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Max's Bakery & Delicatessen
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
20 reviews for Max's Bakery & Delicatessen
20 reviews in English
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Review from Brian S.
5/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
Max bakes bread nearly every day of the year. They bake bread thought the No Carb phase and now the Gluten free phase. Max's Levain Rye is a classic. Max's bakes cookies and cakes and brownies. The deli case is made up of multicultural ethic foods from butter chicken to texas chili with a side of greek salad.
Service can be slow, management of staff can feel non existent at times. In Max's defence it has nice seating area and its really the best place in the neighbourhood to get something to eat on the fly.
It has great hours. Yes Max's can be better and it has been better in the past. But I live in the Now and I'm a fan. -
Review from Scott P.
11/17/2011
I really wanted to love you to pieces. I have only lived in the neighborhood for a few weeks and every night I walk my dog past your little empire. I always stop to peek in the window and see what you have prepared for that day. Today after a kick ass workout I needed something yummy to eat and you were my source.
It was mayhem when I arrived. Sure it was 12:30 pm on a Thursday but it was madness in the shop. After standing in what appeared to be a line to place my order I finally realized there was a number system. But where was the number? I did find my number 84 and stood around for another 15 minutes before I could place my order. Honestly there must have been 10 people behind the counter so I don't understand why the wait. I at least felt happy I figured out the number system because there was a gaggle of girls who came in after me and they didn't take numbers and were sent to the back of the line. Not good!
I ordered the turkey and bacon sandwich with tomato, lettuce, mayo on multi grain. I know it is pretty basic but thought how can I go wrong. Well I was not impressed. With all the nice looking prepared salads in the glass case I just would have expected there to be a "twist" on my sandwich. Perhaps a tarragon mayo, perhaps a little more mayo, perhaps some flavor? It just didn't wow me for $8.95. I have enjoyed my Subway sandwich more than this turkey sandwich. It just didn't seem to be made with any sort of LOVE! Not to mention they didn't even give me a deli pickle with my purchase.
With that all said it was my first experience. I will give it another go but I will do it with a bit more caution. My expectations were very high and that was perhaps a mistake.
Come to think of it why did I even bother giving a tip. I guess I am just a nice guy! -
Review from Mark H.
4/8/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Unwelcome greeting: Mr. Take-A-Number dispenser. Some people didn't see it, got pissed when told to take a number and left pissed. Lesson to be learned.
Walking in the food and stuff was very appealing, especially the sweet stuff. However what was odd was the high # of staff behind the counters and somewhat slow service we received. Pretty much everything there is pre-made, hmm.
I just had a fresh mango smoothie (not sure about the fresh part), gf had sausage roll. I actually had to get my smoothie remade as the girl didn't blend the ice enough, causing the ice to get stuck in my straw.
I'll give it a 2nd chance. -
Review from Evilyn T.
6/9/2011
Puckin' A man!! One of my friends told me that Max's was making brownies in the shape of pucks with the old Canucks hockey stick logo on them. I had to check this shit out! Turns out she was right, and I ended up ordering about 24 of them on the phone. I came by after work to pick them up and they were all ready and boxed up for me, this was just way too convenient. Sure, I ran up a bill of like $72, they were about $3/each after tax, but how often do the 'Nucks get to the Stanley Cup final? This is cause for celebration!
I was the most popular girl at work when I brought them in, and I was supremely flattered when people actually asked me if I made them. Hah! Of course I did!! I'm sure Max's is selling out of those brownies every day, even if we are playing like the Toronto Maple Leafs right now. -
Review from Renee C.
12/8/2010
Max, what happened to you?
Actually, I don't know how you originally were because since I've known you, you haven't been a very reliable acquaintance. You apparently really used to be something. But though you now offer free wireless, a bunch of of important stuff is missing. Like the desserts you offer me are...sure, they look pretty, but they don't deliver in the the taste department..
And I might say too, that I think you need to step back to reality a little too because your prices are way over the top for the quality and taste you offer. Maybe if your offerings didn't look so good I wouldn't be quite so tough on you. I just feel like you can do better. I'll check back with you in 6 months to see if you've changed your ways -
Review from beki L.
Vancouver, BC
10/22/2010 2 photos
I can see this place becoming dangerous real fast!! The overly abundant display of tantalizing scrumptous eats to make anyone's eyeballs pop outta their sockets...I don't even know where to start!!
Funny, I've always 'heard' of this magical place..but never actually been here until my friend, Ken brought me. We must've took 15 minutes of parading back and forth the food display before deciding on what we wanted.
i settled for a breakfast wrap with a golden beet salad...and finished it off with the white chocolate blueberry bread pudding!
was everything delicious? YES!
was the staff awesome? YES!!
will i come back? oh god...someone hold me back!!Listed in: Just make it QuiCK!!, something sweeet~, Breaky & Brunch Bliss!!
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Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
7/8/2009
Nom, nom, nom, nom! So many sugary, buttery, rich pastries...what should I chose? That almond butter and chocolate croissant looks like it has a day's worth of carbs--let's have one of those! Okay, so there's no denying it, it was incredible...but it's definitely not a regular treat: I had to do a double take on the bill--an Americano and the croissant came to 6.50!
But with fair trade coffee, a plethora of delectable looking pastries to choose from, a deli selection full of good looking lunch bites, and a laid back neighbourhood vibe, I'd still go back. (I hestitated on the 3 stars...it was the service that lost them their fourth star. Hopefully next time the barista/clerk will speak to me instead of at me and maybe even say a thank you, or show a whisper of a smile!) -
Review from Damian W.
Maple Ridge, BC
4/28/2010
5 stars for food
Great pastrami on rye. But service is slow, dragging whole review down. Staff is nice but totally not set up for deli service. Went with wife and kids. Good food but took 15 minutes to get food, 4 sandwiches, and no one was in front of us.
If you want a great deli sandwich they have it. If you want to get it quickly like you would in Montreal, New York, Philly etc. Forget about it. -
Review from Liz B.
Vancouver, BC
9/22/2009
LIke those before me, I used to love Max's. But I just get too irritated now because of the ridiculously slow service and lack of friendliness.
Esquires on the opposite corner, does equally good coffee, limited range of cakes, but they are so much more cheery.
Sorry Max's. -
Review from Melissa F.
Toronto, ON
8/28/2009
This USED to be a FIVE star bakery.
But now they are cookie cutter, wifi offering, averageness
I remember when they used to seel whole cakes out of a beautiful case, and then they would put on a $1.99 special slice of cake for the cake they wanted to sell fast.
individual tarts and cakes aren't as homey as the slice of large cakes they used to serve.
And I remmeber this deli haveing an amazing neighbourhood feel. quaint, friendly where poeple sit outside and talk to neighbours as they passed by.
but no more. maybe it's the nostalgia of what once was that is knocking the star rating down..but I relaly miss the old max's.
wifi at a bakery.. some things are better left not...progressing. -
Review from Kelly C.
7/9/2011
I too fell victim to the number taking thingy, I didn't see it when I walked in and just stood in line, until they started calling numbers and I got a sinking feeling I had done something wrong... Hmm. But once I got my number I was served fairly quickly, considering it was quite the lunch rush. The food was tasty, well worth the wait. A bowl of tasty mac n cheese and a roasted veggie + feta panini were my choices for my first visit, they were very good. I'll definitely be back to try more. The tarts looked lovely.
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Review from Alexander Bromley Clark D.
Vancouver, BC
4/30/2010
I have been to New York three times, and frequenting the legion of Jewish and Italian delis in the Big Apple is one of my favourite things to do while I am there. Other cities that I have visited, including Montreal and (surprisingly) LA, also contain an impressive spattering of shops selling charcuterie, coffee, tea, artisan breads, sumptuous salads, sandwiches and snacks, which provide the public with a cosmopolitan alternative to sit-down restaurants and grocery stores. The delicatessen concept appears to have befuddled Vancouver entrepreneurs and restaurateurs, as the city seriously lacks in these essential dining establishments.
Vancouver didn't always used to be this way. Prior to the city's conventional, "No Fun" persona that was inexplicably embraced during the early Nineties, Vancouver's small town feel, commercial diversity, and multicultural roots were amplified by the various Italian, Jewish, Greek and German delis around town...many of which were along West Broadway and 4th Avenue. While Starbucks, Blenz and Subway have replaced most of these independent, idiosyncratic eateries, a few do still exist, including Max's Bakery & Delicatessen on 15th and Oak.
I think that Max's (which also owns the stellar Stuart's Bakery on Granville Island) is the best deli in Vancouver. From BBQ'd ribs to crema-clad espresso to seasonal baked goods, Max's is a comfortable and casual deli with a huge array of fresh dishes and items. While I frequent Max's about once a fortnight in order to read my Library Studies texts (yes, Library Studies) over a 16oz Americano and peach-raspberry tart (made with Okanagan peaches), I also adore their mini pumpkin pies, their caramel-apple cheesecake, and their mille-feuille. As you can see, I am a sweet-tooth, but they also have dozens of savory dishes to choose from, including an invigorating broccoli salad, a hearty butter chicken, and traditional cabbage rolls.
As if the outstanding food weren't enough, Max's also offers Wi-fi and outdoor seating. I urge everyone to seek out these types of places. Max's is the best, but there is also Ploger's German Deli at 1st and Cypress, and Parthenon Greek Deli at Broadway and Balaclava. It is important to support the small businesses of any city, and to punish those peddlers of corporate mediocrity, such as Starbucks and Blenz. -
Review from Louise G.
2/27/2010
Coffee is only so-so.
Their selection of baked goods and pastries is amazing. Nice fresh baked breads. Large deli selection of ready to eat items: casseroles, wraps, salads, pot pies, etc. Made to order sandwiches. Deli-style breakfast all day (bagels etc...) Bottled drinks.
Fairly large seating section. High ceilings. Bright space. -
Review from Chris B.
Vancouver, BC
6/17/2011
The shrimp & dill sandwich is fantastic! Although I noticed that they are getting smaller.
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Review from Jeannette G.
Vancouver, BC
8/5/2009
shoot me if I ever go in here again. I have lived in the area for 20 years and have watched Max's slide down hill the whole time.
Most of the food is overpriced (4.50 for a cabbage roll with nothing???pleeezzze) and pretty average.
I don't get the crowds all the time and have walked out on many occasions out of frustration at the sloooowwww service. One person takes your order, then saunters off to make your food and then takes the cash! Touching food and money- I don't think so. The poor girls who work there can't help it, it's just the lack of system. I have waited up to 15 minutes and still not ordered.
I wonder how many thousands of dollars they lose every week. I have never been there and not seen people walk out tired of waiting.
I find the desserts to be of the "look better than they taste". It's the same bakers as Stuart's on Gran Isle and now at Oakridge. Sugary, lacking substance and the worst lemon tart I have ever eaten . I actually took most of it back as it tasted of butter and that's it!.
It's only 2 blocks from my house and I only occasionally pick up a bun or bread but only if no one is in the shop. -
Review from Erica C.
Vancouver, BC
7/20/2009
Once again today, I ventured into Max's (about 5th time) hoping to get that same tasting sandwich that impressed me the first time I walked in......disappointed again. Got a picnic to go for 2 just b/c it was convenient...but it was WAY overpriced and uninspiring like other readers have said. ALL the baked goods/sweets I have boughten tasted like they were there for awhile -stale. Had the stalest, worst tasting rice crispy square ever today (or should I say the seagulls got it) - c'mon - how can you go wrong with a rice crispie square! I need help finding better deli's/lunch places offering fresh food (new to the Van)....this is a last minute - got no time - no other choices place....sadly it looks really good from far, but far from really good. Service is also hit/miss.......too bad.
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Review from Helen H.
Vancouver, BC
9/4/2011
This deli has an attractive atmosphere and a good selection of food. I've been satisfied with take-away savouries, but the cookies are dry and tasteless. No fancy gourmet deli or bakery can make cookies better than the ones at Tim Hortons and they are nearly half the price.
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Review from Mina B.
2/10/2010
4 stars for the sweet and sour tofu!! the veggie sandwich is great too. haven't tried anything else but it all looks very delicious. it sure is a little too expensive but once in a while i'll come back for more TOFU!!!!!!!!
Listed in: TOFU (Vancouver)
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Review from J Michael C.
8/16/2011
the eggwraps are great. the coffee isn't so great. the wifi hiccups. and the service isn't so nice. in spite of their WE WELCOME SPECIAL REQUESTS, i asked for a wrap with egg and cheese only and was told to get one of the ones already made. i mentioned that i didnt eat meat (prepared ones had sausage) and was met with a sigh and an 'ok.'
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Review from J G.
Vancouver, BC
11/11/2008 1 photo
As far as delicatessens go, Max's is great. They have plenty of really fresh and tasty baked good ranging from plump bagels to cookies, cakes and sumptuous looking pies. I've only ever had the key lime pie (actually it was a mini pie, a tart), and it was great. And, in addition to all the baked yumminess in here, you'll find plenty of prepared foods like salads, samosas, and sandwiches. I've never eaten in here, but it's often pretty busy, so the eat-in menu must be tasty. The service here is friendly, but be prepared to wait just a little, as this is definitely a popular spot.
