Max's Allegheny Tavern — Restaurant in Pittsburgh

Great food! Terrible service. We won’t be back.

I used to come to Max’s often before Covid. They used to have great service, even happy hour. Neither of those things exist anymore. Tonight I went back to try their Mardi Gras specials they posted about on Facebook, we got the Cajun shrimp dip which was amazing! Probably one of the best dips I’ve ever had!! Also the Reuben’s which are always delicious.

I was so disappointed in the service. I’ve actually never been more disappointed in a server in my life and I have served at many restaurants.

Since the moment we sat down at 615 pm we felt rushed. At no point did they say they were closing early, there was no sign on the door or anything so to me there was no reason for her to rush us. I was meeting an old friend and wanted to have drinks, conversation for a few hours.

Not once did our server offer us a drink refill, a water or anything. Not once.

We sat for the first ten minutes with no drink, ordered our drink and told her we were ready to order food. She said she would be right back, she was busy (there was only one other table) and we waited another 15 minutes to order, which means we waited 25 minutes for a drink, again with no waters brought to us when we sat down. I told her when I ordered I was also going to be taking a dinner Togo before we leave for my boyfriend at home. She brought our food, I told her I’m ready to place my Togo order and she says “oh no sorry the kitchens closed” and proceeds to walk away! This was 745 pm. I immediately explained no, i need my food. I told you I was ordering Togo food so you knew I was going to order more. I need my Togo order. She, very arguably, left to go “ask the kitchen if they can accommodate.” 😒

She made me feel like a burden. The entire time we were sitting down. We were planning on hanging out for hours. We never got water. We never got asked if we wanted to order another drink. 8 pm comes around, she brings me my Togo order and our checks, without even asking if we were ready or wanted anything else.

The website, google all say they are open untill 10pm. No one said they were closing at 8. Even if they were, they should of told us that, and we also shouldn’t feel like an inconvenience if we come in well before closing.

We should of gone somewhere else, but my friend insisted we stay, but I believe we would of had a better experience anywhere. We did not feel welcome here at all.

We won’t be back, which sucks because the...

I recently made a solo run to this restaurant on a Saturday evening, and had a great meal with great service and family entertainment. They have numerous German offerings on the menu, from multiple varieties of schnitzels, brats, spitzel, potato pancakes, some nice German biers, all in a friendly atmosphere.

From the kind hostess who sat me, to the server (Jamie), I was made to feel comfortable and at home, with friendly banter and kind and easy service. She also did wonderful service for a large table next to mine with two families and 4 young children (that was the entertainment). The kids were accomodated with kid-friendly food.

There is clearly a well-run kitchen behind the front of this establishment, because the place was packed that night, and the food courses arrived promptly, fresh and at the right temperature, when wanted. It felt like I was being served on my schedule, not theirs.

The decor is dark wood, cream walls, German-themed. The patrons were all ages, with tables of one (me), twos, lots of 4-tops, and groups up to nine that I saw. Because the dining is split into separate rooms, you don't feel lost in a large dining hall. In fact, it's kind of cozy, though not what I'd call intimate. On a busy Saturday night, there's the noise of a full room, but there is no problem having having and hearing your own private conversations.

The bar in front was lively but not raucus. I have been here week nights for business meetings, both in the regular restaurant seating and in their ample private rooms (upstairs and down). I found it perfectly suited for that as well. There is the comfortable atmosphere of a restaurant with a long Germanic history that will be here for...

I started working in Deutschtown a month ago. I always like to see what restaurants are nearby when starting a new job. I saw Max’s was within walking distance and immediately wanted to try it as I love German food.

The tavern is everything you’d want in a place like this. Clean, low-key, friendly and welcoming. Not a big crowd at all on a Friday afternoon lunch break, either. I sat at the bar along with some cool older dudes who were just taking it easy and having a beer or two with their lunches.

I ordered the kasespaetzel and a side of hot German potato salad. It came with a small dish of two different rolls/bread with a small side of sauerkraut relish and apple butter, which were both excellent, the butter in particular.

The spaetzel was fantastic and the hot potato salad was easily some of the best I’ve ever had. It was all beyond my expectations. I was hoping it would be really good, and it wound up as close to perfect as you could get. The free popcorn was also a fun addition before my food arrived.

The price was amazing as well. Lunch with drink before tip came to $15 and change. That’s terrific these days for a sit down meal of this quality. It definitely beats the ever popular Hofbrauhaus in value and quality as well.

I can see this becoming a regular favorite easily. I’ll definitely return when it’s not during my work hours so I can enjoy some beer as well. So glad I finally got to try Max’s after hearing about it for a while. Another Pittsburgh gem and a no-brainer if you want delicious and affordable German food in a cozy atmosphere. Can’t...