we took the items from a nearby table that had vacated. Needless to say on that visit our service was not good. But we went again a couple weeks ago, this time I brought two of my sons. Again, the service was bad. The waitress brought out my toasted onion bagel and forgot the cream cheese, it took forever to even get her attention about it. I turned the bagel over and the onions were charred black. I called the host over to the table (Joey Morelli), I showed him the black and charred bagel top and he said that's the way they make it and it's delicious. Really? I don't make mine like that. His attitude was arrogant and condescending. Instead of offering to make it to my satisfaction he walked away while I was in mid sentence. He then began complaining to another table right next to us, complaining about us! Unreal. When I went to pay my bill I asked the person at the register about the host, he told me that Joey treats customers rudely and the staff horribly. No wonder the service is bad and the food is second rate. I'll never...

My wife and I ordered 2 sandwiches on the Max's Deli website for dinner on Sunday 11/12 which were to be picked up at the restaurant. When I arrived at the correct pickup time, I was informed that one of the sandwiches could not be made because they did not have the item. No call was placed to us in advance that one of the 2 items was unavailable and since these were ordered on the website, payment had already been made. When told that I could not get one of the ordered items, there was no offer of options....refund or ordering something else.... until I asked what my options were. Then, when I asked if I would get a refund for the difference if a less expensive item was ordered I was initally met with a blank stare and eventually told " I guess we could". I proceeded to order a different, less expensive item and when it came time for them to refund the different (not a large amount) I was told that I would need to contact the online company (not them) to discuss the refund. Again, it was their website used for ordering. I did not accept this answer and, after a short discussion, I was asked if I would accept cash for the refund. I said yes and they grudgingly gave it to me. This is now the 2nd similar incident I have had in the past couple of years with this restaurant....and I know of others also. This restaurant needs a better process for handling issues like this. The responses I received from their employees were neither customer friendly, professional or ethical. Once you have paid them for something, their first inclination is to keep your money even if you don't get what you paid for. Fool me once, shame on you...fool me twice, shame on me. Probably won't be a 3rd...