Cafe Max — Restaurant in Richardson

I used to frequent Café Max during my Richardson Jr High PTA days, and occasionally since, in the 20 years since I left Richardson for central Dallas. This time I was picking up on the early side (always used to eat in), to take food to Richardson Methodist for dear friends who are basically family so we could share lunch together while one of our party was admitted there. We all love the Caesar salad and the seafood salad, so that's what I got, along with spinach quiche, in case our ill family member would be up for eating and prefer something more easily digestible. It was early when I picked up, around 10:30, and maybe that was part of the problem. When I walked in, the dining room was almost empty. Nobody acknowledged me for a few minutes while I stood around. Finally someone told me, rather shortly I thought, that I needed to go two doors down for pickup. So I exited the building and re-entered the pickup location. The kitchen was shared and I could see thru to the cafeteria I had just left. It was a little odd considering I was the only customer in either space, but okay. My order was ready and I paid and left. At the hospital, there was a lot going on and we didn't eat for a bit. I finally ended up taking mine because I had to get home to go back to work (WFH). So the order sat about 30 minutes. I was starving so I ate a few bites at traffic lights on the way home. There was a huge amount of food, as is standard at this restaurant. I was surprised to see the Caesar literally drowning in dressing. No parmesan cheese evident anywhere, which I swear I remember but maybe that's just when I make it at home, and maybe two croutons. Looked like they maybe didn't mix it up properly? I recall big bowls of many servings, so that's certainly possible. And my doc would probably disagree, but in my opinion it's better to have too much dressing than not enough - so that was okay. I had parmesan at home, and my doc and I can agree I don't need croutons :).

The seafood ... the texture was different than usual. Hard to describe, but not up to par. Also heavy on the mayo (sorry, Doc), and somehow ... it wasn't quite a soggyish cardboard texture, but not far off and I can't think of a closer analogy. Since it was a huge amount, it's lasted a couple of days. So today I used cauliflower based crackers and treated it like a dip, and it was... better. I was expecting the texture this time, which helped. There's still some left - they really don't skimp on portions! Maybe I'll like it even more if I finish it tomorrow. I'll definitely try Café Max again, and plan to not be one of the first there ... I think that might help. Hopefully this was...

This review is based completely on how badly I was treated today by the general manager not the food. The food has always been great. I have been visiting this location for about 15 years.. My companies office is actually 1 block over so Cafe Max has been one of our go to places for lunch for a long time. Well today I went in to get lunch and placed my order but when I went to pay the lady told me she could not accept my card because it didnt have a chip. Well I recently lost my bank card so I have a temp card until my new one comes in the mail. I advised the card could be swiped and she showed me that the slot is taped up so I advised it could be entered manually and she responded that she didnt have time. as you can imagine that wasnt the response I was looking for. At this point I asked for the manager. I never thought that asking for the manager could make my experience today worse because managers are supposed to help resolve issues right? Well not this guy. From the time he stepped up to the register and cut me off before I could even explain the issue completely all the way to the point where I told him how bad of a manager he was, he acted like a complete jerk with absolutely no customer service skills or compassion for his customers. Did he say "man that stinks to lose your bank card let me see what I can do"?? No he didnt!! he just repeated over and over "we only accept cards with chips" I offered to show him my ID, his response was "we only accept cards with chips" I told him he could enter it manually, his response was "we only accept cards with chips" and then he added "and we only enter it manually if the chip fails". So let me understand this.. you can enter the card manually but will only do so if the chip fails, not to help out a paying customer that has been buying food from you for 15+ years who had the misfortune of losing his bank card. So yeah the food is always good but you have to be willing to be made to feel like your unimportant as a customer. No thanks!! Id rather go to the corner gas station for a frozen burrito where my business is appreciated and the customer service skill set is far superior to what this so called "general manager" displayed today. I would like to also point out that my temp card has the VISA logo and is issued by Bank of America. You know the same VISA logo proudly displayed on merchant/business windows and doors all across the country... EVEN AT CAFE MAX!!! which obviously means...

I’d give the food 4 stars and the service 2 stars, just to clarify my 3 star rating.

If you can go in with low expectations on service, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. As many reviewers mentioned, the service isn’t particularly friendly. I wouldn’t necessarily call them rude, just not friendly or accommodating. Thankfully for Cafe Max their food makes up for it or they wouldn’t be in business. It’s a rule-sy type place that during the pandemic they had multiple signs saying the same thing, but not limited to mask requirements. They post about keeping the door closed, pricing going up, max number of people in at a time, etc. Once you’re inside, expect to follow their menu as they are unlikely to accommodate any special requests. I will give them credit that they do agree to leave off one of the salads I don’t care for from my sampler, but I feel like I’ve got to ask real nice for them to begrudgingly do so 🤣. One time I was there, the lady in front of me wanted 4 different salads, not a trio or a sampler. The answer was a hard “no”. If you want the Caesar dressing on the side, prepare to pay $2 extra. At some point you weren’t allowed to order just Caesar bc of the romaine shortages (why not just offer it until it sells out?). The dining room has been closed for a long time. I asked about it a year ago and they said they couldn’t get the staff. Most restaurants and businesses for that matter are struggling to do so, but you don’t get a warm friendly vibe from the staff here, so I can’t say I’m surprised. If you don’t look happy to work there, it’s hard to attract happy (or any) employees.

Regarding the food, the portions have been huge for all the years I’ve been coming, but my visit today was almost half of what they normally give. It was more of a normal sized portion and the right amount for me as I usually can only eat half. I also have noticed in the last year or so, the chicken in the chicken salad can sometimes have a funky taste and texture. I’m not sure if it’s the quality or they are keeping it too long, but it never used to be that way. It’s hit and miss. Their zucchini muffins are usually great, but I do occasionally get a dry one which never use to happen.

I pick up lunch typically a couple times a month and will probably continue. I do recommend Cafe Max to friends, but often give them a “heads up” about...